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Weekly Comment |
A
Beautiful Loan: Payback
Guaranteed!
"Lo! Those who give alms,
both men and women, and lend to
Allah a goodly loan, it will be
doubled for them, and theirs
will be a rich reward."
(Al-Hadid: 18)
The
past two years have been a
difficult economic period for
many around the world. It is a
period that saw government bail
outs of institutions overseas
and widespread loss of
investment value for families
and individuals.
Somehow,
here in South Africa, most of
the financial turmoil has been
weathered fairly well. However,
it was noticeable that sections
of the population have had it
rough and continue to experience
difficulties.
As an
institution that accepts and
discharges zakaat, we have had
Muslims who not long ago were
regular contributors being
turned into recipients due to
loss of income resulting from
job losses, a product of
depressed demand.
Funds
entrusted with us go a long way
in mitigating the vulnerability
and suffering of our people.
Requests are made from
applicants in order to honour
their monthly bills, pay for
children’s education, and even
meet medical fees for certain
ailments.
Charity does
not diminish one’s wealth.
Rather, the parable of those who
spend their substance in the way
of Allah is that of a grain of
corn: It grows seven ears and
each ear has a hundred grains.
Allah gives manifold increase to
whom He pleases and Allah cares
for all and He knows all things.
(2:261) Easing another from
straitened financial
circumstances is one of the
virtuous deeds for which there
is immense reward.
It is
also well-accepted that
education is one of the best
ways of empowerment. The
Jamiatul Ulama utilises some of
the funds it raises to finance
education of deserving youth
through a bursary scheme.
Specialities such as education,
science and agriculture among
others have had preferential
consideration in order to
develop human resources as well
as skills which the community
needs.
Other
interventions include care for
the widowed and orphans. These
are categories of our society
care of which has specifically
been mentioned as meritorious as
shown by these traditions:
Narrated Sahl bin Sa’d
Radhi-Allahu anhu: The Prophet
Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam
said, “I and the person who
looks after an orphan and
provides for him, will be in
Paradise like this,” putting his
index and middle fingers
together. (Al Bukhari)
Narrated Safwan bin Salim
Radhi-Allahu anhu: The Prophet
Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam
said: “The one who looks after
and works for a widow and for a
poor person, is like a warrior
fighting for Allah’s Cause or
like a person who fasts during
the day and prays all the
night.” (Al Bukhari)
We
appeal to you to support this
institution that helps those in
need, in a manner that preserves
their dignity on one hand, and
on the other, with the respect
for the trust in us of those who
contribute.
Complete a
Debit
Order or
make a
Direct Deposit
so as to be a regular
contributor to the causes and
projects we advance for the
creation of a stable Muslim
community and society, for the
Sake of Allah. |
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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 143.90 |
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Mahr Faatimi |
R 7,194.81 |
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Zakaat Nisaab |
R 2,877.93 |
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Words of Wisdom |
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Hadith of the Week |
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Watchfulness |
.
Shaddad bin Aus Radhiallahu
anhu reported: The Prophet
Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam
said, "A wise man is the one
who calls himself to account
(and refrains from doing
evil deeds) and does noble
deeds to benefit him after
death; and the foolish
person is the one who
subdues himself to his
temptations and desires and
seeks from Allah the
fulfilment of his vain
desires".
(At-Tirmidhi)
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Quotation
of
the Week |
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Value of Knowledge |
.
Teaching Sacred Knowledge
for a brief time is better
than spending a night in
prayer.
(Abu
Darda' Radhiallahu anhu)
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Point of Reflection |
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Underlying Cause |
.
The frog does not jump in
the daytime without reason.
(Nigeria)
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Q and A |
Question:
What
is the significance of
paying Fitrah? I know we
have to pay it, but I just
want to understand the
significance and if there is
any Hadith relating to it?
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Answer:
Sayyiduna
'Abdullah ibn 'Abbaas
Radhiallah 'Anhuma narrates
that Rasoolullah Sallallahu
'Alaihi Wasallam made
Zakaatul (Sadaqatul) Fitr
obligatory as a means of
purifying the fast from
idleness (Laghw) and immoral
speech (Fuhsh) and as a
means of feeding the
destitute. (Abu Dawood /
Mishkaat - Mirqaat Vol. 3
Pg. 162 - Imdaadiyyah
Multaan edition)
In
other words, it is a means
to purify one's Ramadhaan
fast of any deed that is
against the spirit of
fasting and it is also a
means for feeding the poor
and needy on the day of 'Eid
so that they may also be
able to celebrate with the
more fortunate.
