Islamic Ruling on Anal Sex-Almighty Allah says in the Qur’an

“Your wives are a tilth for you, so go to your tilth (have sexual relations with your wives in any manner as long as it is in the vagina and not in the anus), when or how you will, and send (good deeds, or ask Allah to bestow upon you pious offspring) for your own selves beforehand. And fear Allah, and know that you are to meet Him (in the Hereafter), and give good tidings to the believers (O Muhammad).” (Al-Baqarah: 223)

In the foregoing verse the word harth (tilth) indicates that only vaginal sex is permissible in Islam, because it is from this place children are produced. The semen lodged in the womb from which offspring comes is likened to the seeds that are planted in the ground, bringing vegetation. Both of them are substances from which something else is produced.

All Muslim jurists agree that anal sex is haram (prohibited), based on the hadith of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): “Do not have anal sex with women.” (Reported by Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasa’i, and Ibn Majah.)

Khuzaymah Ibn Thabit (may Allah be pleased with him) also reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Allah is not too shy to tell you the truth: Do not have sex with your wives in the anus.” (Reported by Ahmad, 5/213)

Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Allah will not look at a man who has anal sex with his wife.” (Reported by Ibn Abi Shaybah, 3/529, and At-Tirmidhi classified it as an authentic hadith, 1165)

Further, it is reported that the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) referred to such an act as “minor sodomy”. (Reported by Ahmad and An-Nasa’i)

However, it is allowed to caress the wife and stimulate her around the anus, without having sex in this area. It is reported that `Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (ay Allah be pleased with him) came one day to the Prophet and said, “O Messenger of Allah, I am ruined!” “What has ruined you?” asked the Prophet. He replied, “Last night I turned my wife over,” meaning that he had had vaginal intercourse with her from the back. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not say anything to him until the verse cited above was revealed. Then he told him, “[Make love with your wife] from the front or the back, but avoid the anus and intercourse during menstruation.” (Reported by Ahmad and At-Tirmidhi)

If one does have anal sex with his wife, he has committed a grave sin, which requires repentance. He should regret and feel contrite for committing such a sin. Allah Almighty destroyed a whole nation who were accustomed to this evil habit.

But, the wife is not considered divorced as many people think, because there is no evidence to support this view. However, scholars maintain that if a man habitually does this or insists on having anal sex with his wife, she has the right to ask for a divorce, because he is considered an evildoer who is causing harm by his action, and also because the purpose of marriage cannot be achieved through this action.

The wife has to resist this evil action and refuse to respond to her husband’s desire to have anal sex. She should remind him of Allah as well as the punishment of those who transgress the Bounds set by Him, Most High.

Allah Almighty knows best.

Behlool’s way to eating, talking, sleeping

Shaykh Junayd Baghdadi went for a walk out of Baghdad. His students followed him. The Shaykh asked how Behlool was. They answered, “He is a crazy person, what do you need from him?”

“Bring him to me because I have a need for him.”

The students searched for Behlool and found him in the desert.

They took Shaykh Junayd to him.

When Shaykh Junayd went near Behlool, he saw Behlool in a state of perturbation with a brick under his head. The Shaykh greeted him. Behlool answered and asked, “Who are you?”

“I am Junayd Baghdadi.”

“Are you Abul Qasim?”

“Yes!”

“Are you Shaykh Baghdadi who gives people spiritual instructions? ”

“Yes!”

“Do you even know how to eat?”

“I say Bismillah (In the Name of Allah). I eat from in front of me, I take small bites, put them in the right side of my mouth, and slowly chew. I don’t stare at others’ bites. I remember Allah while eating. For whatever morsel I eat, I say Alhamdolillah (Praise be to Allah). I wash my hands before and after eating.”

Behlool stood up, shook his garment on the Shaykh, and said, “You want to be the spiritual teacher of the world but you don’t even know how to eat.” Saying this, he walked away.

The Shaykh’s students said, “O Shaykh! He is a crazy person.”

“He is such a lunatic who is intelligent in his work. Listen to the correct statements from him.”

Saying this he went after Behlool, saying, “I have a need for Behlool.”

When Behlool reached a deserted building he sat down. Junayd came near him. Behlool asked, “Who are you?”

“Shaykh Baghdadi who doesn’t even know how to eat.”

“You don’t know how to eat, but do you know how to talk?”

“Yes.”

“How do you talk?”

“I talk in moderation and to the point. I don’t speak unoccasionally or too much. I speak so the listeners can understand. I call the world’s people towards Allah and the Prophet. I don’t talk so much that the people would get bored. I care about the deepness of inner and outer knowledge.” Then he described whatever was connected with manners and etiquette.

“Forget about eating, you don’t know how to talk either.” He stood up, shook his garment on the Shaykh and walked away.

The students said, “O Shaykh! You saw, he is a crazy person. What do you expect from a lunatic!”

“I have a need for him. You do not know.”

Again he went after Behlool until he reached him. Behlool asked, “What do you want from me? You who don’t know the manners of eating and speaking, do you know how to sleep?”

“Yes, I know.”

“How do you sleep?”

“When I am finished with Namaz-e-Isha and reciting supplications, I don my sleepwear.” Then he described the manners of sleeping which were transmitted to him by the learned people of religion.

“I understand that you do not know how to sleep either.” He wanted to get up, but Junayd caught hold of his garment and said,

“O Behlool! I don’t know; so for the sake of Allah teach me.”

“You claimed knowledge and said you knew so I was avoiding you.

Now that you confessed your lack of knowledge I will teach you.

Know that whatever you described is secondary. The truth behind eating meals is that you eat lawful morsels. If you eat forbidden food likewise, with one hundred manners, it won’t benefit you, but will be the reason for blackening the heart.”

“May Allah grant you great reward.”

Behlool continued, “The heart must be pure, and have good intentions before you begin to talk. And your conversation must be to please Allah. If it is for any worldly or useless work, then however you express yourself, it will become a calamity for you. That is why silence and quietude would be best. Whatever you said about sleeping is also of secondary importance.

