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Weekly Comment |
The Blackwater Investigation
Last month the private security
firm, Blackwater, was involved
in the shooting of 11 Iraqi
civilians. The Iraqi government
launched its own investigation,
which is now to be followed by
an FBI investigation. The Iraqi
investigation found that the
Blackwater guards were guilty,
and the Prime Minister, Nouri Al
Maliki, described it as a
criminal act.
The involvement of Blackwater
and other private security
contractors in Iraq is nothing
new. It is estimated that
private contractors outnumber
the amount of US soldiers on the
ground in Iraq. If this true,
then the number of foreigners in
Iraq must be extremely
staggering. It is furthermore
important to question the legal
basis upon which these
contractors operate.
Private security contractors
have immunity from prosecution
under Iraqi law, a provision put
in place by the Coalition
Provisional Authority after the
initial US invasion. The FBI
will investigate in order to
establish ‘whether criminal
charges can be laid’. One may
ask, how credible an FBI
investigation can be considered.
What about the Iraqi
investigation that already found
them guilty? Will the FBI find
or help find some new
information that could change
the findings?
Darfur: What now?
The
commonly peddled script reads:
“The Arab-dominated Sudanese
government supports the
Janjaweed to terrorise the
African populations of Darfur in
what can be termed ‘genocide’.
The Sudanese government does not
want any foreign intervention in
the Darfur Crisis and hence
masterfully procrastinates in
every initiative of a deployment
of a peace-keeping force….”
All of a sudden however, the ‘genocidal’
government accepts peace-keepers
to be deployed and goes further
to allow a combined AU-UN
‘hybrid force.’ Before the new
peace-keeping plan sees light of
day, ‘liberating forces’ turn
against the AU peace-keepers,
over-running their positions in
the Battle for Haskanita leaving
11 soldiers dead!
Who is sabotaging the prospects
for a truce now?
Palestinian Prisoners
‘Freed’
Major media networks have gone
to pains to highlight the point
that Israel has freed 57
prisoners held in captivity
without any real rhyme or
reason. What they fail to
mention is that there are still
over 11 000 prisoners
languishing in Israeli prisons.
In addition to the 11000, one
may rightly insist that the
entire Gaza itself has being
made into a mass open air
prison. How many more in
captivity then?
Amazingly, after the 57 another
29 prisoners were freed
yesterday. A crowd of people
gathered at the border to
welcome them. Israeli soldiers
promptly opened fire and a
Reuters reporter was reported
not to be in a life-threatening
situation after being shot in
the leg.
UUCSA Message to
Matriculants:
Your Attitudes Determine
your Altitude
“We are fast approaching the
days when our matric learners
sit for their final
examinations. Matric is
undoubtedly an important
milestone in their lives, which
serves as the harbinger of all
their future educational
pursuits. The days leading up to
the final exams are often
fraught with extreme levels of
stress and anxiety…”
To read the rest of this Message
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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 108.34 |
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Mahr Faatimi |
R 5,417.19 |
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Zakaat Nisaab |
R 2,166.88
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Words of Wisdom |
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Hadith of the Week |
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Start/End
of Fasting |
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Ibn 'Umar
Radhi-Allahu anhu reported
Allah's Messenger Sallallahu
‘alayhi wasallam as saying:
The month may consist of
twenty-nine nights. So do
not fast till you have
sighted it (the new moon)
and do not break it till you
have sighted it, except when
the sky is cloudy for you,
and if it is so, then
calculate it.
(Muslim)
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Quotation for the Week |
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Break
Barriers of Love |
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“Your task is
not to seek for love, but
merely to seek and find all
the barriers within yourself
that you have built against
it.” (Jalal ad-Din
Rumi)
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Point of Reflection |
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Beware of 'Ease' |
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It is the calm and silent
water that drowns a man.
