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Weekly Comment |
Palestinian Ethnic Cleansing:
Work in Progress
As if the
occupation itself is not enough,
over the weekend, it was the
turn of the Hannoun and al Ghawe
families in the Sheikh Jarrah
neighbourhood in East Jerusalem
where they had to be evicted,
forced to give up their homes in
favour of Jewish settlers.
In spite of the almost
impossible circumstances created
by the occupation of Zionist
Israel, the Hannoun family, in
particular, have resisted the
occupation by refusing to
abandon their home for 37 years.
Distraught members of
the family were seen being
literally dragged out of their
home after which their furniture
was taken away. Their Jewish
neighbours smiled at the
spectacle behind the security
cordon beyond which even
journalists were not allowed.
Consistent with Zionist
Israel’s treatment of
Palestinians, the Hannouns can
expect bills for storage of
their property and eviction
costs suffered by the state. In
the past, Palestinians have had
their homes demolished, land
confiscated only to wake up at a
temporary shelter to the news
that they will have to pay for
the demolition services!
Time and again Palestinians
are stripped off their residence
status inside the occupied land
under dubious circumstances. For
instance, a Palestinian may lose
his residence status by simply
getting married to another
living in occupied territories
such as Gaza!
Every week,
claimants of Jewish ancestry are
guaranteed Israeli citizenship
upon arrival at Jaffa (Tel
Aviv). In contrast to that,
Palestinians who have lived in
Occupied Palestine risk losing
their residence status at any
time they leave the territory.
Israel keeps demanding
recognition and a litany of
pre-conditions before it can
allow the establishment of a
Palestinian state. In the
meanwhile, what goes on are
actions that show arrogance and
total disregard for
internationally agreed norms and
treaties.
Occupying
Israel has rejected the freeze
on settlement expansion.
Occupying Israel has built an
Apartheid Wall that ensures that
thousands of Palestinians are
cut off from Jerusalem. Zionist
Israel rejects the idea of
Jerusalem becoming a capital of
a Palestinian state.
If
this is not about ethnic
cleansing, why does Zionist
Israel reject the right of
return of millions of
Palestinians in Lebanon, Syria,
Jordan and other parts of the
world?
In the war of
attrition which is called
“negotiation” for a “peaceful
settlement” Occupying Israel
assures herself that she will
eventually ‘win’. Her leaders
gloat, “We shall keep
negotiating until there is
nothing left to negotiate
about.” One would not help but
surmise that even the courts
that have ruled on this matter
are influenced by such an idea.
Last year, as Occupying
Israel celebrated her 60 years
of ‘independence,’ Palestinians
remembered a 60 years of the
Catastrophe of 1948. Last week,
the smiling Jewish settler
bystanders at the time of
distress for the Hannouns and al
Ghawes replayed this kind of
celebration that is cynically
superimposed on grief… For how
much longer will Zionist Israel
deny the humanity of
Palestinians?
Read more
here:
http://www.countercurrents.org/galvin100709.htm |
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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 |
|
Update |
|
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 |
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Mahr Faatimi |
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Zakaat Nisaab |
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Words of Wisdom |
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Hadith of the Week |
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Mothers' Worth |
Abu 'Isa Al-Mughirah bin
Shu‘bah Radhi-Allah anhu
reported: The Prophet
Sallallahu ‘alayhi wassallam
said, "Allah has forbidden
you: disobedience to your
mothers, to withhold (what
you should give), or demand
(what you do not deserve),
and to bury your daughters
alive. And Allah dislikes
idle talk, to ask too many
questions (for things which
will be of no benefit to
one), and to waste your
wealth."
(Al-Bukhari
and Muslim)
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Quotation
of
the Week |
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Backbiting |
‘Amr bin Al-‘Âs
Radhi-Allah
anhu was
once walking with a group of
his friends, when he passed
by the bloated, rotting
carcass of mule. He said:
“By Allah! To eat your fill
from this carcass is better
than eating the flesh of a
Muslim (by backbiting him).”
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Point of Reflection |
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Number Factor |
The
separated one is the prey of
bear, the split is the food
for wolf.
