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Hajj sees millions of Muslims converging on Makkah in worship of Allah. The act of pilgrimage is emphasized by most religious traditions. JUDAISM The second book of Samuel tells how Prophet Dawood captured Jerusalem and brought the Ark of the Covenant there. To Jews, the Ark was the symbol of God's presence in their midst, so Jerusalem became central to them. There were three festivals in Jerusalem every year, and Jews were commanded to undertake a pilgrimage to the city to participate in them (Deuteronomy 16:16). These three festivals came to be known as pilgrimage festivals. Musjidul Aqsa in Jerusalem was the center of Judaism until its destruction in 70 CE, and all who were able
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Issue 75
Igniting the Spirit of Islam
were under obligation to visit it and offer sacrifices during the festivals. CHRISTIANITY The key to Christian pilgrimage is devotion to the memory of Jesus . Pilgrims visited places filled with memories of his life. For Christians, Jerusalem was associated with the life of Jesus . Pilgrims traveled to Palestine to experience firsthand the places in which biblical events occurred. HINDUISM Pilgrimage is deeply embedded in Hindu culture. There are hundreds of pilgrimage sites in India attracting millions of people annually. The city of Varanasi served as a center of Hindu pilgrimage for 3,000 years. ISLAM In Islam the Hajj or pilgrimage is based on events from
Nov 2009
the sacrifices of Ebrahim and his family in the worship of Allah. The significance of the destination of Hajj to Makkah is that it is the site of the first house built for the worship of the One and Only God of the universe; while other pilgrimages derive their importance exclusively from their connection to events in the life of a prophet or saint. TAWAAF One of the elements of the Hajj is Tawaaf or circling around the Ka’bah. The law of the universe is that the earth, moon, stars, all galaxies revolve around a centre. Likewise, electrons move around an atom in an orbit. Since all matter consists of atoms, this means that the law of revolution applies to everything. While Tawaaf is done in submission to Allah, it reflects this law of the universe.
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WORLD NEWS
USA - A US-born Muslim major killed 12 soldiers and injured 28 in a gun attack at Fort Hood, Texas, the largest US military base in the world. (BBC, Nov 6) CYPRUS - Muslims are infuriated after Greek authorities announced the construction of a bar in the garden of the historic Hala Musjid, South Cyprus which reportedly houses the tomb of Umm Haram , the aunt of the Prophet . (IOL, Oct 29) USA - There were shockwaves among Muslims after FBI killed an imam in Dearborn. (IOL, Oct 30) UAE - A lab built the world’s first Arabic-speaking robot which could soon go into mass production to serve as receptionists, sales staff or shopping assistants in in shopping malls. (SindhToday, Nov 4)
its energy needs by 2050 with solar-generated electricity from a network of power plants and transmission grids across North Africa and the Middle East. The huge solar project will start in the Sahara desert with a $400bn venture. (BBC, Nov 2) SOMALI - Dahabshiil introduced the first-ever debit card in Somalia in Somaliland. They hope to roll the system out to all Somali areas from Djibouti to Kenya. Dahabshiil handles cash transferred by Somalis living overseas to relatives back home. $1bn is sent to Somalia from emigrants. (BBC, Oct 28) BAHRAIN - Parliament approved a bill banning citizens from having relations with Israel. (BBC, Oct 28) KASHMIR - 2 Muslim freedom fighters killed in gun battle with Indian forces in Poonch. (BBC, Oct 29)
IRAN - Iranian Shias executed a Jundullah Sunni fighter. Jundullah says it is fighting against the oppression of Iran's Sunni Muslims. (BBC, Nov 3)
PAKISTAN - Massive blast ripped through market in Peshawar killing 118. (BBC, Oct 30)
SAUDI ARABIA - Shia rebels from Yemen fought their way across the border into Saudi Arabia. They killed one soldier and injured 11. (BBC, Nov 4) Saudi army regained the area after a battle. (BBC, Nov 8)
PALESTINE - Israel is denying Palestinians clean, safe water while allowing almost unlimited supplies to illegal Jewish settlers in occupied West Bank, Amnesty International says. (AJ, Oct 27)
SAUDI ARABIA - A paedophile who raped 5 children and left one of them to die in the desert is to be beheaded and crucified. Crucifixion in Saudi means tying the convict’s body to wooden beams to be displayed to the public after being decapitated by a professional swordsman. Saudi has executed 56 people this year under laws that allow the death penalty for rape, murder, apostasy, armed robbery and drug trafficking. (SindhToday, Nov 4)
