Islamic Focus Issue 128

P3 Khums Scam P4 India Currency P8 Super Moon P9 Popcorn P10 Aleppo P12 One Fajr Bukhara Publications/Tel: 078 672 7797/Fax: 086 651 2125 Email: islamicfocus@gmail.com/Malabar/Port Elizabeth

Here are 5 narrations from the companions of the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam describing his beauty: 1. Moulded in silver Abu Hurairah radhiallahu anhu says: “The messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was so clean, clear, beautiful and handsome, as though his body was covered and moulded in silver. His hair was slightly curled.”

2. More beautiful than the full moon It is related from Jabir radhiallahu anhu that he said: “I once saw the messenger of Allah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam on the night of a full moon. On that night he wore red (striped) clothing.

At times I looked at the full moon and at times at the messenger of Allah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam. Ulti-

Islamic Focus

Issue 128

mately I came to the conclusion that the messenger of Allah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam was more handsome, beautiful and more radiant than the full moon.”

3. Perfect in every way Anas bin Malik radhiallahu anhu reports: “The messenger of Allah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam was neither tall nor was he short.

In complexion, he was he was neither very white like lime, nor very dark, nor brown which results in darkness (he was illuminant, more luminous than even the full-moon on the 14th night).

4. ‘I never saw anyone more handsome than him’ Baraa bin Aazib radhiallahu anhu relates that: “The messenger of Allah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam was a man of a medium build, (slightly tall); he had broad shoulders; he had dense hair which reached his ear-lobes; he wore a red striped lower

Dec 2016 garment and a shawl. I never saw anybody or anything more handsome than him” 5. ‘As if the Sun shone from his face’ Abu Hurairah radhiallahu anhu says, “I did not see anyone more handsome as the messenger of Allah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam. It was as if the brightness of the sun had shone from his auspicious face. I did not see anyone walk faster than him, as if the earth folded for him. A few moments ago he would be here, and then there. We found it difficult to keep pace when we walked with him, and he walked at his normal pace.”

These narrations have been mentioned in the Shama’il of Imam Tirmidhi.

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WORLD NEWS

SYRIA - A deal to evacuate freedom fighters and civilians from eastern Aleppo stalled, with heavy shelling. A ceasefire was declared but fighting resumed. Air strikes over rebel-held territory have resumed.

Eastern Aleppo has been held by the rebels since 2012. But they have been squeezed into eversmaller areas in recent months by a major government offensive, backed by Russian air power. In recent days government troops have made sweeping gains. Freedom fighters are confined to only 2.5sq km of the city.

The UN said it had received reliable evidence of summary executions taking place, saying that in four areas 82 civilians were killed by pro-government forces. Approximately 1,500 rebel fighters are up against 40,000 Shia and Russian militia. (BBC, 14 Dec 2016) GAMBIA - Incumbent President Yahya Jammeh, is seeking to have the election overturned in court.

This after it emerged that many of his supporters were turned away when they went to vote on the pretext t that the opposition candidate had already won. He also questioned the IEC's apparent inconsistency when it revised the results after they had been announced. The IEC admitted it had erred during the tally. In one area, the total numbers of votes cast was mistakenly added to the tallies of all candidates.

The victory margin had narrowed from 9% to 4%.

Mr Barrow got 43.3% of the vote, Mr Jammeh 39.6%.

Rohingya. 27,000 Rohingya have fled across the border into Bangladesh. (BBC, 13 Dec 2016) MALAYSIA - Malaysia has installed its 15th king, Sultan Muhammad V. Under Malaysia's rotational monarchy, the top job is passed between nine hereditary state rulers. Malaysia is the only country in the world to have a rotational monarchy.

The throne has only once passed to the same person twice. The office is held for five years but is largely ceremonial. Despite this, the role is accorded considerable prestige, particularly among the country's Malay Muslim majority, for whom the king is seen as upholding Malay and Islamic tradition. (BBC, 13 Dec 2016) PAKISTAN - International pop singer turned Muslim missionary Junaid Jamshed was killed in a plane crash in Pakistan. He and his second wife died on 7 December 2016 when PIA Flight 661 crashed in Havelian. The flight was enroute to Islamabad from Chitral. He was in Chitral for a Tablighi Jamaat mission and was returning to Islamabad.

