Jamiatul Ulama (Council of Muslim Theologians), Johannesburg

Jamiatul Ulama

Online Newsletter

Vol.: 2 No.: 28

3 Rajab 1428 / 18July 2007

Read the full Newsletter from your browser:
http://www.jamiat.co.za/online_newsletter_0227.htm

Weekly Comment

Bush Tactics
“Al-Qaa`idah is likely to mount an attack on the US soon”. “Al-Qaeda's operating capabilities are at their strongest level since the 11 September 2001 attacks”. “Al-qaa`idah is likely to use Iraqi insurgents in its attacks.” “Al-Qaeda will intensify its efforts to put operatives in the US”. “The US is in a heightened threat environment". “The group is determined to acquire nuclear, biological and chemical weapons and "would not hesitate to use them”. “Al-Qaeda is intensifying its efforts to put operatives into the US and the nation is at a heightened risk of attack”.

The media has been filled with reports making statements in the line of those mentioned above.

Suddenly when there was intense pressure on the Bush administration to begin a serious program of withdrawing troops, for the umpteenth time, news that plans for a troop build-up or increase was on the cards again.

They must after all plan for any eventuality and prepared to counter any plans to destabilize their efforts.

“Tony Blair is satisfied with his position in the Middle East”
Thank You, Mr. Blair – you’re doing everyone a big favour by being satisfied, and we’re overjoyed that you are happy and satisfied. It makes all the difference. Soon, there will be peace in the Middle East….

… even though, the Arabs do not recognize you as an honest broker….…

… hopefully, the quartet will vote to broaden your mandate in the Middle East so that you could have a more direct role in peacemaking ….

… you have held or are scheduled to hold many meetings. Among them are: EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, and Benita Ferrero-Waldner, EU's external relations commissioner, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, members of the Quartet of would-be Middle East peacemakers in Lisbon, senior persons in Israel, etc. … wonder who is going to meet with the Arabs – those Arabs who were democratically elected by the people….

… What a brilliant idea your friend George Bush had. He is brilliant – should have been a rocket scientist. I mean, to figure that a special conference would be the key to solving the Middle East crisis - Who would have thought of it? Wonder who the guest speakers will be? Maybe, you, Mr. Blair will be the MC… Obviously, Hamas cannot be invited…. They’ll just spoil the party, wont they?

Political and Humanitarian Crisis in the Ogaden region
Whilst the world quietly continues to ignore the plight of people in Somalia, another contested territory, the Ogaden region, is erupting with conflict. The Ogaden, rich in resources (especially oil), has been under Ethiopian control for the greatest part of the last century. The region is inhabited by ethnic Somalis (+/- 4 million people), and current efforts by the Ethiopian government to quell resistance against its occupation and brutal methods to maintain control over it deserves attention. The Ethiopian invasion of Somalia has caused a major humanitarian disaster in Somalia, which seems to be repeating itself in the form of a heavy handed military assault on civilians and groups opposed to Ethiopian occupation of the Ogaden.

On Friday 20 July the Somali community will gather on the lawns of the Union Buildings in Pretoria to deliver a memorandum to the South African government concerning conditions in the Ogaden. The gathering will commence after Juma: 2pm to 4pm. Please show your solidarity with the people of Somalia and the Ogaden in their struggle for recognition and survival.

Follow the link to an article on this issue.
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=6138

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 105.91

Mahr Faatimi

R 5,295.47
Zakaat Nisaab R 2,118.19
 

Words of Wisdom

Hadith of the Week

The Last Day and Virtue

It is reported on the authority
of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) observed: “He who believes in Allah and the Last Day should either utter good words or better keep silence; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day should treat his neighbour with kindness and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day should show hospitality to his guest.” (Muslim)

Quotation for the Week

Self-Importance


Those who consider themselves significant and exceptional are the ones who in reality are the most worthless.

(Maulana Muhammad Zakariyya rahmatullahi alaihi)

Point of Reflection

Belief, Unbelief

For those who believe, no explanation is necessary. For those who do not believe, no explanation is possible.
(Unknown)

Q and A

Question:
 Does using the same bathroom facility as a non-Muslim affect one’s state of purity?
Answer:
If there is no eastern (low-pan) toilet and one has to use a western (high-pan) toilet then one should ensure that there is no impurity on it that might pollute one’s body or clothes. This can be done by using toilet-paper and water.

