In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful ISLAMIC VOICE, March 2014 1

32 Pages Rs. 15 Bangalore English Monthly March 2014 Vol. 27-3 No. 327 Jamadil Awwal 1435 H Lok Sabha Polls 2014 Rs 300 crores of MP Funds lying Bukhari’s Jamboree turns into unspent in Muslim-Dominated Slanging - Match Constituencies Jama Masjid’s Imam is back to his pre-poll antics to bargain for a New Delhi: Over Rs 292.97 crores have left more than 50% of the cabinet berth for his son-in law in UP. of the Members of Parliament available funds unused. While fund is lying unspent in 70 Lok Besra has Rs 6.74 crores unspent elections. It announced about the minority problems to please By Abdul Bari Masoud Sabha constituencies of significant amount, Ajmal has Rs 6.65 forming a 11-member committee them. He even praised the BSP Muslim population across the crores, reveals a report prepared New Delhi: Ahead of every general to look into the matter that will saying during the rule of Chief country. While Congress MPs by TwoCircles.net. According elections, it has become a fashion suggest future course of action. Minister Mayawati, Muslims of these constituencies still have to the report, which is based on for Delhi-based ‘inconsequential’ Sulking after his son-in law was were at least safe and secure in over Rs 92 crores data available on government Muslim leaders and organizations Uttar Pradesh. However, all hell unspent, the MPs of websites, Muslim MPs in the Lok to hold meetings apparently for broke loose, when Muslim Majlis BJP come at No. 2 Sabha have not fully utilized the chalking out an election strategy leader Badar Kazmi suggested with the unspent Rs Members of Parliament Local for Muslims but the real purpose that Muslims should extend their 79 crores. Nishakant Area Development (MPLAD) behind such meets are to further whole- hearted support to Bahujan Dubey (Godda, funds. Shafeequr Samaj (BSP) as many leaders their bargaining capacity with Jharkhand) and rushed to the podium condemning major political parties. Shahi Shafeequr his views, and demanding that Jama Masjid’s Imam Syed Ahmed Rahman the meeting should not declare Bukhari is known for convening Barq support for any party at this such political jamborees on the eve (Sambhal, moment. Sensing that the situation of elections. In this connection, Uttar he convened a “Representative is going out of control, Imam Pradesh) Rahman Meeting of Muslim Leaders” on Bukhari intervened. While trying top the Barq (Sambhal, February 22 at the Jama Masjid to calm down rising tempers, he list of best UP) tops the list complex here, but the meeting exhorted that everyone has the performers by of Muslim MPs by turned into a slanging match right to express his views. spending almost all spending almost all of 12 between pro- and anti-Samajwadi reportedly denied a birth in the It may be recalled that the Imam the funds available crores at his disposal. There Muslim leaders on the question Uttar Pradesh cabinet, he is not had sent a missive to Mulayam to them. Kirti Azad are 16 Muslim MPs who have of extending support to the BSP. missing any opportunity to attack Singh Yadav seeking his reply (Darbhanga, Bihar) is unspent amounts between 4 However, sensing the mood of Samajwadi Party and its leader on the party’s eight key promises the worst performer as and 7 crores. Badruddin Ajmal the gathering, the organizers did Mulayam Singh Yadav. In his made to Muslims before the he still has Rs 7.43 crores (Dhubri) tops the list with 6.65 not announce their support for keynote address, he also focused Assembly elections in 2012, but unspent amount, which crores unspent. The Muslim the BSP, but the tone and tenor more on SP Government in UP he ignored the letter. is less than 40% of the population ranges from 20 to of the whole day proceedings than on other political parties. He In his address, Imam Bukhari funds available to him. Devidhan 95 per cent in the 70 Lok Sabha clearly indicated that they wanted alleged that the SP government had made a special mention of the Besra (Rajmahal, Jharkhand) and constituencies covered in the to teach a lesson to the Samajwadi become a stooge in the hands of West Bengal Chief Minister Badruddin Ajmal (Dhubri, Assam) report. n Party in the ensuing parliamentary the communal forces and ignored Page 12 update ISLAMIC VOICE, March 2014 2 Unlawful Activities Prevention Act ‘UAPA is Draconian, Black Law’

had found that in most cases or “unlawful association” with it can withhold evidence from said, this presumption is denied to By A Staff Writer TADA was wrongly used. immediate effect. If done so, the the proscribed association on the accused. The People’s Movement Against government has got up to six the ground that ‘public interest Former Union Minister C. K. TADA and POTA are dead and required non-disclosure’. Activists Jaffer Sharief, who also spoke at gone but amendments to a new like Dr. Binayak Sen and the ones the occasion said, Parliament and draconian law, the Unlawful accused in Indore conspiracy case the Judiciary are there to protect Activities (Prevention) Act in Madhya Pradesh are examples the law and the Constitution. (or UAPA in short), passed of manifest misuse of the powers Media also discusses the laws by the Lok Sabha in January 2013, has brought the Act to haunt the members of Minority Civil rights activists call for repeal of UAPA. “It communities, Dalits, groups opposing ecological assets of the puts the onus of proof on the accused instead of nation and the ones set against the prosecution”. the creeping hold of capitalist Kamal Farooqui and C. K. Jaffer Sharief lobby. The amendments to the Act under the UAPA. enacted by the Parliament. He (which was originally passed in UAPA has taken up the matter with months to establish the basis for He said the doctrine of expressed surprise at the passage 2008) were hustled through the the Union Government and urged this declaration before a specially presumption of innocence means of the UAPA without any serious Parliament on December 16, 2012 its repeal. Movement’s National constituted tribunal composed of that every person accused of a notice by the media and the civil and were adopted without any Convener Kamal Farooqui says a High Court judge nominated crime is presumed to be innocent society. He extended his support debate and scrutiny. Obviously, the “amendments to UAPA provide by the Government itself. The and burden is on the prosecution to the Movement for seeking Government was using the scary the police ample powers to misuse government must produce to prove all the elements of the repeal of the UAPA. He said that atmosphere created in the wake of the provisions to the maximum sufficient cause for declaring offence beyond reasonable doubt. any law that is against humanity, terrorist attack on Mumbai. extent possible. It allows 90 day the association unlawful, but However, under the UAPA, he Page 24 The Act though essential from the police custody for those arrested point of national security, mirrors during which the police will have provisions of the lapsed TADA and freedom to extract ‘confessions’ POTA and provides the authorities through torture”. with unbridled power to detain Mr. Farooqui who addressed a innocent persons and trample meeting in Bangalore, said extreme upon their human rights. It is prejudices of the personnel in reminiscent of the two draconian the security forces have played laws under which Gujarat had pivotal role in putting innocent arrested 18,686 persons followed youth in prisons without bail or by Punjab where 15,314 were time-bound trial previously. He detained. In both cases the detained said not alone minorities, the persons belonged to minority earlier draconian laws were used communities, ie., Muslims and to detain public activists such Sikhs. During the same period as journalist Pawan Dasgupta, 15,225 Muslims were arrested in Chakradhar Mahato, activists Jammu and Kashmir and 12,715 against Ganga Expressway and to in Assam. The total detainees harass journalists. amounted to 77,500 but the Farooqui said under the provisions conviction rate was only 0.81%. of the UAPA, any group could be The TADA review committees declared a “Terrorist organization” ISLAMIC VOICE, March 2014 3 Karnataka Budget Rs. 800 cr. for Welfare of Minorities The State will have research centre named after Sir Syed Ahmed Khan By A Staff Writer towards board expenses in hostels Gulbarga as well as Mangalore crore for the fencing of the two districts of the State. Rs. 2 has been enhanced from Rs. too. It has set apart Rs. 150 crore waqf properties in order to avert crore have been earmarked for Bangalore: The Government of 600 per month to Rs. 750 for for the welfare of the members of encroachments. It has allocated skill development programmes Karnataka will set up Sir Syed each inmate. So, students from the Christian community. Rs. 5 crore for setting up two of the women from minority Ahmed Khan Research and Study families whose annual income is The Budget allocates Rs. 10 model schools for Minorities in Page 21 Institute for conducting research Rs. One lakh will also be eligible on socio-economic conditions of for admission as inmates into the minorities. It these hostels. was part of the The Budget announcements allocates Rs. made by 150 crore for Karnataka Chief e - l e a r n i n g Minister Mr. c a m p i n g Siddramaiah and teaching while presenting aids at the the 2014-15 100 minority budget in the Karnataka Assembly hostels across the state. on February 14. The Budget The State will have three more allocates Rs. 800 crore for the Morarji Desai Residential Schools welfare schemes meant for the and two new Pre University minorities. Of these, Rs. 110 crore colleges for the minority students will be for the general welfare and a sum of Rs. 36.82 has been schemes for the minorities. allocated for the modernization of The monthly allowance for the the buildings and infrastructure students residing in the Morarji of the Morarji Desai Residential Desai Residential Schools’ Schools. hostels has been hiked from Rs. A further allocation of Rs. 17 1,000 per month to Rs. 1,100. crore has been made for the The Government will set up 70 Hajj Ghar coming up in the new hostels for minorities under northern outskirts of Bangalore. the SDP Scheme. The allowance It has sanctioned Hajj Ghars for ISLAMIC VOICE, March 2014 4 Manipal Uniy Enters MoU with Faizal and South India Muslim NGOs Shabana Foundation Meet on March 8 & 9 Manipal: The Faizal and Shabana “We are pleased to be part of believe that this course will be a Foundation, part of KEF Holdings this exciting venture. This new huge success at the University.” Bangalore: The Third South India Muslim NGOs Conference will in United Arab Emirates, has research and development center KEF Holdings recently entered be held on March 8 and 9 (Saturday and Sunday) in Bangalore, signed an MoU with Manipal will no doubt benefit many a partnership with Finland-based informs a press note from Convener,. Ameen e Mudassar, Director, University to invest Rs, 5 Elematic, a leading CIGMA Foundation. The conference will discuss modalities of social crore towards a research provider for precast work, emerging areas for addressing the popular woes, and ways and and development facility technology and means to access the welfare schemes, grants and funds released for for precast concrete machinery to set up NGOs by the Union and the State Governments. The venue will be technology at Manipal manufacturing plants Prestige-Feroze Terrace on Cunningham Road, Bangalore. Last date Institute of Technology in India -and later for registration for participation is March 6. A fee of Rs. 600 will be (MIT), India. The UAE – involving charged from each participant. Out station participants have to make agreement will also investments totaling their own stay arrangements. introduce a precast Rs 300 crores. The For information contact: 080-41554225, 98455-67687 (Ameen e design and engineering Foundation aims Mudassar), email:[email protected]. Download registration form at: course to the University’s to further precast www.cigmabulletin.com curriculum. “This is a technology by first for any institute of introducing it to higher learning in India students to advance The research and development be given to the University via a and has the potential to transform students and faculty members. the field and create employment center will be set up by the collaboration with Finland’s Lahti engineering education in the Precast concrete technology is opportunities for them. Foundation and expertise will University of Applied Sciences. n country,” said Faizal Kottikollon, rapidly expanding in India due to Chairman of KEF Holdings and its sustainability, affordability and Faizal & Shabana Foundation. time saving measures. We therefore Hamied Inspirational Chemistry Programme By A Staff Writer to study chemistry at university level. Bangalore: Dr.Yusuf Hamied, The announcement was made at Chairman of Cipla, a the 14th edition of Bangalore India pharmaceutical firm manufacturing Bio which was also attended by generic medicines has announced Dr. Robert Parker, Chief Executive Rs. 8 crore donation to the Royal of the Royal Society of Chemistry. Society of Chemistry to launch Dr. Parker said the fund will help Hamied Inspirational Chemistry the ‘train the trainer’ programme Programme in India aimed at to prepare better teachers. equipping 8,000 teachers across The programme will be managed India with the specialist knowledge by the Royal Society of Chemistry and skills to deliver exciting and in partnership with the UK’s engaging chemistry lessons. It Salters Institute and leading Indian will also provide 1,600 of the academic institutes to enhance the brightest chemistry students from skills and knowledge of Indian all backgrounds with the places at chemistry teachers and inspire chemistry camps to motivate them students to study chemistry at to reach the necessary standards university. n Ideas & inventions ISLAMIC VOICE, March 2014 5 servers by large set-ups. The young said. Siddharth Deb Nath, a scientist School Student Invents Ultra-Slim Computer System boy hopes to promote the ReVo at Assam Science Technology and Book, which will, according to him Environment Council, said that Guwahati: Presenting a role model told The Times of India on February performances such as offices, banks, dominate comparable products in the Islam’s invention fulfilled all basic to young Muslims, Afreed Islam, 18. “My invention replaces both academic institutions, and industries computer market. “Minimum power eligibility criteria for submission of a school boy has designed a virus- mechanical and electronic hard disks besides domestic computing is required to run the ReVo BOOK a patent application. protected microchip-run computer with a microchip, doubling speed and purposes. It can also be installed in and its portable size is a bonus,” he (www.islamonline.net) system. storage capacity,” he added. Islam, “Most computing devices use a Class X student from Guwahati’s mechanical hard disk drives, flash Little Flower School, launched his new invention, the ReVo Book, an ultra-slim computer system designed Afreed Islam by him last fortnight. The ReVo Book is embedded with a microchip and a hybrid operating system, also invented by Islam, named ReVo IX. He claimed that the new operating system features faster execution speed, an inbuilt firewall and stands as a complete independent operating system. memories and electronic disks to boot The system can be used in places up operating systems,” Afreed Islam, demanding high uninterrupted

