FAKHR - PRIDE

We are in the midst of celebrating the 98th Milad Mubarak of our beloved Aqa Moula (TUS) and are carrying with us the visions and dream of celebrating his 100th Milad Mubarak Insa Allah.

I have been giving a serious thought on the subject of ‘Fakhr’ (Pride) which is the main theme of this year’s Ayyamul Ta’budaat. Let me share with you all, my thoughts on the subject.

Pride resulting out of material possessions, I need not elaborate here, is haughtiness, a negative and self destructive trait. Fakhr emanating out of things spiritual and non-tangible, adds luster and releases positive energies for the development of the mind, soul and body. Fakhr is conducive to mental health. When we have self confidence and self respect, we thrive. Ask any expert on behavioral science, and they will agree, that it is so. No doubts here.

Now the question – How best to inculcate this positive Fakhr ? – as humans we are attuned and attached to all things material. Aqa Moula’s Kalema’t Nooraniyah, surely shows us the way :


‘Ay mara pyara farzando ! Tamne koyee chiz nu fakhr hoyee to’ Imam Husain na matam ane buka nu fakhr hoyee.

Koi beezee duniya ni chiz nu nahi. Ay mara pyara farzando !

Imam Husain ni shadaat tamne parhi ne sunawoo, yeh mara vaste fakhr, ane ehna si mari sehat and badan ma quwwat.

Haqiqi fakhr su ? Ke A’al – e- Mohammad ane yeh sagla na doaato ni gulami.
Yeh haqiqi fakhr !



So here we have it. In one of his earlier bayan mubarak Aqa Moula (TUS) said: ‘ je waqt mumin Abde Syedna likhe che, to’ ehne fakhr mehsoos thai che, ke mari nisbat mara Moula si chhe’

In order to understand, appreciate and finally inculcate the positive Fakhr in our daily lives, the historical incidents from the pages of our glorious Akhbar , albeit only a few have been taken by me, there are countless, but my knowledge is limited, I hope others will also share their knowledge. The purpose is to have an insight on the subject.

In many cases I will be just giving the thread of narration, and not the details, as every one surely knows all the riwayats, which I hope to refer, just the points, during this Ayyamul Ta’budaat. This being by first post on the subject. Your comments will provide me with guidance and motivation, for which I will be ever grateful.


FAKHR of Ibrahim Nabi on the WILL of ALLAH - Everyone knows the riwayat of Ibrahim Nabi (SA) when he was about to be thrown in fire – Jibraeel was bewildered at the reply Ibrahim (SA) gave that I seek nothing from Allah – what happened – ‘kulna ya naar kooni bardan va salama’ – Ibrahim (SA) said to Jibraeel - I felt ashamed to seek deliverance when Khuda ni hiqmat was that I should be martyred.

The Fakhr was in accepting what was Willed. A lesson to be learnt.

FAKHR of Musa Nabi on the FATIH IN ALLAH - He goes to the court of the mighty and most powerful Firaun with his vasi Haroon, both carrying nothing with them, but the walking stick. Every one knows how he managed to subdue and baffle the haughty Firaun and his courtiers.

For Musa Nabi (SA) the Fakhr was in reposing full FAITH IN ALLAH. We mumineen by reposing full faith in our Aqa Moula (TUS) can overcome seemingly difficult obstacles.

To be continued …………..

CONTENTMENT

Alf sajadat-us-shukr va ubudiyat in Hazrat Aliyah Imamiyah for the barakat received by the world wide community of mumineen of the Chelum Va’az audio relay from Darussalam.

Two very powerful messages – the first CONTENTMENT which will help in keeping the mental balance and equilibrium and the other to move forward, not to cry over spilled milk, by thinking and acting positively in all life situations, were delivered loud and clear.

I share with readers, some thoughts on the subject. Let me start by quoting the sayings of Moulana Ali (SA) from NAHJUL BALAGAH

• Contentment is wealth that does not diminish.

