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Weekly Comment |
National Interest vs Principled
Stance
How
far can governments fight moral
battles? Will just causes of
other lands be sacrificed at the
altar of national interest? What
national interests are more
important than others? Is it
possible to be principled and at
the same time expedient?
These could be questions
whose answers we have to explore
at this time of what is playing
out to be the South African
government’s faux pas in the
failure to grant visa to the
Dalai Lama.
The Dalai
Lama was scheduled to join other
dignitaries at a peace
conference upon the invitation
of Nelson Mandela, FW de Klerk
and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The
government saw red: “The Dalai
Lama was going to steal the
limelight from the country’s
hosting of the world’s soccer
showpiece…,” the government
says. Others challenge: “It has
been at the behest of China.”
The Chinese indeed have been the
only voice so far, seemingly
unequivocal in supporting the
South African government’s
decision.
This
development should scare those
fighting for liberation while
counting on South Africa’s help.
Read Western Sahara, Palestine,
Kashmir and Myanmar among
others. Will South Africa forget
the support she received from
others in her own liberation and
think “national interest” only?
Blind Spot: West Bank
For a period, the world remained
focussed on Gaza. But more than
Gaza, Zionist occupation forces
continue to terrorise
Palestinians in the West Bank as
they have been in the past in
their attempts to Judaise
Jerusalem and precincts.
The atrocious raids on Gaza,
drew our attention to the
territory as we helplessly
watched wanton loss of life. The
confessions of the Zionist army
that they would deliberate kill
women and children during the
War on Gaza was just a
confirmation of what many
already know of the conduct of
the occupiers warfare. As this
went on, however, there was
never any easing on the grip of
Zionist Israel on the West Bank.
One of the symbols of
illegal occupation is Ma'aleh
Adumim settlement. Ma’aleh
Adumim, according to a secret
deal entered into by Benjamin
Netanyahu and coalition partner
Yisrael Beiteinu, will see 3000
new homes constructed. Earlier
on Monday, Sheikh Raed Salah,
leader of the Islamic Movement
and mayor of Ummul Fahm was
arrested while attending a
conference aimed at declaring
Jerusalem as a Palestinian
cultural capital.
The EU
and partners keep ‘expressing
concerns’ at the right-wing
forming government in Tel Aviv.
With such a total regard for
international norms and ethics,
when shall we hear of the
International Criminal Court
issuing warrants of arrest of
the commanders and Zionist
leaders as they have been quick
to do so with Omar al-Bashir? Is
it a case of judicial
imperialism applicable to
'African despots' only? |
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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 |
R158.64 |
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Mahr Faatimi |
R 7,932.19 |
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Zakaat Nisaab |
R 3,172.88 |
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Words of Wisdom |
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Hadith of the Week |
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Night of
Reward |
From Sahl ibn Aa'd
Radhi-Allahu 'anhu who said
that Allaah's Messenger
Salallahu 'alayhi wa sallam
said: “Jibreel came to me
and said: ‘O Muhammad! Live
as you will for you must
certainly die; love whom you
will since you must
certainly leave him; act as
you will since you shall
certainly be given due
reward for it; know that the
believers eminence is his
standing in prayer during
the night, and his honour is
having sufficiency without
dependency upon the
people.’”
(Al
Haakim)
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Quotation for the Week |
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Show
Business |
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It is
better to be hated for what
you are than loved for what
you are not. (André
Gide)
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Point of Reflection |
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Asking is no Disgrace |
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Death
does not sound a trumpet.
(Congo Proverb)
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Q and A |
Question:
After
burial what is the reason
behind reading first few
verses of Surah Baqarah on
head side and last few
verses of the Surah at the
leg side and was this the
practise of Prophet
Sallallahu alayhi wasallam?
Is it a Bid’ah for the
Imam to read Surah Fatihaa
before reading the first few
verses of Surah Baqarah
on head side after burial or
is proven by Prophet S.A.W
or the Sahaabah? |
Answer:
Abdullah ibn Umar
radiallahu anhuma says, I
heard Rasulullah sallallaahu
alaihi wasallam saying that
when one of you passes away
then do not hold him back.
