Fardin's Knowledge Initiative

Why shouldn’t a Muslim grow a beard?

2012-07-06T16:25:00.003+05:30

It was November 1989 when a young 16 years old Sachin Tendulkar was selected to represent India for a Test series in Pakistan. Tom Alter the renowned actor and anchor was interviewing him. “What compelled you to take up cricket?” he asked. A boyish Tendulkar in his typical tone replied, “It was my brother who first took to me Azad Maidan when I was 10 year old and introduced me to Coach Ramakant Achrekar, however since India won the 1983 world cup I was fascinated and drawn towards cricket and has been trying to copy Sunil Gavaskar, the way he plays”.

There was nothing astonishing in this innocuous little anecdote of a budding cricket superstar, however the last line is worth noticing when a young Tendulkar proudly mentions how he tried to copy Sunil Gavaskar as his role model and as his cricketing idol. We can quote similar examples in day today life, a child trying to imitate his parents for almost everything, young ambitious actors trying to follow the footsteps of their cinema idols, budding authors trudging the style and literary expressions of some of the erstwhile successful writers. And when they do, not only in terms of their act, but also the way they dress, walk, talk, display emotions, their style quotient, the world takes a notice and often applauds the lesser mortals who are able to successfully achieve even an iota of their role models. Now the question is; What is the scientific justification behind this? None, apart from being able to replicate the success of the best in the business.

As I always do prior to writing my blogs, I chanced upon many articles, discussion forums, message boards, etc wherein people were asking the rationale or justification behind Muslims growing a beard. In response many Muslim brothers and sisters tried, but in vain to bring forth the point as a reasoning in sporting a fist long beard, as the ‘Sunnah’ of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Invariably the discussion ended up deriding, persecuting and vilifying Muslims, Islam, Quran and our Prophet Muhammad (SAW) by those who asked the question or others who just jumped in to create a mockery of the forum. The end result would be another crusade wherein each member of the party trying to glorify his/her religion at the same time slandering others’. More often than not it would be the innocent Muslim who had tried to answer the question to spread the knowledge and understanding about Islam end up being apologetic and defensive trying to justify his faith and love for his own religion. Damn Preposterous!!

The Quran quotes Allah saying,

"Ye have indeed in the Messenger of Allah an excellent exempler for him who hopes in Allah and the Final Day, and who remembers Allah." (Quran 33:21)

And many other similar quotes which emphasize upon following the footsteps of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) not only for his teachings but also his way of life. Muslims across the globe believe that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was sent on this sinful earth as the last and the most venerated Messenger of Allah. People used to doubt and disbelieve his abilities, his declaration of prophecy and a plethora of unbelievable tasks he performed such as travelling to the heavens (Meraj) to meet Allah himself, infusing life in the dead, curing the diseased, hearing the dead and lifeless, turning around the day and night and many more such amazing implausible tasks beyond explanation of human mind. People would doubt him 1400 years back and many still do. However these doubting Thomas’ had to eat their own words as slowly but steadily science went on to prove many claims which Quran had made and Prophet had suggested. I will give a few examples:

· Clouds were responsible for making rains and it was evaporation of water that made it possible

· Moon was responsible for creating high tides in the sea

· There are bigger and brighter stars in the Universe much more massive than the Sun

· Plants generate food from sunlight (Photosynthesis)

· The changes in season is caused by the tilt of the earth

· Benefits of keeping fast

· Sleeping while on your right side

· Benefits of Prostration (Sajda)

· Benefits of eating Halal Meat

Not only these but there were many more other social transformations which were suggested by the Holy Quran and also advised by Prophet Muhammad (SAW) which hold true and justifiable even after 14 centuries and will continue to hold good till eternity. These socio-cultural edicts seemed blasphemous and iconoclastic to the ethos and norms of the barbaric Arab tribes at that time but came to be recognized as revolutionary and radical in the modern world. I would as well quote few examples of these social changes:

· Right of women to her father’s property

· Right to education for everyone

· Divorcee and Widow remarriage

· Voting rights and participation of women in administration

· Rights of prisoners of war to a fair treatment

· Compassion and respect towards your parents

· Duties/Rights of Parents on their children and vice-versa

· Duties/Rights of Husband over his Wife and vice-versa

· Fair working hours, compensation and care facility for employees/workers/slaves

· Zakat (2.5% of your savings) to be distributed to the poor

· Regular charity, one third of produce from the sacrificed animal to the poor

· Identifying economic status/poverty line by way of Gold Standards - Person in possession of atleast 7.5 Tolas (1 Tola = 10 grams) of Gold or 52.5 Tola of Silver or its equal worth

The list to these scientific and socio-cultural and economic proclamations is endless. As people read and try to extract the virtues of Quran and Hadees (teachings from life) of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) more and more revolutionary ideas evolve which help resolve scientific and social and economic anomalies of the contemporary society. The ‘Go-Green’ initiatives undertaken by corporates, governments, governing bodies and NGO’s can be attributed to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) way back in 6^th century AD when he asked his followers to plant not only ‘Date’ trees but other foliage rich trees to provide shade and food to the travelers in the holy city of Madina. The fruits of these efforts followed or copied over the centuries are for everyone to appreciate as a verdant and green Madina welcomes millions of pilgrims every year during the times of Hajj. People are mesmerized how a city can maintain such greenery while being in midst of an arid desert?

While the world is even perplexed to see the barren and desiccated land of Mecca, the holiest city for the Muslims, oozing gallons and gallons of the elixir water Aab-e-Zamzam since past thousands of years right inside the Masjid-e-Haram housing the Kaba, while the surrounding areas just a few kilometers away do not have any ground water table. What is the science behind the Holy Gumbad-e-Khizra (the Tomb housing the grave of Prophet Muhammad (SAW)) not having a shadow, or the ultra cool breeze coming from the door overlooking Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) resting place even though the surroundings temperature is in excess of 45 degree Centigrade. No one tried to put forth a scientific compulsion to these living wonders or seek justification for the same, then why apply the some illogical rationale asking about the scientific reason for a Muslim to grow a beard? Yes, we follow our Prophet, we try to imitate him, the way he talked, his demeanor, his compassion towards everyone, his every act during the 63 years of his life. He is an example for billions of Muslims who have accepted Allah as the Almighty and Muhammad (SAW) as his Prophet. Unlike some of his predecessors or many holy men who shun worldly duties to dedicate their lives towards their Lord, our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) performed the divine and earthly tasks with aplomb and in the process teaching his followers the way of life and hereafter.

Why then should I go around justifying the acts and way of life of my beloved Prophet (SAW)? My faith is not built on such weak platform to be shaken by accusations and reasoning’s of a few disbelievers. The first pillar of Islam which is the Kalma substantiates our strong faith in Islam, as it says, “There is no God except Allah and Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is his messenger”. I never asked my parents to give me a proof or justification of existence of Allah or a corroboration of Muhammad (SAW) as the messenger of Allah. No Muslim does that, for that is the faith that you believe in Allah and the teachings of his Prophet. Why then is a Muslim asked or scorned upon if he chooses to grow a beard? No one asks a Christian why they sport a cross across their necks or create a symbolic cross with hands across their chest, their nuns cover their head or a Hindu why he rings a bell before entering a temple or folds his hands or applies a vermillion mark on his forehead, the Sikhs why they keep a turban or the Buddhist Monks why they shave their heads? The reasons is true and simple, people have been following their role models and their ancestors who have taught them the way to worship and revere their gods in a particular way and how and what to wear, what is good what is not. And true to their faith and belief in their religion, their Holy Book – The Quran, their messenger – Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and Almighty Allah, Muslims have taken the good virtues and teachings from their elders and ancestors who in turn have learnt it over the generations from the Prophet (SAW) himself on how to lead their life.

If you are not comfortable, just ignore it, rather than vilifying the Muslims as backward (if their kids are attending religious schools or Madarasa), illogical (if they choose to sport a beard) suppressing (if their women decide on wearing a scarf or a veil) causing hardships (when they keep fasts during the month of Ramzan) and rigid (when they proudly proclaim Quran as unchanged and unabridged encyclopedia of life since the time of its inception from Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) own voice, while almost all the other religious texts around have undergone sea changes, just to please the rulers of the times). The very reason I purposefully didn’t have the title to this blog as “Why do Muslims grow beard?”

As always I wanted to give a conclusion of my understanding and research on the topic and presenting my thought process. But while reading many articles and discussions on the subject I would like to “copy paste” the just opinion beautifully articulated by one of my Muslim Brother (by pen name umar_italy) in one such forum. Read on:

These things make me crazy.

How is it that Muslims followed the Sunnah for over 1400 years, without all this obsession for "scientific reasons"? What reasons did they have, when no one went around displaying PSEUSO-"scientific" researches?

This materialist, quantitative, westernized "apologetical" mindset is destroying all intellectual and spiritual capacities of Muslims of today.

I shudder every time I read that there is really someone thinking that there are scientific researches saying that on the three fingers used to eat (and only on them...) there is a kind of "special substance" naturally secreted by the body, that helps the digestion... Or that most part of diseases are in the stomach, and are caused by the fact of drinking by standing... And so on..

That's absolutely non-sense that make us look like fool people with inferiority complex, trying to "justify" our intention to follow the Sunnah..

So we follow Sunnah for the sake of "modern science"?

Or for love of Rasul-Allah (saws) and for the Baraka therein?

"Why you grow your beard?" - "Because I love the Messenger of Allah (saws)" - Khalas.

Un-Veiling Dress Code Impositions

2011-06-14T15:37:00.005+05:30

(An analysis of French ban on Face Veils)

There was an interesting story which became popular after the Cricket World Cup 1996, when India pulverized Pakistan in the Quarterfinals; The Pakistan team fearing public wrath had arrived back in the middle of the night and were whisked away incognito. Few days later in an up-market shopping mall in Lahore, two women wearing Burka, were haggling for some product with the shopkeeper, when one of them spoke to the other softly, “Wasim Bhai! Please let me buy this product, you can have another one” the other woman was shocked hearing the first lady call ‘her’ Wasim Bhai and replied, “How do you know I am Wasim Akram”, “Because I am Waqar Younis” replied the first woman as ‘he’ lifted ‘his’ veil uncovering ‘her’ face to Wasim Akram, who was disguised as the second lady.

This is just one benefit of wearing a Burka or Abaya or Hijab or Naqab or Veil or a deluge of many such synonyms which are doing rounds of the Dinner table discussion of all those people who don’t wear a Naqab or should be least affected or bothered by their neighbors living in nearby house, or in a distant city of France thousands of kilometers away, who are wearing one. This issue became notorious due to some overzealous French politicians who initiated a bill to ban full face veils in public in France, with countries like Denmark, Belgium and Netherlands too contemplating similar laws for their Muslim citizens (read women).

There are many different kinds of such veils which range from full face veils to long scarves to other different types or fashion statements which vary from Muslim women in USA to European countries to North African sub-Saharan terrains to the Middle East, Indian subcontinent to South East Asian peninsular regions. The reason for the differences in the veils worn by the women in these countries is not religion but the tradition, the culture, the local and societal influence on the way they dress and they present themselves or rather cover themselves. Rather the Purda system was there in India since the ancient times where newlywed girls had to keep their head and faces covered in the in-laws house out of respect to elders and demonstrate a shy and innocent demeanor, which was highly appreciated for a bride. The tradition is still followed in Rajasthan and other northern states and rural areas of India.

The main stress on bringing upon the regionalization aspect of dress codes or it’s so called imposition on people, specifically women is purely cultural and in no way religious. A quick glance on the Veil Fashion reveals (pun intended) that the full face veils or the Naqab's are majorly worn only by women in gulf countries restricted to the conservative Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, the Taliban suppressed Afghanistan, tribal Pakistan and some parts of India. Most other countries comprising of Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Turkey, Egypt, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bahrain, Central Asia and others in and around these regions will have women adhering to the basic recommendations of covering their heads while keeping their faces open in public. While Muslims women in some Western European countries and America’s would wear long scarves to cover their head, while wearing the normally worn clothes common in those regions. Now this is not an autopsy of the clothes worn by Muslim women around the world, but just an attempt to showcase the minority percentage of Muslim women who wear full face veils. Considering the majority which does not follow any norms or traditions or these so called imposition myths associated with Islamic dress code or its rather forceful decree; does not stand by way of development or modernization or growth of Muslim women around the world in terms of Education, Career, Governance, etc.

Hijab has never been a gender discriminatory tool of Islam to suppress women. Rather the mention of Hijab in few places in the Holy Quran has been mentioned addressing the men and women in equal measures. Hijab as mentioned by Quran refers to the instructions to both men and women to dress in a modest way, so as not to expose your Awrah in public or in front of strangers. The definition of Awrah too varies differently as per interpretation of various scholars more influenced by their regional considerations than what the message actually put forth by Quran. Awrah refers to parts of body which can be termed as intimate or construed as objects of desires, to safeguard ones modesty and decency in public. These Quranic phrases had an objective at the time in 15th century Arab region when barbarism and violence was rampant. Killing of girl child, child marriages, brutality against women and their denigration as third grade members of the family was commonplace. It was the influence of Islam and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) with Quran as a guide and reference which helped in upliftment of women, their education, equal rights within the family and society. (Read my blog ‘Female Education: Vision of Islam’ http://fardinq.blogspot.com/2008/08/female-education-vision-of-islam.html). Decrying the ancient traditions, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) asked the people to maintain decency not only in terms of their way of dressing, but also in behavior, flaunting of wealth, compassion towards poor, respect to elders and decency in way of life. This was applicable for equally for both men and women.

A few Hadith’s (teachings based on Life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW)) do mention how women were advised to maintain a particular dressing sense before strangers (unknown men), which was basically to self guard their respect and honor. People take them as a basis to criticize the Hadith’s while at the same time ignoring what it says about men. As Prophet Muhammad (SAW) mentions, ‘Men should walk upon the streets not with their chest jutting out and showing arrogance or proud, but should walk calmly and always lower their gaze and head in respect upon seeing a woman’. So aren’t these generic advice and education, which we are taught even by our parents since our childhood about maintaining decency, respecting others and dressing appropriately irrespective of our sex or our culture or our religion. I recently read a news snippet about a leading Oscar nominated Hollywood actress, declaring herself as a strict Mom, instructing her two daughters about which type of clothes to wear and whom to befriend. A bit surprising since we generally correlate American and Western society and culture as open and unhindered when compared to our Indian culture and more specific the so called ‘oppressing’ Arab or Islamic tradition. But then it is animal instinct which we see on a Discovery or Animal Planet; a mother lioness pulling her cubs when they entangle themselves in the bushes or fight with each other; she growls and snarls when they don’t listen, because she knows the dangers of the jungle and its threats. Similar is the case with us, human beings; our parents righteously advise us what is good for us and what can cause us harm from nature, society and our surroundings, at an age when we are quite naïve to judge it ourselves about right and wrong around us. So was the case in erstwhile Arab peninsula when Islam and Quran as a guide came upon its people as an advice about the way of living and as a fountain of knowledge of the universe to show them the righteous path.

We move to the subject of state interference in imposing dress code and so called perceived threat of face veils in guise of anti-social elements. The democratically elected Government of France thinks that extremists can wear the face veils and move within the public and cause damage to human life and property without being noticed. A very basic question which crops up here is, ‘Do these extremists tie the explosives on their face and then trigger them?’ No obviously not, they may have it tied around their bellies and around their bodies, etc. So what should be the logical reasoning on screening these anti-socials from the general public?, “Governments should ban wearing clothes altogether”, so that everyone and everything is open and a police officer can easily detect from a distant if a naked man has any explosives tied around his body. A few years back the ‘smart’ Traffic Police authority of the Nagpur (central Indian city) started imposing fine upon people who used to cover their faces with scarves while driving two-wheelers. The intention of the rider was to save his/her face from direct and harmful impact of summer heat-waves reaching almost 49 degrees, causing fatal sun strokes. The Traffic Police said chain snatchers and thieves were executing crimes under this disguise and running away undetected. A lady advocate filed a PIL in the High Court against this draconian edict, which the Honorable Judge overruled. The very next day, two local criminals wearing Helmets with dark visors snatched a bag from a lady waiting at the traffic signal and in the ensuing melee, caused grievous injury to her. The lady advocate filed another PIL justifying banning of Helmets as well, to avoid such crimes. The embarrassed Judge reversed his decision of upholding the Scarf ban and instructed the Traffic Cops to be more vigilant about ensuring Traffic Rules compliance rather than inventing such foolhardy laws.

Now after France; other countries like Belgium, Netherlands and Denmark are contemplating Face Veil bans for its citizens. Remember the last two of these are those whose government rather tried to justify the turmoil which rocked the world when some nut-head editor of their local newspaper published disrespecting caricatures of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) rather than directing them not to interfere and hurt religious sentiments of people (Islam forbids usage of cartoon and imagery of life forms when linked to religion). So we can very well judge that the intention of such a law is not safety or security purpose but some personal vendetta against targeted communities. While it is very well knows that the number of Muslim women wearing full face veils comprises not even 0.005% of the total Muslim population in these countries.

I conducted (tried to) a small survey amongst the female relatives and acquaintance about their views of imposition of face veil ban in European counties. The following are some details of the exercise:

· Targeted Population: 37 (All Adult Females, studying or working in different industry sectors; 4 of these were Muslims)
· Mode of Communication: E-Mail
· Replies received: 16 (2 Muslims)
· Analysis of the Response and Questions Asked:

Now out of 37 only 16 took pains to reply to the questions asked. Of the remaining 21 there are/were many who would seek clarifications from me every time there is some new Fatwa issued in some corner of the world or some incident happened related to Muslims. While I would try to give a just meaningful reply, there would be counter questions upon my view point and also why is such and such rule in place, is it not oppressive, is it not against the law of nature and a plethora of such naïve queries. Now when I asked them about their viewpoints, they chose to backtrack and did not reply, so as not to reveal their thought process and opinion on such issues. Well!! No Hard Feelings, its’ Individual perception

The very purpose of conducting this exercise was to assess what today’s educated women think about other women who are at the receiving end of such laws. The results as shown in the graph above gives a very clear indication, that a majority of women do not support the Face Veil imposition and Government interference in religion and dress codes. They also do not think that Face Veil is a symbol of suppression, verily in congruence to the viewpoint I tried to depict in the earlier part of this blog. To summarize let me quote a couple of beautiful replies received from some of the respondents of this survey (Identity hidden on request).

“During the evolution of religion, in those days, the face veil and other restrictions were acceptable and must have been more common. In today’s age of matured world, (I am not referring to the science and technology, but I am referring to the world of maturity as we are in today), I do believe that these two Quran verses were not interpreted appropriately. I opine these verses personified the need of dressing properly and decently, it’s an epitome of self-restraint and discipline for one self”

“I feel it is not the matter of Oppression or Suppression for all the women but depending upon the environment they have been brought up in, depending upon the value they are given for traditions or customs, depending upon ones individual comfort level, one can take it in positive sense or the other way”

Dress Codes, Religious impositions, Rituals, Decrees, Laws, etc are only justifiable as long as they provide an individual, a sense of belief resulting from its benefits for ones overall safety and development vis-à-vis the society, the culture and upbringing. Interference upon an individuals’ basic freedom of movement and expression in any form is truly condemnable. All the present religions, evolved centuries ago, were not with the intention of intruding one’s existing faith and personal life or its impositions, but as a guide to righteous path for their followers to lead and inculcate the good things and learn to make better their lives mentally and spiritually. An informal survey was conducted by an NGO’s in Mumbai in 2008, upon discovering a slight increase in the percentage of girls wearing full face veils while travelling in Local Trains. The results were startling for them. More than 60% of these girls were non-Muslim’s and were wearing the Naqab’s just as a precautionary safeguard against urchins and eve-teasers in the Local Trains while travelling alone to workplace and colleges. According to them the particular attire as a cover helped them avoid the undue attention from those lecherous hooligans’s, although they would never compromise on the issue of freedom of expression and choice. They would pack their Naqab’s in their bags upon entering the college premises or offices.

And finally regarding my views on Face Veils; I respect all those women who willingly and out of their own conscious decision wear them, but hate those men who try to impose the same upon their wives and sisters and female family members. Summarizing the same in two cases:
Case 1: On my way to Mahabaleshwar (a Hill Station in Western India) in a byway garden restaurant, I truly appreciated the dressing sense of a Muslim family, not out of any religious consideration but how nice they all looked. The bearded father (around 35) wearing a prayer cap covering his head and a pathani suit, was playing with his two kids; one boy (aged around 3) and a girl (aged around 5) as his wife (wearing a full face veiled black Abaya) sat on the bench nearby. The boy was wearing the same dress as his father, while the girl looked an angel wearing a small colorful Abaya just like her mother, only her face was uncovered.

Case 2: At a high end shopping Mall in Hyderabad, I saw a Muslim couple; the man was attired in a jazziest possible way; tight jeans, patterned party shirt, with top three buttons holes open, unkempt hair, unshaven face and a funky belt, flaunting a high end mobile phone. Walking besides him was his wife with her head down, walking slowly and shyly, wearing a black Hijab draped from head to toe with her face covered as well. It was very apparent that while the husband is chilling out, his wife is being subjected to this forceful imposition of wearing an Abaya.

(Un) Happy Republic Day ! :-(

2011-02-04T17:28:00.002+05:30

“Oil Mafia Burns Alive Additional District Collector in Malegaon” – On the eve of 62nd Republic Day of our country, a righteous Government Officer Yashwant Sonwane, while on regular patrol in Malegaon (Maharashtra), spotted some crooks illicitly carrying out adulteration of Petroleum Tankers. As he tried to stop them while making a video film of their act on his mobile phone, the goons, six in number, knocked him down and burnt him alive; so screamed the Front page Headlines of our Newspapers, when we would have leisurely woken up to a relaxing holiday on January 26, 2011.

