Thursday, December 25, 2008

NAJWA E A'ANSOO

Saughat- e -a’ansoo leke aya hoon aza’ ki majlis me
yehi hadiyah- e- azadari hai meray MOULA ki pasand


( this is the extempore composition by my artist friend Bhai Noorudin Amarjee conveyed over phone, as I told him of Aqa Moula’s reception bayan mubarak, and my intention to write on the subject)

On hearing Aqa Moula’s bayan at the Mombasa airport (courtesy DB Net) I started reflecting on the bayan wherein Aqa Moula, at the very start, brought into focus, his aspirations and purpose, by stating ‘ su najwa arz karso – tamara a’ansoo na najwa ne lewa ayo chhu…..’ This address was not confined to the mumineen of Mombasa and all those who have been blessed to be with Aqa Moula (TUS) in the Burhani Masjid and its precincts, but mumineen worldwide.

So every mumineen in all earnest should, at first become aware of what Aqa Moula (TUS) is requiring of them during this Muharram, what will make him please and earn his satisfaction and blessings.

Once you become aware and focused, as to what is expected of you by your Moula this A’shara, whether you are blessed to sit at his feet in Mombasa, or you are sitting in a very small congregation in Modasa (Gujrat) it does not matter, unless you are able to weep profusely on the Martyerdom of Imam Husain (S.A.) on the burning plains of Karbala.

I agree it is easy said than done, no sermonizing here, one has to be practical.

First step is becoming aware of what is required of you, next your personal assessment of yourself. Human beings are all different, there are people who can shed tears easily, yet there are others who find it difficult to cry. I have observed many blessed mumineen, who at the mere sight of Aqa Moula tend to shed a lot of tears, others are equally emotional and moved, but tears do not come that easily, and there is a scientific explanation to it. ( to get my point straight, I will confide to you about my sister, who has grown up children of her own and stays in Pune. Now whenever, she comes to see me off at the station, I fail to understand, but as the train leaves the platform, she starts crying !!!)

It is for this reason, that Aqa Moula says, that ‘rovu na aavtu hoi, to Nazrul Mukam mano, mane yaad karo, maro chehro tamarni nazar samne rakho…’
So the first step is precisely do that.

Once you are focused, the next step is ‘m’arefat’ for whom, you are shedding your tears, and why are you shedding year after year. I will just state one of the many reason, as often said by Aqa Moula (TUS) ‘ mumineen tame mara Moula Imam Husain na matam ane rova matej paiyda thaya cho, tamara paiydais no maqsad Imam Husain par a’aho jari karvoo che’ ( Note: these are not the exact words, but the spirit of the bayan mubarak is conveyed)

Syedna Mohammad Burhanuddin Moula in his munajaat has beautifully articulated the sentiment of, forever remembering Husain (s.a.) in the following words:
WA AZKURU MOULAYAL HUSAINA DAA LANA, BE SAJDATEHE INDASH SHAHADATAY SAEELA (I always remember Moula Husain (s.a.) who during his shahadat remembered us in his Doa)

So it becomes obligatory and part of living faith for a mumin to shed a’asoo and do matam. During the bayan at the airport Aqa Moula recited the verse from Ya Sayedas Shohadaee - fizi aya nafse fizi ...

So once you become aware and focused, the next step is m’arefat and Muqaadas Moula Syedna Taher Saifuddin (RA) helps us in doing so, in the following verse :

AZHAL HUSAINU YUNADI, BAEENA JUMOIL AADI, INNIBNU TAHA WA SAADEE, MUNZO SALASEEN SADEE, ATLOOBU SHURBATA MAEE, WALAHFATA YA HUSAINA, YA SAYEDASH SHOHADEE.

(On the day of Ashaura before Shahadat, Husain (s.a.) performed the duty of Hujjat with enemies and asked. Don’t you know I am the son of that Nabi (s.a.) whom Quran has addressed as Tahaa and Suaad ? I am thirsty since last three days. I only ask of you just one sip of water. O Husain our grief upon you, O leader of the Shohada)

Believe me my young friends, when ever I recite the above verse, I am over whelmed by a surge of emotions, and tears flow as the entire scene of helplessness of an exalted Imam unfolds.

In an instant my mind recalls all those rightful people, who in order to uphold the truth, have suffered at the hands of tyrants. I recall Moulai Raj walking in the mohallas of Ahmedabad in ‘fakiri libas’ to save the souls from going astray, I recall Moulai Hasanfir, who because of his knowledge and piety, earned the enmity of the courtiers and was martyred. Spirituality suffered, knowledge was trampled by worldly and naïve people wielding position and power. It is important to connect your thoughts and feelings.

At times recalling your meanness, your turning away a needy mumin bhai, wrongful use of your power and position to hurt a fellow human etc: in short recalling your sins and wrong doings and repenting, as you do matam, releases emotions and a torrent of tears. Just try it out this Muharram.

One is bound to shed tears on reciting the following verse, as to what the enemy did.

LAM YASMAU MINHU QAWLA, WAIZ SHAQU MA SAQAWLA, BAL QATALU MINHU MAWLA, AAMAL BARAYA TAWLAN, ALA ASHADDE ZAMAEE, WALAHFATA YA HUSAINA, YA SYEDASH SHOHADAEE.

