ummtaalib

Three days after Israel’s deadly assault on Gaza ended, the Israeli government signed a $1.2 billion contract with Amazon and Google to provide tech services to Israel’s army. Here's what you need to know.

Q. Does a person in the state of Janaabat, a woman in the state of Haidh or Nifaas, a Majnoon or a child have to make Sajdah if they recite a verse of Sajdah Tilaawat or hear it being recited? (Question published as received) In the enquired case, the performance of Sajdah Tilaawat becomes compulsory (Waajib) on the following people: 1) A person who recited or hears a verse of Sajdah Tilaawat whilst in the state of major impurity (Janaabat). 2) A person who hears a verse of Sajdah Tilaawat from another person who is in the state of major impurity (Janaabat). 3) A person who hears a verse of Sajdah Tilaawat from a woman who is in the state of menstruation (Haidh) or Post-Natal Bleeding (Nifaas), or a child (Non-Baaligh) who can differentiate between right and wrong. However, the performance of Sajdah Tilawaat is not compulsory (Waajib) on the following people: A person who recited or hears a verse of Sajdah Tilaawat while in the state of menstruation (Haidh) or Post-Natal Bleeding (Nifaas), or is mentally incapacitated (Majnoon), or a child (Non-Baaligh). N.B. Whilst it is sinful to recite a verse of Sajdah Tilaawat in the state of major impurity (Janaabat), menstruation (Haidh) and Post-Natal Bleeding (Nifaas), the relevant rules as stated above are still applicable. (Shaami 2/107 – Ahsanul Fataawa 4/60) And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best Mufti Ismaeel Bassa Confirmation: Mufti Ebrahim Desai (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

Imagine if we were told to demolish our house in 24 hours OR pay a fine for it to be demolished! A Palestinian Forced to Demolish His Home Under The Pretext of Building Without Permit. Jerusalemite Abdulrahman Obaid self demolish his home in Issawia village in the occupied city of Jerusalem, to avoid paying high costs and fines after he received a demolition order from the Israeli municipality Jerusalem.

The "Torch Unit" trying to save Beita Every night in #Beita town, in southern #Nablus city, the "Torch Unit" light up some fire and head to Jabal Sabih mount, located in the middle of their town, where an illegal Israeli settlement is being constructed and tens of Israeli settler families have already moved to live in the settlement. The young men organize 'night confusion' activities to pressure the settlers to leave their town. https://www.instagram.com/p/CQc-HJwJck7/

The Town of Beita

Raid on the Ghousheh family home in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood last night https://www.instagram.com/p/CQb_W3uJCbi/

Donna Nevel, a founding member of Jews Say No, highlights the historical context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict In conversations about Gaza, I have heard many thoughtful people in the Jewish community lament the loss of Palestinian lives in Gaza but then say, “But Hamas…” as if that were the heart of the problem. I’d like to suggest that, when we have these conversations about Hamas and Israel’s bombing campaign, we begin with the necessary context and historical perspective. The Nakba To create the Jewish state, the Zionist movement destroyed more than 400 Palestinian villages and expelled 700,000 Palestinians from their homes and land. Palestinians who remained in what became Israel were relegated to second-class citizenship, had much of their property confiscated and, to this day, have fewer rights than Jewish Israeli citizens. The 1967 Occupation In 1967, Israel occupied the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, and still occupies them until this day. Settlement Expansion, the Apartheid Wall and Gaza Over the past 47 years of occupation, Israel has illegally confiscated more and more Palestinian land; built an apartheid wall; systematically denied Palestinians basic human and civil rights, and engaged in state-sponsored violence; and forced the Palestinians in Gaza to live in appalling conditions that make it increasingly impossible to survive. Israel’s latest bombing campaign, Operation Protective Edge, has killed over 2,000 Palestinians, at least 450 of whom are children, and has displaced hundreds of thousands more. If those of us in the Jewish community who are committed to justice begin from these facts, I think it would become clearer — regardless of who the Palestinian leadership is — that the underlying problem really is the denial of freedom and basic human rights to millions of people, for decades. And, as a community, it should also become clearer where priorities need to be in order to have any integrity on this issue: addressing the Nakba of 1948 and the responsibility for the Nakba head-on, including the right of return for refugees; ending the occupation; ending the siege on Gaza; and recognizing the right to full equality for Palestinian citizens of Israel. Source

Settles attacking the Palestinians outside their homes in Sheikh Jarrah - state sanctioned violence FALASTINI ™️ (@falastiniteam) • Instagram photos and videos

