Islamic Focus Issue 88

P3 Winter Warmth P3 Financial Freedom P8 Forced Conversion P9 Queen Victoria P10 Olympics Logo P12 The Old Sock Bukhara Publications/Tel: 078 672 7797/Fax: 086 651 2125 Email: islamicfocus@gmail.com/Korsten/Port Elizabeth

It is acknowledged that we in South Africa live in a high crime zone. Here are some tips on preventing crime, or, when confronted with crime, on dealing with it: PREVENTION The use of effective means of protection is sanctioned in Islam.

The Hadith teaches us: One day the Prophet noticed a Bedouin leaving his camel without tying it. He asked the Bedouin, ‘Why don't you tie down your camel?’ The Bedouin answered, ‘I placed my trust in Allah.’ At that, the Prophet said, ‘Tie your camel and place your trust in Allah.’ (Tirmidhi) Burglar guards, alarms and armed security should be used to the best of ones ability.

Hijab is an effective means of saving women from harassment. Gary Simpson writing for Ezine Articles ad-

Islamic Focus

Issue 88

Igniting the Spirit of Islam

vises women in America: ‘Do not wear revealing clothing in public places. Doing so will ensure that you attract plenty of attention, including attention from those people with evil intent.’

The Quraan informs us: ‘O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) over their bodies (when outdoors). That is most convenient that they should be known and not molested.' (33:59) The Prophet arranged patrols in Madinah to look out for strangers or anyone intent on causing trouble.

TRAINING Every person should train with weapons to use in self defence, or in some form of martial arts so as to counter any threat. Training is en-

Apr 2011

couraged in Islam: The Prophet passed by some persons of the tribe of Aslam practicing archery (i.e. shooting arrows). The Prophet said, ‘O offspring of Ismail! Practice archery as your father was a great archer…’ (Bukhari) Training in the use of sprays, firearms, knives, etc. is essential.

COURAGE When confrontation is inevitable, do not shy away from defending yourself: ‘… Do not wish to meet the enemy, and ask Allah for safety, but when you face the e nem y , be patient...’ (Bukhari) The fear of dying should not be a deterrent for the Hadith promises: ‘Whoever is killed while protecting his property then he is a martyr.’ (Bukhari) A similar reward is narrated for someone killed defending his family.

WORLD NEWS

KENYA - Kenyan forces crossed into Somali territory for the first time to fight al-Shabab. (BBC, 24 Mar) MALI - Thousands of Malians turned out to cheer on Libya's football team in an African Cup of Nations qualifier in Mali's capital. Many carried posters protesting against the Western military intervention in Libya. (BBC, 29 Mar) CAUCASUS - Russian forces kill 17 Muslim freedom fighters in Russian-occupied Ingushetia. Three Russians killed. (BBC, 29 Mar) JORDAN - One dead after security forces used batons and sprayed water to disperse a clash between pro-monarchy and pro-reform demonstrators in Amman. (BBC, 25 Mar) YEMEN - President negotiating departure from power in talks with the opposition. (BBC, 26 Mar) SYRIA - Dozens killed in protests against the rule of President Assad. Cabinet resigned. (BBC, 29 Mar) ARGENTINA - Israel is upset over reports that Argentina proposed to Iran it would stop investigating bombings of the Israeli embassy and Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires in the 1990s if trade ties improved. (BBC, 28 Mar) IRAQ - 41 killed after gunmen stormed a council building in Tikrit. (BBC, 29 Mar) PALESTINE - Jews pass a law that allows courts to revoke the citizenship of anyone convicted of spying, treason or aiding its enemies. The law is discriminatory towards Palestinians. (BBC, 29 Mar) PALESTINE - Facebook removed a page calling for a new uprising against Israel after the Jews complained. More than 350,000 people signed up for the

