P3 Commerce P4 Brain Boost P7 Hajj Fun Game P8 The Dinner Date P10 Angels’ Duas P12 Fish & Salt
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The Hajj of 2010 was as memorable as the Hajj of past years. Here are a few glimpses into this unique occasion in a Muslim’s life: The scene for Hajj 2010 was set by the record number of 4 million people who performed Umrah this year. During Hajj pilgrims belonging to 180 countries visited Saudi Arabia. These included 120 year old Munni Begum from India, perhaps the oldest woman on record to undertake the holy journey. In 2004 Habib Miyan went for Haj aged 134. Among those who attended Hajj this year were 1,300 Muslims hosted by the Saudi king, as well as 13,500 Chinese Muslims. To facilitate the fifth floor of the Jamrat Bridge in open to pilgrims
Islamic Focus
Hajj, the high tech Mina was this Hajj
Issue 84
Igniting the Spirit of Islam
season. The monorail system was tried out by local pilgrims. Out of the around 2.5 million people who came for Haj, 700,000 walk to the holy sites. 75,000 buses and other vehicles were used to transport the other pilgrims. 1,761,395 Haj visas were issued this year to foreign pilgrims, while another 800,000 were issued to locals putting the estimated number of permit-wielding Haj pilgrims at over 2.56 million.
Dec 2010
Arafat where they complete the wuquf, an important rite of Haj. It is because of this that the people of Makkah call this day the ‘Orphan Day.’ With the Grand Musjid particularly quiet, the people of Makkah, particularly women whose husbands are working in the Hajj business, visit the complex to offer prayers and circumambulate the Ka’ba.
The Health Ministry mobilized about 17,000 doctors, nurses and paramedical staff and 39 mobile medical teams for Hajj duty. Around 250 Saudi scouts in Madinah helped and guided Hajj pilgrims. The scouts were equipped with GPS devices to help pilgrims find their way.
Arafat Day usage on Mobily's cellular networks in the Makkah area jumped by 46% compared to last year. Mobily is the official partner with Makkah province. Mobily provides free public WiFi during Hajj. The Ministry of Health assisted 364 sick pilgrims in performing Hajj. They were taken from their hospitals in special ambulances to complete the rituals of Hajj.
The city of Makkah becomes unusually empty on 9th Zul Hijjah as pilgrims are in
May Allah reward those who assisted in making Hajj a memorable experience.
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WORLD NEWS
QATAR - Qatar was chose to host the 2022 FIFA Soccer World Cup. (Arab News, 5 Dec) KENYA - Police arrested hundreds of people in the Eastleigh suburb of Nairobi, an area where many Somalis live. (BBC, 6 Dec) ALBANIA - 12,000 people moved from their homes following the country’s worst flooding in living memory. (BBC, 5 Dec) SAUDI - King Abdullah had a second back operation in the US. (BBC, 3 Dec) YEMEN - US cables released by the Wikileaks website suggest that Yemen allowed secret US air strikes against Islamists. President Saleh claimed raids were conducted by Yemen's military when they were in fact carried out by the US. (BBC, 4 Dec) UK - Muslim cleric Abu Hamza won his appeal against UK government attempts to strip him of his British passport. (BBC, 5 Nov) IRAQ - 220 Iraqi civilians were subjected to systemic abuse, including torture, by UK soldiers, solicitors said in High Court, submitting video evidence to support their claims. (BBC, 5 Nov) INDONESIA - Several airlines suspended flights between Singapore and Indonesia because of volcanic ash spewing from Mount Merapi in central Java. Merapi, one of the world's most active volcanoes, killed more than 130 people. (BBC, 6 Nov)
BAHRAIN - Voting saw supporters of the country's Sunni-led government win a majority in the lower house of parliament. (BBC, 1 Nov) GAMBIA - Gambia cut all ties with Iran and ordered all Iranian representatives to leave. (BBC, 23 Nov) INDONESIA - One of Indonesia's top celebrities, pop star Nazril Irham went on trial for his role in sex videos. (BBC, 22 Nov) TURKMENISTAN - Turkmenistan pledged to supply natural gas for the planned Nabucco pipeline, a project that should allow EU countries to rely less on Russian energy. (BBC, 19 Nov) BOLIVIA - President Morales addressing the conference of defence ministers of the Americas accused the US of backing coup attempts against him and other Latin American leaders. Morales is a staunch critic of the US. He said US policies to combat drugs and terrorism were pretexts for intervention in the region. (BBC, 24 Nov) PALESTINE - A Palestinian blogger was locked up in the West Bank after mocking Islam, the Quran and Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wa sallam in online postings. Insulting religion is a crime under Palestinian law. (BBC, 23 Nov) IRAN - Schools, offices and factories closed in Tehran, Nov 24 because of high air-pollution levels (BBC, 23 Nov 2010)