(Ashanti Proverb)
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Q and A |
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Question: If a
person vomits while fasting,
does the fast break or not? |
Answer: If
the person vomited
unintentionally then the
fast will not break,
irrespective of the amount
of vomit. If the person
vomited intentionally then
the fast will break if the
vomit amounted to a
mouthful. If it was less
than a mouthful then the
fast does not break.
AND ALLAH TA’AALA KNOWS BEST
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U P D A T E |
I’tikaaf: Apology…
Last week we incorrectly
reported that the Sunnah
I'tikaaf ws to commence on
Monday the 2nd October. We
apologise for the error and hope
that you will forgive us for any
inconvenience caused.
On the lighter side, some
brothers who called in to alert
us about the error pointed out
that fortunately the error did
not tell people to begin
I'tikaaf one day later than the
correct date.
Sadaqatul Fitr
The minimum amount determined
for this year’s Sadaqatul Fitr
is:
Hanafi: R11.00 per person, and
Shafi’i: R14.00. per person
Timely Payment of Fitra will
facilitate distribution before
Eid in Accordance with the
Sunnah. Please pay your
Sadaqatul Fitr without delay.
Jamiat Appeal for Funds
The Jamiatul ‘Ulama, South
Africa - the oldest ‘ulama
organization of South Africa -
has been serving the community
for the past 84 years. It has 7
provincial branches.
The Jamiatul Ulama has various
departments such as education,
relief, hilaal notification,
halaal supervision, social
welfare, da’wah, ifta and
counseling. It also responds to
local and international crises.
The Jamiatul Ulama ensures that
all zakaat monies are spent in
accordance with the laws of
shariah. All of our activities
are made possible by your
continuous generous
contributions.
We appeal, in this blessed month
of Ramadaan, for donations
towards the activities of the
Jamiat. You will, insha Allah,
share in the reward of all the
activities.
Kindly deposit your
contributions in to the
following account: Jamiat Ulama
Transvaal, Nedbank Fordsburg,
A/c No. 1953 285 937; Branch
code:195305, and fax your
deposit slip to (011) 373 8022,
clearly stating whether the
contributions are Lillah or
Zakaat.
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Summarised Jumu’ah
Bayaan:
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Laylatul Qadr
[Night of Power]
[“We indeed revealed
this (message) in the
Night of Power.”]
[And what will explain
to you what the Night of
Power is?]
[The Night of Power” is
better than a thousand
months.]
Origin
Anâs Radiallâhu anhu
reports that Rasulullâh
Sallallâhu ‘alayhi
wasallam is reported to
have said: “Laylatul
Qadr” was granted to
this “Ummah” (of mine)
and not to any other “Ummah”
before this.” As regards
the reason for the
granting of “Laylatul
Qadr”, various views are
held. According to some
ahâdith, one reason is
given thus: Rasulullâh
Sallallâhu ‘alayhi
wasallam used to ponder
over the longer lives of
peoples of the past ages
and when compar¬ing them
with the much shorter
lives of his “Ummah”, he
became greatly saddened,
because if his ‘Ummah”
wished to compete with
the people before them,
then because of their
shorter lives, it would
be impossible for them
to either emulate or
surpass the previous “Ummahs”
in the doing of
righteous deeds.
Therefore, Allâh in His
Infinite Mercy granted
them this night of great
blessings.
This means that, if any
fortunate person of this
“Ummah” during his life
time spends ten such
nights in the worship of
his Maker, he would have
gained the reward of
Ibâdah [worship] for
eight hundred and thirty
three years and even
more. Another report
states that Rasulullâh
Sallallâhu ‘alayhi
wasallam once related to
the’Sahâba’ the story of
a very righteous man
from among the Bani
Isra’il, who spent one
thousand months in ‘Jihâd’.
On hearing this, the ‘Sahâba’
enviously felt that they
could not attain the
same reward, whereupon
Allâh granted them this
Night (of Power).
