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Weekly Comment |
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Meeting with the
President
A member of the Jamiatul
Ulama formed part of a
delegation of eleven
religious leaders from
around the country, who
met with President Mbeki
on Monday. The meeting
centered around the
serious and urgent level
of crime as well as the
debate being played out
in the media, regarding
the commissioner of
Police.
The government
delegation consisted of
President Mbeki and the
‘Security Cluster’ of
the government, which
included the ministers
of Safety and Security,
Defense, Justice as well
as their deputies and
other persons including
the Commissioner of
Police.
The Religious Leaders
raised the issue of the
increasingly high crime
rate and suggested that
a broad alliance be
formed, of which the
religious leaders
pledged to be a part of,
in order to fight crime.
The government responded
with various
presentations which were
aimed at showing:
• that crime has in
reality actually
decreased
• that government has
taken real and genuine
steps in combating crime
• that there has had
much success in the
apprehending and
convicting of criminals
• that various
challenges are faced by
the various
law-enforcement agencies
The importance of
community involvement
was continuously
stressed upon. Religious
leaders were encouraged
to engage the community
in a process of
education regarding
crime as well as
cooperation with law
enforcement agencies and
personnel.
The distinction was made
by government between
social crimes (crimes
committed by family
members, friends and
acquaintances) and
organized aggravated
crimes and robberies.
The point was made that
social crimes make up a
majority of crimes
committed, and a most
effective tool in
combating
this type of crime is
educating the people on
such crimes and how to
prevent such crimes from
being committed.
Religious leaders must
play an important role
in this regard. It was
also stated that, within
the ambit of organized
aggravated crimes,
various problems needed
to be addressed.
Security companies
transporting cash must
weed out corrupt
employees and deal with
the issue of ‘inside
information’. Malls and
shopping centers must
also take necessary
steps to prevent crime
and also monitor and
record
events that occur on
their premises.
Concerning the
suggestion of the
religious leaders to
form an alliance, it was
agreed that members of
the security cluster
would meet with
religious leaders soon,
and a plan would
be discussed.
With regard to the
Commissioner of Police
the President responded
by emphasizing his
commitment to his
responsibilities to the
country and assured the
religious leaders that
he was well-informed and
in touch with the real
details of the
situation. He stressed
that there was no truth
or substance in the
allegations against the
Commissioner. He added
that the issues raised
in the media do not have
the value of being
raised in a court of
law. He thus urged the
leaders to trust him
with regard to the
issue. The President
thus said that he does
not see any reason to
suspend or take any
action on the issue at
this stage. He did
however state that if
anyone had any credible
information, they should
bring such information
forward. He also said
that if any information
is discovered regarding
government officials,
then action
would be taken.
Religious leaders left
the meeting agreeing to
accept the word of the
President on the issue
of the commissioner, and
to further pursue the
issue
of developing a
comprehensive plan to
deal with crime. Whether
all, or even most of,
the leaders were really
convinced is anyone’s
guess.
Somalia in the spotlight
On Tuesday 21 November,
the Centre for Islamic
Studies (University of
Johannesburg), in
conjunction with the
African Association of
Political
Science hosted a one day
conference with the
topic - The significance
of
the Somali conflict in
the Horn of Africa:
towards an African
response.
The purpose of the
conference was to bring
together academics,
policy makers, and
members of the local
Muslim community to
reflect on major
issues currently
confronting Somalia.
Presentations focused on
the impact of foreign
involvement in the
conflict, highlighting
the need to find a new
political direction for
the country.
One of the most
important issues
addressed at the
conference related to
the growing power of the
Union of Islamic Courts.
In terms of current
issues on
the African continent,
the conflict in Somalia,
and the fact that it has
several regional
implications drew major
discussion from the
audience.
There is currently also
a growing humanitarian
crisis as a result of
the flooding of large
areas of the country.