Nearly 25,000 people visited the Salaam Centre’s book stall at the 14-day World Book Fair which concluded on Feb. 23. According to Mr. Hamid Mohsin, Chairman of the Salaam Centre, the visitors evinced keen interest in the book published by the Centre for removing misconceptions regarding Islam and Muslims. The visitors were given a gift packet containing the translation of the Holy Quran, a copy of the “Islam: Facts vs. Fiction”, “Islam For You” and “Follow Me” either in Hindi or English. ISLAMIC VOICE, March 2014 6 Madinah’s History showcased in ‘Letters First Smart Mosque Opens in Dubai Dubai: The United Arab Emirates UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Dr Hamad and Illumination’ Expo opened its first smart mosque in Al Shaibani, Director-General of Dubai last fortnight. The Department DIACA, said the interactive services the capital city of Islamic Culture Lebanon, Azerbaijan, Turkey and By Yusuf Mohammed of Islamic Affairs and Charitable available are accessible through for 2013. Kuwait. Activities (DIACA) launched smart phones and tablets 24X7. The art includes the first Madinah: The history of Madinah All the paintings are original, the Sheikh Nassir Mubarak, has been illuminated in words and photographs taken in Madinah said Hafez, including a painting Mohammed head of IT section images at a major art exhibition by an Egyptian, Sadeq from 1825, which includes the bin Rashid at DIACA, said the that opened in the city last month. Bey from 1880, and Indian names of 18 sites in Turkish Al Maktoum smart mosques project Entitled “Letters and Illumination,” photographer Mirza from 1881, language, and depicts Madinah Mosque in is a new channel the exhibition includes displays as part of a chronological Jumeirah 3, that aims at better of calligraphy and photographs photographic essay up to using the Quick communication with dating back to the 19th century. 1920. response (QR) the public. The public It is being held in Al-Aqeeq These photographs are code technology which offers may also send their suggestions, District, about 7 km from the from the King Abdul digital access to mosques. The remarks, feedback, complaints, or Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. Aziz Foundation, the mosque is now equipped with the reports on any dysfunction through Ayman Hafez, director of the King Fahd Public Library QR code technology for the first the smart mosque initiative. QR code exhibition, told Arab News, and the archives of noted time in government buildings and is is the trademark name for the two the exhibition is being held to international bodies part of Phase-I of developing smart dimensional barcode system which celebrate Madinah’s selection as including the Royal Geographic and the surrounding areas, such mosques that also includes nine was originally invented in 1994 by Society and the Barakat Trust. as the dome, the five minarets, other mosques which will follow suit Denso Wave, a Toyota subsidiary, as To Publish Your Ads In... There are also pictures of some the surrounding mountains, later this year, according to a report a way to track vehicles assembled Western Orientalists and famous the agricultural fields and key in Khaleej Times. Through the QR in a place, and to scan components Saudi photographers and young buildings. code technology, people can get at high speeds. QR codes have long general information about a mosque since expanded their usefulness artists. The exhibition includes the The event will include the — its history, capacity, nature, area, beyond the automotive industry. The work of various Saudi artists on publication of “Al-Madinah prayer timings, lectures or courses QR code technology allows people the Prophet’s Mosque, pilgrims, Al-Munawwarah,” a book that offered by the mosque, as well as to access a special webpage of the presents images from well- & All Other News Papers, All antiques of the region, natural information about Friday sermon, mosque by scanning its barcode Muslim Magazines in Tamil Nadu scenery, and aerial photographs known world photographers round the clock. The move is in line with a smart phone or tablet which CITY ADS of the city. Several participants and edited by photographer, with the Smart Government initiative are automatically equipped with this A Unit of Valangaiman Haji P.K.E. ABDULLAH in the exhibition are from Jordan, Humberto da Silveira. The ½,St. Mary’s Road, Mandaveli, Chennai-28 announced by Sheikh Mohammed technology, otherwise an app for QR Naseer: 98410 16016 Egypt, Japan, China, Syria, exhibition is open to the public bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice- code can be downloaded easily for Email:[email protected] Morocco, United Arab Emirates, until March 9, 2014. n President and Prime Minister of the concerned online stores. n ISLAMIC VOICE, March 2014 7 Malaysia: Top Favourite ‘Halal Holiday’ Destination Indonesia to Revitalize 60 Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia tops of Muslim travelers, including adapting their services to take into Traditional Markets the world’s favorite destinations the presence and accessibility account the unique faith-based Jakarta: Indonesia’s Ministry traditional markets and good for Muslim travelers, according of halal restaurants with meat needs of Muslim travelers,” said of Cooperatives and Small management of street vendors by to a survey released recently. The slaughtered to Islamic standards, Crescentrating chief executive and Medium Enterprises will the cooperatives will help solve United Arab Emirates and Turkey and the provision of prayer rooms Fazal Bahardeen. revitalize some 60 traditional the problem of trading and giving come next to Malaysia in this year’s He said the Muslim travel market markets in a number of provinces, double benefits to the traders,” he top 10 rankings for “halal” friendly was estimated to be worth $140 and build 88 locations for street explained. Sjarifuddin noted that holiday destinations released by billion last year, accounting for vendors in 2014, the official the revitalization is expected to Singapore-based Muslim travel almost 13 percent of the global Antara news agency reported.” develop domestic economy and to specialist Crescentrating. total. It is expected to rise to One of our programs this year is increase regional revenue because The top ten in order are: $200 billion by 2020, he added. to revitalize around 60 traditional it was in line with the efforts of the Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, The figures were discussed in markets and to build 88 locations regional governments to improve Turkey, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, a presentation delivered at the for street vendors in a number the locations of street vendors. . “It Singapore, Morocco, Jordan, at airports, shopping malls and Saudi Commission for Tourism of provinces,” Cooperatives and is a fact that more than 5.5 million Qatar and Tunisia. The survey hotels. “An increasing number and Antiquities at the Riyadh Small and Medium Enterprises workers in the trade sector were evaluates countries in terms of of destinations are now keen on leg of the annual Arabian Travel Minister Sarifuddin Hasan absorbed as traders in traditional their attentiveness to the needs tapping into this segment and Market (ATM) road show. n stated. “Revitalization of markets,” the minister affirmed.n ISLAMIC VOICE, March 2014 8 London Jews Host Islam French Muslims sue Magazine Awareness Week for Blasphemy Strasbourg: Accusing it of a lawyer practising in Paris and London: Joining hands to backgrounds,” she said. blasphemy, a French Muslims General Secretary of Muslim help poor and needy, a London “Whether that be food legal organization is suing a Judicial Defence League Jewish group announced banks and feeding the (LDJM), stated. plans to host Islam awareness homeless or working “We took the week to showcase some of the with women suffering opportunity to social action projects taking violence and abuse and complain to the place across the country. lots more. “I think there judge to decide on is a lot more positive the question: what collaboration waiting is the role of Islam to happen between in the concordat?” Muslims and Jews in “Muslims aspire the UK, our faiths and to have the same interests are so very rights as other similar in so many French satirical magazine, believers,” Bolaky added. ways. I hope that by “Charlie Hebdo” after it Bolaky spoke as a court in using JW3 and working published inflammatory Strasbourg set the hearing Julie Siddiqui & Jw3 Centre in London with organizations cartoons insulting the Qur’an. into Charlie Hebdo’s alleged like Mitzvah Day, we “We know in advance that blasphemy for 7, April, 2014. “It seemed appropriate to use positive cooperation between can develop the relationships the trial does not go all the The Concordat of 1801 is an JW3 as a venue to launch Islam the two faiths, this year’s Islam necessary to make that a reality,” way to the extent that the agreement between Napoleon Awareness Week this year,” Julie Awareness week will revisit the she added. Britain is home to a Muslim religion is not in the and Pope Pius VII, which Siddiqui, executive director of most important achievements in sizable Muslim minority of nearly arrangement (that recognizes solidified the Roman Catholic Islamic Society of Britain, told offering help to the community. 2.7 million. There are nearly and regulates the Catholic, Church as the majority church Jewish News on February 19. Siddiqui added that the event 267,000 Jews in the country. Reformed Church, Lutheran of France and brought back JW3 is a Jewish arts, culture and themed ‘’Charity begins at (www.onislam.net) and Jewish),” Samim Bolaky, most of its civil status. n community centre with a kosher home” will showcase some of restaurant in London. “The the social action projects taking removing misconceptions regarding Islam and Jewish community have done a place across the country. “This Nearly 25,000 people visited the Salaam brilliant job at putting faith into year’s Islam Awareness Week Centre’s book stall at the 14-day World Book Muslims. The visitors were given a gift packet real action with projects that will be showcasing some brilliant Fair, held in Delhi, which concluded on Feb. 23. containing the translation of the Holy Quran, a really help others who need it.” examples of Muslim-led social According to Mr. Hamid Mohsin, Chairman of copy of the “Islam: Facts vs. Fiction”, “Islam Culminating on years of action working with people of all the Salaam Centre, the visitors evinced keen For You” and “Follow Me” either in Hindi or Denmark set to Lose Millions interest in the book published by the Centre for English. n following Halal Slaughter Ban Riyadh: Denmark is likely to lose also been branded “anti-Semitic” millions of dollars in trade and by Jewish leaders. tourism revenues following its ban Dan Jorgensen, Danish food recently on slaughtering animals in minister, responded to the accordance with Islamic standards. criticism on Denmark’s TV2, Halal (Islamically slaughtered) saying “Animal rights come beef and poultry products are before religion.” imported in large quantities by The decision effectively ends the Saudi Arabia and neighboring sale of halal products, much to Gulf countries. In fact, around 55 the anger of residents across the Kingdom. Sources at the media department of the Council of Saudi Chambers (CSC) have said that the ban should be lifted with immediate effect, as it would strain bilateral trade between the two countries, percent of Danish exports to the estimated at SR6 billion. Kingdom are food-based. Fahd Mohammed Al-Hamady, The controversial decision is chairman of the National poised to have a drastic effect Committee for Contractors at on the Danish market since the the CSC, told Arab News that country is likely to come under a he staunchly opposes the ban on comprehensive boycott as it has halal stuff. on more than one occasion in the “This is sheer hypocrisy on their past. part. They slaughter giraffes in The Danish government has already public to feed lions, yet they ban come under fire by religious rights the slaughter of meat in accordance groups in Denmark. Danish Halal, with religious standards, which is a nonprofit group, has described a clear infringement of religious the ban as a “clear infringement freedom,” said Taha bin Saeed, a of religious freedom.” The ban has Saudi citizen. n ISLAMIC VOICE, March 2014 9 KAS Selection for 2011 Batch SDPI Urges Announcement of List By A Staff Writer Altogether 138,000 candidates CoD has submitted its report. notification and annulment of the Group-A and 200 Group-B appeared for the prelims and But the Government has ordered entire process. Instead, it said, vacancies. Bangalore: A committee has been nearly 7,188 (in ratio of 1: 20) reevaluation and re-interview. The the Government should punish It may be recalled that the constituted under the chairmanship qualified for the mains exam. Of KPSC has officially communicated only those candidate involved in selection process was stalled of Syed Zameer Pasha (IAS retired) these, about 1,085 candidates to the Government that the rules malpractices as per the report of following filing of an FIR by a to take up the matter of candidates (i.e., 1: 3) qualified for interview. do not permit reevaluation and the investigating agencies. It said, candidate named Mythri through who had cleared the Karnataka The KPSC had completed the repeat interviews. Following this, certain lobbies were working her advocate in the Vidhana Administrative Service selection process of exam and interview the Government of Karnataka against the announcement of list Soudha Police Station and the case 2011 by the