Jamiatul Ulama (Council of Muslim Theologians), Johannesburg

Jamiatul Ulama

Online Newsletter

Vol.: 1 No.: 28

24 Shawwal 1427 1427/ 16 November 2006

Read the full Newsletter from your browser:
http://www.jamiat.co.za/online_newsletter_0128.htm

Weekly Comment


AIDS (Acquired Immuno-Defiecieny Syndrome)
It appears as if the members of the Muslim community are under the false impression that they are immune to the acquisition of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome. The Muslim community hides its head deep in the sand and pretends that AIDS does not exist and that no, or very few, Muslims have AIDS.

AIDS does exist. It is a sickness, a disease and attacks people regardless of their age, race gender or religious affiliation. Muslims too, many of them, have AIDS.

Friday the 1st of December is World AIDS day.

Over the next two weeks, the Summarised Jum`ah Bayan in the Online Newsletter will focus on aspects related to AIDS. People are encouraged to raise awareness on the issue and Ulama are advised to speak about it from the mimbar.


Darfur
For the past three years, at least, activity in the Darfur region of Sudan has continued unabated. Most occurrences went unnoticed or even quietly ignored. When events were reported they evoked outrage and urgent calls
for the immediate suspension of the carnage.

Organisations responded in a variety of ways; some blamed the Sudanese government, some laid the blame at the doorstep of rebel groups, some pointed accusing fingers at the refugees themselves, and many called for intervention to stop the tragic events unfolding before the eyes of the world.

Whatever the responses and subsequent developments, public outrage seems to flare up and then die down to the detriment of all possible steps taken in
a positive direction. Before long the situation seems to quietly slide back into what it was.

Statements were issued from various parts of the world and our South African government was very extremely vociferous and instrumental in establishing steps that could, at most, maintain checks that would prevent further widespread bloodshed.

As Muslims we must ask ourselves what we as individuals, organizations committees and countries have done. When such a situation where over 300 000 people have been reportedly killed and millions left homeless, why is it
that very little has been said by us. Our lack of a clear statement and the
lack of any action is in itself an indictment upon us and a puts a question
mark upon our integrity. It is a crying shame and should prick, nay
repeatedly stab our conscience.


Arab League
Does the reported decision of the Arab League regarding their resolution to lift sanctions mean much?

Should the Arab Countries, in the first place, have imposed the economic sanctions - sanctions imposed by the Western and European powers as a punishment upon the Palestinians for choosing Hamas as their democratically elected leadership – that democracy that is touted by the same Western
world as a cure to the perceived problems of the world.

Nevertheless the raising of the economic sanctions is a clear, unambiguous
and unmistakable statement of the fact that the Arabs are united in their dissatisfaction and disappointment at the massacres in Palestine (most
recently the massacres at Beit Hanoun). The statement of the League
provides some, even it be a flicker, of hope.

<Go to Top>


The Jâmi‘ah al-‘Ulûm  al-Islâmiyyah
The Jâmi‘ah al-‘Ulûm  al-Islâmiyyah was established by the Jamiatul Ulama with the aim of providing quality Islamic education within a social context which challenges the notion of practicing Islam in its unadulterated form. It is driven by the desire to rekindle scholarship within the Ummah and provide sound leadership so as to elevate the Ummah to its former glory.

The institute currently offers the ‘Aalim Fâdhil which is a six-year direct-contact and full-time course which will be taught through the Arabic, English and Urdu languages.

Learners will be awarded a certificate upon completion of the course.

The institute also motivates students and facilitate their registration and study at tertiary institutes in accordance with their academic aptitudes.

No boarding and lodging is provided to students.

Admission Requirements:
Aspiring learners must be mature persons, of upright character, have a basic Islamic education, be in possession of a matriculation certificate, versatile in English and any other official language of the country and be dedicated to self-study.

Learners will be accepted only after an interview. Applications for 2007 close on
1st December 2006. The academic year begins in January and ends in December.

For more information, contact:

Jâmi‘ah al-‘Ulûm al-Islâmiyyah
Tel: 011 373 8040, Fax: 011 373 8022


CORRECTION: In the last edition of the Online Newsletter one paragraph in the Summarised Jumuah Bayaan read: Rasulullah Radhi-Allâhu. It should have read: Rasulullah Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam...
We apologise to all our readers for the confusion this might have caused.

