Islamic Focus Issue 90 by Islamic Focus

ISSN 2223 - 1110 P3 Warning P7 Criticizing P8 Paradise P10 Islam in Bosnia P12 Spilled Milk Bukhara Publications/Tel: 078 672 7797/Fax: 086 651 2125 Email: islamicfocus@gmail.com/Korsten/Port Elizabeth

From 1992 to 1995, the Muslims of Bosnia faced the worst genocide in Europe since World War II. The statistics are staggering in their horror: According to the Red Cross at least 200,000 Muslims were killed, 12,000 of them children; 50,000 Muslim women were raped and used as sex slaves, and 2.2 million fled their homes. Muslims faced this ethnic cleansing on two fronts: from the Catholic Croats initially and the Christian Orthodox Serbs. The Serbs got support from Christian Slavic fighters from countries including Russia. Greek volunteers took part in the Srebrenica Massacre. Radical Christian fighters as well as numerous individuals from the cultural area of Western Christianity fought as volunteers for the Croats including Neo-Nazi volun-

Islamic Focus

Issue 90

teers from Austria.

Igniting the Spirit of Islam

Germany

and

Bosnians got support from Muslim volunteer fighters but were heavily under equipped. In 1991 the UN imposed an arms embargo on Yugoslavia, which hurt Muslims the most. The Bosnian government lobbied to have the embargo lifted but that was opposed by the UK, France and Russia. US congress called for the embargo to be lifted but this was vetoed by President Clinton. Despite this Muslims managed to turn the tide. The Serbs set up concentration camps, and a report by the Central Intelligence Agency found Serbian forces responsible for 90% of the war crimes committed during the conflict. There were many massacres of Muslims including that of 9,000 Muslim men and boys in Sre-

Jun 2011

brenica, murdered after Dutch UN soldiers allowed the Serbs in. There were also massacres of Bosnian Muslims in Bistrica, Uzričje, Duša, Ždrimci, Tuzla, Ahmici (where a three-monthold baby was shot to death in his cot) and Markale. The siege of the capital Sarajevo, lasted 44 months, the longest in modern warfare. Of the 1,800 Musjids in Bosnia, 650 were destroyed and 530 damaged. The ethnic cleansing campaign included murder, rape, sexual assault, torture, beating and robbery. By 2008, 45 Serbs, 12 Croats and only 4 Muslims were convicted of war crimes. Christians tried to wipe out Muslims in Eastern Europe as they had done in the Spain of Western Europe in the 1400’s, but this time they did not succeed. Bosnians have emerged stronger in their faith.

WORLD NEWS

EGYPT - 17 lost pyramids are among buildings identified in a new satellite survey. (BBC, 24 May)

MALAYSIA - A landslide buried a children's orphanage killing 16. (BBC, 22 May)

SOUTH AFRICA - 3 Somali shops burnt and 40 looted in Port Elizabeth in xenophobic attacks. 250 Somalis homeless. (News, 26 May)

SYRIA - Security forces killed 5 people when they fired into a funeral crowd in Homs. Security forces shot dead 44 people May 27 as mass protests continued to sweep the country. (BBC, 21 May)

LIBYA - Russia said continued Nato raids are a violation of the original UN resolution. (BBC, 25 May) EUROPE - Air traffic in Norway, Germany, Denmark and UK was disrupted because of ash from an erupting volcano in Iceland. (BBC, 25 May) BRAZIL - Pres Rousseff suspended distribution of sex education films for schools as they contain gay and lesbian video scenes. (BBC, 25 May) YEMEN - Clashes between the Hashid tribe and government forces killed 38. Pres Saleh leaves for Saudi after being injured in an attack. (BBC, 5 Jun) PALESTINE - Jewish troops fire on pro-Palestinian protesters in Syria, killing 20. (BBC, 5 Jun)

