Is any kind of slavery permitted in
Islam, primitve or modern?
by Kaukab Siddique, PhD
Sura al-Balad: The Islamic Message on Slavery, Kingship,
Dictatorship, Military Rule, Male Chauvinism, Zionism, Mass
Culture are all forms of Modern Day Slavery.
"And what will let you know the path that is steep? It is to
free the slave or to feed in the day of hunger....." [The
Qur'an 90: 13-14]
"....one who believes, .... who gives his wealth .....to
free the captives." [The Qur'an 2:177]
"There are three kinds of people whose prayers Allah does
not accept: One who leads prayers though people do not like
him, and one who prays when the time for prayers is almost
running out, and one who enslaves a free person." [Hadith of
Muhammad, pbuh, in Sunan of Abu Dawood, kitabus salat.]
Chapter 90, sura Balad, is one of the earliest chapters
revealed in the Qur'an. It indicates that the Islamic
program and objective was clear right from the
beginning.
We believe in the one God, Allah, and all His messengers
culminating in Muhammad, pbuh. We pray, fast, give zakat but
we forget the program the Qur'an brought right from the
beginning. We have the means but we ignore the purpose.
Islam came to end all forms of slavery. Chapter 90 signals,
when it seemed impossible, the final victory of the Prophet,
pbuh, and his return to Makka in triumph many years later.
It warns the wealthy arrogant ones.
Its central point is the comparison of Islam to an uphill,
steep, path. It is a religion of struggle, no easy way.
The central aspect of this message is "to free the slave"
and to feed those down in the dust. Muslims in America can
understand slavery better than anyone else because this
country was built on the enslavement of people kidnaped from
Africa.
The world today does not have that classical form of
physical slavery but it has many other forms of slavery.
Not only was slavery condemned by Islam right from the
beginning, but when the Islamic state emerged in Madinah,
one of the causes for which Muslims were obliged to spend
their wealth was to free captives.
Many Muslims think slavery was permitted in Islam but was
mitigated and reformed. They are led astray owing to two
facts:
Slavery in all spheres of life pre-existed the advent of
Muhammad, pbuh. It was this pr-existing slavery which was
gradually reformed out of Muslim society through various
acts of piety and repentance. Zaid, r.a., for instance
became part of the Prophet's family.
Captives. Prisoners of war. These were kept with Muslim
families. If they accepted Islam, they became part of the
Muslim community through marriage.
We never treated prisoners of war as America has done at
Guantanamo Bay. Tying them hand to foot, desecrating the
Qur'an in front of them when they were helpless. It marks
the savagery of this nation.
When we become "abd Allah" or "abd ar-Rahman," slaves of
Allah, we are freed from all forms of human slavery.
There is conflict in the Muslim world owing to modern day
forms of slavery:
Kingship.
Tyranny through dictatorship.
Zionism which has turned an entire country into a
concentration camp, calling Palestine "Israel."
Imperialism: The occupation of Muslim countries by powerful
armies from the West and India.
The exploitation and enslavement of women through
objectification and random sex in the West.
There is no law in some American states against human
trafficking. Only when these enslaved women become
prostitutes can they be arrested.
The biggest outburst of human trafficking took place near
the largest "super bowl" a couple of years back.
Under Obamacare [health plan] girls as young as 13 could get
"protection" to carry out random sex acts without their
parent's permission.
Only Islam can save America. We must be united and
compassionate towards each other.
Muslims are constantly bickering with each other over
matters of fiqh, If they were to pay attention to the
enemies of Islam among the Zionist Jews, the imperialists,
the racists [Fox TV], the racist Brahmin type Hindus, they
would have no time to fight each other.
Islamic schools agree with each other in all fundamentals:
Hanafi, or Hanbali, or Shafaii, or Maliki or Jafari or Ahle
Hadith, that is Tawheed, Risalat, Akhirat, Qur'an, qibla,
hadith. The quarrels come from fiqh, the minute details of
jurisprudence.
We must be creative in da'wah. A thoughtful friend of mine
living in England used to say: Write the number 90 on the
back of the hands of our children. Tell them it is sura 90,
FREE the SLAVE. Or write 90:13 which is the sura and the
verse.
