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Weekly Comment |
Media
Profiling
A recent
news media channel
report on the January 14
murder of acting Umvoti
(Greytown) municipal
manager Sydney
Sikhakhane was indeed
strange. Charges against
two of the men were
withdrawn on Friday.
Three others were
granted bail of R10 000
each. The court heard
that the motive for
Sikhakhane's murder was
not political or racial.
The killing was linked
to an argument over a
stolen cellphone.
At the time, the report
identified the alleged
killers as five
‘Muslim’
youth.
Are the alleged
perpetrators of other
crimes referred to by
their religious
affiliation? Clearly
not. Then, why so with
Muslims?
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Crime
is No Fiction in South
Africa
The South
African national
discourse on crime is
lacking crucial
ingredients. Citizens
are understandably
entitled to question and
protest the South
African government’s
attempts at curbing the
scourge of crime.
But, in all of this the
undercurrent which
should be brought to the
surface concerns the
question: what has
become of our shared
humanity, how can
we truly attain a just
and democratic society
if we do not have a
commonly shared set of
moral goals as well?
If the South African
government is serious
about moral
regeneration,
then it is necessary for
politicians to show, in
terms of policy and
action, that their
commitment to it does in
fact go further than the
buffet dinner that
follows on the speech
and TV cameras. Although
the government should
take its share of
responsibility in the
fight against crime, it
is also necessary for
each citizen to take
responsibility for his
or her own
actions. Do we quietly
condone crime when we
watch pirated DVDs on a
Saturday night while the
teenagers are out on a
drinking binge
somewhere? Do you look
the other way and keep
quiet when shady
business deals go down
in corporate boardrooms?
Do you pay the
backhand when stopped on
the road by a cop?
Moral regeneration will
only take effect if all
South African citizens,
from the highest
political office to the
ordinary citizen accept
the challenge of
changing their attitudes
and behaviour. The
solution lies in Dîn.
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Crime
is no fiction in South
Africa
The South African
national discourse on
crime is lacking crucial
ingredients. Citizens
are understandably
entitled to question and
protest the South
African government’s
attempts at curbing the
scourge of crime.
But, in all of this the
undercurrent which
should be brought to the
surface concerns the
question: what has
become of our shared
humanity, how can
we truly attain a just
and democratic society
if we do not have a
commonly shared set of
moral goals as well?
If the South African
government is serious
about moral
regeneration, then it is
necessary for
politicians to show, in
terms of policy and
action, that their
commitment to it does in
fact go further than the
buffet dinner that
follows on the speech
and TV cameras. Although
the government should
take its share of
responsibility in the
fight against crime, it
is also necessary for
each citizen to take
responsibility for his
or her own actions. Do
we quietly condone crime
when we watch pirated
DVDs on a Saturday night
while the teenagers are
out on a drinking binge
somewhere? Do you look
the other way and keep
quiet when shady
business deals go down
in corporate boardrooms?
Do you pay the backhand
when stopped on the
road by a cop?
Moral regeneration will
only take effect if all
South African citizens,
from the highest
political office to the
ordinary citizen accept
the challenge of
changing their attitudes
and behaviour. The
solution lies in Dîn.
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HIV/AIDS: From the
Islamic Careline
Statistics for services
rendered by the Muslim
AIDS Programme and
Islamic Careline to HIV
infected and affected
people are overwhelming.
While many may be
fearful and in denial,
it is time that we all
take responsibility,
whether it be to do
something on a community
level, or protect
ourselves by taking the
necessary precautions.
In order to do this
however, education and
awareness is very much
needed.
HIV / AIDS – It’s our
Problem too!!!
F came into the lives of
the sisters at the
Islamic Careline a few
years
ago. Her presence during
this short period of
interaction has had a
profound effect on all
of our lives. She will
continue to remain a
strong presence and,
Insha-Allah will
continue to be a
reminder to us of her
integrity and deep
desire to maintain and
practice the Dîn on
Islam.
Sister F was HIV
positive and eventually
died of AIDS on a Friday
the
25th of Shabaan a few
years ago. May Allah
grant her Jannatul
Firdaus.