(Uighur Saying)
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Q and A |
Question:
Please
advise, I know the 15
Shabaan falls on the 7
August this year, so when
would the big night be,
would it be the Thursday
night, as I’ve been told
that after Maghrib it is a
new day so does that mean
after Maghrib it is a new
date as well. Or would the
big night just be the
evening of the 7 August
which is Friday?
I
understand it is beneficial
to fast on the 15 Shabaan,
is it best to fast that day
alone or two consecutive
days?
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Answer:
In Islam, the night of a
date precedes the day. For
example, Laylatul Jumu'ah
(the night of Jumu'ah) would
be the night between
Thursday and Friday, i.e.
the night before the day of
Jumu'ah. Therefore, the 15th
night of Sha'baan for this
year would be the night that
falls between the days of
Thursday and Friday.
The above rule applies
to all nights throughout the
year except for some of the
nights of Haj.
As for
fasting, the fasting of two
days only apply to the fast
of Muharram, where one will
join another day with the
10th; either a day before or
after.
<Go to
Top> |
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U P D A T E |
Press Statement:
Prosecution of War Crimes
Suspects
The
Media Review Network and
Palestinian Solidarity Alliance
have filed papers with the
National Directorate of Public
Prosecutions (NDPP) and other
organs of state requesting an
investigation and criminal
prosecution for war crimes,
crimes against humanity and
related matters against those
involved in Operation Cast Lead
(War on Gaza).
The
Jamiatul Ulama supports this
initiative that brings to book
all those violating the rule of
law in. We request all people of
goodwill to join us in prayer
for the success of this
initiative.
Jamiatul
Ulama, Johannesburg, South
Africa
“Who will make a Good Loan to
Allah?”
Imagine you come on the Day of
Judgment and you have
contributed among other things
towards: a child’s proper
recitation of the Qur’an;
reconciliation of disputing
Muslims; providing for the
community’s poor and vulnerable;
publishing of the
recommendations of Allah and His
Rasul Sallallahu alayhi wasallam,
and guiding others towards the
Path of the Almighty! You can be
rest assured that it will weigh
heavily in your favour on the
scale of deeds more than
expectations.
The
Jamiatul Ulama is your conduit
for acquiring such Favours of
Allah. “The deeds most loved by
Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’aala (are
those) done regularly, even if
they are small.” (Bukhari and
Muslim) We look forward to your
continued support and
contributions.
Please
make a commitment regardless of
the amount but regular by
completing a debit order and
submit it to the Jamiatul Ulama
via fax: 011 373 8022.
Orlando East Masjid Project
The Jamiatul
Ulama is appealing to all
Muslims to contribute towards
the construction of an Islamic
centre in Soweto.
The
project is the Jamiatul Ulama’s
collaborative initiative with
Ikhwana Islamiya in Soweto where
construction of the
purpose-built structure is
nearing completion.
The
project, which is under Siddiqi
Trust shall comprise of a masjid,
an imam's house as well as
madrasah classrooms in Orlando
East.
Donate generously
towards this project. A
Prophetic tradition according to
Bukhari and Muslim goes:
“Whosoever builds for Allah a
masjid, Allah will reward him
similar to it in paradise."
In another narration
according to Imam Ahmad,
“Whosoever shares in building a
masjid for Allah, even if it is
as small as a bird’s nest, Allah
will build for him a house in
Paradise.”
This is one
opportunity for earning thawâb
jâriya and a special statement
of support for the growing
Muslim community in Soweto.
Direct:
Name of Account:
Siddiqi Trust
Bank: HBZ Bank
Ltd
Branch: Fordsburg
Code: 570105
Account No.: 11
901 121864
Via ABSA
Name of Account: HBZ Bank Ltd
Branch Code: 632005
Account
No.: 0101 323 1601
Ref:
21008105 (MUST Quote. Very
Important.)
Via Standard
Bank
Name of Account: HBZ
Bank Ltd
Branch Code:
00520508
Account No.: 002 502
410
Ref: 21008105 (MUST
Quote. Very Important.)
