In the name of Allah, The Beneficent, The Merciful
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[And And united their hearts; had you spent all that is in the earth, you could not have united their hearts, but Allah united them, them, surely He is Mighty, Wise] (8:63)
In the sizzling heat of Al-Hilla, central Iraq, stands a pale-looking man. His face shows anxiety and grief, his body shivering every time he examines the remains of a body. He is standing at the biggest mass grave discovered in Iraq so far, that of Al-Mawahil. Nasir Al-Hussein is an Iraqi Shia who was 12 years old at the time of the popular uprising in 1991 across Iraq. He recalls that his mother, uncle and cousins were all rounded up and piled onto buses. His worst nightmare was about to unfold in front of him. They were all taken to a farm, exactly where he was standing now, and the executions began. Thousands of people, including his relatives, were thrown into a large pit. They were machine-gunned and then buried with a bulldozer. Nasir, who was a small boy managed to crawl out, leaving his dead relatives behind. The discovery of tens of mass graves across Iraq after the fall of the despotic regime of Saddam Hussein has shocked the international community
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across the globe. From Basra to Kirkuk, Hillah to Najaf, hundreds of thousands of innocent men, women and children were executed in large numbers following the uprising 12 years ago. For Iraqis, the mass graves remain a dark legacy and a testimony to Saddam’s cruelty. The shocking images will haunt them for decades. In Al-Mawahil (near AlHilla) more than 15,000 bodies are thought to have been buried. Many have hands tied behind their backs, some with blindfolds, but with one bullet piercing through their heads. Old women in their black abaya (veil) desperately look through the plastic bags on top of unidentified bodies to help them find their missing relatives. The task of identification is not easy, some bodies have name badges whilst others are identified by items of clothing. “We are finding skulls without bodies, bodies without skulls,” said Rafid Ali Husseini, a local from Al-Hilla. “It is a miserable and (Continued on page 8)
Interview with Syed Modarresi
A Monopoly on Terrorism
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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Islam, Assalaamu alaikum. Inshallah this issue of Voice of Unity has reached you all in the best of health and imaan. Imam Ali (AS), in his sermon on Islam, describes it as a “lofty beacon of light”, which is “indeed a religion founded on truth.” This truth can be comprehended through a hadith of Imam Sadiq (AS) in which he says, “…everything has a foundation, and the foundation of Islam is love for us, the Ahlul-Bayt.” Love for the chosen ones of Allah (SWT) is not merely a fraction of Islam, but its very
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Editorial foundation. It raises the status of the believer in the eyes of Allah (SWT) both in this world and the next, without altering the statuses of the Means from the earth to the sky.
‘Say: I do not ask of you any reward for it but love for my near relatives’ (42:23). ‘Say: Whatever reward I have asked of you, that is only for yourselves; my reward is only with Allah’ (34:47). Our love for the AhlulBayt (AS) is proven through acting on their teachings, not merely acknowledging them. This includes rising and speaking out against oppression
and occupation, be it as presently in Palestine and Iraq, or elsewhere in the world, until such a time when you [Imam Mahdi (ATF)] have annihilated the last remains of the arrogant ones and uprooted the foundation of the unjust people and we say “Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.” Our Lord, hasten the reappearance of the Son of the Living Miracles and make us be from amongst his helpers and defenders, Ameen. Sr Tahera Tajri
The Virtues of Teaching Prophet Muhammed [SAW] said: “Teachers and students both share in reward, but other people are deprived of them.” Imam Ali [AS] said: “He who taught me a word has indeed made me his slave.” Imam Hasan [AS] said: “Teach others your knowledge and learn the knowledge of others so you will bring your knowledge to perfection and learn something which you do not know.” Imam Baqir [AS] said: “The scholar whose knowledge is made use of and benefited from, is worthier and more virtuous than seventy thousand worshippers.” Imam Baqir [AS] said: “The one who teaches one chapter of guidance to the people will have a reward similar to all those who would act upon it and nothing would be lessened nor subtracted from the reward of those who practice it.” Holy Prophet (SAW): “The worst people are the scholars when they commit sins.”
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Syed Mahdi Al-Modarresi was born in Kuwait in 1977 and comes from a prominent family of distinguished scholars. He has undertaken religious education in the Islamic Seminaries of Damascus, Syria and later in Qom, Iran. Syed Mahdi is the author of three books, the first of which was published when he was only 15 years old, and is fluent in Arabic, Farsi and English. Below is an interview conducted with him, in which he advises the youth on prospering spiritually whilst living in the West. Q1. What is the role of Muslim youth living in the West? A1. There are three groups of people who come to the West. The first group assimilates - becomes part of it by acquiring the dress and moral ideas; they 'melt' into it. The second group live in the West in the fear that they might lose their faith. They raise their children in a good (Islamic) way, but they may lose control because their children 'run away' and become a part of the Western society - thus losing their own identity. They become Western citizens in fashion, imitations of Western idols, morals etc. There is therefore a conflict of identity that occurs. The third group come with a mission - newly arriving immigrants or new-borns. These people carry out the mission (of da’wa) so that they do not lose their identity, and also to preach to nonMuslims. Through preaching to people, they protect their own identity and faith.
