|
|
|
Weekly Comment |
Red Alert: Frightening
Statistics
As South Africans barely grapple
with continued blackouts and
criminals prowling our suburbs,
a new report reminds us that we
continue to be threatened from
another front. Not that HIV/AIDs
has not been considered a
serious problem. However the
latest statistics are shocking:
According to a recently released
report, one in every six persons
on earth with HIV/Aids lives in
South Africa!
These results are obviously
working through the population
over time and should be
considered as an outcome of many
years of indifference and wasted
opportunities in embarking on a
comprehensive policy that this
‘state of emergency’ warranted
in order to contain the disease.
All strategies should be brought
to bear to ensure that we stem
this tide devastating our
nation.
As we have always pointed out in
the past, what about getting
back to the basics? If at all we
are going to bring about an
HIV/AIDS-free generation, we
have to look at the permissive
lifestyles our society is slowly
embracing. It’s an issue of
modesty and morality. The
unmarried, should value their
chastity which has to be
safeguarded jealously and those
in wedlock should remain
faithful to the spouses.
While we seek ways of
prevention, the society should
also learn to accept the
unfortunate victims.
After all the debates and
theorising, the reality is that
we are dying. It is about time
we all put our shoulders to the
wheel and make a difference.
Land Grab in Gaza
As we approach
the 60th anniversary of the
Nakbah, (described by Zionists
in different terms), plans lie
ahead for celebrating the event,
by the Israelis. For Muslims it
is a moment to understand that
the occupation was a
catastrophe. It was however a
living tragedy that did not
limit itself to ‘once-off’
single event that is subject to
time. It manifested itself as a
phenomenon that continued and
continues to this day.
While the Israelis have
supposedly sent messages to the
Syrian leadership that they are
willing to look at withdrawal
from the Golan Heights in the
interest of peace, their actions
in the Gaza and West bank must
be pointed out. The occupation
and expansion continues
unabated, and has progressed
into a land-grab frenzy where
building projects have been
increased in a possible fear
that it will not always be
available for the taking. New
settlements are being built and
present settlements are being
expanded.
Where’s the international
community? Should the
Palestinians forget that such a
notion exists? Why are voices of
conscience drowned by
warmongering?
Crosstalk Times
Seemingly the African National
Congress (ANC) leaders have
taken their debate to the public
platforms. The other day it was
Zimbabwe, before that ‘orders to
shoot criminals’ and so on. Some
pronouncements are way at
variance with adopted and known
policy stances of the ruling
party and constitutional
policies. The debate, as a way
of searching for answers for the
improvement of service delivery
and addressing the many social
maladies we are experiencing is
good. However, it seems the
leaders are geared more at
outdoing each other in the
public domain.
The leadership should be more
careful as the country is caught
in the crosstalk. There is
potential that a lot of ideas
will be misunderstood and the
likelihood of the whole exercise
eroding the confidence that
remains is high. Leaders should
also refrain from denigrating
one another at all costs.
|
|
|
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 158.55 |
|
Mahr Faatimi |
R 7,927.43 |
|
Zakaat Nisaab |
R 3,170.97 |
|
Words of Wisdom |
|
Hadith of the Week |
|
Vicious Envy |
|
The Prophet Muhammad
Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam
said, “Avoid envy, for envy
devours good deeds just as
fire devours fuel.
(Abu Dawud).
|
|
|
Quotation for the Week |
|
Virtuous Solitude and
Company |
|
“Be fond of seclusion.
… When not in seclusion then
mix with the friends of
Allah.”
(Maulana Maseehullah Khan
Sahib rahmatullahi `alayhi)
|
|
|
Point of Reflection |
|
Charity |
|
“Charity is a silent
prayer."
(Arabic Proverb)
|
|
|
Q and A |
Question: I have
been trying to fall pregnant
for several years now. My
doctor has mentioned the
option of egg donor to my
husband and myself. I have
not come across any
information regarding this,
what is the
stand regarding egg donor in
Islam? |
Answer:
The
usage of donor
eggs for purposes of
fertility treatment is not
permissible according to the
Shariah. Ulama have
classified it as a subtle
form of adultery on account
of
a strange male and female's
sperm and egg coming into
contact with one another.
This
is also problematic in the
aspect of lineage.
And Allaah Ta’aala Knows
Best.
<Go to
Top> |
|
|
|
U P D A T E |
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
|
|
Summarised Jumu’ah
Bayaan:
|
|
Islam and
Animals |
Allâh (azza wa jalla)
says: "There is not an
animal (that lives) on
the earth, nor a being
that flies on its wings,
but (that it forms part
of) communities like
you…" …". (42:30)
The Prophet Sallallahu ‘alayhi
wa sallam said: "There
is reward in [caring
for] every living
being." (Muslim, 7:44)
Islam has enjoined upon
Muslims a correct
relationship with
animals. They are asked
to treat animals with
goodness and kindness.
In understanding the
Islamic perspective on
slaughtering of animals,
it would be wise to
quickly cast a glance at
some Islamic principles
regarding certain
Islamic injunctions with
regard to the treatment
of animals.
