Muslim

Sh. Suleiman Chitala

The

An Internal Publication of
Mahdi Muslim Community P.o. Box 10706-00100 Nairobi Tel: 020 5208633 Email: secretariat@mahdimusli.org
VOL 1 ISSUE 1 | NOV, 2012| MUHARRAM 1434

SYMBOL OF SACRIFICE

IMAM HUSSEIN (A.S)

The Holy month of Muharram is here with us once again. It is one of the four months of the year described as holy and is the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar known as Hijr Calendar. Muharram is so called because it was unlawful to fight during this month both in the pre-Islamic era and after the advent of Islam. The word is derived from the word haram meaning forbidden. Among all the four months considered sacred, Muharram is the most significant one blessed with certain specific virtues. It has been narrated that it was on the first day of Muharram that Allah created the

heavens and the earth. Since four of the months are regarded sacred in the Islamic calendar, the rewards for the good deeds performed in these months are far greater than in other months. Furthermore, sins committed in these months are far more heinous than engaging in sins in other months. On the 10th day of Muharram the year 61 AH/AD 680, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) Imam Hussein bin Ali (a.s), along with his family and followers, was killed in the battle of Karbala. Hence, Muharram is also a sacred month to remember the
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The Muslim Vol.1 Issue 1 | November 2012| Muharram 1434

Islamic History
death of Imam Hussein who together with his family those who fought the battle of Karbala against Hussein and companions sacrificed for the cause of truth and says, I have never seen a person bereaved of his sons, justice. men folk and his companions more Lion-hearted than The reason behind the battle was that Yazid son of him. The foot soldiers were scattering to his right and Muawiyya demanded allegiance from Hussein (a.s) In left like goats when a wolf come upon them. reply to this unacceptable demand, the Imam replied: a person like me can never pledge allegiance to a What Lessons do we learn from Karbala? person like you, thereby highlighting the universality Karbala stands for courage, self-sacrifice, integrity, of the principles from which his stand stemmed from. honesty, vision, and bravery beyond words. It Yazid was powerful and yet he lost the battle symbolizes all that is pure and true. Karbala teaches for truth. Imam Hussein (a.s) refused to pledge us that real battles are always fought in the minds and allegiance to Yazid Bin Muawwiyya because Yazid was not on ground. Yazid was powerful and yet he lost the evil natured, shameless and devoid of every Islamic battle for truth. value. And his most prominent personal qualities Mahatma Gandhi in 1924 writing in Young India were fondness for bloodshed and misbehavior both in about the battle of Karbala said among other things public and in privacy. He was a habitual alcoholic and I wanted to know the best of the life of one who enjoyed music and dancing. He bore malice towards holds today an undisputed sway over the hearts of the emigrants (muhajireen) from Makka. He millions of mankind.the utter self-effacekilled and tortured for the pleasure he ment of Hussein, his fearlessness, his I derived from human suffering. absolute trust in God and in his That is why Imam Hussein own mission to save Islam. I wanted to know the best refused the leadership of learned from Hussein how of the life of one who holds today an Yazid. to be wronged and be a Imam Hussein (a.s) winner. undisputed sway over the hearts of millions of saw that it was his As the old adage mankind.the utter self-effacement of Hussein, his religious duty to goes, Nothing lasts rise up against the forever. Imam fearlessness, his absolute trust in God and in his own Umayyad regime. Hussein (a.s) and his mission to save Islam. I learned from Hussain how to be followers made sure He stood up to destroy the Umayyad that their martyrdom wronged and be a winner. plans of enslaving the gave a fatal blow to community, humiliating Yazids oppressive rule. the people and usurping Karbala haunted Yazid till Mahatma Gandhi their property. Yazids regime his eventual death two years considered the lawful things later. unlawful and the unlawful things were Karbala teaches us to be patient and considered lawful. It was obligatory upon the Imam stand up against any form of wrong treatment. (a.s) to defend Islam through jihad. The best homage that we can pay to the great To show that Imam Husseins cause was beyond tragedy is to do some soul-searching. religion or sect, several personalities have commented As Soren Kierkegaard rightly said The tyrant dies on the incident. For instance, Thomas Carlye wrote and his rule ends, the martyr dies and his rule begins. The best lesson which we get from the tragedy of Umayyad military may have gained victory Karbala is that Hussein and his Companions were the physically but within three years Yazid died and after rigid believers of God. They illustrated that numerical a few decades the rule of Banu Umayya crumbled and superiority does not count when it comes to truth and came to an end. falsehood. The victory of Hussein despite his minority marvels me. From Imam Hussein (a.s) who said: Return Elsewhere Charles Dickens wrote If Hussein fought what has been committed to your trust, for to quench his worldly desires, then I do not understand verily the Prophet of Allah (P.b.u.h) used to return why his sisters, wives and children accompanied him. even the needle and thread (to its rightful owner). It stands to reason therefore that he sacrificed purely (In Majmuat Warraam) for Islam. It is reported in Tareekh Ibne Atheer that one of
2 The Muslim Vol.1 Issue 1 | November 2012| Muharram 1434

Opinions

NAM Summit in Iran: Is Iran Isolated?

