12
Islamic Focus Issue 88 Igniting the Spirit of Islam Apr 2011 Bukhara Publications/Tel: 078 672 7797/Fax: 086 651 2125 Email: [email protected]/Korsten/Port Elizabeth couraged in Islam: The Prophet passed by some persons of the tribe of Aslam practicing archery (i.e. shooting arrows). The Prophet said, ‘O offspring of Ismail! Practice archery as your father was a great archer…’ (Bukhari) Training in the use of sprays, firearms, knives, etc. is essential. COURAGE When confrontation is inevi- table, do not shy away from defending yourself: ‘… Do not wish to meet the en- emy, and ask Allah for safety, but when you face the enemy, be pa- tient...’ (Bukhari) The fear of dying should not be a de- terrent for the Hadith prom- ises: ‘Whoever is killed while protecting his prop- erty then he is a mar- tyr.’ (Bukhari) A similar re- ward is narrated for some- one killed defending his family. It is acknowledged that we in South Africa live in a high crime zone. Here are some tips on preventing crime, or, when confronted with crime, on dealing with it: PREVENTION The use of effective means of protection is sanctioned in Islam. The Hadith teaches us: One day the Prophet noticed a Bedouin leaving his camel without tying it. He asked the Bed- ouin, ‘Why don't you tie down your camel?’ The Bed- ouin answered, ‘I placed my trust in Allah.’ At that, the Prophet said, ‘Tie your camel and place your trust in Allah.’ (Tirmidhi) Burglar guards, alarms and armed security should be used to the best of ones ability. Hijab is an effective means of saving women from har- assment. Gary Simpson writing for Ezine Articles ad- vises women in America: ‘Do not wear revealing clothing in public places. Doing so will ensure that you attract plenty of attention, including attention from those people with evil intent.’ The Quraan informs us: ‘O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) over their bodies (when out- doors). That is most conven- ient that they should be known and not mo- lested.' (33:59) The Prophet arranged pa- trols in Madinah to look out for strangers or anyone in- tent on causing trouble. TRAINING Every person should train with weapons to use in self defence, or in some form of martial arts so as to counter any threat. Training is en- P3 Winter Warmth P12 The Old Sock P3 Financial Freedom P8 Forced Conversion P9 Queen Victoria P10 Olympics Logo

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Page 1: Islamic Focus Issue 88

Islamic Focus

Issue 88 Igniting the Spirit of Islam Apr 2011 Bukhara Publications/Tel: 078 672 7797/Fax: 086 651 2125 Email: [email protected]/Korsten/Port Elizabeth

couraged in Islam: The

Prophet � passed by some persons of the tribe of

Aslam practicing archery (i.e. shooting arrows). The Prophet � said, ‘O offspring of Ismail! Practice archery as your father was a great

archer…’ (Bukhari) Training in the use of

sprays, firearms, knives, etc. is essential.

COURAGE

When confrontation is inevi-

table, do not shy away from defending yourself: ‘… Do

not wish to meet the en-emy, and ask Allah for

safety, but when you face the enemy, be pa-tient...’ (Bukhari) The fear

of dying should not be a de-terrent for the Hadith prom-

ises: ‘Whoever is killed while protecting his prop-erty then he is a mar-

tyr.’ (Bukhari) A similar re-ward is narrated for some-

one killed defending his family. �

It is acknowledged that we

in South Africa live in a high crime zone. Here are some

tips on preventing crime, or, when confronted with crime, on dealing with it:

PREVENTION

The use of effective means of protection is sanctioned in Islam. The Hadith

teaches us: One day the Prophet � noticed a Bedouin leaving his camel without tying it. He asked the Bed-ouin, ‘Why don't you tie

down your camel?’ The Bed-ouin answered, ‘I placed my

trust in Allah.’ At that, the Prophet � said, ‘Tie your camel and place your trust in Allah.’ (Tirmidhi) Burglar guards, alarms and armed

security should be used to the best of ones ability.

Hijab is an effective means of saving women from har-

assment. Gary Simpson writing for Ezine Articles ad-

vises women in America: ‘Do

not wear revealing clothing in public places. Doing so will

ensure that you attract plenty of attention, including attention from those people

with evil intent.’