INDIA - India is reviewing a list of 50 ‘most wanted fugitives’ it says are hiding in Pakistan, a day after one was traced to a prison in Bombay, while another had been bailed and was in Bombay. (BBC, 20 May) USA - Obama said ‘a strong and secure Israel is in the national security interest of USA’. (BBC, 22 May) AFGHANISTAN - Fighters allied to the Taliban took another district in Nuristan province. 3 districts in Nuristan are under Taliban control. (BBC, 25 May) USA - The economy continued to decline with the unemployment rate up 9.1%, 13.9 million unemployed and 6.2 million out of work. (BBC, Jun 3)

EGYPT - Rafah border crossing into Gaza opened to some Palestinians. (BBC, 29 May) PAKISTAN - One of al-Qaeda’s most senior commanders, Moulana Ilyas Kashmiri, killed in a US drone strike in South Waziristan. (BBC, 4 Jun) PAKISTAN - Pakistani Taliban killed 4 in a bomb attack on a police station, as well as killing 80 paramilitary recruits and bombing a US consulate convoy. May 23 Taliban fighters attacked a naval air force base, killing 10 soldiers. (BBC, 25 May) USA - Tornadoes swept the Mid-West striking Oklahoma City, killing 5. The storms come as hundreds are missing in Joplin, Missouri, after tornadoes killed 122 people. (BBC, 25 May) USA - Obama said he would order a similar operation to that which killed Bin Laden, violating Pakistani sovereignty. (BBC, 22 May) SUDAN - Muslim North Sudanese troops occupied Abyei after 22 of its men were killed there in a southern Christian ambush. (BBC, 22 May) Islamic Focus

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When Yusuf ’s brothers wanted to do away with him, their father, Yaqoob , unwittingly gave them a cue on how to do away with him by saying: ‘… Really it saddens me that you should take him away: I fear lest the wolf should devour him, while you are careless of him.’ (Quraan 12:13) The brothers later used this, telling their father that a wolf had killed Yusuf . To avoid tempting a child, various tactful ways may be employed. When the people of Babylon had begun confusing the miracles of the Prophets with the magic of sorcerers and magicians, Allah sent two Angels to the town to teach the people and distinguish between the two. (Quraan 2:102) The task was not left to the Prophets as there was a need to distinguish between the Prophets and magicians. These Angels clearly outlined to the people the dangers of magic to save anyone from falling into error. There was wisdom in this method of warning people away from evil. Nevertheless, many people employed the magic they learnt from the Angels for evil purposes. Parents need to try their best but not be too despondent if things do not work out as planned after making the necessary effort.

There is a tendency among Muslims engaged in different fields of Islamic work to look down at others engaged in some other form of work. This is not the spirit of Islam. After the expedition of Tabuk, many Sahaba promised to participate in every battle. Allah revealed the verse: ‘And it is not (proper) for the believers to go out to fight (Jihad) all together. Of every troop of them, a party only should go forth, that they (who are left behind) may get instructions in (Islamic) religion, and that they may warn their people when they return to them, so that they may beware (of evil). (Quraan 9:122) Thus, while the Mujahideen were engaged in battle, others would study Islam. Qatadah rahimahullah mentioned that all the works of Islam are important. Khalid bin Walid , a general par excellence, who spent his life engaged in Jihad, said: ‘Engaging in Jihad (warfare for Islam) occupied me from learning a lot of the Quraan, but I do not regret it because I served Islam in a different way.’ There are many ways of serving and spreading Islam. The Prophet spread Islam in a myriad different ways: he helped in building Musjids, wrote letters of invitation to Islam to different rulers and helped dig a trench in the defence of the Muslim state. Thus, he made every method of calling to Islam a Sunnah. Each person should endeavour to use whatever specialty Allah has given him or her to work for Islam. We should wish well for all who serve Islam, and all the different forms should complement one another like a jigsaw puzzle. Inspired by: Mufti Ismail Menk

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FAMILY / SUNNAH

Bringing up our kids is not an easy task. When it comes to warning them about dangers and sins, we need to be careful that we do it in a way full of wisdom because at times our warnings could actually tempt them to experiment with a sin by planting the idea in their minds. We need to know what to disclose and how much.