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U P D A T E

 

Summarised Jumu’ah Bayaan:

Riba (Interest/Usury)

Ribaa is an evil which has been forbidden in the most severe way by Allah and his Rasul (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam). This weeks Jum`ah bayaan shows the forbidden nature of Ribaa by quoting some selected verses from the Qur`an as well as a few Ahaadeeth of the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam). These are only some of the verses and Ahaadeeth that relate to riba.

Allah (subhanahu wa ta`aala) states in the Holy Qur’ân:
"Those who devour usury will not stand except as one who stands driven to madness by the touch of the devil. That is because they say: Trade is like usury, but Allah has permitted trade and forbidden usury. Those who after receiving direction from the Lord, desist, shall be pardoned for the past; their case is for Allah (to judge); but those who repeat (the offence) are the companions of the fire; they will abide therein (forever). (Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 275)

"Allah will deprive usury of all blessings but will increase for deeds of charity, for He loves not creatures ungrateful and wicked" (Surah Al-Baqarah 2, Ayah 276)

"O! you who believe, fear Allah and give up what remains of your demand for usury, if you are indeed believers. But if you do not (abstain) take notice of war from Allah and His Apostle…" (Surah Al Baqarah, Ayah 279)
 
"O you who believe! Do not eat interest, increased manifold, and fear Allâh so that you may be successful." (Surah âle ‘Imrân, âyah 130)

"Because of the major crimes the Jews committed, We made unlawful upon them many pure and wholesome things and because they stopped many from the Path of Allâh, they took usury, although they were prohibited from it and they devoured people’s wealth unjustly. We have prepared for the disbelievers amongst them a painful punishment." (Surah Nisâ, âyah 160 and 161)

"And that which you give for increase, when it reaches the wealth of people will not increase in the sight of Allâh. The zakât which you give seeking the pleasure of Allâh (will increase), so it is these people who will get a recompense multiplied." (Surah Room, âyah 39)

Nabî (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said: “On the night of Meraj, when we reached the seventh Heaven I looked above me. Suddenly I heard the sound of thunder and lightning. Then I came to a group of people whose bellies/stomachs were as big as houses, in which there were snakes which could be seen from the outside. I asked Jibraeel u "Who are these people?" He replied "People who consumed interest." (Ibn Majah)

Abdullâh bin Mas’ûd (RA) states that the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said: “When zina (adultery/fornication) and Riba (interest) become rife in a certain city or town, Allâh Ta‘âla announces the destruction of that city/town. (Hâkim)

It is reported from Hadhrat Abû Hurairah RadhiAllâhu Anhu that Sayyidina Rasulullah SallAllâhu 'alaihi wasallam said: "Abstain from seven destructive things." The Sahâbah RadhiAllâhu Anhum asked: "O Rasulullah! What are those seven things?" Rasulullah SallAllâhu 'alaihi wasallam replied: "To ascribe partners to Allâh (to make shirk), to practice sorcery (jadû), to unjustly kill such a person whom Allâh Ta’âla has prohibited from killing, to consume interest and the wealth of orphans, to turn one’s back and flee on the day of battle and to slander a chaste, innocent believing woman." Reported by Bukharî, Muslim, Abû Dawûd and Nasa'î.

It is reported from Hadhrat Samurah bin Jundub RadhiAllâhu Anhu that Sayyidina Rasulullah SallAllâhu 'alaihi wasallam said: "I saw two persons approaching me in a dream last night. They took me to a sanctified land until we reached a river of blood. A person was standing in the centre of the river while another person was standing at the bank of the river with a heap of stones before him. When the person in the centre of the river decided to come out, the person at the river bank threw a stone at his face with such force that it caused him to return where he was. Thereafter, whenever the person in the middle of the river intended to come out, a stone was thrown at his face which caused him to return where he was. I asked my two companions: "Who was the person I saw in the river?" They replied: "A usurer." Reported by Imâm Bukharî.

It is reported from Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mas’ûd RadhiAllâhu Anhu that Sayyidina Rasulullah SallAllâhu 'alaihi wasallam cursed the giver and taker of interest. Reported by Muslim, Nasa'î, Abû Dawûd, Tirmidhi, Ibne Majah and Ibne Hibbân. In another narration it is reported that Sayyidina Rasulullah SallAllâhu 'alaihi wasallam cursed the witnesses and the writer of an interest transaction.

