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Weekly Comment |
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A Role Model for the InTEXTicated
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In an age when role models of
decency are in short supply, in
South Africa we have Hashim
Amla, the cricketer who has just
won the South Africa National
Sports Award on top of his South
African Cricketer of the Year
Award.
Amla’s accolades
are not just from the field of
play. Those who know him can
testify to his sober habits,
decency in character and his
commitment as a Muslim.
Amla has shown the world that
one can be true to his
convictions not only outwardly
but also in spirit. He is one
athlete who sought exemption
from wearing national colours
with a liquor brand emblazonment
from a team sponsor.
We
say, ‘Maasha-Allah’ and
congratulate Hashim Amla for the
recognition he has made through
his achievements as a sportsman
but above all, his exemplary
character.
Our youth will
look up to Amla and we pray that
the Almighty protects him so
that he continues to be a
shining example and an
ambassador of Islam.
The
pressure on the youth remains
unprecedented as the onslaught
and intrusion of technology
spares none including grown-ups…
Imagine one tweeting at
every interval throughout the
nightly Taraweeh prayers!
Imagine checking status
updates on Facebook as ‘friends’
write on your ‘wall’ soliciting
your mood and an evaluation of
how your imam is reciting the
Qur’an!
These are not
observations of the conduct of
youngsters in a masjid; the
youngsters are nowhere to be
seen near masajid even in
Ramadan.
The ‘tweeting’
and the ‘status-update’ checks
are happening with the grown-ups
whose presence in the sacred
masjid space is in body alone.
The minds and attention is
elsewhere via the smartphone of
choice. They are said to be ‘intexticated.’
Under such realities today,
where shall we be tomorrow,
Allah-Willing?
None of us
can guarantee himself or herself
of a live of the next moment. We
need to take care of today as
the only day we have. If we let
this Ramadan pass without
securing forgiveness, we would
have lost an opportunity indeed.
The Prophet Sallallahu
‘alayhi wasallam responded to
Jibra’eel Alayhis Salaam with
“Ameen” three times to what the
angel had said while he was
ascending a minbar on one
Friday. The first statement to
which the Prophet Sallallahu
‘alayhi wasallam said “Ameen” to
was:
“Muhammad, what
a shame and what a loss to
anyone; for whom Ramadan comes
and goes and he/she does not
received forgiveness; say
Ameen...”
In that
there is a lesson for those who
can take heed. May the Almighty
protect us and guide us to that
which is good. Ameen. |
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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 |
R 320.03 |
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Mahr Faatimi |
R 16 001.28 |
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Zakaat Nisaab |
R 6 400.51 |
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Words of Wisdom |
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Hadith of the Week |
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The Ever-Forgiving |
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Anas Radhi-Allahu anhu said:
I heard the Messenger of
Allah Sallallahu ‘alayhi
wasallam saying, "Allah, the
Exalted, has said: `O son of
Adam! I shall go on
forgiving you so long as you
pray to Me and aspire for My
forgiveness whatever may be
your sins. O son of Adam! I
do not care even if your
sins should pile up to the
sky and should you beg
pardon of Me, I would
forgive you. O son of Adam!
If you come to Me with an
earthful of sins and meet
Me, not associating anything
with Me in worship, I will
certainly grant you as much
pardon as will fill the
earth.'''
(At-Tirmidhi)
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Quotation
of
the Week |
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Know the Most Sublime |
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Whoever knows all things
without knowing God-Great
and Glorious-is not worthy
to be called wise because he
does not know the most
sublime and highest of all
things. (Imam Al-Ghazali)
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Point of Reflection |
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Two Masters |
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There is not enough room for
two elephants to sit in the
same shade.
(Ovambo,
Namibia)
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Q and A |
Question:
Does
vomiting a mouthful nullify
a fast? Is there a
difference if the vomit is
induced?
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Answer:
If a person vomits while
fasting, then even though
the vomit may be a mouthful
the fast will not be
invalidated. In this
instance the fast will still
be valid.
However,
if a person intentionally
induces vomit, then if it
happens to be a mouthful,
the fast would be
invalidated.
Haashiyah Tahtaawi 'Alaa
Miraaqil Falaah Pg. 662 &
677 - Qadeemee edition
Question:
Can one fast while in the
state of impurity i.e. in
need of Fardh Ghusl? If yes,
when does one need to make
the Ghusl?
Answer:
Yes, one can
commence fasting in the
state of impurity. However,
one should ensure that he
does not miss his Fajr
Salaah.
Tahtaawi
'Alaa Miraaqil Falaah Pg.
635/6
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U P D A T E |
Moon-Sighting: Eid Day / Start
of Shawwal
The start of the month of
Shawwal which is marked by the
day of Eid is subject to the
sighting of the moon on Monday
29 August 2011.
In
Johannesburg, moonset shall be
at 18h25 giving a duration of 31
minutes of viewing after sunset.
We encourage Muslims to go
out and attempt to sight the
moon. In the event of a
sighting, Eid-ul-Fitr will fall
on Tuesday, 30 August 2011.
