The

Friday Bulletin
The Weekly Muslim News Update

Issue No. 316

Jumada al-Ula 1430 27 1430/May 22 2009

Kenya Church says it will oppose

Kadhis courts

LIVING POSITIVELY WITH AIDS

Musa Muhammad who is living positively with

HIV/AIDS talks of his experience during an AIDS
awareness programme at Jamia Mosque. He
called on Muslims not to stigmatize victims saying that this was contributing to the prevalence of
the disease in the community.

he Kenya Church is again marshalling troops and rallying against the

Kadhis courts. While in its previous campaign during the Bomas constitutional conference and the referendum process, it based its opposition on
claims that the presence of the courts in the constitution were a backdoor attempt
to introduce Shariah law in the country, this time round, the Church, claims that the
reasons for the Kadhis courts were overtaken by events
In a yet-to-be submitted draft proposal to the Committee of Experts on Constitution
Review, the Kenya Church, a grouping of mainly fundamentalist evangelist movements, say that the courts which have been entrenched in the countrys supreme
laws since independence will further divide Kenya along religious lines. We believe that the historical reasons for which the Kadhi's courts were included in the
old constitution have been overtaken by events, says the document seen by The
Friday Bulletin.
After forty years of independence, the former subjects of the Sultan of Zanzibar
should no longer require any constitutional protection as Kenya is now a unified
sovereign state where all Kenyans enjoy equality irrespective of their race, gender
or religion.
In calling for the repealing of the religious laws, the Church claimed that accepting
the Kadhis courts to be entrenched in the constitution will not guarantee of freedom of worship for all faiths.
It went on to oppose a proposal to have the Chief Kadhi to sit on the Judicial Service Commission arguing that Islam was being favoured as it was the only religion
represented in the Judicial Commission. Why is it necessary to have religious
representation in the Judicial service Commission? it asked.
According to the Church, the constitution favours Muslims and it must remain neutral in order to offer equal protection to all religions.
Story Continues To Page 3

FRC petitions over Hijab ban

We would like the Minister of Education in Kenya to
put in place measures to protect the rights of Muslim
girls to wear the hijab (proper Islamic attire) in both
public and private schools and to put in place measures to protect members of all faiths in all schools to
enable them observe their religious tenets and beliefs, reads a petition which will be presented to the
government by Muslims protesting over the ban on
Islamic attire in some schools.
The petition which was drafted by the Family Resource Centre (FRC) says that the prohibition by
some public and private schools for Muslim girls to
wear the hijab contravenes the Kenyan constitution
which guarantees freedom of worship.
The Constitution of Kenya provides that no person
shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of
conscience and that includes freedom of thought
and of religion, freedom to change his religion or
Story Continues To Page 7

Jamia Mosque Commitee chairman

Muhammad Osman Warfa (Centre)
with Abdulhamid Slatch the assistant
treasurer and Salim Ibrahim, the Jamia
mosque Administrator during a press
conference where Warfa affirmed
Jamia's right to ownership of the
Globe roundabout plot.
He mantained that the commitee will
use all available legal means to possess the piece of land which is being
illegally occupied by squatters

www.islamkenya.com

Editorial

This Week

Strenghening our brotherhood

Da'wa

Good Neighbourliness

Women Issues

P2

P3

Delinking Islam from FGM

P4

Choosing a wife or husband

P5

Decorating mosques

P6

Youth and Children

Guidance from the Sheikh

This Newsletter contains some of Allahs names. Please do not throw in the trash. Either keep, circulate or shred

Jumada al-Ula 1430 27 1430/May 22 2009

The Friday Bulletin

EDITORIAL

Strengthening our brotherhood

For far too long, chauvinism, ethnic and racial differences
have been used to wedge Muslims apart. As the Quran and
teachings of the Prophet, peace be upon him repeatedly
stress on us to stand together as a united body, it is important that Muslims reject innuendos which could threaten
their unity.
We have good examples from the companions of the Prophet who maintained an unshakable spirit of devoted brotherhood despite the myriads of animosities against them. For
them, ethnic, tribal, clan or racial differences did not stand
in their way in achieving the unity of the Muslim community.
It was due to this spirit that Islam flourished beyond the borders of Arabia to include almost all communities in the world
today.
We should possess this rare emotional dexterity which allowed the blessed companions to navigate through the
turbulent torrents of their enemies while at the same time
maintaining a vibrant spirit of brotherhood.
Regrettably, we seem to have diverted from this principle espoused by the companions and allowed some divisive tendencies to creep amongst us to the delight of our enemies.
When issues arise which demand that Muslims stand together as one entity, among those who come to the fore
to oppose this stand, regrettably, include our own brothers.
We do recall that when the Islamic Party of Kenya (IPK)
shook the establishment when it demanded that the rights of
Muslims be honoured, a pseudo group under the pay roll of
non-Muslims was in the forefront to create division and discord in the party. Many such instances can be pointed out by
groups and individuals who tend to put egocentric interests
ahead at the expense of brotherhood and Muslim unity.
This tendecies unfortunately do not harbinger well for the
unity of Muslims and development of the community at
large.
Jamia Mosque Committee as part of its strategic plan to increase its wakf (endowment) portfolio went ahead to acquire
a plot next to the Globe roundabout. This was done through
the legal available channels but strangely, we see history
repeating itself as it happened during the acquisition of the
Kigali plot. It is apparent that there are some quarters who
feel jittery about Muslims owning property in this country.
A couple of months ago, squatters at the nearby Kariokor
round about who had inhabited the place for decades were
easily removed and even with the initial opposition from the
area MP, this did not generate in the chaos and paralyzing of
businesses in the area. Among the proposed developments
are a mosque which will greatly decrease overcrowding at
Jamia mosque. Those who pray at the mosque on Fridays
and during Ramadhan will fully agree on the need of having
more space for the increasing number of worshipers.
With limited space for expansion at Jamia mosque, it was
prudent that other alternative avenues be explored and this
is when the Globe roundabout plot which was being offered
came to be acquired
Other developments also earmarked in the area include
a modern commercial development which will contribute
to increasing the waqf kitty of the masjid enabling it to be
involved in more community based projects. The developments apart from contributing taxes to the national exchequer, will also increase security in the area which is known to
be a paradise for muggers and criminals.
The prophet sallahu alayhi was sallam during his fare well
pilgrimage pointed that the blood, property and honour of a
Muslim are sacred and this warrant us to ensure that we do
not take on a passive attitude when any of these important
possessions of a Muslim are violated no matter who is involved.
We should stand up together, just like the Companions, and
not let our petty differences rear up to disregard noble and
important ideals held dear in Islam.

