Islamic Focus Issue 79 by Islamic Focus

P4 Praise P8 Run in the Rain P9 Paella P10 Trinidad P12 Stranger

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America’s ‘war on terror’ has exposed a side of the regime which is a hallmark of the Jewish occupation state in Palestine: disregard for international codes of conduct ratified by them. Here are a few of the glaring examples: 1. Prisoners are entitled in all circumstances to respect for their persons and th e ir h on ou r : (Geneva Convention III) Any captured combatant is assumed to be a prisoner of war and must be treated accordingly. When the USA denied POW status to captured Taliban combatants in the 2001-2010 war in Afghanistan, it was in violation of the third Geneva Convention. In the course of an armed conflict involving parties to the Geneva Convention, captured combatants are POWs until proven otherwise.

Islamic Focus

Issue 79

Igniting the Spirit of Islam

2. When captured by the enemy, among the people classified as prisoners of war are: Members of the armed forces of a government not recognized by the enemy. This was the case of soldiers serving under the Taliban government in Afghanistan. POWs are protected under the Hague and Geneva laws from any violence or indignity. US President Bush allowed his soldiers to officially violate these rules in the case of militia captured in Afghanistan, Iraq and other countries. 3. Interrogation tactics that are common practice of the US are illegal. The third Geneva Convention outlaws everything beyond the simple asking of a question: No physical or mental torture, nor any other form of coercion, may be inflicted on prisoners of war to secure

Jun 2010

from them information of any kind whatever. POWs who refuse to answer may not be threatened. 4. Confinement is illegal. POWs can't be held in prison cells unless it is for their own protection. Again, the US violates this in its handling of Muslim POWs and gets around it by terming them ‘illegal combatants’ and expects that to make everything right. These are just few of the rules violated by the USA. Considering this, can a Muslim support soccer teams from countries like the USA and England whose armies violate their own rules of war against Muslims? The armies of Italy, South Korea, Spain and Australia support them, while Holland allowed the mass murder of Muslims by Serb soldiers in Bosnia. Can one cheer them on with a heart honestly free of pain?

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WORLD NEWS

AFGHANISTAN - Taliban fighters attacked one of the largest and most-heavily fortified US bases in Bagram. 7 US troops injured in the battle that raged for several hours. It comes a day after a bomb attack in Kabul on a Nato convoy killed 18, including 5 US soldiers. (BBC, 19 May)

TURKEY - Turkish fighter jets bombed Kurdish rebel targets in neighbouring Iraq. (BBC, 20 May) SOMALIA - Al-Shabab fighters fired mortars at the presidential palace again, sparking deadly battles in which AU forces killed 14 people including civilians.

(BBC, 23 May) KYRGYZSTAN - Two killed in clashes between ethnic Kyrgyz and Uzbeks. 26 killed in clashes in Osh and 400 wounded in fighting between Kyrgyz and ethnic Uzbek groups. (BBC, 19 May, 11 Jun) MALDIVES - Pres Nasheed offers to take 2 detainees from the illegal US prison in Guantanamo Bay. He said: ‘I believe that refusing to help illegally imprisoned inmates, especially Muslims, when we have the chance would not be in accordance with ... Islamic values …’ (BBC, 16 May) PAKISTAN - Court ordered Facebook blocked after Facebook hosted a competition featuring cartoons of Prophet Muhammad . The petition, filed by the Islamic Lawyers' Movement, said the contest was blasphemous. (BBC, 19 May) Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia also blocked Facebook. SOMALIA - Islamist fighters attacked Somalia's parliament as it met for the first time this year, in clashes which led to the deaths of at least 11 people. (BBC, 16 May) SPAIN - For 50 years, the Franciscan Brothers of the White Cross ran care homes across Spain, looking after the sick and needy. Now the centre's head and two colleagues are formally accused of sexual abuse, the latest in a flood of such accusations against the Catholic Church. (BBC, 18 May) AUSTRALIA - Australia expels an Israeli diplomat after a probe revealed Israel was behind the forging of four Australian passports linked to the murder of a Hamas operative in Dubai. (BBC, 24 May) SOUTH AFRICA - A bid by the Jamiatul Ulama, to stop the publication of a cartoon of Prophet Muhammad failed. The cartoon in Mail and Guardian newspaper was drawn by Zapiro, in response to a Facebook group inviting drawings of Prophet Muhammad . (BBC, 21 May)