Narrated by Abu Huraira, r.a.: The Prophet said:
"Allah said, 'I will be an opponent to three types of people
on the Day of Resurrection: One who makes a covenant in My
Name, but proves treacherous; One who sells a free person
and eats his price; and One who
employs a laborer and takes full work from him but does not
pay him for his labor."
Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 36, #470
The Prophet, pbuh, has taught many ways to save ourselves
from, but of these the one way which is the most sure way of
avoiding the fire of hell is to FREE SLAVES.
"One who frees a Muslim man, each bone of his body will be
freed for each bone of the slave, from the fire of hell, and
one who frees two Muslim women from slavery, his body parts
and bones will be freed from the fire of hell for their
bones and body parts." [Hadith of Prophet Muhammad, pbuh, in
Sunan of Ibn Maja, narrated by Kaab bin Murra, r.a., chapter
on slavery.]
Narrated Amr bin Al-Harith:
(The brother of the wife of Allah's messenger. Juwaira bint
Al-Harith) When Allah's Apostle died, he did not leave any
Dirham or Dinar , a slave male or a slave woman or anything
else except his white mule, his arms and a piece of land
which he had given in charity .
(Sahih Bukhari, Book #51, Hadith #2)
Slavery is rejected not only in the Quran and the authentic
hadith but also in the Sunnah of the Prophet, pbuh. Islam is
the only religion which specifically rejects slavery.
Jamaat al-Muslimeen
New Experience: Shoora in Ramadan by Video Conference.
Distinguished Presentations by Imam Badi Ali, Br. Shoaib,
Br. Salahuddin, Sis. Khadija & Sis. Aisha.
Practical work by Br. Abu Talib.
On May 2, the national Shoora committee met via Zoom. For
some newcomers it was an unusual experiment. Sis. Kristi and
Br. Kaukab Siddique had set up the zoom arrangement very
clearly and repeated the instructions several times.
Imam Badi Ali from North Carolina (pic to right) spoke with
scholarly references to Islamic teachings on infections and
disease . It was a well rounded presentation which indicated
that Qura'n and hadith have covered every aspect of
prevention as well as treatment and cure. He brought out
Hadith references whiich indicate that Islam taught 1400
years back many of the instructions being given by
physicians and scientists today.
Br. Shoaib from England taught about how to deal with
non-Muslims. Muslims, he said, usually focus on the
victories and successes of the Prophet, pbuh, but they
ignore his suffering and his response to tragedy and
mistreatment. Br. Shoaib paid tribute to Br. Islamul Haq, a
legendary Islamic teacher who passed away a couple of years
back. His attitude was for the need for focus on the poorest
and ignored sections of society.
Br. Salahuddin, from Colorado, reminded the Shoora about the
genesis of Jamaat al-Muslimeen. Our emphasis, he said, has
always been on the authenticity of Islam, the Qur'an and
Sunnah. We are for the rights of the oppressed Ummah of
Islam. We oppose the invasion and occupation of Muslim
countries. He pointed out that we oppose cooperation with
oppressors. We oppose racism, Zionism and Communism. We have
always been the first to stand up for the rights of
political prisoners and
women, he concluded.
Sis. Khadija spoke of the sacredness of the family home. She
explained the key role of the wife in bringing up the future
generations of Muslims. Children need the nurturing love of
the mother. The home should be a place of cleanliness and
comfort. Islam requires women to prepare
Muslims for Paradise. Sis. Khadija emphaized the teaching of
the Prophet, pbuh, about the wife and the mother and the
trust and honesty children need.
Sis. Aisha described the ongoing conditions of New York.
This is America's key city and it is in turmoil, confusion
and fear. She described the role of the mosques and how they
are interpreting the regulations being issued by the
government. Many kinds of corruption have created a
situation of vulnerability in New York. Churches have closed
down though some are trying to be drive by food suppliers.
America's racial divides have made it difficult to deal with
the coronavirus. African Americans are suffering more than
others owing to extended periods of being left out of the
mainstream.
Br. Abu Talib, New York (picture seen on right) urged the
shoora to support the orphans and children in Gambia and
Senegal.
