Islamic Focus

Issue 103 Igniting the Spirit of Islam Jul 2012 Bukhara Publications/Tel: 078 672 7797/Fax: 086 651 2125 Email: islamicfocus@gmail.com/Korsten/Port Elizabeth

‘one of the world’s most

persecuted minorities.’

They have been stripped of Burmese citizenship since 1982. They are not allowed

to travel without official per-mission, are banned from

owning land and can't have more than two children. They are also subjected to

various forms of extortion and taxation; land confisca-

tion; forced eviction and house destruction; and fi-nancial restrictions on mar-

riage. Muslims continue to be used as forced, slave la-

bourers on roads and at military camps.

Thousands of Burmese Mus-lims are refugees in Bangla-

desh and Thailand where they are also unwelcome.

Yet another corner of the world where Muslims are suffering.

Amnesty describes the Mus-

lims of Burma (called Rohin-gya) as the world’s most

persecuted people. Recent attacks on Muslims there is the latest in a long history

of oppression by the Bud-dhists.

RELIGION

Muslim Byat Wi was killed

by King Mon in 1050 CE be-cause he was a Muslim.

The two sons of Byat Wi's brother Byat Ta were chil-

dren executed because they refused to obey the forced

labour order of the king, be-cause of their religious be-

liefs. King Bayintnaung (1550-

1589) prohibited Muslims from Islamically slaughter-

ing goats and chickens. He forced them to listen to Buddhist sermons and disal-

lowed Eidul Adha sacrifice.

King Alaungpaya (1752–

1760) prohibited Muslims from Islamic slaughter as

well. King Bodawpaya (1782–

1819) arrested four famous Muslim Ulama and killed

them after they refused to eat pork.

MERCILESS Muslim settlements have

existed in Burma since the arrival of Arabs in the 8th century. Following the Bur-

mese conquest of Muslim Arakan in 1785, Burmese

rulers executed and de-ported thousands of Mus-

lims. In 1942, 5,000 Mus-lims were killed by Rakhine nationalists and Karenni.

The military, which has

ruled Burma for 50 years, heavily persecuted Muslims. Burmese Muslims are de-

scribed as ‘among the world’s least wanted’ and

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P4 Late Nights

P7 The Teacup

P9 Diamonds

P9 Ibn Qasim

P3 Soft Heart

2 Islamic Focus

WORLD NEWS

USA - Center for Constitutional Rights and American

Civil Liberties Union are giving legal assistance to

plaintiffs suing the US government over drone kill-

ings in Yemen. ‘There is something terribly wrong

when a 16-year-old American boy can be killed by

his own government without any accountability or

explanation,’ said a lawyer at the Center for Consti-

tutional Rights. (BBC, 18 July)

SYRIA - Troops clashed with freedom fighters in

Damascus and Aleppo, as they try to retake areas.

In Aleppo and Homs, there were revolts and at-

tempted breakouts by prisoners. (BBC, 24 July)

PALESTINE - Jewish war veteran became the sec-

ond Israeli to die after setting himself on fire in pro-

test against Jewish establishment inequality. (BBC,

22 July)

EGYPT - Politician sentenced to a year in prison for

violating public decency after police found him fon-

dling a woman in a car in public. (BBC, 24 July)

EGYPT - 'Maria' is the name of the first Egyptian TV

channel to exclusively feature women who wear full

Islamic veil. (BBC, 23 July)

PALESTINE - Jewish officials created the first uni-

versity in a Jewish settlement in occupied West

Bank. The settlements are illegal under international

law. More than 1,000 Israeli academics signed a pe-

tition against the university. (BBC, 17 July)

GERMANY - Lawmakers to pass a cross-party mo-

tion to protect religious circumcision, after a regional

court ruled it amounted to bodily harm. The main

political parties, together with Jewish and Muslim

groups, criticised the ruling. (BBC, 19 July)

TATARSTAN - Former deputy Mufti shot dead and

Mufti of Tatarstan wounded in attacks in the Russian

-occupied Muslim republic of Tatarstan. Tatarstan,

occupied by Russia, has a large Muslim population.

