ummtaalib

Part 9 1. Meals should not be served at the home of the deceased to those who come for ta’ziyah. Serving meals at the home is an innovatory practice. 2. It is impermissible to hire a person to recite a portion of the Quraan Majeed and convey the reward to the deceased.

Accept responsibility when it’s your's! (From al-Miftah) It has become a common trend nowadays for people to pass on information with the following disclaimer: ‘Retweets are not necessarily endorsements’ or: ‘The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily that of the editor.’ Whilst this may be a legal shield in this world, in no way does it absolve one in the court of Allah! We are indeed responsible for whatever we say, write, pass on or share. One who is sharing information actually assumes the position of a muballigh (preacher). Every preacher is duty bound to verify the information he shares and to ensure he isn’t a carter of falsehood. The gem of the last century, Shaykh ‘Abdul Hay Laknawi (rahimahullah) writes: ‘If the view is baseless, it is not permissible to quote it, but for the motive of pointing out its flaw... ...it is not permissible to remain silent whilst quoting it, which gives the impression of it being correct.’ (Tadhkiratur Rashid, pg.74) Let’s ask ourselves the following questions: • If we do not endorse what we are propagating, then why are we spreading it?! • Why do we want for others what we do not want for ourselves?! • What is the purpose of publicising such information? Whatever the answer to the above, we are still responsible in Allah’s court. Many of us seem to be unaware of this. As Received Some of us have the habit of adding the following disclaimer at the end of text messages: ‘As received’. This may be a legitimate form of precaution, but one should still weigh up the information before passing it on. If it seems legitimate, but one is not completely sure, then one may add this note when sharing it. All of the ‘disclaimers’ discussed in this article are a result of the ill habit of passing/sharing whatever we receive or discover, without verification. One who passes everything he receives, without verification is considered a liar in the Hadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam). كفى بالمرء كذبا أن يحدث بكل ما سمع

Signs of Allah in the Sugarcane Allah has placed innumerable bounties for us on earth, one of them being the sugar cane. Although it looks like bamboo, it is filled with a liquid from which sugar is extracted and so many sweets and other foods are made. Allah has also placed many cures in this juice, which physicians prescribe for their patients. It is only by the power of Allah that such sweetness and benefit is found in an ordinary cane.

The True Meaning of “Zikrullah” Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyaas (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) once mentioned: The true meaning of “Zikrullah” (the remembrance of Allah Ta’ala) is that no matter which place, situation and condition a person may be in, he is conscious and aware of Allah Ta’ala and of what Allah Ta’ala wants from him at that time. Similarly, he is conscious of the laws of Deen that are directed towards him at that moment. Generally, I emphasize and encourage my friends upon acquiring this form of zikr in their lives. (Malfoozaat Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyaas (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) pg. 21)

Part Seven Islam: (Continuing from Part Six) Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) continued: By Allah! Just a few moments later, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) passed by with Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) who was carrying a cloth for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). When Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) saw him, he stood and went to him. He then spoke quietly into the blessed ear of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), after which Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) came and sat. After sitting, he turned to me and said, “O ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu)! Accept the invitation which Allah Ta‘ala is giving you to His Jannah, as I am indeed the messenger of Allah Ta‘ala to you and to His entire creation.” Hearing these blessed words of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), I could not help but accept Islam. I then recited the Shahaadah saying, “There is no deity besides Allah alone, who has no partner, and Muhammed (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is His servant and messenger.” Soon thereafter, I married Hazrat Ruqayyah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), the respected daughter of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). (Isaabah vol. 4 pg. 327 and Al-Riyaadh-un-Nadhrah vol. 3 pg. 8)