IRAQ - A military offensive to reclaim the northern Iraqi city of Mosul from ISIS is under way, forcing tens of thousands of Iraqis to flee their homes. Iraqi security forces, Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, and Shia militiamen, assisted by US-led coalition warplanes and military advisers, are involved in the operation.

The offensive was launched on 17 October, more than two years after ISIS overran the city. There were reports of Shia militia killing civilians in the drive to take Mosul. (BBC, 9 Dec 2016)

In the US elections Trump got almost 3 million votes less than Hillary Clinton and was declared the winner despite Clinton's margin being 2% more. (BBC, 14 Dec 2016) BURMA - Satellite images establish a link between the Burmese army and the burning of Rohingya Muslim villages. Human Rights Watch says it has analysed images of the Rohingya village of Wa Peik in Rakhine state. The Burmese military burned down over 300 buildings belonging to Muslims in Wa Peik over a one-month period. The area has been closed since 9 Oct amid army atrocities against the Muslim Islamic Focus

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The first scam occurred in the third century during the time of the Shia Imam Al-Jawad.

The collector of his Khums in Qum, Salih bin Mohammad bin Sahl, confessed to stealing ten thousand dinars, instead of giving it to the Imam.

A dinar of gold back then is equivalent to 4.24 grams of gold today. In today’s terms that is around R25million. The narration can be found in Al-Kafi 1:352, the hadith book regarded by Shias as authentic.

Modern Day Khums Scams Ayatollah Isa Qassim, according to Reuters, was accused of money laundering, when R140 million was found in his bank account. He claimed that it was from his Khums collection.

Ayatollah Kamal Al-Haydari states that Khums from income has no basis in the Qur’an or the Shariah. However, it is the Khums from income that fuels the Shia religious establishment, which is why Shia scholars have focused on it instead of focusing on Zakat.

Shaikh Abbas Al-Khoei, son of major Shia cleric Abu Al-Qasim Al-Khoei, exposes the AlKhoei Foundation of stealing the Khums money of donors. The Al-Khoei Foundation’s is one of the top charity organizations in the Shia world.

Shaikh Hassan al-Qazwini was accused by some board members of the Islamic Center of America, the biggest Shia organization in America, of misappropriating funds. AlQazwini then resigns after being accused of stealing khums.

Keeping Warm in Winter Sulaym ibn Aamir narrates that when winter would come, Sayyiduna Umar ibn al-Khattab (radhiallahu anhu) would be extra mindful of them and write to them, advising: “Winter, which is an enemy, has come, so prepare for it with wool, leathers socks, and socks. Use wool as your under-clothing and outer-clothing, because the cold is an enemy that enters quickly but leaves slowly.”

Ibn al-Rajab al-Hanbal (rahimahullah) comments that Sayyiduna Umar (radhiallahu anhu) would write this advice to the people of Shaam when it was conquered in his era, as he was worried that the Companions and others who had not previously experienced such cold would be harmed by the cold of Shaam. This was out of his complete well-wishing, graceful vigilance, compassion and safeguarding of his subjects. May Allah be pleased with him.

(Lataa’if al-Ma’aarif).

Following in the footsteps of Sayyiduna Umar (radhiallahu anhu), the following is advice on what we can do to protect ourselves against the cold and stay warm in winter: Wear warm clothes The best way to protect against cold and stay warm is to wear warm clothes, especially when going outdoors into the cold.

Allah mentions warm clothing amongst His many favours: “And the grazing livestock He has created for you; in them is warmth [i.e., warm clothes] and [numerous] benefits” (Qur’an, 16:5).

He also said, “And from their wool, fur and hair is furnishing and enjoyment for a time” (Qur’an, 16:80).

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QURAN / HISTORY

The Shia clerics fleece their followers with a tax which they label Khums (not the same as the Islamic system of charity).

HISTORY 1. Change is Sudden Everybody is concerned about the overnight action making high value currency invalid across India. Nobody saw it coming; or was prepared; or even had any idea of its happening.

