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Weekly Comment |
Back to Basics: Agriculture
One of the most
basic interventions to the
current economic woes came from
the Minister of Finance Trevor
Manuel recently when he
suggested that one answer to the
current inflationary pressures
is for people to till the land.
His was a pronouncement which
underscores the fact that no
matter how sophisticated we
might have become, the answers
to our core problems lie in the
same ages-old ‘simple’ ideas.
However, the implementation of
this particular idea hinges of
two things: how many of us are
prepared to take up this
challenge of the noble
profession of farming? How far
has our nation gone in
addressing the burning question
of land on which agriculture
depends?
It is interesting to note that
the Prophet Sallallahu ‘alayhi
wasallam had preferred giving
ownership of land to those who
cultivated it. In this principle
of tenure, productivity was
paramount, as through the
produce, the means of livelihood
for the society was secured.
It’s about time that authorities
looked at how much of our land
remains idle and seek ways to
put it to good use. It is also
about time that our attitudes
changed and we embrace
agriculture as a profession of
choice. There are scholars who
have preferred agriculture over
many activities as an engagement
that places one in a permanent
state of tawakkul hence
forging a close relation with
the Creator.
US-Israel Nuclear Agreement
The US has intensified her
efforts to impose various
measures against Iran, in their
portrayal of Iran as a threat to
peace in the Middle East.
Simultaneously, Israeli Foreign
Minister Tzipi Livni arrived in
Qatar for the 8th annual Doha
Forum on Democracy, Development
and Free Trade, at which she had
been invited as a keynote
speaker. She focussed on
insisting that the Arab World
and Israel face a common enemy
in Hizbullah and Hamas. She
egged the leaders of the Arab
World at the summit by
contending that, "The Arab
states cannot continue sitting
on the fence when it comes to
support and backing for the
peace process". She elaborated
further by saying, "We, the
moderates of the region, are all
members of the same camp".
While the US’s assertion of Iran
being a threat to peace through
its supposed nuclear
capabilities and alleged agenda
still rang in the air, the US
and Israel were putting pen to
paper in an expansion of the
many agreements they have that
go towards the US providing
intensified security to Israel.
Al Rycroft, the editor PEJ News
states that, “It is seldom
acknowledged in the media that
Israel has several hundred
nuclear warheads - even though
the US has used the fear of even
one warhead in the hands of an
Arab nation as an excuse to go
to war on more than one
occasion”. The same Israel that
has refused to become party to
the NPT has about 200 nuclear
warheads capable of being
mounted on long-range missiles
as well as a stockpile of
chemical and biological weapons,
among various other such
armaments, yet the US has
continuously blocked key UN
resolutions against them. The US
has now brazenly entered into a
nuclear treaty with Israel. The
agreement enables the Israel to
have wide ranging access to the
latest nuclear safety data,
procedures and technology
available in the US.
Iraq: Too many Deaths
You cannot fault the newspapers
on the fact that they still make
some mention of it. They haven’t
forgotten – well not altogether.
They still remember or are
forced to remember through an
ongoing stream of reminders. On
most occasions they convey the
news they receive ... even if it
be on the inside pages tucked
away deep down in one small
corner.
Sixty people is not a small
amount. In many South African
masaajid it is double or even
triple the complete jamaat for
Fajr Salah. Sixty is a bus full
of persons, it is two classrooms
full of children, it is an
entire family of grandfather,
grandmother, five children,
their spouses, ten grandchildren
children with spouses and more
than a handful of great
grandchildren. Sixty is many
more than many.
Voices of Iraq (VOI) reports
that yesterday, there were more
than 75 people killed in Iraq
(excluding one US soldier).
Between Sunday and Monday 59
people had lost their lives.
There is no need to go further
back. Day by day, Iraqis are
being killed in large numbers.
So many have been killed that we
have become so accustomed to
hearing about it, we now don’t
even hear it.
Whatever the political situation
and the refusal of the US and
its allies to leave the area, as
well as various other third
force initiated killings between
Iraqis, we must never become
unmindful, oblivious and
forgetful of the long standing
suffering of the people of Iraq.
We must never surrender to being
mute and docile in accepting the
oppression as the norm and thus
yield to the ease of becoming
desensitized and even
dehumanised. We must never
forget those in distress in our
du’aas. |
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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 166.85 |
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Mahr Faatimi |
R 8,342.34 |
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Zakaat Nisaab |
R 3,336.93 |
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Words of Wisdom |
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Hadith of the Week |
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Wear a Smile |
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Abdullah ibn al-Harith
Radiyallahu anhu said that
he had not seen anyone more
given to smiling than
Allah's messenger (peace and
blessings of Allah be upon
him). (Tirmidhi).
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Quotation for the Week |
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Avoid Provocation |
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“Do not encourage people to
be rude to you”.
(Luqman ‘Alayhis salam)
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Point of Reflection |
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Dangers of Indecision |
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“Tieho e tsoala tahleho -
Hesitation begets loss".