“The truth of it is that your heart should be free of enmity, jealousy and hate. Your heart should not be greedy for this world or its wealth, and remember Allah when going to sleep.”

Junayd kissed Behlool’s hand and prayed for him. The students who saw this incident, and had thought that Behlool was crazy, forgot their actions and started a new life.

The lesson is that if someone doesn’t know something, then he shouldn’t be ashamed of learning it; like Shaykh Junayd learned the ways and manners of eating, talking, and sleeping.

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Behlool was born in Kufa and his real name is Wahab bin Amr. Haroun Rashid (Abassid tyrant: 17 March 763 24 March 809, born in Rayy near Tehran, Iran and was the fifth and most famous Abbasid Caliph, ruled from 786 to 809) feared for the safety of his Khalifate and kingdom from the 7th Imam Musa

Kazim (A.S.); therefore, he tried to destroy the Imam. Haroun thought of a trick by which he could kill the Holy Imam. He put the blame of rebellion upon the Imam and demanded a judicial decree from the pious people of his time, which included Behlool. Everyone gave the decree except Behlool, who opposed the decision. He immediately went to the Imam and informed him of the circumstances, and asked for advice and guidance. Then and there the Imam told him to act insanely.

Because of the situation, Behlool acted insanely by the Imam’s order. By doing this, he was saved from Haroun’s punishment. Now, without any fear of danger, and in amusing ways, Behlool protected himself from tyrannies. He insulted the notorious Khalifa and his courtiers just by talking.

Nevertheless, people acknowledged his superior wisdom and excellence. Even today many of his stories are narrated in assemblies and teach the listeners valuable lessons.Before becoming insane, Behlool lived a life of influence and power, but after obeying the Imam’s order, he turned his face away from the majesty and splendor of the world. In reality, he became crazy over Allah. He dressed in rags, preferred desolate places over Haroun’s palaces, lived on a bite of stale bread. He did not accept favors from or depend upon Haroun or those like him. Behlool considered himself better than the Khalifa and his courtiers because of his way of life.

Behlool was sincerely devoted to Allah; he was an intelligent and virtuous scholar. He was the master of the mind and manners; he spoke with the best of answers ready on his lips; he protected his faith and the Shariah. Behlool became insane at the Imam’s command for the love of Ahlul Bayt, and so he could enforce the rights of which they had been wronged. There was no other way for Behlool to protect his life.

ALEXANDER THE GREAT’S LAST WORDS – Very Meaningful and Very Useful reminder Only God is everlasting!

“Ice melts when heated”
“Eyes melt when hated”

Alexander, after conquering many kingdoms, was returning home. On the way, he fell ill and it took him to his death bed. With death staring in his face, Alexander realized how his conquests, his great army, his sharp sword and all his wealth were of no consequence.

He now longed to reach home to see his mother’s face and bid her his last adieu. But, he had to accept the fact that his sinking health would not permit him to reach his distant homeland. So, the mighty conqueror lay prostrate and pale, helplessly waiting to breathe his last.

He called his generals and said, “I will depart from this world soon, I have three wishes, please carry out them out without fail.”

With tears flowing down their cheeks, the generals agreed to abide by their king’s last wishes.

“My first desire is that”, said Alexander, “My physicians alone must carry my coffin.”

After a pause, he continued, “Secondly, I desire that when my coffin is being carried to the grave, the path leading to the graveyard be strewn with gold, silver and precious stones which I have collected in my treasury.”

The king felt exhausted after saying this. He took a minute’s rest and continued. “My third and last wish is that both my hands be kept dangling out of my coffin.”

The people who had gathered there wondered at the king’s strange wishes. But no one dared bring the question to their lips.. Alexander’s favourite general kissed his hand and pressed them to his heart. “O king, we assure you that your wishes will all be fulfilled. But tell us why do you make such strange wishes?”

At this Alexander took a deep breath and said: “I would like the world to know of the three lessons I have just learnt.”

Lessons to learn from the last 3 wishes of King Alexander…

I want my physicians to carry my coffin because people should realize that no doctor can really cure anybody. They are powerless and cannot save a person from the clutches of death. So let not people take life for granted.

The second wish of strewing gold, silver and other riches on the way to the graveyard is to tell people that not even a fraction of gold will come with me. I spent all my life earning riches but cannot take anything with me. Let people realize that it is a sheer waste of time to chase wealth.

And about my third wish of having my hands dangling out of the coffin, I wish people to know that I came empty handed into this world and empty handed I go out of this world.”

With these words, the king closed his eyes. Soon he breathed his last.

LESSONS TO BE LEARNT
1.Remember, your good health is in your own hands, look after it.
2. Wealth is only meaningful if you can enjoy while you are still alive and kicking. What you do for yourself dies with you but what you do for others, lives on. It is called “Legacy.”
3. Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!

ACTS THAT DO NOT NULLIFY ABLUTION:

1.Touching a woman

`A’ishah reported that Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) kissed her while he was fasting and said, “Kissing does not nullify the ablution, nor does it break the fast.” (Reported by Ishaq ibn Rahawaih and Al-Bazzar with a good chain of transmission.)

`A’ishah also said, “One night, I missed Allah’s Messenger in my bed, and so went to look for him. I put my hand on the bottom of his feet while he was praying and saying, ‘O Allah, I seek refuge in Your pleasure from Your anger, in Your forgiveness from Your punishment, in You from You. I cannot praise you as You have praised Yourself.’” (Reported by Muslim and At-Tirmidhi, who classified it as sahih), and she also reported, “The Prophet kissed some of his wives and went to Prayer, without performing ablution.” (Reported by Ahmad and “the four” and its narrators are trustworthy.) She also said, “I would sleep in front of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) with my feet in the direction of the qiblah (to him). When he prostrated, he would touch me, and I would move my feet.” In another narration it says, “When he wanted to prostrate, he would touch my legs.”

2.Bleeding

This involves bleeding due to a wound, cupping or a nosebleed, and regardless of the quantity of blood.

