Jamiatul Ulama (Council of Muslim Theologians), Johannesburg

Jamiatul Ulama
Online Newsletter
Vol.: 5 No.: 24

3 Rajab 1431 / 16 Jun 2010

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Weekly Comment

A Foregone Conclusion for a Sham Inquiry
Israel, as was expected, has yet again chosen to ignore the calls for a ‘credible investigation’ into the massacre of civilian activists on humanitarian aid mission aboard a flotilla to Gaza. The suspect-in-chief will investigate herself!

For those who know the Israeli attitude towards world public opinion and her record of breaking United Nations resolutions, it is not surprising that Israel has taken this route which according to reports, will not even take to task the naval commandos who killed 9 people aboard the Mavi Marmara, shot mostly at close range in international waters.

Israeli forces often investigate themselves for murder of Palestinians and excesses committed whether in battle or against detainees rounded up for their acts of resistance to the occupation.

With a fair degree of confidence, we can even predict the phrases that will make the final report of the current inquiry.

Routinely, these sham commissions of inquiries absolve the Israeli forces. From one probe to another, Israeli forces are found to be the most benign the world over, ‘acting with restraint to provocation’ and killing ‘only in self-defence’ at the hands of stone-throwing children.

As it stands and from an Israeli point-of-view, the narrative of the events that led to the Israeli attack on the Mavi Marmara is one of Israeli commandos who acted in self-defence to a hostile reception from armed activists who boarded the ship elsewhere after the vessels set sail. According to Israeli authorities, these activists, just like the IHH, the lead organisation in the mission, are actually linked to Hamas, hence terrorists.

The Turkish government will be found guilty for the tacit approval of the flotilla mission and the world will be told that ‘Israel has a right to defend herself’ against the ‘hostile entity’ that is Gaza.

We will be schooled that Israel allows for humanitarian aid to Gaza and does her ‘utmost’ to benevolently minimise the suffering of women and children in Gaza hence no need for breaking the blockade of the territory.

Jason Ditz, writes today: “Whichever story Israel decided to present in its final probe, … the US State Department has promised to be ready with a rubber stamp for it, insisting that the US will “stand by” the Israeli probe as “credible” and “impartial.“”

The difference this time, nevertheless, is that the rest of the world now knows better than before about the true nature of Apartheid Israel.

World powers and governments will keep dragging their feet despite the moral imperative to liberate Palestine. However, people of goodwill and those inclined towards justice are more determined than ever before that they will not be blinded by the smokescreen of an inquiry that Israel has cobbled up.

Israel can arrogantly keep daring the world with impunity as she has. However, military might alone, will not keep even the most of ordinary people from challenging her ways. As it stands, Israel has increased the tally of those who now question their home nation’s unflinching support for her. Elsewhere, bigger flotillas to Gaza are in the making…

How much longer will Israel keep putting out fires set to flare up with increased frequency? Sooner than later, it will dawn on the Zionists that the only sustainable way to peace is through justice by ending the occupation.

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 166.15

Mahr Faatimi

R 8,307.26
Zakaat Nisaab R 3,322.90

Words of Wisdom

Hadith of the Week

Setting a Good Example
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Abu Hurairah Radhiallahu anhu reported: Messenger of Allah Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam said, "If anyone calls others to follow right guidance, his reward will be equivalent to those who follow him (in righteousness) without their reward being diminished in any respect, and if anyone invites others to follow error, the sin, will be equivalent to that of the people who follow him (in sinfulness) without their sins being diminished in any respect". (Muslim).
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Quotation of the Week

Generosity without Measure

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Do not become so overwhelmed by your wrong action, that it stops you thinking well of Allah. Whoever has recognition of his Lord, finds that his wrong action is insignificant beside His generosity.
(Hikam of Ibn Atallah)
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Point of Reflection

Friendly Caution

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Be slow in choosing a friend but slower in changing him. (Scottish)
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Q and A

Question: Is adoption permissible in Islam? Please share with me other information from an Islamic perspective.

