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Weekly Comment |
Pakistan at a Crossroads
They have struck again. This
time at the game people love.
Cricket. The city is shaken and
fathers, brothers and sons are
killed. Changing lives of many
in a flash.
As it has
been on the sub-continent, the
blame game and finger pointing
begins. A minister suggests:
“It’s from India!” Around the
world others make measured
statements but all agree that
this is a cowardly act whose
perpetrators have to be brought
to book.
The
usual-suspect has to be Taliban.
And scribes are quick in
asserting this suggestion. One
of those is Alex Parker (The
Times, March 4 2009. p30). This
suggestion however is a flawed
one. It is on record that the
Taliban well-known for banning a
lot of things, did let the game
of cricket flourish in Kabul.
BBC’s Despatches reported the
recognition of the game in
Afghanistan way back in 1998.
It was under the Taliban
that an official Afghan cricket
team made a 5-day tour of
Pakistan in 2001.
Elsewhere, Lashkar-e-Taiba, a
banned organisation fighting for
liberation of Kashmir have been
cited as a possible suspect.
Lashkar have also been linked
with the Mumbai bombings of
26/11.
Would there be
shortage of suspects in this
matter?
What about the
Tamil Tigers who have their
backs to the wall in an apparent
“end-game” in northern Sri Lanka
fighting the government troops?
Couldn’t the attacks be a
product of domestic squabbles
that are raging between Nawaz
Sharif and Asif Zardari?
The attacks on the Sri
Lankan cricket team came barely
days after removal of Shahbaz
Sharif (brother to Nawaz) as governor of Punjab
state through a controversial
court ruling. In his stead, Salmaan Taseer, an ally of Asif
Zardari has become governor.
Sour grapes? Anything is
possible.
In the search
for suspects, we should look for
those who stand to benefit. It
cannot be in the interest of
patriotic Pakistanis to see a
visiting side which makes a
gesture of friendship by placing
sport above safety at a time no
team is ready to travel to the
restive country.
At the
end of the day, it is clear that
Pakistan is a country on a
precipice. Corruption and
anarchy rule as the centre
cannot hold. Slowly chipping on
the edges, the signs of Pakistan
becoming a failed state are
discernible.
As for the
consequences… by now, everyone
should be aware. What are we going
to do about it? |
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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 |
R158.64 |
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Mahr Faatimi |
R 7,932.19 |
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Zakaat Nisaab |
R 3,172.88 |
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Words of Wisdom |
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Hadith of the Week |
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Cardinal
Sins |
Narrated Abu Hurairah
Radhi-Allahu 'anhu who said
that Allah's Messenger
Salallahu 'alayhi wa sallam
said: Refrain from seven
(characteristics) which
cause destruction. He was
asked: “What are they,
Messenger of Allah Salallahu
'alayhi wa sallam?” He
replied: “To assign partner
to Allah, magic, to kill a
soul (man) which is
prohibited by Allah except
for which is due, to take
usury, to consume the
property of an orphan, to
retreat on the day of the
battle, and to slander
chaste women, indiscreet but
believing.”
(Abu
Dawud) |
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Quotation for the Week |
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A Banker |
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"A
banker is a fellow who lends
you his umbrella when the
sun is shining, but wants it
back the minute it begins to
rain."
(Mark
Twain) |
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Point of Reflection |
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Lost? Never Too Late |
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No
matter how far you have gone
on a wrong path, turn back.
(Turkish)
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Q and A |
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Question: Please
advise if an adult male
wants to become a Muslim is
circumcision compulsory
immediately or not? |
Answer:
Circumcision is among
the salient features of
Islam and as such it is a
special Islamic sign that is
necessary for every Muslim
male to observe. Therefore
if a person accepts the fold
of Islam in later years or
when he is an adult he too
would be required to
circumcise. If the new
Muslim is of advance age or
is so ill that he cannot be
circumcised without his
health being jeopardized
then he would be absolved of
this responsibility. On the
other hand, if his illness
or weakness is of a
temporary nature, then the
circumcision should be
carried out as soon as he
regains his strength.
Ref: (Shami. vol.6
p.751); (Aalamgiri. vol.5,
p.356); (Fatawa-Rahimiyya.
vol.10, p.134)
And
Allâh Ta’âla Knows Best.
