MESSI MAGIC - MISHTI DOI - AND MESS MANAGEMENT

(It is half time and SENIOR is getting really annoyed with the JUNIOR as no goals have been scored !! At the dug out at half time, the SENIOR gave his piece of mind, which finally resulted in a pass that lead to a goal !! )



AN INSIGHT REPORT ON THE HISTORIC MATCH AT SALT LAKE STADIUM
BY : Shabbir Lokhandwala who flew in from Pune to watch the Messi Magic


Mesmerizing No. Madness Yes!

“You pay 5 pounds to stand on a lump of concrete
You can’t see anything and it isn’t even safe
And you can’t complain because that would mean you are letting the lads down,
That you didn’t care enough”

That’s what Ruth Gemmel’s character says to Colin Firth’s character in the movie ‘Fever Pitch’ after she watches a football game along with him. She is very upset by the experience and of images of the Hillsbrouh tragedy being played out on the TV, where 96 football fans were crushed to death. The movie scene represented 1989. That was 22 years ago.

22 years later I stood on a lump of concrete, paid around 26 pounds for match tickets and even more for travelling 2020 km from Pune to Kolkatta to witness the first Argentinean friendly match in this country and to watch arguably the best player of our times in flesh and blood. And the experience was physically and mentally tiring. All major sport events in India are.

We stood in line at 5 pm to enter gate 3 of the Yuva Bharati Krirangan or Salt lake stadium as is commonly known. The queue was approximately half a kilometer long and the reason was that all the stands situated along each side line had one entry gate. There are only 5 gates to enter the stadium premises.

A very big anomaly given it is the biggest stadium capacity wise in the country and the second biggest football stadium in the whole world. (Yeah, wiki it, if you don’t believe me)The darn queue didn’t move for nearly an hour. At 6 pm the queue started moving briskly and then the most bizarre thing happens. Everybody just starts running. No queue, it’s a mad rush to get close to the entry gate, with impromptu lines being made now and then to restore some sanity. It was like an intense warm up exercise. Sprint for 100 meters then stop. Form a line and sprint again. The cops were busier manning the stationary traffic bought to a halt by the collective running of football fans. For a moment I was worried of getting crushed if a stampede did occur.

For a moment I was worried of getting crushed if a stampede did occur. I was worrying more about Huzaifa, my 13 year old cousin brother, who was experiencing this madness for the first time.

We finally did make it inside the stadium at 7pm just before the kick off, drenched in sweat and standing on concrete steps. We saw the first half from the lower tier, the second from the upper tier, after illegally jumping through a gap in the fence.

My other grouse was with the spectators. Indian football fans, cricket fans and hockey fans come to watch a player and not the game. They don’t even bother about teams. In cricket Sachin gets the loudest cheers, followed by batsmen after they hit boundaries. Hardly anybody cheers the bowlers in the middle of a good spell. Out here, it was Messi all the way. True his playing in the match built up euphoria and excitement and got people in the stadium. True, I wouldn’t travel all the way to Kolkata, had Messi not being playing. But what happened to appreciating the game. About Mexican waves and a carnival like atmosphere in the stadium. About singing chants and football anthems. About cheering and feeling that we did make a difference to the team’s performance. About being the 12thman. The crowd only cheered when Messi touched the ball, made his weaving runs, won free kicks and took corners. The rest of times, they were silent. We thought about starting a Mexican wave, but the idea got lost somewhere between finding water and Pepsi in the stadium. The problem with Indian stadiums is that by the time you enter them, you are so tired, that there is hardly any cheer left in you. I was told that the Bengali fans are very knowledgeable about football. I don’t think so. The gentleman sitting next to me couldn’t tell the difference between Mascherano and Zabaleta.


But the football fan in me forgave these misgivings and loved the experience. If you can watch a football match of world class quality in this country from the stands, if you can watch Lionel Messi making his trademark weaving runs and strike a shot through the feet of defenders, if free kicks from 30 yards hit the side net and collectively and reflexively make you stand and sit down making a sigh, if you witness some good counter attacking moves and the Argentineans tracking back to defend, if you get marveled by the little deft touches that enable modern football teams to create space where there was none, if you experience butterflies in your stomach when an improbable pass leads to an even more improbable right footed volley towards the top left corner of the goal, only to hit the post and lament on what could have been. If you can watch two Latin American countries play with the world’s best player in one of the teams in a stadium bigger than Camp Nou, then I think it’s really worth it.