Lamu residents in arms against new

constituent plan

As the Andrew Ligale-headed boundary review committee gets to work following the swearing in on Monday, the residents of Lamu have expressed
fears of plans to alter constituencies to give more resources to areas inhabited by non-indigenous communities.
According to Sheikh Muhammad Mbwana who is the chairman of a land
lobby group, Shungwaya Welfare Association, there are plans to hive
parts off parts of Lamu West to be transferred to Lamu East constituency.
The plan will see the administrative areas which are currently in Lamu
West shifted to Lamu East to giving more leverage and resources to areas
dominated by what the local people consider as settlers from upcountry.
The area which is earmarked for the proposed port in Lamu will also fall in
the new constituency plan.
We will not accept this new plan as it is intended to benefit other communities and further marginalize the local indigenous population, he said.
He said the plan will enable the settlers to have more seats in the local
councils giving them more control over the resources.
Early this year, the Lamu Town Council in a memorandum presented to the
Transport minister Chirau Ali Makwere opposed the idea of reviewing the
district boundaries as it will not cater for the interests of the local people.
With the prospects of a port, there will be an inclination to review district
boundaries or create new ones altogether. No matter how far fetched this
sounds, I take this early opportunity to categorically state that the people
of Lamu are opposed to it unless it is driven by themselves, said council
chairman Hassan Abdallah.
The Interim Independent Boundaries Review Commission will be in charge
of reviewing all administrative and elective boundaries in the country.
Members of the nine-member committee include Ms. Jediah Ntoyai, Murshid Abdallah, Rozah Buyu, Irene Cherop Masit, Mwendwa Makathimo,
Joseph Kaguthi and Dr. John Nkinyangi. The team was appointed by
President Kibaki in a May 12 Kenya Gazette notice.
Participants
follow
proceedings during a
one-day seminar for
Muslim youths at the
Mjini mosque in
Muranga on Sunday.
The
seminar
was
adressed by among
others
Abdallah
Suleiman, the deputy
chairman
SUPKEM
Murang'a branch and
Muhammad
Karama
from the Kenya Medical Research Institute
(KEMRI)

Absence of religious ideals fueling corruption

Lack of religious ideals in the society has been blamed for the spiraling
increase of scandals and corruption cases which have plagued the coalition government. The scandals are being carried out by highly educated
people but who are deficient in religious ideals, said Sheikh Abdullatif Abdulkarim of the Kenya Council of Imams and Ulamaa (KCIU).
The Sheikh said there was a need to work on ensuring that the future
generations are well engrained in religious ideals so as to build a society
which will protect and take in consideration the interest of the population.
When you have no faith, you can do anything even if people are going
to loose their lives by contaminated maize, he said during his lecture at
Jamia mosque last week.
All these scandals which include Grand Regency Hotel, the maize scandal, Triton and others have been done by people with smart brains but with
no strong religious background which could have acted as a deterrent,
he added.
Sheikh Abdullatif also said the the curriculum which focused mainly on
materialistic aspects was also to blame for the decadence of morals as it
put less emphasis on moral ethics. From a materialistic point of view, the
more degrees you get the more money you earn, he said.
On the recent budget scandal, he said stern action should be taken against
those responsible for the mess instead of blaming the computer error. Is
there a computer which can make mistakes by itself, he asked.

Jumada al-Ula 1430 27 1430/May 22 2009

The Friday Bulletin

DA'WA
Adil Salahi

Good-Neighborliness

A'ishah and `Abdullah ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) reported that the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be
upon him) said, "Jibreel has continued to
strongly recommend me to be kind to my
neighbor until I thought that he would make
him among my heirs." (Al-Bukhari, Muslim,
Malik, and others).

the Prophet swalla Llaahu alaihi wasallam

to understand that he should be kind to his
neighbors. This hadith suggests something
more. It implies a certain duty that should
not be neglected for any reason whatsoever.
This is understood from the fact that the recommendation was frequently repeated by
Jibreel, who was acting on Allah's order.

Islam aims at creating a society that not only

implements Allah's laws, but also adopts
certain values that ensure its strength as a
coherent, caring society, where everyone
feels their importance to the community. An
Islamic society is one where every individual is important and everyone enjoys the protection of the community. It is needless to
say that all members of any society have a
duty and a responsibility towards their community. In return, they enjoy the care and
protection of that community.

We can also try to visualize what that recommendation was like. It must have emphasized the fact that a neighbor has a very
strong claim on those who live in the same
area with him or her for the Prophet swalla
Llaahu alaihi wasallam to have the sort of
impression that he specified. In other words,
when we treat our neighbors kindly, we are
only giving them what they are entitled to by
right. The kindness should be mutual since
we, as their neighbors, are entitled to the
same right. When people in any neighborhood act on this recommendation or actually, this order , then that neighborhood
is bound to be happy and strong. Everyone
will enjoy the feeling of belonging to a good
community that cares for them and for their
interests and provides them with protection.

