ASWJ Newsletter 1

Welcome to our

first edition:

In our first edition we

cover national shurah

which was organised

recently in Sydney.

Da’wah Idea will share

inspirational project that

is aimed at delivering

message of Islam on the

streets of Sydney -

Da’wah van.

Sheikh Abu Adnan shares

important points

regarding shura in Islam.

Also, check out upcoming

events 2009 Conference

and new Islamic Legacy

project “The Crusades”

If you have any suggestion

or recommendation

please contact us via

email:

[email protected]

Contents

ASWJ National

Shura

1

Photo gallery 2

Shura in Islam 3

Da’wah Idea: Islam

Conveyed Van

6

ASWJ Representatives

from all around

Australia came to

Sydney for the

National Shurah

meeting. There were

over 80 representatives

from various Mosques

and centres who came

for the two day

meeting for the

purpose of discussing

management

restructuring and

future direction of the

organisation.

Delegates comprised

of our dear mashaaikh,

du’aat, centre and

project managers,

professionals in

various fields and

other volunteers.

Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama'ah Association of Australia July 2009 Volume 1, Issue 1

Newsletter

ASWJ

Prior to the meeting,

individuals had to

submit written

proposals. Sheikh Abu

Ayman (Amir of

ASWJ) gave everyone

a chance to voice their

suggestions, advice

and concerns.

Mashaaikh started off

by sharing their

knowledge and

experience.

Sheikh Zuhair

reminded brothers that

the main thing about

ASWJ is the

knowledge which

carried the Da’wah in

Australia for over 20

years, and that we will

reach our goals if we

stick to this pure

knowledge.

After that Sheikh

Khalid (Amir of

NSW) talked about the

value of having a

Sheikh as well as the

great loss for some

centers that don’t have

a Sheikh. Sheikh

AbdulSalam gave a

historical perspective

of ASWJ and the trust

that developed inside

our community

resulting in many

successful projects,

such as the purchase of

Al-Azhar mosque

(Belmore) and

establishment of the

Islamic College in

Sydney. As a Da’wah

association, Sheikh

reiterated, “we are not

based on nationality or

anything else but

Da’wah”. (cont.)

ASW

J.com

.au

ASWJ National Shurah 2009

Mashaikh are important in setting the right

direction of ASWJ and the shurah

Opinions and suggestions are

exchanged

Suggestions are studied and

evaluated

2

Shurah in Pictures

More pictures available on our

website ASWJ.com.au

(Cont.)

Sheikh Hatim -the first

student sent to the

University of Madinah

on behalf of ASWJ-

reminded participants

that “today we live in

the blessings of the

past 25 years”. He

pointed out that “we

need Men who can

carry the Da’wah. Men

cannot be Men without

a way of life. What is

wealth without Men

who have the right

thinking?”

Furthermore, Sheikh

reminded brothers

about the Barakah of

working in Jema’ah,

complementing and

strengthening each

other.

Finally, after listening

to all participants,

Sheikh Abu Ayman

moved shurah into

solution mode. A new

structure was

established and

specific roles and

projects were

delegated.

aswj.com.au


3

The SHURA I N T H E L I G H T O F Q U R A N , S U N N A H & T H E A C T I O N O F S A H A B A

By Sheikh Abu Adnan

Praise be to Allah and peace and

blessings be on His last prophet

and Messenger Mohammed. The

best of speech is the speech of

Allah and the best of guidance is

the guidance of Mohammed peace

and blessings are on Him.

One important principal of our

religion is to believe that

Mohammed is infallible and He is

the best teacher to mankind, yet

He was ordered by The All-

Mighty, The Most Wise Allah to

conduct Shura (mutual

consultation) as part of His

Sunnah and teaching:

Allah says: ( AL-IMRAN 3:159)

فإذا فاعف عنهم واستغفز لهم وشاورهم في الأمز

.إن الله يحب المتىكلني عشمت فتىكل عل الله

So pass over (their faults), and

ask (Allah's) Forgiveness for

them; and consult them in the

affairs. Then when you have

taken a decision, put your trust

in Allah, certainly, Allah loves

those who put their trust (in

Him).

The Muslim Jurists have said that

when mutual consultation (Shura)

was made necessary for the

Prophet himself to follow, it

becomes incumbent upon his

followers to resort to Shura in all

our activities whether individual,

social or political matters. Thus

shura should be an important part

of Muslim/s lives as Allah

commanded His infallible prophet

to consult the companions in the

affairs, hence, mutual consultation

(Shura) is part and partial of

reliance on Allah (Tawakkul)

It is on this basis Sheikh-ul-Islam

Ibn Taimiyyah said that "The

leader has no other option but to

resort to Shura since Allah had

commanded his Prophet to do so.

All others, therefore, have a

special need for mutual

consultation."

For the aforementioned and the

following points, conducting

Shura (mutual consultation)

becomes incumbent on every

Muslim hence, it is one of the

characteristics of a good wise

believer.

