Tuesday 19 November 2013

Al-Fahm's Editor, Abdur-rasheed Abubakar to Wed Taofeeqah Abdussalam...Picks Nikkah Date, Venue



Al-Fahm's Editor, Abdur-rasheed Abubakar to Wed Taofeeqah Abdussalam

...Picks Nikkah Date, Venue




By Abdulkabeer Kuye

The thirst has finally been quenched! The much-awaited and most anticipated date has ultimately been fixed!! You wonder what it is!!!

The illustrious Editor-in-Chief of our darling Islamic newspaper, AL-FAHM, Mallam Abdur-rasheed Abubakar, has, after so much yearnings from friends and family, gladly fixed Saturday, January 4, 2014 as the date to take home his one and only (at the very moment) damsel; his "Adanma" of life; the very rib that has been missing; Hajia Taofeeqah Abdus-salam.

The young journalist, who currently work with ENCOMIUM Magazine humbly throws out this invite to all and sundry to come and witness the marriage solemnization with his sweetheart, a graduate of Physiology from the prestigious University of Ilorin, at the historic city of Ara-Orin, Ara-orin Central Mosque, Kwara State.

The nuptial knots is expected to be “fanta-bulous”, as the groom’s brethren, home and abroad, are now set to identify with one of their own. The bride's family, including her famous Vanguards G-13 set are not left out as they are ready to make the day a memorable one for one of the beautiful daughters of the famous Awayewaserere's family.

"Alhamdulillah, alhamdulillah, I'm very much happy and elated" were the words that gushed out from the groom-to-be when AL-FAHM contacted him.
He addded, "It's a thing of joy. All I would say is that may Almighty Allah make it a reality for me and my wife-to-be, and bless the union with righteous kids."

All other arrangements, especially transportation from Lagos to Aran-Orin will be communicated to interested friends later. Keep reading AL-FAHM online...

Wednesday 25 September 2013

NOKIA, Arsenal FC, Disney excluded from boycotted products + revised list of new boycotted products



If information at our disposal is anything to count on, AL-FAHM investigations have revealed that Nokia Ventures Organization, Arsenal Football’s Club and Disney have been excluded from boycotted products. Updated list on inminds website (www.inminds.com) in conjunction with Islamic Human Right Commissions (IHRC) showed that these companies and others including Sara Lee (textile company), Danone have been syndicated.


The details reports on each product/company stated below…

Disney: Disney, working with the Israeli embassy, was given 1.8 million dollars by Israel to promote Jerusalem as the capital of Israel at a special exhibition at its Epcot centre in Florida, strategically positioned so that every visitor to the centre would have to walk through the exhibition in order to reach the exit. Jerusalem is an illegally occupied Palestinian city and under international law can NEVER be the capital of Israel. The exhibition has since been removed so Disney is no longer on the boycott list.

Sara Lee: Sara Lee has divested its large stake in the Israeli textile giant Delta Galil so it along with its two dozen plus brands have all been removed from the boycott list.


Nokia: Nokia Ventures Organization which had so heavily invested in Israel is no longer part of Nokia and is now called BlueRun Ventures and has many investors now. Note that Nokia is still one of its investors, but its stake in Israel is now no more prominent than countless other technology companies who are not on the boycott list, so Nokia has also been removed from the list.


Arsenal FC: Following a concerted campaign, Arsenal Football Club's contract with the Israeli Tourism board to promote Israel as the teams "official and exclusive travel destination" on its digital perimeter boards (to an estimated 700 million viewers in 198 countries) was not renewed. Subsequently, Arsenal FC has been removed from the boycott list. Note that Arsenal still runs 'Arsenal in the Galilee' coaching project in Israel.

Selfridge: Selfridges flagship store in London was picketed for stocking a range of settlement products including Ahava and soon a boycott of the store followed. It no longer sells Ahava Dead Sea products on its website, although it does advertise Estee Lauder Origins 'body scrubs' which include Dead Sea salts. As part of our strategy of a more focused boycott campaign where individual Israeli brands like Ahava are targeted, Selfridges in no longer on the boycott list.

Danone: Whilst Danone is still on the boycott list, it has gone through some changes and lost some of its famous brands and these are no longer on the boycott list. A Jacob biscuit is now owned by United Biscuits; HP foods and Lea & Perrins is now owned by H.J. Heinz; and similarly Galbani and LU Biscuits are also no longer owned by Danone.