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U P D A T E |
Hajj
Classes
Prospective Hujjaj are invited
to attend classes in Lenasia.
The classes are ongoing in
Ramadan every Sunday after Thuhr
at Saberie Masjid, Lenasia Ext
5.
Another programme is
scheduled for Sunday 19
September 2010 from 09:15 to
13:00 at Masjid Saliheen,
Lenasia Ext 13.
Pakistan Flood Relief
An appeal is made to assist our
fellow brethren in this flood
disaster-stricken Pakistan. Your
Zakât, Lillâh and other
contributions may be forwarded
to any of the Jamiatul Ulama
Offices or deposited directly
into any of our relief account:
Name of Account: Jamiatul Ulama
Transvaal Relief Account Branch
& Code: Nedbank - Fordsburg
(195305) Account No: 1953 285
937 Kindly fax a copy of your
deposit slip to our offices for
record purposes and earmark it:
‘Flood Relief-Pakistan.’
Soweto’s Masjid Project
The Jamiatul Ulama appeals to
the Muslim community to
contribute towards the final
work on the Islamic centre in
Orlando East in Soweto where a
masjid is set for completion by
the start of Ramadan.
The
project, a joint initiative of
the Jamiatul Ulama and Ikhwana
Islamiya under Siddiqui Trust
has seen the construction of a
multipurpose facility of a
masjid, madrasa classrooms and
living quarters for an imam and
a caretaker.
There is an
outstanding amount of funds to
be settled with contractors and
the community’s contribution
will go a long way in meeting
the shortfall.
Kindly
contact the Jamiatul Ulama for
details about the project on 011
373 8000.
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Summarised Jumu’ah
Bayaan: |
Rasulullah salallahu
alayhi wasalam and
Ramadan (IV of IV)
Rasulullah salallahu
alayhi wasalam & the
Night of Power |
“Verily, we have
sent it (this Qur’an)
down on the night of
Al-Qadr (Power).
And
what will make you know
what the night of
Al-Qadr (Power) is?
The night of Al-Qadr
(Power) is better than a
thousand months (i.e.
worshipping Allah in
that night is better
than worshipping Him for
a thousand months).
Therein descend the
angels and Jibraeel by
Allah’s Permission with
all decrees,
Peace!
Until the appearance of
dawn.”
(Surah Al-Qadr
97)
•
Laylatul Qadr (the Night
of Power) is a gift of
Allah unto this Ummah.
It is an opportunity
which the Ummah should
seize to obtain
closeness to the
Almighty through worship
and seeking forgiveness
from Him.
• As in
every other aspect of
our Deen, Rasulullah
salallahu alayhi wasalam
was a practical
demonstration of how
every Ummati (follower)
should conduct
themselves:
1. His salallahu
alayhi wasalam
exhortation to search
for this night:
It is reported
in a hadith, ‘Search for
it (Laylatul Qadr) among
the odd nights of the
last ten days of
Ramadan.’ (Bukhari)
Although scholars have
differed greatly in
stipulating exactly
which of the odd night
of the last ten days
upon which the Night of
Power occurs, the
preferred view is that
it is unknown to anyone
besides Allah. The
wisdom for it been kept
a secret is in fact a
mercy from Allah, so
that we could increase
in our worship and
effort to search for the
correct night. Ubadah
bin Samit radhiyallahi
anhu said, ‘Once
Rasulullah salallahu
alayhi wasalam came out
to inform us of the
exact date of Laylatul
Qadr. Unfortunately, a
quarrel took place
between two Muslims
whereupon he said, ‘I
came out to inform you
as to when Laylatul Qadr
occurs but because two
people argued with each
other, the knowledge of
the correct date was
taken away – perhaps
that is better for you.
So seek it among the
ninth, seventh, and
fifth nights.’ Those
that are continuously
argue and fight should
ponder at the harm being
caused not only to the
individual but rather
the broader Muslim
Ummah.
2.
His salallahu alayhi
wasalam encouragement
towards good deeds:
Abu Hurairah
radhiyallahi anhu
narrates that Rasulullah
salallahu alayhi wasalam
said, ‘Whosoever stands
in the worship of Allah
on the night of Qadr
with firm belief in
Allah and a genuine hope
of receiving reward, his
past and future sins
will be forgiven, and
whosoever fasts during
the month of Ramadan
with firm belief in
Allah and a genuine hope
of receiving reward, his
past and future sins
will be forgiven.’
