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Weekly Comment |
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Concerns over
Xenophobic Attacks and State of
Lawlessness
The Council
of Muslim Theologians is deeply
concerned with the increased
insecurity brought by what began
as xenophobic attacks now also
gaining an ethnic dimension
around Gauteng.
Images
coming out of the media as well
as eye-witness accounts of the
unfolding events reveal a state
of lawlessness as mobs resort to
acts of violence and criminality
taking advantage of the
overstretched law-enforcement
agencies and vulnerability of
foreign nationals.
At the time
this phenomenon is becoming
widespread, we are also
concerned with the humanitarian
crisis this is creating.
The
xenophobic attacks are
deplorable and their
irreversible damage to the image
of our nation should be
curtailed. We urge authorities
to urgently take necessary steps
to address this matter which can
prove to be another defining
moment in the history of our
young democracy and a culture of
human rights. All resources
should be brought to bear to
safeguard life and property for
all.
We also
call upon the government to
create mechanisms that will
restore confidence among the
masses to make them understand
that their frustrations and
grievances will be addressed
accordingly.
As civil
society and religious leaders,
we pledge our support to
government to play whatever role
is appropriate to end the
suffering of victims as well as
in the process of restoring
calm, law and order.
(Signed)
E.I. Bham (Moulana)
Secretary General
19 May 2008
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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 153.62
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Mahr Faatimi |
R 7,680.84 |
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Zakaat Nisaab |
R 3,072.33
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Words of Wisdom |
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Hadith of the Week |
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Virtue and Vice |
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Nawwas ibn Sim'an al-Ansiri
Radhiallahu ‘anhu reported:
“I asked Allah's Messenger
Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam
about virtue and vice. He
said: ‘Virtue is a kind
disposition
and vice is what disturbs in
your heart and that you
disapprove that people
should come to know of it.’”
(Muslim)
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Quotation for the Week |
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Self Stock-Taking |
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Continue to take stock of
your actions.
(Hazrat Maseehullah
Rahmatullahi alayhi) |
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Point of Reflection |
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Ranks of Competence |
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The blacksmith in one
village becomes a
blacksmith's apprentice in
another.
(Ewe, Ghana Saying) |
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Q and A |
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Question:
Advise what is the
prescribed I should follow
to perform Salaah whilst
travelling in a plane for
twelve hours and there is a
6 hour time difference. For
example, the flight leaves
at Zuhr time in South Africa
going eastwards and arrives
at the destination the
following day after Fajr. |
Answer: If
you are flying with with a
Muslim airline then you
should request a Muslim
flight attendant to inform
you when the prescribed
Salaah time enters as well
as the direction of Qiblah.
You should also
enquire from them as to
where you may perform your
Salaah, which is generally
at certain exit points that
does not cause any
inconvenience to others.
Some airlines do provide for
these needs. Furthermore, it
is better to wear the
Khuffain (leather socks) so
that one would make Masah on
them instead of washing the
feet at the time of making
Wudhu.
And Allâh Ta’âla Knows Best. |
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U P D A T E |
Relief for Victims of Xenophobic
Attacks
The Jamiatul Ulama provided
meals to over 5000 people in the
East Rand a region which has
seen some of the most serious
violence related to xenophobia
gripping the country recently.
Other ways of intervention are
being explored to alleviate the
humanitarian crisis this
phenomenon is creating.
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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Xenophobia |
The Almighty
Says:
“ Those who entered the
city and the faith
before them love those
who flee unto them for
refuge, and find in
their breasts no need
for that which hath been
given them, but prefer
(others) above
themselves though
poverty become their
lot. ” [59:9]
“O people! Verily We
created you from a male
and a female and have
placed you in tribes and
nations so that you may
recognise one another…”
(49:13)
• The example of the
Ukhuwah (brotherhood)
which Rasulullah
salallahu alayhi was
salam established
between the Muhajireen
of Makkah and the Ansaar
of Madina is a sterling
example of
nation-building on the
base of piety and
selflessness. Not only
did he encourage it,
rather he himself
incorporated Muslims
from beyond the Arab
peninsula within his
close circle of
companions.
• Among the ‘foreign
nationals’ around the
Prophet salallahu alayhi
was salam were:
o Bilal radhiyallahu
anhu was a freed
Abyssinian slave, at the
same time he was the
Muadhin of Rasulullah
salallahu alayhi was
salam.
o Salman radhiyallahu
anhu hailed from the
region of the
fire-worshippers,
Persia. His plan of
warfare strategy proved
beneficial in the Battle
of Ahzaab.
o One of the beloved
wives of Rasulullah
salallahu alayhi was
salam, Safiyyah
radhiyallahu anha, was
of Jewish origin.
• A man once entered
Masjid An Nabawi wherein
he found a group of
people sitting and
discussing matters of
faith. Among them were
Salman radhiyallahu anhu,
Suhayb radhiyallahu anhu
and Bilal radhiyallahu
anhu. The man said: “If
the (Madinan) tribes of
Aws and Khazraj support
Muhammad, (it is
understood because they
are Arabs like him) they
are his people. But what
are these (foreign)
people doing here?”
(Implying an obvious
dislike for foreigners)
Rasulullah salallahu
alayhi was salam became
very angry when this was
reported to him. He went
to the masjid and
summoned people to
prayer. He then
addressed them saying:
"O people, know that the
Lord and Sustainer is
One. Your ancestor is
one; your faith is one.