It is reported from Hadhrat Jâbir bin Abdullah RadhiAllâhu Anhu that Sayyidina Rasulullah SallAllâhu 'alaihi wasallam cursed the person who takes interest, the person who gives interest, the accountant or writer and the witnesses of an interest transaction.

It is reported from Hadhrat Abû Hurairah RadhiAllâhu Anhu that Sayyidina Rasulullah SallAllâhu 'alaihi wasallam said: "There are seven major sins. The first is to ascribe partners to Allâh Ta’âla (to commit shirk); to kill unjustly; to take interest, to usurp the wealth of orphans; to flee from Jihâd (fighting in the Path of Allâh); to falsely accuse a chaste woman and to return to the villages after making hijrat [migrating]." Reported by Bazzâr from the narration of ‘Amr bin Shu’aib.

It is reported from ‘Aun bin Abû Juhaifah who reports from his father, Hadhrat Abû Juhaifah RadhiAllâhu Anhu, that Sayyidina Rasulullah SallAllâhu 'alaihi wasallam cursed the woman who tattoos; the woman who is tatooed; the taker of interest and the giver of interest. Rasulullah SallAllâhu 'alaihi wasallam prohibited from taking a price for selling dogs and the income of prostitutes and Rasulullah SallAllâhu 'alaihi wasallam cursed those who portray pictures. Reported by Imâm Bukhari and Abû Dawood.

It is reported from Hadhrat Abû Hurairah RadhiAllâhu Anhu that Sayyidina Rasulullah SallAllâhu 'alaihi wasallam said: "Allâh Ta’âla has made it compulsory upon Himself not to enter four persons into Jannah and to deprive them from enjoying the bounties of Jannah. They are an addicted alcoholic; the person who takes interest; the person who usurps the wealth of orphans and the person who is disobedient to his parents." Reported by Hâkim from Ibrahim bin Khatheem bin ‘Irâk.

It is reported from Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud RadhiAllâhu Anhu that Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam said: "There are seventy three types of evil consequences in interest. The least of which is like doing an evil act with one’s mother." Reported by Hâkim.

It is reported from Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud RadhiAllâhu Anhu that Sayyidina Rasulullah SallAllâhu 'alaihi wasallam said: "The evils of interest are more than seventy and shirk (ascribing partners to Allâh Ta’âla) is similar to it." Reported by Bazzâr.

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Message from the Ameer of the Jamiatul Ulama

When Begging Of Allah, Do It With Conviction

(The Amir is away on Umrah trip. Below is one of the messages he had given in the past through this newsletter.
Insha’Allah, there will be a new Amir’s message next week.)

In the explanation of the Hadith Shareef which says, "a person's du'a is accepted," it is mentioned that sometimes a person makes a du'a and whatever he asks for is granted immediately. This person becomes amazed and says, "Why didn’t I make another du’a which would have also been immediately accepted?"

How are du’as accepted?

It is mentioned in a Hadith that on certain occasions Allah Ta'ala orders the angels to grant us exactly what we had asked for; irrespective whether the supplication is correct or not. The request is fulfilled in the same manner that it was asked for. That is why; we must exercise great caution in our speech.

Sometimes it occurs such that the supplication is not granted but instead something better and of a superior quality is obtained which we never even dreamt of. This is also the result of the du'a.

Sometimes it transpires that neither the du'a made for is granted nor is a similar or better thing attained. But instead a calamity, which was to have befallen oneself, due to some wrong action committed, is obliterated (cancelled). This is also in fact the result of the du'a being accepted.

Sometimes it also transpires that in this world there are no apparent signs of one's du'a being accepted. However in the hereafter it will be revealed to us that a certain du'a made in this world, which was apparently not accepted, has been accepted and this is the reward for it. We will receive such great rewards that our minds cannot even perceive them. That is the time when we will exclaim: "It would have been better had none of my du'as been accepted in the world, so that I could be fully rewarded here. The rewards here are so much greater."

This world is going to terminate. Whatever one asks for in this temporary world will be granted but the person should be aware that he is asking for such things that will eventually terminate. Shouldn’t he rather ask for those things that are everlasting.

Nevertheless, the du`as we make are accepted as soon as we ask them. Let not opportunities go wasted, and when we ask, let us have conviction that our du`as are indeed being listened to and answered the very moment.

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