Islamic Focus Issue 76 by Islamic Focus

P3 Career P4 Best Bait P7 Angels’ Prayer P9 Sheikh Abdul Basit P10 Road Safety P12 Cii Youth Bukhara Publications/Tel: 078 672 7797/Fax: 086 651 2125 Email: islamicfocus@gmail.com/Korsten/Port Elizabeth

Palestine is occupied. The surrounding Muslim countries are helpless. Al Aqsa is under threat. Sound familiar? Well, this was the situation 1,000 years ago when the Christian Crusaders ruled over Palestine. No Muslim could make inroads against them. Hero. Then the man of the moment, Salahuddin Ayyubi stood up for the liberation of the holy land and he succeeded where others had failed. The turning point was the Battle of Hittin in 1187, where Salahuddin’s forces crushed the might of Christendom’s armies, once again making the Muslims the main military power in Palestine, liberating Jerusalem and several other Crusader-held cities. Here are some of the reasons why he won through:

Islamic Focus

Issue 76

Igniting the Spirit of Islam

Unity. The Muslim states surrounding the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem had been united during the 1170s and 1180s by Salahuddin. He had been appointed vizier of Egypt in 1169 and soon came to rule the country as sultan. In 1174, he united Damascus, Aleppo by 1176 and Mosul by 1183. For the first time, the Kingdom of Jerusalem was encircled by Muslim territory united under one ruler. A similar situation exists today, where the Muslim states surrounding Palestine are divided, each looking out only for her own interests. In fact, countries like Egypt and Jordan even refuse to allow humanitarian aid into Palestine. Once these countries are united under Islam, then the days of the Jewish occupation will be numbered.

Jan 2010

Division. Once Muslims united, Allah Ta’ala caused divisions within the ranks of the Crusaders with King Guy of Luisgnan on the one side and Raynold of Catillon and the Knights Templar on the other. This will also happen to the united forces of Christianity and Judaism today. Tactics. Again, with unity, Allah granted the Muslims a brilliant tactical leader in Salahuddin who lured the Christians into false military maneuvers at Hittin. He also used smoke to blind the Crusaders and captured the main water supply at the battlefield. Furthermore, Salahuddin refused to be bribed by the Crusader garrison at Tiberias. The Crusaders lost 17,000 men on that day and the road to the liberation of Jerusalem and Palestine lay open to Salahuddin.

...

WORLD NEWS

YEMEN - 30 Muslims killed in Yemeni airforce strike.

floods in Nov. (BBC, Dec 28)

(BBC, Dec 24) US gave firepower to help Yemeni government launch recent deadly raids. In Abyan several homes were destroyed and 64 civilians killed, including 23 children and 17 women. (AJ, Dec 19)

KASHMIR - Muslim freedom fighters in Indianoccupied Kashmir killed four Indian soldiers at Warpora. (BBC, Dec 30)

PALESTINE - Israel admitted using the military to harvest organs from dead bodies of Palestinians and foreign workers in the 1990s, without permission from their families. Jehuda Hiss, former head of Israel's forensic institute, confirmed this. (AJ, Dec 21)

HEALTH - A US study of 12 to 18-year-olds found those with bedtimes after midnight were 24% more likely to have depression than those who went to bed before 10pm. And those who slept fewer than five hours a night had a 71% higher risk of depression than those who slept eight hours. It is estimated 80,000 UK children and young people have depression. (BBC, Jan 2)

