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Weekly Comment |
Water Conservation
This week,
a week of rain, rain and more
rain is the National Water Week
in South Africa. It is an
opportune time for us to remind
ourselves to conserve water, a
gift from Allah. Muslims use the
resources provided by Allah in a
manner wherein they neither
waste or abuse these resources.
The same principal must be
applied in understanding the
current electricity crisis that
we find our country in, at
present. Nevertheless, on the
occasion of National Water Week,
it is appropriate to mention a
few aspects as to how we, as
Muslims, must view our usage of
water.
Allah Azza wa jalla says in the
Qur’an: "Do you see the water
that you drink? Do you bring it
down (in rain) from the clouds
or do we?" (Sûrah Al-Waaqi‘ah,
ayah 68)
Waste Not
Abdullah bin Amr bin Aas
Radhi-Allahu anhu narrates that
Nabî Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam
passed by S’d Radhi-Allahu anhu
who was making wudhu. He said:
"Why this extravagance, O S’d?"
He (S’d Radhi-Allahu anhu asked:
"Is there extravagance in wudhu
also?" He (Nabî Sallallahu ‘alayhi
wa sallam) replied: "Yes, even
if you (are making wudhu) at the
bank of a flowing river." (Musnad
Imm Ahmad)
The Wudhu and Ghusl of Nabî
SallAllahu ‘alayhi wasallam
Hadhrat Anaas Radhi-Allahu anhu
says: “Nabi Sallallahu ‘alayhi
wasallam made wudhu with (water
equivalent to) a Muud (i.e. less
than a litre), and made ghusl
with a S’ (i.e. approximately 3
litres).” (Sahih Bukhari and
Sahih Muslim)
Some Handy Tips for the
Conservation of Water
Ensure that the taps are
closed and leaks repaired
Use water sparingly. Do not
allow water to flow
unnecessarily
Place a two litre plastic
bottle into the toilet cistern
to reduce the volume of water
(by the capacity of the bottle)
used in flushing
Use a bucket to wash the car
or water the plants, instead of
a hose
Use a water jug as opposed to
the running tap for wudhu. One
will save up to 75% water in
this manner
Use a bucket, as opposed to a
shower for ghusl
Use a tub for washing of
dishes and clothes. Do not wash
under a running tap
Make Amends!
Allah Ta’la mentions in the
Qur'an: (Hadhrat Nûh Alayhis
salaam advised his people) “And
O my people ask forgiveness of
your Lord - and turn to Him in
repentance - He will send you
the skies pouring abundant rain
…” (Sûrah Hûd - yah 52)
The Qur'an further states: "Say
ye if your water becomes
(inaccessible due to
penetrating) the depths (of the
ground) who then can supply you
with clear flowing water." (Sûrah
Al-Mulk, yah 30)
Xenophobia
Last month
it was Iterileng, last week
Soshanguve and yesterday
Atteridgeville. These are only
examples in the Tshwane /
Pretoria area. People from most
other areas will attest to a
similar pattern of an upsurge
and eruption of xenophobic
incidents that is swiftly
resulting in a xenophobic
behaviour or culture.
In Iterileng, hundreds of
foreigners from Malawi, Zimbabwe
and Mozambique were violently
assaulted and chased out of the
informal settlement – their
homes, belongings and even basic
immigration or refugee papers
burnt to ashes. People that were
there slowly accumulating basic
things to see to their needs and
send home to their needy
families found that all they had
worked for over months and even
years had been reduced to ashes
that they could not even return
to search in. The authorities
gathered the foreigners in the
city hall and began a process of
‘ascertaining’ their status,
resulting in the deporting of an
overwhelming majority. The
question of how many of those
who engaged in the criminal act
of assault and burning of homes
is clear, when even many locals
have expressed surprise that
none of the guilty persons have
been arrested or engaged in any
way, even though they can be
identified. Few people were
taken in for questioning but
later released. Whether the
authorities focus should have
been on the ‘possibly illegal’
immigrants or on those
assaulting individuals and
burning homes needs no
answering, but the truth is that
a humanitarian tragedy and
catastrophe was allowed to go
without being corrected.
One would dare to ask whether
this response of the authorities
did not and does not give
impudence and liberty to those
responsible for xenophobia.
Again last week witnessed a
similar situation in Soshanguve
and yesterday/today’s deaths in
Atteridgeville are as a result
of the same thinking.
A report on Independent Online
quotes a migration analyst who
says that it is part of a
"national wave of organised
xenophobic violence against
non-nationals which is sweeping
the country".