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U P D A T E |
Muslim Contribution to South
Africa: Survey Specialist
“Indeed Allah is at the side of
the servant as long as the
servant is in the service of
fellow human beings.”
Motivated by this prophetic
statement, Muslims feel obliged
to uplift the plight of those
who are less fortunate. It is
therefore, not uncommon to note
that Muslims, individually and
collectively, have initiated a
number of projects throughout
the length and breadth of this
country towards the realisation
of this calling. Many today will
characterise it as social
responsibility. By documenting,
among other things, generations
to come would be inspired to
follow the footsteps of the
previous generation.
To
compile a comprehensive record
of all welfare and social
upliftment projects accomplished
by the Muslim community in South
Africa, the Jamiatul Ulama
together with the South African
National Zakaat Fund (SANZAF),
would like to employ the
services of an individual with
expertise in the conducting of
socio-economic surveys. A
suitable candidate will be the
one with a strong background in
data collection and analysis as
well as good communication
skills.
Interested
candidates should forward their
CVs to either Jamiatul Ulama (aymia[at]islamsa.org.za)
or SANZAF
(jhb2[at]sanzaf.org.za)
Airport Jamaat Khana
In collaboration with Airports
Company South Africa (ACSA) the
Jamiatul Ulama has been
successful in securing an area
in the New International
Arrivals Terminal of OR Tambo
airport for a Muslim prayer
facility. Plans for it have been
approved and work on the
internal design and layout will
commence soon. The facility
includes a Salaah area for
approximately 70 males and 30
females, an ablution area, a
luggage storage space and a baby
changing and feeding area.
Donations towards this
project will be highly
appreciated. Kindly deposit your
‘Lillah’ contributions directly
into our bank account:
Account Name: Jamiatul Ulama
Transvaal Relief Account
Bank: Nedbank Fordsburg
Branch Code: 195305
Account
Number: 1953 285 937
Kindly
fax deposit slips to our offices
on 011 373 8022 and ear-mark
‘Airport Jamaat Khana.’
Seerah Programme
The Jaami‘ah al-Ulum al-Islamiyyah,
the Jamiatul Ulama South Africa,
Tshwane Branch and the Darus
Salam Islamic Center will be
jointly hosting a weekend of
programmes on the life of the
Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alayhi
wa sallam).
The
programmes will take place on
the 6th, 7th and 8th of March
2009 at the Darus Salam Islamic
Center in Laudium. The Weekends
programmes include:
a. A
focussed Seerah programme for
Ulama, students and others on
academic perspectives related to
the Seerah.
b. A Seerah
Jalsah on Saturday from Maghrib
to after Ishaa.
c. An Open
Day for people of other faiths
on Saturday from 10:00am to
2:30pm. The Open Day will
include presentations,
exhibitions, talks, information
booths, practical demonstrations
and question and answer
sessions.
Guest
presenters during the course of
the three days include:
Maulana Professor Salman Nadvi,
Maulana Sulaiman Ravat, Maulana
Ibrahim Bham, Maulana Hasan
Dockrat, Maulana Yusuf Abed,
Maulana Abbas Ali Jeena, Maulana
Ashraf Dockrat, Maulana Sabir
Ibrahim.
Brothers and
Sisters are invited to attend.
They are also urged to invite or
bring along their colleagues of
other faiths to the Open Day.
The Focussed Seerah
Programme is aimed at Ulama and
students of Darul Ulums and will
consist of academic
presentations and discussions on
Seerah and related issues.
Presenters for this programme
will be Maulana Professor Salman
Nadvi and Maulana Hasan Dockrat.
Times for this programme are as
follows:
Friday, 6th
March - After Asr to Ishaa
Saturday, 7th March – 7:30 to
9:30 AM
Sunday, 8th March – 9
AM to 12 Noon
Ulama and
students are requested to please
RSVP by Tuesday, 3rd March 2009.
To confirm your attendance,
please contact: 011 373 8040 /
012 374 2506 / 082 655 9309.
Ulama are requested to
please inform their communities
about the programmes.