AZERBAIJAN - Results in parliamentary elections are pre-determined and will consolidate power in the hands of the ruling Yeni Azerbaijan Party, say opposition leaders. (BBC, 7 Nov)
SAUDI - The highest camel deal of the season saw 10 camels bought for SR5 million (R10 million) each. The second highest sales of camels this year was for 15 rare camels for SR60 million. (ArabNews, 25 Nov)
AFGHANISTAN - The war in Afghanistan cost the Pentagon around $100 billion in direct costs for 2010. The cost from 2001 to April 2009 was $171 billion. An estimated 2,000 Taliban were killed in 2010. Thus, it cost $100 million to kill one Taliban soldier. To wipe out the estimated 35,000 Taliban will cost a staggering $1,7 trillion. (Al Haq 37)
AFGHANISTAN - Violence reached an all-time high, with clashes up fourfold since 2007, the Pentagon said in a report to the US Congress. They also said there were only modest gains against Taliban freedom fighters. There are 97,000 US and 48,800 troops from other countries at present while there are 35,000 Taliban troops. (BBC, 23 Nov)
PALESTINE - An Israeli soldier was jailed after photos emerged of him pointing his gun at a handcuffed and blindfolded Palestinian prisoner. Over the last few months, a number of photographs of Israeli soldiers humiliating detainees emerged. (BBC, 1 Nov)
PAKISTAN - A Christian lady was sentenced to death under blasphemy laws after she insulted Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wa sallam. (BBC, 23 Nov)
Islamic Focus
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Forgetting: When we constantly remind our spouses of all the times they let us down or hurt us we have not truly forgiven. Things that happened in the past must be left there and not be used as fresh ammunition in new situations. Couples who use this technique usually fall in a rut and become victims of their own pettiness, unable to break free. Friendship: Firstly develop a friendship with our spouses. A relationship based on friendship is more able to withstand outside pressures. We honor, trust, respect, accept and care for our friends, in spite of our differences. These are the aspects of friendship we should bring to our marriages. Secondly we should have friendly relations with in-laws. When couples compete as to whose parents are more important it becomes a constant source of grief. Much valuable time is wasted trying to convince, one another of whose parents are most desirable. It is better if we accept that our spouses will not overnight fall in love with our parents just because we want them to. As long as they maintain friendly relations that are cordial we should not force the issue. Fun: Couples that do not laugh together have to work on sharing some fun times. The Prophet was known to play with his wives. A simple walk in the park can add much spark to the relationship.
The Quraan states: ‘When the (Friday) prayer is complete, disperse through the land and seek the bounty of Allah (through trade or lawful activity.’ The Hadith tells us that ‘The quest of halaal earning is a duty after a duty.’ Thus, seeking a halaal sustenance is a religious obligation second in importance to religious observances like prayer, fasting, etc. A. Legal Activity Trade entails dealing with people. The association between buyer and seller must be sustained by: 1. Mutual Consent. ‘O you who believe, do not eat up each other’s property by wrong means except by way of trade based on mutual consent.’ (Quraan) 2. Unimposing Salesmanship. ‘Beware of excessive oaths in trade, it (may help) to secure a deal but will subsequently wipe out blessings.’ (Hadith) 3. Compassion. The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said, ‘May Allah show compassion to a man who is lenient when he sells, buys or demands payment.’ (Bukhari) 4. Legal Commodity. A Muslim may only sell items that he himself is allowed to use or consume. Umar radhiallahu anhu found out that a man was selling alcohol. He said, ‘May Allah curse him! Does he not know that Allah’s Messenger sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said: ‘May Allah curse the Jews. Allah had prohibited them from consuming the fat of animals, yet they melted it and sold it.’’ (Bukhari) Adapted from Jamiatul Ulama Fordsburg
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MARRIAGE / BUSINESS
Part two of simple tips to create a happy marriage:
HEALTH / HAPPINESS
Feeling lethargic? Here are some tips from the Quraan and hadith to boost your brain, the control centre of the body:
