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Weekly Comment |
Zimbabwe
Very Quiet:
The situation in Zimbabwe is
going from bad to worse and
demands that something serious
be done.
As a neighbour, South Africa
owes it to Zimbabwe and its
people, to South Africans, to
the Southern African community,
to the world and to humanity to
‘interfere’ in the desperate
situation human beings in
Zimbabwe find themselves in.
Helping people secure the most
basic of human rights accorded
to them by The Almighty is a
duty and responsibility upon
every human being, more-so upon
those who have the potential or
possible ability to help those
in need.
Is it not time that the South
African government re-examined
its stance of ‘quiet diplomacy’
in light of its failure to cause
the Zimbabwean authorities to
even cast a cursory glance at
what is right and what is not?
Not so quiet:
Yesterday the media made loud
noises about the alleged
blocking, by South Africa, of
the briefing of the UN Security
Council meeting, through a
report
on Zimbabwe. Today, it emerged
that South Africa had not really
blocked the report.
Media commentators then asked
whether there was a
misunderstanding or whether
there was some sort of
backtracking by the South
African government. Is it
possible that maybe it was
neither a misunderstanding nor
some sort of back-tracking on
the side of the South African
government. Maybe, just maybe it
was some sort of a surreptitious
and furtive move to discredit
and malignthe South African
government, from quarters that
are
bent on this approach. Some may
observe that, among the noises,
the
loudest was being made by Tony
Leon, and his reference to
Myanmar where the South African
governments reasoning was that
‘it was not a Security Council
Issue because it posed no real
threat to international peace
and security’.
National Water
Week
This week is ‘National Water
Week’ in South Africa.
With the desperate current need
for water in South Africa, it is
important for all South Africans
to exercise great caution in the
use of water. Water must
be used only in as much as
necessary. In addition, it must
be remembered
that polluting dams and rivers,
etc are a cause for the
depletion of this great
resource. Let us use water and
not abuse it.
Water week is also an ideal
opportunity to highlight various
aspects related to water to our
children.
It must be remembered that water
is a gift from Allah. Allah
increases his gifts in the event
that recipients show their
gratitude by using the gifts in
the appropriate manner.
'Admissions'
of Guilty
Khalid Sheikh
Muhammad is reported, by the US,
to have admitted that he
was the alleged mastermind
behind the 9/11 attacks and that
he planned and played important
roles in 30 other prominent
terror plots.
It must be noted that these
‘admissions’ were made to at a
‘closed-door’ hearing in
Guantanamo and are being
reported through partial
transcripts released by the US
Defence Department under whose
charge the hearings were
conducted.
May may ask, how true the
reports are; how much was said
as a result of possible
subtle-coercion; how much of the
reports are being reported; and
how much can those who are
reporting be trusted to be
telling the truth.
Execution in
Iraq
After so many
sessions, Iraqi officials were
bound to ‘get it right’.
Apparently the execution of Taha
Yassin Ramadan, which took place
this morning, “was smooth with
no violation” according to an
Iraqi official.
Interestingly, he was executed
for his role in the killing of
Shias in the 1980’s.
Commentators state that it is
worthy of note that recent
executions were not on the basis
of the ‘genocide’ against the
Kurds. Some ask whether this
could be because there are
suggestions that the US were
somehow involved in there.
Insha- 'Allah
Sportspersons often consider
their inspiration for various
feats and achievements to be
religious and from the Almighty.
Most sportspeople pray before
games and show their
appreciation and adulation of
their ‘gods’ through acts during
the course of their game. Many
even publicly announce their
commitment to their faith in
interviews. Most even put the
result of
their game in the hands of God
through statements such as
‘god-willing’.
Why is it, then, that people
take exception to Inzimamul
Haq’s punctuating his interviews
with the words, “Insha’Allah”
(If Allah Wills).
It is a sad day indeed when a
Muslim commentator (Kamran
Abbasi – Dawn Newspaper) can
make statements such as,
“Inzamam’s …. constant passing
on of responsibility to the will
of Allah has become an
embarrassment”.
‘Insha’Allah’ can never be an
embarrassment !!!
The Ugly Face
of Xenophobia
The fear of “others”, or the
irrational rejection of
strangers, has a long and
unfortunate history.
The Somali community in South
Africa has had to face several
such challenges while trying to
find a safe haven in our country
in the past years. From the
killings in Cape Town, to
members of the Motherwell
community distributing
“mob-rule” by plundering
Somali-owned shops, Somali’s in
South Africa currently face a
tremendous challenge.