She was referred to us
by a predominantly
Christian organization
for Islamic counselling,
because she was
concerned about being
able to practice Islam
and to enable her young
son to learn and grow up
with exposure to Islam.
Alhamdullillah,
the people at the
shelter were most
accommodating when the
Careline asked them to
provide her with a
separate area for salaah
and they even went as
far as providing her
with separate
fridge/freezer to
prevent contamination
with haraam foods. Sadly
no Muslim organization
could accommodate this
very special woman and
her Islamic needs.
F left behind a
beautiful son, aged 8.
He is also positive.
Unfortunately,
despite several
enquiries at various
Muslim institutions,
none are
prepared to accommodate
him. He remains alone at
a shelter, and relies on
the kindness and succour
of people who are not
Muslim. F is not there
to continue his exposure
to Islam and to ensure
that he is being given
Halaal foods; something
that she was concerned
about until her last
moments.
Whenever this sister was
visited at the shelter
by counsellors from the
Islamic Careline, she
was always found to be
making some kind of
Ibadaat. Her major
concern was that her son
has a Muslim home and
that he be brought up in
a Muslim environment;
neither of which we at
the Careline have been
able to fulfil as yet.
Sister F died at Nkosi’s
Haven at 1.30a.m on a
Friday. During her last
hours, members of the
Islamic Careline visited
her. However, there were
no Muslims present at
the time of her death.
The Islamic Careline
counsellors with the
assistance of the
Bosmont Madressah ghusl
group and two concerned
Muslim brothers made
arrangements for her
ghusl and
burial when informed of
her death that Friday
morning.
We wish to share the
experience of three of
our counsellors who
assisted in the ghusl
and funeral arrangements
for sister F. Because F
has lived at Nkosi’s
Haven she had made many
non-Muslim friends too,
who wished to be present
at what they construed
to be the last “rites”.
As one of the women
explained the procedure
of ghusl to F’s friends,
she commented that
immediate family members
and relatives usually
undertake it. This
comment had a very
profound effect on the
counsellors that were
present. One of them
said that this poignant
realization occurred to
her immediately, that
she too was family of
the deceased! F was
being
bathed by her very own –
her Muslim sisters too!
What was to follow was
also extremely moving,
when a Christian friend
of F commented that she
believed that it was F’s
best bath ever and that
she hoped that when she
died, that she would
have the same.
Her Janazah salaah was
performed at the Bosmont
Masjid after Jum’aah
Salaah and was attended
by almost the entire
Jum’aah congregation.
Children from the
Bosmont Madressah came
in to make tilawat and
duaas for the marhoomah.
Alhamdullillah, she was
given a burial of
dignity and respect.
What sister F yearned
for in her lifetime was
accorded to her in
death. After the burial,
F’s son was taken back
to Nkosi’s Haven. It was
heartbreaking for the
Careline workers to
leave him there.
What we need to realize
is that AIDS affects
innocent people too. F’s
HIV status was
discovered after the
birth of her son. Her
husband promptly
deserted her. Often the
deserted spouse is the
innocent victim. The
child is definitely the
innocent victim in the
vicious triangle of pain
and suffering.
The Islamic Careline
deals with many HIV
victims; this experience
with F is the first of
many that we have dealt
with. Alhamdullillah a
structure has been put
in place so that Muslims
afflicted by AIDS can
die amongst their own.
Sister F’s young son is
now at the MAP Care
Centre which caters for
the needs of HIV+
mothers, children and
orphans.
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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 113.65 |
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Mahr Faatimi |
R 5,682.73 |
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Zakaat Nisaab |
R 2,273.09 |
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Words of Wisdom |
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Hadith of the Week |
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People of
Jannah/Hell |
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Harithah bin Wahb Radhi-
Allâhu ‘anhu reported that
Allah's Messenger Sallallâhu
'alayhi wasallam said:
"Shall I not inform you
about the people of Jannah?
