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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