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page called Third Palestinian Intifada. (BBC, 29 Mar) YEMEN - 150 died from explosions at an ammunition plant in Jaar. The explosion caused anger among locals, who accuse authorities of planning it to win more support from the US. The blasts occurred while residents were searching for ammunition left by Islamist fighters, involved in clashes with government forces earlier. (BBC, 29 Mar) AUSTRALIA - Australian troops in Aghanistan posted racist videos and comments about Afghans on Facebook. (BBC, 25 Mar) PAKISTAN - 13 Pakistani soldiers killed by their own mortars during a battle with Taliban fighters in Khyber. (BBC, 28 Mar) INDIA - The prime ministers of India and Pakstan attended the World Cup cricket semi-final between the two countries in India. (BBC, 30 Mar) USA - Jesuit Catholic priests to pay $166m to hundreds of Native Americans sexually abused by priests at their schools from the 1940s-90s. (BBC, 25 Mar) USA - New images emerge of US troops posing with bodies of Afghan civilians they killed. (BBC, 29 Mar) LIBYA - Leaders of African countries, including Uganda, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Nigeria as well as the AU, Arab League and Russia condemned Western air strikes on Libya. (BBC, 22 Mar) PALESTINE - Freedom fighters from Gaza including Hamas fired 50 mortars into southern occupied Palestine in their heaviest such barrage in two years.

Two Jews injured. (BBC, 20 Mar) BANGLADESH - One killed in protest against changes to Islamic inheritance laws. (BBC, 3 Apr)

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1. Matter of Choice. We came into this world sustenance-guaranteed from our creator. However, it is our choice to be enslaved by money. ‘And kill not your children for fear of poverty. We shall provide sustenance for them as well as for you.’ (Quraan 17:31) The Prophet said, ‘Let the slave of Dinar and dirham, of Quantify and Khamisa (i.e. money and luxurious clothes) perish for he is pleased if these things are given to him, and if not, he is displeased!’ (Bukhari) 2. The Boss. Your boss can’t starve you. We have to deeply believe that the One who has absolute control of our provision is Allah: ‘And know that if the whole nation gathered to benefit you, they would not benefit you except by what Allah has decreed for you; and if they gathered to harm you, they would not harm you except by what Allah has decreed against you.’ (Musnad Ahmad) 3. Backing. We are not abandoned. We are backed by the Most Generous One: ‘That Allah may reward them according to the best of their deeds, and add even more for them out of His Grace. And Allah provides without measure to whom He wills.’ (Quraan 24:38) 4. Mental State. Financial freedom is a mental state: the feeling of satisfaction, regardless of your net income. ‘He is successful who has accepted Islam, who has been provided with sufficient for his want and been made contented by Allah with what He has given him.’ (Muslim)

With the approach of winter, here are some handy tips from the Sunnah:

1. Old Clothes. On receiving new clothes, the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam would donate his old clothes and say: ‘Whoever adorns new clothes, recites the following Dua and thereafter donates his old clothing to a poor Muslim, remains in the protection, patronage and Divine veil of Almighty Allah throughout his life as well as after his demise, as long as even one thread (of the donated clothing) remains on somebody’s body.’ Dua: Alhumdu lillahillathi kasaani ma uwaary bihi owraty wa atajammalu bihi fee hayaaty. (Tirmidhi, 3560) 2. Winter Warmth Program. The narrator of the previous hadith, Umar radhiallahu anhu would annually embark on a winter warmth program. He would encourage the Muslims to keep warm and even ensure that they had sufficient woolen socks, jerseys, etc. (Lataaiful Maarif, pg 564) ‘He who clothes any destitute Muslim, remains in the security of Allah as long as a single piece remains on his body.’ (Tirmidhi, 2484) If this is the reward for donating old clothes, what would be in store for the one who donates new clothing? Winter warmth can extend to donating blankets, heater, soup kitchens, etc. to draw non Muslims toward the warmth of Islam.

3. Spring. The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said: ‘Winter is the spring of a believer for its nights are lengthy so he offers (additional) Tahajjud Salaah and its days are short so he is (easily) able to fast.’ (Musnad Ahmed 3:15)

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FINANCE / SOCIAL

Here is how Islam liberates one financially:

WORSHIP / SOCIAL

Salaah (prayer) is an effective means of energizing a Muslim if it is read in the correct manner. Here are some hints on how to achieve peace from Salaah: Comprehend the words and actions of Salaah. When you are aware of what you are saying and doing then you remain focused.

