Nelson Madela
As-Salam Alaykum Jama’at ul-Muslimin,
Keeping in tune with rest of our beloved nation, we once again give you our condolences for the loss of the founder of our rainbow nation, Nelson Madela.
Indeed we were all saddened at the death of our beloved Madiba! A True Father of the Nation in every sense of the word. A man who was acclaimed to be the greatest and most successful political leader of our time.
A man who combined in him so many of the Sunnah Virtues a Muslim leader should imbibe (but very few do): Patience, Courage, Wisdom, Forgiveness, Humility, Honesty, Calmness and always a Smile on the face. Jama’at! Mandela was not a Muslim but had a lot of Islam in him. Many of us are Muslims but have little Islam in them.
Despite, all of the problems Aparthied has left behind, South Africa today is from the best countries in the world to live it, especially for Muslims. It is a beacon of Freedom, Equality and Human Rights. A Shining Example for the rest of the World.
Mr Mandela was not only the father (Madiba) of this nation, but also its Spirit. Had it not been for his foresight, resilience, and wisdom, this country would have been engulfed in an endless civil war and racial conflict leaving us all in tatters. The amazing multi-culturalism and racial/religious harmony we find here today is primarily because of this man.
After he came out, he forgave his enemies. He personally went to visit the widow of Mr Verwoerd, the evil father of apartheid and arch-racist of South Africa! He had a cup of tea with her, gave her a hand, and smiled! He invited the white Judges of Rivonia (the same men who had sentenced him) and had lunch with them and forgave them. He went out of his way to support the South-African Rugby team, despite it being a racist white-dominated body. He visited so many Mosques and Imams, Jews and Hindus, Palestinians and all types of people. He never became upset at criticism and cartoons. He smiled for all.
Long before Nelson Mandela was incarcerated at Robben Island, another political prisoner was exiled there for life; SHAYKH ABDUR-RAHMAN MODURA, a Sufi Shaykh and resistance leader from Indonesia. He died there and was buried there as well. Madiba would often visit his Tomb with Muslim prisoners, and find “peace and contentment” in his presence. ألا إن أولياء الله لا خوف عليهم و لا هم يحزنون
Madiba announced: “Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another”. Allah Akbar!
Nothing fits Madiba more than the following description given by the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) regarding the Christian King of Abyssina (al-Najashi Asmaha) when he told the Muslims to migrate there from Makkah: “HE IS A KING WHO DOES NOT OPPRESS ANYONE, IS JUST IN HIS RULE, AND HONOURABLE IN HIS CHARACTER”.
لأن فيها ملك لا يُظلم عنده أحد و عادل في حكمة كريماً في خلقه
When we think of Madiba, we recall the words of the famous scholar, Shaykh Ibn-Taymiyyah (in his Risalat al-Amr bi ‘l-Ma’ruf):
“The affairs of the people of this world are indeed better managed by Just Rule even if mixed with some sin, than by Unjust Rule even if it was without any (other) sin. That is why it was said: Allah gives victory to a Just Nation, even if it is of the Unbelievers; and does not give victory to an Unjust Nation, even if it is of the Believers.”
Imam Bukhari narrates that once the Prophet (SAW) saw a Janazah passing by, so he STOOD UP out of respect. He was then told that it was the Janazah of a Yahudi. He (SAW) replied: “It is still a Soul”.
So our Prophet (SAW) taught to appreciate a person’s humanity before anything else.
Decisions of the Afterlife are left to Allah, among whose holy names is al-Hakam, the JUDGE. Besides the Rasul (SAW), none of us can say about anyone or ourselves what will be their abode in the Hereafter.
However, we are to appreciate the good one did for us in this World.
The Prophet (SAW) expressed great sadness at the death of his Uncle Abu-Talib and even prayed and interceded for him, despite the fact that he has never openly proclaimed the Shahadah. However, as Chief of Makkah, he was always a friend of Islam and Muslims. And the Nabi (SAW) appreciated that.
As the Prophet (SAW) said: “You do not thank Allah if you do not thank people.”
Therefore, we take this opportunity to thank Allah for blessing us with such a wise and great leader like Madiba. We pay tribute to this great leader, father and friend of our nation.
President Mandela has left, but we pray his legacy always remains in this blessed land and inspires its people. God bless Mzansi and its people! Nkosi Sekalela Afrika! إنا لله و إنا إليه راجعون
Herewith is a message from Madiba to our Muslim community on the occasion of the MAWLID-UN-NABI:
Message by Mr Nelson Mandela to Sheikh Gabier and the Muslim community on the birthday celebrations of Prophet Mohammed SAWS
Dear Sheikh Gabier
Today is the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed and our thoughts will be with you and the entire Muslim community, wherever in the world they may be, as you all gather at the various mosques to pay homage to a unique religious leader, whose influence continues to spread to practically every part of the world and to every nation.
The Muslim community is an important section of our population. Its leaders, too numerous to be mentioned, have for decades been in the forefront of the freedom struggle.
The combination of the spirit of patriotism and religion has made their contribution to the progress of their country almost peerless. Millions of South Africans of different backgrounds and languages hold the community in high esteem.
My wife and I send you and the Muslim community our best wishes and congratulations.
Sincerely
NELSON MANDELA