C O N T E N T S

Summarised Jumuah Bayaan
Question and Answer
Jâmi‘ah al-‘Ulûm  al-Islâmiyyah
Update
Message from the Ameer

I N F O R M A T I O N

Min. Mahr

R110.38

Mahr Faatimi

R5,519.02
Zakaat Nisaab R4,719.30

Words of Wisdom

Hadith of the Week

Tasbeeh

Ali Radhi-Allâhu ‘anhu narrates:
“Fatima complained about the blisters on her hand because of using a millstone. She went to
ask the Prophet for servant, but she did not find him (at home) and had to inform 'Aisha of her need. When he came, 'Aisha informed him about it. Ali added: The Prophet came to us when
we had gone to our beds. When
I was going to get up, he said, "Stay in your places," and sat between us, till I felt the coolness of the feet on my
chest. The Prophet then said, "Shall I not tell you of a thing which is better for you than a servant? When you (both) go to your beds, say 'Allahu Akbar' thirty-four times, and 'Subhan Allah' thirty-three times,
'Alhamdu 'illah' thirty-three times, for that is better for you than a servant." Ibn Sirin said, "Subhan Allah' (is to be said for)
thirty-four times."
(Bukhari - 8:330)

Quotation for the Week

Action: Essence of Study

“However much you study, you can not know without action. A donkey laden with books is
neither an intellectual nor a wise man. Empty of essence, what learning has he? Whether upon
him is firewood or books?”
Shaikh Sa’di of Shiraz
 

Point of Reflection

Miserliness

Miserliness is the clothing of dishonour.

Q and A

Question: I will be grateful if
you can please give me some advice regards Qasr namaaz.
I am a ship doctor (from SA) working on a cruise liner sailing out of ports in USA and work for four months at a time. We are never in the same place for
more than 10 hours. If we dock
in New York in the morning we leave within 9 hours the same
day, and so on in other ports
we go to and always on the
move sailing more than 75 km a day daily. My question is do I
read Qasr namaaz or full namaaz?

 
Answer: In your specific case you shall be a Musaafir for the entire duration of your trip. The only
time you would read full Four Rakaat Salaah is when you return
to your hometown or decide to remain in any particular location
for fifteen days or more.

And Allah Ta'aala knows best.
 
Question: I am most likely going to get money from the Road Accident Fund. If it is enough, I want to use it to go for Haj. Do you think it is permissible?"
Please advise.
 
Answer: Money received from
the Road Accident Fund is permissible to use.
It can also be used for Haj.

And Allah Ta'aala knows best.

<Go to Top>
 

Summarised Jumu’ah Bayaan:

AIDS (Acquired Immuno-Defiecieny Syndrome)

  • Allah says in the Qur’an: “Say to the believing men that they restrain their eyes and guard their
    private parts. That is purer for them. Surely, Allah is well aware of what they do.” (24:31)
  • The Prophet Muhammad Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam said: “Whenever unlawful sexual conduct prevails with a society to the point that they feel no shame in disclosing it and doing it openly, then they shall suffer from plagues and such painful illnesses that their ancestors have never experienced.” (ibn Majah)
• When looking at the causes of AIDS, it becomes clear that among the primary causes, identified by Muslim and non-Muslims, are the immoral and irreligious sexual practices that are considered to be among the factors responsible for the spread of the disease.
 
• Amazingly, the conclusions scientists have drawn are exactly those that Islam has taught us. A renowned AIDS researcher, Dr. Ron Bayen of New York says: "Only a change in sexual behaviour and a war against drugs can stop the progress of the disease."
 
• The aforementioned ’changes in sexual behaviour' lay in nothing else but to observe Islamic ways concerning sexual relations. Similarly, ’the faithful partner' is none but an Allah-fearing spouse. In Surah al-Mu‘minun, while describing the required standards and qualities of true believers, Allah, the Almighty says: “And who guard their chastity, Except from their wives or what their right hands possess, for then they are not to be blamed; But those who seek anything beyond that are the transgressors ---“
 
• One of the solutions to the problem is appropriate sex education. At the time of Prophet Muhammad ??Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam, Muslim men and women were never shy to ask him about all affairs, including such private affairs as sexual life. As A’isha Radhi-Allâhu ‘anha, the wife of the Prophet Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam testified, "Blessed are the women of the Ansaar (the citizens of Madina). Shyness did not stand in their way seeking knowledge about their religion." (Bukhari)
 
o Sex education should be taught to children in a way commensurate with their age as they grow up.
 
o The primary responsibility of imparting this sex-education is that of the parents of the child.
 
o It should be done within the total context of Islamic ideology and Islamic teaching, so that the youth, beside getting the correct physiologic knowledge, become fully aware on the sanctity of the sexual relations in Islam and the grave sin of blemishing such sanctity.
 
• The disease AIDS is a living sign of the truthfulness of the Holy Prophet Muhammad Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam who prophesised about it 1400 years ago: “Whenever unlawful sexual conduct prevails with a society to the point that they feel no shame in disclosing it and doing it openly, then they shall suffer from plagues and such painful illnesses that their ancestors have never experienced.” (ibn Majah)
 
o There is still widespread ignorance of this pandemic. Abstaining from sex before marriage and having sex only within marriage, both in-built teachings of Islam, should be promoted aggressively, but the bogey of condoms that provide only 28% protection should not be used as it could promote sex outside marriage.
 
• Most importantly is that we must harvest taqwa (piety - consciousness that Allah is watching over us all the time) so that besides staying away from deviant sexual practices, we stay away from all types of sin and immorality.
 