Being Good to
Animals
• Scholars have said
that being good to
animals is one way of
Worshipping Allah. All
this is in line with the
hadith of the Prophet
Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa
sallam: "There is reward
in [caring for] every
living being." (Muslim,
7:44)
• It should not come as
a surprise if we know
that one of the Prophets
of Islam, Suleiman ‘alayhis
salaam changed the path
of his army to avoid
hurting ants (Qur'an,
27:18-19) This position
towards the ants is
further confirmed in a
hadith narrated by Abu
Dawud, that Ibn 'Abbas
reported that the
Prophet Sallallahu ‘alayhi
wa sallam prohibited the
killing of four
creatures: "The ant, the
bee, the hoopoe and the
sparrow-hawk."
• The story of Prophet
Nuh ‘Alayhis Salaam and
the Flood also confirms
the utmost care to
prevent the extinction
of any species. Allah
commanded him to carry a
pair of every species in
the ark: "…We said:
"Embark therein, of each
kind two, male and
female…" Qur'an, 11:40
Animal Abuse
• The shari'ah aims to
protect animal abuse.
Animals are often abused
in the name of having
fun or sport. It is
clear that "wrestling"
bulls, cannot be
accepted from an Islamic
perspective as a sport.
Importantly fishing for
the sake of the sport
including the practice
of ‘catch and release’
fishing falls within
this category.
• To further protect
animals, Islam has also
looked into the load an
animal can carry without
harm. The Prophet
Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa
sallam prohibited riding
on weak animals. (Abu
Dawud, No. 2548) Imam
Malik reported that 'Umar
Ibn Al-Kattab, when he
was a Caliph, passed by
a donkey with mud blocks
on it. He assessed that
the load was excessive
and unloaded two blocks.
'Umar Ibn 'Abd Al-'Aziz
sent a letter to the
governor of Egypt asking
him to reduce the load
of a camel from one
thousand to six hundred
pounds.
• Not only physical harm
to animals is
prohibited, but also
insulting or cursing. 'Imran
Ibn Al-Hasin narrates
that the Messenger of
Allah Sallallahu ‘alayhi
wa sallam was travelling
once [with a group of
Companions which
included] a woman from
amongst the Ansar on a
camel. [It seems that at
one point driving her
camel became difficult]
she was annoyed, and
cursed the camel! The
Messenger of Allah heard
her and said: "Now that
it is cursed, unload it
and allow it [to roam
free]" (Muslim, No.
2595)
• Furthermore, hitting
animals and marking them
in the face is
prohibited. Ibn 'Abbas
reports a hadith in
which the Prophet
Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa
sallam prohibited this
practice. (Abu Dawud,
No. 2556)
Hunting
• Whilst hunting is
permitted in principle,
it becomes prohibited
under certain
conditions.
• Hunting should really
only be done out of need
or necessity; where
necessity is defined in
terms of need for food,
where other means are
not possible. One should
also take into
consideration hunting
seasons and the kind and
number of animals and
birds allowed to be
hunted. Hunting tools
that cause great pain
are prohibited. The
latter include traps
that lock on the leg of
the animal causing pain
and bleeding until the
hunter returns, which
could be for days.
• Hunting, where the
meat of the animal is
going to be eaten, will
also be permissible
except where it is
exclusively for pleasure
of for sport and the
obtaining of ‘trophies’,
etc.
• Moreover, one should
not take lightly the
issue of killing,
without any
justification, even if
the victim is a very
small animal or bird.
'Abdullah Ibn 'Amr
reported that the
Prophet Sallallahu ‘alayhi
wa sallam said: "No
human being kills a
sparrow or (something)
larger, without right,
except that Allah will
ask him about it (hold
him responsible!) on the
Day of Judgement" It was
said: O Prophet of
Allah! What is its
right? He said: " Its
right is that you
slaughter it and eat it,
not that you decapitate
it!" (Al-Nasa'i, 7/ 207)
• Muslims are taught
that it is imperative to
protect all resources.
They should not be
wasted in vain. Killing
an edible animal without
eating it means the loss
of a part of the
national resources,
albeit small, and this
fits in with the Islamic
view on the protection
and preservation of the
environment.
• Another area of
prohibition covers the
hunting of wild animals
for reasons other than
food e.g. for fur.
Mu'awiya Radhi-Allahu
anhu reported that the
Prophet Sallallahu ‘alayhi
wa sallam said: "Do not
"ride" on silk and tiger
fur"(Abu Dawud, No.
4129) One can deduce, by
analogy, that the fur of
all wild cats can not be
used. This might come in
handy to help in the
protection of the
endangered Asian tigers
that face the extinction
though for a different
reason. Many people in
South East Asia and the
Far East believe in the
existence of Aphrodisiac
foods that are
associated with "strong"
animals including parts
of tigers…etc.
Unjustified killing
• In addition, Islam
prohibits the use of
animals as targets for
shooting. Ibn 'Umar
passed by a group of
youth, from the tribe of
Quraish, who were
shooting their arrows at
a bird; whenever any one
missed the aim, the
owner of the bird took
the arrow for himself.
