Bakhabar, June 2014

Better light a candle than curse the darkness

Monthly e-Magazine

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BE AWARE, ALWAYS, EVERYWHERE

Volume 7, Issue 06, June 2014

Hadiths 15 Anti Corruption COVER STORY

From Chief Editor

Time to Take That Train to Pakistan?

This is my Uncle Ghafoor’s Secret Schindler’s List to be presented to the next PM on May 16 viaAshilesh bin Maulayam

Editorial Board

Publisher: Bihar Anjuman BaKhabar

Editorial Board: Asrarul Haque, Seraj Akram, Mohd. Allam, Ms Farhat Shakeel and Jahanzeb Mashhadi

Chief Editor: Ms. Asma Anjum Khan

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Bakhabar : June 2014

A

Respected Ashilesh Sir

ctually, you are of my son’s age, but as you are a CM, I need to address you as respected only. Otherwise, if I treated you like my son, you would have found all my Bata Hawaiis, worn to shreds by now. Nevertheless, I still think of you as a son and would like to treat you the same. All this while, you have handled skirmishes among two eternally-warring communities exploitatively well. And your move of sedition charges against those 67 students was the Sixer on that last ball by JavedMiandad! Sorry for this seditious metaphor; but it has sunk deep.

This Javed, samdhi of Dawood Bhai Dongriwale, was our guest.

Look how accommodating Maharashtra is….while we abuse, ‘foreigners’ from UP, we still hold true to, Love thy neighbor! Coming to

Is it once again time to take that train to the ‘land of the pure’? An irreverent, quirky take on the profound issues raised by BJP leaders like Giriraj Singh and of course NarendraModi

this, Top Secret Schindler’s list, let me clarify, I am here stating everything on the oath of our Pakistani PanjSoorah.

Take first my Amman jaan, 80 year old who reads these early in the mornings and when the copy gets tattered after years of use (and misuse), she demands for what? Another Pakistani PanjSoorah! You can imagine how I have been putting up with this old seditious lady for years. “Taj Company Limited, Lahore”, whenever I read these words on the jackets of our old religious books, at home, my blood boils but cools down fast, after some time. But I don’t know what really to do with my Dead Dadi. She used to reminisce about her Qeede-Aazam, Jinnah. In the year 46 of the 1900′s, he had come calling, to invite us to Pakistan, with promises of lands and kothis. He was given a grand band welcome.

My Dadijaan then was assigned the duty of training the kids to sing the following Welcome song.

Muslim haitoh Muslim League meinaa Wehdatkataranashauq se gaa Kasrat se nadarr, TerahaiKhuda!

Editorial

[If you are a Muslim, then join the Muslim League, Sing the songs of unity, Do not fear the majority, God is with you.]

I am sure, by ‘kasrat’ she perhaps meant exercise! (Is exercising seditious?) Now should I go and paint the word Ghaddar on her grave? Whenever I asked her about the Qeede-Aazam episode, she used to say, Qeede-Aazam was our guest and we, ‘entertained , him suitably, with a banging band. But did we fall for his promises? None from our family went to get those promised kothis. Sigh… we were called, Ghaddars, by Qeede-Aazam himself! . So you see, we hold a double distinction in this sedition matter.

Actors Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan in popular Pakistan television drama, Hamsafar.

Thirdly, my daughter, whom her film buff grandpa named after Begum Para; I regret deeply to tell you is a fan of Pakistani TV star Fawad Khan. The day our Paro began watching those Pakistani serials,

Alas! Bollywood in general and Shahrukh Khan, in particular lost their biggest supporter. I still curse the day she first saw him, dolling out his histrionics in those silly serials, Humsafar, KuchPyarkaPagalpunBhiTha! ZindagiGulzarhai etc. Our Paro’s ‘pagalpun’ for Fawad Khan, knows no bounds, sorry boundaries.

I tried cajoling her to be back to the pavilion, but she is her father’s daughter [that’s, of course, me!]; she tells me, that Pak serials make her feel closer to her tehzeeb. While Indian operas make gajarkahalwa and sarson da saag; there, they also make Shaami Kebabs, biryanis and qorma with naan or rumalirotis and words like Sssalamaalekum, Allah Hafiz, Phoopijaan, Khalaajaan and “AmaanYaar”, warm her heart, immensely.

Paro with that mischievous twinkle in her ever 3

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sparkling eyes enlightens further that, in the eyes of a few, Shahrukh too is a traitor. And before I can open my mouth to say anything, she brings out that name Yusuf Khan [there; here he is Dilip Kumar]… as I happen to be a great-grand fan of this brother in law of Begum Para.

You know nah he had got…er his…Nishan-eImtiyaz from Pakistan? Alas! This one Nishaan [or say Dagh] of being a Pakistani is never wiped out from our Maleechha beings. My friend Mishra consoles, but wickedly, Kyunkekuchdagh ache hotehain!

His iniquitous grin seems seditious to me but perhaps his surname helps him keep clean, from Daaghs. We have been living with these Daaghs and now some of us have got so used to these, that we just don’t care. What to do? Can’t wash and wish them off and sons like you won’t allow us to be wishy-washy about them.

But we demand this seditious tag also for that father of Alia Bhatt; [imagine his audacity, asking his daughter to not perform those seditious ‘thumkas’ at your Saifi Shame Festival]. And What about those AMU students , who protested against your Daddy’s visit, but gave a hearty welcome to Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, a few years ago?

Your large hearted Abba Jaan might forgive them as he forgave those ‘Repeat Rapists’ of Shakti Mills: Jaane do, ladkehain, ghalti ho jatihai.

I say, to hell with, ’these’ ghaltis. Don’t give them the dheel, oops, the deal.

And listen to Om Puri, the actor’ who after crossing the Wagah declares, “I feel like I was born today!”

And…What about that new novelist Anees Salim? In his award-winning Vanity Bagh [and who gives him

Editorial

the award? It’s some old fellow called, The Hindu! ] what does he mean when he says, There is a Chota Pakistan found in every Indian city? What about the colour green! Should it be declared seditious too?

Now let’s cross the border, for a few minutes and listen to Central leader of JKNAP, Liaquat Hayat Khan. ”

In 2011 a case of Treason was registered at Dadyal police station against two Kashmiris the vice president, National Awami Party (NAP) Khawaja Naeem and Disrtrict President Mirpur Imran Shehzad. They had been accused of celebrating the victory of India over Pakistan during a cricket semi-final that was held in the Indian city of Mohali. The case is still live”. Now what comment do you expect from me, after this? Except,

their political Mecca-Medina.”

You see this Daagh of Pakistan is never going to wear off. Want to embarrass Indian Muslims, call him/her a Paki and lo and behold, see the rage… .Pardon, watch the fun. Sorry to say, many of my people have now become brazen enough and laugh it off! Better to pack us off to Nu-yok, or kamazkam Dubai, yaar! They reiterate. They are serious, trust me. And we already see cries of, Chalo Pakistan, on Twitteristan. And see this and please do not collapse!

It’s only a ship. Relax or call Alia Bhatt.

If you insist, pack me off to Lahore or Murree, I don’t like Karachi, it is full of my relatives, who chose to migrate. We can do more such charcha over chai, but seeing me doing my Schindler’s list, Paro

Actors Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan in popular Pakistan television drama, Hamsafar

Donontarafhaiaag barabarlagihuwi!

Some good guys celebrating India win in Karachi.

Our good neighbor, Bangladesh too is thinking of banning those cheering for Pak, after all we, the ‘good’ neighbors should unite against that forever enfant terrible. The biggest tragic case is that of one of my uncles who used to cheer for Pakistan when here, but now in Karachi , he is rooting for India!(Who is that calling us Indian Muslims, Stupid?) Actually, this supporting of Paki team is symptomatic of a defeatist mentality. I know.

And here comes the latest. BJP candidate from Bihar, Giriraj Singh wants to pack off Modi critics… to where? Pakistan. But why Pakistan? (I wish he could pack us off to Dubai or Dublin instead! ) “Is it not true that Pakistan is using all its resources to prevent NarendraModi from becoming the PM?” he said. “Even within the country, there are people with the Pakistani mindset who are opposing Modi and their proper destination would be Pakistan, which is 4

Bakhabar : June 2014

is humming, Doobmarochullubhar chai mein, Abba! After this she tears up my list.

Sigh. It’s difficult being the father a headstrong teenager, as well as a simple, plain Indian in India.

Chalo P……!

In passing, here’s some food for thought: “If a modern Diogenes were to hunt out for Indians with his lantern, in these days, he would be sure to come across fervid Hindus, bigoted Muslims and fanatical souls deeply engrossed with the problem of tirelessly finding out how unjustly their own particular community was being treated and he would have to ask in sorrow; Where are the Indians?” (Syed Abdullah Barelvi, Editor, The Bombay Chronicle, May, 1926.)

AsmaAnjum Khan is Assistant Professor of English and a community activist based in Maharashtra, India

Islam

C

Cheating and Deception !!

heating and deception are despicable characteristics that are beneath a decent person. Intentionally distorting the truth in order to mislead others contradicts the values of honesty, which requires an attitude of sincerity, straightforwardness, and fairness that leaves no room for cheating, lying, trickery, or deceit. There are many texts from the Quran and the Sunnah conveying the meaning that cheating, whether the target be Muslims or non-Muslims, is forbidden.

Accepting the guidance of Islam leads a person to truthfulness, which means a person completely avoids cheating, cheating, and back-stabbing. The Prophet, may Allah praise him, said: “Whoever bears arms against us is not one of us, and whoever cheats us is not one of us.” (Saheeh Muslim) According to another report, the Prophet, may Allah praise him,passed by a pile of food in the market. He put his hand inside it and felt dampness, although the surface was dry. He said: “O owner of the food, what is this?’

The man said, ‘It was damaged by rain, O Messenger of Allah.’

He said, ‘Why did you not put the rain-damaged food on top so that people could see it! Whoever cheats us is not one of us.”(Saheeh Muslim)

Muslim society is based on purity of feeling, love, sincerity towards every Muslim, and fulfillment of promises to every member of society. Its members are endowed with piety, truthfulness, and faithfulness.

Cheating and deception are alien characters in contrast to the noble character of a true Muslim. There is no room in it for swindlers, double crossers, tricksters, or traitors.

Islam views cheating and deception as heinous sins, a source of shame to the one guilty of committing them, both in this world and the next. The Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of Allah be upon him, did not merely denounce them by excluding them from the Muslim community in this world, he also announced that on the Day of Judgment every traitor would be raised carrying the flag of his betrayal. A caller will cry out from the vast arena of judgment, pointing to him, drawing attention to him: “Every traitor will have a banner on the Day of Resurrection and it will be said: This is the betrayer of so-and-so.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari) 5

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The shame of traitors – men and women - will be immense. Those who thought that their betrayal had been forgotten will find it right there, exposed for the whole world to see on banners raised high held by their own hands!

Their shame will increase even more when they meet with the Prophet of Mercy, the advocate of the sinners on that terrifying and horrible Day. Their crime is of such enormity that it will deprive them of divine mercy and the Prophet’s intercession. The Prophet, may Allah praise him, said: “Allah said: There are three whom I will oppose on the Day of Resurrection: a man who gave his word and then betrayed it; a man who sold a free man into slavery and kept the money; and a man who hired someone, benefited from his labor, then did not pay his wages.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)

One should steer clear of all the various forms of deceit and deception present in today’s society. Cheating is common in examinations, business transactions, and even between spouses and loved ones. Placing a label on domestically-made products to make it seem that it is imported is a kind of fraud. Some people give wrong advice when their council is sought and thus deceive the person who believes he is getting good advice. An employee should do the job for what he is paid for without any deception or cheating.

Rulers rig the ballot to win elections and cheat the whole nation. Cheating between spouses and having extra-marital affairs is widespread in modern society.

A Muslim should value himself too highly to be among those who cheat or deceive perchance one might fall in the category of hypocrites about whom the Prophet, may Allah praise him, said: “There are four characteristics, whoever has all of them is a true hypocrite, and whoever has one of them has one of the qualities of a hypocrite until he gives it up: when he is trusted, he betrays; when he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he disputes, he resorts to slander.” (Saheeh AlBukhari, Saheeh Muslim) Therefore, a Muslim who has true Islamic sensitivities avoids deceit, cheating, treachery, and lying no matter what benefits or profits such activities might bring him, because Islam considers those guilty of such deeds to be hypocrites.

Islam

ALLAH’S COMMAND: DO NOT RIDICULE AND DEFAME OTHERS

[ALLAH'S Quran - 49:11 - Usmani] “O you who believe, no men should ever scoff at other men. May be, the latter are better than the former.Nor should women (ever scoff) at other women. May be, the latter women are better than the former ones. And do not find fault with one another, nor call one another with bad nicknames. Bad is the name of sinfulness after embracing Faith. If anyone does not repent, then such people are the wrongdoers.”