Hasten him towards his grave
and the opening verses of
Surah Baqarah should be
recited at his head and the
ending verses of Surah
Baqarah should be recited at
his feet. Bayhaqi has
narrated this narration in
Shu'abul Imaan. (Mishkat
p.149)
We have not
been unable to locate a
Hadith wherein mention is
made of reciting Surah
Fatiha.
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U P D A T E |
Human Rights Commission
Conference
Moulana Ebrahim Bham attended a
conference hosted by the Human
Rights Commission at Freedom
Park in Pretoria on Wednesday 18
March 2009.
The
conference was a multi-themed
one. However, Moulana Bham was
one of the panelists in the
session that looked at the
religion and the promotion of
constitutional values.
The conference was part of the
commemoration of Human Rights
Day which falls on 21 March
every year.
Airport Jamaat Khana
In collaboration with Airports
Company South Africa (ACSA) the
Jamiatul Ulama has been
successful in securing an area
in the New International
Arrivals Terminal of OR Tambo
airport for a Muslim prayer
facility. Plans for it have been
approved and work on the
internal design and layout will
commence soon. The facility
includes a Salaah area for
approximately 70 males and 30
females, an ablution area, a
luggage storage space and a baby
changing and feeding area.
Donations towards this
project will be highly
appreciated. Kindly deposit your
‘Lillah’ contributions directly
into our bank account:
Account Name: Jamiatul Ulama
Transvaal Relief Account
Bank: Nedbank Fordsburg
Branch Code: 195305
Account
Number: 1953 285 937
Kindly
fax deposit slips to our offices
on 011 373 8022 and ear-mark
‘Airport Jamaat Khana.’
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Summarised Jumu’ah
Bayaan:
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The Inevitable
Journey of Nabi Salallahu alayhi wasalam |
“Muhammad is no more
than a Messenger, and
indeed (many) Messengers
have passed away before
him. If he dies or is
killed, will you then
turn back on your heels
(as disbelievers)? And
he who turns back on his
heels, not the least
harm will he do to
Allah; and Allah will
give reward to those who
are grateful.” (3:144)
• The most
significant event in the
life of Nabi sallallahu
alayhi wasalam was his
passing away. This was
because it symbolised
the culmination of all
heavenly revelations to
this earth. Nabi
sallallahu alayhi
wasalam informed us that
his death would be a
great disaster, ‘O
people! If any believer
is afflicted by a
tragedy, let him
remember the adversity
of my death, so that
this may give him ease,
as nobody will be
afflicted with an
adversity which is
greater than that of my
demise.’ (Ibn Majah)
• When Nabi
sallallahu alayhi
wasalam passed away, Umm
Ayman radhiyallahu anha
cried. When asked why,
she replied: ‘I swear by
Allah that I knew Nabi
sallallahu alayhi
wasalam would eventually
die, but I am crying
because the revelation
has stopped descending.’
(Ahmad)
• Nabi
sallallahu alayhi
wasalam was informed
about when he would
eventually pass on. Ibn
‘Umar radhiyallahu anhu
said: ‘When the
following verses were
revealed to Nabi
sallallahu alayhi
wasalam during the days
of ‘Eid just after Hajj:
“When the victory of
Allah has come and the
conquest [i.e. of Makkah].
And you see the people
entering into the
religion of Allah in
multitudes. Then exalt
[Him] with praise of
your Lord and ask
forgiveness of Him.
Indeed, He is ever
accepting of
repentance.” (Surah
Nasr), it became known
that his demise was
near.’ (Al-Bayhaqi)
• On many occasions
Nabi sallallahu alayhi
wasalam hinted to his
companions about the
closeness of his demise.
Mu’aadh ibn Jabal
radhiyallahu anhu said:
‘When Nabi sallallahu
alayhi wasalam was
dispatching me to Yemen,
he walked with me and
advised me while I was
riding on my animal.