One should recite tasbeeh-e-Faatimi after every salaah i.e. 33 times Suhbaanallah, 33 times Alhamdulillah, 33 times Allahu Akbar, and complete the hundred by reciting: لَا إلَهَ إلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيْر عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم من سبح الله في دبر كل صلاة ثلاثا وثلاثين وحمد الله ثلاثا وثلاثين وكبر الله ثلاثا وثلاثين فتلك تسعة وتسعون وقال تمام المائة لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له له الملك وله الحمد وهو على كل شيء قدير غفرت خطاياه وإن كانت مثل زبد البحر ( صحيح مسلم رقم 597) Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Radhiyallahu Anhu) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “The one who recites after the fardh salaah tasbeeh (Subhaanallah) 33 times, tahmeed (Alhamdulillah) 33 times, takbeer (Allahu Akbar) 33 times, and completes the hundred by reciting لَا إلَهَ إلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيْر his previous (minor) sins will be forgiven even though it be as much as the foam of the ocean.”

GAME OVER Playing is a natural activity for a child and is even important for the correct, healthy development of a child. For a child, playing is not merely a pastime. Rather, it is a developmental and educational process through which the child learns many basic principles such as cause and effect, effort and reward, etc. It is due to the process of playing being such an effective medium of education that teachers seek to capitalize on playing and use it to engage the students in games through which they will be educated in a subtle yet definite and enjoyable manner. However, since the world has taken the route of technology, the nature of ‘the game’ has changed. Now, games are seldom played on fields and in backyards. Rather, the computer, tablet and phone screen has become the new field of play, and once the game begins, players become glued to the screen. For many parents, ‘parking’ the child before the PC or placing an iPad in their hands is a daily solution to occupying the child, leaving the parent free to attend to their own responsibilities or even relax. This has led to children becoming increasingly addicted to these games. As a result, if a child is invited to play soccer in the backyard, it is not farfetched to imagine him replying, “Why should I kick a ball when I already have an app for that!” The result? The virtual world is now preferred to living life in the real world. The dangers that accompany these games are numerous. Games that contain music, pictures of animate objects, indecent content and other similar elements of Haraam are impermissible, and playing these games cause devastating damage to the Imaan of the player. However, even if the game is void of these Haraam elements, these games transmit many subtle messages to these young, impressionable players. Children who grow up playing car racing games generally grow up mimicking the same behaviour by living life “in the fast lane”. Similarly, when games are played that depict and encourage violence, such as fighting, shooting and war games, then the child develops violent tendencies as his natural, inborn aversion to violence is desensitized. In many cases, children who pulled a gun on their classmates and went onto a shooting rampage, murdering innocent people, were found to be avid players of these games. The fundamental difference between these games and the real world is that there are no real consequences in the gaming world. Rather, when one encounters difficulty, one can easily escape by pressing the convenient ‘reset’ button. In real life, there is no reset. When reckless driving leads to an accident and the loss of lives, there is no reset. When a gun is pulled and lives are lost, there is no reset. In real life, there is only one result – the child’s life is ruined and it’s GAME OVER. Furthermore, the playing of the past almost always benefited the child in one way or another. If the child was running in a field, his body benefited. If the child was playing in the kitchen, they were perhaps learning a basic skill such as peeling potatoes, rolling dough, etc. If the child played in the garden, they learnt how to wield a spade, etc. Hence, even though the child was playing, the child was developing a practical skill with which they would be able to benefit themselves and others. On the contrary, most children glued to their screens suffer obesity, anti-social behaviour and a range of other physical and psychological problems. If we truly love our children, let us wake up to the damage that these devices are wreaking on our innocent children. At the very least, let us limit their screen time. Switch off the game before it’s GAME OVER. Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Council of Muslim Theologians

يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّم دَائِمًا أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيبِكَ خَيرِ الخَلْقِ كُلِّهِمِ

Part 8 1. The Shari’ah has not specified any particular type or colour of clothing that should be worn by those that are bereaved. 2. The practice of visitors coming on the seventh day, tenth day and fortieth day for “khatam” etc. are innovations and should be discarded.