(Enemies did not listen to his call, due to cruelty and enmity none of them gave water, but they killed him in the extreme of the thirst, one whose ahsaan covered the whole Universe. My unlimited sorrow and grief upon you, O leader of the Shohada.)

( Excerpts taken from my article entitled THE TRAGEDY OF KARBALA IN THE CONTEXT OF MARASIYA YA SYEDASH SHODAEE) www.hikmaah.com

Thus, I have tried to share with you my reflections and thoughts on the subject, and Allah willing I hope many will surely benefit.

I have also been reading on the subject of crying and the experiments being carried out at St: Paul Ramsey Medical Centre in Minnesota.

Emotional tears are the response which only humans have, for only humans can weep. Ashley Montagu concluded that, weeping contributes not only to the health of the individual, but also to the group in a sense of community and that it tends to deepen involvement in the welfare of others.

Tears are secreted by our lachrymals – tiny sponge like glands, which rest above the eye against the eye socket. It physical benefit is that it lubricates the eyeballs and eyelids.


In experiments, it has been found that emotional tears after watching a sad movie, helped in the excretory process, which removes toxic substances that normally build up during emotional stress.

However, it was not the case with tears that flowed on account of cutting onions. Tears serve as an evolutionary survival function. Crying is therapeutic, tears help us heal and are valuable aid to restoring inner calmness and peace.

Book Refrence: William Frey :Crying –the Mystery of Tears
Gregg Levoy : Tears that Speak – Psychology Today
Ashley Montagu : The Evolution of Weeping- Science Digest

I have merely mentioned the above to make the readers aware of the importance that the scientific community is giving to the study.

However, we mumineen are not so mindful and concerned with the benefits that we receive at personal level, but are main concern and purpose is to earn the ‘khusi’ of our beloved Aqa Moula, and we know for sure what barakat and bounties we are to be blessed with in ‘akherat’ for shedding a’ansoo on Imam Husain (SA)

I conclude with the doa –

‘ baqi rahe Burhanuddin az-hurmat-e-a’ansoo’ Ameen.

NEW HIJRI YEAR 1430 MUBARAK AND MOHANNA TO ALL.
ILTEMAS UL DOA DURING THE DAYS OF A’SHARA AND SPECIALLY ON THE DAY OF A’SHURA.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

DAVID AMONGST THE GOLIATHS






EVENT: BRITISH COUNCIL ORGANISED - RIVER PROJECT


ORIGINAL SONG /POETRY COMPOSITION BY PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS.


PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS : La Martinere for Boys / St: Thomas School for Girls/DPS - Ruby Park/ Birla High School for Girls / Calcutta International School/ Future Hope /MSB


JUDGES from the famous Guild Hall School of Music - UK


MSB - KOLKATA wins the coveted 2nd Prize on the strenght of the beautiful rendering without any music accompaniment, as all other participating schools sang song composition, and were helped with music by their respective music teachers.


MSB - KOLKATA merely on the strenght of lyrics and rendering by the talented students, managed to get the 2nd Prize.


KUDOS TO THE TEACHERS AND STUDENTS OF MSB. YOU HAVE SENT A VERY POSITIVE MESSAGE TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE HAD RESERVATIONS AS TO THE STANDARD OF EDUCATION IN MSB - KOLKATA.



Monday, December 15, 2008

SURPRISING !! OH YEAH !!!

Doing something different this time. After many serious posts on the Economic Downturn, Mumbai Terrorist Attack, Spirituality etc: I decided to write on something more sentimental. mushy but at the same time refreshing and useful, for those in love, (lucky ones indeed !)

those in the process of wooing their love (best of luck to all those beautiful guys and girls - what an experience you all must be having, exiting eh !! )

and last not least people like me, on the wrong side of fifty, trying their level best to keep the love embers from dying down.


Lyrics of songs at times provide the required spark, and here I am sharing a few. Courtesy WSR - Up country, my favourite channel. I term it songs with substance. Refreshing both to the mind and heart.


' you say it better, when you say nothing at all,

the touch of your hand, says you'll catch me when I fall

the smile on your face says that you need me,

there is truth in your eyes, saying you'll never leave me'


Your love is a miracle

It is spiritual

I'm just here in time.

Your love is a miracle

It is visible

even to a heart, that is blind like mine


live life, like a Sunday stroll

two hearts, one dream, makes a day in Paradise

this world was not meant for people, as beautiful, like you

It is not what you take with you, when you go

It is what you leave behind, when you are gone

I am a man of my convictions, call me wrong, call me right

shine on me, shine on me

shine your sweet love on me

but she don't shine for the rest of the world

she's busy shining on me !! (see the advantage of wearing ridas ladies !!)
To all my young Friends in zest !
When your aunty (my wife of 30 years and more) decided to walk off on me, on account of my obsession of writing blogs and trying to mould young and old minds alike, and my entire family including my son, daughter and their family were fully backing her, I did not panic, I knew I will win her over.
It just needed a beautiful lyric and an idea. I presented here with a frame depicting true sentiments, and she was won over. Hope you enjoyed reading a 'hatke' type of blog this time. But I will be back with serious concerns and issues soon. Till than, enjoy this Sunday stroll.

