|
|
|
Weekly Comment |
Colliding Nuclear Matter: The
World’s Priority?
It has
taken over 14 years to build. It
is 27km long and over 170m
beneath the earth. It celebrates
many engineering feats and it
has come about with the effort
of 10,000 scientists at a cost
of US$15billion. The Large
Hadron Collider (LHC), as it is
called is a machine which is
designed to events soon after
the ‘Big Bang.’
Benefit? Find answers to some of
the biggest questions in
physics, such as how to explain
mass, gravity and dark matter…!
If there are so many resources
that can be spared for building
toys for a club of physicists,
why can’t we find enough
resources to end poverty, roll
back malaria, stop HIV/AIDS and
its troublesome cousin TB? Why
should poor countries continue
to pay debt irresponsibly
appropriated by despots
conniving with lending
institutions, nations and debt
vulture funds?
There has never been genuine
political will to end the
world’s problems of hunger,
poverty and disease.
Pakistani Presidential Elections
The
resignation of Pervez Musharraf
was a cause for great concern
for many including India as well
as the USA. In Musharraf they
found a willing partner and ally
that would easily succumb to the
inclinations of the West. Indeed
the military, intelligence and
other operations conducted in
Afghanistan would never have
been possible without the
permission and participation of
its neighbour Pakistan.
With the absurd cycle of
developments that Pakistan has
found itself being forced to
voyage through, including the
discussions and settlements
between Musharraf and Benazir
Bhutto to the assassination of
Bhutto, the promotion of Zardari,
the dodgy alliance between
Zardari and Nawaz Sharif, it was
not difficult to see the staging
of the impeachment threat put
forward to Musharraf.
Yesterday, Zardari was sworn in
as President. Afghanistan
President Hamid Karzai stood at
his side and George Bush
immediately called to
congratulate him. Zardari’s
first speech as President made
clear his intentions of what he
is to give top priority to. He
referred to Pakistan and
Afghanistan as twins and pledged
to stand together in the fight
against terrorism. He said that
he has a comprehensive plan to
fight militancy. Many will say
that who stood with him and what
he said, says a lot about who he
is and what he stands for.
Many Pakistanis point to the
fact that Zardari has served his
time, spending eight years in
jail for charges against him,
but most will not be able to
shed the MR 10% tag that he
marked and smeared his image
forever. Some say, ‘ask not what
he will do for Pakistan, but ask
what Pakistan will do for him”.
His refusal to re-instate the
judiciary fired by Musharraf has
also tarnished his image beyond
reprieve primarily because his
refusal to reinstate is seen to
be personal against those
judges, such as Chief Justice
Iftikhar Chaudhry, because last
year Mr Chaudhry challenged an
amnesty that enabled Zardar to
end his exile and return to
Pakistan.
Public opinion be it what it is,
Zardari is the new President of
Pakistan. Whereas nobody
expected him to progress this
far, he has showed great
political prowess and ability in
arriving at his destination – or
rather position that will lead
him to a higher destination. He
has illustrated that he is a
determined and wily character
that will work hard to achieve
what he sets out for. Let’s hope
and pray that his final
destination is in the interest
of the people of Pakistan and
the deen of Islam. Aameen
On the home front, aspects
regarding the judiciary have
been in the limelight here in
South Africa as well. The
position and powers of the
judiciary and the executive
powers assigned to parliament
have been debated from various
perspectives. The independence
of the judiciary has been called
into question and some quarters
have gone to extreme limits of
comparing (through a
controversial cartoon) the
approach toward the judiciary by
political figures as being
tantamount to raping the
judiciary.
Jacob Zuma’s statement that the
judiciary is still developing
and can therefore be subjected
to criticism and also a loss of
confidence is interesting in
light of the fact that many of
Zuma’s supporters have been
accused of not showing due
respect to the independence of
the judiciary. Commentators have
anticipated that Zuma would
distance himself from the
statements of these supporters
and for a clearer guidance on
the issue.
Zuma’s views that point in the
direction that the judiciary is
not beyond questioning is
actually a sound principle. The
judiciary must be independent,
but there must be some means of
oversight that there is no
possibility for it to stray.