As I walked back to my house after the morning jog, I could see around at major junctions on the road, social areas of housing colonies and elsewhere, people, young and old preparing for the flag hoisting. Brilliantly colored strings of tricolor hangings, balloons, wreaths, and other decorative items all in shades of our national flag beings propped up. At some places workers were hurriedly making last minute beautification, painting the podium steps alternating with saffron, white and green paints. All along this simultaneously as the loudspeakers blared inspiring patriotic songs, as a ritual for the two glorious days which mark the Indian calendar. A sense of déjà-vu filled my conscience as well, upon hearing the voice of legendary Mohammad Rafi in the song “Jahan Daal Daal, par Sone ki Chidiya Karti hai Basera, Wo Bharat Desh hai mera, wo Bharat Desh hai mera”.

Does our country still radiate the attributes showered upon it as the lines of the song say? Yes we have progressed beyond comprehension of our own expectations on economic front; the western world sees us as the land of opportunities and prosperity, rising above the Naked Fakir image of Gandhi as Lord Irwin described him in 1931. FDI’s are flowing in (although it has slowed down since 2006-07), we are producing billionaires and leading czar’s of the industrial world, making a mark on global stage, we produced our best performance in sports arena in Commonwealth Games and the subsequent Asian Games and many other fronts of this endless list of achievements; but have attained the similar progression on socially and ethical platform as well? A question which surfaces every time when we read such news articles along with other rosy painted depiction and our overtly self-proclaiming depiction of our progression. Just to emphasize on this question and the resulting comprehensible answer, is the scenario of those places in which they were making meticulous preparations in the morning for flag hoisting. They proudly unfurled the flag, sang the National Anthem, shouted hoarsely “Vande Matram”, “Jai Hind” and other similar passionate war cries for the amusement of their own self and young audience and distributed sweets and then quietly dispersed along their own paths. However as the evening sky painted a reddish hue and sun was on its descent, you could see torn and mutilated flags lying on the ground, being carelessly trampled upon by passerby’s. Used paper plates, plastic glasses and other informative pamphlets strewn around, making the place resemble a garbage dump. While the proud flag of the morning now meekly hanging from its mast ashamed of its surroundings; so much for the celebration in the name of the nation and patriotism.

Umpteen times has the comparison been made for making Bombay into Shanghai or a Bangalore into a Silicon Valley, all very true on development aspects, but falling flat on one basic thing - Our Social Behavior. So what if a high profile film personality threatening a police constable, when he tried to stop her from letting her pet poop on the seaside pavement; we are considering only if, we are uncomfortable, ready to shower abuses on the administrators the next day if we step on some filth lying on the road. This story I read as part of my school curriculum still hinders; A renowned Swami of yesteryears, visited Japan for some conference. While on his way back to the airport in the evening, as he was waiting for a taxi, he looked around to find some shop or stalls for fruits to break his fast. Unable to find any, he murmured to his assistant, for the lack of availability of fruits in Japan. A young Japanese student overheard his concern and after a few minutes was seen running towards the Swami, with a basket full of fruits of all possible varieties. He offered the basket to the Swami and declined to take any money in return; instead he spoke in a very polite and appealing manner, “Please take these fruits as a token of gratitude from all the Japanese people, but promise not to tell anyone back in your country that you don’t get good fruits in Japan”. The Swami stood flabbergasted with tears rolling down his eyes in admiration for the boy, his countrymen and the whole of Japan for producing such a culture and consideration. And here we are beating our chests proudly for our ubiquitous culture, our heritage, our past and our ancestry, while we continue to abuse and rape our country’s present image before others. How seriously do we consider the advertisement “Atithi Devo Bhava”, wherein a Amir Khan tries to stop people from sullying the monuments and harrowing foreign tourists, as they return with an image of disgust and ineptness of our country and its countrymen back to their people?

In the last six months having got the opportunity to travel the seams of Asian continent from Saudi Arabia and UAE in the west to Malaysia and Singapore in the east, my perception about cultures and heritage has changed a lot. Let me start from my own country and its gateways to the foreign world; the airports, and its staff. The Hyderabad International airport was awarded the 5th rank among the best airports of the world, but I wonder what rank it will get on mannerism of the staff and the comfort and ease of paper work and assistance to the passengers. We as Indians are under so much pressure and anguish all the while the immigration officers, turn the pages of your Passport and scrutinize your profile in person and on paper, like a CBI officer questioning a convict. I quiver to think what hassles the poor perceived gods in our motto “Athithi Devo Bhava”, aka, the foreign tourists have to go just to get the IN stamp marked on their passports. Well I got the opportunity very soon as we landed at the Jeddah airport, perceived as one of the top 10 busiest airports in the world and by far the largest airport in terms of total area. There were touts selling us cheap mobile SIM’s and luring us with fast cabs for Madina and Makkah right at the arrival and inside the custom area. Kudos for the security and safety of the worlds’ busiest airport! The best part was yet to come, as we lined up for the immigration and stamping queue, we found out harried passengers trying their best to converse with the immigration officers, who looked young brash kids asked to sit at this place of imminence for international travelers without knowing a word of English or rather any other language apart from Arabic. They were talking or rather trying to admonish the people particularly from Indian sub-continent (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, etc) with utmost disdain, as if we were illegal immigrants caught trying to cross the Saudi border. While at the same time pilgrims from USA, Europe, Iran and Turkey were bestowed a royal welcome, with all their processes, form filings etc being taken care by the seemingly urchins at the immigration check.

Welcome to the holiest land in the world for Muslims. Wondering at my first instance of such treatment and discrimination for being an Indian, I turned towards my parents to seek answers as they had visited Saudi Arabia earlier for Hajj pilgrimage. While I was aghast and perturbed at this reception, my father all the while was least bothered and to him it seemed a routine procedure. Upon enquiring, I was educated by him, “Don’t be surprised, it is our own undoing, particularly the Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshi’s”, he said. “You should have seen people from these countries, during the time of Hajj pilgrimage, when the Saudi government has to make arrangements for lakhs of pilgrims coming from all parts of the world. They work overtime to make the best possible arrangements for us in terms of comfort, food, accommodation and transport, while maintaining complete hygiene and cleanliness. But we embarrass not only ourselves but also our country in front of everyone, through our acts and conduct. During Hajj, people from each country are given ribbons or wrist bands marked by the color of flags of their respective countries for ease of identification, in the event of some mishap or chaos, hence we Indians or rather anyone’s nationality can be easily identified just by looking at his ID card ribbon or wrist bands. Everyone watches in disgust when Indian pilgrims throw garbage around, eat and drink wherever they please, rather than designated places marked for the purpose and leave leftover food, containers and empty bottles behind, leave the taps running in washrooms as well as the faucets of Ab-e-ZamZam for drinking purpose. They would sleep and loiter around the prayer areas, talk loudly without caring about other pilgrims, cross the roads without any consideration for traffic signals, haggle with shopkeeper and bus drivers and create all sorts of nuisances. All the while the humble and polite workers appointed by the government authorities would be around cleaning their filth, closing the taps, and requesting them to maintain decorum, be quiet or follow the rules laid for their own comfort and safety. At one point when rich Arabs out of their own self conscience and seeking blessings and Dua of the pilgrims would bring packed food for them, it would be the Indians who would run around them asking and begging for more food packets, and packed boxes just for the sake of one-upmanship, knowing well enough that they would get more the next day and the food would be wasted. The polite Arabs bear all this with a smile during Hajj, as they do not want to disrepute the sanctity of the annual event by showing anger, hatred and scorn for their Muslim brethren from around the world.

But they display their disdain during other times, when Indians visit their shores for Umrah (the non-compulsory pilgrimage at other times apart from Hajj), for visiting their relatives or for employment purpose. They are treated with disregard and given least priority during the immigration process, and show little inclination to ease their travel hassles and other paperwork. Rather you clearly see the discrimination when the Air India plane is allocated the farthest runway at the Jeddah airport and passengers have to wait significantly for the buses to take them to the terminal. And surely then, when we do return back to our shores we do feel happy and proud to be an Indian, continuing our habitual garbage throwing, spitting, spiting, shouting and scorning our government and our countrymen for everything. We should be thankful to the Arabs for showing us the mirror for what we do to our own country.

Well the situation was much improved in Dubai, where thousands of Indians have settled for decades and are very much part of the governance, administration, finance and economic build up as well as the culture and heritage of that world, gelling seamlessly with the locals. So we were treated as esteemed guests with an eye on our pockets to spend our cash on their goods, which they bring from India, repackage under international brand names, park them in pompous shopping malls and sell them back to us. And we buy those stuff and show off back in India, proudly displaying our Dubai clothes or watches or gadgets. Yes, but gold only in form of biscuit is the only thing worth buying there.

The world changed 180 degrees when we landed on the shores of Kuala Lumpur for our vacation. The immigration took hardly 4-5 minutes for all of us with a young smiling lady in her mid twenties greeting us with a “Good Evening! / As Salam Alaikum! Welcome to Malaysia”, after checking our names and documents. We collected our bags and were guided at each passage by either a smiling staff personal or bright prominent Sign boards for various amenities available at the airport without the gun totting security forces or wretched faced policemen observing us with suspicion back in airports in India. While in the city, there were help kiosks at every major tourist spots, malls, stations, terminals, hotels, market places, etc, for the comfort of the tourists. Although Malay is the official language of Malaysia, all the sign boards and guidelines are in English with Malay in smaller fonts in the bottom, knowing well enough what the language of the world is. Back in India when I was travelling with my family by car from Nagpur to Hyderabad for the first time, we were perplexed to find 90-95% of the sign posts and milestones marked in Telugu or Marathi in their respective states. Clearly ignoring the facts that users of the National Highway would be people from other parts of the country as well, who in all probability wouldn’t know a word of either of the language. Score 1 for national integrity; which is why even after 64 years of Indian independence we are still fighting on the basis of cast, creed, religion, language, ethnicity and plethora of other trivial reasons.

The situation was even better when in Singapore airport every passenger was being welcome and offered candies at the immigration check counters. As I picked one candy, the young lady smiled and offered me to take few more; I picked another, so she indicated that I pick a fistful. I politely said, “No Thanks, this would be sufficient”. After I walked out of the area, I wondered was the image of India being a country of hungry and poor gave her a chance to jibe at me alluring with the candies or was it that some of my brethren had created mayhem at the candy box before I walked in. Whatever, it was a pleasant experience.

Politeness, Discipline, Courtesy and Decency in demeanor are the crowns which everyone in these countries wears with a smile on their face. At the public places, transportations and tourist places forming a queue even when not asked for is natural. Courtesy for others is a given, while politeness even from a lady doing a night shift at the ticketing counter of a monorail station is conspicuous. It happened once out of our habit, as the train approached we ran as the automatic gates opened, to get a seat in the train. To our surprise others waiting around us instead of jostling for entry themselves, immediately gave way and allowed us to board the transit first. We were so embarrassed and ashamed that we followed the adage, “When in Rome do as the Romans do” to the hilt thereafter.

I am reminded a thousand times by not only jibing peers and friends but sometimes also my inner voice when I introspect the pathetic predicament my country finds itself; it reminds me the immortal words of John F Kennedy during the space wars with erstwhile Soviets, “Ask not what the country can do for you but what you can do for your country”. Agreed and acknowledge the power of those words, but then what do I do if the countrymen are hell-bent upon molesting my country of its resources, its reputation and its marketed deportment at a worlds stage. Would JFK had had the same words, save his countrymen had been so apathetic for their own country? So forget about Bombay (not Mumbai) becoming Shanghai in 2020 or 2050 or 2550. Let’s first learn to rise above petty issues all the while polishing our own selves in terms of basic things as demeanor, politeness, courtesy, simplicity and other such characteristic jewels to decorate our profile. No 10% or 20% GDP growth, a nuclear power break through, or a 100 Gold’s in Olympics (sic) would uplift us, if we continue spitting in public carriageways, relieving ourselves at the nearest available crevice (not even required for some of the shameless) or incoherently tossing away that chocolate wrapper from our car window. While our politicians are and would continue to create landmarks and new summits in terms of corruption booty or scandals, be happy go lucky erecting their own statues, renaming cities to Shri Sambhajinagar, Shri Sahujinagar till the time you go maniac or become lunatic with Parkinson’s, we would continue to elect them rather them hold against them for lack of development or any fruitful work done for us or the constituency.

Although a critic of my nation on many fronts, I am a devote admirer and ardent nationalistic from the bottom of my heart in at-least one field and that’s Cricket. Come Feb 19th and we will forget our indifferences and ill-mannerism. All will be well, when it concerns Cricket. Go India!! The World Cup beckons you.

Conveniently Ignoring Vidarbha

2011-01-21T12:12:00.022+05:30

A D-Day or rather a T-Day in the political history of Andhra and Telangana, was marked on 9th December 2010 when the Central UPA government agreed to take further the demands of a separate Telangana state to be carved out of North Andhra region. This, coming weeks after some intense and often violent agitation by members of the TRS party workers, Osmania University students and people & students from elsewhere in the districts representing the Telangana region. The period of turmoil marked burning of public properties, damaging malls and private establishments, roadblocks, rallies, suicides, stopping trains, gate-crashing into assembly and virtually holding the state government to ransom as well as putting the common man in the city of Hyderabad and elsewhere into great inconvenience and continuous threat. Result; Government bowing down to the pressure and agreeing to set up a Panel under Sri Krishna Commission to discuss the viability of a separate Telangana state. Although after 12 months of the farcical process wasting exchequers time and money they submitted a report which had nothing path-breaking or possible solution for the cause. The bone of contention being the city of Hyderabad, with both Telangana and Andhra unwilling to let go of the city, which has seen tremendous development on all fronts in the past decade and is the major revenue source for the state.

The reason for presenting this as a prologue to the subject of the topic is that, perhaps this could very well serve as an ingredient or war-plan for the people of Vidarbha, who have a deep yet un-ignited aspiration to see an independent state of Vidarbha. Also unlike the contentious issue of state capital, Vidarbha is well served with Nagpur as its unanimous capital city, bejeweled with all attributes befitting the citadel of an independent state. The culturally and socially peace loving people of Vidarbha have remained much calmer during the communal troubles than the rest of India, and have not been very vocal or effusive in their support for a separate state. Unlike some smaller states which were carved out during the last decade based on language or political situations, a separate Vidarbha state is justified not only because of if continuous abandon by the rest of Maharashtra but also for its distinct demography, culture and need to develop and establish a distinct identity.

In recent times, there have been few calls for a separate state of Vidarbha, due to the continuous apathy from the Government of Maharashtra towards this region and the inept and opportunistic political leadership in Vidarbha. Though being culturally, politically and financially diverse than the rest of Maharashtra, the calls to a separate state come in picture only when the leaders from this region are marginalized by the other higher authorities in the state government or at the time of elections. The selfish leaders of Vidarbha have been raising this issue to bake their own bread, often pressuring the government for getting a cabinet seat in the Maharashtra assembly or to get some plum portfolio from wherein they can fill their coffers. A major antagonism for the cause of Vidarbha has come from Shiv Sena, who does not want their influence to be confined only to the Western Maharashtra and Konkan, as well as to counter the MNS who have not found many takers amongst the peace loving people of Vidarbha. Even top leadership of NCP has been ignorant about the plight of the region and its demand for severance from Maharashtra.

The earliest dated demand for a separate identity for Vidarbha statehood has been noted as long back as 1905 when the Maha Vidarbha movement was voiced for separation from the CP & Berar region. However since there have been but a few and unheard voices being raised for a statehood. Votaries for Vidarbha find their most forceful argument in the recommendation of the State Re-organization Commission under Justice Fazal Ali (Para 8 of the Commission's report of 1955) which favored "an independent state of Vidarbha" for it to become "fully self-reliant and viable". Promises to grant Vidarbha more than its share, made in the Nagpur and Akola pacts, have been empty ones. In 1971-73 the agitation was at its peak when Jambuwantrao Dhote had undertaken a 21-day fast to highlight the cause. He was later elected to the Lok Sabha as an Independent candidate on the same plank and on that achievement the issue subsequently went down the cold basket. The Dandekar committee on regional imbalances noted in 1980 that the per capita development expenditure was Rs 222 for Mumbai, but a mere seven rupees for Vidarbha. Also, while per capita crop loans of Rs 76 were distributed to farmers of western Maharashtra, those in Vidarbha received only Rs 22. Many of the 125 irrigation projects planned for the region remains incomplete and only eight per cent of the total area is irrigated. The situation has only further worsened in the recent past. The imbalance continues on the industrial front too. The growth in employment between in western Maharashtra was significantly higher than in Vidarbha, in spite of the fact that the region has more than 60 per cent of the forest wealth and 80 per cent of the mineral wealth of the state and produces more than half of states share of generated power. Clearly, these disparities are fuelling public sympathy for a separate state.

In recent past leaders like Satish Chaturvedi, NKP Salve, Vasant Sathe, Banwarilal Purohit, Ranjit Deshmukh, Sharad Joshi, among others have been vociferous in support of Vidarbha state, but the issue raises its head only during the elections and once the leaders get their desired positions the demand gets dumped for another 5 years. Few of the leader’s in-spite of holding major and influential positions in the State & Central Government and their respective party working committees, have not been able to do anything worthwhile for the regions cause. Shetkari Sangathan, Vidarbha Rajya Party, Vidarbha Rajya Nirman Congress, Swatantra Vidarbha Rajya Samanvay Samiti, Vidarbha Sena, Vidarbha Parishad and Vidarbha Rajya Congress Steering Committee any many other vote garnering parties were formed over the time but all of them failed to have any impact on the Central Leadership to press for the demand. And people of Vidarbha too, sensing their opportunistic agenda didn’t show any enthusiasm in supporting the personal motives of these parties for the separate Vidarbha’s cause. Vidarbha has given many important leaders to the country from our present President Pratibha Patil (from Amravati) to erstwhile Late Prime Minister Narsimha Rao (represented Ramtek Lok Sabha constituency), and has been one of the important citadels of the Indian Freedom Movement be it in Nagpur or Sewagram, but the region has been always been given a step-motherly treatment by political parties on the national scale. The issue came to light when Salve and Sathe resigned from Congress party upon receiving a negative response from Sonia Gandhi on the demand to bring up the statehood of Vidarbha, but even this move was no more than a ploy by the leaders to bring the spotlight upon their dwindling political career rather than the gross adversities and neglect being faced by the people of the region.

Separate Vidarbha – Viable and More

Vidarbha occupies 31.6% of total area and holds 21.3% (over 26 million) of total population of Maharashtra. Situated in central India Vidarbha has its own rich cultural and historical background distinct from rest of Maharashtra. A majority of Vidarbhites speak Varhadi a dialect of Marathi and Hindi. The region is famous for growing oranges and cotton. Vidarbha holds two-thirds of Maharashtra’s mineral resources, three quarters of its forest resources and is a net producer of power. Vidarbha generates around 3600 MW power through the thermal and hydro-power plants at several places, with Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station (CSTPS), being one of the biggest in Asia. Still, there are the daily power cuts in the region for 5-8 hrs in towns and 10-12 hrs in the rural areas of Vidarbha, while the people of Mumbai, Thane and Pune continue to enjoy 24 hours of uninterrupted power supply to cater to their extravagant lifestyle. Recently a study conducted by the Times Group pointed out the gross injustice and health risk being meted out to people of Vidarbha, in terms of air and water pollution through a deliberate and meticulous plan for power generation set-up. While the polluting and heat generating sources of electricity vis-a-vis the thermal power plants numbering more than 47 are being planned to be setup in Nagpur-Chandrapur-Yavatmal belt, which aleady has established and significant number of coal based thermal power setups, sufficient for the region. This the study pointed out will lead to large amount of particulate matter and other air pollutants being released in the atmosphere of the region, putting the health of people and animals at risk. The effluents released by these power plants will also cause huge amount of soil and water pollution thus indirectly affecting the agricultural produce of the nearby regions and also diverting a huge quantity of irrigation water to these gas guzzlers in an already draught prone region. This being done, when simultaneously much cleaner sources of power generation being planned in Konkan and Western Maharashtra region, like Nuclear and Hydroelectric based power plants. People of Vidarbha are at loss to decipher such step-motherly treatment being meted out to them regularly in the name of pseudo-development. The much vaunted Model Solar City project for Nagpur city is yet to see sunlight, for which 2012 has been marked as the deadline. In the end again citing lack of resource and funding in Nagpur, these corrupt power-mongers of Mumbai will shift the project to either Pune or Nasik or some remote ghetto of Konkan in the name of development.

Agriculturally too Vidarbha has been self sustaining, with cotton, oranges and soya beans being the main cash crops. The Orange city - Nagpur and Amravati are the largest Orange growing regions. Traditional crops as jowar, bajra and rice are grown and exported extensively from the region, with Gondia being the largest rice growing district. However, recently Vidarbha region has become infamous for a large number of farmer suicides occurring. The farmers in the region are living in the worst condition compared to the rest of India. There have been more than 32,000 farmer’s suicides in Maharashtra in a decade, of which 70% being in the 11 districts of Vidarbha region. The figure has been 892 in 2009, with approximately 95% of the cotton growers of Vidarbha under massive debt. This is mainly due lack of ample amount of water resources, lack of new technologies or proper financial aid or debt schemes by the ministry and due to the negligence of the state govt. towards the farmers needs. The main crop in Vidarbha being Cotton, but the farmers growing it don't get their share from the govt., which has lead to the high distress among them, leading to the massive suicides. Due to the absence of any responsible counseling either from the government or society there were many farmers who did not know how to survive in the changing economy. Such stresses pushed many into a corner where suicide became an option for them. This also led the farmers and others in this region to make a call for a separate Vidarbha state. The recent fiasco of Rahul Gandhi and his patronizing a widow Kalavati; whose husband committed suicide, brought the plight of farmers of Vidarbha in national picture, resulting in the PM announcing a grand relief package for the riots. But as with the earlier declared or promised measures this too remained either only on paper or money never reaching the sufferers.