SOCIAL / SUNNAH

The current trend is to publicize everything we do even sins. Here are some Islamic pointers on remaining silent:

1. Speaking of sins. The Prophet said ‘Every member of my Ummah is forgiven except those who openly speak about their sins...’ (Bukhari 4:239) Allah is angry with a person who commits a sin which was hidden but then boasts about it to people. If a person is ashamed of sinning against Allah and hides it from people out of shame, then Allah favours him by keeping that sin hidden. 2. Concealing good deeds. ‘Whoever among you can afford to have good deeds stored in secret, let him do it.’ (Sahih al-Jami) Doing good deeds in your own private moments is a Sunnah. Worship performed in this way often boosts one’s love and sincerity. Muhammad ibn Wasi said: ‘I have seen ... a man whose head would be next to his wife’s head on the same pillow, and his tears (from the fear of Allah) would soak all that’s underneath his cheek yet his own wife wouldn’t even know it.’ ‘If you disclose your charitable expenditures, it is well; and if you conceal them and give them to the poor, it will be better for you…’ (Quraan 2:271) 3. Countering the ignorant. ‘And the servants of the Compassionate (Allah) are those who … when the ignorant (or pagans) address them (in arrogance), they (instead of retaliating) say: peace (i.e. let us go our own way, we have no wish to quarrel with you). (Quraan 25:63)

These are times when Dua is more likely to be accepted:

1. Last Third of the Night ‘In the last third of every night our Rabb (Sustainer) (Allah) descends to the lowermost heaven and says: ‘Who is calling Me, so that I may answer him? Who is asking Me so that may I grant him? Who is seeking forgiveness from Me so that I may forgive him?’’ (Bukhari) ‘The closest any worshipper can be to His Lord is during the last part of the night, so if you can be amongst those who remember Allah at that time, then do so.’ (Tirmidhi) 2. Late at Night ‘There is at night an hour, no Muslim happens to be asking Allah any matter of this world or the Hereafter, except that he will be given it, and this (occurs) every night.’ (Muslim) 3. Between Athaan and Iqamah ‘A supplication made between the Athaan and Iqamah is not rejected.’ (Ahmad) 4. Friday ‘There is an hour on Friday and if a Muslim gets it while offering Salaah (prayer) and asks something from Allah, then Allah will definitely meet his demand.’ (Bukhari) Some Ulama say this hour is between the two khutbahs, while others say it is after Asr until Maghrib. 5. While Drinking Zamzam Water ‘Zamzam water is for what it is drunk.’ (Ahmad) When you drink Zamzam you may ask Allah for anything you like to gain or benefit from this water such as healing from illness, etc.

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From various Ulama

www.sunnipath.com | www.shafiifiqh.com Q: What is the ruling of wearing finger ring made of iron? A: It is permissible to wear an iron ring. Yet, it is better to avoid doing so. (al-Minhaj al-Qawim 2:82-83) Answer by: Moulana Yaqub Abdurrahman

Q: Is it permissible to eat beer battered fish? I was told it would be Halal because it was impossible to get intoxicated from it. A: In Mughni al-Muhtaj 5:517, Khatib Shirbini mentioned a comparable situation, and stated, ‘…as the substance of alcohol is consumed by fire; the bread remains impure.’ Fire/cooking does not remove impurity, and the Shafi school considers alcohol, like beer, impure. Therefore, even when cooking removes all the alcohol, contamination with the impurity makes eating it problematic. Answer by: Moulana Yaqub Abdurrahman