But there is something else which we know will surely come, but are not sure when, where and how - that is death. And it will come even more stealthily than this!

We had four hours advance notice for this but in death, there will not be four seconds.

Are we prepared for the suddenness in Death?

2. Value can be Lost in a Second We had hundreds of thousands of Rupees in 500 and 1,000 denominations yesterday - but today they are just pieces of paper!

Similarly, all wordly gains - money, wealth, fame, power - will be worthless for us a second after death.

3. Don't Bank upon Banks Like the ATMs and Banks are closed today, options to do good deeds will close with death.

happiness, even good deeds? Is our life itself authentic or are we living a fake life in a fake world?

5. Small is Big Big deeds run the risk of breeding pride and arrogance. The real gems are the small, quiet, hidden, good deeds that are done with sincerity when no one is looking.

The person with two 100 rupee notes is today richer that the a person with a thousand 500 rupee notes!

6. Source Matters For each of your actions, you shall be questioned and your source/intention seen.

When you go to the Bank to exchange the Rs 500/1,000 note, you will be asked for identity and source of income, etc.

Similarly when you bring your deeds to the Creator, He will ask for your source/ intentions/purpose. Did you do it to be called a generous person? Or to compete with someone? Or only for the will and happiness of Allah Ta’ala?

Only the last will be valid currency there!

We can enjoy the assets we purchased earlier with the 500/1,000 currency but can't purchase any new ones now. Similarly, only the lasting assets of good deeds we created will benefit us after death.

4. Fakes Will Not Last One of the purposes of the action is to deal with fake currency. After this, all fake notes will be out of the system. So will it be with ourselves and our actions.

7. Plan Ahead A lot of people are busy worrying and planning what they can do with the invalidated currency now. But it may be too late.

Planning for the Hereafter needs to be start in the Now - with right intention, sincere devotion and regular action. Else it could be too late.

Let us test ourselves - do we have authentic notes or fakes ones - of success, relations,

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www.shafiifiqh.com Q: In Shafi fiqh is it allowed to hang pants below the ankles?

A: It is offensive (makruh) in the Shafi school to wear one’s garment below one’s ankles, but not unlawful (haram). The hadiths that seem to indicate unlawfulness are understood to refer to someone who does it out of arrogance, in which case the action becomes unlawful.

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Q: Is it compulsory to bend the toes of both footh when postrating i.e. doing the sajda? Do I need to repeat my prayer if I intentionally or unintentionally do it? A shafi scholar informed me that a prayer is not complete if the sajda does not fulfill the seven points touching the floor with the toes, fingers and head facing the qibla.

A: Y es, it is an integral in the Shafi school to bend the toes of both feet when prostrating. The slightest amount is sufficient, even a single toe of each foot. If this is not done, then the sajda is not valid, and, as a result, the prayer is not valid.

If you prayed many past prayers like this, you can take the Hanafi dispensation to avoid making up missed prayers.

In the Hanafi school, bending the toes is an emphasized sunna and not an integral.

If you prayed a small number of prayers, then it would be best to make them up.

From now on, though, be sure to bend the toes when you pray.

Q: I recently purchased an e-reader for reading books, including the Quran. But it occurred to me that I sometimes will not have wudu while carrying it. How should one treat the Quran in electronic format?

be lawful to sell to them.

A: The Shafis discuss the issue of a lawh [a slate upon which the Qur’an is written for study]. Regarding this, in Kifayat al-Nabih v. 1, p. 434, Ibn al-Rif’ah related two opinions; the relied-upon, which is stated in Qadi Husayn’s Ta’liq, al-Tahdhib, Imam al-Haramayn’s Nihayah, and al-Kafi, is that it is unlawful to touch it without ablution. In Rawdah v. 1, p.

239, Imam Nawawi asserted this opinion without mentioning a difference. In Sharh alMuhadhdhab v. 2, p. 69, he mentioned two opinions. The relied-upon is ascribed to the majority of the As-hab as “al -Madhhab al-Sahih.”

In short, the relied-upon opinion is that touching it requires ablution.