It is every person who is,
modest and humble (before
Allah), a person who is
accounted weak and is looked
down upon but if
he adjures Allah, Allah will
certainly give him what he
desires. Now shall I not
inform you about the inmates
of Hell? It is every
violent, impertinent and
proud man". (Bukhari &
Muslim) |
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Quotation for the Week |
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The Heart
of a Believer |
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People say: “This city is
delightful.” More delightful
still is the heart of the
man who can
say: “I am not delighted by
delightful cities.” (Yahya
Razi) |
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Point of Reflection |
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Justifying
Sin |
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To sin is a human weakness,
but
to justify sins is a
devilish
business. |
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Q and A |
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Question: Please advise
me regarding whether it is
advisable to get married
with an Ante-nuptial
contract with Accrual? |
Answer: If a Muslim
wishes to
enter into a civil
marriage, then the
matrimonial regime that
should be opted for is the
Ante-nuptual Contract with
the NON-Accrual system, as
this is most consistent with
Islamic
Law in terms of the
financial
aspect of the relationship
between husband and wife.
And Allah Ta'aala knows
best.
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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
or directly deposit
into:Jamiatul
Ulama Account,
Nedbank Fordsburg;
Account No.: 1953 285
937
and Earmark Your Payment
“SPONSOR-A-BOOK” |
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U
P D A T E |
Youth
Conference
The Jamiatul Ulama
together with the MSA hosts
an Annual Youth Conference.
Alhamdulillah, the
conferences over the last
few
years have become
increasingly popular and
well-attended. Last year
over 3000 youth attended
the conference in Mackenzie
Park, Benoni.
Last week, various members
of the youth met to discuss
this year’s conference. It
was decided that the
conference will be held in
Laudium this year, insha-Allah.
The date is still to be
fixed. |
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Crime
Statistics
Numerous members
of the Muslim community have
been affected by crime.
However, very little
statistics concerning
Muslims and crime exist. It
is for this reason
that the Jamiat is
considering
using the means of the
Newsletter to conduct a
voluntary survey. Your input
on
the matter would be highly
appreciated. |
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Summarized Jumu’ah Bayaan:
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The
Significance of the
Hijrah |
"Indeed, those who
disbelieve spend their
wealth to hinder men
from the path of Allah,
and so will they
continue to spend it,
but in the end it will
become an anguish for
them. Then they will be
overcome. And those who
disbelieve will be
gathered into Hell"
[8:36]
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Muslims ought to be
reminded of the events
that took place at the
time of the Hijrah.
Islam is both a
spiritual and political
doctrine – and the
Hijrah signifies this in
a way that provides
momentum for the revival
of the Ummah.
The Messenger of Allah
Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa
Salaam:
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ordered, upon the
instruction of Allah,
the Muslims in Makkah to
migrate to Madinah in
small parties when
persecution became
unbearable.
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The Prophet himself
did however not
undertake the journey,
but waited for more
specific instruction
from Allah. In this is
an important lesson –
that we should act on
the injunctions of Allah
and in total obedience
to Allah.
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The trust that the
Prophet put in Allah,
when all indications
were that they could get
caught, throughout the
journey of hijrah is
also an example for all
Muslims.
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This emigration to
Medina proved to be a
turning point in the
entire history of Islam.
An Islamic State was
established as a
political entity that
would influence the
affairs of the world to
come. The ideology was
firmly established both
in concept and in
practical existence, and
it continued in
existence until its
demise in 1924 at the
hands of the colonialist
disbelievers and their
agent Mustapha Kemal.
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The question of why the
idolaters of Makkah made
an attempt on the life
of the Prophet at this
stage is also
significant. The
Prophet's Sallallahu
‘alayhi wa Salaam call
represented a grave
danger to the very
existence of the Quraysh
such that their very
survival was in question
- the survival of that
regional power. What was
the threat that Muhammad
Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa
Salaam posed that could
not be contained? Why
did they only now after
thirteen years of
experiencing this,
decide to kill him if
his Sallallahu ‘alayhi
wa Salaam explicit call
was not secret? The
clear answer lies in the
realisation by the
Quraysh leadership that
the Medinites had
accepted him as their
leader and Madina
displayed a readiness to
accept the full
implementation of the
Islamic Ideology.
Outsiders had come to
realise the power of
Islam!