Karnataka Public and announced the marks of main is mooting quashing of entire as it enables several dozens of was filed by Deputy Secretary, Service Commission (KPSC). and interview. But provisional list notification, which is being candidates from the disadvantaged DPAR. The process of selection has been of 362 finally selected candidates opposed by the candidates who and deprived sections to enter the The case study prepared by the stalled following allegations of Government service. SDPI raised pertinent questions malpractices in the exam and the The meeting was attended by about the entire process of stalling interviews. Notably 29 Muslims SDPI alleges that vested interests are trying to Syed Zameer Pasha, Dr. Y. Abdul the final list and points finger at and several Dalit and OBC Azeez, former Principal, Al- insiders from within the KPSC candidates had clear the selection stall the process of selection of 2011 batch of Ameen Colege; Advocate C. R. being responsible for the same. It process and were awaiting the KAS probationers as the list has sizeable number Abdur Rasheed; Sardar Ahmed says the names of the two KPSC final announcement of the result Qureshi of Tipu Sultan United members in the FIR, both of of selected probationers for the of candidates from the disadvantaged sections. Front, SDPI General Secretary Dr. whom are Dalits, is a conspiracy gazette posts. Mahaboob Shariff Awad; former to discredit the disadvantaged The notification for the exam is yet to be announced despite have put in years of effort and KPSC member Khader Mohideen; groups. was made in November 2011 passage of 30 months since the waited for nearly three years. Maulana Maqsood Imran, The SDPI has urged the and preliminary exams were held process commenced. Allegation The Social Democratic Party Peshimam, City Jama Masjid; Government to proceed against in April 2012. Main exam was of malpractices and irregularities of India (SDPI) in a meeting on MSO secretary Syed Shahid the KPSC members found guilty held in December 2012 and the were aired during the process February 11 held at Hameed Shah Ahmed; Mufti Iftikhar Qasimi of but not to punish the candidates interviews were completed in and Government of Karnataka Complex, urged the chief minister Jamiatul Ulema; State Secretary who have put in years of May 2013. announced the CoD inquiry. The to desist from quashing of the of the SDPI Abdul Hannan. preparation and may exceed the The November 2011 notification age limit, if they were to reappear Mushawarat Meet Expresses Alarm at had invited application for 162 for an examination. n ‘Designs to Change Social Demography’ Publicise details of Waqf Corpn., Caravan Interview Deserves Serious Waqf were exclusively meant for Notice by Union Govt. the Muslim community. New Delhi: The Central Union and State Governments August 2013. The Mushawarat noted that while Committee of the All India to check the trend which can The Mushawarat urged the Union the ban on SIMI is renewed without Muslim Majlis Mushawarat’s be seen in Muzaffarnagar and Government to publicise the fail and its former members are (AIMMM) which met here on was earlier witnessed in Assam details about the newly formed unnecessarily harassed, a plethora February 17 has expressed alarm and Gujarat in 2002. It said National Waqf Development of Hindutva terror organisations over designs of the communal some 20,000 refugees are still Corporation (NAWAD) and remain untouched like Sanatan forces to change demography languishing in tents in miserable wanted the government to Sanstha, Abhinav Bharat, Bajrang by expelling Muslims from conditions in Muzaffarnagar and remove the impression that the Dal and Sri Ram Sena. It recalled rural areas were they have lived Shamli districts of Uttar Pradesh Corporation would benefit all that the Mahrashtra state had for centuries. It called upon the where riots were engineered in the minorities and reminded that Page 11 Globe Talk ISLAMIC VOICE, March 2014 10 Women: Towards Reconciliation and A Giant Leap towards Waqf Liberation Protection We must clearly refuse to accept that a woman with the same training The Waqf protection and development are likely to receive and skills as a man should experience job discrimination or be paid a big fillip with the passage of Waqf Properties (Eviction of only 70 per cent of a man’s salary. Unauthorized Occupants) Bill 2013 and incorporation of the National Waqf Development Corporation (NAWADCO). The By Tariq Ramadan in the mindscape of social representations as well as Bill is before the Parliament and is likely to be passed before in group structures, without overlooking the question the current Lok Sabha winds up its tenure. The twin measures What sometimes favoured open and flexible of the essence of womanhood and related factors. The go a long way in ensuring that the vast assets under awqaf across interpretations in Islam related to people’s common initial liberation process is demanding. the country will receive not only better protection but also see good and interest (Al Maslaha) may, in the case of Even before turning to the issues of social discrimination measures to make them worthy of generating revenue for the women, have had exactly opposite consequences: when and power structures in human groups, earlier reflection community. taking into account the often static customary practices about faith, spirituality, and the quest for meaning is The Waqf Properties Bill will be a landmark accomplishment of the societies for which law scholars issued rulings — required. Nothing, or very little, is said and worked of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government if it and by which they naturally were often influenced — it about the issue of the meaning of the quest and of the becomes an Act after due passage from the two houses of the became natural to issue restrictive, sometimes partial encounter with a spirituality that should be a promise Parliament and assent from the President. The Bill shifts the and biased interpretations of the Texts. This was because of liberation and autonomy. The higher objectives illegal occupation of the waqf properties from civil to criminal of the influence of cultural context on the reading itself. of ethics, about the inner being, require educating domain and empowers the police to arrest the encroachers and The Texts’ higher, universal ends were then restricted the conscience, respecting the being’s dignity, and illegal occupants and vests the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) by the closed prospects of cultural singularity, which seeking inner balance, love, sincerity, humility and of the Waqf Boards with magisterial powers to physically evict drew on the latitudes offered by constant awareness of contemplation. This is an invitation to elaborate the illegal occupants, sealing of properties raised illegally over customs and of the Al Maslaha in support of its own a fundamental, feminine philosophy of being, of the waqf properties and even extract damages, if any, during such legitimacy. Access to the power of knowledge, to autonomy and of freedom likely to deal with both the illegal occupations. Such structures can even be demolished and intellectual and financial autonomy, to the job market, most rigid traditional representations and the most the debris could even be auctioned. Expenses incurred in any and to political choice and commitment, was often modern subjective projections. such action can even be extracted from the offenders. Illegal restricted and denied, not in the light of the Texts alone, Reflection about women as subjects must be combined occupants can even be made to cough up the rents for the tenure but through the decisive refraction of cultural contexts. with fundamental reflection about women’s being itself. of illegal occupation of the waqf properties. The CEOs are Male and female fuqaha’ (experts in Islamic The latter determines the essence of womanhood in its empowered to summon the offenders and ask any person to jurisprudence) as well as anthropologists, historians, dignity, while the former grants women the means to furnish any evidence or documents. Any appeal against the Waqf sociologists, and ethnologists (again, both women be free. The point is not only to fight discrimination, Board CEOs will be entertained only by the Waqf Tribunals and and men) must work together in an extensive process although this struggle is imperative, but also to make no case against the CEO’s or Tribunal’s decision can be filed of critical studies, reinterpretations, and analyses of society change in the light of the questions today’s with the civil courts or magistrates. Cases against offenders can the societies for which, and in which, the Texts are to women ask about themselves and ask societies about be launched in the courts and the offenders can be sentenced be understood and implemented. A corpus of higher the quest for meaning, their welfare and the freedom with a jail term extending up to six months or fined or both. objectives (and the corresponding applied ethics) must of their being. The Bill marks a distinct progress towards protection of waqf be established before any circumstantial analysis of Much has been said in the West about Muslim women’s properties whose estimated worth is of the order of $345 billion Texts and environments to avoid running the risk of dress, intended by the latter as an expression of at the current real estate value. The Sachar Committee Report being misled by the letter of some texts or the cultural modesty and by some, in modern societies, as a sign of had put the number of waqf assets at 490,000 across the country. shackles of past or contemporary societies. Only in discriminatory submission. Often in reaction, Muslim But illegal occupations, encroachments and litigations—there this way can the deductive work of implementing institutions or scholars have been seen to offer dress as were around one lakh such cases in the courts—had rendered injunctions become meaningful: being faithful to the the ultimate expression of faith or as an act of resistance them more a liability than asset for the State Waqf Boards. message without fearing to disturb social frameworks, against western cultural imperialism. In all cases, the Rather than generating any income of their own, most Waqf power relationships, and the traditional roles placed debates have reduced the meaning of modesty itself Boards were dependent on budgetary allocations from the State on women as a result of partial understanding of the in the order of means and ends. In the spiritual order, finances. message. in reflection about being and freedom, understanding The setting up of National Waqf Development Corporation One should begin by clearly defining the fundamentals the meaning of modesty (whether for men or for (NAWADCO) signals yet another headway in that a new public and order of discourse about women. The approach women) cannot be limited to the issue of visible sector entity has been created to develop the waqf properties. It through objectives does not allow us to overlook speaking modesty in dress. The latter must be part of a much was inaugurated by the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and about women’s being, their spirituality, autonomy and more fundamental approach integrating the meaning will have an authorized share capital of Rs. 500 crore. Presently, responsibility, and the essential and social meaning of spiritual, psychological and intellectual modesty the 490,000 properties fetch merely Rs. 163 crore. Notably, the of womanhood. Men, fuqaha’, can sometimes touch along with modesty in dress. At a time when women Sachar Committee had estimated that with proper development, on those dimensions, but it is women who must, from are too often confined to either strictly normative or these could be made to yield Rs. 12,000 crore annually. within, refuse to accept that religious discourse about mainly aesthetic representations, this reflection about The twin developments point to a solid progress towards them should be merely legal and, in effect, curtailed, the essence and meaning of modesty smacks of protest securing the interests of the Muslim minority. With economic since it deals with interpersonal relations without and liberation. Resistance begins in such depths. misery being the greatest impediment in effective induction into elaborating anything about womanhood. Therefore, This does not prevent fundamental reflection about national mainstream, the measures are likely to go a long way the first liberation that should be worked out, and that social questions; quite the opposite. For reasons that in infusing dynamism into a vital sector of development of the can lead the whole community of believers the world have to do with being, conscience, but also simply Muslim community. over to evolve, consists of producing a discourse on physiology, women relate quite specifically to life, womanhood that restores the link with meaning rather commitment, children and education. Never have our LETTERS than single-mindedly focusing on norms. The spiritual societies been in such urgent need of this feminine input awakening and revival that run through Muslim in approaching some issues that are indeed broader than majority societies and elsewhere, and in which women the “mere” question of women. Yet one of women’s Very Enlightening are particularly active agents, require new discourse major contributions to their cause may well lie, not about the meaning of faith, worship, freedom and social merely in resisting the discriminations and alienations Sir, The piece “Mandate discussion among a well- commitment. that directly affect them, but in their specific way of 2014” in the Islamic Voice meaning group of persons. This is why the discourse must rely on in-depth studies approaching the social crises that involve all of us. Here of February 2014 issue was I expect more likes of it in of all the dimensions of women’s being. This means, again, the issue should be approached from the source, indeed very refreshing, near future on major issues beyond norms, raising such issues as the acquisition of which may result in a new way of defining the priorities enlightening and stimulating. confronting the community knowledge (about Texts and all the other sciences) for of social and political commitments. This means It was also well-planned, and the country. women; the meaning of their dignity and welfare in all starting by refusing to enter men’s political universe by timely and insightful. I Mumtaz Rashid that has to do with their minds, hearts and bodies; their approaching politics in the same way as men do. felt