USA - Tornadoes and thunderstorms killed 7 in Ohio, destroying 50 houses. The storm left a 13km path of destruction. (BBC, 6 June) TURKEY - Tens of thousands attended the funeral for activists killed by Jewish commandos who raided an aid convoy in international waters. IHH is the Islamic charity in Turkey which largely funded the aid flotilla that tried to break the Gaza blockade. Turkey rallied together to condemn Israel with the government lashing out at the Jews. Several countries recalled their ambassadors from Israel. (BBC, 5 June) PALESTINE - Israel's navy shot and killed four Palestinians wearing diving gear off Gaza’S coast. It is common for the Jewish navy to open fire on fishing boats off Gaza's coast. (BBC, 7 June) SOMALIA - Soldiers from semi-autonomous Puntland stormed a cargo vessel held by pirates, capturing seven. (BBC, 3 June) LIBYA - Libya banned its national sports teams from competing against Algeria and Egypt after last year's violence at a World Cup play-off match between Algeria and Egypt. (BBC, 3 June) VENEZUELA - Pres Chavez sang a song saying he did not like Hillary Clinton. This was in a speech in which he criticized the US Secretary of State. (BBC,

10 Jun) UAE - Dubai airline Emirates placed an order for 32 A380 super-jumbo, double-decker jets worth $11.5bn. Emirates has more seats on intercontinental routes than Air France and British Airways together. (BBC, 9 Jun) PALESTINE - Israeli government press office emailed journalists a spoof video making fun of the Jewish raid on an aid flotilla in which they killed 9 unarmed peace activists. (BBC, 7 Jun)

SOMALIA - 13 killed, including 3 Ethiopian soldiers, in clash between Somalis and Ethiopian forces who crossed the border into Somaliland. (BBC, 22 May)

Islamic Focus

... 2

HISTORY

9 Turkish activists were shot in cold blood by Jewish naval forces who stormed their ships delivering aid for Gaza in international waters. There were people from many countries on board including parliamentarians. This did not stop the Jews from displaying gross disregard for international law and basic humanity. In fact, this was the latest in a long list of Jewish murders of non-Muslim activists who stood up for justice in Palestine. This does not take into account the thousands of Palestinians treated like animals for several decades: Rachel Corrie: killed by an Israeli army bulldozer in Gaza on 16 March, 2003, as she tried to stop it demolishing a Palestinian home. Tom Hurndall: 21-year-old photojournalism student who travelled to Gaza as part of the International Solidarity Movement. He was shot in the head in April 2003 by an Israeli army sniper while trying to rescue Palestinian children in the street. He never regained consciousness and died 9 months later. James Miller, UK cameraman: shot dead by another soldier from the same Israeli unit 3 weeks later. He was in Rafah making a documentary for a US cable channel. An autopsy confirmed he was killed by an Israeli soldier. Video evidence showed Miller and his team carrying white flags and shouting to Israeli soldiers they were British journalists. The blood of the Muslims of Palestine is the fuel which will ultimately topple the Jewish occupation regime which perpetrates genocide and human rights violations on a daily basis.

Hassan ibn Thabit was a very dear companion of our beloved Prophet . He was the first and most notable poet who used his beautiful poetry to praise the Prophet Hassan had won acclaim at the courts of the Christian Arab Ghassanid kings in Syria and the Lakhmid kings of al-Hirah in Iraq. He settled in Madinah, where he accepted Islam at about the age of 60. Hassan became Islam's earliest poetic defender. His writings were in defence of Prophet Muhammad . He was also Islam's first religious poet, using many phrases from the Qur'an in his verses. The work of Hassan was instrumental in spreading the message of Islam, as the Arabs were great poets and this formed a large part of the culture. The work and words of Hassan are still regarded as the most beautiful in praise of the Prophet , and confirm how Islam permits the use of different talents as long as they are in support of Allah and His Prophet . The Prophet was so happy with him that he ordered a pulpit constructed for him to stand upon when he delivered his poetry. The Prophet prayed for him saying that the Jibraeel will support him as long as he defends Allah and His Prophet . Narrated Hassan : I asked Abu Huraira ‘By Allah! Tell me the truth whether you heard the Prophet saying, ‘O Hassan! Reply on behalf of Allah's Apostle. O Allah! Help him with the Holy Spirit.?’ Abu Huraira said, ‘Yes.’ (Bukhari) See translations of some of his poetry on page four.