At the same time reports are
common of wide-scale
exploitation of foreigners in
cities and on farms. The IOL
report and the Special
Assignment expose on the issue
reveals startling details such
as that of farm workers being
paid R14-00 a day of hard
labour. Overtime work is on
demand and offers no extra pay
except the possibility of a
permanent job. The living
conditions for such workers are
squalid and repulsive and the
treatment they receive is beyond
basic human dignity.
South Africa prides itself on
its commitment to contribution
towards upliftment of lives in
Africa and the African
responsibility is often touted
as something South Africa takes
seriously. If the perpetration
of this type of crime is allowed
then one would question whether
the pledge to the people of
Africa is being fulfilled or
merely uttered.
Xenophobia is a hatred of people
of other nationalities or
origins. When this hatred is
taken to the extent of
discrimination, then it is even
worse, when it is taken to the
extent of physical abuse,
destruction of property and
assault then it must be spoken
out against, and when it reaches
the level of the taking of
lives, then it must not be
tolerated. |
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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 199.82 |
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Mahr Faatimi |
R 9,991.16 |
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Zakaat Nisaab |
R 3,996.46
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Words of Wisdom |
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Hadith of the Week |
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Minding own Business |
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The Prophet Sallallahu ‘alayhi
wa sallam said: “Part of
someone's being a good
Muslim is his leaving alone
that which does not concern
him. (Tirmidhi).
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The Hope that Counts |
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The sick and weak should
allow Hope in Allah to
dominate their lives.
(Maulana Maseehullah
Khan (rahmatullahi ‘alayhi) |
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Point of Reflection |
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First
Things First |
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“Learn to obey before you
command”.
(Greek Proverb)
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Q and A |
Question: Question: Is it
permissible for a person to
bow to his karate
instructor? |
Answer: It is the
belief of Muslims that only
Allah Ta'aala is the Being
that is the greatest
and most worthy of honour.
Only He has the right to
command his creation to bow
down before
Him. This is why Islam has
made it Haraam to prostrate
to anyone besides Allah
Ta'aala. Based on this, the
Jurists have also written
that it is Makruh
[abominable and prohibited]
for
a person to make a bowing
gesture even when making
Salâm to anyone.
As the bowing done in karate
is close to a Ruk'u posture,
there will be no permission
for it in Shari‘ah. We
should keep our Islamic
ethics and morals uppermost
and not adopt the manner of
others. Hence, the condition
of bowing must not
be adopted when practicing
karate.
Most definitely we should be
appreciative to the one who
does good to us, whether
that good be by way of
karate instruction or any
other. The
one who is not appreciative
to
people is in reality not
appreciative to Allah
Ta’aala. Hence appreciation
can be
shown to the karate
instructor
by way of verbally thanking
him. There is no need to
show appreciation by way of
bowing.
And
Allah Ta’aala Knows Best.
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World Ijtima |
Alhamdulillah, on an annual
basis, various provinces
host individual Ijtimas that
cater for the people
in their areas. This year,
some South African provinces
will join
to host an International
ijtima. People involved in
the filed of da`wah and
tabligh from over 30
countries will jointly
participate
in this Ijtima.
The purpose of the Ijtima is
to create an awareness
within the ummah regarding
the importance
of imaan (complete and
correct faith in Allah) and
the Sunnah of our Beloved
Prophet, Muhammad (sallallahu
‘alayhi wa sallam).
The Ijtima will commence of
Friday the 21st March at
around 12:30 and continue
until Sunday early morning,
insha’ Allah. The venue for
the Ijtima is Lenasia which
is approximately 20
kilometres south of
Johannesburg. Directions to
the Ijtima are
available in most masaajid,
and ample signage has been
put up to guide people once
they come
close to Lenasia, from any
direction.
Brothers are urged to ensure
that they do not lose out on
this excellent opportunity. |
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U P D A T E |
Masjid Library
Alhamdulillah, masjids across
the country generally have, on
their shelves, Qur’ans for the
usage of musallees, in the masid.
Some Ulama have recommended that
it would be of great benefit to
equip masaajid with additional
Islamic material that would
assist in educating the Ummah on
various issues. It has been
suggested that Masaajid should
have authentic tafsirs, books of
hadith, fiqh, seerah, etc. These
books will serve various
purposes, and benefit both Ulama
and others in numerous ways.
