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

Jamiatul Ulama South Africa

Online Newsletter

Vol.: 3 No.: 06

5 Safar 1429 / 13 February 2008

Read the full Newsletter from your browser:
http://www.jamiat.co.za/newsletter/online_newsletter_0306.htm

Weekly Comment

Agent of Occupiers labels a Freedom Fighter “Extremist”
A recent article entitled: "Sheikh Ra'ed Salah is a notorious extremist" which appeared on page 12 of the Feb 11, 2008 edition of The Citizen by David Saks of Jewish Board of Deputies requires a response.

David Saks is in the least, hypocritical when he implicitly suggests a gesture of benevolence on the part of the Israeli government in giving 'full administration of the site' to Muslim religious authorities. Why then should the government of Israel allow for continued excavations that are vehemently opposed by the said 'religious authorities'?

The modus operandi of the Zionists is well-known to people like Sheikh Ra'ed Salah: the excavations and demolitions are consistent with Israeli policy of creating 'facts on the ground' that seek to erase the background and character of the occupied territories especially in the Old City where original homes of Palestinians (Christian and Muslim) bore testimony to their claim to the land. Since the late 1960s, the Israeli government has ignored at least half-a-dozen UN Security Council resolutions on Jerusalem alone (one of which is Resolution No. 252).

Those committed to liberating their people and lands such as Sheikh Salah will not be intimidated by labels such as 'notorious extremists' more so when the detractors are the colonisers. It is in the nature of Zionists to label any Palestinian as extremist whenever he/she makes a call to claim and protect what is theirs. They have to be meek and docile amidst dispossession.

Regardless of the repercussions which always result in wanton loss of human life, Israeli authorities continue to provoke Palestinians by continuing excavations around Al Aqsa Mosque and denying Palestinians access to the Noble Sanctuary and other places of religious significance to both Muslims and Christians.

As an occupying power, Israel has the responsibility of protecting this heritage site with global acclaim and not seeking ways of destroying it. (See UNESCO's Decision 30 COM 7A.34)

Trust Me?
Many people have asked whether the religious leaders of the country were not naïve, when they responded positively to the call of President Thabo Mbeki on his take about Jackie Selebi. In a meeting with the President, over a year ago, the National Religious Leaders Forum (NRLF) raised the issue of the accusations that were being leveled against Selebi. The President responded with a lecture on how important it was to trust him as President and also presented the implications of not having trust and faith in the President of the country. His call was an appeal to respect the position of the leader, an urging to patriotism and a petition to acknowledge his honesty and integrity. It was also a statement of assurance and a pledge that he is, and will act with uprightness and justice. The President also stated that he was aware of all of the details concerning the issue and has found no reason to take any action against Selebi.

Details that have emerged about the accusations against Selebi and the statements that the President was fully briefed on details concerning the accusations are issues of concern.

Based on current facts, one would tend to think that those who question the approach of the NRLF, may have reason to say that the NRLF erred in their innocent, and trusting attitude and approach?

Price Fixing
Recently there has been more than a fair share of price-fixing revelations.

The worst punishment meted out to people involved in such activities has and seems to be that of issuing of fines. Even though these fines may seem to be large amounts to the street-walking public, they are often minimal and negligible to the extent of being almost a slap on the hand or a token-like fine. Large companies don’t flinch in the wake of such fines which really don’t tickle their ‘bottom-line’.

Also interesting, is the fact that the public were the one’s who suffered as a result of the price-fixing, but they don’t seem to benefit in any way. Surely some of the fines could be diverted to benefit the poor.

In fact the opposite is true, where the companies wait for the noise to wear down, and then recover their losses by passing it on to the consumer, as is evident in the recent bread-price increase. These large syndicates even go to the extent of issuing veiled threats, such as the statements made regarding the dairy companies and that they would be forced to increase the prices to the public.

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 160.18

Mahr Faatimi

R 8,009.22
Zakaat Nisaab R 3,203.69

Words of Wisdom

Hadith of the Week

Responsibility

 

The Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam
said: "Each one of you is a caretaker (ra'iy) and is responsible for those under his care”(Bukhari, Muslim), and in another narration the Prophet Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam
said, “Allah will ask every caretaker (ra'iy) about the people under his care, and the man will be asked concerning the people of his household. (Ahmad, Nisai and Abu Dawud).

 

Quotation for the Week

Guardian

 

Regard your teacher as your best guardian.
(Luqman `alayhis salam)

 

Point of Reflection

Medicine for Mind

 

A library is a repository of medicine for the mind.
(Greek Saying)

 

Q and A


Question: Eskom is offering incentives to consumers to use Solar Geysers. Please advise if
it is permissible to use water heated by the sun?
Answer:

It would be permissible to make use of water heated through
solar-powered geysers.

[Raddul Muhtaar Vol. 1 Pg.125 & 180, Taqreeraatul Raafi'ee 'Alaa Raddil Muhtaar Vol. 1Pg.23,
HM Sa'eed edition, Behishti-
Zewar Vol. 1 Pg. 61, Ahsnal-Fataawaa Vol. 2 Pg. 43]

AND ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST

<Go to Top>


U P D A T E

Sheikh Raed Salah: Report Back
Sheikh Raed Salah is the President of the Islamic Movement in Palestine a charity founded in the 1980s to cater for the spiritual, medical, social and economic needs of Palestinians inside Israel. His work as head of Al-Aqsa Foundation for Reconstruction of Islamic Sanctities ensures Muslim presence at Masjid Al-Aqsa at this time of increasing threats from Zionists to destroy this Noble Sanctuary of Islam. Sheikh Salah has endured detentions and harassment for his work.

