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PM Truss considering relocation of British embassy to Jerusalem British Prime Minister Liz Truss has told her Israeli counterpart Yair Lapid that she is considering moving the British embassy from Tel Aviv to occupied Jerusalem, a move that would break Britain’s long-standing policy on Israel-Palestine. During the meeting on Wednesday in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, Truss informed Lapid “about her review of the current location of the British Embassy in Israel,” according to a statement put out by the prime minister's office. During the Tory leadership contest, Truss, then foreign secretary, made similar comments in a letter to an influential lobby group, the Conservative Friends of Israel, saying she was inclined to relocate the embassy to the contested city of Jerusalem. "I understand the importance and sensitivity of the location of the British Embassy in Israel," Truss said at the time. In her letter, the foreign minister also promised to “cement” Britain’s ties with Israel by expediting a Free Trade Agreement being drafted by the government. Boosting bilateral cooperation In their meeting on Wednesday, Truss and Lapid discussed boosting bilateral cooperation, including in the fields of defence, cyber security, trade, and green technology. They also agreed to set up teams to negotiate the free-trade agreement as quickly as possible. Britain has long maintained its embassy in Israel in Tel Aviv, even after Israel declared Jerusalem as its capital, as part of a longstanding policy that the city's final status should be decided following negotiations. In 1967 Israel occupied and annexed the eastern part of the city of Jerusalem, which the Palestinians claim as the capital of a future state, in a move that has never been recognised by the international community. If the British Embassy is moved, Truss would be following in the footsteps of former US President Donald Trump who, in defiance of international law, moved the American embassy to Jerusalem in 2017, a move that formally recognised Israel's sovereignty over the city. Truss had also previously vowed a further crackdown on the international boycott movement, backing a bill to prevent public bodies, including local councils, from joining the BDS campaign to divest funds from Israel for its illegal activities in the occupied territories. Source

Yvonne Ridley The British media want us to believe that the awful scenes of violence on the suburban streets of Leicester were triggered by a cricket match between India and Pakistan in Dubai last month. That narrative pushed by lazy journalists is much easier than confronting the real issues at play in this East Midlands city, because that requires some digging around in the bloody history of colonial brutality and imperialism that many would rather we forget. The reality is that Muslim and Hindu youths in masks and balaclavas are a by-product of settler colonialism in both Kashmir and Palestine, which has spawned followers of two extremist ruling ideologies: Zionism and Hindutva. Britain's colonial past has come back to haunt it, and unless the government in Westminster gets to grips with historic injustices created during the days of the British Empire, the scene is set for more unrest in Middle England. Both Palestine and Kashmir represent key colonial struggles created and then abandoned by Britain more than 70 years ago. If the retreating United Kingdom thought that the people it left behind would sort out their own differences after the Union Flag was lowered for the last time, it was wrong. Britain left behind fertile ground in which the violent ideologies of Zionism and Hindutva have flourished. Zionism was launched in the 19th century to encourage the Jewish diaspora to respond to historic discrimination and anti-Semitic pogroms by creating a "Jewish state" in Palestine. Britain backed this move with the 1917 Balfour Declaration, the terms of which were incorporated in the League of Nations mandate granted to the UK to prepare Palestine for independence. While Britain provided a potential solution to the quest of Zionist Jews, its meddling created a major problem for the indigenous Palestinians in mandate Palestine. Between 1919 and 1936, the ruling British took land from thousands of Palestinians and distributed it among European Zionist settlers. Extreme force was used by the British against the local people; while their homes were demolished, around 5,000 Palestinians were jailed and 148 others were executed by the mandate authorities. Having lit the touch paper to an endless struggle, Britain then quit its mandate early in May 1948, by which time the nascent United Nations had proposed the 1947 Palestine Partition plan. Jerusalem was designated as a "separate body" of land with special status as international territory. When the British pulled out, the Zionists declared "independence" for the State of Israel, and seized West Jerusalem. The consequent ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians is known by the survivors and their descendants as the "Nakba" (Catastrophe). Meanwhile, in India, Britain oversaw the partition of the country into Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority East and West Pakistan in 1947. The people in the princely state of Kashmir were promised a referendum to decide whether it would be part of India or Pakistan. That referendum never materialised, and the running sore of Indian occupation continues to this day. India and Pakistan have fought three wars over Kashmir, which has a majority Muslim population. Pakistan views Kashmir as a natural extension of itself. Localised warfare continued throughout 1948 until the UN intervened and a ceasefire was called in January 1949. In July of that year, the ceasefire line was introduced as the Line of Control which split Kashmir between India and Pakistan. Pakistan was left with a territory that, although mostly Muslim, was sparsely populated and remote, as well as being severely underdeveloped economically. The largest Muslim group — which is estimated to include more than half of the population — falls within Indian-administered territory, with its exit routes via the Jhelum valley blocked and inaccessible. India continues to enforce a brutal occupation on its side of Kashmir using an extensive military presence and draconian laws. Their unjust and brutal occupations have drawn Tel Aviv and New Delhi to support each other and a right-wing bond has emerged between the two colonial-settler governments. Each enforces a brutal military occupation on the Palestinians and Kashmiris respectively, giving rise to numerous human rights abuses. The UN has been ineffectual and has watched as both powers continue to grab and occupy land; drive out the indigenous people; and erase their respective cultures. Some have called this slow genocide. As a result, both states with ultra-nationalistic ideologies have developed an increasingly cosy relationship with each other, especially since Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in India. The arms trade flourishes between them, and they share intelligence data to "combat terrorism". Moreover, Indian police officers not only receive training at Israel's national police academy, but also use the same surveillance technology for civilian crowd control and spying with drones made in Britain by the Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit. Kashmir is now the most densely militarised zone in the world, with close to half a million Indian soldiers stationed there. The Gaza Strip in occupied Palestine has been called the most densely populated open-air prison in the world; it is monitored, bombed and shelled by Israel whenever it pleases the occupation state to do so. Israel builds illegal settlements on stolen Palestinian land and encourages Jewish settlers to live in "Judea and Samaria". Modi's India, meanwhile, revoked Kashmir's special status in August 2019 and introduced new rules allowing Indian citizens to buy up land and live in the territory. These moves are clearly intended to impose demographic change, just as it has been in the occupied Palestinian territories. To date, 400,000 Indians have been granted domicile status to live in Kashmir. The similarities are clear for all to see. The occupation of Palestine involves the imposition of a Jewish majority over Muslim and Christian Palestinians. In Indian-occupied Kashmir, those most affected by the demographic shift are Muslims. Islamophobia has been a uniting factor between far-right Hindus and far-right Zionists. The hashtag #IndiaStandsWithIsrael has trended on Twitter in recent years every time Israel has launched a military offensive against the Palestinians in Gaza. Such offensives usually draw international condemnation, but not from India's Modi and his BJP and Hindutva supporters. Social media reveals how these colonial states operate within a framework of anti-Muslim hate. Legitimate Palestinian resistance is described as "terrorism", while Indian Security Forces and the BJP government use the same language to demonise Kashmiris as "Pakistani Jihadis" or "Islamic terrorists". Both India and Israel justify their crackdowns and killings by invoking "anti-terrorism" and dehumanising their victims. International Palestine and Kashmir solidarity movements can be found on university and college campuses, with calls for justice and self-determination at the heart of their demands. However, there are also growing numbers of people supporting New Delhi and Tel Aviv, especially within the ranks of far-right white supremacists and Indian nationalists. Settler colonialism is making a determined comeback. The writing has been on the wall for India's Muslims ever since Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was returned to power with a sweeping victory in the General Election. Using his renewed mandate to pursue his right-wing agenda of economic development paired with Hindu nationalism and a hard line on national security, he appears to be deliberately targeting India's Muslim citizens. His right-wing populism weaponises Hindu nationalism (Hindutva), and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) volunteer paramilitary organisation has a presence across Indian society. Together, Hindutva and the RSS spawn anti-Muslim bigotry in a country once celebrated for its secularism and diversity of religions, ethnicities, languages and castes. Such bigotry is now manifesting itself on the streets of Britain, in Leicester, where Muslims and Hindus have lived side by side peacefully for years. On Saturday, a number of masked Hindu men, escorted and protected by police officers, marched recklessly along Green Lane Road in the East Midlands city during busy shopping hours. Their chants were threatening and intimidating, but why did the police allow this march to go ahead? Anyone showing the slightest dissent during Queen Elizabeth II's various funeral parades was arrested. And yet a number of clashes between Hindus and Muslims have taken place in Leicester over the past couple of weeks. Police action seems to have been limited compared with the response to anti-monarchy activists. Of those arrested, a number are known to have gone to Leicester from other cities in an apparent effort to sow discord between Hindus and Muslims. The involvement of pro-Modi Hindutva activists has been downplayed by the police and media. Arguably the strongest condemnation of Hindutva violence in Leicester has come from the Sikh Federation UK: "The authorities must recognise and treat this situation appropriately as far-right Hindu nationalists/BJP RSS extremism and radicals that are targeting minorities [and] disrupting communal harmony." The federation criticises "police cover-ups and glossing" over of the situation. Instead of trying to help calm the situation, though, the Indian government condemned violence against the "Indian community" in Leicester during Saturday's Hindutva march. "We strongly condemn the violence perpetrated against the Indian Community in Leicester and vandalisation of premises and symbols of [the] Hindu religion," said India's Ministry of External Affairs "We have strongly taken up this matter with the UK authorities and have sought immediate action against those involved in these attacks." Perhaps the ministry should watch this video to see who the aggressors were in Leicester. We need to look back to 1947 to understand the roots of the latest violence resulting from Britain's colonial past. The British made a deadly mess when they withdrew from India, and did so again when they pulled out of Palestine. It is time for the government in Westminster to address both examples of glaring injustice so that the people of Palestine and Kashmir can live in peace and security, and their supporters in Britain and elsewhere no longer feel the need to demonstrate on our streets. Zionism and Hindutva are two sides of the same racist coin; neither should be welcome in Britain. Middle east monitor