By Suleiman Chitala The 16th Summit meeting of the Non-aligned combating it by increasing their oil imports from Iran Movement (NAM), which had started out on August which have picked up from earlier this year. Ecuador is 26, wrapped up on August 31, with Iran officially also apparently making plans to buy Iranian oil. assuming rotational presidency of the movement for The majority of the NAM countries are opposed the next three years. Little has been reported by the to Israels policies and actions, including its illegal Kenyan Press on this summit. settlements and its continued occupation of the Gaza In attendance were a high number of heads of Strip and West Bank. For instance, South Africa have state and other high-ranking representatives. The just adopted a policy of labeling goods made in Israeli attendance of two kings, 27 presidents, numerous settlements in the West Bank as Made in Occupied foreign ministers and the UN secretary-general without Palestinian Territory. . doubt indicates that Iran is not isolated as desired by Final draft of foreign ministers declaration in the among others like America and Israel. NAM summit included a statement that we need a Israel had intensively tried to dissuade the world nuclear-free Middle East Which puts Israel, the sole leaders from attending the NAM summit in Tehran. But possessor of nuclear weapons in the Middle East,under many presidents, prime ministers and vice presidents the spotlight. attended the summit. This was a setback for In international terms the demand for a The the U.S. and Israeli campaign to isolate nuclear weapons free Middle East is a Iran, but their demands were totally good one and this is something that majority of the unrealistic. There was pressure NAM can push in the UN and at NAM countries are opposed the IAEA. It puts the U.S. in an by Israeli prime minister to Secretary General Ban ki Moon to Israels policies and actions, awkward position; they cannot against going to Tehran. oppose it openly. including its illegal settlements Take for instance the The composition of attendance of the Egyptian and its continued occupation of the final statement of the President Mohamed Morsi Summit on the issue of the Gaza Strip and West who has made clear that Egypts Palestine,states its opposition to subservience to Washington, evident the Israeli occupationist policies, and Bank. during the long Mubarak years, is a recognizing the rights of the oppressed thing of the past. Relations between the two nation of Palestine indicates unanimity of, at countries (Iran and Egypt) were broken after the Iranian least, 120 world countries on the issue of Palestine. It Revolution and Egypts 1979 peace treaty with Israel. also denotes how different these countries approach Egypt was clearly sending a signal that they intend to to Palestine is from that of the United States, Israel and have a more independent foreign policy from the U.S., a few European allies of the Zionist regime in Tel Aviv. not part of the hate chorus against Iran. Dedicating a whole paragraph of the final statement The immediate change that well see is that there to this issue represents the insistence of the Summits will be more regular contact and consultation, and that participants on an ideal which has been on the agenda we wont see Egypt making inflammatory anti-Iran of such meetings for about 50 years. statements. Dedicating three full paragraphs of the statement to Iran showcased to the NAM diplomatic delegations the nuclear issue [of Iran] in addition to one paragraph the cars of the three Iranian nuclear scientists whom in criticism of the Wests unfair sanctions against Iran Iran accuses Israeli intelligence agency to be behind is also in line with all conditions and viewpoints that the assassinations. This was a good move, it exposed the Islamic Republic has been raising in international the hypocrisy of the West on terrorism. bodies for many long years. Therefore, this is also another achievement for the Islamic Republic The NAM summit in Tehran could help Iran or especially at a time that the United States is trying to its members to decrease the devastating impacts make the world believe that even thinking like Iran and of unilateral economic sanctions imposed on it by sympathizing with Tehrans positions will entail a cost. the United States and EU. The Asian countries are
The Muslim Vol.1 Issue 1 | November 2012| Muharram 1434 3

History

THE INDIGENOUS COMMEMORATION OF THE MONTH OF MUHARRAM

Ashura procession by the indigenous Shia Muslims at Rasul Al Akram Islamic Centre, Langata in 2011 Abuaziza