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Honourable Ummah! It
would not be fitting for
us, after even our
enemies have realised
the significance of an
Islamic State, to
neglect its importance
in the affairs of the
Muslims. The sincere
da'wah carriers should
not be depressed at the
escalation of forces
against them, but it
should rather be seen as
sign that indeed we are
on the right path. Just
as the meetings,
strategies, and plans
took place at Dar al-Nadwa
then, so do the
meetings, strategies and
plans occur today that
convey such urgency and
panic! Their sole
purpose is to obstruct
the changing affairs of
the Muslim Ummah. The
west have today
organised a crusade with
the banner of 'fighting
terrorism.'
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The greatest lesson of
the Hijrah is that the
Muslims triumphed at the
hour when the onslaught
against them was the
greatest. O Ummah! Never
lose hope in the help of
Allah and persevere to
the end!
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Message from the Ameer of
the Jamiatul Ulama |
Muslim
Demonisation: A Test of
Faith
Muslims around the world are
well aware of the concerted,
coordinated and focused
effort to demonise, malign
and denigrate Muslims, as
individuals and as an Ummah.
This effort being
perpetrated by various
agents has
resulted in the widespread
profiling and discrimination
of Muslims, and the
infliction of an array of
injustices and oppressions
against Muslims, many of
them extreme to the extent
of causing the loss of
lives.
The result has been the
creation of a setting where
many Muslims quietly slouch
into a sense of despair and
an environment of
disillusionment, sometimes
even questioning the wisdom
and reasons behind the
distress, anguish and
suffering of the Muslims.
The recent attempt of the US
government to have two South
African Muslims, one of then
an Aalim, listed on the
United Nations terror-list
is a matter of concern.
Without providing proof, the
US has already included the
two on their own terror list
(which has more than 325 000
names), and has further
attempted to place the names
on the UN list. The South
African government needs to
be commended on the positive
steps it has taken to
protect its citizens, in its
distinct actions to ensure
that justice is served. Not
only did the South African
Government call for
evidence, but it has
valiantly blocked the
listing of the two on the UN
list.
In an environment such as
this, it is important for us
to remember that we should
not lose hope in the Wisdom
and Mercy of Allah. It is
essential that we live in
the knowledge that if we
bring faith in Allah, remain
steadfast
upon this faith and fulfil
our responsibilities to
Allah then, the promise and
protection of Allah will
always be
there.
Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’aala
says:
Verily those who say "Our
Lord is Allah" and then
stand straight and steadfast
upon this, the angels
descend on them: "Fear ye
not!" (they suggest) "nor
grieve! but receive the Glad
Tidings of the Garden (of
Bliss) the which ye were
promised! (41:30)
Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’aala
further says:
"We are your protectors in
the life of this world and
in the Hereafter: therein
shall ye have all that your
souls
shall desire; therein shall
ye have all that ye ask
for”. (41:31)
In another verse Allah
Subhanahu wa Ta’aala says:
And for those who fear
Allah, He (ever) prepares a
way out for them, and He
provides for them from
(sources)
they never could imagine.
And if anyone puts his trust
in Allah, Allah is
sufficient for him. For
Allah will surely accomplish
His purpose: verily for all
things has Allah appointed a
due proportion. (65:2,3)
It must also be borne in
mind that it is the Way of
Allah to test the believers
in various ways. Allah
Subhanahu wa Ta’aala says:
Do people think that they
will be left alone upon
their saying "We believe",
and that they will not be
tested? We tested those
before them and (through
this) Allah established
those who are true and those
who are false. Do those who
practice evil think that
they will get the better of
us? Evil is their judgment!
(29: 2,3)
And surely We shall test you
with things, (from amongst
them), fear and hunger, and
loss of wealth and lives and
crops; But give glad tidings
to the steadfast, those who
say, when a misfortune
strikes them: Lo! To Allah
we
belong and unto Him is our
returning. These are the
people upon whom are
blessings from their Lord,
and His Mercy. They are the
rightly guided. (2: 156-158)
Finally we pray that Allah
Subhanahu wa Ta’aala protect
all Muslims and grant them
the courage and the strength
to face the many tests that
they face. Âmîn.
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