like hearing a panel Berhampore, West Bengal inalienable autonomy and the essence of their freedom From the point of view of the fuqaha’, Page 12 ISLAMIC VOICE, March 2014 11 Asian Forum for Harmony President Inaugurates AMU Murshidabad Campus Murshidabad: The President Murshidabad. He said that he admission at this centre in large Bangalore: Former Minister Party, said the Forum will bring of India, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee had noticed students, especially numbers. He said that he wanted Prof. Mumtaz Ali Khan has set together people from various inaugurated the Aligarh Muslim Muslims students going in large to establish a Polytechnic at this up Asian Forum for Harmony and communities at a single platform. University Murshidabad Centre’s numbers to AMU for higher centre as soon as possible. He Development aimed at forging Prof. Khan has been running campus in Jangipur, West Bengal studies. He said that finally his said that availability of increased communal harmony and amity Salamat Kannada School under on February 20. dream has come true with the funds was fore most need of Speaking at the occasion, the establishment of this centre. the Centre to establish a health President said: “Education is the only trusted tool for empowerment and it alone helps people to build a respectable career and character”, said the President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee today at Murshidabad in West Bengal. He was addressing at a programme Murshidabad AMU Centre after inaugurating the newly constructed campus of the AMU The new AMU campus is coming centre and a polytechnic. He also among various communities. the Khawaja Gharibun Nawaz Murshidabad Centre. up in 288 Acre plot of land at stressed the need for linking the The Forum was inaugurated at Society for several years. Mukherjee said that knowledge Arihan in Murshidabad, under two pieces of land on either side Raj Bhavan on February 1 in the Shri Vishveshwara Bhadra is power and it brings all kinds the Suti Police station. of the Farakka Barrage through presence of Governor Shri H. R. Channamalla, chief of the of social, economic and political A team of top university officials a bridge. Bhardwaj who called for shunning Nidumamidi Mutt, Maulana empowerment to the people. under the leadership of the Vice The President of India in divisive politics in the name of Maqsood Imran, peshimam of He said that he had a dream of Chancellor, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) his address assured the Vice caste and community. the Jama Masjid City, and Father bringing AMU to Murshidabad Zameer Uddin Shah were also Chancellor that soon a bridge Prof. Mumtaz who recently Ronnie Prabhu also spoke at the since he was first elected present on the occasion. will be built near Farakka quit BJP and joined Congress occasion. n Member of Parliament from Foundation stone for the Centre Barrage to link the two pieces was laid in 2009 by the then of AMU Murshidabad Centre’s Page 9 Violence against Christian Chief Minister Mr. Buddhadeb land and a water purification Zakia Jafari too has decided to minority Bhattacharya. The campus is plant will also be established in Mushawarat Meet... move High Court against a lower The Mushawarat quoting a report still not fully ready, but some the centre to tackle the drinking recommended a ban on Abhinav court’s verdict in Gulbarg Colony prepared by Justice (retd) Michael of the buildings have been water problem in the Centre. He Bharat which speaks volumes case. “Modi will remain an accused Saldanha o behalf of the Christian commissioned. said that expenditure on projects about the attitude of the Union until the apex court, which had Church, said communal forces The Vice Chancellor said that will be borne by the central government vis-à-vis saffron terror. called him a “Nero”, exonerates have steadily targeted the Christian he wanted local students to take government. n Modi and Gujarat riots him. Modi not only actively community across the country. It Mushawarat resolution said that supported the riots, he has also been said, about 4,000 Christian were in motivating and financing of corruption, is not clear about Modi and his defenders were instrumental in dismissing FIRs targeted during 2013, and about saffron terror, Mushawarat said it the other scourge of communalism claiming that courts have given and withdrawal of cases against 400 clergy and community leaders becomes a duty of the Union home and though it has demanded the him a clean chit, hence any talk of the accused and shielding them, in were attacked in 200 anti-Christians ministry to treat this danger with formation of SIT to probe the 1984 his involvement in the 2002 riots addition to actively denying relief incidents across 19 states. It urged the seriousness it deserved. anti-Sikh riots, it is silent about is a contempt of court. It said, this and justice to the victims. Selection stringent action against hate crimes. Aam Admi Party the communal violence bill, fake was factually incorrect as Modi of such a person by the saffron Taking note of Swami Mushawarat welcomed the encounters and arrests of Muslim has been given a clean chit by the party as its prime ministerial Aseemanand’s assertion in his emergence of Aam Admi Party youth in the name of fighting terror. SIT which has come under severe candidate indicates the valueless latest interview with Caravan (AAP) and said it considers it a It wanted the AAP to clarify its criticism for ignoring solid evidence and opportunist politics of Hindutva magazine that top bosses of secular alternative. “But AAP, position about these crucial issues as implicating Modi in the 2002 riots. forces”, the resolution stated. the RSS were directly involved which is clear about the scourge well. n ISLAMIC VOICE, March 2014 12 Page 1 Hajj Maybe Entrusted to Minority Ministry Muslim youths in name of fighting Bukhari’s Jamboree ... terror, the meeting demanded that By A Staff Writer Department of Islamic Studies, the Government should bring out a Mamta Banerjee. He said the after the meeting, Imam Bukhari Jamia Millia Islamia, urged that the white paper in this regard and take Trinamool Congress leader blamed Mulayam Singh for not New Delhi: Minister for External Hajj portfolio should remain part appropriate and stern measures for Mamata Banerjee had visited the fulfilling any promises made Affairs Mr. Salman Khurshid has of the External Affairs Ministry as providing security and safety to Jama Masjid and briefed about the to the community on the eve indicated that the Government shifting it elsewhere would create the Muslim community from the actions taken by her Government of Assembly election in Uttar was considering entrusting Hajj problems and its centrality would recurrence of communal violence. for the welfare of the Muslims in Pradesh. “More than a hundred arrangements to the Ministry of be jeopardized. Mr. Wasey urged Though the meeting was dubbed her State. Ahead of the meeting, communal riots had taken place Minority Affairs. He said this while the Government of Saudi Arabia as “representative meeting of the Imam Bukhari wrote a letter to in the State and the Akhlesh speaking at a seminar on “Hajj Today’ not to allow construction of luxury Muslims” but absence of notable State Governments seeking their Yadav Government had failed organized by Tauheed Educational hotels in the vicinity of two Harams faces of Muslim leadership and reply on the implementation of the on all fronts and Mulayam Singh Trust here on February 8. in Makkah and Madinah and to organizations were palpable in Sachar recommendations but only is hobnobbing with communal Mr. Khurshid while referring shift the existing ones outside a the meeting. Imam Bukhari West Bengal government sent its forces,” he added. When this to suggestions to create a Hajj radius of three to four kilometers. announced that 11- member reply in this regard. correspondent questioned why you Authority, said the Government He criticized the suggestions from committee will look into the In the press conference held are only focusing on Uttar Pradesh was committed to provide best of some quarter to bring the Hajj manifestos of secular parties and as UP is not India and India is not arrangements and comfort to the arrangements under a multinational their implementation. On the basis UP, he quipped that UP matters Hajj pilgrims and has constituted authority of Muslim countries. of this, it will prepare a report and Six Urdu Ghars in the most in the elections as it the a four-minister group to oversee Maulana Sayeedur Rahman Azmi, will suggest to whom Muslims Maharashtra largest state of the country and the arrangements. He said the Rector of Darul Uloom Nadwatul have to support in the coming Muslims can play a decisive role Government would think of Ulema, Lucknow urged the pilgrims elections. He will issue an appeal Mumbai: The Government of in stopping the communal forces operating flights from more airports not to indulge in non-mandatory on behalf of the committee to the Maharashtra has sanctioned from coming to power. within the country, if needed. He rituals during Hajj which created community. However, one leader, funds for Urdu Ghars in six cities He also lashed out against the said the Government has not made problems for other pilgrims. on the condition of anonymity who of the State, namely Mumbai, Congress Party and other ‘secular’ up its mind on reducing the Hajj Maulana Mutiur Rahman Madani participated in the deliberations, Nanded, Sholapur, Nagpur, parties adding that they are quota by 20 per cent. He rejected of Tauheed Educational Trust said the whole exercise was meant Malegaon and Aurangabad. The responsible for the backwardness the allegations about subsidy to Hajj informed the delegates that the to enhance the bargaing capacity foundation stone for the first of the community. Exhorting pilgrims and said the Government Saudi Hajj Authority would erect of Imam Bukhari as he used to Urdu Ghar in series was laid Muslims to become political force would opt for floating tenders for a roof over nearly three square organize Muslim representative in Nanded in the third week of of their own, he said the Central operation of Hajj flights which is all kilometers area over the Harem by meetings at the time of elections. February. It is being constructed and State Governments were not likely to bring down the fares and 2020 which would save the pilgrims He further said in all likelihood he sincere in addressing any issues of travel expenses. from rain and torrid summer on a 1.5 acre land at a cost of Rs. (Bukhari) will announce support the community. Parvaiz Mian, Chairman, Delhi Hajj sunshine. A delegate suggested that 8.16 crore. It will have a 500- to the Bahujana Samaj Party in Muslim delegates, who came mostly Committee, urged that instead of the pilgrims be given a cellphone seat capacity auditorium, lodge UP as he was extremely annoyed from UP urged the Government reducing the number of pilgrims, fed with all important helpline for the scholars and researchers, over denial of a cabinet berth to to implement recommendations should think of raising the number of numbers in Jeddah, Makkah and two committee rooms and a his son-in law by Mulayam Singh. made by the Sachar Committee pilgrims as the current numbers were Madinah. A Hajj Exhibition library. The Urdu Ghars will Looking at his posturing, he may and Justice Rangnath Commission. in accordance with the 2001 Census. too was organized alongside the be constructed in Mughal announce support for the BSP in Expressing grave concern over the Prof. Akhtarul Wasey, Head, seminar. n architectural style. n the coming Parliamentary election. harassment and arrest of innocent Imam’s antics must be watched in this background. n Page 10 Umrah & Hajj Ahram Clothes and All Women: Towards Reconciliation ... Journey Requirements. of men and of women themselves, of the discriminations they continue the priority is to get rid of social to suffer. We must clearly refuse to and media representations about accept that a woman with the same the “West”, which restrict debates training and skills as a man should to the issues of models or forms. experience job discrimination or Thus, the western cultural model be paid only 70 per cent of a man’s Bangalore’s One-stop Fashion is seen to require resistance salary, that she should be barred Showrooms - Four in a row through emphasis on an “Islamic from responsible posts because of answer” essentially relying on the being a woman, that pregnancy in Cantonment Area formalism of social roles or of should be considered a handicap MEN’S SHOP dress. The answer is insufficient; or that she should be compelled Exclusive Show Room for Grooms it can be observed every day. Far to submit to the male imagery that Banaras Silk Sarees, Suiting & Shirtings from any formalism, then, or rather still dominates the job market. Kahmiri Work Sarees Sherwani, Kurta Pyjama in opposition to all formalisms, Fuqaha’ legal councils including commitment for the recognition of women scholars, specialising in Salwar Kameez, Prince Suit women’s being and involvement Texts as well as in the study of Ghagra Choli, Readymade Suits must start by questioning goals social logistics, must speak out on Lacha, Salwar Suit etc. Pathani Suits and not only perceptions. Prior to those questions of rights, justice Lucknow Jubba any collective, social or political and equality. Women must struggle Kashmiri Shawls etc. commitment process, women against all formalist dictatorships: Reasonable Rates must, along with men, determine both those that impose the the outline of a religious and headscarf without belief in the humanist understanding and practice coming from the heart and discourse reconciling women with those that imagine all objectified their function as free, autonomous female bodies fit into a size six and responsible spiritual agents. dress; those that compel women By relying on this approach, which to stay at home for religious rereads the Texts in the light of reasons and those that send them higher goals, it becomes possible back home after the age of 45 for to think about women’s presence aesthetic reasons. and major contributions to the (Tariq Ramadan is Professor of development of contemporary Contemporary Islamic Studies at societies while undertaking reforms Oxford University) Community Initiative ISLAMIC VOICE, March 2014 13 Bringing Together Muslims and Non-Muslims of Jammu & Kashmir

In an unique effort, the Al-Huda Educational & Welfare Society, based in Poonch, organised a public conference with the theme, “Islam, Peace and Non-Muslims,” to convey the pluralistic message of Islam.