The Chandrapur, Gondia, Gadchiroli, Bhandara and Nagpur Districts form the main mineral belt, with coal and manganese as the major minerals. Chandrapur district alone contributes 29% of all mineral output of Maharashtra. Iron ore and limestone are identified as potential mining resources. Though rich in minerals, coal, forests and mountains, this region is always underdeveloped because of the continuous dominance of the political leaderships form the other parts of the state, especially Western Maharashtra. Traditionally Vidarbha has lagged way behind Western Maharashtra in industrial growth. Various incentives were granted to attract industries but have failed mainly due to an indifferent attitude of the politicians. Butibori Industrial Area MIDC outside Nagpur is one of the largest industrial areas in country but few industries have actually opened there as there were no promotional schemes neither there have been any and tax incentives being granted to attract investments, unlike the Mumbai-Pune-Nasik belt where government has gone head-over-heels to help foreign industries to set up their establishments. Neither has there been encouragement for heavy industries to establish setup in the region apart from few Cement industries in Ballarshah and Chandrapur. The major textile mills in Nagpur and nearby areas have died a slow indifferent death, as they found no patronage from amongst the major industry brands nor the willingness of the political parties, in-spite of Vidarbha being a major cotton producing region.

MIHAN an international cargo hub project is currently underway at Nagpur. The project aims to exploit the central location of Nagpur and convert the present airport into a major freight hub with integrated road and rail connectivity along with a Special Economic Zone. However the project has been plagued by long delays and policies and is progressing at such laggardly pace that the people of Vidarbha and Nagpur in particular who are working in companies and industries in various parts of the country have lost hopes of ever returning to their homeland and settle there. Even the IT industries have shown a marked neglect towards investment in Nagpur as a potential amongst the Tier -2 segment for IT and ITES sector. Apart from the entrepreneurial ventures by Nagpurian’s in form of Lambent Technologies, Infospectrum, etc and few others as Persistent Tech and Premier Tech, there are hardly any names to boast of in terms of Software companies in Nagpur. Although there have been major investments by Satyam, IBM, HCL, TCS in terms of land acquisition in Nagpur, but the intentions and urgency to bring up a likely Developing Center anytime soon has been poor, compared to the cities of Jaipur, Indore, Chandigarh, Cochin, etc which too were marked at the same time as Tier-2 targets and are developing at a very fast pace.

Nagpur is an important city for the scientific community as it is headquarters of number of national level scientific and governmental establishments like the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Central Institute of Cotton Research (CICR), National Research Centre for Citrus, National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning, and the Jawaharlal Nehru National Aluminium Research and Development Centre. Nagpur is also an important city for the Indian armed forces. The city is the headquarter of Maintenance command of Indian Air Force. The Indian Army's Ordinance factory and staff college are located on west side of city. Nagpur’s suburb Kamptee has cantonment of Regimental center of Indian Army’s Brigade made up of National Cadet Corps’ Officers’ Training School, Institute of Military Law and other establishments. Nagpur’s National Civil defense College provides civil defense and disaster management training to pupils from all over India and abroad. Indian Air Force’s giant IL-76 transport planes nicknamed “Gajraj” are based in Nagpur.

Tourism too has a major industry prospective in Vidarbha which has lush green deciduous forests, home to a variety of flora and fauna. These attract a large number of visitors each year. All of Maharashtra's tiger reserves are located in Vidarbha. They are Melghat Tiger Reserve, Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve and Pench Tiger Reserve. Nagzira wild life sanctuary and Navegoan Bandh National Park (bird sanctuary) are also very popular. The Tadoba is Maharashtra's oldest National Park created in 1955, spanning 575.78 sqkm, one of India's 25 Project Tiger Reserves. The Satpura mountain range in Amravati and its beautiful surroundings in Chikaldhara, the major spots of attraction as Ramtek and Khindsi, Pench Dam, Deeksha Bhumi, Tajbagh, Sitabuldi Fort in Nagpur, Kanhan and Waingangā rivers have seen people crowd these places during holidays and weekends. All in all Tourism can be a major economy in Vidarbha if properly addressed and developed.

The city of Nagpur the largest of Vidarbha has every potential of become a state capital having a special civic body, the Nagpur Improvement Trust, which along with Nagpur Municipal Corporation is responsible for overall development and planning activity. Other significant cities like Amravati and Akola too have their own municipal corporation. Urban areas are split in different wards and each ward elects a representative. Rural areas have a Panchayat raj system. Vidarbha is represented at national level by 10 Lok Sabha seats and 62 assembly seats at state level, which is significant when compared to some of the very small states of India hardly representing 3-4 Lok Sabha and are stretched to make up 40 minimal assembly seats to constitute a State Legislative Assembly. As part of the Nagpur pact the winter session of Maharashtra assembly is held as Nagpur Vidhan Bhavan (although it has become a farce and a mockery of exercise by the ministers and elected members, with the number of days of active session dwindling continuously and without any meaningful outcomes). The city of Nagpur has its own and unique Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court apart from the District Court to address the issues.

Vidarbha has seen enough of disregard for its right to a separate and respectful identity. It has always been sidelined economically compared to the rest of Maharashtra and has been plagued very much by poverty and malnutrition. People have waited patiently and have seen their trust betrayed by their so called elected leaders. As in case of Telangana, it is now up to the common man, the students and business class to unite and fight for a common cause to realize their dream of a separate state of Vidarbha. “Jai Hind. Jai Vidarbha.”

A Brush with History

2010-08-13T17:13:00.005+05:30

Rising 400 feet above the ground level, I was exuberating with joyous accomplishment, while through my sub-conscious mind I could hear Qilich Khan enthusing his army and lead the charge; the canons booming and the galloping horses up the treacherous mountain path leading up to what is called in Telugu as the Shepherd Hill or the “Golconda”. Over 300 years had passed since the famous Granite fort which was thought to be impregnable was brought down through the military might of Aurangzeb’s commanders, Nawab Khwaja Abid Siddiqi (better known as Qilich Khan ) and his son Qaziuddin Khan Siddiqi (or Feroz Jung). It was Qaziuddin’s son Asaf Jah I, who later on laid the foundation of the Nizam dynasty in Hyderabad.

The magnificent fort of Golconda was built by the Kakatiya dynasty initially as a mud fortress in the year 1143 AD. However it remained but a symbolic structure until the advent of the Qutub Shahi kingdom, when it rose to prominence. Golconda was part of the Bahmani kingdom, but it never figured as an eminent position of their rule. It was in 1507 when Quli-Qutub-ul-Mulk who had migrated from Delhi and served under the Bahmani Sultan Muhammad Shah, captured Golconda following the disintegration of the Bahmani Dynasty. By 1518 a new epoch of Sultanate, of Turkish origin had been established and Sultan Quli-Qutub-ul-Mulk laid the foundation of Qutub-Shahi dynasty in the region presently called as the Telangana region of South India, with Hyderabad as its citadel. The fort of Golconda was strengthened and rebuilt as a massive structure out of granite stones over the next 62 years. It reached its zenith of glory by 1590 under the rule of Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah (1580-1611) the most influential of the Qutub Shahi kings. The fort stretched around to a circumference of 7 kms, encircling the city within its ambits. However in early 17th century Mohammed Quli-Qutub Shah moved his capital out of Golconda to the nearby plains of what is now the city of Hyderabad. During this period the fort lost its position of significance, until 1687 when the focus shifted back to Golconda when the Mughal king Aurangzeb laid siege to the fort.

Under the treaties signed by previous Sultan, the rulers of Deccan were to pay Annual Taxes to acknowledge the authority of Aurangzeb on the entire Indian Subcontinent. However the last of the Qutub Shahi King, Abul Hasan Qutub Shah, also known as ‘Tana’ Shah refused to pay the taxes in 1683. This invited the wrath of Delhi powerhouse which resulted in an organized campaign by Aurangzeb, to reassert his authority over the Deccan Sultanate. Aurangzeb appointed Qilich Khan and Feroz Jung as the commanders of this expedition, who were serving in Dulatabad at that time. Foreseeing troubled times ahead Abul Hasan returned himself to the safe confines of Golconda. The Mughal army laid siege to the fort in 1687 and surrounded it for more than 9 months, pounding its impregnable granite walls with all its arsenal and force, without success. There are varying accounts of how the fort was conquered by Aurangzeb’s military; however it was through treachery only that the gargantuan fort was subdued under the Mughal assault.

According to one testimony, a Hindu Qiledaar of Golconda who served under Abul Hasan betrayed his master and provided the secret entrance to the fort. The Qiledaar was piqued by denial of permission by the Sultan to build a Temple within the precincts of Golconda. However, naive was the old man who thought his desire would be fulfilled by the Mughals, when a more tolerant Qutub Shahi King, refuted his wishes. The fort was run amok by the Mughal army and the Qiledaar subsequently hanged at its very gates, whose path he showed to the enemy. “One who cannot be faithful to his master, whom he served for decades, how he can be our trustworthy”, so said the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb after the conquest.

The other chronicle which is more acknowledged is the perfidy by Muhammad Sayeed better known as Mir Jumla, a General under Abul Hasan Qutub Shah. Mir Jumla was one of the most valiant commanders of the Sultan. He had won innumerable battles and was credited with expanding the influence of the Kingdom beyond the Godavari belt and upto Krishna River. He was a brilliant strategist and his knowledge of warfare was immense, which resulted in a personality clash between him and the Sultan. Abul Hasan wary of his General’s growing influence looked to curb his authority, leading to discordance between the two. The Sultan immediately ordered for incarceration of Mir Jumla’s son. Upon hearing the news, the General returned from his expedition down south and begged for forgiveness before Abul Hasan. The Sultan reaffirming his authority pardoned Mir Jumla, cautious to keep his clout under check. However the disgruntled General, kept the grouse against the Sultan, pledging to repay back at an appropriate time. That moment of revenge dawned in form of Mughal Army laying siege to the Golconda Fort. Mir Jumla was one of the commanders in charge of protecting the last of remaining symbol of Qutub Shahi Dynasty. For 9 months the Mughal forces surrounded the fort, cutting off all possible contacts of the Golconda with the outside world. Unaware were they of a secret tunnel leading to the new city of Hyderabad, from which the supplies were being replenished for the occupants including the royal kinship as well as their subjects. The Mughal Commander Qilich Khan, sought refuge in cunning means for overpowering the grandiose structure. His rummage for a traitor led him to Mir Jumla, who was on a lookout for such an opportunity to get back at the Sultan. As per a secret covenant, during one night of October 1687, Mir Jumla slyly opened the giant gates of the fort while the palace dwellers were in deep slumber. The Mughal army waiting for this moment invaded with all their might and plundered the Granite Marvel. The impregnable Golconda Fort lay under submission of Mughal kingdom. It was ravished and pillaged into annihilation, while Abul Hasan was captured and taken away to Daulatabad.

As I rested atop the ruins of the Golconda, I could recall the place from where the other battalion of the Mughal force waited while the lead forces ran amok through the main entrance. The backside of Golconda, which now overlooks a serene Cantonment area of Indian Armed Forces and its training center, is the most accessible and least steep incline on the way up-to the fort. There is a Masjid overlooking this slope, and facing the western side or towards the Qibla. Perhaps a reason thought by the architects of Golconda Fort, thinking this would discourage the invading forces to attack the fort with a Masjid in between. But the astute commanders of Mughal forces had planned their strategy considering this aspect as well. They destroyed the walls adjacent to the Masjid without harming even a pebble of the religious place. The ruins of the walls lay forth my presence and climbing a few big boulders I was able to have a good peep inside the Golconda Fort.

I stood atop the peak of this accessible point while circumnavigating a glance over the huge city of Hyderabad, in the distance I could see the Qutub Shahi tombs, far away I could make out what seemed like the four pillars of Charminar and some other wreckage of what would have been the historical testament of this beautiful legacy. A strong gust of wind tousled my clothing as I spread my arms and then contended with my achievement having scaled the heights; I let out a triumphant bellow. Qilich Khan might have had the same feeling and vented out his energies in a similar cry of Victory.

I descended downhill as a radiant Sun began its path of ascension.
Check out more details on the Fort of Golconda at the following website:
http://www.vasanthvisuals.com/golconda.html

?? Question ??

2010-02-10T15:29:00.000+05:30

The Oxford dictionary defines “question” as
Noun:
• 1 a sentence worded or expressed so as to obtain information.
• 2 a doubt.
• 3 the raising of a doubt or objection: he obeyed without question.
• 4 a problem requiring resolution.
• 5 a matter or issue depending on conditions: it’s only a question of time before something changes.

Verb:
• 1 ask questions of.
• 2 express doubt about; object to.

While searching for the answer to a few queries meandering in my mind over Google, I wondered about the importance of Question and Questioning in the development of Human Race as against the other lesser life forms (read: All others except humans, as perceived by humans). This led me into a thought process to find out the answers but from the easily available source in hand i.e. the internet. I compelled myself to re-search this particular topic from my own experience as against scavenging the various sites for the already available information.

My 20 month of nephew, even before he had learnt to stand, walk or sit on his bums had started chattering. And one of his most common phrases is, “Kya hai Ye?” (What is This) in his usual infant accent and innocence. Now that he can sprint around aka Usain Bolt in Nappy, he lunges after my father (his Grandfather) wherever he goes, inside the house, around the garden, in the vicinity following his footsteps and stopping him at almost everything which he wants to know and grasp and learn, shooting the usual “Kya hai Ye?”.

And off course my ever obliging father would very courteously try and answer his little query with utmost care in order for the toddler to understand and grasp the knowledge. My nephew on his part would repeat his question until the response he gets from my father gets permanently and impeccably printed in his mind against the picture of the subject of his question. I on my part would try and tease him by returning favor and asking him instead “Kya hai Ye?” after he had asked my father enough number of times to be assured that he has grasped the knowledge and the small test would mark it well and permanent in his little but fast developing mind.

As with the ever increasing involvement of science and behavioral studies in the approach to parenting and giving weight age to EQ over IQ and importance to perceived learning than forced data, the little Scud Missile, “Kya hai Ye?” plays much more important role as a weapon of mass learning as against parents buying costly books, fun computers, learning and knowledgeable games and gadgets. The latest blasphemy being advertised 24x7 on various channels (particularly the kid’s channel) is the Tata Sky Plus – Isko Laga Dala to Life aur bhi Jhingalala. Well apart from the Life becoming Jhingalala I can’t see any other perceivable benefit per say. The child is more likely to learn the nuances of decoding the Child-Lock and scanning all his favorite Cartoon Channels than learn anything worthwhile sitting in front of the Stupid Box (Post “3 Idiots” Stupid is the new notorious lingua, against the now revered Idiot).

Although I am not a member of the Flat World Society, who would cling to the past rudimentary frameworks than accept that the World is indeed round, but there are some things that are at their best in elementary format, and Practical Learning being one of them. One of the greatest exponents of it is my father, who harbors in his personality the virtues of patience, stoicism and unperturbed demeanor which are some of the most important and basic ingredients required to stew the concoction through which to imbibe practical learning in a 20 month old toddler student. As with the cycle of life it seems, he has his place marked well and high upon the pedestal where from to impart knowledge in the most effortless and easily comprehensible way for the seeker to extract the best out of it. As my mother and other elderly relatives tell us, we three siblings were as inquisitive as my little nephew, asking and pestering my father with every opportunistic situation which could have demanded our attention and a following narrative from my father in the most interesting way possible. And while an average elder person would grow tired and become petulant at this constant pestering, my father would as patiently oblige ‘n’ number of times for repeating the response so quench our thirst of information.

This reminds me of a story which we all have had heard in the past. An old man was relaxing with his son in their backyard. The son in his mid twenties was reading a book, when a crow suddenly descended upon a nearby branch and croaked in its customary cacophony deriving the duo’s attention. The son caught a glimpse of the crow and then immersed himself again in the book, when his father asked, “Son, What is that?”, “It’s a crow father” he replied. “Son, What is that?” he asked again, “A crow” said the son, this time not looking at his father. “Son, What is that?” the father inquired again, “It’s a crow” the son replied in a monotone without lifting his head from the book. “Son, What is that?” pestered the elder man. This time the son grouched, kept his book aside and looked into his father’s face and said, “For the fourth time father it’s a crow, why do you keep asking again and again, can’t you see it it’s a damn crow sitting on the branch”. “Thanks Son!” his father smiled back, “When you were a toddler, you used to ask me all sort of questions and often irrational drivels not three or four but sometime even 10 or 20 times again and again, and o would be too happy and eager to respond to your query, with a smile on my face and the same energy and fervor every time, until you were satisfied. And today you lost your temper only because your old father asked you a very simple question four times.” The son guilt faced and ashamed filled with remorse sought pardon from his father.

The importance of questioning in the development of our intelligence and character derives morals from many historical incidents, be it the case of Marie Curie asking her father about the emanating light from a dark room that led to her discovery of Radium or Jagdish Chandra Bose asking his mother when he plucks the branch of a tree, which set him to work towards his research on sensitivity in plants are but a few examples. The democratic form of governance is built upon the very basic principles of people having the power to be able to question their elected representatives and seek explanation or justification of their actions. The leaders on their part have been given the power to seek answers from the government on behalf of the people of their constituency during the Question Hour in Parliament. However as pertinently it is also called as the Zero Hour, when the functioning of the session or the process of asking questions by MP’s comes to a standstill with Zero outcome, often due to absence of the highly esteemed leaders or stalling of the proceedings due to the ruckus created during these times followed by walkout or adjournment of the session.

The Right to Information Act included in the Constitution in 2004 gives the citizens of India a very powerful tool, by way of which it can question the functioning of the government, the various departments under the center or state administration and with the latest amendment to this Right, the bureaucracy now falling under its purview the hitherto un accessible species of Babu’s in this country too would be answerable for their work or lack of it. Verily the Right to Information asks the citizens to keep questioning and firing the salvos akin to my 20 month old nephews, ‘Kya hai Yeh?’

Quran

2009-02-05T12:46:00.019+05:30

~ Most Comprehensive Encyclopedia of the World & Hereafter

I still remember the incident, when I was returning one evening from my grandfather’s house many years back, and my friend who was a non-Muslim, oriented my gaze towards small kids rushing out of the Masjid after finishing their Deeniyat (Teaching of Quran) classes. “Do you notice something peculiar among these kids with those breaking loose after regular school classes?” I shrugged in ignorance. And contemplated, ‘Perhaps these children here were wearing traditional dresses and their head were covered; both boys and girls. But surely they were as happy and shouting with the same enthusiasm as they would have earlier in the day when their regular schools classes had finished’. “Just see how they hold their Ajza (Each of the 30 Booklets/Parts of Quran), close to their chest and heart and all of them with their right hand”. Indeed I was astonished at his observance and as my childhood days flashed before me I could recall that we too did the same when we used go to and from the Madarsa holding the Yaslan Quran (Quran with selected Surahs and other religious information, especially as a beginner for kids) close to our chest and inadvertently with our right hands, while we rarely did that with any other book. And as with us in our past I was sure none of these children’s parents would have given them instructions, apart from reminding them that it is a Holy Book of Allah and do not drop it on the ground.

Surely it indeed is but just one great significance of Holy Quran, about which Allah himself said that, its protection and originality remains my duty. Significant is the fact that while the other 3 holy books revered by Muslims as divine and blessed upon by Allah on his Prophets, namely Injeel (Bible) on Prophet Isa (Jesus) (AS), Tawraat (Torah) on Prophet Musa (AS), Zaboor on Prophet Dawood (AS), have all undergone changes made by its readers and molded as per the whims of priests and rulers of their times. But Quran in spite of the fact that it wasn’t reveled to its Prophet in written form has not seen alternation of even a single letter or even punctuation from the time it was revealed over a period of 23 years. The Holy Quran mentions about itself not less than 70 times in the Quran and conveys the message of Allah when it mentions, “And we sent down upon you a light, the greatest light”; the light which is a guide to the Muslims and all across the world, till eternity. Though scholars argue if the light mentioned here is in reference to the Holy Quran or Prophet Muhammad (SAW); it belittles the point of argument, as the Holy Quran was revealed upon Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and it was after the first revelations, when he declared his Prophet hood to the world and embarked upon his mission to spread the message of Allah and Islam amongst the people.

Such was the comprehensiveness and power of the message conveyed by Holy Quran, the Kitabullah (book of Allah) that it was not bestowed like the other three books which were revealed to their Prophets in written form and in entirety. Allah sought a medium pure and powerful enough to endure the responsibility of the Holy Quran. And what better place than his beloved Prophet’s heart to encompass the verses of Quran with; vindicated by Allah himself when he says that, “Had we reveled the Quran in written form upon Mount Sinai, it would not have been able to withstand it”.

The Holy Quran has 114 Surahs (chapters) and over 6200 Aayats (verses), each inimitable and comprehensive in itself. In fact Quran itself challenges the mankind in one of its verses, ‘To present a Surah or even an Aayat better than or even equivalent in form and meaning than its own’. A challenge that will remain in vogue, till perpetuity. Quran was first revealed upon Prophet Muhammad (SAW) during the night of Layla-tul Qadr or Shab-e-Qadr, during Ramzan. It was over a period of 23 years that Angel Jibraeel (AS) would descend from heavens and recite verses of Quran to Prophet Muhammad (SAW), who would take efforts to recite the verses along with him. But Allah was unwilling to see his dear Prophet take even that much efforts and he said, “O Muhammad (SAW), you need not trouble your tongue to recite the Quran, We have made it such that it will be encrypted in your heart.” Prophet Muhammad (SAW) on his part would recite and remember it and convey it to his Sahaba (followers) and commoners along with its interpretation and elucidating its message, for them to learn and take guidance from. The Sahaba would remember the Quranic verses and write it on tablets and papers to conserve it. Though it was not until long after Prophet Muhammad when under Caliph Usmaan (RA), the first fully complied Holy Quran was brought out in the form of a book. Thus vindicating the fact Allah said, ‘That it’s upon himself to preserve and protect the Holy Quran’. It didn’t seek dependence or presence in physical form of a book, but was passed upon from Allah to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) through Jibraeel (AS), and from him to Sahaba and others just through recitation. Even today thousands of Muslims dedicate themselves to learn Quran and preserve it in their hearts.

