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Weekly Comment |
The Road
to Lasting Peace is through
Justice
Rabbi
Warren Goldstein wrote in the
Business Day
yesterday that Judge Goldstone
made a 'rush job' of his
fact-finding mission producing a
report that harms the ‘cause for
peace’. This is our response:
Rabbi Warren
Goldstein starts on a wrong foot
in his attempt to defend the
indefensible. As a Jewish
leader, he could have served
Israel better by encouraging the
nation to institute an
independent enquiry into the
excesses of Operation Cast Lead
last January.
The love
for a nation should not blind us
from the realities of injustice.
In fact, true patriots offer
criticism when something goes
amiss in the conduct of their
national affairs. They do not
cover up or feign exercising
right to ‘remain silent’.
Goldstein’s attitude
therefore is a stark contrast of
the spirit in which Judge
Richard Goldstone accepted the
request from the United Nations
to probe the alleged crimes of
war. “As a Jew, I felt a greater
and not a lesser obligation to
do so,” wrote Goldstone.
Goldstone lamented Israel’s lack
of cooperation with his
investigating team, terming the
act a “grave error” on the part
of the Jewish state.
In
trying to discredit the
‘Goldstone Mission,’ Goldstein
conveniently overlooks the fact
that the Goldstone report is not
the first to investigate and
reach the same conclusions of
possible war crimes and crimes
against humanity in the conduct
of ‘Operation Cast Lead’ last
January.
Before
Goldstone, the Human Rights
Watch, Breaking the Silence,
Amnesty International and many
other bodies had either reached
similar conclusions or made
calls for further investigations
just as those made by the
Goldstone report.
In
Goldstein is a man who punts
even-handedness and justice.
Yet, Goldstein has a disdain for
a report that calls for further
investigations that would result
in bringing to book any
perpetrators of crimes against
humanity.
Goldstone
undertook the probe compelled by
the values of integrity and a
conviction not to betray his
conscience. Yet, people like
Goldstein judge him as a ‘Jew
who betrayed the cause of
Israel.’ However, it is the
conduct of people like the Rabbi
who betray the cause of Israel.
It is also unwitting on the
part of Goldstein to cite legal
pedantry of the apartheid era in
evaluating the Goldstone report.
The democracy that Israel claims
to be is a well-known apartheid
order that has legislated for
discrimination in the areas of
nationality, citizenship and
land tenure.
Others have
even suggested that to call
Israel an apartheid state is an
understatement. Rather, Israel
exists as a peculiar entity that
wraps together a military
occupation, an apartheid order
as well as a malignant form of
colonialism.
The
Goldstone report recommends that
Israel and Hamas be given six
months to launch their own
investigation into the report's
findings. Any of the parties
that fail to do so in a credible
manner would face the
possibility of being referred to
the International Criminal Court
for prosecution.
Just as
the Talmudic Rabbi aptly links
peace to justice, a independent
investigation into the conduct
of ‘Operation Cast Lead’ will
not only help in bringing Israel
to good standing but also serve
justice, a long-missing
ingredient in the ‘peace
process.’
Professor Eyal
Benvenisti in Israel's Ha'aretz
newspaper succinctly sums it up:
“World public opinion demands of
Israel a credible and
transparent explanation of the
combat activity in Gaza. The
decision to ignore this demand
is equivalent to burying the
head in the sand.”
For
Israel, this is an opportunity
to set the record straight. It
begs imagination why the
Goldstone report should be a
threat to the cause of peace. |
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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 154.63 |
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Mahr Faatimi |
R 7,731.56 |
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Zakaat Nisaab |
R 3,092.62 |
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Words of Wisdom |
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Hadith of the Week |
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Temptations |
.
Hadhrat Ibn Mas'űd
Radhi-Allahu anhu and
Hadhrat Abu Hurairah
Radhi-Allahu anhu narrate
the Prophet Muhammad
Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam
said: "There will dawn a
time over people when the
destruction of a man will be
at the hands of his wife,
parents, and children. They
will humiliate him because
of his poverty and will make
such demands which will
induce him to engage in such
activities (to gain more
money) which will finally
destroy his Deen."
(Baihaqi)
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Quotation
of
the Week |
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Knowledge |
.
All the knowledge is
confined to two aspects.
First, do not desire the
vanities from which Allah
has released you; and
second, do not neglect the
religious and worldly duties
that Allah has obliged you
with.
