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The

Friday Bulletin
The Weekly Muslim News Update

Issue No. 344

Dhul Hajj 17 1430/December 04 2009

Unity important to foster Muslim


agenda-Chief Kadhi

A bird's eye view of the Eid prayers at Sir Ali Muslim Club in Nairobi on Friday. The prayers were led by Sheikh Juma Amir of
the Jamia Information Centre. INSET: The Chief Kadhi Sheikh Hammad Kassim delivering the Eid sermon in Mombasa.

n the face of the mounting challenges facing the nation


which include the making of a new constitution that will redefine the future of the county, it is imperative that Muslims
exhibit a sense of unity as this will further consolidate their
position.
This was the overriding message from the Chief Kadhi Sheikh
Hammad Muhammad Kassim during his Eid ul Adha address
to Muslims.
Sheikh Hammad emphasized on the importance of Muslim
unity saying that it is not only an obligation which is engrained
in Islamic teachings but also a strong pillar for pushing forward
the agenda of Muslims in the country.
He called for cooperation among Muslim leaders and organizations and said more than ever, it was important that the community stood up as one entity to ensure that the inalienable
rights of Muslims are protected and safeguarded.
Political bickering among a section of Muslim political leaders
was not healthy for the community and it was important that
dialogue and reconciliation be initiated to solve the differences,
the Sheikh said.
The Chief Kadhi expressed concerns that tribal sentiments
were slowly creeping into the fold of the community and said
this should not be allowed to continue as it is against Islamic
principles. Recently there was a forum here in Mombasa orStory Continues To Page 2

ganised by a section of Muslims which was putting emphasis on ones


ethnic origins, he said.
Addressing tens of thousands of worshippers who turned up for the Eid
ul Adha prayers at the Mombasa Municipal Stadium, Sheikh Hammad
called on Muslims to exercise peace and harmony among fellow Kenyans. Islamic teachings call for sobriety, tolerance and understanding
among all Muslims and non-Muslims, he said.
Speaking in Nairobi at the Sir Ali Muslim Club, Sheikh Juma Amir the
head of the Jamia Information Centre called on Kenyans to exercise sobriety and patience during the constitutional making exercise. He told
politicians not to hijack the process for their own selfish ends and said
Kenyans need a constitution which will cater for the future of the nation
rather than individual interests. We are seeing politicians from different
camps taking positions based on the current positions of the President
Story Continues To Page 2

National News
Da'wa

This Week

Women Issues

Burial rites and regulations in Islam


The amazing potential of Muslim women

P3
P3
P4

Youth and Children

Prophet Muhammad best example for youths P5

Islamic Issues

Sheikh Izzedin al Qassam-Icon of resistance P6

www.islamkenya.com

This Newsletter contains some of Allahs names. Please do not throw in the trash. Either keep, circulate or shred

The Friday Bulletin

9/11 year had highest number of


revertees at Jamia Mosque
The year 2001, which generated negative spotlight on Islam as
a result of the attacks on various targets in the United States,
recorded the highest number of reverts at Jamia Mosque.
According to statistics available at the Jamia Mosque Library, in
that year more people made their Shahada (testimony of faith)
than at any period in a span of 77 years.
In the year of the September 11 attacks, records at the Library
indicate that 1,181 people reverted to Islam at the mosque.
Years 2003 and 2004 followed in close proximity with 1,130 and
1,017 reverts respectively.
The statistics compiled by Salim Boss for his upcoming book on
prominent reverts around the world, They are either extremely
smart or extremely ignorant, further indicates that a total of 11,
382 people reverted to Islam since 1932 when records on reverts were first kept. Of these 11,280 made the Shahada between 1980 and November 2009. In 1932, only one person is
recorded to have reverted at Jamia Mosque.
This data is not a representative of all converts to Islam in Kenya. The data represents only those reverts who reported their
adoption of Islam at Jamia offices in Nairobi, Salim, himself a
revert says.
The data is a reflection of the interest generated by non-Muslims
around the world following the devastating attacks on the Twin
Towers and the Pentagon which were blamed by the Western
media on Muslims.
Far from what many expected to be a major backlash against
Islam and Muslims in the Untied States, the attacks ironically
attracted many people to learn that Islam is a peaceful religion
that enjoins tolerance, justice, mercy, and love.
In the United States, there was a resurgence in learning about
Islam with libraries running out of books on Islam and Muslims
while the English translations of the Holy Quran for the first time
headed the American best-seller list.
The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) a Washington-based Jewish research organisation reported that after 9/11,
34,000 Americans converted to Islam, the highest rate achieved
since the arrival of Islam in the country.

