Articles

It’s Your Call

2009-05-19T01:46:00.000-07:00

The Qur’aan mentions that a salient feature of the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam and of those who follow him is to call people to Allah.

By and large, this duty is being carried out by only a handful of Muslims. We all need to add this to our job descriptions of being professionals, tradesmen, housewives and students.

ANY PLACE
The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam went to great lengths to deliver the call of Islam. He visited trade fairs, met people coming for pilgrimage to Makkah, went out to places like Taif and called individuals to Islam. His companions continued this throughout their lives, never becoming complacent and saying: enough people have become Muslim, so we can stop.
Each one of us should evolve a program for passing on the message of Islam to workers, business associates, maids, friends and fellow learners. Do not despair if there are no results: the goal is to pass on the message, while ultimate guidance is in the Hands of Allah.

TOOLS
Before breaking the ice, equip yourself with tools to add impact to your call.
Read about Islam, especially subjects which non-Muslims object to, like Hijab.
Learn a little (or a lot) about erroneous beliefs of non-Muslims.
Attend classes hosted by Da’wah movements to get basic skills.

AUDIENCE
The target audience should be those who are in contact with us daily like family, workers and maids. Then extend your circle to business colleagues and even complete strangers. But the ideal opportunity can strike at any time. Be prepared.

Do not try to give everything in one go. If the person is interested, arrange several sessions.
Do not be abusive in your approach. Use a careful choice of words.
Be innovative. Maybe you can’t speak well. Then give out literature or CD’s. Help with writing and printing these. Use dedicated dinners or feeding schemes to invite towards Islam. The more you try it, the more confidence you will gain.

A dedicated Da’wah office called Islam Awareness Centre is being launched in Port Elizabeth. This will help start you off with resources and tools.

Everyone needs to be involved. We might be 2% of the population, but then every country which took to Islam started off at 0%. It needed a few words and effort and people’s hearts opened up to Islam.

Web Guide May 2009

2009-05-19T01:44:00.000-07:00

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

www.abouttajweed.com/
Tajweed

http://anisulislam.com/
Musjid Anisul Islam, UK

www.mwinstitute.co.uk/
Muslim Welfare Institute

www.monthly-renaissance.com/
Renaissance Magazine

www.reciter.org/
Qiraat reciter

www.muslims.tk/
Islamic information

www.ilm-sa.org/
Institute for Learning and Motivation

www.darululoom-newcastle.co.za/
Darul UIoom Newcastle

www.duai.co.za/
Cape Darul Uloom

www.muslimwomanmag.co.za/
Muslim Woman magazine

www.muslimahsandtots.co.za/
Muslimahs and Tots

www.discoverislam.co.za/
Discover Islam

www.islaminfo.org.za/
Da'wah site

www.iananet.org/
Islamic Assembly of North America

www.nurulislammosque.org.za/
Nurul Islam Musjid, Cape Town

www.shabirally.com/
Da'wah site

www.haraj.net/madinah/
Madinah Hotels

http://hadithsahihbukhari.com/
Bukhari online

www.sisterszone.com/
Sisters Forum

Support Sensible Surfing

Islam’s Bill of Rights

2009-05-19T01:42:00.000-07:00

Islam defended human rights for male, female, young, old, irrespective of status, even the other creatures which inhabit earth, hundreds of years before the Magna Charta (1215) or the Declaration of Human Rights (1948). Here is a glimpse into some of the rights established and protected by Islam:

Human Rights
Whoever kills a soul unless for a soul (as legal retribution for murder) or for corruption (done) in the land - it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one - it is as if he had saved mankind entirely. (Qur’aan 5:32)

Whoever passes through one of our Musjids or markets with arrows should hold them at their heads to let no Muslim be wounded by him. (Bukhari)

Whoever has killed a person having a treaty with the Muslims shall not smell the fragrance of Paradise… (Bukhari, Ibn Majah)

Women’s Rights
You are advised to be good to women. (Bukhari)

In Islam, women are allowed to earn, own and spend money; they can testify and arbitrate; they can learn and teach; they can nurse and treat the ill. (Hidayah)

Children’s Rights
And do not kill your children. (Qur’aan 17:31)

Animal Rights
While taking the life of an animal for food, we are advised to cause the least amount of suffering: He who shows mercy even if he slaughters a bird, Allah will be merciful to him on the Day of Resurrection. (Kanzul Ummal)

Musjids of the World 13

2009-05-19T01:38:00.000-07:00

The Musjid serves as the focal point of any Muslim community and is the most important structure to Muslims.

King Abdullah I Musjid, Amman, Jordan. Built 1982-1989. Capped by a magnificent blue mosaic dome. Capacity: 3,000.

Koutoubia Musjid, Marrakech, Morocco. Built in the Almohad style. Minaret (69m high) completed 1184-1199 and was a model for the minaret of the Giralda Musjid in Spain which influenced thousands of church towers in Spain and Eastern Europe. 6 rooms (one above the other) form the interior; leading around them is a ramp by which the Muazzin could ride up to the balcony.

Makkah Musjid, Hyderabad, India. Believed to contain a hair of the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam. Bricks from Makkah are part of the central arch. The Musjid has Belgian crystal chandeliers. It was completed in 1694 by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and took 8,000 masons 77 years to complete. The hall is 23m high. Each of the two columns on either side are made of a single piece of granite, which took 5 years to quarry. The courtyard has a large pond.

Qolsharif Musjid, Kazan, Russia. Largest Musjid in Russia and Europe. Named after Muslim fighter Qolsharif who died with many of his students defending Kazan from Russian forces. Originally built in the 16th century, the Musjid was destroyed by Russians in 1552. Rebuilt by 2005. Qolsharif is the most important symbol of Muslim Tatar independence. The Musjid has an Islamic Museum.

Tech Watch: Islamic Organizer

2009-05-19T01:36:00.000-07:00

With technology being an integral part of many people’s lives, here’s one way of making the indispensable cellphone help organize your Islamic life:

Nokia has designed an Islamic Organizer program that works on Nokia S-60 3rd Edition cellphones. The program either comes pre-loaded or can be downloaded free.

Features:
Supports 5 languages (English, Arabic, French, Farsi, and Urdu) depending on the phone’s current selected language.
Prayer times for any location all over the world covering famous calculation methods like Umm ul-Qura, Karachi University and Muslim World League.
Option of selecting Shafi or Hanafi Asr calculation method.
Prayer alert (with Athaan) for the daily five prayers.
Automatic activation of Silent mode after Athaan for the duration of Salaah to facilitate reading in a Musjid.
A full Hijri Calendar with the Islamic date automatically displayed. Option allows correction of date depending on moon sighting.
Determining Qibla directions with traditional methods or an advanced method using the phone’s GPS.
Database with more than 200 countries and 1,000 cities. Tailor-made co-ordinates can also be entered.
Shows time left for next Salaah.

All in all, a useful and powerful tool to help a Muslim be punctual with the most important activity of his/her life: Salaah.

Islam in the Comoros

2009-05-19T01:35:00.000-07:00

98% of the 798,000 population in the Comoros, a group of 4 islands in the Indian Ocean, are Muslim. Most are of Arab-Swahili or Persian descent, but there are also people of Indian descent. The name Comoros is derived from the Arabic Qamar, meaning moon. Arabic is one of the official languages.

Locals claim Islam was brought to the islands during the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam’s lifetime by two Comorian nobles, Fey Bedja Mwamba and Mtswa Mwandze, who visited Makkah. Arab merchants and exiled Persian Shirazi princes played a role in introducing Islam. Comoros was an important stop in early Islamic trade routes.

Islam has long played a central role. Ruling families learned Arabic, performed Hajj, and maintained ties with other Muslim communities such as Kilwa, Zanzibar and Oman. Hassan ibn Issa, a 16th century Shirazi chief, encouraged conversion and constructed numerous Musjids. Sheikh Al-Ami ibn Ali al-Mazruwi (d. 1949) was the first of the region's ulama to author Islamic literature in Swahili.

Hundreds of Musjids and Madrassas are scattered throughout the islands. All children attend Quranic School for two or three years, starting around the age of five; there they learn the basics of Islam and Arabic.

Comoros had only three murder cases in the last 30 years and violent crime is almost unheard of. An Islamic scholar was elected President in 2006 after years of political turmoil engineered by France and other countries. Islamists hope to create an Islamic state.

Money Matters

2009-05-19T01:33:00.000-07:00

Some teachings of Islam regarding money:

Contentment
Wealth is not in having vast riches, it is in contentment. (Bukhari, Muslim)

Loans
If anyone would like Allah to save him from the hardships of the Day of Resurrection, he should give more time to his debtor who is short of money, or remit his debt altogether. (Muslim)

Earning
The flesh and body that is raised on unlawful sustenance shall not enter Paradise. Hell is more deserving to the flesh that grows on one's body out of unlawful sustenance. (Ahmad)

Envy
There is no envy except in (regards to) two (people): (one is) a person whom Allah has given wealth and he spends it in the right way… (Bukhari)

Best Charity
The best charity is that which is practiced by a wealthy person. And start giving first to your dependents. (Bukhari)

Business Conduct
May Allah show mercy to a man who is kind when he sells, when he buys, and when he makes a claim. (Bukhari)

Interest
A dirham (silver coin) of Riba (interest) knowingly taken by a man is a sin worse than committing Zina (fornication/adultery) 36 times. (Ahmad, Daraqutni)

Discover Islam

2009-05-19T01:31:00.000-07:00

In 1999 the Muslim Judicial Council opened a Department of Da’wah headed by Dr Abdullah Hakeem Quick. This led to the Discover Islam Centre (DIC) being established in 2005. DIC is a non-profit organisation.

Some Activities
Qur'aan Distribution Project. Over 5,000 have been distributed.
Establishment of international network of Da'wah communications.
Production of Da'wah literature including pamphlets, essay's and booklets. Thousands of information pamphlets distributed.
Translation of Islamic literature into local languages.
Training of Da'wah workers.
Production of Islamic audio-visual media.
Da'wah Caravans in South Africa and neighbouring states.
Lectures and guided tours to Musjids.

DIC aims to create sustainable socio-economic development programs (skills) and provide educational courses for new Muslims as well as present information on Islam to non Muslims. DIC networks with community and government agencies to avoid duplication of services. These organisations include the Dawah Co-ordinating Forum and Muslim Judicial Council. It relies on volunteer workers for many of its activities.

Contact Details
385 Lansdowne Road, Lansdowne, Cape Town
Tel: 021 696 8375/6 Fax: 27 21 696 8376
Email: info@discoverislam.co.za

http://www.discoverislam.co.za/

Mother, What Can I Give You?

2009-05-19T01:26:00.000-07:00

On reaching the height of his career a man felt a duty to repay his mother for all she had done for him. He asked, ‘Mother, what can I give you to repay the sacrifices you made for me?’ Mother looked surprised and said, ‘Why think about it? It was my duty so I did it, you don't have to repay me. Even if you want to, there is no way a man can repay his mother.’

The son persisted and she said, ‘All right. If you must, then tonight sleep on my bed, with me, just as you used to when you were a baby.’ He said, ‘That's a strange thing to ask for, but if it pleases you, I will.’ As soon as he fell asleep, the mother got up and poured a mug of water on his side. Disturbed by the wetness under him, in his sleep he moved to the other side of the bed. As he settled down, his mother poured another mug of water on that side. In his slumber he tried to find space towards the foot of the bed.

Sometime later he woke up feeling that this part of the bed too was damp. He got up and saw his mother, with mug in her hand. He asked angrily, ‘What are you doing mother? Why don't you let me sleep? How do you expect me to sleep on a wet bed?’ Mother said, ‘I slept with you when you wet the bed in the night. I would change your nappy and move you to the dry part of the bed, while I slept on the wet side. You wanted to repay me. Can you sleep for one night with me on a damp bed? If you can, I'll take it you’ve repaid me.’

And We have enjoined on man kindness to his parents. (Qur'an 29:8)
Ibn Umar radhiallahu anhu said, ‘The pleasure of the Lord lies in the pleasure of the parent. The anger of the Lord lies in the anger of the parent.’ (Al-Adab al-Mufrad)

Naan

2009-05-18T02:25:00.000-07:00

Naan is a round flatbread made of white flour. It is a staple accompaniment to hot meals in Central and South Asia, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, northern India, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and the surrounding region. It bears a resemblance to pita, but is softer in texture.
The word originated in Central Asia within the Persian speaking nations of Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Tajikistan. The word naan literally means ‘bread.’ The word and bread later spread to South Asia, into Pakistan, India and the surrounding regions. More recently it has spread to the UK, owing to the popularity of Pakistani and Indian cuisines.

The first recorded history of naan can be found in the notes of Amir Khusrau (1300 CE) as naanetunuk (light bread) and naanetanuri (cooked in a tandoor oven) at the imperial Muslim court in Delhi. In Muslim Mughal times, naan, accompanied by qeema or kabab, was a popular breakfast food of the royals.

Naan is usually leavened with yeast; unleavened dough (similar to that used for roti) is also used. Naan is cooked in a tandoor, or clay oven. This distinguishes it from roti which is usually cooked on a flat or slightly concave iron griddle called a tava. Modern recipes sometimes substitute baking powder for the yeast. Milk or yoghurt may also be used to give greater volume and thickness to the naan. Typically, the naan will be served hot and brushed with ghee or butter. It can be used to scoop other foods, or served stuffed with a filling.

Encouragement

2009-05-18T02:21:00.000-07:00

Parents, with their comments or attitude can have a negative influence on their children. Here are a few ways of positively encouraging them:

‘Mom! Dad! Look at what I did!’ Kids, their faces beaming with joy, running to their parents to show them ‘something special’ is an everyday occurrence. Sometimes parents immediately start finding fault. ‘Don't interrupt! I'm busy!’ they might say. Or they might criticize the treasure. The heartbroken child walks away maybe to give up ever trying to improve his drawing, writing, or school work.

Compliment Achievements
Timing is important. Learn to recognize the signs. Sometimes kids want to show parents what they have done to hear them say how good it is. Compliment the positives.

Encourage Positives
At times, kids take parents something with a questioning look. They know something is wrong and they want parents to tell them how to fix it. Look for positives and encourage it first. Negatives should be given in a spirit of advice, not criticism.

Abdullah Ibn Abbas radhiallahu anhuma (a youngster) once realised the Prophet sallallahua alaihi wa sallam needed water for Wudhu. He brought it and waited. The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam encouraged his zeal by making Dua for him. On another occasion he got up at night to read Tahajjud Salaah with the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, who didn’t reprimand him for interrupting his personal communication with Allah, but drew him next to him. These early encouragements saw Abdullah radhiallahu anhu’s enthusiasm for Islam grow and he become a highranking scholar of Islam.

Earning Dua

2009-05-18T02:18:00.000-07:00

It is a trend that people ask the pious or their parents for Dua. This is good, but more effective is to earn the Dua of people by affecting their lives in some way.

Service
Abdullah Ibn Abbas radhiallahua ahuma used to stay close to the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam as a young boy. He would run to fetch water for him when he wanted to make wudhu. The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam prayed: ‘O Lord, make him acquire a deep understanding of the religion of Islam and instruct him in the meaning and interpretation of things.’ As a result, Ibn Abbas radhiallahu anhuma memorised about 1,160 sayings of the Prophet sallallahu alaihi was sallam and was exceedingly knowledgeable in Tafseer (commentary) of the Qur’aan.

Charity
The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam prayed for Abdur Rahman Ibn Awf radhiallahu anhu that Allah bless his wealth. Abdur Rahman radhiallahu anhu spent hundreds of thousands in the cause of Islam and became one of the richest of the Sahaba. After the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam passed away, he used to give money to the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam’s wives. One of his wives, Aisha radhiallahu anha prayed for him: ‘May God give him to drink from the water of Salsabil (a spring in Paradise).’

Sacrifice
Sa’ad Ibn Abi Waqqas radhiallahu anhu fought bravely in the defence of the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam at Uhud. The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam prayed that his prayers be accepted. His Duas were thereafter accepted.

Earn the sincere Duas of parents, the pious and others by making an impression on their hearts with actions.