It might take another 22 years for us to have great world class stadiums, with enough gates, electronic turnstiles and parking spaces, with proper seats, proper cafeterias, squeaky clean toilets, good public announcement systems, clearer electronic screens, visible clocks and timer and most importantly a great football culture, where teams get cheered on for the entire 90 minutes. Till then I will be happy to stand in serpentine queues and talk with football fans that travelled from all parts of India, bearing testimony to the growing popularity of the sport.


The dialogue continues between Colin Firth and Ruth Gemmel in the movie when Firth says that he can’t visit her due to a football match:

Ruth: yeah, you are sure you will be seeing Arsenal the next season, you can’t be sure if you will be seeing me.
Firth: Look I know where this is going, commitment and the long haul and all that, but if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen because of you not me. 21 years I have been going to Arsenal. 21 years.
Ruth: I don’t know if you have noticed, but Arsenal are a football team.
Firth: So you think there is a difference?
Ruth: Yes, I do.
Firth: Then it shows what you know about it.

MY NOTE: As parents we at times fail to understand the passion of the youths, and many parents confided about the dismay at the madness to see a football match, and that to an Exhibition Match.

To them I have this to say :
Thank Allah your son is mad after Messi and not Madonna !!

Thank You Shabbir for writing a wonderful memorable piece. I am not sure, it was the result of Mishti Doi or Messi Magic !!

AKHBAR IS ANWA'R - The distribution of booty at Al-Ji'ranah

AKHBAAR


THE DISTRIBUTION OF BOOTY AT AL-JI’RANAH

Upon returning from the successful mission of lifting the siege in Ta’if Nabi (SA) waited over ten nights at Al-Ji’ranah, in the hope that Hawazin’s delegation (those defeated in Hunain) might arrive and announce their repentance and consequently reclaim their loss.

Seeing that none of them arrived, Nabi (SA) in order to calm down the tribal chiefs and the nobles of Makkah, started to distribute the booty, and the ones who obtained the greatest number of shares, were the people who had recently embraced Islam.
Abu Sufyan bin Harb was given a hundred camels and forty (gold) ounces and yet he said : “ What about my son, Yazeed’s share? So he was given the same quantity for his son as well. But yet he exclaimed : “ And what about the share of Mu’awiyah, my second son ? So Nabi (SA) gave Mu’awiyah as much as he gave his father and brother.

Likewise, Hakim bin Hizam was given a hundred camels , but was given a hundred more when he demanded. Safwan bin Umaiyah was given three hundred camels – a hundred camels at each time. (Ash – Shifa (1/86)

The generosity of Nabi (SA) to the chiefs of Makkah and the newly converts, resulted in a stampede by the Bedouins, so much so, that Nabi (SA) was forced to take refuse against a tree, and they even took away his mantle.

Rehmatul lil A’lameen Nabi (SA) addressed the tumultuous people saying: “O people ! Give me back my mantle. For I swear by the One in Whose Hand is Muhammad’s soul, that if had as many numerous camels as the number of Tihamah trees, I would have distributed them among you… “ Standing by his camel he said : “ O people, I swear by Allah that I get nothing but one fifth of your booty, and this very fifth also goes back to you”

After he had distributed the booty amongst the new converts, he distributed the remaining amongst the Muslims, and the Ansaars (Helpers – people of Medinah) were disgruntled and not satisfied, with what little they received compared to the booty received by the new converts.

Hunain represented hard times and they were the first to rush and to fight and stand firm with Nabi (SA) when the fighting was intense, whereas new converts like Abu Sufyan and Hakim bin Hizam, who escaped from the battlefield, when the tide turned against the Muslims, received large booty.

When resentment grew amongst the Helpers and ill statements spread, Nabi (SA) summoned Sa’d bin Ubadah and told him to gather all the Ansaars, and gave a very passionate speech, saying that although the Ansaars are not telling him directly, he can read their minds – saying ‘You (Muhammad S.A.) came to us belied and rejected, and we accepted you ; you came to us helpless and we helped you ; you were a fugitive, and we took you in; you were poor and we comforted you’

‘You Ansaars, do you feel anxious for the things of this world. Wherewith I have sought to incline these people unto the Faith in which you are already established ?

Are you not satisfied, O group of Helpers that the people go with ewes and camels, while you go along with the Messenger of Allah (SA) to your dwellings ….. Allah ! have mercy on the Ansaars, their children and their children’s children !