In order to create a solid basis for its closely

knit community, Islam begins with encouraging good-neighborliness. One of the
worst social acts someone can commit is to
be unkind to their neighbors. The reasons
for this insistence on good-neighborliness
are crystal-clear. In a neighborhood where
people quarrel and one set of neighbors try
to harm another, there is no chance of harmony prevailing there. Indeed, people try to
move out from such an area, peace being
the basic condition for development. It is
not surprising, therefore, that the Prophet
Swalla Llaahu alaihi wasallam should emphasize on many occasions the importance
of good-neighborly relations.
This hadith, which has been widely reported with different chains of reporting, is
highly significant. Moreover, it is phrased in
a way that leaves no doubt where the order to be kind to neighbors comes from. It
is the Angel Jibreel who is recommending
to the Prophet swalla Llaahu alaihi wasallam to take such an attitude to his neighbors. Jibreel, as an angel, does not initiate
anything from himself. He simply carries a
message from Allah to His Prophet swalla
Llaahu alaihi wasallam and conveys it in its
entirety. In the Qur'an, Allah describes angels as creatures who do not disobey Allah
whatever He bids them: (and they do what
they are bid) (At-Tahrim 66:6).

o, when Jibreel makes a recommenda-

tion to the Prophet swalla Llaahu alaihi

wasallam , he simply conveys to him what
Allah wants him to convey. That recommendation is, then, an order given by Allah.
We also note that the recommendation has
been repeated again and again in order to
create a certain impression in the mind of
the Prophet swalla Llaahu alaihi wasallam
. Again, Jibreel was acting on Allah's order.
It is Allah Who wants him to repeat this recommendation time after time.
The Prophet swalla Llaahu alaihi wasallam
was the best man to understand what Allah wants of him. A simple order or recommendation would have been adequate for

he Prophet swalla Llaahu alaihi wasallam tells us that Jibreel continued

to urge him to be kind to his neighbors so
much so that he thought that next he would
be told that neighbors were entitled to inherit
from their neighbors like their own relatives.
That gives neighbors a degree very close to
that of one's own relations. It makes them
almost of the same family. Had that been ordered, every neighbor would have had such
a share of inheritance, be they righteous or
wrongdoer, friend or foe, a local person or a
stranger who has moved in recently, a good
member of the locality or a bad one. This
is what applies to those entitled to a share
of inheritance, according to the Islamic system. When someone dies, the heirs receive
their shares of the inheritance without regard to any of the aforementioned factors.
Their entitlement to their shares is derived
from their relation to the deceased, not from
their character. The same would have applied to neighbors had they been made heirs
to their neighbors.
This hadith, however, remains highly significant in the sense that it describes how close
a relationship between neighbors in a Muslim society should be. When people understand this fully, they are bound to value their
ties with their neighbors very highly.
In another hadith, the Prophet swalla Llaahu
alaihi wasallam links certain attitudes to belief in Allah and the Day of Judgment. Among
these is good-neighborliness. Abu Shuraih
Al-Khuza`i quoted the Prophet swalla Llaahu alaihi wasallam as saying, "Anyone who

Saturday Lecture
OBLIGATIONS OF THE HUSBAND
Sheikh Ibrahim Lethome
23th May 2009 2.00 pm-4.00 pm
Jamia Mosque Multi Purpose Hall
3

believes in Allah and the Last Day let him be

kind to his neighbor. Anyone who believes
in Allah and the Last Day, let him be hospitable to his guest. Anyone who believes in
Allah and the Last Day, let him say something good or be silent" (Al-Bukhari, Muslim, Ahmad, and others). Again, the mode
of expression here is highly significant. The
Prophet swalla Llaahu alaihi wasallam relates each of the three habitual attitudes he
recommends to belief in Allah and the Day of
Judgment. He uses this mode of expression
in order to highlight the importance of each
of these three attitudes.
The Prophet swalla Llaahu alaihi wasallam
mentions the Day of Judgment because it is
the day of reward or punishment. Non-believers on the Day of Judgment are unlikely
to give it any importance in shaping their social behavior. From this we understand that
kindness to neighbors will be rewarded highly by Allah. It is needless to say that those
who act on the Prophet's recommendation
will have the immediate reward of their kindness being returned by their neighbors. But
they should not make that their motive. It is
not the reward from the neighbors that they
hope for; the reward from Allah is much
more important. It is that to which we aspire.
It gives us the appropriate motive. Hence,
we will be keen to merit that reward.

Kenya Church to oppose

Muslim courts

Story From Page 1

During the Bomas conference and the run

up to the 2005 referendum, the Kenya
Church was vocal in opposing the Kadhis
courts which it claimed was an affront by
Muslims to introduce the comprehensive
Shariah law.
Muslims countered this saying that most
of the current laws were based on JudeoChristian teachings and there was need for
the protection of the community as a minority to observe their own personal laws which
have been in place since independence.
In the draft to the committee of experts, the
Church has also made its intentions clear
to oppose dual citizenship claiming that it
will contribute to instability and insecurity in
the country.
The committee led by Nzamba Kitonga is
charged with the crucial role of jumpstarting the constitution review process, which
hit a stalemate in 2005 after the draft constitution, was rejected by Kenyans. The
team comprises of local and foreign experts
which include former nominated MP Njoki
Ndung'u, Atsango Chesoni, Otiende Amolo,
Nzamba Kitonga, Abdirashid Hussein and
Bobby Mkangi.

Youth Seminar

Featuring different lectures concerning

youths by prominent Shuyuukh
Sat 23th-Sun 24th May 2009
Contributions: Ksh 100 per head
Park Road Mosque

The Friday Bulletin

WOMEN ISSUES

Jumada al-Ula 1430 27 1430/May 22 2009

Delinking Female Genital Mutilation from Islam

This is the third part of a series of articles by Ibrahim Lethome and Maryam Sheikh Abdi on Islam and FGM. Sheikh Ibrahim
Lethome is a Nairobi based lawyer while Maryam Abdi is a programme officer with the Population Council. The series is
based on the book Delinking FGM/Cutting from Islam published by the Population Council and Frontiers