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A2. I think the main reason that a lot of people are turning away from religion and indulging in the material physical pleasures that are so abundant here in the West especially, is the lack of knowledge that we have about Ahlul-Bayt (AS) and about our religion, because Islam caters not only for the physical aspect of worshipping Allah (SWT), but it also satisfies the spiritual side. My advice is to seek knowledge about Islam, to learn its teachings and I think that is the underlying reason for all devious acts, because we simply do not know what Islam has to offer and that is why we opt for the alternative that surrounds us from every angle in this world. Study more about Islam, read as many books as you can and try to do that through the words and teachings of the Ahlul-Bayt (AS). We can really be enlightened with the words of Ahlul-Bayt (AS) and that is the first thing we should do. Q3. Which books would you recommend to the youth? A3. Personally, I usually go for the main sources. I would go for sources such as Al-Kafi; books such as Tuhaf al-Uqool, and Nahjul Balagha. The books that have the actual words of the Ahlul-Bayt (AS), not commentaries or interpretations of these words. As we read in Ziyarat al-Jami’ah, ‘kalaamukum noor’. The words of Ahlul-Bayt (AS) enlighten our souls and I am sure we can find the translation of Al-Kafi. It is by far the most important and the most authentic of our books - Al-Kafi written by alKulayni.
Q2. What advice would you give to the youth who are striving to achieve spiritual perfection, but are exposed to so many negative influences here in the West?
Imam Ali (AS): “Whoever publicises his problem is satisfied with humility.”
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Sr Zeinab Twaij
Aching shoulders, arms stretched to their limits, yes I was on my way to another IUS camp, the fourth annual summer camp (and clearly I had not adhered to the ‘one change of clothes only’ rule!). Struggling slowly but surely towards Dar Al-Hikma, I arrived ahead of time and was able to meet and greet the sisters as they trickled in through the doors, some of whom had been on camps before and had an inkling of what was to come, others clearly had not experienced an IUS camp and the slight uncertainty and apprehension entwined with excitement could be seen on their faces. Everyone quickly began to feel comfortable and at home as introductions were made – we had now met the people we would be spending the next three days (and sleepless nights) with! A change from the norm, this year’s IUS trip was to the historical and cultural city of Canterbury. Three buses set off, one of brothers (though some also came by car) and two of sisters, bubbling with enthusiasm, towards our destination, a quaint building in the centre of the city. Members from a range of locations in the UK (Bristol, Torquay, Manchester - the list goes on!) came together to try to benefit from, as well as enjoy, the days to come. The journey began with recitation of the Holy Quran and du’a to ensure our safety. Those sisters who travelled in the bus with Syed Musawi were fortunate to have a taster of spending time with such a great personality. We could sense that he truly cared and wanted to make the most of the time spent with us, to answer our questions and advise us to the best of his ability. This shone through and was a bonus for us and we were sincerely honoured and grateful to have him accompany us. Once we arrived, the camp programme was put straight into action. Friday prayer was led by Syed Musawi in the garden of the hostel we would be staying in. This set the scene for the atmosphere
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that we would be living and experiencing in the days to come, truly Islamic and peaceful, where we could reflect upon the hectic and busy lives that we lead, and how appropriate our lifestyles really are. For it is often too easy to become carried away with the materialistic world, that we lose focus in all that we do and why we do it. The camp was a reminder of how we must constantly have in our minds that everything we do on this earth should ultimately be for the sake of Allah (SWT) and our akhira (hereafter) and we should always question why we do anything and what we hope to achieve before carrying it out. The Syed used this opportunity to highlight how we should maintain and protect our Islamic identity here in the West regardless of all of the temptations that may surround us. He reminded us that Allah (SWT) created humans with the ability to reach higher levels than those of angels, since unlike angels we have the choice to follow the right path or totally disregard it (and even stoop to the level of animals), whereas the angels were created inherently all good. Following Friday prayer we were hustled back into the buses with packed lunch in hand, and driven to Canterbury University. We had been booked for three hours of invigorating sports, however it appeared that ‘sports’ was not in the vocabulary of some of the sisters, though we all managed to have a good time. The brothers enjoyed football outside on one of the large playing fields in the university, whilst the sisters were in a secluded part of the university sports centre, enjoying a number of sports. For most of us who studied in London universities, we were in awe of Canterbury University. It was like a small town in itself with so much greenery and buildings that you literally had to travel by car from one part of the campus to the other! By the end of the three hours everyone’s faces were transformed from the excited looks earlier in the day to the now drawn and tired faces after all
Hadhrat Fatima (AS): “He invited the servant to thankfulness for the sake of the consecutive and continuous enhancement of blessings.”