SOMALIA - Hundreds attended wedding of a 112 year old man and his 17 year old wife. (BBC, Oct 29)
AFGHANISTAN - Taliban killed 5 British soldiers in Helmand. 92 UK troops killed this year, the highest annual figure since 1982. (BBC, Nov 4)
FRANCE - Defense Ministry sent its Muslim soldiers on a special plane for Hajj while the Saudi Defense Ministry provided accommodation. (IOL, Sep 15)
KENYA - Ifo camp housing thousands of mainly Somali refugees in the north-east was flooded following 3 weeks of constant rain. (BBC, Nov 4)
PALESTINE - The Jewish Apartheid wall in occupied West Bank was breached as Palestinians and foreign activists tore down segments of it. In 2007, the Jews demolished 160 Palestinian homes and appropriated 3 km² of land to build the wall. The wall may be 750 km long when finished, four times the length of the Berlin Wall. (AJ, Nov 9)
PALESTINE - UN Secretary General said he is dismayed at continued Jewish aggression in occupied East Jerusalem, including demolition of Palestinian homes and eviction of Palestinian families. This follows another Jewish settler family evicting Palestinians and taking their house. (BBC, Nov 3) SAHARA - Desertec will supply Europe with 15% of
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PALESTINE - The Rabbi and leader of an ultrafundamentalist Jewish sect was extradited from Brazil to Israel to face charges of abusing children in a 'purification' ritual to expel demons. Young children were beaten, burned and made to eat faeces at his home in occupied West Bank. (BBC, Oct 28)
NICARAGUA - A Pakistani businessman who financed the first Musjid in Honduras, is financing much of a new Musjid in Nicaragua. Nicaragua has 1,500 Muslims. (IOL, Nov 10)
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A man's primary need is for respect, while a woman's primary need is for love. A ‘crazy cycle’ results when the wife does not show respect and the husband does not show love. When a wife feels her husband is unloving, she often reacts with disrespect, which in turn makes the husband act even more unloving. The solution is for the wife to show unconditional respect to her husband and for the husband to show unconditional love to his wife without waiting for the other to change first. In the Qur’aan and Hadith, there are possibly no two concepts more stressed with regards to marital relationships than love and respect. For men : ‘ T ake good care of women…’ (Bukhari) Qur’aan says: ‘Live with them in kindness and equity. (4:19) ‘...the best among you are those who behave best towards their wives.’ (Tirmidhi) Men are urged to be kind and loving towards wives. For women: Many men complain their wives do not respect them. This sentiment is stressed in Islam with regards to wives. Respect of a person in authority means doing what they say: ‘When any woman prays her five salaah, fasts her month, guards her body and obeys her husband, it is said to her: Enter paradise from whichever of its doors you wish.’ (Tirmidhi) The more respect a woman shows her husband, the more love he will show her. Y Mogahed
While the state education system is facing ruin with students falling pregnant, drugs running rampant, abuse common and anti-Islamic elements forming part of the curriculum, Muslims are looking for alternatives. These include private schools, Muslim schools and home schooling. While each has positive and negative points, and might not be the best or possible alternative for everyone, we start by looking at aspects of home schooling. BENEFITS OF HOME SCHOOLING 1. Removes children from an environment of drugs, alcohol, sexual experimentation, gangs and peer pressure, and to put them in a healthy, safe and secure environment. 2. Removes children from an environment unfriendly to Islamic teachings e.g. dress code. 3. When home schooling, a parent need not worry about conflict arising from children attending Juma prayer, or going on Hajj. Classes can be held on Saturday and Sunday, over Christian holidays, while being light during Ramadan and stop for Eid. 4. Other plus points include improving family unity and socialization, restoration of motivation and positive behavior, academic success; and flexibility in choosing curriculum and teaching methods. There is an abundance of information available on every aspect of home schooling from bookstores, libraries and home school support groups. Likewise, text books and curriculum are pretty easy to come by. Certain curriculum are recognized by the education department and learners’ results are accepted as official qualifications.