Al-Hassan says, “The Muslims used to pray even while wounded.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari) He also reported, “Ibn `Umar squeezed a pimple until it bled, but he did not renew his ablution. Ibn Abi `Uqiyy spat blood and continued his Prayer. `Umar ibn Al-Khattab prayed while blood was flowing from him. `Ibbad ibn Bishr was hit with an arrow while praying, but continued his Prayers.” (Reported by Abu Dawud, Ibn Khuzaimah, and Al-Bukhari.)

3.Vomit

Regardless of whether the amount of vomit is great or small, there is no authentic Hadith stating that it nullifies ablution.

4.Having doubts about releasing gas

This is the case where a person is not quite sure whether he is in a state of purity or not. Such a confusing state of mind does not nullify ablution, regardless of whether the person is in Prayer or not, until he is certain that his ablution has been nullified. `Abbad ibn Tameem related that his uncle queried the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) about a person who feels something in his abdomen while praying. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said, “He should not leave (the Prayer) until he has heard or smelled it.” (Reported by Muslim, Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi). It does not mean that its sound or bad smell nullifies ablution, but that one must be certain of the act that nullifies one’s ablution. Ibn Al-Mubarak said: “If one is uncertain about one’s condition of purity, one does not need to perform a new ablution.” Further, if one is certain that his ablution has been nullified and doubts whether he has purified himself or not, he must perform a new ablution.”

Allah Almighty knows best.

SAUDI ARABIA DOES NOT ISSUE TOURISM VISAS AND DOES NOT ALLOW CHURCH CONSTRUCTIONS

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not grant visas for tourism purposes. Non-Muslims visiting the Kingdom usually do so as business travelers or as guests of citizens of that country.

Saudi Arabia does not promote itself as a tourist destination, since you will find there none of the things which most tourists are looking for on a holiday. The holy city of Makkah is not a place for tourism, but for Muslims to bow down in worship to their Creator.

Their domestic policy does not allow the building of churches within their territory, although they can be found anywhere else in the Muslim world.

If you were to stop off in Egypt or Syria on the way, for example, you would find sizeable Christian communities that have lived side by side with their Muslim neighbors for fourteen centuries.

There are some who would see this as discriminatory. They would ask why Christians and Jews, for example, are not allowed into Makkah. They would even question the good faith of many Muslims engaging in inter-faith dialogue, suggesting that they cannot be serious about dialogue if they prevent their non-Muslim friends from visiting Makkah.

This is not the case, and I will try to explain why.The best way I can explain it is by way of analogy. I am sure that you have married friends. Perhaps you have been to dinner with them or been out with them for the evening to the theatre or the cinema. Maybe you have spent long hours with them discussing many issues.

You will agree with me, though, that there are certain moments in the life of this married couple where it would not be appropriate for you to be present. They need time on their own to be intimate, and these times are not to be shared with others.

In exactly the same way, Muslims can be with their Christian or Jewish friends on many occasions, having fun or talking at great length, but visiting the holy city of Makkah is a time for them to be intimate with Allah alone. It is not a time for their non-Muslim friends to be with them.

Visiting Makkah either as part of Hajj, that once in a lifetime pilgrimage enjoined on all Muslims once in their lifetime, if they are able to make it, or for Umrah, the lesser pilgrimage, is a uniquely religious experience. Muslims perform the rituals of Hajj and Umrah because they have been told to do so, in imitation of Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) and his wife Hagar. They circumambulate the Kabah, just as the angels encircle the throne of God in heaven.

Everyone present at the Kabah is there for the same reason. Muslims, and especially ladies, can feel relaxed when performing their religious duties there, in the knowledge that they are in the presence of Muslims there for the same reason.

In many societies, Muslims are put under great pressure because of the practice or because of the outward signs of their faith. In Makkah, they are there with fellow Muslims solely for the purpose of worshipping Allah.

Many Muslims weep openly on seeing the Kabah for the first time. It is truly an intimate moment to be alone with Allah in the midst of your Muslim brothers and sisters.

It is for this reason that tourism has no place in Makkah, nor its environs.

Greece Files First Veiled MP for EU Parliament

A hijab-clad Greek woman has become the first ever Muslim candidate to represent her country at the coming European Parliament elections, hoping to prevent anti-Muslim discrimination and ensure equality for the religious minority.

“I have been nominated from the Eco Green Party Greece – the ecological political party that is a member of the European Green party – as it perfectly reflects my opinions,” Anna Stamou, a former yoga teacher and now an activist politician, told Anadolu Agency in an exclusive interview on Wednesday, May 7.

Nominated from Greece Green party, Stamou is the first veiled nominee in the European Parliament (EP) elections on May 25.

If elected, she would be the first EU parliament member to do the Islamic headscarf.

Being a graduate of business management and once a yoga trainer, he life as a politician started after reverting to Islam at the age of 30.

Stamou says she was born an Orthodox Christian but “found the answers to her questions” in Islam after delving for years into all religions.

Leading a Muslim life since she embraced Islam, she is responsible for the public relations at the Muslim Association of Greece and is wife of the head of the Muslim Association also.

She now opts for politics after her “activist” years along with being a teacher.

Greek candidates will stand for 21 seats in the European Parliament during the European Election on 25 May, coinciding with the local elections in the country.

The number of seats allocated to Greece declined from 22 to 21, as a result of the 2013 reapportionment of seats in the European Parliament.

In the 2009 elections, the Ecologist Greens of Greece won only one seat at the EP after receiving 3.49 percent of the votes.

Equal Life for Muslims

Taking the career of politics, the veiled Muslims hopes to serve her country and guarantee equal life for the Muslim community.

“What drew me to politics is my objective of guaranteeing a life for Muslims in Greece with equal rights to those of other Greek citizens through all means,” she says.

Donning a hijab, she said her nomination for an EP seat was part in the fight against any discrimination of people by their appearance.

Stamou added that every citizen should do something for their country.

“I will exert all my efforts for ensuring that Muslims do not consider themselves as a minority in Greece,” she said.