The Quraan informs us: ‘O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the

women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) over

their bodies (when out-doors). That is most conven-ient that they should be

known and not mo-lested.' (33:59)

The Prophet � arranged pa-trols in Madinah to look out for strangers or anyone in-tent on causing trouble.

TRAINING

Every person should train with weapons to use in self defence, or in some form of

martial arts so as to counter any threat. Training is en-

P3 Winter Warmth

P12 The Old Sock

P3 Financial Freedom

P8 Forced Conversion

P9 Queen Victoria

P10 Olympics Logo

Page 2: Islamic Focus Issue 88

2 Islamic Focus

WORLD NEWS

KENYA - Kenyan forces crossed into Somali territory for the first time to fight al-Shabab. (BBC, 24 Mar)

MALI - Thousands of Malians turned out to cheer on Libya's football team in an African Cup of Nations qualifier in Mali's capital. Many carried posters pro-testing against the Western military intervention in Libya. (BBC, 29 Mar)

CAUCASUS - Russian forces kill 17 Muslim freedom fighters in Russian-occupied Ingushetia. Three Rus-sians killed. (BBC, 29 Mar)

JORDAN - One dead after security forces used ba-tons and sprayed water to disperse a clash between pro-monarchy and pro-reform demonstrators in Am-man. (BBC, 25 Mar)

YEMEN - President negotiating departure from power in talks with the opposition. (BBC, 26 Mar)

SYRIA - Dozens killed in protests against the rule of President Assad. Cabinet resigned. (BBC, 29 Mar)

ARGENTINA - Israel is upset over reports that Ar-gentina proposed to Iran it would stop investigating bombings of the Israeli embassy and Jewish commu-nity centre in Buenos Aires in the 1990s if trade ties improved. (BBC, 28 Mar)

IRAQ - 41 killed after gunmen stormed a council building in Tikrit. (BBC, 29 Mar)

PALESTINE - Jews pass a law that allows courts to revoke the citizenship of anyone convicted of spying, treason or aiding its enemies. The law is discrimina-tory towards Palestinians. (BBC, 29 Mar)

PALESTINE - Facebook removed a page calling for a new uprising against Israel after the Jews com-plained. More than 350,000 people signed up for the

page called Third Palestinian Intifada. (BBC, 29 Mar)

YEMEN - 150 died from explosions at an ammuni-tion plant in Jaar. The explosion caused anger among locals, who accuse authorities of planning it to win more support from the US. The blasts oc-curred while residents were searching for ammuni-tion left by Islamist fighters, involved in clashes with government forces earlier. (BBC, 29 Mar)

AUSTRALIA - Australian troops in Aghanistan posted racist videos and comments about Afghans on Facebook. (BBC, 25 Mar)

PAKISTAN - 13 Pakistani soldiers killed by their own mortars during a battle with Taliban fighters in Khyber. (BBC, 28 Mar)

INDIA - The prime ministers of India and Pakstan attended the World Cup cricket semi-final between the two countries in India. (BBC, 30 Mar)

USA - Jesuit Catholic priests to pay $166m to hun-dreds of Native Americans sexually abused by priests at their schools from the 1940s-90s. (BBC, 25 Mar)

USA - New images emerge of US troops posing with bodies of Afghan civilians they killed. (BBC, 29 Mar)

LIBYA - Leaders of African countries, including Uganda, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Nige-ria as well as the AU, Arab League and Russia con-demned Western air strikes on Libya. (BBC, 22 Mar)

PALESTINE - Freedom fighters from Gaza including Hamas fired 50 mortars into southern occupied Pal-estine in their heaviest such barrage in two years. Two Jews injured. (BBC, 20 Mar)

BANGLADESH - One killed in protest against changes to Islamic inheritance laws. (BBC, 3 Apr) �

� Telephone or SMS line: 078 672 7797

Page 3: Islamic Focus Issue 88

3 Islamic Focus

FINANCE / S

OCIAL

Here is how Islam liberates one financially:

1. Matter of Choice. We came into this

world sustenance-guaranteed from our crea-tor. However, it is our choice to be enslaved by money. ‘And kill not your children for fear

of poverty. We shall provide sustenance for them as well as for you.’ (Quraan 17:31) The

Prophet � said, ‘Let the slave of Dinar and dirham, of Quantify and Khamisa (i.e. money and luxurious clothes) perish for he is pleased

if these things are given to him, and if not, he is displeased!’ (Bukhari)