The Prophet (pbuh) has said:

[Bukhari, Book #73, Hadith #58] “Narrated Anas bin Malik: The Prophet was not one who would abuse (others) or say obscene words, or curse (others), and if he wanted to admonish anyone of us, he used to say: "What is wrong with him, his forehead be dusted!"

[Bukhari, Book #73, Hadith #72] “Narrated Anas: Allah's Apostle was neither a Fahish (one who had a bad tongue) nor a Sabbaba (one who abuses others) and he used to say while admonishing somebody, "What is wrong with him? May dust be on his forehead!"

[Bukhari, Book #46, Hadith #721 ] “Narrated AlMa'rur bin Suwaid: I saw Abu Dhar Al-Ghifari wearing a cloak, and his slave, too, was wearing a cloak.

We asked him about that (i.e. how both were wearing similar cloaks). He replied, "Once I abused a man and he complained of me to the Prophet . The Prophet asked me, 'Did you abuse him by slighting his mother?' He added, 'Your slaves are your brethren upon whom Allah has given you authority.

So, if one has one's brethren under one's control, one should feed them with the like of what one eats and clothe them with the like of what one wears. You should not overburden them with what they cannot bear, and if you do so, help them (in their hard job)."

[SunanAbudawud, Book #41, Hadith #4859] “Narrated Abu Hurayrah: The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: The gravest sin is going to lengths in talking unjustly against a Muslim's honour, and it is a major sin to abuse twice for abusing once.

6

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[Muslim, Book #032, Hadith #6263] “Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: When two persons indulge in hurling (abuses) upon one another, it would be the first one who would be the sinner so long as the oppressed does not transgress the limits.”

http://altanzil.com/Prophet_Explained_Quran_2.html

THE PRAYER OF A BELIEVER....................

[ALLAH'S Quran 46:15 – humble ones] “O my LORD! Please Inspire me to be Grateful for ever for THY Favours to me and to my Parents and Please Guide me so that I may do Righteous Deeds, well Pleasing To THEE; Please Grant me Righteous Descendents; truly I have turned To THEE repentant and Truly do I Submit To THEE as a Believer"

[COMMENT - Ibn Kathir] "My Lord! Grant me the power and ability) meaning, 'inspire me.' (that I may be grateful for Your favours which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and that I may do righteous good deeds, such as please You,) meaning, in the future. (and make my offspring good.) meaning, my offspring and descendants.

Truly, I have turned to You in repentance, and truly, I am one of the Muslims.) This contains an instruction for anyone who reaches forty years of age to renew his repentance and turn to Allah with strong resolution."

http://altanzil.com/Prophet_Explained_Quran_2.html

Floating Magnets Science

I By Hajira Khan & Sameen Ahmed Khan I

Abstract: An introduction to the magnets is presented. The levitation of ring-magnets is described to demonstrate the force between magnets.

1. Introduction: Most of us are familiar with magnets. They are used in everyday life. Very simple applications are such as the magnets used for sticking decorations on fridges. Magnets are also used for lifting small objects such as pins and clips. The tips of many tools such as screwdrivers are magnetized so as to lift the nuts and screws. Importantly, magnets are used for knowing the direction. This is because a freely suspended magnet shows the north and south direction of the Earth. This forms of the basis of the magnetic compass. A graduated compass can be used to locate the Qiblah the direction of Makkah Mukarramah required for offering Salaat (Namaz or Prayers).

The study of the magnets dates back to ancient times. The ancients were fascinated by their ability to attract iron and show direction. In modern understanding, we say that every magnet has two poles: “north seeking pole” and a “south seeking pole” which we simply called as the north-pole and the south-pole respectively. The opposite-poles attract and the like-poles repel. When a magnet is broken, we obtain a pair of magnets. It is not possible to separate the poles. They always occur as a pair within a single magnet. The Earth behaves as if it has a huge bar magnet inside it. The Earth’s magnetic filed is a mystery which is an active field of research. Geological studies point to the fact that the direction of the Earth’s magnetic field reverses after few million years.

In the nineteenth century two discoveries were made: (1) a wire carrying electric current behaves 7

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like a magnet; and (2) a moving magnet induces current in a coil of wire near it. The first discovery led to the invention of very powerful electromagnets, with controlled properties by changing the current.

The second discovery gave birth to the dynamo and the transformer. These discoveries revolutionized the technological applications of magnetism and electricity. It will be difficult to imagine a life without electricity and magnetism. The many applications of magnetism include motors, loudspeakers, variety of meters. Magnetic memories are used in making videos, compact discs, flash memories and computer storage devices. High magnetic fields are used in medical diagnostics from high resolution images obtained using techniques such as the MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). Such techniques have certain advantages over traditional X-Rays.

2. Floating Magnets: Like-poles of two magnets repel.

This property can be used to float magnets. This is easily achieved using two-ring magnets. Ring magnets are cylindrical magnets with a hole in the centre. The diameter is much larger than the height of the magnets. The ringmagnets are present in speakers and microwave ovens. A wooden dowel (rod or pole) or a pencil is vertically attached to a wooden block by a screw. The first ringmagnet is placed over the wooden dowel. The second magnet is brought close to the first magnet to feel the magnetic forces and decide which of the two poles repel.

After identifying the repelling pole the second magnet is places over the dowel in such a way that the like-poles face each other. This makes the second magnet float. In a similar manner the third ringmagnet is also placed over the dowel. The procedure can be repeated to place several more ring-magnets on the dowel. The force of gravity pulls the magnets down and closer to each other.

The force of repulsion between the like-poles overcomes the force of gravity and makes the magnets float. The distance between the first and the second

Science

magnet is the least, followed by the second and the third, followed by the third and the fourth, and so on. The first magnet has to bear the weight of the all the magnets, hence the distance is the least. The assembly of magnets on the dowel behaves very much like a spring.

The ring magnets in the photographs are from a dismantled magnetron (the heating element in microwave ovens)

If the magnets are pushed down they resist, just like a spring. Care needs to be taken while bringing the unlike-poles of the magnets together. The force is strong enough to cause injury and damage.

One can also attach a pan on the topmost magnet on the dowel and make a weighing device. The numbers can be marked on a scale attached to the dowel.

3. Concluding Remarks: The magnets have numerous applications in our life. The force of repulsion between the like-poles can be used to levitate the magnets. It would be an interesting exercise to study the pattern of the increasing gaps between the ring-magnets on the dowel.

Bibliography:

1.

Magnets, Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnets.

2.

Physics for Class XII, National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT, Delhi, India, 2006), http://www.ncert.nic.in/.

3.

Sameen Ahmed Khan, Floating Ring Magnets, Bulletin of the IAPT, 4 (6), 145 (June 2012).

(IAPT: Indian Association of Physics Teachers). http://indapt.org/images/stories/bulletin2012/bulletin_jun_2012.pdf

By Hajira Khan, Indian School Salalah, Salalah, Sultanate of Oman and Sameen Ahmed Khan, Engineering Department, Salalah College of Technology, Salalah, Sultanate of Oman (rohelakhan@yahoo.com, http://SameenAhmedKhan.webs.com/) 8

Bakhabar : June 2014

Khabron ki Khabar Seraj Akram

Ab ki baar Modi sarkar Achhe din aane wale hain, kiske yah nahi pata.

is bar Muslim pure josh se apni apni pasand ki partion ko vote diye Is qaum me yahi josh to baqi hai, yah aur bat hai yah aksar ghalat hi simt me rahti hai, josh aur hosh dono se kaam lete to aaj yah halat nahi hoti.

UP ke 3 crore se zyadah muslim ka koi bhi muslim numayendah nahi parliament me, sab har gaye.

Afsos election ke waqt tak bari partion ke pure 53 candidate ko jitney ki umeed thi, umeed sabko thi, lekin haqiqat ko samajhne ki taufqi kisi me bhi nahi.

BJP ke jeet me sabse bara role media ka Aur election commission pamphlet aor sign board ka hisab mangti he, lekin media me croron ke kharch ka koi hisab nahi. Ise kahte hain heera luta jaye lekin koyle par chhaap.

30 saal ke baad is bar kisi ek party ko complete majority mili Majority mili nahi, balke paise aur media ke bal par election jita nahi kharida gaya hai.

Modi ke jeet se Muslim frikramand Sirf wah muslims jise na to Modi ke agende ki gahrai ka andaza hai aur na hi khud ki qabliyat, hausle aur taqat ka sahi adraak. Muslim, aur dusri partian election hare hain, HAUSLA AUR TAQAT nahi, dusri partian phir election jitney ke qabil ho jayengi apni mehnat aur lagan se, dekhna hai ke is challenge ko muslim kaise lete hain.

Muslim ke nam par ministry ka laddu Najma Heptullah ko mila.

Congress 2-3 laddu banti thi, BJP bhi ek laddu bant dia, thora to itminan hua hoga aam Muslim ko Musalman ke cabinet minister banne par, yah aur bat hai ke wah qaum ke bajaye party ki zyadah wafadar hain.

Aleem Khan PhD Opinion

I

I By Muhammad Tariq Ghazi I

n the prevailing gloomy environment there is good news and there is an additional bad news.

Good news is that Aleem Khan Falki will no longer be known simply as Aleem Khan, but as Doctor Aleem Khan Falki. The bad news is for those who have been gleefully selling their sons and brothers to marriageable girls and her parents. Now DrAleem Khan Falki will be targeting such people from a higher pedestal. Warriors standing on a hill ensure victory.

It was already in the air for a long time that Aleem Khan was pursuing a doctorate. There is nothing wrong in becoming a doctor of philosophy of sorts, provided one chooses a subject that treats a sick and ailing community like ours. However, most of our doctors prefer either to be elevated compounders of the recent past or obtain a high degree by further killing an already dead person. One Hyderabadi leader was reportedly angry with Muslim intellectuals who ignore social problems and keep doing research on a couple of dead poets. It is a social sickness, indeed. A visit to the academia suggests that Muslims of India have become barren: Ghalib, Sir Syed and Iqbal. These three persons pop up in mind when someone proposes to go for an easy PhD. I am afraid soon a diploma of medical doctorate will be issued on ailments that Sir Muhammad Iqbal had been suffering from. I’ve heard that one giant has already opened that Pandora’s Box.

Aleem Khan rejected such ideas when he contemplated about working for a PhD. He decided to give these great men some rest in their graves and opted for a living community which has been the sickest of all Indian peoples. The body of the Ummah is suffering from many social diseases.

Media discussions on the recent Indian elections, for example, were indication of this community’s political confusion, indecision, foggy thinking, obsessive repetition of clichés umpteen numbers of time. This community appears to be economically backward, educationally unproductive, socially undisciplined, politically nonexistent, intellectually dumb, unjust in dealings, deceiving in business, dirty in dwellings, unfaithful religiously, oppressive in marriage.

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Aleem Khan decided to focus on the last sickness. In fact he has been working in this area for more than two decades. On this issue he has already written a book, a stunning blow as far as the title goes, MardBhiBiktayHayn – Men Too Can Be Bought. It is a blockbuster, translated into English, Hindi, Telugu and Bengali. Aleem Khan decided to further research on this subject and instead of confining the study to only India, he expanded the ground covering Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Saudi kingdom and Egypt. It is not just the marriage customs that make either of the potential spouses a commodity to be bought and sold like a semi-detached or single family home in Toronto: it is the status of woman.

In modern times when woman, according to an American satirist, is the most dangerous plaything, Muslims around the world begin singing about honor, position, freedom, that Islam as soon as someone talk about women. They declare Islam has given everything to the fair sex. Fair enough. But Aleem Khan concluded that more than politico-type sloganeering status of woman in Muslim countries is a problem. So he worked on the subject for two years and authored a thesis on which Maulana Azad National Urdu University Hyderabad awarded him a doctorate. Congratulations!

But it was not just a two-year project. It took proverbial lifetime. Aleem Khan would invite angry remarks since he was rarely available to kill a weekend with self-styled pseudo intellectuals like me over a delicious dinner and more flavorful yet futile talks. In those days and night he was studying.

When most of us in Jeddah and Dammam and Riyadh and Dubai were perspiring to build houses and buy out girls to be wives and again build another house for ooparkiinkome, Aleem Khan was building his life in order to build a base for his teetering community. In 1971 he finished high school from Hyderabad, strayed into science faculty of AnwarulUloom College, cursing himself for dissecting or discussing frogs or bhaji-pala; quietly declaring to himself that he was born for philosophy. Farabi was happy to hear that soliloquy. Then a divinelysent accident rescued him: bed-ridden for three months, he moved over to Osmania University for an external BA in philosophy, psychology and Islamic studies, appeared in the exams on crutches

Opinion

and came out flying first division colors. Bravo.