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INSPIRATION / INTERNET
‘And among His signs is that He created for you mates … and He has put love and mercy between you…’ (Qur’aan 30:21) How many marriages have that love and mercy?
MOTIVATION / SUNNAH
Prophet Muhammad showed us the way of achieving success in this world: 1. Making a Friend out of an Enemy The Prophet was subject to hardship by the disbelievers. At that time the Qur’aan enjoined him to return evil with good. As a result: ‘You will see your worst enemy has become your closest friend.’ (41:34). There is the example of a would-be assassin who was forgiven by the Prophet and then accepted Islam. 2. The Power of Peace Over Violence When Makkah was conquered, all the Prophet ’s worst enemies were brought before him. He forgave them. As a result, they accepted Islam. The power of peace realized success in the Prophet ’s mission to call towards Islam. 3. Gradualism Instead of Radicalism This principle is well established by the Hadith of Bukhari: Aisha narrates that the first verses of the Qur’aan were related mostly to Heaven and Hell. Then, after a period of time, when people’s hearts had softened, the specific commands to abstain from adultery and drinking were revealed. For social changes, Islam advocates the evolutionary method, rather than the revolutionary one. 4. To be Pragmatic in Complex Matters During the writing of the Treaty of Hudaibiya, the Prophet dictated the words: ‘This is from Muhammad, the Messenger of God.’ The nonMuslim delegates objected to these words and the Prophet ordered the scribe to simply write: ’Muhammad, son of Abdullah.’ Adapted from Principles of Success by Darul Ihsan
Two frogs decided to go to the dairy to get some milk to drink. They hopped their way in and looked for the milk urns. As they leant over to get a drink of milk, they slipped into the urn. They began thrashing about, trying to save themselves from drowning in the milk. They couldn’t leap out of the urn as the milk was too low. Eventually, one of the frogs said to the other: ‘I can’t manage. What’s the point? We’re going to drown anyway.’ So saying, he stopped kicking and sank to the bottom and drowned. The other frog continued his frantic movements. Unexpectedly, the milk started to slowly churn and began turning to butter with the frog’s kicking. After a while, the frog was able to get a better grip on the butter and leapt out of the urn to safety. Lesson: Never adopt a defeatist attitude. No matter how difficult things might seem, there is wisdom in why it’s happening to us and we are definitely equipped to meet the challenges.
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Q: What should one do if one is responsible for the funeral and burial of a Non-Muslim relative? A: It is permissible for a Muslim to prepare a nonMuslim’s body for burial, but it is not permissible to perform the funeral prayer for him, or to bury him in a Muslim graveyard. He must also avoid things non-Muslims normally do with the dead if it is prohibited in Islam. Q: Can women expose the area between the navel and knees when there is a necessity e.g. when using the toilet and bathing, as well as changing one’s clothing? Do they have to go to elaborate lengths to avoid being nude at these times while alone? A: It is perfectly permissible for a woman to expose the area between the navel and knees when there is a need, such as using the toilet, bathing and changing. One should not, man or woman, be unmindful in uncovering one’s nakedness in these activities unnecessarily, but one does not need to go to unreasonable lengths to remain covered. (Reliance of the Traveller, e9.1 [7])