Without even knowing the ideological differences, Muslims in East Africa would start the preparation of Muharram immediately after the celebrations of Eid Ul Adh-ha . Those who lived in the villages would paint their houses with refined ashes mixed with cow dung. As much as it would be the Islamic New Year there would be neither weddings nor celebrations of any kind in that month and the following month of Safar . This shows that the Muslims were aware of the tragedy that took place in this month, however there were no special sittings held in the local mosques about the tragedy of Karbala. It is after the Islamic Revolution of Iran that most people came to learn about the tragedy of Karbala through reading materials and darsas that were held by Sheikh Abdillahi Nassir. In Riruta , the outskirts of Nairobi , the community had the opportunity to know about the tragedy of Karbala after the visit by Sheikh Mayunga 20 years ago who held a 10 day majlis in the village mosque, being the first one in our local mosques . Since then , Riruta Muslim village is one among many areas where Muharram majalis are held in Kenya . Previously majority of the people were unaware
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about the tragedy. Nowadays most people look forward to attending these majalis , both young and the old , regardless of their ideological differences join each other to commemorate this occasion . Earlier there were few Shia communities that used to hold the majalis, in their secluded precincts but as mentioned earlier it was after the spread of this knowledge that this event has become more popular. Today, every tenth of Muharram , that is, the day of Ashura , one would see processions by the local communities marking the occasion in areas such as Rabai area in the coastal region and Langata in Nairobi amongst others. ABU HURAIRA narrated: The Prophet (P.b.u.h) looked toward Ali, Hasan, Husain, and Fatimah (AS), and then said: "I am in war with those who will fight you, and in peace with those who are peaceful to you." References: Sahih al-Tirmidhi, v5, p699, Sunan Ibn Majah, v1, p52Fadhail al-Sahaba, by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v2, p767, Tradition #1350, Sunan Ibn Majah, v1, p52, Fadha'il al-Sahaba, by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v2, p767, Tradition #1350

The Muslim Vol.1 Issue 1 | November 2012| Muharram 1434

Opinions

COAST PROVINCE AND MRC

Aisha Ali

The history of Coastal of Kenya is marred with the coast people are yet to benefit from the income it turbulent times and upheaval. Being a coastal port generates and so they are under developed as a result. town, it has received many visitors some friendly some The MRC is adamantly pushing for the cessation from not. The shores have been witness to many wars, Kenya, raises issues of marginalization, discrimination migration and trade. and neglect of the coast people. The MRC says it does Its important to know the history of the coast to not support the use of violence. The officials add that understand how it has affected the people who live the members should not be considered rebels as they there live. The political set up of the area has been very are only fighting for what they perceive to be their complicated. In 1887 Seyyid Said leased the 10 mile country Pwani. (16km) wide coastal strip to Despite the MRC claims the Imperial British East Africa that they do not support Company, which effectively any violence, there has been made the coastal inhabitants violence associated with squatters in their own land. In them and people are now 1895 an agreement was made concerned about what form between Great Britain and the movement will take in Zanzibar under the supervision the coming elections in 2013. of Sultan Seyyid Hemed Bin The government needs to Twain, Queen Victoria and the address the MRC grievances British Government in which conclusively so that we can Mombasa was to remain a avoid a repeat of what the protectorate under the British. country went through in The Sultan allowed the British 2007/2008. Its important Government to administer not to underestimate them Mombasa for its Political as they have managed to and Business activities. This garner a lot of support from agreement stipulated that the the grass root level. People sovereignty of Sultan would are poor and disgruntled. be maintained. More importantly the people When Kenya got of Coast need to be educated independence the ten mile about the ways in which the coastal strip was incorporated implementation of the new into the newly independent constitution can help to solve state of Kenya. Since then, most of their economic issues. The Kenyan Coastal strip Mombasa town has received lions share of resource Devolution of power will help in facilitating access to allocation as it has the port which is the gateway to services for the residents. With the division of Kenya East Africa. However, the greater coastal area remains into counties, the constitution recognizes the right of underdeveloped and many of the coastal people are communities to manage their affairs and further their neglected when it comes to opportunities in areas such development. as education and employment. There is a feeling in the Finally the issues affecting the coastal region are area that the locals are being sidelined and lucrative more economical than religious. It should not be taken opportunities are being given to people from other that just because the residents of Coast are Muslims areas of the country. that one should conclude that it is religious strife that It is against this background that the MRC (The afflicts this area. This is one of the reasons why it has Mombasa Republican Council) has resurfaced. been difficult to eradicate these problems as the focus This group was prominent in the 90s before going has not been on improving the economic status on the underground. The MRC states that despite the coast people. With better education, and job opportunities, being a major contributor to the national economy the people of Coast will be able to prosper and co-exist (through the Port of Mombasa and tourism in general), peacefully.
The Muslim Vol.1 Issue 1 | November 2012| Muharram 1434 5

