Jamiatul Ulama (Council of Muslim Theologians), Johannesburg

Jamiatul Ulama

Online Newsletter

Vol.: 2 No.: 14

22 Rabi'al Awwal 1428 / 11 April 2007

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Weekly Comment


‘Misery on the rise in Iraq’
In a recent report the International Committee of the Red Cross indicated
that life is unbearable for ordinary Iraqis. The mayhem unleashed on the country in the past four years, following on the American invasion, has made death an every day reality for the people of Iraq. In the report it is noted
that the lives and dignity of people are under threat on a daily basis, while a trip to the local market has become a life threatening excursion in some parts of the country. People’s hopes of getting basic services such as water and electricity supplies back on line have dwindled, and has been replaced by
just managing to remove dead bodies off the streets in the morning.

On the fourth anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq several protests took
place to call for US troops to leave the country. This comes amidst rising violence and questions asked about the selfishness and brutal unilateralism of the US military action in Iraq. Iraqis are losing hope of their country ever returning to a state of normality.

As Muslims we should ask ourselves whether the incredible humanitarian consequences of the US-led invasion of Iraq may call for serious investigations to press for war crimes trials against the oil- and –warlords of Washington.

Guantanamo Bay

Camp X-Ray, Camp Delta and who knows what other camps exist and still new camps are being constructed at Guantanamo Bay.

BBC reports that Amnesty International released a report on the current conditions at Gauntanamo, last week. Among others the reports stated that:

 About 300 detainees are now being held at a new facility - known as Camp 5, Camp 6 and Camp Echo - comparable to "super-max" high security units in the US. The facility had "created even harsher and apparently more permanent conditions of extreme isolation and sensory deprivation".

 Conditions for detainees at the US military jail at Guantanamo Bay are deteriorating, with the majority held in solitary confinement. It said the detainees were reportedly confined to windowless cells for 22 hours a day, and could go for days without seeing daylight.

 Many of the 385 inmates have been held for five years or more, denied the opportunity to mount a legal challenge to their detention, and less then 15 have been charged with any crime. Amnesty International reiterated its call for detainees at the prison camp in Cuba to be released or charged and sent to trial. The provision that stripped detainees of their right to mount a legal challenge to their confinement was upheld by a US federal appeals court in Washington in February.

It is worthwhile mentioning that of the 100’s held, less than 3% have been charged, and of the less than 15 that have been charged, there have been no convictions with real proof, save the recent questionable admissions.
Interestingly, on Monday, detainees that went on a hunger strike to protest the inhuman conditions, were strapped to beds and force-fed through tubes under the instructions of the camp director who said that detainees could not be allowed to die under their watch.

Every conceivable right has been taken away from the innocent detainees of Guantanamo. Every honest broker has condemned the actual detention of those detained in Guantanamo and the conditions under which they are being held and tortured.

Never mind refusing to make necessary changes, the US refuses to acknowledge the existence of criticism and have never even thought of questioning the manner, justification and justice of their actions.

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

R 116.29

Mahr Faatimi

R 5,814.57
Zakaat Nisaab R 2,325.83

Words of Wisdom

Hadith of the Week

Honesty and the Hour

Abu Hurairah Radhi-Allahu anhu reports that The Prophet Sallallah ’alayhi wasallam said: "When honesty is lost, then
wait for the Hour." It was asked, "How will honesty be lost, O Allah's Apostle?" He
said, "When authority is given to those who do not deserve it, then wait for the Hour." (Bukhari, 8-503)

Quotation for the Week

Time Management


Those persons who are
engrossed in useless activities will not find the time to do fruitful things.
Sheikh Zun Noon Misri

Point of Reflection

Falsehood

When a fool is cursed, he thinks he is being praised.
(African Proverb)

Q and A

Question:
What is the duration up to which the Walimah could be held, after completion of a Nikah ceremony?
Answer:
It is Sunnah for the Walimah to be held after the nikaah has
been consummated or at least after the couple spend some
time together in privacy. However, according to the
Ahnaaf [followers of the Hanafi school of Fiqh] scholars, the Walimah should be held within
the first three days after consummation. If it is prolonged beyond that then it would not be termed as Walimah but rather a normal invitation for meals
given to others.

And Allah Ta'aala knows best.
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Summarised Jumu’ah Bayaan:

PARTIES: Do Muslims Belong Here?
Allah Ta'ala says: “And come not near unto adultery. Lo! it is an abomination and an evil way” (17:32)
 
Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: The Prophet Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, "There are two blessings which many people lose: (They are) Health and free time for doing good." (Bukhari)

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, "If you knew that which I know you would laugh little and weep much." (Bukhari)

Abu Mus'ud reported that the Prophet of Allah, Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said, "Among the well-known wisdom
of the prophets is the saying, 'If you have no shame, then do as you please.’” (Sahih Bukhari)
 
Had it not been for the beautiful Dîn of Islâm, brought to us by none other than Rasulullah Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam where would we have been? Did we ever ponder what our actions and beliefs would have been? What our names and lifestyles would have been? How would we have commenced and ended our day?
 