ERITREA - UN Security Council imposed an arms embargo, travel bans and asset freezes on top Eritrean officials accusing them of supporting Islamist fighters who control most of Somalia. (BBC, Dec 24) AFGHANISTAN - Taliban released a video showing US soldier Bowe alive. He was captured 6 months ago. (BBC, Dec 25) USA - A huge winter storm rolled across central US, bringing chaos to road and air transport from Texas to Minnesota. The storm spanned two-thirds of the country. 18 people died and 100 flights leaving Minneapolis were cancelled. (BBC, Dec 25) BURMA - Burma agreed to repatriate 9,000 Rohingya Muslims from Bangladesh. Human rights groups say Rohingya Muslims fled cruel religious persecution in Burma and do not want to return to their home country. (BBC, Dec 29) NIGERIA - 38 people killed in clashes between security forces and members of the Kala Kato Islamist sect in Bauchi state. Two soldiers and a policeman were also killed. (BBC, Dec 29) PALESTINE - Over 1,000 activists from 42 countries were prevented by Egyptian authorities from reaching Gaza. Some were arrested while a separate convoy of vans delivering medical supplies was stopped by Jordanian authorities from entering Palestine. Another convoy of 200 trucks from London, led by UK MP George Gallaway was turned away by Egyptians. (BBC, Dec 29) An Egyptian soldier was killed in clashes after authorities refused to allow the aid trucks into Gaza. TV footage showed riot police hitting activists with batons. (BBC, Jan 6) SAUDI ARABIA - 40 officials arrested in an investigation into the authorities' response to devastating floods in Jeddah. 150 people were killed in the

Islamic Focus

SOMALIA - Somalia's al-Shabab Islamist group which rules most of the country has pledged to send fighters to help Al Qaeda fighters in Yemen. The US increased training, intelligence and military equipment provided to Yemeni forces to fight Islamist fighters. (AJ, Jan 2) NORWAY - Norway’s Foreign Minister Jonas Store wrote a back-cover praise of a book exposing cruel Jewish massacres of Gaza civilians during 2008’s deadly onslaught. The book is written by two Norwegian doctors who describe Israel’s ‘monstrous, systematically implemented and comprehensive massacre’ against Gaza civilians. Jewish troops killed more than 1,400 Palestinians, including 313 children, and wounded thousands during its three-week Gaza onslaught. 20,000 homes and thousands other schools, hospitals and Musjids were ruined. A UN fact-finding committee accused Israel of committing war crimes during the Gaza war. (IOL, Dec 27) EGYPT - Coptic Christians smashed ambulances and stoned police after 7 Copts died in a shooting. This was in revenge for the rape of a 12-year-old Muslim girl by a Christian man. (BBC, Jan 7) PALESTINE - Christians boycott celebrations of Orthodox Christmas in Bethlehem, accusing their Greek Orthodox Church of selling land to Jews. The previous patriarch was ousted after leasing Church land in Jerusalem's Old City to Jews while the present one is continuing his policy. (BBC, Jan 6) PALESTINE - Arab and Jewish chefs won the world record for the biggest ever hummus dish serving up four tons of the stuff together and beating the record set by Lebanese chefs in Oct who mixed two tons of the dip. (Sky News, Jan 8)

... 2

Intention. Actions are judged according to intention. Among the intentions one can make is to be able to earn a living and not to beg. Halaal. The career should be in a field that is permissible in Islam. Doing something Haraam with the hope of success never works for a Muslim. Benefit. The Hadith tells us that the best people are those who are of most benefit to mankind. Study subjects that can help in solving society’s problems. Wealth. It is natural to wish for wealth. But this should be tempered by adjusting one’s priorities: For a Muslim, pleasing Allah comes first. This attitude will lead to a Muslim enjoying his wealth even more as the Quraan promises a good life for those who set Islam as their main objective. Effort. Never think that achievements are due to ones efforts. This is the way of the arrogant people of the past who were destroyed. Be thankful to Allah and humble in ones achievements. Shariah Compliant. Always check the rulings related to ones field of study or work with Ulama to ensure it is within the parameters of Islam. Umar would only allow a person to trade in the marketplace once he knew the Islamic laws of commerce.

While exclusive paper money as currency is a relatively new phenomenon, gold and silver were in use throughout the ages and across cultures as currency. Some sources say Prophet Aadam initiated the use of gold and silver as currency. In fact, much of the world instability and inflation is due to the fact that these metals are no longer used as everyday currency. The Muslim community, from the era of the Prophet till the fall of the last Khalifa used gold and silver. The Quraan speaks of currency as being gold and silver. There are movements in the Muslim world calling for a return to the gold standard, the most prominent advocate being former Malaysian PM Mahatir Muhammad. Some states have introduced the gold dinar on a limited scale while it is widely available as an investment. Here are a few facts on the gold dinar: Initially Muslims used gold and silver by weight and used Persian dinar and dirhams. The first dated coins assigned to Muslims are copies of silver dirhams of Yezdigird III, struck under Uthman . In 695 CE Khalifah Abdulmalik minted the first Islamic dirhams, establishing officially the standard of Umar Ibnul Khattab . The Islamic dinar is a coin of 22k (91.7%) gold weighing 4.25 grams. To be continued

