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Weekly Comment |
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Afghanistan: Unfinished Business for Bush
As far as the US is concerned, the situation in Afghanistan has been rickety, unsecure, erratic and extremely volatile. The coalition infiltration and continued presence in Afghanistan has shown little results in terms of the completion of their mission. Albeit for the freedom they have had to exercise military operations with impunity – such operations that are proven to have been executed upon innocent civilians causing the loss of lives and untold suffering – they have not achieved any real success.
The Taliban forces have been making frequent and recurring strikes, the villagers have been hosting and hiding the Taliban forces and the insurgents or militants have made repeated attacks from across the Pakistani border where the Pakistani government has apparently done nothing to apprehend and stop them …. or so we are told.
The US has admitted on more than many occasions that they are not winning and the casualties within their forces have been increasing resulting in low morale. Many from amongst them have called for a more comprehensive strategy.
It seems that whatever has transpired in Afghanistan, something new or serious must be afoot. Bush’s relocation of over 8000 troops from Iraq to Afghanistan speaks volumes. The reassignment of General Petraeus from Iraq to the Central Command (Centcom), where he is meant to oversee US military operations throughout the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan must say something. His role has been touted as a more general overseeing role, but many commentators suggest that it is to focus on Afghanistan. Afghanistan has suddenly surpassed Iraq as priority number one.
Asif Zardari had hardly sat back from his acceptance speech as Pakistani President when the US forces tested what his position would be with open and declared cross-border attacks with a promise of more to come. These cross illegal border raids have been increasingly consistently over the last few weeks. The reports that emerged last week regarding the undisputed claims that Bush has recently authorised military raids against militants inside Pakistan without prior approval from Islamabad was a confirmation of what most people already knew. The current developments with regard to the cross border attacks have been viewed seriously by many as they send a message of the US’s open declaration of non-recognition of the sovereignty of Pakistan, regardless of what is being said. It is different from what transpired prior to this, since previous attacks were either denied or declared to have been with some type of permission from Pakistani authorities.
The unannounced visit of America's top military commander, Adm Michael Mullen, is an indication of how urgently the US wants to do something. Even though Mullen met with Pakistani Prime Minister Gilani and Pakistani Army head Ashfaq Kayani to discuss issue related to the US attacks along and across the Pakistani border, there doesn’t seem to have been any assurance that these would not take place in the future.
General Petraeus, on the other hand, has already indicated that the way Pakistan and Afghanistan are linked is important and the strategy and policy towards how they should be approached must be revised. It is hoped by the US that his experience supposed success in Iraq can be used to achieve success in Afghanistan where many of the programmes used in Iraq have already been initiated in a limited way.
The issue of civilian casualties as a result of US attacks has caused an uproar in Afghanistan. Members of Parliament protested the increasing number of casualties and deaths. Videos of Us attacks have surfaced disproving diluted figures of civilian casualties provided by the US. The US response has been the stock statement regarding regret for the loss of innocent lives coupled with the intention to establish an inquiry to review the matter.
Financial Turmoil: At its Root is Interest [Riba]
The recent financial turmoil does not seem to be abating. Lehman Brothers, the fourth largest investment bank in the US collapsed in a spectacular fashion two days ago. There was also news of AIG filing for bankruptcy only to be rescued by the Federal Reserve. Woes are all around with seemingly enterprising firms such as Merrill sailing in troubled waters.
Those who are familiar with the current global financial architecture know very well how deals and bundled with other deals hedged with other transactions themselves linked to a myriad of speculative instruments in meshed layers upon layers of financial products. ‘Financial engineers’ keep bringing about strategies and ‘exotic’ instruments involving trillions of dollars that are traded on a daily basis.
How can this financial order be tamed under unrestrained appetites of brokers and traders to make a ‘quick buck’ and find where the smart money is?
At the heart of it all is the accursed system of interest [riba]. The only way out is for the world markets to find a way of extricating themselves from this practice that the Qur’an likens to ‘War with Allah.’ Focus should be at the real economy on how productivity can be enhanced. A dollar which earns a dollar without a sweat will get the world nowhere. |
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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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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 104.48 |
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Mahr Faatimi |
R 5,224.18 |
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Zakaat Nisaab |
R 2,089.67 |
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Words of Wisdom |
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Hadith of the Week |
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Graft and Kickbacks |
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Abdullah Ibn `Amr ibn Al`Aas Radhi-Allahu anhu narrated that The Prophet Sallallahu ‘alayhi wassalam cursed the one who gives bribes and the one who takes bribes.
(Sunan Abu Dawûd)
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Quotation for the Week |
Thought Control |
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"Each person wants to make the next person think like him."
(Maulana Maseehullah rahmatullahi 'alayhi) |
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Point of Reflection |
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There's a Way |
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There is a path to the top of highest mountain.
(Afghani Proverb)
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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.
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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. |
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Q
and A |
Question: I have been advised that it is good to fast the first six days of Shawaal. Is this true and why is it advisable, what are the significance of the first six days? Does the first six days of Shawaal start after Eid day? |
Answer: It is virtuous to fast for six days during Shawwaal. It is not necessarily have to be the first six days. Hazrat Abu Ayyoob Radiallaahu 'anhu relates that Rasulullah Sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam has said "Whoever fasted the full month of Ramadhaan and then followed it with six fasts of Shawwaal is like the person who has fasted the whole year". For more information you can visit our website http://www.islamsa.org.za/ramadan/Kitabus_saum_13.htm.
And Allâh Ta’âla Knows Best. |
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Summarised Jumu’ah
Bayaan:
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Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasalam and Ramadan (III of IV)
Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasalam & his Ummah |
“Verily, there has come unto you a Messenger (Muhammad SAW) from amongst yourselves.