Local Somali
organizations, in
particular the Somali
Association of South
African, and the Somali
Association of Tshwane
and District
participated in the
conference and indicated
that there is an urgent
need for aid.
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Qurbâni [Udhihiyya] |
Qurbâni arrangements
have been made locally
and abroad.
Kindly Forward Your
Payments
NOT LATER THAN THURSDAY,
28TH DECEMBER 2006
to Any of the Jamiat
Offices Below
OR
Deposit Directly into
Our
Jamiatul Ulama
NEDBANK FORDSBURG;
ACCOUNT NO: 1953 285 937
and Earmark Your Payment
“QURBANI 2006”
COST PER SHARE:
LOCAL: R700.00 ~
MALAWI: R200.00 ~ INDIA:
R165.00
Price of share includes
administration costs
NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
~ Kindly fax deposit
slip with name and
address details for
official receipt
~ Kindly submit names of
individuals on behalf of
whom Qurbâni is to be
made
~ Surplus funds, if any,
will be utilised for
Dîni activities. |
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C O N
T E N T S |
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Summarised
Jumuah Bayaan |
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Question and
Answer |
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Qurbâni [Udhiyya] |
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Update |
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Message from the Ameer |
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I N F
O R M A T I O N |
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Min. Mahr |
R 110.14 |
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Mahr Faatimi |
R 5,507.22 |
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Zakaat Nisaab |
R 2,202.89 |
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Words of Wisdom |
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Hadith of the Week |
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Visiting the
Sick |
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Thawbaan
Radhi-Allâhu ‘anhu narrates
that the Prophet (sallallahu
`alayhi wa salam) said:
Allah's Apostle (peace be
upon him) said: The one who
visits the sick is in fact
like one who is in the fruit
garden of Paradise so long
as he does not return.
(Muslim) |
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Quotation for the Week |
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Faults of
Other? |
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“To speak of the faults of
others is a serious shame
which is absolutely not
acceptable.
One should avoid doing it
except when one wishes to
advise someone whom one
fears to see fall in to the
clutches of the person one
is criticising or when one
only wishes to reprimand a
boastful person which should
be done to his face and not
behind his back.”
Ibn Hazm in his
Kitab Akhlaq
wa al-Siyar fi Mudawaat al-Nufoos
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Point of Reflection |
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Heart
Filled with Hate |
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It is easier
to turn a mountain into
dust, than to create love in
a heart that is filled with
hatred.
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Q and A |
I reside in
Lenasia and intend
to travel to Kimberly.
Kimberly
is about 450km away from
Lenasia. I will leave
Lenasia on 16th after Fajr
and return back home on 19th
December after Asr.
Question: Am I a
Musaafir or
not?
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Answer:
Yes, you will be a
Musaafir.
And Allah Ta'aala
knows best.
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Question: If I
am, what are the rules
pertaining to Salaah of a
Musaafir? If I read the Fard
Salaah of Zohr, Asr and Esha
at
a Masjid in Kimberly behind
the Kimberly Imam, how many
Rakaats must I perform?
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Answer:
If you are reading your
Fardh Salaah behind the
Imaam
of the local Masjid then you
will read the number of
Rakaats
that he performs. So if he
reads four Rakaat for Asr,
Zuhr, Esha then you will
also read four Rakaats.
However, if you are reading
on your own or behind
an Imaam that is also a
Musaafir then you will read
two Rakaats for these three
Salaahs.
And Allah Ta'aala knows
best.
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We request Imams or
community
members (who are either responsible
for Masjid Notice Boards or prepared
to take on the responsibility of
posting the Bulletin on the
Masjid
Noticeboard, with the consent of
the Imam) to forward:
- Name
- E-mail address
- Masjid name and area.
