As part of the Legacy Learning Center’s (LLC) quest for excellence and dedication to the development and support of programs and courses that enrich students’ background and graduate students who are better equipped for college, we have selected a number of our students’ writing assignment to share with our teachers, parents, and students.  These model essays show the great interest and efforts our students put out into their work, and showcase their great skill they employed to reach the final product.  We hope this select sample would encourage our students to continue their great work and even aim higher, as well as motivate all students to pick up a pen and start writing!​

​Abdullah Ali
11/9/2016
English Composition
Br. Abu-Bakr

The microwave is a new invention, invented by Percy Spencer, that uses electromagnetic waves to cook/heat up food.  The microwave works by sending electromagnetic waves at a certain frequency and wavelength which causes the food to vibrate and heat up.  The microwave plays an important role in people’s lives.  Before the invention of the microwave, people would spend hours and hours preparing food and reheating it, while today it is much faster to prepare food.  Another way that the invention of the microwave is changing the world is that it has reduced pollution by decreasing the use of wood for cooking.  Instead, people do not have to waste wood and harm the environment, they can just use the microwave to cook their food.  Before the invention of the microwave, people would spend hours to search for wood, and when they did, they had to light the wood, bring the food, then cook it, which took hours.  Today people do not have to go through this drama.  They can just cook their food in three steps: put the food in the microwave, wait for it to heat up, and enjoy the meal.  The invention of the microwave can prevent bacteria on food better than the normal way of cooking.  Before the invention of the microwave, food could easily be infected by bacteria, but because of the microwave, we can get rid of the bacteria faster and more efficiently.  On the other hand, microwaves can increase the risks of cancer.  In conclusion, the invention of the microwave has changed the world for the better.