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Dhul Hajj 03 1430/November 20 2009

Land rights-Lamu residents plea to Govt


The State is duty bound to address the historical injustices suffered by
the people of Lamu. The Shungwaya Welfare Association a community
based organisation campaigning for land rights in the area said neglecting the concerns of the indigenous residents was stoking embers
which if not addressed have the risk of flaring up.
In a press statement, the association said it was imperative that the
coalition government move with speed to correct the wrongs against
the people of the area which stem from the independence era.
The injustices need to be addressed as a matter of priority before it
explodes, warned the chairman Muhammad Lali in a press release.
He said while the government is keen on addressing the interest of settlers from other parts of the country, it has acted with impunity to deny
the rights of the indigenous population.
The indigenous Lamu people feel very much discriminated when they
see that the government in partnership with German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), has spent millions of shillings to create settlement
schemes in the Lamu East and West District which targets immigrants
from Central Province but has failed to re-settle the Bajunis and other
indigenous people to their ancestral land, he said.
Lali told the government to consider the plight of the local people who
he described as the first Internally Displaced People (IDPs) who fled
their homes since the early 60s as a result of the Shifta attacks and the
subsequent forced relocation exercise by the Kenyatta regime.
Our Association wishes to call upon the Coalition Government and
donors to support re-settlement of the Bajuni people, who were displaced from their ancestral homeland during the early independent
Shifta attacks, he said.
Local leaders, the chairman said should also rise up to the occasion
and ensure that the rights of the people were addressed.
The welfare group further complained that access to their land has
been continuously violated saying that despite court orders which
stopped all land deals in the district, various individuals who are mainly
from outside the area continue to profit from land allocations with no
action from the government.
Muslim leaders meeting in Nairobi on Wednesday resolved to take up
the issue and spearhead a campaign to address the plight of the indigenous residents of Lamu. Officials from National Muslim Leaders
Forum (NAMLEF), Jamia Mosque Committee, Council of Imams and
Preachers of Kenya (CIPK) as well as the Muslim Human Rights Forum (MHRF) attended the meeting.
Soon after independence, more than 5,000 people who had fled Mau
Mau war in Central province were resettled in Lamu district at the Lake
Kenyatta Settlement scheme in Mpekentoni. Through the support of
the GTZ, the settlers were recognised as squatters and issued with
title deeds while to this day, majority of the indigenous residents have
been denied such amenities. The settlement scheme is now home to
more than 30,000 people.

Mantain unity, Chief Kadhi says


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and the Prime Minister. This constitution is not for Kibaki or Raila but
should focus on Kenyans and coming generations, he said.
The Sheikh also called for active participation of Muslims in the process and told Muslim leaders that they have an obligation to ensure
that the interests of Muslims were well catered for in the new constitution.
On the environment law, Sheikh Juma was adamant that Muslims will
not allow the adhan to be restricted and dismissed the notion that the
call of prayer was noise pollution. The Adhan is part of the rites of
worship and we will not allow anyone to infringe on our rights regarding the freedom of worship, he said.
On the same note Nominated MP and Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK) Secretary general said Muslim leaders had already forwarded there concerns to the Environment minister John Michuki and the National Environmental Management Agency (NEMA)
Director General Muusya Mwinzi about the new law.
fered great injustice in the country and should only accept a constitution which respects their rights and did away with marginalization.

Dhul Hajj 17 1430/December 04 2009

The Friday Bulletin

DA'WA
Bilal Abu Aisha

Funeral rites and regulations in Islam

What to do for a dying and dead person


Gently but firmly advise and prompt the dying
person to say the Shahaadah - the declaration: Laa ilaaha illa-Allah, which means there
is no true god except Allah. This prompting
in Arabic is known as Talqeen. The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said: "Prompt your dying
ones to say 'Laa ilaaha illa-Allah.' Whoever
last words at the time of death was Laa ilaaha illa-Allah will enter Jannah (Paradise)
one day, irrespective of what happens to
him prior to that." The talqeen is necessary
only when the dying person is unable to utter the shahaadah.
It is recommended to supplicate and say
good words aloud in the presence the one
who is dying. These positive words make
the process of dying easier, and recovery
from illness more bearable. The Prophet
(s.a.w) said: "If you are in the presence of
a sick or dying person, you should say good
things, for verily the Angels say 'Aameen' to
whatever you say."
The practice of reciting Surat Yasin in the
presence of the dying person or dead person is based on weak prophetic reports,
having no basis in the authentic Sunnah.
Neither the Prophet salalalahu alayhi wa
sallam nor his companions did it, or recommended that it be done. Those who observe
the practice of reciting Yasin over the dead
do so in light of the hadith: "Yasin is the
heart of the Qur'an. Whoever recites it seeking the pleasure of Allah and the Hereafter
will receive Allah's forgiveness. So recite it
to your dead." Concerning this hadith, AdDar al-Qutni is reported to have said: "In
the chain of narrators of this hadith there is
confusion. Its text is obscure and is not correct." Another practice which has no foundation in the practice of the Prophet and his
companions, is turning the body of one who
is dying so that he or she faces the Qiblah
(i.e. the Ka'bah in Makkah). Turning the
body became a custom after the time of the
Prophet's companions, but was objected to
by leading scholars of that time.
After a person's soul leaves his body, a person from amongst those who are present
should close the eyes of the dead person
if they were open at the time of death. Also,
the entire body of the deceased should be
covered, except for the one who dies in a
state of Ihraam - that is, whilst performing
Hajj or 'Umrah, in which case the head and
face should not be covered.
The relatives of the deceased must hasten
in paying back any debts from whatever
wealth he or she has left behind, even if
it means that all of their wealth will be exhausted. Jabir ibn 'Abdullah reported that
after a man once died, he was washed,
shrouded, embalmed, and placed where the
funerals are usually placed for the prayer.
The Prophet salallahu alayhi wa sallam
was invited to perform the funeral prayer.
He came in, took a few steps, stopped and
asked: "Perhaps your friend owes some
debt?" He was told: "Yes, two dinars." So