Settler plans during their holidays All eyes on Alquds What are the settlers' plans during their incursion to the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque in their claimed holidays from Sep 26 to Oct 17, 2022? Trumpet blowing Performing Talmudic rituals Storming Al-Aqsa is white priestly clothes Entering vegetarian sacrifices Incursions in large scales www.instagram.com/p/CiqhJfNhP9k/

5: Istiftah (Opening Duʿa’) Now that you are in your ṣalāh, you have entered the court of Allah (ʿazza wa jall). On meeting someone you love and revere, you greet them. Likewise, when meeting Allah (ʿazza wa jall), you will greet Him with words of respect and reverence. You may also choose to enter through the door of forgiveness (see duʿā #2), or you may combine both (see duʿā’ #6). You may read any of the following duʿās: .سُبْحَانَكَ اللّٰهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ ، وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ ، وَتَعَالَىٰ جَدُّكَ ، وَلَا إِلٰهَ غَيْرُكَ How Perfect are You O Allah, and all praise is Yours. Your Name is most blessed, Your majesty is exalted and there is no god worthy of worship except You (Muslim). سُبْحَانَ: Negates all negative attributes from Him. Thus, Allah (ʿazza wa jall) is Perfect; free from any weakness, defect and oppression. Allah (ʿazza wa jall) does not bear resemblance to any of His Creation. حَمْدِ: Affirms all of His positive attributes. Ḥamd is to describe the praised one with perfection, love and utmost respect. تَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ: Your Name is Perfect, Exalted, Holy and is the source of all good in the heavens and the earth. The Name of Allah (ʿazza wa jall) is full of blessing and good. Uttering His Name before eating prevents Shayṭān from sharing your meal. Similarly, if you slaughter an animal without uttering the Name of Allah, it remains unlawful for you to eat. Thus, all matters which are not preceded by the Name of Allah (ʿazza wa jall) are deficient and defective. Reflect If the name of Allah (ʿazza wa jall) is full of blessing and good, then how blessed must the Named One be? جَدُّكَ: This refers to Allah’s majesty, greatness and grandeur. وَلَا إِلٰهَ غَيْرُكَ: This is the kalimah (utterance) of tawḥīd (oneness), which all Messengers were sent with. It means there is none worthy of worship except for Allah (ʿazza wa jall). All of the above naturally guides us to this ultimate word of truth. After affirming and uttering Allah’s absolute unique perfection, it only makes sense that He is the Only One who should be worshipped. اَللّٰهُمَّ بَاعِدْ بَيْنِـيْ وَبَيْنَ خَطَايَاىَ كَمَا بَاعَدْتَ بَيْنَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ ، اَللّٰهُمَّ نَقِّنِيْ مِنَ الْخَطَايَا كَمَا يُنَقَّى الثَّوْبُ الْأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الدَّنَسِ، اَللّٰهُمَّ اغْسِلْ خَطَايَاىَ بِالْمَاءِ وَالثَّلْجِ وَالْبَرَدِ O Allah, distance me from my sins as You have distanced the East from the West. O Allah purify me from sins as a white cloth is purified from dirt. O Allah wash away my sins with water, hail and snow (Bukhārī). .اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ حَمْدًا كَثِيْرًا طَيِّبًا مُّبَارَكًا فِيْهِ All praise is for Allah; an abundant, sincere and blessed praise (Muslim). Anas (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) narrated that a man came panting and joined the row (of congregants in ṣalāh), and then uttered [the above]. When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ finished his ṣalāh, he said, “…I saw twelve angels competing with each other to ascend with it.” (Muslim). .اَللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ كَبِيْرًا ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ كَثِيْرًا ، وَسُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ بُكْرَةً وَّأَصِيْلًا Allah is Greater, the Greatest: abundant praise is for Allah, and how Perfect is Allah, in the morning and the evening (Muslim). ʿAbdullāh b. ʿUmar (radiy Allāhu ʿanhumā) narrated, “Once we were praying with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ when a man said [the above]. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ (after the ṣalāh) asked, “Who uttered those words?” The man replied, “It was me, O Messenger of Allah.” He ﷺ said, “I was amazed by them – the doors of heaven were opened for them.” Ibn ʿUmar (radiy Allāhu ʿanhumā) said, “I have not stopped saying these words since I heard this statement of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ ” (Muslim). .اَللّٰهُمَّ رَبَّ جَبْرَائِيْلَ وَمِيْكَائِيْلَ وَإِسْرَافِيْلَ ، فَاطِرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ، عَالِمَ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ ، أَنْتَ تَحْكُمُ بَيْنَ عِبَادِكَ فِيْمَا كَانُوْا فِيْهِ يَخْتَلِفُوْنَ ، اِهْدِنِيْ لِمَا اخْتُلِفَ فِيْهِ مِنَ الْحَقِّ بِإِذْنِكَ ، إِنَّكَ تَهْدِيْ مَنْ تَشَآءُ إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيْمٍ O Allah, Lord of Jabrā’īl, Mīkā’īl and Isrāfīl; Creator of the heavens and the earth; Knower of the unseen and seen, You will judge between Your servants in what they used to differ. Guide me in what is contentious to the truth, by Your Will. Certainly, You guide whomsoever You will to the straight path (Muslim). وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّذِيْ فَطَرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ حَنِيْفًا وَّمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِيْنَ ، إِنَّ صَلَاتِيْ وَنُسُكِيْ وَمَحْيَاىَ وَمَمَاتِيْ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِيْنَ ، لَا شَرِيْكَ لَهُ وَبِذٰلِكَ أُمِرْتُ وَأَنَا مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِيْنَ ، اَللّٰهُمَّ أَنْتَ الْمَلِكُ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ ، ‏أَنْتَ رَبِّيْ وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ ، ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِيْ وَاعْتَرَفْتُ بِذَنْبِيْ فَاغْفِرْ لِيْ ذُنُوْبِيْ جَمِيْعًا ، إِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوْبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ ، وَاهْدِنِيْ لِأَحْسَنِ الْأَخْلَاقِ لَا يَهْدِيْ لِأَحْسَنِهَا إِلَّا أَنْتَ ، وَاصْرِفْ عَنِّيْ سَيِّئَهَا لَا يَصْرِفُ عَنِّيْ سَيِّئَهَا إِلَّا أَنْتَ ، لَبَّيْكَ وَسَعْدَيْكَ ، وَالْخَيْرُ كُلُّهُ فِيْ يَدَيْكَ ، وَالشَّرُّ لَيْسَ إِلَيْكَ ، أَنَا بِكَ وَإِلَيْكَ ، تَبَارَكْتَ وَتَعَالَيْتَ ، أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتُوْبُ إِلَيْكَ I have turned my face towards the One who created the heavens and the earth, turned away from all that is false having surrendered to Allah, and I am not of the polytheists. My ṣalāh, my sacrifice, my life and my death are all for Allah, Lord of the worlds, who has no partners. I have been commanded of this, and I am of those who submit. O Allah, You are the King, there is no god worthy of being worshipped except You. You are my Lord and I am Your slave. I have wronged myself and I confess my sins. Forgive all of my sins, for no one forgives except You. Guide me to the best of character, for no one guides to the best of it except You; and turn the evil of it away from me, for no one turns it away except You. Here I am, seeking Your pleasure and at Your service. All good is in Your hands and no evil is attributed to You. My (existence, protection and success) is from You and I am returning to You. You are Most Blessed and You are Most Exalted. I seek Your forgiveness and repent to You (Muslim). By saying this duʿā’, you remind yourself of what Ibrāhīm (ʿalayhis-salām) said (see 6:79). You affirm the Oneness of Allah and disassociate yourself from shirk. The duʿā’ acts as a reminder of your purpose in life and that everything you do is for Him. You seek forgiveness and you ask Allah (ʿazza wa jall) to grant you beautiful character. You praise Him and show your desperate need of Him. اَللّٰهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ ، أَنْتَ نُوْرُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَنْ فِيْهِنَّ ، وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ قَيِّمُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَنْ فِيْهِنَّ ، وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ الْحَقُّ ، وَوَعْدُكَ حَقٌّ ، وَقَوْلُكَ حَقٌّ ، وَلِقَاؤُكَ حَقٌّ ، وَالْجَنَّةُ حَقٌّ ، وَالنَّارُ حَقٌّ ، وَالسَّاعَةُ حَقٌّ ، وَالنَّبِيُّوْنَ حَقٌّ ، وَمُحَمَّدٌ حَقٌّ ، اَللّٰهُمَّ لَكَ أَسْلَمْتُ وَعَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَبِكَ آمَنْتُ ، وَإِلَيْكَ أَنَبْتُ وَبِكَ خَاصَمْتُ وَإِلَيْكَ حَاكَمْتُ O Allah, for You Alone is all praise; You are the Light of the heavens and the earth and whatever is therein. For You Alone is all praise; You are the Maintainer of the heavens and the earth and whatever is therein. And for You Alone is all praise; You are the Truth, Your promise is the truth, and Your speech is the truth. The meeting with You is the truth, Paradise is the truth, and Hell-Fire is the truth. The Final Hour is the truth, the Prophets are the truth and Muhammad ﷺ is the truth. O Allah, I surrender myself to You Alone, I put my trust in You Alone, and I believe in You Alone. I turn to You Alone, I complain of my opponents to You Alone and I refer judgement to You Alone (Bukhārī). The Messenger ﷺ would recite the above duʿā’ in his tahajjud ṣalāh. .سُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِيْنَ ، سُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ Allah is free from imperfection, the Lord of all the worlds. Allah is free from imperfection, and all praise is due to Him (Nasā’ī). Rabīʿah b. al-Kaʿb (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) said, “I used to spend the night by the room of the Prophet ﷺ. I would hear him stand up at night (for prayer), and he would say سُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِيْنَ for a long time. Then he would say سُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ for a long time.” .اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ x10, اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ x10, سُبْحَانَ اللهِ x10, لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ x10, أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ x10 .اَللّٰهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِيْ وَاهْدِنِيْ وَارْزُقْنِيْ وَعَافِنِيْ ، أَعُوْذُ بِاللهِ مِنْ ضِيْقِ الْمَقَامِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ Allah is the Greatest (10x). All praise be to Allah (10x). Allah is free from imperfection (10x). There is no god worthy of worship but Allah (10x). I seek Allah’s forgiveness (10x). O Allah, forgive me, guide me, grant me sustenance and wellbeing. I seek Your protection from the anguish of standing on the Day of Judgement (Nasā’ī). ʿĀsim b. Ḥumayd (raḥimahullāh) said, “I asked ʿĀ’ishah (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhā) about what the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to start his night prayer with. She said, “You have indeed asked me something which no one before you has asked me. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to say [the above]” (Nasā’ī).