Taqwa is a very important topic in Islam.  Allah said in surah Al-Hujarat (49:13),"Verily the most honorable among you in the sight of God is the one who is most God-conscious.”
The word Taqwa has many different definitions.  Many scholars translate the word
Taqwa as “to fear Allah”, others translate Taqwa as “to be conscious of Allah”, but in Islam the
word Taqwa is known as piety.  The linguistic origin of the word Taqwa comes from the Arabic
root letters Waqayya (meaning shield) and Taqwa’s verb form is Ittaki.  Ittaki means to be careful or to fear or to be cautious toward Allah.
Taqwa is one of the most important and comprehensive Islamic concepts.  Taqwa is the
Islamic concept of having self-restraint.  It is used 251 times in the Islamic holy book (Quran).
The word Taqwa comes from the word “wa-qa-ya” which means protection or shield.  Taqwa is divided into two pillars.  The first pillar is to fear Allah by staying away from the things Allah- the Almighty- prohibited.  This means to avoid all sorts of things Allah has prohibited, such as drinking wine or committing adultery.  The second pillar is to follow the things Allah made mandatory for Muslim, such as praying the five daily prayers or paying zakat (a certain amount of money Muslims have to help out less-fortunate).
There are many ayat (verses from the Quran) and hadith about Taqwa.  For example:
1.     'Umar and Ka'b who were companions of the prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. It was reported that 'Umar ibn al-Khattab asked about Ka'ab the meaning of Taqwa; Ka'ab was renowned for his deep understanding of the Qur'an. In reply Ka’ab asked Umar, “What do you do when you have to pass through a thorny road?" 'Umar replied, “I lift my clothes up to my calves and watch my footsteps and take each step slowly from the fear of thorns lest they do not prick me”. Ka’b said, “This is Taqwa”.
Definition: Umar- may Allah be pleased with him- is trying to show us how Taqwa is the same as being scared while walking through a thorny road.  This means that one should have caution when disobeying Allah’s rules as he/she has caution when walking through a thorny road.
On the authority of Abu Dharr Jundub ibn Junaadah, and Abu ‘Abd-ir-Rahmaan Mu’aadh bin Jabal- may Allah be pleased with him- that the Messenger of Allah- peace be upon him- said: “Have Taqwa (Fear) of Allah [Be pious] wherever you may be, and follow up a bad deed with a good deed which will wipe it out, and behave well towards the people.” Related by Al-Tirmidhi.
Explanation: The meaning of this hadith is that if one commits a bad deed he/she should balance that bad deed with a good deed.  Also, one should have Taqwa wherever one is.  Whether one is playing soccer or having a party, he/she should fear Allah and not commit any bad sins.
3.     Allah the Exalted said; {And be afraid of the Day when you shall be brought back to Allah. Then every person shall be paid what he earned, and they shall not be dealt with unjustly} (Surah Al-Baqara: 281).
Explanation: Allah () says to have Taqwa because soon we shall return to Allah and everyone will pay for what he did. If one did well in this life, then he will receive good things in the hereafter but if one did wrong then he will receive a punishment.
Taqwa is very important in human life because it can keep everything balanced.  If one is going through hardships, but has Taqwa then Allah will remove his/her hardships.  Allah said in Surat At-Talaq (ayah 2 and 3), {whoever has Taqwa, He (Allah) prepares a way out for him.  And He provides for him from sources he would never expect.}  Also, having Taqwa will lead one to have more good deeds and to repent more to Allah.  Allah says in Surat Al-Ahzab: {O you who believe fear Allah and Always say a word directed to the right. That He may take your conduct whole and sound and forgive you your sins} (verse 70 and 71).  Also, Taqwa can keep one's life balanced.  If one has Taqwa then he can keep himself from committing too many sins.  Although he/she will still commit sins, but the sins will decrease more and more over time.
Those who have Taqwa will have many benefits in this life and the hereafter.  Firstly, those who have Taqwa will have glad tidings in this life and the hereafter.  Allah says in Surat Yunus, {Those who believed and had Taqwa of Allah. For them are glad tidings, in the life of the present world and in the Hereafter. No change can there be in the Words of Allah. That is indeed the supreme success, ayah 63 and 64.}  For the people who have Taqwa, they will receive paradise in the hereafter. Allah says in Surat Maryam, {There is not one of you but will pass over it (Hell); this is with your Lord; a Decree which must be accomplished. Then we will save those who had Taqwa and leave the wrongdoers within it, on their knees, ayah 71 and 72.}
In conclusion, Taqwa is the key for one to enter Paradise.  In order for one to have Taqwa, he/she must strive to accumulate their Taqwa by practicing to make their Taqwa more powerful, in order to enter Paradise.