2. The Boss. Your boss can’t starve you. We have to deeply believe that the One who has

absolute control of our provision is Allah: ‘And know that if the whole nation gathered to

benefit you, they would not benefit you ex-cept by what Allah has decreed for you; and if

they gathered to harm you, they would not harm you except by what Allah has decreed against you.’ (Musnad Ahmad)

3. Backing. We are not abandoned. We are

backed by the Most Generous One: ‘That Al-lah may reward them according to the best of their deeds, and add even more for them out

of His Grace. And Allah provides without measure to whom He wills.’ (Quraan 24:38)

4. Mental State. Financial freedom is a men-tal state: the feeling of satisfaction, regard-

less of your net income. ‘He is successful who has accepted Islam, who has been provided

with sufficient for his want and been made contented by Allah with what He has given him.’ (Muslim) �

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With the approach of winter, here are some handy

tips from the Sunnah:

1. Old Clothes. On receiving new clothes, the

Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam would do-nate his old clothes and say: ‘Whoever adorns

new clothes, recites the following Dua and thereafter donates his old clothing to a poor Muslim, remains in the protection, patronage

and Divine veil of Almighty Allah throughout his life as well as after his demise, as long as

even one thread (of the donated clothing) re-mains on somebody’s body.’ Dua: Alhumdu lillahillathi kasaani ma uwaary bihi owraty wa

atajammalu bihi fee hayaaty. (Tirmidhi, 3560)

2. Winter Warmth Program. The narrator of the previous hadith, Umar radhiallahu anhu would annually embark on a winter warmth

program. He would encourage the Muslims to keep warm and even ensure that they had suf-

ficient woolen socks, jerseys, etc. (Lataaiful Maarif, pg 564)

‘He who clothes any destitute Muslim, remains in the security of Allah as long as a single piece

remains on his body.’ (Tirmidhi, 2484) If this is the reward for donating old clothes, what

would be in store for the one who donates new clothing? Winter warmth can extend to donat-ing blankets, heater, soup kitchens, etc. to

draw non Muslims toward the warmth of Islam.

3. Spring. The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sal-lam said: ‘Winter is the spring of a believer for its nights are lengthy so he offers (additional)

Tahajjud Salaah and its days are short so he is (easily) able to fast.’ (Musnad Ahmed 3:15) �

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Page 4: Islamic Focus Issue 88

4 Islamic Focus

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WORSHIP / SOCIAL

The Quraan instructs us: And fear Allah through

whose medium you ask one another (for your

rights) and be mindful of your relatives. (4:1) The

Hadith informs us: ‘Whoever believes in Allah and

the last day, let him maintain the bonds of kin-

ship.’ (Bukhari). Here are some factors to maintain

family unity:

1. Regular Visits Visiting family members regularly maintains family bonds. Relatives should be visited for

the pleasure of Allah. ‘Those who love one an-other for the sake of Allah will be under the

shade of Allah’s Throne, when there will be no shade on the Day of Resurrection except the shade of the Throne. Prophets and martyrs

will envy them for their status.’ (Ibne Hibban)

2. Mutual Assistance. Helping one’s relatives carries two rewards: ‘Charity given to a poor person is an ordinary charity, but charity given

to a relative serves two purposes: one is a charity and secondly, an act of upholding fam-

ily kinship.’ (Tirmidhi)

‘Whosoever desires to have expansion in his sustenance and a prolonged life, should treat his relatives with kindness.’ (Bukhari)

3. Exchanging Gifts. Showering relatives

with gifts is an effective method of generating love between people. ‘Exchange gifts with one another, you will create love and goodwill

amongst yourselves.’ (Abu Ya’laa)

‘Give presents to one another, for a present removes hatred from the chest…’ (Tirmidhi) �

Adapted from article by: Jamiatul Ulama KZN

Salaah (prayer) is an effective means of ener-

gizing a Muslim if it is read in the correct man-ner. Here are some hints on how to achieve

peace from Salaah: Comprehend the words and actions of Sa-

laah. When you are aware of what you are saying and doing then you remain focused.

Since Allah ordained Salaah for us then this is achievable. Everything in this world worships Allah around the clock, surely we can do 10

minutes. Just seek Allah’s help and you will reach a point where you’d wish Salaah never

ended! Ensure presence of heart. Your heart must

be in it if you want to feel the effects. This is not difficult to achieve. All you need is 10 min-

utes to focus on the love you hold for Allah.