Inspired by Moulana Sulaiman Moola

Leadership Qualities Part 3

2009-05-18T02:13:00.000-07:00

With elections in South Africa just over, we continue from our main article in the last issue, examining qualities of a good leader as opposed to a ruler:

A leader derives his appeal from humility, a ruler appeals for superiority
In his first speech as Khalifah (leader) of the Muslims, Abu Bakr said: ‘I have been appointed as ruler over you although I am not the best among you. I have never sought this position nor has there ever been a desire in my heart to have this preference to anyone else… If I do right, you must help and obey me; if I go astray, set me right…’

A leader’s hallmark is mercy, a ruler’s hallmark is authority
And We have not sent you (Muhammad ) except as a mercy to the universe. (Qur’aan 21:107) Such was the compassion of the Prophet that he said: ‘I start the prayers, intending to lengthen them. I then hear a child crying so I make them shorter, knowing that a mother will be distressed by her child’s cries.’

A leader is reliable, a ruler is reliant
‘There are three signs of a hypocrite: When he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is trusted, he betrays his trust.’ (Bukhari and Muslim)

A leader elects people of expertise, a ruler elects people for expediency
‘Whoever delegates a position to someone whereas he sees someone else as more competent (for the position); verily he has cheated Allah and His Prophet and all Muslims.
(Ibn Taymiyya)

Jamiatul Ulama of South Africa

The Eagle and the Crow

2009-05-18T02:11:00.000-07:00

Once a man saw a crow whose wings were cut. He thought: ‘Poor thing, how is it going to survive? From where shall it get its food?’ Hardly a moment had passed when that person spotted an eagle carrying some prey in its beak. The eagle came closer, landed and fed the crow.
On seeing this the man thought: ‘This is how Allah provides for His creatures, so why should I worry about earning a living. Allah will provide for me.’ So he sat down and remained idle. Some days passed but yet the person did not get anything.

One wise man said to him: ‘O servant of Allah, you were shown two birds, one injured crow and an eagle. Why did you prefer to become like the crow? Why did you not think about becoming like the eagle who not only eats himself but also feeds others who are in need?’

This story illustrates the real nature of Tawakkul or trust in Allah. If anyone has ameans of livelihood at his disposal, then he should not give up those means. His case is a like that of the eagle. He should not only fulfil his own needs but also look after others.

Tawakkul means using the best at our disposal to the best of our ability, leaving the result to the descision of Allah.

The World Within by Mufti Muhammad Shafi (late Grand Mufti of Pakistan)

Winning Hearts

2009-05-18T01:40:00.000-07:00

Ways from the Hadith on winning people’s hearts:

SMILE: It is the first arrow and the fastest of all. ‘Smiling at your brother's face is charity’. Sahaaba report they had never seen someone smile at other more then the Prophet . The Hadith says: ‘Do not ever waste your good deeds, even by meeting your brother with a frowning face.’

BE FIRST TO GREET: This arrow lets you to into the innermost depths of others’ hearts. The Hadith tells us the better one is he who initiates the greeting. We are also told that making salaam common will increase mutual love thus perfecting our faith and allowing ud to enter Paradise. (Muslim)

EXCHANGE PRESENTS: It captivates a person. The Prophet told us that giving presents increases love. He also said: ‘Shaking hands removes hatred and exchanging presents enhances love and ends enmity.’

BE A GOOD LISTENER: Listen patiently and don’t interrupt the speaker. The Prophet never interrupted a speaker till he ended his speech.

BE SOCIABLE: The Hadith says that being sociable is charity. The Prophet was asked about the deeds which will lead most people into Paradise. He replied, ‘The fear of Allah and good manners.’ (Tirmizi)

EXCUSE SHORTCOMINGS: The Muslim who conceals the faults of another Muslim, Allah will conceal his faults on the Day of Qiyaamah. (Sahih Muslim)

The Glue that Binds

2009-04-15T07:13:00.000-07:00

I was invited to a Somali wedding feast. We sat, three to a platter heaped with rice. On top reposed chunks of cooked meat, pieces of banana, onion, and green pepper. One ate all this together!

BIRYANI
On another occasion I ate with a Jordanian Arab jamaat. Three bowls lay before us: one took a slice of bread, dipped it in the first bowl of olive oil, then into another of some seeds and finally into the third to take a piece of raw tomato. All this made a morsel to be popped into one’s mouth. Likewise, being an Indian, I’ve ate at countless Indian Muslim feasts, consuming traditional Indian dishes like biryani with relish! Eating with my Malay friends introduced me to a variety of dishes.

I sat back and thought: on most of these occasions the food was definitely unique, to say the least. But, and here’s the crunch line, I felt totally at home with the Arabs and Somalis as I did with the Indians and Malays. Why? I realized the common, binding factor was the culture of Islam which accompanied all these occasions: washing the hands before eating, eating together, sitting on the floor and eating and the talk was full of familiar phrases like Jazakallah.

POWER
This then is the secret behind the Muslims’ power, which we’ve largely forgotten in the headlong rush to imitate supposedly superior lifestyles such as that of the west, and in dividing ourselves up on nationalist or tribal lines.

The early Arab Muslims went to different corners of the world, leaving behind a lasting culture of Islam which displaced people’s own cultures. Moroccans, Indians, Malays, Turks, Mongols, Egyptians all embraced the culture of Islam and Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wa sallam with such passion that his language is the mother-tongue of diverse nationalities up to today, the dress of the Sahaba, with unique cultural tweakings, is essentially worn from Malaysia to Nigeria and the etiquettes of Islam in weddings, eating, dressing and everyday, commonplace things makes a Muslim traveler feel at home in any Musjid and with any Muslim around the world.

True to the hadith that the Muslim nation is like one body, Muslims from diverse backgrounds work as a unique, coherent force when bound by these ties of Islam: the Qur’aan and Sunnah.

Ulama Profiles: Imam Jalaluddeen

2009-04-15T07:09:00.000-07:00

In this series, we look briefly at the life and achievements of the Ulama and Mashaaikh of PE/Uitenhage. The profiling is in no particular order.

Name: Jalaluddeen Ismail
Born: 1932 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Imam Jalaluddeen is married with 5 children. He left school at the age of 14 to support his mother as his father had died before he was born. Imam Jalaluddeen worked for 23 years at a shoe factory and another 27 years at Plascon paint before retiring. In between, Imam Jalal (as he is known) found the time to be a pioneer in the preservation of Islam in Port Elizabeth.
He was instrumental in founding the first (and possibly only) Baitul Maal (public treasury) in South Africa in the 1960’s. This was eventually incorporated into SANZAF. He also helped set up the Eastern Cape Islamic Congress and assisted with the running of the Religious Affairs department.

Among his early teachers was Sheikh Aameen at Pier Street Musjid. Thereafter, Sheikh Jameel played a great role in furthering his Islamic studies, teaching him the basics of Arabic and Islamic jurisprudence.

Imam Jalal served as the first Imam of Musjid Saabireen for 16 years from 1993 until his retirement this year due to age. He, in fact, suggested the name for the Musjid. Imam also had the honour of going on two Hajj, in 1976 and 1998. Imam Jalal has played a great role in fostering relations between all segments of the Muslim community.

Lessons from the Geese

2009-04-15T07:07:00.000-07:00

Fact 1: As each goose flaps its wings it creates an ‘uplift’ for the birds that follow. By flying in a ‘V’ formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.
Lesson 1: Muslims can get results quicker and easier while they are traveling on the thrust of one another in unity and harmony.

Fact 2: When a goose falls out of formation, it feels the drag of flying alone. It quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front of it.
Lesson 2: We should stay in formation with other Muslims. We are willing to accept their help and give our help to others.

Fact 3: When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position.
Lesson 3: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. People are interdependent on each others' skills, capabilities and unique talents or resources.

Fact 4: Geese honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
Lesson 4: We need to make sure our honking is encouraging. In groups where there is encouragement, production is much greater.

Fact 5: When a goose gets sick, wounded or shot down, two geese follow it down to protect it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. Then they launch out with another formation or catch up with the flock.
Lesson 5: If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.

Leadership Qualities Part 2

2009-04-15T07:03:00.000-07:00

With elections round the corner, we continue from our main article in the last issue, examining qualities of a good leader as opposed to a ruler:

A leader emerges among people, a ruler campaigns among people
The Hadith says: ‘Do not ask for a position of authority, for if you are granted this position as a result of your asking, you will be left alone (to discharge the responsibilities associated with it) and if you are granted it without making any request for it, you will be helped (to discharge your responsibilities).’ Muslim

A leaders shows undying concern, a ruler demands compliance
The Qur’aan says regarding the best of leaders, Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wa sallam: ‘There comes to you a Messenger from amongst yourselves; it grieves him that you should suffer; he is so anxious over you; to the Believers is he most kind and merciful.’ (9:128)

The Hadith says regarding the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam: ‘From his mercy is that he never felt it below him to walk along a widow or a poor person to fulfill their needs. He visited the weak and sick Muslims and attended their funerals…’ Bukhari, Ibn Majah

Another hadith mentions: ‘If Allah puts anyone in the position of authority over the Muslims’ affairs and he secludes himself (from them), not fulfilling their needs, wants and poverty, Allah will keep Himself away from him, not fulfilling his need, want and poverty.’ Abu Dawood

Part One

Jamiatul Ulama of South Africa

Virtues of Trade

2009-04-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

Here is a selection of Hadith on the virtues of trade:

COMPULSORY
The seeking of Halaal income is a compulsory duty after the compulsory duty of Salaah.

PROFESSION
Verily Allah loves a believer who has a profession.

BEST EARNINGS
The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam was once asked, ‘Which earnings are the best?’ He replied: ‘(The earnings of) a man’s own hands, and a mabroor transaction (a deal free of all Haraam and unIslamic practices.’

TIRED
Whosoever comes home at night exhausted from the day’s labour, there is forgiveness for him the entire night.

HIGH RANKS
The honest and truthful trader will be among the Prophets, the pious and the martyrs on the day of Qiyamah.

PATH OF ALLAH
If a man goes out to earn for his little children, he is in the path of Allah; and if he goes out to earn for his aged parents, he is also in the path of Allah.

BEGGING
It is better for one to take his rope and bring from the forest a bundle of wood on his back, and sell it, thereby staving off disgrace, than begging from people.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Take a Quiz

2009-04-15T06:56:00.000-07:00

You don't actually have to take the quiz. Just read through and you'll get the point.

Take this quiz:
Name the 5 wealthiest people in the world.
Name the last 10 Presidents of South Africa.
Name 10 people who have won the Nobel Prize.
Name the last 10 soccer Premiership winners.

How did you do? The point is, none of us really remember the headliners of yesterday. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Achievements are forgotten.

Here's another quiz:
List a few teachers who aided you in school.
Name 3 friends who helped you in difficult times.
Name 5 people who taught you something worthwhile.
Think of people who made you feel appreciated.
Think of 5 people you enjoy spending time with.
Easier?

The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money or most awards. They are the ones that care.

Web Guide April 2009

2009-04-15T02:24:00.000-07:00

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

http://halaal.wordpress.com/
Halaal Talk, Botswana

www.masjidbilal.org/
Masjid Bilal, Ottawa, Canada

www.tradepage.co.za/ieosa/
Islamic Educational Organization of SA

www.africamuslimparty.org/
Africa Muslim Party

www.aljama.co.za
Al Jama-ah Party

http://www.prayandcomfort.com/
Knee cap to help with Salaah: Ruku and Sajda

http://www.quranchannel.com/
Links to Qur’aan Radio and TV Channels. Online versions of Qur’aan translations

http://www.quran.ie/
Qur'aan Website, Ireland

http://nusrah.com/en/
Committee for the Support of the Final Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam

http://www.islamireland.ie/
Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland

http://www.islaminireland.com/
Islamic Foundation of Ireland

http://www.mcb.org.uk/
The Muslim Council of Britain

Support Sensible Surfing

Musjids of the World Series 12

2009-04-15T02:18:00.000-07:00

The Musjid serves as the focal point of any Muslim community and is the most important structure to Muslims.

Great Musjid of Brussels, Belgium. Oldest Musjid in Brussels and seat of the Islamic and Cultural Centre of Belgium. The original building was built in an Arabic style to form the Oriental Pavilion of the National Exhibition in Brussels in 1880. In 1967, King Baudouin of Belgium gifted it to King Faisal of Saudi Arabia to be turned into a Musjid. Reconstruction was funded by Saudi Arabia and inaugurated in 1978 in the presence of King Khalid of Saudi Arabia and Baudouin. It has a school, Islamic research centre for propagation and provides Arabic courses for adults and children, as well as introductory courses in Islam.

Ali Pasha Musjid, Sarajevo, Bosnia. Built 1560-61 as a Waqf (legacy or perpetual endowment) of Hadim Ali Pasha, former Ottoman governor of the Budapest and Bosnian districts. Built according to classical Istanbul architectural style. The dome covers the prayer area and three small domes cover the cloister. The Musjid was heavily damaged by Serbian forces in the 1990s war. It was renovated in 2004. It is on the list of National Monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Nurd Kamal Musjid, Norilsk, Russia. World’s northernmost Musjid located in the Arctic Circle where temperatures drop below -50˚C (plans are afoot for a Musjid even further north in Norway). The Musjid was built in 1998 by Mukhtad Bekmeyev, a Tartar Muslim. About 500 people attend Juma.

The Miracle of Speech

2009-04-15T02:16:00.000-07:00

Among the signs of Allah is that He created our different languages. (Qur’aan 30:22) It is estimated that there are between 5,000 and 10,000 languages in the world, all spoken from the same voice box or larynx! The Qur’aan mentions that Allah will show us signs within ourselves proving the truth of His being our Lord. (Qur’aan 41:53) Among these signs is the wonder of the voice box:

The voice box is the part of the windpipe that opens to the mouth. Right at the entrance of the voice box are vocal cords. Thanks to the muscles that govern them, these cords assume different shapes and as a result, we make various sounds, including speech.

One reason why other living beings cannot make sounds like humans is that their voice boxes are located higher in the mouth cavity than in humans. In humans, thanks to this position, breath from the lungs is transformed by the voice box into a variety of sounds. According to the theory of evolution, the best place for the voice box would be higher up in the mouth cavity, for the lower position means the food we eat can get into the windpipe and choke us, or liquids may get into the lungs. In order to prevent this, while we are eating or drinking a little tongue or uvula closes the voice box. The more advantageous structure would only result in incoherence.

Another miracle is that the voice boxes of babies are higher up than in adults. This way they can breathe while suckling, without running the risk of getting milk in the windpipes and lungs. Yet before infants gain the ability to speak, this voice box lowers itself in the throat. It develops in the right way just at the right time!

Harun Yahya

A Lesson in Unity

2009-04-15T02:12:00.000-07:00

Hasan radhiallahu anhu was the eldest son of Ali radhiallahu anhu and the granson of Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wa sallam. When his father passed away, Muslims of Kufa pledged allegiance to him as the fifth Khalifah (ruler). In the meantime, Muawiyah radhiallahu anhu had taken the pledge from the people of Syria as Khalifah. Muawiyah radhiallahu anhu felt he was the unopposed Khalifah of the Muslim Empire. When he heard that the people of Kufa had pledged allegiance to Hasan radhiallahu anhu, he sent an army and a message to Hasan radhiallahu anhu to accept him as the new Khalifah. Hasan radhiallahu anhu addressed his followers saying: ‘O people! I take an oath by Allah the Almighty that I do not hate anyone. I prefer unity and harmony over disunity and enmity.’

Hasan radhiallahu anhu responded to Muawiyah radhiallahu anhu’s overtures of peace by saying he was prepared to hand over rule to him as long as he ruled according to the Qur’aan and Hadith. A peace treaty was signed and Hasan radhiallahu anhu pledged allegiance to Muawiyah radhiallahu anhu. Muawiyah radhiallahu anhu asked him to address the crowd and Hasan radhiallahu anhu said: ‘O Muslims! I greatly detest violence and disunity. In order to ensure peace in the Ummah (community) of my venerable grandfather Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam and to avoid any Muslim bloodshed, I have entered into a peace treaty with Muawiyah radhiallahu anhu and accept him as Khalifah. If the Khilafat was his rightful post, he has got it; and if it is my rightful post then I have handed it over to him.’

This high-ranking personality handed over the highest office in the land to attain peace, and thus ended 10 years of civil unrest raging in the Muslim Empire in just six months without bloodshed. He taught us an everlasting lesson in diplomacy and leadership.

Bobotie

2009-04-14T02:17:00.000-07:00

Bobotie is a South African dish consisting of spiced minced meat baked with a baked egg-based topping complementing the milk-soaked bread which adds moisture to the dish.