By Varsha Sharma Muhammad’s (Pbuh) dealings of Muslims and non-Muslims, mother is feeling.” (Al-Bukhari) Syed Basharat Husain Barkati, with non-Muslims and importance both intellectuals and common Connecting his speech with the a well-renowned Islamic cleric The Al-Huda Educational & of modern, secular education masses, Ghulam Rasool Dehlvi harsh realities of the present and jurist of the region. The stage Welfare Society, based in Poonch, along with religious education”, said that “Islam is based on the era, Dehlvi stressed that any was packed with the leading (Jammu & Kashmir), was set up says Maulana Basharat Saqafi. three foundational principles: theological propagation based Muslim clergy and intellectuals five months ago, and has emerged As a part of its Herculean efforts love, peace and knowledge. And on hatred and divisiveness must of the state including the heads as a beacon of hope in the to promote inter-faith harmony all other precepts and practices of be categorically condemned and of the Sufi shrines and imams of wilderness of despair prevailing resisted. “Extremist literature, the mosques. At the end of the in the region and excelled in its edicts or fatwas based on program, the Madrasa Board gigantic task of helping the people The stage was packed with the leading misinterpretation of the religious Coordination Committee of of the region, especially the texts and scriptures is a serious Jammu & Kashmir, along with less fortunate Muslim and non- Muslim clergy and intellectuals of the state and collective threat for the Al-Huda Educational Welfare Muslims. One of the prime causes including the heads of the Sufi shrines and entire Ummah which causes Society put forward a memoranda that the organisation upholds greater defamation of Islam to the state government calling for is bringing together Muslims imams of the mosques. than even what the nefarious the establishment of a Madrasa and non-Muslims of Jammu Islamophobic projects do. So Board in the state, resolution and creating social affinity and in Jammu & Kashmir, Al-Huda Islam are just a manifestation of we need to disassociate Islam of the dispute of Poonch’s religious bonds among them. The Educational Welfare Society, any of these three basic Islamic and Muslims with such hate Central Eidgah, restoration of two heads of this educational and recently organised a large-scale tenets.” He highlighted Prophet speeches that present our religion the Muslim Waqf properties and welfare society, Maulana Basharat public conference on “Islam, Muhammad’s traditions and as an exclusivist, radicalised, establishment of the proposed Saqafi and Maulana Sarfaraz Qadri peace and non-Muslims,” last teachings of mercy, peace, non- terroristic and political ideology”, Allama Dil Muhammad are all set to exert every possible month, with special reference to violence, tolerance, wisdom and he stated. University in Jammu. Maulana effort to make it happen. While they Prophet Muhammad’s dealings love for the humanity. He shed The event was chaired and Sarfaraz Qadri, the chairperson organise educational seminars, with non-Muslims. Majority of the light on the kind and humane inaugurated by the State President of the organisation presented vote symposiums and workshops to leading personalities, particularly behaviour of Prophet Muhammad of Muslim Personal Law Board of thanks with special regards for apprise the Kashmiri Muslim clerics and intellectuals, from both towards non-Muslims and said of Jammu & Kashmir, Mufti the non-Muslim audience. n community of the importance the communities were invited. that he was the kindest and of modern sciences and secular The chief guest speaker of the the best of men in the entire as well as religious education, conference was a Delhi-based Arabian Peninsula in morality, they host religious festivals, writer and scholar (Alim and humanism and behaviour. Dehlvi social gatherings and public Fazil) Ghulam Rasool Dehlvi. also incorporated some related events to disseminate Islam’s Revolving around the theme of prophetic sayings and pointed pluralist message, encouraging the conference, Dehlvi dwelt on out that “Prophet Muhammad co-existence among Muslims and Islamic teachings of inclusiveness, was particularly compassionate non-Muslims of the region. “We Prophet Muhammad’s universal towards children and women, concern ourselves with educating efforts of peace-making as well as as it is clear from his tradition: both Muslims and non-Muslims deep understanding of pluralism, “I stand in prayer and wish to about Islam’s teachings of multiculturalism and the value prolong it. However, I hear the global peace, religious harmony, of modern education in Islam. cry of a child and cut the prayer inclusiveness, tolerance, Prophet Addressing a mixed gathering short for the anxiety which the Islamic Ideology in today’s Context ISLAMIC VOICE, March 2014 14 Interview with Prof. Nejatullah Siddiqui Main Precepts of Sharia Need to be Re-Examined

Prof. Nejatullah Siddiqui, noted better field experience? As far A: First we need to define the international level. For example in the earliest period of Islam. Islamic economist and thinker our country is concerned, this main Islamic precepts (nusoos) there is a general impression These are the practical realities recently spoke to Afkar e Milli, discussion is merely academic, themselves. It is not essential that that Men are the masters over of the current age. an Urdu monthly published from and has no practical relevance. we go by the same interpretation women who are considered Q: Some people have vented New Delhi, on important trends Islamic Government is not the that was relevant to 7th century. subjects. The Quranic verse much spleen and produced a lot in Islamic thought. Siddiqui who immediate objective for the Take economy for example. The Arrijaloo qawwamuna alan nisai of literature merely to convince propounded the theory of Interest- Islamists here. No one claims this Islamic precepts in this sector are (3: 1) is referred to reinforce this people that some secret Jewish free banking has been conferred as his objective. There are efforts extremely vague. We do not have argument. These verses were organization is controlling the the King Faisal Award in 1993 a well documented history. The revealed in a particular context. entire mechanism of the world. and is considered a revisionist in work that the Muslims have done It is not possible in today’s life How do you look at it? Islamic circles. Excerpts from his during the last five centuries in to subject the women to total Interview are being translated for A: I do not give any credence the benefit of readers of Islamic to this theory of conspiracy. Voice: “Women cannot be subjected to control by We have ample opportunities to set up organization, prepare Q: How do you assess the men. They are justifiably ambitious today. strategies and bring about reforms. progress of Islamic movement Everyone is working everywhere, across the world (especially in These cannot be curbed”. be it in right or wrong direction. context to Tunisia, Bangladesh, There is no such secret power that Prof. Nejatullah Siddiqui and Egypt) permeates the entire world and A: We do not have a firsthand galore to malign the image of the field of economics in response control of men. Women are creates obstacles or impedes our knowledge and direct access to Islam from three quarters i.e. 1- to the economic rise of the West, justifiably ambitious and would work. the happenings in these countries. Hindutva forces, 2- Secularists, does not carry any value. So like to progress in each and (Note: The translation from Urdu Reports of the Western media are and 3-Western oriented circles. we need to have a relook at the every field. Their ambitions is in-house job at Islamic Voice. often biased and cannot be relied Therefore we need to see how history and should rewrite it. Take cannot be curbed. We need to be We have tried to stay faithful to the text and also left out a few portions. upon. The media of the Muslim things have developed over the also for example, the instrument creative and innovative in each Responsibility for any inadequacies world lacks professional approach last century and how Islam’s of suk which evolved during and every aspect of our thinking found in conveying the essence of and has no direct access to the image has fared over this period? the tenure of Hazrat Umar. This and align our thought process the original text is ours. Editor) events happenings in those places. We need to assess the Islamic referred to the document issued with the changes being brought ------We can merely observe things literature produced during this by the Government towards the by the technology. Those who For research papers authored by from a distance. Realistically period. We need to take up the stipend. We need to examine if suk are critical of such thoughts, Prof. Nejatullah Siddiqui, log speaking, there could be many task of introducing Islam among would apply to similar documents need to be reminded about the onto:http://www.siddiqi.com/mns/ approaches to issues. It appears the countrymen and capacity today. Instruments like Safatja or freedom of expression obtaining that Rachid Ghanouchi has building of the members of the Bainul Arbauoon also need to be adopted the right approach. He has Muslim community i.e., not investigated. This should be task taken a softer line and is trying to merely to protect the people from for the universities and research build a consensus on issues among the communal riots but also to institute, not the individuals. Our diverse sections before embarking conserve and nurture the cultural universities have paid no heed upon action. They have adopted institutions. Seventy years toward this. The madrassas do Islam just as the official religion. ago, when Maulana Maudoodi teach these things, but have not It seems Tunisia is pursuing an talked about Hukumat e Ilahia, taken it up for research. circumstances were altogether effective strategy and has largely Q: What could be methods for different. The British were quelled the discontent. application of these things in ruling India then. The objective today’s age? Q: There is this view expressed by of Islamic Government might a body of intellectuals that Islam have made sense then. Those A: This is where both research does not lay down the objective concepts should not be construed into history as well as fieldwork of securing power and setting up as absolute. There could be things and field research is required. government for its adherents. that could be seen as pious wishes, Justice and development are Waheeduddin Khan and Javed otherwise talking about securing essential requisites of the sharia. Ahmed Ghamidi dub it political power is too distant a goal. Now we should seek where and interpretation of Islam. Khan how these objectives could be says power is promised, but Q: How could the people fulfilled today. How Government should not be desired. Jamal ul across the globe be convinced could/should be constituted, Banna emphasizes the concept of the Islamic precepts and how to ensure that injustice is of ummah; rather than setting principles in matters pertaining not done to anyone and ways up government; and, Ghamidi to economy, society and should be found out to establish says Islamic society is desired, governance? this system from local to power is not the target. How do you look at these approaches? A: There could be two ways to look at the issue. 1- Argumentative, i.e., to revisit the actual precepts and the doctrine and deliberate upon them and the areas that require research should be investigated. 2- Empirical method i.e., to find out who has been on the forefront of service of Islam and Muslims. Who has contributed for the uplift of the community? And who has ISLAMIC VOICE, March 2014 15 Muzaffarnagar Camps Youth, Cycle for Change

least two villagers (one male and one female) in opening bank accounts, filling pension forms, etc. Forum members are also to reach out to other youth and encourage them to join in this effort. National team members of Khudai Khidmatgar, Hafeez Kidwai, Abdur Rasheed, Inamul Hasan, Faisal Khan, Faraz Badar Rizvi, and various youth Shabbir from Kashmir, Shoeb Ahmed, Waseem, Azeem Shahid, Saad Kidwai from Delhi were also present. (Twocircles.net)

Muzaffarnagar: Khudai Forum with 20 youth selected Mustafa Koya, inaugurated the Khidmatgar, which has been from various camps. The main forum. active in providing relief, legal, purpose of this forum is to provide Members of the Cycle Forum for and educational work among platform for social activities and Change will meet every month Muzaffarnagar-Shamli riot victims bring leadership quality among and take a daylong cycle yatra has now started a new intitiative to the youth. to raise awareness about issues help them. Khudai Khidmatgar co-ordinates like education, RTI, communal On February 21st, Khudai from Maharashtra Vijay harmony, etc. Each month, Forum Khidmatgar started a Cycle Deshpandey and from Kerala, members are expected to assist at people ISLAMIC VOICE, March 2014 16 Funds for OBCs, Minorities Abysmally low Parveen Amanullah Joins Trinamool. He was one among the daily published from here. She AAP: Bihar Minister for Social five members to be elected to the was earlier a deputy editor of the By A Staff writer found that the allocation for Welfare Parveen Amanullah quit Rajya Sabha from West Bengal. same paper. Her appointment was minorities ranged between 0.07% the Nitish Kumar Government Though he ran short of four votes, announced by Khaled al-Maeena, Bangalore: A study by the Centre and 0.64% of total expenditure on February 4 cross voting in the Leftist block the departing editor and noted for the study of Social Exclusion in the last 10 years. Allocation and joined the ensured that he sailed into the Saudi journalist. and Inclusive Policy under the for the OBCs was little higher Aam Aadmi Upper House. “There’s a crack that has been National Law School of India between 0.53% and 0.75%. They Party (AAP). made in the glass ceiling. And I’m Maulana Syed Md. Ibrahim and University (NLSIU) has found recommended that a deprivation She is daughter hoping it will be made into a door,” K. N. Noor Basha, members of that allocation of funds for Other index should be formulated and of former MP Jabarti said after starting her new the Karnataka Waqf Board were Backward Classes (OBCs) and compared with deprivation index and prominent job, according to quotes carried by removed from the 11-member Minorities in the State is abysmally for the whole state. Muslim politician Syed Al Arabiya News. executive committee of the Board low and there were no guidelines The findings of the study were Shahabuddin and is wife of Mr. She added: “Being the first Saudi following Gazette notification in for allocation to these groups. released by Chief Minister Mr. Afzal Amanullah, a civil service woman [editor-in-chief] is going second week of February. This The Study prepared by Prof. Abdul Siddramaiah on Feb. 11 at a officer. to be double the responsibility … followed the January 8 directive Aziz and S. Japhet of the Centre cabinet meeting. One’s actions from the Karnataka High Court Takes charge: Mr Faiyaz will reflect upon following a PIL from Karnataka Mysore Muslim Coop. Bank’s Directors Shaharyar took over as the new my fellow Saudi Director General of the All India Waqf Protection Joint Action Mysore: The 11-member team Murthy, returning officer from the women.” Radio on February 3. A senior Committee. The Court had directed led by Mir Humayun was voted to Cooperative Department oversaw According officer of the Indian Broadcasting the Board to expel the two members take over the reins of 98-year old the elections which were held in a to Jabarti, of Service, Faiyaz was earlier as their nomination was not carried Muslim Cooperative Bank here peaceful atmosphere. Barring four around 20 Saudi additional director general of out as per the due process of in the elections held on February new faces, the old team has return Gazettereporters only three are the AIR. He took the new office law. The executive Committee 17. Besides Mir Humayun, others to the helms. male but the paper’s senior editorial following demission of the post has now been reduced to six elected as directors are Dr. Abdur positions are mainly held by men. The Mysore Muslim Coop Bank by former DG Venkata Sorulu. members. Earlier, two members Rauf (who received 1650 votes, Khaled al-Maeena will now act as has deposits to the tune of Rs. viz; Muhammad Kunhi Yenepoya more than Humayun), Abdur Editor in Large. 