40 years on Sabra and Shatila massacre: What happened in Lebanon in 1982? Israeli-backed Phalange militia killed between 2,000 and 3,500 Palestinian refugees and Lebanese civilians in two days. It was one of the most harrowing massacres committed in the Lebanese civil war, a conflict known for its brutality. Shatila, a Palestinian refugee camp, and the adjacent neighbourhood of Sabra are located southwest of Lebanon’s capital city Beirut. The refugees were victims of the 1948 Nakba, or “catastrophe” in Arabic, fleeing the violent ethnic cleansing of Palestine by Zionist militias as Israel was formed. But between September 16 and 18, 1982, the refugees, now living in Shatila and Sabra, along with Lebanese civilians, were attacked by a right-wing Lebanese militia, in coordination with the Israeli army. Between 2,000 and 3,500 people were killed. What happened? In June 1982, Israel invaded Lebanon during the country’s 15-year civil war (1975-1990), with the stated aim of destroying the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), which had been based in Beirut and was launching attacks on Israel from southern Lebanon. The PLO withdrew from Lebanon by September 1, 1982. Assurances were provided by the United States and a multi-national force that the remaining Palestinian refugees and civilians would be protected. Two weeks later, the Israeli military besieged Sabra and Shatila and provided cover for their allies, a right-wing Lebanese militia called the Phalange, to carry out the mass killings. The killing continued for 43 hours, from 6pm on Thursday, 16 September, until 1pm on Saturday, 18 September. While accurate figures on the number of people killed are difficult to ascertain, estimates have put the death toll at between 2,000-3,500 civilians. Testimonies from the mass killing describe horrific acts of slaughter, mutilation, rape and mass graves. Images from the aftermath were aired on television worldwide and caused global outrage. What led to this? More than 100,000 Palestinians, mostly from the northern areas of historic Palestine, were expelled and fled to Lebanon during the 1948 Nakba. The PLO, an umbrella of Palestinian political parties created in 1964 with the aim of liberating Palestine through armed struggle, moved its base of operations to Beirut after it was pushed out of Jordan in 1970. In 1969, an Egyptian-brokered agreement between the PLO and the Lebanese army, the PLO’s Armed Struggle Command assumed control over the 16 Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, enabling it to carry out operations on Israel from southern Lebanon. The Lebanese civil war broke out in 1975 mainly between the Lebanese Front (LF) – a coalition of right-wing Christian Maronite parties backed by Israel and the United States – and the Lebanese National Movement (LNM), a coalition of secular leftists, pan-Arab Sunni and Shia Muslims, and the PLO. Syria also invaded. Israeli forces, led by then-Defence Minister Ariel Sharon, invaded Lebanon in June 1982, laid siege to Beirut and heavily bombarded the city, where the PLO headquarters were located. The multinational force that arrived after the PLO’s withdrawal from Beirut on September 1 was supposed to stay for 30 days. However, they pulled out early, on September 10. On September 14, 1982, Bachir Gemayel, the Lebanese president-elect and leader of the Lebanese Forces, was assassinated in Beirut. The next morning, Israel invaded west Beirut and prevented anyone from exiting the refugee camps. Israeli forces then allowed the Phalange, who blamed the PLO for Gemayel’s death, to enter Sabra and Shatila and carry out the massacre. What followed? The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution declaring the massacre an “act of genocide”. The PLO moved its headquarters to Tunisia before the 1993 Oslo Accords were signed with Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) was created. The Sabra and Shatila massacre is remembered as one of the most traumatic events in Palestinian history and its memory is commemorated annually by Palestinians in Lebanon and in Palestine. The event continues to highlight the plight of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon today, who now number 479,000, according to the UN. About 45 percent of them live in the country’s 12 refugee camps, which suffer from overcrowding, poor housing conditions, unemployment, poverty and lack of access to basic services and legal aid. Palestinians in Lebanon are banned from working in as many as 39 professions, cannot own property, and face numerous other restrictions. Who was held accountable? Not one single Lebanese or Israeli fighter or official was punished for the crimes committed. An Israeli investigation said the Lebanese Forces militia was directly responsible for the massacre but also held Sharon “personally responsible for ignoring the danger of bloodshed and revenge” and recommended his resignation. Sharon resigned from his post on February 14, 1983, but was elected prime minister in 2001. In February 1983, the UN commission found that “Israeli authorities or forces were involved, directly or indirectly in the [Sabra and Shatila] massacres”. In 2002, a Belgian court dismissed a case filed by dozens of survivors of Sabra and Shatila against Sharon on the basis that he was not present in court, despite a 1993 law which allowed Belgium to try foreigners for war crimes committed abroad. Source: Al-Jazeera

