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Weekly Comment |
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Women’s Day
Wednesday the
9th of August marked a
significant moment in
the history of our
country. It was on this
day, in 1956, over 20
000 women marched to the
Union Buildings in
Pretoria, in open
protest against the
idiotic pass laws. On
this day, every year,
South Africans take some
time to ponder over the
sacrifices of these
women and of women in
general, as well as
appreciate the great
contributions made by
them in the fight for
justice and freedom, in
the uplifment of man and
in the establishment of
a moral value-filled
society.
The Jamiatul Ulama calls
upon the citizens of the
World to continually
show respect to the
mothers and sisters of
our communities by
acknowledging their
contributions,
understanding their
difficulties and
according them due
respect and rights.
The Prophet Muhammad
Sallallahu `alayhi wa
sallam said:
"Paradise lies under the
feet of your mother" (Bukhari)
"The best amongst you is
the one who is best
towards his wife." (Tirmidhi)
Abû Hurairah (RA)
narrates that a man
asked: "O Nabî of Allâh
- who is most entitled
to my kindness and
companionship?" He
replied "your mother."
He asked: "Then who?"
Nabî replied "Your
mother." He (the man)
again asked: "Then who?"
Nabî replied "Your
mother - thereafter your
father. (Muslim, Bukhari)
"... it is incumbent
upon you to provide
their food and dress in
accordance with good
custom.. … fear Allâh
with regard to women. I
command you to treat
them well..."
A
Tribute to Four Great
Women
Anâs
Radhi-Allâhu ‘anhu
reports that Nabî
Sallallâhu ‘alayhi
wasallam has said: “From
among the women of the
world who have reached
perfection and who are
worthy of following are
(the following four):
Maryam the daughter of
Imrân; Khadijah daughter
of Khuwailid; Fatima
daughter of Muhammad and
Asiyah wife of Fir’aun”
(Tirmidhi)
The hadîth refers to
four women who acquired
perfection in faith and
character by virtue of
their devotion,
patience, toil and
morality. Their lives
radiated with piety,
trust, patience and
gratitude. Their lives
serve as beacons of
guidance for all
believers, especially in
times of hardship,
difficulty and struggle.
Maryam:
The Daughter of Imrân
Maryam Alayhas-Salâm
spent her young days in
total seclusion within
the precincts of Baitul
Muqaddas. She devoted
her life to prayer and
worship of the Almighty.
Although unmarried she
miraculously gave birth
to Isa Alayhis-Salâm.
Khadijah
Daughter of Khuwailid
She was extremely wise,
intelligent, gentle, and
influential called
Tahirah [chaste and
pure]. She was
exceptionally wealthy
and a prosperous
business woman. She
married Nabî Sallallâhu
‘alayhi wasallam at the
age of forty, while he
was twenty five. She
provided the moral,
financial, and emotional
support for Nabî
Sallallâhu ‘alayhi
wasallam when he was
blessed with Nubuwat.
She served as his
refuge, consoled him,
supported him and cared
for him when he was
alone, confused and
terrified. Khadijah
Radhi-Allâhu ‘anha
rallied to the call of
Islam, she gave a home
to Nabî Sallallâhu
'alayhi wasallam, she
was his first confidant,
and tower of strength.
Fatima
Daughter of Muhammad
Nabî Sallallâhu 'alayhi
wasallam would often
say: “Fatima is of my
flesh, he who angers
her, angers me” (Bukhari
& Muslim). Fatimah
Radhi-Allâhu ‘anhu was
the youngest child of
Nabî Sallallâhu ‘alayhi
wasallam and the only
child who survived him.
Hers was a life of
extreme poverty and
struggle. She constantly
saw her father being
mistreated, insulted and
humiliated by the
disbelievers yet she did
not meekly stand aside.
She physically joined in
the struggle, in defense
of her father and his
noble mission.
Asiyah
wife of Fir’aun
Asiyah, the wife of
Fir`awn had everything
the world could offer,
yet she gave it all up
for the belief in the
oneness of Allah. When
the magicians fell into
sajdah and declared
their faith in Allâh and
accepted Mûsa
Alayhis-Salâm as the
Nabî of Allâh – she also
declared her faith.
Fir’aun began punishing
her by pegging her to
the ground and exposing
her to the midday sun.
He then gave her a
choice: ‘Either retract
from your belief or be
prepared to be crushed
by a huge boulder.’ She
chose to be crushed.