Both leaders were known for siding with Russia

against Muslim freedom fighters. (BBC, 19 July)

BULGARIA - Jewish tourist bus blown up by a US

suicide bomber. 7 died, 34 injured. (BBC, 19 July)

AUSTRALIA - Former Guantanamo Bay detainee

David Hicks can profit from his memoir telling the

story of his illegal incarceration there after Australian

prosecutors dropped a case to seize the income. He

spent five years at the facility. (BBC, 24 July)

INDIA - Fierce fighting between indigenous tribes-

people and Muslim settlers in Assam state killed 21.

60,000 people fled to relief camps. There have been

tensions between indigenous groups and Muslim

Bengali migrants to Assam for years. (BBC, 24 July)

BURMA - Rohingya Muslims are fleeing to Bangla-

desh following state-aided killing by Buddhists of 78

Muslims in Rakhine province. Government forces

continue to persecute Muslims according to Human

Rights Watch. Security forces killed and raped Mus-

lims and arrested hundreds. Rohingya Muslims have

been oppressed over 30 years by Burmese authori-

ties who say they are not citizens. Bangladesh also

says they are not welcome. There are 400,000 Ro-

hingya refugees in Bangladesh. (BBC, 22 July)

AFGHANISTAN - Bomb planted by Taliban de-

stroyed 22 Nato fuel tankers carrying supplies to

coalition forces. (BBC, 18 July)

NIGERIA - 35 killed in flooding in Plateau state af-

ter heavy rainfall caused a dam to overflow near the

city of Jos. (BBC, 24 July)

AFGHANISTAN - Afghanistan became the first

country whose surface minerals have been mapped

from the air. This was done by the US Geological

Survey while Afghanistan is under US occupation.

The country has vast reserves of oil, gas, copper,

cobalt, gold and lithium which USA is eager to ex-

ploit. (BBC, 18 July)

EGYPT - 16 wounded in Coptic-Muslim clashes after a Muslim man died in an earlier clash. (BBC, 1 Aug) US - It's become the norm for US presidential hope-fuls to make a stop in Israel to win support from Jewish voters in the US, and Mitt Romney is no ex-ception. He agreed with Jews that Jerusalem is Is-rael's capital, and during his 36 hours in Israel he did not make the 30-minute trip to the West Bank or seek a meeting with the Palestinian President. He also placed a prayer note like Jews in the Western Wall in Jerusalem. (AP, 30 July) �

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3 Islamic Focus

SOCIAL / S

UNNAH

Having a hard heart is not a good quality in a

Muslim. A person with a soft heart is more in-clined towards good deeds. Here are some

ways to develop a soft heart: 1. Reciting Quran. Mu’alla Bin Ziyad said

that a man said to Hasan Basari, ‘O Abu Saeed, I want to complain to you about my

hardheartedness.’ He advised him to remedy it with remembrance of Allah.

Wuhaib Bin Ward said that the Quran is that remembrance which most easily softens

hearts for one who reflects on it. ‘Allah has sent down the best statement, a

Book (this Quran), its parts resembling each other in goodness and truth, oft-repeated.

The skins of those who fear their Lord shiver from it (when they recite it or hear it). Then

their skin and their heart soften to the remembrance of Allah… (Quran 39:23)

2. Kindness to orphans and needy. A per-son complained to the Prophet � about the

hardness of his heart. The Prophet � said to him: ‘If you want your heart to soften, (affectionately) rub the orphan’s head (with

your hand) and feed the needy.’

3. Remember death a lot. A woman came to Aisha � and complained about hard heart-edness. Aisha � told her, ‘Remember death

much. Your heart will become tender and you will be able to fulfill your needs.’

The Prophet � said, ‘Remember much the de-stroyer of pleasures (i.e. death).’

Wherever there is diversity, there has to be

differences. It's unfair to expect others to be copies of ourselves with no differences. The

Prophet � had to combat hostility while re-maining positive. One of the methods he util-ized was to overcome the status barrier.