Part Six Islam: (Continuing from Part Five) Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) continued: I then left my aunt. Her statements had left an impression on my heart and I continued to ponder over what she had said. I would sometimes associate with Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and sit with him. After Monday had passed, I came to sit with him and found him seated alone. On sitting with him, he noticed that I was in deep thought. Being a very soft-natured person, he asked me what the matter was. I replied by mentioning to him the statements that my aunt had made. Hearing this, he exclaimed, “O ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu)! May Allah have mercy on you! You are an intelligent, foresighted man. You are able to discern between truth and falsehood. These idols which your people worship – are they not (made of) mere stone that is deaf, unable to hear, see, harm or benefit?” I replied, “Most certainly! By Allah! They are definitely as you described!” Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) then said, “By Allah! Your aunt spoke the truth to you. This is Muhammed (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), the son of ‘Abdullah. Allah Ta‘ala has deputed him with His message to the entire creation. Would you like to come to him and listen to his message?” I replied in the affirmative. (To be continued insha Allah) (Isaabah vol. 4 pg. 327 and Al-Riyaadh-un-Nadhrah vol. 3 pg. 8) Source: Whatisislam.co.za

Part Five Islam: (Continuing from Part four) Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) continued: I was astonished and perplexed at what my aunt had said, and so I asked her, “O aunt! What are you saying?” She replied by reciting the following couplets: عثمان يا عثمان يا عثمان لك الجمال ولك الشان هذا نبي معه البرهان أرسله بحقه الديان وجاءه التنزيل والفرقان فاتبعه ولا تغيا بك الأوثان ‘Uthmaan! O ‘Uthmaan! O ‘Uthmaan! You have been blessed with beauty and you have been blessed with prestige. This is a Nabi with whom there are clear proofs and signs. The Lord of recompense has deputed him with the truth. The word of Allah is revealed to him, which distinguishes between truth and falsehood. So follow him and do not allow the idols to misguide you. Hearing these couplets, I asked her, “O aunt! You are speaking of something that has yet to be (known and) mentioned in our land, so clarify it for me.” She replied, “Muhammed (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), the son of ‘Abdullah, is the Rasul of Allah. He brought the message of Allah, inviting mankind towards Allah. His lamp is a true lamp (of guidance), his word is righteousness and piety, his deen is one of success and his affair is one of salvation. He will face opposition and the valleys will be under his control. Calls and shouts made against him will be of no avail, even if the spears fall (against him), sides are struck and spears are wielded (against him).” (To be continued insha Allah) (Isaabah vol. 4 pg. 327 and Al-Riyaadh-un-Nadhrah vol. 3 pg. 8)

Part Four Islam: ‘Amr bin ‘Uthmaan (rahimahullah) narrates that Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had mentioned the following when explaining to them the manner in which he accepted Islam: I was a man whom many women were interested in marrying. One night, I was in the courtyard of the Ka‘bah Shareef, seated among a group of the Quraish, when someone came to us and gave us the news that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had married his respected daughter, Hazrat Ruqayyah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), to ‘Utbah bin Abi Lahab. Hazrat Ruqayyah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was blessed with outstanding beauty. On receiving the news, I was filled with remorse and regret as I thought to myself, “Why did I not precede him in attaining the honor of marrying the respected daughter of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)?” After some time elapsed, I returned home. When I arrived at home, I found my aunt (mother’s sister) seated within. Her name was Su’daa bint Kuraiz, and she had studied soothsaying by her people. When she saw me, she recited the following couplets: أبشر وحييت ثلاثا وترا ثم ثلاثا وثلاثا أخرى ثم بأخرى كي تتم عشرا لقيت خيرا ووقيت شرا نكحت والله حصانا زهرا وأنت بكر ولقيت بكرا Accept glad tidings and congratulations thrice, then thrice more, and then thrice more And then once more to complete ten.You have encountered goodness and have been saved from evil By Allah! You have married an extremely chaste and beautiful woman. You are a virgin and you have married a virgin. (To be continued insha Allah) (Isaabah vol. 4 pg. 327 and Al-Riyaadh-un-Nadhrah vol. 3 pg. 8)