When he finished his
advice, he said: ‘O
Mu’aadh! Perhaps you
will not see me again
after this year and
perhaps you will pass by
my Masjid or my grave.’
So I cried out of grief
at the thought of the
demise of Nabi
sallallahu alayhi
wasalam. Then, Nabi
sallallahu alayhi
wasalam faced towards
Madinah and said: ‘The
worthiest of my company
(in the hereafter) are
the most pious, whoever
and wherever they are.’
(Ahmad)
• The
beginning of his final
illness was the result
of a Jewish conspiracy.
This happened because
some Jews in Khaybar
invited Nabi sallallahu
alayhi wasalam and a few
of his companions for a
meal which they had
poisoned. Recalling this
whilst on his deathbed,
Nabi sallallahu alayhi
wasalam said: ‘I can
still feel the effect of
what I ate in Khaybar,
therefore, the time for
my death time has come.’
(Abu Dawud)
• The
final illness of the
Nabi sallallahu alayhi
wasalam began in the
beginning of the month
of Rabi Al-Awwal.
A’ishah radhiyallahu
anha said: ‘When it
became difficult for
Nabi sallallahu alayhi
wasalam to move about,
he asked permission from
his wives to remain in
my house for the
duration of his sickness
and they agreed to this.
One day, during this
sickness, he was carried
outside by ‘Abbaas,
radhiyallahu anhu and
another man while his
feet were dragging along
the ground.’
•
A’ishah radhiyallahu
anha said: ‘One day
whilst Nabi sallallahu
alayhi wasalam was
suffering from his final
illness, the call to
prayer was made. Nabi
sallallahu alayhi
wasalam said: ‘Command
Abu Bakr to lead the
people in the prayer.’
Some people advised him
that Abu Bakr was a
soft-hearted man who
would not be able to
restrain himself from
crying during prayers.
Nabi sallallahu alayhi
wasalam repeated his
statement and the people
around him repeated the
same advice to him. When
this happened for the
third time, Nabi
sallallahu alayhi
wasalam said: ‘You
people are just like the
women who plotted
against Yusuf! Command
Abu Bakr to lead the
people in the prayer.’
Therefore, Abu Bakr
radhiyallahu anhu, went
to lead the prayer, but
all of a sudden, Nabi
sallallahu alayhi
wasalam felt that he was
recovering, so he came
out of his house leaning
against two men.’ She
added: ‘When Abu Bakr
radhiyallahu anhu felt
the presence of Nabi
sallallahu alayhi
wasalam, he began to
retreat from his
position, but Nabi
sallallahu alayhi
wasalam signalled for
him to continue. Then,
he came and sat down
next to Abu Bakr
radhiyallahu anhu and
prayed on that spot.’ (Bukhari
& Muslim)
•
A’ishah radhiyallahu
anha said: ‘When Nabi
sallallahu alayhi
wasalam was on his death
bed, I saw him dipping
his hands into a bowl of
water and wiping his
face with them whilst
saying: ‘Oh my Lord!
Help me through the
hardships and agonies of
death.’(Ahmad, Ibn
Maajah & Tirmidhi)
• There is no doubt
that everything which
Nabi sallallahu alayhi
wasalam said was full of
wisdom; whether it was
admonition,
encouragement or advice.
However, he gave his
Ummah special advices
during his final
illness, just as he was
approaching the
Hereafter.
•
A’ishah radhiyallahu
anha said: ‘During his
final illness Nabi
sallallahu alayhi
wasalam said: ‘May Allah
curse the Jews; they
made their Prophets’
graves into places of
prostration,’ then she
continued: ‘had he not
said that, the people
would have made his
grave a place of
prostration; but I am
afraid (in the future)
that they will do so
anyway.’ (Bukhari &
Muslim)
• Umm
Salamah radhiyallahu
anha said: ‘Nabi
sallallahu alayhi
wasalam said during his
final illness: ‘Guard
your prayers and watch
over what your right
hand possess (i.e. those
under your authority).’
He continued to repeat
these words until he was
unable to talk.’(Ibn
Maajah).