he moved back and said: "You pray for your


friend." Abu Qatadah said: "O Messenger of
Allah, I will take care of the two dinars."
The Prophet prayed the funeral prayer for
him. The following day, the Prophet salalalahu alayhi wa sallam met Abu Qatadah and
asked him: "What happened with the two
dinars?" He replied, "O Allah's Messenger,
he only died yesterday." On the next day,
he asked him the same and was informed
that they had been paid off. So the Prophet
salalalahu alayhi wa sallam said: "It is now
only that his skin has cooled down (i.e. from
the punishment." This hadith indicates that
paying the deceased's debts benefit him after death.
Weeping and Mourning over the Dead
Muslim scholars agree that weeping for the
dead is permissible, whereas crying out loud
and wailing are not. The Prophet said: "The
one who is wailed for is tortured on account
of it." Abu Musa is reported to have said:
"The Messenger of Allah disavowed publicly a woman who mourns loudly, one who
shaves her head, and the one who tears
her clothes in mourning." It is permissible
for a woman to mourn for a period of three
days over the death of a near relative. The
Islamic term for mourning is Hidaad. Mourning for more than three days is not permitted
except in the case of her husband's death.
The Messenger of Allah salalalahu alayhi
wa sallam said: "It is not permissible for a
woman who believes in Allah and the Last
Day to mourn over a dead person more than
three days, except for her husband, where
she mourns for four months and ten days."
A women whose husband has must observe
what is known as the 'Iddah - The waiting
period before she may remarry, which is
four month and ten days. During this period
a widow is not permitted to use any adornment, such as jewelry, kohl (eye-makeup),
silk, perfume, or henna dye on her hands
and feet. A widow during her 'iddah is permitted to leave her home to fulfill her economic and social needs. If for example she
works to sustain her family, she may continue to leave her home daily for the period
of work. Apart from leaving the house for
necessities and social visits to relatives and
friends, a widow during her 'iddah should
pass the night in her own home until her
term lapses, that is, she is not to sleep outside of her house.
Condolences
Offering condolences to the relatives and
friends of the deceased is an important act
of kindness, which was displayed by the
Prophet salalalahu alayhi wa sallam). When
consoling a Muslim, it is important to remind the bereaved of the triviality of this life,
that everything belongs to Allah, and that
one should submit patiently to the decrees
of Allah. It is also beneficent to make him
hopeful of Allah's mercy toward the beloved
one that he lost, and that by the will of Allah
he or she will be united with the deceased
on a Day after which there is no parting.
What better words to say to the desolated

then those taught by Allah's final Messenger: "Innaa lillaahi maa akhathaa wa lillaahi
maa A'taa, wa kullu shay-in 'indahu li ajalin
musammaa." This means: "To Allah belongs
what He took, and to Him belongs what He
gave. Everything is recorded with Him for an
appointed term.
A very common practice is gathering to offer condolences to the deceased's family
and relatives in the graveyard, house, or
mosque. This is a heretical action that has
no basis in Islam. Jarir ibn Abdullah al-Bajali
said: "We (the companions of the Prophet)
considered gathering for visiting the deceased's family, and preparing food after
burying them, both acts of wailing." Imaam
ash-Shafi said: "I dislike gatherings, even
if there is no wailing or crying. For it only
renews the family's feelings of sorrow and
puts burdens on their food supplies." Some
Muslims also commemorate the first, third,
seventh, twentieth, or fortieth day following
someone's death. This has absolutely no
basis from the Qur'an or Sunnah.
Preparing the Body
There are a number of rites that Muslims
must hasten to perform as soon as a person
dies. The Prophet salalalahu alayhi wa sallam said: "Hasten the funeral rites." Preparing the body for burial is a Fardh Kifaayah
- A communal obligation on Muslims. Washing the dead body prior to shrouding and
burial is obligatory, according to numerous
recorded instructions given by the Prophet.
Preparing the deceased begins with the
washing of the body. As a general rule,
males should take the responsibility of
washing males, and females should wash
females. The only exception to this rule is
in the case of husband and wife, or small
children. The evidence given that it is permitted for a husband to wash his wife and
vice versa is the hadith collected by Ibn
Majah and others. Furthermore, when Abu
Bakr radhiallahu anhu died, it was his wife
Asmaa' along with his son Abdur-Rahmaan
who washed him.
Those who take on the responsibility of
washing the dead should be the most knowledgeable of the procedures, preferably from
amongst the immediate family members
and relatives. If relatives are unavailable, it
is recommended that those who wash the
body be among the pious. Washing a dead
person is a meritorious deed that Muslims
should be encouraged to take part in. The
Prophet said: "He who washes a Muslim
and conceals what he sees (i.e. bad odors,
appearance, and anything loathsome),
Taking a bath after washing the body is an
important hygienic measure introduced in
Islam. However, there is difference of opinion amongst the scholars whether it is wajib
(mandatory) or not to perform ghusl (ritual
bath). The correct opinion and Allah knows
best is that is not compulsory. This is based
on the hadith: "You are not to take a bath
after washing your deceased, because he is
not najis (filthy). It is sufficient that you wash
your hands."