Q: Can one read literature containing incidental mention of sinful matters? What if there is a language benefit in doing so? A: It seems this is permitted, as affirmed by our teacher, Shaykh Muhammad al-Khatib (a leading Shafi Mufti in Yemen). The books of grammar and other works of Arabic literature widespread among people and scholars contain mention of some sins, and scholars have not condemned such literature. However, if readers fear that they will be harmed by reading such literature, then it would be haram. Q: Is a woman allowed to lead men in prayer? A: As stated by Imam Nawawi in the Majmu, the vast majority of early as well as latter scholars, the scholars of all four schools and others agree that it is not valid for a man to follow a woman. This is based on the hadith: The Messenger of Allah spoke to us and said: ‘A woman should not lead a man.’ (Ibn Majah and Baihaqi) This is strengthened by another hadith: ‘A people who give their affairs over to a woman will never prosper.’ It is also
established by the fact that women never led men among anyone in any age of Islam, because if this were permissible it would have happened as there would have been a need for it. Q: What is ruling of men covering their heads? A: Covering the head with a cap (topi/kufya) or turban is a sunnah for men, established through the practice of the Prophet . It is not obligatory. A man who does not cover his head is not sinful, though he has left a Prophetic sunnah. It is especially emphasized for men to cover their heads during prayer, because uncovering one’s head is irreverent. (Ibn Hajar al-Haytami, Tuhfa) He states explicitly that it is disliked for men to pray with their heads uncovered. Q: Is it permissible for a girl to ride in a car alone with her male cousin? Can they go to a public restaurant together to have dinner as friends? A: The cousin is a relative the girl can marry (Ghair Mahram). It is not permissible to do anything with one’s cousin that is not permissible to do with anyone else who one can marry. Q: Is it permissible to place a stone or brick behind the deceased in the grave so the body does not fall back when laying it down towards qibla? A: It is permissible to place a brick or stone behind the dead body for this purpose. (Hashiyatul-Jumal) Answer by: AskMufti.co.za
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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
SHAFI Q & A
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
HANAFI Q & A From various Ulama
www.askimam.org | www.askmufti.co.za | www.councilofulama.co.za Q: Is there any Islamic significance to ‘786’? A: Every Arabic letter has a numerical value. The numerical values of the Arabic letters of Bismillahir Rahmaanir Rahim added up totals to 786. Hence, using ‘786’ is not a baseless practice and cannot be deemed haraam as it has not been prohibited in Islamic law. However, this practice is not established in any narration nor is it equivalent to writing Bismillah in full. However it is used on certain occasions to avoid disrespect to the name of Allah. And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best
sajdah by bending forward slightly. He will bend forward lower for sajdah than he would for ruku. Similarly if a person cannot stand because of weakness or dizziness he may perform salaah on a chair. Answer by: Moulana Naziem Moosagie
Q: How many stones are there in the Hajre Aswad (Black Stone)? A: The Hajre Aswad was originally one stone. When it was taken away by the Qaramita it was broken into several pieces. It was returned and today comprises approximately 16 pieces.
Answer by: Mufti Shafiq Jakhura
Answer by: Mufti Siraj Desai
Q: My doctor gave me medication for an illness. Some medications contain ingredients from haraam animal sources. I have no specific information that this medication contains anything haraam. Can I use it? A: As long as there is no certainty that a medication contains a haraam ingredient, you must consider it halaal and lawful. Not all medication contain haraam ingredients. There is no need to doubt. Continue using the medication.