Since Allah ordained Salaah for us then this is achievable. Everything in this world worships Allah around the clock, surely we can do 10 minutes. Just seek Allah’s help and you will reach a point where you’d wish Salaah never ended!

Ensure presence of heart. Your heart must be in it if you want to feel the effects. This is not difficult to achieve. All you need is 10 minutes to focus on the love you hold for Allah.

Come to Salah with a feeling of hope. The more you know about Allah, the more your heart can feel this hope: hope for His Mercy, for His forgiveness, His acceptance, His love, His closeness. ‘Hope’ is different from ‘wish’.

Hope is coupled with action, where you work for what you hope for.

Feel awe for Allah. A sense of fear and awe paired with a deep reverence that one feels when standing in front of Allah. An example of a small element of Hayba is what is felt towards a parent or one in authority. Recall the duaas the Prophet taught us which arouses in us this awe: ‘There is no salvation from You except through You.’

The Quraan instructs us: And fear Allah through whose medium you ask one another (for your rights) and be mindful of your relatives. (4:1) The Hadith informs us: ‘Whoever believes in Allah and the last day, let him maintain the bonds of kinship.’ (Bukhari). Here are some factors to maintain family unity:

1. Regular Visits Visiting family members regularly maintains family bonds. Relatives should be visited for the pleasure of Allah. ‘Those who love one another for the sake of Allah will be under the shade of Allah’s Throne, when there will be no shade on the Day of Resurrection except the shade of the Throne. Prophets and martyrs will envy them for their status.’ (Ibne Hibban) 2. Mutual Assistance. Helping one’s relatives carries two rewards: ‘Charity given to a poor person is an ordinary charity, but charity given to a relative serves two purposes: one is a charity and secondly, an act of upholding family kinship.’ (Tirmidhi) ‘Whosoever desires to have expansion in his sustenance and a prolonged life, should treat his relatives with kindness.’ (Bukhari) 3. Exchanging Gifts. Showering relatives with gifts is an effective method of generating love between people. ‘Exchange gifts with one another, you will create love and goodwill amongst yourselves.’ (Abu Ya’laa) ‘Give presents to one another, for a present removes hatred from the chest…’ (Tirmidhi)

Adapted from: Sheikh Mishari Al Kharraz Adapted from article by: Jamiatul Ulama KZN

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From various Ulama

www.sunnipath.com | www.shafiifiqh.com Q: Is it permissible for a follower to follow the Imam’s recitation in a Mushaf (copy of the Quraan) while in the taraweeh salaah?

A: ‘If one does not know Surah Fatiha and is unable to learn it due to insufficient time, dim-wittedness, and is unable to recite it from a mushaf … one moves to the substitute (seven verses).’ (Nihayat al-Muhtaj 1:484-485) ‘The fourth integral of prayer is recitation of Fatiha whilst standing or what substitutes standing in every rakaat in both obligatory and optional prayer for the person praying alone and the person praying with a group, in audible and inaudible prayers, be it from memory, instruction, or looking at a mushaf.’ (Bushra al-Karim 1:202) ‘If one ... reads from a mushaf even turning the pages at times it will not nullify the prayer because such movements are considered slight.’ (Nihayat al-Muhtaj 2:51) ‘Aishah radhiallahu anha used to be led in prayer by her slave Dhakwan whilst reading from the mushaf.’ (Abu Dawud) In Fath al-Bari, Hafiz Ibn Hajar comments on the wording ‘from the mushaf’ as follows: ‘The permissibility of reading from the mushaf in prayer has been drawn from this and some scholars forbade the practice due to the fact that it constitutes extraneous movements in the prayer.’

Answer by: Sidi Mahmud Adams

Q: How many rakaats are there in witr and what is its status?

A: Imam Nawawi states that Islamic Focus

the witr prayer is sunnah.

The witr prayer can be performed by one rakaat alone, three, five, seven, nine, or eleven, which is the maximum upon the preferred opinion of the Shafi school.