The recipe originates from the Dutch colonies in Batavia in Muslim Indonesia with the name derived from the Indonesian Bobotok. It is a Muslim Cape-Malay inspired dish known in the Cape since the 17th century when Muslim prisoners of war were brought by Dutch colonizers from Indonesia.

Early recipes had ginger, marjoram and lemon rind; the introduction of curry powder has simplified the recipe by replacing these spices. Some recipes call for chopped onions to be added.
Traditionally, bobotie incorporates dried fruit like raisins or sultanas. It is garnished with walnuts, chutney and bananas.

The Bobotie recipe was adopted by Dutch settlers in South Africa (later known as the Afrikaners or Boers) and transported by them all over Africa. Today, recipes for it can be found in Kenya, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

There is a variation that was popular among the Boer settlers who settled in Argentina in the early 20th century, in which the bobotie mixture is packed inside a large pumpkin, which is then baked until tender.

Another Muslim-influenced dish that has spiced up people’s cuisine.

Turning Sex into Sadaqah

2009-04-14T02:14:00.000-07:00

With the proliferation of illicit sex and relationships between Muslim boys and girls, men and women, we turn the focus onto the Halaal alternative of sex in marriage, and how to make it satisfying, thus preventing spouses from turning to Haraam:

A basic right of every person taking on a contract never to have sex other than with their legitimate partner is that each spouse should provide sexual fulfillment to the other as part of the bargain. Men generally know what sexual things please them but some don't know how to give the same pleasure to their wives. Yet this is vital if a marriage is to succeed.

The Hadith mentions that sex in marriage is sadaqa (charity) and earns reward because had sexual desire been fulfilled in a Haraam manner there would have been a sin. (Muslim) If a husband is not aware of the urges of his wife, he will be committing a sin by depriving her of her rights.

Here is a recipe from the Hadith to avoid this:
The Hadith mentions an inadequacy in a man is that he goes to his wife and has intercourse with her before talking to her and gaining her intimacy, satisfying his need from her before she has satisfied her need from him. (Daylami)

Another Hadith states: ‘None of you should fall upon his wife like an animal; but let there first be a messenger between you.’ ‘And what is that messenger?’ they asked, and he replied: ‘Kisses and words.’ (Daylami) To set the right mood, little signals should begin well in advance, so that the wife has a clue as to what is coming, and is pleasantly expectant.

The Addax

2009-04-14T02:11:00.000-07:00

The Addax, also known as the screwhorn antelope, is a critically endangered desert antelope that lives in several isolated regions in Muslim countries in the Sahara desert. It is closely related to the oryx, but differs from other antelopes by having large square teeth like cattle. It is extremely rare in its native habitat. There are some in captivity and it is regularly bred on ranches where they are hunted as trophies. There are fewer than 500 addax left in the wild, and fewer than 860 in captivity.

The Addax stands 1 meter tall at the shoulder and weighs up to 120 kilograms. In winter it’s coat is greyish brown with white hind quarters and legs. In summer, it turns almost completely white or sandy blonde. The head is marked with brown or black patches that form an X over the nose. They have a scraggly beard and prominent red nostrils. Horns, found on both males and females, can reach 120 centimetres in males. The tail is short, ending in a puff of hair. Hooves are broad with flat soles and strong dewclaws to help walk on soft sand.

In ancient times, addax spread from Northern Africa through Arabia and Palestine. They were kept as domesticated animals in Egypt around 2500 BC. Addax live in desert terrain where they eat grass, and leaves of bushes. They can live in deep desert under extreme conditions and can survive without free water almost indefinitely, because they get moisture from their food and dew that condenses on plants. Addax are nocturnal and are able to live far apart, because their sensory powers allow them to locate each other at great distances.

Al Fidaa Foundation

2009-04-14T02:10:00.000-07:00

Al Fidaa Foundation was established in 2008 by Moulana Nazeer Munshie in Port Elizabeth. It runs several community projects and seeks to alleviate poverty as well as preserve Islam in the poorer communities.

Some Projects
Helenvale Soup Kitchen: From Monday to Thursday, the poor as well as AIDS patients and terminally ill are given soup and bread as well as fresh fruit weekly.
Kensington Maktab: An area of 50 Muslim families. A Jamaat Khana and Maktab have been established. An Islamic Centre is envisaged.
Helenvale Maktab: Previously called Katanga and notorious for gang shootouts. A Maktab was set up and students are given a meal daily.
Missionvale Resource Centre: A soup kitchen is run for Muslims and non-Muslims Monday to Thursday.
Skills Centre: A project designed to equip the poor with basic work skills such as welding, sewing, etc in order to make them independent.

Several other projects are in the pipeline such as feeding schemes in other poor areas as well as a temporary shelter for abused women. All projects depend on public funding from the Muslim community.

Contact Details
Euphorbia Street, Malabar
Tel: 041 457 4194
Cell: 083 349 5668
www.alfidaa.co.za

Window with a View

2009-04-14T02:08:00.000-07:00

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One was allowed to sit up in his bed an hour a day to drain fluids from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. And every afternoon when the man next to the window could sit up, he would describe all the things outside the window.

The man in the other bed would live for those one-hour periods when his world would be enlivened by the activity and color of the outside world. The window overlooked a park with a lake, the man by the window said. Ducks played on the water and children sailed model boats. After some weeks the man on his back thought: Why should the man by the window have all the pleasure of seeing everything while I never get to see anything? His resentment turned him sour.

One night the man by the window began to choke on the fluid in his lungs. The other man watched as he groped for the help button. He never moved. In five minutes the man by the window was dead. The next day the man asked for the bed by the window. Slowly, painfully he propped himself up to take his first look. He strained to look out the window. It faced a blank wall.

If we regularly think positive thoughts, we will find there is much to rejoice about. Happiness is a matter of choice. It is not a gift that’s delivered to our doorstep, nor does material wealth bring it. If we wait for conditions to get just right, we will never find lasting joy.

Leadership Qualities Part 1

2009-03-25T01:20:00.000-07:00

With elections approaching, South Africans are bombarded with promises of different types of leaders and leadership. It is an opportunity for us to evaluate the qualities of leadership we need in order to realize maximum potential from our subordinates, whether as parents, teachers, bosses or society leaders.

Resources: Allah made Zul Qarnayn a leader and gave him the means to govern. (Qur’aan 18:84) When in authority, expect the best from subordinates, on two conditions: do not expect more than they are capable of, and give them tools to get the job done.

Allah does not demand what we do not have the ability to do: On no soul does Allah place a burden greater than he can bear. (Surah Baqarah)

Power: Zul Qarnayn was tested when he came upon a people. He was told: ‘… (you have authority) either to punish them or treat them with kindness.’ He (Zul Qarnayn) said: ‘Whoever does wrong him shall we punish… But whoever believes and works righteousness he shall have a goodly reward...’ (Qur’aan 18:85-8)

Zul Qarnayn displayed leadership qualities of fairness and justice. Wrong-doers must be punished, but good people must be rewarded and honored. A leader does not abuse his power.

Exploitation: At another stage Zul Qarnayn was asked by a people to erect a barrier between them and Yajooj and Majooj. They offered to pay for it, but Zul Qarnayn treats them with a sense of service, not greed. He does not want to exploit their weakness. He realizes the power that Allah has blessed him with is a means to serve Allah by taking care of people’s needs.

Teamwork: Zul Qarnayn asked the people to help with their labour. Leadership is about teamwork because leaders can’t accomplish anything without their followers (and Allah’s help). This illustrates 3 things that good leaders do to accomplish tasks:

1. Asking people to help dignifies them by making them a partner in solving the problem,

2. it gives them a stake in the success of the solution, and

3. it gives them a sense of responsibility for maintaining the solution.

Muslims need to display the leadership qualities of Islam in our small spheres of authority. This will in turn teach good governance to our political leaders, ridding them of incompetence and corruption.

Burial Guidelines

2009-03-25T01:16:00.000-07:00

A few general guidelines on what to do when a Muslim passes away in Port Elizabeth/Uitenhage, South Africa:

Form BI 1663 (Notification for the Register of Death) has to be filled out. This is available from hospitals, mortuaries, doctors and qualified medical practitioners. The deceased’s details have to be filled in (with correct spelling of name) and left thumbprint affixed.

A doctor will certify the cause of death. This form, together with the deceased’s ID book, has to be taken to Home Affairs and the death registered. A death certificate will be issued.

In case of unnatural death which includes car accidents, being shot or a suicide, a post-mortem is necessary. A family doctor needs to be arranged to certify death at home.

The Ghusl (washing of deceased) is organised by the Moslem Burial Society with relatives allowed to take part if proficient. Facilities are available at Madresa Taleemuddeen, Malabar. Men wash men while women wash women. The shroud (Kafn), planks for closing the grave, the grave, transport and bier are provided by the Moslem Burial Society for a cost of about R2,600. This also includes Ghusl, registering the death and a Burial Order.

Three Muslim graveyards are used in PE and while relative’s wishes are considered, circumstances sometimes mean that one graveyard has to be used.

Arrangements must be made with the Imam or Musjid authorities to perform Janazah Salaah at a Musjid.

Unregistered babies’ deaths are registered with Home Affairs through an Unabridged Death Certificate.

Reverts to Islam need to fill out an Acceptance of Islam form (obtainable from an Aalim) before death to ensure burial as Muslims.

For Further Details, Contact the Moslem
Burial Society on 073 133 9966
To sponsor or run an SMS funeral notification service for PE/Uitenhage,
contact 078 672 7797

Three Beggars and the Millionaire

2009-03-25T01:14:00.000-07:00

Three beggars approached a millionaire. The first said: ‘Please give me five rupees.’ The millionaire said: ‘What! You demand like I owe you! Take these two rupees and go,’ he said.

The next beggar said: ‘I have not taken a square meal for ten days. Please help me.’ ‘How much do you want?’ asked the millionaire. ‘Whatever you give me,’ replied the beggar. ‘Take this ten rupee note. You can have food for three days.’

The third beggar said: ‘I have heard about your noble qualities and have come to see you. Men like you are the salt of the earth.’ ‘Please sit down,’ said the millionaire. ‘Have some food,’ he said. ‘Now what can I do for you?’ ‘I merely came to meet such a noble personage as you,’ replied the beggar. ‘You have given me this rich food. What more do I need?’ The millionaire, struck by the beggar's spirit, begged him to remain, built a house for him in his own compound and looked after him for the rest of his life.

People approach God with three different prayers. There is the greedy man who only demands worldly enjoyment. God grants him part of his desires (which soon go away, like the two rupees of the first beggar).

The second prays for relief from the sufferings of the world, but is better than the first as he is ready to abide by God’s Will. To him God grants worldly relief and happiness in Paradise.

The third praises God, desiring nothing but to worship Him. God is pleased with his self-surrender. He makes him eat the food of supreme devotion to Himself, and makes him live in the house of surrender of his desires to the Will of God. He gets Paradise in this world and the next.

Who is a Mufti?

2009-03-25T01:09:00.000-07:00

With overwhelming interest in Q&A on a Islam rulings via print media, radio, SMS and telephone, the Mufti has become popular. Who is a Mufti?

A Mufti is normally someone well-grounded in Islamic law, who got the ability from qualified teachers to issue formal legal rulings on matters in Islamic law. Reaching this status requires that one study the principle books of fiqh, principles of jurisprudence, books of fatawa (legal verdicts) and other related subjects, and then sit with Muftis and practice researching issues of fiqh and providing answers to them with reference to source books. Studies in other sciences are also important: e.g. aqida, tafsir and hadith. Muftis at times consult as a body on new issues that require much research.

In the Dars-e-Nizami system of the Indian Subcontinent (also followed in SA, UK and other countries), the Mufti course is done after completing the Alim course (6-8 years). The Mufti course takes 1-4 years. The institution gives the student permission to issue fatwas if he gained sufficient expertise. It is then up to him to further his research and keep abreast of fiqh texts and fatawa.

Some scholars who studied Islamic law well are also able to answer many questions, even though they haven’t completed the Mufti course. Over time they develop a proficiency and come to be accepted as scholars who can issue rulings. This was the case in the past and is still the case in many countries today.

Some countries only grant the title of Mufti to a scholar placed in the official position of Mufti in the city (e.g. Mufti of Damascus) or country (e.g. Mufti of Egypt), even though other scholars there have similar or greater ability to issue rulings but will not be given the title of Mufti.

Building a Muslim Identity

2009-03-25T01:05:00.000-07:00

Here are some ways for Muslim teens to build a Muslim identity and to take pride in projecting and passing on Islam to non Muslims:

Be Flexible and Accommodating
No Islamic organization or event is going to go 100% the way you want it. While events and organizations you encounter and work with aren’t what you feel to be perfect, ignore the bad and run with the good.

Islamic Dress Code: Flag of the Muslim
While many teens struggle with the idea of wearing a Hijab, beard or Kurta, in actual fact this becomes your draw card to inviting others to an alternative lifestyle. You’d be astonished at how many non Muslims will look at you as a person of ideals and principles when you dress as a Muslim.

Power of a Youth Camp or Retreat
When the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam grew up in Makkah, he would go alone to the Cave of Hira to reflect. After Prophethood, this practice of temporary seclusion to worship Allah continued in Ramadan when the Prophet r made I’tikaf in the Musjid. Many kids attend public schools and are unable to spend time with large groups of Muslims their age. When they go to Islamic youth camps/conferences and find others just like them who share the same experiences and struggles, it goes a long way in solidifying their Muslim identity. Other great ways to change your life in ways you can’t while living life ‘normally’ with school, work and home are to join a Tabligh Jamaat for a weekend, an Ijtima (Islamic lecture gathering), an event scheduled with senior Ulama or an I’tikaaf program.

Web Guide March 2009

2009-03-25T01:01:00.000-07:00

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

http://muslimmatters.org/
Articles on a range of issues.

www.ummah.com/
Articles, etc

www.mbfnelsonmandelabay.co.za/
Muslim Business Forum, PE

http://islamic-world.net/
Khalifah Institute

http://fridaykhutbah.com/
Friday Khutbah Resources

http://masjidlocator.net/
Musjids

http://www.dailyhadith.co.uk/
Get a Hadith a day emailed to you

www.alfidaa.co.za
Al Fidaa Foundation

http://www.ptimes.org/
Palestine Times Newspaper online

www.fianz.co.nz
Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand
Support Sensible Surfing

Youth Outreach

2009-03-25T00:55:00.000-07:00

The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam showed us practically how to bring up good children. Here are some glimpses into his noble character:

Creating a good association with actions
Jaabir bin Samurah radhiallahu anhu a young child, said that he prayed Zuhr with the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam in the Musjid. The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam went to his house and he went with him. As the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam was walking, he would wipe his hands on the cheeks of the kids passing by. Jaabir radhiallahu anhu said that he never smelled a fragrance more beautiful than the fragrance of the hand of the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam.

Look at this event from the point of Jaabir radhiallahu anhu. His memory of Zuhr at the Musjid is one of being close to the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, of smelling his fragrance and seeing the happiness he brought to other children. Whenever Jaabir radhiallahu anhu went to the Musjid thereafter, what fond memories would he have had? He has something good associated with going for salaah. What do our kids think of when we mention Salaah?

Respect
Abdullah ibn Abbas radhiallahu anhu, a child, was behind the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam riding on the same mount and the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said: ‘O young man, I shall teach you some words [of advice]: Be mindful of Allah and Allah will protect you. Be mindful of Allah and you will find Him in front of you. If you ask, then ask Allah [alone]...’ He gave him other advices.

1. The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam was spending time with him.

2. He addressed him with respect.

3. The advise he gave was intellectual. How do we advise our children? Do we demean them, or speak to them like they are incapable of understanding anything of importance?

MuslimMatters.org

Musjids of the World Series 11

2009-03-25T00:42:00.000-07:00

The Musjid serves as the focal point of any Muslim community and is the most important structure to Muslims.

Charminar, Hyderabad, India. Built by Muslim ruler Muhammad Shah in 1591. The Musjid occupies the top floor of the four-story structure. Charminar is a square monument built with granite and lime mortar. Each side measures 20m, and each corner has a 48,7m high minaret. Inside the minarets 149 steps lead to the top floor. Each side of the structure opens into a plaza through giant arches. Each arch is 11m wide and rises 20m.

