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Weekly Comment |
Whither Muslim Ummah?
“…To the Muslim world, we seek a
new way forward, based on mutual
interest and mutual respect…” So
said Barack Hussein Obama in his
inaugural speech yesterday. What
can Muslims expect from such a
statement as one that would
define relations with the US
under the Obama Administration?
Will Obama be able to change
Washington’s bad habits?
Time and again, the US has
changed leaders without any
significant improvements in the
welfare of the people of Muslim
lands where the rickety thrones
of the oppressive rulers are
propped by America’s
self-serving policies. From
Obama’s address, the omission of
a mention of Gaza Massacres is a
indication to Palestinians and
Muslims that they should not
expect much.
“…Surely
Allah does not change the
condition of a people until they
change their own condition…”
(Qur’an 13:11)
Muslim
nations should therefore look
for answers from within. The
changing of our own condition
will not be brought by a
resident of 1600 Pennsylvania
Avenue or somewhere in Downing
Street. It will be a Divine
Intervention that will be a
reward for an attitude,
disposition and actions that are
aligned with His Will with
sincerity.
We should
exert our utmost using our
possession and physical selves
in order to earn the Pleasure of
the Almighty.
Israel must be called to Account
More than three weeks of
sustained attacks of every type
resulted in ruthless killings,
plunder and pillage that is
immeasurable and costly in every
way. More than 1300 killed,
including 410 children, 108
women and 118 elders, thousands
injured, including many maimed
for life and almost 200,000
forced to flee their homes. Many
families are still searching for
and finding the remains of their
close family members, and the
death toll will still rise for
many days to come. The scope and
magnitude of the destruction in
terms of human lives, human
suffering and infrastructure is
still being surveyed and cannot
be quantified. The time and
resources that will need to be
expanded in order to bring back
the basic conditions under which
the people of Gaza lived in is
overwhelming.
Many from
around the world are now talking
about plans for rebuilding
infrastructure – the costs, the
mechanisms and even
contributions towards
establishing funds for the
rebuilding. There is talk about
talk to ensure that the
ceasefire holds, there is
discussion about discussion for
allowing passage through the
borders of Gaza which were so
cruelly and unlawfully shut to
people and even humanitarian
supplies necessary for people to
survive. All of this talk is
important but these should be
seen as factors to be
negotiated. It is a foregone
conclusion that these must be
assured and ensured – they are
among the many denied rights of
the people of Gaza and by no
means any privilege or favour.
What must be discussed are
measures to ensure that this
type of wanton annihilation and
destruction is not brought to
bear on the people of Gaza.
Further than this the most
important consideration must
revolve around the actions of
the oppressors and the
importance of bringing the
perpetrators to book for their
actions. Israel has engaged in
the worst type of criminal
action and seems to be allowed
to leave without being held
responsible or liable.
The Israelis must be forced to
pay for their crimes. They must
be held responsible for the
rebuilding of Gaza, innocent
civilians families must be
compensated, and their leaders
must be held accountable for war
crimes.
This is really
the least that the world can do.
The people of Gaza deserve more. |
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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 137.35 |
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Mahr Faatimi |
R 2,747.07 |
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Zakaat Nisaab |
R 6,867.67 |
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Words of Wisdom |
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Hadith of the Week |
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Night of
Reward |
Narrated Thawban
Radhi-Allahu anhu: “The
Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi
wassalaam said: ‘The people
will soon summon one another
to attack you as people when
eating invite others to
share their dish.’ Someone
asked: ‘Will that be because
of our small numbers at that
time?’ He replied: ‘No, you
will be numerous at that
time: but you will be scum
and rubbish like that
carried down by a torrent,
and Allah will take fear of
you from the breasts of your
enemy and last enervation
into your hearts.’ Someone
asked: ‘What is wahn
(enervation). Apostle of
Allah Sallallahu 'alayhi
wassalaam: He replied: ‘Love
of the world and dislike of
death.’ (Sunan Abu
Dawud)
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Quotation for the Week |
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Show
Business |
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“The truest characters of
ignorance are vanity, and
pride and arrogance.”
(Samuel Butler)
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Point of Reflection |
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Asking is no Disgrace |
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“One
falsehood spoils a thousand
truths.”
(Ashanti of Ghana)
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Q and A |
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Question: If my
sister elopes with a
non-Muslim to marry him
overseas and the man refuses
to become a Muslim can I
kill my sister behalf Allah
because she has betrayed
Allah and the honour of my
family? I know she will get
punished in the Hereafter.
