Lamenting the spread of Salafi’ism in South Africa, a Brother writes:

Assalamu Alaykum

Muhtaram Maulana,

There is a current spread of Salafism in SA. What really irks us as Hanafi Muslims is that the Salafis are given lots of show and platforms by the so-called 'our ulama'.

For example, there is an organization of women called MAIDS OF DEEN (they have a website too), they host programmes teaching Salaah to women. However, they teach the women how to read Salaah like men. They use the name of Ml Bham (Jamiat) in support of their activities.

A Brother from Lenasia writes: 

Asalaamualaikum respected Ulama and brothers in Islam, 

We make Dua you are well and ask for your Dua.

I wish to highlight a great flaw and missed opportunity with the LMA Madrassah. 

For a number of years now I have been going to a few Masajids in Lenasia where LMA has Madrassahs operating.

“Fasaad (anarchy/chaos/mayhem) has appeared (rampantly) on the oceans and the land because of the (evil) deeds committed by the hands of people, so that they may taste some of the consequences they have earned. Perhaps (they will heed) and return (to the Path of rectitude).” (Room, Aayat 41)

“Whatever calamity befalls you, it is the consequence of what your hands have earned. And, He (Allah) overlooks (and forgives) much (of your misdeeds).” (As-Shuraa, Aayat 30)

“No calamity befalls except with the permission of Allah.” (At-Taghaabun, Aayat 11)

“....until when the earth displays its splendour, and they (the people) think that they are its masters (of the wealth, plantations, mines, etc.), comes Our Command (of Punishment) during the night or the day, and We transform it (their wealth, etc.) into chaff as if it had not existed yesterday. Thus in this way do We explain Our signs for people who ponder.” (Yunus, Aayat 24)

There has recently been a spate of kidnappings in which very wealthy Muslim businessmen have been taken and held and are being held for exorbitant amounts demanded as ransom by the criminal foreign syndicates operating in the country. The number of robberies on a daily basis no longer is of newsworthy import. It has become a norm in our society. Only when the calamity befalls, does a person realize and understand the horror of it.

Hadhrat Habeeb Ajmi (Rahmatullah alayh) said: “There is nothing greater in the Path of Allah than Ilm.”

This is in fact the echo of what Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “The quest of Ilm is Fardh on every Muslim.” 

It is by means of (Ilm-e-Deen (the Knowledge of the Deen) that one gains the proximity of Allah Ta’ala. In this context the meaning of Knowledge is Ilm-e-Naafi’, i.e. Beneficial Ilm of the Deen. And, the meaning if Ilm-e-Naafi’ is Ilm on which there is amd (practical expression in one’s daily life). Whatever Ilm is acquired it is incumbent to give practical expression to it. This is the primary importance and objective of Knowledge. 

Knowledge which is merely for academic purposes or for nafsaani motives is a great wabaal (calamity) with grievous consequences in the Aakhirat.