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the sports! But we soon all perked up once we arrived back at the hostel and had a chance to relax before the next part of the programme began. The most memorable part of any IUS trip for me is, and always will be, the time spent with the alim (scholar). I believe that the success of any camp is down to the relationship between the alim and camp participants and how well the group makes use of the alim’s knowledge. Any other activity is a small bonus and creates memories for us to keep, whereas we can take so much more back with us from the alim. We prayed Salatul Maghribain outside and it was an amazing experience. It is truly a blessing to pray in natural surroundings (I think most sisters didn’t even mind the insects that were everywhere – on the contrary it added to the atmosphere). There was a great sense of unity, and although we were in a busy city centre, it felt like we were miles away from anything; it was so serene and peaceful, Alhamdullilah. Following dinner and salah, the next part of the programme commenced, a talk and Q & A session with Syed Musawi. During this time the IUS committee members were frantically rushing around preparing tea, coffee and hot chocolate for the participants to aid them in their battle to overcome sleep! A lot of behind-thescenes work was carried out by the committee and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them on behalf of all the participants. Their commitment and dedication was apparent throughout the trip and it was to the extent that some went to get bottled water (at the request of participants) during the middle of the night! We were all packed into the hostel lounge since it was becoming too cold to sit in the garden, this added to the feeling of unity and togetherness between participants. Questions continued well into the night with everyone firing away at the Syed and had the session not been stopped it would probably
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have continued until Fajr! The next day started with Fajr prayers led by the Syed at 3AM, everyone performed salah dreary-eyed, barely conscious and aware of their surroundings, then we all had to be up for breakfast by 8AM and ready to leave by 9.30 for the wildlife centre. As is customary for most IUS camps, the sisters were ready well in advance of the brothers and had to wait before we could set off. However, Alhamdullilah, the sisters enjoyed each other’s company and the time was well spent getting more acquainted with each other (or catching up on sleep for some!). The wildlife centre was indeed memorable; every aspect of it was fun and interesting. To see the diversity of Allah (SWT)’s creation reminded us of His Greatness and the bounties that He has blessed us with. Syed Musawi also emphasised this during Salatul Dhuhr by the entrance of the centre. He highlighted how hijab is considered as oppressive and backwards in the Western world whereas on the contrary modesty came with advances in time. The Syed’s talk was appropriate to what we had been doing that day and had one of the many passers-by stopped and listened (rather than look confused!) they may have benefited from the few words they would have heard. Though we really enjoyed our time at the wildlife centre and had the opportunity to see many endangered animals, it seemed as though they were not used to foreigners; the gorilla was determined to try to attack any one of us that went past, through the thick window, and unfortunately one of the tigers decided to relieve himself in the presence of a few sisters, and in their direction! No one was any less enthusiastic on Saturday evening regardless of the strenuous day that we had. We were to have a tafseer session with Br Yasir Al-Wakeel that evening,
Imam Hasan (AS): “Those who consult in their affairs will surely be guided to the right.”
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Sheikh Shafiq Hudda
Contemporary media have abused the word terrorism so much, that the uninformed public almost exclusively associates it with Muslims. The definition of terrorism, according to the dictionary, is to create fear and terror in a community. This definition does not include any one particular person, nation, community or faith, but rather is an all-encompassing meaning. Whether an individual, or a country, commits such acts, it would be classified as terrorism. Based on this clear definition, one can ask if the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki created fear in the hearts of the citizens of Japan. Another point to ponder is whether the economic embargo against Cuba has hurt that small nation. The s mal l nation of Grenada was invaded, again creating terror in the hearts of the residents, while constant bombing of Iraq, a nation thousands of miles away, did the same. Libya, on the mere suspicion of being responsible for a nightclub blast in Germany, was bombed, as was Sudan on the pretext of having a chemical producing factory, which ended up being a pharmaceutical factory providing medication for its people. The perpetrator in all of these acts of terror, and countless others, was the United States of America. Russia’s invasion of Afghanistan in 1980, can also be classified as terrorism using the same definition, as can the British
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colonisation of India and most of the African continent. Yet rarely are these aggressive acts referred to as terrorism as if they are all right, since the perpetrator was the one writing history! History, it is said, is written by the victors, who more often than not are interested in conveying their perspective rather than true facts. Today in the media, only deadly acts committed by Muslims are called terrorism as if the media has a monopoly on the term. When it was assumed that those responsible for the World Trade Centre d estru ct ion were followers of the Islamic faith, Muslims throughout North America were called upon to condemn the act. Yet when Israeli bulldozers go into Palestinian homes and cause wreckage, Israeli fighter jets bomb residential areas killing scores of civilians, no media calls upon Jewish leaders in the western world to condemn this state-sponsored terrorism. When the Irish Republican Army, members of which are followers of the Roman Catholic faith, bombs market places in the United Kingdom, Christian leaders are not forced to issue communiqués condemning the act. According to the western justice philosophy, one is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Strangely enough this does not apply to Muslims, as is evident around us. Even a mass murderer, a serial rapist, or a thief, have their day in court and representation by a
Imam Hussein (AS): “He who tries to achieve something through acting disobediently to Allah (SWT) will miss what he expects and fall into what he fears.”