Part Three Physical Description: Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was neither too tall nor too short (i.e. he was of moderate height), and was blessed with a handsome face. His beard was large and he had a fair, wheat-colored complexion. He was large-jointed and broad-shouldered. He would dye his hair yellow. (Siyar A’laam min Nubalaa vol. 2 pg. 567) The Companion of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in Jannah: Hazrat Talhah bin ‘Ubaidillah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Every Nabi will have a special friend (in Jannah), and my special friend (in Jannah) will be Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).” (Sunan Tirmizi #3698)

Part Two Title: The title of Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was ‘Zun-Noorain’ (the possessor of the two lights). ‘Two lights’ referred to the two blessed daughters of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), Hazrat Ruqayyah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) and Hazrat Ummu Kulthoom (radhiyallahu ‘anha). Hazrat Hasan Basri (rahimahullah) has explained that Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was given this title as he was the only person who had married two daughters of a Nabi (Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) married Hazrat Ummu Kulthoom (radhiyallahu ‘anha) after the demise of Hazrat Ruqayyah (radhiyallahu ‘anha)). (Siyar A’laam min Nubalaa 2/566/568) Hazrat Nazaal bin Sabrah (rahimahullah) narrates, “We asked Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), ‘Tell us something regarding Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).’ Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) responded, ‘He was a man who would be referred to by the title ‘Zun-Noorain’ in the Mala’-ul-A’laa (assembly of angels).’” (Isaabah 4/378) Family Relationship with Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam): The lineage of Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) meets the lineage of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) at ‘Abd Manaaf. (Usdul Ghaabah 3/215) The maternal grandmother of Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was Baydhaa’, the daughter of ‘Abdul Muttalib. Hence, the maternal grandmother of Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was the paternal aunt of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). (Isaabah 4/377)

Hazrat Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) – Part One Name: Hazrat ‘Uthmaan bin ‘Affaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) Birth: Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was born six years after ‘Aam-ul-Feel (the Year of the Elephants i.e. the year in which Abrahah tried to destroy the Ka‘bah Shareef with elephants). (Isaabah 4/377) Kunyah (Filial Title): Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was first given the kunyah “Abu ‘Abdillah” on account of his son, Hazrat Abdullah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). Thereafter, Hazrat ‘Abdullah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) passed away. The next son of Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was Hazrat ‘Amr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). Hence, Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was next given the kunyah “Abu ‘Amr” by which he was famously known until the end of his life. (Istee‘aab 3/155) Mother: The respected mother of Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was Hazrat Arwaa bint Kuraiz (radhiyallahu ‘anha). (Siyar A’laam min Nubalaa 2/566) Demise of Hazrat ‘Abdullah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu): Hazrat ‘Abdullah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), the son of Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) from Hazrat Ruqayyah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), passed away in the year 4 A.H. at the age of six. (Usdul Ghaabah 3/216) A rooster had pecked Hazrat ‘Abdullah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) in his eyes, causing him injury. It was on account of this injury that he fell ill and passed away. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) performed his janaazah salaah after which Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) descended into the grave to bury him. This was in the month of Jumaadaa-Oolaa of the year 4 A.H. (Tabaqaat Ibn Sa’d 3/39) Source: Whatisislam.co.za