(Ibrahim
bin Ahmad Rahmatullah
‘alayhi)
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Point of Reflection |
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Perseverance |
.
“He who yawns catches not
fish.”
(Maori
Saying)
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Q and A |
Question:
Please
enlighten me on what is
Tâlaaq-e-Bâin. Jazak-Allah
khairan.
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Answer:
Talâq Bâ-in is when the
husband issues one or two
irrevocable divorce
statements to his wife by
saying to her that he is
giving her Talâq Bâ-in or by
issuing Talâq through an
ambiguous statement and
intending Talâq therewith.
The effect of this divorce
is that the nikah bond is
terminated immediately. The
wife must then immediately
commence her iddah. The
couple may however reconcile
within the iddah period or
thereafter if there is
mutual agreement, by
performing a fresh nikâh.
One must however
understand that if the
couple decide to remarry
then the divorce / divorces
[Talâq Bâ-in] issued by him
still stand/s. In future the
husband may only issue the
remainder of Talâqs to reach
the maximum three. In other
words the issued Talâq/s are
not considered as null and
void by reconciliation
through a new nikâh.
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U P D A T E |
‘Ideologies that Shape Minds in
the Modern World’
This is the theme of this
quarter’s Ulama workshop which
is scheduled to take place at
the Jamiatul Ulama’s auditorium,
Baitul Hamd 32 Dolly Rathebe
Road, Fordsburg on Saturday 31
October 2009.
The
workshop will start at 9:00 and
end at 12:30pm. Enquiries should
be directed to Moulanas
Obeidullah Bhoja and Abdul-Hamid
Varachia on 011 373 8000.
Jâmi‘ah al-‘Ulűm
al-Islâmiyyah
The Jâmi‘ah al-‘Ulűm
al-Islâmiyyah was established by
the Jamiatul Ulama with the aim
of providing quality Islamic
education within such a social
context which challenges the
notion of practicing Islam in
its unadulterated form. The
formation of the Jaami`ah is
driven by the desire to rekindle
scholarship within the Ummah and
provide sound leadership so as
to elevate the Ummah to its
deserved glory.
The
institute currently offers the
‘Aalim Fâdhil programme which is
a six-year direct-contact and
full-time course and will be
taught primarily through the
medium of English and Arabic
together with a limited amount
of Urdu.
Some of the
subjects that are taught
include:
Arabic and the
various branches of Arabic
grammar and literature,
Qur'anic sciences and exegesis,
Hadith and Hadith sciences,
Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh,
History.
Other subjects
include a focused programme on
functional Arabic and Urdu as
well as English for Effective
Communication.
Skills
development is also given
importance,
Computer Studies
is a compulsory subject with the
intention to register all future
students for the ICDL.
A
programme on Islamic economics,
Research methodology and writing
forms and skills are covered as
is speech and elocution,
Students are exposed to guest
speakers who address them on a
range of issues, on a
fortnightly basis.
Learners will be awarded a
certificate upon completion of
the course.
The institute
also motivates students to
further their knowledge in other
fields and facilitates their
registration and study at
tertiary institutes in
accordance with their academic
aptitudes.
No boarding
and lodging is provided to
students.
Admission
Requirements:
Aspiring
learners must be mature persons,
of upright character, have a
basic Islamic education, be in
possession of a matriculation
certificate, versatile in
English and any other official
language of the country and be
dedicated to self-study.
Learners will be accepted
only after an interview.
Applications for 2010 close on
the 9th October 2009. The
academic year begins in January
and ends in December.
For
more information, contact:
Ml. Abdullah Jeena
Jâmi‘ah
al-‘Ulűm al-Islâmiyyah
Tel:
011 373 8040, Fax: 011 373 8022
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Summarised Jumu’ah
Bayaan: |
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Dhu al-Qa’dah
Week One: Our Heritage
Mus ‘ab ibn Umayr
radhiyallahu anhu |
• Mus‘ab ibn Umayr
radhiyallahu anhu grew
up in the lap of
affluence and luxury.
His rich parents
lavished a great deal of
care to him while he
wore the most expensive
clothes and the most
stylish shoes of his
time. As a youth he was
admired by the Quraysh
not only for his good
looks but for his
intelligence.