The second opinion states that its maximum is thirteen rakaats and that it is not permitted to exceed this number. If he does increase beyond the maximum number of rakaats his witr will be invalid. It is sunnah for one who only makes three rakaats that he recites in the first Surah Ala, in the second Surah Kafirun, and in the third Surah Ikhlas, Surah Falaq, and Surah Nas. (Mughni al-Muhtaj 1:451-52; Rawdah al-Talibin 1:328) Answer by: Sidi Mahmud Adams

Q: Is it permissible to profit from zakaat? E.g. a person is a wakeel (representative) and is given zakaat for disbursement but rather than distributing immediately, he invests the money, receives a gain on it and distributes the original money at a deferred date.

A: When the conditions for paying zakaat are fulfilled, and the one who must pay it delays, this has two repercussions: 1) it is a sin as he is delaying an obligation past its time. This is oppressing the recipients by withholding from them what is their right; and 2) One is liable for the owed zakaat; it is obligatory to pay it. If any or all of it is destroyed or lost, then it is a debt that one is held liable for. Accordingly, if one dies in this state, the obligation of the zakaat debt re-

mains. In fact, it is obligatory that it be paid out of the wealth left behind, similar to other debts. Both of these repercussions apply to a wakeel appointed to distribute zakaat. If monies, etc., are given to a wakeel to distribute, and qualifying recipients are found, then it is obligatory that those monies are paid immediately, without delay. In the instance that one delays, he is sinning and also liable for the money. (Dr. Muhammad alZuhayli al-Mu’tamad fi alFiqh al-Shafi, 2:126-27) Answer by: Sheikh Yaqub Abd al-Rahman

Q: How should one perform sajdah sahu (prostration of forgetfulness)?

A: Sajdah sahu is recommended not obligatory.

(Rawdah al-Talibin 1:404) It consists of two prostrations and is performed just like the prostrations in Salaah (prayer). When one is the imam or praying alone, it should be intended i.e. one should have it in mind that the prostration is for forgetfulness. This should be when he begins sajdah sahu. One must not utter it. Intention is not necessary for a follower.

The supplications in sajda sahu are the same as what is read during the prayer. (Ibid 1:420) There are several views as to when it should be performed: According to Imam Shafi’s relied-upon opinion, sajda sahu is made before salaam after the final tashahhud, prayer for the Prophet and his people, and the supplication.

Answer by: Shafiifiqh.com Fatwa Dept.

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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: A boy and girl commit zina (have extra-marital sex), and after five weeks the girl comes to know she is pregnant. If she decides to have the baby aborted, how will this be categorised Islamically?

A: In this case she may abort before 120 days. However she should make repent to Allah and never return to that sin again.

Answer by: Council of Ulama Eastern Cape

Q: Is it permissible for a doctor to charge a patient one amount if they are paying cash, and inflate it 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 to consultation or treatment.

Answer by: Mufti Shafiq Jakhura

Q: If a shelter for abused women receives Zakaat must they use the Zakaat only for the Muslim women residents at the shelter? The administration is run by Muslim women. A person informed me that Zakaat given to the administration is Zakaat only in the hands of the person giving it, and not Zakaat in the hands of the receiver and it can thus be used for non-Muslims at the shelter. Is this correct?

A: Zakaat may only be given to the eligible and deserving Muslim women at the shelter. Such funds cannot be given to non Muslims. Tamleek (making the recipient the owner) is a condition for the discharging of one's Zakaat and a non Muslim cannot be a recipient of Zakaat.

Answer by: Mufti Shafiq Jakhura

Answer by: Mufti Shafiq Jakhura

Q: Is it Sunnah to eat sweets before or after a meal?

A: During the time of the Prophet , the luxury of eating a sweet dish at every meal did not exist. There were times at which months would go by in which the stove/fire did not burn in the house of the Prophet .

Some narrations suggest that at times the Prophet had dates either before or after the meal. Based on this, having something sweet could be considered to be established at times before, and at times after the meal.

However, this is not a regular or emphasized Sunnah or practice of the Prophet .

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anything on my face except for a little amount of oil to keep it moist. How do I complete my wudhu?

