Messages from MajlisTT

Muslim Behavior and Conduct on Social Media

MajlisTT recognizes the explosion of social media and its explosion of use and impacts on society today. Manifest in different forms, it facilitates interaction, networking content consumption and broadcast, as well as comments and dialogue.

The technology can be a force for good or bad; progress or degradation; prosperity or poverty. If used responsibly, persons can benefit from social media in ways that are unparalleled. But what does responsible use entail? We consider the Islamic guidance from the Quran and Sunnah to inform those things we should do, those things we should avoid, and things we would want to remember as we use the tools.

In addition, there are some parameters that guide us as Muslims on our interaction with others and communication of messages. From the acceptability of use of profile photos, to the nature of content we interact with, and the types of conversation we engage in with others – Islam gives numerous considerations that help us to put our best foot forward.

We have considered various aspects of the technology, the dynamics of its use and the propensities of behavior from an Islamic perspective to help guide persons to do the right thing, and to benefit themselves, others and the community at large in the use of social media.

You can read or download the paper at: MajlisTT Social Media paper

As the technology and society evolves, there may be need to re-examine the topic and our positions. We welcome your feedback and suggestions to help improve the content and context of this topic and our position.

Until then, may Almighty Allah allow us to always remember our duty to Him as His vicegerent on earth, and draw our example of behaviors and interaction from Sunnah.

Divorce

Some papers are difficult to work on. Divorce was one such paper – from considering the spread of issues, hearing from persons on how they feature and manifest, to the institutional and social implications of the process and outcomes… it is not pleasant to see and hear families and individuals going through these situations.

We recognize however, that people change, or their masks come off at some point, and whatever the reason, situations evolve to the point where divorce is a merciful option, and can save lives, safeguard health and create a better future than the present or past offers.

Why it happens, what is allowed, what isn’t, how it is all done… there are instances of mixed messages, misguided practices and misinterpretations which have all featured as we explored this topic. We hope that through this paper the issues would be addressed and the persons, and institutions, would all be able to engage in the right and proper conduct as enunciated in Islam.

There are, as well, many factors that need to be considered. What leads to divorce is a complex array of issues at the individual and interaction level, the influences of others in society, and the shortfalls or absence of key institutional support. What is required to prevent it, or help to resolve it, is equally a challenge across different strata in society. It’s even more unfortunate when politics feature to prevent impact success.

We believe, that strong individuals make strong marriages, which can withstand challenges and wherein persons can support each other towards development as individuals and as a family unit. And for the God-Fearing, in the face of difficulties, we have a useful reminder in the Qur’an, “Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest” Quran (13:28)

Update in a New Normal

Alhamdulillah. All praises are for Almighty Allah, All-Knowing, All-Merciful.

Our last post was some time ago, but we have certainly been busy. Some new papers have been developed and released – see our Final Papers page for the list. From Unity in the Muslim Ummah, to Fundamentalism & Jihad, Covid and its derivative issues on Jummah and Eid, the Vaccine, and Managing Muslims in Healthcare, Ramadan issues, Du’a, Global and local community issues including Palestine and Selling Murtis, and most recently Divorce…. we have been listening to the community concerns and have been working to address them.

It is rewarding and fulfilling to note the international uptake to our papers and positions – which are being used, cited and referenced in academia and in other similar institutions throughout the world.

We also have some more developments in mind, which will be rolled out over the next coming months, and which will augur to your benefit as and within the community. More will be communicated as these unfold, and we look forward to your feedback as we move further towards One Position. One Voice. Ummah.

Remembering Maulana Sulaimani

We don’t know when our time will come to leave this world, and this year not all our members of the Shariah council made it to the month of Ramadan.

Maulana Sulaimani has been a founding member of the Majlis in August 2013. From then to date, he has been constant in his involvement and enthusiasm even as he demonstrated a sound understanding of the Trinbagonian psyche and context. His passing two (2) months ago serves as a reminder to all of us that we don’t know when our time will come.

Therefore, in this month of Ramadan, we should strive to ensure that we savour every opportunity that this month offers – we are not sure to see another one.

May Allah (swt) bless his efforts and his contribution to the Muslim community and make his grave spacious and cause him to rise with the righteous on the Day of Judgment. And may he be blessed with the highest paradise in the Akhira.

Mass Shooting in Mosques in New Zealand

15^th March, 2019

San Fernando: The Majlis ul Ulamaa (Council of Scholars) of Trinidad and Tobago express our heartfelt sympathies to, and solidarity with, the families and with the people of New Zealand, in the face of the shocking act of mass shootings occurring in mosques in Christchurch on Friday 15^th March, 2019. We acknowledge the speed with which the authorities were able to apprehend the perpetrators and arrest even further transgressions.

We wish to note that the Holy Quran advises us “Nor can goodness and Evil be equal. Repel (Evil) with what is better: Then will he between whom and thee was hatred become as it were thy friend and intimate!” (Quran 41:34)

In the face of such acts, we note the guidance of the Holy Quran that reminds us “And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace” (Quran 25:63)

To the families affected, we wish to remind them that according to Islam,
the time of death is fixed by Almighty Allah, and their deaths while in the act of worship, are noble ones. We pray that they are elevated to the status of martyrs, if Allah wills.

