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Newsletter/Tue
26 Thul Hijjah 1427/16 January 2007
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THE MESSAGE
Earning a Halaal Living!
Islam teaches us, that our success lies neither in asceticism nor in materialism; we should neither shun nor renounce material life, nor be enslaved and motivated by it. Islam advocates a just balance between the two extremes. It adopts a balanced attitude between the spiritual development of an individual and his material needs.

A Muslim is not only obliged to earn money but is obliged to earn HALÂL money. Rasulullâh Sallallahu alayhi wasallam has said: "The quest for a lawful livelihood is an obligation (like all other) obligations in Islam." Rasulullâh Sallallahu alayhi wasallam was once seated with the companions in the Masjid, when a stout and strong man passed the Masjid, running towards his business. The companions said: "Alas! For this young man! Had his body and health run in the way of Allah. Rasulullâh Sallallahu alayhi wasallam retorted saying: ‘Do not say this; if this young man runs (to his business) with the object of not depending on others and refraining for begging he is in the path of Allah. If he conducts trade with the view of providing for his weak parents and children, he is in the path of Allah. If he tries to show his wealth out of pride, he is in the way of Shaytaan.’

Sayyadina ‘Umar said: "Let none of you refrain from earning livelihood (and simply resort to Dua) saying: ‘O Allah, give me provision.’ Know for certain that the heaven will not shower rain of gold and silver." Poverty "can lead to Kufr" warned the Prophet Sallallahu alayhi wasallam. Another Hadith states: "Take to trade, because out of ten divisions of livelihood, nine are in trade."

Unsound Business Practice - Is it naïve for a Muslim to behave honestly and ethically in a globally competitive environment characterized by such murky undercurrents? Is it naïve for a Muslim to be honest and just in business? Will honesty simply deprive them of the competitive edge over their business rivals? Has honesty become an unsound business? Has it become an unsound business practice to be honest? Is it too costly to be honest? NO! Is the emphatic answer.

Earning a livelihood is not only a duty in Islam, but a great virtue as well. Trade and commerce form an integral part of a Muslim’s life and are regarded as acts of divine worship. The quest for a living cannot be divorced from religious and moral ethics. Trade cannot be separated from trust in Allah Ta’aala, the Ultimate Provider.

Criminal Aristocrats - Sadly, we see an increasing number of Muslims caught in the cobweb of fraud and deceit. Some of them highly successful businessman, rich and famous, the ‘criminal aristocrats’ of our communities. Aristocrats who specialize in ‘B’ Route Container Diversions! Hijacking Specials! Solvent Liquidations and Free Port Taxation!

Deceit and Fraud - The Noble Qur’an states: "O you who believe fulfill your covenants!" The Qur’an calls on all believers to be true to their contractual obligations. Rasulullah Sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: "Fulfill the trust of one who has entrusted you and do not be treacherous to one who deceives you." Another tradition categorically states: "There s no Iman in one who is not trustworthy nor is there religion in who does not keep his promise."

The Noble Qur’an states: "O you who believe! Do not devour your property by illegal methods except that it be by way of trade based on mutual consent." Rasulullah Sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: "Flesh nurtured by unlawful sustenance will not enter paradise; hell is more fitting for it." Another Hadith states: "No people decrease in weight and measure (practice fraud) except that their provision shall be restricted."

Consumption and Submission - The Noble Qur’an directs the Ambiyâ in the following words: "O Messengers of Allah! Consume what is pure and act righteously. Even the noble Prophets alayha salâm were specifically directed to consume Halaal, because there is a definite link between consumption of Halaal and submission to the directives of Allah Ta’aala. The capacity to act righteously is directly related to the consumption of Halaal. A body nurtured by Haraam becomes incapable of submission to Allah Ta’aala, for honesty is light and falsehood darkness, both are naturally incompatible to each other.

The overshadowing darkness of Haraam blots out all rays of light from the heart. An individual is then unable to implement the laws of Allah, nor is he able to conduct his dealing in an honest manner. Halaal income breeds Halaal thought and action, while Haraam income breeds Haraam thought and action.

Honest Acquisition of Wealth - Rasulullah Sallallahu alayhi wasallam has said: "The honest and trustworthy trader will be in the company of the Prophets, the Upright and the Martyrs (on the Day of Qiyaamah)." Rasulullah Sallallahu alayhi wasallam has classed an honest merchant with:
• The Prophets on account of him conducting his business affairs on principles of kindness, justice and honesty which are the hallmarks of Nubuwwah.
• The Upright on account of a pervading Allah consciousness in all his dealings.
• The Martyrs on account of fighting heavy temptation in treading the path of honesty and justice.