• Livelihood is of two kinds : the livelihood which you seek and the livelihood, which seeks you; if you do not reach, it would come to you. Therefore do not turn your one day’s worry in to a year’s worry. Whatever you get every day should be enough for you for the day. If you have a whole year of your life even then Allah will give you every next day what He has destined as your share.

If you do not have a year in your life, then why should your worry for what is not for you. No seeker would reach your livelihood before you nor would any one over power you in matter of livelihood. Similarly whatever has been destined, as your share would not be delayed from you.

Aqa Moula (TUS) said that by kan’aat, we can achieve Hay’at Taiyyebah, which is the goal of every mumin.

Now the question arises how to inculcate the virtue of CONTENTMENT.

It is not something to be searched for and found, it is primarily development of the right attitude and the persuit of a life style based on conviction and not circumstances.

Achieving reasonable standard of living - habit of giving - cultivating a close and warm hearted feelings for others – a thankful heart – rejection of base less fears – establishing priorities and most important having full trust and faith in the broad scheme of things as envisaged by Allah.

Start inculcating the above and soon you will find your self living a life full of contentment and happiness.

Personally for me it is a matter of great satisfaction, sharing with you all this 40th post on the Mind Mints blog on Chelum day.

SURVIVAL STRATEGIES - NOT USUAL RUN OF THE MILL TYPE

It’s real downtime folks, so like many companies, specially in the financial and service sectors going bust, the currency of the most popular dictum, on which many made a lot of money ie: ‘WORK HARD – PARTY HARDER’ has also gone bust.


Many including yours truly have reverted back to the simpler pleasures of life, one of them being reading of books. After having thumbed through the recent best seller “Dreams from my Father – A story of Race and Inheritance by Barack Obama, gifted by my niece,Zahra an Obama fan, who came visiting from the States, I had to fall back on my small collection of books, to find solace and peace in troubled times.


As I read through Linda Goodman’s STAR SIGNS I came across a this interesting poem therein. May be in good times I may have just smirked and moved on, but as these are bad times, I read it again and again and thought - is it possible, can it be used as a survival strategy, many thoughts rankled my brain. I will not elaborate but share with you the beautiful verse and the blessings of the riwayat, which every mumin does know well, which suddenly came to mind, as I tried to rationalize the truth contained in the verse.


I leave it entirely upon your discernment and prudence to make a judgment, if at all in these difficult time, it can be used as a survival strategy. Very radical indeed, hope some one has the courage to ‘JUST DO IT ’ ( amusing thought whether NIKE themselves are putting faith in their tag line, during this difficult times)

QUOTE : …….. and tonight I’m remembering

those bubbly moments of bittersweet
when a tapped out stranger stops us on the street
to ask you for a dime or a quarter
a fellow Earthling, who’s lost his or her way for a while

you always smile, then give the lost one five dollars
or ten ……. or twenty

even when you’re broke
and it’s your very last five ……. or ten……. or twenty

then, when the Taker looks shocked, as they always do
you call back, over your shoulder

‘ listen, if you want any more
just give half of that away
don’t save it for a rainy day !
rain rhymes with pain
…………. give rhymes with live!’



Pray what are your first thoughts, as you finished reading
‘absolute rubbish’ / ‘far fetched’ / or ‘may be there is truth, of which I know not’


As I conveyed earlier, I read it again and again, what made me read it I know not, and I recalled the riwayat of Moulana Ali (SA) heard many a times in va’az. Forgive my narration, as it is always very difficult to convey it in English.


The household of Moula Ali (SA) had been without food for three days, so Ma Fatema (SA) pleaded with Aqa Ali to arrange for some money, so that food can be bought. Moulana Ali (SA) secured 1 dinar as karzan from a Jew and while returning, he chanced upon Mikdad bin Aswad, sitting in the heat of the day, on the way.


Upon enquiry Moulana Ali came to know that the household of Mikdad had been without food, for past four days, and Mikdad was at his wit’s end, as to how to arrange for some money. Moulana Ali told Mikdad of his own personal plight and said he has just secured 1 dinar as karzan and was returning home.