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SUNNAH These are translations of some poems attributed to Hassan ibn Thabit , a Sahaabi who was an extraordinary poet. Actual meanings could have been lost in translation.

1. When I saw his light shining forth, In fear I covered my eyes with my palms, Afraid for my sight because of the beauty of his form. So I was scarcely able to look at him at all. The lights from his light are drowned in his light and his face shines out like the sun and moon in one. A spirit of light lodged in a body like the moon, a mantle made up of brilliant shining stars. I bore it until I could bear it no longer. I found the taste of patience to be like bitter aloes. I could find no remedy to bring me relief other than delighting in the sight of the one I love. Even if he had not brought any clear signs with him, the sight of him would dispense with the need for them. Muhammad is a human being but not like other human beings. Rather he is a flawless diamond and the rest of mankind is just stones. Blessings be on him so that perhaps Allah may have mercy on us on that burning Day when the Fire is roaring forth its sparks. ******************** 2. Beautiful as you, my eyes have never seen,

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with grace like yours, one has never been born Born free from all fault, Born as though you had yourself wished to be, As though the Lord of Muhammad and the Soul of Muhammad had come face to face, The Lord of Muhammad asks the Soul of Muhammad â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Tell me my beloved, how shall I create you?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; ******************** 3. He was the light and the brilliance we followed, He was sight and hearing second only to Allah, By Allah, no woman has conceived and given birth To one like the Messenger, the Prophet and Guide of His people. Nor Has Allah created among His creatures, One more faithful to His sojourner or His promise than he who was the source of our light. Blessed in his deeds, just and upright, O best of mankind, It was though I were in a river, But now, without you, I have become lonely in my thirst. Hassan ibn Thabit recited the above poem, on the passing away of Prophet Muhammad . ******************** For verily excellence of the Messenger of Allah has no limits, that a speaker might (be able to express) with his mouth. If his miracles were proportionate to his rank, in greatness, Then his name would have, when called out, brought decaying bones back to life. (Qasidah Burdah)

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Q: Is it a reprehensible innovation to send blessings on the Prophet between the rakaats of tarawih salaah? A: It is not a reprehensible innovation because sending peace and blessings on the Prophet is one of the best forms of zikr. Doing this frequently is a confirmed recommendation, without specification of time. It comes in a hasan (wellauthenticated) hadith, from Tirmidhi on the authority of Ubayy ibn Ka’b radhiallahu anhu who said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, verily I send blessings on you frequently in my supplications, so how much of them should I dedicate to you?’ He said, ‘As much as you wish.’ I said, ‘A quarter?’. He said, ‘As much as you like, the more you do, the better it is for you.’ I said, ‘One half?’ He said, ‘As much as you like, the more you do it is better for you.’ I said, ‘Two-thirds?’ He said, ‘As much as you like, the more you do, it is better for you.’ I said, ‘I will dedicate all my supplications to you, then.’ He said, ‘Then you will be sufficed from worry, and your sins will be forgiven.’ However, it is not permissible for a person to believe that sending blessings on the Prophet is actually a specific sunnah in this specific place, because it hasn’t been specifically established.