A: If both warm and cold water are harmful for your face then you should make masah (wipe) over your face with a wet hand. If even making masah on the face is harmful, then you may leave out the face and complete the rest of your wudhu. Your wudhu will be considered complete and you may then perform any act of worship which requires wudhu. When your wudhu breaks and you want to do wudhu again, just repeat the same procedure.

When the treatment prescribed by your dermatologist begins to take effect, you must go back to using water for your face.

Answer by: Moulana Sohail Bengali

Q: Is it permissible to sell a video phone which can be used to talk, for internet and applications like other mobile phones?

A: It is permissible to sell a video phone as it has several permissible uses, such as making telephone calls and browsing the internet.

Q: When we (husband and wife) pray Salaah at home, our one year old baby sometimes comes in front of us and even sits at the place of sajdah.

What should we do?

A: The Salaah will not break by the baby coming in front or sitting in the place of sajdah. Take turns praying so one person can take care of the baby while the other prays, enabling you to offer Salaah without distractions.

Q: After a caesarian birth, is the bleeding Nifaas?

A: If the bleeding is from the private part it would be Nifaas, but if it is from the incision only then it would not be Nifaas.

Answer by: Moulana Sohail Bengali

Answer by: Mufti Abdool Kader Hoosen

Q: I have a skin disorder on my face. The skin peels off quite often especially when sweating and applying water. I am seeing a dermatologist. I can’t use

Answer by: Moulana Abrar Mirza

Q: Is Stimorol Infinity Halaal?

A: In terms of information at our disposal Stimorol Infinity variants are Halaal.

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The Moghul Emperor, Akbar, was one day out hunting in the forest. When it was time for evening prayer he dismounted, spread his mat on the earth, and knelt to pray in the manner of devout Muslims everywhere.

Now it was precisely at this time that a peasant woman, perturbed because her husband had left home that morning and hadn't returned, went rushing by, anxiously searching for him. In her preoccupation she did not notice the kneeling figure of the Emperor and tripped over him, then got up and without a word or apology rushed farther into the forest.

Akbar was annoyed at this interruption, but he observed the rule of speaking to no one during the prayer. At just about the time that his prayer was over, the woman returned, joyful in the company of her husband, whom she had found. She was surprised and frightened to see the Emperor and his entourage there.

Akbar gave vent to his anger against her and shouted, ‘Explain your disrespectful behaviour or you will be punished.’

The woman suddenly turned fearless, looked into the Emperor's eyes and said, ‘Your majesty, I was so absorbed in the thought of my husband that I did not even see you here, not even when, as you say, I stumbled over you.

Now while you were at prayer, you were absorbed in One who is infinitely more precious than my husband. And how is it you noticed me?’ The Emperor was shamed into silence and later confided to his friends that a peasant woman, who was neither a scholar nor a Mullah, had taught him the meaning of prayer.

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INTERNET / INSPIRATION

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

INTERNET / COMPARITIVE

One of the charges against Muslims is that people were forced to convert to Islam. This is completely untrue. In fact, there are widely documented incidents of people being forced to convert to Christianity:

Sami. The Sami people inhabit areas of Sweden, Norway, Finland and Russia. In order to convert them, the church employed punishments of various kinds: fines, imprisonment or the death penalty. The Sami's holy places were desecrated and their drums were burned.

In Norway, a major effort to convert the Sami was made around 1720, when their sacred drums were burned and people force converted. Their sacred sites were destroyed.

Spanish Inquisition. A tribunal established in 1480 forced Jews and Muslims to convert or leave. This was backed by Pope Sixtus IV in 1478. Courts employed physical torture to extract confessions. 40,000 Jews were forcibly baptised while around 5,000 people burnt at the stake by the Inquisition (including all categories such as Protestants and Jews).

Muslims in the Crown of Aragon were obliged to convert by Charles I's decree of 1526. Many were forcibly baptized during the Revolt of the Brotherhoods (1519–1523).

India. Religious persecution took place by the Portuguese in Goa, India from 16th to the 17th century. The natives of Goa, mostly Hindus were subjected to severe torture and oppression by Portuguese rulers and missionaries and forcibly converted to Christianity.