In this regard the Jamiatul
Ulama Tshwane Branch has taken
the initiative and prepared a
set of books that would comprise
a basic library - a must for
every masjid. The set comprises
of the following:
The Noble Qur’an (Translation of
Mufti Taqi Uthmani)
Tafsir Ma'aariful Qur’an (Mufti
Muhammad Shafi)
Illuminating Discourses on the
Holy Qur’an (Mufti Ashiq Ilaahi)
Ma'aariful Hadeeth (Maulana
Manzoor Numani)
Awareness and Apprehension
(English translation of al-Targheeb
wa al-Tarheeb)
Behashti Zewar
Sublime Conduct (English
translation of Khasaais
al-Kubra)
Seerah Ibn Kathir
Hayaatus Sahaabah
Aqeedah al-Tahaawiy
The cost of the set is
approximately R2200-00 and
brother and sisters are invited
to sponsor a set(s) for
their/other masaajid. The set
could be sponsored with the
niyyah of esaal uth-thawaab and
is also thawaab al-jaariyah. For
as long as it is in use, the
contributor will continue
receiving thawab, insha’ Allah.
Sponsored sets are already being
sent to masaajid. Masaajid that
would like to acquire a set
should contact the Jamiat.
For more information contact:
012 374 2506. Suggestions and
ideas are welcome.
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Summarised Jumu’ah
Bayaan:
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The Noble Personality of
the Beloved of Allah
Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa
sallam
Allah (azza wa jalla)
says: “ We have not sent
thee, except as a Mercy
to the worlds”. (21:107)
Muhammed sallallahu
‘alayhi wa sallam rose
like the midday sun from
the horizon of Arabia
and dissipated the
intense darkness around
the globe. His
personality embodied the
boldness of Mûsa alayhis
salaam, the
courteousness of Harûn
alayhis salaam, the
patience of Ayûb alayhis
salaam, the grandeur of
Sulaiman alayhis salaam
and the humility of Isa
alayhis salaam. His
leadership stands
unparalleled in the
annals of history. He
despised the pomp of
royalty, dutifully
carried out the menial
tasks of the family, he
kindled the fire, swept
the floor, milked the
cows and mended his own
shoes and garments.
The Beautiful Features
of Nabi Sallallahu
‘alayhi wa sallam
Nabi sallallahu alayhi
wasallam was neither
tall nor short but of
medium stature. His hair
had a slight wave in it
(neither straight nor
curly). His eye lashes
were long and his eyes
extremely black. He had
a broad chest with a
well developed body. His
palms were soft and
fleshy. He had a thick
beard, with a line of
hair running from the
chest to the navel. His
teeth were like a set of
pearls, beaming white.
He always had a smiling
countenance. His
perspiration emitted a
fragrance sweeter than
musk. Ayesha
Radhi-Allahu anha would
frequently say "The
women cut their hands
off when they were
enchanted and captivated
by the beauty of Yusuf
alayhis salaam, had they
seen my beloved, they
would have cut out their
hearts".
The Simplicity of Nabi
Sallallahu Alayhi wa
Sallam
• Aanas Radhi-Allahu
anhu states that Nabi
Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa
sallam frequently
visited the sick,
followed the janaza,
responded to the
invitation of (even) a
slave and rode on a
mule... (Ibn Majah)
• Hazrat Ayesha
Radhi-Allahu anha
reported that Nabi
Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa
sallam used to mend his
shoes, sew his cloth and
work in the household
just as any of you would
do in your households.
He was a man among men
who patched his clothes,
milked his goats and
served himself.
(Tirmizi)
His Concern and
Sacrifices
The Holy Qur'an states
"You are very nearly
going to kill yourself
out of grief that they
do not believe." (Surah
26 yat 3)
Nabi sallallahu alayhi
wa sallam said "I have
been subjected to harm
(and suffering) in the
cause of Allah, as no
one else had been." The
brutal tortures and
relentless persecutions
reached such levels that
the pathway of Nabi
Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa
sallam was secretly
laden with thorns,
refuse and the
intestines of animals
was flung at him. He and
his group of devout
companions were denied a
home, denied food, water
and medicine for three
years. The cry of
infants and children
echoed through the
valleys of Arabia.
