Islamic Focus Issue 102

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Igniting the Spirit of Islam Jun 2012 their parents.

One of the most crucial aspects that ensure one’s success or failure in this world is obedience or disobedience of parents.

IMPORTANCE Three things are generally mentioned together in the Quraan; without one you cannot have the other. One of these is: showing gratitude to Allah is mentioned together with showing gratitude to parents.

The hadith tells us that to sit at the feet of your parents and bring a smile to their faces is greater in virtue that striving in Jihad.

(Durre Manthur) Once Umar radhiallahu anhu saw a person carrying his aged mother on his back and taking her around the Ka’bah for Tawaaf. Umar radhiallahu anhu stated that he would exchange the en-

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tire world for such a moment: to take his mother around the Ka’bah for Tawaaf in this manner.

Another hadith notes that success in this world in matters of money and a long life can be achieved through joining family ties.

Hassan Basri rahimahullah has stated that it is better for a person to go and eat a meal with his parent than to study the knowledge of Islam.

If a person gets up in the morning and his parents are pleased with him, two doors of Paradised are opened for him.

He also advised that a person who is about to start his salaah, and his parent calls for some need, that the person should leave his salaah and see to his parent’s need.

SUCCESS The hadith tells us that there is no sin which deserves punishment in this world as well as additional punishment in the hereafter, than oppression and breaking family ties. The highest rank of family ties is that which children owe to

DEATH If our parents are alive, we should mend relations with them. If they have passed away, we can do four things to be recorded among obedient children: 1. Make dua for them, 2. Fulfill their permissible wishes, 3. Keep good relations with their friends, and 4. Do good deeds and acts of worship on their behalf.

Adapted from talk by Ml Bilal Moola

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WORLD NEWS

KENYA - Muslim leaders agreed to form selfdefence groups to protect churches following attacks which killed 15 in Garissa, a town near the border with Somalia. Kenya's border region has been tense since it sent troops into Somalia to pursue al-Shabab fighters.(BBC, 4 Jul) PAKISTAN - Trucks supplying Nato in Afghanistan crossed the border from Pakistan for the first time in seven months when Pakistan reopened routes after the US apologised for killing 24 Pakistani soldiers in November. This will save the US hundreds of millions of dollars. (BBC, 5 Jul) PAKISTAN - A man accused of burning a copy of the Quran in public was taken from a police station and burnt to death by citizens. The blasphemy law imposes the death penalty for insulting Islam, but it is rarely carried out. (BBC, 4 Jul) TURKEY - The bodies of the crew members of a Turkish jet shot down by Syria last month have been found. The jet was shot down after Syrian authorities claimed it had violated their airspace, a claim disputed by Turkey. (BBC, 4 Jul) PALESTINE - Hundreds took part in a rally in the West Bank city of Ramallah in protest against the policies of the Palestinian Authority. The demonstration was called by youth activists after Palestinian

police broke up two protests. Some of the protesters called for the PA to be dismantled. (BBC 3 Jul) PALESTINE - A video emerged showing a Jewish police officer kicking a nine-year-old Palestinian boy while being held on the ground by another officer. A group of senior British lawyers accused the Jewish military of regularly breaching the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the 4th Geneva Convention when detaining Palestinian children in the West Bank. (BBC, 3 Jul) UAE - Fed up with a lack of respect for local Muslim culture, two young Emirati women started a twitter campaign called #UAEDressCode, urging foreigners to cover up in public places. And hundreds of people have weighed in. (BBC, 5 Jul) USA - 3 million people went without power as utilities worked to restore service five days after severe storms hit the eastern US. Residents without airconditioning or working refrigerators faced searing heat in the storm's wake. The damage was due to hurricane-force winds buffeted ahead of fast-moving thunderstorms. It brought down trees and power lines. The extreme heat, which continued over the following days killed 24 deaths in seven states.

(BBC, 4 Jul)

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1. Ignore. When you first notice a negative idea, don’t pay any attention to it; ignore it.

