Jamiatul Ulama (Council of Muslim Theologians), Johannesburg

Jamiatul Ulama

Online Newsletter

Vol.: 1 No.: 12

1 Rajab 1427/ 27 July 2006

Join The Protest to Israeli Embassy:  Friday 28 July 2006 @ 13:00 in Pretoria!
(Click for More Details)

Weekly Comment

Whose Side Are You On?

It appears very real, possible and probable that the US had planned and decided, together with Israel, in precise detail and with definite dates and exact actions, a chain of events that would be played out in the Middle East. Everything else was just a pretext and a pretense.

The view has been suggested and offered, with proof, by commentators from different backgrounds, ideologies and groupings whether political or religious.

In the meantime, while Rice is out play-acting, the US blames Syria and Iran for supporting Hizbullah with arms and ammo. At the same time, US law-makers steamroll resolutions to support Israel and more bombs are shipped to Israel, openly, with the US delivering at least 100 GBU 28 bunker busters bombs containing depleted uranium warheads to Israel for use against targets in Lebanon

As the fighting rages on, Rice offers sympathy for the Israeli people and continues to lambaste Hizbullah for their actions. Israeli deaths number under 50, whereas almost 400 Lebanese have been killed. In Israel many homes in Haifa have been damaged and some other buildings also shelled. In Lebanon homes, apartment buildings, shopping centres, dams, power stations, airports, roads, hospitals, communication satellites and other structures which help provide the basic human needs and rights have been blown up and destroyed beyond any possible use.

Rice argues that UN resolution 1559 and the Taif Agreement, which ended the Lebanese Civil War in 1990 and call for the Lebanese government to exercise full control over its territory and the disarmament of militias -including Hezbollah, need to be enforced. She doesn’t even mention the numerous UN resolutions (e.g. 194, 242, 338 - 242 and 338 unanimously approved by the Security Council, are fully binding and can be enforced by sanctions or military action) openly flouted by Israel.

Sorry, but the honest, objective and fair-minded person just cannot accept the US word as it stands.

 
Ask Yourself…???

Countries in the Middle East are constantly derided and condemned for their lack of democracy. Democracy is slated as the cure to the problems of the Middle East, and the world. What then, with regard to Algeria, Lebanon, Iraq and Palestine, to mention but a few? Is it possible that the ‘democracies’ that would prove ‘beneficial’ are those chosen by other than the people of the land?

Why is Israel ‘dropping its objection’ to an independent NATO force in the area? Can there be such a thing as an ‘independent’ NATO Force, when the world has shown it’s bias? Is the view that this was part of the plan, and the ‘window of opportunity’ to strike as hard as possible has been exploited by Israel, as much as was needed?

Is the cycle of the perpetration of violence repeating itself? Is there not a sense of déjà vu, between the events of now and those of 1982? Is it part of the plan to regularly raze the infra-structure, when it is just beginning to establish itself? What of the following statement:
…“At the end of next month, the Arab presidents and princes are to hold a summit in Beirut. They will issue ringing declarations of support for the Palestinians and almost equally earnest support for a war against "terrorism". They cannot criticise US policy, however outrageous they believe it to be, because they are almost all beholden to it. So they will appeal again to America's conscience. And they will do what the Emir of Qatar did a few days ago. They will beg. And they will get nothing.”…
Robert Fisk wrote this on 16 February 2002. If we substitute the references to time and persons, could the rest become fresh and relevant to what is happening today?
 
Finally, it must be asked:
When the cards have been dealt; when we put the chips on the table; if we reveal all aces - In favor of whom are the odds stacked?
Muslims have more land, vast treasures of wealth, immensely larger numbers, yet the power lies somewhere else. How does this come to be?
 
Protest Against Genocide in Lebanon and Gaza

The Jamiatul Ulama encourages all Muslims to join the march in protest of the genocide taking place in Gaza and Lebanon. The march scheduled for
Friday 28 July 2006
has been organized by Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), Palestine Solidarity Alliance; South African Council of Churches (SACC) and South African Communist Party (SACP).

Marchers will gather at the Frik Eloff Park, corner Rosemary and Lynwood Roads, Lynwood, Pretoria, at 13:00. They will then march to the Israeli embassy where a rally will be held.
<more for schedule and directions>
Palestine Relief Fund

As the Middle East Burns under Unrelenting Zionist Shelling of Gaza and Lebanon, with No Ceasefire in Sight,
- Fatalities and Casualties Climb into the Hundreds
- Absence of Healthcare Presents to Children Immediate Danger of Disease
- World Leaders only ‘Express Regret’ at the Suffering of Civilians
- A ‘Peace-broker’ Rushes by the Tons, ‘Precision-Guided’ Munitions to Israel

What can We Do for Our Brethren In Need?

The Jamiatul Ulama has launched a PALESTINE RELIEF FUND (ZAKĀH & LILLĀH)
in order to bring much needed assistance to the displaced in the form of medical care, shelter, sanitation, clean water and food.

Contribute generously towards this fund using the following account details or through any of the Jamiatul Ulama Offices.