Overcoming the Status Barrier

Islam stresses equality, and teaches that pref-erence is only based on good qualities in the heart. We must deal justly and equally with all

people and in all situations.

The Prophet � taught that a smile is charity, even to strangers, and always used a person's favorite name to address him. He sat any-

where in a gathering not in the center and re-fused that people stand up for him.

Someone pulled his cloak forcefully to get his

attention, but he didn't respond with equal force; he merely ordered him firmly to let go. He respected even the youngest or poorest: He

was offered water, and he drank from it. On his right side there was a boy and on his left

side were some old men. He asked the boy ‘Do you mind if I offer the water to them?’ The boy said ‘O Allah's Prophet �! By Allah! I will not

give up my right to drink for anyone (because I am sitting on the right side). The Prophet �

handed the water to the boy. (Bukhari) The situation is a bit of a dilemma, who should

get the water, as a status symbol, a young boy or old men? The Prophet � solved the problem

through equality regardless of age or status. Good communication begins with respecting

others by treating them politely and equally.

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SOCIAL / SUNNAH

Types of intercession on the Day of Qiyamah:

1. Major intercession: The Prophet � will

prostrate before Allah, then he will be given permission to raise his head and intercede on behalf of the believers.

2. Intercession for the people of Para-

dise: The Prophet � will intercede on behalf of the people of Paradise that they may be al-lowed to enter therein.

3. Intercession for disobedient Muslims:

The Prophet � will intercede on behalf of Mus-lims who committed sins of disobedience that they may not be placed in Hell.

4. Intercession for Muslims in Hell: The

Prophet � will intercede on behalf of those Muslims who have entered Hell because of

their sins, that they may be removed from it. 5. Intercession of children: Children who

died while below the age of reason will inter-cede on behalf of their believing parents.

6. Intercession for his uncle: The Prophet � will intercede on behalf of his uncle Abu Talib,

that his punishment in Hell may be lightened.

7. Intercession of some believers for oth-ers: Some of the believers will intercede on behalf of their believing brothers.

8. Intercession for increasing reward: The

Prophet � will intercede on behalf of some people of Paradise, that they may have their reward increased and their status elevated.

‘And (We) made your sleep (a means for) rest,

And made the night as clothing.’ (Quran, An-Naba: 9-10) Early to bed and early to rise are

habits taught by the Prophet �. Unhealthy. ‘Staying up late is tiring and bur-

densome.’ (Daarimi) Staying up late and re-sisting sleep when the body needs it desper-

ately results in health problems, psychological problems, bad temper and loss of enthusiasm

Sunnah. Aisha � said when she heard Urwah � talking after Esha: ‘What is this talk after

dark? I have never seen the Prophet � sleep-ing before this prayer or talking after it. He was either praying and gaining (reward) or

sleeping and saved (from evil).’ (Abdur Raz-zaaq)

Ibn Masud � said: ‘The Prophet � used to dis-

praise and warn against staying up after Esha.’ (Ahmad)

Warning. The Prophet � said: ‘Beware of staying up after people’s movements settle’

and in another narration: ‘Beware of staying up after the night has settled, because you do not know what spreads out on the earth from

the creatures of Allah.’ (Haakim)

Exceptions. The Prophet � did stay up late on occasion to fulfill needs or accomplish tasks for the benefit of the Muslims.

‘Staying up late is for one of 3 categories of

people: travelers, those praying night prayers, or those on their wedding night.’ (Abu Yalaa). One can stay up late with the wife, the guest,

for learning or for doing good. �

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5 Islamic Focus

QUESTIO

NS & ANSWERS

Q: What is the ruling on

shaking hands with one another after Salah?