Alhamdulillah, Sheikh Salah addressed gatherings at various locations. The turnout was large and people benefitted from the first-hand accounts provided by Sheikh Salah and members of the delegation accompanying him. Ml. Ighsan Hendricks and Sheikh Ibrahim Gabriels of the MJC also addressed the gatherings.

Sheikh Raed Salah also visited the Jamiatul Ulama offices where he addressed the Ulama on various issues.

Summarised Jumu’ah Bayaan:

Basic Business Principles in Islam

The Prophet (sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam) said:
“An honest and truthful businessman shall be in the shade of the throne of Allah.” (Al-Isbihani)

• Trade was the only occupation which Prophet Muhammad Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam was known to have taken up.

• Business creates such noble habits like patience, humility, tolerance and the habit of talking gently and unprovocatively. These qualities are essential for successfully social living and conducting business.

• One should always bear in mind the following whilst conducting business:
One must always be honest in all one's business dealings.
One must not break one's promises.
One must not condemn the goods that one seeks to purchase.
One must not unduly praise or exaggerate one's goods when selling.
One must not evade payment of one's debt - or even prolong its payment.
• One must not pressure the person who owes his/her money. One must assist others who seek to enter into business and trade.

• Almighty Allah's mercy descends on one who is gentle at the time of buying, selling, and requesting payment. (Tirmizi)

• One should never allow greed to drive one to inflate prices with a view to making larger profits as every person shall receive his sustenance which is ordained for him / her.

• Our Prophet Muhammad Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam has said that Almighty Allah proclaims: "I am a one third partner of a two man partnership until one of them acts dishonestly to his partner, and, in such event, I then leave them."

• Prophet Muhammad Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam said whosoever sells a defective product without disclosing its defect to the purchaser, shall earn the permanent anger of Almighty Allah and the angels continuously curse such a person.

• Our Prophet Muhammad Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam has exhorted that we should refrain from taking oaths unnecessarily for although it helps in the sale of one's products, it reduces the blessings.

• Our Prophet Muhammad Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam has said, "Whosoever accepts returned products, Almighty Allah will wipe-out his punishment.

• Hazrat Aisha Radhi-Allâhu ‘anha reports that our Prophet Muhammad Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam said that one should seek sustenance early at dawn as there is blessings during that time.

• Prophet Muhammad Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam has said that we should seek sustenance with ease (i.e., we should not overdo the search (for profits) since each person shall receive what has been ordained for him). Business should never become the be all and end-
all of our lives. Rather, it should be a means to a better Islamic life where all obligations are fulfilled.

• Prophet Muhammad Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam has said that whoever buys stolen goods, knowing such goods to have been stolen, becomes a party to the act of theft.

• Prophet Muhammad Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam has said, "that body shall not enter Jannah (immediately) which has been nourished with haraam. (Ahmad)

• Prophet Muhammad Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam has said that to evade the paying of zakaat will cause wealth to perish.

• One's employees (workers) should be treated with respect and consideration.

• Prophet Muhammad Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam has said, "Debts owing (to somebody) is Allah's flag in this world. Whomsoever Allah wishes to disgrace, he places this "flag" of debt on them."

• Prophet Muhammad Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam has said that whosoever borrows with the intention of usurping another's wealth, Allah destroys that person (the borrower). (Bukhari)

<Go to Top>

Message from the Ameer of the Jamiatul Ulama

Parent’s Wake Up !
Recently, the cases of Muslim youth involved in drug abuse have increased astronomically.
More and more youth are taking drugs. In addition, the drinking of alcohol has become frighteningly widespread, and in many cases it has been discovered that even many Muslim adults are also common consumers of alcohol in private, at business meetings and in social settings.
The taking of any type of intoxicants is strongly forbidden in Islam. The hadith of the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) also makes clear the point that what intoxicates in large amounts, is also haram in the most minute quantity – dispelling the baseless myth that if a known intoxicant does not intoxicate in a small amount, then it is acceptable. Drugs and alcohol are completely and totally haram – whatever their form, type or quantity.
On another level, the social evils and dangers are well known to all members of the community, to such an extent that no sane person would dare to debate the fact that drugs should not be tolerated. Why then do we not take positive and practical steps towards ridding ourselves and our communities of drug abuse?
Finally, why do parents also not see the glaring signs of drug abuse in their children? It can be nothing other than the denial factor, a syndrome that is the easy way out, for the meanwhile - but a syndrome that will without doubt come back with a vengeance to bite those that succumb to it.
We must, as a community, as responsible members of families and as individual take responsibility and act fast and hard. If not we will be forced to hold none but ourselves accountable for the destructions of the very fibre that establishes a wholesome and healthy community. In addition to the grave consequences in this worldy life, the severe punishment that we would subject ourselves to in the hereafter must also never be ignored.
Allah (azza wa jalla) says: “O you who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, (dedication of) stones, and (divination by) arrows, are an abomination of Satan's handiwork: Avoid such (abomination) that you may prosper. Satan's plan is to sow enmity and hatred among you with intoxicants and gambling, and to hinder you from the remembrance of God and from prayer Will you not then give up”.(5:93, 94).

The Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, “"Intoxicants are the mother of all evils”. (Bukhari).

May Allah help and guide us in this important mission and duty. Aameen.


<Go to Top>
http://www.islamsa.org.za

http://www.radioislam.co.za

If you are experiencing any problems with this newsletter or have any comments, please contact us.

Jazakum-Allaah khairan for reading Jamiatul Ulama South Africa's Online Newsletter.
To unsubscribe, please click here or send a blank email to jamiat@islamsa.org.za with the subject: Unsubscribe.