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He came to Cairo in 1944. He passed the test to recite on state radio and was approved. In 1948 he was Muazzin at Sidi Hamza Musjid then a reciter. He was appointed chief of Qaaris in Tanta in 1947, then supervisor of Qaaris in the Western Province. From 19491955 he was reciter at Musjid Ahmad AlBadawi. In 1960 he was appointed reciter at Musjid Hussain radhiallahu anhu in Cairo.

Later he was appointed Secretary General for Qaaris in Egypt. In 1963 he was appointed a member of Quraan affairs in Wazaaratul Awqaaf, in 1964 head of the Research and Correction of the Quraan committee and in 1967 the Grand Aalim in the Islamic Research Centre. He is regarded as among the three most famous Qaaris of our times. He authored books on the Quraan and was involved in the Azhari printing of the Quraan. He was known for his accuracy of Tajweed. He undertook over 50 journeys to places like USA, UK, India and Pakistan. Many Americans and Europeans accepted Islam at his hands.

He passed away in 1980 at the age of 63.

At a time when the British empire was at its height, a young Muslim occupied a central position of influence over its sovereign, Queen Victoria. This was Hafiz Abdul Karim (18631909), the Munshi (teacher in Urdu). He was an Indian who was one of Queen Victoria's closest confidants despite the abhorrence of the royal circle.

Abdul Karim was 24 when he arrived in England to wait at table during Queen Victoria's golden jubilee in 1887. Within a year, he was established as a powerful figure in court, becoming the queen's teacher and instructing her in Urdu and Indian affairs. He taught her how to write in Urdu and Hindi, introduced her to curry, which she loved and which became a daily item on the royal menu, and eventually became her highly decorated secretary. He and his wife were given residences on all of the main royal estates in the UK and land in India. He was allowed to carry a sword and wear his medals in court and was permitted to bring family members from India to England.

He was named in court circulars, given the best positions at operas and banquets, allowed to play billiards in all the royal palaces and had a private horse carriage and footman.

Abdul Karim's influence over the queen became so great that she stipulated that he be among the principal mourners at her funeral.

The queen appointed him Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire and Commander of the Royal Victorian Order.

Barely a few hours after the queen's funeral, her son Edward VII unceremoniously sacked Abdul Karim and ordered all records of him be destroyed.

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BIOGRAPHY / MUSLIM INFLUENCE

Sheikh Mahmood Khaleel Husri was born in 1917 in the village of Shibrun Namlah in Tanta, Egypt. By 8 he had memorized the Quraan at the Madrassah in his village. At 12 he began learning the different styles of Qiraat. He studied at Al Azhar University. He was reciter at the Ahmadi Musjid in Tanta initially. He is reported to be the first to record the Quraan on cassette. He recorded in the narration of Warsh an Nafi in 1964 and in the narrations of Qaloon and Doori in 1968. He began initiating Madrassahs for Hifz (memorization) of the Quraan.

HISTORY / CURRENT

The island of Madagascar was originally settled by migrants from Indonesia in the 3rd century. Islam has been established for centuries and today Muslims are 10 to 15 percent of the population or 3 million. The name Madagascar was first used by Marco Polo in the 13th century as a corrupted form of Mogadishu, the Somali port with which he confused the island. In the 7th century Muslim Arabs and East Africans established trading posts along the northwest coast. The Zafiraminia were ancestors of the Antaimoro, Antanosy and other ethnic groups. The Antaimoro established a kingdom in the south in the Middle Ages. The last wave of Arabs were the Antalaotra who immigrated from East Africa.

While the Malagasy language shares 90% of its basic vocabulary with the Ma'anyan language of Indonesia, Malagasy names for seasons, months, days, and coins are Arabic in origin, as is the practice of circumcision and different greetings. Sorabe, an alphabet based on Arabic, was first used to write Malagasy.

In the Middle Ages, the island's kings traded with Muslim Arab, Persian and Somali traders who connected Madagascar with East Africa, the Middle East and India. Western Madagascar has a large Muslim population mostly from Zanzibar, Yemen and Iran. They own virtually all the restaurants there. There 50,000 Muslim refugees from India, Comoros and Somalia.