Rayan Choukri
11/2/2016
Br.Abu Bakr
9th Grade English Composition

The most controversial issue that we are facing currently worldwide is the use for nuclear power plants for energy.  In my opinion nuclear power plants provide an easy alternative for other nonrenewable sources of energy that cause pollution.  Although there are many disadvantages of using nuclear power plants, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
An advantage is that Energy from nuclear power plants is more efficient and cheaper than energy from alternative energy sources.  The material used to power nuclear power plants is Uranium.  The amount of Uranium needed to power a nuclear power plant to get energy is 23 grams. To power any power plant with coal one must use 3,000,000 grams of coal. 23 grams of Uranium does not cause as much pollution as burning 3,000,000 grams of coal.  This will certainly affect global warming.  This is why many countries choose to invest in nuclear power plants.
Another advantage of nuclear power plants is that they only creates low pollution in matter of carbon dioxide unlike other power plants. On the other hand, electric power plants cause a lot of different types of pollutions including carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and dangerous chemicals which can affect many employees and the population.  These power plants lead to bad consequences including acid rain, smog, and an increasing hole in the ozone layer which can cause many diseases such as skin cancer.  The amount of pollution nuclear power plants contributes to global warming is relatively low unlike the amount of pollution electric power plants produce.
The amount of fuel needed to power a nuclear power plant is not that much in quantity. The amount of Uranium need to power nuclear power plants is only 23 grams which only costs 2.65 dollars.  To power any power plant using coal one must use 3,000,000 grams of coal which costs more than 500 dollars.  The energy gained from nuclear power plants is one of the country’s major energy sources and is estimated to last for more than 223 years while other natural gases and nonrenewable resources are expected to vanish within 55 years.  The supply of Uranium is widely available worldwide and is efficient.
The energy produced by nuclear power plants is more reliable than alternative power plants.  Many other power plants depend on wind, water, and many nonrenewable resources that are not reliable.  Many days there could be consistent strong wind but some days there is no wind.  Coal and other nonrenewable resources are also not reliable because they can easily run out.  There is a vast supply of Uranium so there will also be a lot of energy generated from nuclear power plants.  Also the electricity generated from nuclear power plants is the most reliable type of electricity.  Usually once in a while there is a power outage, but if the electricity is generated from a nuclear power plant then there are usually no power outages.
While there are many advantages there are some disadvantages to nuclear power plants.  A disadvantage of nuclear power plants is the waste that is made from the nuclear power plants is radioactive.  These radioactive material affects heath negatively and can cause severe diseases including cancer, and can even lead to death. To store these wastes usually developed countries pay developing and 3rd world countries to store their radioactive waste underground in their land.  The developed countries know that there is a great risk if they stored the radioactive waste in their land so they pay other countries to let them store these nuclear waste in their lands.  This increases cause too many diseases which are uncontrollable and have no cures.  The developed countries end up regretting paying the developing countries because a lot of immigrants with diseases come back to the country.  When these new radioactive diseases come into the country there is an increase in demand for medical resources and the death rate will increase substantially.
Wherever there are nuclear power plants there is always a risk that there will be a nuclear accident.  Usually with electric power plants the accidents are usually small and a few people get burned, but when there are nuclear accidents usually everyone within one hundred miles gets affected negatively with radioactive material.  This usually increases lawsuits against the country from many people.  The radioactive diseases that were caused by the nuclear accident  usually tend to spread and affect more people.  More people will need medical help and not many people will work in nuclear power plants and that will hurt the economy.

If I were president, I would strive to accomplish 3 things.  First, I would make health care more affordable for the citizens of the United States of America; Second, I would create a federal department that provides care and help to U.S veterans; and third, I would require all U.S citizens to vote and engage in community service.  Health care in the U.S is not very affordable to many people. If I became president I would provide U.S veterans and lower class with free health care.  I would provide free public treatments for U.S citizens.  Last I would create new businesses that would help small businesses provide their employees with good, affordable insurance.  If I were president I would also make sure that no one gets discriminated. I will create a federal department that provides care and help for veterans in need.  To accomplish this, I would build public homes for our veterans and I will provide them with food and nursing free of charge. Many U.S veterans come back from war and suffer from mental diseases such as PTSD ( post dramatic stress disorder), as president I would hire health professionals to improve the health condition of U.S veterans.  The last objective I would strive to accomplish is the requirement of voting and the requirement to engage in community service.  I will first create a law to require people to vote or else they would lose the privilege of voting for a couple of years.  Finally I would require all U.S citizens to give 95 hours yearly of community service and if they do not volunteer then they will have to pay a fine, which will be used to pay for public places.  That is what I would accomplish as president.