1. Sleep. Sleep restores, replenishes and rebuilds areas of the brain and body. The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam disliked sleeping before the night prayer or staying up to chat or engage in entertainment after it. (Bukhari) Take a nap during the heat of noon as mentioned in the Quraan (24:58). This is also a practice of the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam and the Sahaaba. The afternoon nap strengthens the mind. (Zaadul Ma’aad in Ash Shamaail al Kubra, Vol 2) 2. Move. Bodily movement (walking for 20 minutes a day) clears the mind and releases endorphins responsible for the feeling of wellbeing. The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said, ‘A strong Muslim is better than a weak Muslim.’ (Muslim) The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam used to walk with vigorous strides. (Shamaail Tirmizhi) 3. Eat. A balanced diet will get us the nutrients we need while remembering the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam told us that the root cause of disease is to overeat. Olive oil protects our circulatory system and efficiently supplies our brains with the needed oxygen and nutrients. The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said, ‘Use olive oil for eating and also for massaging because it is the oil of an auspicious tree.’ (Ibid) Wasilah radhiallahu anhu reports that the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam advised us to eat bottle gourd (calabash) as it increases mental vigour. (Ibid) Adapted from islamunveiled.org
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The way to happiness is found within an Islamic lifestyle. The first element to ensure happiness in this world is sound belief. To achieve happiness one needs a solid foundation and this foundation is belief. With this, even death becomes a source of happiness. Many were the Sahaaba who expressed joy at dying, such as the Sahaabi, who when he was stabbed to death by an enemy, proclaimed: ‘I am successful, by the Lord of the Kabah!’
Belief in Allah and in His perfect attributes deeply influences a Muslim's character and outlook on life. It drives him to acquire good qualities. This achieves, for both the individual and society, a life of ideal values and collective happiness. Belief in the angels of Allah makes man feel he is not alone in this universe and that it abounds with good, friendly creatures. This makes life pleasant for him. Belief in the Day of Judgment drives man to control his behavior and life according to the Divine Laws of justice and righteousness, leading to a life of bliss. Belief in the Hereafter is an essential element that helps to control human delinquency and establish collective happiness in society. Belief in Divine Destiny is a major element of a stable personality. When you submit to the Divine Decree and feel certain that ‘What befalls you would not have missed you and what misses you would not have befallen you’, you grow stronger in the face of calamities, face them with patience and courage and not succumb to them or be paralyzed with shock or despair.
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From various Ulama
www.sunnipath.com | www.shafiifiqh.com Q: Is it permissible to give the meat of Qurbani to a non-Muslim? A: It is not permissible to give the meat of Qurbani to a non-Muslim, whether as Sadaqah (charity) or as a gift. The reason is that the meat is intended for the Muslims. Answer by: Valli Publications
Q: Can the skin of a Qurbani animal be sold? A: It is not permissible to sell the skin of the animal whether it was sold in order to give the money as Sadaqah (charity) or sold for ones own benefit. Answer by: Valli Publications
Q: Should a person praying Salaah get straight back up after the second sajdah instead of sitting then standing? A: The view in the Shafi school, based on a number of authentic traditions, considers the jalsah al-istiraahah (a short sitting after the second sajdah before standing up to the second or fourth rakaats respectively) as a highly recommended sunnah. Answer by: Sheikh Abdurragmaan Khan
Q: Can a fasting person apply perfume? A: The Shafi school states that it is recommended for the one fasting to refrain from all forms of luxuries and desires. This would include the application and smelling of perfumes. One version of a hadith states: ‘He (the fasting person) leaves his luxuries for My (Allah’s) sake…’ Accordingly, the application of perfume is not forbidden, rather, its usage is not recommended. Answer by: Sheikh Abdurragmaan Khan
Islamic Focus
