|
|
|
Weekly Comment |
Political Intolerance and
Violence must be Stopped
PRESS
STATEMENT
(for immediate release)
The Council of Muslim
Theologians is alarmed with the
upswing of violence which has
resulted in fatalities in
apparent incidents of political
intolerance.
High‐profile
murders have been reported in
the KwaZulu‐Natal region within
a 14‐day period. Other reports
of politically‐related violence
have been recorded elsewhere in
the country.
This trend
is raising apprehension and
gives the perception that the
period in the run up to this
year’s general elections will be
a bloody one.
In order to
allay fears of the general
public, we would like to appeal
to leaders of all political
parties to publicly denounce
acts of violence. Political
parties should help to bring to
book perpetrators of such
heinous crimes even those within
their ranks.
In a plural
society that is built upon
mutual respect and peaceful
co‐existence like ours, a
culture of intolerance should
not be condoned but stymied in
the bud.
Our remarkable
record of achievements over
relatively short period of time
as a nation should not be
tainted by a culture of hatred
that feeds on bigotry. Political
leaders should therefore desist
from the use of inflammatory
language and mudslinging in a
manner that builds tension as it
has been in certain cases
recently.
Besides
rejecting uncivil behaviour that
often leads to violence, the
rest of us also have the
responsibility of making sure
that our leaders, in the
interest of our nation, are more
accountable in what they say and
do especially during the
political campaigning period.
Let us all promote fairness
and harmony in our land.
[Signed]
E.I. Bham
(Moulana)
Secretary General
02 February 2009
Abu Mazen:
Portrait of a Unifier?
Mahmoud
Abbas aka Abu Mazen is on the
sojourn in Europe trying to seek
support for a new Palestinian
government. A new government of
national unity, as he terms it,
should be installed in order to
keep the ‘momentum’ of the
‘peace process.’ He has been
quick to suggest that Europe
should accept that Hamas will be
part of that government of
national unity.
What is
behind Abu Mazen's change of
heart will remain a talking
point? His own tenure of office
is expiring and a posturing that
puts him as a unifying
Palestinian figure cannot be
ruled out. Many, however, will
see through it as they have also
noted the recent antics of one
Hamid Karzai.
If only
Abu Mazen could be sincere… |
|
|
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 147.39
|
|
Mahr Faatimi |
R 7,369.50
|
|
Zakaat Nisaab |
R 2,947.80
|
|
Words of Wisdom |
|
Hadith of the Week |
|
Help is
from Allah Alone |
On the authority of Abu 'Abbas
'Abdillah bin 'Abbas
Radhi-Allaahu anhuma who
said: ‘One day I was behind
the Prophet Sallallahu
alayhi wa sallam [riding on
the same mount] and he said:
“O young man, I shall teach
you some words [of advice]:
Be Mindful of Allah and
Allah will protect you. Be
Mindful of Allah and you
will find Him in front of
you. If you ask, then ask
Allah [alone]; and if you
seek help, then seek help
from Allah [alone]. And know
that if the Nation were to
gather together to benefit
you with anything, they
would not benefit you except
with what Allah had already
prescribed for you. And if
they were to gather together
to harm you with anything,
they would not harm you
except with what Allah had
already prescribed against
you. The Pens have been
lifted and the Pages have
dried.”’
(Tirmidhi)
|
|
|
Quotation for the Week |
|
Bandwagon |
|
"Whenever you find yourself
on the side of the majority,
it is time to pause and
reflect."
(Mark
Twain)
|
|
|
Point of Reflection |
|
Exposure |
|
Smooth
seas do not make skilful
sailors.
(Ethiopia)
|
|
|
|
Q and A |
Question:
I am
married and working, my
husband does not financially
support me as he argues the
point that I am working and
have money. What is the
Islamic ruling pertaining to
woman who has wealth and the
husband’s duty? |
Answers:
If your husband has
the financial means to take
care of your basic needs and
stops you from leaving the
home to earn an income then
it is not his responsibility
to provide for your needs
for the period that you are
away from the house for this
purpose. Therefore under
such circumstances your
husband will not be required
to provide for any of your
needs such as work clothing,
food during work hours,
transport, etc, for the
period that you are away
from the house because of
earning an income. The
husband will nevertheless be
responsible for your
maintenance for times other
then when you are at work.
If the husband allows the
wife to leave the house in
order to work then he will
be responsible for her full
maintenance. (Shaami, vol.3
p.577/578).
And Allâh
Ta’âla Knows Best.
<Go to
Top> |
|
U P D A T E |
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
|
|
Summarised Jumu’ah
Bayaan:
|
|
The Importance
of the Masjid |
“The masaajid of Allah
shall be maintained only
by those who believe in
Allah and the Last Day,
establish Salah, and
discharge Zakaah and
fear none but Allah. It
is they who are on true
guidance.” (9:18)
• The very first
house of worship that
existed on this earth
was that of the Ka’bah
in Makkah Mukarramah. It
was in the vicinity of
this place where Adam
alayhis salaam and his
beloved wife, Hawwa
alayhis salaam met and
worshipped Allah. The
Qur’an indicates towards
the early existence of
the Ka’bah in the
following words,
“Verily, the first House
(of worship) appointed
for mankind was that at
Bakkah (Makkah), full of
blessing, and guidance
for Al-‘Alameen (mankind
and jinn).” (3:96) This
great House of Allah was
later on destroyed by
floods, however, it was
rebuilt by Ibrahim
alayhis salaam.