Q: Is it permissible to charge a patient a certain amount if they are paying cash, and inflate the amount if they are on medical aid? A: Giving a discount to cash patients is permissible. At the same time medical aid patients should not be unduly exploited although they could be charged a higher rate. Both doctor and patient should be aware of the applicable rate prior for consultation or treatment. And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best Answer by: Mufti Shafiq Jakhura
Answer by: Mufti Siraj Desai
Q: When is a person allowed to read salaah sitting on a chair? A: If a person is unable to get up from sajdah then he is allowed to make salaah sitting on a chair. Likewise if he is unable to make the sajdah itself then he may offer salaah sitting on a chair. He will then make his ruku and
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of other faiths have elements that are in conflict with Islamic beliefs and practices, it will not be permissible to attend the funeral ceremony. Allah Ta’ala mentions: ‘And never (O Muhammad ) perform Salaah (funeral prayer) for any of them who dies, nor stand at his grave. Certainly they disbelieved in Allah and His Messenger, and died while they were evildoers.’ (Qur’aan 9:84). And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best Answer by: Stanger Darul Uloom
Q: Can I make will in favor of my nephew, when my full brother is one of my heirs? A: It is permissible for one to bequeath from within one third of his wealth for his nephew who is not an inheritor. However, it is not permissible for one to exceed one-third of his wealth unless all the inheritors allow him to do so. The inheritors all must be mature and sane in order for them to be able to give permission. Checked by: Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Q: Can Zam Zam water be sold? A: Yes, Zam Zam can be sold if one makes the effort to bottle it. Answer by: Council of Ulama EC
Q: My family is nonMuslim. Should any of my parents die, can I attend their funeral? A: You are fully entitled to be grieved and saddened at the death of your non-Muslim parent as this is natural. If they pass away it will be permissible for you to express your grief and condolences with the rest of the family. However, as funerals
Q: Can a lady appoint her husband to pelt the jamaraat on her behalf? She cannot pelt because of the crowds. A: No she cannot appoint her husband to pelt on her behalf. She should pelt at night when the crowds are less. (Fatwa Raheemiya, 5:235) Answer by: Council of Ulama EC
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There was an advert in a newspaper saying: ‘Officer required in a company dealing with very small, sensitive instruments.’ It was a prestigious post and lots of people applied. The selected applicants arrived for an interview on the appointed date. While waiting, some of the applicants were drinking tea/ coffee, some were talking and others were trying to impress the officers of the company. The hall was very noisy. In this noisy environment there was a young man sitting peacefully. He was silent and at peace with himself. All of a sudden an announcement, not easily audible, was made from one of the sensitive instruments: ‘We would like to recruit a person who has a quiet nature and keen observation. The person who can hear this instruction may come in and take the recruitment letter.’ Nobody could hear that announcement in such a noisy atmosphere. But the young man who was sitting silently got up immediately and went in. He was appointed to the position. He came out of the room and spoke to the others: ‘Why are you waiting? I'm already appointed to the position.’ The others were annoyed after hearing thist. They accused him of bribing the recruiting group. Then the man replied peacefully: ‘Before going in I thought of you all. I was only able to hear the instructions to collect the appointment letter.’
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The Arabic word for Friday is Yaumul Jumua and is called this because it is the day of congregating for Muslims. Friday was the last day when the creation of the universe was completed. On Friday, Prophet Aadam was created, admitted into Paradise and sent down to earth. The end of the world will be on a Friday. (Ibn Kathir) Allah had appointed Friday as the day of congregation and festivity for people, but the previous nations did not appoint it as their sacred day. Before Islam, Friday was known as Yaumul Arubah. The first Arab to change the name to Yaumul Jumuah was Ka’b Ibn Luayy, 560 years before Prophet Muhammad . The Quraish used to gather on this day and Ka’b delivered a sermon. Ka’b was among the forefathers of the Prophet and stayed away from idol worship, believing in One Allah. Thus the importance of Friday was recognised in Arabia before Islam. (Mazhari) Some narrations state that the Ansar of Madinah used to gather and pray, before Hijrah, on Friday before Jumuah prayer became obligatory. From the time of the Prophet till the era of Umar there was only one Athaan for Jumuah at the time of the Khutba in front of the Imam. The Muslim population grew rapidly in the era of Uthman and this Athaan could not be heard by the large Muslim population on the outskirts of Madinah. He therefore initiated another Athaan which was called in the trading area further from the Musjid at his house in az-Zaurah, which could be heard throughout Madinah. No Sahaabi objected to this.
The Quraan Challenge Game for children is a unique board game based on the Holy Quraan. The idea behind this game is to provide children with both fun and education. All questions are taken from the Quraan. They have been creatively worked into this game and children will enjoy answering them. This game can be played at school or at home with all the family members. It is a fun way to learn about the Quraan. The inventor of the game is Saniyasnain Khan and the game is produced by Goodword Books. The game consists of: 600 Quraan knowledge questions covering: Prophets in the Quraan People of the Quraan Places of the Quraan Message of the Quraan 99 Names of Allah Examples: Q. Who were the honoured guests of the Prophet Ibrahim alaihis salaam? A. The Angels (Surah al-Hijr, 15:42) Q. What does fasting teach us? A. Self-Control (Surah al-Baqarah, 2:183) The game can be bought from Muslim book and gift shops or ordered online. It seems like an ideal Islamic alternative to other un-Islamic board games. The average price seems to be around R100.