These four women changed
the course of human
history, through their
perseverance, faith and
courage. Miryam Alayhas-Salâm
life was characterized
by piety, chastity and
faith, Khadijah
Radhi-Allâhu ‘anha
neither succumbed to the
trappings of wealth, nor
to power and fame,
Fatima Radhi-Allâhu
‘anha made sabr in the
face of unending
hardships and was
crowned the ‘leader of
all women in Jannah’,
whilst the wife of
Fir’aun chose faith over
royalty.
May Allâh grant us the
taufîq to emulate the
beautiful conduct of
these icons of virtue,
humility and courage.
The unabridged version
of this article in found
on:
http://www.jamiat.co.za/special/a_tribute_to_four_great_women.htm |
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Painted by a different
brush
In the sensitive climate
that we find ourselves
in today, we are
constantly reminded
that:
“Racial, religious or
any other
discrimination, bias,
prejudice, bigotry and
profiling of any type
and form is highly
deplorable,
unacceptable,
unpardonable and
despicable, and should
be condemned, censured
and denounced without
any reservation. Those
responsible should be
criticized and
reprimanded in the
strongest terms
possible, and made
publicly answerable.
People of the world need
to be more tolerant,
forbearing,
accommodating, obliging
and collaborative in
order for there to be
any type of meaningful
and peaceful
co-existence of the
peoples of the world”.
What exactly transpired
with Zinedine Zidane is
unclear, and will remain
so. With Hashim Amla it
was slightly different.
Dean Jones’ racial slur
has caused “some”
reaction in the sporting
world, with Cricket SA
immediately demanding an
apology, the ICC
promising to investigate
further and the
culprit’s consequent
dismissal from his
position of employment
as a cricket
commentator. While these
actions must be
commended, it still
remains to be asked
whether these responses
were sufficient to
offset the major
setbacks inflicted on
the cause for the fight
for human rights and on
the elimination of
racism from sports.
Whether these responses
are proportionate to the
harm caused and whether
they are equal to the
responses and outcries
in similar situations
requires no major
investigation. What were
the consequences when
Mel Gibson, in a state
of drunkenness and in
anger (both intoxication
and anger impair the
senses), made a single
statement considered
anti-Semitic? The media
of the world ignited
with a call for
anti-Semitism to be
rooted out. He was
brought to book in a
most severe manner and
his apologies went
largely unaccepted. In
addition, it was given
so much publicity that
one could easily think
that the entire world
was responsible for
fostering anti-Semitism.
Hashim’s calm, gracious
and forgiving response
shows great character.
What remains unanswered
is the question as to
how the world would have
responded and what
Hashim would have been
labelled as, had he
reacted like any other
ordinary human would be
allowed to react – with
anger and resentment.
Would he then suddenly
have become the villain?
Somehow, when Muslims
are profiled and
discriminated against
then feeble reasons are
tendered and meek
justifications
submitted. Questions are
asked whether mountains
are being made of
molehills. Additionally,
Muslims are labeled as
intolerant for
responding to being
profiled as terrorists.
Many a true feeling has
been expressed in jest,
and truth has a way of
finding its way out.
Maybe there was some
conspiracy that led to
the mike being on – I
mean Dean Jones did not
mean to say what he did
on air … and maybe it’s
OK to be a racist and
bigot ‘off-air’? |
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The
Lies we Witness
The
genocide in Lebanon
continues unabated.
Hundreds of innocent
Muslims and non-Muslims
lives are lost. Hundreds
of thousands lose
everything. The country
is devastated. If it
stops now, it will take
many years to recover.
But it still continues.
The world pretends to be
doing something, yet
their disingenuous
intentions and private
agendas are obvious and
blatant.
While the focus is
trained on these
unbelievable series of
events unfolding in
Lebanon; Gaza is being
attacked, towns
plundered and innocent
lives lost. At the same
time, there seems to be
no end to the endless
oppressive occupation
and actions of the US
and its allies in Iraq –
and a constant regular
update of the inhuman,
callous, cold-blooded
rape and pillage by
their forces cannot be
quietly tucked away. In
Afghanistan, in Somalia
and wherever else the
crimes against humanity
continue.
Is there a pattern or
sinister design to these
actions when viewed as a
whole? Is there some
type of a common
denominator with regard
to either the victims or
the perpetrators? Are
the events being
ingeniously directed and
contrived by someone who
acts himself, sponsors
actions or simply plans,
allows to continue and
continues to pretend? |
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Summarized Jumu’ah Bayaan: |
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Al-Wahn,
The Deadly Disease |
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• Allah said: “Say:
“‘Short is the enjoyment
of this world. And the
Hereafter is the best
for those who do right.