Hadith of Abdallah bin Umar

This Hadith says that the women of Al-Ansar (the residents of
Madina) were enjoined to practice FGM/C. However, this Hadith
has been declared as weak by scholars such as Ash- Shaukany,
because its chain of transmitters include Mindal bin Ali, who is
deemed to be a weak narrator, and bin Addy who is even weaker.
This Hadith cannot be used as a justification for FGM/C ( See Nailal-autwar vol. 1, pg 183).
The Hadith of Aisha (Radhiya Llaahu Anha)
In this Hadith, the Prophet peace be upon him is reported to have
said, if the two circumcisions (alkhitaanani) meet (il-tiqaa), then it
is obligatory to take ghusl (ritual bath). In another narration, Aisha
said that the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa sallam said, if he settles
between her four limbs then the two circumcisions touch (mass)
then it is obligatory to take ghusl, (Sahih Muslim and Tirmidhy).
This Hadith, in all its versions, is authentic and is found under the
chapter of tohara (ritual cleanliness) in all books of fiqhi (Islamic
jurisprudence).
Proponents consider this Hadith to be one of the strongest justifications for FGM/C in Islam. They take the term khitaan to mean
circumcision in general and therefore khitaanani to mean two circumcisions i.e. for male and female.
The Hadith is on sexual intercourse (deduced from the words mass
i.e. touching and iltiqaa i.e. meeting and since the only accepted
sexual intercourse in Islam is heterosexual, it follows (for the proponents) that the female organ is circumcised hence the basis for
FGM/C.
Scholars have looked objectively at the Hadith and have concluded
that although the Hadith is authentic, it cannot be a basis for FGM/C
for the following reasons:
The Hadith is found under the chapter on tohara (ritual purification or cleanliness) in all the books of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqhi)
and the collections of ahadith. This means that the Hadith discusses
purification, not circumcision. The message in the Hadith is that it is
obligatory to take a ritual bath after sexual intercourse.
The terms used in the Hadith, khitaanani (literally, the two male circumcisions), iltiqaa (literally meeting) and mass (literally touching),
are majaaz (metaphors) whereby khitaanani refers metaphorically
to the male and female sexual organs, but using the description of
the one that is required to be circumcised i.e., the male organ, and
both il-tiqaa and mass metaphorically refer to sexual intercourse.
Therefore it is erroneous to take the Hadith on its literal meaning
that a ritual bath becomes obligatory when male and female sexual
organs merely meet or touch. Here the words meeting/touching
must be understood in the context of Islamic jurisprudence. Taking
a ritual bath after sexual intercourse only becomes obligatory if
one or both of the following happens:
When there is penetration. Abu Huraira reported that the Prophet
swalla Llaahu alaihi wasallam said, If the man sits between her
four limbs and he penetrates her then ghusul (ritual bath) is a must
whether he discharges or not (Sahih Muslim).
When one ejaculates. Abi Saiid narrated that the Prophet) said,
Water with water (Sahih Muslim). That is why it is obligatory
to take a bath after a wet dream. This was narrated in the Hadith
of Ummu-Salama (radhiya Llaahu anha), in which a woman called
Ummu-Suleim asked the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam)
whether or not a woman who has a wet dream will have to take a
ritual bath and he answered, Naam (yes) (Sahih al-Bukhari and
Muslim).
Further, there is consensus that whether or not one or both spouses are circumcised, the bath would still be obligatory to clean themselves for worship (ibada) if one or both of the above occurs.
Furthermore, the term khitaan in Arabic strictly refers to male
circumcision and FGM/C is referred to as khifaadh as earlier explained. The term khitaanani, though in dual, is not evidence for
FGM/C because the use of one word or quality to refer to two differ-

ent persons or things is an acceptable Arabic language style.

In this case khitaanani refers to the male and female organs but
which are different with respect to circumcision i.e. male is circumcised, the female is not. The feature of the more common or prominent one i.e. male circumcision is used. Other examples of such
usage include:
Al-umarayn(the two Umars) referring to two close companions
of the Prophet
(Abubakar and Umar). The Prophet peace be upon him called these
two companions
Umarayn, yet they were two different individuals.
Al-Bahrayn (two seas) referring to the sea (bahr) and river (nahr)
Alqamarayn (the two moons), referring to the sun (ash-Shams)
and the moon (alqamar).
Al-ishaeyn (the two ishas) referring to isha and maghrib
prayers.
Al-aswadayn (the two black things) referring to water and dates.
In conclusion, this Hadith cannot be used as a basis for FGM/C because its subject is ritual purification (tohara) and not circumcision.
Moreover, the root word used as a basis is khitaan which is male circumcision and which also takes the form khitaanani due to the style
of Arabic language, not because it refers to two literal circumcisions.
This is further strengthened by the fact that there is no evidence of
FGM/C from the household of the Prophets.
The Hadith of Abu Huraira
In this Hadith, the Prophet peace be upon him is reported to have
said, Five are among the natural dispositions (fitra) to be observed
by Muslims. These are: alkhitaan, shaving of the pubic hair, trimming the moustache, cutting nails and plucking of the hair under
the armpits. (Al-Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Daud, An-Nasai, Ahmad and
At-Tirmidhy).
This Hadith is also found under the chapter of tohara (ritual cleanliness) in all the books of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqhi) and the collections of ahadith. It is heavily relied upon by proponents as a religious basis for FGM/C. The Hadith is authentic but does not in any
way constitute evidence for FGM/C as an Islamic practice for the
following reasons:
The five natural acts referred to in the Hadith do not apply equally
Story Continues To Page 6

The Friday Bulletin Kitchen

Plantains (Mkono wa tembo) in Coconut Milk

Ingredients
Four or more plantains (they don't have to be completely ripe)
one-half teaspoon mild curry powder
one-half teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
a few cloves or a pinch of powdered cloves (optional)
salt to taste
one teaspon of butter (optional)
one to two cups of coconut milk
Method
Peel the plantains
Cut the plantains into slices, or into quarters by cutting once
lengthwise and once across the middle.
In a saucepan, combine all ingredients except coconut milk.
Heat slowly, stir gently, and add coconut milk little by little until all
is absorbed.
Simmer until the plantains are tender. Add a little water if
necessary.
Serve as a dessert
Share your favourite recipes with our readers. Send them to P. O. Box 4062900100 or email:fridaybulletin@islamkenya.com or fridaybulletin@gmail.com