Q: I am a software engineer and I produce software for a bank. Is it halal (e.g. creating software, maintaining software, online banking software)? A: ‘Muslims have consensus that Riba (usury) is Haram, and that it is from the major sins.’ (Majmu, Imam Nawawi 9:295) There are two types of banking systems today, Islamic and conventional. Islamic banking is a financial institution that conforms to Islamic Law. Therefore, it is permissible to develop software for the Islamic banks. Conventional banking is a financial institution whose activities mostly are involved in interest based transactions. If the software is developed to calculate and charge riba (interest) such that it has no other purpose, in that case it is impermissible. If the software has several functions, and it may be used for the riba-based transactions such would be permissible, but disliked if a person doesn’t know that the bank will use it for a ribabased transaction. It would be impermissible if he knows for certain that the bank will use it for a riba-based transaction. If the software is not meant for the riba-based transaction, then this would be permissible. Answer by: Abdullah Al-Marbuqi
Q: What is the ruling on wiping the face after making dua (supplication) in Qunut within Salah? What about dua outside Salah? A: Shafi jurists disagree as to whether or not one should
wipe the face with the hands after dua within the Qunut of Salah. Imam Nawawi states that the correct view is that it is not established to wipe the face with one’s hands after the qunut within Salah. In fact, it is makrooh (detestable). Imam Nawawi holds that it is recommended, however, to wipe one’s face after the dua outside of Salah. Answer by: Shafiifiqh.com Research Team
Q: What quantity is regarded as extravagant with regards to gold ornaments by which zakaat is compulsory on it? A: The extravagance spoken of by the jurists pertains, not to the entire collection of gold that a woman might own, but rather to a specific piece of gold jewellery. E.g. If a woman owns 20 sets of earrings, each of which is of regular size, with the intention of wearing them all one after the other, this would not constitute extravagance. The idea of extravagance arises where she owns a single piece of jewellery which is abnormally large. The determining factor is whether the abnormally large piece of jewellery is still perceived to be attractive, or whether it appears unappealing. Where it still displays attraction it would not be considered extravagance; whereas it would be extravagant, and therefore impermissible and zakatable, where it is perceived as unappealing to the balanced onlooker. Answer by: Sheikh Taha Karaan
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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: I went for Hajj with my family in 2004. My wife had a discharge, (not the monthly one), which nullified her wudhu. At that time she was unaware that a discharge breaks wudhu. As a result, she performed Tawaf Ziyaarah, Tawaaf Wida, Tawaaf Umrah, and several nawaafil tawaaf without wudhu. If she needs to offer damm (compensation) for these tawaaf, can we request our friends who are going for hajj this year to perform it? Also what will be intention for this damm, and do they need to mention my wife’s name? A: If all or most of the Tawaaf Ziyaarah was performed without wudhu, then damm will be compulsory. If less than half of the Tawaaf Ziyaarah (3 or less circuits) was performed without wudhu, half a Saa (1.75kg to 2.32 kg) of wheat (or its monetary equivalent which is equal to the amount given for Sadaqat-ul-Fitr) will have to be given as Sadaqah (charity) for every circuit performed without wudhu. If Tawaaf Widaa or any Nafl Tawaaf was performed without wudhu, half a Saa of wheat (or its monetary equivalent) will have to be given as Sadaqah for every circuit performed without wudhu. If any circuit of Tawaaf of Umrah was performed without wudhu, then a damm will be compulsory. The damm has to be given inside the Haram. Damm refers to the slaughtering of a goat, a sheep or a oneseventh of a cow or camel
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within the precincts of the Haram in lieu of certain violations made while performing the rites of Hajj. The person performing the damm will make the intention of performing it on behalf of your wife. The Sadaqah can be given outside the Haram. Answer by: Moulana Suhail Bengali
Q: Can a man marry his wife’s sister’s (sister-inlaw’s) daughter? A: A man cannot marry his wife's sister's daughter until he is divorced from his wife, or she passes away. Answer by: Moulana Suhail Bengali
Q: If Janaza (funeral) prayers are being performed in the Musjid where the daily and Jumah prayers are performed should I participate? A: According to the Hanafi school of thought, it is makruh tahreemi to offer Janazah Salah in the Musjid which has been built for the five daily salah, the Jumuah salah or the Eid salah, whether the Janazah is offered inside the musjid or the Janazah is placed outside while the people are standing inside. If there is no place outside the musjid or there is another valid reason, then offering the salah of Janazah in the musjid is not makruh. Answer by: Moulana Suhail Bengali
Q: Is nikah (marriage) over the phone permissible? My fiancé has three Muslim, male witnesses on his side and I have one Muslim female on my side.