Kindly fax deposit slip for
record purposes to: 011 373 8022
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Summarised Jumu’ah
Bayaan: |
Substance Abuse:
A
scourge plaguing our
neighbourhoods |
All praise be to
Allah who has made
wholesome things lawful
and harmful things
prohibited. I bear
witness that there is
none worthy of worship
besides Allah. Allah
guides the obedient to
more obedience and
forgives the repentant.
I also bear witness that
Muhammad Salallahu
Alayhi Wasallam is His
messenger. He conveyed a
code that contains every
good for the seeker of
good. May Allah bless
his family and
companions. Ameen
Recently, custom
officials at OR Tambo
International Airport
discovered as cargo from
Mumbai-Dubai chemicals
used in the manufacture
of drugs valued over
R100 million. The
headline in the Sunday
Times Extra a few weeks
back read: “Pagad ready
for comeback.”
These two recent
incidents disturbingly
remind us as humans that
the scourge of drugs
abuse is very much
alive. As much as
efforts are made, it
continues unabated and
decimates the moral
fibre of society. It
retards the potential
inherent in human beings
to be useful and
productive. The drug
problem is so
significant that it is
addressed by one and
sundry: Community
leaders, social workers
and politicians. It is
clear that most people
are significantly
concerned about the
existing and menacing
drug problem.
Drug addiction is a
disease that disrupts
the normal function of
the brain, and affects
behaviour. Whoever
experiments with a drug
is faced with its
addictive nature for the
first time and the
chances of becoming an
addict increase. It
paralyses his senses and
overwhelms his mind. He
is taken over by the
intoxicating effect.
Massive and elaborate
programmes have been
devised to create an
awareness of drugs abuse
in the public.
Surveillance has been
increased at all ports
of entry in all
countries, but
unfortunately facts and
figures paint a very
gloomy and bleak
picture. This
devastating menace
marches triumphantly
ahead drawing in more
and more victims into
its net. The ghost of
this evil continues to
haunt communities and
countries and in fact
the world, with total
ease.
Why is the
world failing in
combating drug abuse?
Why is the world not
succeeding in containing
drug abuse? Surely
mankind cannot be
faulted for lack of
initiative and
enthusiasm to eradicate
the world of this evil.
No efforts are spared to
purify society of this
evil. But the burning
question surfaces again.
Why no significant,
marked progress or
improvement to effect
its eradication?
Unfortunately, there are
existent factors in
society today that cause
people to find
drug-taking attractive.
To mention just a few:
• Curiosity: Many
people resort to drugs
merely to experience it.
• Getting a high:
Others like to feel good
or to be in a better
state than they were in.
• Experiment and
rebel against social
norms and standards:
Drug-taking matches the
aspect of adolescent
behaviour that desires
to try new things, take
risks, or question
social constraints.
Drugs among adolescents
is thought to be
fashionable, and a sign
of “being cool!”
•
Performance enhancing:
Some drug addicts are
athletes who started
taking drugs through the
abuse of
performance-enhancing
drugs.
• Peer
pressure: Humans more
than often find it
difficult not to fit in
and cannot stand the
notion of being labelled
as black sheep.
•
Stress, disappointment,
and depression are other
reasons to seek out
drugs.
At this
point we emphatically
state that no society
will effectively combat
drug abuse unless it
correctly identifies the
causes and than
neutralizes them. You
will recall that we
mentioned a short while
ago, all secular efforts
in combating drug abuse
has yielded minimal
results. Indeed we once
again state that all
such efforts, no matter
how scientific these
efforts may be, they are
doomed to fail if they
are void of
transcendental
consciousness. Islam
does not dismiss the use
of scientific
researches. Such studies
are most welcome, but
futile if faith absent.
It is our considered
believe that no
scientific research can
succeed in combating
drug abuse if it is kept
apart from
transcendental
consciousness. Such a
claim is not merely
blowing hot air but we
come from a legacy which
has produced an event
unparalleled in the
annals of history. The
incident we are
referring to is how the
early Muslims embraced
the total prohibition of
intoxicants- liquor.