Rather it is a general sunnah, whereby it is permissible to do it at anytime, whether during tarawih or not. Q: Is it considered offensive wastefulness to leave the tap running while making ablution (Wudhu)? Does it matter if the amount of water is very small? What if opening and closing the tap takes time? Does leaving the shower running while taking a bath constitute offensive wastefulness? Does it matter that turning off the shower causes one to feel cold? A: Yes, leaving the water running while performing ablution is considered wasteful and offensive, even if the water only runs a little bit, because it constitutes consuming water without benefit. Someone performing ablution should only take the amount of water that he needs to completely wash his limbs; anything beyond this is offensive wastefulness. Opening and shutting the tap while making ablution does not require significant time and hardship. The same general rules apply to the purificatory bath, although there is more leeway here because the one performing the purificatory bath often needs to stay under the shower in order to clean himself better, or to cool himself down in summer, or to warm himself

up in winter. Whenever water is left running for a need such as this, it is not considered offensive; otherwise, it is considered offensive wastefulness. Q: Is it permitted to break a marriage engagement? A: 1. It is haraam to enter into a solemn promise without two matters: a) the determination to fulfill the promise; and b) the reasonable surety that one will in fact be able to fulfill the promise. (Radd al-Muhtar) If these two matters are present, then one's promise is permissible. After making a promise, it is generally highly recommended to fulfill it. It is not obligatory, as circumstances may well change. (ibid) If circumstances change, one should weigh which way greater benefit or lesser harm lies. When unsure, consult. Given the gravity of marriage, there is nothing wrong with breaking even a solemn engagement if there are genuine reasons to doubt the suitability of the potential spouse. 2. One should not make a formal promise to marry (i.e. an engagement) without the abovementioned conditions. One should simply express general interest, and ideally make it quite clear that it does not entail a formal engagement.

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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: It is believed that one should not keep or plant cactus plants at home. This may bring illness or bad fortune. Is this correct in the light of Islam? A. The belief that cactus plant brings evil and misfortune to oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home is incorrect. This has no basis in the Quraan and Hadith. You make keep the cactus plant and not remove it. Checked by: Mufti Ebrahim Desai

Q: Can Muslims eat eels? A: Eels are a type of fish, hence, it will be permissible to eat eels. (Hidayah, Vol.4, Pg.442) Allamah Damiri has also concluded that eels are a type of fish. (Hayatul Hayawaan, Vol.1, pg.225) Checked by: Mufti Ebrahim Desai

Q: Two sports teams play against each other. Is it allowed for the winning team to be rewarded by the losing team with gifts etc assuming before they play they do not know who will win. Is this considered a gamble and therefore not allowed or can it be seen as a test of skill resulting in reward of prize or money? A: In principle, if the prizes are awarded voluntarily, i.e. prior to the game, there is no formal decision obligating this exchange of prizes; it would be permissible and not be regarded a gamble. Conversely, if the gifting is made conditional, i.e. prior to the game, both teams agree that the losing team will be obligated to offer some reward to the winning team, the exchanges will be impermissible and be regarded a gamble. (Raddul Muhtaar, vol.6,

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pg.385) Note: If such gifting has become a common practice such that, even without a formal decision, the prize giving is considered necessary and the winners expect them, here too, the gifting will not be permissible. Nevertheless, if these unlawful gifts were received by anyone, the gifts should be returned to the owner. In the instance of being unable to trace the owner, the awards should be given to the poor and destitute. Checked by: Mufti Ebrahim Desai

Q: What is the maximum duration of breastfeeding? Can I breastfeed up to 30 months? A. The maximum stipulated period for breastfeeding is two years and not more. (Raddul Muhtaar) You are not allowed to breastfeed for 30 months. Checked by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Q: Can a woman in iddat (the waiting period for a widowed woman) wear coloured clothes, wear ear rings to keep the piercing open and use the phone and internet? A: What is meant by coloured clothes are those clothes which are worn to beautify oneself. Such clothes should not be worn. However, if the clothes are not new and are not generally used for beautification then they could be worn even though they may be coloured. (Hindiya 1/533) 6) It is permissible to speak on the phone, read the newspaper (permissible content) and use the internet for permissible purposes. If the ear

rings are worn occasionally with the intention that the ears that have been pierced do not close up and they are not exposed then this is acceptable. Answer by: Darul Ihsan

Q: Are Mentos sweets manufactured by Perfetti Halaal? A: The following Mentos sweets manufactured by Perfetti are not approved by SANHA as they contain E120 Cochineal (an insect derivative): Grape, Strawberry Yoghurt and Cherry yoghurt. Answer by: SANHA

