CHAPTERS
5.2 DIVERSE ISLAMIC LITERARY WORKS
5.2.8 AL- 'ASJAD WA AL-LUJAYN FT AL-KHUTBAH AL-JUMU'AH WA AL- ' TDAYN (GOLD AND SILVER IN THE SERMONS OF THE FRIDAY
PRAYER AND THE TWO 'IDS)
This book consists of 176 pages, probably printed in the 1940's. It is a compilation of28khu{ab (sermons) (see Annexure 31). The second khuibah of thejumu'ah appears on pages 169 till 176 which is the 28th khu tbah. This book was specifically written for those "imams" who were unable to compile or translate Arabic into
Afrikaans or English. Among other "imams" who utilised this Arabic-Afrikaans book were: Abu Bakr Simons, Abdurahman Bassier, T~mall Johnstone and ~aIil) 'Abadl
Solomons."
Shaykh Isrnallsaid in the introduction of this book, that many "imarns" requested of him to translate khu!tib from an (original) Arabic ktuubah book. At first he was reluctant to undertake this task as there were many other good khu ibah books (though as mentioned earlier only published in Arabic). He eventually acceded to the "imams" request and selected the most significant topics, such as the
"character" and "shortcomings" of man.
The Arabic text is underlined with the translation that follows in Arabic-Afrikaans script. The index is hand-written on the inside front·cover of the book. Each khutban has atitle except the 'Id al-Pitr ktuubah and 'Id a/-Ad/}ti khutbah,57and the second khutbah oi jumu'ah, The first khutbah is entitled "knowing AI/tih", thereafter amongst others: "unity ofAI/tih" and thehidsyah (guidance) ofAlsh.
5.2.9 Al-QAWL AL-TifMM FIMJ. YATA'ALLAQ BI AL-MAYYIT MIN AL- AJjKAM (THE COMPLETE ACCOUNT OF REGULATIONS
PERTAINING TO THE DECEASED)
This book which was completed in March 1939 consists of 68 pages. Itwas Shaykh lsmall's own compilation of Arabic texts which were bracketed with Arabic- Afrikaans explanations (see Annexure 32). The book's contents consist of:
visiting the sick, preparing the sick for death, recital of stirah Ytisln (Qur'anic ch.
36), performingghus/ (bath), preparing the kafan (shroud), performing ~a/ah al-
ianszan
(funeral prayer),burial and condolences to family of the deceased.The above mentioned acts are duties which aMuslim owes to a fellow-Muslim.
$alah
oi-janszoh
is known as fan)kifayah, which means that is sufficient if some Muslims participate in it. In the introduction of this book,Shaykh Isrnall mentions that his senior students requested from him towrite this particular book.5.2.10 MAWLlD AL- BARZANJI (THE BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL (OF THE PROPHET SAWS) BY AL-BARZANJ1)
Mawlid, the celebration of the Prophet's (saws) birthday is practised in Cape Town and has been an inherent part of the Cape Muslim tradition since early times. The males assemble at the mosque in the evening to listen to lectures on the life of Muhammad (saws). Thereafter poems commemorating his life are recited in melodious voices. The most popular of these-riway
at
(narrations) read regarding the Prophet (saws) deals with a translation of the Mawlid al- Barzanjl (The birthday anniversary festival of the Prophet Muhammad saw) by Ja'Iaribn al-Hasan al-Barzan]l (see Annexure 33).In the introduction of this book Shaykh Isma]] glorifies Allah, and praise Muhammad (saws) and his companions. He then mentions that his friends and students requested him to translate the Mawlid al-Barzanjl . Shaykh Ismall responded to their request and appealed toAllah to protect his pen from errors.
He said that he could not give a literal translation of the scholarly work of al- Barzanzi as he utilised many metaphors in his writing.
This book consists of 52 pages with riwayat of the life of the Prophet Muhammad (saws). Shaykh lsrnall commences with book by glorifying Allah and praising Muhammad (saws) and his companions. A genealogy is given of the Prophet
(saws) back to Adnan, Ismfll, and lbrahlm. The development of Aminah's pregnancy, the birth of the Prophet (saws) and the death of his father are discussed. The following description is given to the Prophet (saws):"You are the sun", "You are the moon" and "You are the light of light".
On the last few pages of the book, Shaykli Ismifll quotes a few Islamic scholars regarding the benefits of celebrating Mawlid (popularly known as milad).
According to Jalalat-Din al-Suyutl (d. 91 I AH/l505 CE), the purpose and benefits of Mawlid are the gathering of men who recite the Qur'an and relating a1)adJth
relevant to the Prophet's (saws) birthday. Hasan al-Basrl said that he wished he had Mount Uhud in gold then he would spend the gold in reading the Mawlid of the Prophet (saws).
This book is undated and was printed on the Gestetner printing machine. The right column gives the Arabic script and the left gives the Arabic-Afrikaans translation.
5.2.1 1
ASHRAQ -ou»
AL-SALAM(SUPPLICATION OF PEACE (ON THE
PROPHET)
The Asrakal (Asllraq) is also known as al-Qiyam (thestanding)," It was printed in the 1940's and consists of eight pages only (see Annexure 34). This book is an extraction ofMawlid
al-Barzanjl
(see 5.1.9). Itconsist of Arabic, transliteration and Afrikaans translation. Shayklz Ismall wrote this book for the Cape Muslims who were unable to read and understand the Arabic and Arabic-Afrikaans script.5.2.12 AL-Mf'RAJ AL-QAWTM FT TA/WTn AL-QUR'AN AL-KARTM (THE CORRECT STEPS TO THE ART OF RECITING THE QUR'AN CORRECTLy)
The wordtajuiidis derived from the Arabic root"jaunoada",which means to make well or good. Technically, it means the correct and good pronunciation in reciting the Qur'an at a moderate speed." Shaykh Isma' ll specifically wrote this book for his bif?students and it was also utilised by the (late) Shaykh Muhammad ~aIll)
C
AbM!) Solornons." Tajuiid concepts and examples are written in Arabic script with Arabic-Afrikaans explanations (see Annexure 35). The title of the book and foreword are written on the first two pages. Thereafter, throughout the book a style of posing questions and answers were adapted for making it easier for the reader. On the last page is the index. The book was printed byShaykh Ismall in1937 and consists of 18 pages.
5.2.13 BUGHYAH AL-MUSHTAQ FT AL-NIKAH WA AL- TALAQ (THE