What are the
teachings of Islam which
will equip a person to
combat drug abuse? What
are the directives of
our Shariah which will
develop in an individual
the capacity to repel
the apparent comfort of
drugs?
One
As Muslims, we are
committed to the belief
that the Qur’an is the
word of Allah and as
such it is absolute
guidance. It should and
will steer us to
success. In that same
Qur’an Allah says: “I
only created jinn and
man to worship me”
(51:56)
It is an
ayah very often quoted
but not considered with
all its implications.
Imam Ibn Taymiyyah
commenting on ‘ibaadah’
says it means blindfold
obedience, humbleness
and pure love of Allah,
both explicitly and
implicitly. On this
basis he defines ‘ibaadah’
as an act that pleases
Allah in words or deeds,
whether expressed or
concealed, such as
SalaaH and Zakaah,
telling the truth,
kindness to parents and
the like. True ‘ibaadah’
consists of obeying
Allah’s commandments and
prohibitions, whether in
belief, deeds or speech
and refraining from
pursuing only our
instincts.
In
the light of this
explanation of ‘ibaadah’:
if an individual is
involved in drug abuse
which Allah has
prohibited, we are
failing in achieving the
reason and purpose for
which Allah has created
us. We have failed our
creator. How unfortunate
are we that He has
granted us existence and
we could not live up to
its demands and
expectations. Imagine
what you would think of
your son who lets you
down after providing for
him in all ways
possible. In far greater
measure, we should be
Allah’s slaves and
devoted to his worship.
Two
Faith in
the Hereafter, and the
sense of accountability
to Allah on the Day of
Judgment. A person who
does not subscribe to
such faith is bound to
indulge in drug abuse as
is the case today. He
cannot suppress his
temptations in broad
daylight, but a believer
of such a faith will
resist from committing
such an offence even in
the darkness of the
night, because he
believes two angels are
continuously recording
his deeds and report
them back to his
creator. Allah in turn
will punish or reward
him on the Day of
Judgment according to
his deeds. Allah says in
the Noble Qur’an:
“…or do they imagine
that we do not hear
their secrets and their
private talk? On the
contrary our messengers
are right with them
writing it down.”
(43:80)
“We have
fastened the destiny of
every man about his neck
and on the Day of Rising
we will bring out a book
for him and which he
will find spread out in
front of him. Read your
Book! Today your own
self is reckoner enough
against you.” (17:13-14)
“You will see every
nation on its knees,
every nation summoned to
its book: ‘Today you
will be repaid for what
you did’.
This
is our book speaking
against you with the
truth. We have been
recording everything you
did.” (45:28-29)
Thus
a person’s faith in
accountability in the
Hereafter can be gauged
and reflected in his
speech and deeds. We say
“Aamantu Bil Aakhirah”
(I believe in the
Hereafter) but whether
it has penetrated our
heart is debatable.
Where genuine faith
prevails, there is no
space for drug abuse to
take root or to pose a
serious treat. Therefore
judges in the early
period of Islam rarely
encountered offences of
such nature.
Three
Education.
Though preaching is an
element of education,
Islamic teachings are
conveyed best by setting
of good examples. This
produces an atmosphere
so that role models are
emulated. Nabi Muhammad
Salallahu Alayhi
Wasallam was the first
model, and then the
Sahaba and their
followers carried
forward their exemplary
conduct in every Islamic
society. However they
are no longer alive to
emulate, this lot has
fallen on the shoulders
of the family, parents,
and society. Parents and
the community must
realize the importance
of being good role
models. Young people
only follow what they
see, and hear and use
what is available.
Everyone, even religious
leaders and parents must
practice what they
preach.
In many
homes there are many
forms of abuse -
shouting, blaming, etc.
- so there is no
positive communication.
Homes have become like
hotels with family
members moving away from
each other, and even
seeking social outlets
away from the family
circle. If there is not
enough nurturing and
communication, love will
start to disappear. In
such a context, young
people feel isolated,
and the emotional pain
is very hard to bear.