A: The following fatwa was given by the Mufti of Egypt, scholar of the Shafi Mathab,

Shaykh Ali Jumu’ah: ‘In and of itself, shaking hands is

unanimously considered a recommended act. Imam Nawawi stated, ‘It is Sunnah

upon meeting one another.’ Scholars of various schools

recommend shaking hands between men. As for hand-shaking after prayer, none of

the scholars have deemed it impermissible. According to

their opinions it is a recom-mended act, and a praise-

worthy innovation. Imam Nawawi decisively ruled upon handshakes with his state-

ment: 'If you shake hands with someone you did not

greet before prayer it is a praiseworthy innovation, if you greeted them before

Salah then it is a neutrally permissible innovation.' Al-

Haskafi said, ‘Al-Timirtashi, in accordance with Al-Durr, Al Kanz, Al Wiqayah, Al-

Niqayah, Al-Mujma, Al-Multaqi, and other works,

ruled that shaking hands is permissible in all circum-stances, even after afternoon

prayer. Other scholars say that handshaking after

prayer is praiseworthy in all circumstances. (Taken from: ‘Responding from the Tradi-

tion: One Hundred Contem-porary Fatwas by the Grand

Mufti of Egypt’ pages 265-267)

Q: Can Ramadan be estab-lished with astronomical

calculations? A: The majority of scholars, generation after generation,

maintained that Ramadan is

established by completing Shaban or sighting the cres-

cent. ‘Verily, we are an unlettered nation we do not write and do not calculate

the month.’ This hadith is evidence against those who

argue for calculations. In Sharh al-Muhadhdhab 6:270, Imam Nawawi mentioned

that whoever supports using calculations, his opinion is

rejected because of this hadith.

Q: An Islamic Center holds two separate juma

prayers (at different times) because the com-

munity has gotten so large they cannot accom-modate all of them in one

prayer. Is it permissible for the Imam to conduct

both juma prayers, i.e. is it permissible for him to give another khutba and

lead another prayer even though he has already

given a khutba and lead a prayer earlier)? A: In Tuhfah 2:443 it is

stated that the Friday prayer is valid when lead by one

performing an optional prayer so long as he is not counted from amongst one of

the forty. One who is a trav-eler or only performing it as

an optional performance, for example, may deliver the lecture and lead the prayer.

Q: What is the rule on

buying and wearing the trademark of a false deity like Nike seeing the name

was derived from the false Greek goddess of

victory? A: If a company’s name be-ing found with such origins

necessitates that Muslims

completely avoid it, then oth-ers would need to be added

to the list. Those who have applied the above reasoning should do so consistently.

For example, Delphi is a ma-jor automotive group; would

it be permissible for Muslims to work for them or to use products they help produce?

Would getting one’s car ser-viced at Midas be prohibited?

Using an Olympus camera? Vulcan steel? Using an ASUS computer? Mac operating

systems, used in MacBooks, iPads, etc., are based on the

Darwin POSIX. Along with the name Darwin being that

of a disbeliever, the mascot for Darwin is Hexley the Platypus (drawn in the image

of a devil); would using an Apple device also be prohib-

ited? These names are just brands, used for marketing a product or company. Muslims

do not endorse the etymo-logical origin of such prod-

ucts; ASUS for example is just another computer. Ac-cording to us, using Nike and

other similar products is not committing kufr, shirk, or

haram. All answers from: Shafiifiqh.com

Fatwa Dept

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

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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Q: Regarding money one

earns, doesn’t it have to be in your possession for

a year before it is zakaat-able? A: In principle, Zakat be-

comes compulsory on a za-katable asset that is equal or

more than the nisaab, once it has remained in one’s pos-session for over a lunar year.

However, this is for a person who did not possess a nisaab

prior to acquisition of this za-katable asset. If one’s nett savings were equal to the

value of nisaab at the begin-ning of the lunar year, and

thereafter he acquired an-other zakatable asset, then

the value of this newly ac-quired zakatable asset will be added on to his savings. He

will not have to wait for a year to pass on this newly

acquired asset in order for it to be considered for his zakat calculations. At the end of

the current year, if he still possesses the nett savings

equal to value of nisaab, then he will simply give out 2.5% of his nett savings as a

zakat for this year, regard-less of the fact that the ac-

quired asset was in his pos-session for less than a year.