Youth Convention 2009
The Jamiatul Ulama in
conjunction with the Muslim
Students Association hosted the
fifth youth convention on
Saturday 28 February 2009 (for
ladies only), and Sunday 1 March
2009 (for boys) at the Unisa
Conference Centre in Ormonde,
Johannesburg. Over a thousand
and about 2500 participants
attended the two events
respectively.
The
programme line-up included
speeches as well as breakaway
sessions on advanced driving
skills, horse-riding, biking as
well as archery among other
things.
The organisers of
the convention which serves as a
springboard for youth activities
in localized areas will be
facilitating on-going programmes
for the youth. The Jamiatul
Ulama therefore encourages
volunteers to take interest in
and support youth programmes in
their own areas.
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Summarised Jumu’ah
Bayaan:
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Nabi sallallahu alayhi
wasalam (II of IV): As a
leader |
“And it is on
account of the mercy of
Allah that you deal with
them gently. And had you
been severe and
harsh-hearted, they
would have scattered
away from you; so pardon
them and ask (Allah's)
forgiveness for them;
and consult them in the
affairs.” (3:159)
• The month of Rabi’
ul Awwal ushered in the
dawn of a new era for
human civilization and
development through the
birth of the greatest of
mankind Muhammad
sallallahu alayhi
wasalam. It was under
his leadership the
Arabian Peninsula was
transformed from an
uncouth, nomadic,
immoral and violent
society into the cradle
and fortress of human
civilization. Its
inhabitants - once
regarded as social
lepers - became the
guiding stars for
mankind at large. How
did our beloved Nabi
Muhammad sallallahu
alayhi wasalam achieve
this neigh impossible
feat? What kind of
statesmanship did he
display that won over
the hearts and minds of
the very people who
previously persecuted
and plotted to murder
him? People that
previously spat at him
suddenly applied his
sweat as perfume!
• Muhammad
sallallahu alayhi
wasalam came not as
ruler but as a leader. A
leader shows the way and
guides by example whilst
a ruler simply demands
compliance. A leader has
certain inherent
qualities quite
independent of any
office he may hold.
These include both
qualities of personal
character and the
ability to inspire and
motivate others towards
the realization of
specific goals or
objectives.
• A
leader emerges among
people. A ruler
campaigns among people:
Nabi sallallahu alayhi
wasalam has said: ‘Do
not ask for a position
of authority, for if you
are granted this
position as a result of
your asking, you will be
left alone (to discharge
the responsibilities
associated with it) and
if you are granted it
without making any
request for it, you will
be helped (by Allah to
discharge your
responsibilities).’
(Muslim)
• A
leader derives his
appeal from humility. A
ruler appeals for
superiority: In his
first speech as khalifah
of the Muslims, Abu Bakr
radhiyallahu anhu said:
‘I have been appointed
as ruler over you
although I am not the
best among you. I have
never sought this
position nor has there
ever been a desire in my
heart to have this in
preference to anyone
else... If I do right,
you must help and obey
me; if I go astray, set
me aright... Obey me so
long as I obey Allah and
His Messenger. If I
disobey them, then you
have no obligation to
follow me…’
• A
leader’s hallmark is
mercy. A ruler’s
hallmark is authority:
The Qur’an describes him
in the words: “And We
have not sent you forth
except as a mercy to the
universe.” (21:107) Such
was the compassion and
mercy of Nabi Muhammad
sallallahu alayhi
wasalam that he said: ‘I
start the prayers,
intending to lengthen
them. I then hear a
child crying so I make
them shorter, knowing
that a mother will be
distressed by her
child’s cries.’ Aisha
radhiyallahu anha says
that once Nabi
sallallahu alayhi
wasalam kissed his
grandsons on the
forehead while a
villager was present.
The villager said with
surprise, ‘I have ten
children. I have never
kissed any of them!’ He
responded: ‘He who does
not show mercy will not
be shown mercy.’
• A leader shows undying
concern. A ruler demands
unyielding compliance:
The Qur’an describes him
in the words: “There
comes to you a Messenger
from amongst yourselves:
it grieves him that ye
should suffer: he is so
anxious over you: to the
Believers is he most
kind and merciful.”