That was not the end of it. Yes, sometimes he would spare a night to spend in a mushaera, or a demonstration of his oratorial skill, he had a destination in mind but never on tongue. He had a propensity for writing. Authorship is travelling in the air; education is rising on a ladder – one step at a time.

An Abdul Majid Daryabadi was an author of scores of thesis-thick tomes and hundreds of dissertationheavy maqalaat, but he was never accepted anything more than a B.A. Period. How sad. On the other hand, Aleem Khan could see that many a doctor would chair the aka-damnia and be the doyens of academia without giving much trouble to pen or daylight or night-lamp. Good for them. Aleem Khan always had a dream, a vision, a mission, an objective. His soul was and is restless not due to some heathenish syndrome but because the world around him was not as beautiful as the most beautiful creation of Allah should have made it. That sense of incompletion would often take him dunya se duurkahinbadalonkepaar, away from us the pseudos.

From those white clouds emerged Maulana Azad National Urdu University promising distance education. In 2009 Aleem Khan did MA from that university, MPhil in 2011 to the chagrin of men demanding dowry because he titled his dissertation as a human rights and women’s rights violation. That finally proved that he was using prevailing jargon to present his case of Islam. He was rising step by step on the ladders of the academia. The final step that he stands on today is a PhD.

Our old friend DrAusaf Ahmad once told a gathering which also had Aleem Khan among the listeners that “we’re thinkers, not doers”. In his youthful days AusafSaheb was a doer as well otherwise he could not go to Chicago to earn a doctorate in economics.

Aleem Khan proved that he is a thinker as well as a doer. His doctorate is the testimony of both thought and action. He could not write his doctoral thesis if he had not established SocioReforms Society as the base of his movement against dowry; and without that struggle he would not be a doctor today.

East York, Canada Thursday 29 May 2014 [Contributed to NRI Indians Yahoo Group]

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The First Martyrs In Islam

Ammaar ibn Yasir (may Allah be pleased with them both) was a slave of Banu Makhzoom from the Quraish tribe. When he and his parents (may Allah be pleased with them all) embraced Islam, the pagans of Makkah were infuriated and began torturing them. They forced ‛Ammaar and his parents (may Allah be pleased with them all) to lie down on hot rocks under the blazing sun, dragged about, and beaten. According to historical documents, they were punished for accepting Islam, 'The pagans of Makkah, led by Abu Jahl, would drag ‛Ammaar, his father Yasir and his mother Sumayyah (may Allah be pleased with them all) out to the scorching hot valleys of Makkah to punish them' Whenever the Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) passed by and saw them writhing in excruciating pain, he would console them, saying, "Bear it patiently, O family of Yasir Your promised place is Paradise."

The torturers eventually killed ‛Ammaar's father (Yasir may Allah be pleased with them both). His mother (Sumayyah may Allah be pleased with her) was killed by Abu Jahl when he ran a spear through her navel. Sumayyah (may Allah be pleased with her) became the first woman martyr in the history of Islam.

The disbelievers tortured ‛Ammaar (may Allah be pleased with him) in a variety of ways. They would make him lie down on burning, rocky earth, place hot rocks on his chest, or pour boiling water over him, 'while telling him they would not stop until he insulted the Prophet and spoke well of their deities.'

Ibn Katheer, quoting Ibn Jareer (may Allah have mercy on them both), said that the disbelievers of Makkah would tell ‛Ammaar (may Allah be pleased with him) to say derogatory words about the Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Unable to bear the pain, he would sometimes do so, but always repent later. ‛Ammaar (may Allah be pleased with him) told the Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) about this.

The Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) it asked him, "How do you feel in your heart then?"

‛Ammaar (may Allah be pleased with him) replied, "I feel my heart is content with the faith."

The Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "If they do so again, you do the same."

Thereupon, Allah it revealed the following verse to His Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) "Whoever disbelieves in Allah after his belief, except for one who is forced [to renounce his religion]while his heart is secure in faith. But those who [willingly] open their breasts to disbelief, on them is wrath from Allah, and for them is a great punishment." Qur'an Surah AnNaḥl 16:106.

Al-Baladhuri has quoted Muhammad ibn Ka‛b (may Allah have mercy on them all) as saying, "‛Ammaar (may Allah be pleased with him) would be tortured so much that he did not know what he was saying." - See more at: http://www.islamicstories.com/story/134#sthash.TjnSjWlX.dpuf

Ibn `Ataa’: Islam

Grace Emerges from Darkness!

I

I By A. S. Halawani I

n his well-known book, Al-Hikam(Words of Wisdom), sheikh Ahmad Ibn `Ataa’illah AsSakandari says:

Perhaps clouds of darkness will come by you, so that He acquaints you with the extent He has Graced you.

The meaning of this piece of wisdom can be summed up as follows:

Perhaps lusts and lapses which are similar to darkness will come upon one so that Allah the Almighty acquaints him with the lights He Graced him with.

This will make one increase his thanks when he is referred back to the light which was distanced by lusts, and will make him keen on performing the dues of His blessings in all times. Indeed, there is not a time where Almighty Allah does not have a blessing that one owes thanks for.

However, to detail this a little bit further, one is commended to read through the following lines.

What is meant by “darkness” in the words of Ibn `Ataa’illah is the darkness one finds in his heart because of committing sins and pursuing lusts and sinful desires.

As is stated by Ibn `Ataa’illah, all sinful deeds committed by man are darkness, while the faithful feelings which dominate the heart and which are represented in the love for Allah, glorifying Him, and fearing of Him are lights that illuminate the heart.

Naturally, light does not coexist with darkness in one place. If they meet, feelings of restlessness and alienation are to be found in one’s heart; a matter which may remove any feeling of artificial pleasure away from the heart of the disobedient. Thereupon, one flees from these feelings of restlessness and alienation to the wideness of Allah’s Mercy, asking for His aid as well as relief.

Consequently, one is received with mercy, acceptance and relief from his distresses by Almighty 11

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Allah, the Most Merciful. At this, the darkness of one’s lustful desires and disobedience are overcome by the light of guidance and faith. Eventually, the disobedient returns as overburdened with two favors from Allah:

First: the favor of guidance, acceptance and conferring relief upon him; and,

Second: the favor of letting him know that Allah cares about him through answering his du`aa’ and rescuing him from the darkness of disobedience.

Certainly, the second favor is greater than the first.

This can be understood from the words of Ibn `Ataa’illah as he says,

“So that He acquaints you with the extent He has Graced you,” instead of saying, “So that He honors you with the extent He has Graced you,” for example.

Thus, honoring one with Allah’s Graces and Blessings is a great favor as He makes this act of honoring a means of telling the servant about His kindness and the mercy He showed to him.

One can realize the greatness of this favor conferred on him by Allah if he compares the following two cases.

Case 1: one who is comfortable with the sins and evil deeds he has fallen into; and

Case 2: one whose sins and evil deeds were themselves the cause behind the senses of alienation and resentment he found in his heart for them and the strong will he found therein to rid himself of them through seeking Allah’s Aid.

As in the first case, one was left on his own; to his self that urges to evil. Consequently, he would increase his evil deeds and enjoy his sinful actions.

However, as for the one in case 2, sins were made hateful to him so that he would feel disinclined to continue doing them and would decide to abandon them all. Surely, this is a sign of Allah’s Grace and

Islam

Kindness to that servant who should be more than grateful.

The kindness shown by Allah to His disobedient servants reveals itself in the followingayahs in which He addresses Satan who said what may mean,

{Because You have denounced me as astray, I will make what is evil in the earth fair-seeming to humankind. Thus I will, most surely, lead them to the way of perversity, all together- except Your true servants among them- the sincere, elect ones.} (Al-Hijr 15: 39-40)

And, Almighty Allah answers him as saying what may mean,

{… This way- in accordance with Me – shall be a straight one. As for My true servants, you shall have no position of authority over them- except for those of the deluded who follow you.} (Al-Hijr 15: 41-42)

This means that Allah says to Satan that those who knew for certain that they are Allah’s servants and took Him as their sole Guardian and Protector, He will confer on them repentance for all their sins; He will make hateful to them debauchery and disobedience; He will enable them to see Signs of His mercy, kindness and passion so that they become loyal to Him even though they may err; and He will pardon them so that they will be determined on giving up sins and renouncing disobedience.

In addition, the above Divine Statement excludes those who savor sins when they commit them and never feel uneasy or embarrassed thereby as Allah says what may mean,

{…Except for those of the deluded who follow you.} (Al-Hijr 15: 42)

The following Prophetic hadith seconds this meaning as Abu Hurairah, the Prophet’s Companion narrated: I heard Allah’s Apostle saying.

“All the sins of my followers will be forgiven except those of the Mujahirin (those who commit a sin openly or disclose their sins to the people). An example of such disclosure is that a person commits a sin at night and though Allah screens it from the public, then he comes in the morning, and says, ‘O so-andso, I did such-and-such (evil) deed yesterday.’

Though he spent his night screened by his Lord 12

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(none knowing about his sin), in the morning he removes Allah’s screen from himself.” (Al-Bukhari& Muslim)

This hadith reaffirms the fact that Allah’s forgiveness overlooks those who are in a state of insolence and arrogance as they boast of their disobedience and ill-conduct. It is Allah’s decree that the arrogant should be expelled from His mercy, deprived of His forgiveness and victimized by their own arrogance.

Notwithstanding, to see just a glimpse of Allah’s vast mercy and forgiveness, let us consider the following hadith which reads,

On the authority of Anas ibn Malik, who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah says:

Allah the Almighty has said: “O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind.

O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you.

O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great as it is.” (At-Tirmidhi)

It is clear that Allah forgives all sins no matter how grave they are for He says, “were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you,” and that when the son of Adam seeks Allah’s forgiveness for a misdeed, be it minor or major, Allah Almighty grants him forgiveness. This is similar to Allah’s saying in the Qur’an which may mean,

{Whoever does a misdeed or wrongs his own soul then seeks forgiveness from God will find God allforgiving, mercy giving.} (An-Nisa’ 4: 110) I implore Allah to help us all overcome such darknesses, to guide us through the gate of repentance, and to acquaint us with the extent He has Graced us!

Amen.

http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/refine-yourheart/advice/471825-ibn-ataa-grace-darkness-spiritual-faith-repent.html

15 Anti-Corruption Hadiths Cover Story

C

I By Muhammad Fathi I

orruption is one of the worst predicaments that haunt many countries around the world.

The abuse of power, authority and resources by governments and public servants hinders the progress of nations, alienates ordinary citizens and blocks them from investing in the development of their nations.

The ailment of corruption is something that, unfortunately, plagues many Islamic countries, and one cannot avoid raising this question: Why are these countries associated with corruption? Is it because they are "Islamic" countries? Is there anything in the Islamic culture that nurtures corruption?

The answer is absolutely not. In fact, it is because such "Islamic" countries are NOT adequately faithful to the Islamic teachings that they are plagued by corruption.

The following 15 hadiths are just an example of how Islam fought corruption, made it an individual and a collective responsibility to expose and stop any abuse of power and authority.

Public Service is a Great Responsibility

1. Narrated Abdullah ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him): I heard Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: Every one of you is a guardian, and responsible for what is in his custody. The ruler is a guardian of his subjects and responsible for them; a husband is a guardian of his family and is responsible for it; a lady is a guardian of her husband's house and is responsible for it, and a servant is a guardian of his master's property and is responsible for it."

I heard that from Allah's Messenger and I think that the Prophet also said, "A man is a guardian of his father's property and is responsible for it."(The Prophet continued,) "So all of you are guardians and responsible for what is under your care." (Al- Bukhari) 13

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2. Ma`qil ibn Yasar (may Allah be pleased with him) reported from the Prophet that Paradise is forbidden for any person in authority who dies in such a state that he is dishonest in his dealings with those under his rule. (Authenticated by Al-Albani)

3. Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: I said to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): O Messenger of Allah, will you not appoint me to a public office? He stroked my shoulder with his hand and said: "Abu Dharr, you are weak and authority is a trust.

And on the Day of Judgment it is a cause of humiliation and regret except for one who fulfills its obligations and (properly) discharges the duties." (Muslim)

Duty of Fighting Corruption is Collective

4. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whosoever amongst you sees an evil, let him change it with his hands; and if he is not able, then with his tongue; and if he is not able, then let him hate it in his heart, and that is the weakest of faith."

(Authenticated by Al-Albani)

5. An-Nu`man ibn Basheer narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him): "The example of the person abiding by Allah's order and restrictions in comparison to those who violate them is like the example of those persons who drew lots for their seats in a boat. Some of them got seats in the upper part, and the others in the lower.

