Jamiatul Ulama (Council of Muslim Theologians), Johannesburg

Jamiatul Ulama

Online Newsletter

Vol.: 1 No.: 31

15 Dhu al-Qa'da 1427 1427/ 6 December 2006

Read the full Newsletter from your browser:
http://www.jamiat.co.za/online_newsletter_0131.htm

 

Weekly Comment

The nature of Islamophobia

As with any other ‘phobia’, Islamophobia takes many forms and is caused by a wide array of factors. Islamophobia manifests itself as an irrational fear of Muslims, and the Islamic faith. This irrational fear spans vast periods of time
and emanates from various sources, coming from the Christian Crusades up to recent statements made by Pope Benedict XVI. In its worst form, Islamophobia brings about perceptions which hold that Islam is dangerous, immoral and depraved. Islamophobic portrayals of the faith often promote the view that Islam is the main cause of instability, violence and terrorism in today’s world.

The above comments on Islamophobia assist in identifying the obvious flaws in Wayne Kopping’s documentary Obsession: Radical Islam’s war with the West reviewed in this newspaper last week. Upon viewing this documentary it quickly dawns on one that the recent UN report on the need for a “Conversation between civilisations,” will remain nothing but a pipe dream if Kopping & co. had their way. The problem with any visual representation of social and political phenomena is the fact that images and sound bites that originate from vastly different times and places can be edited together to present the viewer with a “story” that is far removed from reality or the
truth about dynamics in the Muslim world.

Read the full article from Saturday Star, 9 Dec 2006.

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Summarized Jumu’ah Bayaan:

Qurbaani : Who is obliged to offer the sacrifice?
(Part II of III)


 Allah Ta’ala says in the Noble Quran in Surah al-Kauthar: "Verily, We have granted you (O Muhammad ) Al- Kauthar (a river in paradise), So pray on to
thy lord and sacrifice. For he who makes you angry will be cut off."

 Hazrat Ayesha Radhi-Allâhu ‘anha reports that the Prophet of Allah
(Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam) said, "The son of Adam does not perform any
actions on the day of sacrifice which is more pleasing to Allah than the shedding of blood. He will come on the day of resurrection with its hair,
horns and hooves, and the blood certainly will fall in a place near Allah
before it falls on the ground. So, make yourselves purified there with.
(Tirmizi)
 
• Sayyadina ibn Umar reports that the Messenger of Allah lived in Madinah Munawarah for ten years and performed ‘Qurbani’ every year. (Tirmizi)
 
• Qurbaani is ‘wajib’ (compulsory) according to Imam Abu Hanifah upon every ‘mukeem’ (domiciled) and who possesses 613.35 grams of silver or its
equivalent in money, stock in trade or any other form of wealth which is surplus to his/her basic needs. Each adult member of a family who possesses that much wealth must perform his/her own ‘Qurbani’ separately.
 
• A sacrifice can be made on behalf of others such as minor offspring. This is ‘mustahab’ (desirable). Similarly, if one decides to sacrifice on behalf of ones spouse or a father decides to sacrifice on behalf of an adult offspring, he can do so with their permission. A sacrifice can also be made on behalf of a deceased Muslim.
 
• Hazrat Hanash reported: I saw Hazrat Ali sacrificing two rams. I asked him, "What is this?" He said: "Verily the Messenger of Allah left instruction to me to sacrifice on his behalf, and so I am sacrificing on his behalf. (Tirmizi, Abu Daud)
 
• Rasulullah was so generous that he had sacrificed on behalf of his whole ‘Ummah’ and we see here Hazrat Ali sacrificing for Rasulullah after he has passed away. We learn from this that we should also put a share of Rasulullah in our sacrifice.
 
• Sayyadina Umm Salama radiyallahu anha reports that the Apostle of Allah
said, "Whoever sights the crescent moon of ‘Zul-Hijjah’ and is intending to make a sacrifice should refrain from cutting his bodily hair and paring his
nails," (Muslim)
 
• Thus, after sighting the ‘Zul-hijjah’ crescent, it is desirable for a man intending to make a sacrifice to refrain from cutting the hair of his body and paring his nails till he has slaughtered the animal. No part of his body may be absent at the time of the descent of divine mercy.
 
• It is preferable that one selects on animals oneself, nourishes it and
becomes familiar with it, as this animal is to become the means great recompense and not only that, but it is a substitute for the sacrifice of
ones own child.
 
• As for getting the Qurbani done in other places, one deprives oneself from all the aforementioned blessings. If it is carried out on account of some
strong excuse, one can hope for the whole or even more reward.
 
• When looking around for animals, do ensure that all the legal requirements for the animal are met. Do not opt for “cheap” qurbaanis when one is uncertain as to whether ones sacrifice will be carried out incorrectly or not.
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Community Notice:
Muslims residing or employed in the Sunninghill / Paulshof

All Muslims residing or employed in the Sunninghill / Paulshof area are requested to submit their details by clicking on the link below.
The Sunninghill Muslim Jamaat is currently in the process of establishing a Jamaat Khana and requires the details of the residents so as to facilitate communication regarding further deeni projects to be embarked on.
Kindly submit your details by clicking on the link below.

http://www.lenzinfo.org.za/smj/smj_add.asp

Alternatively you can contact Ismail Lambat on: 084 645 4888.