Friday, December 12, 2008

WHEN WILL I LEARN

AL QURAN SAYS: ' kulu-washrubu wa la tasrefu. Innahu la yoohibul musrefeen'
(eat and drink but do not waste. Allah loveth not the prodigal)

That is because the underlying cause of the great global credit crunch is the ingrained societal behaviour of the US and many other economies over the past two decades: instant gratification of "needs" without reference to the ability to earn the satisfaction of doing so. This did away with the economic virtue of thrift and encouraged excessive consumption. Excessive consumption resulted in global imbalances such as the US current account deficit. US and many other economies over the past two decades.
Quote by : David Roche, President and Global Strategist at Independent Strategy, London.

Hadees e Rasul e Karim (SA) 'majhul' is haram. Vepar (business) is halal and also full of blessings. 'Majhul' on the other hand is prohibited strictly, as it is speculation. Eg: I sell my date crop, receive the consideration of the sale, much before the date palms are to yield the crop. This is speculation.
Syedi Sadikali Saheb has so aptly conveyed, and now the truth is hitting right on the faces of all those, who have indulged in speculative businesses in any form.
'zahir ma halavat che, pan zehr che khufiyah ma'
An interesting read from Intent Blog comment on the article entitled 'Thrift'
How does the stock exchange work:
One day a man appeared in a village. He declared to want to buy acorns and he wanted to pay one Euro a piece for them. Because there were a lot of acorn trees in the village, villagers quickly began to gather acorns. A week later the man bought thousands of acorns for one Euro a piece.
The man declared that he would be back a week later and would pay two ‘Euri’ for one acorn.
And again villagers started to gather acorns, although there were a lot less left now.
A week later the man appeared, paid two ‘Euri’ per piece and declared he would be back again one week later and would pay five ‘Euri’ per acorn.
The stock of acorns was almost gone and the villagers did their utmost to yet find as many acorns as they could. And they still found some. The man appeared exactly on time, one week later, paid five ‘Euri’ per acorn and declared to come back a week later again and then would pay twenty ‘Euri’ per acorn.
However, the villagers could not find a single acorn anymore.
Then, a day later a second man appeared with a big bag with acorns on his back. The villagers asked whether they could buy the acorns from the man, but the man asked 15 ‘Euri’ for one acorn.
The villagers gathered all the money they could find. They put all the savings they had together and bought the big bag with acorns.
However, one week later the man did not appear. The villagers never saw the man again.They lost all their money and the only thing they had left was a large amount of acorns.
And in this way, ladies and gentlemen, the stock exchange works…...
Posted by heartphone on December 11, 2008 11:05 AM
If you are interested to read the full blog entry log on to :
http://www.intentblog.com/archives/2008/12/thrift_is_the_f.html

Sunday, December 7, 2008

JAFR AL JAMEYE - AN ESOTERIC SCIENCE

Qazi Dr. Sheikh Abbas Borhany is an erudite scholar of Islam and his in depth articles are published regularly. Recently I read his article in Malummat with regard to the esoteric science of Jafr al Jameye (Muslim Numerology and prediction of the future events)
Coincidentally I was going to write a post on the subject of truthful prediction of future events in Quran. I came across a very interesting historical fact, which I will like to share with you in the post.

Surat Al Rum (The Romans) Surah 30 Ayats 1-7 deals with a historic event which occurred precisely as narrated in The Quran.
'Alif-Lam- Mim
The Byzantines (Romans) have been defeated in the land nearby ( Syria-Iraq-Jordan and Palestine)

However, they shall win in a few years.
To Allah belongs the command before and after.
Then will the believers rejoice at the victory, which Allah has sent.

With the help of Allah. He helps whom He wills, and He is the all Mighty, the Most Merciful.
(It is) a Promise of Allah (ie: Allah will give victory to the Romans against the Persians) and Allah fails not in His Promise, but most of men know not. (Ayats 1-7)

My purpose is to share with my readers, particularly my young friends, the historical facts and an interesting story behind it.
In the Year 614 AD Chosroes sent an army to crush the Romans (Christans - People of the Book)
under his General named Shahbaraz.

The armies met in Adhri'at and Busra and the Persians (fire worshippers) inflicted heavy defeat. This event created much heat and storm amongst both the Muslims and idolaters in Makkah. The idolaters rejoiced at the defeat of the Christians, and poked fun at the Muslims.
Although the event did not concern the fate of the Arabs, it generated a lot of arguments amongst the Muslim and idolaters.
One of the asha'ab entered into a wager with an idolater of 10 camels stating that the Romans will win within a year. Muhammad (SA) told the asha'ab to revise the wager to 100 camels and extend the time to nine years.

In the Year 625 AD (nine years from defeat) Heraclius (the Roman Emperor) was victorious. He defeated the Persians and also recovered the Cross Of Isa Nabi (SA)
As predicted and on account of the esoteric knowledge possessed by Muhammad (SA) the prediction to the exact time of the victory over the Persians, came true.