The benefits and rewards of reciting and learning Quran are immense and incomparable. Each of the Surat and Aayat of Quran has its own significance and reciting it provides the reader insurmountable benefits. Aisha (RA) wife of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “Prophet has himself mentioned that reciting Quran on a regular basis provides many rewards to the reader, and for those who recite it with great difficulty, not well versed with Arabic and take efforts to pronounce each word correctly; for them the rewards are double”. Thus it is not those fluent in Arabic are only to be benefitted; instead it should be responsibility of people to learn Arabic to understand the Quran or at least learn to read; a case in point to vindicate the fact, that Islam propagates literacy as compulsory amongst its followers. Every effort should be made to understand Quran by reading its translation in language of their comfort if not in Arabic. Although such are the benefits of reading Quran that reading just a single letter, not even a complete word will increase your good deeds by 10 every time. Thus it is advisable to read at least 10 Aayats of Quran before Fajr Namaz every morning and the person will never suffer from forgetfulness ever in his life. Surah Fatiha (1st Surah) is a summary of Quran in itself and learning and reciting it in Namaz is mandatory. Quran provides us the beautiful phrase of “Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ir-Rahim” as a commencing sentence for every task we undertake.

A person who learns and understands Quran by heart is honored by the title of Hafiz. Not only a Hafiz but also his parents are rewarded with a place in Jannat (Heaven). Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “On the day of Judgment, there will be a group of people who will enter Jannat even before the Shohda (martyrs) and their parents will have a crown of bright light over their heads” “Who will all they be Rasuaallah (SAW)?” asked the Sahaba, “They will be the Hafiz who learn and understand Quran”. History is abound with examples of how people took efforts to learn and understand Quran and derive benefits from it. When the two young sons of Aurangzeb Alamgir, the last of the influential Mughal Emperor told him about their becoming Hafiz having learnt the whole Quran, Aurangzeb asked them to communicate the good news to their grandfather Shahjahan. The youngsters joyfully apprised Shahjahan of their accomplishment, who blessed them but still said grieving, “What benefit is this for me, I would have been more delighted had one of my sons become Hafiz”. The duo dutifully conveyed their grandfather’s wishes to Aurangzeb; who was 58 years old at that time. The Emperor took it upon itself religiously and in two years he learnt the whole Quran to become a Hafiz himself to fulfill his ailing father’s desire. Historic facts in our books about Aurangzeb notwithstanding, this was but one of the brighter aspects of the last and most powerful Emperor of the Indian subcontinent.

The influence of Quran has inspired many and apart from the aura and personality of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) it was also the verses of Quran whose help he sought to invite people to accept the religion of Islam and to convey Allah’s command upon them. Who can forget the events of how Umar (RA) converted to Islam. Umar (RA) a well built, outspoken and intelligent person was a staunch supporter of Quraysh tribes, who were fiercely opposed to Prophets Muhammad (SAW) and his message of Islam and oneness of Allah. Perturbed by their inability to stop The Prophet and his mission, Umar (RA) vowed to kill him and started from his abode with a sword in his hand and blood in his eyes, wherein he met a person who inquired him. On knowing his intentions, the man ridiculed Umar (RA) asking him to first set things right in his own house before seeking revenge from Prophet Muhammad (SAW). An astonished Umar (RA) sought clarification and came to know that his daughter (or sister as claimed by some historians) and her husband have accepted Islam as their faith. Raging in fury Umar (RA) ran to kill his daughter and son in law first and then seek The Prophet. Upon reaching the entrance of their house, he saw them reciting verses of Holy Quran, enraging him even more. As he neared them the verses of Quran fell upon his ears and he started trembling in trepidation; the sword fell from his hands and he dropped down to his knees repenting his action and ignorance for Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and Islam. He immediately presented himself forth Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and converted to Islam and avowed himself to his mission and became one of his most faithful Sahaba. The ramifications of Quranic messages influenced many more during and after the time of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

One such story is that of an Imam in earlier times whose parrot had learnt 7 Ajza (Parts/booklets of Quran totaling 30), as he would hear the Imam reciting the Quran daily. It is totally upon Allah who he wills to learn and seek guidance from Quran. Abdul Qadir Geelani (RA) better known as Gaus Pak was one of the greatest Imams of Muslims and of Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) lineage, who spread the message of Islam in the lands of Geelan (present day Afghanistan) and Iraq. It is said that when his mother was pregnant and he was still in her womb, she used to religiously recite verses from Holy Quran every morning. Soon after Abdul Qadir (RA) was born and when he was 3 years old, his mother took him to a Madarsa for admission. The elderly teacher at the seminary opened the Holy Quran before the infant and pointing his finger on the first phrase recited “Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ir-Rahim”; then looking at the little boy he said, “Repeat”. Abdul Qadir (RA) recited ‘Bismillah’ in the most beautiful and innocent voice and then moved on to Surah Faitha and continued his recitation of the Quran till the time he finished the 15th Ajza. His teacher was flabbergasted and perplexed at the loss of words to praise the young boy. On enquiring, Abdul Qadir (RA) replied that while he was in his mother’s womb he would hear her daily recite the Holy Quran, but by the time she finished the 15th Ajza, she was due and gave birth to him hence he could not listen to the remaining 15 Juz as regularly.

The Quran is the most comprehensive and exhaustive encyclopedia. It narrates incidents about past Prophets and their followers and asks us to seek guidance and learn from them. Quran also mentions greatness of Allah and how he created everything and everyone. It also praises Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and provides an insight about the life hereafter, the horrors of Jahannam (Hell) as well as the goodness and rewards of the Jannat (Heaven). It paves a path for us on how to lead our lives in this world and constantly prepare ourselves for our death and for the Day of Judgment. It even provides reasoning and base for the natural occurrences of the Universe & the World and is a remedy for all the problems. Though some people doubt the latter claims, it is upon an individual to repose faith in Quran and gain knowledge from the beautifully explained phenomenon in form of Aayats and Surahs related to diverse subjects and incidents occurred over time during the lives of various Prophets sent down by Allah for the good of the mankind.

Ahmad Hasan Zewail, the Nobel Laureate in Chemistry from Egypt is also the pioneer of discovering a non-invasive remedy for cataract and other eye ailments. In one of the interview’s he attributed his concoction to Holy Quran. Surah Yusuf, he said, mentions about the life and ordeals of Prophet Yusuf (AS), who was apple of an eye to his father, Prophet Yaqub (AS). The elder brothers of Prophet Yusuf (AS) jealous of their younger sibling, plotted to kill him, but instead sold him to Egyptian traders. Then they conveyed false news of his death to their old father, who was partially blind. On hearing about the death of his beloved son, Prophet Yaqub (AS) wept inconsolably for a long time (many years as per some scholars). Upon overcoming his grief, he found that his eyesight had improved considerably. This piece of information in the Holy Quran caught Ahmad Zewail’s attention, compelling him to think why Quran should dedicate a verse mentioning crying of Prophet Yaqub (AS), tears filling up his eyes and consequently his eyesight recovering. He focused his research on the subject and found that human tears had a chemical composition to provide relief from eye diseases and cataract in particular. This is just one example of how we could gain understanding and solution for our problems citing interpretations from Quran in a proper manner.

Reading Quran and paying due reverence to it, is obligatory for every Muslim. It is desired that one should read Quran daily, even if it is just a few verses. Quran is not an object of decoration adoring a place high on the shelf, only to be brought down on special occasions, shower kisses upon and pledging oath against. Instead it should be read and understood as regularly as possible. As per Prophet Muhammad (SAW), when a person dies and people carry his Janazah (mortal remains) for burial, a very handsome man in brilliant white clothes will accompany him all along the way, whom no one will be able to see. When the dead body will be laid inside the grave, this man will descend into it to be buried along with the Janazah. He will cover himself upon the dead person and provide him all the comfort inside the grave. This man will even assist him when the Angels will come for questioning the dead person’s faith. The Angel’s would then ask this man, “Who are you and why are you helping this person?” and he would reply, “I am Quran. This person used to read me daily and tried to gain understanding from me. He would seek guidance from me for all his chores. It is my duty to assist him and I will not rest, till the time I help him enter the Jannat”. Verily Quran will be our interceder on the Day of Judgment, when every person will try to resuscitate himself on his own good deeds, to outweigh his transgressions.

Mahmood Ghazni, the Sultan from Afghanistan, attacked kingdoms of Indian subcontinent in 11th century. Once on a hunting expedition, he got estranged from his troops and lost his way in the jungles. As darkness loomed, he found a small hut which belonged to an old women. He requested her to provide him shelter overnight, to which she obliged. Ghazni was led to a very small and narrow passage inside wherein a straw mat was laid down; the old woman meanwhile slept in the only other room. The tall and well built Sultan, prepared to lay down, when he saw Holy Quran on the shelf at one end of the passage wall. So he oriented himself with his feet pointing in opposite side, but that was the direction of Qibla. His hands weren’t clean enough to touch the Quran and his host had already dozed off; he thought it inappropriate to disturb her. Unable to stretch himself along the breadth of the passage, Ghazni spent the night in a seated position with his legs folded, assuring his full reverence to the Quran and Qibla. Years later when he was on his death bed, a voice in his dream, recalled this incident and told him that Allah was so pleased with his act of paying respect to Holy Quran, that he had the Angels write an infinite number of good deeds against his name. Who knows maybe just one act of our esteem for Quran might please Allah, and become a cause for our salvation hereafter.

Significance of Hajj

2008-12-18T15:45:00.020+05:30

~ The virtues of visiting the Holy cities of Mecca and Medina

When the Sputnik series of satellites launched by Russia in the space sent some of the first photographs of the Earth, the world got to see the actual view of the globe, the seas, the landscapes, the continents and the ecosystem from the Almighty’s perspective. But one thing that stood out and has amazed everyone till date was an unexplainable brightness emanating from near the Middle East. The place was Mecca, and the brightness was that of the Holy Land of Kaba, the consecrated place for the Muslims, and their point of orientation for worship, or Qibla. The Holy Kaba is the point directly above which the Heavens are located in the skies.

From the time when Prophet Ibrahim (AS) laid the foundation stone of Kaba along with his son Ismail (AS), till eternity or the Day of Judgment, neither has nor will the counter-clockwise circumambulation of the place stop or pause even for a moment. While many believe that the foundation of Kaba was built by Prophet Adam (AS) and it was Prophet Ibrahim (AS) who first constructed the Holy Kaba in its present form. After the advent of Islam by Prophet Muhammad (SAW), Kaba became the centre of pilgrimage for followers of Islam and cities of Mecca and Medina as the holy places. It was agreed upon by the warring tribes during Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) time at his incest, that Kaba and the place around it be free from all forms of conflict. Kaba unlike perceived by many non-Muslims is not a symbol of worship or an idol, but it is merely a focal point for Muslims all around the world to face while offering Namaz five times a day. So a Muslim praying and submitting himself in prostration to Allah does not have a picture of Kaba, or city of Mecca or Medina or Masjid-e-Nabvi before him, but a person in India will simply face the West direction, person in Africa will face the North direction and a Namazi in America will orient himself towards South West to offer Namaz. To vindicate the non-symbolism of Kaba for worshipping, it is even said that a person not sure of the exact direction of Kaba can assume any direction as Qibla and offer Namaz, and even during the course of his prayers if he realizes that his orientation towards the Qibla is wrong, the person can re-align himself towards the perceived correct direction. One of the interesting things to note here is that, before Kaba, Masjid-e-Aqsa in Jerusalem was the first Qibla for the Muslims to pray towards. It was once during Zuhar (afternoon) Namaz; Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was leading his followers while praying in Masjid-e-Qiblatain in Medina when he got a command from Allah through Jibraee’l (AS), that henceforth Kaba in Mecca will be the Qibla for Muslims. Rather than finishing the prayers, Allah’s apostle Muhammad (SAW) in order to obey the Almighty’s command, immediately turned himself towards Kaba and completed the remaining Namaz towards the new Qibla. Pilgrims visiting Masjid-e-Qiblatain can clearly see that the Masjid has two portions facing different Qibla’s. Its name was hence coined as Qiblatain (Masjid of two Qibla’s).

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and it is ordained that every capable Muslim, physically and financially; must perform Hajj at-least once during his or her lifetime. The money kept aside for performing Hajj should be Halal or earned through legal means as directed in Quran and Hadees. Hajj is performed on the 8th, 9th and 10th day of Zil-Hijj; the last month of Islamic calendar. Embarking upon the journey to Mecca and Medina for Hajj, is itself a great virtue for an individual from the time he makes a commitment to himself to perform the holy pilgrimage. Though it requires great investment from a person in terms of both physical and financial difficulty, the beautiful ordinance from Allah and in the steps of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is not a rich man’s possession. How then do we reason the not performing of Hajj by some of the most prominent Muslims personalities in India from the field of politics, cinema, sports, arts and business who have all the means but have never been fortunate enough to perform Hajj, while many not so well off people I know from my place and far relatives who have been blessed not once but many times over and have came back more contended and prosperous than ever. Perhaps, as truly said that it is totally Allah’s will, who he desires to visit the holy cities and birthplace of his Prophet (SAW), and for performing Hajj.

From the time when Prophet Ibrahim (AS) laid the foundation of the holy Kaba, the ethnic tribes living in the Arabian Peninsula were following discrete rituals and worshipping idols, which were placed all around the Kaba in Mecca. The sacrificial animals, their meat were strewn around the Kaba and the blood was smeared on its walls as an offering to their gods. Men and women would act indecently going around the Kaba and artists and magicians would make the sanctified place a platform for their performance, making the whole exercise a carnival of immorality; instead of submission and prayers. Prophet Ibrahim (AS) prayed to Almighty Allah, to show the correct path of piety to the followers and guide them. It was then blessed by Allah will that Prophet Ibrahim (AS) summoned the tribes into unity and integrity during the three months beginning from Ramzan till Zil-Hijj when the pilgrimage of Hajj would begin. He laid down rules for everyone; that no wars would take place during this time and people would perform Hajj as per Allah’s guidance. The boundaries or Meeqat for the holy pilgrimage were set in all four directions, beyond which no act of immorality or violence would take place. Prophet Ibrahim (AS) culled all the reprehensible practices and removed the idols from the vicinity of Kaba. The sanctity of Kaba was thus restored and it was until the time when Prophet Muhammad (SAW) shown forth the light of Islam through Qur’an and Hadees that we are still following.

The holy pilgrimage of Hajj begins for a Muslim when he makes a will in his heart to do so. A man on reaching the boundaries of the place of pilgrimage, which is also called as Meeqat, has to shun all his worldly desires, in terms of shaving or combing his hair, applying perfume, indulging in false talks, lies and back biting, seeking sexual pleasures in any form, which can even be looking or glancing at any woman with disrespect and killing of any life forms purposefully. It is said that even trampling a blade of grass or plucking a leaf of plant purposefully will make the Hajj of the person unacceptable while he is on Ihram. These obligations are applicable to women as well as appropriate. While in Ihram a man has to drape himself in a two piece unstitched white cloth leaving his head uncovered and wearing footwear which are open from the top. A woman has to wear free flowing garment providing her enough protection to observe her Hijab. These measures ensure that all people present, in submission of Allah are equal before him and there is no discrimination in terms of gender, race, color or prosperity. And it is upon wearing of Ihram when the pilgrims recite, “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik” (Here I am O Lord! Here I am), that they submit themselves to come close to Allah.

The rituals of Hajj begin with performing of Tawaf, seven times around the Holy Kaba and praying of two Rakat Namaz behind the Mukam-e-Ibrahim (the place from where Prophet Ibrahim (AS) first placed the foundation of Kaba). People visiting Mecca have observed that the Tawaf around Kaba does not stop even for a second and they have seen birds performing Tawaf above the holy place. Following Tawaf, the Muslims have to perform Sa’ee between the mountains of Safaa & Marwaa. This is a Sunnah (holy act) of Hajra (RA) wife of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), who was left alone in the deserts around these mountains with her infant son Prophet Ismail (AS) with meager provisions of dates and water, upon Allah’s will. As from Qur'an and Hadees, the desperate mother managed with the limited resource for some time but when the dates and water were finished she still fed the toddler with all the milk she had. And when that also finished owing to lack of food and water for her, she tried to make the baby suckle whatever moisture was left on her lips and tongue, when it yearned for water. But the heat of the desert didn’t leave that for long as well and unable to bear the anguish and thirst of the innocent baby, the distraught mother ran across the slopes of Safa and Marwaa in order to see a caravan or Bedouins who might be carrying water, leaving young Prophet Ismail (AS) on the simmering sands. While in between the slopes she was unable to see her baby, Hajra (RA) would run with hurried steps so as to avoid losing sight of the infant. Even to this day the people performing Hajj have been asked to run hurriedly at specific places marked between Safa and Marwaa, to follow what Hajra (RA) had done centuries ago. She ran seven times between the mountains and this act of her pleased Allah so much that he decreed every Haaji (pilgrim) to follow the same and made it a part of performing the Hajj rituals. Distraught, Hajra (RA) came back to her baby only to find that Prophet Ismail (RA), rubbing the heel of his legs on the sand and a tiny fountain of water emanating from the same place. She hastily started building a mound around the source, but the water started flowing with even more vigor, prompting her to say “Zam Zam” in Arabic meaning “Stop Stop”. The sweetest water (people who have tasted vouch for it) was thus named ZamZam and has been flowing out of that source ever since to this day. It is said, had Hajra (RA) not said asked the water to stop, it would have flooded the whole earth. It is indeed a miracle that millions of Haaji’s visit Mecca during Zil-Hijj as well as many others visiting during other times of the year for Umra, drink ZamZam, make ablutions and carry vast amounts in containers for their relatives back home, but never has the water supply decreased nor the source dried, in spite of being right in the middle of the desert. Perhaps it was Allah’s will to create a reason for presenting the people of the desert an eternal source of sweet water, and a foundation for the holiest city of Mecca to be laid, by asking Prophet Ibrahim (AS) to leave Hajra (RA) and Prophet Ismail (AS) in desert. Because it was after this event that people started settling around Safa and Marwah and the holiest city of Mecca came into existence.

After the Tawaf and Sa’ee the Haaji’s move to the camps of Mina, where they get some time to relax as well as utilize most of the time praying and reciting Qur’an. From the camps of Mina the Haaji’s proceed towards Mount Arafat, where Prophet Muhammad (SAW) delivered his last sermon to the Muslims and provided them all the guidance on how to lead their lives and how to uphold the virtues of the beautiful religion of Islam which was a gift to them from Allah. The plains around the Mount Arafat will be the place wherein all the souls from the time the first life forms appeared on earth till perpetuity, will have to assemble forth Almighty Allah on the Day of Judgment and wherein the evaluation of their sins and virtues will take place. While it is said that the people will run from Prophet Adam (AS) to Prophet Ibrahim (AS) to Prophet Musa (AS) to Prophet Isa (AS) (Jesus) and others in quest of solace from the aura of Allah almighty seeking repentance from their sins and asking for forgiveness, they will hear a soothing voice from one corner, which will be that of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) calling all Muslims; sinners and pious, to come under the shelter of his blessings and wherein he will pray and request Allah to forgive his followers and grant them all, the path to Jannat (Heaven). Allah almighty will surely answers to his dearest Prophets prayers and in time the delinquents will be forgiven after repenting for their misdeeds. Haaji’s start for Mount Arafat from Mina early in the morning after the Fajr (dawn) prayers to reach there by the time of Zuhar (noon). They spend the time at the place until the Maghrib (dusk) prayers, repenting and asking for Allah’s forgiveness for all the sins they have committed and pledging never to repeat them. The scene at Mount Arafat on that day is heart wrenching, when millions of Muslims occupy every nook and corner and being closest to Allah; they cry their heart out seeking exoneration for their wrongdoings. And the Almighty Allah the most Beneficent and Merciful, he does answer the prayers of his lovable worshippers, thus emancipating them of all evils. The Haaji’s return to Mina from Arafat and from there onwards proceed to Muzdalifah on their way to the Jamaraat. Muzdalifah is the place where they are required to collect small pebbles for stoning the Shaitaan (Devil). This particular act is the following of Prophet Ismail (AS) who was being carried away for sacrificing by his father Prophet Ibrahim (AS) on Allah insistence. When Allah asked Prophet Ibrahim (AS) to sacrifice his dearest possession, he knew that it was Prophet Ismail’s (AS) sacrifice that the Almighty desired. Prophet Ibrahim (AS) asked his wife to dress up the child in finest clothes as he was taking him to a marriage ceremony. Neatly groomed and excited at the prospect of the ensuring journey, the young boy accompanied his father, unaware of the truth. On their way, Shaitaan appeared before the child and told that it was not the marriage ceremony that Prophet Ibrahim (AS) was taking him to; instead he was being taken to sacrifice at Allah’s command. To which, young Prophet Ismail (AS), all of seven or eight years replied, “Allah has given me just one life, had He desired that I be sacrificed for his will and resurrected a hundred times over I would have happily done so”, and saying that he picked up some pebbles as his small hands would allow him and threw them at Shaitaan. Twice more the devil tried to distract him and every time Prophet Ismail would throw pebbles at him. Allah Almighty was so greatly impressed by the little child demeanor that ever since the Haaji’s have been asked to follow the Sunnah and stone the devils symbol at those three places called the Jamraat. Haaji’s are instructed to pick only small pebbles at Muzdalifah and not big stones so as to emulate young Prophet Ismail (AS). The events afterwards we are well aware, that Allah replaced the boy with a sheep from the heaven when Prophet Ibrahim (AS) tried to sacrifice him and his obedience and subservience to Allah was verily accepted without Prophet Ismail (AS) being harmed, which has been the basis for Eid-ul-Azha for Muslims all around the world.