“If I get elected for the EP, I will fight for equal right for Muslims and the prevention of discrimination against Muslims.”

Moreover, she asserted her plan to work towards recognizing Greek Muslims as citizens and fulfill the country’s responsibilities towards them.

A mosque in Athens, the only European capital without a mosque, was also a top priority.

“My message to the Greek Muslims is to actively participate in the EP voting process and enjoy their rights to elect and be elected without the fear of their voice falling on deaf ears,” she added.
Muslims account for nearly 1.3 percent of Greece’s 10.7 million population.

APPRECIATIONS FROM THE 25TH UMTA CONVENTION COMMITTEE

The organizing committee of the 25TH UMTA Convention would like to sincerely thank all participants who turned up in big numbers to shape the way Muslim education is run in Uganda. We are particularly grateful to our chief guest represented by the Hon. Sulaiman Madada – Minister of state for gender; all the facilitators led by Prof. Abasi Kiyimba, Dr. Rashid Kalema (who came all the way from South Africa), Haj Kiwanuka, Consultant Laban, Dr. Ayoub Menya, Consultant Abdul Makubuya, Dr. Nakabugo (country Director UWEZO) and the District Kadhi of Yumbe among others.

The colourful opening ceremony was graced by our elders including UMEA SG, Haj Mustafa Mutyaba, Haj. Bisegerwa Ahmed, Haj. Kibeedi from the MOES, our senior Chairman Haj. Matovu Ibrahim and our own partner Haj. Muguluma Hamed.

We thank the almighty Allah for his abundant mercies which enabled us to fullfill the objectives set. We were able to promote the shared vision of our community, plan for our teachers, schools and children, reflect on the next 25 years of UMTA and launched the UMTA silver magazine.

We wish to thank all of you who made it possible for us in one way or another and we pray to the Almighty God to give us the courage to do the things we can, the humility to accept those we can’t and the wisdom to know the difference!

UMTA: Many minds, one heartbeat!

MATOVU J. ISA
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
0782662118/0703430119
Email: info@umtaug.org

UMTA TO CONSTRUCT A MUSLIM TEACHERS RESOURCE CENTRE

The Assistant Commissioner of private schools in the Ministry of Education Mr. Mulindwa Ismael said that with unity, determination and commitment, the project will be realized.He encouraged the UMTA leadership to get in touch with the Ministry of education for any form of support towards the Muslim Teachers Resource center.Haji Mugerwa Burhane, the Chairman of UMTA National Executive Committee said that despite challenges, UMTA continues to register significant achievements regarding the resource center project and other activities of the organization.

In his remarks, the UMTA Executive Secretary Mr. Matovu J. Isa gave a brief description of the proposed resource center saying that it will comprise of a modern library, UMTA Headquarters, a conference facility, a computer training center, a prayer area and other facilities.

Once complete, Mr. Matovu said the facility will enable UMTA to increase its relevance in delivering quality education and improving the welfare and capacity of Muslim teachers in Uganda.

Over 100 Muslim educationists attended the launch including the first chairman of UMTA, Mr. Swaibu Mbaziira.

INTERNATIONAL UNION OF MUSLIM SCHOLARS CONDEMNS THE BOKO HARAM KIDNAPPING OF THE GIRLS

In response to the kidnapping of more than 200 school girls, which was claimed by the Nigerian Boko Haram group that threatened to sell or marry girls by force, the International Union for Muslim Scholars released the following statement:
——————————–

Rajab 9, 1435

May 8, 2014

The IUMS condemns the Boko Hama group’s kidnapping and offering of more than 200 girls in Nigeria for sale or forced marriage. It considers these acts as prohibited crimes and mischief in the land that Islam does not accept and calls for releasing them immediately.

In the name of Allah, peace and blessings be upon Allah’s Messenger, his household, his Companions and those loyal to him.

The International Union for Muslim Scholars (IUMS) received with deep grief the news that girls were abducted from their school in Nigeria, on April 14, by the Boko Haram group and not released until now. It is really saddening that some Muslims should fall in these acts that are totally opposed to Islam, a religion that carries mercy for all creatures and that prohibits such criminal acts.

The IUMS emphasizes that Islam has nothing to do with these acts; they are completely at odds with its teachings and rulings. Such crimes will only damage the image of Islam and fuel hatred against Muslims.

As the IUMS condemns these flagrant crimes, it affirms the following points:

Islam is a religion that seeks to bring about mercy for all humans. It paid great attention to women rights long before all the contemporary norms and regulations. So, it deems the kidnapping of schoolgirls as a prohibited act, one of the major evils and a wicked sin. It is a form of spreading mischief in earth which is liable to the severest punishment. Allah says:

{The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land: that is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter.} (Al-Ma’idah 5:33)

Thus, the IUMS condemns the abduction of the girls by the Boko Haram group or any other group and denounces it as an inexcusable crime against the whole humanity warranting the strictest kind of accountability for its perpetrators. The IUMS warns against selling the girls, abusing their freedom or marrying them by force. Moreover, it is not permissible for anyone to participate in these abysmal violations whether through buying the girls, marrying them against their will, or doing anything detrimental to their freedom, dignity or chastity.

The IUMS demands the Boko Harm group to come back to their senses and to refer to the correct teachings of Shari`ah that are grounded in the Qur’an and the Sunnnah. They are called to release the girls promptly and to keep civilians, especially girls and women, away from political disagreements or any kind of conflicts as stipulated by the definite Shari`ah texts found in the Qur’an and the Sunnah.

The IUMS emphasizes that Islam is completely against these practices that go against the Shari`ah, laws, agreements, costumes, morals, and ethics.

The IUMS calls upon the Nigerian authorities to work diligently and to intensify search efforts to return the girls safely to their families. The IUMS demands the authorities to stick to wisdom and justice in order to regain security to the whole Nigerian land.

The IUMS calls fellow Christians to avoid stirring up sedition in Nigeria and provoking Muslims’ feelings. They are called upon to promote the human brotherhood and equal rights for all Nigerian irrespective of their faiths.