The Friday Bulletin

Jumada al-Ula 143027 1430/May 22 2009

YOUTH AND CHILDREN

Idris Tawfiq

Choosing a wife or husband

How do you know when you have chosen the right person? How do you
know that this is the one you want to spend the rest of your life with? How
do you know that your marriage is going to succeed and not break down,
like so many of the marriages around you? If your parents' marriage ended
in divorce, what is to stop your marriage ending up the same way? And if
your parents have been happily married for years, how can yours be like
that? These are lots of questions, but important ones.
Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)
gave some advice about choosing a wife: A woman may be married for
four things: for her wealth, for her noble descent, for her beauty or for her
religion. Choose the one who is religious, lest your hands be rubbed with
dust! (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
A young man or a young woman, then, needs to choose very carefully who
their life's partner is going to be. A future husband or wife will also be the
father or the mother of your children. Your spouse will be the one in whom
you confide everything, the one who looks after the family home or who
provides food for the family table.
If it is good looks we are going to base our choice upon, well, good looks
often change with time. Perhaps this is why so many marriages in the
West end in divorce. If the marriage takes place because of a physical
attraction, the one you are attracted to will not always look that way. They
will get old or put on weight or get ill, no longer looking how they once used
to. What happens then, when the physical attraction has gone?
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is very wise. He is quite
realistic and knows that physical attraction is very important. For example,
Al-Mughirah ibn Shu'bah said, "I got engaged to a woman at the time of
the Prophet. He asked me, 'Have you seen her?' I said, 'No.' He said, 'Go
and have a look at her, because it is more fitting that love and compatibility
be established between you.'" (An-Nasa'i)
Knowing the Right One
Young Muslims don't want to find themselves in a marriage with someone
they find unattractive. In choosing a future partner, then, this is important.
But the Prophet knows, too, that physical attraction is not everything. The
most important quality in a future spouse (the one you are to marry) is
their piety. In other words, that they are good Muslims. If the two of you
are good Muslims, faithful to prayer, and determined to commit yourselves
to each other and to the family you will raise together, then this marriage
has a good chance of succeeding. It won't be based only on looks but will
have a firmer base.
It stands to reason that someone who has looked forward to marriage with
a religious attitude, believing that this marriage will complete their deen
and make them whole in the sight of Allah, will take the marriage very seriously, doesn't it? Such people try to please their husbands or their wives,
rather than just trying to please themselves. They look for common ground
together. As Muslims, they live their lives in the presence of Allah and do
everything they can to please him. Where there is give and take in a marriage, the marriage has a chance of success. Where the partners believe
they are serving Almighty Allah in all that they do and say, then these
same partners will look upon each other as gifts. And in such a marriage,
in sha' Allah, the bond between them will grow stronger and stronger as
time goes on.

Don't Just Jump Right In!

It is most important, too, not to just jump at the first one who comes along!
You are keen to be married, yes, but you have waited all this time, so wait
just a bit longer so you can be sure. Do you want a marriage, or do you
want a good marriage? Do you just want a wife or a husband, or do want a
wife or a husband you can delight in and be proud of? Remember that this
person will be the father or the mother of your children. He or she will be
the one you will care for, for the rest of your life. So just take a little bit more
time. Pray a lot about it. Yes, pray. You might be so keen to marry that
prayer seems the last thing on your mind, but ask Almighty Allah to send
the right person into your life. And, when you have settled down together,
continue to ask Allah to give you both the strength to love and support one
another through good and bad times.
And so, when you are both old and grey, with grandchildren playing at your
feet, you will be able to look back on a good marriage, a happy marriage,
in sha' Allah, and you will both be able to thank Allah that you did wait for
the right one to come along! On that day, people will look at you and wish
that they, too, could be blessed with such a happy marriage.

DEATH AND LIFE

Haroun Yahya

Some people consider death as the ultimate end.

But the truth is that death is a transition from the
life of this world to the life of the hereafter. It is
like a gate to the afterlife.
On the other side of this gate, that is, in the life of
the hereafter, whether we will attain the Garden
or the Fire depends on our pure belief in Allah's
unity and Allah's approval of our deeds and conduct
here in this world.
Death is only the end of a certain period of time.
This is similar to the ringing of bell at school signalling the end of an examination. Allah has granted a
different period of trial to each man. Some have
thirty years, while some others enjoy a life as long
as one hundred years. Just as Allah decided your
date of birth, which is the beginning of your time
of examination, Allah decides the time when this
period will end. In other words, only Allah knows at
which age you will die.
How should we consider death?
Death, that is, the end of the period of examination
in this world, is a source of happiness and joy for
believers. One would hardly feel sorry for someone
who has successfully passed an examination, would
one? Feeling grief over someone who dies is likewise
ridiculous. It may well be that you have lost a close
relative or someone you love. But a person of faith
acknowledges that death is certainly not a permanent separation, and that someone who dies merely
finishes his period of examination in this world. He
knows that in the hereafter, Allah will gather Muslims who live by His commands together and reward
them with the Garden. In this case, rather than
being sorry, people will feel great happiness.
Allah can take our souls at any moment. Therefore,
we ought to strive to earn Allah's good pleasure. To
conclude, death is not an end but a gate leading us
to the hereafter. The life of the hereafter is the
real life that will last for all eternity, and we need
to prepare for it. Do you think that a person who
takes an examination wants it to last forever? Of
course not. He only wants to answer the questions
correctly and leave the classroom.
In this world, too, a man must strive to pass his
examination, earn Allah's good pleasure and attain His Garden. In this world, the most important
goal of man must be to love Allah and to earn His
good pleasure. That is because, our Lord, the AllMerciful, loves us and protects us at every moment.
One verse of Qur'an, quoting the words of one of
the prophets, reads: "My Lord is the Preserver of
everything." (Surah Hud: 57)

Jumada al-Ula 1430 27 1430/May 22 2009

The Friday Bulletin

GUIDANCE FROM THE SHEIKH

This is the continuation of a series of articles written by Sheikh Al-Amin bin Ali Mazrui, the former Chief Kadhi of Kenya. The
treatise Uwongozi (Guidance) appeared in a weekly publication called Al Islah between 1930 and 1932 which the Sheikh edited
and freely distributed in mosques around Mombasa.
Originally published in Kiswahili, Uwongozi has been translated into English by Muhammad bin Yusuf. Although written almost 80 years ago by this distinguished scholar, the powerful message from Sheikh Al-Amin resonates with our times