Countries with least number of Muslims: British Indian Ocean Territory 4, Anguilla 72, Cayman Islands 91, British Virgin Islands 92, Iceland 121, Dominica 134, Monaco 165, Seychelles 183, Lesotho 202, Aruba 291. Excludes 46 countries with no Muslims. Least percentage of Muslims in relation to total population: Poland 0.01%, Ireland 0.01%, Slovakia 0.02%, Bolivia 0.02%, Iceland 0.04%, Paraguay 0.05%, South Korea 0.07%, Cuba 0.08%, Belarus 0.1%, Hungary 0.1%

KIOSK A, SHOPRITE MALL GREENACRES 041-363 2486 www.786cellular.co.za

SAMUNG STAR

Reduced subscription fee R89 per month x 24 Includes 120 off-peak minutes per month FREE on Weekend Everyday

Facebook www.facebook.com/pages/ Islamic-Focus/121276488849

The only Muslim-owned Vodashop in the Eastern Cape

Islamic Focus

CAREER / FINANCE

You’ve completed Matric and need to decide on what you’re going to study to land you your dream career. Here are some pointers to bear in mind:

MOTIVATION / INSPIRATION

Just as we upgrade everything in life, here’s a list on how to improve the wearing of Hijab: 1. The Hijab shouldn’t attract attention Allah states the believing women should ‘not ... display their beauty (zeenah).’ [Surah Noor:31] ‘And stay in your houses, and do not display yourselves like those of the times of ignorance…’ [Surah Ahzaab:32] 2. Don’t shake hands with non-Mahrams It’s part of Hijaab. The Prophet said: ‘For one of you to be stabbed in the head with an iron needle is better for him than to touch a woman who is not permissible for him.’ [Tabaraani] Non-Mahram is a male whom a female can marry. 3. Be careful, even in the way you walk Walk with modesty. ‘There are two types of the people of Hell that I have not seen yet… women who are clothed yet naked, walking with an enticing gait…’ [Muslim] 4. Keep those nice fragrances for home That’s part of Hijab. The Prophet said: ‘Any woman who puts on perfume and passes by people so that they can smell her fragrance, is an adulteress.’ [Nasaa’i, Tirmidhi] 5. No joking with non-Mahrams Being properly covered is no license to talk and joke with men. Allah says: ‘… then be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease should be moved with desire, but speak in an honorable manner.’ [Surah Ahzaab:32] So talk to them when there is a specific need, and in a manner that is not necessarily rude, yet is polite but firm.

A youngster found a nest of worms. He picked one up and felt a sting as he hooked it on his rod. With these worms he began pulling in bigger fish than the other boys. A man walking past asked him the secret of his success and the boy showed him his worms. As he did so, the boy became dizzy and fell unconscious. His hand was swollen and he died in hospital. On investigation, the nest of ‘worms’ was actually found to be a nest of baby rattlesnakes and the boy had been bitten by one and died as a result. This is the example of a Muslim using something Haraam to gain some benefit. For a while he might see success, but ultimately it will lead to his ruin and failure. The rattlesnakes brought the boy big fish but killed him off in the end. The law of Islam in every aspect of life is the only way for a Muslim to see genuine success and contentment.

On two days in the year the sun will be directly above the Ka’bah. This has been observed for centuries. When you face the sun on these days at the given time, you will be facing the Qibla. The days are:

May 28 at 11:18 am SA time and July 16 at 11:27 am Extract from SANZAF diary 2010

Reach over 5,000 readers a month by advertising with Islamic Focus:

Available in Trays Housewives Welcome Businesses phone for trade enquiries & Free delivery

Our Eggs are EggEgg-cellent Islamic Focus

Website: R250-R500 a month (over 4,000 visitors per month) Newsletter: R90-R270 an issue (distributed free in PE/Uitenhage) Enewsletter: R20 for a full colour ad per issue (200+ subscribers x 4 issues monthly) Advertising revenue helps our Islamic activities floursih