Could it be that we would have been nurtured in an environment of sin and disbelief, of depravity and sleaze. Would we be, adhering to a religion of falsehood worshipping deities other than Allâh? Would we have been immersed in a lifestyle of materialism? Would we have been unfortunate to go to bed in a style of intoxication and wake up with a hangover?
 
Would we.... Would we....
 
Alhamdulillah, that we are born into homes of Islâm and Imân. Homes illuminated with the teachings of Rasulullah Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. Lifestyles upon the pattern of the Noble Sunnah. Actions in conformity to the commands of the Creator. A blessed and truly prosperous life. A life with blissful and joyous consequences. A path which culminates in a blessed death and eternal pleasure.
 
Be that as it may, Shaytân however cannot sit by idly and allow us this goodness and wholesome life. No! He plans and endeavours with his agents to rob every Muslim of his spirituality. He whispers evil and lures the Believers into his deceitful trap of sinful worldly pleasure. He invites the Believer most alluringly, away from all his hard-earned goodness, and well-charted path of joy, towards sin, depravity, sleaze and intoxication. A Believer must be alert!
He must jealously guard his Imân and Deeds from the evil clutches of Shaytân who deceives him with false joy and pleasure. A Believer must step cautiously and seek protection with Allâh from Shaytân's trap. A believer must question himself. "Do I, as a reciter of the Kalimah, a follower of Dîn-e-Muhammadi, need Shaytân to guide me? Do I need to attend such places where Shaytân robs me of my hard-earned spirituality? Do I belong to ALL-NIGHT RAVE, where nothing but evil in the form of music, dancing, drugs, intoxicarits, and zina exist. Is that the path which my Beloved Nabi Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam would have liked for me? When I have been saved from all this filth by Rasulullah Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, do I still ignore him and throw myself into ruin and destruction ? Do I?
 
No! A Muslim, a follower of Rasulullâh Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam will shun all such places of vice by disregarding Shaytân and pleasing Rahmân!
 
O Muslims, especially the youth! Do not attend the night long rave, we do not belong there!
 
Recently, there has been a new addition to the long list of types of parties. The ‘Foam Party” has been
introduced.

Parents are urged to take note of the haraam nature of all these parties and prevent their children from attending.
 

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U P D A T E


Radio Islam

Alhamdulillah, Radio Islam has been in existence for ten years, this month. In this period it has grown from strength to strength and has impacted on the lives of a wide range of individuals. In this period, it has also expanded to broadcasting via satellite to various parts of Africa, as well s via internet throughout the world. Radio Islam requests that brothers and sisters make du’aa that Allah accept their efforts, continue using them in the service of din and keep them sincere. Aameen.
 
Youth Convention
The Annual Youth Convention hosted by the Jamiatul Ulama and the UMSA (Union of Muslim Students Associations) will take place at Darus Salam Centre in Laudium on the 13th May 2007.

The conference has been taking place annually for the last three years and has grown from strength to strength. Last year over three thousand people attended.

This year’s theme is ‘Muslim Youth in a Multi Cultural Society’, and the convention has been titled “Hang in there!”

Volunteers are requested to contact the Laudium Jamiatul Ulama Office on 012 374 2506.

On the same day, 13th May 2007, a similar Youth Convention for Sisters only, will take place at the Lenasia Muslim School in Lenasia. The Sisters conference is being coordinated by the Islamic Careline.
 
Ijtima
The Annual Ijtima for Gauteng will take place on the 27, 28 and 29th April 2007. The venue for the Ijtima in Mayfair, Johannesburg. Brothers are urged to plan ahead for attending the Ijtima.
 

Message from the Ameer of the Jamiatul Ulama


Road Safety

The April Holidays concluded. People are taking stock of the loss of lives on South African roads. The carnage on our roads, and the loss of the many innocent lives can only be described a shame and disgrace.

Factors that contribute towards the high mortality rate on the roads are mentioned as; exceeding the speed limit, driving when tired, lack of concentration while driving, talking on a cell-phone while driving, drunk driving, etc. An examination of the reasons indicates that most of them are grounded in carelessness and negligence.

It is important for Muslims to exercise great caution and care when driving. The people within the car are the in the care of and the responsibility of the driver. Their safe passage is the duty of the driver, and their safety must be guarded by him. Surely no-one will want to be held accountable, by Allah, for carelessness and negligence or even recklessness.

Parents must also remember that a car, in the hands of a young teenager, can be the means of the destruction of the teenager if the use of the car is not administered by the parent.

It is our duty to use the blessings of Allah in an appropriate manner.
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