Islamic Centre of Geneva, Switzerland is also known as the Little Mosque of Geneva. It is the oldest Islamic centre in Europe, founded by Egyptian Said Ramadan in 1965. The Centre occupies a small whitewashed house with green shutters, close to Lake Geneva. The largest room on the lower level of the house is the Musjid. Next to the Musjid is a classroom used for Arabic and Islamic lessons and conferences. The Centre also has a bookstore.

Grand Musjid of Lyon, France. Completed in 1994 and combines traditional elements with modern architecture. The Musjid was funded by King Fahd of Saudi Arabia and by other Muslim countries. The exterior features has Persian arches, a 25-meter-high minaret and a white dome topped with the crescent. The entrance patio is covered by a glass pyramid supported by 230 columns. A mezzanine level in the prayer room is for women. The Musjid has an information centre and guided tours given by Lyon Visitors Bureau.

More Cool Inventions

2009-03-25T00:40:00.000-07:00

Latest in a series of articles on Muslim inventions:

In 1000 CE, Arab cosmetologist Abul Qasim Zahrawi invented solid lipsticks, which were perfumed stocks rolled and pressed in molds. These were precursors of the modern version.

Abul Qasim also described the first hand creams and lotions, as well as the first suntan lotions with their ingredients and benefits.

In the 9th century, the Persian Ziryab invented a type of toothpaste. Unlike earlier Egyptian and Roman toothpastes, Ziryab's was reported both functional and pleasant to taste.

The paraffin lamp was invented by al-Razi in the 9th century. Europe only followed in 1853.

Muslim Egyptian soldiers at the Battle of Ain Jalut in 1260 were first to wear fireproof clothing. This was a silk tunic (still worn by Formula 1 drivers under fire suits), aketon and a mainly woolen over tunic similar to those worn by modern soldiers for protection against biological, chemical and nuclear weapons.

In the 9th century, the Banu Musa brothers invented, among other things, the hurricane lamp, gas mask and valves.

Al-Jazari (1206) invented a hand washing automaton first to use the flush mechanism now in modern toilets.

Ibn Sina (1000’s) invented the thermometer.

The first city to have its streets paved with tar was Baghdad in the 8th century CE.

Umm Sulaym radhiallahu anha

2009-03-25T00:35:00.000-07:00

Her name was Sahla or Rumayla. She was known as Umm Sulaym radhiallahu anha. Her nicknames were Rumaysa and Ghumaisa. She was from the Banu Najjar tribe. Her father was Milhan ibn Khalid and her mother was Mulaikah bint Maalik. Her sister was Umm Haraam radhiallahu anha who died on a naval expedition and is buried on Cyprus. Their grandmother was Salamah, the mother of Abdul Muttalib, grandfather of the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam. Thus Umm Sulaym radhiallahu anha was known as the aunt of the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam.

She was one of the first women of Madinah to accept Islam. She was initially married to Maalik ibn Nadar and had a son, the famous Anas ibn Maalik radhiallahu anhu from him. She made Anas radhiallahu anhu a Muslim while he was small. Maalik refused to accept Islam and died. Umm Sulaym radhiallahu anha then married Abu Talha radhiallahu anhu on condition that he became a Muslim. They both pledged allegiance to the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam at Aqabah. Abu Talha radhiallahu anhu died on a naval expedition in the time of Uthman radhiallahu anhu.

One of their sons, Umayr died in infancy. She sent the other, Abdullah radhiallahu anhu when he was born, to the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam who chewed and placed a piece of date in his mouth. Abdullah radhiallahu anhu had 7 children all of whom memorised the Qur’aan. Umm Sulaym radhiallahu anha gave her son Anas radhiallahu anhu in the service of the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam.

She took part in the Battle of Uhud tending the wounded and defending the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam. The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam used to visit her home, pray there and sometimes have siesta. As he slept, Umm Sulaym radhiallahu anha would collect his perspiration for blessings.

The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam heard her in Paradise when he visited there. Many Hadith are quoted by her and people used to ask her clarification on Islamic laws. She passed away in the early years of the pious Khalifas.

Döner kebab

2009-03-25T00:30:00.001-07:00

The word kebab is derived from Arabic. Kebabs were invented by medieval Turkic soldiers who used their swords to grill meat over open-field fires. This spread around the world through Muslims and led to many different variations. We dealt with Shish Kebab in a previous issue. Here we look at Döner Kebab, a dish which was popularized in many parts of the world by Muslims:

Döner kebab is a Turkish dish made of meat cooked on a vertical spit and sliced off to order. The meat may be lamb, mutton, beef, goat or chicken. Döner kebab is the origin of other Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes such as shawarmas and gyros. The original form is grilled horizontally. In the 19th century, the modern form was invented in Bursa. The original dish, known as İskender Kebab, is still served in Turkey.

Döner kebab is most popularly served in pita bread (since 1960 in Turkey) with salad, but is also served in a dish with a salad and bread or French fries. The German-style döner kebab was invented by a Turk in the 1970s, and has been the most popular fast food in Germany since the 1980s. Take-out döner kebab or shawarma restaurants are popular in many parts of Europe, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. In UK they represent a large part of nightlife culture.

Döner kebab is eaten as far a field as Brazil, China, Japan, Afghanistan, Mexico, USA, Italy, Russia and Philippines. Different countries have adapted the dish and made some changes along the way.

Another delicious tasting gift from Muslims to the world.

Islam in New Zealand

2009-03-25T00:26:00.000-07:00

The first Muslims were Chinese gold diggers who came in 1868. When the industry declined they returned without leaving any Muslim heritage behind. The next Muslims came from India in 1908. In 1951, Muslim refugees from Eastern Europe came to New Zealand.

The first Islamic organization, the New Zealand Muslim Association, was formed in 1950. The Indian and European Muslims built the first Islamic Centre in 1959. The first Imam from India came in 1960. In 1979 the three regional Muslim associations were brought together to create the national Islamic body, the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand. A Muslim entered the New Zealand Parliament in 1999.

Large-scale Muslim immigration began with the arrival of working class Fiji Indians in the 1970’s. They were followed by professionals after 1987. In the 1990’s many Muslim refugees were admitted under the refugee quota from Somalia, Bosnia, Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo. Recently, Muslim students have been coming from Malaysia and Singapore. By 2006, Muslims numbered over 36,000 of 3.7 million people. They comprise over 35 nationalities and include New Zealand-born Muslims including ethnic Pakeha and Maori. Islam is the fastest growing religion among the Maori and a translation of the Qur’aan is being undertaken in te reo, the language of the Maori.

There are many Islamic Centres in New Zealand and over 5 Musjids, with Al Huda Musjid in Dunedin the world’s southernmost and furthest from Makkah than any Musjid in the Southern Hemisphere. There are 2 Muslim schools.

The Touchstone

2009-03-25T00:24:00.000-07:00

A man bought a book cheaply. It wasn't interesting but it held a paper with the secret of the touchstone! The touchstone was a pebble that turned any metal into gold. It lay among thousands of other pebbles on a beach that looked exactly like it. But the real stone felt warm, while others were cold.

The man bought supplies, camped on the beach and tested pebbles. If it was cold he threw it in the sea. Days stretched into weeks and weeks into months: no stone. One day he picked up a warm pebble. He threw it in the sea before he realized what he’d done. He’d formed such a strong habit of throwing each pebble into the sea that when the one he wanted came, he still threw it away.

So it is with opportunity. Unless we are vigilant, it's easy to fail to recognize an opportunity when it is at hand and it's just as easy to throw it away.

Saharan Cheetah

2009-03-25T00:22:00.000-07:00

The Northwest African Cheetah, also known as the Saharan Cheetah, is a an incredibly rare, elusive and critically endangered subspecies of the Cheetah. They are found across the Sahara desert and savannah of north Africa in small, fragmented populations, the biggest of which is thought to be in Algeria. They are also found in Mali, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Niger, and Western Sahara.

Its total population may be fewer than 250 and very little is known about the cat. It is usually solitary and semi-nomadic. It feeds on Thomson's Gazelle. Other prey include the Impala. The Saharan Cheetah has an unusually pale coat.

Muslim Business Forum

2009-03-25T00:19:00.000-07:00

The Muslim Business Forum (MBF) of Nelson Mandela Bay (Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage, Despatch) was launched in 2008. It is a Non Profit Organisation that proposes to engage in activities of benefit to the Muslim Community.

MBF plans to provide its members with networking opportunities, assistance in identifying and exploiting business opportunities, outreach programs and philanthropic initiatives.

The body consists of Ulama and business people including professionals. The forum will establish a network of Muslim businesses and a Show and Tell Expo is scheduled for March.

Some Objectives
Unify local Muslim business
To assist young upcoming businesses by providing mentorship programs
Identify and financially support potential beneficiaries i.e. Islamic Schools, Musjid Projects, Ulama, Muslim radio station, Youth Organisation and feeding schemes (non Muslim included)
Create a Islamic ethos of conducting business
Affiliate with other Commerce groups (non Muslim included)

MBF members currently cover 35 different types of businesses.

Contact Details
Work Tel: 041 365 5121
Cell: 082 573 0123
Email: saan@fainonline.com

http://www.mbfnelsonmandelabay.co.za/

The Window

2009-03-25T00:17:00.000-07:00

A young couple moves into a new neighborhood. The next morning, while they are eating breakfast, the young wife sees her neighbor hang the washing outside. ‘That laundry is not very clean,’ she said to her husband. ‘The neighbor doesn't know how to wash correctly. Perhaps she needs better washing powder.’

Her husband looked on, but remained silent. Every time her neighbor hung her wash to dry, the young woman would make the same comments. About one month later, the young woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash on her neighbor's line and said to her husband, ‘Look! She has learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this?’

The husband said, ‘I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows!’

Moral: Before judging others, it might be a good idea to check first, to see if your windows are clean. What we see when watching others depends on the purity of the windows through which we look.

Before we criticise, it might be a good idea to check our state of mind and ask ourselves if we are ready to see the good rather than just look for something wrong in the people we encounter.

Likewise, before we criticise Islam’s laws, we should ensure that we are looking at them through the clean window of faith and not our personal desires.

Crucifixion Myths

2009-02-19T01:21:00.000-08:00

Christians believe the so-called crucifixion of Prophet Esa (Jesus) alaihis salaam to be a cornerstone of their belief. The Qur’aan categorically states that he was neither killed nor crucified and that the issue is a confusing one for Christians. A look at the present-day Bible reveals many discrepancies in the crucifixion story as well as the myths that are popular today yet are not found in the Bible:

1. Carrying the cross
Three of the four gospels in the Bible state that Simon of Cyrene carried the cross of Jesus alaihis salaam on the way to the crucifixion site, while John 19:17 states that he carried it himself.

2. Nailed to the cross
This does not appear in any of the 4 gospels.

3. Moving the stone of his tomb
Matthew 28.2 says it was an earthquake, Mark 16.4 has no earthquake but the stone had been rolled back and a young man dressed in a white robe was sitting inside. Luke 24.2 also has no earthquake but this time there are two men in dazzling clothes. In John 20.12 the men are upgraded to angels.

4. Dying on the cross
Mark 15.44 states that the Roman Pilate seemed surprised that Jesus alaihis salaam was already dead, in only 3 hours. In crucifixion it took days for someone to die on the cross not in such a short time.

When such a central belief of Christianity is so full of contradictions, how can such a religion be the absolute truth of eternal salvation?

Brutal Burma

2009-02-19T00:46:00.000-08:00

Recently news reports highlighted the brutal treatment of Muslim Rohingya refugees at the hands of Thailand’s military. Hundreds were beaten, set adrift at sea with tied hands and over 500 died.
Who are the Rohingya Muslims of Burma and why are they seeking refuge?

PERSECUTED
The Rohingya Muslims of Burma are called the world’s most persecuted people. They are descended from seventh century Arab settlers whose state was conquered by the Burmese in 1784. The group has inhabited what is now Arakan state in western Burma for centuries. 800,000 Rohingya live in Burma.

The Buddhist Burmese government and military have made persecution of the Muslim Rohingya a way of life. Here are some of the hardships they face:

Despite living in Burma for centuries, they have no citizenship.
Young men and women are banned from getting married. Those who violate this ban are subject to heavy penalties. No marriage permission has been granted since 2005.
They are arrested for minor offences or just for being out after dark and are beaten by the police.
Slave labour is exacted by the military. Villagers are forced to build and repair the houses of Buddhist settlers and military camps.
Their land is confiscated without compensation either to provide land for Buddhist settlers or to build military camps.
They are forbidden from travelling without permission. They cannot move from one village to another without a pass. This severely restricts their ability to trade.
They have no legal right to own land or property.
There are severe limits to stop food coming into the Arakan.
Illegal taxation is wide spread.

REFUGEES
Over 2 million live in harsh conditions as refugees in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Malaysia. Sadly, these Muslim countries hardly treat them much better than the Burmese Buddhists.

Since the 1960’s this Muslim group of ethnic-Indo origins have been considered the lowest of the low in the mainly Buddhist country of Burma, yet their suffering goes unnoticed.
Remember the Rohingya Muslims of Burma in your Duas, as well as others around the world.

More Ways to beat Poverty

2009-02-19T00:44:00.000-08:00

Continuing from the previous prescriptions of the Qur’aan and Hadith to increase ones wealth, here are more ways to avoid poverty:

1. Aashoora
The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said: ‘Whoever spends lavishly on his family on the Day of Aashoora (10th Muharram), Allah will grant him lavish provisions for the rest of the year. (Bayhaqi)

2. Avoid Begging
A man who opens the door to begging, Allah opens the door to him of want and poverty. (Ibn Majah)

3. Don’t Waste Food
Allah will forgive the person who searches for and consumes the particles of food that remain on the tablecloth. (Majma 5:28) The one who practices on this will be saved from poverty, Insha Allah. (Mullah Ali Qari)

4. Defrauding
Sustenance is taken away from a community which indulges in defrauding and cheating.

5. Illicit Sex
Zina (adultery) spreads and creates poverty.

6. Playing with Ones Wife
‘Indeed, Allah loves to see a man play with his wife and because of it ordains for them a great reward and provides for them lawful (Halaal) sustenance.’ (Kanzul Ummaal, 16:271)

7. Daily Salaah
A person who performs the five daily Salaah (prayer) regularly will have his daily sustenance made easy. (Ibn Qayyim)

8. Don’t be Miserly
Abu Bakr radhiallahu anhu says that a miser cannot escape losing his wealth in many ways including unwise building, theft, or an illness for which he’ll spend all his wealth seeking a cure.

Naming the Cat

2009-02-19T00:42:00.001-08:00

The ambassador of Japan presented a cat to the Emperor of China who became very fond of it. People kept asking for its name and were told it had none. Eventually the emperor decided it should have a name. He asked his ministers to find a suitable name for his pet.

The youngest thought he’d found the perfect name. ‘Tiger!’ he announced. ‘Good name,’ said the emperor. ‘The tiger is a powerful beast.’ ‘But not as powerful as the dragon,’ said the second minister. ‘A dragon can soar into the sky. Dragon would be a more suitable name for the cat.’ ‘Clouds can go higher than dragons,’ observed a third minister. ‘Let’s call it cloud.’ Said the fourth wise man: ‘Clouds may fly high but they are pushed around by winds. Winds are more powerful than clouds. Wind is the best name.’

‘Wind?’ said the emperor, doubtfully. ‘Isn’t there anything better?’ ‘There certainly is!’ rasped the fifth wise man. ‘Brick wall! A brick wall can stop a wind, however powerful,’ explained the minister. ‘Oh, I see,’ said the emperor. ‘Isn’t it somewhat long though?’ ‘I have a shorter name,’ said the sixth minister, ‘Rat. A rat can eat through a brick wall, which makes it more powerful than the wall, the wind…’ ‘I get your point,’ interrupted the emperor, ‘but can you call a cat, Rat?’ ‘Indeed you can’t!’ piped up the seventh wise man. ‘A cat is a cat is a cat. And if a rat is more powerful than the others the cat is even more so because it is mightier than the rat.’ So the royal pet was simply called Cat from then on.

Moral: At times we look for sophisticated ways to do things while the simple, straightforward ways taught to us by Islam are the best.