Q: What is the ruling on hunting with a gun? Some brothers understand that game is not halaal when shot with a gun; thus they try to first wound game (like deer) by shooting it in a non-lethal area (e.g. the spine). Then they try and catch it to slaughter. What are the rules on hunting like this? A: Ibn Hajar al-Haytami was asked regarding using guns which use gunpowder and fire, and he stated that it is unlawful to use such for hunting. (al-Fatawa al-Kubra al-Fiqhiyyah 4: 250) Thus, what is mentioned in the question is impermissible. Moreover, animal cruelty is Islamic Focus

forbidden. Ibn Hazm related a consensus that one must slaughter animals in a kind manner. (Jami al-Ulum wa al -Hikam 1:429) In the Maliki school, it is permissible to shoot an animal with a firearm, and that animal is lawful. (al-Mawsuat al- Fiqhiyyah 28:135-36) Hanafi jurists like Sheikh al-Hamzawi say that hunting using firearms is permissible. In conclusion, the Shafi school does not permit using a firearm for hunting. Animal cruelty is forbidden; thus, one may not hunt as mentioned in the question. Therefore, a deer hunter should rather follow the Malikis and Hanafis, and shoot to kill. Answer by: Moulana Yaqub Abdurrahman

Q: What is the ruling on the Imam immediately after salaah? Should he turn round to sit and face the congregation? A: It is sunnah for the Imam to turn so that his left side is facing the mihrab (niche showing direction of Qibla) and his right the congregation. (al-Minhaj al-Qawim 1:263) Answer by: Moulana Yaqub Abdurrahman

Q: I understand the correct way to sit between Sajdahs and in Tashahhud is to place the hands on the thighs, a little above the knees. Is my prayer invalidated if I put my hands on my knees? A: ‘The Prophet would, when he sat supplicating (tashahhud, etc), place his left hand on his left thigh and his right hand on his right thigh. He would point with his index finger, and place

his thumb on his middle finger. His left hand would cover his knee. (Muslim 5:828) Thus, ‘his left hand would cover his knee’ is evidence for what is recommended. In fact, scholars agree that it is recommended for one to place the hand near to the knee or on the knee. (Sharh Muslim 5:829) Furthermore, regarding the right, Imam Nawawi stated: ‘Then, he should place it on the edge of the knee.’ (Sharh al-Muhadhdhab 3:433) Answer by: Moulana Yaqub Abdurrahman

Q: Does bleeding break one’s wudhu (ablution)? A: 4 things invalidate ablution:1) Something exiting from the front or rear private parts (except for sexual fluid). 2) Losing consciousness, except for sleeping firmly seated. 3) Skin to skin contact between a man and woman, except for an unmarriageable relative or a pre-pubescent child. 4) Touching the private parts with the inner part of one’s hand. (Minhaj al-Talibin 1:86 -87) Any of these invalidates the ablution. Therefore, bleeding does not invalidate it. Answer by: Moulana Yaqub Abdurrahman

Q: Should the toes touch the ground while prostrating (Sajdah)? A: The Prophet said, ‘I have been commanded to prostrate on seven bones… and the extremities of the two feet.’ Here, the inner part of the toes is intended. Thus, in Sajdah, a portion of the toes’ inner part must touch the ground. (Tuhfat al-

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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: When one of my kids is on punishment (e.g. grounded for getting in trouble), should the child be allowed to have extra things like sweets? A: It is compulsory on parents to discipline their children and raise them with good habits. There is no specific method of disciplining children for bad behavior and conduct. Whatever reasonable method proves effective may be adopted. To deprive children of the luxuries referred to in your question to discipline them is reasonable. Apart from adopting these measures, making dua for the good conduct and piety of one’s children is very effective. Parents’ duas for their children are accepted.

of every new Salaah, remove it after Salaah and wear it for the next Salaah. If the pad is soiled during the salah, then there is no harm and the Salaah will be completed. The pad should merely be disposed off appropriately and a clean one worn at the next Salaah. Hence, every Salaah should commence by wearing a clean pad. After Salaah, it is not necessary to see whether she bled or not because even if she did bleed, her Salaah will still be regarded as complete. (Al Hadiyyato Linnisa pg 34) This book is very beneficial in detailing different scenarios a Muslim woman is generally faced with. We recommend it be studied by every female.