REVISED LIST
The organization has also revised the list of boycotted products, with inclusion of new ones. The purpose of boycott is to peacefully put international pressure on apartheid Israel and follows in the footsteps of the successful boycott against South African apartheid. 

The revised list includes Keter, Curver, Jardin, OutStanding and Allibert in the Plastic category. Although, most of these products are not in circulation in Nigeria, they spend huge lots of money on Israel. For instance, Israels Keter Group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of plastic consumer products. The Israeli plastics giant is privately owned by the Sagol family, and has a turnover of $1.1 billion, 90% of which is derived from overseas sales.  

The same also apply to food and drink. While Coca Cola remain the third largest, Nestle has continued to appear on the list of companies supporting Israel. Nestlé is the world's largest food company, it owns 53.8% share of leading Israeli food manufacturer Osem, an investment worth over $850 million, according to the reports recently released by inminds.com. Nestle has 9 factories in Israel, which after China (18) and Russia (11) is the highest number in any country in Asia - disproportionately high when one considers its size and population. And in May 2011, Nestle announced plans to build another factory in Israel, an ice cream plant worth $40 million. 

Also, McDonald's Corporation is a major corporate partner of the Jewish United Fund and Jewish Federation. According to the Jewish United Fund, through its Israel Commission it "works to maintain American military, economic and diplomatic support for Israel; monitors and, when necessary, responds to media coverage of Israel". 

The Jewish United Fund also runs "Fun-filled Summer Family Missions to Israel" where families get to "visit an army base and meet with Israeli soldiers" and "visit our sister city, Kiryat Gat and see the important work we are doing there". Kiryat Gat is built on stolen Palestinian land - the lands of the villages of Iraq Al Manshiya and Al-Faluja whose residents were ethnically cleansed in 1949 in contravention of International Law. Through its "Partnership to Israel" programme, the Jewish United Fund provides $1.3 million annually to help further settlement and development of Kiryat Gat. The Jewish Federation, through its Israel Action Network is tasked to fight "efforts to boycott Israeli products" and "campaigns, such as equating Israel with apartheid South Africa".

BOYCOTT ISRAEL AND ITS ALLIES CAMPAIGN
Scholars of Islam have unanimously agreed that boycott is a MUST for Muslims, a means of showing brotherhood and solidarity for their brethren. Among such scholars were Qatari based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Yusuf Qaradawi, Irananian spiritual leader, Ali Khumaini, and Sheikh Dhikrullahi Shafi'I from Nigeria.

Luqmon Yusuf opined that the weapon of oppressors is economy, stressing that the only way to stop them from committing their oppression is boycott. He noted that if Muslims are aware and would boycott Israel products all over the world, it will go a long way in curbing the aggression against innocent Palestinians.

 - Rasheed Abubakar

ASMAA AL-BELTAGI - THE NEW FACE OF A MARTYR + Lessons for women on the path of struggle


late Asmaa

Thousands have passed by, only in figures have they been recognized but when the sincere ones fall amidst the mammoth crowd, Allah sends forth a message through their public recognition. My pen can hardly express the way it feels that an image of Zaynab Ghazali be replanted in the history of Islam. The ink will only underestimate the true representation of those who lived and die for the religion of the last hour. A loss that cannot be redeemed, a blow that was dealt so hard and a trigger pulled at the entirety of Muslims all over the world; the death of Asmaa El-Beltagi.

The beautifully blossoming Muslimah was the daughter of the Muslim Brotherhood leader, Muhammad Al-Beltagi. Some minutes to 10:30 Cairo time on Wednesday, August 14, this innocent beauty of Islam breathe her last as she was shot in the chest and back. Her death has torn apart many heads, both within and outside Egypt. A distinct emblem of steadfastness to the cause of truth; many attest to her angelic attributes. At 17, she has participated in all demonstrations since the revolution of January 2011. Her conviction never wavered on the path of Islam. She even encouraged friends to support the call to truth and she resisted the rule of military. In the face of adversity, the courage of the 17 years old has made her to become an icon of Rabaa Al-adawiyyah.