ISLAMIC FOCUS Igniting the Spirit of Islam

www.sunnipath.com

Q: Is it sunnah to remove the mustache completely or to merely trim it? A: Trimming the mustache is a sunnah that is agreed upon by all scholars. (Majmu) The Prophet said: ‘Whosoever does not take something from his mustache is not one of us.’ (Tirmidhi) Scholars disagree on how much the mustache should be trimmed. Some say it is sunnah to shave and trim it from its roots. However, the sunnah in the Shafi school is to trim the mustache from above the upper lip so that a little of the upper lip can show, without shaving the mustache at its roots. Sharhabil al-Khaulani said: ‘I saw five of the companions of the Messenger trimming their mustaches ... And they trimmed their mustaches from the edge of the lip.’ (Baihaqi) Q: Is it unlawful to speak during conjugal relations? A: It is not unlawful to speak during one’s intimate relations, rather it is disliked unless there is need, as the imams have stated. Q: Is it permissible to make graves from gold

e.g. like how Hazrat Hussain 's is now? What about other precious stones on graves e.g. silver, emeralds etc? A: It is impermissible to decorate graves or Musjids with gold. As for decorating them with precious stones, it is offensive. And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best Q: Is it permissible for a man to marry one of his wife's friends and bring her to live with them in the same house, if his first wife requested that of him? A: Of the rights of the wife upon her husband is that the other wife does not live with her, but if she accepts it, then it is permissible, because it is was her right and she assented to waiving it. Q: What is the Shafi view on using and selling tableware and other items made from white clay mixed with bone ashes? The items produced using this substance are usually called ‘bone china’ ware. A: It is permissible to use every pure vessel from the point of view of its purity, but it might be unlawful for

some other reason, e.g. being made of gold or silver. It is forbidden to use an impure vessel except for a large amount (216 liters or more) of water or for something dry when the vessel is dry. Clay is pure and bone is considered pure if we do not know otherwise. So the china you mentioned is assumed to be pure and is lawful to sell and use wet or dry. However, if it is known that it is usually made from impure bones, it is offensive to use. If it is said, ‘Bones in non-Muslim lands are usually from improperly slaughtered animals, or even pigs, and are thus impure, and so is china made from them’ we say, ‘The original ruling of bone is purity, so unless we know the impurity of a specific bone (by seeing it taken from a pig for example) and the use of that bone in a specific piece of china, we act according to this original ruling of purity.’ Q: What is the ruling on playing chess? A: Playing chess is detestable (makruh) meaning that you are not punished for doing it and you are rewarded for avoiding it. (Imam Nawawi, Minhaj al-Talibin, asSiraj al-Wahhaj:580) Q: If a man kisses his wife or non-mahram without touching her, does wudhu break? A: Wudhu breaks by kissing the wife or non-mehram, even if the man did not touch the female with the naked hand. (Al-Haawi fee Al-Fiqh As-Shaafi’) Answer by: Darul Uloom Abu Bakr

Islamic Focus

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 it permissible for women to drive while adhering to the laws of hijab? Today it seems a necessity for them to drop off and pick up kids from school as well as buying household needs when the husband is at work. A: It is permissible for women to drive when there is a genuine need, provided they adhere to the laws of Islam and in particular the regulations of hijaab. However this is not something that is encouraged due to the fitnah and dangers that are associated with it. And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best Answer by: Mufti Shafiq Jakhura

Q: Is the Rum & Raisin flavour of Ola halaal? A: The flavouring used in Ola Rum & Raisin ice cream is synthetic. The product is Halaal, but due to connotation with liquor, the product will not carry the Halaal mark. Answer by: SANHA

Q: What is the fatwa regarding buying repossessed cars directly from Standard Bank, etc? A: It is permissible to purchase a car that has been repossessed by a bank, due

to its client defaulting in payment of the vehicle. Checked by: Mufti Zubair Bayat