Ibn Hajar al-Haytami mentioned, “That which the seller knows the buyer will sin with, selling it to him is unlawful.” (al-Fatawa v. 2, p.

270)

The ruling extends here as the digitally displayed text, on electronic paper for example, is written and we consider it as Qur’an. Thus, if one is holding an e-reader to read the Qur’an from it, then ablution is necessary.

When the e-reader is off, for example, and the Qur’an is merely preserved in the system’s memory along with other books, then this would not require ablution.

And Allah Ta’ala knows best.

Shafiifiqh.com Fatwa Dept.

Q: What is the ruling on selling condoms?

On the contrary, condoms could also be used by unmarried people to commit unlawful acts. If one knows that they would be used for such, then it is unlawful to sell to them.

This applies when the buyer is a Muslim and likewise when a non-Muslim. And to highly suspect [ghalabat alzann] that one will commit an unlawful act is sufficient to make the sale unlawful.

(Ibid) Shafiifiqh.com Fatwa Dept.

Q: If a person passes away on Friday, is it better to bury him after Jumuah or before Jumuah?

A: I f a Friday prayer and funeral prayer enter, and time is not tight, then the funeral prayer must be made first. If time is tight, then the Friday prayer may be performed first. (Sharh alMuhadhdhab v. 5, p. 56; Tuhfat al-Muhtaj v. 3, p. 64) Ibn ‘Abd al-Salam was in charge of the Friday prayer in Egypt’s ‘Amr b. al-As mosque. He would perform the funeral prayer before the Friday prayer, and then give fatwa that those needed to carry the deceased and the deceased’s family should proceed for burial (without performing the Friday prayer first). (Tuhfat al-Muhtaj v. 3, p. 64) Shafiifiqh.com Fatwa Dept.

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A: Condoms could be used by a married couple. It would

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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

SHAFI Q & A

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

HANAFI Q & A www.askimam.org | www.askmufti.co.za | www.daruliftaa.net Q: I work as a technical consultant and get paid on a daily rate. I am paid through an agency who my employer relies upon for staff resources etc.

The contract between myself and the agency does not stipulate how many hours I shall work nor has my employer confirmed how many hours in a week I should work. I ensure all work is completed that is given to me but do not work 7-8 hours like normal people. There are times I can complete my work in 4 hours.

I am not office based but rather a field based employee. As I am paid on a daily rate, and not on an hourly rate, I normally claim for the entire day that I have worked. Recently, work has dried up with my current employer and thus there is minimal work to do. I am awaiting for further instructions from my employer regarding more work but in the interim, I just answer a few emails a day.

My question is that would it be permissible for me to claim a day rate for 5 days, Monday to Friday (normal working week) when work is quiet and minilimistic like this?

A: I f your employer has hired you as a full-time employee from the agency, you will be considered an Ajeer Khaas. This means that you are paid in lieu of the time that you have made yourself available to your employer.

Accordingly, it is permissible for you to take your wages in the full amount.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best Islamic Focus

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Q: Is a gold coloured iPhone Haram for men? It is non-gold metal painted gold in color.

that is permissible. Zakaah on one’s wealth is 2.5%.

There is no limit on giving sadaqah and charity. That is according to one’s affordability.

A: The gold-colored iPhone, as well as any other goldcolored metal item (e.g. pen, watch etc.) is permissible for men to keep and use as the items are simply gold-colored and do not contain real gold.

You may listen to the talks and read useful summary of all the talks on Sharia compliancy and halaal income of Mufti Ebrahim Desai Saheb on daruliftaa.net. These talks will be very beneficial.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best Approved by: Mufti Ebrahim Desai

Q: Earning in Halal way to become rich and saving it in the bank and taking multiple properties with that savings provided Zakat is done properly and charity also done to an extent. Is this allowed in Islam?. I heard that Allah will be very angry on those people who save money for becoming rich even though it is earned in Halal way.

A: Sharia requires us to earn income the halaal way.