Water Conservation in Wudhu Wudhu is a great Ibaadah (act of worship). Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam is reported to have said that when a person performs wudhu in the proper manner, all the (minor) sins that were committed are washed off by means of the wudhu. However, certain acts spoil this great Ibaadah and deprive one of the full benefits and virtues of wudhu. Among these acts is the wasting of water. The Sunnah Amount of Water It has been conservatively estimated that on average most people use more than six litres of water to perform one wudhu. This is in stark contrast to the amount of water that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam used for his wudhu. Sayyidatuna Aisha Radhiyallahu Anha reports that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam used one mudd of water for wudhu and one saa for ghusal. (Abu Dawood) One mudd amounts to approximately 1 litre and one saa is approximately 4 litres. In other words, we generally use more water for wudhu than Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam used for ghusal. Once Sayyiduna Jaabir Radhiyallahu Anhu narrated the saying of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam that one mudd of water suffices for wudhu and one saa for ghusal. A person sitting there remarked: “It does not suffice for me.” Jaabir Radhiyallahu Anhu silenced him by saying, “It sufficed for him (Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) who was better than you and who even had more hair than you.” (hence he would require more water than you to wash the head during ghusal). (Ibn Majah) Israaf (Wastage) To use more than necessary is termed israaf. Regarding israaf, Allah Ta'ala declares, "Verily Allah Ta'ala does not love the wasters.” On one occasion Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam asked a person performing wudhu: “Why are you wasting water?” The person enquired: “Is there israaf even in wudhu?” Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam replied, "Yes indeed, (do not waste) even if you are at the bank of a river." (Ibn Majah) Hence it is necessary to become conscious of this important aspect and refrain from wasting water during wudhu. How to Save Water A few ways by which we can save water whilst making wudhu: Make wudhu using a jug rather than the tap. If you are using the tap, do not open it “full blast”. Rather open it until the flow is just sufficient for you to make wudhu. Close the tap while using the miswaak, making masah, khilaal, etc. Only re-open it when the water is again needed. Avoid taking a shower. Use a bucket instead. If the shower is used, open the water to just a little more than a trickle and finish off very quickly. Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Council of Muslim Theologians

Part 7 One should assist the bereaved by sending food to their home. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has taught the Sahaabah (Radhiyallahu Anhum) to express sympathies with the bereaved and assist them at the time of their grief and sorrow. Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) encouraged the Sahaabah (Radhiyallahu Anhum) to prepare food and send it for the family, as they have been struck with a tragedy and would not be able to see to their own needs. عن عبد الله بن جعفر رضي الله عنه قال لما جاء نعي جعفر قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم إصنعوا لأهل جعفر طعاما فإنه قد جاءهم ما يشغلهم (جامع الترمذي رقم 998) Hazrat Abdullah bin Ja’far (Radhiyallahu Anhu) narrates, “When the news of the demise of Hazrat Ja’far (Radhiyallahu Anhu) arrived, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) (said to the Sahaabah), ‘Prepare food for the family of Hazrat Ja’far (Radhiyallahu Anhu), as a tragedy has befallen them that has preoccupied them (from seeing to their needs)’”.