Building mosques and decorating them

15th Jumada Awwal, 1350 A.H. [28th September, 1931]
that the Muslims of that time were poor, in fact they were rich. If
they really wanted to build a mosque and adorn it with silver and
gold, they could easily have afforded.
Some companions among the Ansar who had seen some beautiful churches in Sham went to the Prophet (Salla Allahu Alayhi Wa
Sallam) with lots of money so that they could use it to make the
mosque look better. The Prophet (Salla Allahu Alayhi Wa Sallam)
refused, and he said, this shanty is sufficient, just like the shanty of
[Prophet] Musa (Alayhi Salaam).
Now the question is, how did the Prophet (Salla Allahu Alayhi Wa
Sallam) and the rightly guided Caliphs utilize the wealth? Basically,
they used [the wealth) to propagate the religion, and to improve the
status of Muslims. None of them was concerned with constructing
too many mosques, but rather in teaching the religion. And it is in
these areas where the wealth should mostly be utilized for those
who want blessings from Allah.
Too many unnecessary mosques is not a healthy thing according
to Shariah; this is the reason why Sayidna Umar [the second Caliph] stopped Muslims from building two mosques in the same area.
If we look at it closely we will see that whoever insists on building a second mosque has the intention of dividing Muslims and to
take away the wisdom of having one congregational prayer in a
locality. If people were to build another mosque in an area where
one already exists, and the first one can still accommodate all the
residents comfortably, then it becomes haram [a prohibited act] and
should be demolished. Such a mosque becomes Masjid-ul-Dhirar,
i.e., a mosque that is harmful.
Therefore, should it be said that the best way to utilize the wealth [of
Muslims] is to build mosques and beautify them? Hasha! [Absolutely not]. But the best way of utilizing the wealth is to improve the Status of Muslims and propagate the religion. Is there any other way to
make Muslims understand [their priorities] than to equip them with
knowledge? No, this is the only way [i.e., to educate them).

There are many people who believe that there is no deed as good
as building a mosque, and there is no act nobler than to decorate the mosques with ornaments, and beautify them with nicely
curved doors and windows, and expensive rugs and carpets. And it
is due to this belief [i.e., that the best deed is to build and beautify
mosques] that it is impossible to show someone another deed and
be able to appreciate it. Unfortunately all this is due to our ignorance of understanding how mosques were during the lifetime of
the Prophet (Salla Allahu Alayhi Wa Sallam), and that of the rightly
guided Caliphs. It is due to our ignorance of understanding the unimportance of acts that we so dearly think as noble.
No one denies the fact that to build a mosque is an act which is so
noble, but on condition that there is a need for it in such a location,
and if there is no other act which is of a greater priority at the time
according to Shariah. But if the mosque is not needed, and if there
is another act which is more important, this changes the act from
being that of obedience to an act of maasiya [committing sin].
It is a well known fact that to decorate a mosque with expensive
adornments, painting it with all sorts of colours, and putting all kinds
of tiles and marbles is a Christian tradition clearly seen in their
churches. And in my opinion I have always maintained the position
that when people focus so much on spending so much wealth in
beautifying mosques, it is an indication of the weakness of their
faith or ignorance of their religion - contrary to what other people
think [i.e., beautifying mosques is a sign of piety].
The period in which Muslims were most pious was the period of
the Prophet (Salla Allahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) and the rightly guided
Caliphs. [Let us ask ourselves) how was the mosque [of the Prophet] in Madinah [i.e., Masjid-un-Nabawi] in those days? It was such
a simple construction, the roof of which was that of the leaves of a
date-palm tree, and the floor was sand and gravel; and there were
no rugs of any kind. When it rained the roof would leak, and the
worshippers would prostrate on mud and water. And do not think
Story From Page 4

Delinking Islam from FGM

to both men and women. Those that apply to both are: shaving
pubic hair, clipping nails and plucking armpit hair. Shortening of the
moustache and khitaan are specific to men as women do not naturally grow moustache and the word khitaan refers to male circumcision, as explained earlier.
The khitaan mentioned in the Hadith is male circumcision that is
supported by the Quran in the verse referred to earlier, and we
revealed to you (Oh Muhammad) to follow the milat (religion) of
Ibrahim (Quran: 16:123) which is male circumcision. Proponents,
however, take this word to mean general circumcision, for both
males and females.
The sunnah of the Prophet supports male circumcision and not
FGM/C. He would not have contradicted his own deeds by ordering
Muslims to observe FGM/C while he himself did not observe it. If
FGM/C were one of the Islamic rites he would have been the first
one to observe it himself, just as he observed male circumcision
and enjoined others to do it.
From this analysis it can be concluded that:
This authentic Hadith cannot be used as evidence for FGM/C.
FGM/C is not one of the natural dispositions that Muslims are required to observe. Thus, it is clear that there is no authentic and
relevant sunnah to support FGM/C; it is wrong, therefore, to link it to
the practices of Prophet Muhammad and indeed any other Prophet.
Above all, FGM is not supported by the deeds of Prophets Muham-

mad and Ibrahim peace be upon them and it is not conceivable that
Prophet Muhammad would order something he himself did not do.
There is no evidence whatsoever that the Prophet subjected any of
his daughters or wives to FGM/C, nor is there any evidence to show
that the wives and daughters of his companions were circumcised.
If the Prophet endorsed FGM/C among the females in his family,
the practice would be well known and widespread among all Muslims, just as the circumcision of males as seen through his two
grandsons, al-Hassan and al-Hussein for example- is well known
and widespread among Muslims. Further, if FGM/C were a religious requirement, the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) would
not have been silent about it, as his mission was to propagate the
teachings of the religion.
Allah commanded him to do so in the Quran, Oh you messenger
[Muhammad] proclaim [the message] which has been sent down to
you from your Lord. And if you do not then you have not conveyed
His message (Quran: 5: 67).
In conclusion, there is no verse in the Qura'n that can be used as
evidence for this practice. On the contrary, there are several verses
that strongly condemn any acts that negatively affect the human
body in any way and interfere with Allahs creation without a justification. Examples include, and there is no changing Allahs creation. And that is the proper religion but many people do not know
(Quran 30:30) and, and make not your own hands contribute to
your destruction (Quran 2:195)

