VOICE OF GLOBAL UMMAH

VOICE OF GLOBAL UMMAH

Volume 47, September 29, 2008
St. Louis, Missouri

Editors: Mohamed and Rashida Ziauddin

In the Name of Allah the Most Beneficent and the Most Merciful

The Empire State Building in New York, Shines Green for Muslim Holiday Eid

NEW YORK, Sept 29, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/

For the second year, the Empire State Building will shine its world-famous tower lights in green on Tuesday, September 30 and Wednesday, October 1, 2008 for its annual celebration of Eid-al-Fitr, the "Festival of Fast-breaking," which marks the end of Ramadan. The lighting for Eid is an annual event in the same tradition of the Empire State Building's yearly lightings for Christmas and Hanukah. The Empire State Building's tower lights are world renowned for celebrating different nationalities, holidays, parades, and events of importance to the world.

At the end of Ramadan, Muslims throughout the world observe a joyous celebration called Eid-al-Fitr. This holiday marks the completion of a month of intense spiritual renewal and is a time for Muslims to celebrate with family and friends, exchange gifts, and to help those in need. In Islam, the color green symbolizes joy and the importance of nature.

During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims around the world observe a strict fast from sunrise until sunset, participate in prayer, give to charity and demonstrate acts of kindness.

About the Empire State Building
(Tallest building in New York)

Soaring 1,454 feet above Midtown Manhattan, the Empire State Building is the "World's Most Famous Office Building." With new investments in infrastructure, public areas and amenities, the Empire State Building has attracted first-rate tenants in a diverse array of industries from around the world.



The skyscraper's robust broadcasting technology supports all major television and FM radio stations in the New York metropolitan market. The Empire State Building was named America's favorite building in a poll conducted by the American Institute of Architects. The Empire State Building Observatory is one of the world's most beloved attractions and is the region's #1 tourist destination. For more information on the Empire State Building, please visit www.esbnyc.com.

ZAKAT:

(I) What is the meaning of Zakat ?

The literal meaning of Zakat is "to be clean, to grow, to increase". It comes from the root letters, za, kaf, ya, which has several meanings:

(a) to be clean (Al-Quran Chapter 24: Verse 21, Chapter 23: Verse 4),
(b) to pay the obligatory charity (Al-Quran 2:43)
(c) to be pure, innocent (Al-Quran 19:10, 18:74)
(d) to be better in purity (Al_Quran 18:81, 19:13),
(e) and to praise oneself, to justify (Al-Quran 53:32).

It has been used in Al-Quran to mean all of above things.
(Source: www.hidaya.org)

(II) If you want to access a spreadsheet version of the ZAKAT CALCULATION TABLE you can access the website of Jamiatul Ulama in Johannesburg, South Africa - www.jamiat.co.za

(III) In his book "33 Lessons for every Muslim" (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) Abdul Aziz Al Shomar states the following regarding ZAKAT:

"This is a very important pillar of Islam and possessess enormous advantages like the following.

1. It meets the needs of the poor in the society

2. It strengthens, fosters good relations between the rich and the poor, as everyone is naturally towards the one who does good to him.

3. It purifies one's self and sanctifies it, and it purges one's morals of covetousness and miserliness that are natural in human beings.

4. It promotes generosity and sympathy in a Muslim towards needy persons.

5. It draws Allah's Blessings; It causes increase in wealth and replenishes it.




ZAKAT is obligatory on following four types of properties:

1. The produce of earth such as grains and fruits

2. The grazing animals

3. Gold and Silver

4. Commercial Commodities.

For all types of properties, NISAB is fixed, which is the minimum amount of quantity liable to the payment of Zakat, below which no Zakat is payable.




Narrated by Umm Salamah (r.a): While she was wearing an anklet of gold, she asked Prophet Mohamed (SAW), "O, Messenger of Allah, Is it a Kanz (a hoarded wealth?". The Prophet (SAW) replied, "If it has been purified (BY PAYING ZAKAT OF IT), it is not a Kanz (hoarded wealth)". This command is also supported by other AHadeeth.



Allah categorizes those who deserve Zakat in His Noble Quran:

"As-Sadaqa (here it means Zakat) are only for the Fuqara (poor), and Al-Masakin (the poor) and those employed to collect (the funds) and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam); and to free captives; and for those in debts; and for Allah's cause (i.e. Mujahidun - those fighting in the holy battles) and for the wayfarer (a traveler who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allah. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise" Chapter 9: V.60).

Nobody has the authority to change, add or remove any of these above eight categories of people defined by Allah, and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise."

TEN SUNNAH PRACTICES ON THE DAY OF EID:

(1) To wake up as early as possible in the morning

(2) To take a ghusl (shower) after Fajr prayers for Eid

(3) To brush the teeth with Miswaak



(4) To wear one's best clothes (not necessarily new) ensuring that it conforms with the Shariah (Sunnah dress)

(5) To apply itr (perfume)

(6) To eat anything sweet like dates, et.c before leaving for Eid prayers




(7) To go as early as possible to the place where Eid prayer is offered

(8) To discharge the Sadqat-ul-Fitr (prescribed charity) before Eid prayer

(9) To go by one way and return by another



(10) To recite slowly on the way to the Eid prayer the following takbeer:

Allah-u-Akbar Allah-u-Akbar, laailaha illallahu wallahu-Akbar, Allahu-Akbar wa lillahil hamd.

ENTERTAINMENT:

MOVIE: ALLAH MADE ME FUNNY: (One week only in select theaters. OPENS OCTOBER 3rd).

St. Louis - Plaza Frontenac Cinema
210 Plaza Frontenac
Frontenac, MO 63131
(314) 995-6285

This landmark concert film follows three acclaimed comedians on stage and off as they lift the veil to reveal the humorous truth of what it's really like to be Muslim in America. Mo Amer, Azhar Usman and Preacher Moss poke fun at themselves, their communities, government, human nature and the tricky predicament of living in post-9/11 America. ALLAH MADE ME FUNNY: LIVE IN CONCERT is rollicking good fun and gives people of all cultural backgrounds an opportunity to laugh hard, drop their guard and open their minds.

"Forget the fabricated fear factor and see Muslims for what they really are - a diverse range of normal people...So put aside your duct tape, and let the laughter in".
Riz Khan
AL JAZEERA

Buy tickets now at www.allahmademefunny.com



ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
Every single Eid Mubarak Photo in this issue of VOGU is from www.living.oneindia.in. Our special thanks to them.

As usual feel free to send your valuable feedback to info@mehrunyusuficds.com