The Mission of Nabi
Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa
sallam
The mission of Nabi
Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa
sallam is eloquently
portrayed in a speech
which Ja’faar
Radhi-Allahu anhu) made
to the ruler of
Abyssinia in Africa. He
said: "O king! We were a
people of ignorance,
worshipping idols,
eating the flesh of dead
animals, committing
abominations, neglecting
our relations, doing
evil to our neighbours
and the strong amongst
us would oppress the
weak. We were in this
state when Allah Ta’aala
sent to us a messenger
from amongst us, whose
descent and sincerity,
trustworthiness and
honesty were known to
us. He summoned us to
the worship of one true
Allah and to divest
ourselves of the stones
and idols which we and
our forefathers had been
ascribing to Allah. He
ordered us to be
truthful in speech, to
fulfil all that is
entrusted to us, to care
for our relatives, to be
kind to our neighbours,
to refrain from unlawful
food and the consumption
of blood. He forbade us
from engaging in
shameful acts and false
speech..."
The Fundamental
Principles Expounded by
Nabi Sallallahu ‘alayhi
wa sallam at the
Farewell Pilgrimage
1. Belief in one object
of worship
2. Equality of men,
irrespective of colour
or nationality.
3. Superiority based
solely on piety.
4. Sanctity of life,
property and honour.
5. Abolition of interest
and usury.
6. The rights and fair
treatment of women.
7. The concept of
accountability and
personal responsibility.
8. Importance of the
pillars of religion i.e.
prayer, fasting, charity
and pilgrimage.
9. The Qur'an and Sunnah
as the only source of
salvation.
10. The obligation of
conveying the message.
Muhammad Sallallahu
‘alayhi wa Sallam: The
Greatest of Mankind
"Never has a man set for
himself, voluntarily or
involuntarily, a more
sublime aim, since this
aim was superhuman: to
subvert superstitions
which had been
interposed between man
and his creator, to
render God unto man and
man unto God, to restore
the rational and sacred
idea of divinity amidst
the chaos of the
material and disfigured
gods of idolatry, then
existing."
"Never has a man
undertaken a work so far
beyond human power with
so feeble means, for he
(Muhammed Sallallahu
‘alayhi wasallam had in
the conception as well
as in the execution of
such a great design no
other instrument than
himself, and no other
aid, except a handful of
men living in a corner
of the desert. Finally,
never has a man
accomplished such a huge
and lasting revolution
in the world..."
"If greatness of
purpose, smallness of
means, and astounding
results are the true
criteria of human
genius, who could dare
to compare any great man
in modern history with
Muhammed Sallallahu
‘alayhi wasallam? The
most famous men created
arms, laws, and empires
only. They founded, if
anything at all, no more
than material powers
which often crumbled
away before their own
eyes. This man moved not
only armies,
legislations, empires,
peoples and dynasties,
but millions of men in
one third of the
inhabited world, and
more than that, he moved
the altars, the gods,
the religions, the
ideas, the beliefs, and
the souls. On the basis
of a book, every letter
of which has become law,
he created a spiritual
nationality which
blended together peoples
of every tongue and of
every race. He has left
us - as the indelible
characteristic of this
Muslim nationality - the
hatred of false gods and
the passion of the One
and Immaterial god...
The conquest of one
third of the earth to
his dogma was his
miracle; rather it was
not the miracle of a man
but that of reason."
"His life, his
meditations, his heroic
reviling against the
superstitions of his
country, and his
boldness in defying the
furies of idolatry, his
firmness in enduring
them for thirteen years
at Makkah, his
acceptance of the role
of public scorn and
almost of being a victim
of his fellow
countrymen: all these
and finally his
migration, his incessant
preaching, his wars
against odds, his faith
in his success and his
superhuman security in
misfortune, his
forbearance in victory,
his ambition, which was
entirely devoted to one
idea and in no manner
striving for an empire,
his endless prayers, his
mystic conversations
with god, his death and
his triumph after death
- all these ... (served)
to affirm conviction
which gave him the power
to restore a creed ."
"Philosopher, orator,
apostle, legislator,
warrior, conqueror of
ideas, restorer of
rational dogmas, of a
cult without images; the
founder of twenty
terrestrial empires and
of one spiritual empire,
that is Muhammed
Sallallahu ‘alayhi
wasallam. As regards all
standards by which human
greatness may be
measured, we may well
ask, is there any man
greater than he?"
(Lamartine, Histoire de
la turquire, Paris,
1854)
Conclusion
The Prophet Sallallahu
‘alayhi wasallam said:
"None of you has perfect
faith until I am more
beloved to him than his
parents, his children
and all the people".
Real love for him will
induce us to follow him
in all walks of life.