Comments on a great variety of issues related to Baltimore
were made by Sis. Ashira, Br. Kalem, Sis. Shakoora and on
political prisoners by Sis. Ayesha [from Virginia].
Br. Kaukab empasized the centrality of the Shoora committee
because activists are very few in number and without
coordination and planning they cannot succeed in creating an
Islamic response in America.
America's Muslims are in a situation of control and
manipulation by pro-establishment groups.
Imam Badi suggested the creation of a fund to distribute
zakat and sadaqat,
The shoora meeting ended with a d'ua by Imam Badi Ali.
Resolutions supported by the Shoora committee based on the
entire history of Jamaat al-Muslimeen.
We urge Muslims and all conscientious people to focus on
the liberation of Palestine because the occupation of
Palestine is connected to the manipulation and control of
America by the Zionists.
The crimes against humanity in the devastation of Syria
and Iraq need the attention of the Muslim ummah.
The racist-bigoted attacks on Muslims and Dalits in India
need to be protested and oppoxsed as they have reached
massive proportions.
India's genocide against Kashmir should not become
permanent. We support the people of Kashmir and demand rhe
withdrawal of the Indian military.
Muslim political prisoners in America need our urgent
support. Among them are Imam Jamil and Aafia Siddiqui.
We call on Muslims to speak out against pornography,
human trafficking and drug dealers.
China should be opposed for its terrible pppression of
Muslims. Muslims should speak up on this issue. Chinese
infiltration into Muslim countries should be opposed.
PAKISTAN
JI on Imran Khan
by Qaisar Sharif
LAHORE, May 03; Ameer, Jamaat e Islami, Pakistan, Senator
Sirajul Haq has said that the federal government was
claiming that billions of rupees have been distributed under
the Ehsas programme, but the ground situation was quite
different.
Talking to different delegation at Mansoora, he said that
even the labourers of the federal capital had not received
any funds so far. He said that the poor people were chasing
government party workers and leaders for help but in
vain.
Before setting up the Tiger Force, the Prime Minister should
have kept in mind how the people would chase a tiger, he
remarked.
Sirajul Haq said that in the tug of war between the centre
and the Sindh government, only the people were the losers.
He said that the statements from both sides clearly indicate
that the agenda was to realize their own goal and not the
service of the people.
He asked if there was any different between the lock down in
Karachi and Islamabad. He said the federal government had so
far not clarified its actual intention. He said that Prime
Minister was saying that lock down was not the solution
while lock down was continuing in all the four provinces. He
asked if the elite was more powerful than the government and
had forced the government to lock down.
Meanwhile, in a his message on the World Press freedom day,
the JI Chief paid rich tributes to the journalists who had
offered their lives for the freedom of the pres. He said
that every political party made tall claims of freedom of
the press but on coming into power, its first step was to
curb this freedom. However, he said that the JI would
always stand for the freedom of the press and the rights of
the media.
Qadyanis LAHORE, May 3.
The Milli Yakjehti Council (MYC) a conglomeration of about a
dozen religious parties and organizations, has categorically
declared that the Qadyanis' nomination at any forum was not
acceptable until and unless they accepted each and every
article of the constitution.
The MYC leadership which met on Sunday with its president Dr
Sahibzada Abul Khair Muhammad Zubair in the chair, through a
unanimous declaration, warned that if the Qadyansi were
given any representation or any rights as a minority without
their total submission to the constitution, the people would
rise against such a decision. It said that the MYC
leadership was fully aware of the Qadyanis links with the
outside forces hostile to the country.
The meeting set up a six member committee headed by Maulana
Allah Wasaya, to chalk out the future line of action on the
issue.
The meeting noted that despite the 20 point agreement
between the government and the Ulema regarding the prayers
at mosques due to the corona virus, the administration's
attitude at some places had been uncalled for, especially
the Sindh government had been unnecessarily harsh.
While condemning the steps being taken by India to change
the demography in Kashmir by issuing domiciles to non
resident Hindus, the meeting impressed upon the Pakistan
government to take up the matter at the world level.
War News
Pakistan
On May 2,Arif Wazir, a leader of the secularist Pashtun
movement, died in an Islamabad hospital. He was shot by
unknown gunmen outside his home
in Wana, South Waziristan on May 1. The government flew him
to Islamabad for treatment but to no avail. [Dawn daily]
["militants" are suspected. They have previously clashed
with this group. Militants is the regime's term for
mujahideen who were forced out of the area after a big
military offensive but are trying to make a come back.]