There is no restriction in becoming rich. Among the sahaba, there were some who were very rich. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa-Sallam referred to their richness with the following verse: That is the bounty of Allah; which He gives unto whom He wills. [Surah Juma/Verse 4] Among the very rich Sahaba were: 1] Abu Bakr Radhiyallahu Anhu 2] Usman Radhiyallahu Anhu 3] Abdul-Rahman Bin Auf Radhiyallahu Anhu 4] Zubair Bin Awwam Radhiyallahu If one earns his income the halaal way and fulfils the Sharia rights of his wealth,

Approved by Mufti Ebrahim Desai

Q: I am creating / developing my ecommerce store (on wordpress) selling various products online. It requires some Plugins/Extensions to be installed which are paid. I am enrolled in a course where my tutor gave me all those (required) plugins for free to use them on my own ecommerce site.

I don't know whether my tutor owns them or he grabbed them from somewhere else. I did sent him an email asking that but haven't heard from him. If I use those plugins on my site, will the income generated from my store be Halal or Haram?

A: I f after applying your mind, you strongly feel that it is impossible for your tutor to have acquired these plugins except through illegal means, then it will be disliked for you to use these plugins.

However, if you feel that it is possible for your tutor to have acquired these plugins through legal means, it will be permissible for you to use these plugins.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best Approved by Mufti Ebrahim Desai

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One afternoon a husband arrived home with sad news.

http:// resources.safarpublications.org/ - I slamic teaching resources for teachers by teachers

Husband: Darling, I just received a call: mother is not feeling well. Shall we go to town and get some necessities for the visit? Please write a list and then we can go.

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Wife: A list won't be necessary, we'll just get 2 cabbages and 2 litres of cooking oil.

Husband: Is it going to be enough really?

Wife: Yes Sweetie, no need to waste money.

Of course it's gonna be enough.

They left for town and after getting 2 cabbages and 2 litres of cooking oil, during the purchase the husband asked his wife again if that was all. She emphasized the issue of not wasting money on an impromptu visit. They then hit the road towards the village and where the road branches to different villages, the husband driving, took a turn to his in law’s home.

Wife: (Shocked) where are we going honey? I thought you said we're going to visit your mother.

Husband: Yes, we are. It's your mother (our mother) who is not feeling well.

Wife: (Shocked and crying) But the grocery ain't enough! Let's go back and get some more stuff.

Husband: No! I asked you over and over if it was all that you needed and you said yes. We ain't going back.

Moral: W hatever you w ant done to you, do it to others as well.

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INTERNET / INSPIRATION

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INSPIRATION / CURRENT

As we marvel at the splendour of the Super Moon let's take this opportunity of pondering on few prophetic narrations: Seeing Allah Ta’ala in Jannah, the absolute bounty of Paradise: "You shall see your Lord (in Paradise) as you are seeing this (full) moon; and you will not feel the slightest inconvenience in seeing Him." (Bukhari) The Virtue of the Scholar: The virtue of a scholar over an ordinary worshipper is like the splendour of the 14th full moon over all the stars.

A Believer in his Grave: "Indeed the believer will be placed in a lush and green garden, when in his grave. He will enjoy a brightness like that of the 14th full moon."

The first Group to enter Paradise: "Indeed the first group to enter Jannah (Paradise) will be radiant as the 14th full moon."

Appearance: It is stated in a Hadith that a person who recites "Laa-ilaaha-illallah" 100 times daily, his face will shine like the 14th full moon on the Day of Qiyaamah.

Noble Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam: Jabir radhiallahu anhu said: “I once saw the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam on the night of a full moon. At times I looked at the full moon and at times at the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam. Ultimately I came to the conclusion that the Prophet sallallahu alaihi was sallam was more handsome, beautiful and more radiant than the full moon.”

A man before leaving for work, left a letter on the table for his wife. She chanced on it and was excited. She saw “my beautiful wife” at the top, and “I love you with all my heart” at the bottom.

Without bothering to read the rest of the letter, she cooked his favorite meal. After setting the table, she put on her most attractive night gown and made the bed. Her husband walked in and she went to welcome him. To her surprise, he was furious. She became very confused and asked why he wouldn’t let her welcome him.