Please forward your
details to the e-mail
address, jamiat@islamsa.org.za
and add the subject
heading, Masjid Notice
Board List. |
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Summarized Jumu’ah Bayaan:
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COMBATING
THE AIDS PANDEMIC
(Continued from last
week) |
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Allah says in the
Qur’an: “Say to the
believing men that they
restrain their eyes and
guard their private
parts. That is purer for
them. Surely, Allah is
well aware of what they
do.” (24:31) |
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The Prophet Muhammad
Sallallâhu 'alayhi
wasallam said: “Whenever
unlawful sexual conduct
prevails with a society
to the point that they
feel no shame in
disclosing it and doing
it openly, then they
shall suffer from
plagues and such painful
illnesses that their
ancestors have never
experienced.” (ibn Majah) |
• Acquired Immune
Deficiency Syndrome
(AIDS) often referred to
as the plague of the
twentieth century.
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• More than 10 million
people worldwide have
been affected by AIDS.
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• South Africa,
according to the UN, has
the highest rate of AIDS
in the world. Second
comes India with an HIV
population of 4.4
million.
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• Of all the 21 Muslim
countries in the Middle
East, the total
population is close to
half a billion and only
366 AIDS cases have been
reported (many imported
from the West) until
2002. Thus, a healthy
Islamic lifestyle does
help. Our Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH) has
said, "When sin afflicts
people and they
publicize it, then Allah
subjects them to
ailments unknown in
their fore- fathers." (Tirmizi)
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• An FDA study says that
one out of five condoms
have failed the test to
hold back the AIDS
virus. That is because
the AIDS virus is
one-fifth the size of
the sperm and,
therefore, it is
permeable.
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• Instead of promoting
‘safe-sex’ (use of the
condom), let us rather
promote ‘save-sex (no
sex before or out of
marriage).
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• The Solution to the
problem of AIDS lies in
observing Islamic
teachings. When we look
at the causes of AIDS,
it becomes absolutely
clear that it is the
un-Islamic practices
that are responsible for
this disease.
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• It must however be
noted that AIDS is
spreading so fast, that
it is possible for a
person to acquire AIDS
for a reason other than
an untoward lifestyle.
There are many Muslims
working as doctors,
dentists, scientists or
in hospitals where they
are likely to come in
contact with AIDS
patients or
AIDS-infected blood.
Blood transfusion during
an operation may be
source of transmission.
Today, one finds
children, mothers,
teachers and people in
other groups and
professions carrying the
disease.
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• It must also be noted
that Islam does not
allow persons to discard
members of the community
on the basis of their
afflictions.
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Advertise Here. We are Well Read! |
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U
P D A T E |
Sponsor-a-Book Programme
The swell of misinformation
and the subsequent
misrepresented picture of
Islam have reached endemic
proportions. Islam has
become synonymous with
indiscriminate terror, male
chauvinism and antiquated
practices and laws.
Neither will grousing and
complaining among ourselves,
nor will adopting a
’victim-like’ mentality of
pessimism bring about any
change.
It is the duty of the Muslim
Ummah to boldly and
fearlessly showcase and
champion the pristine
teachings of Islam in the
hope of educating the unwary
masses, who are swayed by
the incessant flow of
propaganda against Islam. In
addition, people of note and
influence in the non-Muslim
community should be
approached with the aim of
dispelling the myths and
distortions leveled against
Islam.
In an effort to educate such
people about the true and
beautiful nature of Islam,
the Jamiatul Ulama has
embarked on a project to
provide relevant, dynamic,
well-written and
well-presented literature on
Islam to politicians,
journalists, academics and
public libraries.
In order to finance the
purchase and distribution of
these books the Jamiatul
Ulama has called upon the
community for their
assistance. This is a unique
opportunity to contribute
towards educating people
about Islam and also
defending Islam.
The cost of sponsoring one
book is R100-00.