Come to Salah with a feeling of hope. The more you know about Allah, the more your heart can feel this hope: hope for His Mercy,

for His forgiveness, His acceptance, His love, His closeness. ‘Hope’ is different from ‘wish’.

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

Feel awe for Allah. A sense of fear and awe paired with a deep reverence that one feels

when standing in front of Allah. An example of a small element of Hayba is what is felt to-wards a parent or one in authority. Recall the

duaas the Prophet � taught us which arouses in us this awe: ‘There is no salvation from You

except through You.’ �

Adapted from: Sheikh Mishari Al Kharraz

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Islamic-Focus/121276488849?v=wall

Page 5: Islamic Focus Issue 88

5 Islamic Focus

QUESTIO

NS & ANSWERS

Q: Is it permissible for a

follower to follow the Imam’s recitation in a

Mushaf (copy of the Quraan) while in the ta-raweeh salaah?

A: ‘If one does not know Surah Fatiha and is unable to

learn it due to insufficient time, dim-wittedness, and is unable to recite it from a

mushaf … one moves to the substitute (seven

verses).’ (Nihayat al-Muhtaj 1:484-485) ‘The fourth inte-gral of prayer is recitation of

Fatiha whilst standing or what substitutes standing in

every rakaat in both obliga-tory and optional prayer for

the person praying alone and the person praying with a group, in audible and inaudi-

ble prayers, be it from mem-ory, instruction, or looking at

a mushaf.’ (Bushra al-Karim 1:202) ‘If one ... reads from a mushaf even turning the

pages at times it will not nul-lify the prayer because such

movements are considered slight.’ (Nihayat al-Muhtaj 2:51) ‘Aishah radhiallahu

anha used to be led in prayer by her slave Dhakwan whilst

reading from the mushaf.’ (Abu Dawud) In Fath al-Bari, Hafiz Ibn Hajar

comments on the wording ‘from the mushaf’ as follows:

‘The permissibility of reading from the mushaf in prayer has been drawn from this

and some scholars forbade the practice due to the fact

that it constitutes extraneous movements in the prayer.’

Answer by: Sidi Mahmud Adams

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

its status? A: Imam Nawawi states that

the witr prayer is sunnah.

The witr prayer can be performed by one rakaat

alone, three, five, seven, nine, or eleven, which is the maximum upon the preferred

opinion of the Shafi school. The second opinion states

that its maximum is thirteen rakaats and that it is not per-mitted to exceed this num-

ber. If he does increase be-yond the maximum number

of rakaats his witr will be in-valid. It is sunnah for one who only makes three ra-

kaats that he recites in the first Surah Ala, in the second

Surah Kafirun, and in the third Surah Ikhlas, Surah Fa-

laq, and Surah Nas. (Mughni al-Muhtaj 1:451-52; Rawdah al-Talibin 1:328)

Answer by: Sidi Mahmud Adams

Q: Is it permissible to

profit from zakaat? E.g. a person is a wakeel

(representative) and is given zakaat for disburse-ment but rather than dis-

tributing immediately, he invests the money, re-

ceives a gain on it and distributes the original money at a deferred date.

A: When the conditions for paying zakaat are fulfilled,

and the one who must pay it delays, this has two reper-cussions: 1) it is a sin as he

is delaying an obligation past its time. This is oppressing

the recipients by withholding from them what is their right; and 2) One is liable for

the owed zakaat; it is obliga-tory to pay it. If any or all of

it is destroyed or lost, then it is a debt that one is held li-able for. Accordingly, if one

dies in this state, the obliga-tion of the zakaat debt re-

mains. In fact, it is obligatory

that it be paid out of the wealth left behind, similar to

other debts. Both of these repercussions apply to a wakeel appointed to distrib-

ute zakaat. If monies, etc., are given to a wakeel to dis-

tribute, and qualifying recipi-ents are found, then it is obligatory that those monies

are paid immediately, with-out delay. In the instance

that one delays, he is sinning and also liable for the money. (Dr. Muhammad al-

Zuhayli al-Mu’tamad fi al-Fiqh al-Shafi, 2:126-27)

Answer by: Sheikh Yaqub Abd al-Rahman

Q: How should one per-form sajdah sahu

(prostration of forgetful-ness)?