Answer by: Mufti Faisal bin Abdul Hameed

Q: Can the Quran be physically held to recite

surahs in Taraweeh? A: In principle, it is not per-missible for one who has not

memorized the Qur’an to look into the Qur’an and re-

cite any portion of the Quran in Salaah. If one who has not memorized the Quran looks

into the Qur’an and recites any portion of the Quran in

Salaah, the Salaah is invalid. If the Quran is physically

held during Salaah, that will

constitute Amal e Katheer which renders one’s Salaah

invalid. Q: Can a female perform

Itikaaf? A: It is permissible for a

woman to perform Itikaaf provided that it is performed within the confines of her

home. The jurists mentioned that a woman should per-

form itikaaf in the Masjid of her home, which refers to a place which has been desig-

nated for Salaah within the home.

Answer by: Moulana Ismail Desai

Q: Does spraying from

aerosols (air freshner, de-odorants, etc) break your fast if the actual vapour

goes down the throat? A: In principle, if any sub-

stance that has a body is passed down one’s throat then it will break one’s fast.

However, if such a substance goes down unintentionally,

then it will not break the fast. Aerosol sprays have a defined body due to the va-

pours contained therein. If one is not cautious while ap-

plying these sprays and it goes down the throat, it will break one’s fast. However, if

someone else is spraying and the vapours go down your

throat, while you did not in-tend to inhale it, then your fast will not break. One

should exercise caution in using any substance that

may jeopardize one’s fast. Answer by: Mufti Faisal bin Abdul Hameed

Q: If in a Masjid there are

two Juma Prayers and the same Imam leads both the

prayers is it ok and permissi-ble to pray that prayer?

A: According to the Hanafi

Mathab, in order for a con-gregation to be valid, the na-

ture of Imam's salah must correspond with that of the muqtadī (follower) in all its

aspects. The second Juma salah of an Imam who has

already performed his Juma Salah once before, is in fact a Nafl Salah. The people fol-

lowing him in this second Juma congregation are fulfill-

ing their obligatory (fardh) salah. Since the salah of a follower completing his fardh

behind an Imam performing Nafl is not valid, this second

Juma therefore will not be valid.

Answer by: Mufti Faisal bin Abdul Hameed

Q: What can interest

earned from the bank be used for? Can it be used for the poor (non Muslim

and Muslim), Islamic benefits, paying taxes to

the government or help-ing poor family members? A: In principal, one should

return the interest money accrued from one’s bank ac-

count to it’s owner. However, if that is not possible, then

the interest money accrued from the bank should be ex-pended on the poor and

needy (who are the valid re-cipients of Zakaat whether

they are Muslim or non-Muslim) without the intention of receiving any reward since

such money is tainted. Inter-est money can also be given

to one’s poor relatives who are entitled to receive Za-kaat, Islamic institutions and

other charitable organiza-tions. Interest money cannot

be used for one’s personal expenses.

Answer by: Moulana Ismail Desai

mortems be

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SPIRATIO

N

A couple spotted an exceptional teacup they

asked to examine. As the owner handed it to them, the teacup spoke: ‘I have not always

been a teacup. There was a time when I was a lump of clay. My master pounded and patted me. I cried out, ‘Don’t do that!’ But he said,

‘Not yet.’ Then I was placed on a potter’s wheel and I was spinning round.’ I screamed.

But my master said, ‘Not yet.’ ‘He poked and reshaped me. Then he put me in a hot oven!’ He said ‘Not yet.’ ‘When I thought I wouldn’t

be able to bear it he placed me on a shelf, and I began to cool. But after I had cooled he

painted me. The fumes were horrible!’ Again he said, ‘Not yet.’ ‘Then he put me in another oven twice as hot! I was convinced I would

not survive. Then the door opened, and he took me out and placed me on the shelf,

where I cooled. An hour later my master held up a mirror and said, ‘Look at yourself.’ I did,

and I couldn’t believe what I saw for I had never before seen anything so beautiful.