The Arabism of anyone of
you is not (by virtue of
the nobility of) your
mother or father. It is
no more than a tongue
(language).” Rasulullah
salallahu alayhi was
salam further said: “Let
people stop boasting
about their ancestors.
One is only a pious
believer or a miserable
sinner. All men are sons
of Adam, and Adam came
from dust.” (Abu Dawud,
Tirmidhi).
• Rasulullah salallahu
alayhi was salam has
said: “Humanity is the
family of Allah, the
best human is one who is
kind to His (Allah’s)
family.” (Mishkaat)
Humanity is one society
bound together by a
common origin, which is
so comprehensive that it
includes all differences
within its oneness.
Extending a helping hand
to a ‘foreigner’ is
extending your hand to
your own family member.
• As humans, we often
tend to pledge
indiscriminate
allegiance to people of
our own kind. We do so
at the cost of justice
and impartiality. To
love your own kind is
but natural, but when
that love drives you to
support your own kind to
subvert the truth, and
to act unjustly it is
tantamount to bigotry.
In no way does Islam
condone injustice and
oppression.
• It is in a Muslim’s
belief that one’s
sustenance from the
Provider cannot be taken
away by another but the
Almighty Alone. At the
heart of the violence is
a sense of deprivation.
Yet the reaction is
misdirected.
"There is no moving
creature on earth but
its sustenance depends
on God: He knows the
time and place of its
definite abode and its
temporary deposit: All
is in a clear
Record"...(11:6)
• The spate of
xenophobic attacks
gripping the nation has
a potential of taking
all sorts of dimensions
that would reverse of
the gains the country
has made. It is our
responsibility as
believers to continue
engaging the government
to deliver on its
promises so as to
improve the lives of
ordinary citizens living
in squalor amidst
perceived plenty.
• As Muslims we also
have an added
responsibility of
protecting the
vulnerable who have
become victims of these
unfortunate
circumstances.
Contribute towards
relief efforts initiated
by different
organisations involved
in relief work.
• Let us open our hearts
and homes in the same
way the people of Madina
opened up to the fleeing
believers from hostile
Makkah.
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Message from the Ameer of
the Jamiatul Ulama |
Xenophobia
The current crisis of
xenophobic attacks that is
holding our country ransom,
has indeed reached
frightening levels and, if
not firmly and aggressively
arrested, poses a threat of
unimaginable proportions.
Xenophobia, in the South
African context, can be
traced to events many years
ago, but has been more
openly and brazenly
displayed in the course of
the last year. Incidents in
the Eastern Cape and the
North West
Provinces were highlighted
in the media. The Iterileng
informal settlement in
Pretoria was then the signal
for the spreading of such
activity in the Tshwane
area, with quickly
successive repeats of
increased intensity in
Atteridgeville, Shoshanguve
and Mamelodi. Unfortunately,
the response of the
authorities was not swift
enough and even wrongly
focused with the emphasis
incorrectly placed on
determining whether the
victims were illegal. Sadly,
the fact that acts of
xenophobia were themselves
illegal and completely
incorrect were not
underlined and stressed
upon. Nevertheless,
Alexandra then served as the
cue for a widespread
initiation of such
xenophobic attacks. Today,
we witness a situation that
is far from being ‘under
control’.
As to the causes - whether
it is related to poor
service delivery by local
government, whether the
severe economic conditions
are to blame, or whether the
foreigners are indeed
‘taking the jobs’ of the
locals – it is something
that needs to be identified
and dealt with effectively
but separately from the
issue of putting an
immediate stop to the
current emergency.
As Muslims, we must
understand that situations
prevail as a result of our
actions. Our actions will
influence the actions of
others but, more
importantly, our actions are
a cause for the conditions
that Allah brings down upon
us. Various verses of the
Qur’an and ahaadeeth can be
quoted in this regard. It is
of utmost substance that we
must come to the realisation
that whatever the apparent
reasons for conditions, our
actions have a definite
effect and are the primary
criteria for the prevalence
of conditions of ease or
difficulty.
In this regard, it is
important that we approach
the situation by:
a. Turning to Allah in
istighfaar and tawbah
b. Correcting our a’maal and
that of our families and
children
c. Physically trying to see
how we can help the
situation by assisting the
victims, identifying the
causes and working towards a
solution where the
grievances of all are
addressed.
Alhamdulillah, the Jamiatul
Ulama has coordinated
efforts towards assisting
the victims, where over 5000
people have been fed for the
last few days and victims
have been helped in a
variety of ways. The
Jamiatul Ulama is also
exploring ways, together
with other concerned
individuals and
organisations of discussing
the matter with the
government. The Jamiatul
Ulama holds that the
severity of the situation
demands that urgent and
instant action be taken to
freeze the perpetration and
spread of the current
catastrophe. It urges that
if the police are not able
to contain the situation,
there should be no
reluctance to deploy the
army in a supporting or
secondary role to the South
African Police.
In conclusion Muslims, as
well as all South Africans,
need to be reminded of their
need to turn to the Almighty
repentance, good deeds and
prayer.
Individuals should set aside
time to make du’aa, and
imams of masaajid are also
requested to make du’aa in
this regard.
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