It grieves him that you should receive any injury or difficulty. He is anxious over you (to be rightly guided); for the believers (he is) full of pity, kind, and merciful.” (9:128)
• As compared to other days of the year, during the blessed month of Ramadan Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasalam paid much more attention towards the social, physical and spiritual wellbeing of his companions and those around him.
• He sought various avenues and means in order to achieve these goals:
1. His salallahu alayhi wasalam teaching the Sahabah radhiyallahi anhum
Imparting education and the pristine teachings of Allah has been always among the central activities of the Ambiyaa alayhimus salaam and those who followed thereafter in their footsteps. Describing this quality of the beloved of Allah salallahu alayhi wasalam, Mu‘awiya bin Hakam radhiyallahi anhu narrates, ‘May my parents be sacrificed for him, I have not seen a better teacher than him; neither before him nor after him. By the oath of Allah, he did not scold me, he did not hit me, and he did not swear at me.’ (Muslim) Among his teachings during this month include: ‘If a person forgetfully eats during the month of Ramadan, there is neither a need to repeat the fast nor for any compensation to be paid.’ (Ibn Khuzaimah) ‘If a person involuntarily vomits whilst fasting, there is no need to repeat the fast. However, whoever voluntarily does so will have to repeat the fast.’ (Ahmad)
2. His salallahu alayhi wasalam encouragement towards good deeds
Abu Hurairah radhiyallahi anhu narrated that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasalam remarked, ‘Every good deed of the son of Adam is multiplied. One good deed is multiplied ten times and sometimes up to seven hundred fold. Allah says, ‘This is excluding fasting. Fasting is for me and I will reward it because the fasting person abstains from food and censual desires for my sake. For a fasting person there are two moments of joy: the joy at the time of breaking the fast and the joy upon meeting his Creator. Certainly, the smell which emanates from the mouth of a fasting person is more beloved in the eyes of Allah than the fragrance of musk.’ (Muslim) Ibn Umar radhiyallahi anhu narrated that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasalam said, ‘Performing Umrah during Ramadan is equivalent in reward to performing Hajj with me.’ (Bukhari)
3. His salallahu alayhi wasalam mercy towards his Ummah
The very mission of Nabi salallahu alayhi wasalam was encompassed by his quality of mercy and compassion, as the Qur’an declares, ‘And We have sent you (O Muhammad SAW) not but as a mercy for the Aalameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists).’ (21:107) Among the many, one illustration of this was his insistence of hastening the partaking of Iftaar as soon as the time sets in and the eating of food at the time of Sehri. Sahl bin Sa’d bin Sahl radhiyallahi anhu reports that Nabi salallahu alayhi wasalam said, ‘People will continue to remain on good so long as they hasten to partake of Iftaar (as soon as the time sets in).’ (Bukhari)
4. His salallahu alayhi wasalam meeting with delegations
Despite his engagement in the worship of Allah during this auspicious month, he continued to meet, welcome and fulfill the needs of those who visited him. Ibn Is-haq writes that it was during the month of Ramadan that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasalam returned from the expedition of Tabuk and in the very same month a delegation from the tribe of Thaqeef visited him. He ordered a tent be erected for their accommodation in a corner of the Masjid and Nabi salallahu alayhi wasalam made personal arrangements for their food.
5. His salallahu alayhi wasalam encouragement of charity
More than any other time of the year, this is a month of charity and giving. Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasalam mentioned, ‘…whoever gives to a fasting person something for Iftar, his sins will be forgiven and he will be saved from Jahannam; he obtains as much reward as the fasting person (to whom he had given something for Iftaar) while the reward of the person is not reduced in any way.’The people asked: ‘O Rasulullah! All of us are not by the means to give something for the Iftaar of another. Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasalam said, ‘This reward is even for a person who gives another a date, or a drink of water or milk (for Iftaar)…’ (Ibn Khuzaimah)
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Message from the Ameer of
the Jamiatul Ulama |
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When Begging Of Allah, Do It With Conviction |
(Below is one of the messages he had given in the past through this newsletter. Insha’Allah, there will be a new Amir’s message next week.)
In the explanation of the Hadith Shareef which says, "a person's du'a is accepted," it is mentioned that sometimes a person makes a du'a and whatever he asks for is granted immediately. This person becomes amazed and says, "Why didn’t I make another du’a which would have also been immediately accepted?"
How are du’as accepted?
It is mentioned in a Hadith that on certain occasions Allah Ta'ala orders the angels to grant us exactly what we had asked for; irrespective whether the supplication is correct or not. The request is fulfilled in the same manner that it was asked for. That is why; we must exercise great caution in our speech.
Sometimes it occurs such that the supplication is not granted but instead something better and of a superior quality is obtained which we never even dreamt of. This is also the result of the du'a.
Sometimes it transpires that neither the du'a made for is granted nor is a similar or better thing attained. But instead a calamity, which was to have befallen oneself, due to some wrong action committed, is obliterated (cancelled). This is also in fact the result of the du'a being accepted.
Sometimes it also transpires that in this world there are no apparent signs of one's du'a being accepted. However in the hereafter it will be revealed to us that a certain du'a made in this world, which was apparently not accepted, has been accepted and this is the reward for it. We will receive such great rewards that our minds cannot even perceive them. That is the time when we will exclaim: "It would have been better had none of my du'as been accepted in the world, so that I could be fully rewarded here. The rewards here are so much greater."
This world is going to terminate. Whatever one asks for in this temporary world will be granted but the person should be aware that he is asking for such things that will eventually terminate. Shouldn’t he rather ask for those things that are everlasting.
Nevertheless, the du`as we make are accepted as soon as we ask them. Let not opportunities go wasted, and when we ask, let us have conviction that our du`as are indeed being listened to and answered the very moment.
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