You’ve got better things to do right now than to entertain it! ‘It is from among the goodness of one’s Islam that he leaves out those things that do not concern him.’ (Tirmidhi) 2. Zikr. If the thought looks like it’s not going away that easily, start Zikr: ‘And whosoever turns away (blinds himself) from the remembrance of the Most Beneficent (Allah), We appoint for him the devil to be his intimate companion.’ (Quraan) 3. Present. Dwelling on thoughts is often concerned with the past or future, so bring yourself back to the present and focus on what you need to think about right now.

4. Move. If you stay in one place, it’s easier for an idea to take hold, but if you get up and talk to someone, or change position, this can stop a chain of thought developing.

5. Laughter can help break the chain of thought too.

‘Verily he (the devil) has no power over those who believe and put their trust only in their Lord. His power is only over those who obey and follow him, and those who join partners with Him.’ (Quraan 16:99-100) Adapted from: www.coachamal.com

Respect for refugees and asylum seekers is catered for in Islamic law, and Islam pays special attention to the sufferings of forced migrants.

Safeguard. Aman (safeguard) is the term Islamic law uses to refer to refuge offered to non -Muslims. Such refuge remains inviolate even if the person being offered protection is in a conflict against Muslims. (Quran 9:6) Agreements. The Quran requires Muslims to comply with agreements and treaties on the rights of refugees: ‘O you who believe, fulfill your obligations…’ (5:1) It provides a set of instructions in dealing with refugees and migrants, praising those who go to the assistance of people in distress. (9:100 and 117) Rights. It recognises the rights of refugees entitling them to certain rights and humane treatment.

The Prophet declared brotherhood among the Muhajirun (emigrants who went to Madinah for refuge) and Ansar (helpers in Madinah) and stated that the rights of migrants are the same as those of their hosts.

Oppression. The Quran condemns people whose actions prompt mass migration: ‘And (remember) when We took your covenant (saying): Shed not the blood of your people, nor turn out your own people from their dwellings…’ (2:84-6) Women and Children. The Quran puts forth regulations to lend additional support to women and children, who are considered more vulnerable. (4: 2,9,36,75,98,127,17:34)

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SOCIAL / SUNNAH

Many have a habit of letting Waswasa (small negative thoughts that the devil pops into our heads) grow into massive stories that take over thoughts, time and energy. These can pull us down into sadness, depression and increase negative feelings. Here are tips on defeating them:

SOCIAL / SUNNAH

With the focus of attention on US and other countries’ torture of Muslim prisoners of war (POW), we highlight a few Islamic teachings in this regard:

Kind Treatment. The Prophet enjoined Muslims to treat prisoners well, whereas the Romans and those who came before them like the Assyrians and Pharaohs, used to take out their prisoners’ eyes with hot irons and flay them alive, feeding their skins to dogs.

Preference. The Prophet urged Muslims to: ‘Treat the prisoners of war kindly.’ Relating how the Companions complied strictly with this order one of the prisoners of Badr, Huzayr ibn Humayr, states: ‘I was with one of Ansari families, after being taken as captive. Whenever they had lunch or dinner, they used to give me preference by providing me with bread while they’d eat only dates, in showing compliance with the Prophet ’s order of treating prisoners well.’

Prisoner Exchange. ‘So when you meet in battle those who disbelieve, then smite the necks until when you have overcome them, then make (them) prisoners, and afterwards either set them free as a favor or let them ransom (themselves) until the war terminates.’ (Quran) Either the Muslim commander should free captives who can’t offer ransom or he should carry out an exchange of prisoners.

Feeding Captives. ‘And they give food, in spite of their love for it (or for the love of Him), to the poor, the orphan, and the captive, (Saying): ‘We feed you seeking Allah’s Countenance only. We wish for no reward, nor thanks from you.’’ (Quran 76:8-9)

Surely the people of paradise, when they enter paradise and don't find those companions/ friends of their who were with them doing good in this world, then definitely they will intercede for them in front of Allah and they will say: ‘O Lord, we have brothers who used to read Salaah and fast with us. We do not see them.’

