Islamic Focus Issue 115

P9 Shakespeare

1 1 1 0 0 9

P8 Civil Law

222 3 - 11 10

P7 Food Lessons

I S SN

P4 Going Green

9 7 7 2 2 2 3

P3 Noah Film

P10 Cyberbullying Bukhara Publications/Tel: 078 672 7797/Fax: 086 651 2125 Email: islamicfocus@gmail.com/Korsten/Port Elizabeth

A Sahabi (pl. Ṣaḥaba) as defined by ibn Ḥajar, in his book al-Isaba, is a person who met the Prophet as a believer and thereafter passed away as a Muslim.

We have been instructed in numerous verses of the Quran and narrations of the Prophet to love and show respect for the Ṣaḥaba as Allah is pleased with them.

OUR BELIEF We love the Sahaba and we don’t disown any one of them. We hate anyone who hates them or does not speak well of them and we only speak well of them.

Love for them is religion, belief and piety whilst hatred for them is disbelief, hypocrisy and transgression.

(Al Aqeedah At Tahaawiya) The Quran establishes their high status:

Issue 115

Igniting the Spirit of Islam Feb 2014

Allah is well pleased with the first emigrants and helpers and those who followed them in good deeds, and they are well pleased with Him: He has prepared Gardens graced with flowing streams for them, there to remain for ever. That is the supreme triumph. (Quran, Surah Tawba 100) BEST PEOPLE The Prophet has also praised the Ṣaḥaba and instructed us to love them and not show enmity or insult them. He said: The best of people is my generation and thereafter those that follow them. (Bukhari, Muslim) Fear Allah, fear Allah with regards to my companions.

Do not make them targets (of your criticism) after me.

Whoever loves them he would love them on account of his love for me and whoever shows enmity towards

them would do so on account of his being an enemy to me. Whoever insults them has insulted me and whoever insults me has insulted Allah. Whoever insults Allah, will soon be seized by Him.(Tirmidhi) Imam Malik rahimahullah said that someone who finds in himself an ill-feeling or anger with regards to the Sahab is a disbeliever because Allah says that He enrages the disbelievers with them, i.e. the Sahaba (Quran 48:29) "Whoever abuses my Sahaba, upon them is the curse of Allah, the angels and all the people." (Tabaranee) Be wary of any person who criticises or swears the Sahaba.

Scan the QR code with your cellphone to go to our website: www.islamicfocus.co.za

82 DURBAN ROAD, KORSTEN TEL/FAX: (041) 453 2990

Place your platter order from as little as R35: Sandwiches, Bunny Chows, Rooties, Samoosas, Pies, Curry Bunny, Chicken Bites

Islamic Focus

WORLD NEWS

IRAQ - Iraqi military helicopters destroyed a convoy of fuel tankers inside Syrian territory. The convoy was heading towards the border and was due to supply Isis fighters in Iraq's Anbar province. The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Isis) fights the governments in Syria and Iraq. Isis created a safe passage from Anbar to the north Syrian city of Aleppo. However, most of Syria's other freedom fighters oppose Isis. (BBC, 27 April 2014) SOUTH SUDAN - At least 200 civilians were reported to have been slaughtered in a mosque in Bentiu, capital of the oil-rich Unity State in South Sudan amidst rebel fighting in the country. (BBC, 23 April

2014) EGYPT - A coup court in Egypt sentenced 528 supporters of ousted Islamist President Mohammed Morsi to death. The group is among some 1,200 Muslim Brotherhood supporters on trial, including senior members. The army and coup leaders have cracked down harshly on Islamists since Morsi was removed by the military in July 2013. Hundreds have been killed and thousands arrested. The Brotherhood has been declared a terrorist organisation and authorities have punished any public show of support for it. (BBC, 24 March 2014) NIGERIA - An Islamic court in northern Nigeria has sentenced a man to death by stoning for raping a girl of 10 and infecting her with HIV. He admitted raping the girl. (BBC, 24 April) AFGHANISTAN - 80 people killed and hundreds left stranded in devastating flash floods in northern Afghanistan. People were left trapped on the roofs of