Q: Is it Haraam to become a professional wrestler? A: In principle, wrestling is a Mubaah (permitted) act. It was common amongst the Sahabah to wrestle with one another. However, due to wrestling being an entertainment and commercialized, there are multiple unIslamic factors prevalent in such gatherings, e.g. a) Music, b) exposing of the Satar (part of the body that needs to be covered), c) intermingling of sexes and, d) people being unmindful of Salaah etc. Due to the predominance of these and other un-Islamic factors, it will be impermissible for a Muslim to undertake such a profession. Answer by: Mufti Ebrahim Desai

Q: Is it allowed in Islam to sell water? We are planning to process river water and sell in the market after filling in bottles. A: It is permissible to sell bottled water. Checked by: Mufti Ebrahim Desai

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To lie about why your child is absent or late

- Press 1

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lim Youth Connect www.iwwa.org.au - Islamic Womens

Welfare Association, Australia www.messagemagazine.com.au - Mes-

sage Magazine, Australia www.uma.org.au - United Muslims of

Australia www.teabreakthoughts.blogspot.com -

Blog of a Canadian Muslim lady http://hurairah.net/ - Islamic info http://islamfinland.wordpress.com/ -

Islam in a Finnish Muslim eyes www.muslimkidsville.com - Muslim

Kidsville. Online activities http://mumlovesme.com/ - Articles for

mums and mums to be www.askamufti.com - Mufti Ikram ul

Haq, Rhode Island, USA www.ihh.org.tr/anasayfa/en - Founda-

tion for Human Rights, Turkey www.muslims.net - News www.muslimsistersjamaat.org.uk/

index.php - Muslim Sisters Jamaat, UK www.muslimhealthnetwork.org - Mus-

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To request time off for extra school activi-

ties - Press 2 To make excuses for why your child did not

do his work - Press 3 To promise, again, that overdue fees will be

sent tomorrow - Press 4 To complain about what we do - Press 5 To swear at staff members - Press 6 To complain that your child failed exams,

when he’d only been coming 3 days a week for barely an hour a day - Press 7 To ask why your child isn’t progressing

while you haven’t checked his work due to being busy - Press 8 To request another teacher, for the third

time this year - Press 9 If you realize this is the real world and your

child must be accountable and responsible for his/her behavior, class work, homework and it's not all the teachers' fault for your child's lack of effort and parents have a role to play together with the teacher: Hang up and have a nice day!’ The Madresa/Maktab is playing a vital role in saving your child from everlasting torture in Hell.

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The base for combating the evil around us is the home. Part three of tips on building a strong home:

6. Getting rid of the devil. ‘When any one of you enters his home and mentions the Name of Allah when he enters and when he eats, the devil says: ‘You have no place to stay and nothing to eat here.’ If he enters and does not mention the name of Allah when he enters, [the devil] says, ‘You have a place to stay.’ If he does not mention the name of Allah when he eats, [the devil says], ‘You have a place to stay and something to eat.’’ (Musnad, 3:346; Muslim, 3:1599) ‘If a man goes out of his house and says, ‘Bismillah, tawakkaltu ‘ala Allah, laa hawla wa laa quwwata illaa Billah (In the name of Allah, I put my trust in Allah, there is no help and no strength except in Allah),’ … the devil will stay away from him...’’ (Abu Dawood) Continuously reciting Surah Baqarah in the house keeps away the devil: ‘Do not make your houses into graves. The devil flees from a house in which Surah Baqarah is recited.’ (Muslim, 1:539) 7. Islamic knowledge. ‘O you who believe! Save yourselves and your families a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones…’ (Quraan 66:6) Tabari rahimahullah said: ‘We must teach our children and wives the religion and goodness, and whatever they need of good manners. If the Prophet used to urge the teaching of female servants ... what do you think about your children and wives, who are free?’ Sheikh Salih al Munajjid

A little girl stood with her Mom and some of us under the awning just inside the store. It was pouring outside. We waited. The little girl’s voice broke the hypnotic trance we were all in. ‘Mom, let's run through the rain,’ she said. ‘What?’ Mom asked. ‘Let's run through the rain!’ she repeated. ‘No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit,’ Mom replied. The child waited a minute and repeated: ‘Mom, let's run through the rain.’ ‘We'll get soaked if we do,’ Mom said. ‘No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning,’ the young girl said. ‘This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?’ ‘Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, ‘God can get us through this, He can get us through anything!’ The entire crowd became silent. The mother paused. Some would laugh it off and scold the little girl for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said, but this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith. ‘Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If God let's us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing,’ Mom said. Then off they ran. Everyone stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars. And yes, I ran. I got wet. I needed washing. Use the opportunities presented to us to plant the seed of faith in Allah, especially in our young ones.

