He that does not feel ashamed to himself [doing something inappropriate] but is ashamed of others finding out; then he has little self-worth.
And when he demeans himself [thus] then he has even less worth in the eyes of Allah (ta) and His servants.
Syedna-l-Qadi al-Nauman (ra), Qaul 5, Raudato Hidayaat Vol. 3
This Solar eclipse will be visible in the Pacific, South East Asia, Indian Ocean and Australia/ New Zealand, Hawaii.
It is an ‘annular’ eclipse, one in which the Moon blocks out the Sun except for a ring of light around it.
UTC Timing of 10th May 2013 Solar Eclipse (UTC is GMT) :
| Event | UTC Time | |
|---|---|---|
| First location to see partial eclipse begin | 9 May, 21:25 | |
| First location to see full Eclipse begin | 9 May, 22:31 | |
| Maximum Eclipse | 10 May, 00:23 | |
| Last location to see full Eclipse end | 10 May, 02:20 | |
| Last location to see partial Eclipse end | 10 May, 03:25 |
Australia Timings can be found here.
New Zealand, Indonesia, Malyasia and other places incl. Australia can be found here.
All Mumineen should abstain from eating and drinking during the eclipse and there should be no sexual intimacy in that night (or during the day of a solar eclipse). It is a time when one should pray, particularly namaaz, Quran and Dua. Leisure and frivolous pursuits should be avoided.
During an eclipse pregnant women in particular should be very careful. For example they should not handle metal objects – especially sharp ones. Nazrul Maqaam (as) and sadaqo should be offered.
Other directives with regards to things to abstain from during eclipses and other times of extreme natural events can be found in Busaheba’s Sahifa.
Gharan (eclipse) namaaz see Book 1 page 149.
For pregnancy see Book 3 page 21.
| Location |
Start Partial h:m (am) |
Start Annular h:m:s am |
Annular Duration m:s |
Maximum Magnitude |
Time of Max. h:m (am) |
End Partial h:m (am) |
Sun Elev. (at max) |
|
| Annular eclipse | ||||||||
| Kowanyama |
7:27 |
8:42:18 |
4m 30s |
97% |
|
10:19 |
26° |
|
| Pormpuraaw |
7:27 |
8:42:52 |
3m 19s |
96% |
|
10:19 |
26° |
|
| Coen |
7:27 |
8:45:35 |
2m 14s |
95% |
|
10:23 |
28° |
|
| Partial eclipse | ||||||||
|
|
Cairns |
7:28 |
|
|
88% |
8:49 |
10:27 |
29° |
| Cooktown |
7:28 |
|
|
93% |
8:49 |
10:27 |
29° |
|
| Townsville |
7:29 |
|
|
81% |
8:49 |
10:27 |
29° |
|
| Rockhampton |
7:34 |
|
|
65% |
8:54 |
10:30 |
30° |
|
| Brisbane |
7:41 |
|
|
52% |
8:58 |
10:28 |
30° |
|
The following statement regarding intoxicants has truly been well said:
Intoxication impairs the intellect and very few things – once impaired – become fully restored.
Quote from Al-Imam Al-Moiz (as); no. 44, Raudato Hidayaat Vol. 3
The consumer of intoxicants is from amongst the impious (immoral) and the wicked.
Quote from Al-Imam Al-Husain (as); Raudato Hidayaat Vol. 3
This second small excerpt from Prof. Persky’s essay is especially poignant perhaps more for the second footnote than the main text itself.
From the main text we glean the fact that the debate over usury and interest has ended by the late 17th century. In the footnote we see Christian ideological perspective that almost exactly mirrors our own view of why money should be lent.
Qardan Hasana – the good loan – is a loan by a well off person to another who requires the money. Qardan Hasana is not sadaqa – a charitable giving of money and the stipulations that come with it are quite stringent.
One key thought shared by Islam and original Christianity is that the lender of money does so for a higher reward and not the financial rewards sought by giving a loan with interest.
This is found in the the Quran-e-Majeed;
Verse 64-17
“If you lend unto Allah Qardan Hasana ( a good loan – a loan without Interest), He will multiply it for you and He will forgive you, for Allah is the Most Appreciative , Most Forbearing”
Verse 57-11
“Who is he that will lend unto Allah a good loan? For He may increase it manifold to his credit, and he will have a generous reward”.