Allah will say: ‘Go to the fire (of Hell) and take out any person who had even an dinar (gold coin)’s weight of Imaan (faith) in their heart.’

They will go and pull out those in the fire of hell. They will then be told to take out those with half a dinar’s weight of faith in their hearts. They will do this.

A third time they will be told to take out those with an atom’s weight of faith in their hearts.

Abu Saeed said: ‘If you do not believe me, then read the verse: ‘Surely Allah wrongs not even the weight of an atom (or a small ant), but if there is any good deed (done), He doubles it and gives from Him a great reward.’ (Quran 4:40) Hassan Basri rahimahullah said: ‘Have lots of believing friends because they will be able to intercede for you on the day of Qiyamah (resurrection).’

Ibnul Jawzi rahimahullah said: ‘If you don't find me with you in paradise then ask about me. You should say: O our Lord, so and so slave of yours used to remind us about you.’

We should endeavour to keep the company of good people to secure their intercession.

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From various Ulama

www.shafiifiqh.com Q: Can the Muazzin (caller to prayer) make the Salawaat (sending blessings upon the Prophet ) before the Athaan?

A: ‘When you hear the Muazzin, repeat what he says. Thereafter, send prayers and salutations upon me (i.e. the Prophet )…’

(Muslim 4:643-44) ‘When you hear the Muazzin then say the like as what he has said, then send blessings upon me (the Prophet ), for verily whoever sends blessings upon me, Allah will send 10 blessings upon him.’ (Abu Dawud 523) The scholars have likened the Muazzin to one who has heard the Athaan in this regard, in that he should recite prayers on the Prophet after the Athaan. (Imam Nawawi; Ibn Hajar, Fatawa 1:129) Answer by: Shafiifiqh.com Fatwa Dept

Q: In Sahih Muslim there are about 10 hadith on combining prayers while not travelling, raining or fear. I have heard that travel, rain, and fear were the only reasons for which we are allowed to join prayers. Is it permissible to do this?

A: The relied-upon opinion in the Shafi School is that prayers may be combined for rain or travel; but combining for reasons such as illness, fear, etc. is not permissible. (al-Hawashy al-Madaniyyah 2:54; Kifayat al-Akhyar 193; Minhaj al-Talibin with Khatib 1:529, 533)

A: One of the conditions for the validity of Juma states that the Juma of a specific village/area should not be preceded by another Juma in that village. Accordingly, the default position is one not two Jumas per village. In this instance where two Jumas would take place, scholars considered the first to be valid and thus Zuur salah became compulsory on the followers of the 2nd Juma. This position gains support from the reality that during the Prophetic era and that of his rightly guided caliphs, no second juma in a single village/area was ever instituted.

With the expanding of the global Muslim community it was inevitable that a single Jami Masjid, despite its size, would become insufficient to cater for the ever increasing Muslim community. This happened as early as the 2nd century when Imam Shafi entered Bagdad and personally prayed Juma in one of the two or perhaps three Jumas which was then performed in Bagdad. He subsequently prayed no Zuhr salah thereafter. His nonperformance of Zuhr denotes

that he considered the multiple Jumas to be valid. Accordingly, our scholars commented that when the situation is such that gathering at one masjid or venue for Juma becomes difficult, a second Juma at a different location may be instituted.

When explaining what difficulty is, ibn Hajar al-Haytami states: ‘that which is considered difficult according to custom.’

Answer by Sheikh Abdur Rahman Khan

Q: I understand a woman’s iddah with a normal menstrual cycle is 3 pure periods. However, if a woman was given a revocable divorce half way through her pure period, does the other half of her pure period fall away?

A: A partial pure period (even if only a moment) is considered as a complete pure period. Thus, if a woman’s husband divorced her during the pure period, her waiting period ends after two more intervals between menstruations finishes and a third menstruation begins.