Social Networking

2009-02-19T00:39:00.000-08:00

With 93% of teenagers using the internet, parents have to see kids don’t abuse it or are abused through it. Here’s a brief look at an integral part of many youngster’s usage of the internet:

What is it?
Social Networking websites use applications to connect friends with tools like blogs, profiles, internal email systems and photos. Well known sites include Myspace and Facebook. With text, images and video a user makes information about himself available to others.

What are the risks?
Risks arise when young people give personal details such as cell numbers and pictures of themselves to strangers. Paedophiles use the internet to talk with, meet and abuse a child.

What can I do?
Kids must not upload pictures of themselves, or pictures which identify their school as this can help someone find them.
Tell kids not to post their phone number or email address on their homepage.
Adjust account settings so that only approved friends can instant message them.
Be open for communication. The need kids have for social networking points to a lack of communication within the family.
They must not to give too much away in a blog. Friends can call for details rather than read it on their site.
Ask them to show you how to use a social networking site: getting involved will let them share the experience with you.
Create a MySpace or Facebook profile and insist your child be included on your ‘friend list’ so you can check in to see if things may not be right.

Visit http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/ for more info

The Magical Mustard Seed

2009-02-19T00:38:00.001-08:00

There is an old Chinese tale about a woman whose only son died. In her grief, she went to the holy man and asked, ‘What prayers do you have to bring my son back to life?’ Instead of sending her away or reasoning with her, he said to her, ‘Fetch me a mustard seed from a home that has never known sorrow. We will use it to drive the sorrow out of your life.’

The woman went off at once in search of that magical mustard seed. She came first to a splendid mansion, knocked at the door, and said, ‘I am looking for a home that has never known sorrow. Is this such a place? It is very important to me.’ They told her, You've certainly come to the wrong place,’ and began to describe all the tragic things that recently had befallen them.

The woman said to herself, ‘Who is better able to help these unfortunate people than I, who have had misfortune of my own?’ She stayed to comfort them, then went on in search of a home that had never known sorrow.

But wherever she turned, in hotels and in other places, she found one tale after another of sadness and misfortune. The woman became so involved in helping others cope with their sorrows that she eventually let go of her own. She would later come to understand that it was the quest to find the magical mustard seed that drove away her suffering.

Lesson: When we help others, in reality we help ourselves. This is a vital ingredient for our own contentment, progress and wellbeing. We also attain the help of Allah Ta’ala when we are involved in helping others.

Web Guide Feb 2009

2009-02-19T00:36:00.000-08:00

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

www.icv.org.au/
Islamic Council of Victoria

www.lineonweb.org.uk/
London Islamic Network for the Environment

www.fosis.org.uk/
Federation of Student Islamic Bodies

www.msconline.org.uk/
Muslim Students Trust for Bursaries, UK

www.vivapalestina.org/
Viva Palestina site

www.petitiononline.com/amp17jan/
Online Petition by Africa Muslim Party to charge Israel with war crimes

http://al-habib.tripod.com/
Al Habib Islamic Web services

www.islamicfoundation.ca/
Islamic Foundation of Toronto

www.masjidfresno.com/
Masjid Fresno, USA

http://qisas.com/
Stories

http://islamicfacebook.com/
Islamic Facebook

www.muslims.co.za/
Muslim Portal for SA
Support Sensible Surfing

Musjids of the World Series 10

2009-02-19T00:30:00.000-08:00

The Musjid serves as the focal point of any Muslim community and is the most important structure to Muslims.

Great Musjid of Algiers, Algeria was built 1097 under Sultan Ali ibn Yusuf. It is one of the few remaining examples of Almoravid architecture. Its minaret dates from 1324 and was built by the Ziyyanid sultan of Tlemcen. The gallery at the outside of the Musjid was built in 1840 as consequence of a complete reconstruction of the street by the French.

Fakr ad-Din Musjid, Mogadishu, Somalia is the oldest Musjid in the city. It was built in 1269 by the first Sultan of Mogadishu and, together with the Great Musjid of Kilwa, is among the oldest preserved Islamic monuments on the east coast of Africa. It is closely related in architecture to the Palace of Husuni Kubwa on the island of Kilwa off the coast of Tanzania. Stone (including Indian marble) and coral are the primary materials used in the construction.

Blue Musjid, Yerevan, Armenia built in 1766 during the reign of Hussein Ali, the khan of Erivan. It was the largest of 8 Musjids in Yerevan when the city was captured by Russia in 1827. The complex consisted of a main prayer room, library, Madrassah with 28 cells, all organised around a courtyard, with the complex occupying 7,000m². It originally had four 24-metre high minarets but 3 were later demolished. The Soviet government turned the Musjid into a museum. In the 1990s, the Musjid underwent restoration funded by Iran, and Islamic religious services resumed.

Deepest Tunnel

2009-02-19T00:28:00.000-08:00

The Muslim world is now leading the way for the world’s tallest structures with the Burj Dubai in UAE. At the same time, the world’s deepest structures are also being built by Muslim countries:
Since the 19th Century, Turks have dreamed of connecting Europe and Asia via a tunnel under the Bosporus. That dream will come true in the form of the 13.28-kilometer-long Marmaray Tunnel in Istanbul, Turkey.

The deepest part of the tunnel will be 1,402 meters under the earth, making it the world’s deepest immersed tunnel. The nearest to this is the Seikan Tunnel in Japan which reaches 240 meters. By contrast, the famous Channel Tunnel between England and France is a mere 75 meters at its deepest point. The Mamaray Tunnel will be completed in 2010 at a cost of $3.3 billion (R33 billion) and will stretch 13.28 kilometers, linking Asia and Europe.

More than 3.25 million cubic meters of soil, sand and gravel will be dredged from the floor of the Bosporus for the project.

Somali Ogaden

2009-02-19T00:26:00.000-08:00

Somalia is a mainly Muslim country whose people accepted Islam very early, possibly in the 8th century or less than 200 years after the emergence of Islam. With colonialism, Muslim Somalia was split between France, Italy and Britain. When the rest of Africa gained independence, Somalia was kept divided with the French area becoming Djibouti, a part of British-ruled Somalia went to Kenya (today’s North Eastern Province, where Kenya repressed Muslim Somalis) and Ogaden going to Ethiopia. Despite all these regions being overwhelmingly Somali, they were not allowed to unite with Somalia, a condition made worse recently when US-backed warlords split Somalia further into Somaliland and Puntland.

The area that arguably suffers the most is Ogaden called Western Somalia by Somalis. It covers 400,000 square kilometres. From the 13th century Ogaden was part of Muslim kingdoms until the 19th century. Ethiopia conquered the area in the late 1800’s. In 1936 Italy took it over. In 1948, with US pressure, Britain gave Ogaden to Ethiopia. In the late 1970s, unrest against Ethiopia in Ogaden resumed. Ethiopia and Somalia fought the Ogaden War over this region.

When oil was discovered in Ogaden, the Ethiopian army started cracking down harder on Muslims with civilians being killed and tortured. Numerous international rights organizations accuse Ethiopia of committing abuses, war crimes, of burning villages, pushing nomads off their lands and choking off food supplies. The Ogaden National Liberation Front carries out sporadic attacks on Ethiopian targets.

Libraries

2009-02-19T00:25:00.001-08:00

Libraries before Islam were mainly private collections, not open to the public. When Muslims came, they improved upon existing libraries and introduced many concepts which are used in public libraries today.

Public libraries could be found in Musjids, homes and universities. In Aleppo, Syria, the Sufiya library contained 10,000 volumes. Ibn Nadim's bibliography shows the devotion of medieval Muslim scholars to books; it contains a description of thousands of books in the Islamic world around 1000 CE, when much of Europe was illiterate. Many books from early Islamic libraries were destroyed by Mongols, or taken to European libraries and museums in the colonial period. By the 9th century completely public libraries started to appear in many Islamic cities. In 10th century Iran the Muslim king set up a library of 360 rooms. In each department, catalogues were placed on a shelf. Some of these medieval libraries, like in Chinguetti, West Africa, remain intact and unchanged even today.

Many distinct features of the modern library were introduced in the Islamic world, where libraries not only served as a collection of manuscripts, but also as a public and lending library, a centre for the spread of sciences and a place for meetings. The library catalogue was also introduced in medieval Islamic libraries, where books were organized into specific categories. The contents of these Islamic libraries were copied by Christian monks in Muslim/Christian border areas, particularly Spain and Sicily. From there they made their way into other parts of Europe to form the basis of every modern library today.

The Scars

2009-02-19T00:23:00.000-08:00

A little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. He flew into the water, not realizing that an alligator was swimming toward him. His mother, in the house, was looking out the window and saw the alligator. In utter fear, she ran toward the water, yelling to her son. He tried to swim to his mother. As he reached her, the alligator reached him.

From the shore, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began a tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was too passionate to let go. A farmer heard her screams and shot the alligator. After weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were scarred by the attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his mother’s fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved.

A newspaper reporter asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs; and then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, ‘But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my mom wouldn’t let go.’

We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, but, the scars of pain in the past. But some wounds are because the love of God refused to let us sin, causing us pain because we failed to fulfill our passions. God loves us but sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril and we forget the enemy is waiting to attack. That’s when the tug-o-war begins, and if you have the scars of His love on your arms, be very grateful. He did not and will not let you go.

The Hirola

2009-02-19T00:20:00.000-08:00

The Hirola, also known as Hunter’s Hartebeest, is an antelope species found in arid grassy plains in the Somali Muslim North Eastern Region in Kenya, on the border between Kenya and Somalia. It's the only member of the genus Beatragus. Hirola are known as the ‘four-eyed antelope’ due to their large preorbital glands.

They stand 100 to 125 centimetres at the shoulder and weigh 80 to 118 kilograms. Their coat is a sandy brown colour, greyer in males than females, with a lighter underbelly and a small white strip over the bridge of the nose. The nape of the neck has very thick skin which forms ridges when the ears are pricked up. The horns are lyre shaped and very conspicuously ringed. They spend the mornings and evenings grazing.

Hirola are critically endangered. There are only between 500 and 1,200 animals in the wild and none in captivity. The Hirola was identified as one of the top-10 ‘focal species’ in 2007 by the Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) project.

What Happened in Gaza

2009-02-19T00:17:00.000-08:00

After a brutal air, ground and sea genocide against Gaza, the Jews left behind utter devastation:

More than 1,300 Palestinians killed, mainly civilians with children numbering over 400.
4,000 buildings destroyed, 20,000 severely damaged. These include schools, Musjids, homes, hospitals and UN offices.
Tens of thousands homeless.
500,000 Gazans with no water for 3 weeks.
Food prices soared: chicken by 23%; flour by 45%; tomatoes by 500%.
65% of Gazans without electricity.
2 million litres of wastewater at Gaza City's treatment plant, bombed Jan 10, leaked into farm land.
30 cubic metres of sewage flowing into streets of Beit Hanoun every hour.
Human Rights Watch says it saw of white phosphorus shells being fired by Jews at Gaza Strip, a heavily populated civilian area where its use is prohibited.

World sympathy:
South Africans donated over R45 million in aid totalling over 400 tons.
Port Elizabeth Musjids donated over R150,000.
Arab League gave $2 billion.

Noteworthy events:
In Spain footballer Kanoute lifted his shirt after scoring for Sevilla to show a t-shirt with the word ‘Palestine’.
SA’s deputy Foreign Minister said: ‘Jewish money controls America and most Western countries.’
BBC refused to air charity appeal for Gaza victims.
Venezuela’s President expelled Jewish ambassador and the Foreign Minister slammed ‘criminals who govern Israel’ who ‘carried out a holocaust against Palestinians for 60 years.’
Yemeni President called on Muslim countries to allow their citizens to serve as with Palestinians against Jewish forces in Gaza.
Turkey saw daily support for Palestine with 24-hour protests outside the Jewish consulate.
Turkish PM called Jewish genocide in Gaza a ‘savagery’, ‘a crime-against humanity’ and ‘state terror’. He also stormed out of a debate where the Jewish President defended his troops brutality.
SA’s Jewish Board of Deputies openly supported Jewish killing in Gaza.

Demonstrations:
Hundreds of demonstrations for Gaza took place around the world. Here are a few:
Tens of thousands in Jordan, Turkey, Iraq, Pakistan and Egypt; 5,000 in Belfast, Ireland; 40,000 in Germany; 10,000 in Scotland; 15,000 in Cape Town; 2,000 in Port Elizabeth; 300,000 in France (100,000 in Paris); 200,000 in London; 5,000 in Oslo, Norway; 200,000 in Barcelona, Spain; 10,000 in San Francisco; 15,000 in Montreal, Canada; 7,000 in Sao Paolo, Brazil; 20,000 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The winner? You judge:
After the sophisticated Jewish war machine blasted Gaza for 3 weeks, ill-equipped Hamas freedom fighters and Gazans remain unbowed.

And (know) that Allah (it is) who makes the plan of the disbelievers weak. (Qur’aan 8:18)

Focus on Palestine

2009-01-07T11:25:00.000-08:00

Some of our archived items on Palestine:

Read Islamic Focus articles (past and present) on Palestine:
1. Palestine in Flames
2. Gaza Suffering
3. The Palestinian Girl
4. The Road to Jerusalem: Battle of Hittin
5. Sheikh Izz ad Din al Qassam (Biography)
6. Sheikh Ahmed Yassin (Biography)
7. The Curious Case of the Church

Check our Media section:
1. Jerusalem (Al Quds) Panorama
2. Interior of Musjidul Aqsa
3. Basement of Musjidul Aqsa
4. Do You Know Musjidul Aqsa?

Palestine Site Links:
1. Sites 1
2. Sites 2

Visit Gaza Action Campaign to add your voice by Reading Writing Petitioning Donating Witnessing. [An initiative of Bukhara Publications and Media, Islamic Focus and Musjidul Huda, Port Elizabeth]

Palestine in Flames

2008-12-30T04:11:00.000-08:00

US-supplied F-16 jets of the Jewish airforce entered a fifth day of brutal aerial bombardments of the impoverished Gaza Strip beginning Dec 26. As of Dec 30, over 360Palestinians including women and children had been massacred. Over 700 injured, many unable to get medical treatment. Dec 26 became the bloodiest day in Palestine in 60 years.

NAZI TACTICS
Jews in occupied Palestine have kept Gaza under the most inhumane siege since 2007, denying basic necessities like water, food aid, electricity and medical supplies. Gaza and the rest of Palestine has become the worst concentration camp of our times, an entire nation held hostage.

Reporters described scenes in the recent bombings: a severely wounded man lay, quietly reciting the Qur’aan, small babies with head wounds awaited non-existent medical attention in strained hospitals, people killed while praying in Musjids, piles of dead and wounded, universities bombed, young children blown to pieces.

THEFT
The ultimate aim of the Jewish occupiers is to force all Palestinians to leave their homeland. This tactic was employed by Jewish terrorist gangs from 1917 and especially in 1948 when thousands of terrified Palestinians were forced out, never to be allowed to return home. Presently, Jewish tanks are preparing for a possible ground assault on Gaza.

PLAN OF ACTION
Special Dua
Keep up to date with latest developments
Create awareness with talks, posters, etc
Regular recital of Dua Qunoot in Salaah
Read in groups and individually books like Futuhush Shaam which detail exploits of the Sahaaba in the first conquests of Palestine
Donate money via Musjids for the aid of Palestinians. Port Elizabeth Musjids have set a goal of donating R50,000 in medical aid. Help reach this goal. (See contact
numbers below)

MUSJID TAQWA: 083 235 1194 MUSJID HUDA: 078 672 7797

MUSJID MANSUR: 083 349 5668 MUSJID ABUBAKR: 084 574 9891

OTHER AREAS PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL IMAM TO CO-ORDINATE WITH ONE OF THE ABOVE MUSJIDS

Iraq: Then and Now

2008-12-30T04:03:00.000-08:00

Invasion
1917: British troops supported by Arabs and Indians invade Iraq. The invasion proved to be more costly than anticipated with 40,000 British deaths. TE Lawrence, who helped overthrow the Turks, wrote that the British public was tricked into invading Iraq.
2003: US coalition invades Iraq with lies about alleged weapons of mass destruction (never found). What was anticipated to be a short conflict is now in its fifth year.

Promises
1917: UK promised the Arabs freedom in return for helping fight the Turks, while secretly making an agreement with France to divide and rule the land.
2003: US promises freedom to Iraqis after overthrowing Saddam. Nothing yet after five years.

Puppets
1921: UK installed the pro-British government of King Faisal.
2005: Pro-US government installed in Iraq.