But Moulana Ali did what only Moulana Ali could only do. He gave Mikdad 1 dinar saying, go Mikdad, buy food and satiate the hunger of your family, who are without food for 4 days at a stretch ALLAHO AKBAR !!!


So giving Mikdad 1 dinar Moulana Ali slowly made his way towards his home, where Ma Fatema (SA) and Imam Hasan (SA) and Imam Husain (SA) .were eagerly awaiting his return.

Here I would like to make a very important observation. Moulana Ali could have easily told Mikdad, that see I have borrowed 1 dinar from that particular Jew, go to him, and borrow one dinar your self. HE SIMPLY GAVE HIS ONE DINAR AWAY !!


As Moulana Ali (SA) was making his way back home, he chanced upon Muhammad (SA) who said, that he intended to partake food with Ahle Bait (SA). Moulana Ali immediately offered the invitation, and both of them hurried towards home.


Every mumin knows this riwayat so very well. What happened when he returned - Ma Fatema (SA) in sujood, and lo and behold the m’aedat from heaven - the look of utter bewilderment and a hint of suspicion in the eyes of Moulana Ali (SA) as he looked at Ma Fatema, and finally Muhammad (SA) telling Moulana Ali (SA) that it was only because of his giving 1 dinar away to Mikdad !!!

So friends, no one on earth can do what Moulana Ali (SA) could do, but we can all learn a lesson, in this difficult time to reach put to those of our fellow brothers, who are in need of our support and understanding.


REACH OUT with your funds, your knowledge, your zeal to serve, the least you can do is to provide a willing ear and proffer some advice and solace.


Let us not merely think of our own self and family , not be mean and narrow minded. Let us have a broad vision and lofty goal. Not to hoard wealth – investing it with the sole purpose of having to avoid sharing it with others. If from this down turn, we have not learnt a lesson, when will we ever learn.


On daily basis we are seeing the stories of investments going down the drain, the high and mighty of the financial world, looked upon as demy gods, biting dust. Those that have received accolades and awards, turning out to be plain and simple cheats.

Difficult times demand difficult decisions to be taken. Are you game ?

WHERE HAS THE MONEY GONE - HUMOUR

Once in a while it does a world of good for the tired and exhuasted mind to deviate, from serious issues in life and enjoy humour. This one if no slapstic but real British humour, with a potent message, which vindicates the teachings of our beloved
Aqa Moula (TUS)

It will surely provide fresh mints to your tired mind, at the same time make you fully aware of the finaiancial mess, that the Investment Bankers, have led the world into. ENJOY AND MORE IMPORTANT LEARN !!!

Bird & Fortune - Financial Crisis - Silly Money

http://www.intentblog.com/archives/2009/01/have_a_laugh_fi.html

(copy paste on your browser please)

MUSIC TO OUR EARS

MUSIC is not an anathema ( I am talking from our community perspective here) if understood and enjoyed in the right spirit. I am sharing with you some of the information I have collected on the subject, which will also set you thinking. Read on friends ………

If you care to read history, you will come to know that the famous Arab philosophers, were the ones who expounded on Music.

BU ALI SINA (Avicenna) defines music as ‘ a mathematical science ‘ in which there is discussed the state of melody, in so far as it is harmony or it is discord, and the state of intervening period. His book was entitled “Introduction to the art of Music’
His pupil Ibn Zaila wrote a Book – ‘Suffeciency in Music’ and his contemporary, the great mathematician and physicist Ibn Al Haitham, complied two studies on Music.

KINDI’S extant works on musical theory are the earliest existing in Arabic.

THABIT IBN QURRA - the mathematician – RAZI the physician philosopher, contributed to writing of musical treaties.

FARABI - the great Islamic theorist’s book – ‘ Grand Book Of Music ‘ has been subject of modern study. He also wrote on the Style of Music and on the Classification of Rhythm.

BUZJANI - the famous Mathematician wrote a Compendium on the Science of Rhythm.

IKHWAN –US – SAFAH (Epistles) had an entire chapter on Music, which was widely known.