A: Sajdah sahu is recom-mended not obligatory. (Rawdah al-Talibin 1:404) It

consists of two prostrations and is performed just like the

prostrations in Salaah (prayer). When one is the imam or praying alone, it

should be intended i.e. one should have it in mind that

the prostration is for forget-fulness. This should be when he begins sajdah sahu. One

must not utter it. Intention is not necessary for a follower.

The supplications in sajda sahu are the same as what is

read during the prayer. (Ibid 1:420) There are several views as to when it should be

performed: According to Imam Shafi’s relied-upon

opinion, sajda sahu is made before salaam after the final tashahhud, prayer for the

Prophet � and his people, and the supplication. � Answer by: Shafiifiqh.com Fatwa Dept.

SHAFI Q & ASHAFI Q & ASHAFI Q & ASHAFI Q & A From various Ulama

www.sunnipath.com | www.shafiifiqh.com

http://www.islamicfocus.co.za/index.php?option=com_rss&feed=RSS2.0&no_html=1

Page 6: Islamic Focus Issue 88

6 Islamic Focus

HANAFI Q & AHANAFI Q & AHANAFI Q & AHANAFI Q & A From various Ulama

www.askimam.org | www.askmufti.co.za | www.councilofulama.co.za

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Q: A boy and girl commit

zina (have extra-marital sex), and after five weeks

the girl comes to know she is pregnant. If she de-cides to have the baby

aborted, how will this be categorised Islamically?

A: In this case she may abort before 120 days. How-ever she should make repent

to Allah and never return to that sin again.

Answer by: Council of Ulama Eastern Cape

Q: Is it permissible for a doctor to charge a patient one amount if they are

paying cash, and inflate it if they are on medical aid?

A: Giving a discount to cash patients is permissible. At the same time medical aid

patients should not be un-duly exploited although they

could be charged a higher rate. Both doctor and patient should be aware of the appli-

cable rate prior to consulta-tion or treatment.

Answer by: Mufti Shafiq Jakhura

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

meal? A: During the time of the Prophet �, the luxury of eat-ing a sweet dish at every meal did not exist. There

were times at which months would go by in which the stove/fire did not burn in the

house of the Prophet �. Some narrations suggest

that at times the Prophet � had dates either before or

after the meal. Based on this, having something sweet could be considered to be es-

tablished at times before, and at times after the meal.

However, this is not a regu-lar or emphasized Sunnah or practice of the Prophet �.

Answer by: Mufti Shafiq Jakhura

Q: If a shelter for abused

women receives Zakaat must they use the Zakaat

only for the Muslim women residents at the shelter? The administra-

tion is run by Muslim women. A person in-

formed me that Zakaat given to the administra-

tion is Zakaat only in the hands of the person giv-ing it, and not Zakaat in

the hands of the receiver and it can thus be used

for non-Muslims at the shelter. Is this correct? A: Zakaat may only be given

to the eligible and deserving Muslim women at the shel-

ter. Such funds cannot be given to non Muslims. Tam-leek (making the recipient

the owner) is a condition for the discharging of one's Za-

kaat and a non Muslim can-not be a recipient of Zakaat.

Answer by: Mufti Shafiq Jakhura

Q: When we (husband and wife) pray Salaah at home, our one year old

baby sometimes comes in front of us and even sits

at the place of sajdah. What should we do? A: The Salaah will not break

by the baby coming in front or sitting in the place of sa-

jdah. Take turns praying so one person can take care of the baby while the other

prays, enabling you to offer Salaah without distractions. Answer by: Moulana Sohail Bengali

Q: I have a skin disorder on my face. The skin peels

off quite often especially when sweating and apply-ing water. I am seeing a

dermatologist. I can’t use

anything on my face ex-

cept for a little amount of oil to keep it moist. How

do I complete my wudhu? A: If both warm and cold wa-ter are harmful for your face

then you should make masah (wipe) over your face with a

wet hand. If even making masah on the face is harm-ful, then you may leave out

the face and complete the rest of your wudhu. Your

wudhu will be considered complete and you may then perform any act of worship

which requires wudhu. When your wudhu breaks and you

want to do wudhu again, just repeat the same procedure.