A: In principle, marriage conducted over the telephone is not permissible since it does not fulfill the criteria needed for acceptance. In order for marriage to take place, both ijaab (proposal) and qabool (acceptance) must take place in the presence of at least two witnesses. Even with the presence of witnesses, they will not be there to physically witness both the proposal and acceptance. However, as an alternative, it will be permissible for your fiancé to appoint someone else as an agent to come to you on his behalf to contract the marriage and to pronounce the proposal and acceptance on his behalf. For example, if your husband is person A, you are person B, and your husband’s appointed agent is person C, then C will initiate the offer to B on behalf of A. Person C can address B in words such as: ‘Being an authorized agent of A, I marry A, son of so-and-so to you.’ Thereafter, B (you) will reply: ‘I accepted this marriage.’ This process must take place in the presence of at least two Muslim, sane, mature male witnesses or one male and two female witnesses. Therefore if you still only have one female Muslim witness with you the nikah will be invalid. If the above guidelines are followed, then it will be considered as a valid marriage contract and you both will be husband and wife according to Shari’ah. (Contemporary Fatawa, pg132) Answer by: Mufti Asif Umar
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The Hajj Fun Game is an Islamic board game produced by Goodword Kidz.
www.tafseer-raheemi.com - Sheikh Ab-
The Hajj Fun Game offers entertainment and fun and at the same time makes it easy to learn the meaning and message of Hajj. It helps you acquire a knowledge of the important historical places associated with it.
dur Raheem Limbada www.akacademy.eu - Al Kawthar Academy, Birmingham, UK www.youtube.com/user/hanafifiqh Hanafi Fiqh Islamic Channel www.daruliftaa.com - Darul Iftaa, Leicester, UK. Mufti Kawthari www.baytuliman.org - Baytul Iman Academy, New Jersey, USA www.littleexplorersmagazine.co.uk Little Explorers Magazine for kids www.usahajjmission.com - USA Hajj Mission www.islamise.co.uk/islam/ - Lectures, Nasheeds, etc www.ayeshas.org - Ayeshas Community College, London www.womeninislam.ws/en/ - Women in Islam resources www.corkmosque.org - Cork Musjid, Ireland www.askamufti.com - Fatwa Center of America. Mufti Ikramul Haq www.shabirally.com - Shabir Ally. Talks, articles on Dawah www.muslimadvocates.org - Muslim Advocates, USA www.uwamsa.org - University of Western Australia MSA http://islam.iinet.net.au/ - Islam Australia Network www.aussiemuslims.net - Aussie Muslims Network
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It will enable you to learn how the acts and rites are performed during Hajj, and what its do's and don'ts are. In short, the Hajj Fun Game will bring alive the annual pilgrimage of Hajj. This game introduces you to the Hajj pilgrimage and helps you :
Learn all about it! Know the historical places of Hajj Know how the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) performed his hajj Cherish the message of the hajj!
Ages 8 to Adult. A good gift for children and source of inspiration for the entire family. Price is around R100.
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INTERNET / REVIEW
Enrich your web experience. Not all content on all sites Islamic-compliant. Consult Ulama.
SUCCESS / INSPIRATION
Prophet Ibrahim alaihis salaam was honoured with the fact that Allah inspired Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wa sallam to follow his religion. (Quraan 16:123) Here are four qualities found in Ibrahim alaihis salaam that saw him achieve true success:
1. Piety. Ibrahim alaihis salaam is described as an Ummah in the Quraan (16:120). This refers to a model to be followed in respect of true religion and piety. The benefits of piety include the fact that millions of Muslims pray daily in the Tashahhud of Salaah for peace for the pious slaves of Allah. The pious shall inherit Paradise (Quraan 21:105) and they are excellent companions. (Quraan 4:69) 2. Being devout to Allah. This is a quality of Ibrahim alaihis salaam. (Quraan 167:120) It was the salient feature of the Prophets and pious people that they exerted themselves in devotion to Allah. The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam used to say such long prayers that his legs used to swell. (Shamaail Tirmizi) 3. Worshipping One God. 4. Thankful to Allah. Ibrahim alaihis salaam was grateful to Allah for the favours He had given him. (Quraan 16:121) As a result Ibrahim alaihis salaam was favoured with four blessings: 1. Allah chose him as a friend, 2. guided him to the straight path, 3. gave him good in this world, and 4. in the Hereafter he will be of the righteous. If we adopt the qualities of the Prophets, we will also achieve similar success. When Allah mentions saving Prophet Yunus alaihis salaam (Quraan 21:88), He says: ‘...and thus We do deliver the believers.’