4: Qiyam (Standing) Now that you have uttered the takbīr, remind yourself that you are standing in front of Allah. Lower your head Stand in front of Allah (ʿazza wa jall) the way a humble slave stands in front of his master. Remember whom you are standing before. Let your worldly qiyām (standing) remind you of the final qiyām, when you will stand on the Day of Judgement in front of the Compeller of the heavens and the earth. Lower your head and your gaze. Stop your eyes from wandering right or left. Do not glance at your surroundings. Keep your gaze fixed to the ground to help keep your focus. ʿĀ’ishah (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhā) asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ about when one looks here and there in ṣalāh. He ﷺ said, “It is snatching, which Shayṭān steals from the slave’s prayer” (Bukhārī). The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Allah will continue to turn towards the slave whilst he is in his prayer for as long as he does not look away. If he looks away, He will turn away” (Abū Dāwūd). Ibn al-Qayyim (raḥimahullāh) wrote, “The slave of Allah (ʿazza wa jall) stands in front of his Lord on two occasions: the first is when he stands in his ṣalāh and the second is when he will meet Him on the Day of Judgment. Whoever fulfils the rights of the first standing, the second standing will be made easy for him. And whoever belittles, neglects and does not fulfil the rights of the first standing (i.e. ṣalāh), the second standing will be made very difficult for him.” The positioning of the hands Why do you fold your hands and place them over each other? Imagine you walk into a palace and see two groups of people: one group have their hands on their hips, eyes roaming around everywhere, whilst the second group have their hands neatly clasped together and are respectfully looking down. Seeing this, you would easily identify those who are royalty and those who are the servants. Similarly, as you are a servant standing in front of Allah, placing one hand on the other respectfully symbolises your humility in front of Him. Placing one hand over the other also prevents fidgeting and is conducive to attaining khushūʿ.

Question: What should a woman do when her husband constantly swears at her and at the kids calling them bad names and even saying that they are bad luck.They don’t know how to react or behave around him. He will never change.Anything that goes wrong is the wife's fault even if she had nothing to do with it. Answer: In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh. Respected sister in Islam, A woman is not forced to subject herself to such abuse. Her silence may lead the man deeper into his bad and abusive ways. The future may be worse if the man does not reform himself. If you feel the husband will not change then you may consider identifying an appropriate family person and discuss the issue with him or her. Family members know the temperament of each other and will advise accordingly. Means may be used to explore other avenues, like involving an Alim or social worker etc. In the meanwhile, analyze those issues which upset your husband and make necessary adjustments to the best of your ability. It is possible you may also have done so. Then do whatever it takes to control the situation and avoid it getting worse. Be positive and optimistic. Adopt all possible means to address the issue and also resort to Salatul Hajat and Dua. Allah is Qadir. He is capable of doing everything. Nothing is hopeless in the power of Allah. He can change the temperament of your husband and make him loving to you and the family. We make Dua that Allah grants you the courage and ability to deal with your predicament efficiently. Ameen. And Allah knows best, Mufti Ebrahim Desai (Rahimahullah) Idealwoman.org

3: Takbir: Glorifying Allah What does Allāhu Akbar mean? Allāhu Akbar is one of the greatest statements any human being can utter. It is the statement through which you enter into your ṣalāh. It is also known as takbīrat al-taḥrīm. Once you enter ṣalāh, what was previously ḥalāl for you (e.g. eating, drinking and talking) has now become ḥarām for you. Similarly, you should make worldly thoughts ḥarām upon yourself. You are now entering the ḥaram: a sacred space where you prevent others and your thoughts from coming in between you and Allah. In Arabic, you may say: Zayd is bigger than Maḥmūd (زيد أكبر من محمود). Here we say Allāhu Akbar, hence, Allah (ʿazza wa jall) is greater than … Thus, what He is greater than has not been specified. This lack of specification (also known as ellipsis) indicates that Allah (ʿazza wa jall) is greater than everything. Allah (ʿazza wa jall) is Greater than anything we can imagine. His greatness encompasses all things: He is Great in His Essence, His Names, His Attributes and His Actions. Allah is Supreme and Transcendent above every limitation and deficiency that is inherent in created beings. Our limited minds are unable to comprehend the greatness of Allah. However, we can try to appreciate His greatness by pondering over His creation. By pondering over the greatness of the heavens, the earth, Allah’s Kursī and His Majestic Throne, and then realising how we are unable to comprehend them due to their greatness, we arrive at the most important realisation: how Great must their Creator be! To understand His greatness, it helps to reflect on His greatest creation: His Throne (the ‘Arsh of Allah). The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “The seven heavens in comparison to the Kursī is nothing but like a ring thrown in a desert, and the excellence of the Throne of Allah over the Kursī is like the excellence of that desert over that ring” (Bayhaqī). In other words, imagine the Sahara Desert. The entire desert is the Kursī of Allah (ʿazza wa jall), and the size of the heavens and the earth in proportion is equivalent to a ring thrown in the desert. Now close your eyes, and let your mind ascend. Wander around this desert, which is now the Throne of Allah (ʿazza wa jall), and remember that the Kursī in proportion is the size of a ring. Can you even imagine the size of the Throne of Allah (ʿazza wa jall)? It is truly mind-boggling. If we cannot comprehend the above, how can we then comprehend the greatness of Allah (ʿazza wa jall)? Mean what you say! On uttering the phrase Allāhu Akbar, you say that Allah b is greater than everything in your heart. It is not sufficient to simply say this phrase. You have to also believe it. To be sincere in your utterance, you cannot give greater importance to something or someone other than Allah (ʿazza wa jall) in your heart. Let Him be the One. Each time you utter the words ‘Allāhu Akbar’, remind yourself of the greatness of Allah and say: Allah is Greater… He is greater than me, greater than my desires, greater than my loved ones, greater than my hobbies, greater than the most powerful armies and empires, greater than everything. Saying Allāhu Akbar with conviction should make you appreciate the greatness of the One whom you are standing in front of. When you remind yourself of His greatness, your self-importance should disappear as you remember how weak and insignificant you are. Thus, saying Allāhu Akbar also safeguards you from pride as you will no longer think of yourself or what you possess as great. Saying Allāhu Akbar humbles you in front of Allah (ʿazza wa jall), and frees you from every type of servitude other than His. It gives you the strength and courage to confront falsehood and call to the truth.

2: Facing The Qiblah & Raising The Hands Whilst turning your face in the direction of the Kaʿbah, simultaneously turn your heart towards the Lord of the Kaʿbah, Allah (ʿazza wa jall). Remove everything else other than Him from your heart. When soldiers or opponents surrender, they will raise their hands, as if to say ‘You’ve got me. I’m all yours!’ Similarly, raising your hands in ṣalāh is a physical manifestation of your surrender to Allah (ʿazza wa jall). However, this differs from surrendering to another human. It is not a surrender of humiliation or weakness. Instead, it represents great honour and strength, for there is no greater honour in this world than being a true servant of Allah. Even before declaring himself the Messenger of Allah, the Prophet ﷺ described himself as the ‘servant of Allah’. Ibn al-Qayyim (raḥimahullāh) described the raising of the hands as ‘the embellishment of ṣalāh’. Go to Allah (ʿazza wa jall) and give yourself up to Him. As you raise your hands, throw the world behind you and get ready to converse with your Creator