If truly we are acquainted with the history of Islam, we would be certain that this is not the first Muslim female to be persecuted on the path of struggle nto the call of truth in Egypt. It started during the reign of Farouk Jamal Abdul Nasir. The Return of Pharaoh has the comprehensive details of what went wrong and why women wept. This is an era that has shifted from making women the subject but rather the object. Zaynab Al-Ghazali was a woman with rock of actions, ready to lay down her life in defiance for what she believes in. She stood by her cause and she wouldn’t even accept her release when they didn’t release the other sisters from the prison. She knew it was a struggle they had to fight to finish. In the words of Asmaa as she fell, “Persist, victory will soon come. Do not leave the revolution to the army”. This is a clear sign that we are on the right path; we will not stop defending the truth for it is on the basis of the truth that the Brotherhood is built.
 
late Asmaa's father, Muhamed Beltagi
The reason for continuous, consistent and immeasurable persecution is simple. This truthful servant of Allah has continued to uphold the truth about the deen. They have seen and lived Islam as a way of life, they have been steadfast in their belief and they do not turn away from what they stand for even in the face of trials and tribulations. They incessantly call people to what they believe in. Directly or indirectly they reach out to people en-masse, commanding them to do good and forbid evil and to obey nothing but the true commandment of Allah. They haven’t gone beyond these and that is the offence they have committed which is causing multiple unrest and even leading to death and destruction of several innocent lives and properties. The Brotherhood under the pioneer founder, Imam Hassan Al-Banna, came to take care of issues of such and to strengthen the bond of brotherhood and give a voice to the voiceless and hope to the hopeless.
 
Dear sisters, I have learnt from this excerpt and I have rebuilt my life on this short story. The depth of what I have read of the life of Asmaa, her memorizing the Qur'an before the age of 14, how she encouraged her father to embark on certain actions, and how she made herself a front runner of self sacrifice to tend to the wounds of people at the square where she met her death. The brotherhood is bound by legion of men and women who has a focus. Asmaa has left us with a message to carry on with the struggle even in the face of trouble.

The blood of martyrs continues to serve as a compass that illuminates the way in this struggle for justice and dignity. Beloved sisters, trials are certain, they will come and go but you have to be convinced and steadfast. For the single ones, mirror Asmaa, for the married ones; let your marriage serve as bedrock of change. Be eagle-sighted, and never be narrow-minded. It is time to choose between been relevant or been indispensable in the sand of time.


Shall I not tell you one of the things in the diary of this innocent Muslimah; “Lord, let me be one of those who grant smiles to people, who weave threads of hope, be kind to the weak and supportive of orphans, who light candles in desolated roads, who ponder cosmic horizons and grow certainty, revolt in the face of justice, whose heart is always hopeful of your kindness”
 
It starts from now, what makes your heart bleeds, the struggle to be relevant or the desire to be heard not seen”

- by Bushrah Olagunju

Tuesday 2 July 2013

40 WAYS OF EARNING ALLAH’S REWARDS IN RAMADAN



-why it’s called the month of blessing, forgiveness and emancipation from hell-fire

Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the most anticipated events in the Islamic calendar. Apart from being the fourth pillar of Islam, it is a month of blessing, forgiveness and total emancipation from Hell-fire. It’s a great opportunity for Muslims that witness Ramadan, but how can they earn Allah’s abundant rewards in the glorious month, in which “the gates to paradise are opened and the gates to hellfire are locked, and the devils are chained?” ABDUR-RASHEED ABUBAKAR and IMRAN RUFAI'I write...

WATCH OUT FOR FULL ARTICLE ON JULY 10, 2013

FASTING THE FEMININE WAY By Hajia Ganiyat Tijani Adenle


Yippy! It’s Ramadan again and every believer is happy for here is yet another opportunity to win the ticket to paradise, Insha Allah. But most times, our men seem to reap the benefits of Ramadan more than us because of the special and unique responsibilities conferred on us by nature. So now, I feel it’s important every Muslim woman should devise ways by which she can optimize the holy month by performing those roles while still observing a lot of highly rewarding spiritual activities. Are you curious to know how? Well, it’s called Fasting the Feminine Way. Have your fill!

Foremost, every woman should be determined to observe a lot of ibaadah in Ramadan. You need your nights for tahajjud and your days for qur’anic recitation and supplications. So the plan is to observe these ibaadaats while still performing your roles as a wife, mother and daughter. The determination is important as that is what will make you plan, organize and eventually achieve it.
 