The audience wept till tears rolled down their beards as they said: “Yes we are satisfied, O Prophet of Allah ! with our lot and share”

ANWA’R

As I read the Akhbaar of the distribution of booty at Ji’rannah which had happened in the year 8 AH and that Abu Sufyan bin Harb, from whose loins came Muawiyah and Yezid bin Muawiyah, was given a large share of the booty, a question arose in my mind.
Nabi (SA) who had been blessed with the I’lm of
‘ma kana sayakoon’ at the time of Me’raj ( the ascension) the event which occurred at Mecca before the Hijrah, was aware, of all the events that will transpire in the future.

Surah al- Isra (verse 1) Allah shows His ayat – proofs, lessons, signs, evidence etc:
Surah al _Najm (Verses 12 to 18) also narrates the entire Me’raj episode.

In Vaaz we hear frequently of Jibraeel showing Nabi (SA) two ‘haveli mubaraks’ and on being asked, Jibraeel narrates the tragic incidents that will happen, one in Medinah and the other, on the burning sands of Karbala. Nabi (SA) knew, who were the perpetrators of the gruesome crime.

The question than is – Why OH ! Why! when Nabi (SA) knew that Sufyan bin Harb and his family were the perpetrators of crime against Nabi (SA) progeny, did he give out large booty to them, at the cost of earning resentment of the Ansaars, who had fought with valor and risked their very lives in the hard won battle of Hunain ??


I have found this question very perplexing. If any of you readers have an answer, I will be indebted to know.

Here I would request my readers to minimize the window or if you are using hand held device to keep it aside for a while, and try to reflect and answer the question. I would be really indebted for your answers, which may be shared in the comments link.
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On reflection during Sehrullah 1432 H I have tried to understand the historical paradox, in my own humble way, and sharing the same with my readers.

The Anwa’r I see in this Akhbaar is that Nabi (SA) was the epitome and a living example of ‘salama’ which in the primary sense means – to be tranquil, at rest, to be at perfect peace, to be in absolute submission to the Will of Allah.

The last mentioned is the most important, Nabi (SA) was always living in THE NOW - THE PRESENT MOMENT. Nabi (SA) was here to enable the Divine Purpose of the Universe to unfold.

He epitomized the greatest power of the Universe – non resistance and complete submission to TOTALITY - Will Of Allah – saying YES to the PRESENT MOMENT – honoring the PRESENT MOMENT. ( I am indebted to the teaching of Eckhart Tolle)


Even after knowing the future, Nabi (SA) was submitting to THE WILL OF ALLAH, accepting and doing his duty in perfect peace. It was the WILL of ALLAH working through his Nabi (SA) in the NOW – The Present Moment, and Nabi (SA) was fully focused in discharging his obligations, in full compliance with THE WILL OF ALLAH – submitting in humility with grace, knowing ALLAH KNOWS BEST.

A most difficult task for ordinary mortals, knowing if at all the future and still accepting the paradox of the Present.

Now coming to the resentment of the Ansaars, there is so much Anwa’r in the Akhbaar, if one cares to reflect.

Nabi (SA) knows the minds of his followers fully. He well understands and sympathizes fully with the sacrifices made by the Ansaar, and the unequal distribution of the booty. But here again he is simply acting on the Will of Allah.

Nabi (SA) does not desire anything from himself. He articulates forcefully – mark his words :
“ O people, I swear by Allah that I get nothing but one fifth of your booty, and this very fifth also goes back to you”


However he fully understand human nature, and his sole mission is to make those who really love him, to unshackle themselves from gross materialism, to become farishta shifat in this world, and how true and meaningful are his words :

‘Are you not satisfied, O group of Ansaars that the people go with ewes and camels, while you go along with the Messenger of Allah (SA) to your dwellings ….. Allah ! have mercy on the Ansaars, their children and their children’s children !


There is a great lesson for us to be learnt from this Akhbaar. Many a times in our worldly journey, we are assailed with doubts, as to the happenings around us. When we see around us people, who do not deserve, who show merely outward profession of faith, their actions do not reflect their speech, getting rewarded with worldly goods, when we stand at such cross road in life, utterly confused and perplexed, we should be of firm faith and ask ourselves the question.
Do I want the world or my MOULA ?


Be honest with your self – what you want in this life. Moula knows what is best for you, so accept in humility, be at peace with your self. This is ‘salama’ – Islam.

There are many best selling books in the market, showing you ways and means to achieve what you desire – the question is what is your desire, what is the focus in your life. I am not saying you do not desire worldly comforts, or it is not good to aspire for high standard of living – what I am saying is to ACCEPT WHAT IS.

The doa Mubarak of Aqa Moula (TUS) ‘ barakAllaho’ does not only mean palatial bungalows, pricey cars, luxurious living, it depending upon what is good for you – Moula knows – it may mean, rise in the spiritual station, nearness to Moula, Ma’ad at jet speed after death etc:

In his Book ‘ The New Earth’ Eckhart Tolle gives a good example of a sapling to a question put forward to him. He says the sapling does not want anything – if it withers and dies, so be it. If it grows into a big tree – so be it. The reason is, it is one with the Will of Allah – with the Totality of the Universe, it has completely surrendered.

In a National Geographic documentary I was amazed to see the animals standing in lashing rain storm with their heads bowed, completely at ease, till heavy rains subsided.

A lesson to be learnt from the plants and animals. Accepting WHAT IS.

I am not advocating passivity, we are here to strive and achieve the best for ourselves and our family. But at times, we have to become still have firm faith in the Will of Allah and our MOULA and to be at perfect peace with ourselves, after giving our very best.

The lesson learnt is that – whatever the present moment contains, accept it, as if you had chosen it – there in lies your greatness.

In times of crisis of faith, remember the words of Nabi (SA) – ‘people go with ewes and camels while you go with the Messenger of Allah (SA)’ in our times we are in the saya of our beloved Aqa Moula (TUS)


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AKHBAR IS ANWA'R - The Battle of Hunain

AKHBAR


Nineteen days after the conquest of Makkah in the year 8 A.H., Nabi (SA) sets out with an army comprising of twelve thousand well equipped fighters.

The Muslim army felt very complacent and thought of an easy victory and a lot of booty. “We shall not be defeated” was the general consensus, but their statement sounded hard upon Nabi (SA)

However, as the Muslim army arrived at the valley of Awtas in the region of Hunain, in early dawn Malik bin ‘Awf had strategized a real surprise for them. A fierce attack from the safe hiding places by the enemy, routed the Muslim army, and there was utter disorder and confusion, so much so, that Nabi (SA) stood fast in the thick of the attack with only a handful of Emigrants.

Abu Sufyan bin Harb, who had recently embraced Islam, mockingly said that the retreat would not stop till they got to the Red Sea. Kaladah bin Al-Junaid said – “ Surely the magic has grown inactive today”

Nabi (SA) dismounted from his camel and bowing down beseeched Allah’s help - ‘Allahummah anzil nasraqa’ (O Allah ! send down Your Help! )

The tide of the battle turned immediately, the fleeing Muslims began to regroup and mounted a counter attack. Nabi (SA) picked up a handful of earth and hurled it at the enemy saying “May your faces be shameful”

Within hours the enemy was defeated. The booty was six thousand captives, twenty four thousand camels, over forty thousand sheep and four thousand ounces of silver. Nabi (SA) immediately proceeded for the Ta’if Campaign, giving orders that the booty be confined at Al-Ji’ranah and ordained Masu’ud bin Amr Al- Ghifari to be in charge of it.


ANWA’R

Was it not for the Dua of Nabi (SA) and his holding steadfast in the middle of utter route and retreat of the Muslim army, the outcome of the Battle of Hunain, would have been different.

Twelve thousand well equipped army was saved from sure defeat by the faith and strength of one man – Nabi (SA) who stood steadfast, knowing that Allah’s Aid will only bring victory.

Before entering the valley of Awtas, the Muslim army was boisterous of an easy victory, but the demeanor of Nabi (SA) was reflective, for he and he alone knew, what lay ahead.

With affluence and material gains, we as a community, begin to become very omplacent, like the Muslim Army entering the valley of Awtas, and there come about a disconnect with the reality.

Aqa Moula (TUS) by the ta’eed of Imam uz Zaman (SA) knows what lies ahead, and it is for this very reason, he has this Sehrullah once again exhorted to ‘reach out’ to our fellow marginalized mumineen. In so doing he is saving the community from being immersed in materialism, personal aggrandizement etc:

He and he alone my Moula (TUS) knows that if ‘roohaniyat’ is lost, only outward grandeur is there, the community as a whole may suffer from the barbs of shaitan hiding in the nooks and crannies, like the enemy of Malik bin “Awf.