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lawyer. If they cannot afford a lawyer then the court and justice system will appoint one for them. Due process is given to all before punishment. A question to be asked is, Why is the same justice not applied to the Muslims imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba? They are being punished through imprisonment although none of them have had a trial, due process, or a lawyer to defend them. Not one of those incarcerated has been convicted or even accused at the very least of any crime whatsoever, except that they were thought to be members of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Guilt by association. Neither the media nor human rights organisations like Amnesty International have been given unfettered access to the prisoners. Under the same concept of guilt by association, it would only be fair if those around Timothy McVeigh, who blew up the Arthur Murray building in Oklahoma City, would be arrested and imprisoned. Church associates, school friends and the like would have also been jailed had the same policy been applied in that case. A point of clarification needs to be made. The Shia community in Afghanistan has suffered immensely under Taliban rule no doubt. Massacres were commonplace in such cities as Mazar-e-Sharif by Taliban forces. However, justice dictates that those responsible should face a jury and be tried and convicted if the evidence against them is proven. Muslims all across the world, regardless of their sect, are unanimous in condemning the killing of innocent civilians. However, the Holy Quran permits followers of the faith to defend themselves and retaliate - an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth, in the event of aggression committed against it. All that the Muslim community is asking for, in any part of the world, is justice and its rights. Nothing more, nothing less. No community or faith group can have a monopoly on the word terrorism. Terror is terror, regardless of who commits it.
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Amirul Mu'mineen Ali bin Abi Talib (AS) once said from the pulpit of Kufa: "O people, the Messenger of Allah (SWT), peace be upon him and his progeny, has awarded me ten traits; and they are dearer to me than anything upon which the sun shines. He said to me: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Ali, you are my brother in this world and in the next; And on the Day of Judgment, when we stand before the Almighty, you will be the nearest of all to me; Your abode in Paradise will be facing mine, the way brothers in faith live, with their houses facing each other; You are my heir; You are my executor after me, to fulfill my promises and my affairs; And in my absence, you are the guardian of my family, on my behalf; You are the Imam of my Ummah; You are the one to uphold justice among my subjects; You are my beloved one; and Allah (SWT) loves who I love; Your foe is my foe and my foe is the foe of Allah.
The Correct Niyyah Imam Sadiq (AS) came to talk to a man who was busy working at constructing a window for his house. At greeting him, the Imam (AS) asked him why he needed a window. "Yabna Rasoolullah, it is for light and fresh air that I am making this window", he replied. Imam (AS) told him that if only his niyyah (intention) had been to make a window so that the sound of adhan (call to prayer) could be heard, he would not only have gained the benefit of light and fresh air, but also the reward of having done something to bring him closer to Allah (SWT). He would have converted a mubah (permitted) act into a mustahab (rewardable) one.
Imam Sajjad (AS): “The greatest of people is he who does not see the world as great.�
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disastrous situation and we want to tell the whole world, the United Nations and Arab countries…that these families want the people responsible for these crimes to be brought to justice.” A Westerner who visited the site said it smelled of “death and rot…the ground you walked on, you could feel, in the pit of your stomach, that you were walking on somebody’s grave. The faces, the wails…” A representative of The Iraqi Human Rights Group, a UK-based organisation, said they found buried lorries and cars packed with bodies of women and children. Dr Walid Al-Hilli, who visited the site, said that there was a strong indication that thousands were buried alive by the Regime as signs of shooting were missing. This was due to a desperate attempt by the Regime to kill large numbers in short periods of time. Saeed Jabbar, the village headman who led visitors to the graves at Al-Mawahil, recalls how day after day he watched armed men bring blindfolded men, women and children and execute them mercilessly. They were then thrown into pits. Even the drivers of the lorries carrying these people, who were from Egyptian and Syrian origins, were executed. “Many had nothing to do with the uprising,” he said. “Saddam was offering 1,000 dinars for each person that was arrested and brought here. Bathists used to go to houses and take people who they knew were innocent just for the money.” The popular uprising in March 1991 followed the return of the dejected Iraqi forces from Kuwait. The cries of Allah-u-Akbar were soon to be heard from southern cities such as Basra all across to the North. 14 out of 18 Iraqi provinces fell to the fighters and Saddam was ready to leave Iraq and seek asylum in neighbouring countries. This was halted when the American administration allowed
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him to use helicopters to crush the uprising. This he achieved brutally, killing more than 200,000 people. Iraqis today vividly remember these atrocities and blame the horrors of the mass graves on both Saddam and the US. The mass grave in Al-Mawahil is believed to be one of tens of gravesites discovered in Iraq. A team of British Forensic scientists investigating mass graves have come to the conclusion so far that there could be as many as 70 gravesites throughout the country, accommodating the remains of as many as 300,000 people. Professor Margaret Cox, who leads the team, commented, “it would appear that the old regime was propped up with the bones of the Iraqi people buried beneath its sands.” Meanwhile international organisations, such as Human Rights Watch, have been campaigning for the protection of these sites to preserve vital evidence to prosecute Saddam’s regime. Peter Bouckaert, of Human Rights Watch, said, “By conservative estimates, at least 290,000 people are missing in Iraq…the answer to their whereabouts likely lies in these graves…but their lack of protection is writing the defence’s brief for Saddam’s regime.” Grieving families across Iraq and abroad have been holding mourning majalis of fateha for their lost relatives. Some, which included renowned families such as Al-Hakim and Bahrul-uloom, have lost tens of victims under Saddam. There is a strong feeling amongst them that the perpetrators of these crimes must be punished and held accountable. The following is an observation by someone who visited the graves, “Maybe it’s superstition, or maybe old bones still can hold power over the earth, but I tell you, if evil has a texture, a feel to it, you could feel it there. And you could see everybody else around you feeling it too.” Br Mohammad Al-Hilli
Imam Baqir (AS): “No mixture is better than the mixture of clemency and knowledge.”
