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Weekly Comment |
The Road to Polokwane
As Polokwane is just days away,
it is important to appeal to the
ANC leaders to show maturity and
avoid personality clashes that
seem to have characterised the
period in the run up to the
polling conference. The
tradition of camaraderie that
has sustained the liberation
movement over the years seems to
have evaporated under the weight
of personality cults and
ruthless campaigning.
The ANC as a ruling party needs
to inspire the nation with
responsible campaigning that is
issue-based and ensure that
contenders for party leadership
positions refrain from intrigue
and crude verbal exchanges that
fan tension and fear.
‘Winners’ of the leadership race
will have their work cut out in
healing the wounds of the
movement and bridging the
inevitable divide with
magnanimity, embracing one and
all to ensure that the process
for achieving ‘a better life for
all’ is not derailed. Likewise,
‘losers’ will have to accept the
outcome with grace in the spirit
of acceptance of the will of the
people.
The post-conference conduct of
the leadership of the ANC as a
dominant political organisation
in the present dispensation
holds the key to the future of
this country.
Sigh of Relief for Sudan
The recent meeting between Omar
Al-Bashir and the Sudanese
People's Liberation Movement’s
(SPLM) leader, Salva Kiir is
good news for the region. Kiir,
withdrew from the coalition
government citing
dissatisfaction with Al-Bashir’s
National Congress Party
implementation of the peace deal
which ended the 21-year civil
war.
An inclination towards peace at
the time when prognosticators
had already started beating
drums of war is a relief to all
of us on the continent. This is
time to rebuild the country
after so many years of civil
strife which had the potential
to fragment the country.
We urge the leaders to rise
above narrow interests and work
towards a common good for the
people of Sudan. There should be
total commitment on the path of
reconciliation and development.
Palestine: Talk Peace, Grab More
Land
Last week, Israel was ‘sharply
criticised’ by the US, UN and EU
for its plans to build 300-plus
new apartments in the Har Homa
neighbourhood in East Jerusalem.
These plans for building were at
an advanced stage, with an
advertisement for tenders being
considered and published in the
media.
The building of these
apartments, is considered to be
in total conflict to the
principles of the
Israeli-engineered ‘Road Map’,
and takes place at about the
same time as shady, shaky and
questionable discussions are
taking place to establish peace.
It brings into sharp focus the
fact that Israel is not serious
about peace.
At the same time the Israeli
daily, Haaretz reports that
“There are hundreds, even
thousands, of planned housing
units in the West Bank that have
building permits and do not need
any further government approval
before their construction can
begin ...”
As if this was not enough, on
Tuesday, the Israeli army, moved
into Gaza with bulldozers, tanks
and aircraft in an operation
that has been described by the
media as an unprovoked and heavy
handed attack of extreme
proportions. It is considered to
be the largest and widest
invasion since June this year,
when Hamas was legally
instituted into power by the
people. Israel, itself,
described the attack as a
routine operation. Their
definition of a routine
operation could thus be - 30
tanks invading at least three
kilometres into a land belonging
to another people; cutting off
of roads, diverting traffic;
indiscriminate shelling from
tanks with cover and fire from
aircraft; wild firing of live
ammunition that cause
schoolchildren to scurry for
cover; house to house searches
and raids into homes of innocent
people and arresting of persons
as suspected ‘fighters’ without
any proof (among major fanfare
some of the old ‘suspected
fighters’, detained without
being charged for months and
even years, were released last
week); etc.
Authorities representing
Palestinian President Mahmoud
Abbas described the situation as
a “terrible crime aiming to
abort peace negotiations before
they start.” It further stated
that “The insistence of the
Israeli government to resume
it’s policy of incursions,
assassinations and settlement
enforces doubts regarding the
Israeli intentions toward
bringing the negotiations which
are due to start tomorrow, to
success.”
Hamas has suggested that the PA
should withdraw from the dubious
discussions The amazing thing,
is that even in light of all of
this, the Palestinian Authority,
who were fine with the fact that
Hamas was not represented at the
recent ‘discussions’ in
Annapolis, cannot bring
themselves to see the light.