Dhul Hajj 17 1430/December 04 2009

The Friday Bulletin

WOMEN ISSUES

The amazing potential of Muslim women


Muslim women have the potential to benefit the Ummah (nation)
in many diverse ways. The Ummah is suffering immensely in this
time and both Muslim men and Muslim women need to rise up to
the challenge and help to re-establish its glory. There is much work
to be done and there is no time to waste. A look at some examples
in history will elucidate the significant role that women have played,
and can continue to play, for the benefit of the society.
As scholars:
Women have the ability to learn and excel in various disciplines and
to use this knowledge for the benefit of the Ummah. The Ummah
is particularly in need of female Islamic scholars who can help to
guide the women and the nation as a whole. Although Islamic studies may be viewed as somewhat inferior to other fields of study, it
is time to return it to a superior position once again. The finest example of the scholarship of Muslim women is, of course, Aaishah
bint Abu Bakr may Allah be pleased with her. There is wisdom in
the young age at which she married the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi
wa sallam, that is often overlooked, for she lived almost 50 years
after his death. During her time with the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi
wa sallam, she learned and acquired knowledge from the two most
important sources of Allaah's guidance, the Quran and the Sunnah
of the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam.
After his death, she spent those 50 years, teaching, narrating, advising, and assisting others. Aaishah is one of four persons who
transmitted more than two thousand sayings of the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam. Many Companions of the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, benefited from her knowledge such that
Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari said, "When we, Companions of the Prophet,
sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, encountered any difficulty in the matters of any Hadeeth, we referred it to Aaishah and found that she
had definite knowledge about it." She was one of the earliest jurists
of Islam and was one of three wives of the Prophet salallahu alayhi
wa sallam who had memorized the complete Quran.
She was a scholar of law and medicine, an educator and an orator.
In general, she played a critical role in preserving and transmitting
both the Quran and the Sunnah to the next generations, along with
a wealth of other knowledge. She provides a magnificent example
of the achievements and contributions that a Muslim woman can
make for the benefit of the Ummah. We need to encourage our
young women to become the Aaisha's of today and tomorrow.
As benefactors
Islamic Law recognizes the full property and economic rights of
women before and after marriage. They may buy, sell or lease their
properties at their own discretion and may use their wealth without
interference by anyone.
For this reason, some Muslim women become quite wealthy.
Throughout history, women have used their resources for the cause
of Islam and for the benefit of the Muslim Ummah. Khadeejah bint
Khuwaylid may Allah be pleased with her was the finest example
of this generosity. She was the first wife of the Prophet, sallallaahu
alayhi wa sallam, and a wealthy businesswoman.
Her support of the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, was evident in many ways, including financial, as she gave a large portion
of her wealth for his mission. The prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa
sallam, said regarding Khadeejah radhiallahu anha: "She believed
in me when the people rejected me. And she held me to be honest when the people said I was a liar. And she supported me with
her wealth when the people withheld from me." [Al-Bukhaari and
Muslim]
There are many other examples of women benefactors throughout
the history of Islam. Faatimah al-Fihriyah (d. 880) inherited a considerable amount of wealth, and she used this wealth to build a school
and a Mosque in Qarawiyiin, Morocco. The Qarawiyiin Mosque and
school has been the center of Islamic learning in Morocco for more
than 1000 years and is the oldest university in Morocco. Maryam
bint ash-Shams (d. 1313), Barakah bint Abd-Allaah (d. 1372), and
Al-Udar al Kareemah of Yemen (d. 1360) also built great schools

and Mosques throughout that country. Banafshaa' ar-Rumiyah (d.


1008) renovated Baghdad and established her own school and endowment there.
Many women have the financial capability to advance the Ummah
in numerous ways as evidenced by the examples of our predecessors. The Ummah is in need of schools, Mosques, social service
centers, and so forth.
Muslim girls need to be taught the value of money from a young
age, as well as the importance of donating their wealth for the sake
of Allaah. We need to encourage our young women to become the
Khadeejahs of today and tomorrow.
Muslim women have played a significant role in society throughout Islamic history. They have been doctors and social workers,
scholars and educators, benefactors and administrators. They have
helped shape the Islamic landscape and contributed substantially
to the prominence of Islamic civilization. They have done all of this
while maintaining the Islamic principles of modesty, dignity, and
honor. Muslim women have an amazing potential. It is time to fulfill
those possibilities and assist in returning Islam to its rightful place.

Aaishah is one of four persons who transmitted


more than two thousand sayings of the Prophet,
sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam. Many Companions of the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, benefited from her knowledge

The Friday Bulletin Kitchen


Sweet and Sour Chicken in a Chocolatey Sauce
Ingredients
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 tsp brown sugar
8 chicken drumsticks and thighs
3 cloves of garlic, crushed
75ml vinegar
2 bay leaves
300ml chicken stock
F50g currants
40g dark chocolate, chopped
50g cashew nuts
salt and pepper to taste

Method
Heat the oil in a large, heavy-based pot and gently fry the
onion until golden
Add the sugar and chicken and fry for a further five minutes,
turning the chicken frequently until it is golden
Add the garlic, bay leaves, vinegar and stock and bring to a boil
Reduce the heat, cover with a lid and simmer gently until the
chicken is cooked through and tender.
Stir in the currants, chocolate and nuts into the sauce and cook
gently for five minutes. Season to taste.
Serves 4.
Share your favourite recipes with our readers. Send them to P. O. Box 10078600100 or email:fridaybulletin@islamkenya.com or fridaybulletin@gmail.com