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which proved to be very inspiring and invoked a lot of thought and discussion amongst members. He discussed Surah Yusuf and explained the meaning behind certain ayaat (verses), specifically discussing the temptations that Prophet Yusuf (AS) was faced with, also using the bible to aid his explanations. The camp was drawing to an end, we had made good friends over the past two days and it was sad to think that the time was over so quickly. As we were loading our luggage into the minibuses, promises were made to keep in touch with one another and contact details were being passed around left, right and centre! It always feels as though special bonds are made between those that you travel with and it is a great blessing to meet so many talented people with such great faith in Allah (SWT) and wonderful personalities that otherwise we would not have met. Before heading back to London we visited an area known as Reculver where we saw some beautiful sites. This was by the coast and as well as the natural cliffs and sea there were some ruins of a castle that we could explore. The trip was rounded off here with salah and a short presentation to thank participants and award those who had won the sports tournaments. At one point there was some concern that we may not be able to return to London since we were
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threatened that our buses would be clamped! However the buses were efficiently moved and parked nicely in a more suitable place before the farewell ceremony began. The limited space I have to convey our experiences during this year’s camp is coming to an end. There is so much more that I would like to describe about the camp. In this humble attempt I have tried to convey and give a brief insight of how we felt and the inspiration that we all took back with us. This short space is not enough to do justice to the amazing three days that we spent. I will always be grateful for all that the IUS has given me and feel hugely indebted to those who worked so hard to make the IUS what it is today, for I have taken much more than I will ever be able to give. I pray that Allah (SWT) guides all those who work in His name and ensures they are successful in all that they do. I ask Allah (SWT) to help all those who work in His name to continue to flourish and provide such great services that were once lacking in our communities, so they can touch the hearts and lives of many more people and bring them closer to Him and prepare them for the return of our beloved Imam (ATF), as it has done for myself and so many others that I have met, Ameen. “There are no qualities above these two: Faith in Allah (SWT) and being beneficial to Muslims” (Imam Hasan Askari (AS)).
Imam Sadiq (AS): “Do not appreciate one’s affection before you enrage him three times.”
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Sr Hala Abbas
In Islamic legal terminology, Khums means one-fifth or 20% of everything that a person lawfully acquires, such as money, property and extra items. Khums must be paid as an Islamic due. Allah (SWT) mentions in the following verse of the Holy Quran, 'Know that whatever of a thing you acquire, a fifth of it is for Allah, for the Messenger, for his near relative, and the orphans, and the needy and the way-farer' (8:41). Khums becomes wajib (obligatory) on the completion of one full year from the start of profit or income. So whenever there is profit or excess of the income and it is not used up on the household or commercial expenses of the past year, then one must pay one-fifth of it as khums. The date on which khums is paid is called ‘the beginning of the khums year’, on which date khums should be calculated every lunar year. The amount on which khums is paid will not be applicable for khums again. For example, if we have £100, and a lunar year has passed since its possession, then out of this we pay £20 as khums, and the remaining £80 will be khums-free for as long as it remains in our possession. However, khums is not liable on mahr (dowry). Mahr means the marriage due which a husband agrees to pay to his wife at the time of marriage or whenever she demands it. In Islam, the mahr is a woman’s right that she owns immediately after her marriage has been consummated.
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If a person dies before his khums year, his heirs should pay Khums from everything that he has left behind, then they can distribute the shares remaining. The expenditure to be deducted from the income is of two types: household expenses and commercial expenses. The deductible household expenses include food, drink, accommodation, clothing, transportation, furniture, medical expenses, marriage expenses, payment of Hajj, sadaqah, gifts, ziyarah, charity and donations and every expense of livelihood, as far as it is lawful and within the usual standard of the person. It is wajib to pay khums on an individual’s money before undertaking hajj, otherwise the hajj becomes invalid if its expenses were covered unlawfully. This means that money on which khums is unpaid in spite of being wajib, becomes unlawful. The money becomes lawful again on paying the khums on it. It is wajib for an earning woman to pay khums from the excess of her income if she is the provider of the family. If her husband or father is the provider, then she has to pay khums from the entire amount of her income, which is in excess of her own expenses. Khums is not wajib on a non-baligh child (a child who has not reached puberty) or an insane person. Some ulema (scholars) believe that non-baligh children are still liable to pay khums if they have an excess amount of money. Once a child becomes baligh (reaches puberty), it becomes wajib to pay khums on any money earned (even due to part-time jobs). The commercial expenses include rent,
Imam Kadhim (AS): “Only the sufferers of injustice can realise its intensity.”