Many locals are converting and coming back to Islam and there are now about 50 Musjids and Islamic centres in Madagascar. Muslims have built medical clinics, schools and social centres and Islam is propagated on national TV and radio.

Left The logo for the 2012 Olympics in London in 2012 Above The logo spelling the word ‘Zion’

Iran complained to the International Olympic Committee that the logo for the 2012 London Olympics resembles the word ‘Zion’ a Biblical term for Israel. The racist Jewish movement Zionism, which called for and established a Jewish state in Palestine, is named after Zion.

In another twist, the mascots for the 2012 Games are creepy, one-eyed creatures making a connection with the one-eyed Dajjal who will lead the Jews towards the Last Day. The name of one is Mandeville (man devil) aptly describing Dajjal, who will have one eye.

And Allah Knows Best

16 April: Qiraat Jalsah @ Musjid Abu Bakr, Darul Uloom. Asr to Esha. Fantastic prizes to be won. Guest Judges: Qari Ayoob Ishaaq of Darul Uloom Zakariyya and Moulana Masud Mewati, Imam of Musjidus Saaliheen, Lenasia.

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FOR THE LITTLE ONES

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CLUES DOWN 1 Name of graveyard in Madinah: Jannatul …

2 Arabic word for meat 3 Name of first Musjid in Islam 4 Country formerly known as Persia 5 Name of a country that means two seas in Arabic 8 Liberator of Musjidul Aqsa: Salahuddeen …

9 This country’s capital is Doha

ACROSS 1 Name of first Muazzin in Islam 5 First battle of Islam 6 Name of graveyard in Makkah: Jannatul …

7 Word for Peninsula in Arabic (A TV station is named after it) 10 Arabic for John 11 Original name of province where Makkah and Madinah are found 12 Conqueror of North Africa: … ibn Nafi

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FINAL FOCUS

The United Ulama Council of South Africa (UUCSA) was established in 1994 to unify, coordinate and represent the Muslims of South Africa on a national and international level, especially in matters concerning the South African government.

A wise and pious rich man, sensing his approaching death, called his son and instructed him: ‘I shall die soon. When I die and my body has been washed and is about to be shrouded, I want you to put one of my socks on my foot.

This is my final request.’

UUCSA represents the major Ulama bodies of South Africa. The founder members were the Muslim Judicial Council, Jamiatul Ulama South Africa (formerly Transvaal), Jamiatul Ulama KZN, Sunni Ulama Council, Sunni Jamiatul Ulama. These were later joined by the Eastern Cape Islamic Congress and the Council of Ulama Eastern Cape.

Soon after the man died, leaving behind properties and wealth. Family and friends attended his funeral. The body had been washed and almost completely enshrouded when the son remembered his father’s wish. Finding one of his old socks, he handed it to the person who washed the dead and said: ‘In accordance with my father’s last request, please put this sock on his foot.’

Among the objectives is to foster unity and coordinate Muslims.

Some Activities Visit of Ulama to China and hosting Ulama from China Engaging with government on the Muslim Marriages Bill Dealing with the national call for compulsory HIV testing for marriages Interacting with UNISA to accommodate Muslim students with regards to exams on Fridays Serving as a member on the National Religious Leaders Forum Having direct access to the President Contact: PO Box 38311, Gatesville, 7764 Tel: 021 684 4600 / 013 243 2423 Fax: 021 696 5154 / 013 243 2423 www.uucsa.co.za

‘That is impossible,’ said the man, ‘Such a thing is not allowed in Islam.’ The son insisted that, as it was his father’s final wish, it must be carried out. The washer was unmoved and told the boy to consult with the scholars. They all agreed it was not allowed. Just then an old friend of the deceased interrupted and said to the son: ‘My boy, your late father entrusted me with a letter to give to you at such a time.

Here it is.’ He handed the son the envelope and the boy read: ‘My son, all this wealth and property I have left for you. Now you see, at the last moment they won’t even let you give me one old sock.

You will also one day only take a shroud. So use the wealth wisely and increase in good deeds, the only thing you can take with you on the journey beyond death.’

Adapted from: The Muslim Woman, 12:3

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