Page 8
The Islamic Bulletin
Issue 3
Page 9
The Islamic Bulletin
Issue 3
Seen from a distance, Islam’s deep insight into the generality of
things, motives, deeds, its explanations about the Muslim govern-
ment will amaze you and if you look at its details you find it an
incomparable guide for social life based as it is on straightforward
and true ethical values.
Q: Did you face any difficulty or embarrassment after you ac-
cepted Islam?
A: People who have little ability of think are usually full of bigotry
against Islam. They often make fun of Muslims, sometimes behind
their backs. On the other hand, they never tangle with the irreligious
and unbelievers. They in fact respect them for their so called “free
thought” but Muslims and Islam irritate them. In spite of this, I did
not meet with any major difficulties worth mentioning except the
annoyance I causedmy parents by abstaining from the wine and pork.
Q: Do you think Islam can influence modern civilization in any
way?
A: Today theWestern world is living in darkness. There is not even the
slightest light of hope to show the way for deliverance of the soul and
the self. Any person who is aware of the actual state of the European
societies can see this universal restlessness and the worry which is
hidden behind the false glare of progress and material excellence.
Now people are searching for a way out of their difficulties but they
can see no way out. There is only one choice before them and that
is to go on advancing towards the hell of destruction and disaster.
The beautiful harmony between the demands of the body and the
needs of the soul which Islam presents has strong attraction for the
West today. Islam can showmodern civilization the way which leads
to the real success and salvation.
Q: In your opinion what is the method of propagating Islam?
A: Before worrying about spreading Islam, it is necessary that in
our life and needs we should attain the standards Islam demands
of us. It is thought that if we become missionaries of Islam then we
need not worry about anything else.
It is necessary for us to know Islam fully and only then to become
its missionaries so that we may be able to answer all questions and
objections. The importance should be stressed on the living and
the leading by example. It is essential for us that we make ourselves
the exemplary human beings as the Holy Qur’an wants us to be.
T
he
P
erformance
of
E
id
P
rayers
1. Every Muslim should go to the Eid Congregation in his
best, neat, tidy, and high-spirited. In the mosque or the place
of a certain verbal prayer (Takbeer) is said before the actual
prayer begins.
2. The time of the Eid prayers is any time after sunrise and
before noon. The prayer consists of two units with the Imam
reciting in each the Fatiha and another passage from the
Qur’an.
3. The Imam declares his intention to lead the prayer saying
the Takbeer (God is the Greatest of all). Then he repeats the
same utterance 3 times, raising his hands up to the ears and
dropping them by his sides at the end of each utterance.
On completion of the 3rd Takbeer (utterance) he places his
right hand over the left one under the navel as in other prayers.
Muslims do the same.
4. At the end of the 1st unit, the Imam rises up for the 2nd
Takbeer. Then he adds 3 utterances.
5. After the prayer is completed in 2 units, the Imam delivers
a sermon of 2 parts with a short recess in between.
6. In the sermon, the Imam must draw the attention to the
matter of Zakat-ul-Fitr (the Charity of the Breaking the Fast).
Z
akat
An essential component to fasting in the month of Ramadan
is the mandatory Zakat at the end of Ramadan.
It is due on every adult Muslim who possesses food in excess
of his needs and those of his family for 24 hours.
It the person is a provider for others, Zakat-ul-Fitr is also
due on him on behalf of his dependents (i.e. wife, children,
servants, or other dependent relatives).
It consists of a Sa’a, a measure of about 2.5 kg (5.5 pounds) of
rice, wheat, dates or similar things of food or its equivalence.
For this year, about $3.50 is a safe estimate for those residing
in the U.S.
Give it voluntarily and without any hesitation on Eid-day, or
a day or two before so that the poor also can enjoy the Eid
festivities along with the others.
The Holy Prophet (saw) has highly recommended the Zakat-
ul-Fitr so that it may expiate for the irregularities committed
during Ramadan, and may help for the sustenance of the poor
and the indigent. (Abu Daud)
The Islamic Center has made arrangements to collect Zakat-ul-
Fitr (as well as regular Zakat) before Eid day as well as on Eid.
Hud (pbuh) was the Prophet sent to the Bani ‘Ad for their refor-
mation. His lineage genealogy joins with the Prophet Nuh (Noah)
(pbuh) and his sons. The Prophet Hud (pbuh) belonged to the Bani
‘Ad. They were the descendants of Sam.