Jumada al-Ula 1430 22 1430/May 27 2009

FRC to petition over Hijab ban

Story From Page 1

belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others, and both in public and in
private, the document stated.
FRC says that although the government has strived to amalgamate the various cultural and
religious differences to foster healthy development in national cohesion, this has not been
adapted well in educational institutions. Similar changes are not reflected in the management of some of our public secondary schools and private secondary schools. Some educational institutions still cling to the principle of one religious tradition of a school, forcing
other students who do not belong to that tradition to feel out of place in that institution, the
petition asserts.
According to Islamic teachings it is obligatory for young Muslim girls and women to appropriately cover their bodies. In fear of breaching this tradition many children are left with
out an opportunity to access education when they are banned from donning Islamic attire
in school. Many Muslim girls are unable to progress with their secondary education due
to the refusal by some schools to allow them to fulfill their religious obligation to cover
themselves. Their parents may be too poor to take them to private schools and they are
therefore unable to access education. It is not fair to expect anyone to compromise on
their religious beliefs and especially when the exercise of that right does not infringe on the
rights of any other person, noted the petition.
FRC further noted that this ban amounted to discrimination because this denies the children access to education and is in contravention of the childrens act.
The Children Act states that no child shall be subjected to discrimination on the ground of
origin, sex, religion, creed, custom, language. The Act also provides that every child shall
have a right to an education and to religious education subject to appropriate parental
guidance and the Minister shall make regulations giving effect to the rights of children to
give fulfillment to their culture and to practice their own language or religion, stated the
document.
Muslims have been urged to participate in signing the petition at the Family Resource Centre offices located at Jamia Mosque to support the cause and ensure that the young Muslim
women are not denied access to education on the basis of their faith.
The petition which underscores the concerns of Muslims in regard to prohibition of hijab will
also be presented to parliament.
Some of the public schools which have banned Muslim students from wearing the hijab
include Kenya High School, Precious Blood and Pangani Girls.
Two months ago, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry of education Karega Mutahi issued a circular to schools to observe the constitutional rights of children as far as religion
was concerned.

LETTERS
Friday Khutbahs need to be improved on
It is time for Mosque Committees and Imams to re-evaluate and improve on the quality of
Friday Khubahs to make them more current, informative and appreciative to the congregation.
Ahadith teach us that Khubah is the platform to pass on religious information and current
issues information to the congregation.
A Khubah lecture should be in par with the social and educational standards of the congregation to which it is being presented to. A twenty minute well worded, informative and sensible lecture is more beneficial, understood and appreciated as compared to a long boring
and harsh toned Khubahs.
It is no wonder that when one looks around at congregations in most Mosques the expression is one of boredom, tiredness and sleepiness. On some occasions the lmams are not
prepared for the topic and end up reciting from memory with castigations and repetitions to
lengthen and complete the Khubah.
Mosque Committees and Imams have a responsibility to ensure that Khubah topics are accorded the needed professionalism and that the topics are well prepared in advance.
There is no restriction to reading the Khubah from a previously written document. Khubahs
should also be reasonably time framed so that the Swalah is not delayed.
Kayum Khan
Nairobi

We need more da'wa articles

Thanks very much for the wonderful The Friday Bulletin publication. It is really insightful and
informative.
I am a keen reader of the Friday Bulletin and I always try not to miss my Friday copy. I think
we need more on the Islamic knowledge part especially the Da'awa aspect. Many are times
people misunderstand each other on very basic issues of our religion because of lack of
good well researched balanced information on these issues in accordance with the Quran
and Sunna of the Prophet peace be upon him.
D. O. Abdulrahman
Nairobi

The Friday Bulletin

Al-Aqsa Facing "Real,

Immediate Danger
Palestinians are sounding the alarm that Israel's continuing excavation works beneath
the Haram al-Sharif (Noble sanctuary) in
Al-Quds (occupied East Jerusalem) is posing a "real and immediate" danger to its Aqsa
Mosque, Islam's third holiest shrine.
"Israeli excavations and continuing digging
right beneath the Haram al Sharifs esplanade have already caused irreparable damage to the stability of Al-Aqsa Mosques foundations," Sheikh Raed Salah, leader of the
Islamic Movement, told IslamOnline.net.
Salah, who has been closely monitoring Israeli excavations in the Old City of Al-Quds
for over 25 years, says Israel is paying no
attention to protests by Arab and Muslim
countries over the perils its digging poses to
Islamic holy places.
In recent years, the Israeli government, in
coordination with powerful settler groups,
began digging an extensive tunnel network
throughout the Old City.
Israel describes the tunnels as "tourist
projects" that pose no threat to Islamic holy
places. However, Palestinians and some Israeli organizations, including the Israeli Committee Against House Demolition, believe
that the ultimate goal is to create a subterranean access route to attack Al-Aqsa and
other Islamic shrines in the area.
Last year, an Israeli lawyer representing the
anti-settlement group, Ir Amin, revealed that
government-funded settlers were trying to
establish "irreversible facts" as part of a takeover scheme. "I have no doubt that the Aqsa
foundations have been greatly weakened
due to these tunnels and other excavations,"
maintains Sheikh Salah.
"You dont have to be a great architect to realize this. We have already seen holes and
cracks all over the area."
A section of the Aqsa Mosques yard caved
in last year as a result of Israeli excavations
underneath. The collapse happened near the
Qaitbay fountain in the western section of the
mosque.
The one-meter deep hole was viewed as an
ominous harbinger for things to come.
Sheikh Salah says he is completely certain
Israel wants to destroy Al-Aqsa Mosque.
"They want to do it in a way that would appear as is happening as a result of natural
causes, such an earthquake."
Salah says that Israel has a "diabolical plan"
and is acting on it while Muslims are still just
watching and contenting themselves with
verbal protestations.
"Verbal reactions wont stop Israeli designs
against Islamic holy places, especially the
Aqsa Mosque," he stressed. "We need a
proactive stance by Muslim peoples and
governments. Muslims must send an unmistakable message to Israel and its supporters
that Islamic holy shrines in Al-Quds are red
lines."
Al-Aqsa is the Muslims first Qiblah [direction
Muslims take during prayers] and it is the
Story Continues To Page 8