Islamic Focus

their homes and rescue helicopters have been deployed. There are reports of flooding in other provinces in the north and west. In Jowzjan 3,000 homes have been destroyed. (BBC, 25 April 2014) ECUADOR - President Correa accused USA of meddling in his country's internal affairs. 20 US military personnel will leave to comply with an order from the Ecuador government. Relations between Ecuador and USA have been strained ever since Correa came to office in 2007. In 2009, Ecuador refused to renew an agreement with the US that allowed its drug-interdiction flights to be based at an Ecuadorean airfield. That same year, Ecuador expelled two US diplomats, accusing them of meddling in its internal affairs. In 2012, it provided asylum in its London embassy to the WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, whose organisation published leaked US military documents and diplomatic cables. (BBC, 25 April

2014) PALESTINE - Fatah and Hamas signed a reconciliation deal and will try to form a unity government soon. Following the announcement, Israel said it would not attend a negotiation session with Fatah and said Fatah would have to choose between peace with Israel and peace with Hamas. Hamas has lost a strong ally in Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood and the leadership has also lost a key base in Damascus.

(BBC, 24 April 2014) CANADA - Reports in two magazines said sexual assault plagues the country's armed forces with five assaults per day within the military community. The magazines interviewed victims of rape or sexual assault. (BBC, 25 April 2014)

Telephone, SMS line, Whatsapp, Viber: +27 78 672 7797

2

1. Portrayal of a Prophet 1.1. This is not allowed as it detracts from the respect for the Prophet.

1.2 The actors are not in the position to portray such great personalities.

1.3 Viewers start to intertwine the character played by actors, looks included, into their imagination of the Prophets. When reading about the Flood of Nuh alaihis salaam, viewers will imagine scenes from the movie.

2. False Information 2.1 By and large Hollywood movies never stick to the truth. In fact the producer of the movie Noah, a self-professed atheist, says he is proud of the fact that he's taken a story inspired by God's word and turned it into something so secular.

2.2 The Bible stories of the Prophets that form the basis of the movies, are riddled with lies and depict the Prophets in an unsavory light. An example is Genesis 19:30-36 which twists the story of Prophet Loot alaihis salaam.

3. Sex and Nudity 3.1 No story, not even that of the Prophets, escapes the Hollywood addition of immoral scenes. IMDB’s parental guidance on the film Noah notes scenes where Prophets are depicted in immodest scenes.

Some Quranic principles on personal finance: 1. Plan your finances This is consistent with Islamic principles.

[Yusuf alaihis salaam] said, "You will plant for seven years consecutively; and what you harvest leave in its spikes, except a little from which you will eat.” (Quran 12:47) 2. Live within your means Differentiate between needs and wants and maintain simplicity. Prophet Aadam alaihis salaam was ordered to resist consumption from a tree, something ordinarily permissible. (Quran 1:35) 3. Be efficient Negotiate before buying and consult tax planners. The Quran regards the giving of wealth to the incompetent as inefficient allocation of resources. “And do not give the weak-minded your property, which Allah has made a means of sustenance for you, but provide for them with it and clothe them and speak to them words of appropriate kindness.” (Quran 4:5) 4. Consult widely The Quran classifies consultation with others in matters that are unclear as a trait of those who are successful. “And those who have responded to their lord and established prayer and whose affair is [determined by] consultation among themselves, and from what We have provided them, they spend.” (Quran 42:38) Adapted from: Jamiatul Ulama South Africa

Rather read the story of Prophet Nuh alaihis salaam in authentic books and the Quran.

Importers of new & used gearboxes, engines & motor spares Spares & accessories for all types of vehicles

112 DURBAN RD KORSTEN TEL: (041) 451-5908/453-4716 CELL: 082 51 222 36 IN CONJUNCTION WITH

296 DURBAN RD (OPP TRAFFIC DEPARTMENT) TEL: (041) 453-0119 FAX: (041) 453-4134 For all Engine Requirements, Please Contact:

SOLLY & AADILL Islamic Focus

https://www.flickr.com/photos/islamicfocus|@IslamicFocus

3

SOCIAL / FINANCE

Hollywood has released a movie called Noah, supposedly depicting Prophet Nuh (Noah) alaihis salaam. There are several reasons why Muslims have a problem with such a film:

SUNNAH / SOCIAL

Some teachings of the Prophet on looking after our resources: 1. Conservation The Prophet passed one day by Sa’d ibn Abi Waqas while he was performing wudu. The Prophet asked him, "Why this wastage?"

Sa’d replied "Is there wastage in wudu also?" The Prophet said, "Yes, even if you are at a flowing river."