Ma’ariful Qur’aan Vol 8 Pg 453-4 English
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A movement concerned with the welfare of the Ottoman Khilafat began in India and Moulana actively encouraged Muslim students to join it. He organised efforts to start an armed revolution against British rule from within and outside India. He launched a programme to train volunteer fighters. In 1917 he laid the foundation of Jamiatul Ansar which organised conventions against the British. In 1920 he assisted the Turks at the Battle of Balqaan with large sums of money. He got support from the Turks to attack the British in India when he met the Ottoman Minister of War in Madinah. Moulana planned to return to India to start the Jihad. The plan was discovered and he was arrested in Makkah. He was imprisoned in Malta for more than three years before his release in 1920. He returned to India and took part in many conferences to fight for freedom from the British. He was given the title Sheikhul Hind (India) and became an icon of the Indian independence movement. He wrote a translation and commentary of the Qur’aan which he began in Malta. He died in Delhi and 20,000 people attended the funeral.
Muslims have played an instrumental role in the invention, spread and improvement of fabric over the ages. Here are some highlights: Velvet: The art of velvet-weaving originated in Muslim Kashmir around the 14th century. Silk: Arabs began manufacturing silk in the 6th century. The Crusades brought silk production to Western Europe from Muslim lands, in particular to many Italian states, which saw an economic boom exporting silk to the rest of Europe. Muslim Arabs spread sericulture (silk making) to Africa, Spain and Sicily, all of which developed an important silk industry. Silk remained a rare and expensive material until Muslim Arabs in Sicily and Spain (8th to 10th century) began supplying it in a much greater abundance. Muslin: was introduced to Europe from the Muslim Middle East in the 17th century. It was named after the city where Europeans first encountered it: Mosul, in Iraq, but the fabric originated from Dhaka, Muslim Bangladesh. Seersucker: The word came into English from the Persian words ‘shir o shekar’ meaning ‘milk and sugar’. Muslim traders traded the fabric throughout a wide area. The British took to it in the colonial period. Satin: The name satin came from the Chinese port where Arab traders obtained it, Zaitun (now Quanzhou) in Fujian province. Fustian: Derived from El-Fustat, the name of a suburb of Cairo where cloth was manufactured.
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BIOGRAPHY / MUSLIM INFLUENCE
Moulana Mahmud Al-Hasan (Born: 1851, Died: 1920) was born in Bareilly, India. His father was an Islamic scholar and inspector of Madressas. Moulana Mahmud was from the lineage of Uthman . Moulana got a traditional Islamic education. He was the first student of Darul Uloom Deoband in 1870. He completed his education in 1873, and began teaching there. In 1890, he was appointed Sheikhul Hadith. He taught there for 44 years, and in Makkah, Madinah and Malta when he was imprisoned there.
HISTORY / INSPIRATION
Islam is the official religion of Malaysia with 60% of the population Muslim. Ethnic Malays are Muslim with substantial numbers of Indian Muslims and some ethnic Chinese converts. The Sunni Shafi school is the official form in Malaysia. Musjids are common throughout the country. Government bodies and banking institutions close for two hours every Friday for Jumuah prayers. In certain states the weekends are Friday and Saturday. There are strict policies against deviate sects including Shias. Islam came to Malaysia some say as early as the first century Hijrah with Arab Muslim missionaries as well as Muslim Indian traders from South India. Islam was adopted peacefully by the coastal trading ports and became established on the Malay peninsular when Sultan Muzaffar Shah I (12th century) of Kedah became the first ruler to convert to Islam. The conversion of the Sultanate of Malacca by Muslim traders from Tamil Nadu, India to Islam was the milestone of Islam in Malaysia. Hanafi Islam that Chinese Muslims brought lost almost all contact with Islam in China and was absorbed by the Shafi school. Many Malay words trace their origin to Arabic. In states where the Islamist PAS party rules or has influence, such as Kelantan, the genders are segregated in public places. The goal of PAS is to establish an Islamic state. Parallel to civil courts, there are Sharia courts for Islamic and Muslim family issues. There is a government institution in charge of organizing pilgrimages to Makkah called Tabung Haji (Pilgrim Fund Board). Government also funds the construction of Musjids. Most states have Sultans who maintain authority over Islamic affairs.