When the latter needed water, they had to go up to bring water (and that troubled the others), so they said, 'Let us make a hole in our share of the ship (and get water) saving those who are above us from troubling them.

So, if the people in the upper part left the others do what they had suggested, all the people of the ship would be destroyed, but if they prevented them, both parties would be safe." (Al-Bukhari)

Cover Story

6. Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Help your brother whether he is the doer of wrong or wrong is done to him."

The Companions asked, "O Messenger of Allah! We can help a man to whom wrong is done, but how could we help him when he is the doer of wrong?"

The Prophet replied, "Hold him back from doing wrong." (Al-Bukhari) No Excuse for Abusing Public Position

7. Abu Humaid ibn Sa`d As-Sa`idi (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet employed a man from the tribe of AlAzd named Ibn Al-Lutabiyyahh to collect the Zakah.

When he returned (to the Prophet with the collections), he said: "This is for you while this (other wealth) is a gift presented to me. (So, it is mine)."

So, the Messenger of Allah stood on the pulpit, praised Allah, extolled Him and then he said, "Why does an official whom I send (in a mission) say: 'This is for you and this has been presented to me as gift'?

Why did he not stay in the house of his father and mother to see whether gifts will be given to him or not?

By (Allah) in Whose Hand is the life of Muhammad, if any one of you takes anything (wrongfully,) he will bring it on the Day of Resurrection, carrying it on his nick‌" Then he raised his hands till we could see the whiteness of his armpits and repeated twice, "O Allah!

Have I conveyed (Your Commandments)?" (Muslim)

8. `Adi ibn `Umairah (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah said, "Whosoever among you is appointed by me to a position and he conceals from us (even) a needle or more, he is acting unfaithfully and will bring it on the Day of Resurrection".

Upon hearing this, a black man from Al-Ansar stood up and said: "O Messenger of Allah, take back from me your assignment."

The Prophet asked, "What happened to you?"

The man replied: "I have heard you saying such and such."

The Prophet said, "I say that (again) now: Whosoever from you is appointed by me to a position, he should bring everything (of its revenues), big or small. (Then,) what he is given therefrom, he may take. What he is disallowed to take, he should avoid." (Muslim)

9. Abu Humaid As-sa`idi (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Gifts offered to public servants are ill-gotten gains (ghulul)."(Authenticated by Al-Albani)

10. Buraidah ibn Al-Husaib (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When we appoint someone to a (public) post and provide him with an allowance, anything he takes beyond that is an ill-gotten gain.| (Abu Dawud and authenticated by Al-Albani)

11. Khaulahbint `Amir (May Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Messenger of Allah said, "Some men abuse Allah's Property (that is, public money and funds). They will go to Hell on the Day of Resurrection". (Al- Bukhari)

Serious Warning Against Bribery

12. `Abdullah bin `Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah said: "The curse of Allah is upon the one who offers a bribe and the one who takes it."

(Ahamd, Ibn Majah and authenticated

by Al-Albani)

"Gifts offered to public servants are ill-gotten gains (ghulul)" (Hadith)

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Fighting Corruption in Judiciary

13. Ibn Buraidah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated from his father that the

Cover Story

Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

"Judges are of three (types), two of whom will end up in Hell and one will be admitted to Paradise (as follows): - One who judges according to his desires; he will be in Hell.

- One who judges with no knowledge; he will end up in hell.

- And one who sticks to the truth in his judgments; he will be in Paradise." (Authenticated by Al-Albani)

14. `Ubaydullah ibn Abi Bakr said: I heard Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) saying: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) talked about the major sins, or he was asked about the major sins. Upon this he mentioned: "Associating anyone with Allah, killing of a person, being undutiful to parents."

He (the Prophet further) said: "Should I not inform you about the gravest of the major sins?" And then he said: "It is false utterance" or he said "false testimony". Shu`bah said: It was most probably "false testimony". (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

15. `A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated: The people of Quraish worried about the lady from BaniMakhzum who had committed theft. They asked, "Who will intercede for her with Allah's Messenger?"

Some said, "No one dares to do so except Usamah ibn Zaid the beloved one to Allah's Messenger."

When Usamah spoke about that to him, Allah's Messenger said, "Do you try to intercede for somebody in a case connected with Allah's Prescribed Punishments?"

Then he got up and delivered a sermon saying, "What destroyed the nations preceding you, was that if a noble amongst them stole, they would forgive him, and if a poor person amongst them stole, they would inflict Allah's legal punishment on him.

By Allah, if Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad stole, I would cut off her hand." (Al-Bukhari)

http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/hadith/hadith-collections/465673-islam-hadith-abuse-corruption-power-governance.html

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Har

Mirch

Seraj Akram

BJP aur Modi ke jitney par Indian Muslim kafi fikramand hain. lekin fikramand zyadah wah hain jo jitna zyadah sirf bat karte hain, kaam nahi, warna Modi election jita hai, Musalmaon ka jazba, hausla, aur taqat nahi. Modi aane ke baad Muslim ko desh se nikal nahi dengay, lekin taalimi system me tabdili, idare me firqa paraston ko oonche oonche ohde dena, aur muslim ke hausle ko past karne ki koshis ka imkan hai. Aur iska tor yahi hai ke aaj Muslim ek waqt ka khana bhale kyon na khaye, bache ko achhi talim de, dusre jo is qabil nahi uski madad kare, naya talimi idarah qayem kare, qayem shuda idare ki quality par khas dhyan diya jaye, sarkari nokri, police aur fauj me zyadah numayendgi ke har koshis kare, business me aage barhne ki koshis kiya jaye, apne ekhtalfat ko kam kare aur mil kar ijtemayi zindagi ko aur mazbut kare. Ijtemayiat ke bina islam nahi, aur agar Muslim sare ekhtalafat bhul kar ek qaum ki manind kisi ek ki rahbari me kam kare, ya phir tanzimo se jur kar ijtemayiat ko badhawa de to insha Allah Muslim kamzor nahi honge. Aqalmand log dushmanon ko kabhi bhi kamzor nahi samajhte aur koi kotahi nahi barat-te is lie Muslim taleem, moash aur sarkari edare me jitney zyadah honge dushmano ko hame maghloob karna utna hi dushwar hoga.

Pareshani kam hausla insane ko darane ke liye aati hai jabke hausla mand insanon ko aur oonche muqam par le jane ke liye, 20 cror muslim aaj bhi ijtemayiat ki taraf ruju hon aur phir apne zaati fayeday ke sath sath qaumi mufad ko bhi tarjih den to halat behtar hone se koi nahi rok sakta, aur agar hath par hath dal kar sirf dusron ke kamo par tanqid karne ka rawayya barqarar raha, amal se farigh rahe to phir Allah hi hafiz hai is qaum ka.

Islam: The Religion of Forgiveness Islam

G

I By Aisha Stacey I

od truly is the Most Merciful, Oft Forgiving.

Sincere repentance assures God’s forgiveness If a person truly believes there is no god but God, he or she should accept Islam immediately.

Islam is the religion of forgiveness; no matter how many sins a person may have committed, he or she never becomes unforgivable.

When a person is contemplating accepting Islam, many of the barriers that he or she perceives are nothing more than illusions and tricks from Satan

God is the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful and the Quran stresses these attributes more than 70 times: “And to God belong all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. He forgives whom He wills, and punishes whom He wills. And God is oft Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Al-Imran 3:129) The One Exception

There is however, one sin that God will not forgive and that is the sin of ascribing partners or associates to God. A Muslim believes that God is one, without partners, offspring, or associates. He is the only One worthy of worship: “Say (O Muhammad), He is Allah, (the) One. The Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, He neither eats nor drinks). He begets not, nor was He begotten; and there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him.” (Al-Ikhlas 112) “Verily, God forgives not that partners should be set up with Him (in worship), but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He wills.” (An-Nisa’ 4:48) 16

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It may seem strange to say that God is the Most Merciful, and stress that Islam is the religion of forgiveness while also saying that there is one unforgivable sin. This is not a strange or unreliable concept when you understand that this grave sin is only unforgivable if a person dies without repenting to God. At any time, up until a sinful person draws his last breath he or she may turn sincerely to God and ask for forgiveness, knowing that God truly is the Most Merciful Oft Forgiving. Sincere repentance assures God’s forgiveness.

“Say to those who have disbelieved, if they cease (from disbelief), their past will be forgiven.” (AlAnfal 8:38)

Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said: “God will accept His slave’s repentance so long as the death rattle has not yet reached his throat.” (AtTirmidhi)

Prophet Muhammad also said: “Islam destroys that which came before it (sins)” (Sahih Muslim) Often when a person is contemplating accepting Islam they are confused by or even ashamed of the many sins they may have committed over their lifetime. Some people wonder how they can ever be good, moral people when in the shadows lurk their sins and crimes.

Accepting Islam and pronouncing the words known as the Shahadah or testimony of faith, (I testify ‘La ilahilla Allah, Muhammad rasoolu Allah: I testify that there is none worthy of worship except God Alone and I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God), wipes a person’s slate clean.

Accordingly, he or she becomes like a newborn baby, completely free from sin. It is a new begin-

Every new Muslim becomes unburdened and free to live a life based on the fundamental belief that God is one

Islam

ning, where one’s past sins can no longer hold a person captive. There is no need to be haunted by past sins. Every new Muslim becomes unburdened and free to live a life based on the fundamental belief that God is one.

When a person is no longer held back by the fear that their past sins or lifestyle prevents them from leading a good life, the path to accepting Islam often becomes easier. Knowing that God can forgive anyone, of anything, is certainly a comforting prospect.

Nevertheless, understanding the importance of not worshipping anything or anybody other than God is paramount because it is the basis of Islam.

and bombard them with small whispers and doubts.

The religion of Islam is a gift, and just like any other gift it must be accepted, and opened before the true worth of its contents can be revealed.

Islam is a way of life that makes eternal bliss in the hereafter an achievable dream. There is no god but God, the One, the Only, the First and the Last.

Knowing Him is the key to success and accepting Islam is the first step on a journey to the Hereafter.

Islam is a Gift

God did not create humankind except that they should worship Him alone: “I created the jinn and humankind only that they might worship Me.” (AdhDhariyat 51:56), and knowing how to keep that worship pure and unadulterated is imperative. However, the details will often be learned after a person has recognized the sublime truth of the way of life that is Islam.

“And follow the best of that which is sent down to you from your Lord (i.e. this Quran, do what it orders you to do and keep away from what it forbids), before the torment comes on you suddenly while you perceive not!” Lest a person should say: “Alas, my grief that I was undutiful to God (i.e. I have not done what God has ordered me to do), and I was indeed among those who mocked.” (Az-Zumar 39:55-56)

Once a person has accepted the truth of Islam, thus accepting that there is no god but God alone, there is time for him to learn about his religion. There is time for him to understand the inspirational beauty and ease of Islam, and to learn about all the prophets and messengers of Islam including the last prophet, Muhammad, peace be upon him.

If God should decree that a person’s life would end soon after accepting Islam it could be seen as a sign of the mercy of God; for a person as pure as a newborn baby would be destined for eternal paradise; by the mercy of God, and His infinite wisdom.

When a person is contemplating accepting Islam, many of the barriers that he or she perceives are nothing more than illusions and tricks from Satan. It is clear that once a person has been chosen by God, Satan will do his upmost to lead that person astray 17

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The Economic Times, Friday, 23, 2014, New Delhi

Modiness or Madness Politics

N

I By Israrul Haque I

arendraModi'sBharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies have won India's general election by the biggest margin in 30 years. Modi will be sworn in as the new prime minister of India on May 26. But why would we want someone to represent our country who has a tainted past? Modi who fanned the flames with his New York Times interview in 2002, in which he said his only regret was that he didn't manage the media better. Following this, the U.S. imposed a visa ban on Modi and Britain announced a 10-year boycott.

Modi who is largely positioning himself as a champion of economic progress because Indian stocks surged to a record with the Bombay Stock Exchange having risen as much as 6.15%, and the rupee also strengthened against the U.S. dollar, might prove to be a nation’s risk and disaster, as India’s prosperity depends not only on rupee’s strength but also on the unity of its constituent diversity.Well there are economic dreamers who are trying to cover up his past with the glittering cover of development in Gujarat but his image is still tainted with the riots in his state.

Modi has come to power on the back of Gujarat's economic success during his time as chief minister of the state, although Gujarat's economy was doing well long before he came to power. Gujaratis are an enterprising people, have been the most enthusiastic in taking advantage of liberalization and globalization and have propelled economic growth in their state, the real credit must go to the Gujarati business acumen.Many have pointed out that the strong sweep by Modi and his allies suggests there's a chance that economic reforms won't be obstructed at every step the way, they were during the Congress's fractious rule. There’s much optimism for the Indian economy, around Modi as PM.

Those celebrating Modi's win must realize that much of it is true for other states as well, except for the success story in power. Bihar has grown faster than Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra more or less match its growth rates.Gujarat record in education and healthcare is still pretty bad as Modi did not concentrate on that… as much as he concentrated on physical infrastructure to ensure that Gujarat has in 18

Bakhabar : June 2014

deed prospered under Modi. In fact Gujarat lags in reducing poverty, showing that the growth it achieves is rather lopsided. Women have a raw deal, with high levels of anemia and low levels of college education, compared to several other states.

While there's much optimism there's a lot to worry about as well, what his rule could mean for a democratic nation, even in his victory speech he has not said enough to make minorities feel safe. Modi's seeming religious intolerancemight play out as occasional terror strikes as attempts to subordinate the macroscopic minority will inevitably lead to the deep hostility.

If at the level of theology Hinduism has no problem accepting a few more gods, whatever their names, why it should be inimical to the traditional Hindu ethos to allow peaceful coexistence of people of different faiths.

Modi has to make the majority community feel that they are not maltreating the minority and going against the long Indian tradition of being tolerant.This, indeed, will be the ideal for both secularism and Hinduism.

Pornogrpahy:

Why it is Haram & How to deal with it?

P

Definition of Pornography?

ornography is defined in the English language as an indecent form of art or literature. Islam also views it as indecent and terms it as faahisha in the Quran.

Allah Ta'ala says (what means): "Say: The things that my Lord has indeed forbidden are: shameful deeds whether open or secret‌"(Qur'an 7:33)

Faahishah is translated as "shameful deeds" because it refers to every bad deed that is noticeably ugly to human beings. In many places in the Quran, Allah (Subhaanahu WaTa'ala) refers to zinaa, adultery and fornication as a faahishah. In another verse, Allah (Subhaanahu WaTa'ala) refers to the marrying of one's father's wife also as being a faahishah because, like adultery, anyone with a pure nature will clearly see it as hideous. Allah (Subhaanahu WaTa'ala) also calls the crime of the people of Lut (Alaihis Salaam), homosexuality, a faahishah. Likewise to view pictures of nudity, sexual suggestion, intimacy between two people, or a person of the opposite gender who is improperly covered (Islamically) is also an ugly sin to anyone who wishes to adhere to piety.

Television

One of the most pervasive tools of pornography is the television. Shows like "Dawson's Creek" and "Baywatch" have no other purpose except to display blatant degrees of nakedness and indecent scenes of intimacy. Movies also succeed in conveying lewd imagery by almost always including a love/lust story in the story line. However there are other forms of pornography on TV that are much more subtle. For example, most Muslims would not realize that the viewing of several sports events includes pornographic images. The swimsuits that are worn by both men and woman during the Olympics are iniquitously revealing. They expose the 'awrah of a woman and a man for their respective genders and the opposite gender.

The word 'awrah refers to those parts of the body which are Islamically prohibited to expose in front 19

Bakhabar : June 2014

of another (either the opposite gender or the same gender). For example, it is a must for a woman to cover all of her body except for her face and hands in front of men who are permissible for her to marry - that is her 'awrah. Likewise the man's 'awrah is everything between his navel and knees while in front of a woman or a man. The skimpy swimsuits worn by these athletes just don't meet the Islamic dress code.

Underwear Ads

Another subtle example regards women who view advertisements that contain pictures of other women modeling bras and underwear. The 'awrah of Muslim women in front of other Muslim women doesn't allow these areas of the body to be exposed and hence it is haram for even a woman to view them.

It is also important to keep in mind that a person could be "clothed but naked" as Rasoolullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wa Salaam) said. For example, competitors in races usually wear some sort of bodysuit that adheres very tightly to their skin and the exact shape of their body parts is apparent. This is almost equivalent to being naked, since it doesn't take much imagination to figure out what is under such type of clothing.

Lowering the Gaze

When such images become prevalent in a society, what is deemed pornographic changes drastically.

The very standard of modesty, which should be a defining characteristic of Muslim dress and behavior, will become degraded. The Islamic standard must be upheld. The true believer fears Allah's judgement and knows that no act will go unaccounted for and that even his own eyes will bear witness against him on the Day of Judgement. Allah (Subhaanahu WaTa'ala) says: "Until, when they reach it (Hell-Fire) their hearing and eyes and skin will testify against them as to what they used to do."

Rasoolullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wa Salaam) warned us that there is a zinaa of the eyes just as there is a zinaa of the private parts.

The Islamic solution to living in a society where pornographic images are so visible is to lower one's gaze.

Allah (Subhaanahu WaTa'ala) 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 aquainted with all they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof… "(Qur'an 24:30-31)

The scholars of tafseer say that this means that both men and woman are obliged to direct their sight away from that which is haram and that there is no harm in looking at that which is halal (such as viewing one's spouse while they are uncovered).

In regard to these verses Ibn al-Qayyim (rahimahullah) says: "So He (Allah) put purity after lowering of the gaze and protecting of the private parts. For this reason lowering the gaze away from the prohibited things warrants three great benefits. The first of them is the sweetness of Imaan and the pleasure that comes from it, which is more sweet and pleasing than that which he diverted his eyes away from for Allah's sake. Verily, whoever abandons a thing for Allah's sake, He (Subhaanahu WaTa'ala) compensates him with better than it…The second benefit is a light in the heart and quality of intuition… and the third benefit is the strength of the heart and steadfastness and courage. So Allah (Subhaanahu WaTa'ala) would give him, by His strength, the ability of wisdom and substantiation, and the devil would flee from him as it has been mentioned in the saying, "Whoever fears his whims, the devil would race out of his shadow."

Indeed, the opposite is also true. This is because the eyes are the most direct path to the heart. One who allows his whims to overwhelm him and indulges his eyes in the viewing of haram things has weakened his heart, corrupted his soul, and invited shaytan to control him.

________________________________________ If you are receiving this mail for the first time and you would like to receive Information and Articles on Islam and Muslims, send a blank e-mail to subscribe@islaaminfo.co.za 20

Bakhabar : June 2014

Mozzammil Khalil, son of Loco Pilot, tops CBSE Class 10th exam in Nagpur Division with 99 pc

I indeed feel extremely happy to share the news with the esteemed members of this list that my bhanja (son of my eldest sister), MozzammilKahleel tops CBSE Class 10th exam in Nagpur Division with 99 per cent. My sister migrated to Nagpur from Bihar as her husband is working there.

We must encourage and motivate our young lot to compete with the world and contribute to the community, society and our country to the fullest. If we encourage them and provide the needed support, they will surely break the barrier against the odds.

Nagpur News: Mozzammil Khalil, son of Central Railway’s Loco Pilot, and a student of Central India Public School, topped the CBSE Class 10 exam with 99 percent marks in Nagpur Division. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Monday sprang a pleasant surprise when it declared the result of Class 10th Board exam. The result was announced by CBSE at 4 pm.

When Nagpur Today contacted Mozzammil Khalil for his comments on the outstanding achievement, he said, “It is dream come true. I was expecting 90 percent or more marks. But 99 percent has left me exceedingly happy and I am still recovering from the happiest ‘shock’. It is really a dream come true to say the least. And now with this feat, I will pursue the further studies with the sole aim of becoming an engineer,” Mozzammil said. He gave all credit for his phenomenal performance to his parents, school and tuition teachers.

Khalid Waheed, Ph.D. (Assistant Professor),Crescent Business School (CBS), BSAR University, Chennai-48, India [http://bsauniv.ac.in/info.aspx?id=141&mid=84] kwfalahi@gmail.com, Mob. #: +91-9884430351

Islam

UNDERSTANDING OF SHARIAT (ISLAMIC LAWS)

T

E.g. , Quran, Sunnah and Ijma (consensus of) Sahaba) QURAN (FIRST PRIMARY SOURCE) Part III

I By Gheyas S Mahfoz Hashmi I

Continued from previous issue…..

he Quran has been ascended in the language and dialect of Quraish who were very perfect in Arabic language. Poets of that time are admired and awarded for their finest works in writing poetry. Literally function was held to select the best poetry, which was then hanged at Kaba for public display.

This period is known as Jahiliah (ignorance) for their ignorance of Islam and their foolishness. They were ignorant of rights towards Allah and His servants.

What survives today of their poetries are well regarded as the finest of Arabic poetry to date.

Ever since the Quran was revealed, fourteen centuries ago, no one has been able to produce a single chapter like the chapters of the Quran in their beauty, eloquence, splendor, wise legislation, true information, true prophecy, and other perfect attributes.

they are truthful.” (52: 33-34)

The 13 years revelation of the Quran in Makkah deals not with Shariat but monotheism as Quraish had greatly diverted from their true path. Makki Chapters of Quran deal mainly with: 1. Tawheed: is the concept of monotheism in Islam. It holds Allah is one and Unique. Basically, Tawhid is the belief of oneness of Allah and that He has no partner or peer in His Essence and Attributes.

2. Salah: Since the Kuffars of Makkah were in the habit of worshipping idols in the belief that these home-made gods would carry their prayers to Allah for them, the early verses were also aimed at clarifying this misconception. The verses taught that Salaah should only be made for and to Allah, as He is the only one who can answer them. Great stress was placed on Salah because of its relationship to Tawheed. Correct Salah directed to Allah alone is the most basic way of putting Tawheed into practice.

3. The Unseen: Since there was no way that human beings could possibly come to know about What makes the Qur’an a miracle, is that it is impos- the unseen world and purpose of his creation and the sible for a human being to compose something like creation of the universe, the early verses taught them it, as it lies outside the productive capacity of the na- about its wonders, its mysteries, and its horrors. The ture of the Arabic language. The productive capacity verses described Paradise and its pleasures in order of nature, concerning the Arabic language, is that to encourage the believers to continue to do good any grammatically sound expression of the Arabic deeds and to assure them of a reward. They also delanguage will always fall with-in the known Arabic scribed the Hell-fire and its torments in order to enliterary forms of prose and poetry. All of the possible courage the believers to strive to avoid evil deeds. combinations of Arabic words, letters and grammati- Description of the fire and its inhabitants also reascal rules have been exhausted and yet its literary sured the believers that those who do wrong in this form has not been matched linguistically. The Arabs, life will not escape Allah’s wrath. Such descriptions who were known to have been Arabic linguists par were also aimed at scaring the disbelievers into reexcellence, failed to successfully challenge the considering their position before it became too late.

Qur’an, which says: Some of the verses also reasoned with those who could not accept the resurrection by giving them ex“If you are in doubt of what We have revealed to Our amples from nature, such as rain falling on dead earth bringing it back to life.

Messenger, then produce one chapter like it, call upon all your helpers, besides Allah, if you are truth4. Allah’s Existence: There were many among the ful.” (2: 23) Makkans who were in the doubt about Allah’s very existence. Thus, some of the early verses presented “Or do they say: “He (Prophet Muhammad,) has forged it (this Qur’an)?” Nay! They believe not! Let logical arguments proving on this. Sometimes proofs them then produce a recitation like it (the Qur’an) if were taken from nature and the creatures’ common 21

Bakhabar : June 2014

Islam

to the society. Allah asked the Makkans.

“Do they not look at the camels, how they are created. And at the heaven, how it is raised.

And at the mountains, how they are rooted. And at the earth, how it is outspread” (88:17-20)

At other times, straight logic was used. Allah asked them if they were created from nothing or if they created themselves: “Were they created by nothing or were they themselves the creators” (52:35]

5. Previous Messengers and their Nations: The Makkan verses often mentioned historical examples of earlier civilizations, like the `Aad and the Thamod. They were mentioned in order to warn those who had rejected the message of Islam. The verses spoke about the wonders of the ancient civilizations. They listed the many blessings which Allah had bestowed on the peoples of those civilizations. Then they (the verses) recounted how the people disobeyed Allah and denied His blessings, and how Allah’s punishment caught them when they were totally unaware of what could become of them if Allah so willed. These examples were quite familiar to the Arabs because ruins of such civilizations could still be seen. For example, the stone tombs of Maddain Saleh were directly on the trade route to Syria.

6. Eeman: Very few laws were revealed in the Makkan verses. Instead, the verses concentrated on the principles which would build the Eeman of the early Muslims. These verses spoke of the importance of fearing Allah and being aware of His presence and knowledge of all things. They were often filled with advice about being patient, perseverant, truthful and trustworthy, in order to build the moral spiritual character of the early Muslims who were in a minority and under a lot of pressure from Makkan society.

Following are some clues which will help common people identify Makki Sura (Chapters):-

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Difficult words Surah with Muqattaat letters Small Surah Surah with word “Kallah” Surah with Sajdah (Prostration) Small sentences Surath with “Ya Aayuhannas” Surah with previous messengers’ story

22

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Madni Surah (chapters) ascended during 10 years of Madani period.