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Q: If someone performs tawaaf on the second floor, then interruption occurs, can he resume his tawaaf on the mataaf area (bottom floor) near the Ka’bah at the parallel spot aligned with the spot before interruption? A: If one resumes tawaaf at the parallel spot on the bottom floor, that will be in order.

Q: Is network marketing on the internet permissible? There are products such as Google adsense that pay users a certain amount of money for clicking on the link. A. Making money from network marketing is lawful and Halaal. The company pays one for the use of his or her network through which it markets its products. When a subscriber to the network clicks on the advert, the network operator gets paid a fixed sum of money. This is permissible because one is being paid for the effort of uploading and maybe even composing the advert on one’s website. Note that marketing of only Halaal products will be permissible. Marketing of products like alcohol, casinos, etc. will not be permissible.

Answer by: Mufti Ebrahim Desai

Answer by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Checked by: Mufti Ebrahim Desai

Answer by: Mufti Ebrahim Desai

Q: Does a mustahadha (lady with bleeding which is not menses) have to change her pad for every Salaah? A: If a Mustahadha’s pad, cotton wool, etc. remains clean, Salaah may be performed with the same pad. If the pad is soiled with blood then she should keep a separate, clean pad which she should wear at the time

Q: Did Hazrat Hamzah have children? If yes, how many and what were their names? A. Two names of his children are mentioned: Umaarah and Ya'laa. He was known as Abu Ya'laa and Abu Umaarah. (Asadul Ghaabah V1 P281)

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There was a painter who had just completed his course. He took 3 days and painted a beautiful scene. He wanted people’s opinion about his painting skills. He put the painting at a busy street-crossing below a board which read: ‘I have painted this. Since I’m new I might have committed mistakes in my strokes etc. Please put a cross wherever you see a mistake.’ When he came back in the evening he was shattered to see that whole canvass was filled with crosses and some people had even written their comments on the painting. Disheartened he ran to his master and burst into tears. This young artist said: ‘I’m useless and if this is what I have learnt I’m not worth becoming a painter. I feel like dying’. The master said: ‘I will prove that you are a great artist and have learnt flawless painting. Do as I say.’ The young artist reluctantly agreed and two days later he presented a replica of his earlier painting to his master. They went to the same street-crossing and displayed the painting at the same place. The master wrote on a board: ‘I have painted this piece. Since I’m new I might have committed some mistakes in my strokes etc. I have put a box with colors and brushes below. If you see a mistake, pick up the brush and correct it.’ That evening the young painter was surprised to see that there was not a single correction done. The painting was kept there for a month but no correction came in! Moral: It is easier to criticize, but difficult to improve! So don’t get carried away or judge yourself by someone else’s criticism and feel depressed.

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INTERNET / INSPIRATION

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

FUTURE / COMPARITIVE

The estimates of the number of people converting to Islam in Europe makes interesting reading: 5,000 in Denmark, 50,000 in France, 80,000 in Germany, 3,500 in Hungary, 1,000 in Norway, 25,000 in Spain, 100,000 in UK and 5,000 in Sweden. Here are some famous US converts to Islam: Ahmad Rashaad - Emmy award-winning sportscaster (mostly with NBC Sports) and former American football wide receiver Robert D. Crane - former adviser to President Nixon, and former Deputy Director (for Planning) of the US National Security Council Loon - American hip hop and rap artist Art Blakey - Jazz musician Keith Ellison - first Muslim to be elected to the US Congress Jermaine Jackson - Michael Jackson's elder brother and one of the original members of The Jackson 5 John Whitehead - Singer, songwriter and record producer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Lew Alcindor) - retired basketball player and the NBA's all-time leading scorer Mike Tyson - boxer Dave Chappelle - comedian and TV star T.B. Irving - Scholar, author and translator Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) - boxer C. Jack Ellis - Mayor of Macon, Georgia Everlast - Rapper from the Irish-American hip -hop group House of Pain Bernard Hopkins - Boxer André Carson - Second Muslim to serve the US Congress Alexander Russell Webb - Journalist, newspaper owner, and former Consul-General of the US in the Philippines.