Young people are
usually friendly and
supportive of each other
on the streets. Gangs
are often nicer to each
other than many
families. This is a call
for families to take
stock of the dynamics at
work between family
members and to seek ways
to strengthen family
ties in a bid to draw
closer to each other and
to create a haven for
young people. If
families can do this,
young people will not
have to resort to the
streets for help and
support.
Naturally a family which
lacks Islamic morals
cannot bring up its
children in the desired
way. If parents do not
have the spirit of
Islam, they cannot be
expected to impart
Islamic values and
ideals to their
children. We should also
remember that
encouragement alone
cannot serve purpose
fully. We will be wrong
if we think we can
achieve an Islamic
education by listening
to Islamic topics on
radio or CD, morning and
evening. No, all this
will be of little
benefit unless these
teachings are coupled
with examples of
behaviour.
Another very important
aspect of education
involves understanding
the dynamics of
substance abuse. The
more one knows about how
drugs work and the
effect they can have on
the body and mind, the
more one will be able to
protect against them.
Simple broad principles
go a long way in
empowering one to
effectively address the
scourge in one’s
community and family.
For example, different
drugs cause different
feelings and physical
responses; different
people respond
differently to the same
drugs; and the more
drugs you take, the more
you need.
Four
Our Shariah has been
established to protect
five things:
1.
Religion (Din)
2.
Mind-Intellect (Aql)
3. Life (Nafs)
4.
Lineage (Nasl)
5.
Wealth (Maal)
Our
Shariah prohibits
anything that harms any
of these five things.
Drug abuse
hinders man from
observing Salaah and
remembering Allah. It
dulls the mind, with
which Allah has honoured
Man. In the absence of a
fully functional mind,
no honour can be
preserved. A drug addict
may sell his property,
become indifferent to
his hounor (wife, sister
and daughter), or even
worse, may offer his
honour to other people.
In pursuit of drugs, an
addict feels no shame in
turning into a pimp.
Besides the
detrimental effects of
substance abuse on the
mind, its impact on the
body is no less
disastrous. It ravages
the body in a way that
reduces the most
beautiful of creation
into a very frightening
and pitiful creature.
Awareness without any
prevention strategy will
not yield the desired
outcomes. Hence, Allah
says:
“Oh Believers,
intoxicants and gambling
, and idols and divining
arrows are all vile
deeds of
Shaitan.Continually
abstain from them, then,
so that you may gain
salvation.” (5:90)
Nabi Muhammad
Salallahu Alayhi
Wasallam said:
‘Everything that
intoxicates is
unlawful.’ (Muslim)
He Salallahu Alayhi
Wasallam also said:
“Anything that
intoxicates if taken in
a large amount is
unlawful, even in a
small amount.” (Tirmidhi)
Therefore, should a
person carry out these
teachings of Islam:
•
Worship Allah because He
has created you for it.
• Develop faith in the
Hereafter and that Allah
will reward one
accordingly.
•
Educate by way of
example.
• Protect
your body and mind
It will go a long
way to protect a person
to be involved in drug
abuse.
The main
role players in drug
abuse are the addict
himself and the peddler.
Whilst the addict is not
entirely blame free, the
venom of the community
is targeted towards the
peddler. The material
civilization has ensured
the death of morals and
ethics. People are
almost in the state of
drunkenness programmed
for the pursuit of money
and wealth. Moreover, we
have heard that the
peddler should be
ostracized, he should
feel the heat. The
peddler void of any
conscience and enjoying
the protection of
corrupt officials, the
opportunities to convict
him are few. Our only
recourse is to develop
in us the discipline not
to patronize him. No
buyers so he has to
close shop, so it all
depends on us. We are
perceived as potential
buyers.
Fighting
drug abuse needs
collective attention and
action. It’s not about
governments and drug
dealers only. It’s a
system that includes the
whole society. Moreover,
we are all susceptible
to sin. Therefore, Allah
created us with
inclinations to sin,
repent and to learn from
our mistakes, but not if
the sin negatively
impacts on the sound
functioning of our
minds. For which we need
help.