(Sesotho Proverb)
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Q and A |
Question: My husband has
Muslim clients that are
married in community of
property. They are getting
"divorced" for convenience
then "re-marrying" with an
anti nuptial contract. Does
it matter who the plaintiff
is,
the wife or the husband? |
Answer:
Yes,
it would matter.
If the husband is the
plaintiff or he is the
defendant but he is in
agreement with his wife's
divorce application then
according to the view held
by senior ulama of our
country one revocable
divorce would be effective
upon the judge
granting the divorce.
And Allaah Ta’aala Knows
Best.
<Go to
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Survey
on
Ar-Rasheed |
The editorial team for
Ar Rasheed shall be carrying
out a survey on the
readership
of the paper. The findings
of
the survey will go a long
way in improving the paper’s
content, presentation and
frequency among other
things.
We call upon readers of the
paper to respond to the
survey by completing a
questionnaire obtainable via
email from:
mediadesk@islamsa.org.za
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U P D A T E |
Visiting Guests
During the course of the last
week two prominent scholars from
the Arab World visited and spent
time at the Jamiatul Ulama and
the Jaami`ah al Ulum al-Islamiyyah
(the Darul Ulum at the Jamiat).
Sheikh Saleh bin Abdullah bin
Humaid who is one of the Imams
of the Haram as well as the amir
of the Majlis al-Shurah in Saudi
Arabia spent Friday after noon
at the Jamiat offices. Sheikh
Muhammad AL-Yaqubi from Syria is
among the prominent and notable
scholars in Syria. He visited at
the Jamiat on Tuesday and even
conducted a dars for the
students of the Jaami`ah.
Masjid Library
Alhamdulillah, masaajid across
the country generally have, on
their shelves, Qur’ans for the
usage of musallees, in the
masjid. 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 tafaasir,
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.
Alhamduillah many sets have
already been distributed to
various masaajid. Sponsors of
sets are urged to contact the
number below.
For more information contact:
012 374 2506. Suggestions and
ideas are also welcome.
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Summarised Jumu’ah
Bayaan:
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Love and Belief
English Translation of
Khutbah rendered by
Imaam and Khatib of
Masjid Al-Haraam in
Makkah
Sheikh Saleh bin
Abdullah bin Humaid at
Masjid Hamidia, Newtown,
Johannesburg on 11 April
2008 |
• After beginning with
the praise of Allah, it
was explained that
Allah’s existence is
confirmed and recognised
by evidence and it is
with sound evidence only
that we worship Allah.
• The first advice that
was given was that of
having Taqwa (piety).
The manner to achieve
Taqwa is to ensure that
before embarking on any
action that we correct
our intention and that
we ponder if the action
would lead to our
success in the court of
Allah.
• It is narrated that
the Prophet Muhammad
Sallallahu ‘alayhi
wasallam said “You will
not enter into Paradise
until you believe (Imaan)
and you do not believe
until you love (one
another).”
• A person cannot be
successful in life
without Imaan. Life also
has no purpose without
Imaan. A person would
only be able to achieve
true Imaan by loving
others.
• The religion of Islam
joins the hearts of its
sons based on sincere
love and true
brotherhood.
• This message of love
is a message to humanity
at large from the
teachings of Muhammad
Sallallahu ‘alayhi
wasallam.
• A Muslim with a clean
heart does not allow
worldly benefit and
personal ambition to
compromise his love for
his fellow believers. To
bear jealousy for your
fellow brother’s success
is the way of Satan and
his followers.
• Love for each other –
with will of Allah –
makes bitter sweet, it
is remedy for pain, it
will make a prison
appear to be a garden
and remove difficulties.
• The highest level of
love is the love of a
believer for his
Creator. A believer
loves his Creator due to
His Greatness, power,
wisdom, justice and
mercy. We are also
taught by the Prophet
Sallallahu ‘alayhi
wasallam to pray to
Allah “O’ Allah I ask
for your love, the love
of those that love you
and to love all the
actions that would near
me to your love.”
• We also need to love
our Prophet Sallallahu ‘alayhi
wasallam. Love for the
Master Sallallahu ‘alayhi
wasallam is a
fundamental requirement
of Imaan. Complete Imaan
can only be achieved
after we love the
Prophet Sallallahu ‘alayhi
wasallam more that
ourselves, family and
all of mankind. We love
the Prophet Sallallahu ‘alayhi
wasallam as Allah has
created Him with the
best of qualities, both
physical and moral. It
was this love that
encouraged the
Companions to sacrifice
their lives and wealth
for the Prophet
Sallallahu ‘alayhi
wasallam. It is this
message of love that the
Prophet Sallallahu ‘alayhi
wasallam delivered that
resulted in the
Muhaajireen and Ansaar
sharing wealth and
family.
• This love that the
Prophet Sallallahu ‘alayhi
wasallam taught forms
the basis of our faith
and the foundation of an
Islamic Community.
• From the types of love
is the love for life. A
believer should love
life simply because life
is a creation of his
Creator. The world has
been created for human
benefit. The Prophet
Sallallahu ‘alayhi
wasallam said “This is
the Mountain of Uhud,
the mountain loves us
and we love the
Mountain.”
