Church leaders say President Ramaphosa’s decision to reopen churches is a partially answered prayer. Faith-based gatherings are permitted with a limit of 50 people for indoor venues, and 100 for outdoors. eNCA reporter, Nqobile Madlala is out getting reaction to this decision. Courtesy #DStv403
بِسْم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Allah Ta’ala has made this world an abode of ever changing and fluctuating conditions.
Allah Ta’ala says in the Quran:
الذي خلق الموت و الحياة ليبلوكم ايكم احسن عملا
(He has created death and life to test you as to who has the best of actions)
Allah has promised great rewards for those who adopt Sabr/patience at the time of tests and adversities.
Allah says:
انما يوفى الصابرون اجرهم بغير حساب
(The person exercising Sabr receives an unlimited reward from Allah)
Believers turn their hearts to Allah during adversity.
Allah Ta’ala says:
ما اصاب من مصيبة الا باذن الله و من يومن بالله يهد قلبه
(A calamity does not befall accept with Allah’s permission and he who believes in Allah, Allah guides his heart)
During these trying times every person is enduring some type of stress, anxiety and even trauma. The most being experienced by those affected directly with Covid-19 and thereafter by those invaluable health workers and doctors who serve in hospitals along with those entrusted with burial preparations and rituals.
Rasoolullah ﷺ says in a prophetic tradition:
الله في عون العبد ما كان العبد في عون اخيه
(Allah assists His servant as long as he is in the service of his brother)
Rasoolullah ﷺ also said ‘For me to assist a person in difficulty is more virtuous than one month of i’tikaaf/seclusion in Masjid al Nabawi.’
I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the Imams of West Street Masjid, Houghton to express our gratitude and appreciation to all the doctors and health workers of our community, those who are on the frontline trying to treat and be a means of support to families and individuals affected with Covid-19.
We also equally express our gratitude and appreciation to all the brothers and sisters of our burial committee, who are selflessly sacrificing their time, fulfilling a community obligation of ensuring that our Muslims are honourably shrouded and buried with dignity in accordance with the teachings of Islam, even in these extremely trying time.
May Allah accept all your efforts and reward you all abundantly. May He protect you and your families from all types of physical and spiritual harm and sickness
آمِيْن يَارَبَّ الْعَالَمِينْ
Wassalamu Alaikum
Qari Muhammad Sauleh Peck
As Muslims we should try to be positive at times of difficulty by having good thoughts towards our creator Allah Ta’ala.
Rasoolullah ﷺ states in a prophetic tradition that Allah says:
انا عند ظن عبدي بي
‘I deal with my servant according to his expectations of me’.
We should have high hopes from Allah’s mercy that He will soon grant ease from the present difficulties experienced globally in sha Allah.
If any person or family has been affected with the current pandemic, we should firstly turn to Allah in dua for their recovery. We should avoid becoming paranoid by trying to find reasons to blame someone, thereby giving the impression that those affected have some type of stigma or are guilty of negligence.
Allah says:
ما اصاب من مصيبة الا باذن الله
No calamity befalls anyone except with the permission of Allah.
ومن يومن بالله يهد قلبه
He who believes in Allah, Allah will guide his heart.
Those affected should turn to Allah via Sabr and forbearance and know that Allah has promised the greatest of rewards for those who are patient during times of adversity. They sometimes reach high stages in Jannah due to patients, which under normal circumstances they would be unable to achieve.
We should all be turning to Allah with zikr and dua by engaging in the recitation of prophetic duas.
Rasoolullah ﷺ stated that whoever recites the following dua thrice in the morning and evening, will be saved from calamities.
اعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ….
بِسْم اللهِ الَّذِيْ لا يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَيْءٌ فِي الاَرْضِ وَلَا فِي السَّمَاءِ وَ هُوَ السَّمِيْعُ العَلِيْم…
We recite Hasbulallahu wa ni’mal wakeel as much as possible which is a supplication made by the honourable Sahabah at the time of need.
حَسْبُنَا اللّهُ وَ نِعْمَ الْوَكِيْل
We should make abundant istighfaar and seek forgiveness for our sins.
Rasoolullah ﷺ said:
The person who seeks forgiveness abundantly, Allah will grant him an escape from every difficulty, ease from every worry and sustenance from where he least expects.
Lastly, we all should adopt the necessary precautions and guidelines that have been advocated by health professionals and this can easily be achieved by practicing on the pure Sunnah of Rasoolullah ﷺ in our daily activities.
May Allah protect us and grant ease to all those who have been affected.
Assalamualaikum,
On behalf of the Houghton Muslim Jamaat Trust (HMJT), a humble appeal is made for Lillah donations to the HMJT.
Covid 19 and the lockdown has sadly left the masjid closed for many weeks and is missed by many, notwithstanding this most of our running expenses continue and your contributions are essential for the operational requirements of the Masjid and its facilities.
Any contribution will be much appreciated. If you have contributed it is much appreciated and may Allah reward you abundantly.
The account details for donations are listed below:
HOUGHTON MUSLIM JAMAAT TRUST
FNB
ACCOUNT: 5921 0025 275
BRANCH: 260950
Ref: (Donor Name)
info@hmjamaat.com
Alternatively you may sign debit orders or make use of snapscan.
Monthly Debit Order Forms :
http://hmjamaat.com/Forms/HoughtonMandate.zip
مثل الذين ينفقون أموالهم فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ حَبَّةٍ أَنْبَتَتْ سَبْعَ سَنَابِلَ فِي كُلِّ سُنْبُلَةٍ مِائَةُ حَبَّةٍ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يُضَاعِفُ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ ۗ وَاللَّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ
QURAN SURAH AL BAQARAH 261
(2:261) The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.
Sincerely,
Houghton Muslim Jamaat Trust
Benefit of reciting: Hasbunallahu Wa Ni’mal Wakil.
حسبنا الله و نعم الوكيل
‘Allah is Sufficient for us, and He is the best Disposer of affairs for us. What an excellent Guardian and Protector He is!’
Ibn ‘Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) said: When Sayyiduna Ibraheem alayhissalam was thrown into the fire, he said: “Allah (Alone) is sufficient for us, and, He is the Best Disposer of affairs.” So did the Messenger of Allah,Sayyiduna Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wassalam ), when he was told: “A great army of the pagans had gathered against him, so fear them”. But this (warning) only increased him and the Muslims in faith and they said: “Allah (Alone) is sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us)”. [Al-Bukhari].
Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wassalam) said, “How can I feel at ease when the Angel of the Trumpet, (Israfil alayhissalam) has put his lips to the Trumpet and is waiting for the order to blow it”? He (the Prophet) sallallahu alayhi wasallam perceived the shock of his Companions, so he told them to seek comfort through reciting: ‘Hasbunallahu wa Ni’mal-Wakeel [Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs.
Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallma taught us that a single verse Hasbunallahu Wa Ni’mal Wakeel can be a source of all strength and comfort!
Therefore we encourage the brothers and sister of our community to set aside specific times with our families to recite this supplication.
So let us make it a point to recite this at least 100 times in the morning and evening daily.
May Allah Ta’ala accept