After that, you need to organize yourself to avoid the time wasters during the day and night. We spend a lot of time cleaning the house and arranging things during the day. A good way to deal with this can be by clearing your house before Ramadan or early into the commencement of the month. Pack most of the things you rarely use into the store, cupboard or even under your bed! That way, there will be fewer items to clean and dust and a lot of free space to perform ibaadah. If you have visitor’s room and rooms that are not presently occupied, lock them up and you’ll have fewer rooms to pay attention to. Outside cleaning, we still need to beautify ourselves despite Ramadan so how do you go about this? Make sure you don’t make hair styles that will take long hours to make or loose. Your hairstyles and all other personal hygiene routine should be restricted to the necessary and highly important. 

PRAY TO ALLAH MORE DURING THE MONTH
 Visitors also take a lot of our time so see how you’ll receive less visitors during the day in Ramadan, unless of course the visitors who will join you in performing ibaadah because if you’re not careful, they will not only waste your time, but they will make you lose the reward of your fasting.

Don’t forget that we women like to chit-chat a lot and before you know it, you are already talking about one sister or another or even exaggerating an incident. Need I remind you of the hadith of the Prophet (S.A.W.) that "Whoever doesn't desist from speaking falsehood and acting upon it, Allah has no need that he desist from his food and drink." (Bukhari) I’m also sure you’ve not forgotten that Allah says in Suratul Hujurat verse 12 that “O you who believe! Avoid much suspicion, indeed some suspicions are sins. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting). And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is the One Who accepts repentance, Most Merciful.”
DON'T CHIT-CHAT
There’s something else that takes our time in Ramadan, it is not a time waster like some others but we need to control it or else we won’t achieve anything. It’s food preparation. Precisely, it is preparing sahur and iftar. Preparing food for our family in Ramadan is important as it is an act of ibaadah but it must not prevent us from observing other ibaadaats. The Prophet, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, is reported by Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) to have said, "Eat a pre-dawn meal for there are blessings in it." (Bukhari and Muslim). Other traditions report the Prophet (peace be upon him) as saying, “You should eat [the] pre-dawn meal for it is a blessed nourishment" (an-Nasa'i), and "The pre-dawn meal is blessed so do not neglect it even if you only take a sip of water. Verily, Allah and His angels pray for those who have pre-dawn meals." (Ahmad) So we should ensure we sleep early so we can wake early. 

 The first thing we should do when we wake up is to observe kiyaamul layl and not rush to the kitchen. After observing your tahajjud, then you can start the food preparation. One way to be successful with this is to plan the sahur before you sleep. Decide on what to eat, prepare it or start the process at night and just finish it up at dawn for the family. That way, preparing sahur will not rob you of the great blessings accruable from observing tahajjud in Ramadan. Allah says in Q32:16 that “Their sides forsake their beds, to invoke their Lord in fear and hope, and they spend (charity in Allah's Cause) out of what We have bestowed on them.” One of the many traditions that talk on the benefits says “Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "May Allah show mercy to a man who gets up during the night and performs Salat, awakens his wife to pray and if she refuses, he sprinkles water on her face (to make her get up). May Allah show mercy to a woman who gets up during the night and performs Salat, awakens her husband for the same purpose; and if he refuses, she sprinkles water on his face.''[Abu Dawud]. So, we should not miss our tahajjud and we should also encourage our spouses.
PRAY TAHAJJUD WITH YOUR SPOUSES
Ah, I almost forgot about the kids! Please maximize the time of the day when they’ve gone to school, crèche or tutorials. When they are around, occupy them with ibaadaat or school work and let them know you have to be alone. If they are toddlers, keep them busy with toys or back them; anything to give you time to worship your lord.

Shopping also takes time, so if you can’t do your shopping monthly, fortnightly or weekly, then do so.  And if you choose to do it daily or as need arise, then avoid long distance markets or shopping centres. But the advisable thing to do is to do your Ramadan shopping at least two weeks to the time as foodstuff and provisions become more expensive with the commencement of Ramadan. Talk of the law of demand and supply.