After stoning the Shaitaan, the Haaji’s return to perform Tawaf one last time and then the men are required to shave their heads and offer an animal in sacrifice culminating on the 10th day of Zil-Hijj and thus completing the Hajj of an individual. It is said that once a person completes his Hajj, he is purified of all the sins and is as innocent, as a child born from his mother’s womb. People going for Hajj also make it a point to include the holy city of Medina in their itinerary and pray at the sacred places as Masjid-e-Nabvi, Masjid-e-Qiblatain and Masjid-e-Aisha (the only Masjid in the world for women, named after Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) wife Aisha (RA)) and Gaar-e-Hira (a cave where Prophet used to pray in seclusion). Visiting the grave of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and offering Salam is also considered propitious for the pilgrims and so is visiting the graves of other relatives and Sahabi (companions of Prophet) of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

One is compelled to ask as to why a Muslim undergoes these ordeals to perform the various rituals of accomplishing the Hajj? Isn’t praying and observing the other 4 pillars of Islam namely Kalma (declaration of faith), Namaz (prayers 5 times a day), Zakat (charity to the poor) and Roza (fasting during Ramzan) with dedication not enough to purify oneself? The answer is “Yes” and that is the reason Allah has mentioned that all financially and physically capable person to perform Hajj. Since accretion of wealth without using it, even if it is from Halal (legal) source is considered unlawful in Islam. And what better way than to spend it for your own benefit and deriving nearness to Allah, visiting the land trudged by his beloved Prophet (SAW), the place where your religion has its roots and where the Holy Qur’an was descended upon by Allah through his Angel Jibraeel (AS). The following article beautifully highlights the ethics and significance of each action performed during the Hajj pilgrimage:
http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?cid=1124781357691&pagename=IslamOnline-English-Hajj_Umra%2FHajjE%2FHajjE

It was in the past that people embarking for the Hajj pilgrimage were advised to repay all their debts, seek forgiveness from their elders and all those who they have sinned and pay one last tribute to their near and dear ones, since the journey and the rituals were so tumultuous that very few could return, especially those travelling from distant lands. Also it was a belief, especially amongst people from South and South East Asia that Hajj should be undertaken only after a person reaches old age, is free from obligations towards his kin’s and has no other desire left for the materialistic self. Unlike older times when people had to travel on foot or on camels or horses through the Arabian deserts in order to reach Mecca and Medina, braving hardships of inclement environment and bandits on the way, the present journey is hardly anywhere close to being called an ordeal. Haaji’s reach Jeddah or Medina within hours by plane and perform all their rituals inside posh air conditioned construction, enabled with latest technology at the marked places, thanks to the efforts and investments of Saudi government. Be it Haram Sharif surrounding the Kaba, the Safa Marwaa, the camps at Mina or the Jamaraat all places are laced with the best of infrastructure and facility in terms of transportation, food, sanitation, security and safety. Even the untoward incidents of the past, like stampede and fire in camps have been addressed with proper planning and use of latest scientific application. It is indeed astonishing that over 3 million pilgrims, from various countries, languages and culture congregating in one place and sequentially observing the rituals of Hajj without failure and mismanagement, though the efforts of those in charge and off course by the grace and blessings of Allah.

The significance of Hajj lies in obliteration of any traces of bias amongst the Haaji’s visiting the holy land, leaving behind all their worldly desires and affiliation, with complete dedication to his creator for those few days. With every individual wearing Ihram, it removes any discrimination in terms of pecuniary well being and presenting each one as an equal before Allah. The significance of Hajj lies in the feeling of subservience before Allah, when a person first steps inside the Haram Sharif and sights the Holy Kaba, the Qibla for all the followers of Islam that he has been facing all his life from thousands of miles away and one which he had seen only in pictures and videos. The moment is beyond definition as the amazed person is lost at words for praising the aura and divinity of the place overwhelmed by occasion with thousands of people performing Tawaf around the Kaba. This is from the point of view of my parents, grandparents and other relatives who have been blessed to perform Hajj. When Haaji’s completes their Hajj, they are freed from all sins and attain a level of respect amongst relatives and friends. People look at them with admiration and every act of theirs is closely followed by others. The onus then lies on the Haaji’s to maintain the level of chastity attained, by staying away from lies, spitefulness, anger and arrogance in their deportment.

Female Education ~ Vision of Islam

2008-08-11T16:12:00.009+05:30

“He didn’t leave us huge properties or great wealth, but he left us enriched with the greatest wealth of Knowledge and Education, which will never diminish.” I still remember this sentence my sobbing mother conveyed to me, a month after my grandfathers death. True to her words, my late grandfather was one of the zealous exponents of education not only for his children but also for the children in his neighborhood and wherever he went. And the vindication of my mother’s message is evident that all the children of my grandfather are well educated and financially independent. Especially his daughters, all of whom are well educated and in service, and the legacy they have carried forward among their children as well. My mother is and most probably will be the most educated and qualified person in our family (be it amongst male or female members), from either my paternal or maternal lineage. She was the second topper in the division in her matriculation as well as in the University during her graduation. With double post graduation and doctorate degrees (Ph.D) to add to it, I am quite sure, no-one presently in my family has the acumen to match her qualification. My parent have played their part, with my sister having completed her engineering degree and double post graduation with an MBA, and is happily married and has a regular job. This is an account of education of a Muslim family. My mother owes all her achievements to her father, who fought all odds, from financial crunch in initial years to opposition from family, my grandmother included; to guide my mother to achieve the improbable maybe 40 years back. And as I picked up the newspaper today, one of the articles caught my eyes, ‘Extremists in Northern Pakistan destroying and burning Girl’s schools, and have smoldered over 100 of them. They declared it’s un-Islamic for girls to be educated, and they are only following Islamic decree of preventing Muslim girls to be equated with men.’ “How gibberish!” was my instant proclamation; the legacy of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), who was accompanied by such learned women as Aisha Siddiqa’ and Fatima (RA) was being wasted in such a form.

Education among Muslims and more so for females has been one of the most contentious issues. While people perceive that it’s the religion, which binds Muslims women against seeking education and equality with men, which is the most blatant myth. Islam has always regarded education as one of the highest virtues and seeking education is a fundamental duty upon every Muslim. In fact well established Hadiths say, “It is Farz (obligatory) upon every Muslim to seek Knowledge”. In his time Prophet Muhammad (SAW) laid special emphasis to propagate equality amongst men and women in all respects, allowing women to pray in mosques as well as it is mentioned in one of the Hadiths that he kept a special day in the week to answer queries by womenfolk, when they complained that the men were talking to him most of the time. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has said, “If a man has a girl child and he educated her, took best possible care for her and gave her away in marriage, then he will be rewarded twice”. Interpreting the same, we can surely say that twice the reward should be in comparison for taking care of the male child. This highlights, that Islam clearly gives precedence to women’s education, even above the males. And verily, the reasons for the same was told by our erstwhile Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru that, ‘If you educate a male you educate an individual, but if you educate a female you educate the whole family’. No astonishment that Islam had perceived this 1400 years back.

History of Islam has seen some of the most learned women, with Aisha Siddiqa (RA), wife of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) regarded as ‘Mother of the Faithful’ leading the contribution. She was perhaps the first female Mufti in Islam, as she was the closest companions of The Prophet (SAW) during his later years and perhaps was the most beneficent of his knowledge and teachings. It is evident from her contribution to the Hadiths, which talk about Life and Philosophy of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Scholars regard her (in status) amongst the likes of Abu Bakr, Usmaan, Umar, Abu Hurairah and Hazrat Ali (RA) some of the most devout Sahabi’s (followers/companions) of The Prophet (SAW). Another mention of most prominent woman in spreading equality and knowledge for women and helping the cause of Islam in its heydays was Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) daughter Fatima (RA) – ‘Leader of Women in Heaven’. Not only was she the most adorable amongst Prophet’s (SAW) children, but she was the one with whom he shared most of his learning’s from the Quranic revelations. Khadija (RA), Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) first wife, was also a very learned women and one of the first to accept the faith of Islam. She was the one to provide all the support and assurance to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) during his initial years of prophecy and when the Quran was revealed upon him.

The Indian history has seen some of the most influential and learned Muslim women, who by their wisdom and valor, etched a name in golden letters. Razia Sultan (1205-1240 AD) the successor of her father Iltutmish, was chosen above her brothers as the heir apparent for the throne for her interest in administration and learning warfare. While history remembers her for her affair with a slave, her achievements as a ruler are nevertheless remarkable. She propagated equality amongst all religion and established schools, academies, centers for research, and public libraries that included the works of ancient philosophers along with the Holy Quran and the Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Hindu works in the sciences, philosophy, astronomy, and literature were reportedly studied in schools and colleges. Another example is that of Nurjahan (1577-1645 AD) also known as Mehrunnissa , wife of Mughal Emperor Jahangir, who was the brain behind her husband’s just and virtuous rule, continuing the legacy of Akbar. She remains historically significant for the sheer amount of imperial authority she wielded - the true "power behind the throne," and is known as one of the most powerful women who ruled India. Chand Bibi (1550-1599 AD) is best known for defending Ahmadnagar against the Mughal forces of Emperor Akbar. Begum Hazrat Mahal was endowed with great physical charm and grace as well as organizational skills. During India’s First War of independence (1857-58), she led her supporters against the British, and was even able to seize the control of Lucknow.

Journeying back to the present times, we see the two facets of the society, at one end the extremists and self protagonists of the religion are presenting forth their own decree upon their people wrongly interpreting the teachings of Quran and implicating all possible persecutions to subdue the women. While on the other hand we have women like Noble Prize winner Shirin Ebadi and Later Prime Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto, who set an example for the Muslim women, to come forward and establish themselves on the world forum, creating their individual identity. Women like Najma Heptulla and Mehbooba Mufti are well known in the Indian Political quarters. We have the example of Iram Khan, third topper in Pune Division, class 10th examination 2008, with 95.69%; who fought odds against poverty and social bindings to achieve accolades. Surprisingly it was her grandmothers unwavering support, when she convinced her family to continue her education after middle school. The girl repaid the faith her grandmother put in her, studying in a one room house, she shared with five other family members and in a noisy surrounding. Her efforts are without any tuitions or coaching classes apart from the school. Back home I still remember how my grandfather had a hard time convincing an auto rickshaw driver who lived in the vicinity, to let his daughter continue her studies after her matriculation. The adamant father finally agreed and the meticulous daughter later completed her engineering degree with first division and got a job in a multinational software firm. Her achievements motivated her siblings for higher studies as well. Years later her father died in an accident, and though the family was grieved but they were financially sound thanks to the same girl, who was now supporting the whole family. My grandfather used to say, evidencing the rickshaw drivers daughter’s case, “That Is my most valuable Certificate for all my achievements in life.”

Shab-e-Meraj ~ The Night of Ascension

2008-07-31T18:34:00.005+05:30

27th Rajjab

In the Surah al-Isra (Qur'an 17:1), it is mentioned: “Glory be to Him! Who made His messenger (Prophet Muhammad) to go on a night from the Sacred Mosque (Holy Kaaba) to the Farthest Mosque (Masjid-e-Aqsa) of which We have blessed the precincts, so that We may show to him some of Our signs; surely He is the Hearing, the Seeing.

The event in the Islamic calendar being glorified by Allah himself in the Holy Quran is the Night of Ascension or the Shab-e-Meraj. It is marked as one of the golden annals in the growth of the religion of Islam as well as establishing the prominence of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as the Prophet of the prophets. The night of 27th Rajjab of the Islamic calendar, when in an instance of that night Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was ascended to the heavens across the veils of skies and other holy places by angel Jibraeel at the insistence of Allah. It is said that the whole episode was over in the time it takes for a swinging chain (or pendulum) to return to its mean position from its extreme angle. While many others believe that the entire universe stood still from the time when Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was wakened up by Jibraeel till he was brought back after traversing the entire creations of Almighty Allah across the skies. The apprehensions of many people doubting this event was clarified by the greatest Islamic scholar Imam Ahmad Raza said in the following verse, “Wo na the to kuch naa tha, Wo na ho to kuch na ho; Jaan hai wo jahan ki, Jaan hai to Jahan hai”. Speaking of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) he said, “When he wasn’t there, there was Nothing, If he isn’t there, there will be Nothing. He is the soul of the entire creations of Allah, and as long as the soul (Prophet Muhammad SAW) is there, the universe will be there.”

Expounding more upon this can be vouched at the instance when Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was ascending during Meraj along with Jibraeel. He asked the Leader of the Malaekeen (Angels), “Jibraeel! What is your age?”, to which the holy angel replied, “O Prophet (SAW), I have never kept track of my age, but since the time I was brought into existence by Allah, I have seen a very bright source of light, at the horizons of the Heaven, which comes into existence once in 70,000 years. And I have seen that light 70,000 times in my life. So that will be my age.” The Prophet (SAW) smiled back at him and asked, “Jibraeel, do you know what is that source of light?” The innocent angel replied in negative. “I am that light, it is my soul” said Prophet Muhammad (SAW), “That light is the very first creation of Allah. Had it not been created, nothing would have come into existence. The entire universe, the earth, the life-forms, the angels and all the prophets; they all owe their existence to that source of light, which is my soul.”

Those who doubt the authenticity of the event of Meraj and that it happened in reality when Prophet Muhammad (SAW) made the eventful journey to meet Allah in person and not in his dreams and that the whole episode was over in an instance, can be said that, it is a similar concept of a body and the soul. The body functions as long as the soul is there. Take the case of a watch, and let’s treat it as a body and the cell which runs the watch will be its soul. When you take out the cell from the watch, it stops functioning and its needles come to a standstill there and then. Now if you replace the cell back to its position, after 5 minutes or 5 hours or 5,000 years, the watch (unless tampered or destroyed) will resume its functioning from the instance when its cell was removed. The same was the case on the night of Meraj. The soul of the universe and all life-forms that is Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was called upon by Allah; and as he was raised to the heavens, the whole world came to a standstill. And all the while when Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was paying visit to Allah and his creations, the world lay life-less, only to be revived upon his return. So who are we as mere mortal, to doubt the genuineness of Shab-e-Meraj? People have reservations believing the ascension of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) above the skies and his presence forth Allah, in person, but Imam Ahmad Raza said in one of his countless books, “Mankind has wondered, how can Prophet Muhammad (SAW), be raised in person to the heavens in an instance, I have been wondering how the beloved soul and Prophet of Allah spend 63 years of his life on the earth amongst the sinners? His rank is too high and so close is he to Allah that it’s a sin to call him as one amongst ourselves.”

The night of Meraj was a gift of Allah to his Prophet and his followers, for what he returned with was immense knowledge of Allah’s creations and a way of worshipping our Almighty in the form of Namaz. The Prophet was carried upon Burraq, the legendary creature, which took him to places like Tayibbah (Madina), Mount Sinai – the place where Prophet Musa (AS) spoke to Allah, Bethlehem (birth place of Prophet Isa - Jesus) and then to Baitul Muqaddas (Jerusalem) where Masjid-e-Aqsa is situated. (The illustrations of these places can be viewed at - http://www.ezsoftech.com/ebooks/Meraj.pdf ). At each of these places Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and Jibraeel performed Namaz with the head of angels providing insight to the importance of these places. That he was informed about Madina by Jibraeel, it clearly tells us that Shab-e-Meraj happened before Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) Hijrat or journey from Makkah to Madina with his followers. There is a reason to this timing as well; it is said that before the night of Meraj, the intolerance of the tribe of Quraish towards Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and his teachings on Islam had grown to its extremes and he was now being physically harassed by the barbarians. It was on one of those days he was walking towards his house, when he was showered by stones and sticks, by them and his feet started bleeding and his footwear was drenched in blood. As he sat down in sadness owing to the agony and distress caused upon him, Allah almighty decided to give his beloved Prophet, what we can decipher as a ‘break’. This is similar in the way we go for a vacations after long hectic days of work. Allah Almighty took all the care to provide his Prophet the best of the comfort and knowledge during Meraj, thus asking Jibraeel to accompany him and making Burraq available for him as a mode of transport.

It was in Masjid-e-Aqsa, where all the prophets of the past right from Prophet Adam (AS), Prophet Ibrahim (AS) to Prophet Musa and Isa (AS) and all the approximately 124,000 prophets paid salutations and reverence to Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Here too they all congregated to offer Namaz and stood in rows, when Jibraeel very politely requested Prophet Muhammad (SAW) to lead the prayers as the Imam of all prophets. This event enlightens us of the position held by our Prophet (SAW) amongst all other prophets of Allah. Some scholars however claim that the other prophets met Prophet Muhammad (SAW) at various levels in the skies, with Prophet Ibrahim (AS) meeting him at the last of the levels. And it was at this place wherein Prophet Muhammad (SAW) led the congregation to offer the Namaz.

After the visit to the places in the world, it was now time for ascension for Prophet Muhammad (SAW) to witness Allah’s aura and get all the knowledge of his creations. It was not that The Prophet (SAW) did not have information about Allah’s creation and he just assimilated all that was told to him by Jibraeel, but it was similar to a case where even a most learned historian calmly listens to a tourist guide while visiting a monument. And concerning Allah’s presence, why would his most beloved Prophet not ask all that which he has knowledge about, just to hear his Lord, his Creator speak, and let his words and voice fall upon his ears, which would have been a blessing in itself for even the Prophet of the prophets. Traveling across the skies, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and Jibraeel reached a place called as Sidr-tal-Muntaha; a location above all skies, which is marked by a Berry Tree. Here upon Jibraeel paused in his stride and would not move an inch further, he stood beside the tree and said, “O Prophet (SAW), I have reached my limits and I cannot go further beyond this point, as the charisma of Almighty Allah will burn my wings. This is the place where I have access up to and I attend to Allah commands from here only. You will have to travel alone further.”

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) knew that from herein starts the precinct where none of Allah creation has ever walked upon or seen. He prepared to move forward and out of deference, as he was removing his footwear before entering, Allah’s voice emanated from the surrounding, “Beloved Muhammad (SAW), you do not need to remove your footwear, to walk into my audience. Please come in.” This again tells us the respect and admiration showered upon by none other than Allah himself on Prophet Muhammad (SAW). And the narration of the journey further on as described by Prophet himself, has been described beautifully in his various Hadith’s. It was Prophet Musa (SAW) who for years had begged and pleaded to see a just a flash or glimpse of the Lord’s profile, which blinded him for the moment and burnt Mount Sinai, and here we see Allah himself inviting Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and asking him to not even remove his footwear. He saw Allah Almighty with his own eyes and in person, and when Allah touched upon his shoulders, the Prophet (SAW) felt as if the entire knowledge of the Universe was getting incorporated in his heart. He was shown the Heavens (Jannat) and the Hell (Jahannam), and what the believers and truthful followers of the Prophet would be showered upon in Heavens as well as what tortures and punishment lay in store for the sinners in the Hell.

He came back with the beautiful legacy of Namaz, which was provided by Allah upon the followers of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as a means to remember him and ask for his forgiveness as well as seek Allah’s blessings. Jibraeel took all the care to help Prophet Muhammad (SAW) come back to his abode on the earth, a thing which no other living soul had ever done nor will be able to do till perpetuity. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) resumed his message for Islam and Allah’s lordship to the masses with all the learning he acquired during the night of Meraj.

The importance of Shab-e-Meraj holds high prominence amongst Muslims and commences what is described as the preparation for the holy months of Shaban and Ramzan, which follows the months of Rajjab. The other two nights of prayer are Shab-e-Barat and Shab-e-Qadr, which fall in the following two months. Muslims across the globe are advised to pray as much as possible during the night of Meraj and recite Quran and remember Allah and his messenger Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The blessings showered upon all those who spend major part of Shab-e-Meraj in prayers are immense and keeping a fast on the following day is also beneficial both physically and spiritually. Rajjab, the 7th month of Islamic calendar is regarded as Allah’s month and is the month of seeking forgiveness (Istighfar) and distributing charity in form of Sadqah. And as Allah says in the Holy Quran, it offers a great opportunity for the Muslims to cleanse themselves of all their sins.

Wa bil Walidain e' Ehsaana

2008-06-23T19:48:00.019+05:30

Treat your Parents with Utmost Compassion

A mother once brought her young child to a great Imam of that time, requesting him to counsel the kid to refrain from eating too much sweet as it was harming his teeth and gums. The Imam asked the mother to come back after a month. A month later when the duo arrived in the presence of the Imam, he took the child to his side, and calmly asked him not to eat too much sweets and told him some of its ill effects. The mother wondered and inquired the Imam that he could have advised these things earlier also, why asked her to wait one month for just saying a few words of wisdom. To this the Imam replied that, a month ago he too was addicted to eating sweets, and didn’t thought it appropriate to preach what he practiced not, hence asked them to wait for a month during which time he eschewed all his vices of eating sweets.

On similar notes, for many years I contemplated writing something on Respect to Parents and duties of children towards their parents. But every time a voice inside my heart would ask me, are you practicing what you would eventually write? And I would recall all the smallest of the incidents in immediate past and present, wherein I disobeyed or disrespected my parents, only to repent later silently. I do admit I haven’t yet achieved the zeniths of veneration for my parents but I am on course to achieve it to the fullest possible extent.

In between the second Sunday of May and third Sunday of June, gave me time to think are we bounded by special days as Mothers Day and Fathers Day to remember, respect and show gratitude to our parents? Why does Islam say that every day of our Life should be a Parents Day? The answer lies in the way Allah almighty has decreed upon the status unto your parents immediately after he mentions about himself, not once but as many as 11-15 times in the Holy Qur’an. Allah Says. “And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as] 'uff' [i.e., an expression of irritation or disapproval] and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word. And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say: 'My Lord! Have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small.” [Quran 17:23-24]

The statement is as strong the words can be, directing the children to care for their parents, when it says you shouldn’t say even an expression of ‘uff’. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, the Jannat (Heaven) lies under the feet of a mother, and parents are your doors to Heaven. Once a man came to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and asked who amongst his relatives had more right on him or who commanded greatest respect of an individual, to which The Prophet replied, “Your Mother”, after that, “Your Mother”, after that, “Your Mother” and after that, “Your Father”, thus indicating that a mother holds as much as three times right and holds respect over her children, than the father. The reason is because it is she who nurtures the child for 9 months in her womb bearing al the pains and travails of pregnancy. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) once said to followers, your entire life’s dedicated with full time service and obedience and respect to your mother you cannot repay even a second for the moment she had you in her womb during her pregnancy. Thus clarifying that you can never ever repay for the efforts your mother took to bring you in this world.