SURPRISED !

Is not reading all this music to your ears, my freinds !

MUSIC IS NOT BAD ! MUSIC ELAVATES THE MIND AND THE SPIRIT. MUSIC WHICH LEADS ONE TO THE ONENESS OF ALLAH, WHICH BRINGS OUT THE FINER SENTIMENTS OF CHARACTER, MUSIC WITH SOOTHS THE TROUBLED MIND AND EASES PAIN IS A REAL BLESSING.

Like a human who can rise to be angelic or fall down to the depths, to even shame Satan, Music also emotes powerful contradictory forces on human mind and character. It is for this very reason, that in our Deen, in order to safeguard us from the negative and harmful effects of Music, directives with regard to music are issued and strictly adhered to. It is not a ‘gag’ as some wrongly view it, it is a blessing in disguise.

The philosopher’s of yore wrote extensively on the therapeutic value of the music, and the effect of different forms of composition on a man’s mood. They were interested on the spiritual awakening of the mind and soul.

The music that is churned out now days , has the beat, the rhythm, sound, vibrations and the high and low pitch notes, it is foot tapping, hip swinging but not mind and soul awakening, and we as mumineen our more concerned with the therapeutic value and awakening of the mind and soul, rather than toning of our leg and hip muscle and bones !!! There are better exercises for achieving body flexiblity.

It is not that musical instruments are banned but we make judicial use of it. However, we have developed the art of what is known as cappella music to a state of perfection. (It is vocal music or singing without instrumental accompaniment)

For the last several years SAUTUL IMAN - a voice development project by Mahad Al Zahra is doing a commendable khidmat in the development of this genre of music. This year it was very interesting to see youngsters, downloading Marishyah from the Sautul Iman website for each particular day of Muhrram and sharing with each other and practicing recital.

In a few years time, we will have youngsters perfecting the art of cappella music, at the same time learning a lot to differentiate between music, that elevates the mind and soul and that which awakens baser passions and desires.

Besides Marsiyah with broadly comprises ‘salaam’ – ‘musaddas’ - ‘noha’ (matami/non-matami) each having a particular form of rendering unique to its self, there are different forms of rhythm and recital beats, used for rendering Hamd – O Sana (the lyrical quality of Quran is brought out to perfection in the recitation of ‘sana’ in fazr namaz if properly remdered) Qasida, Naa’t e Rasul (SA) Manqabat – e – Ali (SA) Nasihat etc:

In conclusion I have this to say. There is a lot to learn and much to appreciate in our Deen, provided you are willing to learn and understand.

In our Faith, the famous mathematicians, physicists and philosophers who expounded on music, but now days one tend to be avowed by …………. (draw your own conclusions)

NEW YEAR 2009 MESSAGE FROM MOMBASA

NEW YEAR 2009 MESSAGE FROM MOMBASA

Imam Husain (SA) Shukr was exceptional. He recited this dua on the day of A’ashura.

‘ O LORD ! I offer you my gratitude, permeating every pulsating vein in my body, for every morsel and droplet you have provided, by the number of follicles in my body’

Aqa Moula (TUS) interpreting the meaning of the supplication, expounded.

‘Though the blood was flowing from his veins, though he had not tasted a drop of water for three days, though wounds abounded his entire body, Imam Husain (SA) expressed his gratitude to Allah.’

(Courtesy: www.alvazarat.org)


Coincidently 5th Muhrram happened to be the New Year 2009. What the economies of the world have witnessed in the last quarter of 2008 and what is forecasted for the coming year is a cause of great concern.

However, we mumineen under the benign and farsighted guidance of Aqa Moula (TUS) feel secure and confident, that come what may, with the Doa Mubarak of our Moula and from the barakat and blessings emanating from the buka and matam on Imam Husain (SA) during A’shara , we mumineen will surely tide over the obstacles, if any, and come out winners.