Dhul Hajj 17 1430/December 04 2009

The Friday Bulletin

YOUTH AND CHILDREN

Prophet Muhammad The Best Example for Youth Today

Altaf Hussein

Young people today see a lot of pomp and ceremony when it comes to
politicians and leaders. It seems as though the more authority you have,
the more the red carpet is laid out, the more special attire and finery you
are expected to wear, and the more freedom you have to express your
opinions whether they are held up by evidence or not, and no matter
how much they may offend others.
But let's take a look at the final Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
and see the stark difference between what is now and what was before.
"Which one is Muhammad?" So humble was the Messenger of Allah
(peace and blessings be upon him) that strangers looking for him in the
mosque in Madinah had to ask this. Sitting in the row of believers for the
daily prayers, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), with his
simple and modest bearing, could not be distinguished from anyone else.
He was so calm, so dignified, and so peaceful that no one could single
him out as the leader. Children and youth could approach him to receive
a warm greeting or to ask this great, yet humble, man a question or some
advice. In quiet prayer he looked like any other simple man. There was
no sign here of the great warrior, the skillful negotiator in times of war and
peace, the statesman. There was no sign either that this was the man,
from among all men, was chosen to receive the Creator's final message
to mankind.
In the mosque his focus was on Allah alone. He was like every Muslim who
enters the mosque to pray. And yet, unlike any other Muslim, he had been
chosen as the Seal of the Prophets, the most honorable and the noblest of
men. He was the one whom Allah selected to guide all mankind.
In his person, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was a mercy
to all the people on earth. One so kind, so pious, so devout in prayer and
obedience to the will of Allah had been chosen as the guide for mankind.
We should ask ourselves, how closely are we living our lives according to
the message of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)? If we are
living in his way, no problem will be too great to overcome, our future will
appear clear before us, and the challenges of young adulthood will seem
small. If young Muslims join in the ranks of the followers of Muhammad
(peace and blessings be upon him), they will be joining the ranks of the
merciful, pious, and just people through all the ages, from the beginning of
time. Indeed, Allah opens the way for those who sincerely obey Him and
His Messenger.
Good people should surround themselves with good friends. The Prophet
(peace and blessings be upon him) was surrounded by people who sought
the pleasure of Allah. Ask yourself: Who do you mix with and why? Your
friends reflect who you are.
Imagine yourself living at the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be
upon him); imagine walking in his blessed footsteps. If you follow his Sunnah, you are walking in his footsteps today.
But in Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) we see that it is
possible for us to dedicate all our lives to Allah and to live under His guidance, yet live in the midst of life. Not divine, but human like us, Prophet
Muhammad showed us by his life and example that Islam is the perfect
way of life and that it is possible to achieve happiness by following this
way.

TRUTHFULLNESS AND
HONESTY
Allah has gifted us with the tongue and
power to speak, we should never use it
for telling lies.
Allah does not like liars if we tell lies
then no one will believe us even when we
do tell the truth.
Our Prophet Muhammad peace be upon
him was called As Sadiq and Al Ameen
meaning the Truthful and Honest. From
this we know that our Prophet has taught
us to be truthful and honest in everything we do.
We must pray to Allah that we do no lie
and always speak the truth.
I must Speak the truth and not lie
To My parents
To my elders
To my teachers and Ustaadhs
I must always speak the truth
I must be honest in all my work even
when I play
Allah loves those who are honest.

Islamic Crossword Puzzle

5
11
3

12

Across

1. He was the first Prophet


3. Washing before Salat
6. Son of (Arabic)
8. What swallowed Prophet Yunus
10. Ways of the Prophet
12. It is said in prayer after Surah al Fatiha

Down
6

1. Call to prayer
2. She was Adam's wife
4 . Zabur wsas revealed to Prophet -----5. She is famous for suratul Mujadilah
7. Qur'an is a ---------9. Prophet Jesus's name in Arabic
11. Prophet Muhammad's mother
13. Faith

9
10

The Friday Bulletin

Dhul Hajj 17 1430/December 04 2009

Muslim Issues

Sheikh Izzedin Al-Qassam-History of an Icon of Resistance

Khalid Amayreh
This November is the commomeration of Sheikh Izzedin Al-Qassam's 74th anniversary since his death. This article sheds light on
the life and times of one of the major icons of resistance and liberation movements in Palestine and the Muslim world.