Opinions

Why are Muslims so Angry about the Movie insulting the Holy Prophet Muhammad (P.b.u.h)
Saqib Abu Hisham
In Islam, all the messengers of God are given a high reverence especially because they are the few chosen by God himself to establish truth and justice in this world. To do this, they embodied the highest levels of Knowledge, Character, Morals and Leadership in every aspect of their lives. These personalities are so great that the Almighty Himself honours them. They have therefore, been respected and praised by all of humanity ever since they existed. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (P.b.u.h) was the seal of prophet hood and therefore carried the heaviest of burdens and was the perfection of any knowledge and character that the other messengers before him had. The Almighty himself says of him: Certainly you have in the apostle of Allah an excellent example (Holy Quran 33:21). In another verse Allah says So that O people you may believe in Allah and his Messenger and pay respect to him and honour him and that you may glorify him Morning and Evening. (48:9). These are but a few of the many instances where Allah himself praises and instructs Muslims to praise and respect the Holy Prophet. It is therefore, not just a matter of choice but an instruction to Love and Honour him. Every Muslim grows up with a special love for the Holy Prophet and hopes to be as close to him as possible. He is the embodiment of Islam and therefore, an insult to him is an insult to Islam. Having said that, we must also look at the current political and social events taking place in the Islamic world. In my view, this film has acted as a trigger to the already existing outrage and resentment felt towards the some arrogant Western and Zionist governments especially over their actions of the past decades From the occupation of Palestine and the constant bombardment of Gaza undermining the Iranian revolution, the Subjugation of Lebanon, initiating wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, takeover of Libya and the current quest to bring down Syria. We have watched how the western soldiers killed, raped, humiliated, oppressed and even disrespected the dead bodies of civilians. These actions have brewed hatred and resentment toward them that has been building up not only in those countries, but the world over. The Muslims have also felt that the enemy has been provoking them, just to see how far they will go with respect to defending Islam. We look at the cases of Salman Rushdie and his satanic verses. The Queen of England goes ahead and Knights him instead of condemning him. We also look at the case of the Danish Cartoons and the Quran burning events. It is not hard to see that there is a clear trend and plan set out by a few to create hatred and animosity among peace loving human beings. In an Islamic point of view One of the greatest obligations of a Muslim is to uphold good and to forbid evil (Amr bil Maaroof wa Nahi anil Munkar). This is a decree from Allah in the Holy Quran where it says: And there should be a group amongst you who invite towards good, Enjoin what is right and forbid what is evil, and these it is that are the successful ones (3:104). Imam Ali bin Abi Tlib (a.s.) said: Verily the people before you perished because when they committed sins, the Rabbis and the Priests did not forbid them from it. And when the people became submerged into sins and the Rabbis and the Priests did not forbid them, then the chastisement came down upon them. Therefore, bid towards the good and forbid the evil; and know that bidding towards the good and forbidding from evil will not hasten your death or decrease your sustenance.

Lessons from the Event of Karbala

Luqman Ramadhan Mbatia

Ashura, the tenth day of Muharram, is observed as a day of great mourning and solemn remembrance by Muslims all over the world. It is the anniversary of that memorable act of sacrifice that took place on the burning sands of Karbala whose aims were nothing but to uphold the true teachings of Islam. Faith, patience and sacrifice are the main elements Imam Hussein (a.s) manifested to the end. As the son of Ali and Fatima and the younger brother of Imam Hassan (a.s), Imam Hussein was the successor to all of them. No one possessed such courage or love for Islam than him, neither did so much responsibility rest
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on anyone regarding Islam as it rested on Imam Hussein (a.s) at that time. The tragedy of Karbala sheds tears in our hearts every day and everywhere we stand in remembering the inhuman acts the Prophets grandson suffered with his family and small army who stood with him to the end. The tragedy of Karbala is a lasting lesson for every Muslim to array against the forces of evil, irrespective of their superiority in numbers and material. Mourning is not enough without faith, sacrifice and hard work to uphold the teachings of Islam.