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insurance premiums, taxes demanded by the government, wages or salaries of employees, purchasing machines and the expenditure of their maintenance has to be deducted as expenses and khums paid on the remaining amount. Once khums has been calculated from an individual’s earnings for the past year, then the amount has to be distributed. Referring to the verse of the Holy Quran mentioned at the start of this article, khums is the Islamic due for: 1) Allah (SWT), 2) the Messenger of Allah (SAW), 3) the relatives of the Messenger (SAW), 4) the orphans, 5) the needy, and 6) the estranged traveller. Therefore, during the time of the Holy Prophet (SAW), he used to receive both his own share of khums and that of Allah (SWT). As the Holy Prophet (SAW) is not with us, according to Shia view, the shares of Allah (SWT) and the Holy Prophet (SAW) should go to his rightful successors who are the infallible Imams (AS). The present rightful successor of the Holy Prophet (SAW) is Imam Mahdi (ATF). The first half of khums is commonly known as sahm al-Imam (the share of the Imam). The second half of Khums is for the needy from the descendants of the Holy Prophet (SAW), known as needy Sadaat. Thus khums is divided into 2 equal shares. At the present time, our Imam (ATF) is in occultation and the most learned and pious scholars have been appointed as his general deputies who guide people to the Islamic way of life and they have the authority to receive and distribute the share of the Imam (ATF) from the khums. All ulema of our time have said that the share of the present Imam (ATF) must be used for causes of which the Imam (ATF) would approve. They also believe the best persons to know such causes are the most learned mujtahideen. Therefore, according to our ulema, the share of the Imam (ATF) must be handed over to the most learned and trustworthy person, who will be responsible for propagating the religion of Islam to the believers and non-
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believers, providing the necessary expenses of the poor and needy, providing the expenditure of religious establishments and providing the academic expenses of the religious students and scholars. The second half of the Khums is for the share of the sadaat who have descended from Banu-Hashim. The Sahm al-Sadat (share of the sadaat) must be given to the poor and needy Sadaat. However, it must be noted that it is not permitted to give khums to a sayyid who is known to spend money in sinful acts. One may give the sahm al-sadat to a deserving, religious sayyid directly without giving it through a mujtahid, according to some ulema. If the person gives khums to poor sadaat, then the individual himself is responsible if the money is used wrongly; one must ensure that the needy sadaat are religious and pious. Khums is a duty, not an option. Sadaqah is an optional charity that is highly recommended, but khums is obligatory just like Zakaat. Islam aims to create and preserve economic equilibrium in society - individual and collective. Sadaqah comes under the optional (individual) charity to acquire the pleasure of Allah (SWT), whilst khums and zakaat come under the obligatory (collective) due and they should never be looked upon as an act of charity. Therefore, one can see that khums is different from charity that a person gives at anytime throughout the year to a charity institution or needy person. Rather, khums is a duty; an obligation which must be fulfilled. Reference Khums: An Islamic tax by Sayyid Muhammed Rizvi For specific rulings relating to khums, please refer to your marja’.
Imam Redha (AS): “The miserly do not enjoy comfort, the envious cannot enjoy pleasure.”
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Dawood (AS) and the Divine Doctrine Sr Shabnam Sabur
Dawood (AS) was not only a prophet of the Israelites, but he was also their king. He did not inherit any kingdom from his ancestors but came into prominence after his fight with Jalut (Goliath). The Holy Quran affirms, ‘O Dawood! Lo! We have set thee as a viceroy in the earth; therefore judge aright between mankind, and follow not desire that it beguile thee from the way of Allah. Those who wander from the way of Allah have an awful doom, forasmuch as they forgot the Day of Reckoning’ (38:26). Prophet Dawood (AS) had an ancestral link with the Prophet Yaqub (AS). He was a shepherd living in Bayt Lahm (Bethlehem) near Jerusalem and was the youngest of eight brothers. The Prophet Shammil (Samuel) had received an indication that Dawood (AS) would become king, after Jalut who led the Philistines. History tells us that after the death of the Prophet Yusha (Joshua), the Israelites remained like sheep without a shepherd until Allah (SWT) sent them a prophet named Shammil (AS). They asked him to appoint a king to lead them in war against their enemies, the Philistines. Allah (SWT) revealed to him that He had chosen Talut (Saul) to be their king to lead them in battle against the Philistines. When the armies of Talut and Jalut faced each other, Jalut (a mighty warrior of huge build and brute strength) challenged any soldier from King Talut’s army to single combat, as was the custom of battle in those days. Dawood (AS), who had joined the army at his father’s request, stepped forward. He was a raw youth with no armour. When Talut offered his own armour to Dawood (AS), the young man declined. Instead he relied on his own well-used weapons. He used his sling and some pebbles to such an effect that he knocked down Jalut and then used Jalut’s own sword to slay him. King Talut eventually married his daughter to the hero Dawood (AS), who later became King of the Israelites. The Holy Quran from the point of narration compresses the story
into a few words but its spiritual lessons are dwelt upon from many points of view. ‘And when they went into the field against Jalut and his hosts they said: “Our Lord! Bestow on us endurance, make our foothold sure, and give us help against the disbelieving folk”. So they routed them by Allah's leave and Dawood slew Jalut; and Allah gave him the kingdom and wisdom, and taught him of that which He pleased. And if Allah had not repelled some men by others the earth would have been corrupted. But Allah is a Lord of Kindness to the creatures’ (2:250-251).