The sunnah is the axle
on which the Deen of
Islam rotates. A quality
apple has the colour,
taste and smell of an
apple. If any one of
these qualities is
missing than the apple
will be an imperfect
one. Similarly we will
only be real Muslims if
we have the taste,
colour and smell of the
Sunnah of Rasulullah
Sallallahu ‘alayhi
wasallam in our way of
walking, talking,
eating, behaving, our
social, political and
financial dealings. In
short, every aspect of
life should be moulded
according to his
lifestyle. We judge a
fruit by looking at its
exterior. Likewise the
manner in which a person
conducts his life is a
true reflection of his
god consciousness and
his love for Rasulullah
sallallahu ‘alayhi
wasallam.
The Holy Prophet
Sallallahu ‘alayhi
wasallam was an
embodiment of all noble
qualities but there are
three qualities which
made him Sallallahu
‘alayhi wasallam most
beloved to his followers
and attracted them like
a magnet, (i) kamaal
[perfection]; (ii)
jamaal [beauty] and
(iii) nawaal
[generosity].
• Kamaal: Rasulullah
Sallallahu ‘alayhi
wasallam was the seal of
prophets and the
spiritual head of them
all. Two thirds of the
people will be of his
Ummah on the day of
Qiyaamah. He was once
seated in Makkah when a
non-believer came and
sat before him and
looked at his face. He
then said in amazement:
"Stretch out your hand
so that I may accept
Islam." Thereafter the
Quraish hurled abuses at
him. The man replied:
"That face can never
speak a lie." Aanas
Radhi-Allahu anhu said
that for ten years I was
in the service of
Rasulullah Sallallahu
‘alayhi wasallam but he
never rebuked me and he
did not use the word
‘no’. This was his
perfection.
• Jamaal: Hazrat Ayesha
Radhi-Allahu anha said:
"we have a sun and the
people have a sun but
our sun (the face of
Rasulullah Sallallahu
‘alayhi wasallam never
sets." One sahabi said
"I looked at the full
moon and compared it to
the face of Rasulullah
sallallahu alayhi
wasallam. I could not
decide which one was
more beautiful."
• Nawaal: He rarely
refused anything. His
poverty was a voluntary
one. He once had some
gold in his house and
the thought of this
deprived him of many
hours of sleep.
These qualities created
an instant affinity for
him in others. Abdullah
ibn Zaid ibn Abdi
Rabbihi at the demise of
Rasulullah Sallallahu
‘alayhi wasallam said:
"I have no more need for
my eyes." Uwais Qarni
when he heard
Rasulullah’s sallallahu
‘alayhi wasallam teeth
were martyred in battle
broke his own teeth in
sorrow.
Abû Bakr Radhi-Allahu
anhu said: "There are
three things I cherish
most: a look at your
face, to spend my wealth
on you and that my
daughter is thy wife."
MAY ALLAH TA’LA GRANT
EVERY MUSLIM AN
OPPORTUNITY OF
DEVELOPING AN INTENSE
LOVE FOR RASULULLAH
SALLALLAHU ALAYHI
WASALLAM. AAMEEN.
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Message from the Ameer of
the Jamiatul Ulama |
Our Beloved Prophet,
Hadhrat Muhammad Sallallahu
‘alayhi wa sallam
The month of Rabi al-Awwal
has dawned upon us. It is a
month wherein Muslims
traditionally incline
towards recalling the life
of our Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu
‘alayhi wa sallam).
Allah (Azza wa Jalla) tells
us in the Qur’aan: “Verily
in the Messenger of Allah
you have a perfect example
...” (33:21)
It is important to take
examples from the life of
the Prophet Sallallahu ‘alayhi
wa sallam. He simplicity,
his concern for others, his
willingness to sacrifice,
his kindness, his commitment
and dedication, his taqwa
and tawakkaul, and his
submission to the Will of
Allah are all aspects that
we need to exert ourselves
in trying to emulate.
It must also be remembered
that success of any believer
remains in following the
Sunnah of the Prophet. The
verses of the Qur’an are
replete with verses
instructing, enjoining and
encouraging us to follow the
blessed Sunnah of Muhammad (Sallallahu
‘alayhi wa sallam).
Allah (Azza wa Jalla) says:
Say: "If ye do love Allah
follow me: Allah will love
you and forgive you your
sins for Allah is
Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.
Say: "Obey Allah and His
Apostle"; but if they turn
back Allah loves not those
who reject Faith”. (3:31,
32)
And obey Allah and the
Apostle; that ye may obtain
mercy. (3:132)
All who obey Allah and the
Apostle are in the company
of those on whom is the
Grace of Allah of the
Prophets (who teach) the
sincere (lovers of truth)
the witnesses (who testify)
and the righteous
(who do good): Ah! What a
beautiful fellowship! (4:69)
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