When the treatment pre-scribed by your dermatolo-gist begins to take effect,

you must go back to using water for your face. Answer by: Moulana Sohail Bengali

Q: Is it permissible to sell a video phone which can

be used to talk, for inter-net and applications like other mobile phones?

A: It is permissible to sell a video phone as it has several

permissible uses, such as making telephone calls and browsing the internet.

Answer by: Moulana Abrar Mirza

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

A: If the bleeding is from the private part it would be Ni-

faas, but if it is from the inci-sion only then it would not be Nifaas. Answer by: Mufti Abdool Kader Hoosen

Q: Is Stimorol Infinity Ha-laal?

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

Answer by: SANHA

http://www.youtube.com/user/IslamicFocus

Page 7: Islamic Focus Issue 88

7 Islamic Focus

Enrich your web experience. Not all content

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INTERNET / IN

SPIRATIO

N

The Moghul Emperor, Akbar, was one day out

hunting in the forest. When it was time for evening prayer he dismounted, spread his mat

on the earth, and knelt to pray in the manner of devout Muslims everywhere.

Now it was precisely at this time that a peas-ant woman, perturbed because her husband

had left home that morning and hadn't re-turned, went rushing by, anxiously searching for him. In her preoccupation she did not no-

tice the kneeling figure of the Emperor and tripped over him, then got up and without a

word or apology rushed farther into the forest. Akbar was annoyed at this interruption, but he

observed the rule of speaking to no one during the prayer. At just about the time that his

prayer was over, the woman returned, joyful in the company of her husband, whom she

had found. She was surprised and frightened to see the Emperor and his entourage there. Akbar gave vent to his anger against her and

shouted, ‘Explain your disrespectful behaviour or you will be punished.’

The woman suddenly turned fearless, looked into the Emperor's eyes and said, ‘Your maj-

esty, I was so absorbed in the thought of my husband that I did not even see you here, not

even when, as you say, I stumbled over you. Now while you were at prayer, you were ab-sorbed in One who is infinitely more precious

than my husband. And how is it you noticed me?’ The Emperor was shamed into silence

and later confided to his friends that a peasant woman, who was neither a scholar nor a Mul-lah, had taught him the meaning of prayer. �

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Page 8: Islamic Focus Issue 88

8 Islamic Focus

INTERNET / COMPARITIVE

One of the charges against Muslims is that people

were forced to convert to Islam. This is completely

untrue. In fact, there are widely documented inci-

dents of people being forced to convert to Christi-

anity:

Sami. The Sami people inhabit areas of Swe-den, Norway, Finland and Russia. In order to

convert them, the church employed punish-ments of various kinds: fines, imprisonment or

the death penalty. The Sami's holy places were desecrated and their drums were

burned. In Norway, a major effort to convert the Sami

was made around 1720, when their sacred drums were burned and people force con-

verted. Their sacred sites were destroyed. Spanish Inquisition. A tribunal established

in 1480 forced Jews and Muslims to convert or leave. This was backed by Pope Sixtus IV in

1478. Courts employed physical torture to ex-tract confessions. 40,000 Jews were forcibly baptised while around 5,000 people burnt at

the stake by the Inquisition (including all cate-gories such as Protestants and Jews).

Muslims in the Crown of Aragon were obliged to convert by Charles I's decree of 1526. Many

were forcibly baptized during the Revolt of the Brotherhoods (1519–1523).

India. Religious persecution took place by the Portuguese in Goa, India from 16th to the

17th century. The natives of Goa, mostly Hin-dus were subjected to severe torture and op-

pression by Portuguese rulers and missionar-ies and forcibly converted to Christianity. �

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Page 9: Islamic Focus Issue 88

9 Islamic Focus

BIOGRAPHY / M

USLIM

INFLU

ENCE

At a time when the British empire was at its

height, a young Muslim occupied a central po-sition of influence over its sovereign, Queen

Victoria. This was Hafiz Abdul Karim (1863-1909), the Munshi (teacher in Urdu). He was an Indian who was one of Queen Victoria's

closest confidants despite the abhorrence of the royal circle.