The Muslim Vol.1 Issue 1 | November 2012| Muharram 1434

Opinions

The Proposed Marriage Bill 2012 and the age factor

Yusuf Umer Brief History There is a proposed marriage bill whose aim is to amend and consolidate various laws relating to marriage and divorce and for connected purpose awaits deliberation by the Parliament. Currently there are 4 different legal regimes namely a) African Customary Law b) Hindu Marriage and Divorce Act c) Mohammedan Marriage and Divorce Act d) African Christian Marriage and Divorce Act. Efforts to unify these diverse laws began as early 1967, under the Spry Commission, and have been resisted ever since. Sheikh Nassor Nahdy, who later became the Chief Kadhi of Kenya, is on record to have told the Spry Commission that we could compromise with our wishes but we cannot compromise with divine law. The Marriage Bill 2012 is the latest such attempt and the Muslims urgently convened consultative meetings in August and September both in Nairobi and Mombasa under the aegis of the Shia Ithnaasheri organization, not only to anticipate the hasty rush of the Bill to Parliament but also to afford the opportunity to the Muslims peruse the document and make their suggestions. Various Muslim organizations, communities and scholars participated and what can be said of this consultation was that there was a major position change to accept a consolidated Family Law but on condition that there is no diminution of Islamic Law. The major challenge for the Muslims was how are these laws going to operate in a secular environment bereft of Islamic ideology and spirit? Some sceptics felt that the contradictions were too big for a consolidated law and were of the view that it would be better to continue the rejectionist line. It was however felt that the changes that were taking place in the Nation, with our new constitution, and significant change in the legislative process was espousing a participatory culture that gave weight to opt for a common law. It may be said that the Muslims want to make a bold statement that there are commonalities that they share in family law of other co-religionists for which a consolidated law may be appropriate. Accompanying the Marriage Bill to Parliament are two related bills namely the Family Protection Bill which is to make provision for the protection and relief of victims of domestic violence and the Matrimonial Property Bill to make provision for the rights and responsibilities of spouses in relation to matrimonial property reflecting the governments marshal plan to remedy issues afflicting the family, especially as disputes in the families resulting in fatalities is on the rise. The consultative meeting proposed amendments to a number of clauses that define the Muslim marriage and wished they be accommodated in the Bills. The consultative meeting decided that there be two committees, the Technical Committee that would look into this and other future bills to lookout for contentious legislation and the Advocacy committee that would interact with the larger community and to popularize the deliberations of the committees. There were about 24 recommendations that the Muslims suggest they be addressed in the Bills by the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution (CIC) amongst them is the age factor. The Age Factor One amendment that the Muslims proposed was that the marriageable age of 18 as proposed in the Bill be reduced to 16. Though 16 is not necessarily what Islam prescribes, as a compromise it may come closer to Islamic Law that a person should be baligh and aqil that is to be mature and sane for one to qualify for marriage. John S Mbitis African religions and philosophy states that preparation for marriage is a long process, the moments of which may be marked with rituals. .the(se) initiation rites are like birth of young people into the state of maturity and responsibility. One of the educational purposes of initiation rites, is to introduce young people to matters of sex, marriage, procreation and family life. He says that the Akamba go through three parts of initiation rites, the first two being the most important. Children go through the first stage of initiation rites when they are about four to seven where the boys undergo circumcision and the girls clitoridectomy symbolizing separation from childhood. The second initiation known as the major or great initiation which can take place any time between a few weeks after the first initiation and the age of fifteen or so, and are introduced to all matters of manhood and womanhood. The Maasai circumcision rites take place every four to five years for young people aged between twelve and sixteen.
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The Muslim Vol.1 Issue 1 | November 2012| Muharram 1434

County News

Eid Ghadeer Celebrations in Mihango

Muslims congregated at Imam Reza Community, Mihango, Muranga County during the commemoration of Eid Ghadeer on 4th November 2012. Eid Ghadeer is a day that people celebrate the day when the Holy Prophet (P.b.u.h) designated Imam Ali (a.s) as his successor at a place called Ghadeer Khuum. 1. and 2 Part of the congregation 3. Hujjatul Islam Sh. Issa Kagoma from Nakuru County 4. Sh. Mohamed Mbugua

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The Proposed Marriage Bill 2012 and the age factor

age of majority and the age of sexual consent or marriageable age. So one can marry when below 18 but can only vote when 18. There is need for more research to be put into this rather than following the western prescription as it may spell disaster for our societies.

This basically shows that young people arrive to discernment much earlier than the 18 years. It would be doing the society a disservice if laws are enforced against the young people natural disposition. Even in the west in order to overcome this problem they recognize that there is a difference between the

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The Muslim Vol.1 Issue 1 | November 2012| Muharram 1434