Q: Is it permissible for Muslims to keep a Eid gathering in a church or church hall, the reason being is that its cheaper to hire? A: It is Makruh (detestable) to enter a church or any other non Muslim place of worship. One should abstain from hiring a church or a church hall for having any functions. These are such places in which the anger and wrath of Allah descends and it is also a gathering place for the devils. The effect of this environment will befall one by attending them. Checked by: Mufti Ebrahim Desai

Q: Was the funeral prayer performed for the Prophet and if so what are the details? A: The funeral prayer was certainly performed on the Prophet . This is recorded in the books of Hadith and history. The details of the funeral prayer are as follows: Upon the demise of the Prophet , Abu Talha lifted the bed on which he passed away, dug underneath and

Get the weekly Juma Roster for Port Elizabeth emailed or sent to you via SMS. You will be sent the Khateebs for about 6 venues (these will increase as more Musjids come on board, insha Allah) by Monday of that week. Cost: R130/year (R2.50/week). Get past articles emailed or sent to you on CD. Cost: Email- Free. CD- R20 with up to 50 articles as per request.

Banking Details: Acc Name: M Badsha Acc No: 9077411586 | ABSA SMS deposit details to 078 672 7797 or email to islamicfocus@gmail.com or fax: 086 651 2125

Islamic Focus

cut the ground for the grave. It was a Lahd type of grave with a niche. People entered the room in groups and performed the funeral prayer. The first to perform it were the people of his tribe, then the Muhaajiruun (Emigrants), then the Ansaar (Helpers). The young were the last to pray. This process lasted all day Tuesday and most of Wednesday until the night came. (Sunan al bayhaqi al kubra, 4:30; Ar-Raheeq AlMakhtum, Pg 561) Answer by: Moulana Abdur Rahman Shareef

Q: If someone read Eid Salaah in UK then left for Pakistan where Eid was the following day, does he have to perform Eid salaah again? Where should he offer his Qurbani? A: In the situation where one has already performed his Eid salah, and thereafter, travels to another place where they have not yet performed the Eid salah; he may perform the Eid salah there again with the intention of nafl. You may offer qurbani wherever you wish; however, it must be done after the Eid salah of the place where the animal is to be slaughtered. (Fatwa Rahimiyya, 10:40; Ahsan ulFatawa, 4:134; Fatawa Darul Uloom Deoband, 5:227) Answer by: Moulana Sajid bin Shabbir

Q: If a Hanafi follows a Shafi Imam in Eid salaah, what does he do about the extra Takbeers? A: If a Hanafi is following an Shafi Imam in Eid salaah, he should also follow him in all the extra Takbeers. Fataawa Raheemiyah, 6:167-168) Checked by: Mufti Ebrahim Desai

Here are ways to earn the Dua (prayer) of the Angels. Angels pray for you:

www.islamalive.co.za/wmenu.php -

Islam Alive Magazine www.imhalal.com/ - Muslim search en-

gine www.altarteel.co.za/site/ - Madressa

Tarteelul Quraan, Pietermaritzburg www.wix.com/randereejewellers/

1. When you pray for your brother. ‘The Dua of a Muslim for his brother (in Islam) in his absence is readily accepted, an Angel is appointed to his side, whenever he makes a beneficial Dua for his brother, the appointed Angel says ‘Aameen, and may you be blessed with the same.’’ [Muslim]

golddinar - Gold Dinar www.livingislam.co.za/ - Living Islam www.kurabymosque.org.au/ - Kuraby

Musjid, Australia

2. When you make Wudhu before you sleep. 3. When you sit after Salaah (prayer).

www.khanqah.co.uk/ - Khanqah Imam

Muhammad Zakariyyah www.cia.za.org/ - Council of Islamic Af-

fairs, Port Elizabeth www.alkhair.co.uk/home/ - Al Khair

Foundation, UK www.islamicfinance.co.za/ - FNB Is-

lamic Finance www.tanabaru.co.za/ - Tana Baru Trust http://alhashimacademy.webs.com/ -