The husband asked, “Did you read the letter I left you?” The woman responded, “Oh yes I saw it. That’s why I prepared your favorite meal. Thank you so much.” She leaned in to give him a kiss but he pushed her away to her surprise.

The husband went on, “Then why haven’t you done any of the things I instructed?” The man came out with packed suit case. He headed for the door and said to his wife, “See you in 7 days.” She took a second look at the letter.

It read: My beautiful wife, my company has asked four colleagues and myself to go on a seven day trip to Dubai for a training program.

They said that we can bring along our wives and I thought this will be the best opportunity for us to have the honeymoon we never had.

I have already packed a suit case for myself, so please pack yours. I love you with all my heart.

We have accepted Islam, and are excited about being servants of God. But we have not taken into account what He expects us to do before we die. This is because our Quran's are closed. We have read a few passages in the Quran and are excited about promises but have ignored most of His instructions.

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1. Popcorn is normally fried in the same pot, in the same oil, at the same time and under the same heat conditions. But they do not all pop at the same time.

The following Hadith is a source of guidance and inspiration on this topic:

2. When floods come, fish eat ants and when floods recede, ants eat fish. Only time matters.

Generosity of the Buyer Sayyiduna Jabir (radiyallahu'anhu) reports that Nabi sallallahu alaihi wa sallam had purchased a camel from me. Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam paid me the price, and gave me a little extra. As I departed he called me back. I thought perhaps Nabi sallallahu alaihi wa sallam was unhappy with the camel and wanted to return it. When I went to him, he said: 'You may keep the money and the camel.' (Sahih Bukhari, hadith: 2097; Sahih Muslim, hadith: 3626) Morals: When paying our dues, it's good to give a little extra too.

Jabir (radiyallahu'anhu) had lots of overheads. He had the expenses of his 7 sisters as well. This was a way in which Nabi sallallahu alaihi wa sallam offered his support.

Let us revive this practice, especially when purchasing goods from poor vendors on the sidewalks.

Instead of bargaining we ought to be paying the full price.

In some instances we should pay extra with the intention of charity.

At least once in a while, pay the price, take the item and then return it without taking back the money either.

See the joy that this blessed Sunnah of Nabi sallallahu alaihi wa sallam brings to their faces. In fact, the doer too feels a sense of satisfaction in this. It could also be a means of attracting them to Islam.

3. To make soap, oil is required and to clean oil, soap is required. This is the irony of life.

Everybody needs somebody at some point in time. Do not despise or treat anyone with scorn when they are excelling or failing more than you.

There is a time for everything and for everyone. Keep trusting in Allah and waiting for your turn. Your time to flourish will come at Allah Ta'ala's appointed time. Never give up.

To understand what the reality of life is, you have to visit three places: 1. The hospital, 2. The prison, and 3. The graveyard.

At the hospital, you will understand that nothing is more beautiful than health.

In prison, you will see that freedom is a most precious thing.

At the graveyard, you will realize that life is fleeting, and the ground we walk today will be our roof tomorrow.

Let us therefore remain humble by having respect for everyone in our society.

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CURRENT / INSPIRATION

How often have we purchased items from vendors on the streets and sidewalks? Those of us who do so, also have the habit of bargaining with these poor vendors.

HISTORY / INSPIRATION

As the city of Aleppo in Syria falls to Russian and Shia foreign fighters in late 2016, let’s look at some of its value: Aleppo or Halab in Arabic was for centuries, the Syrian region's largest city and the Ottoman Empire's third-largest, after Istanbul and Cairo. It was Syria's largest city before the Syrian Civil War. Aleppo is an ancient metropolis, and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.

The city was twice besieged by the Crusaders, in 1098 and in 1124, but was not conquered.

In 1260, the city was taken by the Mongols.

The city walls fell after six days of bombardment, and the citadel fell four weeks later. The Muslim population was massacred and many Jews were also killed.

In the same year, the Egyptian Mamluks engaged the Mongols at the Battle of Ain Jalut and won a decisive victory. Aleppo was recovered by the Muslims within a month.

Reference is made to the city in 1606 in Shakespeare's Macbeth and in Othello.

