Biographies - Daughter of Namrud

Namrud was the oppressive king who threw Ibrahim (A.S.) into the fire.
His daughter, Ru'dah, was watching the scene from above. She noticed
that the fire was having no effect on Ibrahim (A.S.). She shouted and
asked him the reason for this.
Ibrahim (A.S.) replied: " Allahhas saved me from this calamity through
the blessing of iman."
She replied: "If you permit me, I will also come into the fire."
He replied: "Recite Lâ ilâha illallâhu Ibrahim khalîlullâh
(translation: There is none worthy of worship except Allah and Ibrahim
is the close friend of Allah).
She recited this kalimah and immediately dived into the fire. The fire
had no effect on her as well. She then came out of the fire and went
and rebuked and censured her father. He subjected her to great
difficulties but she remained steadfast on her iman.
Lesson: Glory be to Allah! How courageous she wasthat she did not
abandonher iman even when in difficulty! O women! You should also be
strong-willed at the time of difficulties and do not actcontrary to
the Deen even if it equals a hair's breadth.

Biographies - Shaykh Ebrahim Bham

Shaykh Ebrahim I. Bham is born and raised in South Africa. He has
attained his masters in the Islamic sciences and theology under great
traditional scholars. Shaykh Ebrahim I. Bham is known to be one of
themost active scholars in South Africa for education, development,
advocacy and interfaith. He has served in various capacities in South
Africa at Newtown Islamic Institute, Al-aqsa Institute, Mayfair Jame
Masjid, and Hamidia Masjid.
He frequently travels the world for da'wah and lectures, including
countries such as Australia, United Kingdom, USA, Somalia, Palestine,
Eygpt, Turkey, Sri Lanka & Malawi.
Shaykh Ebrahim I. Bham is also the founder member and vice chairman of
Johannesburg MuslimSchool, executive committee member of National
Religious Leaders Forum (Initiated By South Africans for Greater
Liaison between Religious Groups and Government), executive member of
Muslim AIDS Programme (MAP), national trustee of Moral Regeneration
Movement (Working towards the improvement of morality amongst South
Africans) and also an executive member of the United UlamaCouncil of
South Africa (UUCSA).
Shaykh Ebrahim I. Bham is presently the chief theologian and
general-secretary of the Council of Muslim Theologians in
Johannesburg, South Africa ( http://www.islamsa.org.z a/). Shaykh
Ebrahim I. Bham lives in Johannesburg, South Africa with his wife and
three children. Some of Shaykh ebrahim's lectures can be heard from
the Every Muslimsite.
May Allahgive a long a life and good health in order for us to benefit
from the Shaykh, ameen.

Biographies - Mufti Abdool Kader Hoosen

Mufti Abdool Kader Hoosen is the resident Mufti of Channel Islam
Internationalwhich is an extremely well known and successful radio
station. The current radiocoverage spans across 65 countries across
three continents. (Africa, Europe, Arab Peninsula – also available
over the internet).
Mufti Abdool Kader Hoosen:
"I was born in Heidelberg, Gauteng, South Africa on the 20th April
1957. After studying at the primary school in Heidelberg, my parents
Ismail and Halima Hoosen(Rahmatullahi Alayhim) motivated me to start
memorizing the Quraan Shareef. Thus I started myHifz in 1968 and
completed in 1970 under the tutorship of Hafiz Ebrahim Limalia.
In 1974, I pursued my Islamic studies in Karachi,Pakistan, as I wanted
to know what is the meaning of the Noble Quraan. Alhamdulillah, I
graduated in 1980 at Jamia Farooqia Karachi,Pakistan. In 1990 I
completed my MA with distinction at the Rand Afrikaans University in
Islamic studies.
I always yearned to teachat a Darul Uloom and in January 1981, I
started teaching at Darul Uloom Newcastle. The portfolios I held there
was vice principle, Mufti and Senior Lecturer on Tafseer, Quraan and
Hadith etc. After staying for 20 years in Newcastle,I joined Cii in
January 2001 as a resident Mufti. My wife, Fathima is a great
inspiration for me."
Some talks delivered by Mufti Abdool Kader Hoosen's can be heard and
downloaded from the Edarswebsite, whilst his radio programmes are
frequently aired on Cii. May Allahswt give good health and long lifeto
Mufti Abdool Kader Hoosen in order that the ummah continue to benefit
from his talks and knowledge. Ameen.