Everyone Stealing From Just About Everyone By Maulana Khalid Dhorat Morality, religion and values have not only flown out of the window, but it seems that the ceiling has cracked wide open and all traces of shame, decency and Allah-consciousness has simply evaporated into thin air. We are indeed witnessing the time wherein Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) predicted that trustworthy people will be so rare that they will be counted on one’s fingers. The level of theft, fraud and dishonesty has reached such epidemic proportions that seemingly everyone is busy stealing from anyone, even from their own kind. It’s already nearing the end of February, but every second businessman is moaning that he cannot supply stock because people who took goods in November last didn’t pay yet, yet they enjoyed a luxurious 5 star holiday in Dubai. If retrenchment is a disappointment, crippling a struggling honest businessman is a double disaster because not only his independence is lost, but his progress and productivity in the economy too. But who cares anyway!! In fact, there are so many thieves nowadays and so little victims left that the thieves are beginning to eat each other up! Let’s see just how commonplace stealing has become: 1) Municipalities are stealing from consumers by over billing, and consumers are doing likewise by means of illegal connections. 2) Governments are stealing from its citizens by means of unjust taxation, and the citizenry is doing likewise by means of tax evasion and fraudulent returns. 3) Employers routinely steal from their employees by means of unlawful deductions and paltry wages, and employees do the same by stealing time, through petty theft and unfaithfulness. 4) Car dealers turn back the odometer and give bribes to car dealerships for providing them with trade-ins, and consumers hide crucial faults in a vehicle when putting them up for sale. 5) Manufacturers decrease the weight of items and reduce their quality and still demand the same price, and retailers never pass on the benefit of cost-cutting measures to the consumer. 6) Zakaat and charitable institutions defraud their donors by using a great percentage of the money for personal needs, and givers cheat Allah by giving less, or by giving dubiously earned money. 7) Contractors steal from their contracting companies by submitting ghost invoices, and parent companies often dishonour their contracts, don’t pay at all, or pay way less than originally agreed. 8) Landlords often charge exorbitant rentals, and do not repair their properties for their tenant’s comfort, but tenants too illegally sublet, destroy the property, evacuate without notice and dodge their rental payments. 9) Auditors, accountants and lawyers routinely lie and burn the evidence in order to keep dishonest clients on their books, and clients use their status and crooked earnings to patronise them and continue in their fraud. 10) Mechanics, carpenters, plumbers and electricians always find unnecessary items to repair and steal new parts, whilst clients nearly always never pay them their due or delay them for years on end. 11) Medical aids regularly increase their premiums, and clients abuse the fund by purchasing cosmetics or for trivial medical conditions like a knee scrape or a gassy stomach. 12) Doctors conduct dozens of unnecessary tests and run up a bill of thousands before telling the patient they can’t find the cause of his sickness, and clients often do not settle their bills and are handed over to collection agencies. 13) Transport and logistic companies often overburden their drivers with many stops, and delivery vehicles often offload extra stock at discounted prices during the night. 14) One of the more shocking examples of dishonesty is heirs depriving their own siblings of their legitimate share, and the deceased who also treated his family unfairly by favouring one over the other. 15) Banks, financial institutions, investment schemes, and retirement funds seems to be taking the lead in mishandling and losing the funds in their care, leaving many saddened hopefuls who thought they could retire in peace and who also couldn’t guarantee their funds was 100% legitimate. 16) Then you have religious fraud by people who claim there are 200 zakaatable students in their Madrassah, whereas there is only five, but it suits the donor fine as he can launder his undeclared wealth via their books. 17) Building contractors always mislead their clients on pricing and building material quality, and their clients always give them ridiculous deadlines and penalty clauses. 18) By far, the favourite Muslim scams happen at the time of Hajj and Qurbani, but clients also look for impossible deals due to selfishness. There is hardly any facet in our life that is not riddled with corruption, and many more examples can thus be cited. But many cases of theft are one-sided too. You have online shopping scams with no fault of the customer at all, small industries, home industries, and catering firms who are not paid for months because they cannot afford the legal route. O Ummah, have we forgotten that Allah Ta’ala is Well Aware of whatever we do. None can escape His Grasp. One day we will be made to stand, trembling and perspiring, before Allah, and we will repay our debts in a ghastly fashion. Flesh nourished with ill-gotten wealth is not fit for paradise, so you will pay with burning flesh, anguished tears, oozing wounds. This is a friendly timeous warning; if you are reading this message and you have dues on your head, repent immediately and settle your dues. MAY ALLAH TA’ALA GRANT US ALL THE ABILITY TO REPENT, SETTLE OUR AFFAIRS, AND MEET ALLAH WITH A CLEAN SLATE ON THE DAY OF QIYAAMAH. AMEEN. Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Council of Muslim Theologians

Asking for Aafiyah between Azaan and Iqaamah عن أنس بن مالك رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: الدعاء لا يرد بين الأذان والإقامة قالوا: فماذا نقول يا رسول الله؟ قال: سلوا الله العافية في الدنيا والآخرة (ترمذي رقم 3594) Hazrat Anas (Radhiyallahu Anhu) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “The duaa made between azaan and iqaamah is not rejected.” The Sahaabah asked: “O Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), so what duaa should we make?” Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) replied: “Ask Allah Ta’ala for aafiyah in this world and the Hereafter.” ihyauddeen.co.za

Assigning to Allah Ta‘ala after Adopting the Means Hazrat Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Daamat Barakaatuhu) mentioned: A great lesson that we learn from the lives of the pious of the past was that they would adopt the necessary means for their work and thereafter they would assign their affair to Allah Ta‘ala. On the other hand, we adopt all the procedures and try to go the extra mile, but in the process we do not entrust our affair to Allah Ta‘ala. In doing so, Allah Ta‘ala then places the entire burden on the individual and this is the beginning to all problems and agony. Eventually, this leads to depression, for one has placed all his trust on the means and procedures, and not on Allah Ta‘ala.