Ethopian troops 'return to Somalia'

Ethiopian troops have reportedly crossed
the border into Somalia as fighting there
intensifies between government forces and
Islamist fighters, witnesses said.
Although the Ethiopian government denied
this, witnesses said on Tuesday that they
saw troops in Kalabeyr, a town that links
southern, central and northern Somalia to
the Ethiopian border.
Tabane Abdi Ali, a local resident, said the
troops spoke Ethiopia's Amharic language
and their vehicles carried Ethiopian number
plates.
However, Wahde Belay, an Ethiopian foreign
ministry spokesman, denied the reports.
"That information is false. Our troops have
not returned to Somalia ... They are on our
side of the border," he said.
On Monday Hizbul Islam, a Somali opposition group fighting government forces and
African Union peacekeepers, closed in on
Mogadishu, Somalia's capital, after seizing Mahaday, a strategically important town
north of the capital.
This came a day after al-Shabab, another
anti-government group, captured the nearby
town of Jowhar.
The Somali government has been losing
ground in recent weeks and now controls little more than the centre of Mogadishu, with
the support of African Union (AU)troops.
Hizbul Islam has pledged to fight AU troops
until they leave the country and topple
Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, the Somali president.
There have been sporadic reports of Ethiopian troops crossing the border since they
pulled out of Somalia at the start of 2009 as
part of a peace deal.
Ethiopian troops originally entered the coun-

try in 2006 to restore a UN-backed government to power in Mogadishu, which Islamic

fighters had seized along with much of
southern Somalia.
The clashes between government forces
and rebel fighters have forced thousands of
Somalis to flee west across the border into
Kenya.
A charity said on Monday that more than
270,000 refugees in Kenya were facing
alarming shortages of food, water and shelter in overcrowded camps.
Somalia has not had an effective government since 1991, when Mohamed Siad
Barre was overthrown by armed groups who
then turned on each other. (Aljazeera.net)

Al-Aqsa Facing "Real,

Immediate Danger
Story From Page 7

third holiest shrine after Al Ka`bah in Makkah

and Prophet Muhammad's Mosque in Madinah, Saudi Arabia.
Its significance has been reinforced by the
incident of Al Isra'a and Al Mi'raj the night
journey from Makkah to Al-Quds and the ascent to the Heavens by Prophet Muhammad
(Peace and Blessings be Upon Him).
Sheikh Raed Salah, who has dedicated himself to exposing Israeli schemes in Al-Quds,
says Muslims around the world should realize that his repeated warnings are not at all
exaggerated.
"When will Muslims come to realize that the
dangers are real? When the Mosque is destroyed and the news of its destruction appears on Al-Jazeera?" (Islamonline.net)

Free HIV care and

management
With the spread of HIV and AIDS and
poor access to medical care, it has been
difficult to curb the disease. The Nairobi
Womens Hospitals has partnered with
Pathfinder International/ APHIA II to offer
out-patient care to all HIV+ persons at no
cost to the client.
The hospital operates on a 24-hour basis and has highly-qualified staff who run
the Comprehensive Care Clinic Program
(CCCP), the program under which all HIV
Positive clients are seen every Monday,
Wednesday and Friday from 2.00pm to
5.00pm
The Program covers the costs of the following:
1. Consultation free for all routine clinics
(done on appointment) and drug refills
2 Laboratory tests FBC and ESR; CD4
counts; Serum Creatinine; LFTs (ALT&
AST); 1 Lipid profile test; TB test
3. Baseline CXR (chest x-ray)
4. Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ARVs)
5. Septrin DS tablets only (Anti-biotic)
6. Multivitamins
7. Support group activities
This service is open to all members of the
public and all members of the public who
are HIV Positive can enroll into the Program so as to access the free treatment.
More details can be sought at the Hospital located at Hurlingham Medicare
Plaza, Argwings Kodhek road. Tel
2712886/2726821/4/6/7.

ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY IN UGANDA (IUIU)

At the same time, to mark the World Hepatitis Day, the Nairobi Hospital is organising a free Hepatitis B and C screening.
The screening has been ongoing since
Tuesday 19th May 2009 and will end on
Tuesday 26th May 2009.
The tests are carried out at the following
Nairobi Hospital labs;

On behalf of the ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY IN UGANDA (IUIU), the ISLAMIC RESEARCH

AND EDUCATION TRUST (IRET) who are the representatives of IUIU in Kenya wish to
inform all qualified candidates who wish to get admission at the university, to kindly obtain the
forms at the following places:

Main Hospital laboratory

Doctors Plaza laboratory
Upper Hill medical Centre Library
Gigiri laboratory at Warwick Centre.
For more information contact the Nairobi Hospital Laboratory or on telephone
2845 700, 2845702 0r 2845711

APPLICATION FORMS FOR

ADMISSIONS 2009/2010

Jamia Training Institute

situated at Jamia Mosque
Complex, ground floor.
2. MOMBASA- Mewa Secretariat
3. GARISSANorth Eastern Youth Group
Mohamed Dahir- 0721 515 295
1. NAIROBI -

NB: Admission forms are available at Ksh 745

Please return duly filled forms to the above mentioned offices by 30th May 2009.
For more information contact:
SHEIKH ABDALLAH KHEIR
0722 861 138
NAIROBI

This health awareness information is

brought to you courtesy of
Ummah Foundation
Village Plaza Ngara
P. O. Box 58717-00100 Nairobi
Tel: 3747612/3 0734845277
Email:info@ummahfoundation.net
website: www.ummahfoundation.net

The Friday Bulletin is a Publication of Jamia Masjid Committee, P. O. Box 100786-00101 Nairobi, Tel: 2243504/5 Fax: 342147 E-mail: fridaybulletin@islamkenya.com or
fridaybulletin@gmail.com. Printed by Colour Magic Production Ltd-Kirinyaga Crescent P. O. Box 9581-00100 Nairobi