The gates of virtue during Ramadan

The month of Ramadan isthe month of virtue and righteousness. Due to
thevirtue of its period, the deeds performed during it are also
treated differently. People are more eager to be virtuous during this
month than any other month of the year. There are many righteous deeds
a Muslim can perform during this blessed month, and the following are
some suggested deeds:
Sincerity:Allaah Says)what means(:"And they were not commanded except
to worship Allaah,]being[ sincere to Him in religion, inclining to
truth, and to establish prayer and to give Zakaah. And that is the
correct religion."]Quran 98: 5[
Hastening in breaking the fast:Sahl Ibn Sa'dreported that the
Prophetsaid:"The people will continue to be on the right path as long
as they hasten the breaking of the fast"]Al-Bukhaari and Muslim[
Breaking the fast by eating dates:Sulaymaan Ibn 'Amrreported thatthe
Prophetsaid:"If one of you is fasting, he should break his fast with
dates. If dates are not available, then with water, for water is
purifying. "]At-Tirmithi[
Exerting extra effort in supplications:The Prophetsaid:"Three
supplications are answered without doubt.The supplication of the
fasting person, the supplication of the oppressed and the supplication
of the traveler."]Al-Bayhaqi[.
Eating Suhoor )i.e. the pre-dawn meal(:Anasreported that the
Prophetsaid:"Eat Suhoor, as there is blessings in it"]Al-Bukhaari and
Muslim[
Thanking Allaah after eating or drinking:Anasreported that the
Prophetsaid:"Allaah ispleased with the slave who thanks Him )i.e.,
saysAl-hamdu lillah( when he eats and thanks Him when he
drinks"]Muslim[
Guarding ones tongue and remaining silent:AbuHurayrahreported that the
Prophetsaid:"Let he who believes in Allaah and the Last Day say
something good or remain silent"]Muslim[. The Prophetalso
said:"Fasting is not to refrain from eating and drinking, rather one
should neither indulge inobscene language nor should he raise his
voice; and if anyone reviles himor tries to quarrel with him, he
should say: `I am fasting. I am fasting `"]Ibn Hibbaan[
Going early to the mosque and waiting for the next prayer:Abu
Hurayrahreported that the Prophetsaid:"Should I not direct you to
something by which Allaah obliterates the sinsand elevates )your(
ranks."They said: "Yes, O Messenger of Allaah". Hesaid:"Performing
ablution properly, even in difficulty, frequently going to the mosque,
and waiting eagerly for the next prayer after a prayer is over;
indeed, that is Ar-Ribaat )i.e. equivalent to its reward(,indeed, that
is Ar-Ribaat)guarding the front lines of the Muslim army("]Muslim[.
Abu Hurayrahreported that the Prophetsaid:"Everyone among you will be
deemed to be occupied in prayer constantly so long as the prayer
detains him )from worldly concerns(, and nothing prevents him from
returning to his family but prayer."]Al-Bukhaari and Muslim[
Spending charity:Abu Hurayrahreported that the Prophetsaid:"He who
gives in charity the value of a date whichhe legally earned, and
Allaah accepts only that which is pure, Allaah accepts it with His
Right Hand and fosters it for him, as one of you fostershis pony,
until it )i.e. the spent charity( becomes like a mountain"]Al-Bukhaari
and Muslim[
Encouraging others to spend:Allaah Says )what means(:"And cooperate in
righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and
aggression"]Quran 5: 2[
Arranging for lectures:Abu Hurayrahreported that the Prophetsaid:"If
anyone calls others to follow right guidance, his reward will be
equivalent to those who follow him )in righteousness( without their
reward being diminished in any respect, and if anyone invites others
to follow error, the sin, will be equivalent to that of the people who
follow him)in sinfulness( without their sins being diminished in any
respect"]Muslim[
Performing the 'Eed prayer:Abu Sa'eedreported:"The Prophetused to come
out on the 'Eed day after Ramadan, and the first thing he would do was
to perform the 'Eed prayer"]Al-Bukhaari[
These were some of the gates towards virtue thatone can perform during
this blessed month, so be keen to accumulate as much reward as you
possibly can, because thiscould be the last year youwitness this
month. Take advantage of this chance and put forth what you would like
to see on the Day of Account. Allaah Says )what means(:"The Day every
soul will find what it has done of goodpresent ]before it[ and what it
has done of evil, it will wish between itself and that ]evil[ was a
great distance. And Allaah warns you of Himself, and Allaah is Kind to
]His[ slaves."]Quran 3: 30[