Al Hashim Academy, UK www.quranchannel.com/ - Links to

Quraan Channels www.muslimtalks.com - Islamic talks

database www.muslim-mums.co.uk - Muslim

mothers’ network www.phoenixmuslimschool.co.za -

Phoenix Muslim school

Support Sensible Surfing

4. When you teach and learn the knowledge of Islam. ‘If anyone travels on a road in search of knowledge … the inhabitants of the heavens … will ask forgiveness for the learned man. [Abu Dawood 25:3634] 5. When you go to the Musjid and pray. [Bukhari 1:620] 6. When you eat Sehri. [Ahmad] 7. When you send Salwaat (Durood/ blessings) upon the Prophet . [Quraan] 8. When you visit the sick. ‘When a Muslim visits his sick brother in the morning, 70,000 Angels make Dua for his forgiveness till the evening. And when he visits him in the evening, 70,000 Angels make Dua for his forgiveness till the morning… [Tirmidhi] From: Most Beautiful Muslima, Vol 1 Issue 5

“The People's Bread”!

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

St. Bede Street West End Shopping Centre West End Port Elizabeth

Islamic Focus

Tel: 041 481 9123 Fax: 041 482 2236 Email: desaisbakery@yahoo.com

PIES, SAMOOSAS & MORE 7

STORY / INTERNET

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

PEOPLE / REVIEW

There’s a book out called The 500 Most Influential Muslims 2009. While the book includes all and sundry including Shias and other deviates, and is thus an unreliable guide, it does make some interesting reading. Here are some of the people:

Haji Abdul Wahaab (15) is leader of the Pakistan chapter of the Tabligh Jamaat movement with chapters in 120 countries, an annual conference in Pakistan, the Raiwind Tablighi Ijtima, which drew 1.5 million attendees in 2008, and the Biswa Ijtima in Bangladesh that attracts 3 million members each year. Haji Abdul Wahhab has been increasingly influential in his leadership of Muslims that follow the international movement in Pakistan and abroad. Mufti Taqi Usmani (27) is a leading scholar of Islamic jurisprudence and one of the most senior figures in Islamic finance. He is a global authority on Islamic finance and has served on the boards and as chairman of over a dozen Islamic banks and financial institutions, and currently leads the International Shariah Council for the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) in Bahrain. He is also deputy chairman of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, one of the highest legal bodies in the Muslim world. 12 South Africans feature, among them Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of the Gift of the Givers Foundation, the largest disaster relief organization of African origin on the African continent; Hashim Amla, a South African cricketer; Zain Bhika, performer of nasheeds and Moulana Ihsaan Hendricks, president of the Muslim Judicial Council of Cape Town.

Islamic Focus

The Great Mosque Game is a board game designed for children and is a fun way to learn about Musjids (Mosques). The game is for ages 8 upwards and consists of 2-4 player or teams. It is produced by Goodwordkidz. The aim of the game is to help kids learn, in an enjoyable way, about the basics of Mosque architecture and layout. Special emphasis is placed on the Ka’bah, Makkah, Madinah and Jerusalem. Pictures on the question cards help kids develop a better knowledge of Mosques. The game consists of 4 categories with a hundred multiple choice questions each. Questions cover: Sacred Mosques in Islam Famous world Mosques Mosque architecture Teachings of Islam about Mosques, Salaah and Hajj. The winner is the person or team which gets most points. The game can be bought from Muslim book and gift shops or ordered online. It’s an ideal Islamic alternative to other un-Islamic board games. The average price seems to be around R140.

His paternal grandfather and father were Huffaaz, well-versed in Tajweed and his maternal grandfather was an Aalim. Abdul Basit began Hifz of the Quraan when 6 and completed at 10 under Sheikh Ameer. Abdul Basit used to walk 3km to hear Sheikh Rifâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;at recite Quraan on the radio. He began imitating his style of Qiraat and by 12 people were calling him Sheikh. Abdul Basit then studied Qiraat under Sheikh Saleem Hamadah. He was invited to recite Qiraat from 13. In 1950 he recited in Cairo and his fame spread in Egypt. In 1951 Abdul Basit was approved to recite on the radio station Izhaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;atul Quraanul Kareem. Egyptians began buying radios to hear him. In 1953 he was appointed official reciter at Musjid al-Imam ash-Shafi where he remained for 15 years. He was at Musjid al-Husain from 1985-1988. Among his friends was King Muhammad V of Morocco and President Aarif of Iraq. Abdul Basit travelled to many countries to recite Quraan, among them Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, Algeria, Iraq, Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, India, South Africa (1966 and 1981), Senegal, Somalia, USA, UK and Russia. He was awarded 12 medals from different governments. Abdul Basit was the first director of the Union for Qurra in Egypt. Sheikh Abdul Basit loved swimming. He passed away in Egypt at the age of 62 and his funeral was attended by all ambassadors in Egypt. He had 11 children: 7 sons and 4 daughters, all of whom memorised the Quraan.

