CONTINUED...
SURAH
AD-DAHR: 76 - (The Time)
With the name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Very-Merciful
They
(are the ones who) fulfil the vows, and fear a day whose evil
(events) will be widespread, [7]
(They
[are the ones who] fulfil the vows... 76:7). This describes
the reason why the righteous believers and Allah's slaves
will receive these favours and bounties. This verse signifies
that whenever they vow to do a good act, they invariably fulfil
the vow. The word 'vow' literally means 'to take upon oneself
an obligation which Shari'ah has not obligated on him'. Once
a vow is taken, it becomes obligatory to fulfil it. Here it
is stated that great rewards and favours for the inmates of
Paradise would be apportioned to them because they fulfilled
the vow.
The
verse indicates that when they are so particular about fulfilling
their vows that are taken by them upon themselves, they would
be even more particular about fulfilling the obligations enjoined
upon them by Allah. Thus 'the fulfilment of vows' covers the
entire spectrum of religious obligations. They would receive
the favours of Paradise, if they completely obey Allah and
rigorously apply His sacred laws. In any case, this statement
emphasises the importance and obligation of fulfilment of
vows.
~
MA'AARIFUL QURAAN ~
TO BE CONTINUED... |
KEEPING
THE SPIRIT OF RAMADAAN ALIVE
by Ml Yunus Patel SHB
---------------------
In
a world, which has become peculiar, we find in the quest for
peace, nations of the world are waging wars of devastation
and destruction against each other. World governments look
towards war as the solution for peace. Greed and selfishness
are considered as the key to the success of man. In the clamour
for justice, injustice towers over and above, in all its ugliness.
Instead of peace, freedom, success and justice, man finds
himself shackled under the yoke of more and more tribulations.
Despite
billions of dollars being expended for all types of sophisticated
technology to establish law and order, and eliminate crimes
of theft, murder, bribery, corruption, rape, fraud, hijackings
etc. Crime has not been eradicated, nor reduced by any percentage,
rather there has been and there is a daily escalation in all
criminal offences.
Periodical
get-togethers of the so-called master minds of the world,
summit conferences and high level discussions have failed
to provide a solution to the economical, political, cultural
and social problems of man.
Man
is a created being and only divine guidance can solve his
problems. The reality is clear: The heavy arm of the law on
its own, just legislation, the imposition of fines and jail
sentences, cannot and will not solve problems that face mankind.
The only sure deterrent to crimes of all kinds, is firm conviction
and belief in our creator, a life thereafter and a day of
judgement, where complete justice will be meted out. These
are long term solutions and solutions that were proven to
give the best results and create the best societies on the
face of the earth.
The
obligation of fasting in the month of Ramadaan for the believers,
men and women, who are sane and healthy, is a clear message
to mankind that unrestricted indulgence in fulfilling the
desires of one's base or animal self has to be curbed for
some time, to give an upliftment to one's spiritual self.
The object of fasting as described in the Holy Quran is “so
that you may guard against evil.”
During
the auspicious month of Ramadan, a fasting person abstains
from food, drink and sexual relations from dawn until sunset,
in obedience to the command of his creator. The month is a
training whereby the believer's trait of God-conscious is
nurtured. Even though he may be in place of total privacy
and seclusion, on the hottest day of the year, he does not
submit to the temptation of sipping even a few drops of water
for he is convinced that he cannot evade the sight of the
All-Observing Almighty.
If
the spirit of fasting were to become a reality in the society
of Muslims who have observed the fasts of Ramadaan and advanced
in his piety, then mankind would see a society in which every
person becomes the guardian of the respect, honour, property
and possessions of others; a society in which the needy, the
poor, the destitute, and the under-privileged are taken cared
for; a society in which honesty, chastity, nobility, kindness,
compassion, mercy and forgiveness shine forth like the midday
sun; a society in which no harm is caused to any human or
animal without a just reason; and a society in which material
progress dies not bring about a moral collapse.
Eidul
Fitr signifies the end of this fasting period and is a day
of joy and thanksgiving, but despite being a day of celebration,
the day commences with an additional prayer after sunrise,
reminding the believers that the object of fasting must be
fully borne in mind even after Ramadan. A believer must be
aware of the fact that he was made to observe the fast to
become God-conscious, pious and self-restraining. His natural
inclinations to eating, drinking and fulfilling his sexual
passions were curbed for a month from dawn to sunset – the
willpower to abstain from all evil and totally submit himself
to the will of the creator should now be easy for the months
to follow.
Ramadan
was a golden opportunity for the Muslim community to bring
about a total transformation in all spheres of their lives.
Eid and the days to follow are opportunities to demonstrate
the moral upliftment and spiritual elevation gained through
fasting by showing compassion, mercy and kindness towards
the creation of the Almighty.
Whilst
conveying to the Muslim community best wishes for a Happy
Eid, I make a humble appeal to every Muslim brother and sister
to keep the spirit of fasting alive – obedience of Allah Ta'ala
shines forth from this day forward. Let the rest of mankind
observe the effect that fasting has in changing the outlook
of a believing Muslim. Let the world observe a community free
from all sins, crime and vice and let us be an example which
is worthy of emulation and of others accepting Islam. |
The
US senate has approved an amended $700 billion government
bailout of Wall Street firms amid a widening financial crisis
sparked by the collapse of the US housing market. Senators
approved the bill by 74 votes to 25 and it next moves to the
House of Representatives, which had rejected an earlier version
of the bailout on Monday.
At
least 19 youths have died and several others wounded in a
stampede inside a disco in central Tanzania. Police said that
those who died were aged between 12 and 17 years. The incident
occured in the Tabora region, 750km northwest of Dar es Salaam,
where a large number of youths had gathered for Eid al-Fitr
festivities marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
Sasol,
the world's largest producer of fuel-from-coal, has two months
to pay its R3.7 billion fine imposed by the European Commission
for participating in a paraffin wax cartel. The fine was the
largest imposed on the nine companies in the cartel and the
fourth largest fine ever imposed on a single company.
Environmentalists
and anti-war groups are fired up by the visit of a United
States warship - the USS Theodore Roosevelt. The US warship
has been granted permission to sail into South African waters,
but not every one is thrilled by the expected arrival of the
ship in Table Bay over the weekend as it is nuclear powered.
The ship will anchor in Table Bay five kilometers from land,
and will be monitored continuously throughout the visit. The
ship visits the shores of South Africa at the invitation from
the South African Defence Force.
The
department of correctional services says there is no truth
in the rumour that Schabir Shaik will be released today. They
say Shaik's doctors had not yet provided the department with
any documentation which would qualify him for parole or any
other form of release. In responding to a written question
in Parliament on Wednesday, Correctional Services Minister
Ngconde Balfour told Parliament that Shaik may be discharged
from the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital, in KwaZulu-Natal
by next week. His brother Mo Shaik says that he knew nothing
of his brother's impending discharge. |