When they saw Ibn 'Umar
they dispersed. He
exclaimed on seeing the
bird: “Who did this? May
he be cursed!” (Al-Lu'lu'
wal-Marjan, No. 1279)
• Any unjustified
killing of an animal,
direct or indirect is
prohibited. There is a
great punishment
awaiting those who do
so. Ibn 'Umar reported
that the Prophet
Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa
sallam said: "A woman
who tied a cat will go
to Hellfire; she neither
fed it, nor allowed it
to find food on its
own." (Al-Bukhari)
Animal Slaughter
• Muslims are not
allowed to kill animals
except for two reasons;
when they pose a danger
or for food. The
permission for this
however comes with the
condition that it has to
be carried out in
accordance with the
shari'ah (Islamic
law-code). In addition
only certain animals are
allowed to be killed for
food, while only in
limited cases can some
animals be killed - when
they endanger the life
of humans.
• With regard to
slaughtering for food,
this will include the
general slaughter of
animals for everyday
consumption, since the
Almighty has created
everything with a
purpose and among the
purposes of various
creations is that they
serve as part of the
divinely ordained food
chain. Sacrificing of
animals also falls
within the ambit of
slaughtering for food,
since the sacrificed
animal is also to be
eaten and not left to
waste or rot.
• With regard to the
procedure of
slaughtering for eating
or in sacrificing, here
too the feelings and
condition of the animal
must be considered. To
slaughter an animal, one
has to use a sharp
object that will save
the animal the pain
associated with the use
of a blunted object.
Shaddad Ibn Aws
Radhi-Allahu anhu
reported that the
Prophet Sallallahu ‘alayhi
wa sallam said: "…and
excel in slaughtering;
sharpen your blade [so
you may] relief your
slaughtered [animal]."
(Muslim)
• In fact, Islam demands
that the psyche of the
animal be taken into
consideration. Prophet
Muhammad Sallallahu ‘alayhi
wa sallam made it
imperative to sharpen
the blades and to hide
it from the sight of
other animals. Ibn 'Abbas
Radhi-Allahu anhu
reported that once a man
laid down a sheep whilst
still sharpening his
blade; the Prophet
Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa
sallam saw and asked:
"Would like it to die
twice? Why didn't you
sharpen your blade
before laying it down?"
(Al-Hakim)
Permissible
Killing
• When an animal is
proven to be a source of
danger or harm, it is
permitted to kill it.
The Messenger Sallallahu
‘alayhi wa sallam said:
"Five creatures, all
harmful, can be killed
in the Haram (holy
precincts): the crow,
the kite, the scorpion,
the mouse and the dog
that bites [people
without being
provoked]".
• If it were not for the
harm, actual or
anticipated, there would
be no permission to kill
animals, rodents,
insects and birds.
Animals have set living
patterns in the same
manner as mankind, and
reference to this is
contained in the Qur'an:
"There is not an animal
(that lives) on the
earth, nor a being that
flies on its wings, but
(that it forms part of)
communities like you…"
(Qur'an, 24:41)
<Go to Top> |
|
Message from the Ameer of
the Jamiatul Ulama |
Good Character
It is of great importance to
be mindful that akhlaaq
(good character) forms an
important component of our
Islam and our imaan.
Allah (azza wa jalla) speaks
about the importance of good
character in the Qur’an
where he says,
• “Command my servants to
say that which is best”.
• “Worship Allah, and do not
associate partners with him.
And be good to your parents,
and the relatives, and to
the orphans, and to the poor
people, and the neighbor
that is close to you and the
neighbor that is not close
to you, and your companion
on the journey”.
• Allah Azza wa jalla speaks
about the Prophet Sallallahu
‘alayhi wa sallam as, “Most
certainly you have great
character”.
Many ahaadeeth can be quoted
concerning good character.
The following are some of
what the Prophet Sallallahu
‘alayhi wa sallam said:
• “I have been sent is to
perfect good manners."
• “There is not anything
that will be placed on the
scale weightier than good
Akhlaaq, and, certainly, the
one who has good Aklaaq
reaches by it the rank of
one who continuously observe
Saum (Fasts) and performs
abundant (Nafl) Salaah.”
• “The dearest of you to me
is he who is the best of you
in Akhlaaq.”
• "Fear Allah wherever you
are, follow up an evil deed
with a good deed, and meet
with the people, interact
with the people, with good
akhlaaq."
Sadly we often hear Muslims
saying that, “We Muslims
have the worst character”.
With the beautiful example
of our dear Prophet Muhammad
Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam
in front of us, we should be
showing and teaching people
what good character is.
If we live and act with good
character we will benefit in
numerous ways and our lives
will also serve to be an
invitation to the deen of
Islam.
May Allah make it possible
for us to practice upon the
beautiful teachings in the
Qur’an the perfect example
of our Prophet Sallallahu
‘alayhi wa sallam. Aameen.
<Go to
Top> |
|
|
|