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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 115.82 |
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Mahr Faatimi |
R 5,791.02 |
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Zakaat Nisaab |
R 2,316.41 |
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Words of Wisdom |
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Hadith of the Week |
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Virtues of
Dhu al-Hijjah |
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The Prophet Sallallahu ‘alayhi
wasallam said, “No good
deeds done on other days are
superior to those done on
these (first
ten days of Dhu al Hijjah).”
Then some companions of the
Prophet said, "Not even
Jihad?" He replied, "Not
even Jihad, except that of a
man who does it by putting
himself and his property in
danger (for Allah's sake)
and does not return with any
of those things.”
(Bukhârî)
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Quotation for the Week |
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Riyah
[Show] |
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One of the most reprehensible forms of Riya [show] is to publicise one's Ibadat
and deeds before friends and family. (Hazrat Hakeem Akhtar DB)
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Point of Reflection |
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Cry-Rejoice: Worthy Life |
When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that
when you die, the world cries and you rejoice.
(Cherokee wisdom)
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Q and A |
QUESTION: Can I give my
groom at the time of Nikaah
a wedding ring containing
titanium?
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ANSWER:
Firstly, exchanging
of rings between spouses on
the occasion of wedding is
rather a tradition that is
not necessarily
in the way of Rasûlullah
Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam
and
his illustrious companions.
Therefore, it should not be
given in emulation of the
practices and customs of the
non-Muslims (Christians,
etc.).
If a wife wishes to give a
ring
to her husband then it would
be better to give it a few
days
after the wedding.
Secondly, if the ring is
given for investment
purposes (i.e. so
that when the value
increases
he may sell it for a higher
price) and not that the
husband wears it, then that
would be acceptable. A man
is not permitted to wear
non-silver rings.
AND
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST
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U P D A T E |
Radio Islam wins Top
Award
Radio Islam is happy to announce
the achievement of the Best
Community Radio Station in the
country.
Radio Islam , Lenasia’s largest
community radio station, won the
prestigious prize at the
National Community Radio Station
Forum (NCRF) awards evening.
The ceremony took place in
Polokwane on the 29th November
2007 and was attended by almost
140 delegates from community
radio stations and other
stakeholders in the broadcast
sector.
Ismail Variava, Programmes
Manager at the station, said he
was absolutely thrilled at the
award. “All praise to Allah, we
have worked hard as a station
and as a team and the award is
well deserved,” he added
The NCRF is the biggest forum
representing community radio
stations across South Africa.
Radio Islam MW 1548 has over its
ten year broadcasting term
prided itself in producing
content that is Islamic, current
and fresh to the community of
Lenasia and surrounding areas.
Variava said, “The award
demonstrated the stations
capabilities in the areas of
governance, policies, community
initiatives and remaining
financially sustainable.”
Some of the issues with a
community bias included the
Growing Child and Recipe Corner.
Issues such as crime, women and
child abuse and other community
challenges have been regularly
tackled by their presenters.
The news team has surpassed
expectations in bringing
newsworthy stories to the
community by reporting from the
scene.
The station also has a national
and international listenership
by broadcasting via satellite
from Cape Town to Uganda.
Global coverage is done through
their newly upgraded website and
audio streaming.
From a tiny station in the heart
of Lenasia, to a media house
with a global reach, Radio Islam
has grown in leaps and bounds.
Press Details: Programmes
Manager: Ismail Variava, 073 461
3014
Qurbani: Deadline
Qurbâni arrangements
have been made by the Jamiatul
Ulama. Kindly Forward Your
Payments Not Later Than Monday,
17th December 2007 to Any of the
Jamiat Offices OR Deposit
Directly into Our
Jamiatul Ulama, Nedbank
Fordsburg; Account No: 1953 285
937
Please and Earmark Your Payment
“QURBANI 2007” and fax deposit
slips to 011 373 8022
The Price per share is R185.00.
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 who embarked
on a journey to travel for Hajj
by land are now in Makkah,
Alhamdulillah. They made it
there after crossing the Red Sea
to the port city of Jeddah by a
ferry together with many other
hujjaj from Sudan.
We make du’aa that Allah grants
them together with all other
hujjaaj, a Hajj Mabroor. Aameen.
Note: Radio Islam has a blog
about the trip:
http://www.radioislamlive.com/haj/
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Summarised Jumu’ah
Bayaan:
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Qurbaani (Part
III of III) |
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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."