Watch this interview! The Palestinian narrative has changed. Know the truth from the Palestinians themselves Manar Owais on Instagram: "يتبع بالعربية 👇🏼 My blood was absolutely boilingggg hearing their questions. Do yourself a favor and watch the whole thing, and while you're…"

Eye On Palestine (@eye.on.palestine) • Instagram photos and videos Note: Many posts have violent content which is part of the lives of the Palestinian people

Following in the Footsteps of Ibrāhīm ‘alayhis salām By Shaykhul-Hadīth, Hadrat Mawlānā Muhammad Saleem Dhorat hafizahullāh Upon the advent of Shawwāl, the months of hajj commence, during which much mention is made of Ibrāhīm ‘alayhis salām. The reason for this is that during this time of the year many Commands of Allāh ta‘ālā are such that they are connected directly to the life of Ibrāhīm ‘alayhis salām. Ibrāhīm ‘alayhis salām was from the forefathers of our beloved Prophet s. He was a great Prophet of Allāh ta‘ālā and Allāh ta‘ālā makes mention of him with high words in the Glorious Qur’an: In this verse he is referred to as an Ummah; although alone, he did such actions that even a whole nation together could not manage. Thereafter, Allāh ta‘ālā makes mention of some of his sterling qualities for which he was granted goodness and success in this world as well as the Hereafter. A distinguishing quality of his was that he was totally obedient to Allāh ta‘ālā, worshipping only Him, and he was also grateful for the Favours of Allāh ta‘ālā upon him. This creed of Ibrāhīm ‘alayhis salām of being totally obedient to Allāh ta‘ālā and sacrificing everything for Him, was so loved by Allāh ta‘ālā that both the Prophet sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam and we, his Ummah, have been commanded to follow it: The reason why we have been instructed to follow in the footsteps of Ibrāhīm ‘alayhis salām is because this is the path leading to success in both worlds. It is a norm in this world that when a person wishes to excel in any field, he will take someone in the same field that has been successful as a role model. This applies whether a person wishes to become a teacher, a politician, a scientist, etc. So, regarding Ibrāhīm ‘alayhis salām, the Qur’ān has declared that he is a role model for those searching for success in both worlds, and he should be followed. It is for this reason, Allāh ta‘ālā has declared that only a foolish person will not follow the path and creed of Ibrāhīm ‘alayhis salām. Allāh ta‘ālā says: The question remains as to what this creed of Ibrāhīm ‘alayhis salām actually is that we are told to follow. Allāh ta‘ālā makes this clear in the next verse: This is the basis of his creed and the blueprint of his success. He submitted totally to the Will of Allāh ta‘ālā. In other words, he was a true and complete Muslim. Once a person accepts the Faith by acknowledging the authority of Allāh ta‘ālā and the finality of the Prophet sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam together with the other articles of Faith, he becomes a mu’min (believer). Now, when he becomes totally obedient to the Commands of Allāh ta‘ālā he becomes a Muslim; a true, perfect and complete Muslim will always give preference to the Commands of Allāh ta‘ālā at all times. When Ibrāhīm ‘alayhis salām was still young and he understood the oneness of Allāh ta‘ālā, he found that the entire community was against him - even his father. However, he stayed firm and gave preference to Commands of Allāh ta‘ālā over everyone and everything. This is a Muslim, one who gives preference to Allāh ta‘ālā in all situations and circumstances. Imagine, how difficult it is for a young man to live without the support of his father, with fear of poverty and humiliation. Yet, Ibrāhīm ‘alayhis salām complied with the Command of Allāh ta‘ālā and left his father. Later, when the tables were turned, and he was in need of a young son to support him, he was ready to be compliant with the Command of Allāh ta‘ālā and sacrifice his son. Such was his submission to the Commands of Allāh ta‘ālā. The institution of hajj also teaches the same lesson of being compliant with the Commands of Allāh ta‘ālā. To apply ‘itr, wear a hat, trim nails, etc. are all acts which are expected of a Muslim, yet, when a person is on the pilgrimage and in ihrām he is ordered to refrain from this. Has anyone performing hajj ever questioned these commandments or has he happily complied? Similarly, we are told to circumambulate the Ka‘bah 7 times. Has anyone ever questioned why it is 7 times and not any other number? The reward for salāh performed in Makkah Al-Mukarramah is multiplied manifold yet we are told to read our salāh at Minā during the days of Minā. Salāh has its prescribed times, yet in ‘Arafāt we are told that pending on certain conditions, you must read both Zuhr and ‘Asr salāh at the time of Zuhr. Similarly, in Muzdalifah, we must read Maghrib and ‘Ishā salāh at the time of ‘Ishā. Has anyone ever questioned these Commands of Allāh ta‘ālā or have they willingly, wholeheartedly, without any questions, simply complied? The udhiyah performed at the end of the hajj as well as that which those at home perform is also an indication towards the same ideology. The sacrifice of an animal shows us that just as we can sacrifice our wealth in performing udhiyah; similarly, in all other spheres of our life too we should be subservient to Allāh ta‘ālā and sacrifice our desires for His. In conclusion, the life of Ibrāhīm ‘alayhis salām, the time of hajj and the udhiyah we perform all point to the ideology of Islam which is submitting to Allāh ta‘ālā by sacrificing our desires without questioning. May Allāh ta‘ālā grant us the ability to take heed from these lessons. Āmīn. Extracted from Riyādul Jannah, Vol. 19 No. 11, 2010 © Riyādul Jannah