Despite the passage of nearly three quarters of a century since


his death, the memory of Sheikh Izzedin Al-Qassam still lives on in
the collective conscience of many Muslims, especially in the Arab
world.
Seen largely as an icon of Islam-inspired resistance against oppression, political tyranny, and foreign occupation, the Sheikh continues to be a source of inspiration for thousands of young Muslims
who have come to follow his way. Hence, it is no coincidence that
the military wing of the Palestinian Hamas liberation movement,
the Izzedin Al-Qassam Brigades, was named after him.
Unlike many`Ulamaa (Muslim scholars) of his time, Sheikh Al-Qassam succeeded remarkably in combining religious enlightenment
with political consciousness and armed resistance against the
French occupation forces in Syria in the 1920s and later against
the British mandate army in Palestine in the early 1930s.
In his numerous sermons in both Syria and Palestine, the Sheikh
taught that if Muslims did not help themselves, no one else would
help them, and that Muslims ought to empower themselves in every possible way.
Freedom and Independence
He also taught that true unity could only be realized under the banner of Islam. "Without Islam", he said, "we are merely disconnected
tribes, each preoccupied with its own narrow considerations."
The Sheikh totally rejected the concept of territorial nationalism,
saying that nationalism was merely an advanced degree of tribalism whereas Islam unifies Muslims under the banner of its sublime
universal message of brotherhood under the sovereignty of God.
The Sheikh was often quoted as saying, "wherever the name of
Allah is invoked, this is my country".
Biographers differ as to the exact date of his birth. However, it is
widely assumed that he was born around 1880 at a small village
called Jableh near the northern city of Latakia along the Syrian
coast. At an early age, the young Izzedin joined the local religious
school at the village, learning the basics of Arabic, as well as the
Quran and Hadith (the traditions of the Prophet Muhammed peace
be upon him).
Then a few years later, probably at the age of 15 or 16, he went to
Cairo to study the Shari`ah disciplines at Al-Azhar University.
He stayed in Egypt for nine years during which he broadened his
horizons and became well-acquainted with contemporary conditions throughout the Muslim world. At the age of 25, he returned to
Syria where he began teaching and preaching at local mosques.
However, unlike many of his contemporary `ulamaa , the Sheikh's
attention was not solely focused on teaching Shari`ah and fighting illiteracy.
He also was preparing the Umma for resisting and repulsing the
onslaught of Western invasions and occupations, which no Arab
country in the Middle East and North Africa was able to escape.
In the early 1920s, when the Italian armies occupied Libya, the
Sheikh instigated the people to rise up against Western colonialism.
Fighting Occupation
He would even lead protests against Italians, exhorting people to
donate money for the Libyan Mujahedeen.
According to one account, the Sheikh sold his own home in his
native village of Jableh in order to purchase weapons to support
the Libyan resistance under the command of Sheikh Omar AlMukhtar.
When the Syrian people began rising up against the French occupation, Sheikh Al-Qassam was at the forefront of the revolution,
infuriating the occupation authorities.
At the beginning, the French tried the "carrot approach" with him,
but he rejected rather contemptuously French solicitations and any
form of cooperation with the colonialist governments.
Faced with his uncompromising attitude toward them, the French
forces tried to assassinate him. However, after months of hiding

and fighting, the Sheikh knew that the French were closing in on
him.
He decided to move to Damascus where he took part in the famous
battle of "Maysaloun", where the outnumbered and poor-armed
small Syrian force tried desperately to repulse the French invaders,
but to no avail.
In Palestine
As the French were hounding the Sheikh and other leaders of the
Syrian uprising, Izzedin Al-Qassam decided to move southward to
Haifa, Palestine, in 1922. In Palestine, the Sheikh was soon able
to win the hearts of ordinary people, and he became the Imam and
preacher of the Al-Istiklal Mosque in the city.
In his sermons, the Sheikh taught that Muslims ought to repulse and
actively resist foreign invaders, such as the French in Syria and the
British in Palestine, saying that any Muslim who falls dead fighting
the invaders would be a living martyr in the companionship of Prophets. In addition to his role in fostering religious learning and Muslim
awareness, the Sheikh traveled throughout Palestine, urging the
people to prepare for Jihad (holy striving) against the British mandate
authorities, which were allowing large numbers of Jewish immigrants
to settle in Palestine to implement the infamous Balfour Declaration.
The Sheikh was a firm believer in Muslim empowerment. In 1929,
it was rumored that Jewish immigrants were planning to burn down
the Al-Istiklal Mosque in Haifa. Some of his followers suggested that
they contact the British authorities to foil the Jewish plan. However,
the Sheikh adamantly refused the suggestion, saying that Muslims
ought to defend their mosques with their own blood. A mosque that is
protected by the enemy is not worth maintaining, he said.
He also urged the people of Palestine to sell even their wives' jewelry
and buy weapons to defend their land, honor, and dignity.
One day, as he was preaching, he showed a gun he was hiding under his robe, telling the audience "he among you who truly believes
in God and the Day of Judgment should own one like this".
The Sheikh did not like excessive decorations of Mosques, saying
that money ought to be spent on procuring weapons to fight the invaders.
He knew that Zionists were planning to take over Palestine and annihilate or expel its people. His prophecy has been amply vindicated.
Al-Qassam was a great tactician as he was preparing for a long
struggle against the British mandate authorities. This, he realized,
required immense resources, national unity and resilience. "If we do
not help ourselves, none is going to help you", he would always warn
the resistance fighters.
In 1934 til 1935, the resistance operations were beginning to make
one success after the other as the Sheikh-led operations spread in
the regions of Tulkarm, Nablus, and Jenin. The Mujahedeen hunted
down a number of British officers, attacked British army garrisons,
and liquidated collaborators who informed on the resistance.
Al-Qassam's Death
The successes of the resistance generated a lot of enthusiasm
among ordinary people, prompting many young people to join the
ranks of the Mujahedeen. Predictably, this infuriated the British authorities, which reacted by launching a witch-hunt campaign against
him.
However, instead of escaping or hiding, the Sheikh formally declared
the revolution in the woods of the town of Ya'abud near Jenin.
Soon, however, the British forces were able to locate the Sheikh and
his fellow fighters. In addition, a large force was dispatched in an effort to get him dead or alive.
However, the Sheikh refused to surrender and a fierce battle ensued
in which many British soldiers lost their lives.
On November 20, the body of Sheikh and those of some of his companions were found at the battleground His martyrdom shocked Palestine in its entirety as tens of thousands of people took part in his
funeral procession in Haifa. (Islamonline.net)