Islam does
not ‘shame’ its
believers when they come
for help. It is our
understanding that Allah
forgives and that we, as
humans, have the
responsibility to
support and assist in
recovery whenever
possible. It is also our
belief that committed
adherence to the
religious principals of
Islam with the support
of the Muslim community
will provide not only a
drug free lifestyle but
also recovery.
We make dua to Allah to
cleanse our communities
from the harms of drugs
abuse and bless those
dedicated in its
eradication with courage
and fortitude. Ameen
It is indeed a
blessing of Allah that
our country, South
Africa is now part of
the international family
and has returned to
respectability. However,
one cannot overlook the
fact that this has
brought about
challenging and darker
consequences. Until
then, South Africa was
regarded as unviable in
terms of most
international drug
trafficking operations.
Isolated politically,
economically and
geographically, the
country remained
relatively free of hard
drugs like cocaine and
heroin. But now it is
rapidly being drawn into
the intricate webs spun
by overseas based
peddlers.
Southern Africa has been
identified as a transit
zone for the smuggling
of cocaine and heroin to
Europe. What is more,
stricter legislation and
control in the North
America and Europe have
forced drug syndicates
to find additional areas
to carry out business.
South Africa with its
comparative strong
buying power is among
those markets singled
out. Demand and
confiscation of illicit
substances is on the
rise.
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|
Message from the Ameer of
the Jamiatul Ulama |
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Our Dear, Dear
Children Need Us to Take
Charge of Them |
We provide the best for our
children in terms of the
physical needs. We beautify
and make their rooms
comfortable. We allow them
to purchase the best of
clothes. We provide for
their education without
question of cost. We give
them the best of foods. We
purchase for them the latest
toys and technological
gadgets. We do our best to
please them.
All of
this, believe shows them
that we love them. We hope
that they realise our love
for them and, in return show
love to us.
Maybe, we
have all forgotten the
meaning of love.
Love for our children
includes but is not limited
to the aspects of providing
for them as mentioned above.
In fact these aspects are
secondary aspects of showing
love. A demonstration of
true love includes aspects
such as spending time with
our children, sharing with
them experiences and
feelings and hugging them
tightly. It includes talking
to them kindly and guiding
them in their life and other
choices. Most importantly it
comprises for their complete
well-being in this world and
in the hereafter. Love for
our children means bringing
them closer to Allah and
closer to us.
Love of
our children includes them
saying, ‘love you mom’ or
‘love you dad’. It includes
them saying thank you for
the gifts that you have
given and piling upon their
parents hugs and kisses in
appreciation for what he
have lavished upon them. A
demonstration of their true
also includes spending time
with their parents rather
than their friends. It
includes using the gifts
provided by their parents in
an appropriate manner and it
includes listening to the
guidance of their parents
and being obedient to their
wishes.
The
expression of our love for
our children must be not
looked at only in terms of
the manner of interactions
we have with them but more
significantly with regard to
the desired outcomes that we
have for our children.
Allowing our children
from using the cell-phone
unsupervised or uncontrolled
is not an expression of
love. Allowing our children
to proudly strut about in
revealing, haram clothing is
not showing that we care for
them. Permitting our
children to watch movies,
listen to music and go to
places of evil and haram is
not being devoted to their
well-being.
Every so
often we hear of incidents
where Muslim innocent Muslim
children, especially girls,
are lured into situations
which can prove to be the
means of great harm to them
and pain for their families.
Paedophiles and other such
sick persons are encroaching
into the realms of the
hearts, minds and persons of
our innocent young children.
The children will fall prey
to the temptations that
invite them towards the
alluring pleasures that have
been amplified on the
television screens they have
become glued to. The filthy
perpetrators of lewd crimes
are on the prowl scouring
the horizons to pounce upon
our dear children.
Let us take charge and
really show our children
that we care.
May
Allah (azza wa jalla) make
it easy for the parents of
the young fourteen year old
girl who seems to have been
abducted a few days ago. May
Allah protect her and return
her safely to the home of
her parents. May Allah
Subhanahu wa ta’aala guide
us in all that we do. Aameen.
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