Contributions or
sponsorships can be directed
to any of the Jamaitul Ulama
offices. |
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Jamiatul
Ulama Sri Lanka
A delegation of the Jamiatul
Ulama Sri Lanka recently
visited the offices of the
Jamiatul Ulama. The purpose
of their visit was to
strengthen ties and share
information on a wide range
of issues. |
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The
Jâmi‘ah al-‘Ulûm al-Islâmiyyah
The Jâmi‘ah al-‘Ulûm al-Islâmiyyah
was established by the
Jamiatul Ulama with the aim
of providing quality Islamic
education within a social
context; such a social
context which challenges the
notion of practicing Islam
in its unadulterated form.
The formation of the
Jaami`ah is driven by the
desire to rekindle
scholarship within the
Ummah and provide sound
leadership so as to elevate
the Ummah to its former
glory.
The institute currently
offers the ‘Aalim Fâdhil
which is a six-year
direct-contact and full-time
course which will be taught
through the Arabic, English
and Urdu languages.
Learners will be awarded a
certificate upon completion
of the course.
The institute also motivates
students and facilitate
their registration and study
at tertiary institutes in
accordance with their
academic aptitudes.
No boarding and lodging is
provided to students.
Admission Requirements:
Aspiring learners must be
mature persons, of upright
character, have a basic
Islamic education, be in
possession of a
matriculation certificate,
versatile in English and any
other official language of
the country and be dedicated
to self-study.
Learners will be accepted
only after an interview.
Applications for 2007 close
on the 1st December 2006.
The academic year begins in
January and ends in
December.
For more information,
contact:
Jâmi‘ah al-‘Ulûm al-Islâmiyyah
Tel: 011 373 8040, Fax: 011
373 8022
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Message from the Ameer of
the Jamiatul Ulama |
On the
Home Front
Many men in today’s time
think that housework is
beneath them, and some even
think that it will undermine
their status and position if
they help their wives with
household chores.
The Messenger of Allah
(SAW), however, used to “sew
his own clothes, mend his
own shoes.” (Imaam Ahmad in
al-Musnad, 6/121). The
following was said by his
wife ‘Aa’ishah (RA), when
she was asked about what the
Messenger of Allah (SAW)
used to do in his house: “He
would clean his clothes,
milk his ewe and serve
himself.” (Imaam Ahmad in
al-Musnad, 6/256).
Sayyadatina ‘Aa’ishah (RA)
reports that the Messenger
of Allah (SAW) said: ‘When
Allah wills some good
towards the people of a
household, He introduces
kindness among them.’” (Imaam
Ahmad in al-Musnad, 6/71) In
other words, they start to
be kind to one another and
helping at home is one of
the means of attaining
happiness in the home and it
produces results that cannot
be achieved through
harshness.
If we were to do likewise
nowadays, we would achieve
three things:
* We would be following the
example of the noble Prophet
(SAW).
* We would be helping our
wives and thereby create
peace and harmony and
bonding between
themselves.
* We would feel more humble,
not arrogant.
Being affectionate towards
and joking with the members
of the family is also a
sunnat. Thus the Messenger
of
Allah (SAW) advised Jabir
(RA) to marry a virgin,
saying: “Why did you not
marry a young virgin, so you
could play with her and she
could play with you, and you
could make her laugh and she
could make you laugh?” (Al-Bukhaari)
The ways in which the
Prophet (SAW) showed
affection towards young
children are too many to
mention. He
often used to show his
affection towards Sayyadina
Hasan and Husayn. This is
probably one of the reasons
why
the children used to rejoice
when he came back from a
journey; they would rush to
welcome him: “Whenever
the Prophet (SAW) came back
from a journey, we would go
out to meet him. One day we
met him, ….., . He
carried one of us in front
of him, and another on his
back, until we entered
Madeenah.” (Saheeh Muslim,
4/1885-2772; see the
commentary in Tuhfat al-Ahwadhi,
8/56).
Compare this with the
situation in some homes
where there are no truthful
jokes [i.e., jokes that do
not involve lying], no
affection and no mercy for
our wives and children. The
Messenger of Allah (SAW)
said: ‘The one who
does not show mercy will not
be shown mercy.’”
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