1: Wudu: Inner and Outer Purification Performing ṣalāh is one of the most rewarding actions. However, its fruits are not just within ṣalāh itself, but also extend to the preparations carried out beforehand. The principal preparation is wuḍū’. Wūḍū’ is a compulsory requirement for ṣalāh. Without it, your ṣalāh is invalid. Wuḍū, however, is not just a physical action. It is deeply spiritual. Like the majority of deeds, wuḍū’ has both an inner and an outer dimension. Whilst its outer dimension is to purify the body’s various parts from physical dirt, its inner dimension is to purify yourself from the ‘dirt’ of your sins. This is why Allah (ʿazza wa jall) says, “Indeed Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves” (2:222). To transform your wuḍū’ from a mere physical act of cleansing to the great act of devotion that it is, try to keep in mind at least one of the four pointers below during your wuḍū: 1. Visualise your sins being forgiven The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Whoever performs wuḍū’, and does so in an excellent manner, his sins will leave from his body, even coming out from under his nails” (Muslim). In another ḥadīth, the Prophet ﷺ explained in detail how sins leave each part of the body that is washed in wuḍū’ (Muslim). Once, ʿUthmān b. ʿAffān (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) performed wuḍū’ and then smiled. He then asked, “Do you know what made me smile?” He went on to say, “The Prophet ﷺ performed wuḍū’ like I just did, and then smiled. He then asked, ‘Do you know what made me smile?’… We replied, ‘Allah and His Messenger ﷺ know best.’ He ﷺ said, ‘Indeed when the servant performs wuḍū’, and perfects it; and then enters his prayer, and perfects it – he comes out from his prayer as he came out from his mother’s stomach without any sins’” (Aḥmad). Whilst performing wuḍū’, imagine your sins are leaving your body. Imagine the sins committed by your hands are being forgiven as you wash them. Imagine all the foul things that you said are being washed away as you gargle. And imagine the sins that you walked towards are leaving you as you wash your feet. 2. Your status raised The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Shall I not inform you of that through which Allah forgives sins and raises ranks by?” They said, “Of course, O Messenger of Allah!” He ﷺ said, “Performing wuḍū’ thoroughly despite the difficulties, walking lots of steps towards the Masājid and waiting for one ṣalāh after the other…” (Muslim). When it is cold, and you would rather remain warm under your duvet, remember this ḥadīth and know that Allah is elevating your rank as a result of you battling your nafs. 3. Your identity marker Abū Hurayrah (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ once went to the graveyard and said, “Peace be upon you, dwelling of believing people, and we will – if Allah wills – join you soon. I wish I had seen our brothers!” They said, “Are we not your brothers, O Messenger of Allah?” He ﷺ replied, “Of course. You are my Companions. My brothers are those who have not yet come. I will welcome them at the ḥawḍ (pool).” They asked, “How will you recognise those who are still yet to appear amongst your ummah, O Messenger of Allah?” He ﷺ replied, “Do you think that if a man had a horse with a white blaze and hoof along with a completely jet-black horse, will he not recognise his horse?” They said, “Certainly, O Messenger of Allah.” He ﷺ said, “They will come with radiant white faces and marks from the wuḍū’, and I will be there to welcome them at the ḥawḍ (pool)” (Muslim). Reflect • The Prophet ﷺ missed you and longed to see you. • He will be waiting for you in the hereafter. • How will he ﷺ know who you are? The body parts you regularly washed in wuḍū’ will shine, and that is how he will recognise you. 4. Eight gates of Paradise will be opened for you The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Whoever perfects his wuḍū’ and then says, أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَّا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَهُ ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ ورَسُوْلُهُ ، اَللّٰهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِيْ مِنَ التَّوَّابِيْنَ ، وَاجْعَلْنِيْ مِنَ المُتَطَهِّرِيْنَ I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah. He is Alone and He has no partner whatsoever. I bear witness that Muḥammad ﷺ is His slave and His Messenger. O Allah make me amongst the repentant, and make me amongst those who purify themselves. the eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him. He may enter through whichever one he wishes” (Tirmidhī). Likewise, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Whosoever does wuḍū’ and says, سُبْحَانَكَ اللّٰهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَّا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ ، أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وأَتُوْبُ إِلَيْكَ You are free from imperfection, O Allah, and all praise is to You. I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except You. I seek Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance. it will be recorded in a parchment and then sealed with a seal which will not be broken till the Day of Judgement” (Nasā’ī in ʿAmal al-Yawm wa al-Laylah). Both of these duʿās will purify you from shirk (‘I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah’) and from sins (‘make me amongst the repentant’). This is why wuḍū’ is a comprehensive form of purification – both externally and internally. In wuḍū’, we only wash those body parts that are easy to wash, which are exposed the most, and we sin with the most. Now that you have thoroughly purified yourself, you are ready to stand in the court of the All-Powerful Himself. Reflect I will ensure my place of prayer is clean, and that my body and clothes are both clean. I will ensure that my heart is purified for meeting my Lord and conversing with Him. I will purify it through repentance. I will regret my past sins and firmly resolve to abandon them in the future. Taḥiyyat al-Wuḍū’ On completing your wuḍū’, pray two rakʿah of taḥiyyat al-wuḍū’ in the hope that your past sins will be forgiven. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “If anyone performs wuḍū’ like that of mine and offers a two rakʿah prayer during which he does not think of anything else, his past sins will be forgiven” (Bukhārī). The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to Bilāl (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) at the time of the Fajr prayer, “O Bilāl! Inform me of the most hopeful act you have performed in Islam, for I heard your footsteps in front of me in Paradise.” Bilāl (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) said, “I have not done anything more hopeful than that whenever I perform wuḍū’, be it in the day or night, I pray as much as has been decreed for me after wuḍū’ (i.e. taḥiyyat al-wuḍū’)” (Bukhārī).

"Palestinian administrative detainee in Israeli jails #KhalilAwawdeh flashes victory sign after reaching an agreement with the Israeli occupation authorities to suspended his hunger strike, which continued for 172 days, and to release him on 02 Oct 2022." https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch7tvPFsAkn/

Ongoing Isra-helli oppression... Destruction of olive trees continues The Israeli occupation forces destroy around 100 olive trees in the village of Gwuen, southern Hebron hills. 25.8.2022 www.instagram.com/p/ChsEVRuleSL/ Death preferable to detention without charge or trial The European Union: "Shocked by the horrific images of Khalil Awadeh, who has been on hunger strike for 179 days in protest against his detention without charge, as he is facing imminent risk of death, and we call for his immediate release." Settler violence Uri Shouri, an Israeli settler threatened a Palestinian family with a machete on a road in northern "Israel". The mother, father and their child were in the family car. (Video shows terrified, crying child while the settler is seen shouting with the machete in his hand) www.instagram.com/p/Ch15ALGKrPl/ Back to school with just one eye "With the beginning of the new school year in Palestine, Palestinian student Arij Asaliya returns to her school with only one eye after she lost her right eye in an Israeli airstrike during the recent Israeli onslaught on Gaza." www.instagram.com/p/Ch1l43Dqi1z/ Continued ethnic cleansing of Masafer Yatta The whole world needs to watch what I just saw: "Israelis" preventing a group of 10-year-olds, on their way to school with teachers, from entering their OWN VILLAGE because the Israeli Occupying Forces made it a "firing zone". All families face ethnic cleansing in Masafer Yatta for this reason. www.instagram.com/p/Ch6dxuTj6XH/ This is how sick the Apartheid regime is in 2022: A kid detained, in the 3rd grade, in front of a tank, just because he lives in Masafer Yata. The "firing zone" is a hoax, it was declared with the purpose to evict us, Ariel Sharon said in a secret document recently uncovered. In May, occupation court ruled: mass eviction of Masafer Yatta. The reason? The army wants our land to make a training zone. Since then: schools got demolition orders, kids detained daily, family homes razed every week. Settlers growing around us. www.instagram.com/p/Ch6gx2SMU1j/ Settler thugs pepper-spray my friend, a shepard, and hit him with stones. He yells for help. Soldiers come. What do they do? Throw stun grenades at us who came to film. Apartheid could not be uglier in Masafer Yatta and Palestine. www.instagram.com/p/CgFQF1iKxEJ/ Military raids, house demolitions, arrests without charge and trial, settler violence, apartheid.... Palestine: "Not trending but still suffering"