O
utstanding
Q
ualities of
the
‘A
dites
:
The ‘Adites left Babylon after they had a quarrel with the people of
Ham. They settled down in the Southern Arabian district contiguous
to ‘ Umman, Yemen and Hadramaut. There they built palaces, erect-
ed temples, and worshipped deities. Their chief deities were Saqi’ah,
Salimah, Raziqah and Hafizun. ‘Adites were tall in stature and skillful
masons. Almighty had blessed themwith abundance of wealth, cattle,
and children. ‘Adites had attained a considerable degree of civilization.
Among them flourished the famous king Shaddad. He built a magnif-
icent palace near ‘Aden, South Yemen. It was known as the Garden
of Iram. He was a mighty king and his conquests extended to Syria,
Iraq and the frontier of sub-continent of Indo-Pakistan. These peo-
ple were proud of their achievements and considered themselves
to be invincible. They were indulged in sins and committed acts
of injustice and violence. Instead of expressing a deep of gratitude
to The Almighty for the favors he had bestowed upon them, they
became transgressors and showed disobedience to The Almighty.
T
he
A
dvent of
the
P
rophet
H
ud
(
pbuh
)
Prophet Hud (pbuh) appeared among the ‘Adites to guide them.
He tried his best to bring the ‘Adites back to the worship of One
Almighty. He directed them to give up all their evil practices. He
advised them to abstain from committing sins, but they paid no heed
to the teachings and warnings. The Holy Qur’an states:
“And to the ‘Ad, We sent their brother Hud. He said: O’ my
people! Serve The Almighty, you have no other God than Him.
Will you not then keep away from evil and he mindful of your
duty to Him. The Chiefs of those who disbelieved from among
his people said: Most surely, we see you in folly and indeed we
think you to be of the liars. He said: O’ my people! There is
no folly in me, but I am an Apostle of the Lord of the Worlds. I
convey to you the message of my Lord and I am a sincere adviser
to you.” (Quran 7:65)
T
he
D
eluge
is
D
escended
The people did not listen to him and disobeyed the Commandments
of The Almighty. For this disobedience the wrath of The Almighty
came down upon them. A drought of unusual severity and a vio-
lent storm nearly annihilated the majority if the people of the Bani
Ad.The Holy Qur’an states:
“As to the ‘Ad, they were destroyed by a roaring violent blast
which The Almighty made to prevail over them for seven nights
and eight days continuously so that you mightiest have seen the
people therein prostrate as if they were hollow trunks of palm
tree.” (Quran 69:6-7)
This storm had such a devastating effect that all the proud and
disobedient people were completely destroyed but the Prophet
Hud (pbuh) and his followers remained safe and sound. The Holy
Qur’an States:
“So We delivered him (Prophet Hud) and those with him by
Mercy from Us and We cut off the last of those who treated Our
Signs as lies and were disbelievers.” (Quran 7:72)
Afterwards the remnant who survived established themselves in
Yemen. The grave of the Prophet Hud (pbuh) is in Hadramaut. It
is visited by the Arabs in the month of Rajab.
A
mmaar
(R.A.A.)
Ammaar (R.A.A.) and his parents were also subjected to the se-
verest affiliations. They were tormented on the scorching sands
of Mecca.
The Holy Prophet
(S.AW.), while passing by them, would enjoin
patience giving them glad tidings about paradise.
Ammar’s father Yasir (R.A.A.) died after prolonged sufferings at the
hands of persecutors and his mother Sumyya (R.A.A.) was killed by
a spear from Abu Jahl.
Sumyya (R.A.A.) had refused to renounce Islam in the face of ter-
rible torture in her old age. The blessed lady was the first to meet
martyrdom in the cause of Islam.
The first Masjid (mosque in Islam was built by Ammaar (R.A.A.).
When the Prophet (S.A.W.) emigrated to Medina, Ammaar (R.A.A.)
offered to build a structure for him where he could sit, take rest in
the afternoon, and perform his Salat under its roof.
He built the Masjid in Kab’ah. He fought against the enemies of
Islamwith great zeal and courage. During one of the battles Ammaar
(R.A.A.) asked for water but was offered some milk.
He graciously accepted it and said: “I am to meet my friends very
soon; I am to meet the Prophet (S.A.W.) and his companions. The
Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) had told me that the milk shall he my last
drink in this worldly life.”
He then fought till he met his coveted end. At the time of his death,
Ammaar (R.A.A.) was 94 years of age.
To be able to please The Almighty, was really the Sahahah’s
(Companions) greatest achievement, and the sole purpose of
their life.
T
he
P
rophet
H
ud
(
pbuh
)
E
id
P
rayers
and
Z
akat