The Qur’aan has been preserved in Arabic and is read by all Muslims in that language. It is also studied by Muslim scholars in Arabic. There have been translations of the Qur’aan and none can convey the original beauty. Here is a brief history of translation: First translation of a part of the Qur’aan is
attributed to Hazrat Salman of Surah Fatiha into Persian. The first translation was into Persian in the 1100’s called Qur'an Quds. There are more than 60 Persian translations now. 1143 Latin. 1547 Italian. 1616 German, from Italian. 1647 French, from Arabic. 1649 English, from French. 1658 Dutch. 1734 English from Arabic by George Sale. One of the copies was owned by Thomas Jefferson, on which Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to US Congress, was sworn. 1886 Bengali by Girish Chandra Sen 1858 Polish 1902 Urdu by Maulana Aashiq Ilahi Meeruti. There are now about 20 Urdu translations. 1936 Bosnian.
There are also translations in Hungarian, Hindi, Swedish, Estonian, Acehnese, Afrikaans, Andalusian, Balochi, Bangla, Bulgarian, Chinese, Pashto, Mande, Malayalam, Macedonian, Kannada, Japanese, Hebrew, Esperanto, Danish, Sindhi, Spanish, Swahili, Tatar, Turkish (over 50), Zulu and Xhosa. Many online Qur’aan sites offer the translations, some with over 100 translations.
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FOR THE LITTLE ONES
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Find these words: 1. Ifraad 2. Meeqaat 3. Makkah 4. Jamaraat 5. Tawaaf 6. Qiraan 7. Maqaam 8. Ihraam 9. Saee 10. Arafaat 11. Tamattu 12. Mina 13. Zamzam 14. Safa 15. Rami 16. Hajraswad 17. Muzdalifa 18. Kiswa 19. Marwa 20. Kabah
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Islam Awareness Centre (IAC) grew out of a need to co-ordinate Dawah work in Port Elizabeth. Activities had been ongoing for a few years before the Centre was officially launched in 2009. Vision Providing Muslims with tools to counter missionary onslaught Creating awareness of Islam and Muslims Distributing/Printing literature on Islam Organising seminars and workshops on Islam Training Dawah workers Hosting Musjid tours Providing follow-up help to new Muslims Activities Hosted Muslim-Christian public debates Put ads in local newspapers on Islam Responded to false information on Islam presented by non-Muslims One-to-one interaction with non-Muslims interested in Islam Dedicated Dawah office Contact: 11A Rodney Street, central PO Box 22786, Port Elizabeth Tel: 041 582 3856 Cell: 082 750 8066 Fax: 086 540 1970 Email: info@islamawareness.co.za www.islamawareness.co.za Banking Details: ABSA Account No. 9227266117 Islamic Savings Account
There was once a perfume seller. He owned a parrot which could talk. The parrot would greet and speak to every customer who entered the shop. The customers were amazed and would come time and again to purchase perfume only to speak to the parrot. One night the owner forgot to lock the parrot in the cage. The parrot heard a cat and panicked. It started flying around the shop knocking down all the perfume bottles and spilling the perfume. The next morning when the owner entered the shop he became angry and hit the parrot on the head until its hair fell out and it became bald. From that day on the parrot did not speak a word. Customers would enter the shop and hope to hear the parrot saying something but the parrot would not speak. Slowly customers started coming less until the business eventually collapsed. Lesson: We should value everyone as they could be the source of goodness for us.
November Sheikh Hajjaj of Egypt: Qiraat17: Musjid Taqwa after Maghrib 18: Musjid Mansoor after Maghrib 27: Eidul Adha (subject to sighting of moon) December 5: MBF Business Expo. Kwantu Towers. 9am-6pm 25-27: Cape Ijtima. Uitenhage Events updates at www.islamicfocus.co.za
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