And you will never be
dealt with unjustly in
the very least. Wherever
you are, death will find
you out, even if you are
in towers built up
strong and high.” [An-Nisaa,
4:77-78] |
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• On the authority of
Thawbaan (RA), the Noble
Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
said: “The People will
soon summon one another
to attack you as people
when eating invite
others to share their
food.” Someone asked,
“Will that be because of
our small numbers at
that time?” He replied,
“No, you will be
numerous at that time:
but you will be froth
and scum like that
carried down by a
torrent (of water), and
Allah will take the fear
of you from the breasts
(hearts) of your enemy
and cast al-wahn into
your hearts.” Someone
asked, “O Messenger of
Allah, what is al-wahn?”
He replied, “Love of the
world and dislike of
death.” [Abu Dawud and
Ahmad] |
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• Our beloved Messenger
(SAW) was blessed with
the profound ability to
utter several words
which whole volumes
could then be written
about. In this striking
hadith, the Prophet
describes the situation
of the Muslims with
great accuracy, and also
prescribes a remedy for
the ailment. What is
extraordinary in this
hadith, is that the
Prophet conjures up
vivid images in the
listener’s mind about
the scenario. Here, the
Ummah is first likened
to some seemingly tasty
food surrounded by a
group of hungry diners.
But these people need to
share, and thus, the
food must be divided
into portions
corresponding to the
status of each ‘guest’. |
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• Shortly after the fall
of the Khilafah
(Caliphate), the Muslim
world was divided into
many different states by
the European powers,
with each of them eyeing
the rich resources that
Allah has blessed the
Muslims with. |
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• Colonisation and
corruption shortly
followed in those lands,
and the seeds of
tyrannical, despot
regimes were planted.
Now, with the Ummah
divided and each
government primarily
concerned with its own
interests, the enemies
of Islam are free to
attack each region like
wild animals attack
their prey – Palestine,
Lebanon, Iraq, Chechnya
and Afghanistan…and then
Iran, Syria, Egypt,
Saudi Arabia… |
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• Numbers are of little
significance. The
Muslims were victorious:
at the Battle of Badr,
where the disbelievers
outnumbered the Muslims
three to one. They were
also victorious at
Yarmuk, where the Romans
outnumbered the Muslims
seventy to one. The
current situation is
quite the opposite. The
Muslim population is
more than a billion and
is rapidly growing, but
described as “froth” in
the hadith. |
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• Froth overlies the
water beneath,
suggesting a sense of
pride and
self-confidence.
Secondly, the froth is
almost weightless and
with little substance,
such that a slightest
breeze can destroy it.
Thus, the pride and
self-confidence is ill
founded and in reality,
should not exist.
Thirdly, the foam and
scum is not in control
of its path - that is,
the role of the water
flowing beneath. All it
does is happily flow
along to its destination
while intoxicated with
its imaginary position. |
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• There were days when
the forces of the
Muslims were dreaded by
all those who opposed
them. Today, Muslims and
Islam are generally
looked down upon. Why?
The Prophet said it is
because of wahn: “Love
of the world and dislike
of death.” |
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• Thus, the problem and
the solution have been
identified. After the
bombardment from
capitalist and socialist
ideologies, the Muslim
world became too
materialistic,
desperately pursuing the
rewards and pleasures of
this world, with little
remembrance of the
Hereafter. The Prophet
said (in another hadith):
“Keep much in
remembrance of death,
which is the destroyer
of pleasure.” [Tirmidhi] |
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• Once Muslims realise
that the death is not
the end, but the
beginning, thereafter
with ultimate justice
and either excruciating
torment or blissful
reward, our situation
will surely change. |
• Until then, Allah
says: “Verily, Allah
will never change the
condition of a people
until they change what
is within themselves.” [Ar-Ra’d,
13:11]
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I N F
O R M A T I O N |
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Min. Mahr |
R98.02 |
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Mahr Faatimi |
R4900.69 |
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Zakaat Nisaab |
R1960.28 |
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(15 Rajab 1426/10
August 2006) |
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Words of Wisdom |
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Hadith of the Week |
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Gender and
Identity |
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Abdullah ibn Abbas
Radhiallahu anhu narrates
that Allah's Messenger
Sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam
cursed those men who are in
the similitude (assume the
manners) of women and those
women who are in the
similitude (assume the
manners) of men.
Sahih Al-Bukhari Vol. 7, No.
773
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Quotation for the Week |
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Perverse
Hopes |
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“A curious thing in this
world is to see how people
allow themselves to be
dominated by perverse hopes
which will bring them
nothing but trouble in the
short term and anxiety and
sin
in the long term!"
”Ibn Hazm in his Kitab al-Akhlaq
wa al-Siyar fi Mudawat al-Nufus
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Words of Inspiration |
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Did is a word of
achievement,
Won't is a word of retreat,
Might is a word of
bereavement,
Can't is a word of defeat,
Ought is a word of duty,
Try is a word of each hour,
Will is a word of beauty,
Can is a word of power.