Think positive, be productive What is Positive thinking? Positive thinking doesn’t mean ignoring problems in life. It means to approach the problems in a more positive and productive way. Expecting the best and not the worst! Our thinking often starts with self-talk. Self-talk is the endless stream of unspoken thoughts that run through our head every day. These automatic thoughts can be either positive or negative. If the thoughts that run through our head are mostly negative, our outlook on life will be negative. If our thoughts are mostly positive, then we will have a positive outlook towards life. It is up to us to decide whether we see the glass half full or half empty. How can we adopt a positive approach? If the first thoughts about any situation that has happened are negative, then taking the first step toward positivity is the solution. Thoughts are always under our control and can be changed. We can always try to follow certain ways to develop a positive attitude, such as: 1. Change the perspective: Thinking that the world is against you or that you were born unlucky has simply no basis. 2. Forget the past: A bad past does not mean a bad future. 3. Don’t be a product or a victim of your circumstances: If you’re not happy with the way your life is going, set goals and get moving! Learn from the past to build character and make better decisions. 4. Reminding yourself with positive quotes, sharing them with others and staying with positive people helps a lot. 5. Remember that life is too short to waste on negativity. 6. Be a balanced optimist: Stay prepared for the worst but hope for the best – the former makes you sensible, and the latter makes you an optimist. 7. Books on positivity are always a good read. 8. Count your blessings: Once you do that you will realize “And which of the blessings of our Lord will we deny?” (Surah Ar Rahmaan) 9. Be productive in your life: Set goals, break down work into smaller portions, don’t take on too many tasks at once, prioritize your work and cut off distractions. 10. Try to accept things rather than expecting a lot: It reminds me of a quote by my teacher: “I have learned to accept more than to expect. That’s why I have fewer disappointments in life.” Benefits of Positive Thinking: 1) Positive thinking helps us cope with stressful situations, ignore negative thoughts, reduce anxiety and gives us confidence, allowing us to make better decisions and focus more. 2) Good health: Our thoughts directly affect the body and how it works. So being positive helps us remain calm and take care of ourselves naturally. 3) Better time management: How many of us complain of wasting hours on end indulging in negative thoughts?! 4) Positive people attract more friends and it helps them stay happy and successful and they have greater peace in their life. It’s not about what happens to you, it’s about how you react to what happens! Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said, “Wondrous is the life of the Believer for there is good for him in every situation; and this is not for anyone except the Believer. If goodness comes his way and he is grateful, this is good for him, and if he is afflicted and endures patiently, this is also is good for him.” (Sahih Muslim) Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Council of Muslim Theologians

The tiny coastal enclave was part of historic Plaetine before Israel was created in 1948 and is one of the most densely populated places on earth and is home to approximately 1.7 million people. Three quarters of Gaza’s population are refugees who were expelled from the land that became Israel in 1948, and their descendants most of whom live in poverty due to Israel’s ongoing blockade and closure of the Strip’s borders. Gaza was captured by Egypt during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and remained under Egyptian control until 1967, when Israel seized the remaining Palestinian territories in a war with the neighbouring Arab countries. Although it is part of the Israeli-occupied territories, the Gaza Strip was severed from the West Bank and East Jerusalem when Israel was created. A range of Israeli restrictions has since been created that further compartmentalises the Palestinian territories.