He said: ‘I know it hurt to be pounded but had I left you alone, you’d have dried up. I know it

made you dizzy to be spun, but had I stopped you would have crumbled. I know you found the oven hot, but had I not put you in you

would have cracked. I know how disagreeable were the fumes, but without paint you would-

n’t have color. And I know the conditions in the second oven were worse, but without it you would have been frail and not survived

long. Now you are a finished product.’

Allah knows exactly why He puts us through different tests in life. If we bear them pa-tiently, we will become better people. �

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8 Islamic Focus

HUMOUR / SUNNAH

Hardships for a believer are tests that promise

great rewards: 1. Multiplication of Rewards

‘The amount of reward is in accordance with the amount of suffering. When Allah loves

some people, He tries them (with affliction). He who then is content (with Allah's decree)

has achieved the acceptance (of Allah), and he who is dissatisfied (with Allah's decree) will attain the anger (of Allah).’ (Tirmidhi)

2. Wiping out Sins

‘A Muslim is not afflicted by hardship, sick-ness, sadness, worry, harm, or depression, even if pricked by a thorn, but Allah expiates

his sins because of that.’ (Bukhari)

3. Sickness Salmaan � visited a sick man and he said to him: ‘Expect good because Allah makes a be-

liever’s sickness an expiation (for his sins) and a period of rest. However, when a disbeliever

falls sick, he is like a camel whose owner ties it then lets it loose: it does not understand why it was tied nor why it was

freed.’ (Bukhari)

4. Free Good Deeds ‘No (believing) person gets sick, but (his deeds) will be recorded for him in accordance

with what he used to do when he was well.’ (Bukhari) ‘Each days deeds are sealed

with it. Thus, when a believer gets sick, the angels say, ‘Our lord! Your servant such and such, You have restrained him (from doing

good this day).’ And the lord replies, ‘Seal his day in accordance with his (usual) deeds, until

he is cured or dies.’ (Ahmad)�

One night Khalif Haroon Ar-Rashid was rest-

less and said to his vizier: ‘I can’t sleep and don’t know what to do.’ His servant Masroor

laughed, and the Khalif asked: ‘What are you laughing for?’ Masroor replied: ‘I did this unin-tentionally. Last night I saw people around a

man who was making them laugh. His name is Ibnul Maghazali.’ Haroon said: ‘Bring him to

me.’ Masroor found Ibnul Maghazali and said: ‘The Khalif wants you, but on condition that if he presents you with a gift, a ¼ belongs to

you, and the rest to me.’ Ibnul Maghaazali re-plied: ‘No, ½ will be mine and ½ yours.’ Mas-

roor wouldn’t agree. Ibnul Maghazali said: ‘I’ll keep ⅓ and you can have the remainder.’ They

agreed to this.

Haroon said to Ibnul Maghazali: ‘If you make me laugh I’ll give you 500 dinars (gold coins),

but if you fail I’ll give you 3 blows with this sock.’ Ibnul Maghazali began to joke and play

tricks but Haroon did not even smile. Haroon said: ‘Now you deserve the blows.’ He took the sock in which was 4 stones, and struck Ib-

nul Maghazali once. The latter yelled in pain. He remembered the condition Masroor had im-

posed and said: ‘Pardon, O Khalif, listen to only 2 more words of mine. Masroor and I have an agreement. I agreed to let Masroor

have two-thirds of the reward I might receive. You’ve decided the reward is 3 blows, of which

my share is 1, and Masroor's 2. I got mine, and now it’s his turn.’ Haroon laughed, called for Masroor and struck him once. Masroor

groaned, and said: ‘I give him the remainder as a gift!’

The Khalif laughed and ordered them to be given 500 dinars each. (Al-Mustatraf Vol.1, p 473) �

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9 Islamic Focus

BIOGRAPHY / M

USLIM

INFLU

ENCE

Some of the biggest, most expensive and famous

diamonds have a history linked to Muslims:

Darya-ye Noor Diamond: One of the Crown

Jewels from Iran. It is pale pink, exceptionally rare in diamonds. It was part of a larger stone

in the throne of Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan. Koh-i-Noor Diamond: Originally the largest

cut diamond in the world. Indian and Persian rulers fought over it and it was one of the

most sought-after spoils of war. It was sent in 1849 to England and put on display.