Answer:
Adoption of children is permissible in Islam. Rasulullah sallallaahu alaihi wasallam, himself, had adopted a son, Hadrat Zaid radiallahu anhu. It is, however, advisable that one adopts a baby who can be breast-fed so that the child can become a foster-child and the laws of Hijab between the foster-parents and the child will not apply once the child grows up. Another aspect to bear in mind is that an adopted child never loses its lineage from its original father. Furthermore an adopted child does not inherit from the adoptive parents. They may, however, bequeath for the adopted child from one third of their estates. For more information on adoption we suggest that you contact the Islamic Careline on: 011 373 8080.

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U P D A T E


Taalimi Board Delegation off to Thailand
A six-man delegation of the Taalimi Board has left for Bangkok where a number of engagements have been lined up.

While in Thailand, the delegation will conduct workshops on the imparting of Islamic education with educators as well as other stakeholders. The delegation will also monitor progress made since the last visit to the country earlier this year.

Thailand is one of the countries where the Tasheel Series has been adopted in the madrasa curriculum. The series has since been translated into the Thai language.

An ISS Presentation on Threats to the World Cup
The Institute of Security Studies (ISS) hosted an event on 9 June 2010 focusing on threats to the FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Two papers entitled: Threat of Terrorism during the FIFA World Cup and Crime and Security: FIFA World Cup South Africa by Anneli Botha and Johan Burger respectively were presented.

Jamiatul Ulama representatives participated in the presentations.

Crescent Mobile: Jamiatul Ulama Suspends Endorsement
As many would recall, almost four years ago, we had encouraged subscription to Crescent Mobile’s customized service for Muslims. The endorsement was based on the potential benefit that would accrue to the community and not on the commercial viability of Crescent Mobile. For this to materialise, the management had pledged forming a trust to oversee the disbursement of such returns to community-based entities.

Despite trading for about two years and some months, only now have we been informed that the trust is in the process of being finalised for registration. Furthermore, we have not been satisfactorily informed as to the status of the funds designated for charity.

In the light of the above, the Jamiatul Ulama regretfully announces of the suspension of the endorsement of Crescent Mobile.

A Guide for Muslim Visitors
The Jamiatul Ulama has published a folded-broadsheet Guide for Muslim Visitors which has a map of the greater Johannesburg area on a total of 102 mosques are plotted with details of their location as well as GPS coordinates. The publication also has details of qiblah, a list of certified restaurants, perpetual prayer time table as well as safety tips for travelers.

The publication’s map was prepared by MapStudio and has been sponsored by Gauteng Tourism Authority and Muslim businesses. It will be distributed through hotels, ports, tourism information offices as well as the Jamiatul Ulama offices.

Summarised Jumu’ah Bayaan:

Spending on one’s family

“It is the duty of the fathers to feed and clothe them with correctness and courtes...” (2:233)

“You will not attain true goodness until you give of what you love.” (3:92)

“O you who believe! Give away some of the good things you have earned and some of what We produce for you from the earth. Do not have recourse to bad things when you give, things you would only take with your eyes shut tight." (2:267)

• Abu Hurayrah radhiyallahu anhu reported that Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, ‘Out of a dinar which you spend in the way of Allah; a dinar which you spend on freeing a slave; a dinar which you give to a poor person and a dinar which you spend on your family, the one with the greatest reward is the one which you spend on your family.’ (Muslim)

• Umm Salama radhiyallahu anha said: I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, will I receive a reward if I maintain the sons of Abu Salama when they are my sons? I cannot leave them to go here and there in search of a livelihood.’ Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, ‘Yes, you will have a reward for what you spend on them.’ (Bukhari & Muslim)

• Sa‘id ibn Abi Waqqas radhiyallahu anhu reported that Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said to him, ‘You will be rewarded for whatever you spend on your family desiring by it the Pleasure of Allah, even for the morsel you put in your wife’s mouth.’ (Bukhari & Muslim)

• Abu Mas‘ud al-Badri radhiyallahu anhu reported that Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, ‘When a man spends on his family and sincerely hopes to be rewarded for it, it is sadaqa (charity) for him.’ (Bukhari & Muslim)

• ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘As radhiyallahu anhu reported that Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, ‘It is sin enough for a man that he neglects someone whom he is supposed to feed.’ (Abu Dawud and others)