Instead of extending a helping
hand to brothers and sisters in
need, Somali’s are confronted
with the cold face of xenophobia
and extreme prejudice. Since the
recent Motherwell incident
several Somali organizations in
South Africa have been calling
for assistance from the
government.
It is necessary for Muslims to
recognize that there is a need
to assist Somali’s and others to
live, and contribute positively
towards the future.
Last month, Pakistani and
Bangladeshi people were targets
of xenophobia in Bloemhof and
Lichtenburg. Fortunately, the
SAPS quickly intervened to
protect the people concerned and
to address the concerns of local
communities.
It is necessary for the South
African government to take
notice of the problems Somali
people are facing, and to work
to find a solution to their
current predicament. |
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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 114.56 |
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Mahr Faatimi |
R 5,727.94 |
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Zakaat Nisaab |
R 2,291.17 |
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Words of Wisdom |
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Hadith of the Week |
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Wholesome
Trade |
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Hakim bin Hizam Radhi-Allahu
anhu narrates that Allah's
Messenger Sallallaahu
‘alayhi
wa sallam said "The seller
and the buyer have the right
to
keep or return goods as long
as they have not parted or
till they part; and if both
the parties speak the truth
and describe
the defects and qualities
(of
the goods), then they
would be blessed in their
transaction, and if they
told
lies or hid something, then
the blessings of their
transaction would be lost."
(Sahih Al-Bukhari
Vol.3, no: 293)
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Quotation for the Week |
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About Life |
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We are here to add what we
can to life, not to get what
we can from it.
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Point of Reflection |
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Duty and
Honesty |
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One day Ibrahim ibn Adham
was working as a gardener
when his master (unknown to
him) asked him to pluck for
him some pomegranates. He
brought several, but they
were all sour.
His employer said:
“You have been in my
employment for such a long
time and yet you do not know
which of the pomegranates
are sweet and which sour!”
The saint answered:
“I was employed to tend
them, not to taste them; how
can I know which ones are
sweet?”
It was then that the owner
of
the orchard realized that
this must be Ibrahim ibn
Adham.
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Q and A |
Question:
I want to purchase a house/
flat, but I do not have
sufficient money to do so. I
want to know, whether I can
take a loan from any bank
and purchase it. Please
clarify whether it is
acceptable to
take a LOAN from banks for
this purpose, as this would
involve some INTEREST to be
paid back. |
Answer:
Any transaction
involving the taking or
paying of interest is
strictly forbidden in
Shariah.
You should hence consider
alternate forms of financing
that are shariah compliant
in
your country and enquire
from your local Ulama as per
other options available unto
you.
And Allah Ta'aala knows
best.
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Programme for
Ulama on
Islamic Business and Finance
The Jamiatul Ulama has
arranged a two day workshop
on Islamic Banking and
Finance for Ulama. Details
of the programme as
follows:
Title: Islamic
Finance – Understanding
Current Issues
Date: Monday 26 and
Tuesday 27 March 2007
Times: Daily 10:00 AM
to 3:30 PM
These dates have been
specially selected to
facilitate the participation
of Ulama teaching in Muslim
Schools as well as Maktabs.
The Workshop will be
conducted
by Professor Mahmood Mohamed
Sanusi, who Is an expert in
the fields of comparative
law and
Islamic banking & finance,
and his articles have
appeared in various academic
journals including the
International Journal of
Financial Services, Arab Law
Quarterly,
IIUM Law Journal and Journal
of Regional Islamic Council
of Southeast Asia and the
Pacific. |
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Summarised Jumu’ah Bayaan:
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National
Water Week in South
Africa
Let Us Conserve Water –
The Source of All Life |
"Do you see the water
that you drink?
Do you bring it down (in
rain) from the clouds or
do we?"
(Sûrah Al-Wâqi‘ah, âyah
68)
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As our country is
experiencing drought
which has resulted in
very low levels of water
in the reservoirs, let
us all be part of a
water conservation
effort. A lot of water
goes to waste contrary
to what the Dîn of Islâm
has taught us.