• Anas
ibn Malik radhiyallahu
anhu said: ‘Abu Bakr
radhiyallahu anhu was
leading the prayers
during the final illness
of Nabi sallallahu
alayhi wasalam. On a
Monday during this
sickness, while the
people where praying,
Nabi sallallahu alayhi
wasalam pulled back his
curtain and stood
looking at us. His face
was intensely
illuminating - and then
he smiled. We almost
left prayer out of the
joy of seeing him. Abu
Bakr radhiyallahu anhu
began to retreat to the
row behind him thinking
that Nabi sallallahu
alayhi wasalam would
come out of his house
and pray, but Nabi
sallallahu alayhi
wasalam signalled for us
to continue praying,
then he closed his
curtain again. Nabi
sallallahu alayhi
wasalam passed away
later that day.’ (Bukhari
& Muslim)
•
A’ishah radhiyallahu
anha narrated: ‘It is
from the bounties of
Allah (upon me) that
Nabi sallallahu alayhi
wasalam passed away in
my house whilst laying
in my lap with me
holding him between my
chest and neck.’ Whilst
describing his last
moments, A’ishah
radhiyallahu anha says:
‘...whilst doing this,
Nabi sallallahu alayhi
wasalam was saying: “Laa
Ilaaha Illaa Allah
(there is nothing worthy
of worship except
Allah), indeed death
contains agony.” Then he
pointed upwards and kept
saying: ‘Let me join the
Highest Companions,’
until he passed away and
his hand dropped.’ (Bukhari)
• Although the
companions of Nabi
sallallahu alayhi
wasalam were extremely
saddened and devastated
at his loss, this did
not force them out of
their state of patience
and perseverance.
• A’ishah
radhiyallahu anha
narrated: ‘Nabi
sallallahu alayhi
wasalam passed away when
he was sixty three years
old.’ (Bukhaari &
Muslim).
• Ibn
Hajar writes: ‘There is
no disagreement
regarding the fact that
Nabi sallallahu alayhi
wasalam passed away on a
Monday during the month
of Rabi’ Al-Awwal.
However, some scholars
have differed as to the
actual date of that
Monday. There are three
different views in this
regard: the first, the
second and the twelfth
(the last being the
majority view).’
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Message from the Ameer of
the Jamiatul Ulama |
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We
Forget so Easily … |
A
year ago, South Africa
experienced the ugly
scenario of widespread
xenophobic attacks. It held
the country to ransom and
reached frightening levels.
As to the causes - whether
it was related to poor
service delivery by local
government, whether the
severe economic conditions
were to blame, or whether
the foreigners were indeed
usurping the rights of the
locals – was something that
needed to be identified and
dealt with effectively. The
crisis was, after
irreparable damage,
arrested. However, a
detailed investigation with
a follow-up aimed at
preventing such situations
was never given serious
attention – neither from the
side of the authorities nor
from within communities,
South African or foreign.
Sadly, the hype and
intensified focus created by
a media that thrives on
sensationalizing current
events seems to be
developing a sense of short
term amnesia. People quickly
forget what took place a few
years, a few months and even
a few weeks or days ago.
There is always something
new and the old is forgotten
or placed on a shelf in the
deepest corner of the
archives. They have become
so prone to this that even
issues that they become
extremely passionate about
are soon forgotten or not
given much importance. The
Middle East situation is
another clear example in
this regard. Whether it be
Gaza, Iraq or even
Afghanistan.
It is
important for us as Muslims
to realize that we must at
all times, in all situations
remember those that are
suffering.
More
important is the fact that
we can do more benefit in
times of less-intensified
oppression, by looking at
pro-active measures to
prevent greater onslaughts
or even provide an
infrastructure that will
help the oppressed cope
better. Additionally we
should investigate the
reason and method of
previous incidents with an
eye to learning from them.
Finally, as Muslims, we
must understand that
situations prevail as a
result of our actions. 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 realization 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, tawbah and
du’aa
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 victims,
identifying causes and
working towards a solution.
May Allah Subhanhu wa
ta’aala help and guide us.
Aameen.
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