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: ‘PALESTINE RELIEF FUND ’

Tel: 011 373 8000
<more>
Request for Details

Alhamdulillah, the Jamiatul Ulama Online Newsletter has been going out for a period of 12 weeks. The response has been tremendous, and we now have a, constantly growing, mailing list of over 5500 recipients. Communities have however requested for the contents of the newsletter to be made available for Masjid Notice Boards.

In response to this:
• We request Imams or community members (who are either responsible for Masjid Notice Boards or prepared to take on the responsibility of posting the Bulletin on the Masjid Notice Board, with the consent of the Imam) to forward:
- Name
- E-mail address
- Masjid name and area.

• A separate mailing list will be created using these e-mail addresses.
• The online newsletter will be re-formatted in the form of a Weekly Bulletin for Masjid Notice Boards.
• The Weekly Bulletin will then be sent out as an attachment to this new mailing list, so that it can be posted on Masjid Notice Boards, insha’-Allah.

Please forward your details to the e-mail address, jamiat@islamsa.org.za and add the subject heading, Masjid Notice Board List.
 

I N F O R M A T I O N

Min. Mahr

 R90.16

Mahr Faatimi

R4508.12

Zakaat Nisaab

R1803.25

Words of Wisdom

Hadith of the Week

Abu Huraira Radhiallahu anhu narrated that Allah's Messenger Sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam said: "Martyrs are those who die because of drowning, plague, an abdominal disease, or of being buried alive by a falling building." And then he Sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam added: "If the people knew the reward for the zuhr prayer in its early time, they would race for it. If they knew the reward for the 'isha' and the fajr prayers in congregation, they would join them even if they had to crawl. If they knew the reward for the first row, they would draw lots for it."
Sahih Al-Bukhari Vol. 1: No.688

Quotation for the Week

““There is no difference between virtues and vices, between acts of devotion and acts of rebellion, except in as far as the soul feels attracted or repelled. Happy is the man whose soul finds pleasure in virtue and good deeds, fleeing vice and rebellion. Unhappy is the man whose soul finds pleasure in vice and rebellion, fleeing virtue and good deeds. This is nothing less than the sacred order of things ordained by the providence of Almighty Allah.”
Ibn Hazm in his Kitab al-Akhlaq wa al-Siyar fi Mudawat al-Nufus
 

Saying of the Week

"It is not what you look at that matters, it is what you see."

Q and A

Q:What are the laws with regard to trading during Jumu'ah
time?
A:
1. It is obligatory for a person upon whom the performance of Jumu’ah is Fardh to abstain
from indulgence in trade
between the times of the first Adhaan and termination of Salaah. However, if trade was conducted by such a person in that duration, which will be Makrooh Tahreemi – close to Haraam – (and according to
some scholars it will be
Haraam), the transaction will nonetheless be considered as a valid one. The money too would be Halaal (however, tainted with the effects of transgression and perpetration of sin in its acquisition). Such a person
should in future totally abstain from indulging in trade during this time and should attend the Jumu’ah prayers.

2. If he leaves someone to run the stall during that time and provided that the person he leaves to administer the trade
on his behalf is one upon whom Jumu’ah prayers is not
obligatory (such as in this case a non-Muslim employee/manager) and the client too is such that Jumu'ah is not obligatory upon him, then such trading will be permissible, but recommended against.

3. It is best that he accords dignity and honour to the sacred time of Jumu’ah prayers by altogether closing the business for that duration.

[Tahtaawi ‘ala Miraaquil Falaah Pg. 517/8, Aalamgiri Vol. 1 Pg. 149, Durrul Mukhtaar Vol. 5 Pg. 101, Raddul Muhtaar, Azeezul Fataawa Pg. 296/7

And Allah Ta'aala knows best.
 

Q:  Is Zakaat payable on a vending machine?

A: If one engages in the trading of vending machines; i.e. one is selling such machines, then Zakaat will be Fardh on its value at the end of the Zakaatable year, provided that its value (after deduction of current debts and expenses) equals to or exceeds the amount of Zakaat Nisaab.

However, if a vending machine is hired or bought and installed on one’s premises for the purpose of vending beverages, chocolates, etc.; i.e. utilised as an instrument of gaining profits then there will not be Zakaat on the value of machine itself. Yes, there will be Zakaat on the proceeds accrued from the sale of the beverages, etc. as that income will be added onto one’s other Zakaatable assets for its Zakaat to be discharged at the end of the Zakaatable year.

And Allah Ta'aala knows best.
 

Summarized Jumu’ah Bayaan:

Do not despair; there is hope …
Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'aala says in the Qur’aan:
  • “Verily those who say: “Our Sustainer is Allah,” and are steadfast on it, upon such do the angels descend (saying) that do not be afraid and do not sorrow and be informed of glad-tidings of a paradise which you have been promised.” (41:30, 31)
  • “Do not despair of the mercy of Allah, for verily only the disbelieving people despair of the mercy of Allah.” (
The continued pounding and bombing by Israeli forces has caused immeasurable pain, suffering, hardship and distress for thousands of innocent people. Fellow Muslims all over the globe are in a state of shock and feel frustrated as to their inability to help their fellow Muslim brothers and sisters.
 