(9:128) A narration in
Bukhari describes the
personality of Nabi
sallallahu alayhi
wasalam in the words:
‘From his mercy is that
he never felt it below
him to walk along a
widow or with a poor
person to fulfill their
needs. He visited the
weak and sick Muslims
and attended their
funerals. He treated
orphans well and
charitably. He commanded
people to care for them
and treat them with
excellence and would
say: ‘I and a patron of
an orphan are as close
in Paradise as these two
fingers (the index and
middle finger).’ He also
said that the best house
among the homes of
Muslims one with an
orphan being treated
well in it.’
• A
leader elects people of
expertise. A ruler
elects people for
expediency: Ibn Taymiyya
has recorded: ‘Whoever
delegates a position to
someone whereas he sees
someone else as more
competent (for the
position); verily he has
cheated Allah and His
Apostle and all the
Muslims.’
• A
leader is free from
greed. A ruler thrives
on greed: Nabi
sallallahu alayhi
wasalam said: ‘Three
things are part of the
good morals of a
believer. When he is
overcome by anger, his
anger should not drive
him to falsehood. When
he is happy, his
happiness should not
take him beyond the
bounds of what is right.
When he has power, he
should not stake a claim
to something which is
not his.’ (Tirmidhi)
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Message from the Ameer of
the Jamiatul Ulama |
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Our Beloved Prophet,
Hadhrat Muhammad Sallallahu
‘alayhi wa sallam |
The month of Rabi al-Awwal
has dawned upon us. It is a
month wherein Muslims
traditionally incline
towards recalling the life
of our Prophet Muhammad
Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa
sallam
Allah Azza wa
Jalla tells us in the
Qur’aan:
“Verily in the
Messenger of Allah you have
a perfect example ...”
(33:21)
It is important
to take examples from the
life of the Prophet
Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa
sallam. He simplicity, his
concern for others, his
willingness to sacrifice,
his kindness, his commitment
and dedication, his taqwa
and tawakkaul, and his
submission to the Will of
Allah are all aspects that
we need to exert ourselves
in trying to emulate.
It
must also be remembered that
success of any believer
remains in following the
Sunnah of the Prophet. The
verses of the Qur’an are
replete with verses
instructing, enjoining and
encouraging us to follow the
blessed Sunnah of Muhammad
Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa
sallam.
Allah Azza wa
Jalla says:
Say: "If ye
do love Allah follow me:
Allah will love you and
forgive you your sins for
Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most
Merciful. Say: "Obey Allah
and His Apostle"; but if
they turn back Allah loves
not those who reject Faith”.
(3:31, 32)
And obey
Allah and the Apostle; that
ye may obtain mercy. (3:132)
All who obey Allah and the
Apostle are in the company
of those on whom is the
Grace of Allah of the
Prophets (who teach) the
sincere (lovers of truth)
the witnesses (who testify)
and the righteous (who do
good): ah! what a beautiful
fellowship! (4:69)
The Jaami`ah al-Ulum
al-Islamiyyah, the Jamiatul
Ulama South Africa, Tshwane
Branch and the Darus Salam
Islamic Center will be
jointly hosting a weekend of
programmes on the life of
the Prophet Muhammad
(sallallahu `alayhi wa
sallam).
The
programmes will take place
on the 6th, 7th and 8th of
March 2009 at the Darus
Salam Islamic Center in
Laudium. The Weekends
programmes include:
a. A
focussed seerah programme
for Ulama, students and
others on academic
perspectives related to the
Seerah.
b. A Seerah
Jalsah on Saturday from
Maghrib to after Ishaa.
c. An Open Day for people of
other faiths on Saturday
from 10AM to 2:30 PM. The
Open Day will include
presentations, exhibitions,
talks, information booths,
practical demonstrations and
question and answer
sessions.
Guest
presenters during the course
of the three days include:
Maulana Professor Salman
Nadvi, Maulana Sulaiman
Ravat, Maulana Ibrahim Bham,
Maulana Hasan Dockrat,
Maulana Yusuf Abed, Maulana
Abbas Ali Jeena, Maulana
Ashraf Dockrat, Maulana
Sabir Ibrahim.
Brothers and Sisters are
invited to attend. They are
also urged to invite or
bring along their colleagues
of other faiths to the Open
Day.
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