What is the good punishment
we can give to her? Please
advice. |
Answer:
It will not be correct for
you to take her life. A
death penalty can only be
implemented after conviction
of a crime that warrants it,
by the Khalifah or a Qaadhi
appointed by him. An
individual cannot take the
law into his own hands.
Rather consult with your
local Ulama.
And
Allâh Ta’âla Knows Best.
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U P D A T E |
Rally on Gaza
Civil society and religious and
political leaders addressed a
large gathering at Baitun Nur
Hall in Lenasia on Wednesday 14
January 2009. The rally was in
solidarity with the people of
Gaza who were then enduring
heavy Zionists raids while under
siege.
Speaker after
speaker condemned the atrocities
of the Zionists and re-affirmed
the support they have for the
people of Palestine.
Voter Registration
Another round of registration
for this year’s general
elections will be on the weekend
of 7th and 8th February 2009.
The Jamiatul Ulama would
like to appeal to all Muslims
eligible to vote but have not
yet registered or verified their
details on the voters’ roll to
do so. They may call the
Independent Electoral Commission
on a toll free number 0800 11
8000 during office hours or log
on to www.elections.org.za for
details. One can also contact
electoral officers at municipal
officers in their own towns.
We can make our voices heard
by exercising the right to vote.
Jaami`ah al-Ulum al-Islamiyyah
– Library Appeal
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 medium primarily
English and Arabic together with
a limited amount of Urdu.
Some of the subjects that
are taught include Arabic and
the various branches of Arabic
grammar and literature,
Qur'anic sciences and exegesis,
Hadith and Hadith sciences, Fiqh
and Usul al-Fiqh and history.
Other subjects include a
focused programme on functional
Arabic and Urdu as well as
English for effective
communication. Skills
development is also given
importance while computer
Studies is a compulsory subject
with the intention to register
all future students for the
ICDL. A programme on Islamic
economics is also included and
research methodology and writing
forms and skills are covered as
is speech and elocution.
Students are exposed to guest
speakers who address them on a
range of issues, on a
fortnightly basis.
The
institute also motivates
students to further their
knowledge in other fields and
facilitates their registration
and study at tertiary institutes
in accordance with their
academic aptitudes.
The
Jaami`ah considers it of
paramount importance to
establish a strong library for
its students and is therefore
requesting `Ulama who are in
possession of classical Arabic
texts as well as commentaries (shuruhaat)
to consider donating these to
the Jaami’ah library. The
donation of books to a project
such as this is thawaab al-Jaariyyah.
For more information,
contact:
Ml. Abdullah Jeena
Jâmi‘ah al-‘Ulûm al-Islâmiyyah
Tel: 011 373 8040 / 082 655
9309, Fax: 011 373 8022
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Summarised Jumu’ah
Bayaan:
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Importance of
Friday |
“O
you who believe! When
the call is proclaimed
to prayer on Friday (the
Day of Assembly), hasten
earnestly to the
Remembrance of Allah,
and leave off business.
That is best for you if
you but knew! And when
the Prayer is finished,
then you may disperse
through the land, and
seek of the Bounty of
Allah: and celebrate the
Praises of Allah often
(and without stint):
that you may prosper.
But when they see some
bargain or some
amusement, they disperse
headlong to it, and
leave thee standing.
Say: ‘The (blessing)
from the presence of
Allah is better than any
amusement or bargain!
And Allah is the
Best to provide (for all
needs).” (62:9-11)
• Friday is called
Al-Jumu‘ah because it is
derived from Al-Jam‘,
literally, gathering.
This has been derived
from the fact that
Muslims all over the
world gather weekly on a
Friday after noon in the
major places of worship
or Masaajid.
• In
the sight of Allah,
Friday is the most
superior of all days of
the week. Nabi
sallallahu alayhi
wasalam said, ‘The
master of all days is
Friday and it is the
most important day in
the sight of Allah. It
is more important than
Eidul Fitr and Eidul
Adha. Allah created Adam
alayhis salaam on
Friday, sent him down to
earth on a Friday and
caused him to die on a
Friday.’ (Ibn Majah)
• In the ancient
language Friday was
called ‘Arubah. It is a
fact that previous
nations were informed
about Friday, but they
were led astray from it.