15.31 crore and a share capital of Appointed VC: Prof. M. Ishtiaq from Mangalore and Shafi Saadi Rahman Sharieff, Faiyaz Pasha, Dr. Rs. 3.27 crore. It has four branches, of Department of Geography, had resigned from the membership Hajj Pilgrims Encyclopedia Muneer Ahmed, Ahmed Saleem three in Mysore and one in Hunsur. Jamia Millia Islamia has been of the executive committee. New Delhi: King Abdul Aziz Ahmed, Nisar Ahmed Khan, appointed as the Vice-Chancellor Foundation for Research and Its balance sheet shows a profit of Prof. Hakim Syed Khaleefatullah, Rahmatullah Sharif, Iftikhar Ahmed of Magadh Archives based at Riyadh and Jamia Rs. 1.25 crore during the 2013- former president of Central Council Khan, Nasreen Begum, Meher University at Millia Islamia will together compile 14. A little over 8,100 depositors of Indian Medicine from Chennai Banu. The elections were held in Gaya, Bihar. an encyclopedia of Hajj Pilgrims operate their accounts through the was conferred the Padma Shri award the premises of Vidyavardhaka Prof. Ishtiaq has and Pilgrimage from South Asian Bank. in recognition by the Government Law College. Of the 5357 General more than 32 countries. An MoU was signed of India. Khaleefatullah has done Body members, 2,340 or 43% years of teaching between the two bodies last year to pioneering work in popularizing cast their votes. Mr. V. Srinivas experience and gather various travelogues, accounts Unani medicine in state of Tamil has written a number of books. of Hajj travel by various modes of Nadu and played key role in Obituary He has also been an active transport, details of Hajj endowments setting up the Government Unani and medical facilities and departure member of various Societies and Prof. Hasan Mansur Medical College in Chennai. He and arrival arrangements of pilgrims. Associations in his field and has also founded the Niamath Science The Jamia organized a workshop of By A Staff Writer focus attention on violations of also conducted several projects. socio-economic rights, including Academy in Chennai. 32 prominent scholars, academics Prof Ishtiaq also held several key and researchers from India, Sri Bangalore: Noted human rights the right to housing and the right administrative positions in Jamia activist Prof. Hasan Mansur died to water. Sheikhul Hind Medical College Lanka Nepal, Bangladesh and the Millia Islamia. Maldives on February 22, 23 at on February 12 at his home in the Modesty and gentleness that Opened: Sheikhul Hind Medical College, named after freedom Delhi to prepare the trajectory for city. He was ailing for some time. characterized his manners were Elected to Rajya Sabha: Ahmed fighter Maulana Mahmoodul research. He was 84. seen to be believed. When it Hassan Imran, noted journalist Hassan was opened in Saharanpur Prof. Mansur was came to defending the and editor of Bengali daily ‘Kolam’ Seminar on Education: by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister president of the Karnataka rights of the minorities, was elected to the The Centre for Promotion Mr. Akhilesh Singh on February chapter of the People’s Dalits, adivasis and even Rajya Sabha from of Educational and Cultural 11 here in the presence of Jamiatul Union for Civil Liberties sections such as sexual West Bengal after Advancement of Muslims of India Ulema Hind leader Maulana (PUCL) for several minorities, Prof. Mansur being nominated (CEPECAMI) under the Aligarh Arshad Madani. The out patient years and also set up was never found wanting by Trinamool Muslim University will hold a department of the Government Karnataka Civil Liberties in being outspoken. Congress. Imran, two-day seminar on “Traditional Medical College immediately Committee. Man of unimpeachable a student leader vs. Modern Education: Vision and started functioning following the He was born in a Naidu family and integrity, Prof. Mansur was for nearly three Planning of Muslim Institutions at commissioning of the college. later embraced Islam. He retired as always available for his services decades, has been bringing out the AMU onMarch 1 and 2. More head of the department of English for any humanitarian cause. He Kolam for as many decades information can be had from Prof. Syed Peerpasha Quadri, senior in Bangalore University in 1994. was part of several fact-finding from Kolkata. Kolam valiantly Shameem Ahmed Ansari email: reporter, Daily Salar; Afshan He regularly contributed columns teams and committees probing highlighted the sufferings and [email protected] Yasmeen from The Hindu; and Rauf for Islamic Voice for several years. violation of human rights. He was victimization of Bengali speaking Ahmed, ETV Urdu are among the In a press release, the PUCL State also a founding member of the population in the wake of Assam Hike in allocation for recipients of the Karnataka Media committee has said that Prof. People’s Forum for India-Pakistan agitation in early 1980s and took The Budget Academy Award for the year 2012- Urdu Academy: Mansur played a significant role Friendship. up several issues pertaining to allocation for Karnataka Urdu 13. The awards were given to 30 in broad-basing the concerns of He is survived by wife Prof. disadvantaged people during his Academy has been hiked from journalists from the State. The PUCL and taking it beyond the Hasnath Mansur and a son who is journalistic career. He joined the Rs. 50 lakh to Rs. 70 lakh for the announcement to this effect was traditional human rights issues to settled abroad. Trinamool Congress soon after financial year ending on March made by Mr. M. A. Ponnappa, Mamata Banerjee emerged on the 31. A statement to this effect was President of the Academy. Back to the Past power firmament of West Bengal made by the Minority Welfare in 2011 after routing the Marxists Woman Appointed Editor of Minister Qamarul Islam on Dear Readers, You can now view and read the old issues who ruled the state for 37 years. Saudi daily January 29. He said, the budget He turned his weekly into a Daily had allocated only Rs. 50 lakh but of Islamic Voice from 1987, to date, by logging into: soon thereafter with Mamata Jeddah: Somayya Jabarti, a woman an additional allocation of Rs 20 http.islamicvoice.com/Islamic voice/old archives launching the inaugural issue. It journalist has been appointed the lakh is being organized from the almost became a mouthpiece of the editor Saudi Gazette, an English Minority welfare funds. OPINION ISLAMIC VOICE, March 2014 17 The Basis of Inter-Religious Dialogue I believe that the basis of all inter-religious dialogue should be to discuss how important questions about life have been answered by different religious traditions. of their potential. The Qur’an By Khalid Zaheer participant informs another about this an appropriate way of dealing However, God is kind, wise, what he thinks is the truth, and the with religious differences? and just. Therefore, He only says: “Indeed those who believe There is much talk about inter- other, in turn, does likewise. Both I think that there are some good expects from human beings and do good deeds—We shall religious dialogue these days. not make any soul accountable Inter-religious dialogue is, of beyond its capacity—such are the course, to be welcomed. But we inhabitants of the paradise; they need to be clear on some very The Qur’an says: “Indeed those who believe shall live therein forever” (7:42) basic issues. One of the most (Dr. Khalid Zaheer is a well- important of these is: What exactly and do good deeds - We shall not make any known scholar from Pakistan, should be the basis of this sort of soul accountable beyond its capacity - such currently based in the UK. He is dialogue? associated with Understanding I believe that the basis of all are the inhabitants of the paradise; they shall Islam UK, a non-political UK- inter-religious dialogue should based registered charity working be to discuss how important live therein forever” (7:42) to spread a non-sectarian, questions about life have been peace-promoting, and moderate answered by different religious message of Islam. He can be traditions Who is our Creator and should be sincere in learning more things to learn from the attitude behavior which they can possibly reached at kzmawrid@gmail. n Benefactor, and how can we serve about the truth, for the dialogue of our elders in the sub-continent, manage within the limitations com) Him? Whom should we resort to exercise to be meaningful. but there are other aspects that in our moments of vulnerability, In this sense, then, dialogue and need to be avoided. The good and how? Why is there injustice dawah can go together. They are aspect of behavior of the Bhaktas in life, and why doesn’t the not mutually-contradictory. If and Sufis was in the manner they Creator remove it? Why are moral accepting and following religion showed respect to each other, principles not respected? How is done for the purpose of knowing the peace and harmony they should one behave when they get the truth, and all participants promoted, and the concern for the violated? What is going to happen are equally clear about this needs of humans they displayed, to us after we die? And so on. purpose, and the dialogue is irrespective of an individual’s Because these questions are a conducted wisely, there should faith. What needs to be avoided, common concern of all human be no contradiction between the however, is the confusion that beings and because each expectations of inter-religious this closeness can sometimes religious tradition comes up with dialogue and dawah. However, generate—for instance, the answers to these questions, inter- if the purpose of the dialogue is understanding that the truth can be religious dialogue can enable the to prove the superiority of one sought in various different ways, participants from these traditions ideology over another, and if with each way being a legitimate to know what answers others have the dialogue is conducted in an path leading to God. to such questions. This could be a emotional, aggressive manner, I believe that religious pluralism learning experience of immense the purpose of establishing better expressed in this manner is value. relations between people of damaging to the cause of seeking Besides this, inter-religious different faith traditions will be truth, which is what the purpose dialogue is important in order negatively affected. of religion should be. There can to promote peace and harmony Recently, someone mentioned only be one correct path leading in society as a whole. Such to me, “In the ‘pre-modern’ to God. Other paths are either dialogue also helps to establish period in South Asia, there were degenerated forms of the true friendly social relations, peace several Sufi and Bhakta spiritual path or are not correct at all. God and harmony between people of seekers who entered into what, has clearly expressed His desire different faiths, enabling them to use a modern term, could from time to time to be worshiped to have a good understanding of be called ‘dialogue’ with each and served through His prophets. each others’ points of view. For other. They established close All prophets came with the same Muslims, this can help them to personal relations, learnt from message. However, with the more easily and effectively convey each other and sometimes lived passage of time, the message got to the latter, the message of Islam. together. Some of them accepted contaminated with innovations. It needs to be made clear here spiritual preceptors from the other A genuine religious reform must that, if done genuinely, dawah, or “community”.’ always seek to find the pristine inviting others to one’s faith, can Is this an appropriate way of way God has desired to be never be a one-way process. In a promoting inter-community followed to achieve His pleasure meaningful religious dialogue, one harmony and understanding? Is and salvation in the afterlife. ISLAMIC VOICE, March 2014 18 In the name of God, the Merciful, the Beneficent Guiding People is God’s Will Can you (Prophet) make the deaf hear? Or guide the blind or those who are in manifest error? Even If We take you away from the world, We shall inflict retribution on them; and if We show you the fulfillment of what We have promised them¦ We have full power over them. Therefore, hold fast to what has been revealed to you: you certainly are on a straight path; and it is an honor for you and your people. In time, you will all be called to account. Ask any of the Messengers We sent before you: Did We ever appoint deities to be worshipped other than the Lord of Grace?’ (Ornaments of Gold; Al-Zukhruf: 43: 40-45)

The surah addresses Prophet all). Here the surah puts clear lines hear? Or guide the blind or those guide those who see. When people this truth. The advocates of Islam Muhammad (peace be upon between man’s limited power, who are in manifest error? They are shut down their receptive faculties in subsequent generations should him) with a word of consolation even at its strongest level given neither deaf nor blind, but akin to and refuse to listen to the discourse find in it reassurance and comfort, so that he does not grieve about to prophets, and God’s free and both in so far as they have chosen addressing their hearts and souls, even though they may suffer a those who turned away from the Prophet can do nothing for great deal at the hands of those him, disbelieving in his message. them. There is no way, then, that who have gone astray. It encourages him to hold on to he can guide them to the truth. He And it is an honor for you and the truth revealed to him from should not grieve over their error, your people. In time, you will all on high, as it is the same word of after having fulfilled his task to the be called to account. This verse truth given to every messenger of best of his ability. may be understood in two ways: God: Can you (Prophet) make the When the Prophet has done his this Qur’an is a reminder to you deaf hear? Or guide the blind or duty, God will now determine and your people, and you will be those who are in manifest error. matters: If We take you away, We questioned about it on the Day This point is repeated several shall inflict retribution on them; of Judgment. Now that you have times in the Qur’an to comfort the and if We show you the fulfillment been given this reminder, you are Prophet and to explain the nature of what We have promised them.¦ left with no argument if you fail to of guidance and error, attributing unrestricted power. It emphasizes to turn away from divine guidance We have full power over them. follow it. Alternatively, it means them both to God’s will. They are God’s oneness in one of the most and follow error. The task assigned The case is resolved either way. that the Qur’an is an honor that part of the task assigned to God’s inspiring images in the Qur’an. to the Prophet is to put the facts Should the Prophet die first, God raises the standing of the Prophet messengers, (peace be upon them Can you (Prophet) make the deaf before the ones who hear and to will determine the punishment of and his people. This is what has those who rejected his message. taken place in reality. As for the Positive Thoughts If, on the other hand, he remains Prophet, hundreds of millions of We Cannot Change the World alive until the fulfillment of what people pray to God at all times they were warned against, God is of the day and night to bless him But We can Change Ourselves certainly able to mete out what His and grant him peace; this for more warnings contain. They cannot than fourteen centuries. Hundreds He who expects to change the world will be disappointed, he must change his view. escape. What He determines will of millions of hearts will continue When this is done, then tolerance will come, forgiveness will come, and there will be take place. In either case, the to love him and bless him until the nothing he cannot bear. matter is subject to His will. The end of time. As for his people, they By Hazrat Inayat Khan first on tuning our piano: instead you? How can you do it? How can message is His, while the Prophet were very much on the margin of of saying D, E, F, we should tune it be done?’. They come with that is only His Messenger. life until the Qur’an was revealed, The other day I lectured in Paris them all to one note and play that pessimistic remark, and I tell them, Therefore, hold fast to what has giving them the leading role in and after my lecture a very able music and see how interesting that ‘One person comes into a country been revealed to you: you certainly human history. When they carried man came to me and said, ‘Have would be -- all sounding the same, with a little cold or influenza and are on a straight path. Hold on to its message to the world, they had you got a scheme?’ I said, ‘What no individuality, no distinction, it spreads. If such a bad thing can what you have been given, and go its leadership, but only for as long scheme?’ ‘Of bettering conditions.’ nothing.’ And I added, ‘Economy spread, cannot an elevated thought along your way, reassured, caring as they held on to the Qur’an. I replied that I had not made such is not a plan for construction, but of love, kindness and goodwill little for them and what they When they abandoned it, they a scheme, and he said, ‘I have a it is a plan for destruction. It is towards all men spread? See then do. For, you certainly are on a were reduced to the lowest level scheme, I will show it to you’. He economics which have brought us that there are finer germs, germs straight path. It will neither bend among humanity. They were left opened his box and brought out a to destruction. It is the heart quality, of goodwill, of love, kindness, and nor deviate. This faith is closely at the tail end after once having very large paper with mathematics it is the spiritual outlook which will feeling, germs of brotherhood, of related to the essential truth of been distinguished leaders. Those on it and showed it to me saying, change the world’. the desire for spiritual evolution, the universe. It is consistent with people whom God has chosen to ‘This is the economic scheme that Very often people coming to hear which can have greater results than the basic law that governs the carry His message and to assume will make the condition of the me say afterwards, ‘Yes, all you say the other ones. If we all have that universe. It leads its follower to mankind’s leadership will face a world better: everyone will have is very interesting, very beautiful, optimistic view, if we all work in the Lord, Creator, safe from all great responsibility should they the same share’. I said, ‘We should and I wish too that the world was our little way, we can accomplish error and deviation. God reassures abandon their trust: You will all practice that economic scheme changed. But how many think like Page 21 His Messenger, re-emphasizing be called to account. n Fiqh of Ramadan ISLAMIC VOICE, March 2014 19 Reason for Downfall of Nations Love for Material Wealth and Worldly Life The Holy Prophet, peace upon him, is reported to have said: Shortly, the non-Muslim groups would seek each others’ cooperation in leading an onslaught against you and will jointly launch an assault against you just as several hungry people pounce upon the food placed over a dining mat. One of his companions asked if Muslims would be fewer in number then. The Prophet said: No, your numbers will be great but you will be just like flotsam on floodwater rushing in a direction. Allah will have decided to remove the awe of yours from the hearts of the community of non-believers because your hearts will possessed with the greed of material things and you will be afraid of death. (Kitabul Malaham, Abu Daud) This hadith throws light on the education, skills, character and them of being lazy, inefficient, run away from discharging their pursuit and struggle for justice. reasons that lead to the decline discipline. indolent and lacking in effort to responsibility to get justice for the He will never accept a life under and downfall of a nation. There is a general misunder- earn. They thus cut themselves underprivileged. pressure or subservience. It clearly indicates that being in standing among people that they away from popular issues and The only way a believer can avoid This hadith exhorts a believer to a minority or being numerically will be more assertive, confident develop a kind of arrogance which this situation is that he should live a life for the sake of truth, less is not a deficiency that and powerful, if they come to makes them ridicule all others. develop a sense of accountability peace and justice and be ready should cause defeats, losses or gather ample material resources They would always be seeking in the life Hereafter and should be to sacrifice his time, energy and destruction, nor commanding great and riches. This hadith denies this. worldly comforts, luxuries, and vocal in raising his voice against life, if it comes to that. This is the number of followers is the surest Material resources often nurture life of ease. They would avoid social, political and economic surest way to eternal success. way to success and superiority. greed, lust and avarice. These anything that would require justice. This is the true Jihad If a group of believers develops Sometimes, people who have been obscure the characteristics that rigour, effort and risk. They (struggle). The success of the Life these qualities in itself, it will numerically less in numbers have lead to moral superiority. Wealthy would be averse to supporting any Hereafter lies only in struggle to overcome all kinds of odds and overpowered the communities people often turn miser too as they cause that would earn them the maintain peace and justice in this will not spare any sacrifices. This or groups that outnumbered jealously guard their riches. The displeasure of the powers that be world. A believer should have the will empower them immeasurably. them merely because the ones pursuit of more and more riches or would render them unpopular life Hereafter as his focus and This is where Muslims need to who overpowered the majority becomes a consummate passion among people who wield power. objective of his life. Such a person reassess themselves. Are they possessed talents and qualities with them and they begin to covet They would not raise their voice would not be afraid of death. ready for struggle to free this that matter much in lending all those means that would enable against social injustice and denial He would prefer death while world from the slavery of wealth them assertiveness. Therefore, them gather all the riches of the of political and economic rights struggling to establish justice over and selfishness? Are they ready one should neither take pride in world. Hence, they turn selfish of the disadvantaged, they would a life of ease and luxury. He would for surrendering all their energies numbers nor should feel diffident and consider their wealth to be turn away from things that would not die the death of a coward and time for fighting injustice? if their followers are few. The an outcome of their own efforts. demand sacrifices and spending but would embrace death in the (MAS) n British were fewer in numbers. They isolate themselves from the their resources and would not Yet they came to rule India. concerns of the people in need, the speak against violation of rights Only because they were placed destitute and those suffering from of the poor. They would thus lack on a higher footing in terms of poverty and illiteracy. They accuse the moral courage and would

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (pbuh) said, “A group of people (both men and women) whose hearts will be like the hearts of birds, will enter Jannah”. Small birds are free of feelings a heavenly personality has this and vengeance; who is able to such as hatred and vengeance. quality as a conscious choice. control anger; who does not react Looking at a little bird, you will negatively to situations; who immediately recognize that it is can respond with love despite an embodiment of sweetness, hatred from others; who can do tenderness and innocence. That is good to people selflessly; who why the dove has been universally is able to live amongst people, declared a symbol of peace. considering all of them as his According to the above-quoted brothers and sisters; who averts hadith, this is the heavenly quality all evil, seeking out the company that every individual who is of angels; who patiently bears all desirous of Paradise must have. A complaints; who carries out his heavenly personality is one that is A heavenly personality is one duties and asks his rights from completely free of all negativity. who has moulded himself in such God—these are those superior The bird has this positive quality a way that his heart is completely qualities which make people by virtue of its instinct, whereas devoid of feelings such as hatred deserving of entering Paradise. Our Dialogue ISLAMIC VOICE, March 2014 20 With All My Sins, How to Be Mindful of God?

looks after its lambs or how Muslim every day, from the time How can I realize God’s Greatness? How can I surrender and prostrate submissively the snow melts on the highest of waking up in the morning to to God in my prayer? Every time I start to fear God, the burden of my sins come once mountain peaks to form water for the time of going to bed at night. again to my mind, and I can not find a new pure way out of this. And when these sins us to drink. “I respond to Your Call.” This is enter my mind, they distract me from God, and lead me to sin again. I’ve become a When we think of these things, how we should live our lives as prisoner of my own doings. I really want to submit to God, I mean my motivation we begin to see the hand of Allah Muslims. Reminding ourselves at work. Our minds can never throughout the day of His presence comes from how pure and blessed one could be when they are in touch with God. grasp His greatness, but we can is a sure way of beginning to But it’s as if I’m always discouraging myself with the sins I’ve done. I have a guilty see His greatness all around. We appreciate His greatness. and filthy conscience, and I feel that I can never be pure, unless I understand God’s believe that: In the same way, as we see the greatness or the fear I should have in Him. (Satan) is a true artifice, I don’t know {There is nothing whatever like hand of Allah at work in our why, but every single time I pass or fail a trial and a test, again another one keeps on unto Him, He is the All-hearing, world, we should also begin to coming. It’s been 2 years that I’ve been dealing with such problems and I think I’ve the All-seeing. To Him belong appreciate that He is closer to us become depressed with so much unnecessary thinking. I’m getting tired of thinking the keys of the Heavens and the than we can possibly imagine. We for no reason, and my thoughts are not even beneficial, they are just full of filth Earth. He enlarges and restricts see, once more in the Quran: provisions to whom He wills. {With Him are the keys of the and disgust. For example, sometimes in my thinking, I try to get the “gist” of God, Surely He has knowledge of unseen; none knows them but because I really want to be “closer” to Him, but then it turns into shirk (disbelief), everything.} (Ash-Shura 42:11- He. He knows what is in land then suddenly a person whom I really admire, for example, the Prophet (Pbuh) or 12) and sea; not a leaf falls, but someone else may just come into my mind whenever I think of God, and then my We should take time every day to He knows it. Not a grain in the fear starts going up, which then turns into me thinking I am mushrik (disbeliever). reflect on the greatness of Allah deep darkness of the Earth, not It’s like sin after sin after sin after sin. I’m tired of it, I’m sick of it, I can’t take it and to appreciate the gifts we a thing green or dry but it is in a anymore, it’s a cycle of filth which I can not endure. I get in touch with God for one receive every day in abundance clear Book.} (Al-An`am 6:59) day, and even during that one day I have doubts and miseries. I don’t know how to from Him. Health and strength Instead of being overwhelmed by come from Him. Food and drink our own shortcomings, we should think of God, what feeling to have, I’m so lost, I don’t know how to continue being are His provisions. We cannot listen to these words which He a good PURE Muslim. I am new to Islam, or maybe just a person without enough expect to go to prayer and feel speaks to us in the Quran. There experience... God knows but please help me out of this chaos. the power of His might if we is no one on the face of the earth ignore His signs that are with who is worthy of such care, or who us throughout the day. We must actually deserves the mercy which Answer by Idris Tawfiq Indeed, as Muslims we believe depends on Allah. He knows its never take life for granted. Allah bestows upon us. Even the that in the chirping of every bird dwelling and its resting-place. Every Muslim’s Motto greatest Muslims fall far short of Salam dear brother, or the roaring of every lion, we All is recorded in a clear Book.} At the time of the Hajj, that His mercy and Compassion. hear the animals praising Allah (Hud 11:6) Thank you for your question. once in a lifetime pilgrimage to Think of Allah First in their own way. Just listen to Look Around You Makkah which is enjoined on Concentrating on our own The very desire you have to know the sound of the birds at sunset, In wanting to come closer to all Muslims, the pilgrims have weaknesses is putting things the Allah more and to be a better which sometimes becomes Almighty Allah, then, and to certain words constantly on their wrong way around. Instead of person, a better Muslim, is itself almost deafening. What are these know Him better, we must first lips: “I respond to Your Call, O making ourselves the focus of part of the way forward. Our birds saying? Muslims believe of all recognize His beauty and Allah, I respond to Your Call.” attention, we should focus on Prophet (peace be upon him) told that they are praising Allah. The His greatness all around us. There These words are most beautiful, Allah. Being Muslim means that us that one of the ways we know whole of Allah’s Creation praises is no use looking for Him in but they need not be restricted we do not think of ourselves first, Allah loves us, when we feel love Him night and day and depends books or debating about Him in to the time of pilgrimage. They but we think of Allah. for Him, since that love is inspired on Him for life. discussion groups if we fail to see should be on the lips of every Page 21 by Allah Himself. A translation of the meaning of Him all around us. As human beings, though, we the Quran says this: Think, first, of a beautiful sunset make life very difficult, don’t {There is no creature that moves or the smile on the face of a small we? We sometimes see problems, on the Earth but its provision child. Think how a young sheep where there are none, and we find difficult that which is really simple and obvious. I think that you need to step back a little and return to basics, before you begin to look for experiences and compensations in prayer. The ancient Egyptians, you know, used to worship the baboon as their god of wisdom. They did this because at the dawn of every day, when the sun began to rise on the horizon, the baboons would sit and watch the sun coming up. This was seen as a sign of great wisdom. Since the Egyptians used also to worship the sun, they saw this innate knowledge on the part of the baboons as a reflection of the divine Wisdom. Now, whilst we do not worship animals, but Allah Alone, we can see that these creatures are drawn towards the divine. Almighty Allah recreates life for us every morning and these creatures are aware of that new life. SOUL TALK ISLAMIC VOICE, March 2014 21 The Secret of Progress