The IUMS urges all conflicting parties in Nigeria to study the causes of disagreement deeply enough to find solutions that curb the conflict and promote the growth and development of the Nigerian nation, not regression and destruction.

{Indeed, those who like that immorality should be spread [or publicized] among those who have believed will have a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter. And Allah knows and you do not know.} (An-Nur 24:19)

General Secretary

Professor `Ali Al-Qarra Daghi

Chairman

Professor Yusuf Al-Qaradawi

Muslim unity cannot be achieved with Sheikh Mubajje because he never keeps his promises

Dear Brothers and Sisters,Assalam Alaykum.

First I should send my condolences to the family of the late Sheikh Huzair Kiruuta, and the Muslim community in general upon the death of the long serving District Kadhi (Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi Raaji’oun). I didn’t have the chance to attend the burial, so I have basically relied on the posts made on this platform and Bukedde TV news to get a feel of how it all went.

The death of Sheikh Kiruuta has once again given us a talking platform on the decades’ long question of Muslim Unity. Judging from the responses I see here, it is not difficult to see how Muslims are yearning to settle this important question. Everyone seems to say, yes, here is an opportunity, let us use it. This is all based on the statement made by Mufti Sheikh Shabban Mubajje at the burrial function.

But since we are now debating and giving our opinions, let me frankly tell you that I am not excited about this issue, like many brothers and sisters are. The reason is simple; I do not believe that Sheikh Mubajje was serious, because this is not the first time he has made such pronouncements.

As a keen observer, I have noted that Sheikh Mubajje is a bright person (which is a good thing of course). He is the type of person who will say the right thing, to the right audience, but mostly for public relations only (And this is the unfortunate bit of it). Given the audience I saw on TV, Shk. Mubajje could not have blundered at all. He said something that would make everyone comfortable but that does not mean he actually wants to sit with his opponents and find a solution to the Unity problem. Briefly let me show you what he has said or done in the past, which amounted to nothing at the end.

1. 14 years ago when he had just taken the oath of the office of Mufti, he made several promises to the Muslim community. One of those promises which was and still is extremely fundamental was the revision of the UMSC constitution. He acknowledged that it was one of those things that have to be put right. We gave him deafening applause for his courage, but more than a decade later nothing was done. Today, his position is that there is nothing wrong with the UMSC constitution and he uses it in the same way as those who were there before him – to keep himself in power. These days, in almost all his speeches, he reminds the Muslim community that the constitution is the only guide we have to follow. [I am not against following the constitution, the point I am making is the promise to amend it, which has been completely side lined]

2. Before the controversial UMSC elections of 2012, Mufti Mubajje had initiated talks with the Kibuli through Dr. Ahmad Kisuule. They met at a government function, Sheikh Mubajje asked Dr. Kisuule to approach the Kibuli faction with the idea of setting up a talking team to resolve the conflict. The two groups appointed their members and talks began (They talked for a couple of months and agreed on many issues). Just as they were about to complete the exercise, the Mubajje team abandoned the talks without justification and went ahead to conduct elections unilaterally. As we all remember, the breakdown of those talks and the eventual unilateral elections, almost cost lives. The gulf between the groups widened, because of breach of trust.

3. During the days of the 2012 UMSC elections, Mufti Mubajje made it public that he wanted to retire. He insisted however that before he does so, elections must take place according to the UMSC constitution so that he hands over to someone who is legally elected. In fact to a certain extent, this was presented as a key justification for holding the 2012 elections. We used to hear propaganda to the effect that he had been offered a UN job and was therefore preparing to leave. Now it is over 2 years and talk of retirement went cold.

For me, these things are important. If a leader keeps talking things which he is not ready to do, I do not see any reason why I should get excited at his pronouncements. That is why I am interpreting Sheikh Mubajje’s statement at the burrial of Sheikh Kiruta as a Public relations statement only. It will amount to nothing.

Dear brothers and sisters, in this post, I did not mean to attack Mufti Mubajje at all. But the truth is that he is a leader. Our community has suffered the problem of disunity for so many decades. For at least 1.5 decades he is the one who has been at the helm of community leadership. We must stand up and tell him that he is wrong, when he is. We must stop clapping where it is not necessary. That is why people are taking us for a ride. That is why I have decided in my post today to speak openly and frankly about his promises / and actions that have left a bad track record, in the hope that we can have a constructive debate. We get nothing from pinning our hope on empty promises.

Imam Kasozi, you have stated the reasons why you refused to go to the Kabwegyere committee, and I agree with you. Your reasons are clear – you know that Museveni has no interest in Muslim unity (on the basis of his past actions). Similarly, I can tell you with confidence that Sheikh Mubajje will not follow through with what he promised. Give it a try, you will share with us your experiences.

Muslim

ISLAM EMPOWERS WOMEN THAN ANY OTHER RELIGION

The confusion in treating women has nothing to do with the rules of Islam, which I have discovered had granted women all the modern human rights and more, on equal footing with men. Sadly, most Muslim cultures have greatly confused local traditions with Islamic teachings in the Quran and Sunnah.

One of the longest chapters of the Quran is called “The Women” but there is no parallel chapter called “The Men”. It discusses women’s rights and duties and instructs men on how to deal with women in a respectful way in all life’s situations, including marriage, parenting, divorce and inheritance. The verses show that women are equal in worth, responsibility, accountability and reward.

The last sermon of Prophet Muhammad repeatedly stressed how the good treatment of women is the measure of a man’s worth in the eyes of God. Women have the right to choose, decide and speak up; they have the right to education, equal respect and equal opportunities; and they have the right to demand the punishment of those who oppress them in the name of religion. Women under Islam are not required to answer to men; they answer directly to God just like men.

There is nothing in Islam to deny education to girls, or to limit their role to staying at home, or to narrow down their choices to only a few job options. There is nothing in the Quran to mandate that a male “guardian” must sign on behalf of an adult woman to allow her to buy, sell, travel or vote.