Revelation of Zabur Prophet Dawood (AS) was endowed with the gift of poetry as shown in the Holy Quran, ‘Lo! We inspire thee as We inspired Nuh and the prophets after him, as We inspired Ibrahim and Ismail and Ishaq and Yaqub and the tribes, and Isa and Hud and Yunus and Harun and Suleiman, and as We imparted unto Dawood the Psalms’ (4:163). The Zabur (Psalms) of Dawood (AS) are still extant. They contained lessons of guidance to the Israelites. Prophet Dawood (AS) had also been endowed with a sweet melodious voice that when he recited the Zabur, people flocked around eulogising Allah (SWT). English translators of the Holy Quran have translated the word Zabur as the Psalms of David, found in the Old Testament. These psalms are now considered by the higher critics of the Bible as a fabricated composition of national songs of the Jews from the time of Dawood to that of Alexander of Macedon. Some of these songs undoubtedly are inspired compositions of Prophet Dawood (AS) which are included in the Psalms of the Bible, but they are few. The Psalms in the name of Prophet Dawood (AS) in the Old Testament belong to the latest of the Old Testament books. Some songs are of the Greek period. The songs of Dhaburah are now proved by the higher critics of the Bible to have
Imam Jawad (AS): “Delay of repentance is deception.”
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originated in the 11th Century in the time of Prophet Dawood (AS). Some of these songs are included in the collection of songs called the Psalms of David. The Holy Quran has thus anticipated the higher criticism of the Bible and instead of confusing it with the so-called Psalms of David, called it by the name Zabur, a word familiar to the Jews but forgotten in respect of its contents to be restored later by the Holy Quran. References to the Zabur include: ‘Lo! We subdued the hills to hymn the praises (of their Lord) with him at nightfall and sunrise, and the birds assembled; all were turning unto Him. And We made his kingdom strong and gave him wisdom and decisive speech’ (38:18-20).
Dawood (AS) as an adept craftsman Iron and steel are hard elements, but in the hands of a craftsman they become pliable and can be turned into any shape. He used to make coats of mail with iron rings joined together on an extensive scale for his warriors in battle. ‘And We taught him the art of making garments (of mail) to protect you in your daring. Are ye then thankful?’ (21:80). However, the latter part of the next verse is addressed to all the people so that they may be careful in not deviating from the path of righteousness. Fighting is dangerous and may easily degenerate into mere violence. They were to see that this should not happen. ‘And assuredly We gave David grace from Us, (saying): “O ye hills and birds, echo his psalms of praise!” And We made the iron supple unto him. Saying: Make thou long coats of mail and measure the links (thereof). And do ye right. Lo! I am Seer of what ye do’ (34:1011). Prophet Dawood (AS) passed away at the age of 70 years and is buried in Jerusalem. References 1 Stories of the Prophets by Imam ibn Kathir translated by Sheikh Muhammad Mustafa Gemeiah 2 Lessons from the stories of the Qur’an by Ali Musa Raza Muhajir 3 From Adam to Muhammed by Abdul Rehman Shad
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Practical Advice on CharacterCharacterBuilding by Imam Khomeini (RA) 1. Offer the Five Prayers on time. 2. Observe fasts on Mondays and Thursdays, as much as possible. 3. Reduce the period of SLEEP and busy yourself more on the recitation of the HOLY QURAN. 4. Attach importance to your promises and agreements. 5. Help the Needy. 6. Keep away from places where your character may be suspected. 7. Avoid pompous and sumptuous gatherings and do not arrange the same. 8. Put on simple dress. 9. Do not indulge in talkativeness. 10. Put in regular physical exercise. 11. Study more. 12. Help the people in learning craft. 13. Learn the Arabic language and be alert in every field. 14. You should not remember the good that you have done, but instead dwell on your past mistakes. 15. Consider the poor materialistically but think of the pious and the saint spiritually. 16. Keep yourself informed about the Muslims.
Imam Hadi (AS): “Allah (SWT) has made this world for testing while He has made the life to come for receiving the result.”