I am woken up by the alarm flashing 6:30 A.M. in bright green. The sun is not even out yet. I am exhausted from the thrill of the previous night and the last thing on my mind is getting out of my bed and getting ready to go to the mosque. My family and I celebrated the final night of Ramadan by enjoying eating dinner at sunset all together at one house. As the dizzy feeling slips away, I am filled with excitement for Eid ul Adha, My stomach still feels completely full from last night’s dinner, but I still enjoy consuming a date in the morning just as my family have done every Eid morning. As the sun starts to rise and shine through my window, my entire family is almost ready to go. All dressed in our new and beautiful Eid clothes, we head over to the car to start our trip to the masjid. All Muslims are required to go to the mosque after Ramadan in the morning to attend the Eid prayer, a shortened version of our 5 prayers every day. Like the billions of Muslims around the world, I stand next to my cousins and friends as we start the prayer. By 10 a.m. I am out of the masjid and am at a breakfast held in Legacy Learning Center, a Muslim school in Indianapolis. The smell of the fresh falafel, glazed donuts, savory cupcakes and toasted pita bread welcomes all the Muslims as they enter Legacy Learning Center. The glazed donuts have, and will always be my favorite breakfast with milk mainly because I really enjoy sweets. I quickly grab 2 donuts and a few cupcakes, head over to a round table, and begin to eat as I talk to all my friends and cousins. Eid is not a complete celebration without my family. I usually make sure to spend time with them on this special religious day. We usually go to Incrediplex to play soccer and football. I always return home exhausted. This is why I always look forward to Eid.​

Br. Abu-Bakr
Education is a very important tool in our lives.  Education is more than just learning from books.  Education helps us answer life's big questions.  Education also plays a vital role to a productive, good life.  There are many reasons why education is important.  Firstly, education is highly important so we can have a happy life and enjoy the good things the world has to offer. Secondly, money is important in order to survive in this world.  Likewise, we have to be educated in order to achieve that.  Thirdly, if we want to see the world at peace, education is what we need to achieve that.  For instance, if we are educated, we are well aware of our rights, the laws, and our responsibilities towards society.  Hence, education is an important factor that brings about peace and harmony.  Finally, education gives us the confidence to express our views in knowledge and in our opinions.  To reiterate, education is very beneficial for society. Education is the key that lets people become successful in life.  Education also lets people seek better jobs.  Once again, education is very important and no one should take our hopes away from achieving it.

​​Aysha Haq
11/16/16
English Composition
Br. Abu Bakr

Charity is the act of voluntary giving to the ones in need, usually in the form of money. In Islam, there is a mandatory law wherein one must give charity to the poverty-stricken in their community. This is called Zakat. It is considered a righteous deed in Islam.

Zakat is an Arabic word that has the root ‘zaka’ which means to grow in goodness, increase in purity or to purify. It is a notion of charity, which Islam made mandatory to Muslims. Not all people need to give Zakat. In order to give Zakat one would have to be Muslim, free (not a slave), sane and, of course, an adult. They must possess a certain minimum amount of extra wealth (nisab). The nisab’s exact amount is 3 ounces of gold or 21 ounces of silver. Anyone who owns this amount of money has to pay Zakat. The wealth must be owned fully and completely by the one giving Zakat in excess of personal use. They must have this minimum amount for one lunar year (hawl). About 2.5% of the nisab is required to be given as Zakat. There are eight kinds of people that should receive Zakat. The poor meaning low income or indigent; the needy, meaning someone who is in difficulty; Zakat administrators, meaning a trustworthy organization that may help you calculate your Zakat and accept payment for it; new Muslims and friends in the Muslim community; those in bondage (slaves and/or captives); the debt-ridden; for the sake of God or Allah; those who are stranded or are traveling with limited resources.
A social welfare system provides assistance to needy individuals and families. It provides the poor people in the community with money and food, so they might not commit a crime in order to survive. This is what Zakat provides because the rich Muslims are required to give the poor, so they shall not commit sins.
“Whoever is made wealthy by Allah and does not pay the Zakat of his wealth, then on the Day of Resurrection his wealth will be made like a bald-headed poisonous male snake with two black spots over the eyes. The snake will encircle his neck and bite his cheeks and say, ‘I am your wealth, I am your treasure.’ ” Then the Prophet recited the holy verses:– ‘Let not those who withhold . . .’ (to the end of the verse). (3.180).
﴿وَلاَ يَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ يَبْخَلُونَ بِمَآ ءَاتَـهُمُ اللَّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِ هُوَ خَيْراً لَّهُمْ بَلْ هُوَ شَرٌّ لَّهُمْ﴾
( And let not those who are stingy with that which Allah has bestowed on them of His bounty (wealth) think that it is good for them. Nay, it will be worse for them.) ﴿3:180﴾