Abdul Karim was 24 when he arrived in Eng-land to wait at table during Queen Victoria's

golden jubilee in 1887. Within a year, he was established as a powerful figure in court, be-

coming the queen's teacher and instructing her in Urdu and Indian affairs. He taught her how to write in Urdu and Hindi, introduced her

to curry, which she loved and which became a daily item on the royal menu, and eventually

became her highly decorated secretary. He and his wife were given residences on all of

the main royal estates in the UK and land in India. He was allowed to carry a sword and wear his medals in court and was permitted to

bring family members from India to England. He was named in court circulars, given the

best positions at operas and banquets, al-lowed to play billiards in all the royal palaces and had a private horse carriage and footman.

Abdul Karim's influence over the queen be-came so great that she stipulated that he be

among the principal mourners at her funeral. The queen appointed him Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire and Commander of

the Royal Victorian Order.

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

destroyed. �

Sheikh Mahmood Khaleel Husri was born in

1917 in the village of Shibrun Namlah in Tanta, Egypt. By 8 he had memorized the

Quraan at the Madrassah in his village. At 12 he began learning the different styles of Qiraat. He studied at Al Azhar University. He

was reciter at the Ahmadi Musjid in Tanta ini-tially. He is reported to be the first to record

the Quraan on cassette. He recorded in the narration of Warsh an Nafi in 1964 and in the narrations of Qaloon and Doori in 1968. He

began initiating Madrassahs for Hifz (memorization) of the Quraan.

He came to Cairo in 1944. He passed the test to recite on state radio and was approved. In

1948 he was Muazzin at Sidi Hamza Musjid then a reciter. He was appointed chief of

Qaaris in Tanta in 1947, then supervisor of Qaaris in the Western Province. From 1949-

1955 he was reciter at Musjid Ahmad Al-Badawi. In 1960 he was appointed reciter at Musjid Hussain radhiallahu anhu in Cairo.

Later he was appointed Secretary General for Qaaris in Egypt. In 1963 he was appointed a

member of Quraan affairs in Wazaaratul Awqaaf, in 1964 head of the Research and Correction of the Quraan committee and in

1967 the Grand Aalim in the Islamic Research Centre. He is regarded as among the three

most famous Qaaris of our times. He authored books on the Quraan and was involved in the Azhari printing of the Quraan. He was known

for his accuracy of Tajweed. He undertook over 50 journeys to places like USA, UK, India

and Pakistan. Many Americans and Europeans accepted Islam at his hands.

He passed away in 1980 at the age of 63. �

Publishers of the Islamic Focus

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Page 10: Islamic Focus Issue 88

10 Islamic Focus

Sea Food Take-out

Tel: 041 586 1068

HISTORY / CURRENT

Iran complained to the International Olympic

Committee that the logo for the 2012 London Olympics resembles the word ‘Zion’ a Biblical

term for Israel. The racist Jewish movement Zionism, which called for and established a Jewish state in Palestine, is named after Zion.

In another twist, the mascots for the 2012

Games are creepy, one-eyed creatures making a connection with the one-eyed Dajjal who will lead the Jews towards the Last Day. The name

of one is Mandeville (man devil) aptly describ-ing Dajjal, who will have one eye. �

And Allah Knows Best

The island of Madagascar was originally set-

tled by migrants from Indonesia in the 3rd century. Islam has been established for centu-

ries and today Muslims are 10 to 15 percent of the population or 3 million. The name Mada-gascar was first used by Marco Polo in the

13th century as a corrupted form of Moga-dishu, the Somali port with which he confused

the island. In the 7th century Muslim Arabs and East Africans established trading posts along the northwest coast. The Zafiraminia

were ancestors of the Antaimoro, Antanosy and other ethnic groups. The Antaimoro es-

tablished a kingdom in the south in the Middle Ages. The last wave of Arabs were the Anta-laotra who immigrated from East Africa.

While the Malagasy language shares 90% of

its basic vocabulary with the Ma'anyan lan-guage of Indonesia, Malagasy names for sea-

sons, months, days, and coins are Arabic in origin, as is the practice of circumcision and different greetings. Sorabe, an alphabet based

on Arabic, was first used to write Malagasy.

In the Middle Ages, the island's kings traded with Muslim Arab, Persian and Somali traders who connected Madagascar with East Africa,

the Middle East and India. Western Madagas-car has a large Muslim population mostly from

Zanzibar, Yemen and Iran. They own virtually all the restaurants there. There 50,000 Muslim refugees from India, Comoros and Somalia.