Rebellion
1920: Rather than welcome them as liberators, Iraqis rebelled against British. UK used air force to bomb civilians, houses, crops and cattle with mustard gas bombs. Heavy reprisals in Najaf, Kufa and Fallujah. 10,000 Iraqis killed.
1990’s: 1,2 million Iraqi children killed under US/UN sanctions. 2004: Iraqi rebellion against US/UK. Heavy bombardment of civilians. Over 100,000 killed.

Divide and Rule
1917: UK created Iraq from 3 provinces pitting Sunni against Shia against Kurd.
2005: Separate autonomous areas created for Sunni, Shia and Kurds.

Why
1917: UK had oil interests in Persia (Iran) and a friendly Iraq would help. In 1927, huge oil fields were discovered in Iraq and rights granted to a British company.
2003: US oil interests threatened by Saddam and Iran.

History is repeating itself in Iraq. After initially thinking that it would be a walk-over, the British in the 1920’s left Iraq with a puppet government and serious rifts among Iraqis. Iraq was in turmoil. Oil was completely in UK/US control, but at great cost both to Iraqis and the British. The same is happening now.

Wedding Stress

2008-12-30T04:00:00.000-08:00

It’s the big occasion: your marriage, but you’re getting really stressed out. Here are some ways to calm down:

1. Establish a system of consultation
Who should suggest where the wedding takes place? Who makes the final decision in the event of a deadlock? Decide on a system of consultation where ideally everyone has input into how things will be run. Also decide who has the final say. This will reduce tension and stress.

2. Avoid arguing over petty things
How should spoons and bowls be set up? What color should tablecloths be at the Walima? When it comes to weddings, the emotionally tense environment can lead people to make mountains out of molehills. It's better to have a simpler wedding and that in the end, it's not the minute details of your Walima that will really make your marriage successful.

3. Decide wedding ground rules
How will proper Hijab be maintained at the wedding reception? How will the food be served? How will prayer be accommodated during the event? These are crucial issues that must be dealt with right from the start. Once they have been discussed and agreed upon, that's one less source of tension and conflict to deal with.

4. You are not alone
Are you the only person to ever get married or organize a wedding? Of course not! Billions of humans have done this. Take comfort in the fact that those butterflies in your stomach have flown in the insides of generations individuals before you.

The Sack of Potatoes

2008-12-30T03:59:00.001-08:00

One of my teachers had each one of us bring a clear plastic bag and a sack of potatoes to class. For every person we'd refuse to forgive in our life, we were told to choose a potato, write on it the name and date, and put it in the plastic bag. Some of our bags, as you can imagine, were quite heavy.

We were then told to carry this bag with us everywhere for one week, putting it beside our bed at night, on the car seat when driving, next to our desk at work.

The hassle of lugging this around with us made it clear what a weight we were carrying spiritually, and how we had to pay attention to it all the time to not forget, and keep leaving it in embarrassing places.

Naturally, the condition of the potatoes deteriorated to a nasty slime. This was a great metaphor for the price we pay for keeping our pain and heavy negativity!

Too often we think of forgiveness as a gift to the other person, and while that's true, it clearly is also a gift for ourselves! Carrying around animosity for others adversely affects our own lives.

The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam advised that we should enter every new day and night in such a state that we do not harbour hatred or malice for any person. He said that this was his Sunnah (way); that whoever loved his Sunnah loved him, and whoever loved him would be with him in Paradise.

Famous Muslim Reverts

2008-12-30T03:57:00.000-08:00

Some famous personalities who reverted to Islam:

Keith Ellison - 1st Muslim in US Congress

Muhammad Ali - famous boxer

Malcolm X – US civil rights leader

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Lew Alcindor) - basketball player & NBA's all-time leading scorer

Robert Crane - adviser to US Pres Nixon

Omar Bongo - Pres of Gabon

Mohammed Knut Bernström - Swedish ambassador to Venezuela, Spain and Morocco

Mohammad Yousuf - Pakistani cricketer. Holds record for most Test runs in a year

Mihnea Turcitul - Prince of Walachia

Jonathan Birt - son of Lord Birt, former director-general of BBC

Emma Clark - granddaughter of former UK PM Herbert Asquith

Johan Agelii - famous Swedish painter

Isabelle Eberhardt - d. 1904, 19th century Swiss explorer & writer

Ilie II Rareş - prince of Moldavia

Franck Ribéry- French footballer

Cat Stevens - English singer

Claude Alexandre de Bonneval - 18th century French nobleman

Alexander Russell Webb - US Consul-General in the Philippines

Iyasu V - d. 1936, Ethiopian emperor

Helen Richardson - Bollywood actress

Jermaine Jackson - brother of popstars Michael and Janet Jackson

Éric Abidal - French footballer

Danny Williams - British boxer

Sarah Joseph - founder of emel magazine

Yvonne Ridley - British journalist

Berke - grandson of Genghis Khan and leader of the Golden Horde, first Mongol ruler to establish Islam in a Mongol state

Coping with Teens

2008-12-30T03:56:00.000-08:00

You thought you were over the hard part: changing nappies and being kept awake throughout the night by your crying baby, dealing with an uncontrollable two-year old ‘monster’. But now comes the really hard part: coping with a rebellious, often rude and obnoxious, teenager.

Teach them from an early age about Allah, the Prophets, the Sahaba, and the great heroes of Islam. If we develop in them a love for Islam and provide them with pious examples for their heroes, they will be much less likely to go astray. A person wants to be like his heroes.

Be very careful about your child’s friends. During the teenage years, children often care more about what their friends say than what their parents or elders say. According to a hadith, ‘Man is upon the path of his intimate friend; so let each look to whom he takes as a friend.’ It’s essential from an early age that we try to get our children involved with good kids.

Encourage children to participate in wholesome religious, social, and sports activities. Bored teenagers are more likely to look for excitement in the wrong place. If teenagers' lives are full of good and exciting things to do, they will not have the time or the desire to get involved in bad things.

If we haven't done so already, now’s a good time to let kids become part of the family decision making process. If teenagers feel they have the right to make some decisions and even to help make the family's decisions, they will not feel that they have to rebel against an oppressive family that is always telling them what to do.

Web Guide January 2009

2008-12-30T03:54:00.000-08:00

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

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=112555
Pics of proposed buildings in Makkah

http://www.ikhwanweb.com/
Muslim Brotherhood site

http://www.mkjournal.org/
Muslim Kids Journal (stories)

http://www.perdaus.org.sg/mgosh/web/index.asp
Muslim organization in Singapore

http://www.cyberistan.org/
Islamic civilisation articles

http://www.iaw-schools.org.uk/
Islamic Awareness Week for schools, UK

http://www.xploreislam.com/
Islamic posters

http://www.icare.org.za/index.html
I Care Children's Foundation

http://www.hajjappeal.org/
Hajj Appeal: helping the poor perform Hajj

http://www.takafol.co.za/
Alternative to insurance

http://www.muslimeen.co.za/
Muslimeen Umrah Tours

http://www.muslimahsandtots.co.za/
Play group for Muslim kids
http://www.fiqhacademy.org/english.html
Islamic Fiqh Academy

http://www.islamictimes.co.uk/
Islamic Times online newspaper

http://www.masjidi.com/
Free Websites for UK Masjids
Support Sensible Surfing

Divorce: Dealing with Arguments

2008-12-30T03:52:00.000-08:00

Islam discourages divorce except as a last resort after having exhausted all other avenues to try and save the marriage. If divorce becomes inevitable, then Muslims need to avoid the bitter fights, custody battles and airing of dirty linen in public. Here are some tips on handling arguments that arise at such a time. (These tips can be used for arguments that arise on other occasions as well):

1. It takes 2 to argue. You can always refuse to participate.

2. A certain amount of tension is to be expected when you're getting divorced. Expect difficult discussions, but they don't have to result in a fight.

3. Try to understand your spouse's viewpoint. Once you understand what he or she wants, you can begin to see how you might be able to help resolve the situation.

4. Evaluate your goals. Are you entrenched in a position that may have another solution? If you want your children on Wednesday night for dinner, will Thursday do?

5. Use ‘I’ statements. Begin sentences with ‘I’, rather than ‘you’. E.g.: ‘I feel upset when I hear you say that I'm a bad father because I have to work so many hours’ instead of ‘You are always accusing me of being a bad father’.

6. Choose your timing. The same comment may evoke a different response if 1) neither of you is tired; 2) neither of you is already angry; and 3) the children are not in earshot.

7. Be prepared to say ‘I'm sorry’ sometimes. ‘I was wrong’ can go a long way.

8. Plan a time to have a discussion with your spouse about a specific issue that bothers you. Limit the discussion.

Musjids of the World 9

2008-12-30T03:49:00.000-08:00

The Musjid serves as the focal point of any Muslim community and is the most important structure to Muslims.

Musjid of Amr ibn al-As radhiallahu anhu, Cairo, Egypt. Originally built in 642 CE, as the centre of the newly-founded capital of Egypt: Fustat. It was the first Musjid in Africa. The location for the Musjid was the site of the tent of the commander of the conquering army, Amr ibn al-As radhiallahu anhu. One corner of the Musjid contains the tomb of his son, Abdullah. Due to reconstruction over the centuries, nothing of the original remains, but the rebuilt Musjid is a prominent landmark in Cairo. The original layout was a simple rectangle 29m x 17m. It had columns made from palm tree trunks, stones and mud bricks, covered by a roof of wood and palm leaves. The floor was gravel. It was rebuilt in 673 by Muawiya radhiallahu anhu, who added 4 minarets.

Tooba Musjid, Karachi, Pakistan. Built in 1969 it is claimed to be the largest single dome Musjid in the world. It is built with white marble. The dome is 72m in diameter and is balanced on a low surrounding wall with no central pillars. It has a single minaret 70m high. The central prayer hall has a capacity of 5,000. A person speaking inside one end of the dome can be heard at the other end.

King Saud Musjid, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Completed in 1987, it covers 9,700m² and is the largest in Jeddah. The largest dome has a span of 20m and reaches a height of 42m. The minaret is 60m high. The layout reflects the Persian 4 Iwan designs, such as the Great Musjid of Esfahan, Iran.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9

Holiday Destinations

2008-12-30T03:45:00.000-08:00

A Muslim’s holiday should also be an occasion when he strengthens his faith in Allah, when he learns more about Islam and the Muslims. Here are some excellent holiday destinations for Muslims going abroad:

1. Visit Muslim Spain
Spain is where much of Muslim influence over Europe happened. Go to Spain and check out the premier Muslim historical cities: Cordoba and Alhambra, for instance. Visit the great Musjid, check out the palaces. You may also want to visit Gibraltar, where the Muslim general Tariq bin Ziyad landed.

2. Visit Turkey
Turkey is home of the last great Muslim Empire, the Ottoman Caliphate. This is a country of Islamic monuments and Musjids. You can find the grave the Sahaabi Abu Ayyub Ansari radhiallahu anhu. Visit Istanbul and its blue Musjid and the Topkapi Museum which contains personal items of the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam and his companions.

3. See Central Asia
Want to see where Imam Bukhari and other Imams of Hadith came from? Then go to Central Asia. It may seem far, but can be cheap due to the currency exchange rate.

4. Visit Bosnia
100,000 Muslims were massacred in a 3-year genocide in the 1990’s. See how they’ve recovered. Or help build a Musjid in Kosovo where Serbs destroyed 200. You can also show solidarity with Muslims in Kashmir (a beautiful tourist destination) or Palestine (the land of many Prophets).

Travel and connect with the glorious Muslim past as well as today’s vibrant Muslim communities. Relax and learn as you journey.

Abdur Rahmaan Ibn Awf radhiallahu anhu

2008-12-30T03:43:00.000-08:00

Born around 580 CE. Died 652 at the age of 72. Original name: Abd Amr. Changed to Abdur Rahmaan by the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam after he accepted Islam. One of the first eight persons to accept Islam; one of the ten persons giving assurance in this world of entering Paradise; one of six persons chosen by Umar radhiallahu anhu to choose the Khalifah after his death. Abdur Rahmaan radhiallahu anhu was born in the tribe of Banu Zuhrah. He was a first cousin of Sa’ad ibn Abi Waqqas radhiallahu anhu, a cousin of Aaminah, the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam’s mother. He married Uthman ibn Affan radhiallahu anhu 's half-sister.

Abdur Rahmaan radhiallahu anhu twice emigrated to Abyssinia for the sake of Islam before emigrating to Madinah. He participated in many battles alongside the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam. He became extremely wealthy in Madinah and was famed for his generosity. On one occasion he gave 2,000 dinars (gold coins) for an expedition. At other times he gave 700 camels laden with goods in the Path of Allah, 40,000 dinars (gold coins), 1,500 camels and 500 horses to the Mujahideen. He also gave much gold for the Tabuk expedition.

On this occasion he was blessed with leading the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam in Salaah. The Salaah started while the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam was not there and Abdur Rahmaan radhiallahu anhu was appointed Imam. The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam then joined in the Salaah behind him. Abdur Rahmaan radhiallahu anhu looked after the financial needs of the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam's wives after the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam passed away. Despite giving away so much, Abdur Rahmaan radhiallahu anhu became the richest Sahaabi.

He is buried in Jannatul Baqee graveyard in Madinah Munawwarah.

The Apricot

2008-12-30T03:40:00.000-08:00

The apricot is a fruit similar to a small peach, from yellow to orange in colour. It was first cultivated in China about 5,000 years ago. Alexander the Great allegedly brought it to Greece and the Roman General Lucullus also exported some trees from Armenia to Europe. Apricots have been cultivated in Persia since antiquity, and dried ones were an important commodity on Persian trade routes. Apricots remain an important fruit in modern-day Iran.

Apricots seem to have disappeared from Europe after the Roman Empire, until Muslim Arabs re-introduced them from Asia to the Mediterranean especially in Spain and Italy when they ruled there. The apricot became a main crop in Italy under Muslim rule and after for centuries and spread from there to England. Most American production of apricots comes from the seedlings carried to USA and South America by the Spanish who got it from the Muslims. Muslim Turkey is the leading apricot producer annually in the world while Muslim countries account for 60% of the top apricot producing nations today.

The word apricot derives from Latin and Greek to the Arabic al-barqooq from which the English name eventually comes. The Spanish albaricoque is also adapted from Arabic, dating from the Muslim rule of Spain. In Argentina and Chile the word for apricot is damasco, which indicates that to the Spanish settlers of Argentina the fruit was associated with Damascus in Syria. A Turkish idiom used when something is the very best equates the item to a delicious apricot from Damascus. Apricot: yet another fruit for which the world has to thank Muslims for popularizing.

Modern Muslim Inventions

2008-12-30T03:36:00.000-08:00

Muslims in the past led the way in inventions like watches, medical and navigational instruments, mechanical gadgets and the like. In the last 300 odd years these have declined, yet there are still some recent Muslim inventions. Here is a diverse sampling:

Real-time anti-fraud: In 2000, many of the core components of PayPal (used for web money transactions), including its real-time anti-fraud system, was designed by Bangladeshi Jawed Karim.

Moon landing: From 1967 to 1972, Farouk El-Baz from Egypt worked for NASA and was involved in the first Moon landings.

Space exploration: Kerim Kerimov from Azerbaijan was a key figure in early space exploration and one of the founders of the Soviet space program, one of the lead architects behind the first satellite (Sputnik 1), first human spaceflight (Vostok 1), launch of the first space docks and space stations.

Cricket: Bowling techniques like Doosra, Teesra, Chootha and reverse swing were developed by Pakistani bowlers in the 1990’s.

Non-glaring headlamp: Headlamp with continuous, long-distance illumination without glaring effects. Invented in Turkey by Prof Turhan Alçelik, in 2006.

Submarine: In 1720, Ottoman dockyard architect Ibrahim Efendi invented a working submarine.

Bridge Pavilion: Zaha Hadid, Iraqi architect known for many postmodern buildings. One of her most notable is the Bridge Pavilion, the first pavilion built over a bridge, which she constructed in Zaragoza for Expo 2008.

Bornean Clouded Leopard

2008-12-30T03:33:00.000-08:00

The Bornean Clouded Leopard is a medium-sized wild cat found on Muslim Borneo, Sumatra and Batu Islands in the Malay Archipelago. Its coat is marked with dark-edged ovals which are said to be shaped like clouds, giving it its name. Though scientists have known of its existence since the early 19th century, it was positively identified as a distinct species in its own right in 2006.