Allah has said in Qur’an, that a person who finds one or both parents in their old age and does not take proper care for them, is the biggest loser and will never ever enter Jannat, because parents are the doors for a person’s path to Jannat. Narrating an incident on similar lines Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, ‘A man once on his deathbed was writhing in pain, as he was suffering from a grave disease. The situation was so appalling that neither he would come out of it nor his soul would leave his body, so as to relieve him of the agony and distress. People started enquiring about his past and came to know that he was a very pious and honest person in his life, took good care of his children, educated them, gave away charity regularly, was a devote Namazi 5 times a day and had even performed Hajj. They were puzzled as to how such a person could face such austerity at the time of his death. When someone came to know that his mother still lived in the outskirts of the city, and thought it appropriate to call her and help pray for her son’s painless death. However the mother was unrelenting, when people sought her help. She plainly declined to help or pray for her son, as he used to abuse her verbally and physically, when she became old and drove her out of their house on insistence of his wife. People realized that it was the curse of her mother that was the cause for the hardships the man was suffering. They pleaded her and finally laid down the man in front of her house. The stubborn mother tried ignoring, for sometime but her motherly heart finally melted hearing the man’s anguish. She came running out of her house and embraced her son, showering upon him the best of affection and cuddled him in her arms. The surprised man was finally able to move his lips and begged for her mercy and was able to say the Shahada. Immediately his soul left his body and he was relieved of all the pain and agony.’

Prophet Muhammad thus pointed out that no person would ever have a peaceful life or a painless death, as long he earns the wrath of his parents. And on the other hand it is the heart of a mother who would forget all the ill treatment meted out to her by her children and not bear to see them in anguish. One such story which most of us might have heard in our childhood holds stead for this case. ‘A man once lived with his widowed mother and wife. He was always derided by his wife that he loved his mother more than her. She would scold him and threaten to leave him if he did not get rid of the old lady. His mother on the other hand was happy and content in the way she was treated by them. She would ignore all the abuses and ill treatment meted to her by her daughter-in-law and sometimes even by her son, who was blinded by the love for his wife. The old lady would spend most of her time in prayers and would always respond back to them with a smile, which would annoy the man’s wife even more. Unable to stand her presence in the house, one day she thought of testing her husbands love for her. “Would you do anything for me, as you always say”, “Yes, anything, whatever you say” replied back the insane man. “Then bring me your mothers heart in a plate, tonight”, she declared after seeking his swear. Though he felt the anguish that he would feel by killing his old mother, he did not relent. The foolish and indiscreet man he was, he killed the pious mother that night in her sleep, cut open her bosom and took her heart out. As he was carrying the heart to her lady love, he tripped on the way over a stone and fell down, bruising himself. Out came a concerned voice from the mother’s heart lying on the ground, “Son! Did you hurt yourself?” So agonized he was over his act, but alas, he couldn’t repent.’

All these incidents tell us how high the reverence of parents should be in our lives, and how much distress and troubles we cause unto them, their care, concern and love for us would never subside. A man once asked Prophet Muhammad (SAW), what the difference was between parents caring for their children when young and the children in return taking care of their parents, when they are old. “Immense and Incomparable” said The Prophet (SAW) “When you are a small and helpless toddler, your parents take care of you, seeing you grow up and taking pleasure in each and every act. Every passing day is a delightful chapter not just for you but for them as well. They soak the happiness in the development of the tree they are nurturing in form of you, as an asset. However when a son takes care of his parents in their old age, he does so out of a feeling of mercy and favor. He always thinks of them as a liability upon him and feels they are helpless. A person taking care of his parents in old age sees their death as the end of his efforts, but the parents taking care of their children see the whole life and success of their wards as the end of their effort, which however never ceases, even when they become old and helpless” a clear interpretation that the two things can never be equated. Islam lays down clear guidelines on the duties of the children towards their parents and how they should obey and respect them. Allah has equated disrespect and not caring for old parents amongst the greatest of discontent in Islam. Once while climbing upon the steps of the Mimbar (Place in Masjid from where the sermon and Khutbaa is delivered), Prophet Muhammad (SAW) among three other things also said, ‘Disgraced will be that person, who finds one or both his parents in old age and does not enter paradise.’ This is because Islam has indicated that Paradise lies under the feet of your mother, and your father is the door through which you would enter the heaven.

Allah has said one look of disrespect or annoyance towards your parents, could wipe your years of prayers and good deeds, however devout you might be. In the same context one glance of deep reverence with a smile on your face for your parents, could please Allah so much so as to wipe out all your sins and pave the way for your entry in Jannat. Speaking of obedience, this incident narrates how respect for parents can reap rich rewards. Three people while traveling in ancient Arabia were caught in between a furious storm and sought shelter under small cave along way. However rains and mudslides closed the mouth of the cave with a huge stone. The three travelers were trapped in the eerie darkness without food and water and depleting supply of air. All their efforts to push open the blockage went in vain. Tired they turned to Allah and prayed for help, when one of them suggested relating one act of greatness each of the three had done in past, which would please the Almighty. The first one remembered how he had donated pounds of gold towards building a huge Masjid in his town and an orphanage, and immediately the stone at the entrance moved, but just showing a small crevice. The second one remembered how once he kept fast for 60 days and prayed day and night to please Allah. Upon this the stone again moved but only by a few inches. Then the third person related an incident when once his mother woke up in the middle of the night feeling hungry and he broke his sleep to answer to her mothers call. But when he went back to her with a glass of milk, she was asleep again, so he stood there patiently waiting upon her mother, to wake up, but didn’t thought it appropriate to arouse her or go back without attending her in person. He had not just finished with his deed, when with a loud sound the stone moved again, but this time opening the mouth completely, to let out the distraught travelers.

Allah has regarded respect to parents immediately after his worships, thus holding its reverence over and above any other good deed. None of your prayers, pilgrimage, charity and help will materialize unless you have the blessings and acceptance of your parents. Allah has said he who earns the wrath and insolence of his parents will never be pardoned and never come even near to the scent of Jannat. On the eve of Battle of Badr, when Muslims were enrolling themselves to fight for Islam, a young man came forth Prophet Muhammad (SAW) seeking his permission to fight for Allah’s cause. The Prophet (SAW) enquired if both or either of his parents was alive, to which he replied that his mother is with him. The Prophet (SAW) again enquired, if he had any other sibling or close relative who would take care of his mother in his absence or if he were to die in the battle. The young man responded in negative and said that he was the sole dependent for his mother. The Prophet (SAW) then counseled him, “Go back to your mother and take proper care of her. See to it that she faces no troubles and do not give her a cause of agony, as long as she is alive, and even after her death pray for her and give charity in her name. This will be more rewarding for you than being martyred in the battle for Allah’s cause. Caring and respect for your parents is the greatest Jehad you can perform in Islam.”

Islam directs its followers to care for their parents not only when they are alive but also when they are no longer with you. A man once asked Prophet Muhammad (SAW) how he can care for his parents as both of them were now dead. To which he was advised to visit their grave regularly, pray for them, remember them in his prayers and seek Allah’s blessings for them as long as they are in their graves and for the Day of Judgment. Also distribute charity in their names, and attribute as much as goodness he can do unto others in their name for their benefit. In another case Prophet Muhammad (SAW) advised that under no circumstance should a person rebuke or look upon his parents with impertinence, even if his father is a drunkard, even if they belong to other religion, even if they do not treat him well or even if they do not do justice amongst the siblings. It is upon Allah to punish or guide them through their transgression and not the children. Instead they should try their best to advocate them and make them see what’s right, but with utmost respect and entreats, not by ordering or forceful ways.

The beautiful religion that Islam is it holds Respect for Parents amongst the highest virtues. It guides its followers to pay tribute for the travails and adversity a mother faces in giving birth and a father toils to bring up a child to make him a good human being. Islam makes us to comprehend the fact that life is a vicious cycle and we as parents might have to face the same situation before our children as we would offer to our parents. Who can forget the story of the perturbed pleas of the woman who was ready to give her only child to other woman, than see King Solomon cut it into two.

The Oceans of the Earth would drain, but a Mothers Heart would still beg for more Compassion

Namaz ~ A beautiful Legacy of The Prophet

2008-05-21T15:20:00.013+05:30

(Namaz as Exercise and its Other Benefits)

Namaz (or Salat in Arabic) is one of the strongest of the 5 pillars of Islam. Allah has mentioned the benefits and importance of Namaz as many as 67 times in the Holy Qur’an. Apart from the spiritual benefits that Namaz offers to the Muslim worshippers, it is also one of the best forms of exercise that one can have on a regular basis daily and 5 times a day. These prayers for muslim are ordered to be compulsorily performed 5 times at various designated times of the day. Many questions arises in the mind of a person who wants to offer namaz for the first time that "What are prayers?" or "how to pray?" or "when to pray?". Below is answer to these questions about prayers. The five times for namaz are:

Fajr : Early morning just before sunrise. It comprises 4 Rakats.
Zuhar: Afternoon paryers post the period of Zawaal (when sun is perpendicular to earth). It comprises 12 Rakats.
Asar: Post afternoon and before Sunset. It comprises 8 Rakats.
Maghrib: Just after Sunset. It comprises 7 Rakats.
Ishaa: Late evening after the Sunset is complete and darkness of the night is complete and the cooling effect of the atmosphere begins. It comprises 17 Rakats

The various times for namaz in a day and the number of Rakats hold specific meaning and the benefits derived out of it. A Rakat is one complete cycle of Standing, Bending, Prostrations and subsequent Sitting or Standing up again in the Namaz. Each posture of the Namaz has a standard defined procedure and recitations that is observed by every Muslim irrespective of where he is residing and to what race he belongs. We follow the methods as taught to us by Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

There is a specific way and various postures in which Namaz has to be performed as guided by Prophet Muhammad (SAW). It is said that earlier times it was compulsorily 50 times in a day when Namaz had to be performed by an individual. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) on the night of Meraj or Shab-e-Meraj or night of prayer ascended to the heavens and requested Allah to reduce the number of times the Namaz to be performed by the Muslims. This was done by Prophet Muhammad (SAW) on advice from all the Prophets earlier to him on the way to heaven. Every time he requested Allah, 5 Namaz’ would be reduced when finally it was fixed to 5 times a day. However as he was returning, Prophet Musa insisted that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) request Allah to reduce the Namaz’ further as he had a bitter experience of his followers not obeying and praying to Almighty as commanded. But Prophet Muhammad (SAW) relented this time, saying that he had immense faith in his followers (Muslims) to submit to the authority of Allah in obedience at least 5 times a day. And the legacy of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is carried on in its original form and as directed by The Prophet (SAW) for the past over 1400 years. The various postures of Namaz, their representation and physical benefits can be seen at http://chishti.org/posture_1.htm

The benefits of Namaz are immense, and this can be proved by the innumerable benefits offered by only one action in a Namaz, which is the prostration or the Sajda. A worshipper keeps his forehead touched on the ground along with four other parts of the body which makes his Sujood acceptable; these are the touching of the soft bone of the nose, the palms of our hands pressed on the floor with fingers facing the Kaba, the knees on which we rest our body and the toes of our feet bent and pressed on the ground pointing towards the Kaba. We all have been told that this posture increases fresh supply of blood to our brain, which is but only one of the many benefits of Sajda. Scientific observations give the other following gains from it. The latest results are of a scientific study by Dr. Mohamed Diaa El Deen Hamed, Professor of Biological Sciences and Head of Food Radiation Department in Radiation Technology Center. If you are suffering from exhaustion or tension or permanent headache or nervousness and if you are afraid of tumors, so all you have to do is Sujood (plural of Sajda). Sujood frees you from your psychological and nerves illnesses. It is a common knowledge that a human being is exposed to extra waves of radiation and lives, in most cases, in the middle of electromagnetic fields which affects the cells and increase energy. So, as stated by Dr. Diaa, Sujood frees the body from the extra waves that cause many diseases. Any increase in the electromagnetic waves to which the body is exposed, causes disruption in the cells and consequently the human being is infected by what is called the diseases of the era; such as headaches, muscles pain, neck pain, exhaustion in addition to forgetting things and non concentration. This matter gets worse if the waves are too much and being blocked in the body. In that case, it causes cancer tumors and distortion of fetuses. We have to get rid of these waves out of the body without taking medicines and tranquilizers and their bad side effects. The Solution lies in prostration. There has to be an earthling's connection to free these extra waves and this is to be done by Sujood to Allah Almighty, as we are ordered. This process is done by connecting the forehead to the floor. In Sujood, the negative waves move from the body to the floor which is a negative pole. Consequently, the emptying process happens specially if you done the Sujood by your seven members (forehead, nose, hands, knees and feet). The studies showed that, in order to empty the waves, you have to face the geographical center of the earth, which is scientifically proven to be Mecca. That is what we are all doing in our prayer (facing the Qibla or Kaba). The studies revealed that Mecca is the best direction to free these waves because of facing the centre of the Earth which is effective in freeing the human being from his grieves to feel peacefulness afterwards

Another important observance is the increase in our prayers and additional Namaz or the Taraweeh which is prayed during the month of Ramzan. While we had all these years believed that these additional 20 Rakats were for our spiritual self and gaining manifold the blessings of Allah in the Holy month of Ramzan and from our hearing of the entire Qur’an in the process, which is true, but is also associated with immense medical benefits, about which we had but little knowledge:
· - Muslims observe fasts during Ramzan, which is broken at sunset during Iftaar. We tend to eat high calorie foods in Iftaar to compensate for the lack of food and water for the entire day. As a result the blood sugar level continues to rise from the food ingested. Just before the Iftaar meals, the blood glucose and insulin levels are at their lowest level. After an hour or so after the Iftar meal, the blood glucose begins to rise and also plasma insulin. The liver and the muscles take up the circulating glucose. The blood sugar reaches high levels in an hour or two and the benefits of prayers of Taraweeh come into effect. The circulating glucose is metabolized into carbon dioxide and water during the exercise and the accompanying blood circulation during prayers of Taraweeh. They help in expanding the extra calories and improve flexibility, coordination, reduce stress-related autonomic responses in healthy persons, and relieve anxiety and depression.

Overall the benefits of these islamic prayers are insurmountable as it improves physical fitness, emotional well-being and increase the longevity of the Namazi resulting in betterment in the endurance, stamina, flexibility and strength. It was noted that the five daily prayers produce the same physiological changes without any undesirable side effects as those produced by jogging or walking at about three miles daily. Another major benefit is the prevention of Osteoporosis (weakening of bones and reduction in bone density among the elderly and post-menopausal women). Performing Namaz helps repeated and regular movements of the body, due to which the muscle strength, tendon power, joint, flexibility and the cardiovascular reserve are improved, reducing the chances of Osteoporosis. The repeated movement of joints involves proper circulation of blood and improved lubrication in the joints, thus preventing early onset of Arthritis.

Namaz involves movement and contraction of every muscle of the body in a gentle way, which enhances endurance and diminishes tiredness thus preventing Muscular Atrophy as it increases blood flow in them. Namaz involves increase in Systolic Blood Pressure while reducing the Diastolic Blood Pressure, which improves respiratory efficiency and deep breathing with maximum utilization of Oxygen by the capillaries surrounding the alveoli in the lungs. The overall result is a refreshing feeling by the individual. The benefits are uncountable to be summarized in one article; more of these can be read in details at: http://www.crescentlife.com/spirituality/medical_benefits_of_tarawih.htm

Praying Namaz requires one to be clean in all respects, be it’s the physical self, the surroundings or the intent. No matter how hard a person prays or for how long he lies in prostration (Sajda), unless his intention are clean and motives selfless, the Namaz will not be accepted by Allah. It is required that a person ensures the surrounding is clean and free from sins where he intends to offer Namaz. The Prophet (SAW) advised that except for the washroom or where one relieves himself and the Kabrastan or the graveyard, Allah has made the whole world as a place of worship for his believers. For men, it is advisable to pray in a Masjid in congregation behind an Imam, as it is 27 times more rewarding than praying alone at home, but for women it is equally rewarding whether she prays alone within the confines of her home or in a congregation in a Masjid. The distinction does not signify that Islam discriminates men from women, as during the times of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), men and women would pray inside a same Masjid in separate lines or separate areas marked specifically for women, behind one Imam, and it is practiced even today in many Masjid's around the world the Haram Sharif or the Kaba and Masjid-e-Nabvi included. Read more details on Women in Mosques in: http://fardinq.blogspot.com/2008/01/sania-mirza-unforced-errors.html

One should ensure before praying that the surroundings are clean and also advisable to lay out a clean piece of cloth called the Jahnamaz or Musalla, on which to pray than on bare ground. Another important requirement in preparation for Namaz is the Wazu or the ablutions which requires one to clean his mouth, nose face, hands, head, neck and feet with running water to purify oneself physically. Running water does not mean wasting of water with taps opened as is observed amongst most of us, but to use a minimum and sufficient amount so as to thoroughly clean the afore mentioned parts. The Prophet has even said that in absence of water one can use air and carry out the actions as normally done in Wazu using water to perform the ablutions or use a clean cloth to wipe ourselves to carry out the Wazu as it was observed for the travelers in the desert in parts of Arabia who did not have enough water.

Namaz is basically to purify oneself, seek forgiveness for the sins we commit intentionally and unintentionally, and pledge not to repeat it. It teaches one to have his feet on the ground and submit to will of the Almighty, before whom all are helpless. Namaz makes us compassionate and believe in the equality of mankind. It gives a message that when the Jamaat (congregation) stands before Allah for observing Namaz, there is no distinction between the prince and the pauper. All will stand alongside each other and pray in a similar way and recite the same verses from the same Holy Qur’an. Namaz makes us disciplined and brings feeling of regularity and gives a direction to our daily life, 5 times a day, if we make it a routine to get up on hearing the Azaan, do the Wazu (ablutions) and head for prayers, either in a congregation or alone, we feel a sense of Time Management in our daily chores. I had this personal experience when during our childhood we would religiously pray the Namaz-e-Maghrib regularly, although we skipped the Namaz-e-Asar. The Asar Azaan marks the beginning of evening and cooling of the environment, and that would mean we could go out to play. The Maghrib Namaz begins immediately after the sunset, and as kids we would go out in the playgrounds in evening and the Azaan for Maghrib prayers would be a call to end our games and head towards home. As in the case of other children, there was no need for my mother to shout at the top of her voice from the house asking us to head back home as it would be getting dark soon. The correcting tone of the microphone by the Muazzin from the nearby Masjid for Azaan would be enough indication for us to wind up. It meant a distinction between the Playtime and Study time interspersed with a few minutes for Allah. The same is the case for other times of Namaz as well for those regular Namazi who prays 5 times without fail. I would recall another incident, where a non-Muslim friend of mine said the Azaan for the Namaz-e-Fajr was like an alarm clock for his mother who would begin her day, hearing the Azaan, even before the rooster had opened his eyes to justify the nursery rhymes associated with it. Similarly there are innumerable examples of how to pray Namaz brings discipline in our lives.

A research study conducted by Mohammed Faruque Reza, Yuji Urakami and Yukio Mano, concluded that Namaz or Salat has immense benefits providing for psychological, musculoskeletal and cerebral improvements and also as an aid for rehabilitation as physiotherapy resulting in long term health benefits affecting the brain, heart and the body apart from its spiritual benefits. The benefits are irrespective of age, gender and ability of an individual. Read the full report: http://www.kfshrc.edu.sa/annals/223_224/01-185.pdf

Muharram: Beginiing of Islamic New Year

2008-01-10T15:04:00.000+05:30

( The Battle of Karbala & Significance of Yaum-e-Ashura )

1-1-1429; I am not referring to any eventful date in annuls of History but the day is today, 10th January 2008 AD or 1st Muharram 1429 AH (after Hijri); the beginning of the Islamic New Year. Muharram is the 1st month of Hijri calendar which is held in high significance among Muslims for varied reasons. Muharram is renowned for ‘Yaum-e-Ashura’ on the 10th day of this month when the eventful Battle of Karbala took place in 61AH. It marks the remembrance of the sacrifice of Imam Hussein, whence he chose death over acquiescence before the tyrants, to uphold the values of Islam. The Islamic calendar ends with the month of sacrifice (Zul Hijj;
http://fardinq.blogspot.com/2007_12_01_archive.html#4776344024214767109) as well as starts with the month of sacrifice (Muharram) thus epitomizing among the people that it is sacrifice which enthrall the faith of Muslims. Many of us believe that celebrating New Year on 1st Muharram is forbidden in Islam, however the month and Yaum-e-Ashura in particular is of great significance. Muharram which means ‘forbidden’ in Arabic is a month when it is forbidden to wage a fight or war or cause distress to others. The month is also regarded as the one to pay high reverence to one’s parents by being thoroughly obedient and subservient to them if both or either of them is alive. And to pay tributes to those who are dead by reciting the Holy Qur’an and visiting their graves and feeding the poor and giving charity in their name, for their benefit. While many of us party late into nights on the eve of Gregorian New Year and vow resolutions only to be unkempt. The Islamic New Year marks the beginning of another year to bring forth amongst its followers the virtues of good deeds and sacrifice to reap rich rewards in this world and hereafter from Allah.

Historically the month is marked by the beginning of Hijri Calendar, when Prophet Muhammad (SAW) began his journey from Mecca to the city of Medina, when the people of Mecca had conspired against him and opposed his teachings of Islam. However he was openly welcomed by the residents of Medina, which formed the base for the proliferation of the religion of Islam. Some scholars however propose that it was the third month of Hijri calendar (Rabi-ul-Awwal) when he moved to Medina. It was his ‘Hijrat’ meaning journey or migration from Mecca to Medina that the name Hijri was coined for the Islamic Lunar calendar.

Yaum-e-Ashura meaning the ‘10th day’ of Muharram has a marked significance for the Battle of Karbala. As well as it was on this day that Prophet Musa (AS) moved with his followers from Egypt to the promised land of Jerusalem, freeing them from the clutches of the Pharaoh, who had persecuted the Israelis for years. Prophet Musa guided the followers making way through the Red Sea, and when the Pharaoh and his army pursued them, the sea closed upon killing them all. The Jews then settled in Jerusalem under the commandments of Allah guided by Prophet Musa (AS). However what followed was a long period of betrayal and impiety from them in response to the faith reposed in them by Musa and their subsequent punishment at the hands of Allah. The rest we all know is history which resulted in the beginning of conflicts in quest for the Holy city of Jerusalem amongst Jews, Christians and Muslims till date. It was on the 10th Muharram when Prophet Nuh (AS) is said to have docked his ship on Mount Aarat (Judi), after the great floods which wiped out every life form from the face of the earth, excepts for the couples of life forms which were safe on the great ship of Prophet Nuh (AS).