Many locals are converting and coming back to Islam and there are now about 50 Musjids and

Islamic centres in Madagascar. Muslims have built medical clinics, schools and social centres and Islam is propagated on national TV and

radio. �

16 April: Qiraat Jalsah @ Musjid Abu

Bakr, Darul Uloom. Asr to Esha. Fan-tastic prizes to be won. Guest Judges:

Qari Ayoob Ishaaq of Darul Uloom Za-kariyya and Moulana Masud Mewati,

Imam of Musjidus Saaliheen, Lenasia. Refreshments served

Check www.islamicfocus.co.za for more

events and updates

Subscribe to our free enewsletter online or by emailing us

Left The logo for the 2012

Olympics in London in 2012

Above The logo spelling the

word ‘Zion’

Page 11: Islamic Focus Issue 88

11 Islamic Focus

FOR TH

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ONES

82 DURBAN ROAD, KORSTEN

TEL/FAX: (041) 453 2990

Place your platter order from as little

as R35:

Sandwiches, Bunny Chows, Rooties,

Samoosas, Pies, Curry Bunny,

Chicken Bites

www.islamicfocus.co.za

1 2 3

4

5

6

7 8

9

10 11

12

CLUES DOWN

1 Name of graveyard in Madinah: Jannatul … 2 Arabic word for meat 3 Name of first Musjid in Islam 4 Country formerly known as Persia 5 Name of a country that means two seas in Ara-bic 8 Liberator of Musjidul Aqsa: Salahuddeen … 9 This country’s capital is Doha

ACROSS 1 Name of first Muazzin in Islam 5 First battle of Islam 6 Name of graveyard in Makkah: Jannatul … 7 Word for Peninsula in Arabic (A TV station is named after it) 10 Arabic for John 11 Original name of province where Makkah and Madinah are found 12 Conqueror of North Africa: … ibn Nafi

Page 12: Islamic Focus Issue 88

12 Islamic Focus

73 DURBAN ROAD KORSTEN

PH. 041 451 3060

FINAL FO

CUS

The United Ulama Council of South Africa

(UUCSA) was established in 1994 to unify, co-ordinate and represent the Muslims of South

Africa on a national and international level, especially in matters concerning the South Af-rican government.

UUCSA represents the major Ulama bodies of

South Africa. The founder members were the Muslim Judicial Council, Jamiatul Ulama South Africa (formerly Transvaal), Jamiatul Ulama

KZN, Sunni Ulama Council, Sunni Jamiatul Ulama. These were later joined by the Eastern

Cape Islamic Congress and the Council of Ulama Eastern Cape.

Among the objectives is to foster unity and co-ordinate Muslims.

Some Activities

� Visit of Ulama to China and hosting Ulama from China

� Engaging with government on the Muslim

Marriages Bill � Dealing with the national call for compul-

sory HIV testing for marriages � Interacting with UNISA to accommodate Muslim students with regards to exams on

Fridays � Serving as a member on the National Reli-

gious Leaders Forum � Having direct access to the President

Contact: PO Box 38311, Gatesville, 7764

Tel: 021 684 4600 / 013 243 2423 Fax: 021 696 5154 / 013 243 2423

www.uucsa.co.za

A wise and pious rich man, sensing his ap-

proaching death, called his son and instructed him: ‘I shall die soon. When I die and my body

has been washed and is about to be shrouded, I want you to put one of my socks on my foot. This is my final request.’

Soon after the man died, leaving behind prop-

erties and wealth. Family and friends attended his funeral. The body had been washed and almost completely enshrouded when the son

remembered his father’s wish. Finding one of his old socks, he handed it to the person who

washed the dead and said: ‘In accordance with my father’s last request, please put this sock on his foot.’

‘That is impossible,’ said the man, ‘Such a

thing is not allowed in Islam.’ The son insisted that, as it was his father’s final wish, it must

be carried out. The washer was unmoved and told the boy to consult with the scholars. They all agreed it was not allowed. Just then an old

friend of the deceased interrupted and said to the son: ‘My boy, your late father entrusted

me with a letter to give to you at such a time. Here it is.’ He handed the son the envelope and the boy read:

‘My son, all this wealth and property I have

left for you. Now you see, at the last moment they won’t even let you give me one old sock. You will also one day only take a shroud. So

use the wealth wisely and increase in good deeds, the only thing you can take with you

on the journey beyond death.’ �

Adapted from: The Muslim Woman, 12:3