This is true for the judiciary
as well as for any other
institution, framework or
individual. However, the context
and environment within which the
statement was made calls to
question the judiciousness of
such a statement in light of
what it can be interpreted as.
|
|
|
C O N
T E N T S |
|
Summarised
Jumuah Bayaan |
|
Question and
Answer |
|
Update |
|
Message from the Ameer |
|
I N F
O R M A T I O N |
|
Min. Mahr |
R 112.62 |
|
Mahr Faatimi |
R 5,630.79 |
|
Zakaat Nisaab |
R 2,252.31 |
|
Words of Wisdom |
|
Hadith of the Week |
|
Forgiveness Opportunity |
|
Abu Hurayra Radhi-Allahu
anhu reported that the
Messenger of Allah
Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam
said, "Anyone who prays in
Ramadan motivated by belief
and in expectation of the
reward will be forgiven his
past wrong actions."
(Agreed upon)
|
|
|
Quotation for the Week |
|
Self-Restraint |
|
Form a habit of speaking
less, eating less and
sleeping less. (Luqmaan
Alayhis Salaam)
|
|
|
Point of Reflection |
|
Non Verbal |
|
Even silence speaks.
(Hausa saying)
|
|
Jamiat
Appeal for Funds
The Jamiatul ‘Ulama, South
Africa - the oldest ‘ulama
organization of South Africa
-
has been serving the
community for the past 84
years. It has 7 provincial
branches.
The Jamiatul Ulama has
various departments such as
education, relief, hilaal
notification, halaal
supervision, social welfare,
da’wah, ifta and counseling.
It also responds to local
and international crises.
The Jamiatul Ulama ensures
that all zakaat monies are
spent in accordance with the
laws of shariah. All of our
activities are made possible
by your
continuous generous
contributions.
We appeal, in this blessed
month of Ramadaan, for
donations towards the
activities of the Jamiat.
You will, insha Allah, share
in the reward of all the
activities.
Kindly deposit your
contributions in to the
following account:
Jamiat
Ulama Transvaal,
Nedbank Fordsburg,
A/c No. 1953 285 937;
Branch code: 195305.
Fax
your deposit slip to
(011)
373 8022, clearly stating
whether
the contributions are Lillah
or Zakaat.
|
|
|
|
U P D A T E |
Sadaqatul Fitr
The Jamiatul Ulama has
determined this year’s Sadaqatul
Fitr as R17.50 (for Hanafi
followers) and R22.50 for the
Shafi’î followers. Timely
payment of Fitra facilitates
distribution before Eid in
accordance with the Sunnah. For
this reason, the Jamiatul Ulama
has set Friday 26 September 2008
as the cut-off date for
accepting Sadaqatul Fitr
contributions, insha-Allah. “Allâh
Ta’âla has made obligatory upon
you the Sadaqatul Fitr as a
means of cleansing your fasts
from idle and lewd talk and also
in order that it provides food
for the poor and destitute.” (Sunan
Abû Dawûd)
A
Note on Fundraisers
The Jamiatul Ulama in its
endeavours to ensure that the
Ummah’s hard-earned resources
are prudently utilized, advises
the community to carefully
scrutinize the Letter of
Recommendation (Collection)
before advancing any donations.
Please refer to the notice on
the Jamiat website
www.jamiat.co.za for details.
Medical Ethics Workshop
The Jamiatul
Ulama (Tshwane Branch) and the
IMA (Islamic Medical
Association) will jointly host a
workshop on medical ethics this
weekend.
The workshop has been entitled
‘Islamic Perspectives on Medical
Issues - A Workshop on Aspects
of Medical Ethics’.
The workshop will take place on
Sunday, 14 September 2008. It
will begin at 9:30 Am (sharp)
and conclude at 12:30, at the
Darus Salam Center/Tshwane
Muslim School in Laudium
Topics include: Bedside Manners
for Muslim Medical
Professionals, Prescribing
Medicine Responsibly, Halal and
Haram in Medicine and The
Concept of Doctor and Patient
Confidentiality in Islam.
Speakers Include: Professor
Anwar Hussain and Mufti Masood
Cassim.
For more information contact:
Dr. Sulaiman Ibrahim: 082 490
8992 / Ml. Abdullah Jeena: 082
655 9311
Hajj Classes
The Jamiatul
Ulama (Tshwane Branch) is
hosting its annual Hajj Classes.
This year, the classes take
place on the first three Sundays
of Ramadan (7 September, 14
September, 21 September) from 10
AM to 12:30. A wide range of
issues are covered by a host of
speakers at the classes which
take place at the Darus Salam
Islamic Center in Laudium.
Accommodation for ladies is
provided.
For more information contact the
Jamaitul Ulama Tshwane Office at
(012) 374 2506.
Bihar Floods – Appeal for Funds
The Jamiatul Ulama appeals to
all Muslims to contribute
towards the relief effort in the
flood-hit Bihar region in India.
Please visit www.jamiat.co.za
for details.
Jamiatul Ulama in the Press
An article on Ramadan appeared
recently in The Star, Natal
Mercury, Cape Times and
Swaziland’s Observer paper. Read
the full text on
www.jamiat.co.za
Unfair and Inaccurate Report
The Jamiatul Ulama has issued a
statement in protest of the
manner of reporting of the
recent story of a man alleged to
have raped two boys in a
Germiston township mosque. Read
the full text of the statement
on www.jamiat.co.za
|
|
Q
and A |
|
Question: I was pregnant
in Ramadan 1426. I didn’t fast
in this month; however I have
paid fidya for this time. Is it
still compulsory to observe
qadhaa fast for that full month?
|
Answer: You
would be required to keep qadhaa
for the fasts that you have
missed due to pregnancy. Giving
Fidyah in this instance is not
sufficient.
Fidyah is permitted only in the
event of such chronic illness
that does not allow one to fast
except by putting his life in
danger or aggravating his
illness.
And Allâh Ta’âla Knows Best. |
|
Summarised Jumu’ah
Bayaan:
|
Rasulullah
salallahu alayhi wasalam
and Ramadan (Part II of
IV):
Rasulullah Salallahu
alayhi wasalam & his
Wives |
“Indeed in the Messenger
of Allah (Muhammad
salallahu alayhi wasalam)
you have a good example
to follow for him who
hopes in (the Meeting
with) Allah and the Last
Day and remembers Allah
much.” (33:21)
“And live with them
(your wives) kindness…”
(4:19)
• If one studies the
life of Rasulullah
salallahu alayhi wasalam
during the month of
Ramadan, it will become
apparent the balance he
maintained in fulfilling
the rights of his
beloved wives while at
the same time not
falling short in his
devotions to Allah. This
was despite the fact
that he said, ‘I am the
most Allah-consciousness
among you and I am the
most knowledgeable of
Allah from all of you.’
(Bukhari). At the same
time in another
narration he said, ‘The
best among you is the
one who is the best to
his wife and I am the
best to my family.’ (Tirmidhi)
• Rasulullah salallahu
alayhi wasalam displayed
this exemplary side of
his character too in the
most unique manner:
1. His salallahu
alayhi wasalam teaching
them
Many of the narrations
which depict the life of
Rasulullah salallahu
alayhi wasalam during
Ramadan have been
narrated to us on the
authority of his beloved
wives. This is a clear
indication of how he
attempted to involve
them to be part of his
daily activity and to
educate them. Aisha
radhiyallahi anha
narrated that she asked
Rasulullah salallahu
alayhi wasalam, ‘If I
happen to find the night
of power, what should I
say in du’a?’ He
replied, ‘Say: O Allah!
You are the Most
Forgiving, the Most
Generous, You love to
forgive, so please
forgive me.’ (Muslim)
2. His salallahu
alayhi wasalam wives
being informed about him
Rasulullah salallahu
alayhi wasalam did not
live a life wherein he
excluded his family
members from the
activities of his
mission of Prophethood
and his acts of worship.
Once, Aisha radhiyallahi
anha was asked, ‘How was
the (tahajud) salah of
Rasulullah salallahu
alayhi wasalam during
Ramadan?’ She replied,
‘He would not perform
more than eleven raka’ah
of salah neither in
Ramadan nor out of
Ramadan. He would first
perform four raka’ah, do
not ask of how wonderful
and how long it was!
Thereafter he would
perform another four
raka’ah, do not ask of
how wonderful and how
long it was! Thereafter
he would perform three
raka’ah (witr).’ (Bukhari)
3. His salallahu
alayhi wasalam intimate
relations with his wives
The wives of Rasulullah
salallahu alayhi wasalam
serve as the greatest
source of reference for
the Ummah to come to
know of this aspect of
his noble life. Aisha
radhiyallahi anha
narrated regarding
Rasulullah salallahu
alayhi wasalam, ‘When
the last ten days (of
Ramadan) arrived, he
would tightly fasten his
lower garment (i.e.
refrain from intimate
relations), spend the
nights in the worship of
Allah and awake his
family members (to join
in the same).’ (Bukhari)
In another narration,
she reports saying, ‘Rasulullah
salallahu alayhi wasalam
would kiss his wives
whilst he was fasting.’
Aisha radhiyallahi anha
was asked, ‘Was it the
compulsory or the
optional fast?’ She
replied, ‘In both, the
compulsory and optional
fasts.’ (Muslim) As the
scholars have stated, if
a person has a fear that
such an action will lead
to invalidating the
fast, then one should
refrain completely from
it.
4. His salallahu
alayhi wasalam
encouragement to exert
in worship
In as much as the noble
Messenger salallahu
alayhi wasalam busied
himself in the worship
of Allah, he was always
concerned of the
spiritual welfare of his
household and never
lagged in this duty. Ali
radhiyallahi anhu says
that during the last ten
days if Ramadan,
Rasulullah salallahu
alayhi wasalam would
awake his family members
(to engage in the
worship of Allah). (Tirmidhi)
Similarly, when Aisha
and Hafsa radhiyallahi
anhun sought his
permission to sit in
I’tikaaf during the last
ten days of Ramadan, he
permitted them to do so.
(Bukhari)
5. His salallahu
alayhi wasalam marriage
during Ramadan
What better example can
there be of the
moderation in the
personality of the most
beloved of Allah
salallahu alayhi wasalam,
in spite of his apparent
preoccupation only with
His creator and the
mission he had at hand!
Tarikh Tabari has cited
a narration that
Rasulullah salallahu
alayhi wasalam married
Zainub bint Khuzaimah
radhiyallahi anha, the
mother of the poor, in
the Ramadan of the third
year of hijra and he
consummated the marriage
in the very same month.
• These are but a few
glimpses of the life of
Rasulullah salallahu
alayhi wasalam during
this great month, more
so with reference to how
he interacted with his
wives and family members
during these days. A
keen observer will find
many more such examples
recorded in the books of
Seerah and Hadith. May
Allah bestow us with His
love and the love of His
Beloved salallahu alayhi
wasalam. Ameen.
<Go to Top> |
|
Message from the Ameer of
the Jamiatul Ulama |
|
Giving of that which
Allah has given … |
Ramadaan, the month of
charity, is a month wherein
Allah Ta‘âla tests Muslims
in many ways including
regarding their wealth.
Property and wealth are much
loved by all, and the degree
of handing over the two also
bears testimony to one’s
loyalty and devotion towards
Allah Ta‘âla.
There are many that have
been given wealth, but find
it difficult to use or
employ the wealth in the
manner or avenues instructed
by Allah. Allah instructs
the Believers as to how they
should spend their wealth.
The correct expansion of
wealth is highly meritorious
and deserving of reward in
the eyes of Allah.
Allah says in the Qur’an:
“Verily, Allah has purchased
from the Believers their
persons and their wealth, on
condition of paradise (in
return)” (Surah 9: verse
112).
People are sometimes take a
while and are reluctant to
give up even portions of
their wealth and material
possessions. Allah declares
that this a part of the
natural human weakness. He
says: “And man’s soul is
swayed by greed.” (Surah 4:
verse 128)
Allah then declares that if
man is able to remove from
himself the greed, then he
will have suppressed and
conquered his inner self.
Allah: “And whosoever has
saved themselves from the
greediness of their own
souls, indeed they are
successful.” (Surah 64:
verse 16)
Wealth is bestowed upon
mankind, as an amanâh or
trust from Allah. Allah’s
manner is that He grants
people wealth in order to
see and test how responsible
they are in its expansion
and utilization. The real
test lies in ascertaining
whether the wealth draws the
person closer to Allah or
whether it serves to
distance the person from
Him.
Spending in the path of
Allah and more specifically
charity is a means of
purifying ones wealth from
any type of evil. It is a
means of removing the stigma
of niggardliness and
over-attachment to the
world. It is also a means of
giving barakah and
establishes the Quranic
principle that Sadaqah (even
though it entails giving
from wealth) actually
results in an increase in
wealth as well as the
principle that He who gives
will receive much more in
return.
The reluctance to give is
dangerous and destructive.
The Prophet Sallallahu ‘alayhi
wa sallam said: “Three
things in life are
destructive: greed,
uncontrolled passion and
pride.” (Jami al-Saghir)
In addition, it is most
important to show one’s
gratitude to Allah for all
of the Blessings of Allah.
If people express gratitude
for blessings, the Allah
declares that He will
increase these blessings.
South African Muslims are
known to be true
philanthropists who easily
open their hearts and purses
to the needs of others,
including the upkeep of
their Masajid and religious
institutes. It is hoped that
Muslims give charity without
any reserve and thereby
progress spiritually as well
as financially.
<Go to
Top> |
|
|
|