It is not permitted if one does not pay Zakat in Islam. If one does not pay Zakat then he/she will be punished on the Day of Judgment. The Prophet said, “(On the Day of Resurrection) camels will come to their owner in the best state of health they have ever had (in the world), and if he had not paid their Zakat (in the world) then they would tread him with their feet; and similarly, sheep will come to their owner in the best state of health they have ever had in the world, and if he had not paid their Zakat, then they would tread him with their hooves and would butt him with their horns.” The Prophet added, “One of their rights is that they should be milked while water is kept in front of them.” The Prophet added, “I do not want anyone of you to come to me on the Day of Resurrection, carrying over his neck a sheep that will be bleating. Such a person will (then) say, ‘O Muhammad! (please intercede for me,) I will say to him. ‘I can’t help you, for I conveyed Allah’s Message to you.’ Similarly, I do not want anyone of you to come to me carrying over his neck a camel that will be grunting. Such a person (then) will say “O Muhammad! (please intercede for me).” I will say to him, “I can’t help you for I conveyed Allah’s message to you.”

There are different types of Zakat in Islam. Sadaqah is the general term in Islam for charity. Sadaqah al-Fitr is a charity which is a duty upon every sane Muslim, who possesses the value of Nisab beyond the basic necessities. Nadhr is an action which becomes necessary due to one imposing it upon oneself. Sadaqah for the removing of difficulties one, at the time of donating, should ask Allah to make easy one's deliverance. Sadaqah for the expiation of sins one, at the time of donating, should ask Allah to forgive one's shortcomings.
There are many benefits to giving Zakat. One of the benefits behind giving Islam is that it purifies the souls of rich Muslims and it cleanses them from greed and selfishness. It clarifies the soul of the poor from hate and jealousy they may feel towards the rich. It allows Muslims to grow fond of good manners such as giving charity. It uproots poverty in the Muslim society. Many poor people steal and kill to provide for themselves and their loved ones. Zakat provides them with money so they do not have to steal or murder for anything. It spreads the religion of Islam to other non-Muslims.
Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Envy is permitted only in two cases: A man whom Allah gives wealth, and he disposes of it rightfully, and a man to whom Allah gives knowledge which he applies and teaches it.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) asked, “Who of you loves the wealth of his heir more than his own wealth?” The Companions said: “O Messenger of Allah! There is none of us but loves his own wealth more.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “His wealth is that which he has sent forward, but that which he retains belongs to his heir.”
[Al-Bukhari].

Adi bin Hatim (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Protect yourself from Hell-fire even by giving a piece of date as charity.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Br. Abu-Bakr

Illegal immigration is a very controversial topic. Many people have lots to say about illegal immigrants and most of what they say is negative, but I believe that they should be given the benefit of the doubt.  They affect the economy in positive ways more than negative ways. The economy can greatly benefit from these illegal immigrants. The main reason that illegal immigrants come here is to support their families, so many have jobs. This helps the economy grow. They contribute to the economy with talent, drive and their ideas. They help businesses grow and develop. Undocumented immigrants are willing to take all kinds of jobs that the average American is not willing to take. Furthermore, the illegal immigrants create a more diverse group in America. A lot of people say that America is like the saucepan of the world, so many people from so many places come to America to start a new life for themselves and their families. Many illegal immigrants have families to support and they would do anything for them, we should respect that. While they may add bad qualities to the United States of America like overpopulation and terrorist threats, all of these good qualities are the reason they should stay.

Here at the Legacy Learning Center we always strive to provide the students with the best possible extra-curricular programs to help them to be better prepared for college environment