Clashes during April in Waziristan.
During April 10 Pakistani troops were killed and 8 wounded
according to a Pakistani think tank. Eight "militants" were
also killed. [Dawn]
Baluchistan. April 30, The body of a journalist, Sajid
Hussain, was found floating in a river in Sweden, He used to
write against military atrocities in Baluchistan and had
taken refuge in Sweden. Was Pakistani intelligence behind
his death? There is no evidence. Sweden is investigating,
Iraq May 2.
Heavily armed Hashd al-Shaabi were struck by Islamic State
raiders in rural areas, Mikisheifa and Balad, of Salahuddin
province. Early reports indicate 10 of this regime force
were killed and scores injured. Air attacks were launched to
force the islamic fighters to withdraw.
In a separate attack the same day on Sunni tribals
supporting the regime, IS surprise attack in the Dijlah
area killed 11 of the armed tribal militia.
Syria
Assad's tycoon cousin pleads for help on Facebook after
regime seizes assets, in sign of growing rift.
An apparent spat in the once tight-knit family of the Syrian
president, Bashar al-Assad, deepened overnight on Thursday
when his tycoon cousin Rami Makhlouf made a direct appeal
for help on Facebook over an order to seize his assets and
impose fines.
Mr Makhlouf, who is Mr Assad's maternal cousin and one of
the wealthiest men in Syria, published a video on the social
media platform to defend his businesses against accusations
of tax evasion, breaking the usual silence of the
president's closest circles.
In December, Syrian officials took the extraordinary step of
seizing Mr Makhlouf's assets and charging him millions of
dollars in fines after he was accused of importing smuggled
goods into the country. Many believed that the probe was
part of a move to force Syria's richest to give back wealth
in order to save the country from bankruptcy amid mounting
pressure from long-term ally Russia.
Before the civil war that began in 2011, he was believed to
control more than half of the country's economy. Mr
Makhlouf's sons, Mohammad and Ali, have gained notoriety for
documenting their extravagant lifestyles - including
expensive cars, luxury-resort holidays and water sports - on
their popular Instagram accounts.
However, Mr Makhlouf appears to have taken the unusual
measure of speaking out publicly by posting his woes on his
Facebook page.
This Ramadan, Muslims should spare a thought for Uighurs in Xinjiang.
Detained in camps and stripped of their religious rights,
Uighur Muslims in China need the world's help.
As Muslims worldwide observe an unprecedented Ramadan this
year due to the coronavirus pandemic, Uighur Muslims are
bracing for yet another year of being locked up.
An estimated 1.5 million Uighur Muslims are being forcibly
detained in internment camps in Xinjiang, northwestern China
- and yet, world leaders remain silent. The Chinese
government has stripped Uighurs of their right to practise
their religion, forcing them to denounce their faith and
embrace the Communist Party.
Mosques have been closed and surrounded by razor wire and
strict surveillance, with fasting or praying during Ramadan
strictly prohibited.
Uighurs, who display any signs of being identifiably Muslim,
such as wearing a headscarf, donning a beard or reading the
Quran, could be locked up in what China dubs "re-education
camps". The Communist Party claims these camps were put in
place to counter "Islamist extremism", but this could not be
further from the truth.
As a British Muslim confined to my home, away from family
and community and unable to go to the mosque during Ramadan,
circumstances are difficult. Yet, the experience of Ramadan
in a coronavirus-driven lockdown is nothing compared to what
Uighur Muslims have been facing throughout their time in
persecution.
Uighur Muslims have no religious freedoms, not even the
right to pray or the ability to display their true Muslim
identity. They cannot fast, pray or read the Quran. In many
cases, they do not even know where their loved ones are or
whether they are safe.
Heartbreakingly, Uighur Muslims have been waiting for three
years for Muslim nations and leaders around the world to
speak up and call for an end to their religious persecution.
Yet, instead of supporting their fellow Muslims, many
countries in the Middle East have legitimised China's
stance, failing to address the clear human rights violations
against their Muslim brothers and sisters.