A sense of doom has descended upon the Ummah. The hearts of millions around the globe is bleeding. The committed resistance of unarmed, justice-seeking civilians has portrayed to the world the cowardice and impotence of Israel. For this they are outraged and seek to murder, and destroy in a most insane and inhumane manner.
 
The continued attacks and raids have left hundreds of thousands without electricity; public health is endangered. Food was already perilously low. Infrastructure has been damaged beyond repair. All this for one supposedly capture soldier?
 
 What did the Palestinian and Lebanese people do to deserve these attacks? Why aren't they justified in retaliating against the Israelis, and engaging in mutual rounds of destruction until there is truly no people and no land in the territory of the warring groups?
 
We watch Israeli storm troopers deliberately savage a helpless civilian population under the pretence that they are conducting a "rescue" mission. The brazen nature of attacks and bombardments indicate that they intend to destroy anything, to completely depopulate Southern Lebanon and Gaza without question or justification.
 
No matter how gloomy this is, Muslims must never loose hope. We have weapons with us which do not even realize. For example, du’aa is a weapon that is controlled and answered by Allah Ta’aala Himself. No amount of artillery can overpower it. However, in order for our du’aas to be accepted, we should always consume halaal and become worthy servants of Allah.
 
All Muslims should also abundantly increase their good deeds, abstain from disobedience of Allah Ta'aala, support the calls for assistance in this crucial period.
 
Muslims should also abandon, once and for all, the lifestyle, culture and mannerisms of those who have declared open war with Allah ,His Rasul Sallallahu alayhi wasallam and Muslims. Allah has clearly declared in the Qur'aan that the condition of a nation will not be changed until they change what is within them.
 
Ulama and Aimmah should commence Qunoot-e-Naazilah and Collective Du'aa.
 
Muslims must also speak out openly against this oppression, and assist in whichever way they can.
 

U P D A T E

Ta'limi Department travels to Thailand
A delegation of four members of the Jamiatul Ulama Taalimi Board recently visited Bangkok (Thailand), on the invitation of the Iqra School. The main purpose of the visit was to conduct workshops for Ulamaa and teachers to familiarize themselves with and assist in the implementation of the Tasheel series, which was recently translated into Thai. The three day workshop was attended by about 200 delegates from Thailand, Philippines, Cambodia and Pakistan. The workshop was well received, and also put into focus the importance of Makaatib teaching.

The Tasheel Series of textbooks are prepared and published by the Jamiatul Ulama. They deal with various aspects of Islamic Studies and are presented in a variety of books for grades K to 12. The Series also has teacher’s handbooks, wall-charts and other resource material. The Jamiatul Ulama also conduct workshops to train teachers on the correct usage of the material.
 
Annual Youth Convention
The Annual Youth Convention organized by the Jamiatul Ulama and the MSA took place at the Benoni Muslim School on Sunday. The convention was attended by over 2000 youth from various areas.

The programme consisted of presentations by guest speakers including Ml. Suliman Moolla, Ml. Taha Karan, Ml. Tahir Salloo, Br. Muhammad Manjra and Brother Barkatullah. It also included break-away, interactive sessions on topics such as Student Leadership, Dealing with Islamaphobia, Morality, Revision of the Shariah and Reaching out to Non-Muslims.

The content structure, duration and format of the programme was well-received. The youth were highly impressed, inspired and motivated by what they heard, and left at the end of the day with clear ideas and firm resolutions.
 

Message from the Ameer of the Jamiatul Ulama

Building a Healthy Islamic Environment
In order to attain a wholesome Islamic environment, human beings should, on an individual level, reform and rectify themselves.
The ideal Islamic environment rests upon good character, spirituality and a high degree of ethics…all of which begins on an individual level. These factors, implemented on an individual level, act as binding elements towards strengthening society as a whole. On the other hand, if society is built upon factors other than the above like material considerations, then, although it may seem to be achieving success, it would be like loose stones lying next to each other. It would seem to be solid, but it is, in reality, weak, movable and unstable.
Once a person’s inner is perfected, he becomes a selfless being the benefits of which benefits society tremendously. He/she does everything that please Allah, and according to the following hadith, treats others in a way only that would be pleasing to Allah: “La yu’minu ahadukum hatta yuhibbu as-shay’ la yuhibbuhu illallah.” (None of you can be a true believer until you like or dislike something only for the pleasure of Allah.” (Bukhari and Muslim) A selfless and morally upright person, one who cares for others, a responsible person and one who cares deeply for others can only be one who has made effort on his inner self, and not a person who has been endowed with the outer trappings of the world.
Our noble Rasulallah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) describes a true believer as part of the whole ummah. Individual piety is commendable, but it is not nearly half as commendable as a person who cares deeply of society, and is one of them. According to the hadith, the example of Muslims, in their love and compassion for each other is like a body. If one limb is in pain, then the entire body is affected with restlessness, discomfort and fever.
Let us pray that we all become caring members of the ummat-e-Muhammadi so that we can once again become the mighty force that we were centuries ago – Aameen.
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