2. Planting Trees Plant a tree even if it is your last deed: 1. “If (the day of Resurrection) is about to be established and one of you was holding a palm shoot, let him take advantage of even one second before the Hour is established to plant it.”

3. Clean Environment "Beware of the three acts that cause you to be cursed: relieving yourselves in shaded places (that people utilize), in a walkway or in a watering place."

4. Overconsumption "The believer is not he who eats his fill while his neighbor is hungry."

5. Fix to Reuse Asked about what the Prophet used to do in his house, his wife, Aishah said that he used to repair his shoes, sow his clothes and used to do all such household works done by an average person.

From: onislam.net

Tips on coping with teens: Be very careful about their friends During the teenage years, children often care more about what their friends say than what their parents or elders say. According to a hadith, "Man is upon the path of his intimate friend; so let each look to whom he takes as a friend." It is essential from an early age that we try to get our children involved with good children.

Wholesome religious, social and sports activities Bored teenagers are more likely to look for excitement in the wrong place. If teenagers' lives are full of good and exciting things to do, they will not have the time or the desire to get involved in bad things.

Channel their zeal Our lives and our society are not perfect, and teenagers may have fresh insight into how to improve them. It is therefore a foolish parent who tries to ridicule that young idealism. If it is consistent with Islam, it should be fervently encouraged.

If a teenager is idealistic and wants to improve the world, we should encourage him and help him. If he if full of zeal but lacks the proper direction, we should help him to use that zeal constructively.

Admit we can be wrong Parents make mistakes. If we admit to our children that we are wrong at times, they will not always feel that they have to rebel against us and prove that we are wrong.

154 RENSBURG STREET, WEST END, P.E. TEL. 041 481 2862, 481 7849 FAX. 041 482 0462

Islamic Focus

https://www.facebook.com/IslamicFocus | http://www.pinterest.com/islamicfocus/

4

From various Ulama

www.shafiifiqh.com Q: In a masjid, we quite often have carpets that have musallas to demarcate an individual’s prayer space in the carpet design itself. Can this ‘musalla’ be considered as a sutrah (barrier) for Salaah or is it still recommended to place something in front of one?

A: Placing something as a barrier [sutrah] between one praying and passersby is recommended. In Sharh alMuhadhdhab 3:199, Imam Nawawi related a consensus from Shaykh Abu Hamid on this.

Our fiqh books mention that in the instance one cannot find a proper sutrah, then one should layout a prayer mat or make a line for his sutrah. In Tuhfat al-Muhtaj 2:157, Ibn Hajar mentioned this and other works relate it likewise; Tuhfah‘s text mentions “musalla”.

In Hashiyat al-Tarmasi 2:377, it is related that the rugs in the mosque are not intended by this because they do not serve the purpose of a sutrah for one who is standing on them performing the prayer.

“Wine that becomes vinegar without anything having been introduced into it is pure, as are the sides of the container it touched when it splashed or boiled. But if anything was introduced into the wine before it became vinegar, then turning to vinegar does not purify it.

One would have to check whether the vinegar that one is consuming is made by intervention or not, meaning to see whether something was added to it while it was still intoxicating and before it turned into vinegar, i.e. such as a catalyst. The traditional way of making vinegar is fruit juice --> wine --> vinegar. (If something is added while it is still fruit juice, the vinegar is halal and pure).

I am uncertain about the process used in the West. If anything is added into it, while it was intoxicating, the ruling in the Shafi school remains; that it is not permissible to consume.

It is permissible to follow the Hanafi school which holds that vinegars made by intervention are pure and permissible to consume.

And Allah Knows Best Q: Is it permissible to consume store-bought vinegar in the United States? Please mention any relevance to the various types of vinegar that are identified on labels (such as wine, apple cider, rice, etc.)

A: It says in the Reliance of the Traveler 14:6: Islamic Focus

Q: If a person knowingly breaks their fast in Ramadhan by eating or drinking, is there kaffaarah for this person? Some say that Shafis hold that kaffaarah is only for sexual intercourse and others that day that deliberate breaking of the fast such as this would necessitate kaffaarah.

A: There are two different kaffarahs: 1. Kaffarah kubra [major expiation], which is specific to intercourse during a Ramadan fast day.