The Jews chose Saturday
for their holy day, the
Christians chose Sunday
but Allah chose Friday
for this Ummah, because
it is the day upon which
the creation of the
Heavens and Earth was
concluded. In a
narration recorded by
Muslim, Nabi sallallahu
alayhi wasalam said,
‘Allah diverted those
who were before us from
Friday. For the Jews
there was Saturday, and
for the Christians there
was Sunday. Allah then
brought us and guided us
to Friday. He made them
- Friday, Saturday and
Sunday. Similarly it is
in this order they will
come after us on the Day
of Resurrection. We are
the last of among the
people of this world and
the first among the
creation to be judged on
the Day of
Resurrection.’
•
Imam Ahmad has recorded
that ‘Aws bin ‘Aws
Ath-Thaqafi radhiyallahu
anhu said that he heard
Rasulullah sallallahu
alayhi wasalam saying,
‘Whoever performs Ghusl
(ceremonial bath) on the
day of Jumu‘ah, leaves
early, walking not
riding, and sits close
to the Imam and listens
without talking, will
earn the reward of
fasting and performing
standing (in prayer) for
an entire year for every
step he takes.’
•
A person attending the
Friday prayer should
make an all out endeavor
to be as earlier as
possible in the Masjid.
The earlier one arrives
at the Masjid the
greater in virtue. Abu
Hurairah radhiyallahu
anhu said that
Rasulullah sallallahu
alayhi wasalam said,
‘Any person who takes a
bath on Friday, the bath
for sexual impurity, and
then goes for the prayer
first, it is as if he
had sacrificed a camel.
Whoever goes in the
second, it is as if he
had sacrificed a cow.
Whoever goes in the
third, it is as if he
had sacrificed a horned
ram. For the one goes
fourth, it is as if he
had sacrificed a hen.
Whoever goes in the
fifth, it is as if he
had offered an egg. When
the Imam appears, the
angels present
themselves to listen to
Allah's remembrance.’(Bukhari
and Muslim)
•
Due to the auspicious
nature of this day
several etiquette has
been prescribed in the
teaching of the sunah.
Imam Ahmad recorded that
Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari
radhiyallahu anhu said
that he heard Rasulullah
sallallahu alayhi
wasalam saying, ‘Whoever
performs Ghusl on Friday
and applies perfume, if
he has any, wears his
best clothes, then goes
to the Masjid and
performs voluntary
prayer, if he wishes,
does not bother anyone,
listens when the Imam
appears until he starts
the prayer. Then all of
this will be expiation
for whatever occurs
between that Friday and
the next Friday.
• Among the recommended
practices of this day is
to the recitation of
Surah Al Kahf. The
virtues of reciting this
surah or the first
portion of it on a
Friday have been
expounded in various
narrations. Abu Sa’eed
radhiyallahu anhu
narrates that Rasulullah
sallallahu alayhi
wasalam said: ‘Whoever
recites Surat Al-Kahf on
a Friday; it will be a
means of illumination
for him from one Friday
to the next.’ (Mustadrak
Hakim) In another
narration Abu Darda
radhiyallahu anhu says
that Rasulullah
sallallahu alayhi
wasalam said, ‘Whoever
memorizes ten verses
from the beginning of
Surah Al-Kahf will be
protected from the
Dajjal.’ (Muslim,
Tirmidhi)
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Message from the Ameer of
the Jamiatul Ulama |
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Allah is Most Just |
Last
week we spoke about the
unity of the Muslim Ummah,
the importance of feeling
the pain of fellow Muslims
around the world and the
responsibility of assisting
each other in every way
possible. We also mentioned
the significance of
continuously turning to
Allah in istighfaar, du`aa
and the fact that must
maintain an awareness that
everything is in the Power
of Allah.
In trying
and testing times such as
these, where Muslims are
been constantly targeted,
abused and oppressed in the
dreadful manner, it is easy
to become overcome with
feelings of frustration and
helplessness. Feelings such
as these can easily lead to
a mind-set which leans
towards a stance of
dejection, hopelessness and
even despondency.
Despondency then often
causes one to slide into an
area which could initiate a
questioning of the reasons
for the occurrences of these
events and spark off the
delusion of losing hope in
the Mercy of Allah.
In trying and testing time
such as these it is of
paramount importance that
we, Muslin individuals and
the Muslim Ummah, never give
up hope in the Mercy of
Allah. It is imperative that
we understand and accept the
Will and Wisdom of Allah and
accept that everything
happens in the broader
scheme of the comprehensive
Plan of Allah. It is vital
that we never doubt that the
Justice of Allah will
prevail.
May Allah (subhanahu
wa ta`aala) guide us to
understand His Wisdom and
accept, without reservation,
His Decree.
Aameen.
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