The Bornean Clouded Leopard weighs about 25 kg. It has excellent climbing skills. Its tail can grow as long as its body, aiding balance. The habits of the Bornean Clouded Leopard are largely unknown because of its secretive nature. The Bornean Clouded Leopard is not closely related to the leopard.

Numbers are estimated to be between 5,000 and 11,000 on Borneo, and 3,000 to 7,000 on Sumatra giving a world total between 8,000 to 18,000.

24 Hour Islam

2008-12-30T03:30:00.000-08:00

Devotion to worshipping Allah led to Muslims in the past inventing and perfecting compasses (to find Qibla), watches (to tell Salaah time) and other items. Today it’s no different. Many items being adapted for Muslim prayer. Here are two:

Cars: Malaysia, Iran and Turkey plan to build an Islamic car fitted with a compass to find the direction of Makkah, and a compartment to keep the Qur’aan and prayer headgear in.

Cell Phones: There are several cell phones which offer features like Athaan at appropriate times, compasses linked to GPS to find Qibla, Islamic calendar and full text of the Qur’aan in Arabic with translations.

Tabligh Jamaat

2008-12-30T03:28:00.000-08:00

Tabligh Jamaat is a leading Muslim missionary and revival movement with hundreds of thousands of supporters. It was founded in the 1920s by Maulana Muhammad Ilyas (1885-1944) in Mewat, India. By 1946, the group reached Asia, Africa, Europe, and America. Tabligh Jamaat seeks to revitalize Muslims through a non-political Islamic identity.

It has an international headquarters, in Nizamuddin, India and national headquarters in over 80 countries. It sends hundreds of members annually to travel the world, preaching a message of peace. It organizes voluntary, unpaid preachers who fund themselves in groups (called Jamaats) and sleep at Musjids. Activities begin at the Musjid with 2 weekly visits to Muslims; daily reading of Islamic books; going in groups 3 days a month, 40 days a year, and 4 months in a lifetime; a daily council to discuss how to increase activity; and spending 2½ hours in the Musjid daily. Main points include firm belief in the Islamic declaration of faith, acquiring knowledge and devotion in Salaah. Tabligh Jamaat hosts gatherings of Islamic lectures (Ijtimas) with the 2nd largest gathering of Muslims after Hajj being the Tongi Ijtima in Bangladesh.

UK is the focus of the movement in the West: by 2007, Tabligh members were situated at 600 of UK's 1350 Musjids. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the movement made inroads into Central Asia. As of 2007, there were 10,000 members in Kyrgyzstan alone.

Members include the poor as well as the wealthy, with famous supporters including former presidents, cricketers and pop stars.

Two Roosters

2008-12-30T03:26:00.000-08:00

Two roosters lived in a village. They were close friends. But one day they fought for supremacy in the farmyard. Finally one was vanquished and he went back to hen house. The victor flew up to the roof of the barn and begins to crow, ‘I’ve won, I’ve won!’ An eagle swooped down and carried him away. The rooster that had been defeated suddenly found himself unchallenged master of the farmyard.

Morals: The enemy is often defeated by his own pride.

Likewise, pride brings about one’s downfall. On the other hand, Allah shall elevate the one who humbles himself for His sake.

Women of Islam

2008-12-30T03:22:00.000-08:00

Muslim women played a prominent role in preserving Islam while observing the rules of Hijab and modesty:

After the loss of many leading Huffaaz in the Battle of Yamaamah, Umar radhiallahu anhu advised Khalifah Abu Bakr radhiallahu anhu to compile a standardized, written copy of the Qur’aan. This copy was placed in the custody of a lady, our Mother Hafsah radhiallahu anha.

In Hadith, we have our Mother Aeysha radhiallahu anha, one of the 4 leading transmitters of Hadith. So the 2 primary sources of Islamic knowledge was in the care and trust of women.

Imam Dhahabi says: ‘There are many men who have fabricated Hadith. However, no woman in the history of Islam has been accused of fabrication.’ Imam Hakim Naisapuri says: ‘¼ of our religion depends on the narrations of women. Were it not for these narrations, we would lose ¼of our religion.

The Muslim Woman Vol 9, Edition 11

Hajj by Land

2008-12-15T02:33:00.000-08:00

Five South African Muslim men aged 24-33 (3 Ulama, 2 Huffaaz) undertook the journey for Hajj by land using public transport this year. It took 23 days. Here is a brief look at how they faired:

Day 1: Left Johannesburg by bus for Gaberone, Botswana.
Day 3: Crossed the Zambezi river into Zambia. Saw the Victoria Falls.
Day 6: Left by train for Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Cost: R300.
Day 9: Took a ferry to Zanzibar.
Day 11: 17 hour bus journey from Dar es Salaam to Nairobi, Kenya.
Day 12: Saw Mount Kilimanjaro.
Day 14: After discussion, safest option was to travel to Khartoum, Sudan by air (South Sudan experienced years of war). 3 hour flight.
Day 15: Saw the Two Niles. Booking for ship from Port Suakin to Jeddah needs to be made in Khartoum.
Day 16: Took luxury bus from Khartoum to Port Suakin (1,200 km). Mostly dessert terrain. 200,000 Sudanese used Port Suakin this year to go on Hajj.
Day 17-22: Waiting for bookings on a ship leaving for Jeddah.
Day 23: Reached Jeddah with 3,000 other passengers on a ship. Officials processed passports, then travellers were taken to Madinatul Hujjaj, an area for sea passengers going through immigration.
Day 24: As it was 1st Zul Hijjah, travellers could not go to Madinah but proceeded to Makkah by bus.

Read the whole experience and listen to radio excerpts on the Hajj Backpacker’s blog:
http://radioislamlive.com/haj/

Gaza Suffering

2008-12-15T02:31:00.000-08:00

1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza are suffering severe shortages in food, fuels, and electricity due to a continuous Israeli occupation siege since Hamas won elections in 2006. The siege is also maintained by the Egyptian government.

The siege is regularly punctuated by Israeli army attacks and a complete sealing off of Gaza to any aid, most recently for 17 days in November 2008. UN Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes slammed the continued Israeli closure of Gaza and described the situation as ‘desperate’ and ‘unacceptable.’

40% of children in Gaza suffer from malnutrition and anemia as their families depend on international aid, Arab and Muslim support. This aid is not sufficient to build the children’s bodies in a healthy, natural way. And even this is constantly cut off.

Israeli occupation soldiers kidnapped 8,000 children since the beginning of the Intifada in 2000 and 400 are still imprisoned in inhumane detention centers. The Israeli army killed more than 1,000 Palestinian children in that time. 100 Gaza children have died due to the Israeli siege. 45% of children saw occupation soldiers beat their fathers before their eyes. 47% are afflicted with psychological shock. 30% of Palestinian children under 10 suffer from involuntary urination due to deep-seated fear, and other nervous problems such as nail- biting, nightmares, crying and introversion.

Gaza under the Jewish siege exceeds the Nazi concentration camps in horror and inhumanity. An entire nation is being held hostage while the world watches and condones.

Taqi al-Din

2008-12-15T02:29:00.000-08:00

Taqi al-Din Muhammad ibn Ma'ruf al-Shami al-Asadi was born in 1521 in Damascus, Syria, and was educated in Cairo, Egypt and died in 1585. He became a Qadi (judge in Islamic law), Islamic theologian, muwaqqit (religious timekeeper) at a Musjid and teacher at a Madrasah for some time, while publishing a number of scientific books during this time. In 1571, he became the official astronomer for Ottoman Sultan Selim II.

His achievements will fill volumes. He was a scientist, astronomer, astrologer, engineer, inventor, clockmaker, watchmaker, physicist, mathematician, botanist, zoologist, pharmacist, physician, Islamic judge, philosopher, theologian and Madrasah teacher. He was the
author of more than 90 books on a wide variety of subjects, including astronomy, astrology, clocks, engineering, mathematics, mechanics, optics and natural philosophy. He was regarded by his contemporaries in the Ottoman Empire as the greatest scientist on earth. One of his books described the workings of a rudimentary steam engine and steam turbine in 1551, predating the more famous discovery of steam power by Giovanni Branca in 1629.

His inventions include a variety of accurate clocks including the first mechanical alarm clock, the first spring-powered astronomical clock, the first watch measured in minutes, and the first clocks measured in minutes and seconds. In mathematics, Taqi al-Din was the first mathematician to extract the precise value of Sin 1°. He also invented some astronomical instruments as well as one of the first spring-powered pocket watches. Another unsung Muslim inventor who changed the world.

Save Our Society

2008-12-05T08:32:00.000-08:00

When Prophet Ebrahim alaihis salaam was given the command to sacrifice his son Ismail alaihis salaam, he broached the topic with his son in a way that holds great lessons for us.
These lessons can help us build meaningful relationships with our spouses and kids, thus eradicating two great societal problems: the breakdown of marriages and the loss of our youth to the evils of society.

WISDOM
Ebrahim alaihis salaam spoke to his son, saying: O my beloved son. I’ve seen in my dream (dreams of Prophets are true) that I must slaughter you, so what do you say?
Firstly, Ebrahim alaihis salaam employed loving words when addressing his son. Secondly, he communicated with his son, explaining the situation, rather than just taking him and putting the knife to his neck. Thirdly, he asked his son’s opinion, involving him in the discussion and making hi part of the decision-making process.

This whole approach was one of wisdom, which the Qur’aan asks us to use when calling people to the correct path.

SOFTNESS
For our marriages to succeed, and for parents to enjoy obedience from their kids, thus saving them from drugs and other evils, we also need to use the kind and loving language used by Ebrahim alaihis salaam.

Always bear I mind when intending to correct anyone that two people more pious than us, namely Prophets Musa and Haroon alaihis salaam, were instructed to speak in soft tones when sent by Allah Ta’ala to call a tyrant more evil than any of our close family and friends is ever likely to be, namely Pharaoh, to the correct path. Therefore, how much more do we need to utilise noble and dignified language with our wives, husbands and kids?

COMMUNICATE
Let not our homes become hotels, where we gather to sleep, eat and move on, exchanging barely more than a few words daily with loved ones. Work together as Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wa sallam did in housework with his wives, pray together and play together as our noble Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam did with his wives and grandchildren; this will develop an environment of trust and love, where everyone can speak with comfort and ease.

The final part is to consult with family members when making decisions. This goes a long way towards strengthening bonds and saving families.

Marriage: Making it Work

2008-12-05T08:30:00.000-08:00

1. Be conscious of your physical appearance.
The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam’s sunnah reflects attention to personal hygiene and grooming. Most likely the first aspect of you that attracted your mate was your appearance, so don't think that because you’re married the task is over.

2. Be a companion to your mate.
Try to show enthusiasm for your spouse's interests and hobbies.

3. Have a sense of humour.
Be able to chuckle at life's minor aggravations.

4. Be modest with members of the opposite sex.
Be conscious of Islamic rules regarding speaking to and interacting with members of the opposite sex. Do not test your spouse's affection by feigning interest in another.

5. Surprise each other with gifts.
Treat her to an evening out alone, away from the children. There are no words to describe the lift this can give to a marriage.

6. Live within your means.
Stay away from credit cards and accounts as far as possible. Don't envy others.

7. Respect your mate's need for privacy.
A quiet time to oneself each day can work wonders for a person’s mood.

8. Be sensitive to your mate's moods.
If you want to share a personal achievement, don't do it when your spouse is down in the dumps. Wait for the proper time.

Web Guide Dec 2008

2008-12-05T08:28:00.000-08:00

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

http://www.kobemosque.org/
Kobe Musjid, first Musjid in Japan

http://www.kasa.org.za/site/
Khidmatul Awaam Hajj services

http://www.savethehijaz.org/
Site dedicated to preservation of Islamic historical sites in Makkah and Madinah

http://www.cordobauniversity.org/
School of Islamic and Social Sciences

http://www.mia.org.qa/english/index.html
Museum of Islamic Art, Qatar

http://www.khairulmadaris.com.pk/
Jamia Khairul Madaris, Pakistan

http://www.thedefendersoftruth.com/
Islamic radio online

http://www.liwajhillah.co.uk/
Free Islamic literature

http://www.deen4all.org/
Deen for All, Manchester, UK

http://www.goldenmosque.com/
Golden Mosque, Rochdale, UK

http://www.aidilfitri.net/
Eid cards

http://www.islaminpreston.blogspot.com/
Muslims in Preston, UK

http://www.daruliftaa.com/
Fatwas of Mufti Kawthari, UK

http://www.masud.co.uk/
Islamic resources

http://www.fairuk.org/
Forum Against Islamaphobia and Racism
Support Sensible Surfing

Cinnamon

2008-12-05T08:27:00.000-08:00

Cinnamon is a small evergreen tree 10–15 metres tall and is native to India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal. Cinnamon bark is widely used as a spice. especially in cooking as a condiment and flavourant. It is also used in the preparation of chocolate and some kinds of desserts, such as apple pie and cinnamon buns as well as spicy candies, tea, hot cocoa, and liqueurs. Cinnamon powder has long been an important spice in Persian cuisine. In the Middle East, it is often used in savoury dishes of chicken and lamb.

Cinnamon has been known from ancient times, and it was so highly prized that it was regarded as a gift fit for rulers. Up to the Middle Ages, the source of cinnamon was a mystery to the Western world. Muslim Arabs established a monopoly on trading in cinnamon, and kept its origin a secret for hundreds of years. The first mention of the spice growing in Sri Lanka was in Zakariya al-Qazwini's Athar al-bilad wa-akhbar al-‘ibad in about 1270. Arab traders brought the spice via overland trade routes to Alexandria in Egypt, where it was bought by Venetian traders from Italy who held a monopoly on the spice trade in Europe. At the beginning of the sixteenth century European colonialists finally broke the Muslim monopoly by capturing the countries where cinnamon was grown.

Today Muslim Indonesia produces 40% of the world's Cassia genus of cinnamon. Cinnamon bark is one of the few spices that can be consumed directly. Cinnamon: yet another item for which the world needs to thank the Muslims for preserving.

The Sumatran Rhino

2008-12-05T08:25:00.000-08:00

The Sumatran Rhino is one of five rhinoceros species. It is the smallest, standing about 120–145 cm high at the shoulder, and weighs 500–800 kg. Like the African species, it has two horns. It once ranged throughout rainforests in India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia but are now extinct everywhere except Malaysia and Indonesia. They are critically endangered, with only six substantial populations in the wild: on Sumatra and Borneo (Indonesia), and Malaysia. There are only about 300 left in the world.

The rhinos usually eat up to 50 kg of food a day and live 30–45 years in the wild. The Sumatran Rhinoceros is fast and agile; it climbs mountains easily. The pregnancy period is around 15–16 months before the young are born. Their horns are highly valued in traditional Chinese medicine, fetching as much as $30,000 (R300,000) per kilogram on the black market.

Mullah Nasruddin and the Beggars

2008-12-05T08:21:00.000-08:00

As Mullah Nasruddin emerged from the Musjid after prayers, a beggar sitting in the street appealed to him for some charity. The following conversation took place:
Mullah: Are you extravagant?
Beggar: Yes, Mullah.
Mullah: Do you like sitting around drinking coffee?
Beggar: Yes.
Mullah: I suppose you like to go to the Baths every day?
Beggar: Yes.
Mullah: And maybe amuse yourself by eating with friends?
Beggar: Yes, I like all these things.
‘Tut, tut,’ said the Mullah and gave him a gold coin.

A few metres further on, another beggar who had heard this conversation begged for charity also.
Mullah: Are you extravagant?
Beggar: No, Mullah.
Mullah: Do you like sitting around drinking coffee?
Beggar: No.
Mullah: I suppose you like to go to the Baths every day?
Beggar: No.
Mullah: And maybe amuse yourself by eating with friends?
Beggar: No, I want to live meagrely and to pray.
Whereupon Mullah Nasruddin gave him a small copper coin. ‘But why,’ wailed the beggar, ‘do you give me, an economical and pious man, a measly copper coin, when you gave that extravagant fellow a gold coin?’
‘Ah,’ replied the Mullah, ‘his needs are greater than yours.’

MUIS

2008-12-05T08:19:00.000-08:00

Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS), also known as the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore was established in 1968 when the Administration of Muslim Law Act came into effect. Its role is to look after the interests of Singapore's Muslim community.