Mapping Israeli occupation AlJazeera In the following series of graphics Al Jazeera describes why Israel’s military occupation of Palestine remains at the core of this decades-long conflict and how Israeli colonialism shapes every part of Palestinians’ lives INTERACTIVE-Ethnic-cleansing.webp INTERACTIVE-Palestinian-residents-of-Israel.webp INTERACTIVE-Jerusalem-a-divided-city.webp INTERACTIVE-West-Bank.webp INTERACTIVE-Illegal-Israeli-settlements.webp INTERACTIVE-Israeli-Checkpoints.webp INTERACTIVE-Separation-wall.webp INTERACTIVE-Blockade-of-the-Gaza-Strip.webp INTERACTIVE-Palestinian-refugee-camps.webp

Bordered Egypt and Israel, the Gaza Strip is a narrow strip of Palestinian territory about 365 sq km, about the size of Cape Town, Detroit, or Lucknow.

Yesterday, June 12, the Palestinian flag was painted on each door of the houses of Lifta village, whose residents were forcibly displaced because of the Nakba (1948), and the phrase “we will return” was written on the doors of the displaced houses, signifying the affirmation of the return and that we will not leave Lifta and will not allow the occupation forces to carry out their plans to destroy Lifta and build a new Jewish neighborhood on what was left of this village.The flags were painted in a specific position, a specific place on the sides of the doors, with a specific symbol above them, the letter ש. The reason is that this is a joint action by Palestinians and anti-Zionist Jews who are resisting the occupation together.This is a reference to the Jewish "Mezuzah", one of the most ancient traditions of the Jewish people, who put a special box with a sacred scroll inside it on the sides of the doors to their houses (the letter ש symbolises one of the holiest names of God, which is written in each and every Mezuzah). This is meant to protect the home, and anyone living or staying in it. This practice is of high significance to the Jewish people, since it originated from the story of Moses liberating them from being slaves in Egypt - a story they tell each year on the holiday of Pesach (Passover in English).For the Jews, their liberation from Egypt is one of the most symbolic stories in their religion. It has now been used in a striking way to address the occupation in its own language. This symbol is to express their freedom and protection while they occupy the land and people of Palestine ! This time it was used to remind the occupying state and the Zionist regime of the following : 1. The Palestinians deserve to be free, too.2. The homes of Palestinians from which they were expelled and from which they are still being expelled also deserve protection.3. The Palestinian right of return is sacred and guaranteed by all international forums and United Nations resolutions (Resolution No. 194).4. The Jews who participated in this work recognize the Nakba and what happened to the Palestinian people in 1948, and that this slogan is to challenge the occupation and remind it of the truth that it has always tried to obliterate.Over one of the door arches, they wrote the quote from the Torah, in which God commanded the Jews to put his name on each and every door of their houses :"וּכְתַבְתָּם עַל מְזוּזֹת בֵּיתֶךָ וּבִשְׁעָרֶיךָ"The bodies of the adults have left, but the young have inherited the truth and followed the paths of their fathers and grandfathers. Eye On Palestine (@eye.on.palestine) • Instagram photos and videos

Obituary – Moulana Taha Karaan (Rahimahullah) The Ummah mourns the loss of yet another great scholar of Islam, Moulana Muhammad Taha Karaan (Rahimahullah), a renowned Shafi’i scholar from Cape Town, South Africa. His father, Moulana Yusuf Karaan (Rahimahullah), was one of the oldest and most distinguished Islamic scholars in the Cape as well. Moulana Taha completed his Qur’anic memorization in one year at the Waterfall Islamic Institute (Mia’s Farm), the oldest Islamic seminary in South Africa. During his stay, he assisted in the editing of the Qur’anic prints that the Institute has become famous for the world over. After finishing four years of the Aalim course in two years, he journeyed to the Indian sub-continent and attended Darul Uloom Deoband, graduating from there in 1991 with the highest of distinctions – as did his father – in a class of over 700 students. He then travelled to the Middle East and completed a two-year graduate diploma at the Higher Institute for Islamic Studies in Cairo, Egypt. He was a scholar renowned for his encyclopaedic knowledge, amazing memory, and research on various contemporary issues. Together with serving in the Fatwa Department of the MJC he was also the principal of Darul Uloom Al-‘Arabiyyah Al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Cape Town. Worthy of note were his tireless effort in educating the ummah with regards to the threat of Shi'ism and defending the honour of the Ahlul Bayt and Sahabah Radiyallahu anhum. He founded the Mahajjah Institute (mahajjah.com) with a special focus on academically responding to the false allegations of the Shia and protecting the Imaan of the masses. His students describe him as divinely-gifted with encyclopaedic knowledge; possessed of a near-photographic memory; an insatiable bibliophile within the Islamic sciences and beyond; a teacher that never ceased to inspire; endowed with an elegant calligraphic hand and a penchant for poetry; thoroughly unassuming, pleasant, brilliant and tender-hearted. May Allah Ta’ala bless his family with sabr e jameel and ajar e azeem for this great loss, Ameen. May Allah Ta'ala accept all of Moulana's efforts and grant him the highest stages in Jannatul Firdous with his Mashaaikh, Asatizah and those whom Allah Ta'ala has favoured among the Ambiyaa (عليهم السلام), the Siddeeqeen, the Shuhadaa and the Saaliheen, Aameen. Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Council of Muslim Theologians

