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Weekly Comment |
The Big Spill: Time to Rethink
Policy
It is
a spill that has rocked the
Obama Administration. Others
have dubbed it Obama’s Katrina
in reference to the hurricane
that devastated New Orleans
attracting a fumbled response
from the federal authorities in
the US in 2005.
Analysts
believe that Obama’s handling of
the oil spill disaster,
yet-to-be-contained, 3 months
after it occurred, threatens his
political survival. The on-going
spill into the deep waters of
the Gulf of Mexico, its
consequences and how the
administration handles this
mess, will determine, if this
president will be re-elected to
a second term or not.
How
much room is there to manoeuvre
for the man in the Oval Office?
Company law allows for the
establishment of limited
liability entities whose
shareholders’ responsibility is
limited to the firm’s
capitalisation in the form of
equity value. The motivation in
history was to allow for
business to take risks in
investment ventures.
This
allowance for taking risks has
resulted in untold misery around
the world where corporations
plunder on resources without
much regard for the impact in
has on sensitive ecological
areas. Others have indicated
that the mess that is created in
the Niger Delta region is much
more that what is pouring out
into the Gulf of Mexico.
The arrogance and callous
attitudes of corporations make
the indifferent as the
consequences of such disasters
do not affect them personally.
Last month, BP’s chief
Executive Tony Hayward was
quoted by The Guardian saying:
"The Gulf of Mexico is a very
big ocean. The amount of volume
of oil and dispersant we are
putting into it is tiny in
relation to the total water
volume."
Since then, a
number of measures taken to
contain the spill have dismally
failed. We are told that a
relief well meant to contain the
spill will only be operational
in August! Yet, every week, the
amount of oil estimated to be
draining into the deep sea and
threatening the livelihood of
the people who depend on the
ecosystems around it, is being
revised upwards.
In the
meanwhile, we hear of the status
of the oil giant BP as
‘unprosecutable’. Why should
corporate executives who make
profit-maximising for themselves
and yet risky for the rest of us
be above reproach?
It has
been hinted by
Digital Journal that if BP
had simply adhered to the most
elementary operational safety
standards, then the Gulf would
not be a "dead zone" like it is
today.
This is time to
revisit legal instruments which
allow corporations a free hand
to mess to be accountable for
the misery they cause globally.
The other side of it is
the insatiable demand for
unsustainable energy resources.
Man has to learn to live within
modest means. The survival of
the planet depends a change in
lifestyle. |
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C O N T E N T
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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 165.92 |
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Mahr Faatimi |
R 8,296.18 |
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Zakaat Nisaab |
R 3,318.47 |
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Words of Wisdom |
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Hadith of the Week |
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A Believer's Win-Win |
Abu Yahya Suhayb ibn
Sinan Radhiallahu anhu said,
"The Messenger of Allah
Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam
said, 'What an extraordinary
thing the business of the
believer is! All of it is
good for him. And that only
applies to the believer. If
good fortune is his lot, he
is grateful and it is good
for him. If something
harmful happens to him, he
is steadfast and that is
good for him too.'"
(Muslim)
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Quotation
of
the Week |
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Blessed Age |
“The blessed age of
youth is extremely valuable;
adorn it with the pleasant
shades of Allah’s
remembrance.”
(Moulana Husayn Ahmad Madani
RA)
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Point of Reflection |
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Eventualities |
Caution is not
cowardice; even the ants
march armed.
(Uganda)
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Q and A |
Question: I have a
number of newspapers and
flyers containing the name
of Allah, Bismillahir
rahmanir rahim and Nabi
Sallallahu alayhi wa
sallam’s name. Please advise
me on the most preferred
method of disposal of these
sacred things.
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Answer:
In the enquired
scenario, it would be
advised that these items be
buried. The same would apply
to old copies of the Qur’an,
books and magazines
containing verses from the
Qur’an and Hadith, etc.
[Tahtaawi 'Alaa Miraaqil
Falaah Pg. 144 & 148]
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Top> |
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U P D A T E |
New Indian High
Commissioner to South Africa
Members of the Jamiatul Ulama
yesterday, attended a welcome
event for the new Indian High
Commissioner to South Africa.
The attendance was upon the
invitation of the Consulate of
India who hosted the event.
The new High Commissioner is
Mr Virendra Gupta who is also
accredited to the Republic of
Lesotho.
Jamiatul
Ulama Delegation Visits
Polokwane
A
delegation from the Jamiatul
Ulama visited Polokwane last
Friday where they met with
communities living there. The
programme included jumuah
lectures at some of the town’s
three mosques namely Jumuah
Masjid, Masjid Firdaus and
Masjidul Kauthar.
In the
evening after Esha Salah Moulana
Ebrahim Bham spoke at Masjidul
Kauthar on difficulties humanity
faces and how to deal with them
in terms of our attitude as well
as deeds.
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Summarised Jumu’ah
Bayaan: |
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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
The
scourge of drugs abuse
is very much alive and
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
behavior. 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
behavior 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 labeled
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 for illicit
substances is on the
rise.
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Message from the Ameer of
the Jamiatul Ulama |
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Controlling the
Tongue |
One of the biggest and
most evil destroyers of
compassion, love and
brotherhood is backbiting.
The word used for
backbiting, in Arabic, is
Gheebah. Gheebah is Haram in
Islam. It is one of the
major sins and repentance
must be sought for this sin.
Imam Al-Qurtubi said, “There
is a consensus (Ijmaa’) that
backbiting is a major sin
and that it is Fard that a
person do Towbah from it.”
Rasulullah
sallallahu alayhi wa sallam
himself had defined
backbiting when he once said
to his companions, “Do you
know what Gheebah is?” They
said, “Allah and His
Messenger know best.” He
said, “It is to mention
something about your brother
(in his absence) that he
would hate.” It was said,
'What if what I say about my
brother is true?’ He
(sallallahu ‘alaihi wa
sallam) said: “If what you
said about him is true then
you would have made gheebah
of him, and if it is not
true, then you would have
slandered him (buhtaan).”
[Muslim]
Rasulullah
sallallahu alayhi wa sallam
said, “O ye who have
believed with (only) their
tongues, yet faith has not
yet entered their hearts! Do
not backbite the Muslims.
And do not search out their
faults. For verily, he who
follows the private matters
of his Muslim brother, Allah
shall follow his private
matters. And whoever has his
private matters followed by
Allah, Allah shall expose
them even if they were
(hiding) in the belly of
their home.” (Ahmad and Abu
Dawud)
Allah
addresses us in this regard
by saying: “[O you who
believe! Avoid suspicion as
much (as possible): for
suspicion in some cases is a
sin: and spy not on each
other, nor speak ill of each
other behind their backs.
Would any of you like to eat
the flesh of his dead
brother? Nay, ye would abhor
it...But fear Allah, for
Allah is Oft- Returning,
Most Merciful.” (Surah
Al-Hujuraat, 12)
In
readiness of Ramadan, as we
recite “Allahumma baarik
lana fee rajaba wa sha'bana
wa ballighna ramadaan”
[O Allah! grant us blessings
in the month of Rajab and
Shabaan, and make us reach
the month of Ramadan], let’s
make controlling of our
tongues one of our
resolutions. And may Allah
grant us all the strength
and resolve to remove the
vice of back-biting from our
lives.
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