Main functions include:
Zakaat collection and distribution
Administration of Waqf (endowment),
Hajj services
Halaal certification
Construction and administration of Musjids through a Musjid Building Fund
Administration of Madrasahs and Islamic education
Issuance of fatwas
Provision of financial relief to poor Muslims
Running a Shariah Court to deal with marriage, divorce and inheritance
A range of aL.I.V.E (Living Islamic Values Everyday) interactive Islamic programs for kids and teens including Holiday programs.

MUIS advises the President of Singapore on all Islamic matters as well as issues faced by Muslims in Singapore. The Mufti of Singapore is also a member.

Many of MUIS’s activities operate officially under the auspices of the Singapore government. To learn more, visit their website at:

www.muis.gov.sg/cms/index.aspx

(Their website has also won awards). All in all, an inspiring example of what a small population of Muslims (125,000 or 15% of Singapore’s total population) can achieve with a little organization.

Look Before You Leap

2008-12-02T00:22:00.000-08:00

One fine day, a bus driver went to the bus garage, started his bus, and drove off along the route. No problems for the first few stops, a few people got on, a few got off, and things went generally well.

At the next stop, however, a big hulk of a guy got on. Built like a wrestler, arms hanging down to the ground. He glared at the driver and said, ‘Big John doesn't pay!’ and sat down at the back.

The driver was short, thin, and basically meek. Naturally, he didn't argue with Big John, but he wasn't happy about it. The next day the same thing happened -Big John got on again, said ‘Big John doesn't pay!’ and sat down. And the next day, and the one after that, and so forth. This irritated the bus driver, who started losing sleep over the way Big John was taking advantage of his size.

Finally he could stand it no longer. He signed up for body building program, karate, judo and all that good stuff. By the end of summer, he had become quite strong. So on the next Monday, when Big John got on the bus and said, ‘Big John doesn't pay!’ the driver stood up, glared back and screamed, ‘And why not?’
With a surprised look on his face, Big John replied, ‘Big John has a Bus pass.’

Moral of the story: First be sure that there is a problem before working hard to solve one. Many a times we build up anger over someone’s supposed bad actions, little realising that a few enquiries would throw our suspicions out the window.

True Worth

2008-12-02T00:20:00.000-08:00

Long ago, in Egypt, there lived a famous saint called Zun-Nun. A young man came to him and asked ‘Teacher, I don’t understand why people like you dress so simply. Isn’t it necessary in this age to dress neatly?’ The saint smiled, took a ring from one of his pockets and said, ‘Young friend, I will answer your question, but first take this ring to the market and try to sell it for a chip of gold.’ Looking at Zun-Nun's dirty ring, the young man was doubtful, ‘One chip of gold? I’m not sure it can be sold at that price.’ ‘Try, young man, who knows you may do it.’ The young man goes to the market. He offers the ring to the textile, vegetable, meat, fish and traders. No one was willing to pay a chip of gold. He goes back to Zun-Nun and says, ‘Teacher, no body offers more than one chip of silver.’ With a wise smile Zun-Nun said, ‘Now go to the Gold Shop at the back of this street, show this to the gold trader. Don’t give your price, just listen how much he will pay for this ring.’

The young man went and returned. He said, ‘Teacher, the traders in the market don't know the value of this ring. The gold trader offered one thousand gold coins, far more than what the traders in the market offer. Zun-Nun said, ‘That’s the answer to your question. Someone cannot be valued only from his dress. The traders in the market gave face value for the ring. But not the gold trader. The gold inside someone can only be seen and valued if you could look at the inner soul. It needs special insight to see. We cannot see it from the words, attitude or dress that are only seen for a while. Many times what we think is a gold, is only worthless brass and vice versa.

Historical Places in Makkah

2008-11-10T07:41:00.003-08:00

A few of the historical spots in Makkah:

Cave of Hira: 5-6km from Makkah is the mountain which contains the cave in which the first revelation of the Qur’aan came. It takes about 50 minutes to climb to the cave.

Jannatul Ma’laa: The historical graveyard of Makkah in which lie early Muslims like Hazrat Khadijah radhiallahu anha, the first lady to accept Islam and the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam’s first wife. About 6,000 Sahaaba are buried there.

Maqbarah Shabaika: Second most important graveyard in Makkah. In the initial days of Islam, it was difficult for Muslims to be buried. Khadijah radhiallahu anha donated this land for for burial purposes. For 9 centuries it was used as a graveyard and for a period in 1889.

Birthplace: The house Abdullah, the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam’s father, in which the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam was born. The house was turned into a library and is reported to have been demolished. Situated in Shu’be Aameer locality.

Daare Arqam: Site on Mount Safa where early Muslims gathered to learn Islam.

House of Khadijah radhiallahu anha: Located in Shaariyus Saaghah in Qashaashiya. Place where the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam lived with his first wife and 6 of his children where born here.

Grave of Maimoonah radhiallahu anha: Last wife of the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam. Located in Wadi Fatima about 8km out of Makkah on the road to Madinah.

Information from booklet by Madrassah Shamsul Huda

Skyscrapers

2008-11-10T07:41:00.002-08:00

Muslim influence on the development of skyscrapers started over 500 years ago. The 16th-century city of Shibam in Yemen is the oldest skyscraper-city in the world. This is the earliest example of urban planning based on the principle of vertical construction. Shibam was made up of over 500 tower houses, each one rising 5 to 11 storeys. The city had the first high-rise mudbrick buildings, with some over 30m tall. These remain the tallest mudbrick buildings in the world. The tallest building in the city is the mudbrick minaret which stands at 53 m tall. Although some have been refurbished the majority of the buildings date back 500 years, an incredible feat considering the technology available at the time.

Bangladeshi Muslim engineer Fazlur Khan, considered the Einstein of structural engineering and the greatest architectural engineer of the second half of the 20th century produced designs of structural systems that remain fundamental to all high-rise skyscrapers, which he employed in his constructions for the John Hancock Center and Sears Tower. The Sears Tower remained the world's tallest building until 2007, when the Burj Dubai surpassed it. Another innovation in skyscraper design and construction developed by Fazlur Khan was the concept of X-bracing which reduced the lateral load on the building by transferring the load into the exterior columns. This reduces the need for interior columns thus creating more floor space.

Burj Dubai in UAE is the tallest skyscraper in the world presently, dominating all height-related ranking criteria, bringing the tallest skyscrapers back to Arabia.

Musjids of the World Series 8

2008-11-10T07:41:00.001-08:00

The Musjid serves as the focal point of any Muslim community and is the most important structure to Muslims.

Musjid of Uqba, Tunisia. Built by the Sahaabi Uqba ibn Nafi radhiallahu anhu in 670 CE. Covers 900 m² and is a model for Musjids in the western Islamic world. It’s university was a centre of Islamic and secular education and one of the world’s earliest. The Musjid has been reconstructed several times. It resembles a fortress with 1.9 m thick stones used for its walls. The mimbar, dates to the 9th century, the oldest in the Islamic world. The prayer hall has more than 400 columns. The minaret is 31.5 m high.

Great Musjid of Gaza, Palestine. Largest and one of the oldest Musjids in Gaza Strip. Originally a church destroyed by the Persians. Transformed into a Musjid after the Muslim capture of Gaza. In 1149, the Crusaders built a cathedral. In 1187, Muslims under Salaahudin recaptured Gaza and destroyed the cathedral, and it was reconstructed as a Musjid in 1344. Musjid damaged by Allied forces in World War I, and restored by the Supreme Muslim Council in 1926. Covers 4,100 m².

Kobe Musjid, founded in 1935 and is Japan's first Musjid. Confiscated by the Imperial Japanese Navy in 1943. The Musjid was built in the traditional Turkish style by a Czech architect.

Jummah Musjid, Mauritius. The country's second Musjid. Built in 1853 and extended and rebuilt in 1895. It is the focus of Islamic cultural and religious life in Mauritius.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9

The Farmer’s Success

2008-11-02T11:34:00.000-08:00

There was a farmer who grew superior quality, award-winning maize in his farm. Each year, he entered his maize in the state fair where it won honors and prizes. One year a newspaper reporter interviewed him and learned something interesting about how he grew his maize: The farmer shared his maize seeds with his neighbours. ‘How can you afford to share your best maize seeds with your neighbours when they enter maize in the competition against you each year?’ the reporter asked. ‘Why bother?’

The farmer replied, ‘Didn’t you know? The wind picks up pollen grains from the ripening maize and swirls it from field to field. If my neighbours grow inferior, sub-standard and poor quality maize, cross-pollination will steadily degrade the quality of my maize. If I have to grow good maize, I must help my neighbours to grow good maize too.’

The farmer gave superb insight into the connectedness of life. His maize can’t improve unless his neighbours’ maize also improves. So it is in other areas of life! Those who want peace must help their neighbours and colleagues be at peace. Those who choose to live well must help others live well. Success does not happen in isolation; it is most often a collective process. So share the good practices, ideas and new knowledge with your family, friends, team members and neighbours. As the saying goes: ‘Success breeds Success.’

Hadith: ‘The best friend in the Sight of Allah is he who is the well-wisher of his companions, and the best neighbour is one who behaves best towards his neighbours.’ (Tirmidhi)

Shampoo

2008-11-02T11:08:00.000-08:00

The word shampoo in English usage dates back to 1762, with the meaning ‘to massage’. The word was a loan word from Anglo-Indian shampoo, in turn from Hindi champo.

The term and service was introduced by a Muslim Bengali entrepreneur Sake Deen Muhammad, who opened a shampooing bath known as Mahomed's Indian Vapour Baths in Brighton, England in 1759. His baths were like Turkish baths where clients received an Indian treatment of champi (shampooing) or therapeutic massage.

He was appointed ‘Shampooing Surgeon’ to both King George IV and William IV. Deen was also the first Indian to write and publish a book in English, Travels of Deen Muhammad in 1794.

Islam in the Philippines

2008-11-02T11:07:00.001-08:00

Islam reached the Philippines islands in the 14th century with the arrival of Indian, Malay and Javanese (Indonesian) merchants, and Arab missionaries from various sultanates in the Malay Archipelago, as well as preachers from Muslim India. Muslims form 5% of the Philippine population. In 1380, Karim ul Makhdum, the first Islamic missionary to reach the Sulu Archipelago and Jolo, brought Islam to what is now the Philippines. The Sheik Karimal Makdum Musjid was the first Musjid established in the Philippines. Subsequent visits by Arab Muslim missionaries from Muslim Malaysia and Indonesia, helped strengthen Islam mostly in the south but as far north as Manila. Vast Muslim sultanates were established.

Muslim traders spread Islam in much of Southeast Asia including Philippines. Two century before the coming of Western colonizers Muslim enjoyed full independence and had a well-organized government: the sultanate. The Spaniards and Americans gradually incorporated the independent Muslim state into the Philippines, reducing the power of the sultan, especially during US rule. Muslims courageously fought the Spanish invaders and rebelled against the Americans.

Since the 1970s, Islam has strengthened with Islamic institutions and Musjids being built. Muslim armed groups have been fighting for an independent Muslim state in the south called Bangsamoro since the 1970’s. In 1990 the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao was established, giving Muslims control over some aspects of government. The fight for liberation still continues.

Most Filipinos (even non-Muslim) still follow the Islamic custom of circumcision introduced by Muslims.

Sayyid Abdullah Hassan

2008-11-02T11:05:00.000-08:00

Sayyid Muhammad Abdullah Hassan (born 1856, Somalia, died 1920, Ogaden) was Somalia's religious and nationalist leader (called the ‘Mad Mullah’ by the British). For 20 years he led armed resistance against British, Italian, and Ethiopian colonialist forces in Somalia. He was the eldest son of Sheikh Abdille, a religious Ogaden Somali.

Hassan's hero was his maternal grandfather, Sade Mogan, who was a great warrior chief. In addition to being a good horseman, by 11, Hassan had learned the entire Qur'an by heart. In 1875, he worked as a Qur'anic teacher. He then devoted 10 years to visiting centres of Islamic learning in Somalia and Sudan. In 1891 he married and in 1894, he went on Hajj. He stayed in Makkah for a year and half and joined the Saalihiya suffi order. In 1895, he returned to Somalia. By then the Ethiopians were plundering and occupying Somali Ogaden. Somalia came under rule of several countries including UK, Italy and Ethiopia.

In 1897, fearing Christian influence he started preaching religious reform. Hassan got weapons from Turkey, Sudan, and other Muslim countries. He appointed ministers in different areas of Somalia and sent emissaries appealing for Somalis to join his movement. In 1900 Hassan attacked the Ethiopian garrison at Jijiga successfully. He then raided British areas. From 1901-1904, the Dervish army inflicted heavy losses on Ethiopian, British and Italian forces. By 1913, Hassen ruled the entire hinterland of the Somali peninsula.

In 1920, the British struck Hassan’s settlements with a air and land attack and inflicted defeats. Hassan’s army fled to Ogaden. Here he tried to rebuild. He refused a British subsidy peace deal. Then smallpox and rinderpest broke out in Ogaden and half of Hassan’s forces died. A tribal raid under Somalis armed by the British killed the remaining Dervish but failed to catch Hassan. Along with some followers, he escaped to Arsi Oromo in Ethiopia where he tried to stabilize his position.

In 1920, Hassan died of influenza at the age of 64.

Inspired, Motivated

2008-11-02T11:02:00.000-08:00

Our job description as human beings is detailed in the Qur’aan as the worship of Allah till death.
At times we feel we cannot live up to this. We get dispirited, tired. To inspire us to continue His worship, Allah provides some tools:

1. Rewards
The Qur’aan and Hadith are replete with rewards in store for the one who worships Allah, in this world and the Hereafter. If a worker is given a good wage and additional perks then he’ll do his best despite drawbacks. Similarly, by knowing these rewards, we are motivated to continue our worship of Allah.

2. Change
The worship of Allah is varied by Salaah times changing through the year. Likewise Ramadaan fasts change according to season, ensuring variety and dispelling boredom.

3. Challenges
We are set challenges in worship: e.g. there’s a time on Friday when any dua is accepted, but we don’t know the time for certain and are thus inspired to engage in extra dua throughout Friday.

4. Concessions
Islam allows concessions in worship, e.g.: the rakaats of Salaah are reduced while on journey, we can sit and read while very ill and the Shafi’s allows joining two Salaah under certain conditions. This helps us continue Allah’s worship at all times and we do not feel it a burden.

5. Specialists
By continuing and increasing the worship of Allah, we attain the specialist rank of a Wali (friend) of Allah for whom added benefits are promised such as good news in the form of true dreams promising good for us. (Qur’aan/Bukhari)

6. Group effort
We are encouraged to perform worship like Salaah and Hajj in group form, thus drawing strength from other Muslims engaged in the worship of Allah. How much easier do we perform Taraweeh Salaah in Ramadaan with a group than if we perform it alone. Islam emphasizes the importance of a good support group, good friends, the company of good people and sticking with the Muslim community.

7. Open 24 hours
The beauty of being a Muslim is that even ordinary activities like work, play, study, family time and sleep become a means of reward and the worship of Allah if Halaal and done with the correct intention.

These and other incentives make the worship of Allah easy, helping us do it ultimately out of love and not a mere obligation.

Exam Tips

2008-11-02T11:00:00.000-08:00

Prepare: ‘The strong believer is better and is more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, although both are good. Strive to attain that which will benefit you and seek the help of Allah, and do not feel helpless.’ (Muslim, 2664)

Begin in the Name of Allah: Take the name of Allah before you start, for mentioning the name of Allah is prescribed when beginning any permissible action; this brings blessing, and seeking the help of Allah is one of the means of strength.

Remember Allah: Remembering Allah (zikr) dispels anxiety and tension.

Take Time: Take your time to answer, for the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said: ‘Deliberation is from Allah and haste is from the devil.’ (Saheeh al-Jaami, 3011)

Wrong Answer: If after the exam you find you’ve answered some questions incorrectly, then take that as a lesson to be better prepared in future. It’s not the end of the world. Accept the will and decree of Allah and do not fall prey to frustration and despair. The Hadith tells us: ‘If anything befalls you, do not say, ‘If only I had done such and such.’ Rather say, (it is) the decree of Allah and what He wills happened,’ for saying ‘if only’ opens the door for the devil.’ (Muslim)

Don’t Cheat: The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said, ‘Whoever cheats is not one of us.’

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid