Nani alimuumba Mungu?

 Mungu alitoka wapi?

Wazo la pamoja la wasiomwamini Mungu na wanaomshuku Mungu, ni kama vitu vyote vinaitaji mwanzo, kwa hivyo Mungu lazima ahitaji mwanzo. Kaauli yao ni Mungu anaitaji mwanzo, kwa hivyo Mungu si Mungu (na kama Mungu si Mungu, kwa hivyo hakuna Mungu). Hii ndio njia ya kutatanisha sana kwa swali la namna hii “Nani alimuumba Mungu?” kila mmoja anajua kuwa hakuna kitu kinaweza kutoka mahali wazi. Kwa hivyo kama Mungu ni “kitu” kwa hivyo lazima awe na aliye muumba, kweli?

Swali hili latatanisha kwa sababu linaingiza dhana ya kupotosha ya kuwa Mungu alitoka mahali na kuuliza, mahali hapo panaweza kuwa wapi. Jibu kwa swali hili halina maana. Ni sawa na kuuliza, “Rangi ya samawati huwa na harufu gani?” Samawati si kikundi cha harufu, kwa hivyo swali limekuwa na dosari. Vile vile Mungu hayuko kwa kikundi cha vitu vilivyoumbwa ama kutengezwa. Mungu hawezi kuumbwa au kutengezwa, huwa anaishi.

Tunawezaje kujua haya? Tunajua kutoka uwazi, hakutoki kitu. Kwa hivyo kama kulikuwa na wakati hakukuwa na kitu chochote ulimwenguni, kwa hivyo hakungekuwa na kitu chochote ulimwenguni. Lakini vitu huwepo. Kati ya vyote kinachodumu ni Mungu. Mungu ni kitu kisicho tengenezwa ambacho kilifanya vyote viwepo. Mungu hawezi kuumbika ambaye ndiye muumbaji wa ulimwengu na vyote vilivyomo.

ALLAH ATEREMSHA UCHAWI NA KUMROGA MTUME MUHAMMAD

Nimenukuu quran aya ya 2:102 na maelezo/ufafanuzi wake hapo chini kutoka tafsiri mbili za quran (Tafsiri ya Sheikh Abdullah Saleh Al-Farsy na Tafsiri ya Sheikh Ali Muhsin Al-Barwani). Aya hii na maelezo/ufafanuzi wake inaonesha mambo yafuatayo: (a) Uchawi umeteremshwa na malaika wa Allah (b) Kuna wachawi wa kiislam. (c) Uchawi ni amali ya ukafiri

Pia, kwa mujibu wa Sahih Bukhari juzuu ya 4, Kitabu cha 54, Hadithi namba 490 na Sahih Bukhari, juzuu ya 7, kitabu cha 71, hadithi namba 658; Muhammad alirogwa na akazurika na uchawi. Kisa cha mtume kurogwa na kuzurika na uchawi pia kinasimuliwa katika quran Tafsiri ya Sheikh Abdullah Saleh Al-Farsy ukurasa wa 977 na 978.

Swali (a) Ikiwa uchawi ni ukafiri, Kuna uhusiano gani kati ya Allah na ukafiri mpaka atelemshe uchawi?
(b)Mtume Muhammad alirogwa na wachawi wa kiislam au wachawi wengine?
(c) Mtume Muhammad alirogwa na uchawi ulioteremshwa na malaika wa Allah au uchawi mwingine?
(d) Mtume au nabii gani mwingine alirogwa na akaathirika na uchawi?

Quran 2:102 inasema:
Wa Attaba`ū Mā Tatlū Ash-Shayāţīnu `Alá Mulki Sulaymāna Wa Mā Kafara Sulaymānu Wa Lakinna Ash-Shayāţīna Kafarū Yu`allimūna An-Nāsa As-Siĥra Wa Mā 'Unzila `Alá Al-Malakayni Bibābila Hārūta Wa Mārūta Wa Mā Yu`allimāni Min 'Aĥadin Ĥattá Yaqūlā 'Innamā Naĥnu Fitnatun Falā Takfur Fayata`allamūna Minhumā Mā Yufarriqūna Bihi Bayna Al-Mar'i Wa Zawjihi Wa Mā Hum Biđārrīna Bihi Min 'Aĥadin 'Illā Bi'idhni Al-Lahi Wa Yata`allamūna Mā Yađurruhum Wa Lā Yanfa`uhum Wa Laqad `Alimū Lamani Ashtarāhu Mā Lahu Fī Al-'Ākhirati Min Khalāqin Wa Labi'sa Mā Sharaw Bihi 'Anfusahum Law Kānū Ya`lamūna

Quran 2: 102(Tafsiri ya Sheikh Abdullah Saleh Al-Farsy) inasema: Wakafuata yale waliofuata mashetani wakadai kuwa yalikuwa katika ufalme wa (Nabii) Suleiman; na Suleiman hakukufuru, bali mashetani ndio waliokufuru, wakiwafundisha watu uchawi (waliokuwa wakiujua wenyewe tangu zamani na uchawi) ulioteremshwa kwa malaika wawili, Harut na Marut, katika (mji wa) Babil. Wala Malaika hao hawakumfundisha yoyote mpaka wamwambie: “ Hakika sisi ni mtihani (wa kutazamwa kutii kwenu); basi usikufuru.” Wakajifunza kwao ambayo kwa mambo hayo waweza kumfarikisha mtu na mkewe (na mengineyo). Wala hawakuwa wenye kumdhuru yeyote kwa mambo hayo ila kwa idhini ya Mwenyezi Mungu. Na wanajifunza ambayo yatawazuru wala hayatawafaa Na kwa yakini wanajua kwamba aliyehiari haya hatakuwa na sehemu yoyote katika akhera. Na bila shaka ni kibaya kabisa walichouzia (starehe za) nafsi zao (za Akhera). Laiti wangalijua, (hakika wasingefanya hivi). (Tafsiri ya Sheikh Abdullah Saleh Al-Farsy ukurasa 25-26)

KUSHEREKEA MAULID YA MTUME MUHAMMAD NI UPAGANI

Natanguliza maswali kwa waislam:
(a)Aya gani ya quran au hadithi gani inawaagiza kufanya sikukuu au sherehe ya Maulid ya Mtume?
(b)Nini adhabu ya watu wanaotunga kitu kama Maulid na kukiingiza katika dini?

UTANGULIZIUpagani wa maulid unadhihirika kwa kuangalia maeneo makubwa matatu:
(a) Historia ya Maulid.
(b) Kutokuwepo kwa uhakika wa tarehe aliyozaliwa mtume Muhammad kutoka kwenye quran au hadithi
(c) Ushahidi wa wanazuoni juu ya upagani wa maulid.

(a) HISTORIA YA MAULID Historia hii inatuonesha vitu vitatu vya msingi:
(i) Si Muhammad wala maswahaba walisherekea Maulid
(ii) Maulid ilianza miaka zaidi ya mia tatu baada ya mtume.
(iii) Waanzilishi wa Maulid wana nasibishwa na kizazi cha wakanaji Mungu (Wapagani na makafiri).

Yeyote mwenye kutazama maisha ya Mtume (Swalla Allaahu ‘alayhi wa aalihi wa sallam) na historia ya Maswahaba zake (Radhiya Allaahu ‘anhum), Taabi‘iyna na waliowafuata kwa wema mpaka kufikia zaidi ya mwaka wa 350 Hijri hatumuoni hata mwanachuoni mmoja wala mahakimu (viongozi) na wala watu wa kawaida waliokuwa wakifanya mawlid au wakaamrisha au wakahimiza au wakazungumza juu yake. Amesema al-Haafidh as-Sakhawiy: “Shughuli za kufanya Mawlid matukufu hayakupokelewa na watangu wema (Salafus Swaalih) wa karne tatu bora za mwanzo. Kwa hakika jambo hili lilizuliwa baada yake” (Imenukuliwa kutoka kwa Subulul Hudaa war Rashaad cha As-Salihiy, Mj. 1, uk. 439).
Suala la sisi kujiuliza ni kuwa; Je, haya Mawlid yalianza lini? Jawabu ya suala hili kwa mwanachuoni wa Ki-Sunnah, Al-Imaam al-Maqriiziyni:

“Katika kipindi cha uongozi wa Faatwimiyyuun (hawa walikuwa ni Rawaafidh (Mashia) katika kipote cha Ismailiyyah [Makoja] katika nchi ya Misri) walikuwa wanachukuwa hii ni misimu ya sherehe ambapo walikuwa wakiwakunjulia hali za raia zao na kuwakithirishia neema. Na walikuwa hawa watawala wa Faatwimiyyuun katika mwaka mzima wana misimu ya sherehe na Idi zao nazo ni kama zifuatazo: Msimu wa kichwa cha mwaka, Msimu wa mwanzo wa mwaka, Sherehe za ‘Aashuraa, na Mawlid ya Nabii (Swalla Allaahu ‘alayhi wa aalihi wa sallam), na Mawlid ya ‘Aliy bin Abi Twaalib (Radhiya Allaahu ‘anhu), na Mawlid ya Hasan na Husayn (Radhiya Allaahu ‘anhuma), na Mawlid ya Faatwimah az-Zahraa (Radhiya Allaahu ‘anha), na Mawlid ya kiongozi wao aliye hai kwa wakati ule, usiku wa kwanza wa Rajab, na usiku wa kati ya Rajab, na Mawlid ya usiku wa Ramadhaan na mwisho wa Ramadhaan na Msimu wa ‘Iydul Fitwr na Msimu wa ‘Iydul Adh-ha na Idi ya Ghaadir, Msimu wa ufunguzi wa Ghuba na Siku ya Nairuuz na Siku ya Ghatas na Siku ya Mazazi, na Siku ya Vipandio, Kis-wa (nguo) ya Msimu wa Kusi na Kaskazi, Alhamisi ya Adasi na Siku ya Ubatizo” (Al-Khutwat, Mj. 1, uk. 490 na baada yake). na amesema tena katika kitabu chengine: “Na katika mwezi wa Rabi’ul Awwal walijilazimisha watu kuwasha kandili usiku katika njia zote na vichochoro vyake huko Misri”.

Na amesema tena al-Maqriiziy katika maudhui nyengine: “Shughuli za Mawlid ya Mtume mtukufu (Swalla Allaahu ‘alayhi wa aalihi wa sallam) zilikuwa zikifanyika rasmi kama desturi yake katika mwezi wa Rabi’ul Awwal”. Kila mmoja anatakiwa azingatie jinsi gani Mawlid yalivyoanzishwa pamoja na uzushi mkubwa mfano: Uzushi wa kukataa na kuchupa mipaka juu ya familia ya Mtume kwa kusimamisha mawlid ya ‘Aliy, Faatwimah, Hasan na Husayn.

UKRISTO NI NINI? WAKRISTO HUAMINI NINI?

========================================================
Ndugu wasomaji, leo nitajibu swali hili ambalo Waislam wamekuwa wakiuliza kila siku na kutaka kufahamu, Je Ukisto ni dini? Je, Ukristo ni nini?
Basi ugana nami kati hii mada ya kuufahamu Ukirsto ni nini na Mkristo ni tmu gani.

Katika Wakorintho wa kwanza 15: 1-4 inasema, “Tena ndugu zangu, ninawatangazia tena ile injili ambayo nimekwisha kuwahubiri ambayo mmeipokea nakusimama ndani yake; ambayo kupitia hiyo mmeokolewa mkiendelea kukumbuka yale niliyowahubiri msije mkawa mmeamini bure. Kwa kuwa niliwapatia kwanza kile nilichokuwa nami nimepokea, kwa jinsi ile Yesu aliyokufa kwa ajili ya dhambi zetu kulingana na maandiko; na akazikwa, hatimaye akafufuka tena siku ya tatu kulingana na maandiko.

Kwa kifupi hii ndiyo imani ya kikristo. Ukristo ni imani maalum kulinganisha na nyinginezo, Kwa sababu inasimamia zaidi ushirika na Mungu kuliko matendo ya kidini. Kinyume na kushikilia orodha ya masharti ya fanya haya na usifanye yale, Lengo la mkristo ni kutafuta ushirika wa karibu na Mungu Baba. Ushirika huo unawezeshwa na kazi aliyoifanya Yesu pamoja na huduma ndani ya maisha ya mkristo ya Roho Mtakatifu.

Wakristo huamini ya kuwa biblia ni Neno la Mungu na mafundisho yake ndiyo mamlaka ya mwisho (Timotheo wa pili 3:16, Petro wa pili 1: 20-21). Wakristo huamini juu ya Mungu mmoja akaaye katika utatu, Baba na Mwana (Yesu kristo), na Roho Mtakatifu.

Atheists Are Stupid

Does the Bible prophesy the coming of Muhammad?

Answer:There are three primary passages in the Bible that Muslims often point to as prophecies of the coming of Muhammad:Deuteronomy 18:15-22,Song of Solomon 5:16, andJohn 16:5-11.

First, in regards toDeuteronomy 18:15-22, the immediate context of this passage refers back to verses 9-14. There Moses warns the people of the danger of false prophets. God's people are to avoid any and all who presume to speak authoritatively about spiritual truth apart from God’s truth. What is God’s truth? Verse 15 says a particular prophet will arise from the Jews (i.e., “your own brothers”) who will be like Moses. Notice that it's not just any prophet, as there have been many, but a special prophet. People who studied and believed the Old Testament writings were looking for this particular, special prophet. In fact, some Jewish leaders thought the fiery preacher John the Baptist might be the fulfillment of Moses' prophecy (seeJohn 1:19-30). John the Baptist, however, said that he was the forerunner of the prophet of whom Moses spoke, not the prophet Himself.

Who then is this prophet? He is clearly none other than the Lord Jesus Christ.John 1:43-45records that the early followers of Jesus understood He was the prophet of whom Moses wrote. Jesus Himself declared this about Himself (Luke 24:27). The most complete statement pointing to Jesus as the promised prophet is found inActs 3:12-26. The deacon, Stephen, reiterated this inActs 7:37. Such notable men as John the Baptist, Philip, Peter, and Stephen all testified that Jesus Christ, not Muhammad, is the prophet predicted inDeuteronomy 18:15-22.

Second, inSong of Solomon 5:16, the maiden says of her lover, "His mouth is sweetness itself; he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, this is my friend, daughters of Jerusalem." The word translated as "lovely" is the Hebrew wordmachamadim. It is the plural ofmachamad, which means “lovely, cute, or desirable.” Although it is the root word ofMuhammad, it does not follow that the verse refers to Muhammad, especially since the word used is a plural adjective, not the name of a person.

How can I, a Muslim, become assured of paradise?

Answer:“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him” (John 3:36).

Jesus said, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36). Life on earth is short. No matter how prosperous, life is tragic if it ends in eternal separation from God.

Jesus warned that the way to heaven is hard: "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:13-15).

The Bible tells us how we can enter the narrow gate and be assured of paradise.

Can good works earn me a place in heaven?
Many people think following God’s laws and doing good works will get them into heaven. Muslims, for example, strive to keep the Five Pillars. If good deeds outweigh bad deeds, people hope God will accept them. But God says in the Bible that no person can earn heaven.

“For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. . . . for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:20,23).

The more a person tries to obey God’s laws found in the Bible (ultimately fulfilled in perfectly loving God and neighbor—Matthew 22:34-40), the more a person sees he is a sinner. God is a just Judge with a holy wrath against sinners (Romans 2:5). He will punish sinners—regardless of good deeds done or laws kept (Ecclesiastes 12:14;James 2:10;Revelation 20:11-15). Since sin prevents our entrance to heaven, who can help us?

Can Jesus bear the wrath of God against sinners?
A substitute, taking the punishment for a sinner, must be perfect. Otherwise, that substitute must receive God’s punishment for his own sin. The only perfect One who walked on earth is Jesus (1 Peter 2:22-24).

Can keeping the Five Pillars of Islam get me to heaven?

Answer:Because God is just, He will punish sin – regardless of how well you keep the Five Pillars.

As a Muslim, you long to reach paradise after you die. But as a sinner, how will you escape God’s judgment? You may think, “My faithfulness in keeping the Five Pillars may outweigh my sins. Hopefully, God will admit me to paradise.”

You strive to keep the Five Pillars of Islam. Five times a day you kneel toward Mecca. The creed (shahadah) often forms on your lips. You bring no bread or water to your mouth during the daylight of Ramadan. You are saving up money for the pilgrimage to Mecca and are freely giving alms to the poor.

But still you question, “Is keeping the Five Pillars enough?”

Your conscience convicts you of failing God’s standard of holiness. How could the holy God accept to paradise someone stained with even a little sin?

Only one sin caused the first man’s downfall. Adam’s sin was not a “big sin” like adultery, murder, or blasphemy. By eating the forbidden fruit, Adam brought the curse of sin and death into the world.

Shall we escape? We who have dishonored our parents, lied to our neighbors, or cheated our customers (Exodus 20)? We sin routinely by putting selfish interests ahead of loving God (Matthew 22:36-40). We proudly overlook or excuse our sins. But God does not overlook or excuse any sin. He will judge every thought, word, and deed (Ecclesiastes 12:14;Matthew 12:36;Revelation 20:12-15).

JE MUNGU WA WAISLAMU (ALLAH S.W) NA MUNGU WA WAKRISTO (YEHOVA) NI MMOJA?

UTANGULIZI.
Imekuwa ni kawaida sasa kwa miaka zaidi ya ishirini hivi, kusikia katika mihadhara inayoendeshwa na wahadhiri wa dini ya Uislamu, ambayo imeenea sehemu mbalimbali Duniani na haswa katika nchi za Africa Mashariki na Kati,(East and Central Africa). Wahadhiri hao hufundisha jamii kupitia Qurani na Biblia kwa kusema kuwa Mungu ni Mmoja tu. Wasema Mungu kwa Kiebrania anaitwa Yehova , kwa Kiarabu Allah, kwa Kiingereza God na kwa Kiswahili ni Mungu. Kwa hivyo wasema Mungu Allah kama Qurani inavyofundisha, ndiye Yehova kama Biblia inavyofundisha. Mihadhara hiyo inayoendeshwa na Waislamu imeenea sana, mfano Nchini Tanzania kuna vikundi vingi na kimoja wapo kinaitwa Al-Marid International Propagation Center. Hawa wameandika katika bango lao kwa kunukuu katika Biblia maneno aliyoandika Mtume Paulo katika Waefeso 4:4-6. Maneno waliyoyanukuu yanasema hivi “Bwana mmoja , Imani moja ….., Mungu mmoja , naye ni Baba wa wote, aliye juu ya yote. Nilipotembelea mkoa wa Morogoro pale mjini, eneo la kiwanja cha ndege nikaona Msikiti mmoja umeandikwa maneno haya ya Waefeso 4:4-6. Na nilipotembelea mji wa Nairobi Nchini Kenya pia nikaona kuna vikundi vingi vinavyoendesha mihadhara na kikundi kimoja wapo kinaitwa Kibera Islamic Propagation Centre. Hawa nao katika bango lao wameandika ujumbe unaosema hivi “Acha Biblia Ijisemee na kunukuu injili aya hii” Yohana 8:32 Tena mtaifahamu kweli nayo hiyo kweli itawaweka huru.

Kwa hivyo utaona kuwa wahadhiri hao wa Dini ya Uislamu hufundisha jamii kwa kutumia Qurani na Biblia na kusema Allah Sub-Hana Wataala ndiye YEHOVA. Fundisho hili wanalieneza kwa kupitia Radio, Vijarida, Mihadhara, vitabu na Kanda (cassettes) za Video na Audio. Na hivyo kuwafanya baadhi ya Wakristo kuacha Imani yao na kuingia katika Dini ya Uislamu. Na baadhi ya Wakristo wengine ingawa hawajabadili dini wanaamini hivyo. Swali la muhimu la kujiuliza kwa kila mkristo, je, ni kweli Mungu Allah kama inavyotuhadithia Qurani ndiye Yehova kama Biblia inavyotufundisha? Nakusihi fuatilia somo hili kwa makini ili kujua Ukweli……

SEHEMU KUU ZA SOMO HILI NI HIZI……

1. Hoja za waislamu kusema Allah ndiye Yehova.

2. Je, jina la Mungu kadiri ya Qurani na Biblia ni moja?

3. Je, Malaika mkuu wa Allah ndiye wa Yehova?

4. Je, ni nani muumba,Allah au Yehova?

5. Mji aliochagua Allah je, ni sawa na wa Yehova?

6. Allah anavyofundisha kuhusu kujitakasa nafsi je, ni sawa na Yehova?

7. Je, mbingu ya Yehova ni sawa na ya Allah?

8. Mwisho wa wanaomwabudu Allah ni wapi?



1. Hoja za waislamu kusema Allah ndiye Yehova

Wahadhiri wa Dini ya Uislamu wanasema Mungu Allah ndiye Yehova kwa sababu Manabii wa Mungu kadiri ya Biblia na Qurani walifundisha kwa kusema Mungu ni mmoja tu. Na wanasoma aya hizi…


Nabii Musa alivyosema

Kumbukumbu la Torati 6:4

Sikiza ee Israeli; BWANA Mungu wetu BWANA ndiye mmoja.

Nabii Isaya alisema hivi

Isaya 45:18,21

Maana BWANA , aliyeumba mbingu, asema hivi, yeye ni Mungu ,ndiye aliyeumba Dunia na kuifanya ….. si mimi BWANA? Wala hapana Mungu zaidi ya mimi. Mungu mwenye haki , mwokozi hapana mwingine zaidi ya mimi.

Nabii Daudi Alisema

Zaburi 86:10

Kwa kuwa ndiwe uliye mkuu, wewe ndiwe mfanya miujiza , ndiwe Mungu peke yako.



Yesu alisema hivi

Yohana 17:3

na uzima wa milele ndio huu wakujue wewe, Mungu wa pekee wa kweli, na Yesu Kristo uliye mtuma

Paulo naye Alisema hivi

1 Wakorintho 8:4

Basi kwa habari ya kuvila vitu vilivyotolewa sadaka kwa sanamu; twajua ya kuwa sanamu si kitu katika ulimwengu, na yakuwa hakuna Mungu ila mmoja tu.

Hapa wahadhiri wa Dini ya Uislamu wanasema Manabii wote kadiri ya Biblia wanafundisha kuwa Mungu ni mmoja tu. Je, Muhammad (s.a.w.) alifundisha nini kuhusu Mungu? Wanasoma aya hizi za Qurani……..

Qurani 41:6 Suratul Haa Mym Sajdah (Kusujudu)

Sema; bila shaka mimi ni mtu kama nyinyi. Nimeletewa Wahyi (inafunuliwa kwangu)ya kwamba Mungu wenu ni Mungu mmoja tu……

Hapa wahadhiri wanasema kama vile manabii wote walifundisha Mungu mmoja ndivyo ilivyo fundisha Muhammad.

Qurani 29:46-47 Suratul Al- Ankabuut (Buibui).

Wala mshibishane na watu waliopewa kitabu (kabla yenu) ila kwa yale (majadiliano) yaliyo mazuri, isipokuwa wale waliodhulumu miongoni mwao. Na semeni :tunaamini yaliyoteremshwa kwetu, na yaliyoteremshwa kwenu. Na mungu wetu na Mungu wenu ni mmoja : nasi ni wenye kunyenyekea kwake. Na namna hivi tumekuteremshia kitabu (hiki cha Qurani) basi wale tuliowapa kitabu (kabla ya hiki kama taurati na injili) wanakiamini (hiki kitabu ulichoteremshiwa kwani hakipingani na hivyo walivyoteremshiwa). Na miongoni mwa hawa (Waarabu wasiokuwa na Kitabu chochote)wako wanaokiamini. Na hawazikatai aya zetu isipokuwa wale wanaotaka kuficha haki.



Hapa wahadhiri wa kiislamu wakisha soma aya hizi husema vitabu vya Torati na Injili havipingani na Qurani, na vitabu hivyo walipewa Wayahudi na Manasara(yaani Wakristo) na Mungu wa Waislamu na Wakristo ni mmoja tu.

Je, hoja hii ni kweli? Nitaijibu huko mbele.

Saying “KAFFIR” is a punishable offence in South Africa

Extracts from legal and court papers below:

REPORTABLE

IN THE HIGH COURT OF SOUTH AFRICA

(EASTERN CAPE, GRAHAMSTOWN)

CASE NO: CA 165/2008

In the matter between

MIETA M RYAN Appellant

VS

RODWIN PETRUS Respondent

JUDGMENT

PICKERING J:

I turn then to consider the words uttered by defendant. It will be convenient to commence with the use of the highly offensive word “kaffir”.

As far back as 1976 James JP in Ciliza v Minister of Police and Another 1976 (4) SA 243 (N), after having referred to various dictionary definitions of the word, stated at 247H:

“It follows that in my opinion one of the recognised meanings which the word ‘Kaffir’ now bears in South Africa is that such a person is uncivilised, uncouth and coarse and that if one calls a person a ‘Kaffir’ this will in certain circumstances constitute an iniuria.”

In that matter a white policeman had used the word in addressing the plaintiff, who was a black man. Plaintiff was awarded the sum of R150,00 as damages.

In Mbatha v Van Staden 1982 (2) SA 260 (N) the plaintiff, a black man, sued the defendant, a white man, for iniuria after the defendant had repeatedly called him a “kaffir” and assaulted him. At 262 H – 263A Didcott J stated as follows:

“The tirade’s worst feature was the use of the epithet ‘kaffer’. Such alone can amount today to an actionable wrong, according to the decision of the Full Bench here in Ciliza v Minister of Police and Another 1976 (4) SA 243 (N). Everything depends, of course, on the context in which the word is uttered. Settings which make it innocuous can no doubt be imagined. Ordinarily, however, that is not the case when, in South Africa nowadays, a Black man or woman is called a ‘kaffer’ by somebody of another race. Then, as a rule, the term is a derogatory and contemptuous one. With much the same ring as the word ‘nigger’ in the United States, it disparages the Black race and the person concerned as a member of that race. It is deeply offensive to blacks. Just about everyone knows that by now. The intention to offend can therefore be taken for granted, on most occasions at any rate.”

The plaintiff was awarded the sum of R2 000,00 as damages.

In S v Puluza 1983 (2) P.H. H150 (E) van Rensburg J (with whom Jennett AJ concurred) referred with approval to the Ciliza andMbatha cases, supra and added:

“(W)hen a black man is called a ‘kaffir’ by somebody of another race, as a rule the term is one which is disparaging, derogatory and contemptuous and causes humiliation.”

See too: S v Steenberg 1999 (1) SACR 594 (N).

In the present case neither party is a black African. It may well be that if the word is uttered pejoratively by a white person to a black person the amount of damages which would be awarded to compensate the latter for the affront would be greater than when the recipient of the insult was not a black African, because of the racial overtones involved. It is, however, not necessary to determine this issue. In the present case it is abundantly clear from the context in which the word was used that defendant intended to give offence and used the word in its injurious sense of uncivilised, uncouth and coarse. As was stated in Ciliza’s case, supra at 248H such a use of the word constitutes an unlawful aggression upon appellant’s dignity.

 ***    ****   ****

The actio injuriarum is a civil claim where a wronged party sues for monetary compensation.

Race based insults that are directed at individuals have traditionally been dealt with under this head. For example, compensation was given to a victim for derogatory use of the word ‘kaffir’ in Mbatha v Van Staden.

Racist insults can also be criminal and result in criminal penalties and a criminal record. ‘[P]rovided the required intention is proved, … calling a person a ‘kaffir’ is a violation of that person’s dignitas and constitutes the crime of crimen injuria’.