• The second Masjid
known to mankind
throughout history was
Masjid Al Aqsa in
Jerusalem. According to
a hadith, it was built
forty years after the
Ka’bah. It was towards
this location that Nabi
sallallahu alayhi
wasalam travelled during
his historic night
journey. Reference to
this Masjid is made in
the opening verse of
Surah Bani Israeel,
“Glorified be He (Allah)
who took His slave
(Muhammad) for a journey
by night from Al-Masjid
Al-Haraam (at Makkah) to
Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa (in
Jerusalem), the
surrounding whereof We
have blessed, in order
that We might show him
(Muhammad) of Our signs.
Verily, He is the
All-Hearer, the
All-Seer.” (17:1)
• The first project
that Nabi sallallahu
alayhi wasalam undertook
to carry out arrival in
Madinah Munawwarah after
migration from Makkah
Mukarramah, was the
establishment and
construction of a Masjid.
He personally assisted
in its construction and
later the Masjid came to
be known after him - Al
Masjid An Nabawi (or the
Prophet’s Masjid).
• In a hadith quoted
by Bukhari, Muslims are
encouraged to undertake
a journey too three
Masaajid, namely, Masjid
Al Haraam (in Makkah),
Masjid An Nabawi (in
Madinah) and Masjid Al
Aqsa (in Jerusalem).
• The word ‘masjid’
literally means the
place of prostration.
Thus, the essence of
this place is:
o
Prostration - Muslims
come hear to prostrate
before Allah thereby
demonstrating their
obedience and loyalty to
Him.
o Performance of
the five daily Salaah
including the weekly
congregation of Jumu’ah.
o Attaining spiritual
and psychological
benefits of peace,
tranquillity and
happiness.
o
Learning and teaching
the fundamental aspects
of Islam and the Qur’an.
o A community centre for
organizing training
programs for youth and
adults alike.
o A
centre for resolving the
social, religious,
political, economic and
cultural challenges
faced by Muslims.
o A
base for Da’wah
activities for the
development and spread
of Islam.
• Nabi
sallallahu alayhi
wasalam has indicated
the towards the virtue
of constructing a Masjid
in the words, ‘Whosoever
builds a Masjid for
Allah with the intention
to please Him, Allah
will build for him a
house in paradise.’ (Bukahri
and Muslim)
•
Muslims need to
establish the Masjid as
the focal point of a
neighbourhood, where the
needs of people residing
within its vicinity are
taken care of. This will
be achieved if it is
open and functional at
all times upon the model
displayed by Nabi
sallallahu alayhi
wasalam himself during
the golden era of his
life in Madinah. During
those days, the Masjid
was a learning centre, a
propagation house, an
army base, the
parliament, a courtroom,
a jail together with
being the hub of
worshipping Allah.
• The Masjid should
not serve the function
of competition in beauty
or activity, or as a
means of creating a
divide in the community
and creating mischief.
Its motivation should be
solely the pleasure of
Allah. During the time
of Nabi sallallahu
alayhi wasalam, mischief
seekers build a Masjid
with evil intentions.
This Masjid was not only
rebuked in words of the
Qur’an, but Nabi
sallallahu alayhi
wasalam had instructed
that it be destroyed.
• Abu Darda
radhiyallahu anhu
reports that Nabi
sallallahu alayhi
wasalam said, ‘The
Masjid is the house of
every Allah fearing
person. Any person who
takes Masjid as his
house, Allah guarantees
him joy (gratification),
mercy and the (easy)
passing over the bridge
of Siraat towards His
pleasure - to Jannah.’ (Tabrani)
<Go to Top> |
|
Message from the Ameer of
the Jamiatul Ulama |
|
Drive Safely |
Allah Subhanahu wa ta’aala
exhorts the Believers to
become such Muslims who
submit fully to the Will of
Allah (Surah 2: verse 208) –
to become such Muslims who
accept all of the commands
of Allah; whether they
relate to ibaadaat (salah,
zakah, saum, etc.) or
whether they are in
reference to mu`aamaalaat
(transacting with others),
mu`aasharaat (living with
others) and even akhlaaq
(character). All aspects
fall within the ambit of the
life a Muslim is exhorted to
live.
Many lives are
lost on our roads through
motor vehicle accidents, and
over the years one of the
major contributing factors
to road accidents and
collisions has been reckless
and inconsiderate driving.
It is the duty of every
Muslim to ensure that he/she
does not become the cause of
loss of life and injury to
anybody else or even
himself. In addition, being
courteous and considerate
forms an important part of a
Muslim's character. A Muslim
is obliged to shun any
activity that is futile, non
beneficial and even
potentially harmful.
Muslims must become lanterns
of hidayah [guidance] for
humanity. The character of a
Muslim is construed as a
reflection of Islâm. He/she
should be constantly asking
how does he/she reflects
Islâm? Is he/she an
invitation to the beauty of
Islam or is he/she becoming
an impediment in the path of
others realizing the beauty
of the Deen of Islam and
thus becoming a disservice
to the deen?
The
Qur’ân and Hadîth stress the
importance of good
character. Driving safely
and courteously has great
merits. It will reflect the
true beauty and character
that a Muslim is expected to
portray.
May Allah
Subhanahu wa ta’aala guide
us in all that we do. Aameen.
Go to
Top> |
|
|
|