While living in Paradise, will we desire things that we had liked in this world? Heart’s Desire Everything that the people of Paradise desire will be theirs: ‘… (there will be) therein all that one’s inner-self could desire, all that the eyes could delight in, and you will abide therein forever.’ (Quraan 43:71) Farming The Prophet was speaking about the people of Paradise when a Bedouin was present. He described how a man of the people of Paradise will ask his Lord’s permission to grow some plants. Allah will ask him, ‘Do you not already have all that you want?’ He will say, ‘Yes, but I like to grow things.’ So he will go and plant his seeds, and within the blinking of an eye they will grow, ripen, be harvested and piled up like mountains. We learn that whatever worldly desires one wishes for in Paradise can be fulfilled. Children The Prophet said: ‘If the believer in Paradise wishes for a child, it will be conceived and delivered, and will grow to the desired age in an instant.’ (Tirmidhi, 2487) Food Whatever the people of Paradise desire will appear before them. If a person sees a bird and wishes to taste its flesh, it will appear well -cooked before him. ‘And (they will be served) with the flesh of fowls they desire.’ (Quraan 56:21) Adapted from article by: Sheikh Salih Al-Munajjid

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She was among the first people to accept Islam along with her son Ali and endured the economic and social boycott of three years with the Prophet . He respected her so highly that whenever she visited him he would stand up and receive her with great love, addressing her as ‘Mother’. He would visit her house and have some rest there. When the Prophet got the news of her death, he went to her house and prayed for her: ‘My dear mother, may Allah keep you under His Protection. Many times you went hungry in order to feed me well. You fed me and clothed me on delicacies that you denied yourself.’

While Muslims did not invent the postal service, they certainly played an important role in developing it. Caliph Muaawiya set up an important postal service in the Islamic Empire called Barid, the name of the towers built to protect the roads by which the couriers traveled. This was an administrative institution found in all provinces of the Caliphate. It had postal stations, station masters, couriers, guides, milestones and riding mounts. There were 930 post stations along six routes from Baghdad to India. Together with this, the Caliphate introduced the first organized news service in 650. Well before the Middle Ages, the Muslim state used homing pigeons for pigeon post. Messages were tied around the legs of the pigeon, which was freed and flew to reach its original home.

He gave his own shirt to be used as part of her shroud and placed her in her grave with his own hands. When people asked him the reason for these extraordinary favours, he replied: ‘After Abu Talib, nobody gave me a more kind treatment than Fatimah bint Assad. I gave her my own shirt so that she will get a heavenly garment in Paradise. I myself lay down in her grave so that the hardships of the grave are minimized.’ She was thus one of the people for whom the good news of Paradise was given by the Prophet .

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BIOGRAPHY / MUSLIM INFLUENCE

Fatimah bint Asad belonged to the Hashimite clan. Her grandfather was Hashim, the Prophet ’s great-grandfather. She was married to the Prophet ’s uncle Abu Talib. The Prophet lived with Fatimah bint Asad and Abu Talib from the age of 8. She was the mother of Ali and the mother-in-law of the Prophet ’s daughter Fathima . Fatimah to be a kindly and caring woman. She looked after the Prophet as well as she looked after her own children.