In times of crisis, the munafekeens who only offer ‘lip service’ are the first ones to show their true colors, as reflected in the acts of Abu Sufyan and Kaladah.

The enormous booty was not gained by the twelve thousand strong Muslim army in a sense, but by one man, who had unwavering faith in Allah, and he stood steadfast in the middle of all round retreat in the battlefield.

Likewise, Aqa Moula (TUS) in spite of his severe ill health this Sehrullah is holding steadfast in rallying around his mumineen, by exhorting them to perform good deeds. His physical disability is more than compensated by his glowing and ever growing Spirituality. May he for eons live in our hearts and minds, rallying us around, so that we may gain the ultimate booty – Jannat, which is only because of his presence in the NOW. Ameen.

AKHBAR IS ANWA'R - The Battle of Uhud

AKHBAR :

After The Battle when the Quraishites had left, the Muslims went out to check the identity of the dead and wounded.

Zaid bin Thabit said: Allah’s Messenger (SA) sent me on the Day of Uhud to seek
Sa'd bin Ar-Rabi and said “When you see him, say : “Peace be upon you, from me and say to him Nabi (SA) says: “How do you feel ?”

Zaid said : “ I started checking the dead until I came across Sa’d when he was dying – with about seventy sword wounds, plus a spear and an arrow pierced in his body. So I said : “O Sa’d, Nabi Muhammad (SA) sends you his greetings and says: “Peace be upon you, tell me how do you feel ?”

Sa’d said : “And peace be upon Nabi Muhammad (SA) too. Tell him, I smell the scent of Paradise. And tell the Helpers (Ansa’rs), my people “You shall not be excused before Allah if Nabi Muhammad (SA) is hurt and your eyes are blinking “ So saying he died. (Zadul Ma’ad2/96)

The Muslims came across Al- Usairim – Amr bin Thabit, who had refused to embrace Islam, he was lying among the wounded on the verge of death.

The Muslims asked him: “ What made you come here ? Is it out of zeal to defend your people or is it because of submission to Islam?” He said : “It is (certainly) an inclination to Islam. I believe in Allah and His Messenger. I have fought along with Allah’s Messenger (SA) till I got what you see” and then he died immediately.

The incident was narrated to Nabi (SA) and hearing that Nabi (SA) said: “He is one of the inhabitants of Paradise, although he has not offered one single prayer” narrated Abu Hurairah (Zadul-Ma’ad 2/94)

Qazman, who was found among the wounded, fought heroically, and killed seven or eight idolaters. He was weakened by the wounds he sustained, they carried him to the locality of Bani Zufr. The Muslims gave him glad tidings of Paradise. But he said : “ I have fought out of the passion to my people. Had it not been for that I would have never fought” When his wounds worsened he committed suicide.

Nabi (SA) had already said whenever he was mentioned to him “He is an inhabitant of Fire” ( Zadul – Ma’ad 2/97)

Contrary to Qazman, there was a Jew of Bani Tha’labah among the dead. He said to his people. “O folk people of Jews! By Allah you have already known that it is necessary to support Muhammad” They said : ‘Today is Saturday’ they did not honor the pact made with Nabi (SA) for the general protection of Medinah.

Mukhaireeq, took his sword and the war equipment and said: “ If I were killed, my property should be put at Muhammad’s disposal” The next morning he kept on fighting till he was killed. Nabi (SA) said about him. “Mukhaireeq is the best Jew” (Ibn Hisham 2/88.89)

ANWA’R

In the akhbaar of the dead and wounded of Uhud there is Anwa’r.

Qazaman , a tribal chief who fought along side the Muslims to honor the pact, and for the glory of his people and not for Islam, although he managed to kill seven or eight idolaters, died a miserable death and to burn in hell fire.

In all our actions – Niyat is what is paramount, a deed is being done, is it Lillah fillah or is it as a result of personal, family or group pride, to augment the ego, to be felt counted and recognized.

One should always be very wary and reflect as to why a particular act – a khidmat is being undertaken. Is it solely lillah fillah – for the khusi of Moula (TUS) or there is a hidden personal agenda, a personal gain, not necessary material gain, but power and prestige, or to be looked upon in the Society etc:

In the case of Al- Usairim, by his acceptance of Islam at the last moment, he corrected his retard and saved his soul and earned the blessings of Nabi (SA) The Anwa’r here is that without kalematus –shada’t there is no emancipation. Although his a’maal as Muslim were none, he found acceptance because of his submission to Islam and Nabi (SA)

We are not the one to judge our fellow brothers - mumineen. It is only Moula (TUS) who knows the inner niyat of each individual. There are many amongst us, who fall woefully short of performing a’maals, what are their compulsions, or limitations, we do not know the reasons, and in truth, we do not have the inclination to understand.