These Surah contain issue like civil code, Shariah punishment, importance of Jihad and decrees about it, public dealings, Haj, information about hypocrites, etc. Madani chapters are generally longer ones and comprise a much larger sentence.

(hgheyas@albatool.com.sa)

To be continued…..

Goodness is Attained Through Repentance

A man complained to Al-Ḥasan Al-Baṣree (may Allah have mercy on him) about a drought, and Al-Ḥasan Al-Baṣree (may Allah have mercy on him) said to him: "Pray to Allah for forgiveness."

Another man complained to him of poverty and Al-Ḥasan Al-Baṣree (may Allah have mercy on him) said to him: "Pray to Allah to forgive you."

Another man said to him: "Pray to Allah to bless me with a child." Al-Ḥasan Al-Baṣree (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "Pray to Allah for forgiveness."

Another complained to him that his garden was dry. Al-Ḥasan Al-Baṣree (may Allah have mercy on him) said to him: "Pray to Allah for forgiveness."

He was asked about it and he said: "This is not my personal opinion, for Allah says in the Quran: Surah Nooḥ, 71:10-12 : "Ask forgiveness from your Lord, verily, He is Oft Forgiving; He will send rain to you in abundance. And give you increase in wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers." - See more at: http://www.islamicstories.com/story/128#st hash.Ro0glf7B.dpuf

Gearing up for the Tarawih Ramadan

I By Sameen Ahmed Khan I

Abstract: In this article, we summarize the divisions of the Holy Quran along with the occurrence the Sajdah Tilawat and the Muqattaat. These distinct Ayah enable us to recognize the portion of the Holy Quran being recited. The approach to the Quranic Arabic through the Quranic Words is briefly mentioned. The information given in the article is expected to assist in our preparation for the Tarawih.

make a Surah. There are exactly 114 Surah in the Holy Quran. Three of the 114 Surah have three Ayah each, which are: Surah-103: the Al-Asr; Surah108: the Al-Kauthar; and Surah-110: the Al-Nasr.

Surah-2: the Al-Baqarah is the largest and has 286 Ayah.

For referring to a particular Ayat the method has been given to us by the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), that is Surah and Ayat. Since all Surah and Ayat within them are numbered, the most scientific method is to provide the Surah and Ayah number. For example Ayat-al-Kursi is 2:255, that is Surah 2 (Al-Baqarah) and Ayah 255.

Ayah number.

For example al-Kursi Ayat- is 2:255, that is Al-Baqa Sur prefer the prefer referencethe Al-Baqarah 255 Ayah Some 255. scholars Some scholars Baqarah reference 255 or Al-Al-Baq Introduction: or Al-Baqarah (2): 255.

Another Ramadan-ul-Mubarak is around the corner.Scholars after the Prophet (peace be upon him) have do Quran for the convenience of recitation of the whole Q The Holy Quran was revealed in the auspicious or one month. The seven approximately equal Manzil divisions or s month of Ramadan. This auspicious month is The Seven Manzil marked with Siyam (fasting) and special Salaat Number (prayers) namely the Tarawih Salaat. For many of us of Surah Manzil Surah Numbers who do not know the Holy Quran by heart, find it is the No. difficult to follow the Tarawih: both its contents and Manzil Surah-1: Al-Fatihah to Surah-4: Al-Nisa 4 1 meaning. Some information about the organization Surah-5: Al-Ma'ida to Surah-9: Al-Tawbah 5 2 of the Quran can assist us in following the Tarawih.

Surah-10: Yunus to Surah-16: Al-Nahl 7 3 This short note is an attempt to familiarize us with Surah-17: Al-Isra' to Surah-25: Al-Furqan 9 4 the organization of the Holy Quran.

Surah-26: Al-Shuara to Surah-36: Ya-Seen 11 5 6 7

(Surah, Qamar, 54: 17, 22, 32, 40) Hence, indeed, We made this Qur’an easy to bear mind: who, then, is willing to take it to heart?

(English Meaning by Muhammad Asad from http://www.IslamiCity.com/)

The thirty equal parts of the Holy Juz Quran orPara are(words calledSip are also used). There is more than one way of dividin twoHizb (group) each Hizb is be further divided Scholars afterand the Prophet (peace upon him) have into f Hizb and eight Hizb-quarters. In this system of divis additional division the Holya Quran for to the recite th 240 done Hizb-quarters.

Thisofallows person in convenience of recitation of the whole Quran in a set to eigh verses and complete the recitation in one-month

Divisions of the Holy Quran: The Holy Quran has words, Ayahs or signs and the Surahs. The word Ayah (singular is Ayat) is generally translated as verses. An Ayah may consist of a full sentence, more than one sentence, or part of a sentence. There are different conventions of counting the total number of Ayah. For instance the Bismillah before each surah may or may not be counted.

This leads to a difference in the figures arrived for the total number of Ayah in the Holy Quran. The count varies from 6239 to 6666. A group of Ayah 23

Bakhabar : June 2014

Surah-37: As-Saffat to Surah-49: Al-Hujura 13 Surah-50: Qaf to Surah-114: Al-Nass 65

period like one week or one month. The seven approximately equal divisions are called Manzil or stations.

The thirty equal parts of the Holy Quran are called Juz or Para (words Sipara and Paro are also used).

There is more than one way of dividing the Juz. Each Juz is divided into two Hizb (group) and each Hizb is further divided into four quarters. Thus a Juz has two Hizb and eight Hizb-quarters. In this system of division the whole Quran is divided into 240 Hizb-quarters. This allows a person to recite the Holy Quran in small groups of verses and complete the recitation in one-month to eight-month periods.

Ramadan

Division of the Holy Quran into Juz and Juz No. Juz Name Hizb Surah 1 1:1± 2:74 1 Alif Lam Meem 2 2:75± 2:141 3 2:142± 2:202 2 Sayaqool 4 2:203± 2:252 5 2:253± 3:14 3 Tilkal Rusull 6 3:15± 3:92 7 3:93± 3:170 4 Lan Tana Loo 8 3:171± 4:23 9 4:24± 4:87 5 Wal Mohsanat 10 4:88± 4:147 11 4:148± 5:26 6 La Yuhibbullah 12 5:27± 5:81 13 5:82± 6:35 7 Wa Iza Samiu 14 6:36± 6:110 15 6:111± 6:165 8 Wa Lau Annana 16 7:1± 7:87 17 7:88± 7:170 9 Qalal Malao 18 7:171± 8:40 19 8:41± 9:33 10 Wa A'lamu 20 9:34± 9:92 21 9:93± 10:25 11 Yatazeroon 22 10:26± 11:5 23 11:6± 11:83 12 Wa Mamin Da'abat 24 11:84± 12:52 25 12:53± 13:18 13 Wa Ma Ubrioo 26 13:19± 14:52 27 15:1± 16:50 14 Rubama 28 16:51± 6:128 29 17:1± 17:98 15 Subhanallazi 30 17:99± 18:74 31 18:75± 19:98 16 Qal Alam 32 20:1± 20:135 33 21:1± 21:112 17 Aqtarabo 34 22:1± 22:78 35 23:1± 24:20 18 Qadd Aflaha 36 24:21± 25:21 37 25:22± 6:110 19 Wa Qalallazina 38 26:111 ± 7:55 39 27:56± 28:50 20 A'man Khalaq 40 28:51± 29:45 41 29:46± 31:21 21 Utlu Ma Oohi 42 31:22± 33:30 43 33:31± 34:23 22 Wa Manyaqnut 44 34:24± 36:27 45 36:28± 7:144 23 Wa Mali 46 37:145 ± 9:31 47 39:32± 40:40 24 Faman Azlam 48 40:41± 41:46 49 41:47± 43:23 Page 3 of 10 25 Elahe Yuruddo 50 43:24± 45:37 51 46:1± 48:17 26 Ha'a Meem 52 48:18± 51:30 53 51:31± 54:55 27 Qala Fama Khatbukum 54 55:1± 57:29 55 58:1± 61:14 28 Qadd Sami Allah 56 62:1± 66:12 57 67:1± 71:28 29 Tabarakallazi 58 72:1± 77:50 59 78:1± 86:17 30 Amma Yatasa'aloon 60 87:1± 114:6

Another widely used division is the Ruku (meaning bowing or section). The Quran is divided into the Surah al-Fatiha and 540 Ruku. The Ruku have unHizb equal lengths and are a logical point in the science of recitation. With twenty Ruku a day it takes 27 days to complete the recitation of the Holy Quran. This is the pattern generally followed in the 20 Rakaat Tarawih.

The Hizb isis more for the Another widely used division division Ruku (meaning thesuited bowing or 8section). divided the Surah al-Fatiha and 540 Ruku.

Rakaat into Tarawih, completing the recitation of the The Ruku ha logical point in the science of recitation. With twenty Holy Quran 30 days. of Thethe Ruku markings complete the in recitation Holy Quran. are This is the pa 20widely Rakaat Tarawih.

The Hizb division is more suited f used in the prints from the Indian subconticompleting the recitation of the Holy Quran in 30 days. T nent.inThe marking are common in the prints The Hiz used theHizb prints from the Indian subcontinent. prints obtained from theworld.

Arab world. obtained from the Arab

114 Surah with the Juz and Manzil Juz Surah Surah Name Meaning No. No. 1 1 Al-Fatihah The Opening 1-2-3 2 Al-Baqarah The Heifer (The Cow) 1 The Family of Imran, 3-4 3 Al-Imran House of Imran 4-5-6 4 Al-Nisa' The Women The Repast, 6-7 5 Al-Ma'idah The Table Spread 7-8 6 Al-An`am The Cattle (The Livestock) 2 8-9 7 Al-A`raf The Heights 9-10 8 Al-Anfal The Spoils of War 10-11 9 Al-Taubah The Repentance 11 10 Yunus Yunus (Prophet Jonah) 11-12 11 Hud Hud (Prophet Hud) 12-13 12 Yusuf Joseph (Prophet Joseph) 3 13 Al-Ra`d The Thunder 13 14 Ibrahim Ibrahim (Abraham) 13-14 15 Al-Hijr The Rocky Tract 14 16 Al-Nahl The Bee 15 17 Al-Isra The Night Journey 15-16 18 Al-Kahf The Cave 4 19 Maryam Maryam (Mary) 16 20 Ta Ha Ta Ha 21 Al-Anbiya' The Prophets 17 22 Al-Hajj The Hajj (The Pilgrimage) Page 4 ofThe 10 Believers 23 Al-Mu'minun 18 24 Al-Nur The Light 18-19 25 Al-Furqan The Criterion 19 26 Al-Shu`ara' The Poets 19-20 27 Al-Naml The Ants 20 28 Al-Qasas The Narrations 20-21 29 Al-`Ankabut The Spider 30 Al-Rum The Romans 5 21 31 Luqman Luqman (The Wise) 32 Al-Sajdah The Prostration 21-22 33 Al-Ahzab The Confederates (The Alli 34 Saba' Saba (Sheba) 22 35 Fatir The Originator of Creation 22-23 36 Ya Sin Ya Sin 37 Al-Saffat Those Ranged in Ranks 23 6 38 Sad The Letter Sad 23-24 39 Al-Zumar The Crowds Ghafir The Forgiver, 24 40 Al Mumin The Forgiving One 24-25 41 Fussilat Revelations Explained in D 42 Al-Shura Consultation 43 Al-Zukhruf Gold Ornaments 25 44 Al-Dukhan The Evident Smoke 6 45 Al-Jathiyah The Kneeling Down 46 Al-Ahqaf Winding Sand Tracts 47 Muhammad Muhammad (Prophet Muhammad 26 Quran is nother widely used division Ruku is (meaning the bowing or section). The 48 Al-Fath The Victory ivided into the Surah al-Fatiha and 540 Ruku. The Ruku have unequal49lengths and areThe a Chambers Al-Hujurat ogical point in the science of recitation. With twenty Ruku26a day50it Qaf takes 27 days to The Letter Qaf Manzil No

omplete the recitation of the Holy Quran. This is the pattern generally followed in the 0 Rakaat Tarawih.