A simple example to show the special status of women in Islam is what happened right after the death of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The community trusted Hafsah, a woman, to safeguard Islam’s most precious possession: the only available complete written copy of the Quran.

A Woman under Islam is respected as a full, independent entity. She has the right for public participation, inheritance and managing her wealth. She can also keep her name when she marries. The wives of the Prophet are extraordinary leadership examples for modern women to follow.
From a Muslim woman’s point of view, men are not the standard that women should strive to imitate, because Islam teaches that both men and women are created equal in the eyes of God, and that both should strive -side by side- to achieve the same ideals. Each one of them is unique and special in their own way and neither is seen as better or worse than the other. Women do not define their worth in reference to men but in reference to God himself.

Contrary to popular misconception, Islamic culture is maternal and not paternal. Mothers enjoy the highest esteem next only to God. Prophet Muhammad said that Paradise lies at the feet of mothers, and that a mother is 3 times more worthy of a man’s kindness than a father. He also said that a daughter could get her father into paradise if he treated her well, and that the true measure of a man’s faith is how well he treats his wife and the other women in his household, including servants and hired help.

Financially, a Muslim woman is always the responsibility of a man in terms of providing security. So she has the right to work but she is not obligated to work to support herself. If she prefers to be a stay-at-home mom or to volunteer for charity work she is free to do so. In her wedding contract, she has the right to add any terms she likes, and the contract is binding to the husband as soon as he signs it in front of two witnesses.

So if she specifies that she wants to work, he can’t stop her and if she says she doesn’t want to work, he can’t force her. If he does, it nullifies the contract and she has the right to divorce. Under all circumstances, he is obliged to provide for her even after divorcing her. If she works, she gets to keep her money; she is not required to share in house expenses unless she chooses to do so, and if she does, it is entirely up to her to decide how much to offer.

Sadly, there are many Muslim men who deny women their God-given rights in the name of religion, but they are actually just arrogant and ignorant. Muslim men who oppress women in the name of religion have received a bad education or no education at all, especially when it comes to true Islamic values.

We must also admit that the Islam of the Quran is different from Islam according to Pakistan or Egypt or Saudi Arabia or Turkey or Malaysia. If we want to know what Islam is all about, we should learn from the source, not from the tailored interpretations that might have been adapted to suit some undereducated men with an inferiority complex.

KINDNESS IN MARRIAGE!

Marriage in Islam symbolizes completion of physical and psychological maturity, and of faith, through fulfillment of the mission of humans on earth to maintain and develop life and the environment. A statement in the Quran intrigued me; it said that marriage is based on “gentleness and kindness” which lead to “tranquility” 30:21.

What I found was quite interesting: Prophet Muhammad talked about love many times in his sayings and was a great example himself of expressing tender love especially to his wife Aisha. He would softly comfort her when she was upset, he raced her and laughed with her, he told her jokes and teased her, and he let her comb his hair and perfume him. He taught that young lovers should get married, and instructed parents to make marriage easy for anyone who was mature enough and who was pious and well mannered.

Modern psychology holds that after the first two-year mark, what keeps a monogamous marriage going is what is called “bonding behavior” which has nothing to do with the burning desire of the first days of marriage. The honeymoon neurochemistry will wear off within two years, and then the couple must learn to move from infatuation to long-term contentment to be able to stay together.

This can be achieved by strengthening the emotional bond through gentle, comforting touching that does not lead to intercourse. That explained the Quranic message to me. Scientifically, a lasting marriage is all about gentleness and kindness that lead to tranquility. The same behavior exhibited by the prophet. Within that context, how can anyone suggest that a woman is just a vessel of pleasure for a man, even if she’s unwilling?

UMBS ACCOUNT UPDATE AND KIRUNDA FARUK’S RADIO STATION

Assalamu alaikum brothers and sisters. I just want to thank one of the lady sisters of UMBS who has been the first member (out of the over 40,000 members of UMBS) to deposit money on the UMBS ACCOUNT at Bank of Africa. We received the shs.150,000 you deposited and we thank you so much. We hope others emulate you and do the same inishallah.

UMBS is a registered organization devoted to matters of interest to Muslims in Uganda.Muslims from other countries are welcome to join us too. To donate to UMBS activities, deposit money on UMBS Bank A/C at Bank of Africa:07074320002 .

Secondly, we would like to let members know that one of our own, Brother Kirunda Faruq has opened up a radio station in Jinja if anybody wishes to support his business inishallah. It’s called Source FM. It will mostly broadcast community development programmes. Kirunda is a Presidential Assistant on Media Management, a member of both UMBS and UAH allaihamudulilah.

YES, Let us learn to support our own and Muslim owned businesses regardless of our personal, tribal or political differences. Hopefully, Mr.Kirunda will in turn host as many aspiring Muslim politicians as possible on his radio station inishallah. I speak on behalf of everybody when i say:’We are happy for him’!

Thank you

Abbey.K.S

Chelsea Muslim Footballer Builds Mosque

Senegal national team and Chelsea Muslim striker Demba Ba has offered money necessary to fund the construction of a mosque in his parents’ hometown in Senegal.

“Being a Muslim is more important than me being a footballer,” he was quoted as saying in an interview with the Independent by sen24heures website reported on Friday, May 9.

“A good Muslim is a good person, so I try to be a good person,” he added.

Ba is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League side Chelsea and the Senegal national team.

Being a devout Muslim, the Chelsea star usually celebrates his goal to performing prostration.

Malawi to Get First TV Islam Soon as Uganda Muslims look on

Malawian Muslims will have their first Islamic television channel soon as preparations continue for the construction of its studios and planning of its programs.

“We have identified the place where the TV station will be situated; it will be housed in the Globe House at Yiannakis in Limbe, Blantyre,” sheikh Mustahab Ayami, a senior advisor to TV Islam project, told Malawi Muslims official website.

“We have also already designed the studio and right now we are visiting other existing television stations to appreciate what they are doing so that when we roll out we should give our viewers nothing but the best.”