Islamic Focus
After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner. She said, ‘I love you, but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you.’ The other woman was my mother, a widow for 19 years, but the demands of my work and three children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally. That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner. ‘What’s wrong, are you well?’ she asked. ‘I thought that it would be pleasant to spend some time with you,’ I responded. ‘Just the two of us.’ She said, ‘I would like that very much.’ That Friday after work, I arrived at her house. She smiled as radiantly as an angel. ‘I told my friends I was going out with my son, and they were impressed,’ she said. We went to a restaurant and I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print. Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at me. ‘It was I who used to read the menu when you were small,’ she said. A few days later, my mother died of a heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn’t have a chance to do anything for her. Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the place mother and I had dined. A note said: ‘I paid this bill in advance. I wasn’t sure I could be there; but I paid for two plates: for you and your wife. You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you, son.’ At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: ‘I love you’ and to give our loved ones the time they deserve. Nothing in life is more important than your family.
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Abu Bakr studied in the Madrassa originally set up by his ancestor Emir Suleyman for the people of the area. Further studies were in Erzurum, Istanbul, and Makkah. Abu Bakr introduced the fez for men, as well as reinstating the hijab for women. Besides his role as teacher he also published the Arabic Afrikaans ‘Uiteensetting van die godsdiens’ (Bayan adDin, or The Exposition of the Religion) in 1877. It was printed by the Turkish Ministry of Education and serves as a valuable reference of the Afrikaans usage during that era and was the first book written and published in Afrikaans, although written in a modified Arabic script. Abu Bakr had 5 sons from his marriage with Tohora Saban Cook, the niece of the famous explorer Captain James Cook. Some of the family continue to stay in South Africa. One son got into politics but was suppressed by the Apartheid government. Others served in the Ottoman army.
Muslim contributions to the sciences was immense. Here are a few Muslim contributions to geography:
Roundness of the Earth. When Plato (348 BC) introduced the theory about the roundness of the Earth, the Roman State rejected it. The Church vehemently stated the Earth was flat. While Europe and the Church opposed the theory that the world was round, Muslim civilization revived and adopted it. Muslim geographers from the 9th century on like Ibn Khardazabah, Ibn Rustah, and scholars like Ibn Hazm explicitly stated that the earth was round, not flat. Maps. Al-Idrisi produced maps which were the greatest in cartography in the middle ages. They were the most complete, accurate and detailed maps ever. Muslims were the first to set longitude and latitude lines on the maps of the Earth. They were set by scientist AlMarakishy (1262 CE) to help Muslims specify prayers time all over the world. Al-Biruni set a mathematical rule for flattening the Earth and drawing geographical maps. Measuring the Earth. Abbasid Caliph, Mamoun (833 CE) was the first to measure the dimensions of the Earth. He assigned two teams of astronomers and geographers and their results as compared to today’s were staggeringly accurate: They measured one degree of longitude as 56.66 miles while the average measurement by contemporary science is 56.93 miles. They estimated the diameter of the Earth as 41,248 km while satellite measurement nowadays puts it at 40,070 km.
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BIOGRAPHY / MUSLIM INFLUENCE
Abu Bakr Effendi (born 1835 in Shehrizur, died 1880) was one of the scholars who made an impact on Islam in South Africa. Sheikh Abu Bakr Effendi was an Ottoman judge who was sent in 1862 by the Ottoman Sultan Abdul Majid I at the request of the British Queen Victoria to the Cape of Good Hope in order to teach and assist the Muslim Cape Malay community. Effendi was from the Quraishi family from Mecca. He was a direct descendant of Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wa sallam. Other imams in the Cape were mostly Shafis, he was the first Hanafi teacher for which he also established a madrassa in Cape Town. He was not widely accepted as his Hanafi rulings were, in some instances, at odds with the Shafi populace.