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Waste
Not
Abdullah bin Amr bin Âs
Radhi-Allahu anhu
narrates that Nabî
Sallallâhu ‘alayhi
wasallam passed by Sâ’d
Radiallâhu anhu who was
making wudhu. He said:
"Why this extravagance,
O Sâ’d?" He (Sâ’d
Radhi-Allahu anhu)
asked: "Is there
extravagance in wudhu
also?" He (Nabî
Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa
sallam) replied: "Yes,
even if you (are making
wudhu) at the bank of a
flowing river." (Musnad
Imâm Ahmad)
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The
Wudhu and Ghusl of Nabî
Sallallâhu ‘alayhi
wasallam
Hadhrat Anâs
Radhi-Allahu anhu says:
“Nabi Sallallâhu ‘alayhi
wasallam made wudhu with
(water equivalent to) a
Muud (i.e. less than a
litre), and made ghusl
with a Sâ’ (i.e.
approximately 3
litres).” (Sahih Bukhari
and Sahih Muslim)
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Some
Handy Tips for the
Conservation of Water
Ensure that the taps
are closed and leaks
repaired
Use water sparingly.
Do not allow water to
flow unnecessarily
Place a two litre
plastic bottle into the
toilet cistern to reduce
the volume of water (by
the capacity of the
bottle) used in flushing
Use a bucket to wash
the car or water the
plants, instead of a
hose
Use a water jug as
opposed to the running
tap for wudhu. One will
save up to 75% water in
this manner
Use a bucket, as
opposed to a shower for
ghusl
Use a tub for washing
of dishes and clothes.
Do not wash under a
running tap
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Make Amends!
Allâh Ta’âla
mentions in the Qur’ân:
(Hadhrat Nûh Alayhis
salaam advised his
people) “And O my people
ask forgiveness of your
Lord - and turn to Him
in repentance - He will
send you the skies
pouring abundant rain …”
(Sûrah Hûd - âyah 52)
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The
Qur’ân further states:
"Say ye if your water
becomes (inaccessible
due to penetrating) the
depths (of the ground)
who then can supply you
with clear flowing
water." (Sûrah Al-Mulk,
âyah 30) |
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U
P D A T E |
Young Ulama
Programme – Dealing with
Drug Abuse
The Jamiatul
Ulama hosted a workshop for
young Ulama on the 17th
March 2007. The workshop
focused on Drug Abuse and
the manner of helping drug
abusers in their fight to
free themselves from the
scourge of drug abuse. Guest
speakers at the programme
included Br. Khalil Hassim
and Rafiq Mayat of the
Magaliesburg Drug
Rehabilitation Center run by
Crescent of Hope – South
Africa.
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Meeting with
Johannesburg City Council
Members of the Jamiatul
Ulama formed part of a
larger group that met with
the Johannesburg City
Council. The major issue
under the spotlight was
‘Problems facing the city of
Johannesburg and possible
solutions”. |
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Article on
Stereotyping
An article entitled
“Stop Demonising the
Muslims” appeared in the
Star today. The article by
Ml. Ibrahim Bham, the
secretary general of the
Jamiatul Ulama focuses on
various angles to the
relevant issue of
stereo-typing. |
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Message from the Ameer of
the Jamiatul Ulama |
The Curse
of Interest
Many Muslims believe that in
the present day and age the
Muslims cannot progress
economically without
involving themselves in
interest. However, in the
eyes of the Shari‘ah, it is
a vile economic crime.
Even if we do not make any
material progress but manage
to fulfil our primary object
on earth, we are successful.
If we fail in our primary
objective we are dismal
failures even if we own the
world.
According to a hadith, riba
(interest) has seventy
categories, the lowest of
which is equal to having
committed incest with one's
mother" (Mishkaat) Hazrath
Jaabir Radhi-Allahu anhu
narrates that Rasulullah
Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa
sallam also said: "Allah
Ta'aala has cursed the one
who consumes interest, the
one who gives it, the one
who records the transaction
and the one who witnesses it
- and all are equal in the
sin" (Sahih Muslim).
When the prohibition of
interest was revealed, many
Sahaaba Radhi-Allahu anhum
were deep in debts which
they owed to the kuffaar.
There were those who had
stones tied to their bellies
due to hunger. Some Sahaaba
Radhi-Allahu anhum would
faint due to starvation.
Many could not afford even
two pieces of cloth to cover
their bodies. A Sahaabi
Radhi-Allahu anhu wished to
get married but did not have
anything to give even as the
mehr. Rasulullah Sallallaahu
‘alayhi wa sallam himself
had to keep his armour as
security, with a Jew, for a
debt to fulfil the needs of
his household. Yet in these
conditions transacting in
interest, whether taking or
giving, was forbidden.
In the light of the
prohibitions of the Qur'an
and Hadith, we should
harbour a deep aversion and
hatred for interest and all
that is associated with it.
The very thought of
indulging in interest should
make us shudder out of fear
of incurring Allah Ta'ala's
punishment.
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