Various other Articles A letter to the Youth of the Ummah Youth Dilemmas Youth - On Culture, Religion and Generation Gap The Perfume of Piety Challenges facing the Youth O My Beloved Son Responsibilities of Youths in a Muslim Society

A narration about hospitality Question Can you please confirm if the following is a Hadith and what its source is. A woman came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) and complained to him about her husband that he invites too many guests and she has become weary from preparing food for them and hosting them. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) did not answer and the woman left. Sometime later Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) called the woman’s husband and said, “I am your guest today.” The man was so happy he went home and told his wife “Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) is our guest today.” His wife was ecstatic and spent time and effort and used every bit of food to prepare for the arrival of the Most Honored Guest, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam). After the amazing joy of hosting Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) generously Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) told the man, ‘tell your wife to watch the door from which I leave your home.” So the wife watched the door from which Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) left her home and saw all kinds of creatures, scorpions and other harmful creatures leaving the house behind Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) upon which she fainted due to the immense manifestation and greatness of what she had witnessed. When she came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam), he said to her, “this is what happens when the guest leaves your home, with him all kinds of harm, trials and tribulations and harmful creatures depart from your home, and that is the wisdom behind being generous to one’s guest and becoming weary doing so.” Answer I have not seen such a narration in the popular primary Hadith sources. One should be cautious about spreading unverified narrations, as there are severe warnings in the Hadith against this habit. Unfortunately nowadays, people are extremely negligent of these warnings! And Allah Ta’ala Knows best, Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar hadithanswers

Shaykh Binnory’s (rahimahullah) dislike for fame Hazrat Shaykh, Moulana Muhammad Yusuf Binnory (rahimahullah) had an intense dislike for fame. He closed every door and avenue that could lead to fame to the extent that the madrasah in Karachi never even held a graduation ceremony (Jalsah). During the issue of the Khatm Nubuwwat and the Qadiyanis (the Qadiyanis do not accept Nabi -sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam- as the final Messenger) Moulana (rahimahullah) gave a full 100 days of sacrifice [to combat this evil sect]. Here too, Moulana (rahimahullah) had the same fevor of sacrificing only for Allah Ta’ala and not to do anything for show. (Khususi Number, pg. 451) Dr Abdur Razzaq Iskandar (hafizahullah) writes: Shaykh Binnory (rahimahullah) laid the foundation for Madrasah Islamia (in Karachi) himself [i.e, He was the founder] and it is due to him that the institute reached this level. However, out of humility, Hazrat Binnory (rahimahullah) disliked having the title of Principle next to his name. (Jamale Yusuf, pg.143-144) May Allah Ta’ala bless us all with these sublime qualities. Amin.

Part 6 1. Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) comforted the bereaved in the following manner: إِنَّ لِلَّهِ مَا أَخَذَ وَلَهُ مَا أَعْطَى وَكُلٌّ إِلَى أَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى فَلْتَصْبِرْ وَلْتَحْتَسِبْ To Allah Ta’ala alone belongs that which He takes, and to Him alone belongs that which He gives. Everything is until an appointed time (after which it will be taken from this world). Therefore, adopt patience and hope for reward from Allah Ta’ala. 2. It is not permissible for one to go to the home of a kaafir who has passed away for ta’ziyat while the funeral proceedings are underway. However, on meeting his kaafir neighbour or any other kaafir who has lost a family member e.g. a child, he may console him in the following words: أَخْلَفَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ خَيْرًا منه وَأَصْلَحَكَ May Allah Ta’ala grant you something better (bless you with the taufeeq of accepting Islam) in exchange of the person you have lost, and May Allah Ta’ala improve your condition.