And Allah knows best.

15th Sha’ban

The night between the 14^th and 15th of Sha’ban is referred to as Shab-e-Baraat or Lailatul Baraah, and is regarded by many Muslims as a holy night. Some Muslims commemorate the date with extra worship, while others prefer to not observe this as a special occasion in itself.

While the scholars of the Shariah Council are yet to treat with this issue, the Secretariat recognizes that any initiative to worship Allah (swt) is welcome and necessary, and for those who ask the following are some information around the issue to consider. When the topic is dealt with by the Shariah Council, the paper would be available for your reference at our publications link.

SIGNIFICANCE

It is believed that on this night, a person’s activities of the last year are closed and a new record is opened for the coming year. In this night, the life and fortunes of each person is set for the next year, and persons’ sins can be forgiven.

Allah calls: ‘Is there anyone who is asking for forgiveness so that I can forgive them, who is in distress that I may relieve his distress, is there anyone who needs (rizq) food that I may give it to him,” and this continues till the morning. (Ibn Majah)

It is reported that Usama ibn Zaid reports that he asked Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): “Messenger of Allah, I have seen you fasting in the month of Shaban so frequently that I have never seen you fasting in any other month.” Prophet Muhammad (SAW) replied: “That (Shaban) is a month between Rajab and Ramadan which is neglected by many people. And it is a month in which an account of the deeds (of human beings) is presented before the Lord of the universe, so, I wish that my deeds be presented at a time when I am in a state of fasting.” (An-Nasaai)

It is reported that Hazrat Aisha (RA) reported that: “On this night the Prophet [May Allah bless Him and grant Him peace] went to Jannat-ul-Baqee to make dua, I followed him. The Prophet [May Allah bless Him and grant Him peace] said to me: Allah puts His attention towards the first Heaven, and forgives the sins of the people, even if they were equivalent to the hairs of the goats of Bunn Qalb (A tribe who at the time had a lot of goats).” (Tirmidhi)

Hazrat Ayesha (r.a.) is reported to have said “The Prophet used to fast the whole of Sha‘ban. She asked [him], ‘O Messenger of Allah, is Sha‘ban for you the most beloved month for fasting?’ He replied, ‘In this month Allah prescribes a list of all persons dying this year. Therefore, I like that my death comes while I am fasting.’” (Narrated by Abu Ya‘la).

Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him), reported that the Prophet (pboh) said: “Allah descends to the lowest heaven on the 15th night of Sha‘ban. He then forgives His entire creation except an idolatrous man and a man who has enmity in his heart.”

PRAYERS TO BE SAID ON THE NIGHT OF 15^TH OF SHABAN

Some of the prayers that are commonly associated with this night include the following:

• Before sunset, recite La Hawla walaa Quwatta illa Billahi-ali-yul Azeem
• Reciting Darood Sharif
• Reading Qur’an
• Reading nafil prayers

Following are some common prayers.

After Salaatul Maghrib, pray 6 rakaat nafil, two at a time.

• For the first two rakaats, make intention to seek Allah’s favor for a long and prosperous life
• For the second two rakaats, make intention to seek Allah’s favor for warding off all calamities
• For the third two rakaats, make intention to seek Allah’s favor to be independent from others for meeting your needs.
• For each, recite surah Fatiha once and Surah Ikhlaas 3 times
• After every 2 rakaats, recite darood sharif, surah yaseen and darood sharif.
• After you have competed all 6 rakaat, make the following dua: (source: http://www.deenislam.co.uk/dua/Dua_Nifs_Shaban.htm)

DU‘A NISF SHA‘BAN

Allahumma Yaa Dhal Manni walaa yumannu ‘Alayh
Yaa Dhal Jalaali wa’l Ikraam
Yaa Dhat-Tawli wa’l In’aam
Laa Ilaaha illa anta
Zahru’llaajeen wa jaaru’l mustajeereen wa amaanu’l khaaifeen

Allahumma in kunta katabtanee ‘Indaka fee Ummil Kitabi
Shaqiyyan aw mahruman aw matrudan aw muqattaran ‘alayya fi’rrizqi
Fa’mhuAllahumma biFadlika
Shaqaawatee wa hirmaanee wa tardee wa’qtitaara rizqee
Wa-athbitnee ‘Indaka fee Ummil Kitabi
Sa’eedan marzuqan muwaffaqan li’lkhayraati Fa Innaka Qulta wa Qawluka’l Haqq
Fee Kitabika’l munzal ‘alaa lisaani Nabiyyika’l Mursal
Yamhullahu maa Yashaa’u wa yuthbit
Wa ‘Indahu Ummul Kitab

