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How do the current events around the world affect Muslims? What is the Islamic perspective on the issues in the media? These concerns and more are addressed in Jamiat News and Views.
This week in the news:
Several brothers had submitted their own prepared statements to the Jamiat for consideration and publication on the occasion of Mr. Mandela’s birthday. The statement which had appeared in last week’s News and Views was one such statement which was inadvertently published while the Jamiat’s comment was left out due to a technical bug, together with the other statements. The Jamiat’s comment is as follows:
From the outset it must be borne in mind that birthday commemorations and celebrations are not permissible for Muslims. Had Islam sanctioned the commemoration of birthdays, then no person’s birthday would have been more worthy of commemoration than that of Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alaihi Wa Sallam; but the Shariah of Islam does not even permit that.
Birthdays should in fact serve as a reminder that we are moving closer to our graves. Instead of celebrating, one should introspect and analyze whether one has truly spent one’s stay in the world in such a manner that is pleasing to Allah. If, not then we are failures in that court where it really matters. True success is with Imaan.
We therefore urge all Muslims to join us in dua that Allah grants Madiba and all mankind Hidaayat, true guidance to see and accept the truth of Islam. Ameen.
Record deficit for next president
The next US president is expected to face a record federal budget deficit of almost half a trillion dollars.
The White House has lifted its deficit forecast for 2009 to $482bn (£242bn) up from $407bn.
The budget deficit measures how much more the government is spending than it is raising through taxes.
The slowing economy is reducing the tax take and the government has launched a stimulus plan by making payments to 130 million households to boost spending.
The forecast figure excludes about $80bn of war costs.
The budget deficit is measured from the beginning of October to the end of September.
It is possible that the deficit for 2008 will also break the record of $413bn, which was set in 2004.
Jamiat Comment: The figures shown in this article are a clear indication that the 'gamble' in Iraq is not paying out. It is no secret that the Iraqi occupation had less to do with WMD's (weapons of mass destruction) and peace than with oil - oil that might have healed America's gaping economic wounds. But it was not meant to be, and America's economy continues on a swift downhill slide. After all, people make plans, but Allah is the best planner.
The Mail and Guardian newspaper reported this week that car repos were up 75% due to the current high inflation rate. Alarming as it is, this figure is regarded by many economists as just the beginning; predictions are that South Africa may be headed for a full-swing recession by the first quarter of next year.
Read the article. . .Jamiat Comment: Although the world economists provide their evaluation of the economic conditions, Muslims must realize that Allah Ta’ala alone controls the inflation, deflation, abundance and scarcity of things, and His decision will be according to our actions. By resorting to sincere repentance and dua before it is too late, we can avoid the foreseen recession as well as other unforseen difficulties.
Nonetheless, if the predictions are proven to be true in time, then the best advice is the simplest: live within your means. Our Rasool Sallallaahu Alaihi Wa Sallam has mentioned, “Moderation in spending is half of livelihood.” Therefore, it makes sense to cut all unnecessary expenses, and stop competing with the Joness: they are feeling the pinch too.
Above all, stay away from those banks. They will promise you the world through interest-based loans, but Muslims must keep in mind the dire warnings in the Quran and Hadith against dealing in interest.
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