QaziMamoon.com | Kashmir and Islam

Its Black and White Series | Strings of Colour

2010-03-09T22:54:00.004+05:30

UPDATE - 8 March 2010

2010-03-08T21:27:00.000+05:30

Minor Glitches Fixed in the new Design

1) Comments Re-Enabled Again
2) Table Of Contents Section (Beta)
3) QaziMamoon.com will load quicker (InshaAllah)
4) Margin space such that the vertical line is right below the division in the logo
5) New songs uploaded
6) Total number of posts and comments introduced

Batman the son of Superman | Singapore Rocks

2010-03-05T19:47:00.006+05:30

Alex Smart Said: This is "Supar Dupar" Funny.. Hence proved, suparman is the father of batman.

Alex Smart Said agaim: For all the wise guys.. BIN means son of in Arabic :D

Should we celebrate the Prophets Birthday or not?

2010-02-28T21:40:00.000+05:30

Something I borrowed from Facebook! I wouldnt take sides here, and Allah knows the best..

Q: is it not tue that the companions of mohammad saw never celebrated his birthday...and it was only after 400 years that people started celebrating it....i want to the point answers.....please!!!

A:Asalaamu alaykum,

Thank you for all those messages telling me not to celebrate the Prophet's Birthday (pbuh).

In Islam we have two feasts only - Eid ul Fitr and Eid el Adha. These two feasts are not accompanied by any of the razzmataz associated with other religions. The religions of Islam are simple. Muslims gather to worship together in the morning, then they return home to spend the free time with their families.... See more

In addition to feasts, though, there are happy moments in our lives. We rejoice at the birth of a child. We celebrate at a marriage. We are pleased to congratulate our friends when they achieve something special at work or on the sports field. These are not feasts. They are moments of celebration.

What kind of Muslims would we be if we did not feel happiness when thinking of our beloved Prophet? The Prophet's birthday (pbuh) is NOT a feast. It is simply a time when we feel good about Islam and are happy because of the gift of Muhammad (pbuh) to all mankind.

It is a shame that so many people spend so much time telling us not to celebrate the Prophet's birthday (pbuh) - usually in very harsh words and in a very judgmental way - but do not spend as much time urging us to imitate his example in our own lives (pbuh).

Let us be quite clear: the Prophet's Birthday is NOT a feast. It is not a time of worship and we should not get carried away by it. It IS, though, a time of joy and happiness in the lives of Muslims. Who would blame a poor family on this day if they buy a cake and celebrate together? Who would deny a little happiness to those whose lives are hard?

Islam is a MERCY to all mankind, not a set of rules to weigh men down. I wish everyone today the joy of being Muslim and I thank Allah Almighty for the gift of all Prophets and the message of Mercy which they bring to the world. Peace and blessings of Allah be upon them all.

I hope you, too, can enjoy your day without feeling guilty about being happy.

Jazakum Allahu Khairan

How to cook Nadru yakhni ( Lotus stem ) | Kashmiri cuisine

2010-02-27T12:21:00.000+05:30

Preparation time : 10 minutes
Cooking time : 35 minutes
Serves : 4-6
Ingredients
1 kg lotus stems
5- cardamom sticks
1 tea-spoon green cardamom powder
1 tea-spoon fennel powder
1 tea-spoon ginger powder
½ tea-spoon mint powder
1 tea-spoon pran ( Kashmiri onion paste – recipe)100 gm ghee
3 cups water
1 kg yogurt
Salt
Procedure:
To make the 'pran', or Kashmiri onion paste, take roughly 500 grams of small red onion ( the smaller the better ) and slice them finely. Sprinkle some salt and then let them sit for 3- 4 minutes to draw out the water. Squeeze out the extra water with your hands, anfry the onions in 4 tablespoons of oil till they are light golden brown. Remove from the pan and place on some sheets of kitchen paper to remove excess oil. Once they are cool , give the onions a quick blend in a food processor or grind with a pestle to get a thick and a dark golden – brown paste.
1, Wash and peel the lotus stems , cut into thick slanted slices and keep them aside.

2, Heat 2 table-spoon ghee in a pan and fry the cinnamon sticks & green cardamom powder with the lotus stems. Now add the water and boil the lotus stems for 15 minutes. Remove and drain.
3, Heat the remaining ghee & add the fennel , ginger and mint powders , pran , and yogurt. Season with salt.

4, Toss in the drained lotus stems and bring to boil. Reduce heat and cook for about 10 minutes.

5, When the lotus stems are soft and tender , it’s done. Serve hot with steamed rice.

When a Petrol Station Guy Asked My Phone Number | True Story

2010-02-26T21:39:00.000+05:30

Qazi Mamoon | www.QaziMamoon.com

This story is set in Malaysia, and as you might have read the title, is as much true as the fact that you are breathing right now.

I have a friend who drives to the university in her own car everyday, and this was narrated by her once in a discussion of people and cultures. I always blamed my own people, Kashmiri people for being the worst, for abusing others rights, and for being so selfish and so stupid bla bla.. Ok.. Back to the story.. My friend stopped to fill petrol at a gas station nearby her home.. A guy who was working at the station started walking towards her car. Normally, the people of a particular country usually work at such places, the immigrants. So this one wasnt exactly resembling his fellow country mates and was much fairer and might have considered himself as a smart and eligible candidate for my friend. So he comes and asks her if she needed oil change, tyre change, car change, whatever.. And after a lot of flirting, finally asked my friend for her phone number... My friend closed the window and sped away..

Download Quran pdf in Kashmiri language | Free

2010-02-24T15:31:00.008+05:30

This is a copy of a Quran at IIUM Library, in the university I study.. This is just the translation and the tafsir of the Quran in Kashmiri language. To download a free pdf copy please go to the Islam link or simply click here.

♦DOWNLOAD QURAN IN KASHMIRI

About Kashmiri Names, Surnames and Castes |

2010-02-23T13:53:00.000+05:30

Kashmiris never lose their sense of humour. Even adversity has not killed their instinct of humour. It has on the other hand, sharpened it to boost their morale and love of boisterous life. Hamidullah, a resident of remote meadow village of Nobog Nai, has not only exposed the ruthless Sikh bureaucracy of Kashmir in his Bebujnamah, but has proved himself a caricaturist par excellence as well as a non-conformist as for as Sikh administrative system was concerned. This work contains allegorical names and characters. "It is steeped in symbolism depicting the glaring traits of bureaucracy under Sikh rulers from the Patwari upto the Nazim or Governor. According to the author, the whole lot of them was responsible for all sorts of the sufferings of the peasantry, especially their aim being simply to grease their own palms and to sustain Sikh power by force. The significance of the names he has coined for prominent members of the bureaucracy in the Revenue Department, such as, 'Kazibrathar' for Qanungo; 'Adawat Koul' for Patwari; 'Fasad Bhat' for Harkara, 'Rishwat Baba', for Qazi, can better be guessed than described. Similarly to describe the state of general administration, he introduces characters like 'Gurez Singh' for Mir Shamshere; 'Adbar Singh', for Mir. Bakshi; 'Shahmat Singh' for Chief Police Officer, 'Mafajat Qulli' for Chief Cavalry Officer, 'Rahzan Bandey', for Chamberlian, 'KhalaJat Razdan', for Munsif; 'Tawan Koul', for Amil,' 'Nuqsan Thaplu', for mutasaddi, 'Dewali Dass', for chief storekeeper of grains; and 'Chughl Beg', for news reporter. They are glaring illustrations. The selection of these names as their meanings show, represents the basic characteristics of the holders of the public office. While talking about allegories, we must not forget to mention that Master Caricaturist of ancient Kashmir, Kshemendra, who has in a lyrical language exposed a Kayastha, a prostitute, a Brahmana and many others. His 'Narmala and ' desopdesa ' are available in a printed form.

SURNAMES

1. Aram - Some of their ancestor had been employed to collect the taxes from the vegetable growers and in the due course of time the word Aram became their nickname. Rajatarangini has used the word Aramak for them.

2. Kral - There are many localities in Kashmir known by the word Kral viz., Kralpur, Kralgund in Kupwara district. In the city of Srinagar we have two Mohallas known as Kral Khud and Kralyar. The Pandits employed for collecting taxes from 'Krals' (potters) were nick named as Kral.

3. Gooru - A milk man and a cowherd is called Goor in Kashmiri. Pandits did neither of these jobs However, certain Pandits were employed as Patwaris to keep the accounts of their cattle heads and collect the Government taxes from them. In the course of time their original family names became obscure and were known as Gooru.

4. Bakaya - An officer of the rank of a Tehsildar was appointed in the time of Sikhs and Pathans to realise the outstanding taxes from the people. His descendants were nicknamed as Bakaya.

5. Manwati - Manwati used to be a standard weight in Kashmir. It was equal to two and a half seers. Government used to levy a tax of one Manwati of rice on the tenants and an official employed to collect this tax was known to people by the name of Manwat. His descendants also lost their original family name and the nickname Manwati became an irremovable attachment to their names.

6. Guzarwan - A Guzarwan was an Official-incharge of an excise check-post on the outskirts of a town. Every article coming to the town from outside was to be checked and tax at a previously fixed rate to be realised. A Guzarwan was also to check the smuggling and unauthorised entry of articles to the town. An official employed, thus to perform this duty became famous by the name of Guzarwan. His children, whatever their profession might have been, were also known by this name.

7. Bakshi - It is a common Punjabi surname. A Pandit employed as an Assistant to a Punjabi officer, having Bakshi his surname, was also known as Bakshi. Mr. Fauq says a Pandit employed as a clerk of the Army was known as Bakshi or Mir Bakshi.

8. Jawansher - Jawansher was a famous Afghan Governor of Kashmir. He had a Pandit as his Peshkar (Assistant) who became famous by the name of his master. Jawansher is the nickname of many families bearing different surnames.

9. Munshi - It is a common surname among many linguistic groups of India. K. M. Munshi was a Gujrati and a famous Indologist. Munshis exist in almost all the Hindi-speaking areas of India. Munshi means a clerk. Mr. Fauq says that a certain Pandit of Tikoo family was employed as a Munshi during the rule of Sikhs or Pathans. He was the most intelligent and efficient Munshi Kashmir had ever seen. Therefore, he became famous by his professional name and his children were also known by this name.

10. Misri - A Pandit employed in service of a trader who had come from the Egypt (Misr) was known by the nickname Misri. One more probability is that some Pandit had gone to Egypt and when he came back he was known by the name of the country he had visited. Some describe it to be the nickname of those Pandits whose ancestor was employed by a trader dealing in Michari Kandi.

11. Turki - A Pandit was employed as a clerk by a Turk trader and was nicknamed as Turki. Fauq mentions Pandit Tab Ram Turki to have been a famous poet who wrote 'Jangnama of Sikhs.' A 'Turki' friend has been re-nicknamed as 'Istambol'. Perhaps, because, Istambole is the capital of Turkey.

12. Gandnoo - 'Gandan dasta' is kind of toy and a decoration piece and 'Posha Gandun' is the flower vase. A pandit manufacturing or selling these articles was nicknamed as Gandnoo.

13. Kuli - 'Tarkuli Khan' and 'Noor Kulikhan' were two Afghan chiefs during the rule of 'Durani' kings. Pandits employed by them as Government servants were known as Kuli.

14. Wazir - The Pandits employed in the service of Wazirs of Kashmir during Pathan and Mughal rule became gradually famous by the name of Wazir.

15. Ambardar - Ambar means a huge store. Land revenue was being realised in kind, instead of in cash, in the past. Naturally certain people were employed to look after these stores of levy rice. They were called Ambardar and their later generations also were identified by this name.

16. Chakbast - 'Chak' in Kashmiri is the name given to a large piece of land. Chakdari was a common £eature of Kashmir's agrarian system. It was abolished after the end of Dogra regime in 1948. Before the passing of Agrarian laws large pieces of land would be given to influential zamindars as the 'Chaks' on a nominal rent. Therefore, the officers entrusted with the job of keeping a regular- account of these land holdings were known as 'Chakbast.' They were also known as Kanoongo.

17. Bhan - It is an ancient Kashmiri nickname given, perhaps, to those who sold the utensils. Bhan is the name of the Sun also but this name does not justify itself to be a source of a nickname or a family name. There is a locality, known as, 'Bana Mohalla', in Srinagar.

18. Langar or Langroo - Some of their ancestor must have been the manager of a Government kitchen. His descendants were, therefore, nicknamed Langar or Langroo.

19. Fotedar - It is an Arabic and Persian word and was used as a nickname for those Pandits who were entrusted with the duty of looking after the royal treasury, during the rule of Mughal kings.

20. Wattal - It is a very derogatory term and is used for a low caste tribe. It is also used for a person who indulges into very mean and lowly acts. It is presumed that some Pandit must have been appointed as an officer of Wattals, who himself was later on known by this very name. Fauq says that during Hindu rule many people swept the premises of temples, without any compensation, out of devotion to the presiding deity of the temple. They and their descendants were later nicknamed as Wattal. One more theory being forwarded is that the Pandits whose family name is Wattal are the descendants of some famous saint by the name of Wattal Nath.

21. Hakim - It is the family name of such families whose ancestors have been hereditary Hakims.

22. Waza - It literally means a cook. Mr. Fauq is of the view that it was a nickname given to the professional cooks. It may be true of the Muslim Wazas, of whom there is a separate Mohalla by the name of Wazapora in Srinagar. Among Hindus of Kashmir the profession of a Waza is by no means an honourable one. It is adopted only under compelling circumstances, and Waza or a Kandroo (baker) is never addressed by the name of his occupation. But the families known by the name of Waza never feel ashamed of this suffix to their name. It is argued that some of their ancestor was highly fond of good dishes and had gained sufficient knowledge of preparing palatable dishes for himself. He is said to have won the nickname of Waza which continued its company with his descendants, whether or not they had any knowledge of cookery.

23. Katwa - Mr. Fauq describes it to be a branch of professional cooks, who earned this nick name for being in habit of using small Patilis (utensils) for cooking.

24. Sultan - Their actual family name is 'Koul'. Some of their ancestor was employed as a clerk with the Sultans of Kashmir and became famous by the name of his employers.

25. Nala - Mr. Fauq says that there is no family of this name in Srinagar. An ancestor of this family must have been a guard of some Nala (Rivulet). Their gotra is Dattatriya.

26. Nehru - It is a nickname which originated from a canal. Probably any ancestor of this family was Mir Munshi of canals (i.e., a supervisor or an overseer of canals). They originally belong to Koul family and are commonly nicknamed as Naroo. A Naroo in Kashmiri means a pipe. It is possible that any of their ancestor was as thin as a pipe and was, therefore, called Naroo, which in due course of time became Nehru. Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru in his autobiography sees the genesis of the word Nehru under a different situation. He says, 'we were Kashmiris. Over two hundred years ago, early in the eighteenth century, our ancestor came down from that mountain valley to seek fame and fortune in the rich plains below. Raj Koul was the name of that ancestor of ours and he had gained eminence as a Sanskrit and Persian scholar in Kashmir. He attracted the notice of Emperor Farrukhsair during the latter's visit to Kashmir, and, probably at the Emperor's insistance, the family migrated to Delhi about the year 1716. A Jagir with a house situated on the banks of a canal had been granted to Raj Koul and from the fact of this residence 'Nehru' (from Nahar, a canal) came to be attached to his name; this changed to Kaul Nehru; and in later years, Kaul dropped out, and we became simply Nehrus.' The above statement of Pandit Nehru has been disputed by many on the grounds of historical facts as well as usage of language. Firstly, Farukhsair is never reported to have visited Kashmir. Aurangzeb was the last Mughal King to visit Kashmir. Secondly, Delhi was the home of Urdu language and literature. Naturally the adjectival form of Nahar (canal) would be Nahree and not Nehru. We see many people by the name of Lucknowee, Jullandaree, Ahmadabadi etc., but none with the name of Lucknowoo, Jullandaroo or Ahmadabadoo etc. Kashmir, however, has a tradition of using 'oo' instead of 'ee' viz., Kathjoo, Waloo, Chagtoo, Saproo, Wangoo, Ganjoo, etc. Therefore, it is almost certain that the ancestor of Nehrus who had gone from Kashmir had taken the nickname 'Nehru', from the valley itself, with him. Taking up of residence at a canal bank is only a coincidence.

27. Bazaz - Some ancestor of the family must have been a cloth merchant.

28. Taimani - It is presumed some Pandit must have been under the service of Taimini Pathans of Kabul and earned this nickname. Fauq believes it to be a word of Hindu or Buddhist origin and considers this family to be the followers of some Rishi or Muni. At the same time, it is suspected that some ancestor of this family might have been of black colour, and was called Tamini as the Tamun in Kashmiri means the carbon formed on the bottom of the utensils.

29. Mattu - It is derived from the Sanskrit word Math. Some of the ancestor of this family must have either been a founder or a manager of some Math.

30. Darbari - It means a courtier. Some ancestor of the family was a courtier of some Pathan or Sikh Governor's court.

31. Bhandari - Some ancestor might have been the in-charge of some Governmental store (Bhandar).

32. Akhoon - During the Muslim rule a teacher was called Akhoon. Some elder member of this family was teaching Persian and Arabic to the pupils and was known by the name of his profession rather than by his family name.

33. Mirza - Some ancestor was in the service of a Mirza family.

34. Hashia - They were professionals engaged in putting margin on papers.

35. Nasti - It is nickname of a family whose ancestors sold the snuff. (Naswar).

36. Vani - A petty shopkeeper.

37. Hak - Growers of Hakh.

38. Kotha - It means a granary in Kashmiri. An official-in-charge of the Government granaries was given this nickname.

39. Kandhari - Some ancestor of this family was an employee of the traders from Kandhar.

40. Diwan - An officer in the Sikh Court.

41. Chagtu - An employee of Chagutais.

42. Hastwaloo - An employee of the Royal Court in-charge of elephants.

43. Durrani - Ahmad Shah on becoming an independent ruler of Afghanistan styled himself as Durri-Durran (pearl of the age). His successors were known as Durrani. In Kashmir this nickname was given to those Pandits who were the employees of Durrani Pathans.

44. Bamzai - Employees of Bamzai Pathans.

45. Jallali - Clerks employed by Jallali Shias were known as Jallali.

46. Chak - Employees of Chak Kings.

47. Zradchob - Traders of turmeric (Haldi) or their employees.

48. Khaibari - Khaibaris were influential chiefs of Kashmir. Their Pandit employees received this nickname.

49. Zalpuri - Employees of traders from Zablistan. It is often mispronounced out of Kashmir as Zalpari.

50. Khazanchi - Some ancestor must have been a Cashier.

51. Khar - It means an ass in Kashmiri. A Pandit employed to realise taxes from donkey drivers (Markaban).

52. Araz Begi - A person employed to read out petitions in the Sikh and Pathan Courts.

53. Hazari - A servant of Hazari Pathan's got this nickname.

54. Lal - Some ancestor of this family was serving with a Punjabi Lala.

55. Karwani - Some elder member must have been selling Kara (i.e., Peanuts).

56. Nagari - A Pandit employed as an officer of the royal heralds during Mugal rule got this appellation.

57. Aoonth - This nickname was used for a family whose some elder member was employed in Government service, and entrusted with the duty of collecting taxes from camel drivers.

58. Kalapoosh - It was a kind of lady's cap used by Pandit as well as Muslim woman to cover their skull over which traditional Tarang or Kasab (traditional headwear of women) would be used. A Pandit selling these Kalpushas or having at anytime used a Kalpush for himself, was nicknamed Kalpush.

59. Dral - A name given to those families whose ancestor was working as a broker. It's Hindi equivalent is Dalal and is used as a surname by many families in Hindi-speaking areas of the country.

60. Nazir - Fauq states it having been a nickname of a person and his descendants, who was manager of a Government Kitchen. Nazir is also used for a clerk in the court. Pandit Jia Lal Nazir was an efficient teacher and historian.

61. Zaraboo - Those Pandits are called Zaraboo whose some ancestor was in-charge of a Government mint.

62. Ogra - It means watery rice, just like a Kheer. Fauq states that a Pandit was entrusted with the duty of distributing cooked rice to the hungry during a famine. Once he found the quantity of rice was less and the number of hungry people more. He ordered to get prepared a Wugra, and distributed among the needy. Thus Wugra became a part of his name. It is now written as Ogra.

63. Badam - An almond merchant must have been nicknamed as such.

64. Tufchi - An ancestor of this family was employed either as an officer of gunners or was himself a gunman during Muslim rule. Tufchi is a corrupted form of Top (a cannon).

65. Cheru - A few families of this name reside in Anantnag city. A common ancestor of these families is reported to have been trading into Charkha rods made of apricot wood. An apricot is a succulent orange pink fruit known as Cher in Kashmiri.

66. Khachoo - A Khoch in Kashmiri means a special kind of boat used for transporting the goods from one place to another. An ancestor of this family was employed to collect taxes from these special boatmen and was thus nicknamed as Khachoo.

67. Mirakhur - Some ancestor of this family was officer of the department entrusted with the duty of maintaining the Royal horses.

68. Shora - An ancestor of this family was either a Government officer in-charge of gunpowder makers, or was himself a trader of the explosive material. Shora in Kashmiri means gunpowder.

Religious/Official/Academic Epithet
1. Sahib - It is an honorific. Some elderly Pandit who had attained highest stage of spiritual perfection or was well-versed in the religious Scripture was out of reverence called as Sahib. There is a spring of sweet water known as Sahibi Spring near Chashma Shahi Sahib Koul was a great saint from this family.

2. Pir - Pir Pandit Padshah, during the reign of Shah Jahan, has been a famous saint of Kashmir. His miracles and spiritual attainments brought many people from different walks of life, under his banner. His desciples were known as Pir.

3. Sadhu - Some of the elder member of this family were as faultless and self-realising person as a real Sadhu. So they were known by the name of Sadhu. Another explanation is that some ancestor of this family had proved himself as an honest person under very conspiring and hostile circumstances. He won the public applause and was known as Saidh (the antonym of a thief).

4. Sedhu - Some ancestor of this family is reported to have been a Sidha Pursha (attained soul). Another version, of the events leading to this nomenclature, given is that head of this family was a simpleton and was, therefore, nicknamed as Sedhu. A few families of this name live in village Mattan of district Anantnag.

5. Sher - Fauq reports an elder of this family musthave killed a lion and was named Sher for his extra-ordinary valour. This guess does not seem to be correct, as is natural, such a brave person would have been called Sah (Kashmiri word for lion) and not a sher. Most probably this name must have originated from the continued association of the head of this family with some Sher Khan or Sher Singh, etc.

6. Shair - There must have been a distinguished poet among Kashmiri Pandits, who was better known by the word Shair than his real family name. Naturally the epithet became a part of the names of his progeny.

7. Zutshi - It is a corrupt form of the word Jyotshi. Zutshis are reported to have been distinguished astrologers and Sanskrit scholars.

8. Razdan - The census report of 1819 states that Razdan is a corrupted form of ancient Sanskrit epithet Rajanak. Stein is of the view that 'the title Rajanak, meaning literaly "a king", used to be given for services rendered to the King. The title has survived in the form of Razdan as a family name of very free occurrence among the Brahmans of Kashmir. It was borne by Rajanaka Ratanakara, the author of the Haravijaya (9th Century), and by many Kashmirian authors of note enumerated in the Vamsaprasasti which Anama Rajanaka (17th Century) has appended to his commentary on the Nisadhacarita. As the designation of certain high officials (Muhammadans), the term Rajanaka is often used by Srivara and in the fourth chron (also in the shortened form Rajana).' R. S. Pandit states that the title Rajanaka was continued under Muhammadan rule and was conferred on Muslim officers.

9. Tikoo - It is said to have originated from the 'Trika'. The members of this family were special devotees of the goddess 'Tripura'. Fauq has given one more explanation stating that an ancestor of this family adopted a non-Brahman boy who was deemed to have become a Brahman by a Tika (a sacred mark on the forehead of a Brahman). He and his descendants were later nicknamed as Tiku.

10. Dhar - It is stated to be a pure gotra name. Dhar Bharadvaja is the name of their gotra. However, many scholars are of the view that Dhars are the descendants of Damras, the war lords and a troublesome non-Brahmanic tribe of ancient Kashmir.

Locality
1. Khan-Mushu - A village towards north-east of Srinagar is known as Khanmoh. Emigrants from this place, became known as Khanmush, in Srinagar.

2. Vichari - There is a sacred spring, at the outskirts of Srinagar, near Soura. It is said Lord Shiva had meditated for sometime here. This place is known as Vicharnag. The Pandits coming from this place to Srinagar were nicknamed Vichari.

3. Ishbari - Nickname of those Pandits who came to settle down from Ishabari, a village near Nishat garden.

4. Kathjoo - Pandit family residing at Kathleshwar in Tanki Pora (a mohalla of Srinagar) was nicknamed Kathjoo.

5. Sopori - Pandits of Srinagar, whose ancestors migrated from Sopore, or the descendants of Soya Pandit (founder of Sopore) were known as Sopori. Kashmiri Pandits of this nickname in plains have hanged the word Sopori into Shivpori.

6. Thussoo - Emigrants from a village Thus, in Kulgam Tehsil, to the Srinagar city became known by the name of their native village.

7. Zadoo - It is said that a certain family residing near a marshy land was called Zadoo (as Zadoo in Kashmiri means a wet and marshy land). They are mispronounced outside Kashmir a as Jadoo (a groom).

8. Zaboo - This name is also derived from a marshy and wet land.

9. Kakroo - The name to a family who came from a small village Kokargund, near Achhabal. There are a few families of Kakroos in Achhabal also.

10. Kar - This name is used for the Pandits who came from a village known as Karhama in Handwara Tehsil. Swami Krishan Joo Kar was an illustrious saint, produced by this family.

11. Pampori - Pandits of Pampore, irrespective of their family names, are known by the name of their locality.

12. Saproo - Dr. Iqbal, who was the worthy descendant of a Pandit family whose surname was Saproo, wrote to Mr. Fauq about the word Saproo as follows. He wrote that Mr. Dewan Tek Chand M.A., who was a Commissioner in Punjab, had a taste for linguistic research. He told Mr. Iqbal that the word Saproo had its genesis from the Ancient Iranian Kings 'Shapur'. Saproos are those Iranians who had settled down in Kashmir much before the advent of Islam and because of their sharp intellect were absorbed soon with Brahmans of Kashmir. Dr. Iqbal has further written that his father used to say that 'Saproos' are the descendants of those Kashmiri Brahman families who were first to learn Persian and other Islamic studies, during the Muslim rule. Saproo means a person who is first to learn a new thing. This name was given to them out of contempt by other Brahmans. The latter analysis is nearer in the approach of a common Kashmiri and the former assertion needs full investigation.

13. Kanzroo - They are the descendants of the Pandits of Kanzar, a village near Tangmarg.

14. Momboi - There is no family with this nickname at present. However Mr. Fauq was informed by one Mr. Tarachand Trisal that some contributors to a certain magazine used to write 'Mombai' with their name. It is presumed that some Kashmiri family had temporarily settled at Bombay for sometime and, its members used the epithet Mombay with their names, when they came back. According to another story, a Muslim named Mohammad (Momma) was so gentle that he would not react even to a harsh and abusive language. He became known as Moma Bayoo. It is thought that some Pandit must have been as gentle as Mombayoo and he was along with his descendants nicknamed as such. Yet one more thesis forwarded is that it was a nickname given to those Pandits who came down to Srinagar from Bumai village of Kulgam Tehsil.

15. Purbi - Genesis of this term has been discussed in the chapter of "Kashmiri Surnames" in full. Mr. Fauq has quoted an interesting statement of Rai Bahadur Pandit Amar Nath Purbi (ex-Inspector General Customs, Govt. of Jammu and Kashmir), saying that his grandmother after adopting his father, (Pt. Dila Ram) who was serving on a good post with the Nawabs of Lucknow, migrated to Delhi. Delhi people began to call them Purbi as they had come from the eastern part of the country. Mr. Fauq further writes that there were a few families of Bhai Purbi in Srinagar, who according to census report of 1891 were the offspring of a widowed Panditani by a Purbi (coming from the eastern part of the country), whom she secretly re-married. Any person coming from U.P. is still called by the name of 'Bhaia', just as every Kashmiri in plains of Punjab is called as a 'Hato'.

16. Madan - Residents of a Mohalla of Srinagar. viz., Madanyar. Madan is a word used for a romantic man. Some of the ancestor might have been of this nature and earned the appellation Madan. Another story forwarded in this connection is that an ancestor of this family was an employee of 'Madan Talkies' owned by a Parsee of Bombay. He and his descendants were, therefore, nicknamed as Madan.

17. Haksar - Emigrants from a village named Hakchar in district Baramullah.

18. Trisal - A boy of Dhar family was adopted by Pt. Neko Pandit of Trisal. When he came back to settle down in Srinagar he and his descendants were called Trisal (name of a village in Pulwama district).

19. Chhachabali - Pandits who took up their residence, during Afghan rule, in the then suburban area of Srinagar viz., Chhatabal, were known as Chhachabali.

20. Chakru - Name given to the families having come from Chokur village.

21. Krid - Krid in Kashmiri means a thorny creeper. A few families in Shangas Nawgam bear this name. Their ancestors took up residence near a Krid and became known by its name.

22. Nad - A family residing near a ravine in the same village is known by the name of Nad. It means a ravine in Kashmiri.

23. Baghati - A family having a number of orchards or having taken up their residence in or near an orchard were nicknamed Baghati. Bhag is also a nickname of the same category.

23. (a) Hangloo - Pandits of Hangalgund near Kokar Nag.

24. Mujoo - It means a raddish in Kashmiri. Ancestors of this family are said to have come from Mujja Gund, a village in district Baramullah.

25. Haloo - Emigrants from the village Hal in Pulwama district. Haloo in Kashmiri means a Tidi (grasshopper) also.

26. Parmoo - The ancestors of this family must have come from the other side of Pirpanchal range, to settle down in Kashmir valley. Parmoo is a corrupt form of Aparium (i.e., one who lives or has come from the other side). It is, even now, used for any non-Kashmiri person, particularly for a Punjabi. As a matter of fact, Punjabi and Parium have become synonymous terms.

27. Nagri - It is different from Nagari. It is an epithet used for the Pandits who had some connection with Nagri Malapora a village in Handwara.

28. Ganz - lt is a nickname given to a family which was residing at a place where some bad smell used to come from a stagnant pool of water.

29. Danji - One or two families in the village Mattan are having this family name. Danji in Kashmiri means a small ravine and in fact, these families are still residing in a small ravine on the bank of Chaka stream.

30. Kilam - Emigrants from the village Kilam of Kulgam Tehsil.

31. Booni - A family residing near a big Chinar tree were known by its name.

32. Sum - It means a small bridge connecting the two banks of a small rivulet, a pond or a lake. A family residing near such a mini bridge got the appellation 'sum'.

33. Rafiz - Shia Muslims, in Kashmir, are called by the name of Rafiz. Some Pandit family for its nearest association with Rafizs or having lived in a locality of Rafizs, got this nickname.

34. Bali - A family having lived near a mountain or having some connection with the Bal's (i.e., mountains) was called Bali. It is in no way connected with the Sikh surname Bali.

35. Kadal Buju - A nickname of those Buju families which lived near a bridge. Buju nomenclature has been discussed elsewhere.

36. Raina - It is stated that the Pandits who originally belonged to Rainawari and later settled down in the main city were known as Raina. Mr. Fauq states that Rainawari was the capital of the famous King Rana Datta 436 A.D.-497 A.D. There was also a large garden of this king situated at the site of present Rainawari and Vari in Kashmiri means a garden. Thus Rainawari meant a garden belonging to the king Ranadatta. Another view expressed is that it, like Razdan, is a corrupted form of the title Rajanaka.

Peculiar Circumstance/incident
1. Waloo or Wali - A fire chimney in Kashmiri is called Wol. One who got constructed a fire chimney in his house at first was immediately nicknamed as Wol, which in due course of time became, Waloo and Wali.

2. Sas - It means a thick Dal in Kashmiri. It is often cooked along with wopal hakh (a vegetable) and is, thus, known as Saswopalhakh. It is said that some one was irritated to have been served with this (for him unpalatable) dish at a dinner or lunch party. He was asked by some one what dishes were served at the party and instantly came the reply 'Sas' (using half the name to make his anguish more expressive). He and his descendants were later on called 'Sas' by every one.

3. Kotru - Some of the elder member of this family had kept a number of pigeons as his pets. He was forever nicknamed as Kotur (Pigeon).

4. Wantu/Wanchu - Wantu in Kashmiri is used for a hard walnut. It is impossible to get a full Kernel (GIRI) out of a hard walnut, even if it is broken into pieces. Some of the ancestor of this family must have been a top class miser and was compared to a 'Wont doon' (hard walnut). Thus was this nickname started to continue for generations.

5. Mantoo - It means one and a half seer in Kashmiri. It is said that some ancestor of this family underwent a bet to eat a manut (one and a half seer) of rice at a time, which he won. This victory brought its reward in the form of a nickname.

6. Wakhul - It is a flat bottomed stone mortar used for shrinking and washing the woollen clothes. In the past the professional washermen were not as abundant as they are now. Therefore, every mohalla had kept at least one Wokhul for the washing purposes. The family in whose premises this Wokhul was kept was in the long-run known by its name. Another explanation forwarded is that the head of this family was in the Government service with a duty to realise taxes from Wakhul makers.

6. (a) Kenoo - It is used for a wet and watery thing. It is reported that a certain Pandit of Rainawari who had taken a distasteful dish at some party, was asked by a saint (Mian Shah) about the taste of the dish he had taken. He is reported to have replied that it was as tasteless as a Kinoo. Immediately the Pandit lost his real identity and became known as Kinoo.

7. Kallawat - It is said a Pandit by the name of Kailash was working as personal assistant of Colonel Watt, who constructed the Pahalgam Road during the rule of Maharaja Partap Singh. Kalla is the short form of Kailash, and colleagues of the Pandit connected with it the surname of the Colonel and, thus, originated a new name e.g., Kalawat. The descendants of the unfortunate assistant also lost their real family name and were known by the name of Kallawat since then.

8. Wangnoo - It stands for a brinjal in Kashmiri. An ancestor of this family is reported to have been highly fond of brinjals and was, therefore, nicknamed after his favourite vegetable. Another explanation given is that Wangnoo is, perhaps, the only vegetable which is cooked with almost all the vegetables. Therefore, a man who could mix with anybody and won over even his foes was nicknamed as Wangnoo; Kashmiri Pandits as a whole were also called as Wangnoo for having successfully mixed up with all the races and religions, without losing their identity. This is perhaps a misnomer for a race who could save its identity only after having submerged its ninety per cent population with other races and religions. A friend sarcastically, but very correctly, remarked that gone are the days when they (Pandits) were called Wangans. Now they are only Wangan Hachi (dried brinjals).

9. Labroo - The head of a certain family was for tunate enough to win prefix in any venture he under took. He was nicknamed Labh (profit), which in due course of time became Labroo.

10. Taku - An ancestor of this family was fond of taking his meals in a fresh taku (an earthen plate) everytime. He and his descendents were, therefore, known as Taku.

11. Safaya - A certain Pandit is reported to have been a lover of cleanliness and was known as Safai, which later on became Safaya.

12. Chengaloo - An ancestor of this family is reported to have been of a light heart and would not conceal his happiness and excitement even over small gains. Chengun in Kashmiri means to be jubilient. There are a few families of this nick name in the village Mattan of Anantnag district.

13. Jogi - An elder member of their family had become a Jogi.

14. Buju - There was an old woman in a Mohalla. She had two or three sons who were called Bujihandi (i.e., Sons of the old woman). This became their permanent nickname and their descendants came to be known as Buju.

15. Sukhia - The head of this family is reported to have played the role of a Sakhi (girl friend) in the Krishan Leela drama and was nicknamed as Sakhi, which later on became Sukhia. Another version of facts is given that a parent had named his son Sukh which became later his nickname.

16. Peshin - It means the time of afternoon in Kashmiri. A Pandit who was a Government servant had to attend to his job at the afternoon. He was nicknamed Peshin.

17. Gamkhwar - A Pandit was a born sympathiser. He would share the sorrow of one and all. Somebody out of envey nicknamed him Gamkhar. Mr. Fauq reports that one Sadanand Koul was given the title of Gamkhar by the Mughal King Shah Jahan. His progeny was also known by this title.

18. Bula - One of the ancestors of this family is reported to have been a foolishman. That is why he was called Bula (fool).

19. Choor - An ancestor of this family had been caught red-handed while committing a theft, or was a shareholder of the professional thieves. He was labelled as Chsor (thief) for all the time to come.

20. Zaroo - A Pandit was a habitual gambler or had allowed gambling den to operate in his house, he was therefore, rightly nicknamed as Zaroo (a gambler). Another explanation given is that a certain Pandit was in habit of taking rash decisions without giving a proper thought to the facts. He was nick named as a Zaroo.

21. Chrangoo - It means a handful in Kashmiri. A certain Pandit was known for being a parsimony. He would not give to any begger more than a handful of grain. This led people to call him and his descendants as Chrangoo.

22. Musa - After a long and tedious journey or after doing some hard work a man, naturally, relaxes for sometime to refresh himself. This process of refreshing is called 'Muskadun' in Kashmiri. There are two or three families of this name in village Mattan of Anantnag district. They are professional Pandas having their Jajmans (clients) spread all over the Jammu region and the Punjab State. Every year these Pandas go to their clients during winter seasan to collect their annual Dan and Dakshina. It is said that some ancestor of these families would continue to relax and refresh himself for months together, after coming back from a long, tedious and risky journey, over the peaks of Pir Panchal. He was in the long-run nicknamed as Musa and his progeny is known now by this name.

23. Brayth - It is a Kashmiri form of the Sanskrit word 'Brasht', which means a deliberate deviation from the religious path. Some of the ancestor of this family must have been found guilty of some non-religious act and was declared Brashta, which became Brayth in the long-run.

24. Band - With the curious exception of Akingam (a village in District Anantnag) the Bands are all Muslims. 'The story of Akingam Baghats,' says Mr. Lawrence, is peculiar. Brahmans considered acting to be degrading, and even now the Brahmans of Kashmir the Akingam play as with contempt. But the Brahman plays say that they took to the stage by the express order of goddess Devi. The legend relates that many years ago Devi appeared to the Akingam Pandits, and, placing a fiddle in his hands, said, 'play upon this fiddle'. He protested his inability, but on the goddess persisting, he took up the blow and played unearthly music. He was bidden by Devi to sit under the deodars of the Akingam and play in her honour. For some years he and his sons obeyed the goddess behest but unable to withstand the prejudices of his caste, he finally declined to play any more. On this he was striken with blindness and wondered away to the Lidder Valley. In a dream Devi appeared to the Magistrate of the Lidder, and told him to take old Pandit to Akingam. On reaching Akingam the Pandit recovered his sight and since that day he and his descendants fiddled away without further protest. These Pandits never send their children to school, as they believe that Devi would resent it and would kill their children. This state of things has now completely changed. Bands of Akingam (Mohripora) have left this vocation since long but the name has persisted.

25. Gadva - A Pandit was seen always with a Ghadva (a metal tumbler) in his hand going to purchase milk or curd, or even throwing the 'Nirmal' in the river was nicknamed Gadva. Another explanation offered is that a certain Pandit had collected, as a hobby, a large number of different varieties of 'Gadvas' and got this appellation.

26. Yachh - It is a corrupt form of the Sanskrit word Yaksha. However, in Kashmir a certain rarely visible animal possessing supernatural powers is now called Yachh. Pandits offer Khichri and other sweetmeats to this animal extra-ordinary on Yaksha Amavasi in December-January, every year. It so happened that a certain Pandit either used to make sounds like a Yachh (i.e., Bas, Bas) or was some how specially linked with the characteristic Yaksha Pooja. He along with his descendants was nicknamed Yachh. The latter assumption seems more true in the light of the fact that this nickname is used mostlv by Gor families.

27. Bohgun - It means a cooking vessel made of brass. Some Pandit is stated to have had a hobby of collecting different varieties of Bahgun, or was fond of the food prepared in a certain type of Bohgun, and was nicknamed as such, because in appearance he was as fat and round as a 'Bohgun'. Another explanation given is that it is a corrupt form of the Sanskrit word Bahuguna (possessor of many qualities).

28. Nakab - It means a veil. Kashmiri Pandit ladies did not wear a veil in the past. But a family having introduced this practice at first, during Muslim rule, got this nickname.

29. Thalchoor - It means a plate thief. A Pandit was either caught red handed while stealing thals (plates) or was accused of such a theft. He and his descendants got the appellation of Thalchoor.

30. Kakh - An elder brother, uncle or a cousin was out of reverence called as Kakh. Some Pandit for his good and generous nature seems to have won the public respect and was called Kakh by the people, other than his family members. He lost his real appellation and was along with his progeny known as Kak. However, there are repeated references of the family name Kak in Rajtarangini. Shaloka 1311 of Taranga VII reads, 'As his passage was blocked by warriors of the Kaka and other educated families, he retreated from. . .' R. S. Pandit in a footnote to above Shaloka says that the Kaka family is repeatedly referred to by Kalhana. Shaloka 180 and 599 of Taranga VIII says, 'holders of high military rank and others, brave men such as Tilka of the family of Kaka. . .'. 'From the very midst of ..., Sufi captured alive in battle the brave knight Sobhka sprung from the family of Kaka...' Kaks in the ancient Kashmir, therefore, belonged to a military class.

31. Chilam - Some ancestor of this family was a chilam smoker and got this name.

32. Thapal - A few families of this name live in Anantnag city. Some of the common ancestor of these families must have been a habitual snatcher and got this nickname.

33. Kuchur - It means penis in Kashmiri. An ancestor of the family is reported to have been moving without trousers or a Kacha and thus unmindful of his exposed penis. He was along with his progeny nicknamed as Kuchur.

34. Jad - It means the eldest ancestor in Kashmiri. An elder member of this family is reported to have been behaving like an old and experienced man even during his childhood. He was therefore, nicknamed as Jad.

35. Jalla - A family of Rainawari Pandits was residing on the bank of Dal Lake (now turned into a quagmire). This part of the lake abounded in delicious fish. The fishermen catching the fish, would generally spread their nets on the compound wall of this family, to dry them up. A fish net in Kashmiri is called a Zal. This family was, therefore, nicknamed as Zalu, which in the long run became Jala.

36. Puran - A few families of this nickname live in village Zainapora. One of their common ancestor is reported to have been in habit of quoting from the Puranas on every occasion. He was, therefore, known as Puran.

37. Zaharbad - An ancestor of this family is reported to have been suffering from a serious type of Carbuncle on an exposed part of his body. He was, therefore, nicknamed as Zaharbad. Another reason related is that some ancestor of this family was a terrible mischief monger and was intolerably unpleasant man. The people expressed their displeasure for his mischievous character by an equally unpleasant nickname (i.e., Zaharbad).

Abnormal/Extra-ordinary Physique or Temperament
1. Mushran - An awkward and ugly man with a huge and powerful body is called Mushran. Some ancestor of this family must have been nicknamed as mushran because of his unusual physique and, later his descendants continued to be called by this name.

2. Kuraz - It is a name given to a very dangerous water animal. Some elder member of this family must have been of a fierce nature and was nicknamed Kuraz.

3. Shagali - Shagalis had come along with Pathans, under the leadership of Gulshagali. He was a long and healthy young man. A pandit was having an extraordinary physique like Gulshagali and was accordingly nicknamed.

4. Sharga - It is corrupt form of Shogo (a parrot). Some member of the family was having small eyes and a long nose like a parrot.

5. Handoo - This nickname was given to a Pandit who was fat and fresh like a sheep or to those Pandits who somehow were connected with flocks of sheep.

6. Atal - It is a corrupt form of Thalal (i.e., a Samashar). A Pandit with a broad forehead as if a forceful smasher, received this nickname.

7. Gurtu - It is a nickname given, perhaps, to those Razdans whose some ancestor was of Gurtu (yellow) colour. Gurtu is now used for those Pandits who do not cook meat and fish on the Shivratri festival.

8. Shangloo - Some elder member of this family is reported to have had six fingers in his hand and became known as six-fingered (She Angul).

9. Mota - A fat man's nickname.

10. Langoo - Some elder of the family was a lame man.

11. Kaboo - Any ancestor of this family is reported to have been a hunch backed (Kaboo) man.

12. Marchawangan - A thin and a red faced man may have been nicknamed as a red pepper. It is also possible that some ancestor of the family was in possession of a hot and pungent temperament, ormay be some one of the family elders was a pepper trader.

13. Raghu - A thin and a frail man must have won the appellation.

14. Kachroo - Some ancestor must have been as red haired as an Englishman.

15. Kichloo - It means a long-beared in Kashmiri Some elder of the family must have developed a long beard and received this nickname.

16. Chakoo - Chouk means 'bottom' as well as 'sour' in Kashmiri. It is reported that some elder of the family was a sour-tempered man. Mr. Fauq connects it with an amusing and interesting story. A man named his twelfth son as Chauk (i.e., bottom) of the chain of sons and he (the son) became famous by the name of Chauk. It is amusingly and often awkwardly mispronounced as Chakoo (a Knife) outside Kashmir.

17. Khashoo - A left hander.

18. Ganjoo - A bald man's nickname or an appellation for a man who was put in-charge of Ganj (treasury).

19. Gagroo - It was the nickname of a person who was very small and swift.

20. Kharoo - A bald man.

21. Zoroo - A deaf man.

22. Kariholu - A nickname given to an elder of the family, whose neck was a little curved.

23. Kaw - An ancestor af this family was as black as a crow.

24. Daraz - A long-heighted ancestor of the family was given this name.

25. Mam - It means maternal uncle in Kashmiri. A man was in habit of poking his nose in everybody's affairs. He and his children were, therefore, nicknamed as Mam.

26. Chacha - The word Chacha is used by Kashmiri Muslims for a paternal uncle. A Pandit who unnecessarily involved himself in other peoples' affairs must have received this nickname.

27. Tut - A man with a long chin was nicknamed Tut.

28. Bambroo - An ancestor of this family was as dark complexioned as a black bee. It is also said that some elder member of this family was in habit of making sounds like a beetle when alone. That is why he and his descendants came to be known as Bambroo.

29. Kalla - It means head in Kashmiri. An ancestor of this family had a conspicuous head and was named as Kalla.

30. Sikh - It is said that an ancestor of this family had grown a long beard to conceal the white patches on his face. He and his family members were nicknamed as Sikh.

31. Hakhoo - It was used as a nickname for a thin and frail person. His descendants were also labelled as Hakhoo, even if some one among them may be as fat as an elephant.

32. Trakroo - This nickname was given to a man who was of very hot temperament and, of course, a hard task master. The nickname became part and parcel of his descendants also. Trakur in Kashmiri is used for anything hard.

33. Miskeen - A man was very kind to poor and needy. He was nicknamed as Miskeen (poor). Another explanation is that a well-to-do man used to feign as a poor man. He was along with his progeny called as Miskeen.

34. Chhot - It means a short statured person. Some elder of the family was unusually of a short stature and won this nickname for himself and his descendants.

35. Braroo - An ancestor of this family must have been a blue eyed man and was nicknamed as Braroo (the cat).

36. Kaloo - It means a person unable to speak. The name is Kaloo (just like a dumb-man).

37. Nikka - It is an 'affectionate name' given to small boys in Kashmiri families. Such a name generally gets discarded as soon as the boy grows up to be a youth. However, some Pandit seems to have been called Nikka, even after he attained his adulthood, and thus got the nickname. Another reason could be that an ancestor of this family was a short and small statured that even in his youth and old age, he looked like a boy and was called a Nikka.

38. Kissu - It means a small finger. Some ancestor of the family is reported to have been in possession of an extra-ordinary Kis, or was in habit of displaying his small finger in a peculiar way and got the appellation.

39. Mandal - In Kashmiri mandal means buttocks. An ancestor of the family is reported to have been a large rumped person and, thus, got this nickname.

40. Dev - Some Pandit seems to have been nicknamed as such, either for his extra-ordinary valour or having the habit of taking too much food or sleep - the peculiarities of a Dev. A Dev is an imaginary being like a Jinnie of Arabian nights.

41. Dasi - A few families of this name live in Anantnag town. An ancestor of this family is reported to have been a spend thrift and would become bankrupt in every trade and occupation he owned. He was thus nicknamed as Dasi, meaning a person who would finish and destroy everything.

42. Vokhu - An ancestor of this family is reported to have been of abnormal physiqueas well as temperament.

43. Pedar - An ancestor of this family is reported to have a deformed foot which looked like a cloven hoof and was thus nicknamed as Padar.

Video | How a Teacher Scolds in Kashmir

2010-02-22T16:20:00.000+05:30

How to cook Gushtaba | Kashmiri Cuisine

2010-02-19T13:31:00.001+05:30

Cooking Time: 45 min
Makes: 8 servings

The Ingredients are:

1 kg fine mutton keema.
2 large onions, finely sliced.
2 tea-spoon saunf (aniseeds) seeds, crushed.
1 tea-spoon ginger powder.
1 tea-spoon coriander powder.
2 tea-spoon Kashmiri Garam Masala powder.
1/2 cup yogurt/curd.
2 table-spoon ghee.
1/2 cup khoya.
1 tea-spoon sugar.
1 cup milk.
2 tea-spoon kali mirch (black pepper).

4 green elaichi (cardamom).
Salt as per taste.

Method to cook:

Take a large bowl and mix the mutton keema, ginger powder, onions, crushed saunf, coriander powder, khoya, and 1 teaspoon Kashmiri Garam Masala powder. Knead out any lumps using your fist.

Fold in half amount of the ghee and yogurt into the mixture to make it smooth.

Divide the mixture into almost even portions, roll into balls the size of your fist, and set aside.

Heat the remaining half amount of ghee in a kadai. Once its hot, reduce flame and add the remaining Kashmiri Garam Masala powder and yogurt. Keep stirring continuously to prevent the yogurt from sticking to the bottom. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Then, in a jug, mix the milk and the sugar. Keep stirring, then pour the sweetened milk, and cardamom.

Once the mixture simmers, add mutton balls. Do not stir vigorously, else the balls will break. Once the liquid evaporates and koftas are tender, the Gustaba is ready.

Nutritive value of each serving- 436 kcal
Carbohydrates: 17 g
Proteins: 62 g

Going in history | The first sweets in Kashmir

2010-02-19T11:08:00.003+05:30

The marriage season is here and that means sweets coming into my house from all corners of Kashmir. Uncles, aunts, cousins and friends coming and delivering the so called "Mithai". I happened to be at my Mamu's place when the door bell of their house shouted a melodious "Assalamualikeum, Barai Meherbani Darwaza Kholiye" and someone delivered a very shiny box from Nathu Sweets. It was one of those occasions when two hungry men were given the key to the refridgerator. So thus opened the box full of sweets, opened only to feel the arrival of emptiness within just a minute of doing so.. Licking my fingers a question flashed, I wondered when was the first time when my mamu had his first sweet.

He replied, " I think it was June, 1947. The first sweet I had was a Ladoo. I was about 7 years old at that time.. It so happened that I used to study at CMS (Central Mission School), Fateh Kadal. During those days, the Dogra Rulers used to celebrate their birthdays with pomp and show and used to give enormous amout of charity to the poor people of the state of srinagar. They also used to distribute sweets. Then, I used to live in Downtown at Chisti Kocha, Syed Ali Akbar, Fateh Kadal. I hadnt seen sweets ever before in Downtown. Its was a custom that all the schools used to take their students to collect the sweets. Our school took us to Pologround. We assembled into lines, each corresponding to the respective schools. The dogras carried huge willow baskets which were filled with Ladoos.. My turn came about 20 minutes later, I was given 3 ladoos. I put two in my pocket, I wanted to give them to my sisters. I held this last yellow soft ball in my right hand, and slowly relished the sweet.

When the Dogras came to Kashmir (1846-1947), the Kashmiri Pandits used to worship only Parvati and Shiv. Shivism was quite prevalent during those days. The Dogras constructed temples Of Ram and Lord Krishan in various parts of Srinagar. One of the biggest temples was Raghunath temple which is located on the left bank of River Jhelum ie between Habba Kadal and Fateh Kadal. During the birthdays of the Dogra Rules, they used to distribute free rice to the locals. I also used to go and collect the rice. Once what happened that I was collecting rice and I lost track of time.. I had to be at home one hour earlier.. Then my grandfather started searching for me all around Zaina Kadal and finally found me at Raghunath temple. Haha, Then I wont tell you what happened.."

I laughed, for the way I imagined my mamu as 7 years old seemed to be very funny to me.. I said, "Fateh Kadal and Pologround are miles apart.. How did you go there?"

My mamu looked at me as if I had commited a sin. He said, " Well, we didnt have these yellow school buses at that time, all we had were two legs and the ".

And then I took out my phone, wondering how easy life was, and how people tend to waste stuff and be thankless for what they have. Oh!and btw my mamu is Shafi Ahmed Qadiri.

Alec Smart Said, "Mamu? It means a maternal uncle right. Then you are the international uncle, Mamoon? Subah hogayi Mamu.."

Shafi Ahmed Qadiri

2010-02-18T21:45:00.004+05:30

GUEST PROFILE:

Shafi Ahmed Qadiri is the author of two popular books on Kashmir. His first book "Biscoe in Kashmir" is a revolutionary and a rewarding treatise on Canon Tyndale Biscoe's ambitions and activities in Kashmir. The second book "Sufism in Kashmir" points out the age-old confluence of Sufism and Kashmir. Shafi Ahmed Qadiri lives with his family in Jawahar Nagar, Srinagar.

Shafi Ahmed Qadiri is interested in history, and considers it a important part of understanding a cuture and a community. Our site is proud to publish his works on different places to visit in Kashmir and the history behind them.

Young Kashmiri Medical student dies after ragging in Himachal | OLD PAGES

2010-02-15T13:30:00.000+05:30

Alec Smart Said:

This is a very old news story dated 10/03/2009. Aman was a Kashmiri Pandit and was brutally murdered. I think the primary reason for his death is that he is associated with the name KASHMIR. Human Right Violation everywhere. QaziMamoon.com brings you "OLD PAGES" in an attempt to rid India of the culture called "RAGGING".

Shimla: It was the darkest Sunday ever for the family of 19-year-old Aman Satya Kachru, first-year student of Dr. Rajindra Prasad Medical College, Tanda, Kangra, who died on 8th March night, a day after he was allegedly ragged by four of his seniors.

Sources said that Aman, a Kashmiri pandit, was beaten for about two hours by his four drunk seniors named Ajay Verma, Naveen Verma, Mukul Sharma and Abhinav Verma. However, former two were arrested on Monday but latter two are on the run.

The Police have registered a case under Section 304 of the IPC and Section 3 of the Ragging Ordinance against the four senior students.

Expulsion of these four students has been announced by the authorities for two years alongwith suspension of hostel warden, manager and on duty guard.

“He was slapped many times, His head was shaved off. He was punched and kicked. He was hit on head and chest. He was forced to work on their project whole night,” Indira, Aman’s aunt, alleged to PTI.

After complaining a chest pain on Sunday afternoon, Aman was taken to emergency where he gave a written complaint with names to college authorities alleging his seniors for ragging him in the hostel.

The college authorities say that they are unaware that ragging was taking place in the hostel. The principal of the college, Dr S Sankhyan, has offered to resign on moral grounds.

Aman’s parents, from Gurgaon, have accused the college of trying to hush up the incident.

The Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal, ordered the inquiry.

SOURCE:

http://himachal.us/2009/03/10/young-medical-student-dies-after-ragging-in-himachal/11797/news/disha

A Dead Lamb Anyone? | Hadith

2010-02-15T00:57:00.001+05:30

“Jabir b. Abdullah reported that Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wasallam) happened to walk through the bazaar coming from the side of 'Aliya and people were on both sides of him. There he found a dead lamb with very short ears. He took hold of its ear and said: ‘Who amongst you would like to have this for a dirham?’ They said: ‘We would not like to have it even for less than that as it is of no use to us.’ He said: ‘Do you wish to have it (free of any cost)?’ They said: ‘By Allah, even if it were alive (we would not have liked to possess it), for there is defect in it, as its ear is very short; on top of that it is dead now.’ Thereupon, Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wasallam) said: ‘By Allah, this world is more insignificant in the eyes of Allah than (this dead lamb) is in your eyes.’” [Sahih Muslim :Book 042, Number 705]

Commentary: This hadith is a wonderful reminder of the insignificance of this world; yet how much we fret for it. Our worries for the things of this world should be more proportionate to their importance. We ask Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) to give us eternity, never ending life. On top of that we want it in a place better than we can possibly imagine. In it we expect to have youth for ever, no noise, nothing unpleasant, no worries. In this everlasting life, in Paradise, we also expect to get more beautiful and enjoy more luxuries with each passing day, although after the first day we cannot imagine that anything could be better. We expect never to be separated from our loved ones, or feel anything except positive emotions. In return for this, when Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) asks us to obey Him for just 70-80 years, maybe a little more or a little less, we think it too much? He is asking you for a drop, while you are asking Him for the ocean!

This hadith also illustrates what an exceptional teacher Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wasallam) was. We know what impact visual aids have. The more theoretical the words, the less of an impact they have, the more the thoughts can be translated into visuals or experiential, the more lasting its impact. Now we have educationists teaching us to use the same techniques that were employed by Rasul Allah (salAllahualaihi wasallam) as a teacher.

17-year-old Zahid Farooq Shah

2010-02-10T10:16:00.003+05:30

By AIJAZ HUSSAIN

Kashmiri Muslim protesters shout pro freedom slogans as they protest the killing of 17-year-old Zahid Farooq Shah, on the outskirts of Srinagar, India, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010. Shah who died Friday is the second teenager in a week whose death has been blamed on police and government forces in Indian-controlled Kashmir's main city. Widespread protests have rocked the disputed Himalayan region a week, and thousands of armed troops patrolled the city warning residents to stay indoors.

Click here to read the article at The Washington Post

Other similar articles:
‘Blood for blood’ chants mark funeral in Kashmir
Curfew imposed in Srinagar | Kashmir Media Service Protest march towards UN observers’ office in Indian occupied Kashmir today

Ragging in NIT Srinagar | Locals to Locals

2010-02-05T08:05:00.012+05:30

A word of warning: All the students who are going to study for AIEEE may keep this at the back of their mind. Life isnt such a nice place at all. And I didnt even post pictures of ragging in the so called colleges of Pune and Bangalore.

Alex Smart (said : "Kitnay aadmi the re, Kalia"

True Strength in Islam | Hadith

2010-02-04T07:46:00.001+05:30

45. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "The strong man is not one who is good at wrestling, but the strong man is one who controls himself in a fit of rage.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

[45] وعن أبي هريرةَ أنّ رسولَ الله قَالَ : « لَيْسَ الشَّدِيدُ بالصُّرَعَةِ ، إنَّمَا الشَدِيدُ الَّذِي يَملكُ نَفْسَهُ عِنْدَ الغَضَبِ » . مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيهِ .« وَالصُّرَعَةُ » : بضَمِّ الصَّادِ وَفَتْحِ الرَّاءِ وأَصْلُهُ عِنْدَ العَرَبِ مَنْ يَصْرَعُ النَّاسَ كَثيراً . في هذا الحديث : مَدْح من يملك نفسه عند الغضب . قال الله تعالى : ﴿ وَالْكَاظِمِينَ الْغَيْظَ وَالْعَافِينَ عَنِ النَّاسِ وَاللّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ ﴾ [ آل عمران (134) ] . والغضب : جماع الشر ، والتحرز منه جماع الخير ، وقال رجل للنبي : أوصني . قال : « لا تغضب » ، فردَّد مرارًا . قال : « لا تغضب » . وقال عمر بن عبد العزيز : قد أَفْلح مَنْ عُصِم من الهوى ، والغضب ، والطمع .

Commentary:
That is why we see that people with weak characters suppress their anger when dealing with their superiors but take it out on those weaker than them. A weak man will take his frustrations out on his family, a woman on her children, the rich on the poor. Giving free rein to one’s anger results only in crime against Allah’s creatures. It is natural to feel anger in certain situations but the successful person is he who is able to control the expression of his anger. Not all crimes in Islam are recognized as crimes in secular law, but what matters to a Muslim is how their action is viewed by Allah. Anger is justified when the crime is against Allah and his Messenger, but even then it is best handled with a cool mind.

Hazrat Ali (radi Allahu anhu) said: “A moment of patience in a moment of anger prevents a thousand moments of regret.”

Meet the toppers | 12th

2010-01-26T17:53:00.002+05:30

The results of class 12th board examinations have been declared. Ibrahim Wani profiles the merit holders at KashmirLife.net


Sidra shaheen	Binish Qadri	Shuja Shabir

All the merit holders in the class 12th results declared on January 20th reflect a story of hard work and diligence. All of them have not only set new benchmarks but also reflect on a new breed of youngsters from the valley with the promise of a bright tomorrow. All of them harbour big dreams of contributing to the society.

Sidra Shaheen who secured a phenomenal 98 percent in the Commerce stream hopes on becoming a Chartered Accountant. A student of the New Convent Higher Secondary School she is currently in Jammu preparing for the Chartered Accountancy entrance exams. She feels that

her performance in the exam is the result of sustained effort through out the year, “I used to study 2-3 hours everyday and wasted no time”. She says that when she chose commerce stream against the popular trend of going with science subjects she wanted to break the convention and show people that there are other career options.

Shuja Shabir –the topper in Science also believes that sustained study through out the year is important. He secured 97.2 percent marks and harbours aims of qualifying for the IITs for which he is undergoing a crash coaching course in Kota, Rajasthan. A student of the Tyndalle Biscoe School, he feels that his parents, teachers and friends had an important role to play, “they supported me through out”.

Shuja has made important observations while attending coaching classes for IIT. He feels that most of the students in Kashmir concentrate on class 11th and 12th marks when they should be preparing for national entrance exams. “The students here start preparing for competitive classes right from the class 11th and don’t give much attention to the board exams. Class 12th Marks are not going to count much. The aim should be that we should learn for the future. Better is to prepare for entrance exams”.

Binish Qadri topped in the arts stream. A student of Government Higher Secondary Kothibagh, she aims to qualify civil services. “I want to serve the society and help people”, says Binish who has an active interest in knowing about history. she was also was also the Student President of her school and participated actively in the co-curricular activities. About her choice of arts as a subject she says, “No subject is inferior to any other subject. Every subject has its scope and importance for the society”.

All the toppers were of the opinion that there is no secret to good performance in an exam other than hardwork and intelligent time management.

Alex Smart Said, "Pass hasa hey, chus be 12th paas hasa hey, moth cham diwaan maas hasa pass hasa hey"

30000 Visitors | Time To Celebrate

2010-01-25T16:33:00.003+05:30

The Movie 2012 and Islam: Kaaba | QaziMamoon.com

2010-01-17T10:06:00.005+05:30

Source: http://scifiwire.com/2009/11/5-best-things-2012s-direc.php

In Roland Emmerich's demolition derby movie 2012, the director gets to indulge his passion for destroying landmarks on a world scale.

In previous movies, he's destroyed the Empire State Building and the White House (Independence Day), sent a giant monster into the middle of Manhattan (Godzilla), blown away the famous Hollywood sign and the Capitol Records building in Los Angeles (The Day After Tomorrow) and savaged New York again by flooding and then freezing it (also The Day After Tomorrow).

In 2012, he takes on landmarks in Rome, Rio de Janeiro and, yes, Washington, but there is one place even he couldn't bring himself to obliterate. We caught up with Emmerich in Jackson Hole, Wyo., where he told us why he chose various landmarks to lay waste in 2012, and about the one that got away.

"I always like I think when it feels very new and original," Emmerich said, adding: "Landmarks are always symbols, just symbols. ... They stand for something."

Herewith Emmerich's favorite landmarks destroyed in 2012 and the one he couldn't blow up (click on the images for larger versions). 2012 opens Nov. 13.

The White House

Obviously.

This time around, he has a giant wave striking it. A wave carrying the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy.

"I think my favorite in this one is like the White House destruction," he said. "I didn't want to go there again, and [co-writer/producer] Harald [Kloser] pretty much convinced me that I have to. And then I was brooding for days and days and days, and then I kind of had the idea: ... I've got JFK kind of coming back to the White House, which I thought was ironic."

The Poseidon

Well, not really. It's a cruise ship that rolls over much like the ill-fated ship from The Poseidon Adventure and its recent remake.

"The most striking image for me of any disaster movie was when the ship in Poseidon Adventure rolls over," Emmerich says. "I pay homage to that. ... For me it's always the most striking image of all the disaster movies. Because it's a really big object that rolls over."

The Sistine Chapel in the Vatican

That includes the famous frescoed ceiling by Michelangelo depicting Adam touching fingers with God.

"I always try to come up with what makes sense for the story, you know?" Emmerich says. "And it's not only about the destruction. It has to kind of stand for something. One of my favorite pieces of art is Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel: ... God ... reaches out to Adam, and the crack goes through it. It's just an interesting kind of notion."

St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican

"Why ... don't [we] have the church fall on people's head?" Emmerich said. He added: "The whole Vatican kind of tips and kind of rolls over the people. It said something, because in the story, some people ... believe in praying and prayer, and they pray in front of the church, and it's probably the wrong thing, what they would do in that situation."

Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro

"Because I'm against organized religion," Emmerich says.

The one that was saved

Emmerich said that he got approached by people who wanted their landmarks destroyed, such as the 101 Tower in Taipei, the world's tallest building .

But Emmerich was thinking of something even more explosive: the Kaaba, the cube-shaped building at the heart of Mecca, the focus of prayers and the Islamic pilgrimage called the Hajj; it is one of Islam's holiest sites.

Really?

"Well, I wanted to do that, I have to admit," Emmerich says. "But my co-writer Harald said I will not have a fatwa on my head because of a movie. And he was right. ... We have to all ... in the Western world ... think about this. You can actually ... let ... Christian symbols fall apart, but if you would do this with [an] Arab symbol, you would have ... a fatwa, and that sounds a little bit like what the state of this world is. So it's just something which I kind of didn't [think] was [an] important element, anyway, in the film, so I kind of left it out."

Alec Smart is only available to reply to comemnts..

Why do Muslim women veil themselves? | QaziMamoon.com

2010-01-17T09:51:00.002+05:30

The modest attire of Muslim women has become so commonplace, that hijab, the Arabic word used to refer to the Islamic dress code, is now commonly used in English. One of the most visible aspects of Islam, hijab is often the subject of controversy as well. Some view it as a sign of the subjugation of Muslim women, while some others see it as an obstacle to the integration of Muslims in Western society.

However, to Muslim women who practice hijab, it represents an act of obedience to God. It also represents a step towards freedom, i.e. freedom from being judged by their looks rather than their intellect.

Modesty – Required of both men and women

A common misconception about hijab is that it is mandated only for women. Hijab is actually mandated for both men and women. The difference lies in how they are required to implement it. The Glorious Qur’an says:

“Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will make for greater purity for them; and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; and that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands..."

[Al-Qur'an 24:30-31]

Both men and women are required to dress and conduct themselves in a manner that befits their dignity and is not the cause of temptation for others. Hair is considered part of a woman’s physical attractiveness. Therefore, covering of hair for the woman is considered essential to modesty of her attire, even in the Bible. This is the reason that nuns and orthodox Jewish women also cover their hair.

It is the outer dress of Muslim women which includes the head covering that is usually referred to as hijab. Hijab is not merely a covering dress, but more importantly, it is behavior, manners, speech and appearance in public. The headscarf is an outer manifestation of an inner commitment to worshipping Allah – it symbolizes a commitment to piety. Self or inner morality is what gives meaning to the external scarf.

The Face Veil

In the opinion of the majority of Muslim scholars, a woman should cover everything except her face and hands. The face veil however, is worn by some Muslim women, who either consider it a requirement, or wish to adhere to a higher level of modesty.

Hijab – A liberation

A Typical style of Hijab worn by Muslim women

In a society in which women’s beauty has been commoditized, and where women often end up associating their self-worth with their looks, the hijab and its concomitant de-emphasis of physical beauty can be tremendously liberating. Muslim women wear the hijab out of obedience to God, while recognizing the immense wisdom behind His commandment.

Source: http://www.whyislam.org/?TabId=165#Q8

The One With Same Day, That Year | Sopore- 6th Jan

2010-01-06T20:51:00.004+05:30

Although ,today in Iqbal Market, Sopore, we may not find any traces of the carnage which was carried out by the indian troops (6th,Jan. 1993)but the dreadful event left a permanent impression in the minds of people. People have just forgotten about it now. What a pity..

GreaterKashmir

Flash back

Seventeen years after the Sopur massacre, justice eludes the residents of this apple town as perpetrators of the carnage have not been punished and the case is still ‘under investigation’ with the Central Bureau of Investigation.
On January 6, 1993, the paramilitary Border Security Force personnel murdered 55 civilians and torched more than 300 houses and shops in retaliation to the killing of their colleague.
Eyewitnesses told Greater Kashmir that in the morning on the fateful day, militants killed a BSF trooper and fled with his rifle. “Within minutes dozens of BSF personnel descended on the market and cordoned off the area. They resorted to indiscriminate firing on civilians,” they said.
Recalling the fateful day, the President of Traders Federation Sopur, Ghulam Nabi Khan, says that naked dance of death and destruction was unleashed by the BSF men for hours here.
“They were raining bullets on men, women and children at random. They herded civilians in shops and houses, splashed kerosene over their bodies and roasted them alive,” he says adding that the soldiers didn’t even spare the kids.
“They threw a child in fire before killing his mother. They sprinkled gunpowder on a bus coming from Bandipora and torched alive its passengers,” he added.
A local resident, Muhammad Shaban Bhat, said his brother-in-law Ghulam Nabi tried to help the injured and retrieve the bodies from the market but was also shot dead by troopers.
“Braving bullets, he brought 11 bodies and then was shot too,” Bhat said.
Following the massacre, the residents registered FIR against 94 battalion of BSF accusing them of firing on civilians without provocation. The troopers also registered an FIR against unidentified militants stating that civilians were killed in cross-firing.
President of Sopur Bar Association, Muhammad Maqbool Mir, said that killer troopers involved in the gruesome incident were not punished till date.
“Neither the case witnessed progress nor the men involved were punished or charge-sheeted,” he said.
An official of Sopur Police Station told Greater Kashmir that the case was being investigated by CBI. “The case is pending with CBI,” he said.
The massacre evoked international attention and dominated headlines in several leading newspapers and magazines of the world.
“The incident is one of the worst atrocities by Indian paramilitary forces in their attempt over the past three years to crush an uprising by Muslim militants in Kashmir,” read the Independent.
Talking to Greater Kashmir over phone, CBI spokesperson Harsh Bhal said that case was under investigation.

TIME MAGAZINE SAYS
“Perhaps there is special corner in hell reserved for soldiers who fire their weapons indiscriminately into a crowd of unarmed civilians. That, at least, must have been the hope of every resident who defied an army-enforced curfew in the Kashmiri town of Sopore last Thursday to protest a massacre that left 55 people dead and scores injured. It was India’s latest blow in a three-year campaign to crush the predominantly Muslim state’s bid for independence. In retaliation for the killing of one soldier, paramilitary forces rampaged through Sopore market setting buildings ablaze and shooting bystanders.”

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rising Kashmir:

In fact the denizens of township consider the 1993 arson as the worst chapter of their bloodied history in last twenty years of insurgency. The town has been observing complete shutdown on this particular day for 17 consecutive years. According to locals, around 350 shops and residential houses in the main chowk were set ablaze by troops, besides dozens of people being roasted alive.
“How can I forget the dreadful day, when troops went berserk and stormed aboard the passenger bus coming from Bandipora. They snatched a three-year old child from the mother seated in the bus and threw it into fire. The troops also killed the lady, besides several other passengers. I never witnessed anything like that and the incident will haunt me my entire life,” said president of Sopore Traders' Federation, Ghulam Nabi Khan.
Khan said the screams of the child engulfed by the flames still echoed in his mind, freezing his blood.
Kutub Alam, shopkeeper in the main chowk and witness to the horrifying episode, claims the troops blocked all entry and exit points of the area before setting it ablaze. “It all started early in the morning when militants ambushed the patrol party of BSF near the area police station and gunned down one trooper and snatched his weapon. As soon the news spread, the bunker located in the premises of Fire and Emergency Services near the State Bank of India resorted to indiscriminate firing. The other hundreds of bunkers present in the town followed suit and the heavy gunfire continued for two hours.
In the meantime, the troops entered the nearby Islamia College and sprinkled gun powder on the building; also on the residential houses and shops in the area and set them ablaze,” Kutub reminisced.
Mohammad Shafi lost his brother in the mayhem and claimed that the latter died while trying to save a man injured in the firing. “It was like a doomsday for me. When my brother came out of his shop and lifted the injured man in his arms for help, the troops resorted to heavy firing and killed him on spot. The fear created by the troops didn’t let me collect the body of my brother and I recovered only his half-burnt skeleton next day,” Shafi said.
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Other Links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sopore_massacre

Rising Kashmir: http://www.risingkashmir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19718&Itemid=1

Source: A Kind Email From Dr. Sayyid Yunus Gilani

Islam and 2012 | A Must read for Muslims

2010-01-04T10:08:00.006+05:30

This wonderful article is a brainwork of Muhammad Bilal writing at this blog.
I would like to add that we can never know when the Earth is going to end neither should we believe in predictions by fortune tellers/astrologers. Tdhis article by any means is not supporing the fact that "DoomsDay" will occur in 2012. Instead, this article points out that THE RE WILL BE SUCH A DAY. This article should serve as a reminder to those of us who have forgotten that we are here for a limited period and that everything except Almighty Allah is finite.

“Then, when the Trumpet is sounded; Truly, that Day will be
     a Hard Day, Far from easy for the disbelievers “
(74:8-10)




"Shall I inform you (O people!) Upon whom the devils) descend' They
descend on every lying, sinful person. Who lends an ear (to the devils and they
pour what they may have heard of the Unseen from the angels), and most of them
are liars."
(26:221-223)

Lets remember the following when reading this:
1- The sequence of events noted come from the Q'uran and the Hadith (the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
2- Under Islam Jesus is considered a Prophet and not God.
3- Islam includes both Judaism and Christianity. All of the Prophets from Adam, Noah, Abraham, John, Christ, and Muhammad (pbut)are considered Prophets of Islam.
4- The information that appears in the Bible and the Islamic texts corroborate each other. Anyone can buy all these books and read for themselves. There are significant amount of good quality books that address this issue from the point of view of Christianity and Islam. It is just a matter of taking what matches in both religious texts to asess predictions that span more than 2000 years.
6- As you read this you will clearly see that these events are unfolding in front of our eyes, and GOD KNOWS BEST.

THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS:

1- Increasing turmoil and natural disasters, war, death and conflict. See below the list of signs given by the Quran and Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

2- Major catastrophe that will kill 2/3 of the world's population. The continents will move and due to the massive changes plants, animals and human life will die off in large numbers. There will be not much food. It is possible that this will happen in the year 2012 but nothing in the Islamic texts confirms this. The only possible sign is that there are no predictions made in Islam beyond the year 2000. Either a meteorite or some sort of energy pull that will cause a shift in the earth axis. This will cause the "sun to come our from the west" (see bellow predictions). Take a globe and flip is upside sown - you will see that the sun will come out form the west. At this time also there will be constant daylight as the earth tilts and moves into the new axis position. As you know Muslims pray 5 times a day. Prophet Muhammad indicate to people that at this time they should break up the day in equal portions and maintain their scheduled prayers.

3- The appearance of the ANTICHRIST. In Islamic terminology it is called the DAJALL or LIAR or DECEIVER. This individual will be a Jew whose father will be a Rabbi, he will be blind from one eye and the remaining eye will stick out like a grape. He will have extraordinary powers that will make people believe he is god. He can only be killed by Jesus (a.s.) He will be born in or around the Arabian Penninsula. The fact that he will be Jewish is pointed out in the Torah (Old Testament in the Bible) - Prince of The Israelites and the Islamic texts point out that his main followers will be Jews.
Due to his miraculous powers he will be taken by most of the Jewish and Christian people as the Messiah. As you know Evangelical Christians are waiting for the Messiah once Israel is established. Any one will be able to identify him because he will only support evil actions. Significant amount of Muslims will leave their Faith to also join him a believe in him. It is predicted that a Muslim will believe in the morning and disbelieve in the evening and a non believer will not believe in the morning and believe in the evening. The only people who will oppose him will be a small number of believing Muslims. The Muslims will be persecuted by the ANTICHRIST who will present them as an evil force (sounds familiar?). He will claim he is himself god. The reason for people following him is that due to the amount of turmoil, war, and killings many people will stop believing in God and be angry at Him (as opposed to blaming ourselves for our own corrupt ways). They will look at this individual as their saviour who will have power to produce some food or water for them. Anyone who follows or worships the ANTICHRIST will be cursed to Hell by God.

4- In the Arabian Peninsula an individual will appear. In the Islamic predictions his name is MEHDI (IMAM MEHDI r.a.). He will gather the Muslims who oppose the ANTICHRIST and fight him. For MEHDI and the opposing forces it will be an ongoing loosing battle. Muslims will be defeated in the East and then the West. The ANTICHRIST will come to the walls of Mecca and Medina but he will not be able to enter them.

5- Jesus (a.s.) will descend in Jerusalem. In the Islamic belief Jesus is not crucified, but God replaced him in the cross with another individual and took up to Heaven Jesus (a.s.). One of the main predictions in relation to Jesus (a.s.) is that his descend will be witnessed by EVERYBODY. He will declare his condition as a Prophet and not God. People will turn away from the ANTICHRIST. Jesus (a.s.) will kill the ANTICHRIST at one of the gates of Jerusalem.

6- Once this happens the people of Gog and Magog will come out. They will be all killed. Peace and prosperity will then descend upon the whole world where Jesus (a.s.) will be the leader of all people. At this point Jesus (a.s.) will marry and have a family.

7- Jesus (a.s.) will die. Then, all good people will be taken up by God through a wind that will descend and kill them. Only corrupt, unbelieving people will remain. Then end of the wold will then come and Judgment Day.

These are SIGNS related to the end of times according to Islamic sources:

Wild animals will be gathered into captivity and kept in collections in pens and cages.

Murder will be considered a minor act.

Men will get payment for their reproductive organs (artificial fertilization).

Reducing weights and measures of goods will be a means of increasing profits.

The person earning a proper and lawful livelihood will be scorned and the person earning his living from unfair means will be admired.

The main purpose in life will be earning and enjoying.

Aphrodisiacs will be used to strengthen the body for sodomy.

Usury will gain solid ground.

Adultery will be commonplace.

The murder victim will not know why he is murdered and the killer will not know why he killed.

Mansions like palaces will be constructed.

Bribery will become like a custom.

There will be no regard for the ties of relationship.

Murder will increase.

Fools will be made rulers.

Forbearance will be called cowardice and weakness.

Ministers of government will be liars.

The practice of divorce will increase.

A liar will be considered an acceptable witness.

Homosexuality will be openly practiced.

Good people will keep silent fearing others' foul speech.

Goodness and evil will be viewed from the same perspective.

Young boys will be used like women on payment.

Unworthy persons will meddle in affairs of state.

Men will keep their hair in a ladylike manner.

The governors will consider the wealth of the people as their own and they will attack the morality of women.

Governments will stockpile grains to maintain prices.

Government will be entrusted to those unworthy of it.

The earth will vomit oblong pieces of its liver like columns of gold and silver. The murderer will come and say "I killed for this," and the deserter will come and say "I deserted my family for this," and the thief will come and say "My hand has been cut off for this."

The Euphrates will disclose a mountain of gold over which people will fight. Ninety-nine out of each hundred will be killed and every one of them will say "Maybe I will be the one who will escape."

The Last Hour shall not occur until wealth will increase among you and become enormous, until a man takes out the charity due from his wealth but will find none to accept it, until the land of the Arabs becomes meadows and rivers.

The Last Hour shall not occur until wealth will increase among you and become enormous, and the owner of wealth will search for one entitled to the charity due on it; and he will present it and the person to whom it will be presented will say "I have no need of it;" and barefooted shepherds will compete with each other in the building of tall buildings.

The slave girl will give birth to her owner .

ABOUT THE MUSLIMS IT HAS BEEN PREDICTED:

You will follow the practices of those who were before you, step by step, foot by foot, so much so that if one of them goes into the hole of a lizard you will follow.

God will take up the knowledge, not by removing it from the minds of people, but by taking possession of the knowledgeable. Then the people will call on the ignorant to inform them, and they will go astray and lead astray.

The people will get up in the morning to carry on trade and there will be hardly anyone who will fulfill their bargain. It will be said "There is a trustworthy man in so and so;" and it will be said of a man "How wise is he! How skillful is be! How resolute is he," while in his heart there will be no faith even to the grain of a mustard seed.

It is near that the nations will call one another against you just as diners call one another to their dishes. You will be numerous, but you will be so much rubbish like the rubbish of a flood. God will take away the fear of you from the minds of your enemies and will put weakness in your hearts, from love for this world and dislike of death.

Wait for the last Hour when allegiance will be destroyed. Wait for the Hour when rule will be entrusted to those who will be unworthy of it.

The Hour shall not occur until time contracts. A year will go by like a month, a month like a week, a week like a day, a day like an hour and an hour like the kindling of a fire.

Time will become short, learning will come to an end, troubles will appear, miserliness will be cast in the hearts, and murder will increase.

The first of the signs to appear will be the rising of the sun in its place of setting and the coming forth of the beast in the morning. Whichever of them comes first will soon be followed by the other.

Let him who hears of the dajjal go far from him, for I swear by God that a man will go to him thinking he is a believer and follow him because of confused ideas which he rouses in him.

The Smoke; the Dajjal; the Beast; the rising of the sun in its place of setting; the descent of Jesus son of Mary; Gog and Magog; three earthquakes -- one in the East, one in the West, and one in Arabia; and a fire which will drive mankind to their place of assembly.

The least of the signs of the last hour will be a fire which will gather mankind from the east to the west.

ABOUT THE ANTI CHRIST (DJALL IN ISLAMIC TERMINOLOGY):

There is no prophet who has not warned his people about the one-eyed liar. I tell you that he is one-eyed, but your Lord is not one-eyed. On his forehead are the letters "k," "f," "r." (KUFAR means UNBELIEVER IN GOD)

He is one-eyed, and will bring with him something like paradise and hell, but what he calls paradise will be hell. I warn you as Noah warned his people about him.

Allah Knows Best..

Tiny Tidbits | Interview of an imaginary politician

2009-12-27T23:13:00.002+05:30

This neta is a bit of all netas and netis rolled into one. Shikasladlal Khot: Khot maange vote. Party symbol: A beggar's katora with gold coins. Hmm... Ask him the reason for the 'unique' party symbol and he says, "Well, you see, it's all symbolic. The beggar's katora is India, which is still a 3rd world poor nation. I want to fill it with gold coins." But, we hear Maangelal has been a beggar and drug peddler in the past, thus the name Maangelal and the katora. And then, more by crook than hook, he rose from rags to riches after becoming a politician, earning him the name Khot and all the gold coins he has in his coffers now.

Starting the interview, the latest in the news is Telangana being split from Andhra Pradesh. There is going to be a longer list - Vidharbh, Gorkhaland, Mayawatiland, Jammu, Kashmir... Why break up India into pieces?
We are not breaking India into pieces. Our aim is to be as great as the Superpower America. Now, America has 50 states and that is what we want to achieve with India too. And we have consulted educationists about this. They feel Indian kids know very little about the motherland. This is an attempt to make them know more. Now they will know more places and capitals in the country.

But many politicians are indulging in divisive politics. They want to create a rift between Hindus-Muslims, Maharashtrians-North Indians...
We are only trying to make things easier. See, if people stay on in their respective states, they won't have to learn a new language. There would be no need for boards like ICSE, CBSE... It will be good for the students. And they have to take so much trouble to relocate, move away from their families. Our Indian culture teaches strong family bonds and values. We are only trying to safeguard that.

Some MPs are going on hunger strike to keep the states from splitting. What about them?
This is off the record - they have been advised by the doctors to shed weight. Some have eaten so much from the public funds that they suffer from monetary dysentary. So, this is ek teer se do nishaan. Next question please.

Another controversy is the sub-standard bulletproof jackets that claimed the lives of three officers during the Bombay terrorist attack.
*Sobs* They took the bullets that was meant for us. Those bulletproof jackets belonged to us politicians. But out of the goodness of our heart and for the benefit of our people, we gave away our own jackets so that the officers could fight the terrorists. Little did we know that the jackets were faulty. Yeh opposition party ka shadayantra hai humare khilaaf.

What about the rising prices of commodities? Everything is so expensive and the public is angry because the govt. cannot control the inflation.
Nahi, nahi, aisa nahi hai. Public humare iraadon ko samjhi nahi hai. We are only trying to teach them the value of savings and encourage them to save. See, if everything comes cheap, they will spend mindlessly whether they need the thing or not. Whereas, if everything becomes expensive, they will obviously not spend and thus save a lot of money. This is also our way of discouraging commercialism.

So when is your 196th statue being erected?
Very soon. *Grins*. My youngest buffalo will bear a young one soon. Usi ki khushi mein ek naya putla humara banega.

And, all this will be on public funds?
Public ka paisa aur humara paisa alag thodi hai? Jab hum public ke hain, public humari hai toh kaisa bhaid bhaav? Aur hum bhi toh public hi hain. Jo public ka hai woh humara hai, jo humara hai woh bhi humara hai.
Alec Smart Said: After this the neta had to take a leave. The blue prints for a new road named after him had to be approved and he had a party with the BollyWood Stars.

I ♥ Allah

2009-12-11T21:02:00.002+05:30