The Hizb division is more suited for the 8 Rakaat Tarawih, ompleting24the Bakhabar recitation of the Holy Quran in 30 days. The Ruku markings are widely : June 2014 sed in the prints from the Indian subcontinent. The Hizb marking are common in the

26

Ramadan

26 26-27

27

28

7

29

30

7

30

49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114

Al-Hujurat The Chambers Sajdah Tilawat: Qaf The Letter Qaf Al-Dhariyat The Winds That Scatte r There are some specific Ayah giving the command to Al-Tur The Mountain make Sajdah prostration or mention that the believAl-Najm The Star Al-Qamar The Moon ers prostrate before Allah in submission to Him. As Al-Rahman The Most Gracious a response to these Ayah, it is required, according to Al-Waqi`ah The Inevitable Al-Hadid The Iron the Sunnah of the Prophet peace be upon him to Al-Mujadilah The Woman Who Pleads make Sajdah whenever one reads, recites from memAl-Hashr The Mustering ory, or hears any of these Ayah. This is a Sunnah Al-MumtahinahThat Which Examines Al-Saff The Battle Array Mu'akkadah and it should not be omitted. These are Al-Jumu`ah The Jumuah (The Friday) known as the Sajdah of Tilawat prostration of recitaAl-Munafiqun The Hypocrites At-Taghabun The Mutual Loss and Gain tion. There are fourteen according to some jurists, Al-Talaq Divorce fifteen places in the whole Quran, where the Ayah of Al-Tahrim Prohibition Sajdah occur.

Al-Mulk The Dominion Al-Qalam The Pen Al-Haqqah The Sure Reality The location of the Sajdah Ayah clearly pointed in Al-Ma`arij The Ways of Ascent Nuh Nuh (Prophet Noah) the text and in the margins. This is generally done Al-Jinn The Jinn using the beautiful calligraphy. If some Non-Arabic Al-Muzammil The Folded One Al-Mudathir The Wrapped Up publisher has missed theses markings, please make a Al-Qiyamah The Resurrection record them using the enclosed table. They are Al-Insan The Man listed in the following table: al-Mursalat Those Sent Forth Al-Naba' The Great News Al-Nazi'at Those Who Tear Out Sajdah of Tilawat (Prostration of Rec `Abasa He Frowned S. No.Surah No.Surah Name Sajdah Verse No. Al-Takwir The Folding Up 1 7 Al-Aaraaf 206 Al-Infitar The Cleaving Asunder Al-MutaffifinThe Dealers in Fraud 2 13 Al-Raad 15 Al-Inshiqaq The Rending Asunder 3 16 Al-Nahl 50 Al-Buruj The Constellations 4 17 Al-Isra 109 At-Tariq The Night Star Al-A`la The Most High 5 19 Maryam 58 Al-Ghashiyah Page 6 of The 10 Overwhelming Event 6 22 Al-Hajj 18 Al-Fajr The Dawn Al-Balad The City 7 22 Al-Hajj 77* Al-Shams The Sun 8 25 Al-Furqan 60 Al-Layl The Night 9 27 Al-Naml 26 Al-Duha The Glorious Morning Light Al-Sharh The Expansion of the Breast 10 32 Al-Sajdah 15 Al-Tin The Fig 11 38 Saad 24* Al-`Alaq The Clinging Clot Al-Qadr The Night of Power or Honour 12 41 Fussilat 38 Al-Baiyinah The Clear Evidence 13 53 An-Najm 62 Al-Zalzalah The Earthquake 14 84 Al-Inshiqaq 21 Al-`Adiyat Those That Run Al-Qari`ah The Great Calamity 15 96 Al-Alaq 19 Al-Takathur The Piling Up At verse 22:77 Sajdah is Wajib for Shafi.

Al-`Asr Time Through the Ages Sajdah is Wajib for Hanafi.

Sajdah at Al-Humazah The Scandalmonger Al-Fil The Elephant thirteen verses are Wajib for both.

Quraysh The Tribe of Quraysh Al-Ma'un The Neighbourly Assistance for thisforSajdah are thesame same Al-Kauthar The Abundance The prerequisites The prerequisites this Sajdah are the as foras for Al-Kafirun Those Who Reject Faith Purity ofthebody, clothes, and 1.place ofbody, Sajdah. 2.

Salah (Namaz or Prayer): Purity of Al-Nasr The Help toward Qiblah.

4.

Intention of performing procedure the Saj is Al-Masad The Plaited Rope clothes, and place of Sajdah. 2. Covering of satr.

3. the Qiblah.

2.

Express the necessary intention.

Al-Ikhlas The Purity of Faith Turning your face toward Qiblah. 4. Intention of Al-Falaq The Daybreak Akbar and should recite theSubhana usual dua, rabbiyal-Ala . 4. Ris performing the Sajdah. The procedure is: 1. Stand Al-Nas The Mankind

Akbar after Sajdah. facing the Qiblah. 2. Express the necessary intenMany of the 114 Surah have more than one name or title. A detailed understanding of the tion.requiring 3. Go for Sajdah with Allahu-Akbar meaning of the titles of the Surah is obtained from the to down that Surah as given anorintroduction Ayat the Sajdah has been and recited Many ofTafasir the 114 of Surah oneIf name in any standard the have Holy more Quranthan (Commentaries and Exegesis). should recite the usual dua, Subhana rabbiyal-Ala. Salah, the Sajdah has to be performed forthwith wit title. A detailed understanding of the meaning of the 4. Rise up with Allahu-Akbar after Sajdah.

Sajdah Tilawat: the Sajdah without delaying it to after the Salah. titles of the Surah isAyah obtained from introduction There are some specific giving thethecommand Sajdah prostration to make or Sajdah, being recited by the Imam, but joins the co mention to that believers prostrate before Tafasir AllahAsin response toto Him. thatthe Surah as given in any standard ofa submission the If an Ayat requiring the him Sajdah has been recited performed the Sajdah, he will the durSajdah af these Ayah, it is required, according to the Sunnah of the Prophet peace be upon to perform Holywhenever Quran (Commentaries and Exegesis). make Sajdah one reads, recites from memory, or hearsing any of these Ayah.

This the Salah such as the Tarahwi Salah, the Sajdah is a Sunnah Mu'akkadah and it should These not beare omitted. known as Sajdah the of If the Ayat is recited or heard outside the Salah Tilawatprostration of recitation.

There are fourteen according to some jurists, fifteen places in the whole Quran, where the Ayah of Sajdah occur. immediately afterwards, but one may perform it lat Bakhabar : June 2014 25 required for each Ayat. If a person recites an Ay

The location of the Sajdah Ayah clearly pointed in the text and in the margins.

This is

Ramadan

has to be performed forthwith without delay. It is obligatory to perform the Sajdah without delaying it to after the Salah. If a person hears an Ayat requiring the Sajdah, being recited by the Imam, but joins the congregation when the Imam has already performed the Sajdah, he will perform the Sajdah after completing his Salah.

If the Ayat is recited or heard outside the Salah, it is preferable to perform the Sajdah immediately afterwards, but one may perform it later as well. There is only one Sajdah required for each Ayat. If a person recites an Ayat requiring the Sajdah in the mind but does not utter it aloud or only writes it, he will not be required to perform the Sajdah. If the Ayat requiring the Sajdah is recited over and over again for memorizing or understanding in the same sitting, only one Sajdah will have to be performed, but if more than one Ayah requiring Sajdah are recited, the number of Sajdah to be performed will be the same as the number of the Ayah recited. Similarly, if the Ayat requiring a Sajdah is repeated in different sittings, the number of Sajdah to be performed will be according to the number of sittings.

It is not valid to do the Sajdah on the Quran itself during the recitation of the Quran. One has to do it completely as one does it during the Salah. It is useful to memorize the complete Sajdah verses, particularly in the context of the Tarawih Salah. It is also useful when listening to the Quirat and reading from the Quran without the markings of the Sijdah Ayah.

Muqattaat: Muqattaat literally means abbreviated letters.

Muqattaat are unique letter combinations that appear in the beginning of 29 Surah of the Holy Quran.

They are also known as Fawaatih or openers as they form the opening Ayat of the respective Surah. Their precise meanings remain unclear and are considered by most Muslims to be divine secrets. Muqattaat have been and continue to be a topic of intense research and academic discussions in Islamic literature and Quranic studies. The following table gives the summary of the occurrence of the Muqattaat.

Quranic Words: A knowledge of the Arabic language is extremely essential to understand the Holy Quran, the Devine Message from or Creator and the Creator of the Universe. There are different ways to learn Arabic. The Holy Quran has about 6500 distinct words, which repeat and there by the Quran has about seventy-eight thousand words. Some words repeat many times. It 26

Bakhabar : June 2014

is useful to learn such high frequency words to build a strong vocabulary of the Quranic words. The additional vocabulary and the grammar will be a continuation of this basic vocabulary. The knowledge of the frequently occurring words enables us to get some understanding of what we are reciting and what the Imam is reciting. The required words lists are readily available in several languages from the references given at the end of this article.

Concluding Suggestions: Ideally, we need to memorize the complete Holy Quran. Knowledge of the Quranic divisions, the location of the Sijdah Tilawat and Muqattaat provides us a guide in knowing the portion being recited. It is useful to individually recite about a Juz before each Tarawih. One can also read the corresponding Tafaseer or at least the Tarawih summary providing an outline of what is being recited. Such practices also improve our concentration in the Tarawih. One can also use a variety of digital Quran available, which assist with the recitation and the memorizing.

May Allah Almighty Guide us in learning the Holy Quran and in practicing what it Guides each one of us to do, Amen.

Bibliography: 1.

Tarawih Summaries in English, Hindi and Urdu, http://NawabMohammedAbdulGhani.webs.com/tarawih.html http://www.ipci.co.za/information/taraweeh-quran-summary/ 2.

Shams Pirzada, Is it not necessary to read the Qur’an with Understanding?, Idara Da’watul Qur’an, Mumbai, India, 13th Edition (2011). http://scanislam.com/browse-islam/read-quran-with-understanding/ and http://www.quranforall.org/quran/iintrqwund.htm 3.

Khurram Murad, Way to the Qur’an, Islamic Book Service, New Delhi, India. http://www.sunnipath.com/library/books/B0039P0000.aspx and http://www.islambasics.com/view.php?bkID=29 4.

Sameen Ahmed Khan, The Sajdah Tilawat, Radiance Viewsweekly, Vol. XLIV, No. 20, pp. 7 (29 October – 04 November 2006). http://www.RadianceWeekly.com/ and http://RadianceWeekly.in/ 5.

Sameen Ahmed Khan, The Sajdah Tilawat; Islamic Voice, Vol. 20-10, No. 250, pp. 31 (October 2007). http://IslamicVoice.com/October2007/Ramadan/index.php and http://archive.IslamicVoice.com/IV-2007/iv-2007-10.pdf 6.

Learn Arabic through Enlish, Hindi and Urdu at: Functional Arabic: http://www.Functional-Arabic.com/ and http://www.ExploreQuran.com/index.htm 7.

Abdul Karim Parekh, The Easy Dictionary of the Qur’aan, This Treasure-house originally in Urdu is now available in numerous languages including: Hindi, Bengali, Gujarati, English and Turkish, (Zia Publications, Lucknow, India, Fifth Edition (2005). http://Corpus.Quran.com/.

8.

Abdul Aziz Dahran, 80% of Qur’anic Words, This Pocketsized booklet is in Urdu and Enlish, Parekh Publications, Nagpur India (2009). http://www.eMuslim.com/.

9.

A website dedicated to Quran, Hadith and Islam: http://www.SearchTruth.com/.

10.

An online source of Quran in different formats accompanied with audio to suite a variety of readers: http://www.QuranFlash.com/home?en

Youth

The Example of a Donkey...

Those Who Don’t Give Due Rights to Their Holy Book

T

I By Nissar Nadiadwala I

he biggest change that the Qur'an can bring in our lives is that it can make us a giant of a personality, but not unless we give the Qur'an its rights. How many students or reciters of Qur'an amongst us really ask our teachers about the rights of the Qur'an? Let us study some of the very important rights of the Qur'an upon us.

It should be recited properly and regularly. Some people are very careless regarding their makhraj of Arabic alphabets themselves. Makhraj in English is understood as enunciation and not pronunciation.

How you utter each word can at times make the big difference in the meaning too. I have seen Muslim youth working hard on their English accents and learning Urdu poetry for impressing people in gatherings and making lucrative careers. They attend special courses and pay thousands of rupees to learn those accents, but when it comes to the Qur'an they say, “Allah will reward us as per our niyah (Intentions).” Just compare the two niyah!

It should be Understood Properly: The Qur'an does not give permission to understand its teaching on your own. Consider this: The Prophet (pbuh) was unlettered, an Ummi, and many of his students, the companions, were scholars of Arabic language, yet they went to understand the meaning of the Quranic verses from the Prophet, rather than deriving their own meanings. After all the Qur'an is a book of Laws and Constitution. An excellent example is given by Ibn Kathir in the reference of Surah al An'am chapter 6 verse 82, it is those who believe and confuse not their beliefs with zulm- they are in security, they are on right guidance. Some of the companions of the Prophet (pbuh) went to him and were worried because they felt that each one of them did some thing or wrong or zulm with others sometimes or somewhere. So were they on guidance? The Prophet explained them with the other Qur'anic verse, Surah Luqman chapter 31 verse 13,Indeed Shirk is the highest form of wrong doing (zulm).