<Go to Top>

Advertise Here. We are Well Read!

U P D A T E

Sponsor a Book Programme

The swell of misinformation and the subsequent misrepresented picture of Islam have reached endemic proportions. Islam has become synonymous with indiscriminate terror, male chauvinism and antiquated practices and laws.

Neither will grousing and complaining among ourselves, nor will adopting a ’victim-like’ mentality of pessimism bring about any change.

It is the duty of the Muslim ummah to boldly and fearlessly showcase and champion the pristine teachings of Islam
in the hope of educating the unwary masses, who are swayed by the incessant flow of propaganda against Islam.
In addition, people of note and influence in the non-Muslim community should be approached with the aim of dispelling the myths and distortions leveled against Islam.

In an effort to educate such people about the true and beautiful nature of Islam, the Jamiatul Ulama has
embarked on a project to provide relevant, dynamic, well-written and well-presented literature on Islam to politicians, journalists, academics and public libraries.

In order to finance the purchase and distribution of these books the Jamiatul Ulama has called upon the
community for their assistance. This is a unique opportunity to contribute towards educating people about Islam and also defending Islam.

The cost of sponsoring one book is R100-00. Contributions or sponsorships can be directed to any of the Jamaitul Ulama offices.
 
Meeting with the Saudi Ambassador
A delegation from the Jamaitul Ulama met with the Saudi Arabian Ambassador yesterday (Wednesday). The meeting took place at the Saudi Embassy in Pretoria. The Jamiat undertook to meet with the ambassador in order to highlight the severe plight and distress of the hujjaaj.
 
Civil Unions Bill
The Civil Unions Bill, a Bill legalizing same-sex marriages, has unfortunately been passed in South Africa, adding to a list of other shameful Bills like abortion and pornography. The Jamiatul ‘Ulama, together with the MJC, had made a strongly-worded submission opposing the Bill directly to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee. The Jamiat had also made numerous independent petitions and memorandums to government on the issue, as well as in co-operation with other faith groups and organizations such as the Marriage Alliance. It condemns the Bill in the strongest terms and maintains that legalizing such perverse sexual behaviour and allowing it in public, not only brings down the wrath of Allah, but it corrupts our society to such a level that our children will not known right from wrong.
 
 

Jamiatul Ulama and Jaami`ah Al-`Ulum Al-Islamiyyah
(An Institute of Higher Islamic Learning - Operating Under the Auspices of the Jamiatul Ulama)

Conducted by: Sheikh, Dr. Najeeb Al-Soodi, Professor of Linguistics, Univ. of Taiz, Yemen

4 days - (Monday to Thursday) - 3 hours daily (12 hours)

Conversational Arabic and Arabic vocabulary / terminology related to Media, Current Affairs, and International Politics

Dates: 4, 5, 6, 7 December 2006; Times: 9:00AM to 12:00 Noon; Venue: Baitul Hamd,32 Dolly Rathebe Road,
Fordsburg , 2nd floor

Maximum 50 persons: Please call to confirm your place. For more information please call: 0113738040/011373 8000

<Go to Top>

Message from the Ameer of the Jamiatul Ulama

Honouring One’s Neighbour

Along with prescribing the various forms of worship in Islam, Islam also stipulates that one be good to ones family, neighbours, relatives, friends, acquaintances and every person, whether known to him or not. In this regard, special emphasis has been placed upon having extra good relations with one’s neighbour.

Our Noble Rasulallah Sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said: “I swear an oath in that Being in Whose Hand is my life, only those can fulfil the rights of their neighbour on whom is the Mercy and Grace of Allah.” It is mentioned that the rights of the neighbour were emphasised so firmly by the Prophet Sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam that the companions of the Prophet thought it would reach a stage where neighbours would actually inherit on the basis of being a nighbour.

If a neighbour needs assistance, assist him. If he needs anything, give it to him. If he requires a loan, oblige him. Congratulate him on his achievements, visit him when he is sick and offer him condolences on his grief and loss.

It is important to not that this applies to non-Muslim neighbours as well. In fact, if one has a Muslim neighbour, or family member as a neighbour, then one’s right upon them is greater.

A special point to note is that ones right upon a neighbour is not only to avoid harming him or greeting them in
the morning, but if some difficulty befalls him, he should support him and help him.Do not allow a neighbour to go hungry, sick or in difficulty, even for the period of a night.

Further, as human beings are prone to err, a person who is harmed or inconvenienced by his neighbour should exercise patience and seek ways of solving the problem, rather than worsening it.

May Allah grant us all the ability to live in peace and harmony with our neighbours – Aameen.
<Go to Top>
http://www.islamsa.org.za

http://www.radioislam.co.za

If you are experiencing any problems with this newsletter or have any comments, please contact us.

Jazakum-Allaah khairan for reading Jamiatul Ulama's Online Newsletter. To unsubscribe, please click here or send a blank email to jamiat@islamsa.org.za with the subject: Unsubscribe.