•
Among Makkans there was
a sudden outburst of
concern as Muhammad
sallallahu alayhi
wasallam emerged saying
that Allah sent him as a
Messenger. Mus‘ab
radhiyallahu anhu learnt
that Muhammad sallallahu
alayhi wasallam and
those who believed in
his message were
gathering in a house
near the hill of Safa to
evade Quraysh
harassment. To satisfy
his curiosity, Mus‘ab
radhiyallahu anhu
proceeded to there,
where he met Rasulullah
sallallahu alayhi
wasallam teaching his
small band of
companions, reciting the
verses of the Qur’an to
them and performing
Salah.
• Mus‘ab
radhiyallahu anhu was
overwhelmed by what he
had seen and heard and
in this first meeting he
accepted Islam. His keen
mind, tenacious will,
determination, eloquence
and beautiful character
were now in the service
of Islam. On accepting
Islam, Mus‘ab
radhiyallahu anhu had
one major concern, his
mother, Khunnas bint
Malik. She had a
dominant personality and
could easily arouse fear
and terror, so he
decided to conceal his
Islam. He continued to
frequent the House of
Al-Arqam and sat in the
company of Rasulullah
sallallahu alayhi
wasallam.
• The
news of his Islam spread
among the Quraysh and
eventually reached his
mother. Mus‘ab
radhiyallahu anhu stood
before his mother, his
clan and the Quraysh
nobility and
acknowledged his Islam
after which he recited
some verses of the
Qur’an. As she listened
she became increasingly
incensed and felt like
silencing him with one
blow. Perhaps, her love
restrained her from
beating him, but still
she felt she had to do
something. She had
Mus‘ab radhiyallahu anhu
taken to a far corner of
the house where he had
become a prisoner in his
own home. For a long
time, Mus‘ab
radhiyallahu anhu
remained tied and
confined, but despite
this ordeal, he did not
waver and managed to
slip away to join the
other Muslims who fled
to Abyssinia.
•
Upon return, his mother
made a last attempt to
gain control of him and
threatened to have him
tied up again. Then came
the moment of separation
which revealed strong
persistence on the part
of both. As she threw
him out, she said, ‘Go
to your own business. I
am not prepared to be a
mother to you.’ He went
up close to her and
said, ‘Mother, I advise
you sincerely. I am
concerned about you. Do
testify that there is no
god but Allah and that
Muhammad is His servant
and His Messenger.’ ‘I
swear by the shooting
stars, I shall not enter
your religion even if my
opinion is ridiculed and
my mind becomes
impotent,’ she insisted.
Mus‘ab radhiyallahu anhu
thus left her home and
the comforts he once
enjoyed.
• One
day, several years
later, Mus‘ab
radhiyallahu anhu
entered a gathering of
Muslims sitting around
Rasulullah sallallahu
alayhi wasallam. They
lowered their gaze when
they saw him and some
were even moved to
tears. His clothing was
old and in tatters, and
they were immediately
taken back to the days
when he was a model of
elegance. Rasulullah
sallallahu alayhi
wasallam looked at
Mus‘ab radhiyallahu
anhu, smiled gracefully
and said, ‘I have seen
this Mus‘ab with his
parents in Makkah. They
lavished care and
attention on him and
gave him all comforts.
There was no Quraysh
youth like him. Then he
left all that seeking
the pleasure of Allah
and devoting himself to
the service of His
Prophet.’ Rasulullah
sallallahu alayhi
wasallam then went on to
say, ‘There will come a
time when Allah will
grant you victory over
Persia and Byzantium.
You would have one dress
in the morning and
another in the evening
and you would eat out of
one dish in the morning
and another in the
evening.’ The companions
sitting around asked, ‘O
Messenger of Allah, are
we in a better situation
in these times or would
we be better off then?’
He replied, ‘You are
rather better off now
than you would be then.
If you knew of the world
what I know you would
certainly not be so much
concerned with it.’
• It was shortly
after the journey of
Rasulullah sallallahu
alayhi wasallam to Taif
that he was chosen to be
an ‘ambassador’ to
Yathrib (Madinah) to
teach a small group of
believers there and to
prepare the city for the
day of the great Hijrah.
Through the grace of
Allah, men and women,
the young and the old,
the powerful and the
weak accepted Islam at
his hands. Yathrib soon
became the center and
the base for the Islamic
state.
• After
the Battle of Badr was
over, the Quraysh
prisoners of war were
brought to Rasulullah
sallallahu alayhi
wasallam who assigned
them to the custody of
individual Muslims.
