Jamiatul Ulama South Africa (Council of Muslim Theologians), Johannesburg

Jamiatul Ulama South Africa

Online Newsletter

Vol.: 2 No.: 47

17 Dhu al-Qadah 1428 / 28 November 2007

Read the full Newsletter from your browser:
http://www.jamiat.co.za/newsletter/online_newsletter_0247.htm

Weekly Comment

HIV/AIDS
The Online Jum`ah Bayan of the last two weeks discussed issues related to HIV and AIDS. Ulama are advised to please speak on AIDS on this Friday, the 30th November since the 1st of December is World AIDS day.
Insha’Allah, this Friday, Radio Islam will be broadcasting Ml. Ibrahim Bham’s lecture and khutbah from Newtown Masjid on AIDS.

Crime
There is a new plan on the table. Statistics show significant decreases. Great strides are being made in the fight against crime.

The populace is always proffered such statements in an attempt to silence the questions they raise.

The truth, however, is that they will never be satisfied or at ease until and unless they see a change in the direct environment around them, and the reality is that there is no real positive change in the existent surrounds and circumstance that people observe around them.

The onslaught of the criminals is brutal and unrelenting. It continues to expand into realms thought to be unimaginable. The reach of the extent of the crime is extensive and sweeping. The rich and the poor, those in the ultra-rich suburbs and those in the townships, male and female and people from across all religions.

The previous Sunday, driving to Krugersdorp, we were prevented from travelling on the freeway because of a major cycle race. The alternative route took us through a squatter camp, with no roads, shacks without bathrooms, no electricity and a few chickens running here and there, eating from the small heaps of scrap. To our surprise, as we approached the exit, there was a less than make-shift check-point with fully-fledged, uniformed security personnel controlling our exit from the camp.

A few weeks ago, an old man doing some gardening in my yard, left for his home in a township with his weeks wages. On Monday, he returned late, with a black eye, bruises and cuts - he was robbed on his way home and all his money was stolen.

Last night, a Muslim family in Erasmia were attacked in their home. The result: two dead including a young vibrant teenager and two people critically injured in hospital, and a family who will relive the trauma for the rest of their lives.

Annapolis: Negotiating with No-one
The Annapolis conference hosted by the US, aimed to create a platform for establishing peace or peaceful co-existence in the Middle East is being questioned in terms of its possible outcomes and authority.

Scholars, Leaders and even influential people from within the US have questioned the exercise of gathering so many people to discuss an issue while a primary role-player has been intentionally and purposefully excluded.

Yesterday, hundreds of thousands of people spoke with their feet, by turning up for an anti-Annapolis rally in Gaza yesterday. While media report the figure to be over hundred thousand, Hamas claims that it is closer to two hundred and fifty thousand. By, whatever standards it was more than a large crowd or people.

While the talks continue in Annapolis, Israeli soldiers killed two Palestinians in Gaza yesterday.

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 121.74

Mahr Faatimi

R 6,086.86
Zakaat Nisaab R 2,434.74

Words of Wisdom

Hadith of the Week

Qualities of Faith


There are six good qualities which one believer should display to another; he should visit him when he is ill, be present when he dies, accept his invitation when he gives one, salute him when he meets him, say 'Allah have mercy on you' when he sneezes and act sincerely towards him whether he is absent or present.
(Nasa’î)

Quotation for the Week

Honesty


Deal with your friends and enemies in an honest way. (Luqmaan Alayhis Salaam)

Point of Reflection

Wealth: In and Out


Wealth usually comes in walking but exits running.
(Wit and Wisdom of Ethiopia)
 

Q and A

Question: Can a Muhrim, for purposes of coming out of Ihraam, make Halaq (shave hair) or Qasar (trim) himself? Some people say that for one to come out of Ihraam it is necessary that he should let a Ghair Muhrim make Halaq or Qasar for him.
Answer: "He can make Halaq or Qasar himself."

AND ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST

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U P D A T E

International Islamic Conference on HIV AIDS
Members of the Jamiatul Ulama were and are present at the present conference entitled “International Consultations on Islam and HIV/AIDS”.

The conference is a gathering of people from around the world who are working on AIDS related issues. International NGOs, World Organisations, and other organisations representing people from around are present. Medical specialists on AIDS, HIV positive field workers, Ulama and people from various backgrounds have attended and shared views.

Ml. Ibrahim Bham of the Jamiatul Ulama was one of the keynote speakers at the Banquet on the opening night of the conference.

Haj by Land
Three Ulama members of the Jamiatul Ulama, a student of the Jaami`ah al Ulum al-Islamiyyah (Darul Ulum at the Jamiat) and one other brother are embarking on a journey to travel for Hajj by land. They departed from Johannesburg on the 19th of November and hope to reach Jeddah in the first week of December.

Alhamdulillah, the group is presently in Zanzibar and will be departing for Nairobi in Kenya tomorrow, 29 Nov 2007.

We make du’aa that Allah make their journey easy and grant them, together with all other hujjaaj, a Hajj Mabroor. Aameen.

Note: Radio Islam has a blog about the trip: http://www.radioislamlive.com/haj/

Library Project
The Tshwane Branch of the Jamiatul Ulama has set in motion a project to build and set-up a library in an underprivileged area. The project is being run under the name of Muslims Serving Humanity – Library Project. The library is being built in the Shoshanguve/Mabopane area in the precincts of a well-established school.
For more information on the project as well as for contributions, call the Tshwane Office on 012 374 2506 or 082 655 9309.