* “It is not their flesh
nor their blood that
reaches Allah, but it is
your Taqwa that reaches
Him…” (22:37)
* Hazrat Ayesha
Radhi-Allâhu ‘anha
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).
* Abu Hurairah
Radhi-Allâhu ‘anhu
reports that the Apostle
of Allah said: "Whoever
has the capacity to
sacrifice and does not
do so, should not come
to the place where the
Eid prayer is offered."
(Ibn Majah).
* Rasulullah Sallallâhu
'alayhi wasallam said:
“There is nothing dearer
to Allah during the days
of Qurbani than the
sacrificing of animals.
The sacrificed animal
shall come on the Day of
Judgment with its horns,
hair, and hooves (to be
weighed). The sacrifice
is accepted by Allah
before the blood reaches
the ground. Therefore
sacrifice with an open
and happy heart. (Tirmizi)
• Each and every Muslim
who is obliged should
offer it, and if
possible within their
domicile. This will not
only create an
atmosphere of ‘Eid’ and
‘Qurbani’ in the
community but will also
serve as a lesson for
generations to come.
• Qurbani is Wajib
(obligatory) on every
Muslim who is:
i) of sound mind -
mature (has reached the
age of puberty);
ii) a muqeem (i.e. he is
not a shari traveller),
iii) S/he possesses the
amount of 612,36 grams
of silver or wealth
equivalent to that value
which is in excess of
one's basic needs and
debts on any of the
three days of Qurbani.
It is not necessary that
this amount be in one's
possession for a
complete lunar year.
• The meat of the animal
(like a cow or camel)
which has more than one
share should be
distributed by weighing
it and not by estimation
unless the head and feet
and skin form part or
the distributed shares.
• It is preferable to
divide the meat into
three parts. One part
for one’s family,
another should be
distributed among
friends and relatives
and the third amongst
the poor and needy. If a
person has a very large
family he may keep all
the meat.
• The time for Qurbani
begins after the Eid
Salaah on the 10th of
Zul Hijjah and ends at
the setting of the sun
on the 12th of Zul
Hijjah. It is better to
make Qurbani on the
first day then the
second, and thereafter
the third.
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Message from the Ameer of
the Jamiatul Ulama |
Qurbani
Eidul
Adha is upon our doorstep.
The act of Udhiyyah, Qurbani,
or sacrifice is an essential
part of Eidul Adha. It is an
embodiment of the spirit of
commemorating the life and
sacrifices of Ibrahim (`alayhis
salam). It is of great
significance and virtue.
Udhiyyah is compulsory upon
those who possess the amount
of money equal to, or in
excess of the nisaab of
zakah, on any of the three
days on which the sacrifice
can be offered.
It is important to note that
the duty of fulfilling the
Udhiyyah is upon the
shoulders of the person whom
the Udhiyyah is obligatory.
Asking someone to conclude
the Udhiyyah on one’s behalf
is permissible and
acceptable, but the
obligation does not pass on
to the requested person. If
he does not execute the
responsibility, the Udhiyyah
still remains as unfulfilled
on the part of the person
who’s Udhiyyah it was in the
first place.
This is especially important
in light of the many
operators, groups or
organisations who have
advertised their Udhiyyah/Qurbani
operations/programs. People
must ensure that they are
sure that the person or
organization that they are
entrusting to carry out the
Udhiyyah/Qurbani, are people
that they can rely on to do
exactly what was promised.
If the entrusted
person/organisation does not
accomplish the Udhiyyah/Qurbani
according to established
rules, then they will be
held accountable for their
negligence or wrongdoing,
but the duty of engaging in
Qurbani will not be
discharged from the person
upon whom the Udhiyyah/Qurbani
was obligatory. So, people
should be especially careful
in this regard.
The spirit of Udhiyyah is
also such that, even though
it is permissible to have
ones Qurbani done, on one’s
behalf, in an area away from
home, it should not become
the norm. The spirit of
Udhiyyah is such that
Qurbani should still be done
with one’s hand and that the
children and women should be
made to witness and
participate in this great
act of ibaadah.
May Allah Subhanahu wa
Ta’aala grant us the
opportunity to fulfil this
important ibaadah, in the
manner and spirit that is
required and advised. Aameen.
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