‘Treat them well,’ he
instructed. Among the
prisoners was Abu Aziz
ibn Umayr, the brother
of Mus‘ab. Abu Aziz
related what happened,
‘I was among a group of
Ansaar...Whenever they
had lunch or dinner they
would give me bread and
dates to eat in
obedience to the
instruction of
Rasulullah sallallahu
alayhi wasallam to them
to treat us well. My
brother, Mus‘ab ibn
Umayr, passed by me and
said to the man from the
Ansar who was holding me
prisoner, ‘Tie him
firmly... His mother is
a woman of great wealth
and maybe she would
ransom him for you.’ Abu
Aziz could not believe
his ears and he asked,
‘My brother, is this
your instruction
concerning me?’ ‘He is
my brother, not you,’
replied Mus‘ab
radhiyallahu anhu, thus
affirming that the bonds
of faith were stronger
than the ties of
kinship.
• At the
Battle of Uhud,
Rasulullah sallallahu
alayhi wasallam called
upon Mus‘ab radhiyallahu
anhu to carry the Muslim
standard. The Muslims
seemed to be gaining the
upper hand until a group
of Muslims deserted
their positions and the
enemy launched a
counterattack. He raised
the standard high and
shouted the takbir. With
the standard in one hand
and sword in the other,
he plunged into the
Quraysh forces. His
right hand was severed.
Later on, his left hand
was also severed and as
he held the standard
between the stumps of
his arms. Then he was
then hit by a spear. He
fell and the standard
fell.
• After
the battle, when
Rasulullah sallallahu
alayhi wasallam and his
companions came upon his
body, tears flowed. They
could not find any cloth
with which to shroud his
body, except his own
garment. When they
covered his head with
it, his legs showed and
when his legs were
covered, his head was
exposed and Rasulullah
sallallahu alayhi
wasallam instructed,
‘Place the garment over
his head and cover his
feet and legs with the
leaves of the idhkhir
(rue) plant.’
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Message from the Ameer of
the Jamiatul Ulama |
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Fuelling
Misconceptions on Islam |
When non-Muslims
criticise and pass judgment
on Islam and its position on
women, we are quick to jump
to the defence and condemn
those that make disparaging
comments about Islam and its
position on women.
Indeed, it is a sign of the
spark of the Imaan that
burns within our hearts that
we are passionate defenders
of Islam and everything that
it teaches and it is most
definitely important that we
remain ardent protectors of
Islam and its principles.
There is, however, a
basic principle that people
judge things on the basis of
their observations and
experiences. As much as this
is often inaccurate and
prejudiced, the truth
remains that people do make
judgements based on what
they are exposed to. They
often have no other source
of informing themselves and
it is the simplest way of
arriving at a conclusion or
developing an opinion.
It is also true that the
exposure that non-Muslims
have of Islam is most often
through their interaction
with Muslims. It must also
be understood that people do
make generalisations based
on their experiences with a
few and non-Muslims
frequently understand Islam
on the basis of their
contact with Muslims. The
question we need to ask is
if we are contributing to
and even actually developing
the mindset, opinions and
attitudes of the
non-Muslims?
Recently
there has been a consistent
increase in the abuse of
Muslim women by their
spouses. The abuse is
inclusive of psychological
and emotional abuse.
Frighteningly, it has become
more and more prevalent in
the field of physical abuse.
It must be stated,
without reservation, that
Islam does not allow a
Muslim man to physically
abuse his wife. He is not
allowed to harm her in any
way.
In fact, the
Muslim husband is supposed
to be the minder and
protector of his wife. He is
to care for her, look after
her, provide for her needs,
show kindness and love to
her and endow her with the
warmth of a home and heart
that she would long to pass
her life in and be committed
to.
The example of
our dear beloved Prophet
Muhammad Sallallahu `alayhi
wa sallam is an example we
must emulate. He was kind to
his wives, he did not harm
them in any way. He cared
for them and assisted them
making their lives more
comfortable. He joked with
them and played with them
and when they displeased
him, he showed his
displeasure with restraint.
He lived with them in such a
manner that they would not
choose any other life above
their life with him, even
though there were many
sacrifices and challenges
that they had to endure.
Our defense of Islam’s
position on women must begin
with the way we treat our
mothers, daughter s and
wives.
May Allah
(subhanahu wa ta`aala) guide
us in all that we do.
Aameen.
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