Saraki solicits for Ahmadiyya’s support

By Adebayo Waheed

From left: Dr. Moshuud Fashola, leader,
Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Nigeria; Hazra
Mirza Masroor Ahmad, leader, Ahmadiyya
worldwide and Maulana Abdul Khalik Nanyar,
Missionary in-charge of the Jamaat Nigeria,
during a press conference in Lagos. Photo:
Adebayo Waheed. The Kwara State governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has solicited for the support of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community worldwide for the construction of a befitting hospital and supply of books.

The governor, while receiving the Supreme leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad Khilafatul Mashi V, who paid him a courtesy call in his office, Ilorin , said the government and the people of the state would appreciate if the request was considered.

The governor who was represented by his deputy, Chief Afolabi Ogundeji also called on the religious leader to assist the state Shariah Court of Appeal in the rehabilitation of its library which got burnt recently.

While welcoming the Ahmadiyya leader on behalf of the governor and the people of the state, the deputy governor noted that the Islamic organization was known worldwide for its contributions to the socio-economic development of the world. According to him, this would complement the efforts of the state government in making life more meaningful to the people of the state.

Ahmadiyya movement is known worldwide for its religious activities, all to help mankind. Whatever we are doing in life, it will definitely come to an end one day, we are all going to meet and give account of our stewardship before the creator. Chief Afolabi, who described the visit as a unique opportunity, stated that the support of the organisation in the supply of books to the Sharia Court of Appeal was a knowledge that would not be too small.

At the Sharia Court of Appeal, the Grand Kadi of the state, Justice A. K. Imam Fulani, told the religious leader how the library named after the pioneer Grand Kadi of the state, late Justice Abdul Kadir Orire got burnt and the need to replace the past glory for the sake of Islam.

He said that though the state government had made frantic efforts towards replacing the books and reconstruction of the library, he however said that government could not do it alone. Earlier, the Ahmadiyya leader had thanked the state governor for the reception accorded him and his entourage. He also assured that something would be done to the state Government’s requests.

Five questions on Salat (VI)

By Taoheed Gbadamosi

Some pious Muslims are of the practice of brushing their teeth before each five times daily Solat (prayer). This is supported by the hadith related by Abu Huraira as recorded by al-Bukhan The Prophet says, “Did I not apprehend that it would be burdensome on my people, I would prescribe the brushing of teeth before every Solat. “

The brushing can be done using Siwak (root of al-Arak tree), chewing stick or toothbrush and toothpaste; the brushing can be repeated also any time during the day or night. It can also be done in the month of Ramadan but great care must be taken not to swallow the paste or solution. The Prophet said that the mouth odour of the person fasting is better than the perfume of al-Misk (perfume found n Paradise).

TREATING THE HAIRS AND THE NAILS
Aisha relates that the Prophet said: there are ten (10) demands of nature
1. Cutting close the hair on the lips (moustache). Letting the beard grow.
3. Brushing the teeth.
4. Cleaning out the nose.
5. Paring the nails.
6. Washing out the base of the fingers.
7. Removal of the hair in the armpits.
8. Removing the pubic hair.
9. Washing the affected parts after a call of nature.
10.The rinsing of the mouth. (Muslim)

Abu Huraira reported that the Prophet (SAW) says: “whoever has hair should honour it.” (Abu Dawud) Ibn Yasir said, a man came to the Prophet (SAW) with unkempt hair and an untidy beard. The Prophet ordered him to go and comb his hair and beard. When the man did so and returned. The Prophet said” is that not better than one of you coming with his hair unkempt as if it were a Devil”

All these are to state that it is the practice of the Prophet to always keep the hair in good order.

1. Shave or cut the hair of the head. One must make the cutting or shaving equal, as no part should be cut lower than the other. If one has a grown hair, he should always comb it, oil it and make it look neat if he cannot shave it.

2. The hair of the armpits should be removed either by plucking or shaving.

3. Allowing the beard to grow is the practice recommended by the Prophet. It should be combed always and any part that make it exceed the measurement of a fist in length can be cut as it is related from Umar.

4. The hair of the upper lip (moustache) should be cut low and close to the skin.

5. The hair of the pubic (the private parts at the lower part of the abdomen) should be shaved always.

6. In the words of some Islamic Scholars, the dirt hidden under the nails can nullify ablution. It is therefore necessary that the nail is trimmed down/pared off regularly or on a weekly basis before the Jumu’ah.

PURIFICATION OF THE CLOTH
The cloth worn in observing Solat must be that which is cleansed of all forms of impurities and dirt. The consensus of the Muslim scholars is that the cloth must cover the “Aurah”. Aurah” in Arabic refers to those parts of the body that must be kept against all external eyes. The “Aurah” as generally agreed to and backed by the saying of the prophet in man starts from the navel on the trunk to the knees, while that of the woman is the whole body except face, hands and feet. These parts must be covered before observing Solat.

The cloth worn must not be tr.ansparent to reveal the Aurah or present the bodily shape of a woman. The cloth must be purified from all contaminated impurity and dirt like semen, sperm, blood, stool, urine and all other forms of dirt. If the stain on the cloth is visible and one can easily identify the spot, one should wash the spot only.

If the spot cannot be identified and visible, then the whole cloth should be washed. If after the wash, there remains the stain of the impurity (e.g. blood) one should ignore it. If the stain of impurity like sperm, semen and prostate fluid get dried on the cloth one can carefully scraped it off the cloth and dry with the cloth.

(To be continued)