Nizam Diamond: An old world diamond from India. It was a convex shape with irregular

facets measuring 277 carats. It was owned by Nizams of Hyderabad in the 1830's. It was lost, stolen or re-cut.

Noor-ol-Ein Diamond: One of the largest

pink diamonds in the world. It is set in a plati-num tiara fashioned for Empress Farah for her wedding to the last Shah of Iran in 1957.

Shah Diamond: From India in 1450. In 1591

it was given to Shah Nizam. It was seized by Mughul Emperor Akbar. In 1738 Nadir Shah

took it as a spoil of war to Persia. In 1829 the Shah of Iran gave it as a gift to the Russian Government. It is housed in the Kremlin.

Spoonmakers Diamond: In 1774 a French

officer bought it from the daughter of the Ma-harajah of Madras. It was bought by Napo-leon's mother. It was then purchased for Ali

Pasha and was seized by the Ottoman State. It is a centerpiece of the Topkapi Palace Mu-

seum collection in Istanbul, Turkey. �

Imaduddeen Muhammad bin Qasim bin Yusuf

Sakifi. Born: 695 in Taif, Arabia. Died: 715. He was an Umayyad general who, at the age of

17, began the conquest of the Sindh and Pun-jab regions in India (now part of Pakistan) for the Umayyad Caliphate. He was born and

raised in Taif and his conquest of Sindh and Punjab laid the foundations of Islamic rule in

the Indian subcontinent. Umayyad governor Hajjaj Ibn Yusuf, Muhammad's paternal uncle, was instrumental in teaching him about war-

fare and governance. Muhammad married his cousin Zubaidah, Hajjaj's daughter, shortly

before going to Sindh. Under Hajjaj's patron-age, Muhammad was made governor of Per-sia, where he put down a rebellion.

On getting a letter of appeal for help from

Muslim widows captured by Hindu pirates Hajjaj sent Muhammad Bin Qasim in 711 at

the head of an army even though the Muslim state was busy with conquests in Spain and Africa. The army had 6,000 Syrian cavalry and

detachments of soldiers from Iraq. At the bor-ders of Sindh it was joined by an advance

guard and six thousand camel riders and later reinforcements from the governor of Makran came by sea along with five catapults. Ibn

Qasim captured Sindh and established Islamic law. Local non Muslims were treated tolerantly

and formed part of the administration. After Hajjaj died, Muhammad Ibn Qasim was cap-tured on the orders of the new Caliph, who

was a political opponent of Hajjaj, and killed when he was 20 years old.

This teenage hero of Islam lies in an unknown grave. He had a son named Amr bin Muham-

mad who later became governor of Sindh. �

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10 Islamic Focus

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HISTO

RY / SOCIAL

As much as 20% of the population may be

Muslim. The first Muslims arrived in the Ara-kan coast in the 9th century, prior to the es-

tablishment of the first Burmese empire in 1055 CE. These early Muslim settlements and the propagation of Islam were documented by

Arab, Persian, European and Chinese travelers of the 9th century. Muslims arrived in Burma

as traders settlers, military personnel, prison-ers of war and refugees Many early Muslims also held positions of status as royal adviser,

royal administrators, port authorities, mayors. Persian Muslims arrived in northern Burma in

860. Many settlements in the southern region near present day Thailand were noted for Muslim populations, in which Muslims often

outnumbered local Buddhists. Pathein was ruled by three Indian Muslim kings in the 13th

century. Arab merchants also arrived, and there were Arab settlements in the present

Meik archipelago. The current population of Burmese Muslims are the descendants of Ar-abs, Persians, Turks, Moors, Indians, Paki-

stanis, Pathans, Bengalis, Chinese Muslims and Malays who settled and intermarried with

local Burmese groups. In 1044 Muslims domi-nated all the seaports in Burma and Thailand. In seventeenth century, Muslims became pow-

erful because of their wealth. They were even appointed as governors of Mergui, viceroys of