2. Kaffarah sughra [minor expiation]. It is giving a measure of foodstuff to the poor.

In the Shafi school there is a difference of opinion of if one breaks the fast by something besides intercourse and if then kaffarah sughra needs to be given. In Sharh alMuhadhdhab 6:293 and Rawdah 2:267, Imam Nawawi related this difference and stated that the relied-upon opinion is that fidyah is NOT due along with the make-up fast.

Q: Is a Caesarean section allowed on a dead woman who has a living child in her stomach.

A: Abu al-Abbas Ibn Surayj maintained that the child should be removed from its deceased mother as the sanctity of the living is more than that of the deceased.

The detail is also mentioned that in the instance when the fetus would be able to live outside the womb, then such an operation should be performed. (al-Hawi al-Kabir 3:62) The reason for performing such an operation is to save a life. If the baby’s life can be saved, it is obligatory to do so. (Tuhfat al-Muhtaj 3:225)

Google+: https://plus.google.com/+IslamicfocusCoZaEC/posts

5

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

SHAFI Q & A

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

HANAFI Q & A From various Ulama

www.askimam.org | www.askmufti.co.za | www.daruliftaa.net Q: I'm a final year student of dentistry and need guidance on the following: 1. After graduating can I treat female patients (as treating them will require seeing and touching their face); 2. If it's haram for me to treat females then what type of jobs can I do in this field? If I work in a hospital, the hospital would require me to treat any patient. If I enter the teaching side I will have to communicate with female students in lectures; The only place where I can refuse to treat females is if I establish my own clinical private practice. So is establishing a clinic the only job I can have in this field?

3. Even if I establish a clinic it is important to first get appropriate training. My professor has offered me to join his clinic after my final year exams. It's a great opportunity for me to learn, but he will be treating female patients in his clinic as well. Can I join his clinic to gain experience?

4. Can I do fcps post graduation? Any post graduation I apply to will require me to treat females as well.

A: It is permissible for a male dentist to treat an adult female patient on the condition that: 1.The areas of her awrah Islamic Focus

(parts of the body that need to be covered) including her hair and neck are concealed.

2. When touching her face, it is done so with gloves and not with bare hands.

3. He averts his gaze from her as much as possible.

Q: We had an old mosque in our locality and a while back that was dismantled and a new mosque was constructed at another piece of land 120 meters away. A tin shed has been constructed on the land where the previous mosque was. Can we give this tin shed on rent and the income generated from it would be used for maintenance and extension of the newly constructed mosque or do we have to keep it empty?

Otherwise, what type of structure can we construct on that land?

A: At the outset, it was not permissible to dismantle the old mosque and replace it with a new mosque on another piece of land. Once a land has been endowed and classified as a Shar’i masjid, it will remain as such until the day of Qiyamah. Therefore, it is not permissible to use the old land for any other purpose than of a Masjid.

Hence, it is also not permissible to sell it, rent it out or convert it to anything else albeit it may be to utilise the revenue thereof to contribute to the construction or maintenance of the new Masjid. The previous land will remain a Masjid in spite of its structure being dismantled.

It would have been more appropriate to have consulted the Ulema prior to dismantling the old mosque and replacing it with another upon a different land. The old land, along with the new Masjid, should be reused as a Masjid for the purpose of Salah and the community should try their utmost to ensure both Masjids are inhabited.

Q: What is the method of lifting the finger in tashahhud in Salaah?

Most hanafis either close the 3 fingers and leave the index one free and some lift the index and then keep them all free.

A: There are a several valid methods of raising the index finger in tashahhud.

According to the Hanafis, the most correct method of raising the right index finger is as follows: 1. Close the little finger and the ring finger. 2.

The middle finger and thumb should touch each other and make a circle shape. 3. Raise the index finger when saying “La Ilaha” and drop the index finger when saying “Illallah”.

One should place his/her index finger on top of the thumb and the middle finger.

Having the palm laid flat and only raising the index finger is not a correct method. The 1st method you mentioned is valid. Also, one should start the gesture of his hands at the time of Shahaadah. Then one should follow from the third procedure mentioned above.

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/IslamicFocus

6

Food has some things to teach us about life.