A number of Arab states, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE,
shamefully backed a letter to the UN Human Rights Council
supporting China in its detention of Uighur Muslims. In a
rare development, Arab governments throughout the region
united in supporting this policy, despite their individual
differences.
The plight of Uighur Muslims is now well documented around
the world, with in-depth evidence leaked in the form of the
China Cables, which revealed China's deliberate campaign to
oppress Muslims. Surely, Muslim-majority nations are not
naive to the extent of Islamophobia in China?
During the holy month of Ramadan, it is up to Muslims around
the world to spare a thought for the Uighurs facing
persecution. The coronavirus pandemic has shown that what
happens to one person can affect us all. Ramadan is a time
for reflection and helping those in need.
Many Muslims, including myself, might feel powerless to do
anything for Uighur Muslims, because those who can create
change are not doing so. Leaders who remain silent are
allowing injustice to prevail, undermining freedom of
religion and contributing to the spread of Islamophobia
worldwide.
This Ramadan, leaders of Muslim-majority countries need to
reconnect with their religious values and demand that China
stop oppressing Uighurs. If they do not, the Chinese
Communist Party will continue cracking down until Muslim
history and identity in the country is wiped out.
When a person donates blood, its some what like cupping. You
know cupping means removing blood from the body to the
surface either by sucking or by cupping, it is somewhat
similar. As far as this is concerned there is difference of
opinion among the scholars. Can you donate blood or is
cupping allowed while fasting or can a person cup?
There is a Hadith which is mentioned in Sunan Abu Dawud Vol.
no. 2 in the Book of Fasting, Hadith no. 2364 Where our
beloved Prophet Muhammad (saws) said "Anyone who cups and
gets cupped, they break their fast." Means a person who cups
and a person who gets cupped, breaks the fast. But there is
also another Hadith in Sahih Bukhari Vol. no. 3 in the Book
of Fasting Hadith no. 1938 where it's mentioned that
Muhammad (saws) was cupped while fasting. Now because of
these 2 Hadiths there are difference of opinion in the
scholars.
There is one group of scholar who says that because Muhammad
(saws) gave a commandment that the person who gets cupped
and the person who cups, he breaks the fast, cupping is
prohibited. Blood donation is prohibited while the other
Hadith is an action.
The first Hadith is a commandment so when a commandment and
action if it clashes, the commandment has got more value. So
based on this there is a group of scholars who say that
blood donation is Haraam.
Amongst these scholars we have Imam Ahmed Ibn Humbal, we
have Shaikh bin Baz who says that cupping and blood donation
is Haraam, we have the great scholar Shaikh Uthaimeen who
says its Haraam, Shaikh Saleh Fauzan and Shaikh Jibreen all
of these scholars say cupping is haraam. And Shaikh Jibreen
says that if a person donates blood, it's like cupping
therefore its haraam but if he does it to save somebody's
life it is permissible but yet it breaks the fast and he has
to make up for that fast later on. Now there is another
group of scholars where Shaikh Nasiruddin Al Albani, he says
that the earlier Hadith of Abu Dawud, it has been abrogated
by the Hadith of Sahih Bukhari. Therefore cupping is allowed
and donating blood is allowed. So second group of scholars
who say donating blood is allowed and cupping is allowed
while fasting and does not break the fast.. We have Shaikh
Nassiruddin Albani, we have amongst the Sahabas Anas bin
Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, we have Hazrat Ayesha,
may Allah be pleased with her, we have Imam Malik, we have
Imam Shafi so there is another group of scholars who say
that blood donating does not break the fast.So based on this
there are some scholars who say its Makhrooh, some scholars
say that if there is such a large difference of opinion so
if it has to be done, avoid it and do it after sunset. So we
have a difference of opinion as far as blood donation is
concerned.But as far as the other things are concerned for
example if there is just small bleeding due to any injury,
that does not break the fast, there is no difference of
opinion in this. Or if you take blood only for testing a few
ml. of blood is removed from the body for testing, this does
not break the fast. Or an injury or a cut blood comes out
that does not break the fast or if it's a nose bleed or
bleeding of nose that doesn't break the fast. Or if it's a
minor surgery where little blood flows out, it doesn't break
the fast.