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1.It is narrated in al-Mawaahib al-Ladunniyya from Tafseer al-Qushayr that on the Day of Judgement, the good deeds of a certain believer will weigh less in the Scales. The Messenger of Allah will take out a parchment the size of a fingertip and place it in the pan of good deeds, causing it to outweigh the bad deeds of this believer. The believer will exclaim, ‘May my parents be sacrificed for your sake. Who are you? How beautiful you are in countenance and in character!’ The Noble Prophet will reply, ‘I am your prophet and this is your conferring of blessings and salutations upon me. I have repaid it in this time of need.’ 2. Anas narrates that the Noble Prophet said, ‘The person in whose presence I am mentioned should confer blessings upon me. Whoever confers blessings upon me once, Allah confers ten blessings upon him.’ 3. Abdullah ibn Masud narrates that the Messenger of Allah said, ‘Indeed, those closest to me on the Day of Judgement will be those who confer blessings upon me the most.’ 4. In Zaad al-Sa’aad, it is mentioned that the Noble Prophet said, ‘Whoever confers blessings upon me in a book (i.e. in writing), the angels shall continue conferring blessings upon him as long as my name remains in this book.’ Virtues of Durood, Sheikh Zakariyya Kandelwi rahimahullah

Paella is a Valencian rice dish that originated in its modern form in the mid-19th century on the east coast of Spain. Many non-Spaniards view paella as Spain's national dish. There are three widely known types of paella: Valencian paella, seafood paella and mixed paella but there are many others as well. Valencian paella consists of white rice, green vegetables, meat, snails, beans and seasoning. A popular belief in the Arab world is that the word paella derives from the Arabic word for leftovers, ‘baqiyah’, because it was customary among Arab sailors to combine leftovers of previous meals which led to a paella-like creation in Muslim Spain. The Muslims of Spain often made casseroles of rice, fish and spices for family gatherings and religious feasts, thus establishing the custom of eating rice in Spain. This led to rice becoming a staple by the 15th century when Spanish Christians expelled the Muslims. Afterwards, it became customary for cooks to combine rice with vegetables, beans and dry cod, providing an acceptable meal for Lent. During the 20th century, paella's popularity spread past Spain's borders. As other cultures set out to make paella, the dish acquired regional influences. Paella is now an international dish with recipes that include ingredients very different from its original versions in Valencia. According to tradition in Valencia, paella is cooked by men over an open fire, fueled by orange and pine branches along with pine cones. This produces an aromatic smoke which infuses the paella.

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SUNNAH / MUSLIM INFLUENCE

Reciting Durood (Salaat and Salaam/ Blessings) on Prophet Muhammad earns the reciter numerous rewards. Here are a few:

HISTORY / FUTURE

Muslims are 8 percent (100,000) on Trinidad and Tobago: oil-rich islands in the Caribbean. The majority live in Trinidad. The first Muslims were black slaves from the Mandingo tribe of West Africa, many of whom embraced Islam in the 1740's. The 2nd group arrived in 1816 as part of the African-born Georgia (US) Corps of Colonial Marines. They were followed by African Muslims of the West India Regiments 1817-1825, and more African Muslims brought when the UK Navy intercepted slaving ships. From the 1840s, Muslims came from South Asia as part of the Indian indenture system to work on sugar cane and cacao plantations. Muslims today are mostly of South Asian descent. There are Muslim primary and secondary schools. Government recognizes Muslim holidays and Eid ul Fitr is a public holiday.