C O N T E N T S

Summarised Jumuah Bayaan
Question and Answer
Update
Message from the Ameer

I N F O R M A T I O N

Min. Mahr

R117.83

Mahr Faatimi

R5891.02
Zakaat Nisaab

R2356.41

Words of Wisdom

Hadith of the Week

Rewards: Adhân & Salâh

Abu Huraira Radhi-Allâhu ‘anhu narrates that Allah's Messenger Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam said: "If the people knew what is the reward of making the call (for the prayer-adhaan) and (of being in) the first row (in the prayer), and if they found no other way to get this privilege except by casting lots, they would certainly cast lots for it. If they knew the reward of the noon prayer, they would race
for it, and if they knew the reward of the morning (i.e. Fajr) and Isha prayers, they would present themselves for the prayer even if they had to crawl to reach there.”
(Sahih Al-Bukhari Vol. 3 : No. 854)

Quotation for the Week

Faults of Other?


“I have tried to find one goal which everyone would agree to be excellent and worthy of
being striven after. I have
found one only: to be free from anxiety. When I reflected on it,
I realized that not only do all agree in valuing it and desiring it, but I also perceived that, despite their many different passions and aspirations, they never make the slightest
gesture unless it is to dispel anxiety, they never utter a
single word unless it is designed to drive anxiety far away.”
Ibn Hazm in his Kitab Akhlaq
wa al-Siyar fi Mudawaat al-Nufoos
 

Point of Reflection

Learning from
Experience


There is only one thing more painful than a difficult experience and that is not learning from the experience.
 

Q and A


Question:
What are the rules about distributing the meat of
the animal that has been sacrificed for damm?
 

Answer:
The meat should be distributed to the poor. You
may not consume from it, and
nor can it be given to a wealthy person. [Muallimul Hujjaaj
Pg. 348]


And Allah Ta'aala knows best.

Question:
Are men allowed to cover their bodies with a
blanket when they spend the
night at muzdalifa?
 

Answer:
Yes. However, care should be taken that his face
and head is not covered. [Mu'allimul Hujjaaj
Pg. 130, 277]

And Allah Ta'aala knows best.


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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 levelled 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.
 

Qurbani 1427 Hijri

Qurbâni arrangements have been made locally and abroad.

Kindly Forward Your Payments
NOT LATER THAN THURSDAY, 28TH DECEMBER 2006
to Any of the Jamiat Offices Below OR Deposit Directly into Our

Jamiatul Ulama
NEDBANK FORDSBURG; ACCOUNT NO: 1953 285 937
and Earmark Your Payment “QURBANI 2006”

Abû Saîd Radhi-Allâhu anhu narrated that the Messenger Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam said: “O Fatimah! Go and
witness how your Udhiyya/Qurbani is being slaughtered, for verily for the first drop of blood that falls, Allah
will forgive you all your past sins.”


She said: “O Messenger of Allah! Is this special for us the Prophetic household or for all the Muslims?”
He answered: “It is for us and all the Muslims.” (Al-Bazaar)

From the hadîth above, it cannot be over-emphasised that your obligatory qurbâni be made yourself personally. In so doing many dimensions of offering qurbâni will be fulfilled. If you so desire to make optional qurbâni, then this can be made elsewhere.

NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

Kindly fax deposit slip with name and address details for official receipt
Kindly submit names of individuals on behalf of whom Qurbâni is to be made
Surplus funds, if any, will be utilised for Dîni activities
Price of share includes administration costs

Benoni 011 421 7781; Azaadville 011 413 1365; Klerksdorp 018 467 8355
Lenasia 011 854 6170; Laudium 012 374 2506; Middelburg 013 243 2423

An initiative of Jamiatul Ulama
Tel: 011 373 8000
Fax: 011 373 8022
 
Report
Ml. Ibrahim Bham of the Jamiatul Ulama was invited to attend the ceremony for presenting the Prince Naif International Award for the preservation of the Sunnah. The ceremony took place on Saturday in Riyadh.
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Message from the Ameer of the Jamiatul Ulama


There is a beginning in Death
Death is not the end of everything. On the contrary, it is the beginning of a new life. It is nevertheless a most serious moment, for it is the occasion when one embarks on a new stage in the totality of his existence.
On the day of his death, a man leaves behind him a phase which is only temporary in order to enter upon an eternal state of being. Having completed his period of earthly action, he now commences his period of heavenly reward or punishment. Before death, he lived in a world where realities lay hidden; after death he will find
himself in a world where realities are as bright as the sun and the moon. The test man has to undergo during his lifetime is of his ability to discover the hidden reality; after death, he will see reality with the utmost clarity.
In the life before death, he is put to the test of believing in hidden realities; of surrendering to the truth
without any external compulsion. He must follow Allah’s guidance, even if, in default, no material interest of his would be acquired. This state of affairs makes the present life a very serious matter, for one who fails in the trials of today, incurs the danger of eternal failure.

If, while still in possession of his eyes, his heart and his mind, a man still fails to recognize the truth, he will find himself deaf and blind the moment he enters upon the world of eternity. When the truth appears before a man, and he still fails to acknowledge it as such, he will be doomed to dumbness and insignificance, and there will be
no way to extricate himself from that plight. One who has used his tongue and his pen to distance others from the truth will find himself thrust far away from Allah’s vicinity in the world of the hereafter. He will never be blessed with the sight of his Lord.

Death, it should be remembered, is the name for the greatest transition from the present to the eternal.
Let every Muslim look forward to it and let it be a bridge uniting the beloved with his loved one. Aameen.

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