There was once a man who lived 2km from a river which was the closest water source to his home. Every morning, the man would take two buckets, trek the 2km distance to the river, fill his buckets with water, and then undertake the laborious journey home. However, there was one problem – both of his buckets had a hole. Hence, on arriving back home, the man would notice that the buckets were only half full. Since this man only possessed these two buckets, it was not an option for him to increase the number or size of his buckets. Thus, he decided that the prudent decision would be for him to plug the leaks so that for the same amount of effort, he would have more water at home. The above illustration may be fictitious, but it demonstrates a pertinent point that applies to most people at present. In these trying times, when the cost of essential goods and services has skyrocketed astronomically, then together with trusting in Allah Ta‘ala to look after us and provide for us, each and every person should try to ‘plug the leaks’ in his bucket. Allah Ta‘ala is the Sole Provider, and He has given every one of us our ‘bucket’ – our decreed sustenance. Since our bucket is pre-decreed by Allah Ta‘ala, we cannot increase the amount in our buckets. However, what we CAN do is identify the avenues in which we are extravagant or wasteful and curb this unnecessary expenditure which is putting a strain on our finances. In the Quraan, Allah Ta‘ala describes the believers who are His special servants and friends. One of their special, praiseworthy qualities which Allah Ta‘ala highlights is their moderation in expenditure. Allah Ta‘ala says: “And (they are) those who when they spend, they are neither extravagant nor miserly, and it (their spending) is moderate between that (the two extremes).” (Surah Furqaan V: 67) In yet another verse of the Quraan, Allah Ta‘ala advises us to be moderate in our expenditure, and warns us of the difficulties that we will create for ourselves if we adopt either extreme (wastefulness or miserliness), saying: “And do not keep your hand tied to your neck (i.e. being miserly and not spending on one’s needs and the needs of one’s family, etc.), nor extend it to the full extent (i.e. being extravagant and wasteful), lest you should be sitting reproached, empty-handed.” (Surah Banu Israaeel V: 29) In the blessed hadeeth, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has encouraged the Ummah to be moderate in their spending saying, “The one who is moderate in his spending will never fall into poverty.” (Tabraani - Majma‘uz Zawaa-id #17798) In another hadeeth, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “It is a sign of a man’s intelligence that he is moderate in his expenditure.” (Musnad Ahmad #21695) In regard to falling into wasteful, extravagant or unnecessary expenditure, then in today’s times, some of the areas where most people suffer a loss are the following: 1. Social Media – It is an undeniable fact that one of the primary uses of social media is that of advertising. Accordingly, all and sundry use social media to advertise their products. The result of this is that a person who frequents social media platforms is constantly bombarded with advertisements. Suddenly, a product which a person managed to live without for many years becomes a ‘necessity’ which must be purchased. 2. Online shopping – Before the advent of online shopping, remaining at home was a sure way to avoid shopping and save cash. However, with online shopping, one’s email inbox is filled with ‘Daily Deals’ and app notifications repeatedly pop-up notifying a person of some new promotion, thus tempting one to buy something he does not require. Hence, one person mentioned that after deleting all the shopping apps on his phone, he found that he began to save R2500 a month. 3. Special Offers and Sales – The market places (e.g. shopping malls) should be avoided as far as possible, as the hadeeth mentions that these are the places which are most detested and abhorred by Allah Ta‘ala. One of the harms of frequenting these places is that one is tempted by the sales that are held. On seeing the sign “50% Reduced!” a person rushes into the store, convinced that if he does not seal the deal, he will lose out. Little does he realise that in order to ‘save’ 50%, he is first required to spend 50%, and many a time, he merely wants the item because it is on sale – not because he actually needs it. 4. Eating Out – Many housewives are able to attest to the fact that a simple meal of baked beans and bread, or dhall (lentils) and roti, can fill and sustain a family of five for under R50. In stark contrast to this is the exorbitant price that people pay when ordering food from restaurants, etc. where each person sometimes pays up to R100! While we are not advocating that people live solely on beans and dhall, we must certainly exercise moderation, as eating out on a weekly basis can easily cost R2000 a month – if not more. We must remember that even if Allah Ta‘ala has given us the means due to which we are able to lead a lavish lifestyle at present, it is not guaranteed that we will always be able to maintain this lifestyle. We have seen many people lose their fortunes in mere moments, after which they were compelled to tighten the purse strings. At that challenging time, when the standard of living was suddenly lowered, many of them, and their families, fell prey to depression, etc. as they were not accustomed to leading a simpler lifestyle. Therefore, if we raise our children in an environment of extravagance and accustom them to this type of opulent lifestyle, then over and above the sin of extravagance, and ingratitude shown to Allah Ta‘ala by wasting the wealth He has given us – we are doing our children a grave disservice. After all, the day our daughters are married and leave our homes, if their husbands are unable to cater to their expensive tastes, it will place a strain on their marriage which may ultimately result in a divorce and broken home. Thus, we understand that plugging the leaks is not only for our own benefit, in Deen and dunya – but it is also for the benefit of our children and families. May Allah Ta‘ala bless us all with contentment, and assist us to curb all wasteful and extravagant expenditure, Ameen. UswatulMuslimah

Women in Islam Gender equality Position of women before eIslam Position of women after Islam Rights of women In terms of worldly administration Provision for women under all circumstances and much more in a concise newsletter.... Ihyaauddeen.co.za newsletter_17_web - WOMEN.pdf

Sayyidah Ummu Maalik (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was a Sahaabiyyah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) from the Ansaar of Madeenah Munawwarah. She would sometimes bring a leather bag filled with ghee and present it to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) as a gift. On one occasion, when she brought the bag of ghee to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), he instructed Sayyiduna Bilaal (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) to empty the bag and return it to her. Hence, Sayyiduna Bilaal (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) emptied the bag, even squeezing it until all the ghee had been extracted from inside the bag. He thereafter returned the bag to her. On taking the bag back, Sayyidah Ummu Maalik (radhiyallahu ‘anha) found that it was full of ghee! This caused her great concern, as she feared that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had perhaps rejected her gift on account of him receiving revelation regarding her (i.e. her wealth being contaminated, or her actions not being accepted, etc.). Hence, she came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and asked, “O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! Have you received any revelation in my regard?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) responded by asking her, “Why do you ask?” She replied, “You have returned my gift to me!” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) thus called Sayyiduna Bilaal (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and asked him (whether he had accepted the gift and emptied the ghee as instructed). Sayyiduna Bilaal (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) replied, “I take an oath by that Being Who has deputed you with the truth! I squeezed the bag (empty) until I even felt embarrassed!” Hearing this, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) addressed Sayyidah Ummu Maalik (radhiyallahu ‘anha) and said, “May you find enjoyment in it, it is barakah (blessings from Allah Ta‘ala), O Ummu Maalik! It is barakah, the reward of which Allah Ta‘ala has (granted you and) swiftly shown you (in this worldly life).” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) thereafter taught her to recite “Subhaanallah”, “Alhmadulillah” and “Allahu Akbar” ten times each after every salaah. (Al-Isaabah vol. 8, pg. 468) In another narration, it is mentioned that when the children of Sayyidah Ummu Maalik (radhiyallahu ‘anha) would ask her to give them something to eat with their bread (as gravy), and at that time she did not possess anything to give them, she would go to the leather bag which she would use when giving ghee to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) as a gift. Allah Ta‘ala had placed such barakah in the ghee that she would always find some ghee in it. One day, Sayyidah Ummu Maalik (radhiyallahu ‘anha) decided to squeeze the bag (in order to extract as much ghee as she could), but as soon as she did so, the ghee seized to come out. She thus came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and informed him that the ghee had stopped. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) asked her, “Did you squeeze the bag?” When she replied in the affirmative, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Had you left it (without squeezing it), it would have continued (to come out, as it was barakah from Allah Ta‘ala).” (Saheeh Muslim #5945 and Takmilatu Fathil Mulhim) Note: In this narration, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) taught Sayyidah Ummu Maalik (radhiyallahu ‘anha) to recite “Subhaanallah”, “Alhamdulillah” and “Allahu Akbar” ten times each after every salaah. However, in other narrations, it is reported that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had taught Sayyidah Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) to recite “Subhaanallah” thirty-three times, “Alhamdulillah” thirty-three times and “Allahu Akbar” thirty-four times after every salaah. The ‘Ulama explain that it is permissible for one to practice on both of these narrations, though it will be more rewarding for one to recite the tasbeeh taught to Sayyidah Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) in which “Subhaanallah” is recited thirty-three times, “Alhamdulillah” thirty-three times and “Allahu Akbar” thirty-four times. Lessons: 1. The Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) had the greatest love in their hearts for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), and this love brought them abundant goodness and blessings in this world and the next. They were always prepared to sacrifice their lives, wealth and desires for the sake of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). We must make du‘aa to Allah Ta‘ala to bless us with such love for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) that translates into following every aspect of his beautiful lifestyle. We must also recite abundant durood upon Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). In this way, we will also enjoy goodness and blessings in our lives as well. 2. Despite the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) being the esteemed companions of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), and their high rank being mentioned in the Quraan Majeed, they were never complacent regarding their Deen and Imaan. Rather, they always regarded themselves to be nothing and feared for the safety of their Imaan and the acceptance of their actions. UswatulMuslimah Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Council of Muslim Theologians