Dhul Hajj 03 1430/November 20 2009

The Friday Bulletin

FEATURE

Sir Ali Eid prayers now a pleasurable experience


In the past recent years calls were made
for the relocation of Eid prayers from the
traditional grounds at Sir Ali Muslim Club
to Uhuru or Central Park. The argument
put forward was that the Sir Ali Muslim
Club ground was not enough to handle
the growing number of worshippers during the Eidain (the two Eid events).
This argument was strengthened by the
fact that during the prayers, overcrowding was a major problem at the area
which elicited calls for an alternative
spacious facility.
Injuries resulting from overcrowding
due to the mass of people attending
the prayers were a common feature.
Children, women and the elderly were
the main victims and this sometimes
dissuaded some from attending the
prayers.
Two years ago a tragic event happened
after a woman was trampled and later
died in hospital after sustaining serious
injuries while she attempted to make her
way through the crowd.
In addition to this, intermingling of the
A section of the worshippers who turned up at the Mombasa Municipal Stadium for
sexes was also a common phenomenon
the Eid ul Adha prayers last week. LEFT: Usamah Abdulrahman of Masjid Hidaya
and at times men and women used to pray
(prayer place.) While in the past women observed the prayers at
side by side due to scarcity of space.
the main prayer ground-sometimes in close proximity with men- this
During the recent last two Eids, a new aura has been evident at time round they have been relocated to the squash court and the
the ground as these problems have been relegated to the basket nearby Muslim Academy. Different exit and entry points for men
of history.
and women have greatly reduced the perennial problems associCompared to the past, it is has now become a pleasurable experi- ated with intermingling (Ikhtilaat).
ence to offer Eid prayers thanks to the initiatives by the Sixth Street Additionally, controlled arrangements for motorists have also been
mosque (Masjid Abubakar- Eastleigh) and the Masjid Hidaya also put in place reducing the endemic traffic jams which have characof Eastleigh which have teamed up with Al Amin Mosque of Juja terized past events.
Road. Park Road Muslim Youth Group and Pumwani Muslim Youth Apart from Sir Ali Muslim Club, other grounds normally used for the
Centre have also been active participants in the programme which prayers include Highridge Teachers College in Parklands, Nairobi
has brought sanity during the prayers.
Muslim Academy in South C and another new location at the MinisThe initiative has been supported by Hass Petroleum Company and try of Works (MoW) Sports Club in South C.
during the last Eid ul Fitr prayers, First Community Bank also sup- In Kibera, residents gather for prayers at the DC grounds and the
ported the exercise.
Masjid al Aqsa grounds along Karanja road.
After the tragic incident, we had to devise ways to prevent such
incidents from happening in the future, said Usamah Abdulrahman
of Masjid Hidaya.
He said organizational skills employed by the organizers have gone
a long way in minimising overcrowding at the grounds thereby ensuring that the joys of Eid do not turn into sorrows.
The measures included renting space at various institutions were the
NairobiMuslimAcademyanIslamicintegratedSchool
prayers were conducted simultaneously. During the last Eid ul Fitr
based in South C is looking for Nursery teachers with
prayer and the recent Eid ul Adha prayers observed last week, some
worshippers mainly from
the following qualifications;
Eastleigh and surrounding areas conducted
Minimum Diploma holder in nursery traning
prayers at Annesworth
Special preference to taech Arabic for beginners
Primary School while
Committed and dedicated Muslims
others prayed at Pangani Primary School. As
the number of Muslims
Send your CV by Email, fax or hand delivered at the school
continue to increase, we
premises along Muhoho Avenue
will have to identify other areas in the future,
Nairobi Muslim Academy
Usamah added.
At Sir Ali, arrangements
Box 18421-00500 Nairobi.
were made where volTel: 609140
unteers guided worFax: 609744
shippers right from the
Email:nairobimuslimacademy@yahoo.com
entrance to their sitting
Closing date 19th December 2009
positions at the musalla