However it is the sacrifice of Imam Hussein, son of Fatima (RA) and Ali and grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), for which the month of Muharram perhaps holds reverence amongst all other months of the Hijri calendar after Ramzan. The eventful day of Yaum-e-Ashura in 61AH, historically was the culmination of a period of treachery by the Umayyad dynasty. The ruler of Umayyad, Muawiya had made a treaty of peace with the Hazrat Ali (RA) and his son Imam Hasan, after they tried to unsettle and attacked the Arab kingdom and opposed the caliphate under the followers of Islam and Prophet Muhammad (SAW). After their death the ruler of Umayyad in Damascus, Yazid son of Muawiya annulled the treaty and claimed his own authority over the region and started persecution of Muslims and followers of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as well as threatened the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. Imam Hussein opposed the authority of Yazid and defied him by refusing to submit to the demands of the tyrant. It was at that time when the people of Kufa (present day Iraq) sent a message to Imam Hussein seeking help from the tyranny of Yazid which threatened their faith and their lives. They also promised allegiance and support to Imam Hussein. The message compelled Imam Hussein to seek the people of Kufa in the time of their distress and he along with his family and followers set forth for Kufa. He sent a messenger named Muslim ibn Aqeel, his cousin in advance, who was however murdered by the governor of Basra, ibn Zayd who threatened the people of Kufa with dire consequences if they sided with Imam Hussein. The timid dwellers of Kufa submitted to the commands of ibn Zayd, a wily commander under Yazid.

Imam Hussein by then unknown of the happenings continued upon his journey. He was asked by Yazid to pay allegiance to him as the ruler of the kingdom and submit to his commands, whence he would be spared and provided with a safe passage to Medina or face death over his opposition from the forces of Yazid. But Imam Hussein, the true grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) he was, refused to go back on his promise to the people of Kufa and marched forward with 72 men as his relatives and followers and the women and children, most of them being the descendants of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Unaware was he of the fact that it was the same people for whom he was going, who had betrayed him. It was on the 1st of Muharram 61 AH when Imam Hussein reached the plains of Karbala (presently in central Iraq), with the river Euphrates on one side and vast plains of dry, semi-arid land around. Once here Imam Hussein came to know about the betrayal of inmates of Kufa and the murder of his cousin Muslim ibn Aqeel. Further movement of the descendants of Prophet Muhammad was blocked by Yazids army of over 20,000 strong cavalry and infantry, led by a commander named Hurr, who later joined Imam Hussein against Yazid with 32 of his faithful cavalry to make it 72 men along with the 40 of Imam Hussein and his relatives and followers, who laid down their lives in the Battle of Karbala (some historians however refute this, saying the 72 martyred were the original followers of Imam Hussein who left Medina).

Imam Hussein was forced to pitch camp in this desert area by Yazid who increased the might of his forces with every passing day such that it reached strength of over 40,000 against sparsely armed 72 men from Imam Hussein’s camp on Yaum-e-Ashura. On the 7th day of Muharram, Yazid cut of the access of water for them, when all negotiations, harassment and allurements to deviate Imam Hussein from the path of Islam and force submission failed. For three days the children of Prophet and women, elderly and even infants weren’t spared a drop of water to drink. When on the 9th day the camp was completely surrounded by the army, Imam Hussein knew that battle was inevitable and he dug trenched around the camp and lit fire in it to protect the women and children from the savages. The battle began on the 10th day of Muharram early morning after Imam Hussein and his followers offered the Fajr prayers. Yazids forces fired arrows on to them from all sides as they were aware that face to face confrontation with the believers would inflict heavy losses on them. Imam Hussein’s camp was bejeweled with the most fearsome warriors in Abbas ibn Ali his brother, Zuhair ibn Qain, Habib ibn Muzahir and Imam Hussein himself. They charged the enemy with such brute force that each of Imam Hussein’s followers killed hundreds from Yazids troops before laying down his life. Zuhair ibn Qain is said to have single handedly killed more than 4000 of the enemy fighters and Abbas ibn Ali even many more.

It was towards late afternoon when the women in Imam Hussein’s camp asked him for water for the infants and small children who had not a drop of water for over 3 days. Imam Hussein asked Abbas to get water for the women. Abbas surmounted a horse and tearing through the army build up reached the river to fill the water skin. He however did not drink water himself as he was aware that Imam Hussein and other men were fighting the battle with parched throats. As he was returning to the camp with water, Yazid ordered over 10,000 of his men attack Abbas in unison and prevent him from taking water. Abbas fought courageously and when both his hands were cut off, he still tried to reach the camp with the water bag held with his teeth. The barbarians however foiled his intentions and he was martyred without being able to provide water to the thirsty descendants of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Unable to bear the loss of all his men and the plight of the infants dying of thirst, Imam Hussein took his 6 month (2 months as per some scholars) old son Ali Asghar in his arms and walked towards the enemy to at least have mercy on the innocent. But the tyrant he was, Yazid asked an archer to shoot an arrow towards the baby which pierced his throat and Imam Hussein’s infant son died in his arms, without a drop of water on his lips.

The last man surviving he was, Imam Hussein charged the enemy with all his might and defeated anyone who came before him. Finally Yazid’s men attacked him from back and showered arrows at him, one of which struck right into his heart and he fell from his horse. Imam Hussein pulled out the arrow as a fountain of blood sprang out. But he still continued to fight when a large spear hit him into his abdomen and with the name of Allah on his lips and blessings from his grandfather, Imam Hussein was treacherously martyred. The savage Yazid cut of Imam Hussein’s head trampled his severed body with horses and captured all the women and children who were tortured and imprisoned and taken to Damascus. On the way to the prison, Zainab, sister of Imam Hussein preached the people of the cities from wherever they passed through telling them about the atrocities of Yazid, his false claim to rule over the kingdom and the teachings of Islam and Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The effect was a growing resent from the people and he was forced to release the prisoners after a year.

The Battle of Karbala tragically ended in physical defeat for Muslims where 72 truest men of Allah lost their lives fighting for the cause of Islam. They chose death over submission before a tyrant and showed us the path to sacrifice for the sake of safeguarding their promise for the suppressed. The valiant men also showed courage in the face of adversity as was evident that more than 10.000 of the enemy camp were killed at the hands of 72 valiant descendants of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

One distasteful tradition been followed by some Muslims and Shia’s in particular, around the world is the taking out of processions in the form of Taziya (replicas of tombs and other monuments) and men beating their bodies with hands, chains and knives, inflicting pain and injury upon themselves to relive the memories of the atrocities faced by Imam Hussein and his followers on that eventful day. Though the intentions of these people might be an act of reverence for the 72 martyrs, the methodology of expression is clearly uncalled for. The teachings of Islam clearly despises such acts of violence and carrying out of replicas and monuments; instead the day should be passed in remembrance of the events, narrating others about it as well as learning from their sacrifice. It is also recommended that a fast be kept on Yaum-e-Ashura as well as on either the 9th or the 11th day of Muharram in commemoration and seek blessings from Allah. It is said the rewards of keeping this fast is second only to the fasts kept in Ramzan. It is also advised to read the Dua-e-Ashura on the day of 10th Muharram, which has immense benefits. The Dua-e-Ashura can be accessed at the following link.
http://fardinq.blogspot.com/search/label/Dua%20e%20Ashura

More details about the prayers and significance of Yaum-e-Ashura can be read at:
http://fardinq.blogspot.com/2007_03_01_archive.html#8100681240090322405

The detailed events of the Battle of Karbala can be read by downloading the pdf version of the book: The Karbala @ the following link:
http://www.ezsoftech.com/ebooks/TheKarbala.pdf

The Front Cover of the Book

Sania Mirza: Unforced Errors

2008-01-02T18:04:00.000+05:30

(Women inside Mosque)

It seems controversy accompanies Sania Mirza whether she is on court or off it. She was rebuked by Muslim scholars and many others for shooting in the premises of the Mecca Masjid near Charminar, in Hyderabad on 11th December. Whether she was shooting for a commercial or was just out to spread heritage awareness of the monuments is still unclear. She tendered an apology to everyone, the very next day, after it snowballed into turmoil. However what caught my attention was one of her statements, in which she said, “I am fully aware that a woman must not enter the sanctity of the mosque”. This statement must have let those chatterbox tongues wagging again, who posses, but little knowledge about Islam and the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and The Prophet. What I wish to bring forth for Sania Mirza in general and all those who think on the same lines in particular, is that, there is no such decree proclaimed in Holy Qur’an or the teachings of Islam which prohibits women from entering the sanctity of the mosque. Though I am unaware whether shooting a commercial is allowed or not.

During the time prior to the advent of Islam, the world as a whole and the Arabian peninsula in particular, the prosecution and subdue of women was widespread. It was the advent of Islam that brought women at par with men, allowing them equality in terms of status, respect, education and share in ancestral property. They were given right to have a say in public meetings and while taking financial or social decisions for the family or individual. As far as entering a mosque is concerned, women were not only allowed but the Prophet gave them permission to pray Namaz in congregation with the men folk (although in a separate enclosure). The Namaz was performed with men behind the Imaam, followed by children and women either at the end or an adjoining area, segregated from the main congregation with curtain or wooden partition. The same however is not true in case of the major mosques of Masjid Al-Haram (The Holy Kaba in Mecca) or Masjid-e-Nabvi in Madina, Saudi Arabia, where men and women pray alongside without any bias or distinction on the basis of gender, at the time of Hajj. Infact Masjid-e-Aaesha in Madina is especially dedicated to women for offering Namaz, where even the Imam is a female leading the women congregation. During the Hajj pilgrimage millions of men and women from every part of the world pray Namaz and perform Tawaaf (circumnavigation of the Kaba) , Sai and many other rituals side by side. Many of my relatives who reside in cities of US, Canada, UK and other parts of the world, proclaim that there is no distinction as such for not allowing women in the mosque and instead they have special arrangements for allowing women to pray in congregation behind a common Imaam. Why then is the case that there are restrictions in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other countries around Indian peninsula?

The women used to pray regularly in mosque during the time of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Some people attribute the later Caliphate or rulers of Arabian kingdom, especially Hazrat Umar, for passing a law disallowing women an entry in the mosque. The same however is partially true. It was during the era when the newly built Arab kingdom was increasing its influence and was also facing threat from the neighboring tribes and Roman invaders, who resisted their growing power resulting in constant conflicts on the borders of the kingdom. It was for the safety of women and children that they were asked to pray within the confines of their houses, while the men would pray in mosques. This would not only ensure safety of women but also have them to guard the children, ailing elders, houses and properties.

There is also a misconception which says that it is the Hanafi school of thought which disallows Muslim women to pray in mosques. I belong to the Hanafi sect, which is followed by more than 90% Sunni Muslims in the Indian subcontinent, but have never come across such a thought or edict in the Hanafi School. Rather it was the influence of the social and environmental factors surrounding the early Muslim settlers or the newly converts which mutated the thinking and adaptation of the Muslims in India. The effect was also due the culture of myriad religions and sects prevalent during the medieval India which influenced the social norms from what was being practiced in the Middle Eastern civilization during that era. The prohibition of women to pray in mosques most likely arose from this, when purda system and a patriarchal society was the norm in India and women did not enjoy as much freedom as men. In fact such was the state of women not only in India but other civilizations across the world at a time which has been described by historians as ‘The Dark Ages’. Islam in those times came as a soothing influence on the evils of the social system in largely semi-barbaric tribes of Arabian Peninsula, providing equality for women, emphasis on education and dignity in culture and social factors which drew the masses towards accepting the invitation of Islam from Prophet Muhammad (SAW) resulting in a rapid advent of Islam in far and near civilizations.

The social or rather unsocial persecution of women regarding their freedom and rights to equality continued for a long time in many parts of the world, with women activists having to come on streets of England in 1920’s to get voting rights, the US still awaiting its first woman president and gender bias still conspicuous in Eastern European countries. Though the Western World and other developing nations have evolved out of this, we in south Asia still adhere to some of our ancestral social practices. Who would deny that just 50 years back untouchability and casteism was widespread in India and still is in some of the remotest places of the country. Denial of women to pray inside mosques hence is, but a social stigma. Although it is not compulsory for women to pray in mosques, unlike men who have to compulsorily pray in congregation in mosques if it is within considerable walking distance from their abode. For men praying in a mosque is more than 27 times rewarding than praying in house. For women however, they get that benefit even if they pray at home. Even in India famous mosques and shrines like the Khwaja Garib Nawaz in Ajmer, Hazratbal in Srinagar, Fatehpur Sikri in Agra, to name a few have special arrangements for women to pray in the mosques behind a single Imam. The same is also true in scores of mosques and Idgah’s for the special Namaz’s like Juma (Friday prayer), and on the occasion of two Eid’s when temporary arrangements are made to facilitate women praying Namaz.

Qur’an however advocates both men and women to be decently dressed and maintain the sanctity of the mosque which is regarded as the house of Allah. It even discourages people to engage in personal talks while in mosques. How justified is a jeans and tight T-shirt clad Sania Mirza entering the premises of Mecca Masjid for shooting a commercial is best left for imagination.

Eid-ul-Azha: The Spirit of Sacrifice

2007-12-14T17:25:00.000+05:30

Eid-ul-Azha or more popularly Bakri-Eid is celebrated all over the world on the 10th day of the 12th month of Zul-Hijj of the Islamic calendar. While Eid-ul-Azha is associated with sacrifing of animals, it is also closely related to the annual pilgrimage of Hajj by followers of Islam to the holy cities of Mecca & Madina in Saudi Arabia. Eid-ul-Azha also marks an end to the rituals of Hajj and the acceptance of the pilgrimage before Allah. The festival of Eid-ul-Azha is also called as the festival of sacrifice, as millions of cattle’s are sacrificed by Muslims in reminiscence of the act by Prophet Ibrahim.

Prophet Ibrahim was a true believer and follower of Islam, who guided his people to believe in oneness of the Almighty. However he was rebuffed and rebuked by them and was persecuted to be put in fire. However Prophet Ibrahim came out unharmed from the inferno and always obeyed every command which Allah asked him to partake. Prophet Ibrahim always longed for a son but did not wish to distress his wife Sarah. However at her insistence he married another woman named Hajar who gave birth to a son in his grand age. The boy was Prophet Ismail, who was the apple of the eye for his father. However, a few months after his birth, as per Allah’s command, Prophet Ibrahim took Hajar and infant Ismail to the middle of Arabian Desert and left them there with a small quantity of food and water. Hajar did not revolt the act when she came to know that Prophet Ibrahim was only obeying Allah’s command. Left alone, the mother and son had nowhere to go under the scorching sun and when the supplies ran out Hajar became perturbed at the plight of infant Ismail. She would run from the top of hillocks ‘Safa’ and ‘Marwah’ (in the vicinity of present day Kabah in Mecca) to look for water or any caravan passing by to get water for her son. She did this for seven times running from Safa to Marwah and back. This act of hers was praised by Allah and even today Muslims undertaking Hajj have to perform this act of running between the two hillocks of Safa and Marwah to complete one of the rituals known as Sa’ee during Hajj pilgrimage. As she was running across the hillocks Hajar saw that little Ismail was knocking the heels of his tiny legs on the sands of the desert and suddenly a spring of water erupted out of the parched earth and started flowing. Hajar ran to collect the erupting sweet water by making small mounds around the source, but the water started flowing with even greater force. Unable to control it she started shouting “Zam, Zam”, which means “Stop, Stop” in Arabic. And to this day the sweet water is known as ZamZam, which continues to erupt out of the sands of the hot Arabian Desert soil. Every year more than 20 lakh Hajis get the opportunity to drink and use as much ZamZam during the pilgrimage and even carry large quantities of the holy water back, for their friends and relatives in their native place. It is but an astonishing miracle of Allah that one of the sweetest water (People who have tasted vouch for it) has been erupting since time immemorial in the middle of the desert and caters to the millions of people visiting the holy cities and many more millions back home, never ever the spring getting exhausted. Perhaps it was Allah’s will to create a reason for presenting the people of the desert an eternal source of sweet water, and a foundation for the holiest city of Mecca to be laid, by asking Prophet Ibrahim to leave Hajar and Ismail in desert. Because it was after this event that people started settling around Safa and Marwah and the holiest city of Mecca came into existence.

When Ismail grew up to a young boy, he was very handsome, obedient and beloved to his father. It was during this time when Allah tested Prophet Ibrahim one more time, asking him to sacrifice his most precious possession, which was his son Prophet Ismail. The subservient father was devastated but willingly proceeded to carry out the command of his Lord. He asked Ismail to get ready, as they were going to a very special place. Young prophet Ismail (barely 8 year old) was dressed in his very best and accompanied Prophet Ibrahim for the journey to Mount Arafat in Mina. On the way Shaitan tried to delude Ismail by telling him about the true motive of his father, but Prophet Ismail was unperturbed and tried to shoo him away by picking small pebbles on the way and threw at him three times. The act was praised by Allah and to this day Haaji’s have to perform this ritual of stoning of Devil at three sites during the Hajj pilgrimage, enacting young Prophet Ismail. When they reached the place Prophet Ibrahim told the decree of Allah to his son. But instead of fearing, Prophet Ismail respected his father’s decision and asked him to go ahead with the sacrifice assuring Prophet Ibrahim that he will find his son among the most patient during this act. He asked his father to tie a black cloth covering the eyes of both, so that neither of them gets nervous. Prophet Ibrahim did so and lay down his son. As he tried to run the sharp knife over Ismail’s throat, the knife just won’t cut. He tried it many times but to no avail. Annoyed he threw the knife on a nearby stone which was cut into two in a stroke. Prophet Ibrahim picked the knife again and this time the knife did run through the throat and warm blood oozed out on his hands, accompanied with a cry of a sheep. An agonized Prophet Ibrahim immediately removed his blindfold only to find that a healthy sheep had been sacrifice and his son Prophet Ismail stood beside him. He had passed the test and it was Allah, who had through angel Jibraeel, replaced Ismail with a male sheep from the heavens. This is the motive behind Muslims undertaking animal sacrifice on Eid-ul-Azha. This is also a ritual performed as the last acts for the Haaji to successfully complete his pilgrimage.

Muslims all over the world celebrate the festival by getting up early on the day and dressed up in their best clothes they perform the special Namaz of Eid-ul-Azha. After which greetings are exchanged and ‘Qurbani’ takes place. Every earning adult Muslim having enough disposable wealth has to undertake Qurbani on Eid-ul-Azha. If they cannot sacrifice individual animal, they can contribute the money towards mosque or other Islamic organizations or schools, who undertake the task for mass sacrifice. Muslims divide their produce of the sacrificed animal in three parts; one for their own consumption, second part for distributing among neighbors and relatives and the third for the poor. No part of the sacrificed animal is allowed to be sold or exchanged. The skin of the animals is donated to mosques, madarsa’s and schools run for the poor, so that they can sell it to tanneries and use the money for their chores. The tons of meat that is collected in Saudi Arabia and nearby Arab countries, after Eid-ul-Azha is frozen, packed and sent out for distribution to the poor African nations for free; to provide the starved populations a source of nutritious protein rich food. The other parts such as skin, horns and hooves are sold to countries that require it for their industries and the money is again given out as grant to these underdeveloped countries. Eid-ul-Azha is not just a day of mass murder of cattle’s by human beings, but it marks as a day of sacrifice and sharing by Muslims, who buy the best affordable animals appropriate to their earning potential and think of their poor brothers to provide better food for those who cannot afford it.

Eid-ul-Azha exemplifies the charitable instincts of Muslims in their efforts to see that no one is left deprived of the sacrificial blessings. It further embodies the values of discipline and self-denial, and submitting to the will of Allah. It prepares one for the tests and trials of life and hereafter by providing willpower for sacrificing and submission by overcoming their individualistic self for the benefit of the unprivileged. These values imparted by this festival are central to the Islamic doctrines. Eid-ul-Azha is a time of remembrance of the trials of Prophet Ibrahim, a time to celebrate the completion of the Hajj, and a time that men, women, and children of all ages greatly anticipate. Eid Mubarak!

Why Vegetarians grouse Sacrificing of Animals on Eid-ul-Azha?

2007-11-22T15:30:00.002+05:30

Note: No offences against vegetarianism or vegetarians, who do NOT Interfere.

I wanted to write my next article on Eid-ul-Azha, but I have been forced to write a prelude. With just about a month to go for Eid-ul-Azha, or more popularly Bakri Eid, falling on 21st December, the vegetarian brigade is back to its sulking best again. I’ve come across more than a score of articles and blogs pouring their heart out for the ‘poor’ animals. Some have even gone to the extent of criticizing Allah, that he discriminates human life and animal life and a lot more acrimonious conjectures against the practice. I do not know and do not want to comment about other religions, but I can say about this practice in Islam is not for nothing. Eid-ul-Azha is celebrated across the world on the 10th day of Zul-Hijj (Details http://fardinq.blogspot.com/2007/12/eid-ul-azha-spirit-of-sacrifice.html), and also marks the culmination of Hajj in the holy city of Mecca. Allah clearly states in the Holy Qura’an, that he does not desire the blood or life of the sacrificial animal, but he seeks the willingness of the person to sacrifice. Unlike others, in Islam the animal after slaughtering is not thrown before the almighty or strewn around Kabaa (as was the practice before the advent of Islam). The meat is used for human consumption and the skin is sent for its usage as leather merchandise. Now how many of my vegetarian friends will deny that they never have or do use leather shoes, bags, belts or many other such articles.

Science has proved that meat is the best and cheapest source of protein for humans and is also the single largest supplier to our recommended nutrient intake for protein, even much more than pulses, beans and green leafy vegetables. What did the pre-historic man eat? What is the source of livelihood for all the shepherds and cattlemen across the globe? Perhaps there was a vegetarian brigade amongst their fore-forefathers and ancestors preventing other cavemen who would go out hunting animals for food. And why did this ‘tribe’ kept quite when millions of chicken were mercilessly hacked to death, when bird-flu spread in Asia (perhaps it was a case-in-point for the Euthanasia supporters). What about the response from the vegetarians (or eggitarians) when they say, “We eat only eggs”. Is it not akin to feticide, rampant in North India for their preference for a male child? killing the poor ‘chick’ before it can see daylight out of its egg-shell. Why do they keep quit when DDT or insecticides are sprayed to kill mosquitoes and insects affecting our crops? Perhaps Allah does not discriminate between the lives of insects or fowls and goats. They will happily boil water during rainy season to ‘kill’ the germs thriving in contaminated water, or rather gulp down glasses and eat loads of curd, yoghurt, cheese and yeast spelling doom for the billion of microbial life residing in it.