Ramadan is also an opportunity to strengthen the ties of kinship and to renew relationships that may have been broken during the year and an avenue to clear up any disputes or bad feelings with other Muslims so we can reap the benefits of the month. Ramadan is a month to strengthen the ties of kinship with our families and our in-laws as it is a meritorious deed- The Prophet said, ‘Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should maintain good ties with relatives.’ [Al-Bukhari] He also said ‘Maintaining good ties with kinship brings love between relatives and increases wealth and prolongs life’.

Therefore, it is something that should be done especially in the month of Ramadan. However, we have to do it with wisdom. You can’t visit all your relatives so don’t even try. Call some, send messages and e-mails to some and send gifts to others. For those that must be visited, schedule the visit for when you’re likely to be on your monthly period, that way, your ibaadah may not be affected that much. Also program the reading of Islamic literature and similar acts to when you are not praying and maximize your praying period.

DO IFTAR WITH YOUR FAMILY


Do iftar in the homes of family and friends and invite people over to yours for iftar but let them be scheduled, that way, you can better organize yourself. And who says your friend who is joining you for iftar can’t come earlier to help you with preparations?

And there is the tafsir. We’re always preparing iftar around the time that most mosques organize the tafsir sessions. Let’s optimize the new media. You can listen to yours via the internet, television or radio. Download audio Qur’an on your phones so you can listen while you cook or clean the house or even while on your way to the office.

Most families make time for holiday but rarely for ‘itikaaf. Plan to observe the ten days of ‘itikaaf, it is possible. Do a thorough cleaning of your house before going for ‘itikaaf so it will be ready for ‘eid. Also ensure the ingredients you’ll need for your delicacy on ‘eid day and your clothes are also ready. That way, you can concentrate on your seclusion. Use your car or appeal to a fellow brethren who does to help you with your load, carry mattress and everything you may need. I’ve seen a mother of five who observed ‘itikaaf with her family. I’ve seen heavily pregnant women and even those with toddlers observing ‘itikaaf. You too can do it!
 
Above all, just be determined not to lose the benefits accruable from the Glorious month of Ramadhan because you are a wife or a mother. You too can fast the feminine way!

Baarakallahufiih.












Friday 28 June 2013

G-13 SET TO PAINT ILOBU RED WITH RUQAYYAH AROGUNDADE-ABDULHAKEEM ODUMOSU'S COLOURFUL NIKKAH

The ancient town of Ilobu, Osun State, South-West, Nigeria will be painted red this Sunday, June 30, 2013 when Vanguards Academy G-13 storm there for the nikkah of Ruqayyah Aderinsola Arogundade, who will be tying the nuptial knot with Abdulhakeem Olasubomi Odumosu.

Some of the members of G-13, Vanguards Academy first set, including Nusaybah Dhikrullah, Taofeeqah AbdusSalam, Bushrah Olagunju and Habeebah Ibraheem are already in town to honour and support the yet-to-be wife. Others expected to be there tomorrow (Saturday) for the Sunday colourful Nikkah are Safiyyah abdurRazaq, Hajarah Alli, Rafiah Ayoola and other alumni, including the G-23, Vanguards Academy's second set, which the bride was a member.
 


"Ilobu tinz. Ruqayyah Aderinsola Abike's wedding on my mind", one of the excited G-13 members, Taofeeqah AbdusSalam posted on her blackberry dp, adding, "we're here to make our friend's day with our large turnout."

In her cheering manner, Nusaybah Dhikrullah also has this on her blackberry dp, "Hmmm!Ilobu,here I come @ Rukadauda wedding Loading...! The Gs of VA: An avenue 4 reunion! Gbam!"

AL-FAHM also learnt that prominent islamic scholars will be attending, while members of the Muslim Students' Society of Nigeria (MSSN), The Muslim Congress and Al-Muminaat will also grace the holy solemnization that marks the beginning of a new life for the couple.

Meanwhile, the families of both sides are also warming up. The elated groom, Abdulhakeem will lead his family all the way from Ijebu, Ogun state to Ibadullah Nursary and Primary school, Ilobu, Osun State for the great occasion, while the bride's family has spared no cost to make the nikkah ceremony a grandeur.

Oh Allah, let this couple (Ruqayyah and Abdulhakeem) be helpers and protectors of one another, let them be a refuge and comfort to one another, let them be beautiful garments for one another, and let them experience the many treasures and beauties of marriage.

After Ruqayyah, whose Nikkah is next? Watch Out!!!
 
story by Abdur Rasheed Abubakar