HISTORY / SUNNAH
35% of the population of the mainland (Tanganyika) is Muslim while 99% of the island of Zanzibar is Muslim. Islam came to Tanzania in the 9th century CE. The earliest evidence of Islam in East Africa is the foundation of a Musjid in Shanga on Pate Island estimated from around 830 CE. The oldest intact building in East Africa is the Kizimkazi Musjid in Zanzibar dating from 1007. Islam was widespread in the Indian Ocean area by the 14th century. When Ibn Battuta visited East Africa in 1332, he reported that he felt at home because of Islam in the area. The coastal population was largely Muslim and Arabic was the language of literature and trade. Islam was spread mainly through trade activities along the East African coast. When Portugal invaded the area in the 16th century, almost all the ruling families were Muslim. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Muslims ousted the Portuguese with the help of Oman. Oman increased its political influence until the 19th century. When Oman ruled, Islam spread into the interior of East Africa. Many chiefs converted to Islam. The language that developed along the East African coast was Swahili, derived from Arabic. Muslims played an important role in the Maji Maji uprising against the Germans in 1905-7. They also played a vital role in gaining independence from Britain. There has been a Muslim president of Tanzania as well. The majority of Muslims are Shafis. There are also Muslims of Indian, Yemeni and Omani origin. Islamic schools have been established. Arabic is the third official language of Zanzibar and some have called for Zanzibar to declare independence.
These are some of the actions that earn one the Salaat (supplication) of the Angels: 1. First Row of Salaah ‘Verily, Allah and His Angels send Salaat upon (the people of) the first row.’ [Sunan Abu Dawood] (The Angels’ Salaat is that they supplicate for the people). 2. Right Side of Row in Salaah ‘Verily, Allah and His Angels send Salaat upon (the people) of the right side of the rows.’ [Fathul-Baree 2:213] 3. Completing the Rows ‘Verily, Allah and His Angels send Salaat upon those who complete the rows…’ [Ibn Majah] 4. Praying Fajr and Asr Angels of the night and day gather at the time of Fajr and Asr prayers. The Angels pray for forgiveness of those who were praying on the Day of Judgment. [Musnad Ahmad] 5. Completing the Quraan If the recitation of the Quraan is completed in the first part of the night then the Angels send Salaat upon the reciter until the end part of the night. And if the recitation of the Quraan is completed in the last part of the night, then the Angels send Salaat upon the reciter until the evening. [Sunan ad-Darmi] 6. Spending in Good ‘Every day two angels descend from heaven and one of them says, ‘O Allah! Compensate every person who spends in Your Cause…’ [Bukhari] From: Belief in the Angels, by S Abdul Aziz
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FINAL FOCUS
The Muslim World League (Rabita al-Alam alIslami) is one of the largest Islamic nongovernmental organizations. Muslim scholars from 22 states founded it in Makkah in 1962. It is represented in the UN and has affiliates in many countries including South Africa. The League has 8 bodies: Holy Quran Memorization International Organization International Islamic Organization for Education Makkah Al-Mukarramah Charity Foundation for Orphans Al Haramain & Al-Aqsa Mosque Foundation International Islamic Relief Organization: In 2003/2004 $36 million was spent on 2258 projects involving 4,586,085 recipients in 81 countries Commission on Scientific Signs in the Quran and Sunnah The World Supreme Council for Mosques The Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence) Council: rules on new issues facing Muslims Some Functions Advocating the application of Islamic rules Coordinating efforts of Islamic preachers Promoting the spread of Arabic Extending urgent relief to Muslims affected by war and natural disasters CONTACT 6 Mitcham Lane, Bryanston, Sandton PO Box 537, Makkah, Saudi Arabia Tel: 011 706 5100 / Fax: 011 706 5093 Email: info@muslimworldleague.org www.muslimworldleague.org
A person once asked a pious man, ‘What can one do to escape the evil effects of one’s environment? We are beset on all sides by evil influences which lead us astray. We cannot seem to defend ourselves or our families from the effects of society. Should we leave society and live alone?’ The pious man invited the questioner to eat with him. The meal consisted of fried fish and chips. The pious man said, ‘Look at this fish. It spent its entire life, from birth until it was caught, surrounded by the salt of the ocean. This salt even entered its gills. Yet today, we cannot enjoy this fish unless it is sprinkled with salt. The oceans of salt seem to have had absolutely no impact on this fish.’ ‘This is our example and mixing with society. We will live among people, surrounded by evil on all sides. Yet our faith in Allah, our practicing of Islam and our strong adherence to an Islamic lifestyle will ensure that we are not affected by our environment. Rather, our lifestyle will impact on those around us, influencing them for the good.’ If we have not firmly made up our minds to hold firm to Islam, then we will definitely be influenced. Remember, if we are not influencing others and the environment around us, then we are going to be influenced. Never underestimate the impact our little good can have on the lives of others. World history is replete with examples of individuals changing the course of history with a little determination and holding firm to principles.
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