If excessive blood flows out in a blood surgery which is
equal to blood donation than it breaks the fast. So as far
as the second part is concerned about blood taking out for
testing, nose bleed or minor bleeding, there is no
difference of opinion all of them agree that this does not
break the fast.
- with thanks to Sis.Yasmin
Hadith of the Week
Narrated by Busr bin Said, r.a.:
That Zaid bin Khalid sent him to Abi Juhaim to ask him what
he had heard from Allah's Apostle about a person passing in
front of another person who was praying. Abu Juhaim replied,
"Allah's Apostle said, 'If the person who passes in front of
another person in prayer knew the magnitude of his sin he
would prefer to wait for 40 (days, months or years) rather
than to pass in front of him." Abu An-Nadr said, "I do not
remember exactly whether he said 40 days, months or
years."
Israeli Drone Crashes in Gaza, Military Blames Technical Error.
Media outlets in Gaza say members of Hamas retrieve crashed drone.
A military drone crashed in the Gaza Strip following a
technical error on Monday.
The Skylark drone crashed during operations above the
southern Gaza Strip, and an initial probe showed a technical
problem was responsible, the military said. There was no
concern over potentially sensitive information being leaked,
it added.
Earlier, media outlets in Gaza said an Israeli drone had
crashed east of the city of Dir al-Balah. According to the
reports, the crashed drone was seized by members of Hamas.
Along with this, a high level of Israeli military vehicle
traffic was also reported along the Gaza border.
*MURIC COMMENDS OONI FOR COVID-19 FUMIGATOR*
by Kabir Oyemomi
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Eniitan Ogunwusi, yesterday
Thursday, 30th April, 2020 donated two locally-fabricated
fumigators and drones to the Ondo State government as part
of his contributions to the fight against COVID-19 in
Nigeria.
Meanwhile an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim
Rights Concern (MURIC), has commended the traditional ruler
for the initiative. The group spoke through its director,
Professor Ishaq Akintola, who circulated a press statement
to pressmen on Friday, 1st May, 2020.
He said, "Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi's initiative is highly
impressive. It should be commended by all Nigerians
regardless of tribe. He is a shining example of a proactive
monarch who should be emulated by other traditional rulers
in the country. He has broken the myth of the redundancy of
the traditional institution not only in Nigeria but in
Africa as a whole.
"The traditional ruler of Ile-Ife has also given a practical
example of how traditional rulers can join hands with the
government in providing solutions to problems arising in our
society. In particular, he has shown vividly how Nigerians
and, indeed Africans, can look inwards for remedies to
tackle their problems instead of waiting for Europe and
America for panacea that may never come. MURIC is very proud
of Oba Ogunwusi.
"We note with interest that the gift of motorized fumigators
is not limited to Ondo State alone. Oba Ogunwusi had earlier
presented the same motorised fumigator and drones to other
states in the region. This implies that Ogunwusi has
expended humongous amount of money probably running into
billions of naira.
"It is probably the first time a traditional ruler is
embarking on wide range philanthropy of this kind. Oba
Ogunwusi comes across as a humanist of no small measure and
a patriot of great treasure. It should be noted that the
monarch single-handedly enthroned peace and stability
between the ancient city of Ile-Ife and its next door
neighbor, Modakeke, thereby bringing to a halt a conflict
that had consumed hundreds of lives while properties worth
billions of naira had been destroyed. He attained this feat
within months of his installation. This places the
traditional ruler on the pedestal of peace-makers and lovers
of progress.
"Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi has interrogated the status quo. His
clear message is that we must not leave the fate of Africans
in the hands of the West. The colonial master will never
teach us what will benefit us. They are mainly interested in
promoting their country's national interest. They will
continue to condition our minds towards dependency and
docility. This is why we must agree that Oba Ogunwusi is a
trail blazer. His initiative is a challenge to both Nigerian
and African scientists.
"We call on the Federal Government (FG) and the governments
of Lagos, Osun, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo and Ekiti to seek more ways
of tapping from the rich mind of Oba Ogunwusi. We enjoin the
people of Ile-Ife to continue to cooperate with their
amiable, peace-loving and progress-inclined king."
Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