That is the reason why Hadith is important in understanding the Qur'an. Those who reject the status of hadith may note this.

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Abdullah ibn Masood (r.a.) was ever ready to travel hundreds of miles to know the context of even one verse. On the other hand, today we have Ibn Kathir online and other tafaseers too yet how many of the internet users really study Ibn Kathir. In my book shop, once I had a young visitor who argued with me about the price of ibn Kathir. I explained him the reasons but he was not ready to agree. Finally I asked him how much did he pay for his cell phone and the amount came to be three times more than Ibn Kathir! 'Wonderful!' I exclaimed.

It should be obeyed: It is not only that how many times you recite the complete Qur'an in Ramadan but it is equally important that how much of the Qur'an you implement in your life. Those to whom the Book is given, they recite it the way it has the right to be recited, al-Baqarah 121. An important verse in Surah Jumuah notes: The example of those who were given the book (Torah) but failed (in obeying), is that of a donkey which carries huge tomes (but understands not). Are we not donkeys? No book in the world has so much detailed of explanations the way the Qur'an has. Every century has seen scores of commentaries of Qur'an by noted scholars, yet when it comes to obeying the Qur'an most of us are like that donkey mentioned in Surah Jumuah, chapter 62 verse 5. I pray to Allah that we don’t turn into a community of donkeys.

It should be spread. HazaBalagullinnaas… This is a message for the entire mankind... ends Surah Ibrahim with this note. It is the duty of every Muslim to spread the fragrance of Qur'an, not just by gifting free copies of the Qur'an Translations to Non-Muslim friends, but by showing them Qur'an in our dealings with people in our personal lives or professional lives.

The Fierce Conflict Within Yourth

A

I By Dr Mohammad Manzoor Alam I

s we have explained earlier, this monthly column is in the nature of an intimate family discussion within the Muslim community, especially with youth.

The raging conflict within the Muslim community worldwide as well as in India is a matter of serious concern for the community’s elders. Most of this unfortunate conflict is baseless and has no substance, even though it is highly dangerous.

Within India itself the conflict between the masaalik has deepened in recent months. Bitter mutual recriminations have grown even though the All India Milli Council has consistently tried to bridge the gap by bringing all masaalik on a single platform.

The gulf between Islam’s two main sects has grown with considerable outside support from within and outside the country. Again, as usual, the Milli Council, of which I happen to be the General Secretary, has provided a joint platform for leaders not only from both the sects, but also from sub-sects. The conflict is not visible on the Milli Council platform although outside it the intensity of the conflict between the sub-sects has also grown.

The same discord marks the Muslim castes, zaat and biradri. Here, too, we have tried to bring people together and heal the rift. On this score, some antiMuslim groups are already celebrating the division between Muslims. This has several political dimensions which we can discuss at a later stage as this piece is limited to points of principle only. The antiMuslim groups think they do not need to organise communal riots as Muslims themselves are enough to kill each other.

At the base of the zaat-biradri conflict lie old issues of identity as well as the relatively new allure of job quotas and reservation in educational institutions. All these issues require careful, sensitive handling and full assurance to the so-called lower Muslim castes that the upper castes would not try to take what is due to the pasmaanda sections. Even otherwise, nonpasmandashave no way of taking the pie reserved for the backward castes.

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There are even larger issues confronting the global Muslim Ummah that threaten to break it from inside.

The internal violence in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Sudan, Libya and Egypt is most distressing. In all those places ethnic and sectarian violence has brought life to a standstill. In Egypt, the Brotherhood is at loggerheads with its former ally the Salafis.

Even in Turkey, two major segments of Islam-lovers are looking at each other with suspicion. Somalia is already a failed state. The Arab Spring has failed to bring in peace or democracy anywhere. People in those countries have not become better Muslims than they were before the Arab Spring. The great promise of Arab Spring has turned out to be an illusion.

Indian Muslims have their own old and new set of problems, the most worrisome of them being recurrence of organised violence against them periodically. To cap it all, we now have the prospect of internal conflict within the community.

The internal conflicts in Muslim countries are attributed by sociologist Akbar S. Ahmad to a general disregard in these countries for what he calls the “post-colonial paradigm” –pluralism, peaceful transfer of power through periodic elections. In the Middle East tyrannical “presidents” have presided over governments for three or even four decades. They capture power with violence and can be replaced only with more violence.

The Muslim world must learn these, not as some sinister Western dogma, but as a symbol of respect for the opinion of each and every citizen and to ensure their participation in governance, law-making and policy formulation affecting the entire population of those countries. Tolerance of dissent is yet another democratic principle to be learned by all Muslims everywhere. This is also a good way of engaging with the diversity of masaalik peacefully and constructively.

Earlier generations of Muslims, too, had their differences and violent expression of disagreement or, even civil war, has not been unknown in the Muslim world. Despite all that, over the centuries Muslims evolved a discipline of dealing with difference of opinion fruitfully. Islam took the position that difference of opinion among Muslims is a boon, or God’s

blessing. Because of difference of opinion we are able to look at issues from different perspectives which help us understand all dimensions of those issues, making a solution easier to find.

This is why for centuries Muslim lands were far more peaceful than Europe, which was always at war with itself. The Muslims called it Adab-e-Ikhtalaf (norms of expressing difference of opinion). In 2012, the Institute of Objective Studies organised an important seminar on the topic at Deoband in which major ulema and Muslim intellectuals participated.

We published proceedings and books on the issue in the following days which can be accessed today for finding clues to creative solutions. Meanwhile, let us all try to heal the rift as best as we can.

Let us sit together, think together and plan for the process of working together.

http://iosworld.org/short_takes/The_Fierce_Conflict_Within.htm

List of Muslim MPs elected for 2014 Lok Sabha The current parliament will have lowest level of Muslim representation in its history.At pathetic 4%, does it cast a shadow on the value of democracy?

List from Muslim Mirror News No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

29

Name Party Asaduddin Owaisi AIMIM Siraj Uddin Ajmal AIUDF Badruddin Ajmal AIUDF Tasleem Uddin RJD Tariq Anwar NCP Ch. Mahboob Ali Kaiser LJP Mohammad Asrarul Congress Haque Mehbooba Mufti PDP Muzaffar Hussain Baig PDP Tariq Hameed Karra PDP E. Ahamed IUML E. T. Mohammed IUML Basheer M I Shanavas Congress Mohammed Faizal P.P. NCP Anwhar Raajhaa.A AIADMK Idris Ali TMC Mamtaz Sanghamitra TMC Abu Hasem Khan Congress Chowdhury Mausam Noor Congress Badaruddoza Khan CPIM Md. Salim CPIM Sultan Ahmed TMC APARUPA PODDAR TMC (AFRIN ALI)

Bakhabar : June 2014

Constituency Hyderabad Barpeta Dhubri Araria Katihar Khagaria Kishanganj

State Margin Andhra Pradesh 202454 Assam 42341 Assam 229730 Bihar 146504 Bihar 67723 Bihar 76003 Bihar 76003

Anantnag Baramulla Srinagar Malappuram Ponnani

J & K J & K J & K Kerala Kerala

65417 29219 42280 194739 25410

Wayanad Kerala Lakshadweep Lakshadweep Ramanathapuram Tamil Nadu Basirhat WB Burdawan-DurgapurWB Maldaha Dakshin WB

20870 1535 119450 109659 107331 164111

Malda Uttar Murshidabad Raiganj Uluberia Arambagh

65705 18453 1356 201141 346845

WB WB WB WB WB

Zakat, Awqaf and Hajj Management in the Necklace-Islands

I

I By Dr. Mohammed Obaidullah I

slam came to the Necklace-Islands ((Mala and Dweep respectively in Sanskrit) or Maldives in the 12th Century. The famous Moroccan traveller Ibn Batuta who visited the Maldives in the 14th century, wrote how Abu Barakat also a Moroccan, was believed to have been responsible for spreading Islam in the islands. The influence of Arabic language and culture is too conspicuous to be missed even today. When I visited this island country a few days back, I was determined to know how the institutions of zakat, awqaf and hajj are managed in this nation of about 395,000 people living in about 198 of the 1192 coral islands.

Zakat The quantum of zakat collected and distributed has been steadily growing over the years. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs (MIA) created in 2008, that has the mandate to collect and distribute zakat, collected about Rf 48 million rufiya (USD3.1 million approx.) as zakat during the year 2013, increasing from

30

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Rf14.9 million (US$1 million) in 2008 and around Rf7 million per year over 2002-2005.

The distribution of benefits over the past eight years among the eight eligible categories (asnaf) is as follows. Poor and needy (fuqara and masakeen) account for 62 percent of the total zakat mobilized.

Administration of zakat (amileenalaihi) account for 1 percent, the sympathizers (muallafatulquloobuhum) for 0.1 percent, the indebted (gharimin) for 1.4 percent, stranded travelers (ibnusabeel) for 0.5 percent of zakat collected. Finally, 35 percent was spent in the path of Allah in daa’wah activities (fi sabilillah).

With a cent percent Muslim population, the importance of zakat, awqaf and hajj for the state and its people can be hardly overemphasized. Management of these matters in Maldives is entrusted to the state.

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs (MIA) has the mandate to deal with these matters. Housed at the famous Islamic Centre, a dedicated Zakat Unit established under the Ministry of Islamic Affairs car-

Photo: Mohammed Obaidullah

ries out the collection and distribution of zakat.

Zakat collection is currently undertaken manually.

Within the ambit of Public Finance Act 2006, zakat funds are paid into a Public Trust Account, under the Ministry of Finance. Moves are however, afoot to create an independent zakat fund under the Ministry of Islamic Affairs. The Zakat Unit also deals the distribution of zakat with the advice and recommendations from a special Zakat Committee set up for this purpose. The Zakat Committee has the mandate to advise in matters related spending of zakat funds on the eight categories, and especially on fi-sabilillah.

The Committee has 14 members including the Minister, the State Minister and the Deputy Minister, representatives from various other Ministries (Health, Education, Home and Finance), the business community and the city council and the judicial commission. A Shariah Committee comprising five members provides Shariah rulings and advice on zakat matters to the MIA, the Zakat Unit and the Zakat Committee.

There are island-zakat-councils in each of the 198 inhabited islands that act as agents of the Ministry for collection of zakat and provide help in distribution of zakat.

Private institutional collecting and distributing entities for zakat-al-mal do not exist, but may be permitted to operate by the MIA. In case of zakat-al-fitrah, two telecom companies (through SMS) and the National Bank of Maldives have been allowed to collect the same.

Traditionally, zakat amount is distributed among the poor who self-declare and register themselves with the MIA. On average, approximately 60,000 individuals have been receiving benefits that are very modest (RF120 per year and per beneficiary). Recently, the MIA entered into an agreement with the National Social Protection Agency (NSPN) under which it placed about Rf6 million to provide medical assistance to needy. This would essentially be to supplement the medical assistance traditionally provided

by NSPN to all needy and ensure that such assistance is provided under one-roof.

Currently, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs is working on a comprehensive legal system that is expected to provide for mandatory collection of zakat and bring in detailed guidelines for distribution of zakat.

Awqaf 31

Bakhabar : June 2014

Awqaf in Maldives are in the nature of religious awqaf – the masjids. The capital, Male, currently has over 30 masjids. The most recognizable is the Islamic Center in Male, whose golden dome dominates the low-slung skyline. Recently however, there have are some interesting developments on the awqaf front in the form of creation of investment awqaf. While new waqf of land in Male is restricted by law, the MIA has acquired two pieces of prime land and aims to build large waqf buildings on the land pieces. In case of the first project alone called DarulIman, the Ministry expected to construct a 10story building shortly that would result in a recurring annual inflow of more than 2 million ruffiya that is a very large amount to manage mosques. The MIA has also entered into MOUs with local island councils in five islands for allotment of land that would be developed to create local waqf funds for the respective islands.

Hajj

Maldives has also taken rapid strides for financing and management of hajj for its 800-odd pilgrims every year. It has established the Maldives Hajj Corporation under the Ministry of Islamic Affairs along the lines of the Malaysian Tabung Haji Corporation.

It has recently introduced a salary deduction scheme for its prospective pilgrims and aims to mobilize around 100 million Ruf during the current year. The Corporation was established in the face of reported cases of gross mismanagement of hajj by private operators. Initially it aims to take care of fifty percent, or 400 out of its quota of 800 pilgrims.

http://sadaqa.in/2014/05/09/zakat-awqaf-and-hajjmanagement-in-the-necklace-islands/