Q. A girl is getting married and wants to use the patch as a contraceptive. Is it permissible for her to use the patch given the fact that whilst making ghusl, water won’t penetrate that area? (Question published as received) A. A Contraceptive Patch is a small sticky patch applied to the skin that releases synthetic estrogen and progestogen hormones into the body to prevent pregnancy. In normal circumstances, this is permissible to apply and use. In terms of Ghusl, if the Contraceptive Patch has not been applied due to a genuine need and there are suitable alternatives available, the performance of Ghusl will not be valid whilst the Contraceptive Patch is applied to the skin. It will have to be removed whilst performing Ghusl for the Ghusl to be valid. And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best Mufti Ismaeel Bassa Mufti Moosa Salie (The answer hereby given is specifically based on the question asked and should be read together with the question asked. Islamic rulings on this Q&A newsletter are answered in accordance to the Hanafi Fiqh unless otherwise stated.) Fatwa Department Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Council of Muslim Theologians

Israeli occupation closes down 7 Palestinian human rights and humanitarian organizations Media coverage: "Offices of at least 7 Palestinian civil and human rights organizations were stormed and sabotaged by Israeli forces in Ramallah early this morning. The forces also confiscated office items and machinery from the headquarters." These photos were taken from Defence for Children International, Palestine.

Turkey, Israel to restore full diplomatic relations Move comes after gradual efforts to restore ties, including a visit by the Israeli president to Turkey in March. Turkey and Israel have agreed to restore full diplomatic relations and will return ambassadors to each other’s countries following a gradual improvement in relations. The announcement on Wednesday followed a conversation between Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. It comes four years after the two countries expelled ambassadors over the killing of 60 Palestinians by Israeli forces during protests on the Gaza border against the opening of the United States Embassy in Jerusalem. “It was decided to once again upgrade the level of the relations between the two countries to that of full diplomatic ties and to return ambassadors and consuls general,” a statement from Lapid’s office said. “Upgrading relations will contribute to deepening ties between the two peoples, expanding economic, trade, and cultural ties, and strengthening regional stability,” it added. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters in Ankara that the appointment of ambassadors was “one of the steps for the normalisation of ties”. “Such a positive step came from Israel, and as a result of these efforts, and as Turkey, we also decided to appoint an ambassador to Israel, to Tel Aviv,” he said. Cavusoglu added that the move did not mean that Turkey would be abandoning the Palestinian cause. “We have always said we will continue to defend the rights of Palestine, Jerusalem and Gaza. It’s important that our messages are conveyed at the ambassadorial level in Tel Aviv,” he said. The thaw in ties comes after more than 10 years of tensions. A visit to Turkey by Israeli President Isaac Herzog in March, followed by visits by both foreign ministers, helped warm relations. Al Jazeera’s Resul Sardar, reporting from Istanbul, said economic and security factors were at play. “In one year, there will be a presidential election here in Turkey. But with inflation at more than 70 percent, Ankara wants to attract investment from regional countries. There are security challenges, too, in Syria and the eastern Mediterranean basin. Turkey sees Israel as a strong player, and for Israel, Turkey is seen as a balancing power in a region threatened by Iran.” But even with the full restoration of diplomatic ties, the Palestinian issue was likely to remain a “contentious difference” between the two countries, he added. The move, which comes as Israel has sought to improve ties with regional powers, was agreed upon two years after the so-called Abraham Accords which saw relations normalised between Israel, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Morocco. Turkey also launched a charm offensive in 2020 to repair ties with estranged rivals, making overtures to Egypt, the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Efforts with Cairo have so far yielded little progress, but officials have said normalisation work with Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are going well. Al-Jazeera

Israeli ethnic cleansing and Demolitions continue

A Journey Through Salah Ṣalāh is a unique act of worship involving every one of our body parts. Every requirement and component of ṣalāh has its own impact, its own flavour and experience. Every action and statement have their own form of servitude (ʿubūdiyyah) to Allah (ʿazza wa jall). The journey through ṣalāh is remarkable. Each part is a unique milestone, bringing its own **sweetness** (ḥalāwah) and joy. Ṣalāh combines the recitation of the Qur’ān, dhikr and duʿā’. Each one of these is an extremely praiseworthy act of worship outside of ṣalāh. Ṣalāh, however, combines all three acts in one setting. Moreover, ṣalāh is an act where you simultaneously worship Allah (ʿazza wa jall) using your tongue, body and heart. Ṣalāh differs from fasting, zakāh and ḥajj in that we are obligated to perform ṣalāh every day; not once but five times. Praying five times a day allows us to renew our pledge to Allah (ʿazza wa jall) five times a day. As humans, we immerse ourselves in this world and, therefore, tend to forget Him. As soon as we are about to drown in our heedlessness (ghaflah), ṣalāh intervenes, offering a lifeline that pulls us swiftly out of it. The sins perpetrated in between the prayers take us away from Him, harden our hearts and stop us from being true slaves. Ṣalāh is, therefore, our ‘spiritual cleanser’, expiating the sins committed between two prayers. This chapter will take you on a journey through ṣalāh, exploring the secrets and significance of each posture, along with their various adhkār. Attending The Court Of The Almighty If you are going to meet an important leader or king, you will make sure that you are prepared. You will shower, perfume and wear your smartest clothes. When preparing for ṣalāh, you are actually preparing to meet the King of all kings: Allah (ʿazza wa jall) Himself. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “When one of you performs ṣalāh, let him wear both of his garments, for Allah is most worthy of being adorned for” (Bayhaqī). Studies in psychology and science have shown that what you wear affects your behaviour and mental state. Allah (ʿazza wa jall) says, “O Children of Ādam, take on your adornment at every place of worship.” (7:31). Commenting on this āyah, the scholars have mentioned that it is praiseworthy to adorn oneself, apply perfume and use miswāk in preparation for ṣalāh. Doing this will: 1. Give us reward for acting upon the Sunnah. 2. Prepare us, mentally and psychologically, for ṣalāh. 3. Helps us give ṣalāh its due importance and seriousness, and thereby improve the quality of our ṣalāh. Adorn yourself for the honour of meeting Allah (ʿazza wa jall), al-Aʿlā (The Greatest). Preparing yourself in such a manner should be out of your humility and respect for Him, not out of personal vanity or pride. Miswāk The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, Reflect Just as you cover your body in ṣalāh (satr al-ʿawrah), Allah (ʿazza wa jall), the Concealer of sins (al-Sittīr), covers your sins. Remembering your sins (of which only Allah (ʿazza wa jall) knows) should invoke shyness in you, and fill your mind with remorse and embarrassment. It should make you lower your head and turn to Him in the manner befitting of a sincere repentant slave. Source

Israel admits to killing 5 children in a raid on a cemetery in Gaza Israel admitted responsibility for killing five Palestinian children in an air strike on the Fallujah cemetery in the town of Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip, on 7 August, after it had initially claimed they were killed as a result of a missile fired by Islamic Jihad. "Israeli defence officials have confirmed that Israel was responsible for the deaths of five minors killed on the last day of the recent hostilities with Islamic Jihad this month," reported Haaretz newspaper today. "An army inquiry into the incident, which occurred on August 7 in the Al-Faluja Cemetery east of Jabalya, has concluded that the minors were killed by an Israeli airstrike, several defence sources have confirmed," added the newspaper. It also reported that "Immediately after their deaths, several senior officers said the five were most likely killed by a misfired Islamic Jihad rocket." On the other hand, the newspaper indicated that an army investigation concluded that another incident, which resulted in the killing of eight Palestinian civilians, including children, that occurred on a day earlier was a result of a "misfired Islamic Jihad rocket." The newspaper stated: "The Palestinians had claimed the eight were killed by Israel, but the army quickly released evidence indicating that they were actually killed by Islamic Jihad." Israeli army spokesman Ran Kochav said: "We didn't conduct any strikes in that area, not in urban areas and not at that time." The five victims in the air strike on the cemetery were identified as Jamil Al-Din Nijm, 3, Jamil Ihab Nijm, 13, Mohammad Salah Nijm, 16, Hamed Haidar Nijm, 16, and Nathmi Abu Karsh, 15. Over the course of three days from 5-7 August, the Israeli army launched raids on the Gaza Strip, which, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, resulted in the death of 49 people, including 17 children and four women, and 360 injuries. Source