Since 2012 some of the Syrian civil war's most devastating bombing and fiercest fighting has taken place in Aleppo. In December 2016 the city fell to foreign invaders after fierce fighting by liberation forces.

Salahuddeen Ayyubi rahimahullah said regarding Aleppo: “I did not experience greater joy at liberating any city than at the liberation of Aleppo. If Aleppo falls, all of Syria falls.”

There were two houses standing next to each other. In one of them resided a very unhappy family. The spouses yelled at each other, they fought and quarreled all the time. The other was a place of happiness and calm.

During one of the fights a wife asked her husband: “Did you ever hear them quarrel or yell over at that house? No! So, go there and see what they do to avoid it!”

The husband stood at the window of his neighbors and watched. There they were busy doing their own thing. The wife was in the kitchen cooking, and the man sat at the table writing.

The phone rang, and the man jumped up and headed to the hallway to get it.

On his way he bumped into a vase, it fell and broke. He got down to his knees and started picking up the pieces. The wife ran into the room from the kitchen. She also kneeled down and started helping her husband to pick them up.

The man said to his wife: “I am so sorry. I rushed to get the phone and bumped into the vase. It fell and got broken.”

The wife replied: “No, honey, it is my fault. I put it there on the way. That’s why you bumped into it.” They kissed, and that was over. Both got back to what they were doing.

The man who watched them returned to his wife. She wanted to know what the secret of their happiness was.

What he said was fantastic: “I know it now. In their family they both are guilty and in our family both of us are always right!”

The "trick" isn't in not wanting to take responsibility, but rather in not claiming rights.

Islamic Focus

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FINAL FOCUS

Islam teaches us to treat animals and wildlife with dignity: They are communities like you: “And there is no creature on [or within] the earth or bird that flies with its wings except [that they are] communities like you. We have not neglected in the Register a thing. Then unto their Lord they will be gathered.” [Qur’an, 6:38] They hymn Allah Ta’ala’s glory: The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam explained that an ant had bitten a Prophet (one amongst the earlier Prophets) and he ordered that the colony of the ants should be burnt.

And Allah revealed to him, ”Because of an ant’s bite, you have burnt a community from amongst the communities which hymns My glory.”

Anas ibn Malik radhiallahu anhu used to cry when the victory of Tustur in Persia was mentioned.

Tustur was a city which the Muslim army had besieged for one and a half years. Thereafter it was conquered by the Muslims and was a victory that the Muslims treasured. So why did the mention of the victory make Anas ibn Malik radhiallahu anhu cry?

The fortified city of Tustur was beached just before Fajr. The Muslim army surged in and the 30,000 Muslim soldiers fought a fierce battle against 150,000 Persians.

Every step of the conquest was tough with much loss of men and the Muslim army was in a precarious situation. Eventually the Muslims tasted sweet victory after sunrise. As a result the Muslims had not had a chance to pray Fajr.

There is a reward for serving all animates: Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wa sallam once narrated, “A man was very thirsty while he was on a journey, and he saw a well. He descended the well, quenched his thirst and ascended. Meanwhile, he saw a dog panting and eating mud due to excessive thirst. He said to himself, “This dog is suffering from thirst as I did.” So, he descended the well once again and filled his shoe with water and watered it. Allah appreciated him for that deed and forgave him.”

Anas ibn Malik radhiallahu anhu used to cry over having missed reading this one Salaah in his life on time! This was despite the fact that it was not deliberate. The Muslim army was in the midst of a crucial battle for Islam and they were excused because they could not get a chance to pray. But Anas ibn Malik radhiallahu anhu understood the value of the Salaah.

The companions enquired, “O Messenger of Allah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, is there a reward for us in serving the animals too?” He replied, “Yes, there is a reward in serving any animate (living being).”

We are able to read yet we miss Fajr after Fajr! The day we lost the value of Salaah in our lives was the day we lost our status among humanity.

Islamic Focus

Anas ibn Malik radhiallahu anhu used to say, “What was Tustur? One Salaah of mine was lost due to it! I do not wish for the entire world in exchange of that one Salaah.”

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

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