Otherwise, Ramadan will last 30
days and Eid shall be observed
on Wednesday 31 August 2011.
Jamaats are advised that an
announcement of the news of
sighting or no sighting shall be
made on the Muslim radio
stations on Monday 29 August
2011 by the United Ulama Council
of South Africa.
Anyone
who sights the moon is requested
to contact the Central Hilaal
Committee on 011 373 8000.
Sadaqatul Fitr
The Jamiatul Ulama South Africa
has determined this year’s
Sadaqatul Fitr minimum amounts
for 1432AH as follows:
Hanafi: R16.00 per person
Shafi’î: R21.00 per person
Timely payment of Fitra
facilitates distribution before
Eid in accordance with the
Sunnah.
Ibn Abbas
radhi-allâhu ‘anhu narrates that
Rasulullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi
wasallam has made obligatory
Sadaqatul Fitr as a means of
cleansing the fasts from idle
and lewd talk and in order that
it provides food for the poor
and destitute. (Abû Dawûd)
Pay your Sadaqatul Fitr,
Kaffarah and Fidya to any of the
Jamiatul Ulama South Africa’s
office or deposit into Jamiatul
Ulama Transvaal JHB Branch
Account 1; HBZ Bank Ltd; Branch:
Fordsburg; Branch Code: 570-105
Account No.: 21008113
Somalia Famine
The Jamiatul Ulama South Africa
has issued an appeal for the
assistance of the people of
Somalia where famine has been
declared. So far, thousands of
women and children are reported
to face starvation as millions
are undernourished due to food
shortages that have resulted
from the drought in the Horn of
Africa.
Please help the
“Somalia Drought Relief” by
depositing contributions into:
Name: Jamiatul Ulama Transvaal
Relief Acc.
Bank/Branch:
Nedbank-Fordsburg
Branch
Code: 195305
Account Number:
1953 285 937
Please earmark
deposits with ref: “Somalia
Drought Relief” and fax
confirmations to: 011 373 8022
Letter of
Recommendation: Notice to Donors
The Jamiatul
Ulama South Africa would like to
inform the Muslim community that
the features of the Letter of
Recommendation which is issued
to fund-raisers has changed.
The new letter incorporates
the new Jamiatul Ulama South
Africa logo. Other features of
the letter include: an embossed
seal, original signature of the
Ameer of the Jamiatul Ulama
South Africa, date of expiry and
applicable category of funds,
e.g. ZAKAAT and/or LILLAH.
Donors are advised the
following:
•To ask for
positive identification and
compare it with the name in
which the letter is issued. If
the names do not correspond,
confiscate the letter and inform
the Jamiat immediately
•To
check if the letter presented is
an original one. Only original
colour letters are acceptable.
If it is a photocopy, confiscate
it immediately and inform the
Jamiat
•Letters whose
validity date has expired should
be confiscated. Please inform
the Jamiatul Ulama South Africa
immediately
•Always call the
Jamiatul Ulama South Africa
office to verify before making
any donations
Dawood Cassim (Moulana)
Treasurer
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Summarised Jumu’ah
Bayaan: |
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Rasulullah salallahu
alayhi wasalam and
Ramadan (IV of IV) |
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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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Living Islam through
A Spiritual Retreat |
It is visible in some
form in every masjid on this
planet, whether the masjid
is a humble structure
somewhere in Africa or Asia,
or an architect-designed
marvel of engineering. The
appearance of the I’tikaaf
“tent” or enclosure is
synonymous with the last ten
days of Ramadan.
Observing the Sunnah of
masjid retreat in I’tikaaf
is truly reflective of not
only love but the total
emulation of the Prophet
Sallalaahu alaihi wa sallam.
It is also a symbol of the
spirit of Islam.
The
fortunate ones who are
afforded the opportunity of
spending ten days and nights
in the masjid demonstrate a
total dedication that is
inspiring. All the mundane
and material pursuits are
left behind while the seeker
engrosses himself in the
worship of Allah; a devotion
that is defined by the
search for the Night of
Qadr.
In a hadith we
learn that among the
recipients of the shade of
the Arsh of Allah on the Day
of Qiyamah will be those
whose hearts were connected
to the masaajid. I’tikaaf is
essentially designed to do
that. After spending so much
time in such a sanctified
environment it is only
natural that one’s heart
would grow in attachment to
the masjid.
One of
the other benefits of
I’tikaaf is the brotherly
camaraderie and relationship
that is forged. After
spending ten days and nights
in a restricted space and
environment one gets to know
the other. This has in many
instances led to life-long
relationships being forged.
It also gives one an
opportunity to increase ones
Islamic knowledge.
One malady the Ummah faces
is the scourge of
indifference. We need to
reflect on the vibrancy of
our Deen and live it.
The institution of
i’tikaaf is one such symbol
that says it loud and clear
that Islam is alive and
well. May we all live Islam
and may Allah accept all our
devotions. (Ameen)
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