In such instances, we should not be the sitting judges and throw around our opinion, for we never know, when the time for act will come, the one who we are looking down upon, our own brother mumin, by a single act of pure love and ma’refat, will leave us all far behind in the race to the inner sanctorum of Paradise.

Mukhaireeq also died fighting the Makkans and willed his entire property to Nabi (SA) but for him Nabi (SA) said “ Mukhaireeq is a good Jew” So here also submission to Allah and kalematus sahadat with ikhlas is the prerequisite, for entering Jannah.

I have a hunch feeling that by his act he must surely have earned salvation for his progeny, now it is for the historians to study his lineage, and if a study is done, I am sure, in the progeny of Mukhaireeq may be stalwart Muslims. ( Historical reference - the act of compassion by Walid bin Ukaba at Taif)

The glowing martyrdom of Sa’d bin Ar- Rabi is full of Anwa’r. His a’la niyat, his courageous act in fighting the infidels – seventy plus wounds all over his body, and not a hint of suffering and pain, but pure joy and bliss and the scent of Paradise.

This than is the act for DEEN and DEEN alone, where spiritual bliss overcomes the pains and miseries of this world, those who fight in the Cause of Allah become immune of the miseries of this world.

Sehrullah is the month of ‘silat’ and I would request the readers of my posts, to log on to my home page www.hikmaah.com and make me feel blessed by reading and reflecting on the articles, specially the recently uploaded Power Point Presentations.

NOTE:
My home page does not upload in Google Chrome, I do not know the reason,can any of my blog readers, has an answer to this problem. Do share.

AKHBAR IS ANWA'R - al - Taif

AKHBAR - al – Taif

Muhammad (S.A.) set out from Mecca in the year 619 C.E. to bring the Quraish polytheists into the fold of Islam. He went with his freed slave Zaid bin Harithhah to Al – Taif a prosperous town having fruit and vineyard farms, located at a distance of 60 kms from Mecca.

He first approached the family of Umair, reckoned as among the nobility of the town. All the three sons of Umair turned a deaf year and used abusive language, as regards the cause for which he had been striving.

For ten days, he stayed in al Taif, delivering the message of Islam to all the noble people, one after another, but to no avail. Contrary to Arab tradition of hospitality, he was hooted at and pelted with stones, and obliged to flee pursued by a merciless crowd.

So much so, that blood flowed down his legs and thus tired and exhausted, he took refuge in one of the numerous fruit farms, and rested against the wall of a vineyard belonging to Walid bin Ukaba . Seeing the plight of a stranger he sent with his slave Adras, who was a practicing Christian, a bunch of luscious grapes – 18 in all. Nabi Muhammad (S.A.) quenched his thirst and felt refreshed, and prayed for Walid, who himself died a polytheist, fighting the Muslims,

ANWA’R

Haq and truth has always been misunderstood by worldly people steeped in materialism. Al – Taif was a very prosperous region, and compared to other parts of Arabian peninsular, enjoyed a very good climate.

Nabi (SA) mission became more difficult as he was addressing those, who were immersed in wealth and enjoying good life.

But the WILL OF ALLAH working through His Nabi (SA) had more profound purpose, which became manifest after many centuries. This than is the Anwa’r in Muhammad (SA) travelling all the way to al – Taif and suffering hardship at the hands of haughty and ignorant Arabs.

A single act borne out of compassion evoked a doa that would fructify in the nasl of Walid many centuries later. As a direct result of Nabi Muhammad (S.A.) prayer, on that eventful day at Al – Taif the Fatemi Dawat of Yemen was resplendent with 18 Doat ul Mutlaqeen, the first and foremost being Syedna Ali bin Mohammad Walid (RA) whose story of tawajo and khusu in well known in the annals of Fatemi Dawat, and it is not mere coincidence that Syedna Mohammad bin Walid (RA) wrote 18 kutubs.