Ilaahi Bittajalli’l A’zam
Fee laylatin-nisfi min shahri Sha’ban al-Mukarram
Allatee yufraqu feehaa kullu amrin hakeemin wa yubram
An takshifa ‘annaa mina’l ballaai wa’l balwaai
Maa na’lamu wa maa laa na’lam
Wa anta bihi a’lam
Innaka anta’l A’azzu’l Akram

Wa Sallallahu Ta’ala ‘alaa Sayyidina Muhammad-in
Wa ‘alaa aalihi wa as’haabihi wa sallam
Wa’l Hamdu Lillahi Rabbi’l ‘Aalameen

SUPPLICATION ON THE NIGHT OF 15th SHA’BAN

O Allah! You shower favours on everyone
And no one can do You any favour.
O The Possessor of Majesty and Honour,
O The Distributor of bounty and rewards,
There is no one worthy of worship except You.
You help the fallen
And provide refuge to the refugees And give peace to those who are in fear.

O Allah! If in the Mother of All Books that is with You
You have written me down as someone who is
Doubtful of achieving salvation, or deprived,
Or rejected or without enough sustenance,
Then, O Allah, with Your Grace
Remove all of these misfortunes from me
and in the Mother of All Books that is with You,
establish me as someone who is
blessed, with abundant provision and charitable good deeds.
Indeed, what You said in The Book You sent
Through the tongue of Your Blessed Prophet is true
That Allah changes and establishes what He wants
And with Him is the Mother of All Books.

O My Lord! For the sake of Your Divine Manifestation
On this fifteenth night of the blessed month of Sha’ban
In which You issue all Wise and Irrevocable Decrees
Remove from us all calamities and hardships,
those that we know about as well as those that we don’t,
while You know everything.
Truly, You are the Most Powerful, Most Generous.

And may Allah the Exalted shower blessings and peace on
Sayyidina Muhammad, and on his family and his companions
And all praise is for Allah, Lord of the worlds.

OTHER PRAYERS FOR THE NIGHT

Hadrat Hasan  al Basri Radiallah A’nhu said that it was quoted to him by 30 Sahaba  of our Beloved Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) that on the night of 15th Sha’baan whoever performs this Salat, ALLAH Ta’ala looks upon them 70 times with Rehmat, and on each sight 70 desires are granted. The least amongst those desires is the forgiveness from sins.

Instructions:

Salatul Khair has 100 Raka’ats. Pray 100 Raka’at of Nawafil, two at a time. In each Raka’at recite Surah Ikhlaas 10 times after Surah Fatihah.

(Kitabul Modoo’at, Part 2 ,PP 127 – Assalatu Lailatun Nisfe Sha’ban) and (Ihya  Uloom uddeen, Imam Ghazali and Ghunniyatut Talibeen)

CONCLUSION

It is hoped that you have a rewarding experience and closer bond with Almighty Allah (swt), whatever the occasion or in absence of any occasion at all. If you want to learn more, the following links are provided for reference.

• http://www.quranreading.com/blog/significance-of-the-15th-of-shaban-in-islam/
• https://muslimvillage.com/2018/04/27/118536/recommended-worship-night-15th-shaban/
• http://www.radioislam.org.za/a/index.php/library/161-significant-days-and-nights/10824-the-significance-of-shaban.html
• https://www.deoband.org/2017/05/general/virtuous-deeds/virtues-of-the-15th-night-of-shaban/
• http://www.deenislam.co.uk/dua/Dua_Nifs_Shaban.htm 

Be Aware: Similar Name… Different Organisations

April 19, 2018

For Immediate Press Release:

Majlistt has been made aware of the existence of an organisation named Council of Scholars of Trinidad and Tobago. This name bears similarity to the translation of our organisation, Majlis ul Ulamaa (Council of Scholars), and therefore it is reasonable to expect some confusion in the minds of the public.

We would like the public to be aware that our organisation is named Majlis ul Ulamaa, and bears the URL and other brand identity as Majlistt. The organisation named Council of Scholars of Trinidad and Tobago is not connected in any way to Majlistt, and does not represent the views of Majlistt or the scholars involved. Majlistt was established in 2013 and holds the distinct role of facilitating leading Muslim scholars in Trinidad and Tobago to define one Islamic position on pertinent issues affecting the community.

We accept that each organisation is established with its own mandate and value proposition, and are free to assume any name of their reckoning. The existence of organsations are welcome, once their intent is distinct and not an attempt at identity fraud, misrepresentation or theft. In this instance, the name is similar and persons have come to us to comment on statements by other organisations, and therefore the need for this release.

If at any time you want to verify our content, visit us at https://majlistt.com or email us at secretariat@majlistt.com.

We look forward to engaging you in the future as we have in the past, under the brand MajlisTT, and thank you for your ongoing engagement of our efforts.

From the Secretariat – MajlisTT

Welcome to the (New) Majlistt site

Ahlan. Welcome. This is the new Majlistt site. After some technical difficulties we were able to recover and offer this new and improved site with additional functionality to better serve you. Work is ongoing and should be completed shortly – notice will be given at that time as well.

We hope you enjoy the site and have all your concerns met through this forum.

Site Admin, c/o Secretariat.