Here are 3 life lessons learned from food.

http://quranexplorer.com/ - Quran ex-

plorer with various reciters www.i-u-s.org - Ihyaa us Sunnah. Works

of Moulana Fazlur Rahman Azmi, sheikhul hadith at Darul Uloom Azaadville http://www.halaalcruise.co.za/ - MSC

#1. Life is about taking a risk. People like to stick with things they are familiar with – be it frequenting the same restaurant over and over again; or eating the same thing all the time. Most people are not very adventurous when it comes to food and as result miss out on some amazing tastes.

boat cruise for Muslims to Portuguese isBe brave. Sacrifice for Islam.

lands http://ibnuabbaas.co.za/ - Ibnu Abbaas

Youth Academy run under Ulama of Madresa Taleemuddeen http://sendascarf.co.za/ - Previous

campaign to send Islamic wear for the under privileged http://arabic-made-easy.com/ - Free

online course for Arabic

#2. Bad things happen so that we learn to appreciate good things. We experience bad service, and occasionally we eat in a lousy restaurant that serves bad food.

Maybe it is okay to have “bad food” once in a while so that we will learn to appreciate good food. The same goes for life. If not for the bad times, you wouldn’t be able to fully appreciate just how wonderful the good times are.

http://www.muslimyouth.net/ - Mus-

lim youth website http://www.duaexplorer.com/ - Dua

explorer site http://www.imamdp.org/ - Project to

empower Imams in South Africa http://www.halaalrecipes.co/ - Forum

for sharing Halaal recipes More on our site: www.islamicfocus.co.za

Support Sensible Surfing

#3. No matter what you do, it is very important to manage expectations. You went to try a restaurant after reading about it in a review, and it wasn’t as good as described.

Was the food really bad? Or was the chef having a bad day? No, the definition of good differs from people to people. Taste is subjective, so you really need to learn how to manage your expectations and try out new things with an open mind.

Expectations are the root of all problems.

Don’t have too high hopes and you will appreciate what comes your way in life.

Variety of Cakes, Biscuits and various Savouries Custom-made Cakes to Meet the Occasion Westend Shopping Centre Tel: 041 481 9123 Fax: 041 482 2326 Cell: 084 329 8507

Islamic Focus

Westend Shopping Centre Tel: 041 481 9123 Fax: 041 482 2326 Cell: 084 329 8507

Online Library: http://issuu.com/islamicfocus/docs

7

INTERNET / INSPIRATION

Enrich your web experience. Not all content on all sites Islamic-compliant. Consult Ulama

CURRENT / HISTORY

The hadith sets out the increase of killing as a sign before the approach of Qiyamah (e.g. Tirmidhi, Muslim):

Several legal institutions in European civil law were adapted from similar institutions in Islamic law during the Middle Ages:

Starvation. Being subjected to deliberate starvation is happening before our eyes in the Yarmouk region of Damascus that is mainly inhabited by Palestinian refugees. This is also happening in other parts of Syria where government has denied civilians access to food and medicine, inflicting death by starvation.

The Islamic Hawala institution influenced the development of the Avallo in Italian civil law and the Aval in French civil law.

Drowning. Muslims are drowning at sea while trying to migrate illegally to southern European countries. Hundreds of North Africans died when their boats capsized near Sicily.

Torture. Death by torture is number three on this grisly list. Hundreds, maybe thousands, of Muslim men, women and children are tortured or raped to death every year.

Bombs. Being at the receiving end of heavy artillery, missiles and barrel bombs ordered by one’s own government, a death that is all the more criminal because most of the victims are innocent civilians, not armed combatants.

Demonstrations. Death of civilians killed during political demonstrations.

Foreign invasion. Muslim have also died by fire from artillery and other weaponry launched from foreign states. This is occurring increasingly these days, with Lebanese, Syrians, Egyptians and Palestinians being killed by fire from neighboring Arab states or Israel, or

by American drones in countries such as Yemen, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The commenda limited partnership used in European civil law was also adapted from the Qirad and Mudaraba in Islamic law.

The civil law conception of res judicata and the transfer of debt, which was not permissible under Roman law but is practiced in modern civil law, may also have origins in Islamic law.

The concept of an agency was also an institution unknown to Roman law, where it was not possible for an individual to conclude a binding contract on behalf of another as his agent.

Islamic law also introduced two fundamental principles to the West, on which were to later stand the future structure of law: equity and good faith, which was a precursor to the concept of pacta sunt servanda in civil law and international law.