Further Reading Articles: The Nakba - What really happened? - American Muslims for Palestine History of Palestine - American Muslims for Palestine The Nakba explained - Middle East Monitor The Nakba did not start or end in 1948 - AlJazeera The Nakba - IMEU Reports: Amnesty International - Israel & occupied territories 2020 Amensty International - Palestine (state of) 2020 Amnesty International - Israel must not be allowed its rampage against Palestinians Amnesty International - Israel: denying Covid-19 vaccine to Palestinians is 'institutionalised discrimination' Amnesty International - May 2021 Violence condemned Highly recommended Book: Palestine Beginners Guide - from ancient civilisation to modern day Palestine To Non-Muslims: What Palestine means to me as a Muslim

The Nakba Ongoing.... Save Silwan Save Sheikh Jarrah Stories from Gaza Arresting & Detaining Palestinians called "Operation law and order" Storming Al-Aqsa Israeli forces stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Monday and fired rubber-coated rounds, tear gas, and sound bombs at Palestinian worshippers The Village of Lifta Lifta was a Palestinian Arab village on the outskirts of Jerusalem. The village was depopulated during the early part of the 1947–48 Civil War in Mandatory Palestine. In July 2017 Israel declared Lifta (called Mei Neftoach) as a national nature reserve. Now to house new Israeli neighborhood

Life in occupied Palestine Confisicating Palestinian land to build Jewish Settlements Gilo, a Jewish settlement in the West Bank, separated by a wall from the Palestinian city of Bethlehem. © Ryan Rodrick Beiler/Shutterstock.com Checkpoints There are hundreds of checkpoints, roadblocks and flying checkpoints in the West Bank, and between Israel and the West Bank where Palestinians must show proof of identification and be searched [Reuters] The Wall In 2002, Israel started constructing the wall, slicing through Palestinian communities, agricultural fields, and farmland. The people of Palestine cannot move freely from one city to another due to the barrier The wall has been described by Israeli officials as a necessary security precaution against “terrorism.” Palestinians, however, have decried it as an Israeli mechanism to annex Palestinian territory as it is built deep within the West Bank and not along the 1967 Green Line, the generally recognised boundary between Israel and the West Bank.

Is the Nakba over?

The Nakba (letstalkpalestine)

Horrors of the Nakba In less than six months, from December 1947 to mid-May 1948, Zionist armed groups expelled about 440,000 Palestinians from 220 villages. Before May 15, some of the most infamous massacres had already been committed; the Baldat al-Sheikh massacre on December 31, 1947, killing up to 70 Palestinians; the Sa’sa’ massacre on February 14, 1948, when 16 houses were blown up and 60 people lost their lives; and the Deir Yassin massacre on April 9, 1948, when about 110 Palestinian men, women and children were slaughtered. By the first half of 1949, at least 750,000 Palestinians in total were forcibly expelled or fled outside of their homeland. Zionist forces had committed about 223 atrocities by 1949, including massacres, attacks such as bombings of homes, looting, the destruction of property and entire villages. Some 150,000 Palestinians remained in the areas of Palestine that became part of the Israeli state. Of the 150,000, some 30,000 to 40,000 were internally displaced. Like the 750,000 who were displaced beyond the borders of the new state, Israel prohibited internally displaced Palestinians from returning to their homes. In the years that followed the establishment of Israel, the state extended its systematic ethnic cleansing. Though armistice agreements had been signed with Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon in 1949, the newly founded Israeli army committed a number of additional massacres and campaigns of forced displacement. For example, in 1950, the remaining 2,500 Palestinian residents of the city of Majdal were forced into the Gaza Strip, about 2,000 inhabitants of Beer el-Sabe were expelled to the West Bank, and some 2,000 residents of two northern villages were driven into Syria. By the mid-1950s, the Palestinian population inside Israel had become about 195,000. Between 1948 and the mid-1950s, some 30,000, or 15 percent of the population, were expelled outside the borders of the new state, according to the BADIL refugee rights group. AlJazeera The Nakba Deir Yassin Naser Al-Din Lest we forget My Beit Daras, my Nakba: Two Palestinian intellectuals reminiscing about their destroyed village