(Tuhfat al-Muhtaj 8:233) Answer by: Shafiifiqh.com Fatwa Dept

Q: Can one have more than one Juma prayer in a locality?

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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.daruliftaa.net Q: Is it permissible to attend a lunch arranged by the family of bride for the neighbours and other people?

A: It is permissible to have a lunch arranged by the bride’s family. There is no prohibition in Islamic law for this. In dealing with family related issues, especially with ones’ seniors, one should be diplomatic and tolerant. Maintaining family ties and family unity is emphasized in Islam.

Checked by: Mufti Ebrahim Desai

Q: What is the fatwa about software piracy like using pirated version of Windows, MS office and other applications?

A: Using pirated versions of the original software or programs is known as ‘copyright infringement’. In previous days, the concept of ownership was only confined to tangible items. However, recent technologies have proved that ownership may also take place in nontangible items. The ownership of a non-tangible property is known as ‘intellectual property’. The concept of ‘intellectual property’ demands that the person who

applied his mental skills and effort to invent a particular item should be the owner of its profit and benefits. Similarly, if a person has invented a formula or a software using his own skill should be the sole owner of it. No other person should have the right to reproduce it. Due to this reason, the law of copyright came about to protect the inventor from losing his benefits.

Scholars have differed in their opinion regarding the permissibility of copyrights.

According to us, copyrights and intellectual property is a valid Islamic right. Therefore, the use of pirated software is not permissible. It is an infringement of a valid right.

Checked by: Mufti Ebrahim Desai

Q: The South African Revenue ServicesCustoms department has public auctions. These goods are seized/ uncleared goods or perhaps unclaimed goods which third parties imported. Is it permissible to buy such items at the auction and resell? Also sheriffs are given authority by courts to confiscate

and sell goods to settle outstanding creditors. Is it permissible to buy such items and resell?

A: It will be permissible for one to purchase repossessed, seized, unclaimed goods, etc from SARS auctions, as well as those seized by sheriffs.

Q: Is L-Cysteine permissible?

A: It is impermissible to consume L- Cysteine or any product which contains LCysteine derived from Human hair extracts or pig bristles or any other pig extract.

It is permissible to consume L- Cysteine or products which contain L- Cystein if it is produced from the hair extracts of any animal besides pigs whether the animal was slaughtered according to the Islamic process of slaughter, died a natural death or the animal was incorrectly slaughtered. It will be permissible to consume L- Cysteine or any product which contains L- Cysteine if it is produced synthetically since it is not produced from any impure or haraam (forbidden) substance.

Checked by: Mufti Ebrahim Desai

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Once a little girl and her father were crossing a bridge. The father was kind of scared so he asked his little daughter, ‘Sweetheart , please hold my hand so that you don’t fall into the river.’

The little girl said, ‘No, Dad. You hold my hand.’

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‘If I hold your hand and something happens to me, chances are that I may let your hand go.

But if you hold my hand, I know for sure that no matter what happens, you will never let my hand go.’

When we adhere to the laws of Allah, He guides us and holds our hands. Then we need not fear being left in the lurch for He will always guide us to what is best for us.

If we follow our own desires, we could lose our grip and end up in serious difficulties.

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RAMADAAN 1433 First Taraweeh Fri 20 July 2012 First Fast Sat 21 July 2012 Eidul Fitr Sun 19 Aug subject to sighting of moon