Another influence of Islamic law on the civil law tradition was the presumption of innocence, which was introduced to Europe by Louis IX of France soon after he returned from Palestine during the Crusades. Islamic law was based on the presumption of innocence from its beginning, as declared by Caliph Umar in the 7th century.

ISMAIL’S MEAT M A R K E T STOCKIST OF:

BEEF, LAMB, PATTIES, WORS, VIENNAS, POLONIES, COLD MEATS, BILTONG, VEAL, SAUCES, CHICKENS, RUSSIANS

Visit our Spacious Premises!

STRICTLY HALAAL

Ismail Ravat: 082 786 0821 54 COTTRELL ST, KORSTEN Islamic Focus

www.halaalfoodreview.blogspot.com

8

They initially worked as sailors, and privateers in the Mediterranean to counteract the privateering of Christian crusaders. Ilias was killed during a trading expedition, and Aruj was captured and imprisoned in Rhodes. He escaped and went to Italy and from there to Egypt.

Sultan Qansoh al-Ghurigave him a ship and Aruj started attacking Mediterranean islands controlled by Christians.

In 1505 Aruj seized three more ships and made Djerba island his base, moving his operations to the Western Mediterranean. His fame increased 1504-1510 when he transported Muslim refugees from Spain to North Africa.

He was now known as Baba Aruj, (Father Aruj) for his fatherly care of Muslims in need.

He earned the nickname Barbarossa (Red Beard) from the French and Spanish.

In 1516, Aruj captured Algiers, then Tlemcen and declared himself ruler. He became known for attaching sails to cannons for transport through the deserts of North Africa. He relinquished his title of Sultan of Algiers to the Ottomans who then appointed him governor of Algiers and Chief Sea Governor of the Western Mediterranean. In 1518 Aruj was killed in a battle with the Spaniards.

He died at the age of 55, and his brother Kheireddin took his place, his name (Barbarossa), and his mission.

The Muslim Moors had a noticeable influence on the works of William Shakespeare. Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, Titus Andronicus and Othello, which featured a Moorish Othello as its title character. These works were inspired by several Muslim delegations from Morocco to England around 1600.

Examples of Muslim influence in Shakespeare’s works: Macbeth: Lady Macbeth, “All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand." This extraordinary piece of information must have meant something to the people who saw the play. So perfumes from Arabia had reached a level of fame that others would know instantly what he meant without him explaining it.

Merchant of Venice: The Prince of Morocco has a speaking part, albeit small, but it’s there. This shows that the culture of Venice must have had Muslims trading there. In act 2 scene one ‘a tawny moor’ all in white speaks.

This is an accurate depiction of Muslim dress.

The Comedy of Errors: “That’s cover’d o’er with Turkish tapestry.” Reference to a tapestry made by the Ottomans.

King Henry the Fifth: “Like the Turkish mute, shall have a tongueless mouth.” Reference to the play Bajazet which is about Ottoman Sultan Bayezud I 1360-1403.

Othello: “These moors are unchangeable in their wills.” Indication that the Muslims did not break their treaties.

Publishers of the Islamic Focus Distributed free in PE/Uitenhage 11 Morat Street, Korsten Port Elizabeth

Tel: 078 672 7797 Fax: 086 651 2125 Email: islamicfocus@gmail.com www.islamicfocus.co.za Islamic Focus

Email: islamicfocus@gmail.com

9

BIOGRAPHY / HISTORY

Aruj Barbarossa (Born 1473, Died 1518) was an Ottoman naval Privateer and Governor of Algiers. Aruj was one of four brothers who were born on the island of Lesbos (modern day Greece) to Yaqub.

HISTORY / TECHNOLOGY

The earliest presence of Islam in Chad can be traced back to Uqba ibn Nafi in the 7th century, whose descendants can be found settled in the Lake Chad region to this day. By the time Arab migrants began arriving in the 14th century in sizeable numbers, it was already well established.

53% of Chadians are Muslim and are largely concentrated in northern and eastern Chad.

Spreading Islam in Chad was initially very slow because it is a rocky place.

Islam was brought in the course of the Muslim conquest of the Sudan region, in the case of Chad complete in the 11th century with the conversion of the Kanem-Bornu Empire. The states of Kanem-Bornu, Baguirmi and Ouaddai, were Islamic sultanates that gained prominence around the 17th century.

The French first penetrated Chad in 1891, establishing their authority through military expeditions primarily against the Muslim kingdoms.