Tenasserim and port governors. The last Mughal Emperor of Muslim India Bahadur Shah II and his family were exiled to Burma

where he died in 1862. After the British took over Burma Muslims formed numerous organi-

zations, active in social welfare and religious affairs. Oppression of Rohingya Muslims has been ongoing for over 30 years (see main arti-

cle on page 1). �

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Tests are a Must

We’re living in really challenging times; the whole world is in turmoil and people are facing

tests of varying degrees in their lives at the moment. Allah has promised us that, just as the coming of rainfall is necessary to revive

the land, He will send us challenges to strengthen and revive our faith:

‘Do the people think that they will be left to say, ‘We believe’ and they will not be

tried?’ (Quran 29:2)

A Burden you can Bear ‘Allah does not charge a soul except (with that within) its capacity.’ (Quran 2: 286)

If you realise that Allah never tests you with

anything more than you can cope with, you know from the start that no matter how big

the challenge, you have the ability to handle it, somehow. Your only task then is to work out how. It may not be easy but in the end

you know that if you face it, believing in this verse, you will come out stronger.

First Things ‘....When you ask for anything then ask Allah

only, if you need help then seek it from Allah, and know that if all the people gathered and

intended to harm you then they cannot do so except that which Allah has destined for you.’ (Ahmed)

The first one you should turn to for help in any

challenge that you face should be Allah, as He is the one who ultimately directs all matters. After you have turned to Him there one can

try different means to solve the challenge. �

11 Islamic Focus

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FINAL FO

CUS

The Student Relief Fund was established in

2006 by a few Muslims in South Africa. Its vi-sion is empowerment through education.

The Fund has, since its inception, provided bursaries for needy students at universities,

colleges, and at Darul Ulooms doing the Aalim/Aalima courses. Courses students are

currently studying range from BSc in Chemical Engineering, Journalism, Nursing to BCom Law. Students have qualified in Islamic Stud-

ies, BCom Marketing, BCom Human Resource Management, Economic Sciences (MSc), BSc

Engineering, Fire Fighting, Quantity Surveying (Hon), Teaching and Information Technology Accounting.

Currently 71 students have their fees paid by

the Student Relief Fund, with 10 expected to complete their studies this year. Majority of

the students are Muslim, although non Mus-lims are also accepted. Males and females can qualify for a bursary which does not have to

be paid back. The bursaries are determined on a student’s progress.

The Fund relies on donations from the com-munity and R1,765,766 was spent last year on

tuition fees, books, food allowances, students’ medical aid and transport. The Ameer Fund is

Moulana Nazir Jassat. In total, about 400 stu-dents have benefited from this Fund till now. The Fund is a registered NPO and PBO. �

Contact

PO Box 1122, Lenasia, 1820 Tel: 011 854 4411 Cell: 082 866 6783

Fax: 088 011 6068

Email: srf@lencom.co.za

A very poor man lived with his wife. One day,

his wife, who had very long hair asked him to buy her a comb for her hair to grow well and

to be well-groomed. The man felt very sorry and said no.

He explained that he did not even have enough money to fix the strap of his watch he

had just broken. She did not insist on her re-quest.

The man went to work and passed by a watch shop, sold his damaged watch at a low price

and went to buy a comb for his wife. He came home in the evening with the comb

in his hand ready to give to his wife. He was surprised when he saw his wife with a very

short hair cut.

She had sold her hair and was holding a new watch band. Tears flowed simultaneously from their eyes, not for the futility of their actions,

but for the reciprocity of their love.

To love it may be nothing. To be loved is something but to love and to be loved by the one you love, that is everything. Never take

love for granted.

The quality of mutual love between spouses makes even tough times of life easier to bear. Spouses are the support pillars for each other.

When this support is strong, society as a whole benefits. �

Note: This story is related for the moral lesson. It

is not permissible for ladies to cut their hair in Is-

lam.