TV Islam got its license in 2013 when Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) issued licenses to several radio stations and TV stations.

Some stations have already rolled out while some are waiting for the official migration from analogue to digital broadcasting. TV Islam is also waiting for the digital switch to give quality picture to its viewers.

Ayami said that the TV is at an advanced stage and will soon hit the airwaves for viewing, urging Muslims to send their suggestions on how the station should be operating.

“I would like to take this opportunity to ask Malawians to start sending their views on the how they want their TV to be operating,” Ayami said.

“People can send their views through the following address: tvislam@gmail.com,” he added.

Islam is the second largest religion in Malawi after Christianity. It accounts for 36% of the country’s now 16million population.

ARE WE ABOUT TO SEE ONE MUFTI FOR THE MUSLIMS IN UGANDA?

Assalam alaikum dear Bretheren!For the whole of the previous week, the forum has discussed the issue of Imaam Kasozi’s intiative to see Mufti Mubajje’s call answered.

I was so touched with the level of commitment by some of you, ( With all due respect, the comment by Ass. Prof Kasule (Phd) who is also willing to join this cause…. and i know more are willing… (I have learnt that we have commendable experts in peace and conflict resolution. Hope you join this task).. Respectable Elders like Rector Ssengendo (Phd) among others will be vital icons.

It puzzles a young Muslim learning Quran somewhere to be told that there exists two elders (with undoubted Islamic knowledge and Quran) who do not feel comfortable to see each other.

It further puzzles a students in a given secondary school why the community having Muslim Professors, Assoc. Professors, Phds, Masters, Bachelors etc, but cannot come in to resolve a tense revolt between two Muftis in their religion.

Am now happy that our elders have realised this and am confident it is going to go through…. Please support the Imaam Kasozis, the Dr. Kasules among others.

Do not loose hope by saying that we have never been united, Do not go back to the past, because in any way who of you has never committed a sin? then no one is perfect, but forgiveness and repentance does it all ( Repentance does not need to be public)… I will not be surprised to see a section of elders rebelling or undermining this process but what makes me confident is that at least the men behind the process are men of ultimate reasoning and tested capacity.

You who are professionals, Allah will ask you on what you did on this cause, what will you tell him, what will say if you had a Phd in Conflict resolution, Phd in Sharia and you kept quiet on the situation? We think the educated can never be equal to the uneducated. Hope we are going to see two muftis agree one day. Forgiveness is a priority in this cause – this is to Imaam Kasozi.

Lastly let me quote one of Dr. Ssengendo’s remarks:”…always be a solution to the problem but not a problem to the solution of the problem”.

Massalam

AbdulHakim Buyondo
HOD
Department of Secretarial Studies
Kampala University
+256 703486937.

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AsSalam Aleikum.
When Idi Amin created UMSC ,he devolved it to regions.Overall was the chief kadhi was the regions were headed by provincial kadhis.Infact my late father sheikh Zakaria kezaala was the provincial kadhi of Busoga,sheikh kaduyu was the Ankole provincial kadhi,sheikh Uzairu Kiruuta and sheikh Ibrahim Nkangi were provincial kadhis in Buganda while Bukedi and Northern uganda also had Provincial kadhis whose names I cannot recal.And at the county we had county/twale kadhis.

The idea of treating the district as the UMSC unit of Administration started in the last half of the 1980’s with Iganga being the first District to break off the Greater Busoga in 1987 under chief kadhi Sheikh kassim mulumba where he appointed my late maternal grandfather sheikh Rajab Mpindi as district kadhi.There after the rest of the Districts in the country started demanding.At that time,Iganga district included the present districts of Mayuge,Bugiri,luuka and Namayingo some of which now have their own District kadhis while the rest of busoga remained under sheikh Zakaria kezaala as Jinja-Kamuli distric.

I remember in 1994 when Kamuli further demanded to secede from jinja,mufti sheikh saad Luwemba resisted arguing that Kamuli did not have any income that could sustain it as a Muslim district given that all the buildings that were donated to us by our Muslim Indian brothers as they were living in 1972 were all in jinja.

We can have a debate on these properties that they were willingly and lawfully donated to us by our Indian Muslim bothers next time as I have documentary evidence to that effect although they were later removed from us by government.Back to the point,I don’t seem to agree with brother Ali Mubirus idea of having a regional kadhi with several assistant kadhis under him in charge of sub regions for fear of lack of economic viabity to sustain these sub regions.Am of the view that we revert to the old Idi Amins provinces and may be break them down in to economically viable regions with the original title of provincial kadhis.This should be our unit of operation.

Mohammed Baswari Kezaala.
JINJA MYOR AND MEMBER OF UMBS.

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Asalaam Alaikum, brothers and sisters.

These are interesting discussions about Muslim unity. What stands out as very important and worth remembering all the time is Amin (RIP) built or facilitated Muslim unity in Uganda. This was no mean achievement because this unity has eluded us since the day our brother Amin was overthrown. Well those who could appreciate things during Amin’s regime could tell us whether this unity served the ummah well or not. Questions have to be asked. Were there Muslim quarters or groups that were unfairly subdued or affected by this unity? If the answer is yes, then the idea of breaking up into several muftis or district kadhis merits open and further discussion. If there were no Muslim groups that were offended, affected or unfairly treated by the unity handed down to us by the amazing Amin (RIP) then it would be worthwhile sparing no effort in strengthening this unity.

Mistrust, accusations and counter-accusations are expected but these will not help the Ugandan Muslim Ummah. We should strive for unity in diversity. Our only difference should be which mosques we go to at the time of prayers. Otherwise we should all be united in purpose. The petty differences that have been and are still being peddled by some of us only serve to keep us backwards. We should overcome the emotions and prejudices that are not helpful. We strive for a give and take situation where we are all winners if not here on earth but at least in the life after death. Sacrifices will have to be made by those who make a living out of the status quo (Muslim disunity). The impatient and intolerant among us will have to learn to patient and tolerant. Egos and prejudices will have to be dropped for those really stand in the way of unity.