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Q and A |
Q:
When a musalli is late
for salah, and joins the
congregation in the fourth
rakat,does he have to read a
Surah after Surah al-Fatiha
in each of the rakaats
(after
imaam makes salaam)?
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A: If he missed all four
Rakaats, then when standing
up after the Salaam of the
Imaam he shall recite Surah
Faatihah as well as
a Surah in the first two
Rakaats and only Surah
Faatihah in the remaining
two Rakaats.
And Allah Ta'aala knows best
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Q: Is it permissible
for a person to marry his
first cousin?
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A: Definition of cousin
First cousin: A child of
your aunt or uncle e.g. your
father’s brother’s daughter.
In this case, you share a
set of grandparents with
your first cousins.
Second cousin: A child of
your parent’s first cousin.
In this case, you share a
pair of great- grandparents
with your second cousins.
Based on the above
definition it will be
permissible for second
cousins (whether they are
paternally or maternally
related) to marry one
another.
The list of women one is not
permitted to marry is
categorically stated in the
Holy Qur’aan (Surah
An-Nisaa22-24).
If for any reason your
second cousin falls within
the category
of the women prohibited in
the above verses, then it
will not be permitted for
you to marry her. E.g. if
she is your foster (i.e.
milk) sister. (Your foster
mother is one who had
breastfed you prior to your
attaining the age
of two. Likewise your foster
sister is one who had
(before
the age of two) fed on the
milk
of the same woman who fed
you.)
And Allah Ta'aala knows best
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R E Q U E S T |
Alhamdulillah, the Jamiatul
Ulama
Online Newsletter has
been going out
for a period of
14 weeks.
The response has been tremendous,
and we now have a, constantly
growing, mailing list
of well over 5000
recipients. Communities have however
requested for the contents of
the
newsletter to be made available for
Masjid Noticeboards.
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
Noticeboard, 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
Noticeboards.
• The Weekly Bulletin will then
be
sent out as an attachment to this
new mailing list, so that it
can be
posted on Masjid
Noticeboards. Insha’Allah,
Please forward your details to the
e-mail address, jamiat@islamsa.org.za
and add the subject heading, Masjid
Noticeboard List. |
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Masaajid Addresses
Database on GPS |
We are updating our
masajid list made
available through the
website and intend to
have a comprehensive
database that will be
fed into a GPS
(Geographical
Positioning System)
navigational device for
locating places.
Particulars required
are:
- Name of
Suburb/Town;
- Name of
Masjid;
- Physical
(Street) Address;
- Name
of Contact Person;
- Position of Contact
Person;
- Tel/Cell Number
of Contact Person
and
- Availability of
Jumuah/Ladies'
Facilities
We see this as a
very important
initiative which will
benefit many people to
get to prayer facilities
as easily as possible.
Besides, Accurate Salaat
times will also be
generated from the GPS
data worked out in the
process.
Please assist us by
providing correct and
up-to-date addresses of
the masajid and
musallahs in your area.
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Advertise Here. We are Well Read! |
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Message from the Ameer of
the Jamiatul Ulama |
A Believer
is a Sincerer Friend to Another Believer
One of the
distinguishing factors of Muslims is that
they always keep in contact with others.
With utmost sincerity and with no other
motive but to please Allah, a Muslim keeps
up his relations with his family, relative,
friends and neighbours. His friends and
acquaintances are not only those who belong
to his fraternity i.e. if one is a doctor,
one will not only have friends who are
doctors, if one is rich, one will not only
associate with the rich, if one is an
Indian, one will not only have Indian
friends, but will extend to all types of
people who hail from all walks of life.
Friends regard each other as equals, with no
distinction between them, although one may
be poor and the other rich, one may be a
labourer and the other an entrepreneur, one
may be living in a mansion and another in an
informal settlement.
This spirit of pure brotherhood is
manifested at its highest whilst performing
salaat. One can not book ones place in any
Masjid nor choose next to whom you wish to
stand. Both kin and slave will stand next to
each other, and the slave might even enjoy a
higher status in the eyes of Allah on this
instance.
Our beloved Rasulullah Sallallâhu 'alayhi
wasallam said: “A (true) believer is a
container of love, there is no good in one
who does not love and is not loved.” (Jami
Sagbheer)
A person who befriends another or breaks off
friendship with him for no reason other than
the pleasure of Allah; such a person will be
granted shade under the throne of ALLAH on
that day when there will be no shade besides
His. May Allah make us from amongst such
people – Aameen.
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