The appearance of Imam Mahdi is among the major signs of the last day of this world. Here are events surrounding him: Three persons, sons of Khulafaa (leaders)

In 1884 the UK army fired on unarmed Muslims killing 22 and injuring 120 in the Muharram Massacre. In 1990, 114 members of Jamaat al Muslimeen staged a coup. They stormed Parliament, took the government hostage and captured the TV and radio stations but surrendered after 6 days. The first Musjid was built in 1850 and Trinidad has the western hemisphere's highest concentration of Musjids (85). Jinnah Memorial Musjid featured on a stamp. From the 1930s, the maktab system played a vital role in imparting Islamic education to younger Muslims. Numerous elected officials were and are Muslim including a speaker of Parliament and the President, and many businesses are Muslim-owned. There are several Muslim organizations including Tabligh Jamaat and a Darul Uloom. The first Muslim came to the Tobago 70 years ago and there are two Musjids on the island.

will fight at the Ka’bah. An army with black flags will come from the east to fight a huge battle. They will be led by Imam Mahdi. Until Eesa descends a group of Muslims will continue fighting for the truth. Imam Mahdi will be the last leader of this group. He will be a descendant of Prophet Muhammad and will rule for seven years. Eesa will come down to earth in his time. An army of Allah’s chosen men will wage Jihad against India and gain victory. (This could be the previous Jihads or another Jihad). When this army returns it will find Eesa in Syria. The Romans will reach A’maq or Wabiq and an army of Muslims from Madinah will face them. The Romans will demand the release of a prisoner. The Muslims will refuse and war will break out. One third of the Muslim army will flee and never be forgiven, one third will be martyred and one third will be victorious. These soldiers will then conquer Constantinople (Istanbul in Turkey) under the leadership of Imam Mahdi. A (false) rumour will arise that Dajjal had appeared. The army will go to Syria and Dajjal would truly emerge at the beginning of a century. At this time knowledge will decrease, the Arabs and pious people will be few, and religion will be weak.

Extracted from the work of Mufti Muhammad Rafi Uthmani and Mujlisul Ulam. Part Three in next issue

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Formed in May 2000 Minara Chamber of Commerce represents and assists South African Muslim businesses and entrepreneurs. The Chamber’s activities are based on the need to provide a formal voice and guiding vision for Muslim Business. The constitution and workings are based on an Islamic Code of Conduct. Membership is open to business owners, professionals, entrepreneurs, organizations and students across South Africa. The Chamber has received official recognition from the South African government and trade organizations and has established formal relationships with other Chambers of Commerce. It is an executive member of SANHA. Some Activities Providing SMME’s with an opportunity to network and interact with established businesses and incoming trade delegations. Conducting business skills development workshops. Publishing newsletters containing articles of interest. Hosting networking events where guests from business and government are invited to address members on topical issues. Referring SMME’s to financial Institutions to obtain access to finance. Passing on information of our members to foreign trade agencies. Contact Tel: 011 022 9898 Fax: 086 572 9898 Email: gtn@minara.org.za www.minara.org.za

A few years after I was born, Dad met a stranger who was new to our town. Dad was fascinated with him and invited him to live with us. The stranger was quickly accepted. I never questioned his place in my family. Mom taught me good from evil, Dad taught me to obey. But the stranger was our storyteller. He would keep us spellbound for hours with adventures, mysteries and comedies. If I wanted to know anything, he always knew the answers. He took my family to their first soccer game. He made me laugh, and he made me cry. He never stopped talking, but Dad didn't mind. Dad ruled our household with certain moral convictions, but the stranger never honored them. Profanity was not allowed in our home; not from us, our friends or any visitors. Our visitor, however, got away with words that burned my ears, made my dad squirm and my mother blush. Dad didn't permit alcohol. But the stranger encouraged us to try it on a regular basis. He made cigarettes look cool and talked freely about sex. My early concepts about relationships were influenced by the stranger. He opposed the values of my parents, yet he was NEVER asked to leave. 50 years have passed since the stranger moved in with us. He has blended right in and is not nearly as fascinating as he was at first. Still, if you could walk into my parents' den today, you would still find him sitting over in his corner, waiting for someone to listen to him talk and watch him draw his pictures. His name? We just call him ‘TV’. (He has a wife now. We call her ‘Computer’. Their first child is ‘Cell Phone’. Their second is ‘iPod’.)

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