HISTORY / FUTURE

Muslims are two million or 44% of the population. Modern Bosnian Muslims descend from Slavic speakers who converted to Islam in the 15th and 16th centuries. Islam was brought to the area by the Ottoman Turks who gained control of Bosnia in 1463 and Herzegovina in the 1480’s. Bosnia remained under Muslim control until 1878. Many Bosnian Muslims left at this time to settle in the Ottoman Empire. Bosnian Muslims refer to themselves as Boasniaks. Bosniaks form 14.6% of the population of Montenegro. The Bosnian language was written in a modified Arabic alphabet until the 20th century. Bosnian Muslims suffered a genocide from 1992-95 at the hands of Christian Serbs. Muslims eventually won the war with the help of foreign Mujahideen fighters. At the end Bosnia was an independent country with two areas: one for Muslims and Croats, the other for Serbs. Of the 1,800 Musjids in Bosnia, 650 were completely destroyed and 530 were damaged in the war while 200,000 Muslims were massacred in the worst genocide in Europe since World War II. The Red Cross said that 50,000 women were raped and 12,000 children killed. The war resulted in Bosnian Muslims coming closer to Islam with many women adopting Islamic dress. There are 8 main Muftis across the country. In areas with Muslim majorities, schools offer Islamic religious instructions. The Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina regulates Islamic education, publishing, charity, etc. There are Madrasas where children learn about Islam.

Will the people of Paradise remember the life of this world? There is evidence in the Quraan that the people of Paradise will remember the life of this world.

‘And some of them draw near to others, questioning, saying: ‘Aforetime, we were afraid with out families (of the punishment of Allah). But Allah has been gracious to us, and has saved us from the torment of the Fire. Verily, we used to invoke Him (Alone) before.’’ (Quraan 52:25-28) They will also remember the evil people who tried to call them to disbelief: ‘Then they will turn to one another, mutually questioning. A speaker of them will say, ‘Verily, I had a companion (in the world), who used to say, ‘Are you among those who believe (in resurrection after death), (that) when we die and become dust and bones, shall we indeed (be raised up) to receive reward or punishment (according to our deeds)?’ (Quraan 37:50-53) They will remember the trials they went though in this world and they will say joyfully: ‘… ‘All praise and thanks be to Allah, Who has removed from us (all) grief.’ (Quraan 35:34) They will be reminded of this life when they see the fruits which will resemble those which they used to eat in this world, but whose size and taste are different. ‘… Every time they will be provided with a fruit therefrom, they will say: ‘This is what we were provided with before,’ and they will be given things in resemblance (i.e., in the same form but different in taste)…’ (Quraan 2:25)

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FINAL FOCUS

The Africa 1 Aid Convoy to Gaza is a humanitarian effort launched by the Al Quds Foundation of South Africa in conjunction with the Muslim Judicial Council and Channel Islam International to break the siege on Gaza, Palestine. For four years Gaza, a tiny strip of land with 1.5 million people, has been under siege.

A famous research scientist who had made several important medical breakthroughs said he was creative because of an experience with his mother that occurred when he was two. He was trying to remove a bottle of milk from the fridge when he lost his grip and it fell, spilling its milk all over the kitchen floor.

The convoy will travel by land from South Africa via Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Etiopia, Uganda, Sudan and Egypt to Gaza. Partners include Voice of the Cape, Radio Islam, Media Review Network, Al Ansaar Foundation and the Northern Cape Ulama Council. Islamic Focus supports the initiative.

When his mother came into the kitchen, instead of yelling at him, giving him a lecture or punishing him, she said: ‘Ahmad, what a great and wonderful mess you have made! I have rarely seen such a huge puddle of milk. Well, the damage has already been done. Would you like to play in the milk for a few minutes before we clean it up?’ He did so. After a few minutes, his mother said: ‘You know whenever you make a mess like this, eventually you have to clean it up. So, how would you like to do that? We could use a sponge, a towel or a mop. Which do you prefer?’ He chose the sponge and they cleaned up the spilled milk.

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His mother said: ‘What we have here is a failed experiment in how to carry a big bottle with tiny hands. Let’s go in the yard, fill the bottle with water and see if you can discover a way to carry it without dropping it.’ The boy learned how to carry it without dropping it.

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This renowned scientist then said it was at that moment he knew he didn’t need to be afraid to make mistakes. He learned that mistakes were opportunities for learning something new, which is what scientific experiments are all about. Even if the experiment doesn’t work, we usually learn something valuable from it.

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