It is crunch time, when around the world people are reporting to work, even when sick, for the fear of loosing jobs, when businesses are going out of the way to please the customers and save plunging sales, we mumineen are attending vaaz, downing our shutters during peak business hours, and those in service have taken leave.
Isn’t is amazing ! It sure is !!

Why ? Because we have faith in our Moula and are not overtly perturbed by what the economic pundits predict. Here I am not saying that the Economists and experts of financial market are wrong, but on the contrary their predictions and reading on how the world economy will shape in the year 2009 is based on hard facts and figures, and their expertise and judgment is valued and respected.

Mumineen either in business or service are an integral part of the world economic system, and what effects others, will surely effect them also. They will not be immune, but what is important, is their reaction to the forces of market. It is observed that, in a challenging situation, it is the reaction of an individual that differentiates, between the winner and a looser.

Now coming to the point I want to make. Aqa Moula’s bayan mubarak on 5th Muhrram, the first day of 2009 is very significant in the sense that he has sent out a very important and far reaching message to his followers, which will safeguard them and help in positive thinking, to count their blessings in the midst of economic woes.



SHUKR ! SHUKR ! SHUKR !



If you have been fortunate to hear the audio clip (www.alvazarat.org) you will have notice the emphasis and the feelings surrounding the utterance of the words, with pregnant pauses containing a vortex of feelings and thoughts that may be arising in the mind and soul of Aqa Moula (TUS) when he addressed his ‘farzando’

‘Mumineen ni jamaat – Shukr karva thi faydo thai chhe
Shukr karva thi tamam umoor durast thai chhe

NOW THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT

faqat jaban thi nahi, dil thi shukr karo
tamam a’za thi shukr karo



Mumineen ni Jammat - Shukr vazib che, farz chhe
ma’refat na sath hamd shukr kariye chhe
jehna haath par ne’mat mile che, shukr karvoo joiye
Ne’mat na appnaar to ma’bood che , ehnahaath par
miley chhe

Husain ne roi lejo
matam kari lejo
Shukr kari lejo


What I infer from this is that Aqa Moula (TUS) has sent out a very positive and strong message, to his followers around the world, to inculcate the noble virtue of shukr (gratitude) and to become aware of the innumerable Blessings of Allah.

If one is surrounded by plentitude, it is easy for him to offer hamd and shukr but in times of adversity to offer shukr (the doa mubarak of Imam Husain on the day of A’ashura is a sterling example, unparalleled, bringing tears as one recounts the tragic circumstances, when he supplicated before Allah recounting not the torments and treachery of the enemy, but the blessings of Allah) is a great lesson to be learnt. If I have inferred correctly, this is what Aqa Moula (TUS) requires his followers to do in the face of adversity.

Allah forbid but if under challenging circumstances, if one is faced with adversity on account of economic meltdown in business or at work place, or depriciation of assets, he will take up the challenges by fortitude and courage. For he will be counting his many blessings, the most important being that his Moula is there with him to guide him, to lead him on, his family is there to support him, his Iman is there to nourish him and sustain him.

If he inculcates the noble virtues of shukr and sabr, even if creature comforts are lost, if income takes a beating, he will not become depressed and sullen, for by doing shukr of the things he has, a whole new mindset and thought process, will be at his command to rejuvenate him.

My young friends, even if the economy plays truant, your ‘lifestyle’ may be compromised, but never your ‘livelihood’ Please understand the subtle difference between the two. Of late, I have been observing a phobia of the future, which is unwarranted.

Friends, inculcate the noble virtue of shukr in your daily life, and you will surely come out winners, come what may.

So this is the Message from Mombasa on New Year Day.

( Suggestion: You may copy paste the design gif and the doa mubarak of
Imam Husain (SA) and frame it, and keep it at your working desk, and each day of 2009 you will be reminded of the azeem shukr of your Moula Husain (SA) the New Year Message of your beloved Aqa Moula (TUS) and face the challenges of 2009 with a very positive attitude )

THE DESIGN GRAPHIC IS DONE BY : BHAI NOORUDIN AMARJEE

Note: As I was unable to insert the gif with my article, I have posted it seperately.