13.09.07 - Mayyit of: Rashid Moahmmed Ally - WILL LEAVE FROM: 30 Plover Street Ext 1 Lenasia - Time: 11:15 - QABRASTAAN: Lenz - CAUSE OF DEATH: Natural

RAMADHAAN & FASTING
Ramadhaan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. It is during this month that Muslims observe the Fast of Ramadhaan. Lasting for the entire month, Muslims fast during the daylight hours and in the evening eat small meals. It is a time of worship and contemplation. A time to strengthen family and community ties.

During the Fast of Ramadan strict restraints are placed on the daily lives of Muslims. They are not allowed to eat or drink during the daylight hours. Smoking and sexual relations are also forbidden during fasting. At the end of the day the fast is broken with prayer and a meal called the Iftaar. In the evening following the Iftaar it is customary for Muslims to go out visiting family and friends and indulge in Taraaweeh (night prayer). The fast is resumed the next morning.

ZAKAAH – OBLIGATORY CHARITY
The 3rd pillar of Islam is Zakah. Zakah (alms) is the name of what a believer returns out of his or her wealth to the most needy of Muslims for the sake of the Almighty Allah SWT. It is called Zakah because the word Zakah is from Zakah, which means, to increase, purify and bless. Zakah is an obligatory tax of 2½% of one’s wealth (if one qualifies) to be distributed to the qualified poor yearly. One who denies the Zakah as being Faradh (obligatory) goes out of the fold of Islam. A detailed explanation of Zakah is to follow in the upcoming newsletters Insha Allah!

The Cape High Court-appointed curators of the Fidentia Group have located almost 300 million rands in stolen money. The money is believed to have been stolen from investors entrusted their savings to companies in that organisation,

A series of powerful aftershocks have hit the Indonesian island of Sumatra, hours after a magnitude 8.4 earthquake left at least ten people dead and dozens injured. The first quake on Wednesday evening was the world's most powerful so far this year.

Oil prices have reached a record high of $80 a barrel. This follows the declining United States reserves and a new tropical storm, Storm Humberto, in the Gulf of Mexico.

Former spy boss Billy Masetlha has for the first time revealed details about his suspension after taking the stand in the Hatfield Community Court in Pretoria to testify in his own defence. Masetlha is standing trial on a charge of contravening certain sections of the Intelligence Services Oversight Act.

At least two people have been killed after a plane crashed into a mini bus, car & truck yesterday. Eyewitnesses have claimed that the engine of the two-seater Tiger Moth failed before it crashed into a truck, mini bus and car on a road in Ennerdale.

A fresh powerful earthquake has struck the Indonesian island of Sumatra, hours after a magnitude 8.4 quake left at least nine people dead and dozens injured.

Limpopo's capital Polokwane and its surrounding areas are facing a water crisis. Municipal spokesperson, Simon Mokoatedi, says the reservoirs are down to 2%. He says the prevailing heat and high consumption of water by residents have added to the crisis.

Four Members of Parliament (MP) have crossed the floor to the ANC. They include controversial Travelgate MP, Craig Morkel. Morkel entered into a plea bargain with the State by admitting defrauding Parliament by abusing his travel vouchers.

Millions of Muslims around the world have started observing the holy fasting month of Ramadaan as of today. By sheer coincidence, majority of the world’s muslim’s started the month of Ramadan on the same day. Every country followed their own Ulama.

The Russian capital, Moscow, is planning the opening of Muslim-oriented chain stores to offer a wide array of halal products to the country's sizable Muslim minority.

JALAPENO CHICKEN AND CHEESE SAMOOSAS
FILLING:
1cup chicken fillet, cubed - ½ teaspoon salt - 3 tablespoons steers creamy Jalapeno sauce - 3 tablespoons crystal hot sauce - ¼ cup lemon juice - 1 tablespoon butter - 2 cups finely grated cheddar cheese - 1 tablespoon freshly chopped greens - 1 egg beaten - cornflake crumbs.

Combine the cubed chicken, salt, sauces, lemon juice and butter in a pot. Cook over medium heat until tender. Allow to cool. Add the cheese and greens, mix well. Dip in egg and coat with crumbs. Fry in shallow or deep oil, turning once until a lovely golden colour on both sides. Serve hot with lemon slices.

An old man was sitting in the courtyard of his house along with his son who had received tertiary education. Suddenly a crow perched on a wall of the house.
The father asked the son: ‘What is this?’ The son replied: ‘It is a crow.’
After a little while the father again asked the son: ‘What is this?’ The son said: ‘It is a crow.’ After a few minutes the father asked his son the third time: ‘What is this?’ The son said: ‘Father, I have just now told you that this is a crow.’
After a little while the old father again asked his son the fourth time: ‘What is this?’ At this time some expression of irritation was felt in the son’s tone when he said to his father with a rebuff, ‘Father! It is a crow, a crow.’
A little after the father again asked his son: ‘What is this?’ This time the son replied to his father with a vein of temper. Father: ‘You are always repeating the same question, although I have told you so many times that it is a crow. Are you not able to understand this?’
A little later the father went to his room and came back with an old diary. Opening a page he asked his son to read that. When the son read it the following words were written in the diary: "Today my little son was sitting with me in the courtyard, when a crow came there. My son asked me twenty-five times what it was and I told him twenty-five times that it was a crow and I did not at all feel irritated. I rather felt affection for the innocent child."
The father then told the son the difference between a father and a son’s attitude, ‘While a little child he asked me this question twenty-five times and I felt no irritation in replying to the question twenty-five times and when today I asked him the same question only five times, he felt irritated and annoyed.’

"And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, And that you be dutiful to your parents, If one of them or both of them attain old age with you, do not say ‘uff’ to them, nor repulse them, but speak to them a gracious word. And lower to them the wing of submission and humbleness out of mercy to both of them and say: ‘My Lord! Have mercy on them both, as they cared for me and brought me up when I was a little child.’" (17:23-24) "And worship Allah, Ascribe nothing as partner to Him, and (show) kindness to parents…." (4:36)

It is narrated from Abdullah bin Masud (radhiallahu anhu) that he asked the Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) which act is the best of all in the sight of Allah. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "It is prayer at its appointed time." He (radhiallahu anhu) asked which the next best act was after prayer. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "Nice behaviour with the parents." He (radhiallahu anhu) asked which was the next best act after that. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "It is Jihad (holy war) in the path of Allah." (Bukhari)

"If they (your parents) compel you to commit shirk (polytheism) with Me, then do not obey them, but behave with them in the world with kindness" (31:15)

According to this verse Allah forbids you to obey your parents if they force you to become Mushriks (polytheists) but He commands you to behave with them, nicely (still) in the life of this world, because THEY ARE YOUR PARENTS!

A person once asked the Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), "What is the right of the parents over their children?" He (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) answered: "They are your heaven and hell." (Ibn Majah)

This beautiful Hadith answers in just three words (in the original Arabic ) not only what, but also why. We are to honour them, serve them, and take care of them in such a way that pleases them. For we will find the pleasure of Allah in the pleasure of our parents. On the other hand, if a person is disrespectful, disobedient, or careless toward his parents, he has just opened his door to hell through this behaviour.