Penitence?
Many people entertain the false belief that a trip to Makkah or a few thousand rands in charity would guarantee them forgiveness for fraud. A Muslim cannot seek penitence from Haraam monies, through giving charity. Rasulullah Sallallahu alayhi wasallam has said: "No man acquires unlawful property and gives some of it in charity will have it accepted from him, neither will he receive blessings for it..."

DUA (PRAYER)
SYMPATHIZING TO THE FAMILY OF THE DECEASED
INNA LILLAHI MAA AKHATHA WA LILLAHI MAA A’ATAU WA KULLU INDAHU BIAJALIN MUSAMMAA FALTASBIR WAL TAHTASIB.

“Verily only to Allah belongs that which He has taken and only to Allah belongs that which He has granted. And by Allah everything has a specific time. Therefore, you should make Sabr (patience) and attain reward.”

AND… FOR THE KIDDIES
The Pupil and the Shoes
One day a pupil and his teacher went for a walk. On the way they came across a pair of shoes which belonged to a poor man, who was working in a nearby garden.

The pupil said to the teacher: “Let us hide his shoes. We can then peep from behind some bushes and see what he does.” The teacher disagreed. He took two R5 coins from his pocket and handed them to his pupil, telling him to place a coin in each shoe.

They then hid behind some bushes to see what happened. The poor man soon finished his work and went to wear his shoes. First, he began to slip on his right shoe. He felt something hard in it and was amazed to find a R5 coin. He looked around him but saw no one. He then slipped on his left shoe and found another coin.

His eyes filled with tears. He made Dua aloud for the kind person who had given him this gift, saying that he would use this money to buy food for his starving family.

The pupil’s eyes also filled with tears. He was thankful that they had done a good deed rather then playing his intended trick. He had learnt a lesson that he would never forget. It is better to do good and get peoples Dua’s instead of doing evil and making people suffer and become sad.

RECIPE
METHIBHAJI SQUARES
Ingredients
1 cup fresh methi bhaji - 1 410g tin cream style sweet corn - 1 tsp Green chillie masala - 2 eggs - 1 onion chopped - ½ cup milk - ½ cup mealie meal - ½ cup cake flour - ½ tsp arad - 2 ½ tsps baking powder - 1 tsp salt - Sesame seeds - 1 tsp ground jeero - ½ cup oil - 1 tblsp freshly chopped dhania – optional

Method
Wash and chop bhaji leaves and drain well. Blend ½ corn, chillies, eggs, onion and the milk together in blender. Empty this mixture into a dish. Sift all the dry ingredients into the corn mixture and mix well. Lightly stir in the Bhaji, oil and dhania. Pour mixture into a greased oven proof dish and bake in a moderate oven for about an hour or until skewer comes out clean. Cool and cut into squares and serve.

COOKING TIP
Do not discard leftover mojo sauce. Add as a seasoning to clear and tomato or other similar soups.

POEM
"The light of Mohammed SAW
By Ebrahim Mphutlane Wa Bofelo
In response to misguided surrealism
Blind of the reality beyond the surreal and corporeal
Hell-bent on portraying peace as war
Caricaturing prophets as monsters

I thought of the most innovative
Militant and yet wise mechanism
I could muster to register my protest
At the denigration of the prefect of personalities

But then I remembered the spirit that moved the unlettered
To read and recite the truth inscribed in his heart
Is the same eternal force that
Walked the son of man on the sea &
Rode Elijah on the chariot of fire

Thus it dawned on me
My words and acts of protest
Might be an expression of my love
But I will be at fault to think it is possible
For the personality of the epitome of human excellence
To be harmed in any way

By ink and charcoal rubbish disguised as artistic expression
For in the same way that the master of the house
Have ensured its safety and sanctity till eternity
The sender secured the honor and glory
Of the final messenger for eternity

A THOUGHT
A human being has in each day 24,000 breaths - in and out. In every in-and-out breath, there is an action, whether good or bad. Every breath in is an act, and every breath out is an act. Whether you breathe in or breathe out you expend effort, energy. So you are doing at least 24,000 acts every day. Think, then, whether these acts are like dead trees that have to be cut and thrown into fire or like living things that must be put into eternal area of heaven.

THE SMILE
Two guys are talking about their boss's upcoming wedding. One says, "It's ridiculous, he's rich, but he's 93 years old, and she's just 26! What kind of a wedding is that?"
The other says, "Well, we have a name for it in my family."
"What do you call it?"
"We call it a football wedding."
The first asks, "What's a football wedding?"
The other says, "She's waiting for him to kick off!"

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