Allah says (Al-Shurah 38)

والذيه استجابىا لزبهم وأقامىا الصلاة وأمزهم شىري

بينهم ومما رسقناهم ينفقىن

And those who answer the Call

of their Lord (i.e. to believe that

He is the only One Lord (Allah),

and to worship none but Him

Alone), and perform As-Salat

(Iqamat-as-Salat), and who

(conduct) their affairs by

mutual consultation (shura),

and who spend of what We have

bestowed on them.

Imam Ibn Kathir commented on

this verse: “they would not reach

a decision unless they have

conducted shura amongst

themselves so they aid each other

with their opinions”

Likewise, Caliph Umar has also

said that Caliphate can never

function without mutual

consultation.

Further more, if we reflect on the

verses of the Holy Quran we will

realise the importance of mutual

consultation (Shura), for instance

Allah commanded the divorced

couples to consult amongst each

other in regard to the affairs of

their child to avoid confrontations

and problems:

Allah says: (Al-Talaq 6)

أسكىوهو هو حيث سكىتن هو وجدكن ولا

وإو كو أولات تضاروهو لتضيقوا عميهو

حهل فؤىفقوا عميهو حتي يضعو حهمهو

وأتهروا فإو أرضعو لكن فآتوهو أجورهو

وإو تعاسرتن فسترضع له بيىكن بهعروف

.أخرى

Lodge them (the divorced

women) where you dwell,

according to your means, and

do not harm them so as to

straighten them (that they be

obliged to leave you house).

And if they are pregnant, then

spend on them till they lay

down their burden. Then if they

give suck to the children for

you, give them their due

payment, and let each of you

accept the advice of the other in

a just way. But if you make


4

difficulties for one another,

then some other woman may

give suck for him (the father of

the child).

Therefore the concept of Shura is

not to be taken lightly when Islam

ordered us to consult and resort

to it in every small or big matter

in our affairs.

Aisha said, ”I have not seen a

person who would consult in

matters more than the Prophet.”

Therefore, mutual consultation is,

one of the great qualities that the

Faithful has to cultivate in him. On

this basis, consultation among

Muslims is an important pillar of the

beautiful and elaborate building of

the Islamic way of life.

Also this was the practice of

the Khulafa ar Rashidoon.

Abu Bakr - It is reported by

Mamoon bin Mahran that

whenever Abu Bakr faced an

issue, he would look in the Quran

for the solution. If he did not find

the solution there, he would

search for action of the

Messenger, peace be upon him, in

that matter. If he did not find

anything there, he would consult

the prominent and pious Sahaba.

Then he would follow the

collective opinion. (Kanzul

Ummal).

Uthman- said the following in his

first address. “ Listen! I am a

follower and not a discoverer of

new ways. Know you all ! I pledge

three things after following Quran

and Sunnah. I will follow all

decisions you have adopted by

mutual agreement before me and

I will find new ways only after

consulting everyone in the

matters not decided.” ( Al Tabari)

Ahadith related to Shura :

Ali asked, ”O Prophet! If we have a

matter in which we do not find a

command or prohibition then

what is your advice?” He said,

”Consult the righteous wise

people and do not depend upon

individual opinion.” Tabrani.

In response to a similar question

by Abdullah Ibn Abbas he said,

”Refer it to the Shura of righteous

Muslims and to not decide on

individual opinion.” Majmaul

Zawaid.

Reported Abu Huraira that the

Prophet said, ”When your rulers

are your best people, your rich are

generous and your matters are

decided by Shura then the back of

earth is better for you than its

stomach. When your rulers are

the worst people, rich are miserly

and your matters are decided by

your women then earth’s stomach

is better for you than its surface.”

Hadith-Tirmidhi

Sahal Ibn Saad As Saidi reported

that the Prophet(S) said, “One

who consults is never deprived

and the one who depends upon

his opinion is never

happy.” (Qurtubi)

Ahadith related to Shura

Abu Huraira reported that the

Prophet(S) said, ”One who is

consulted must be trustworthy.”

Abu Dawud.

Abu Huraira reported that the

Prophet(S) said,” Whoever is

consulted and he gives opinion

contrary to the truth then he did

khayanah (breach of trust).

Whoever gives fatwah without

proper evidence then its sin is

upon such person.” Al Adab Al

Mufrad and Abu Dawud.

I m a m s o f H a d i t h :

Imam Bukhari established a

chapter on Shura in his Sahih

which states,” Chapter on Wa

Amruhum Shura Bainahum…”-

who (conduct) their affairs by

mutual consultation.

Imam Abu Dawud and Imam

Tirmidhi have chapters on this

subject.

Jalalud Din Sayuti wrote a chapter

in his book “ Al Khasais ul Kubra”

that necessity of consultation was

a characteristic of the Prophet(S).

O t h e r I m a m s o p i n i o n s

Ibn Jarir Tabari, “Prophet(S) was

commanded to consult so that

other Muslims follow him and

make him their model.”

Ibn Jauzi: “Purpose of this

command is to make it a model for

the Ummah to follow.”