Muslims have played an instrumental role in the invention, spread and improvement of fabric over the ages. Here are some highlights: Cashmere: The founder of the cashmere wool industry is the 15th century ruler of Kashmir, Zayn-ul-Abidin, who introduced weavers from Turkestan. The word cashmere derives from an old spelling of Kashmir. In the 18th-19th century Muslim Kashmir had a thriving industry producing cashmere shawls. These shawls were introduced into Western Europe when the General of the French campaign in Egypt (1799-1802) sent one to Paris. The shawl's arrival created an immediate sensation. Buckram: is a stiff cloth used to cover and protect books. The word is derived from the Muslim town of Bukhara in Central Asia. Damasks: were one of the 5 basic weaving techniques of Islamic weaving centres of the Middle Ages and get their name from their origin in Damascus, Syria. Damasks were scarce after the 9th century outside Muslim Spain. Mohair: refers to a silk-like fabric made from the hair of the Angora goat. The word was adopted into English from the Arabic mukhayyar, a type of haircloth. The angora goat originated in the mountains of Tibet making their way to Turkey in the 16th century. Raw mohair was first exported from Turkey to England in 1820. Until 1849, the Turkish province of Ankara was the sole producer of Angora goats. In 1849 Angora goats went to America as a gift from Turkey. Today, South Africa is the largest mohair producer in the world, with the majority produced in the Eastern Cape.

Publishers of the Islamic Focus Distributed free in PE/Uitenhage

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

Islamic Focus

11 Morat Street, Korsten Port Elizabeth

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

BIOGRAPHY / MUSLIM INFLUENCE

Name: Abdul Basit Muhammad Abdus Samad. Born: 1927 in Armant, Egypt. Died: 1988

HISTORY / SOCIAL

Islam is the 2nd largest religion in all 4 countries of the UK with 2.4 million (1.5m in England forming 3% of the population) due to immigration from former colonies from the 1950’s. There are 1,500 Musjids in the UK. In England, 40% of Muslims live in London. Most Muslims in England are immigrants mainly from Bangladesh, India and Pakistan or are descendants of immigrants from there. Others are from the Middle East, Somalia, Malaysia and Indonesia, while fewer come from African countries such as Nigeria, Uganda and Sierra Leone. There are 200,000 ‘white’ Muslims.

From an Islamic point of view, it’s obligatory on drivers to observe the rules of road safety:

England’s link with Islam goes back to Offa, the 8th century King of Mercia who minted a coin with an Islamic inscription. It is possible he was a Muslim. Ibn Sina's The Canon of Medicine (1025), in Latin, was a standard text for medical students till the 18th century; Roger Bacon was inspired by Muslim scientists; aspects of English common law was inspired by Islamic law; Islamic architecture influenced English Gothic. The first English convert to Islam mentioned by name is John Nelson by the 16th century. In the 1600’s Muslim navies captured Lundy, an island in the Bristol Channel. By 1707 small numbers of Muslims were living in England. The first large group of Muslims to arrive, in the 1700’s were sailors from the Indian subcontinent (largely from Bengal), most of whom settled down. One of the most famous early Bengali Muslims was Sake Dean Mahomet who in 1810 founded London's first Indian restaurant. He also introduced shampoo and therapeutic massage to the UK. Islam was legalized in 1812. There are several Muslim organizations, schools and media (magazines, TV, radio) in the UK.

Help. The Prophet instructed his companions to observe the rights of the road. He said that among these were to abstain from harming others, helping those in need and directing those who are lost. [Abu Dawood]

Harm. The Hadith tells us that a person from whose harm others are not safe shall not enter Paradise. A Muslim driver will not drive in a manner endangering other road users’ lives nor will he engage in road rage. Courtesy. The Hadith states that a form of Iman (faith) is to remove an obstacle of harm from a public road. Muslim drivers need to show courtesy and understanding especially at times when traffic is heavy.