• Anas radhiyallahu anhu said, ‘Abu Talha had more property in palm trees than any of the Ansar in Madinah. His favourite property was Bayruha’ which was opposite the Masjidun Nabawi. Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam used to enter it and drink its sweet water.’ Anas said, ‘When this ayah was sent down: “You will not attain true goodness until you give of what you love,” (3:92) Abu Talha radhiyallahu anhu went to Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam and said, ‘O Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam Almighty Allah says“You will not attain true goodness until you give of what you love,” The property I love the best is Bayruha’. It is sadaqa for Allah whose goodness I hope for and I hope that it will be stored up for me with Allah Almighty. O Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam dispose of it in whatever way Allah shows you is best.' Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, ‘Excellent! That is a profitable property. That is a profitable property. I have heard what you have said and I think that you should give it to your relatives.’ Abu Talha radhiyallahu anhu said, ‘I will do that, Messenger of Allah!’ So Abu Talha radhiyallahu anhu divided it among his relatives and cousins." (Bukhari & Muslim)

• Abu Hurayrah radhiyallahu anhu reported Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, ‘There is no day which dawns on the slaves of Allah without two angels descending and one of them saying, ‘O Allah, refund those who give money in charity,’ and the other saying, ‘O Allah, ruin those who withhold it.’ (Bukhari & Muslim)

Abu Hurayrah radhiyallahu anhu reported that Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, ‘The upper hand is better than the lower hand. Begin with your dependants. The best sadaqa is that given by the wealthy. Anyone who refrains (from asking), Allah will spare him the need to ask and anyone who seeks to be independent, Allah will give him independence.’ (Bukhari)

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Message from the Ameer of the Jamiatul Ulama

Muslim Demonisation: A Test of Faith

Muslims around the world are well aware of the concerted, coordinated and focused effort to demonise, malign and denigrate Muslims, as individuals and as an Ummah.  This effort being perpetrated by various agents has resulted in the widespread profiling and discrimination of Muslims, and the infliction of an array of injustices and oppressions against Muslims, many of them extreme to the extent of causing the loss of lives. 

The result has been the creation of a setting where many Muslims quietly slouch into a sense of despair and an environment of disillusionment, sometimes even questioning the wisdom and reasons behind the distress, anguish and suffering of the Muslims.

In an environment such as this, it is important for us to remember that we should not lose hope in the Wisdom and Mercy of Allah.  It is essential that we live in the knowledge that if we bring faith in Allah, remain steadfast upon this faith and fulfil our responsibilities to Allah then, the promise and protection of Allah will always be there. 

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’aala  says:

Verily those who say "Our Lord is Allah" and then stand straight and steadfast upon this,  the angels descend on them: "Fear ye not!" (they suggest) "nor grieve! but receive the Glad Tidings of the Garden (of Bliss) the which ye were promised! (41:30)

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’aala further says:

"We are your protectors in the life of this world and in the Hereafter: therein shall ye have all that your souls shall desire; therein shall ye have all that ye ask for”. (41:31)

In another verse Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’aala  says:

And for those who fear Allah, He (ever) prepares a way out for them, and He provides for them from (sources) they never could imagine.  And if anyone puts his trust in Allah, Allah is sufficient for him.  For Allah will surely accomplish His purpose: verily for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion.  (65:2,3)

It must also be borne in mind that it is the Way of Allah to test the believers in various ways.  Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’aala  says:

Do people think that they will be left alone upon their saying "We believe", and that they will not be tested? We tested those before them and (through this) Allah established those who are true and those who are false. Do those who practice evil think that they will get the better of us? Evil is their judgment!  (29: 2, 3)

And surely We shall test you with things, (from amongst them), fear and hunger, and loss of wealth and lives and crops; But give glad tidings to the steadfast, those who say, when a misfortune strikes them: Lo! To Allah we belong and unto Him is our returning.  These are the people upon whom are blessings from their Lord, and His Mercy. They are the rightly guided.  (2: 156-158)

Finally we pray that Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’aala protect all Muslims and grant them the courage and the strength to face the many tests that they face. 

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