• Love for Life is not a
sin or a fault. The best
of mankind is one who
lives long and does many
good deeds. A Believer’s
life, when lengthened,
only leads to good – if
a good-doer he continues
to do good and if a
sinner he has more time
to repent. A Believer,
given more time to live,
is also an asset to
society. A believer
loves life so that he
may increase in good
deeds and benefit
others.
• Whilst having love for
life, we do not love it
to such a level that we
begin to hate death. A
Believer at the same
time longs to meet his
Creator. (Sh. Saleh
mentions love for life
and not love for the
world. – translator)
• Love for each other is
bond based on our
Aqeedah in the oneness
of Allah. It is an act
of worship. The Prophet
Sallallahu ‘alayhi
wasallam is reported to
have said after
completion of His Salaah
“Verily worship is
brotherhood.”
• Brotherly love removes
from society pride,
arrogance, racism a
jealousy and brings
about love and equality.
• We possess so much of
love for our fellow
brothers that we even
thank Allah every
morning and evening for
the favours that he has
bestowed upon his entire
creation. (Sunnah prayer
to be said every morning
and evening).
• A believer to his love
for his fellow believers
forgives very easily.
The quality of
forgiveness becomes
nobler when one has the
ability to take revenge
but rather forgives.
• Whosoever opens up his
heart with love to
others accompanied with
good character, is easy
with others will have
lss enemies and more
friends.
• A person increases in
loving each other until
he reaches the level of
loving only for the
pleasure of His Creator.
When he loves others
only for this reason
than this is actually a
sign of his greater love
for Allah.
• So we need to stress
the point that you do
not have proper Imaan
until you love each
other.
• This love cannot be
achieved whilst we
possess the qualities of
jealousy and stinginess.
• Opposite of Love is
Hate. A believer is also
expected to possess this
quality of hate. A
believer hates for the
pleasure of Allah, he
hates Satan and his
followers. Satan’s
followers include all
those that follow
Satan’s way.
• Always have fear and
piety; remember that all
believers have a special
bond of brotherhood and
that your fellow
believer’s wealth,
family and blood are
granted special
protection under the
laws of Islam.
<Go to Top> |
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Message from the Ameer of
the Jamiatul Ulama |
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Honesty |
Allah Subhanahu wa ta’aala
has granted a most beautiful
and complete deen. It is a
deen that encompasses
aspects of ibaadah
(worship), mu’aasharah
(social interactions),
Mu`aamalaat (monetary
dealings), akhlaaq
(character), etc. If a
person strives to bring the
injunctions of Allah and
teachings of our dear
Prophet, Muhammad Sallallahu
‘alayhi wa sallam into
his/her life regarding these
different facets, then he
will be practising upon all
of deen. If a person focuses
his attention on these
diverse fields, he will find
that his life will be more
full and wholesome and will
automatically become a
source of inspiration to
others – a means of da’wah.
If, on the other hand, some
of these aspects are
neglected or omitted from
the realm of the practical
life of a Muslim, then we
will find that he will not
be practising upon the whole
of deen, his life will seem
empty and, Allah forbid, he
could become a means of
turning others away from
this beautiful deen.
An aspect that has somehow
slowly ebbed out of the life
of the Believers is a
feature that our beloved
Prophet Sallallahu ‘alayhi
wa sallam was well known
for. It was also a
characteristic that the
Believers were recognized
by. This was the aspect of
truthfulness and honesty.
Allah exhorts us to hold
firm to it and our Prophet
Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam
has also laid great emphasis
upon it.
In over 100 places in the
Qur’an, Allah has mentioned
the aspect of honesty. Some
of the references are as
follows. Allah Subhanahu wa
ta’aala says:
• "So Allah may reward the
truthful for their
truthfulness " [33:24].
• "O You who believe, Have
taqwa of Allah and be of
those who are truthful "
[9:119].
• "O You who believe, guard
your duty to Allah, and
speak words straight to the
point. " [33:70] .
• "Believers are... those
who are truthful ." [49:15].
• Successful indeed are the
believers; those who offer
their prayers with all
solemnity and full
submissiveness. And those
who turn away from al-laghw
(false, impure, evil
falsehood, vain talk.)
[23:1-3]
• "Oh ye who believe! Eat
not up each other's property
by unfair and dishonest
means." (4:29)
• "Allah doth command you to
render back your trust, to
those to whom they are
due."(4:58)
The Prophet Sallallahu ‘alayhi
wa sallam said:
• "Being truthful is
obligatory, for truly
truthfulness lead to
righteousness, and
righteousness leads to
paradise."
• Remember, there is no
faith in him who is not
trustworthy; there is no
place for him in religion
who cares not for his
pledged word or promise."
• " The signs of a hypocrite
are three: when he speaks,
he is false, when he
promises, he fails; and when
he is trusted, he plays
false."
• "He who cheats is not of
us. Deceitfulness and fraud
are things that lead one to
Hell."
Honesty must be present in
every vein of the Muslim. It
must be evident in every
sphere of his life and must
become prominent in his
belief, word ands action.
May Allah guide us to bring
honesty and truthfulness
into our lives.
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