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INTERNET / INSPIRATION

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

SOCIAL / HISTORY

Hardships afflict both believers and nonbelievers. For a believer they are tests that promise great rewards: 1. Wiping out Sins ‘Hardships continue to befall a believing man and woman in their body, family, and property, until they meet Allah burdened with no sins.’ (Tirmidhi) 2. Sign of Allah's Love ‘Whenever Allah wills good for a person, He subjects him to adversity.’ (Bukhari) 3. Sign of Faith ‘The parable of a believer is that of a fresh and moist plant; the wind tilts it this way and that way; and so is the believer; he continues to be subject to affliction. And the parable of a hypocrite is that of a firm cedar tree; it does not shake, until it is uprooted all at once.’ (Bukhari) 4. Sign of Piety ‘The most in their suffering among the people are the prophets, then the best, then the (next) best. One is afflicted in accordance with his faith. If his faith is firm his affliction is hard, and if his faith is weak, his affliction is light. Indeed, one would be so much subjected to adversity until he walks among the people without any sins.’ (Ahmad) 5. Early Punishment When Allah wills good for a servant of His, He expedites his punishment in this life; and when He wills retribution for a servant of His, He holds his sins for Him to judge him by them on the Day of Resurrection. (Tirmidhi)

The Hadith teaches us that when you are fasting and somebody wishes to fight with you, you should not become angry and retaliate.

Here are tips to manage anger: Seeking Refuge from Satan. ‘If a man gets angry and says, ‘A`udhu billahi min ashshaytan ir rajim (I seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Satan),’ his anger will go away.’ (Sahih al-Jami) Get Closer to the Ground. ‘When one of you becomes angry while standing, he should sit down. If the anger leaves him, well and good; otherwise he should lie down.’ (Abu Dawud) Look in the Mirror. Have you ever looked at yourself in a mirror when you’re angry?

‘Beware of anger, for it is a live coal on the heart of the descendant of Adam. Do you not notice the swelling of the veins of his neck and the redness of his eyes? So when anyone experiences anything of that nature he should lie down and cleave to the earth.’ (Tirmidhi) Take Wudhu (Ablution). If you still feel your temper rising and don’t feel able to control it, a great piece of advice is to take Wudhu.

‘Anger comes from the devil, the devil was created of fire, and fire is extinguished only with water; so when any of you is angry, he should perform Wudhu.’ (Abu Dawud) Be Silent or Speak Wisely. There are times when anger needs to be expressed, but it has to be done in a wise manner. If any of you becomes angry, let him keep silent.’ (Ahmad) Judge whether your words you are going to speak will cause a bigger problem or not.

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During the Muslim agricultural revolution, Muslim scientists made significant advances in botany and laid the foundations of agricultural science. Muslim botanists and agriculturalists demonstrated advanced agronomical and agro technical knowledge in areas such as meteorology, climatology, hydrology and soil occupation.

In 1962 he attended Al Salafiyyah Al Ahliyyah school, then the science institute in Baljurashi and graduated in 1969. He graduated from Riyadh Shariah college in 1973. He taught Islamic subjects at Baljurashi College in addition to being imam of the main mosque there. He received his masters degree from Al Azhar university in 1976 followed by a doctoral degree in fiqh. He has taught at the Islamic university of Madinah since 1977. He also taught in the Hadith college of Madinah as well as Dawah and Usool al Din college. Currently he teaches Qirat in the Quran al Kareem college.

Sheikh Hudhaifi first became imam of Masjidul Quba, then Masjidun Nabawi in 1979. For a short while he was imam of the Haram in Makkah, where he performed Taraweeh. He then returned to Masjidun Nabawi. He is considered one of the best reciters of the Quran in the world. Sheikh Hudhaifi was given permission by many top Qaris such as Sheikh Ahmed Abdul Aziz Al Zayyat in the Asharah Qirat. In the 90's Sheikh was briefly arrested after he delivered a Khutbah denouncing US troops in Saudi Arabia and criticizing Shias’ disrespect for Sahaba. Currently he has a learning circle at Masjidun Nabawi where he teaches Hadeeth and Fiqh. He is also an author of numerous books. His son Ahmed is the Imaam of Masjid Quba.

They were advanced in knowledge of pedology, agricultural ecology, irrigation, preparation of soil, planting, manure, sowing, grafting and the harvest and storage of crops. They developed horticulture to a high degree of perfection. Regular botanical gardens existed in Muslim Spain, Iraq, Cairo and Morocco for teaching and experimental purposes.