Still another report
states that it so
happened that our Nabî
Sallallâhu ‘alayhi
wasallam once mentioned
the names of the four
most pious people from
among the Bani Isra’îl,
each of whom spent
eighty years in Allâh’s
sincere service,
worshipping Him and not
trans¬gressing in the
last. They were Nabî
Ayyub Alayhis salâm
Zakariyya Alayhis salâm,
Ezkeel Alayhis salâm and
Youshâ Alayhis salâm.
The “Sahâba” heard this,
wondering how to emulate
their achievements. Then
Jibra’îl Alayhis salâm
appeared and recited “Sûrah
Qadr”, wherein the
blessings of this
particular night were
revealed.
When Does this Night
Take Place
As to which particular
night it is,
approximately fifty
different views are
reported. It is not easy
for me to enumerate them
all, but the most
generally accepted
version mentions that it
is within the last ten
nights of Ramadan, most
probably on one of the
odd numbered nights.
Explanation of
Surah Qadr
Surah Al-Qadr explains
with regard to the Night
of Power. Allah (says):
[“We indeed revealed
this (message) in the
Night of Power.”]
Reference here is made
to the fact that, on
this specific night, the
Qur’ân was sent down
from the ‘Lawhul Mahfuz’
[the preserved Tablet]
to the heavens (above
the earth). The mere
fact that the Qur’ân was
revealed on this night
would have been
sufficient to ensure its
greatness. But apart
from this fact, it is
also noted for many
other things. In the
very next verse, by way
of increasing our
interest in the matter
under discussion a
question is asked:
[And what will
explain to you what the
Night of Power is?]
In other words, the
question asked there is:
Have you any knowledge
as to the greatness and
importance of this
night? Have you any
knowledge as to the
great favours and
bounties that go with
it? The next verse
proceeds to explain its
greatness.
[The Night of
Power” is better than a
thousand months.]
The true meaning here is
that the reward for
spending this night in
worship [Ibâdah] is
better and more than
that for having spent
one thousand months in
worship [Ibâdah]; but as
to how much more
rewarding it is, we are
not told here.
[Therein come
down the Angels and the
Spirit, by Allâh’s
permission, on every
errand.]
A fine explanation is
given for this verse by
Imâm Râzi. Rahmatullâhu
‘alayhi. Com¬menting on
this verse, he explains
that when man first
appeared on earth, the “Mala’ikah”
looked upon him with
concern. They even
ventured to ask Allâh
“Will You place on this
earth, one who shall be
riotous therein and shed
blood?”
Similarly, when his
parents noted his
original form as a mere
drop of sperm, they too
looked upon it with
dislike, so much so,
that they consi-dered it
as something which
polluted the clothes and
had to be washed away.
But later, when Allâh
made that same sperm
into a fine form of a
child, they began to
love and cherish him. So
far have things now
pro¬gressed that, when
on this Night of Power
we find that same man
worship¬ping Allâh and
adoring Him, then those
very Angels [Malâ’ikah]
descend towards him,
obviously repentant for
the thoughts they had
once har¬boured against
him. In this verse,
where it is mentioned
(War rûh) ‘and the
Spirit the reference is
to Jibra’îl Alayhis
Salâm who descends to
the Earth during this
night. Commentators of
the Qur’ân have given
various meanings of this
word. Let us look at
some of them:
a) The vast majority of
commentators are agreed
that Jibra’îl Alayhis
Salâm is meant here and,
according to Imâm Râzi
Radiallâhu anhu this is
the most correct
meaning. Allâh first
makes mention of
the’Malâ’ikah’ and then
because of ‘Jibra’îl’
Alayhis Salâm’s special
status among them, a
separate mention is made
of him.
b) ome commentators hold
the view that ’Spirit’
here means one specific
Angel of such
extraordinary and
gigantic proportions
that before him the
Heavens and the Earth
appear as small as a
morsel.
c) Another group of
commentators opine that
‘Spirit’ here means one
group of ‘Malâ’ikah’who
never ordinarily appear,
and only on this night
are they seen by other ‘Malâ’ikah’.
d) Some commentators
believe that ‘Spirit’
here designates one
specific creation of
Allâh, who partake of
food and drink, and yet
are neither men nor
angels.
e) There is also a view
that ‘Spirit’ here
refers to the Nabî Îsa
Alayhis Salâm, who on
this night comes down to
look at the righteous
deeds of this Ummah.
f) The last
interpretation we wish
to mention here is that
‘Spirit’ means Allâh’s
special Mercy, which
comes in the wake of the
angels descent. There
are other
interpretations also,
but as already stated,
the first opinion given
above is the best known.