In conclusion: Islamic way of life

requires that the principle of

consultation should be applicable

to every small or big collective


5

affair. In the affairs of the

household, husband and wife

should consult each other before

doing anything, and when the

children attain the age of puberty

their opinion should also be taken

into account

Some principles of Shura :

Consultation should be

obtained in all matters

whenever possible.

Give frank opinion

without hesitation when

consulted.

Opinion must be honest

and not biased.

Opinion is an

‘Amanah’ (trust) of the

meeting.

Sacrifice of personal

opinion when collective

decision is made is

necessary.

Once the decision is

made, then it is not the

decision of few

individuals, rather it

belongs to the Jamaah.

If one has changed his

opinion latter, then it

must be presented to the

same forum where

discussion was carried

out. Talking to people

other than the forum will

constitute violation of

Amanah (trust).

Evidence from Quran/

Sunnah shall prevail.

Required Qualities of Ahlul-

Shura :

1- Iman.

2- Ilm of Quran and Sunnah.

3- Practice of Deen.

4- Adl (justice) and honesty.

5- Maturity and sound mind.

6- Aware of the society, culture

and its issues.

7- Have the trust of the people.

ASWJ.com.au

ASWJ Web Portal


6

Islam Conveyed is an outreach

project in co-operation with the

Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jumah

Association ( ASWJ) of Australia

conveying Islam to Australia and the

World. It was initiated to share the

truth about Islam’s Divine origin

and that Muhammad (peace be

upon him) is the final Prophet in a

long chain of Prophets (such as

Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus) sent

to call the people to the worship

and obedience of God alone (Allah)

Aims:

Educate people about Islam’s

teachings, its main principles, as well

as weed out many misconceptions

due to inaccurate and/or biased

reporting in the Media or anti-

Islamic movements.

Encourage individual

responsibility for seeking and acting

upon the truth.

Increase awareness of the

oppression against Muslims

throughout the world and the

undoubted conspiracies that seek

to exterminate Muslims and the

religion of Islam from the face of

the Earth.

Educate people of the

importance of differentiating

between Islam & Muslims and that

wrong doings committed by

Muslims is not in any way a

reflection of Islam. Verily Islam is a

religion that calls for good in all

forms and forbids evil in all forms

and in the best of ways

Educate people of the

completeness of Islam, that it is a

religion free of deficiency, that is

suitable in its original form for all

times, places and races.

Services:

IslamConveyed.com owns and

operates a fully equipped and

functional van, packed with

Dawah equipment and

materials along with attractive

signage. This van travels around

Sydney & other states in

Australia & stops at busy

locations to distribute

pamphlets, CD’s, DVD’s, and

other relevant material. Your

financial support is greatly

appreciated to help keep

this van on the road.

Radio Advertisements/lectures

Speakers who make visits to

churches, schools, special

events in order to speak about

Islam.

Street and house to house

Islamic brochure distributions

Dawah Training Seminars

Speakers for non Muslim

audience (churches, community

centers etc)

New Muslim services:

Welcome package of books,

audio, video

New Muslim Information Guide

booklet

Buddy-Mentoring system

In-House classes

Regional Reverts Conferences

Islam Conveyed: Daw’ah Van

islamconveyed.com

islamconveyed.com

Da’wah Idea:


http://islamconveyed.com

http://islamconveyed.com

7

Upcoming Events

The Crusades

T h r o u g h M u s l i m E y e s

In the 11th century, almost a

thousand years ago, hordes of

Christians warriors bearing a red

cross stormed into Syria. They

journeyed from all parts of Europe,

pillaging and slaughtering innocent

Muslims along their way. They

captured Jerusalem in 1099 leaving

no mosque to pray in, nor any

Muslim alive. After a hundred

years, with the help of Allah, the

Muslims struck back...

These were The Crusades.

Islamic legacy will take you back a

thousand years to where it all

began. We relive an epic

confrontation for the Holy city of

Jerusalem in the scorching deserts

of the Middle East between the

people of the cross and the

Muslims.

'The Crusades through Muslim

eyes', will be a two night

presentation that will draw upon

the most notable Muslim historians

of the era including Ibn Athir,

Usaman ibn Mundiqh, Ibn Qalanisi,

Baha-ud-deen, and many

others. Events will be analysed

mainly from the Muslims point of

view, avoiding the blatant

revisionism the western historians

have introduced.

This two day presentation will

cover in detail the era of the

Crusades.

Topics include:

Background to the Crusades

How Jerusalem was lost by the

Muslims after centuries of rule

How great heroes and leaders

were raised who fought back

for the honour of Islam

How key battles were fought

including 'Hattin', Salahudeens

finest and most glorious victory

with 3D animation

Strategies and weaponry of the

Muslims and Christians. What

made the Muslim and Christian

knights different.

The impact of the Crusades on

the Christians and the Muslims

Lessons we can learn and apply

today

http://www.aswj.com.au/

islamiclegacy/


Documents

ASWJ Newsletter 1