If we reflect it would be crystal clear that although the outward purpose of Nabi (SA) journey to al- Taif was to propagate Islam, the inner purpose, was to create a situation, whereby compassion arose in the heart of Walid bin Ukaba, whose offering of 18 grapes symbolized not only the quenching of the thirst of Nabi (SA) but when the time was ripe, the doa Mubarak of nabi (SA) would result in the quenching of the thirst of all true seekers of Ale Mohammad Uloom by the progeny of Walid bin Ukaba.

AKHBAR IS ANWA'R - Battle of Badr

AKHBAR
The outcome of the Battle of Badr was a humiliating defeat for the polytheists and a manifest victory for the Muslims. 14 Muslims were martyred of whom six were from Emigrants and eight form Helpers. The Makkans suffered heavy causalities in spite of their superior numbers and strength. 70 were killed and like number taken prisoners. Many of the principal men of Makkah, and some of bitterest enemy of Muhammad (SA) were among the slain. Chief of this was Abu Jahl.

On the third day after the battle, Muhammad (SA) stood over the bodies of 24 leaders of Quraish, who had been thrown into one of the wells, and started to call them by name and by the names of their fathers, saying – " Would it not have been much better for you, if you had obeyed Allah and His Messenger ? Behold, we have found that our Lord's Promise do come true, did you (also) find that the promises of your lord come true?"

The Makkans fled in great disorder and the news was met with incredible bewilderment. Abu Sufyan gave Abu Lahab the full account of the disgraceful defeat, with the role that the angels played in bringing about the tragic end. A confrontation with a Muslim woman, led Abu Lahab to be hit on his head with a log, which cracked his head. Seven days later he died of a worst kind of ulcer and was left for 3 days unburied. His sons, however, for fear of shameful rumors, drove him to a pit and keeping their safe distance, hurled stones and dust at him. This is how the bitterest enemy of Muhammad (SA) met his end.

ANWA'R

The Anwa'r in this Akhbar is that although the leading polytheists, who carried rancor and immense hatred for Muhammad (SA)were killed, Nabi Muhammad (SA) had come as Rehmat ul A'lemeen.

It is for this reason that although the 24 polytheists had been killed, their bodies cast into the well, Muhammad (SA)is not rejoicing as other Conquerors of the world would have rejoiced, he feels that had they listened to his Message, they would have been saved from hell fire. The victory over the hearts of man, to bring the wayward to see reason and Light, to emancipate humanity, was the primary aim of Nabi (SA)

It is for this reason that he started to call them by name and by the names of their fathers, saying – " Would it not have been much better for you, if you had obeyed Allah and His Messenger ? Behold, we have found that our Lord's Promise do come true,
did you (also) find that the promises of your lord come true?

Knowledge of historical events is very important, as the events of the past, help specially those entrusted with governance over their people, and all those who are governed, by understanding history, become aware of the past mistakes made, and many other aspects, which help them in their present situation.

However, there is a major difference in the historical episodes, that we believe, happen for a purpose, in OUR DEEN.

The historical events happen, as seen in the Battle of Badr event, but for those who are true seekers, there is ANWA'R in the AKHBAR, there is enlightenment, primarily because, we believe that, not this world but AKHERAT is our goal.

So reading of World History is different from that of our DEEN History. The historical events unfolding in our DEEN give us ANWA'R - NOT MERELY FACTS BUT ENLIGHTENMENT, so that our Ma'ad becomes more fast paced and easy. there is more spring in our activities, more joy in our hearts, and peace of mind as we journey along.

This post, written at the beginning of SEHRULLAH 1432 h is my humble tribute to the azeem karam and ehsaanats of my Aqa Moula (TUS) on Jamea talabats, who after imtehan held in Mumbai, received the mubarak 'tashreef' of his handwritten question.

I am not a 'talabat' of Jamea, but in the past many a times during my 'growing up years' I had wishfully thought of taking up some menial tasks, like khidmat in Jamea library, mawaid khidmat, managing the canteen etc: During a recent 'sabak' I came to know of this mubarak 'hadiyah' from Aqa Moula (TUS) I thought I should also do some taffakur on the question, and the result is this first post.

Hope this Sehrullah 1432 I may be able to write more such posts, showing that in OUR DEEN AKHBAR is not merely historical facts, but they are in truth ANWA'R.

SEHRULLAH MUBARAK TO ALL MY READERS. DOA NI ILTEMAS.

Two Power Point Presentations have been uploaded on my home page
www.hikmaah.com Hope during Sehrullah you will find some time, to log on and reflect on the Presentations, and oblige me with your valued feed backs.

A HUMBLE TRIBUTE VIDEO