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Bang, Bang, Bang! The enemies’ guns sound, My darling baby cannot be found, I look around frantically, the smoke filling my eyes, Wailing children, I’m encompassed by their cries, Chaos and turmoil fill the oppressed land, Blood and guts lay on the bare sand, This was the result of injustice and war, Where lives of Palestinians were controlled by Israeli law, Starving babies, girls being harassed was no new scene, For many years this is the way it has been, It only took one bullet to tear the baby’s body apart, But it’ll take more than a lifetime to heal the mother’s heart, This is the oppression the blind adversary refuses to see, Hurling stones at enemy tanks is to freedom their only key, Their staunch hearts don’t care whether the victims are young or old, Day after day these new heart-rending stories are told, They’ll kill a baby resting innocently in bed, And a starving child, who upon days hasn’t been fed, They’ll murder the orphan, widow, elderly and ill too, But return the land they’ll never do, As I recalled, these scenes played vividly in my mind, In evoking my son butchered mercilessly no comfort did I find, But, my child had laid down his life to save land that was divine, Today I beam with pride, as this martyred boy had been mine, Now upon his blessed body I place a rose, single and red, For his spirit, honour and memories are not dead, The scene here is one, which makes even the coldest of hearts bleed, As this is a tale only one of hundreds you read, To those fighting for their land it’s a lesson for you, Never give up – keep on battling you must do, For those starving, struggling and striving, don’t forget to pray, And these were the final words uttered by my son as he went away, Mother, I’m not a suicide bomber like West like to say, I’m a martyr, who for the pleasure of Allah his life is going to lay, Mother, I’m not a suicide bomber like West like to think, I’m a martyr who from the fountain of salsabeel is going to drink! Sr Masooma Tajri
Imam Askari (AS): “The mutual love of the pious is a reward for them.”
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Jami Al Al-SaÊadat 27. The vice of Huzn
29. The vice of Kufran (Ingratitude)
Huzn means grief and remorse for losing of failing to attain something cherished.
This is the vice of being unthankful for divine blessings, and its opposite is shukr (thankfulness). The virtue of shukr consists of the following elements: 1. Recognition of blessings and their origin, which is Divine Beneficence. 2. Being delighted on account of blessings - not for their wordly worth or for having gained them, but for their value for bringing us closer to Allah (SWT). 3. Acting on this joy and delight by undertaking to satisfy the aim of the Giver, in word and in deed. 4. Praising the Bestower of the blessings. 5. To use the bounty given to us in a way which would please Him. By ‘blessings’ are meant all those things which bring pleasure, benefit and felicity, whether in this world or the next.
28. The vice of absence of trust in Allah (SWT) This vice consists of reliance in intermediate means, not Allah (SWT), for the solution of one’s problems. It is caused by insufficient faith, and originates from the Powers of Intellect and Passion. Reliance on intermediary means is a form of shirk (polytheism). The opposite of this vice is tawakkul (trust) in Allah (SWT) in all aspects of one’s life, with the belief that Allah (SWT) is the only effective Force in the universe. This is the meaning of the famous dictum: There is no power or might except that it is derived from Allah (SWT). The Holy Quran explicitly states: ‘And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, He will suffice him’ (65:3). And the Holy Prophet (SAW) has said: “Whosoever abandons hope in everything except Allah, He shall take care of his means”. It should be noted that the notion of tawakkul does not contradict the idea that man has to undertake endeavour in order to benefit from the bounties of Allah (SWT). This is why Islam considers it obligatory for the individual to strive in order to make a living for his family, defend himself, and fight for his rights. What is important is to consider all these intermediary means as subject to Allah’s authority and power, without any independent role of their own.
The Holy Quran says, ‘If you are thankful I will give you more; but if you are thankless, My punishment is surely terrible’ (14:7). And in elaboration of the second part of the previous verse, the Holy Quran says, ‘Allah has struck a similitude: A city that was secure and well content, its provision coming to it in abundance from every place, then it was unthankful for the blessings of Allah; so Allah let it taste the garment of hunger and fear, for the things that they were working’ (16:112).
Imam Madhi (ATF): “I am the Living One who will establish justice throughout the world.”
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IUS News •
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IUS IRAQ, an appeal set up to raise funds for Iraqi children and their families, has raised a total of £2630.83 with your help. To find out how to donate to IUS IRAQ, IUS Orphans or IUS Hospitals Appeal, please see our website www.ius.org.uk. IUS send 100% of your donation to Iraq. Your gift may save lives. The IUS Publications team is currently looking for a new border design and ideas for the content of the new IUS Wallplanner. IUS welcomes suggestions from all our members. The fourth IUS Summer Camp was held on 4th-6th July was a huge success, Alhamdulillah. Participants had a memorable time and benefited greatly from the presence of both Syed Muhammed Msawi and Br Yasir Al-Wakeel. The IUS would like to thanks both speakers and participants for making the camp a success. A small committee is currently being set up to maintain, update and develop the IUS website. If you are interested, please contact the IUS EC, either through our website or 0870 922 0647. IUS has added a new ‘Notice Board’ feature to the website, where you can advertise items for sale, rooms to rent or any other service that you feel would be of use to members. Check it out on www.ius.org.uk! The latest course of IUS Study Circles has been successfully completed, Alhamdulillah. IUS is now working on setting up another course for which your ideas are welcome! Please contact any member of the IUS EC.
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