Summarised Jumu’ah Bayaan:

QURBAANI - (PART I OF III)

 Allah Ta’ala says in the Noble Quran in Surah al-Kauthar: "Verily, We have granted you (O Muhammad ) Al- Kauthar (a river in paradise), So pray on to thy lord and sacrifice. For he who makes you angry will be cut off."

 Hazrat Ayesha (RA) reports that the Prophet of Allah (Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam) said, "The son of Adam does not perform any actions on the day of sacrifice which is more pleasing to Allah than the shedding of blood. He will come on the day of resurrection with its hair, horns and hooves, and the blood certainly will fall in a place near Allah before it falls on the ground. So, make yourselves purified there with. (Tirmizi)

• The sacrifice of an animal has always been a recognized form of worship in most religions, but in the shariah of Islam the sacrifice of an animal has been recognised as a specific form of worship during the three days of the month Zulhijjah, namely the 10th, 11th, and 12th .

• ‘Udhiya’ is an Arabic word meaning "blood sacrifice", and ‘Qurbani’ is an Urdu and Persian word derived from the Arabic word "Qurban" which literally means an act performed to seek Allah’s pleasure. It is technically used for the sacrifice of an animal slaughtered for the sake of Allah.

• Qurbaani holds a distinguished position, because the original spirit of sacrifice was the move of Ibrahim (alayhis salam) to sacrifice the life of his son Ismail in total obedience to the command of Allah. The replacement of an animal was made on the instruction of Allah, as is clear from the story of Hazrat Ibrahim and Hazrat Ismail. Udhiya is to commemorate the unparalleled sacrifice offered by the Prophet Ibrahim when he, in pursuance to a command of Allah Ta’ala conveyed to him in a dream, prepared himself to slaughter his beloved son. However, Allah after testing him of his submission, sent down a ram and saved his son from the logical fate of slaughter.

• The act of slaughtering is to demonstrate our total submission to Allah.

• Hazrat Jabir reported that the Messenger of Allah slaughtered on the day of sacrifice two horned, white and black castrated rams. When he faced them towards the Qibla, he said: "Verily I turn my face towards the One who created the heavens and the earth, upon the religion of Abraham, being upright, and I am not one of the polytheists. Verily my prayer, my life and my death are all for Allah, the Lord of the worlds. There is on partner with him and I have been ordered that, and I am one of the Muslims. O Allah, it is Thine and for Thee, from Muhammad and his Ummah: In the name of Allah. Allah is the greatest". He then slaughtered the rams. (Abu Dawud)

• Hazrat Anas reported that the Messenger of Allah sacrificed with his own hands, two white rams with black markings. He took the name of Allah and recited ‘Takbir’. Hazrat Anas states that he saw him putting his foot upon their buttocks and saying: "In the name of Allah. And Allah is the greatest". (Sahih Bukhari)

• We learn from this hadith that we should should make every effort to perform the sacrifice with our own hands. If the Prophet could sacrifice by his own blessed hands at the age of sixty, why can’t we follow in his footsteps? If we cannot do so, he should at least be present at the time of slaughter.


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Message from the Ameer of the Jamiatul Ulama


HIV / AIDS
The present international conference on HIV/AIDS, taking place in Johannesburg, is indeed an eye opener. HIV/AIDS is an international problem of radical proportions.

The South African scenario seems to be somewhat different from other countries, especially Muslim or Muslim-majority countries. The awareness in South Africa is generally better than that of some of the countries mentioned above. The topic seems to be spoken about a little more often, the topic is a little less taboo and there is significantly less stigmatization of Muslims living with AIDS. Ulama speak about AIDS from the mimbar, pamphlets are regularly distributed, MAP (Muslim AIDS Awareness Programme – a joint effort of the Islamic Medical Association, Jamiatul Ulama and Islamic Careline) is making notable efforts and the counseling of AIDS or HIV infected persons is more common.

The situation is however far from what it should be, and a great deal of work is still required in the field. There is still widespread ignorance and, in many situations, people with HIV/ AIDS are treated in an unreasonable manner. Issues relating to the manner of acquisition and transmission of AIDS are still not clear in the minds of many. Discrimination of AIDS sufferers is still present and many people living with AIDS are still afraid to speak about their condition openly. In addition, the community suffers from erroneous ideas that they are somewhat immune to AIDS.

Efforts in the direction of educating the Muslim public on HIV/AIDS, demystifying AIDS, guiding people on preventative measures, and assisting those that are effected must be lauded and supported.

It must be remembered that since the causes of HIV/AIDS are many the approach towards preventing HIV/AIDS and dealing with it must be multi-pronged and holistic. Issues such as care in medical situations such as blood transfusion, etc must be strongly advocated, drug abuse must be tackled viciously and promiscuous sexual relations must be confronted and strongly .

The HIV/AIDS infected person must under no circumstances be looked down upon and considered a sinner that is far from Deen. He/she may have acquired AIDS through no fault of their own, and even if it was acquired through sinful means no person should be spurned or repulsed, since the Mercy of Allah is such that no person is beyond redemption.

At the same time, care must be exercised that issues such as drug abuse, sexual promiscuity and especially homosexuality is not regarded lightly. Homosexuality can never be permissible or even acceptable in Islam. It is a severe major sin that must never be tolerated. People need to be educated on the issue and those involved or inclined toward it need to be guided and even professionally counselled.

Finally, innocent children, who have acquired AIDS by virtue of circumstances they are not responsible for, are victims that deserve our infinite care and sympathy. The Jamiatul Ulama and Islamic Careline have set up and run a home for AIDS effected children.

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http://www.islamsa.org.za

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