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 government 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 accepted 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. The Performance of Eid Prayers 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). Zakat 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 Zakatul-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-ulFitr (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 reformation. 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. Outstanding Qualities of the ‘Adites: 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, erected 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 magnificent 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 people 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. The Advent of the Prophet Hud (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) The Deluge is Descended 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 violent 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. Ammaar (R.A.A.) Ammaar (R.A.A.) and his parents were also subjected to the severest 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 terrible 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. The Prophet Hud (pbuh) Eid Prayers and Zakat
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