Muslims wrote books and encyclopedias on plants and agriculture. They introduced cash cropping and the modern crop rotation system. Among the plants that owe much to Muslims are: Cotton: The English name derives from the Arabic qutn which began to be used around 1400 CE. The planting of cotton was common in Muslim Persia and India by the 13th century.

Artichoke: Names for the artichoke in many European languages come from the Arabic lkhurshĹŤf. The Romans got the plant from the Greeks. Further improvement in the cultivated form took place in the Muslim period in the Maghreb (northwest Africa). Globe artichokes, improved by the Arabs, were introduced into Italy.

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BIOGRAPHY / SUNNAH

Sheikh Ali bin Abdul Rehman Al Hudhaifi was born in 1946 in Al Qarn Al Mustaqeem. His father was imam and Khateeb of the army in the area. Sheikh Hudhaifi first learnt under the Ulama in his village and completed Quraan by Sheikh Mohammad bin Ibrahim. At the same time he memorized parts of it. He also studied and memorized poems in Islamic sciences.

HISTORY / MUSLIM INFLUENCE

The Muslim population is estimated at about 275 in Ecuador. The first Muslim settlers in Ecuador were primarily Arabs who immigrated from Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Egypt following the two World Wars and the destruction of the Ottoman Empire. Their settlements were concentrated in Quito and in Guayaquil with smaller communities in Manabí, Los Ríos and Esmeraldas provinces.

Arab Christians and Muslims created a nonreligious ethnic organisation called Lecla in the 1940s and The Arab Club in the 1980s. By the mid 1990s indigenous Ecuadorians began converting to Islam, and together with the Arab community, they rented an apartment to be used for Friday prayers. Later the Egyptian Embassy provided a private apartment for the same purpose.

The Centro Islámico del Ecuador, founded in 1994, was the first Muslim religious organization recognized by the government. Its current leader is Juan 'Yahya' Suquillo, a convert and former military officer.

The religious activities, as well as social, cultural and educational activities are conducted according to Sunni Islam. The Islamic Center also translates and publishes literature in Spanish on a variety of Islamic topics. It sends representatives annually to the Latin Muslims Leaders gathering that usually takes place in Argentina.

In Guayaquil, a mosque has been established and another in the amazons region of Ecuador.

Some customs from around the world in preparation for Ramadaan: London. Before Ramadaan, the super-rich Arabs descend on London, staying at five-star hotels and splashing out at the most exclusive shops. 80% of five-star hotels in London are occupied by Arabs prior to Ramadaan. The average British shopper spends £120, the American £550, while the average Saudi spends £1,900.

Cairo. One of the customs in Egypt is to nickname dates after celebrities. Last year, the least desirable dates were called ‘Hosni Mubarak’. Lanterns are also traditionally hung up all over the city, in houses, shops and on the streets, before Ramadaan.

South Africa. Huffaaz begin their preparations for reciting the Quran in Taraweeh prayers by heart. Venues get their reciters arranged. Another sign of the approach of Ramadaan is the piles of timetables in the Musjids, detailing the times for beginning and ending the fast in Ramadaan.

Dubai. Children celebrate the coming of Ramadaan on the 15th night of Shabaan, two weeks before Ramadaan. They dress up and go in groups to houses, reciting Nasheeds.

People give them sweets and money.

Norway. Muslims in some parts fast 20 hours a day in summer. Imams from Muslim countries are invited to lead Taraweeh and Musjids prepare for bigger crowds. Schedules see workers work less in Ramadaan, and compensate for it after the month.

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Time 10:00-13:00 10:00 10:00 10:00 10:00

SET UP A DEBIT ORDER FOR R50 A MONTH VISIT OUR OFFICES AT 50 STANDFORD ROAD, KORSTEN AND SIGN UP TO YOUR INVESTMENT IN THE AAKHIRAH Islamic Focus

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

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