In this connection, Imâm
Bayhaqi Rahmatullâhi ‘alayhi
relates a Hadîth by Anâs
Radiallâhu anhu wherein
Rasulullâh Sallallâhu ‘alayhi
wasallam is reported to
have said: “On Laylatul
Qadr, Jibra’îl Alayhis
Salâm comes down with a
group of angels and
prays for mercy for
every one whom they find
busy in worship [Ibâdah].”
[Peace reigns
until the break of
dawn.]
Indeed this night is the
very embodiment of
peace; through out its
span, the ‘Malâ’ikah’
offer salutations to the
faithful believers
adoring their Rabb. As
one group ascends,
another group descends
(with the same
greetings), as indicated
in some narrations.
Another interpretation
is that it is a night of
complete safety from
evil and mischief.
(Extract from Teaching
of Islâm)
Du`aa to be
recited on the Night of
Laylatul Qadr
It is reported from
Hazrat Ayesha Radiallâhu
anha: “I said: ‘O
Rasulullâh Sallallâhu ‘alayhi
wasallam, when I find
myself in Laylatul Qadr,
what shall I say?”
Rasulullâh Sallallâhu ‘alayhi
wasallam replied: ‘Say:
[O Allâh, Thou art the
One who grants pardon
for sins, Thou lovest to
pardon, so pardon me.]
Adapted from Kitabus
Saum by Mufti Afzal
Elias.
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Message from the Ameer of
the Jamiatul Ulama |
May Allah Azza wa
jalla Accept Our Ibâdah
Something seems to be
happening this Ramadan.
Every Ramadan things are
different, but this year,
the religious fervour,
spiritual energy and common
goodness has just been
exceptional.
More sufûf are complete at
the times of salah,
including the Fajr Salah.
More people are performing
the sunnat salah. More
people can be observed
engaging in the recitation
of the Qur`an. More youth
can be observed in the
masâjid, before and after
salah. The masâjid seem to
be occupied most times of
the day and till night.
People are asking more
questions relating to Dîn
and how they can fulfil
their rights to Allah. There
seems to be a beautiful
brotherhood that has
developed between rich and
poor, black and white in the
masâjid and the community.
There is just a great
feeling of spiritual vigour
and richness in the air.
One must say Alhamdulillah.
It is only through the Will
and Command of Allah that
anything takes place.
Situations change, people
are guided and righteousness
escalates upon the
instruction of Allah.
However, Allah only changes
the conditions of those who
show a desire to change.
When people do show such
desires to change, then
Allah comes to their
assistance in such leaps and
bounds that know no
boundaries.
Alhamdulillah, we must be
doing something right.
Let us make du’â that Allah
accept our ibâdah in the
month of Ramadan and beyond.
Let us pray that He keeps
this spirit alive in us
throughout the year and
through the duration of our
lives. In this month, let us
make du’â for ourselves, our
Dîn, our âkhirah, our
children and whatever needs
we may have. Let us also
make du'â for the multitudes
around the world that are
less fortunate, suffering
for various various reasons
and the oppressed.
Many brothers have just
entered into the Sunnah
I'tikâf. There are many that
wished to join them but for
a variety of reasons could
not. Remember that is you
didn’t join the Sunnah
I'tikâf, there is nothing
stopping you from spending
the nights in I'tikâf so
that you may also be amongst
the fortunate who will find
the night of Qadr. If entire
nights are not possible,
then at least portions of
the night of the day could
be spent in nafl I'tikâf.
May Allah accept. Âmeen.
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