There are several mosques in Chad. Higher Islamic education in Chad is non existent thus, serious Islamic students and scholars must go abroad. Popular destinations include Khartoum and Cairo, where numerous Chadians attend Al Azhar.

Chad is part of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. The current president is a Muslim as are many ministers in the government.

Cyberbullying is when a kid is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another kid using the Internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones.

Children have killed each other and committed suicide after having been involved in a cyberbullying incident.

Ways in which it can happen: 1. Instant/Text Messaging Harassment. Kids may send hateful/threatening messages.

2. Stealing Passwords 3. Blogs. Kids sometimes use blogs to damage other kids' reputations.

4. Sending Pictures via E-mail/Cell Phones.

There have been cases of teens sending mass e-mails that include nude or degrading pictures of other teens. Once sent, it is passed around to hundreds of people within hours.

What to do: Parents need to be the one trusted place kids can go when things go wrong. Yet they often are the one place kids avoid. Why? Parents tend to overreact, and sometimes underreact.

Parents need to be supportive of your child during this time.

Educating kids about the consequences (losing their ISP or IM accounts) helps. Teaching them to respect others and to take a stand against bullying helps too.

Solutions to each type of cyberbullying incident differs and cyberbullying has little in common with the traditional schoolyard bully.

Read More: www.stopcyberbullying.org

04 ad 041 364 04 332 Cape Ro 3345 1 58 1 04 r alme 42 6th Ave W

Islamic Focus

Subscribe to free enewsletter | Blackberry Channel: C004D8581

10

Cut out the nine pieces of the puzzle below. Have fun putting the jigsaw puzzle together to make a picture of a Musjid!

Islamic Focus

Web: www.islamicfocus.co.za | Blackberry group: 28BC2F31

11

FINAL FOCUS

Albayaan Islamic Council Trust was established 1996 in Johannesburg by Somali Ulama to cater for the spiritual needs of Somalis coming to South Africa as refugees. Today it oversees the religious aspect of life for the approximately 50,000 Somalis resident in various towns in South Africa.

Aims and Objectives

To develop and promote Islam.

To respect the dignity of all.

To promote humanitarian assistance.

To uplift underprivileged communities.

To empower people and organizations.

Building bridges with the local South African community.

Some Activities

Bringing senior Somali Ulama from overseas annually to refresh the Islamic spirituality of the Somali community.

Overseeing matters pertaining to marriage, divorce, burial etc. in the Somali community.

Seeing to welfare issues.

7 offices, Musjids and Madresas in South Africa. These cater for 300 students in Cape Town, 200 in Johannesburg, 100 in Rustenburg and 60 in Port Elizabeth.

Muslim schools are planned for Johannesburg, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.

CONTACT Jackson Street, Port Elizabeth Tel (PE): 072 177 7588 www.al-bayaan.net https://www.facebook.com/ MajlisAlbayaanSouthAfrica

Hot sun. Salty air. Rhythmic waves. A little boy packs beach sand with into a bucket. Then he upends the bucket and, to the delight of the little architect, a castle tower is created.

All afternoon he will work. Spooning out the moat. Packing the walls. Bottle tops will be sentries. Popsicle sticks will be bridges. A sandcastle will be built.

Big city. Busy streets. Rumbling traffic. A man is in his office. At his desk he shuffles papers and delegates assignments. He cradles the phone and punches the keyboard. Numbers are juggled, contracts are signed and much to his delight, a profit is made. All his life he will work. Annuities will be sentries. Capital gains will be bridges. An empire will be built.

Two builders of two castles. They have much in common. They see nothing and make something. And for both the tide will rise and the end will come.

That is where the similarities cease. The boy sees the end while the man ignores it. The waves come and there is no sorrow. And when his masterpiece is sucked into the sea, he smiles, picks up his tools, takes his father's hand, and goes home.

The grownup is not so wise. As the wave of years collapses on his castle he is terrified. He tries to protect his monument. He blocks the waves from the walls he has made. He snarls at the incoming tide.

Go ahead and build, but build with a child's heart. When the sun sets and the tides take be content with Allah’s decree.

73 DURBAN ROAD KORSTEN PH. 041 451 3060 Islamic Focus

ISSN 2223 - 1110 (Print) | ISSN 2223 - 1129 (Online)

12