Speed. The Hadith says, ‘Speed is from the devil and caution is from Allah.’ [Tirmidhi] Traffic rules are designed to minimise harm to others, so Muslims are bound to obey them as the Hadith of Ibn Majah prohibits harming others. Imam Malik explains that this also refers to causing harm to others on the roads. Adapted from Al Farouq Vol 5 Issue 2

An English professor wrote the words, ‘Woman without her man is nothing’ on the board and told his students to punctuate it correctly. The men wrote: ‘Woman, without her man, is nothing.’ The women wrote: ‘Woman: Without her, man is nothing.’ Quraan 9:70: And the believers, men and women, are protecting friends one of another…

ke-out Sea Food Ta 068 Tel: 041 586 1 Islamic Focus

M M

N W W

M M

W W

M M

FOR THE LITTLE ONES

Find these words: 1. Ottoman 2. Umayyad 3. Abbasid 4. Khalifah 5. Hittin 6. Badr 7. Uhud 8. Moghul 9. Sultan 10. Damascus 11. Taif 12. Andalus 13. IbnSina 14. Salahuddeen 15. Khalid 16. TajMahal 17. Cordoba 18. Hijrah 19. Khaibar 20. TuanGuru

Help Serve Islam Your donation will allow our activities to spread Islam: Islamic Focus newsletter Islamic websites Printing of Islamic literature in English

and Xhosa Audio CDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Islamic PC Software/Activities

Donations can be made by calling 078 672 7797 or by direct deposit to: Acc Name: M Badsha Acc No. 9077411586 |Bank: ABSA Inform us of deposits by phone or SMS All activities supervised by Moulana Muhammad Badsha

Islamic Focus

FINAL FOCUS

Cii Youth Foundation (CYF) is an NPO which strives to enhance various aspects of youth. CYF is steered by the Boys Wing and Girls Wing with boys’ and girls’ activities completely separate. Some Aims To motivate youth To establish youth centres nationwide To provide advice to youth via the online youth helpline Teams and Some of their Activities Educational Programs: HIV-Aids Awareness Programs, Anti-Bullying Campaigns, Careers Day Special Events: Workshops, Seminars, Competitions, Marriage Course Sporting Events: Saturday Night Soccer, Soccer Leagues and Tournaments Community Service: Visits to hospitals, oldage homes Public Relations: Radio Programs on Cii, Website, Newsletters, SMS updates Social Events: Day Trips, 3-Day Camping Trips Spiritual Enhancement: Musjid seepovers, Qiraat Jalsahs, Annual Umrah, Tableegh Contact: 53 Crown Road, Ormonde Tel: 011 494 7000 | Cell: 084 584 7733 Fax: 011 945 1741 Email: info@ciiyouth.com www.ciiyouth.com Banking Details: Al Ihsaan Youth Foundation ABSA | Acc No. 9201253627

A lady, renewing her driver’s licence, was asked by the female clerk for her occupation. She hesitated. The clerk said, ‘Do you have a job, or are you just…?’ ‘Of course I have a job,’ snapped the lady. ‘I’m a Mom.’ ‘We don’t list Mom as an occupation. Housewife covers it,’ said the clerk. I forgot her story until one day I was in a similar position. The clerk was a career woman. ‘What is your occupation?’ she asked. I replied, ‘I’m a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations.’ The clerk paused, impressed and I stared in wonder as my job was listed on the form. ‘Might I ask,’ said the clerk with new interest, ‘just what you do in your field?’ Coolly I heard myself say, ‘I have a continuing program of research (which mother doesn’t) in the laboratory and the field (indoors and outdoors). I’m working for my Masters (the whole darned family) and already have 4 credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction than just money.’ There was a note of respect as the clerk completed the form. At home, buoyed by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants ages 13, 7 and 3. I could hear our new experimental model (6 months) in the development program, testing out a new vocal pattern! Motherhood! What a glorious career.

73 DURBAN ROAD KORSTEN PH. 041 451 3060 Islamic Focus