I once again I wish to salute brother Immam Kasozi for having come out to help lead this process/initiative of uniting us. Judging by the responses already received by this forum, everyone is yearning for this unity. The biggest challenge I foresee is for all of us on this forum and outside this forum understand this unity the same way. To get us on the same footing several discussions, workshops, engagements and meetings might be needed in future. People will need to understand what unity they want.

Finally if the process is well managed, I don’t see us running away from a national conference similar to the one Amin (RIP) facilitated in Kabale. It goes without saying that funds will be needed if not for the whole process at least for the national conference.

May the ALMIGHTY ALLAH guide Immam Kasozi and all of us towards achieving the Muslim unity we are all yearning for.

Dr.Ibrah Ssendagire.

Be Humble: It’s a Sunnah:The essence of being Muslim is being humble

The word “Muslim” itself means to submit oneself in ultimate humbleness to Allah.

But it is a great irony of the human soul that when we become more humble and submissive to Allah, we fall into a grave trap. We tend to grow in arrogance because we feel our level of submission is better than that of others.

It was this same trap that Satan fell into. Once upon a time, Iblis (Satan) was so pious that he was allowed to worship with the angels. In one twist of events, Iblis was cast out and became the accursed.

He refused to bow to Allah’s creation of man because he thought himself to be better than man.

{(Remember) when your Lord said to the angels: ‘Truly I am going to create man from clay. So when I have fashioned him and breathed into him (his) soul created by Me, then you fall down prostrate to him…

(Allah) said: ‘O Iblis! What prevents you from prostrating yourself to one whom I have created with both my hands? Are you too proud (to fall prostrate to Adam) or are you one of the high exalted?’

(Iblis) said “I am better than he. You created me from fire, and You created him from clay.} (Quran 38: 71-76)

It is true that we, mankind and Iblis and his kind, were created differently. And it was this difference that caused Iblis to be proud, to hate mankind and become cursed by Allah. We can see this same arrogance and haughtiness played out every day in the hearts of mankind.

Whether we perceive ourselves to be more pious, more intelligent, better at making money, or just from a better race of people, we too often get caught in the trap of thinking we are better. And we end up hating those who are different from us out of arrogance.

Allah says:

{And turn not your face away from men with pride, nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily, God likes not each arrogant boaster.} (Quran 31:18)

Allah has created all of us differently with an array of strengths and weaknesses.

So, how can we avoid becoming arrogant toward others as Satan is toward us?

How can we truly be humble?

The best example is that of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). After all he was truly the best of creation and the most humble.

Getting HIV at 16, the First Time I Had Sex

I was born in September 1986, along with my twin sister, in the back of a cop car in New York City. I was raised in a heterosexual, Latino, Catholic household, and consequently, sex was never a topic of discussion. My mother’s sex education consisted of this warning: “Never bring a girl home pregnant.” That was cool with me — I knew I wasn’t going to be having sex with any girls.

I contracted HIV the first time I had sex, a few days before my 16th birthday, on the second day of my sophomore year of high school. When it came to losing my virginity, condoms were never a thought. Yes, I knew about STIs, unwanted pregnancy, condoms — even HIV and AIDS. But I honestly thought these things happened only when you were having sex with a woman, not with a man. When it came to sex with another man, I was clueless.

In most schools, the sex ed curriculum is heterosexual-based, and doesn’t include queer kids. In 2012, the New York City Department of Education finally updated its HIV and AIDS curriculum from the 2005 version. The 2012 update focuses on medical, technical, and legal changes in HIV prevention, testing, and treatment. From kindergarten through the sixth grade, students are required to receive five lessons each year. In the seventh through 12th grades, students receive six lessons each year. Even though there have been updates to the curriculum, it still doesn’t address the LGBTQ community, and that’s a problem.

More than 110,000 New Yorkers are infected with HIV. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that more than a quarter of all new HIV infections occur before age 25. This is why I have devoted my life to educating adolescents and young adults on the realities of contracting HIV at a young age. I talk to youth of all ages, from middle school to college and beyond.

Unfortunately, this population still looks at HIV/AIDS as a gay man’s disease. I love breaking down ignorance and stigma by sharing my story; by the end of our interactions, most youth understand that it is a human disease, and that if they engage in unprotected sex or high-risk behaviors, they are susceptible to contracting HIV.

There was a point in my life when was I embarrassed about having HIV. That’s no longer the case for me. I am living honorably with AIDS. My silence was killing me, but the minute I opened up about being HIV positive, I started to live. I learned self-love, acceptance, and self-respect. Now that I am so open about my status, I have the respect of my family, friends, and my community.

I have learned that true wealth is health. I believe there are two great moments in your life: the day you were born and the day you discover why.

Jahlove Serrano is a health educator, youth advocate, HIV/ AIDS activist, and androgynous model-background dancer-choreographer. He has worked with the New York State AIDS Institute; the National Gay Men’s Advocacy Coalition; the Global Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS; the AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth and Families; and the White House. He appeared in the New York State Department of Health campaign “HIV Stops with Me” and is a speaker with the nonprofit organization Love Heals.

Support a Ugandan-Muslim owned restaurant in London

Assalamu alaikum brothers and sisters,

Hope you are all in high Islamic spirits. There’s a restaurant which was opened up recently in Sevensisters and it is owned by Uganda Muslims. It is located near Salabed. It would be good if we support their business to grow as they would hope so inishallah, by spending some money there every now and then inishallah.

Please if you live in London, there’s is no reason why you should spend a weekend with your family in MacDonalds or Nandos when there’s is a Uganda restaurant where you could consume some organic Uganda food. The place is clean, and if you’ve never been served by a lady in Hijab, this is your chance. Trust me, you will have a good experience to tell when you go there inishallah!

For more details, please visit their website at : http://www.jamborestaurantlondon.co.uk/default.html

Like I keep reminding members: ‘let us learn to support our own”. If you don’t understand what that means, please ask a Jewish or Asian friend if you’ve got any.

Thanking you in advance

Abbey.K. Semuwemba