They will not think twice before chopping down a tree or cutting its branches or plucking the fruits & vegetables for consumption. Maybe the trees do not have life, they might perceive. What happens to the life of the plants when an entire crop is cut down at harvest? Our very own scientist Dr. Jagdish Chandra Basu has proved that trees and plants too have life and have feelings and emotions, which affects their growth as well. Or if plucking fruits and cutting branches is not harmful to the trees, then we can have an option of plucking the chicken legs, or the lamb thighs without killing them. Why doesn’t the vegetarian brigade run after the carnivorous animals and birds, when they catch their prey for food? Or sue the researchers when thousands or mice, frogs or guinea pigs are killed on the experiment tables in laboratories for the ‘good’ of human beings.

Let’s face the fact, the human being is at the top of the Food Pyramid, and if the killing or the ‘cursed’ word sacrifice is done for the purpose of food, then it’s not unethical, as they make others to believe. Millions of cattle are slaughtered on the day of Eid-ul-Azha across the world, but never have we heard that it has led to extinction of goats, cattle’s or camels. The simple reason is that their reproductive cycle has been devised such, that they provide for source of food for animals up the food chain.

Muslims divide their produce of the sacrificed animal on the day of Eid-ul-Azha, in three parts; one for their own consumption, second part for distributing among neighbors and relatives and the third for the poor. The skin of the animals is donated to mosques and schools run for the poor, so that they can sell it to tanneries and use the money for their chores. No part of the sacrificed animal is allowed to be sold or exchanged. Even the tons of meat that is collected in Saudi Arabia and nearby Arab countries, after commencement of Hajj is frozen, packed and sent out for distribution to the poor African nations for free; to provide the starved populations a source of nutritious protein rich food. The other parts such as skin, horns and hooves are sold to countries that require it for their industries and the money is again given out as grant to these underdeveloped countries. Eid-ul-Azha is not just a day of mass murder of cattle’s by human beings, but it marks as a day of sacrifice and sharing by Muslims, who buy the best affordable animals appropriate to their earning potential and think of their poor brothers to provide better food for those who cannot afford it.

Welcome........Ramazan-al-Mubarak

2007-09-16T10:02:00.000+05:30

It is that time of the year (The Lunar Calendar) when more than a quarter of the world will await with joy and eagerness for the arrival of the holy month of Ramazan-ul-Mubarak. However a section of a breed of humanity called as Indian politicians will be eager to befool the Muslims and the general public to showcase their pseudo-secularism. It that time of the year when every other day you will find front page pictures and news about a Sonia Gandhi or a Ramvilas Paswan or a Lalu Prasad, and for the past few years (ironically) the BJP central working committee, holding the Iftaar party, calling some fake Mulla’s and eating ravenously, with none having kept the fast, and rather having eaten sumptuously for the whole day. Ramazan and fasting in their eyes is limited to only the delicacies at the time of Iftaar laid down upon the table.

The holy Ramazan is the 9th month of Islamic Hijri Calendar and is the most pious and blessed month. The Qura’an describes it as better than a thousand months in blessings and virtues. Ramazan derives from the Arabic root: ramida or ar-ramad, meaning scorching heat or dryness. Just like scorching heat melts the elements and purifies the substance, the month of Ramazan too purifies ones soul and body by making him free from all sins and evils, as that of a child. It was this month when the Holy Qura’an was revealed upon Prophet Muhammad (SAW) by the angel Jibrae’el. The month begins with the sighting of the New Moon, signifying the beginning of the period of Roza and Taraweeh. Taraweeh is the special prayers performed during the night and involves recitation of the Holy Qura’an, during the course of Ramazan. Roza or fasting is synonymous with Ramazan. Muslims do not take any food or even water from dawn to dusk for the whole month. The early dawn intake of food is called Sehar and breaking of fast after sunset is called Iftaar. The benefits of fasting are immense, not only spiritual but also practical:
1. The main motive of fasting was to help the privileged realize the sufferings faced by the poor. It helps one to feel compassion for the less fortunate ones by making them undergo their feelings of hunger and thirst. Thus it offers a time for Muslims to "purify" their bodies as well as their souls, by developing a greater sense of humility, spirituality and community.

2. Through fasting, Muslims learn to control their natural urges such as hunger, thirst and the worldly desires and thus are able to better resist temptations for things which are not necessary, such as excessive food intake, drugs or other unhealthy or harmful substances and also their behaviors. It allows one to build a sense of self-control and will-power, which can be beneficial throughout life in dealing with temptations and peer-pressure.

3. Ramazan is a month of self-regulation and self-training in Islamic Calender. Most Muslims fast because it has been ordained to them in the Quran. However the Medical benefits of fasting are immense:

- Helps in weight management, as it triggers the liver to break fats by the process of Autolysis.
- Helps in maintaining the health of digestive tract and for lowering lipids.
- Does not have the adverse effects of starvation or crash dieting undertaken by people over conscious about their figure and body.
- The physiological effect of fasting includes lowering of blood sugar, cholesterol and the systolic blood pressure.
- Abstinence from water causes concentration of fluids in the body and a short term slight dehydration that improves elasticity of tissue walls.
- Short term dehydration also increases the fiber content in the digestive tract that helps in better absorption of nutrients from the food.
- Lowering of Metabolism rate results in psychological improvement that could be related to better stabilization of blood glucose during fasting as hypoglycemia after eating, aggravates behavior changes.
- The lowered rate of activity of colon, liver, kidneys, lungs, lymph glands and digestive tract results in detoxification of these body parts.
- Fasting increases the healing process and increases longevity, as the energy is diverted away from the digestive system towards immune system.

Detailed report:

http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/biology/b103/f02/web1/wcarroll.html

The activities of Ramazan are not limited to these alone. The giving away of alms and the regular charity reaps rich dividends in the world and hereafter. Muslims generally give out their Zakat, which is one of the five pillars of Islam in the month of Ramazan. Zakat is 2.5% of the savings from what you earn. That means if you save Rs.1000, you have to pay Zakat of Rs. 25. The amount is kept very small, basically so as not to tax the Muslims of their hard earned money at the same time ensuring that they do not neglect their poor brothern. Zakat is compulsory on every Muslim, who earns and has a property equivalent to 7.5 tola of Gold or 52.5 tola of Silver (1 tola = 10 grams). Zakat is given to poor Muslims, who according to the definition do not posses property as defined above, and become eligible to receive Zakat. It is required that one should distribute Zakat on the basis of priority. The first among the receivers should be your poor relatives, followed by your poor neighbors’ and then the remaining amount can be given to local seminaries like Madarsaa’s and schools run by/for Muslims.

The other charity is the Fitra’a, from which the name Eid-ul-Fitr is derived. This is given out on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr, and constitutes of giving away wheat equal to 2kg and 25 grams or its equivalent price in money. This charity is to be given out from each and every member present in the family, and any poor visiting your house on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr should be benefited from Fitra’a.

The hardships of Ramazan are rewarded by the day of celebration and sharing of love and spreading sweetness. The New Moon of Eid is sighted either on 29th or 30th day of Ramazan. It is believed that most people mourn the sighting of the New Moon as it meant the end of Ramazan and along with it the generous shower of blessings upon them and unlocking of Shaitaan, who is locked by Allah during the month of Ramazan, to keep him away from misguiding the worshipers. The festival of Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated by Muslims across the globe by offering special Namaz in the morning. This is followed by wishing each other by Muaa’nka (embracing/hugging) and Musaa’fa (handshaking). Elders give out goodies and gifts to children in form of Eidee. The festival is also very popular among others because of the Sevaiyaan, the delicacy prepared on the day.

However the true essence of Ramazan is not limited to following these rituals, but also making sure you keep your virtue and character clean and noble by not speaking lies, doing backbiting or indulging in sins forbidden not only in Islam but also by the society. It also means that we limit ourselves to submission to Allah and being good not only during the month of Ramazan but the entire year and our life.

Greetings from me for the Holy month of Ramazan-al-Mubarak.

Importance of Friday

2007-07-13T10:11:00.000+05:30

Today is Friday the 13th; a day believed to be of the devil in the West. Friday was considered an evil and uneventful day for a long time in western world beliefs. However, the emergence of IT industries around the globe has changed that a lot. Now Friday comes a precursor for the weekend for us Software professonals. The concept of TGIF or "Thank God its Friday", and the TGIF parties are fast catching up even in India. It signals an end to the gruelling week of work and 2 days of imminent break. But there is a section in the world for whom, the significance of Friday transcends the corporal desires and myths and presents a way to submit before the almighty Allah. Its a day when everything comes to a halt, in Islamic world, and a devot Muslim, prepares himself to join in congregation to pray and ask forgiveness and seek blessings. The Friday prayer or the Namaaz-e-Jumaa, is considered the most pious prayers before Allah, along with the prayers of Eid, Ramzaan and the few described nights (Shab-e-Barat, Shab-e-Miraj & Shab-e-Qadr).

My parents who performed the Hajj last year, described the scene in the holy city of Mecca when the Muazzin calls the Azaan for the Namaz-e-Jumaa. The whole city comes to a stop; people in a swarm head towards the mosques, shopkeepers leave their shops open and go for the prayers, be it a vegetable outlet, a shopping complex or a jewellry shop; its left unattended and as it is, as the priority becomes prayers than business. Travellars leave there vehicles on the road, and those who get late; lay down the sheets on the roads and complete their prayers. Even those who do not pray for the whole week, make it a point not to miss the Friday prayer.

One might ask why is such a 'fanatism' among Muslims for Namaz-e-Jumaa ? This day as described by the Holy Quraa'n, in Islam carries many virtues and blessings. This was the day that Adam (pbuh) was created, the day he was placed into Paradise, the day he was sent down to the earth, and Friday was the day that he died. Friday is also a day when our supplications to Allah are answered as long as it isn’t something forbidden. This is also the day where the onset of the last hour will begin. Allah has made this day the master of all other days to the extent that it is greater to Allah than the days of Al-Fitr and Al-Adha. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has mentioned all these characteristics in his hadiths. Namaaz-e-Jumaa is the best prayer. It’s significance is so great that there is a whole chapter in the Quran that is named Al-Jumuah. Allah makes mention of the importance of Friday in the Quran where He says in the translation of the meaning:
“O you who believe (Muslims)! When the call is proclaimed for the Salaah (prayer) on Friday (Jumu‘ah prayer), come to the remembrance of Allaah [Jumu‘ah religious talk (Khutbah) and Salaah (prayer)] and leave off business (and every other thing). That is better for you if you did but know!” (Al-Jumu’ah 62:9)

This is a day where Allah the All-Merciful forgives our minor sins not just for that day but for a week and an extra three days. Another great virtue of this day is the that if a Muslim dies on the day or night of Friday, Allah will protect them from the trials of the grave. The attendance to the Friday Prayer is also written down by angels who stand at every gate of the mosque to write down the names of people in chronological order of their attendance. Prophet Muhammed (SAW) describes the Friday prayers as a reward for Muslims from Allah. A person who takes a bath on Friday and wears clean clothes, applies perfume and heads towards the mosque on hearing the Azaan (call for prayer), is like he has offered sacrifices in the way of Allah. Every step taken towards preparing for the Namaaz-e-Jumaa is a blessing in itself.

Allah has perfected the way of life for Muslims and although many indulge in sins and personal pleasures during this day, Muslims know the true meaning and importance of Friday. We may all say thank goodness it’s Friday; however, the meaning behind the famous acronym “TGIF” is more valuable and signficant in the hearts of Muslims than others. Allah has not only given them the information but has given them the motivation to spend this beautiful day wisely so that they may compete with one another to attain good deeds for His sake. Happy Friday!!!

Jamadi-us-Sani - An eventful month of Islamic Calendar

2007-06-25T12:31:00.000+05:30

Jamadi-us-Sani is the 6th month of Islamic Calendar. The month is known as the month of blessings. Hazrat Fatima-tuz-Zehra (A.S.), the beloved daughter of Prophet Muhammed (SAW), and Syeda tun nisa'il alameen (mistress of the women of the world) was born on the 20th day of this month, in Mecca. Like her nature the month requires the followers of Islam to be compassionate and charitable during this month. This month of Jamadi-us-Sani prepares us for the auspicious months of Rajjab, Shaaban and Ramzaan-ul-Mubarak, for the prayers and blessings to be seeked from Allah. It is required that Muslims give charity, keep fasts, wear clean and new clothes, care for their relatives and the poor during this month.

However, the importance of Jamadi-us-Sani is more known as on its 1st day, the first revelations of the Holy Quraa'n was made on Prophet Muhammed (SAW) at the age of 40. It was after this event when he made public his prophecy and proclaimed himself as the messanger of Allah, and brought forth the religion of Islam for the people to adopt. The revelations of the Holy Quraa'n were revealed subsequently, on the Prophet by the angel Jibra'eel (A.S.), in parts known as the Suraa'h of Quraa'n. The Prophet would assimilate the verses in his heart and would subsequently convey the message it implied to his Sahabi's (followers). The great religion of Islam then spread first across the Arab kingdom and then the whole world. The Prophet faced a lot of trouble initially, and was even driven out of his birthplace Mecca and had to seek refuge in Medina, where he was warmly welcomed and Medina formed his base and launchpad for guiding the masses about Islam.

Eid-e-Milad un Nabi

2007-03-30T16:02:00.001+05:30

This year Eid-e-Milad un Nabi falls on Sunday, 1st April 2007. Muslims of the world express their pleasure on the birth date of their Beloved Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) and celebrate this occasion calling it as Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi. Id-e-Milad is celebrated on the twelfth day of the third month Rabi-ul-Awwal (according to the Islamic calendar). The ocassion is marked by recitation of Quranic verses in mosques from the eve of Eid-e-Milad and the day is celebrated by taking out processions called "Juloos", distributing food & sweet beverage "Sharbat" to the poor and organizing programs narrating the life of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) and reciting of "Zikr" and "Naat" in his honour. It is considered auspicious to offer prayers and give alms on this day. Muslims prove themselves to be the true followers of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.). Paying highest respect to the last Prophet is the basic faith. The slightest disinclination towards the Prophet (S.A.W.) and his disrespect knowingly or unknowingly through connivance or openly, destroys a Muslim's entire faith (Imaan). Milaad-un-Nabi is celebrated for creating love and respect of the Prophet (S.A.W.) and through him the love and respect of Allah Almighty, the only Creator and Sustainer of the world.

Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) was the son of Abdullah & Aamina and the grandson of Abdul Muttalib of the tribe of Qureysh in the erstwhile Arabian Peninsula. He was born at Mecca on 12 Rabi-ul-Awwal (about April 570 AD). From a very young age Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) was respected by people for his honesty, truthfullness, charity and kindness. He was the most trusted person in the whole Mecca. At the age of 40 (in 610 AD), the angel Jibraeel (Gabriel) was sent by Allah to give revelations of Quraan to Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.). It was after that when he declared himself as the Prophet of Allah to the masses. He found some devotees but most Meccans did not believe in him. He had to immigrate to Medina, where he was warmly welcomed and spread the message of Allah across the globe. Later Islam became one of the most popular religions of the world. In 632 AD, Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) went on a pilgrimage to Mecca followed by thousands of his devotees, which marked the begining of Islamic calender or Hijri Calendar. Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) had to fight many battles against the non believers and foriegn forces in order to unite Arabian tribes, which later on united to make Arabs one of the most powerful kingdom in the Middle East with its expanses spreading from India in the East to Spain in the West.

Dua e Ashura for Muharram: 1st Month of the Islamic Calendar

2007-03-26T17:19:00.000+05:30

Dua-e-Ashurah .

If you cannot read Dua e Ashura in Arabic, here is the Dua in English script

DUA-E-ASHURA

Ya Qaabila tawbati Adama Yawma 'Ashuraa-aYa faarija karbi Dhin-nuwni yawma 'Ashuraa-aYa jaami'a shamli y'aquwba yawma 'Ashuraa-aYa saami'a d'awati musa wa haruna yawma 'Ashuraa-aYa mu-ghitha ibrahima mi-nanaa-ri yawma 'Ashuraa-aYa rafi'a idrisa ilas-samai yawma 'Ashuraa-aYa mujeeba da'wati salihin finna qati yawma 'Ashuraa-a

Ya nasira sayyidina Muhammadin sal-lalahu 'alayhi wa sallama yawma'Ashuraa-aYa rahma-nad-dunya wal-akhirati was rahima-humaa salli 'alasayyidina Muhammadiw-wa 'ala jamee'al ambiyaai wal-mursaleena waqdihaajaa-tinafid-dunya wal-akhirati wa atil 'umrana fee taa'atika wamahabatika wa ridakawa ahyinaa

hayatan tayeeba tuwwa tawaffana 'a-lal-emaani wal-islamibi-rahmatika Yaa arhamar-rahimeen Allahma bi-'izzil hasani wa akhihiwa ummihi wa abihi wa jaddihi wa banihi far-rij 'anna maa nahnu fee.

After reading the above dua, read the following dua 7 times

Subha-nallahi mil al-meezani wa muntahal-'ilmi wa mabla-ghar-ridawa zinatal-'arshi la mal-jaa-aa wala manjaa-aa mi-nallahiilla-ilay. Subha-nallahi 'ada-dash-shaf-'ia wal-witri wa 'adadakalimaa tilla-hit-tammati kullihaa nasalu-kaslamata bi-rahmatika yaaarhamar-rahimeen.

wa-hu-wa hasbunaa-wa-nai'-mal-wakeel. Ni'-mal-mawla wa-ni'man-naseer.wala-haw-la wala quwwata illa-billahil-'alee-yil-'azeem.wa salla-lahu ta'ala 'ala sayyidina Muhammadiw-wa 'ala alihi wasahbihi wa 'a-lal mumineena wal muminati wal muslimeena wal muslimati'adada zarratil wujudi wa 'adada ma'-luwmaa tillahi wal-hamu-illahirabbil-'alameen.

The Islamic year begins with Muharram ul Haram, the first month of the Islamic Calendar. While followers of other religions spend their opening month in worthless merriment, the first month of Islam teaches us lessons of admonition, good counselling, knowledge of Allah Ta’ala, sacrifice, selflessness, patience and seeking the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala.

What is Ashura?
The tenth day of Muharram (Ashura) has many distinctive qualities and features. Allah Ta’ala created the heavens and the earth on this blessed day. On this day He gave His infinite blessings and bounties to many of His Prophets and delivered them from the clutches of their enemies.
Allah Ta’ala created Hazrat Adam (Alaihis-Salam) in this month, pardoned him of his mistake, and Hazrat Noah’s (Alaihis-Salam) Ark landed successfully on Mount Judi, and he saved Hazrat Ibrahim (Alaihis-Salam) from fire and rescued Hazrat Musa (Alaihis-Salam) from Pharaoh.
On the first of Muharram offer 2 rakats Nafl prayer. In each rakat after Surah Fateha recite Surah Ikhlas 3 times. After the Salam pray to Allah Ta’ala for all your needs and desires. From the blessing of this prayer, Allah Ta’ala will appoint an angel for such a person. The angel will guide him or her to do only good deeds and prevent them in engaging in sinful acts.

On the eve of "Ashura" offer 100 rakats Nafl. In each rakat recite Surah Ikhlas 3 times after Surah Fateha. After Salam recite first ‘Kalimah’ 100 times. Allah Ta’ala will forgive all the sins of such a person.

Dua-e-Ashura - An insurance for a year’s Life Hazrat Imam Zainul Abidain (Radi Allah Anhu) reports that who ever recites this dua( Dua-e- Ashura) on the tenth of Muharram, any time after sunrise and before sunset, or listens to its recitation from someone else, Allah Ta’ala will certainly make it an insurance for a years’ life for him, by keeping death away from him. However, if one is to become the victim of death in that year, they will by some strange coincidence not remember to recite it.

Nafl Salat for the Eve of Ashura: On the eve of Ashura offer 4 rakats Nafl Salat as follows:
In every rakat after Surah Fateha recite "Ayetul Kursi" once and Surah Ikhlas 3 times. After completing this Namaz recite Surah Ikhlas 100 times. Allah Ta’ala will purify such a person of all their sins and grant them endless bounties and blessings in paradise.

The Fast of Ashura: On the 9th and 10th of Muharram, one should fast. If it is not possible to fast on both days, then every effort should be made to fast on the 10th day of Muharram, as there is great reward for this fast. (Muslim Shareef).
The following are some of the desirable acts one should do on the day of Ashurah:
1.   To observe fast on this day.
2. To give as much charity as you can afford.
3.   To perform Nafl Salat prayers.
4.   To recite Surah Ikhlas 1000 times.
5.   To visit and be in the company of pious Ulema.
6. To place a hand of affection on an orphan’s head.
7. To give generously to one’s relatives.
8.   To put surma in one’s eyes.
9.   To take a bath.
10. To cut one’s nails.
11. To visit the sick.
12. To establish friendly ties with one’s enemies.
13. To recite Dua-e- Ashura
14. To visit the shrines of Awliyas and the graves of Muslims.
Hazrat Abdullah bin Masood (Radi Allah Anhu), a Companion of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) reports the following saying of the Messenger of Allah Ta’ala, "Whosoever prepares ample food and drink for his family on this sacred day and delights in feeding them generously, Allah Ta’ala will increase His provisions for that year and place much blessings and good therein."
Imam Hussain (Radi Allah Anhu) and his companions were martyred on the tenth of this month.

Like any month in the Islamic Calendar there are in this first Islamic month, many anniversaries which are celebrated every where in the world.

Reference http://www.mrc.org.uk/
(Islamic Times, Manchester. Vol:13 - May 1998)

Dua-e-Ashura