(Bukhari)
3. His salallahu
alayhi wasalam
performance of I’tikaaf:
Rasulullah salallahu
alayhi wasalam said in a
hadith, ‘I secluded
myself in I’tikaaf
during the first ten
days of Ramadan
searching for Laylatul
Qadr. Then, I continued
into I’tikaaf for the
next ten days.
Thereafter, I was
informed that it is in
the last ten days; so
whosoever desires to
perform I’tikaaf he
should do so. So many
people made It’ikaaf
with him. (Muslim)
4. His
salallahu alayhi wasalam
humbleness in worship:
It is surely a symbol of
one whose heart has
softened in awe of his
Creator, has realized
the reality of servitude
to Allah and has
acknowledged his own
limitations to be most
humble before Allah.
Rasulullah salallahu
alayhi wasalam was a
personification of this.
Abu Saeed Khudri
radhiyallahi anhu
narrates that once it
rained on the evening of
the twenty first of
Ramadan and the masjid
of Rasulullah salallahu
alayhi wasalam leaked.
My eyes fell upon the
messenger of Allah
salallahu alayhi wasalam
the next morning and his
blessed face was soiled
with mud and water.’
(Bukhari)
5. His salallahu
alayhi wasalam teachings
regarding the Night
Aisha
radhiyallahi anha
narrated that she asked
Rasulullah salallahu
alayhi wasalam, ‘If I
happen to find the night
of power, what should I
say in du’a?’ He
replied,
‘Recite:[Allahumma
innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul
‘afwa fa’fu ‘anni]
Translation: O Allah!
You are the Most
Forgiving, the Most
Generous, You love to
forgive, so please
forgive me.’ (Muslim)
This is an all inclusive
du’a begging Allah for
His infinite grace and
mercy. As Allah mentions
in the Qur’an, this
night brings along with
it a group of angels who
descend along with
Jibraeel alayhis salaam.
They visit every home,
dwelling or shelter
wherein a Muslim is
worshiping Allah, greet
them and join in by
saying Ameen to his
du’a.
6.
His salallahu alayhi
wasalam mention
regarding the signs of
this night
In a narration cited in
Baihaqi and Muwatta,
Rasulullah salallahu
alayhi wasalam while
describing the meirts of
this night said, ‘Among
the signs of this night
is that it is a serene,
quiet, shinning night;
neither too hot nor too
cold but moderate. It is
as if though the moon is
shinning clear and no
stars are flung at the
devils on this night. It
lasts until the break of
dawn. Another sign is
that in the morning, the
sun rises without any
radiant beams, appearing
rather like moon in its
fullness. On that day,
Allah prohibits the
Shayateen (devils) from
rising up with the sun.’
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Message from the Ameer of
the Jamiatul Ulama |
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A Time for
Forgiveness |
“I have a special
request to all leaders,
managers, team leaders and
employees: Please show care
and special understanding
during this month of
Ramadan. Your Muslim
colleagues deserve special
consideration. Observing
Ramadan is a demanding
exercise. Give Muslim
colleagues an option to work
during lunch breaks, so that
they can leave earlier. This
will enable them to respect
the breakfast times. Show
your willingness, as a team
member, to help one another
in the spirit of unity,
brotherhood and teamwork.”
The above is part of
a circular that a senior
manager issued to all
employees of a top
non-Muslim company. What is
most encouraging is the fact
that as a community we seem
to command the respect of
our fellow citizens.
Our challenge is to
encourage and foster the
same for our own. We
sometimes tend to be our own
worst enemies. As Muslims,
we do have a long legacy of
healthy discussion and
debate; the four madhaahib
are testimony to that. What
is disturbing is the
tendency to quarrel and
dispute in a manner that
mutual respect, dignity, and
the ethics of disagreement
are not only compromised but
are also regarded as
insignificant.
We
believe that the ethics of
disagreement and the
methodology of
reconciliation as practised
by our pious predecessors is
not only tried and tested
but also most effective. It
is our dua that we continue
to emulate them and take
examples from them.
The days of Ramadan are days
which bring forgiveness from
Allah. When our Rabb is most
keen to expiate and forgive,
why are we so reluctant to
overlook and embrace?
During this blessed
month hearts are soft, let
us use the opportunity to
forgive our antagonist and
seek forgiveness from our
enemies. May Allah continue
to bless us during this
glorious month. Ameen.
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