NAIROBI MUSLIM ACADEMY


VACANCIES

Muslim Scholars Blast Swiss Minarets Ban


Muslim scholars have criticized a blanket
Swiss ban on the building of mosque minarets as a serious violation of the Muslim
minority's rights and a precedent that may
undermine interfaith dialogue.
"The International Union for Muslim Scholars (IUMS) has received the outcome of the
minarets ban referendum with shock and
surprise," the Dublin-based IUMS said
Swiss voters backed earlier this week a proposal by the right-wing Swiss People's Party
(SVP) to ban the building of new mosque
minarets in the European country.
"I was greatly sadden by the result of this
referendum," Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi,
IUMS president and chairman of the European Council for Fatwa and Research, said
in a separate statement.
He expressed fears that the anti-Muslim
ca fears the anti-Muslim campaigns might
move from rejecting minarets to opposing
mosques.
Egypt's Al-Azhar also denounced the ban.
"This will have negative impacts on Muslims
and we urge the Swiss government to abolish it," Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Mohamed Sayyed Tantawi told Swiss Ambassador in Cairo Dominique Furlger.
Islam is the second religion in Switzerland
after Christianity, with Muslims estimated at
nearly 400,000.
There are nearly 160 mosques and prayer
rooms in the country, mainly in disused factories and warehouses.
Only four of them have minarets, none of
them used to raise the Azan, the call to
prayer, which is banned in Switzerland.
Muslim scholars said the ban showed the
extent of Islamophobia in the West.
"This exposed the blatant contradiction between Switzerland's rhetoric about democratic values and religious freedom and

conducting a referendum that violates all


human rights and religious freedom covenants," said the IUMS.

Prosecute Thai Muslims


Abusers: HRW

Thailand should act swiftly to punish those


responsible for serious rights violations
against Muslims in its southern provinces,
said the Human Rights Watch, warning the
lack of justice would make peace impossible. "There has been no serious effort to
hold perpetrators of abuses in the southern
border provinces to account," the New Yorkbased rights group said in a statement on
its website.
The group accused the government of reluctance to hold accountable those implicated
in serious human rights violations against
Muslims in the south.
It cited failure to arrest pro-government
militants implicated in a massacre inside AlFurquan mosque in Narathiwat province last
June in which 10 Muslims were killed and 12
others injured.
A police investigation found that gunmen
from army paramilitary volunteers and army-trained village defense volunteers carried out the attack.
However, it took two months for police to issue arrest warrants and authorities have not
done the required effort to bring perpetrators to justice
"The failure to arrest and prosecute those
responsible for the Al-Furquan mosque
massacre has made Abhisit's promises
about justice ring hollow," said Elaine Pearson, HRW deputy Asia director.
Almost 3,900 people have been killed since
the unrest began in Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat in the Muslim-populated south.

BISMILLAHI RAHMAN RAHIM


KENYA MUSLIM ACADEMY
NURSERY, PRE-UNIT,
PRIMARY CLASS 1-6
AND SECONDARY FORM 1-4

MARAGUA MUSLIM GIRLS


SECONDARY SCHOOL
FORM 1-4

BOTH SCHOOLS HAVE


*Highly qualified and motivated staff
*Well equipped computer and science laboratories
*Good catering services with well balanced diet, break tea and lunch for
day scholars
*School Transport
*Variety of recreational facillities
*Counselling department with high discipline amd moral values

ISLAMIC INTEGRATED EDUCATION


(QURAN, HADITH AND ARABIC TAUGHT AT ALL LEVELS)

FOR JANUARY 2010 INTAKE CALL

ADAN SAMAN SHEIKH 0722 724794/ NASRA 0722 365160

Fighting HIV/AIDS Stigma


As the world marked the World Aids Day
this week, AIDS-related stigma and discrimination continued to thrive in many
communities and the Muslim community is
no exception.
Stigma refers to prejudice, negative attitudes, abuse and maltreatment directed at
people living with HIV and AIDS. They can
result in being shunned by family, peers
and the wider community, poor treatment
in healthcare and education settings and
psychological damage. Stigma can also
negatively affect the success of testing and
treatment.
Stigma not only makes it more difficult for
people trying to come to terms with HIV
and manage their illness on a personal
level, but it also interferes with attempts to
fight the AIDS epidemic as a whole.
The epidemic of fear, stigmatization and
discrimination has undermined the ability
of individuals, families and societies to protect themselves and provide support and
reassurance to those affected. This hinders efforts at stemming the epidemic.
Islam is about compassion, and people
living with HIV deserve to be treated with
kindness. We should understand that this
disease though it mainly spreads through
extra-marital sexual relations and substance abuse, it can also spread through
other non-sinful means like blood transfusion, mother-to-child transmission, marital transmission and which can happen to
anyone.
Blaming people for their HIV status, is not
just unhelpful, it actually aggravates the
problem because for example, it discourages people coming forward for voluntary
testing and treatment.
People Living with HIV/ADS need to be
given all the moral and healthy support
they need to be able to live normal lives
and engage in productive life.
Anti-retroviral drugs assist greatly in improving the quality of life of HIV-infected
individuals and prevent the deterioration of
their health. This should be made available
to the patients as it is an important component in rejuvenating their health.
The National Aids and Sexually Transmitted
Infections Control Programme launched a
one week testing campaign as a way of
preventing the spread of the dreaded disease. It is equally important that Muslims
also come out and participate in this exercise as it will assist them in knowing their
HIV status.
Ummah Foundation
Village Plaza Suite A2
Nairobi-Kenya
Tel 3747612 Mobile: 0734845277
Email: info@ummahfoundation.net
www.ummahfoundation.net

The Friday Bulletin is a Publication of Jamia Masjid Committee, P. O. Box 100786-00101 Nairobi, Tel: 2243504/5 Fax: 342147 E-mail: fridaybulletin@islamkenya.com or
fridaybulletin@gmail.com. Printed by Colour Magic Production Ltd-Kirinyaga Crescent P. O. Box 9581-00100 Nairobi

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