A Summary of the Creed of the Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama’ah Regarding the Sahaabah (radiyallahu anhum) in Light of the Quraan & Sunnah Mufti Taahir Hansa – Jamiatul Ulama KZN Midlands THE IMPORTANCE OF CORRECT AQEEDAH While people in general focus on the visible structure of a building above the ground and admire its design and architecture, the architects and engineers have to ensure that the foundation is rock-solid or else the entire beautiful structure collapses as a heap of worthless rubble. Exactly is the case with the faith of Islam. The structure of Islam, with all its pillars, rests on a foundation of correct beliefs that are explicitly established from the Quran and Authentic Traditions of Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. Without the foundation of correct Aqeedah, the actions and deeds of a person will not be of benefit to him. The beliefs and practices of a Muslim, must be in conformity with the Quraan and Sunnah in order to be worthy of acceptance by Allah. THE MEANING OF THE TERM AHLUS SUNNAH WAL JAMA'AH Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama'ah literally translates as ‘the people of the way and the group’ and broadly refers to Muslim orthodoxy and consensus. The ‘way’ signifies that of the Prophet and the ‘group’ refers to his noble companions (Sahaabah radiyallahu anhum), and their successors (Taabi’een) and those after them represented by the main spectrum of Muslims in every age who followed in their footsteps. THE SAHABAH RADIYALLAHU ANHUM ARE THE YARDSTICK OF TRUTH AND THE FOUNDATION OF RELIGION Allah has classified the Imaan of the Sahaabah radiyallahu anhum to be the ideal. He made a similitude of their Imaan and encouraged the people to have Imaan in the same way as them. Allah says: فَاِنْ اٰمَنُوْا بِمِثْلِ مَآ اٰمَنْتُمْ بِهٖ فَقَدِ اهْتَدَوْاۚ If they have Iman just as you have Iman, then they are rightly guided. [Surah al Baqarah: Verse 137] This means that the Imaan and conviction of the Sahaabah radiyallahu anhum has been classified as the standard of truth for others to believe. It is obvious that their Imaan meets the Divine criterion, it is only then that it was made worthy of being the exemplar. Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Amr radiyallahu anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: “The Jews split into seventy one or seventy two factions; and likewise the Christians. My Ummah will split into 73 factions. All of those factions will be in the Fire (of Jahannam) except one.” The companions asked: “Who are they, O Messenger of Allah?” The Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam replied: "Those that follow my way and that of my companions." [Sunan Tirmidhi: Hadith 2641] In this hadith, the standard of truth and falsehood has not only been classified to be the path of Rasulullah sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, but together with this, the path of the Sahabah of Rasulullah sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam has been classified to be the standard of truth. Rasulullah sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam has also explained that the path of his Sahaabah radiyallahu anhum is exactly his path and following them is a means of salvation. It is thus established that together with Rasulullah sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, the Sahaabah radiyallahu anhum are also the standard and yardstick of truth. Virtue and excellence in any action is attained through adherence to the commands of Allah Ta'ala and Sunnah of Rasulullah sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. Virtue and excellence in actions cannot be achieved based on our own desires and preferences. The imperative need to follow the Sahaabah of Rasulullah sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam in understanding the Sunnah can never be over emphasised. The Sahaabah radiyallahu anhum are the fundamental basis and foundations on which the superstructure of the Shariah has been raised. They represent the pivot upon which the wheel of Islam revolves. The Sahaabah radiyallahu anhum cannot be divorced from the Sunnah and vice versa. Without the reports, comments, interpretations and rulings of the Sahaabah radiyallahu anhum it is not possible to correctly understand the Qur'aan and the sacred utterances and practices of Rasulullah sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. THE NOBLEST AFTER THE AMBIYA The Sahabah radiyallahu anhum are the noblest after the Ambiya’ Alaihimus Salaam. Allah Ta'ala selected them to be in the company of the Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. They were the best Companions for the best creation of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala. Although they are diverse with regards to the time of their Islam and the duration of their closeness to Rasulullah sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala included them all when declaring His pleasure for them, praising them, and promising them Jannat. Allah subhanahu wa ta‘ala declares: وَالسَّابِقُوْنَ الْأَوَّلُوْنَ مِنَ الْمُهَاجِرِيْنَ وَالْأَنصَارِ وَالَّذِيْنَ اتَّبَعُوْهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ رَّضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوْا عَنْهُ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِيْ تَحْتَهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِيْنَ فِيْهَا أَبَدًا ذٰلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيْمُ And the first forerunners [in the faith] among the Muhajirin and the Ansar and those who followed them with good conduct – Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him, and He has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. That is the great attainment. [Surah al Tawbah: Verse 100] وَمَا لَكُمْ أَلَّا تُنْفِقُوْا فِيْ سَبِيْلِ اللَّهِ وَلِلَّهِ مِيرَاثُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ لَا يَسْتَوِيْ مِنْكُم مَّنْ أَنفَقَ مِنْ قَبْلِ الْفَتْحِ وَقَاتَلَ أُولٰئِكَ أَعْظَمُ دَرَجَةً مِّنَ الَّذِيْنَ أَنْفَقُوْا مِنْ بَعْدُ وَقَاتَلُوْا وَكُلًّا وَّعَدَ اللَّهُ الْحُسْنىٰ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُوْنَ خَبِيْرٌ And why do you not spend in the cause of Allah while to Allah belongs the heritage of the heavens and the earth? Not equal among you are those who spent before the conquest [of Makkah] and fought [and those who did so after it]. Those are greater in degree than they who spent afterwards and fought. But to all Allah has promised the best [reward]. And Allah is well acquainted with what you do. [Surah al Hadid: verse 10] لَقَدْ رَضِىَ اللَّهُ عَنِ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ إِذْ يُبَايِعُوْنَكَ تَحْتَ الشَّجَرَةِ فَعَلِمَ مَا فِيْ قُلُوْبِهِمْ فَأَنْزَلَ السَّكِيْنَةَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَأَثَابَهُمْ فَتْحًا قَرِيْبًا Certainly Allah was pleased with the believers when they pledged allegiance to you, [O Muhammad], under the tree, and He knew what was in their hearts, so He sent down tranquillity upon them and rewarded them with an imminent conquest. [Surah al Fath: Verse 18] The Rasul of Allah sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam has emphatically addressed this matter in the Ahadith as well. عن عبد الله بن مغفل قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم الله الله في أصحابي لا تتخذوهم غرضا بعدي فمن أحبهم فبحبي أحبهم ومن أبغضهم فببغضي أبغضهم ومن آذاهم فقد آذاني ومن آذاني فقد آذى الله ومن آذى الله فيوشك أن يأخذه It has been reported by ‘Abdullah ibn Mughaffal radiyallahu ‘anhu: The Rasul of Allah sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “Fear Allah when with regards to my Companions. Fear Allah when with regards to my Companions. Do not make them a target of abuse after me. He who loves them, loves them because he loves me. He who hates them, hates them because he hates me. He who harms them has harmed me, and he who harms me has offended Allah, and he who offends Allah, then it is very soon that Allah will take him to task.” [Sunan al Tirmidhi, #3862] Based on the aforementioned verses and ahadith (and many others not mentioned) the belief of the Muslims regarding the Companions of the Rasul of Allah sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallamis that they are the best of people after the Ambiya’. Holding them in high esteem is from the Daruriyyat of Deen (compulsory/core aspects of the Islamic faith). A person who holds a view contrary to this would not be considered a Muslim as his belief is in contrast to what is established directly from the Quraan, Sunnah and Ijmaa' (consensus) of the Ummah. May Allah guide us all to remain on the correct path. Aameen. Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Council of Muslim Theologians