While driving a vehicle, you notice many other people also driving on should accept and tolerate each same time, move ahead in life. the road. And so, you carefully avoid crashing into them and drive on other and relate to each other with In this world, human beings are mutual respect on the basis of their constantly faced with two things: ahead. We should navigate our lives in exactly the same way. common humanity. If one religious problems, on the one hand, and or cultural community thinks that it opportunities, on the other. This By Maulana Wahiduddin Khan surrounded by fellow humans all means respecting other people’s should have the freedom to follow is a basic law of nature, and it the time, and everyone of us is right to follow their ways while its own religion or culture, it must simply cannot be avoided. If you A rose-bush has a wonderful lesson engaged in our own respective remaining established in one’s be ready to accept the very same choose to clash with the problems, to teach us—about how to live race to get ahead. In this situation, own way. This tolerance was part right for other communities, too. you will only make things even in this world. The rose-bush has the only way to succeed in life is of Indian tradition for centuries. This is what tolerance is about. more difficult for yourself. And beautiful, sweet-smelling flowers. for us to take all other people into And it only through this tolerance Religious and cultural differences so, the wise approach is to ignore At the same time, it also has many account. You give way to others, that India can survive in the future, must be accepted, rather than made the problems and to avail of prickly thorns. An intelligent person and, at the same time, also move too. Tolerance is necessary at the a cause or excuse for conflict. the existing opportunities. This plucks the rose while carefully ahead, just as you would when level of the individual as well as Only in this way can individuals approach is indispensable for leaving aside the thorns. Likewise, driving a vehicle. in terms of intra-community and and communities manage to live individuals, communities and in life there are both favourable as Taking others into consideration is a inter-community relations. in peace with others and, at the nations to move ahead in life. n well as unfavourable aspects and guarantee for a safe and successful Some years ago, I went to Sholapur, conditions. And so, here, too, the journey. This rule applies as a town in Maharashtra, where I wise approach is to accept what is much to individuals as it does to attended a public meeting. I had Humility and its Virtues favourable and to carefully avoid communities and nations. the opportunity to hear a Hindu confronting the unfavourable. India is home to people of different gentleman’s speech. He related, Abdullah ibn Amr said: “The Prophet (Pbuh) once visited If you want to live in peace and religions and cultures. It is not “My father was a non-vegetarian me, so I gave him a pillow (to sit on) made out of skin and harmony, this is a golden rule that possible to do away with this and my mother a vegetarian. But filled with date palm fibers. The Prophet refused to sit on you must follow. An individual or diversity and make all Indians the two of them never quarreled it and he chose to sit on the bare ground, and he left the community can progress only by follow a single religion and culture. with each other. My mother would cushion between him and myself.” (Bukhari & Muslim) availing the existing opportunities If someone tries to impose this sort get up in the morning and cook while avoiding contentious issues of uniformity, it is bound to fail. food for my father and place it on By Abu Usama Ath-Thahabi and if a stranger or visitor came and abstaining from clashing with Moreover, it is bound to destroy the the table. Then, after taking a bath, to the mosque, he wouldn’t others over them. country. Hence, the only way the she would make vegetarian food Humility is when a person does know who the Prophet was until While driving a vehicle, you notice country can survive is by respecting for herself. This is how the two not see himself as being better he asked, “Which one of you is many other people also driving pluralism and desisting from of them lived together till the end. or above other people because Muhammad?” on the road. And so, you carefully seeking to impose uniformity. This They led a very happy life.” of frivolous reasons like social This is because he would not avoid crashing into them and drive is the only realistic approach and This sort of respect for others is standing, education, citizenship, sit, dress, or be treated in a way on ahead. We should navigate our the only way India can progress. the only way for communities and or even color. that distinguished him from the lives in exactly the same way. No The greatest thing that we lack nations to progress. In social life, Being humble and having humility people. Unlike the way, leaders one is alone in this world. We are today is tolerance. Tolerance individuals as well as communities is opposite of being arrogant and and famous people are treated having arrogance (kibr). Humility today when they are with the Page 20 leads one to the pleasure of Allah people. Whenever a stranger Being Muslim means that we then, so that we are ready to meet Page 18 and it causes one to enter into the enters into their group, it becomes submit ourselves to His will. And, Allah when we pray to Him. paradise, whereas arrogance leads quite clear to the stranger that this by the way, as Muslims we are not Reflect on Ayat Al-Kursi Change Ourselves... to the displeasure of Allah. Allah person is noteworthy amongst the promised that in prayer we will The greatest verse of the Quran is a great deal’. has ordered the Prophet (peace be people as so much attention is feel good or have great spiritual to be found in what is known as Many have been cross with God upon him) to adorn himself with being showered on him. thoughts. The command is simply Ayat Al-Kursi. If we come to know for having sent any misery in their this noble characteristic in many Abdullah ibn Amr said: “The to pray five times a day, for Allah’s and love these words, repeating lives -- but we always get such verses of the Qur’an. The Prophet Prophet once visited me, so I sake – not for our own. them often and pondering on experiences! Becoming cross one was ordered, “And lower your gave him a pillow (to sit on) Getting Prepared for Prayers their meaning, we will come to says, ‘Why, this is not just’, or ‘This wing (i.e., be humble and show made out of skin and filled with To make the most of our prayers, appreciate the greatness of Allah, is not right’, and ‘How could God kindness) to those who follow date palm fibers. The Prophet though, and to benefit from them insha’Allah, and begin to place who is just and good allow unjust you from the believers.” (Qur’an, refused to sit on it and he chose to sit on the bare ground, and he in our daily lives, we must prepare all of our worries and concerns things to happen?’ But our sight 26:215). Allah said, “And don’t turn you left the cushion between him and for them first. No one would go to in His care. Not even the greatest is so limited that our conception cheek (in contempt) towards myself.” (Bukhari & Muslim) meet the President of France, for sins are beyond His Mercy. These of right and wrong and good and people and don’t walk through Aisha (May Allah be pleased example, without making some words can help us all to be better evil is only for us -- not according the earth exultantly. Indeed, Allah with her) was asked, “What did preparations, would they? to God’s plan. It is true that, as Muslims and to serve our Lord doesn’t like every self-deluded the Prophet do when he was in At the very least, they would and Creator with happiness and long as we see it as such, it is so and boastful person.” (Qur’an, the privacy of his home?” She wash and make themselves tidy. I great humility: for us and for those who look at it 31:18) replied, “He used to be in the imagine that most would take a lot {Allah there is no God but He, from our point of view, but when it One of the clearest examples service of his family.” He used to of care before such a meeting. How the Living, the Everlasting. comes to God the whole dimension of his humility, is that the repair his sandals and sew/patch can we expect to place ourselves Slumber does not seize Him, is changed, the whole point of view Messenger of Allah would sit in his own robe and he would milk in the presence of the Maker of neither sleep; to Him belongs is changed. the mosque with his companions the sheep. (Bukhari). the heavens and the earth, then, all that is in the heavens and The Sufi therefore, finds the only without preparing ourselves for the the earth. Who is there that way out of the distress of life... meeting? We cannot switch in just shall intercede with Him except He rises above it, taking all things Page 3 Rs. 800 cr. for Welfare... a minute from the busy concerns by His permission? He knows as they come, patiently. He does communities. The allowances Ashraya Housing Scheme would of life to prostrating ourselves what is before them and what not mind how he is treated. His for the inmates in orphanages also bring a rebate of Rs. 300 crore in prayer, without at least a little is behind them, and they do principle is to do his best, and in and destitute homes has been to the members of the minorities. preparation. not encompass anything of that is his satisfaction. Instead of enhanced from Rs. 350 to Rs. 500. He said minorities too would In washing ourselves before His knowledge except what he depending on another person to be The Budget envisages setting up benefit from schemes earmarking prayer, for example, we are doing wills. His throne extends over kind to him, the Sufi thinks if he Minority Welfare offices in seven allotment of two acres of land for this. We are not just washing the the heavens and the earth, the were kind to another person, that districts. graveyard in towns and villages. dust from our hands, are we? We preservation of them does not is sufficient. Every wise man in the Minister for Municipal He said Minority Welfare offices are washing away the concerns of burden Him; He is the High, the long run through life will find in this Administration, Minorities Welfare were already functioning in 23 our hearts which prevent us from Great.} (Al-Baqarah 2:255) principle the solution of happiness. and Waqf, Mr. Qamarul Islam said districts and the Budget has made thinking of Allah. We should also (www.onislam.net/english/ask- For we cannot change the world, the waivers of interest announced provision for opening such offices feed our hearts throughout the day, about-islam) but we can change ourselves. n for the allottees of the houses under in seven remaining districts. n book review Living Islam ISLAMIC VOICE, March 2014 22 A Lucid Translation of the Quran Forgiving Others By A Staff Writer The reason of this non-acceptance wrath, nor of those who have Not a day goes by, where there was a merchant who was that these translations were gone astray.’ someone, somewhere says would lend money to people. New Delhi-based Maulana not in the modern idiom, while my There is another difference something to upset us or hurt If he saw anyone in difficult Wahiduddin Khan is among translation is so. In terms of style, between his translation and that us. Many a time, we harbor hate circumstances, he would say to India’s most well-known religious it is very simple. Its language is of some others, the Maulana and anger against that person his children, “Pardon him his scholars. He is one of the leading modern. In terms of idiom, it is relates. “Some other translations and do not even think about debt, perhaps Allah will pardon advocates, at the global level, of contemporary. It is free from the reflect the wrong ideas prevalent forgiving them, yet Allah tells us.” And similarly, the Muslims inter-community understanding interpretations that were included among Muslims,” he says. “For us in the Qur’an of the early generations had a and peaceful relations between in translations in later times.” example, some Muslims believe “Pardon them and overlook - similar forgiving nature. people of different faiths. Author The Maulana cites some examples that jihad, in the sense of fighting, Allah loves those who do good” The Messenger of Allah was of some 200 books on various to illustrate this difference is the greatest teaching of Islam. (Qur’an 5:13). seated in a gathering with the issues related to Islam, the between his, and that of some This concept is undoubtedly “Those who control their anger sahabis when he looked towards Maulana has come out with a other translations. For instance, wrong, but this concept has, in and are forgiving towards the entrance and said, “A man lucid English translation of the various ways, found place in the people; Allah loves the good.” of Paradise is coming.” At that Quran. Using simple, easily- translations of the Quran. My (Qur’an, 3: 134) instance, someone who seemed understandable modern English, translation is completely free of The good deed and the evil deed to be very ordinary entered the the translation comes with and this misconception.” cannot be equal. Repel (the mosque where they were seated. without the Arabic original, and In the last four years, Goodword evil) with one which is better A sahabi was curious as to why in different sizes. Additionally, Books, the New Delhi-based (i.e. Allâh ordered the faithful the Prophet‘ said this, so he it is available in different digital publishing house that has believers to be patient at the followed the man to his house. formats as well as in Braille. It published most of the Maulana’s time of anger, and to excuse This sahabi told the man that is also published as a hardbound books, has distributed about two those who treat them badly), he was a traveler, and stayed volume, along with the Maulana’s million copies of the Maulana’s then verily! he, between whom as a guest. For three days, the English commentary or tafseer. translation of the Quran. Various and you there was enmity, (will Sahabi saw nothing unusual, The get-up is beautiful, and the mosques round the world keep become) as though he was a so he finally told the man what quality of printing excellent. this Quran translation, including close friend. the Prophet had said and asked Work on the translation, which the Blue Mosque and Rustem There are many Hadiths that him what was so special. The began in 2007, took almost two he points out that the widely-read Pasha Mosque in Istanbul, the tell us of the importance of man thought for a long time years to complete. In this, the Abdullah Yusuf Ali’s translation Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, forgiving and accounts of and said, “There might be one Maulana was assisted by various renders a Quranic verse (2:129) and various Islamic centres and those who have forgiven and thing — before going to sleep Islamic scholars and his daughter as ‘Our Lord! send amongst them mosques in the UK, USA and pardoned others. every night, I forgive everyone and translator of several of his a messenger of their own, who Canada. In several mosques and The Messenger of Allah and sleep with a clean heart.” books, Farida Khanam. In addition shall rehearse Your signs to them other Muslim institutions, copies (Pbuh) reported that once (www.ummah.com) to the English translation, the and instruct them in Scripture and of this translation are made Maulana has also translated the wisdom, and sanctify them’, while available for free distribution to Quran into Hindi and Urdu. the Maulana’s rendering, which is visitors and worshippers alike. Life Numerous translations of the in a more contemporary language, With the help of volunteers of the Quran already exist in English, is as follows: ‘Our Lord, send Centre for Peace and Spirituality What is life? Life is an opportunity. To the optimistic person, and so what made the Maulana forth to them a messenger of their that Maulana heads and that aims, the opportunity is a promise, and for the pessimistic person this decide to add one more to that own to recite your revelations to as its website says, to ‘promote opportunity is lost. It is not that the Creator makes man lose it, but number? them, to teach them the Scripture and reinforce the culture of peace it is man who withdraws himself from the possibility of seizing the “The answer is simple,” says and wisdom, and purify them.’ through mind-based spirituality’, opportunity. the Maulana. “Many other Similarly, while Muhammad the Maulana’s translation of the translations lack clarity, which, Muhsin Khan translates the Quran Quran is made available through according to the Quran (54:17), 1:6-7 as ‘Guide us to the Straight a chain of ‘Quran Distributors’ DISCOVER YOURSELF is the speciality of this Book. Way. The Way of those on whom across the world. WORKSHOP IN MARCH & AUGUST 2014 My translation is very clear and You have bestowed Your Grace, For a free copy, log on to http:// easily understandable. A research not (the way) of those who earned cpsglobal.org/quran/free I.DYS WORKSHOP IN CALICUT of the various Quran translations Your Anger (such as the Jews), For details about the Al-Quran in English was undertaken by The nor of those who went astray Mission launched by the Maulana, DATES: 8 & 9 MARCH 2014 TIMING: 8.30 am to 6.30 pm Quran Complex, Madinah, Saudi (such as the Christians)’, the see:http://www.alquranmission. FOR DETAILS CONTACT: Prof. (Dr.) A. A. M. KUNHI Arabia in which they concluded, Maulana renders it as ‘Guide us org/ DIRECTOR, Research & PG Studies (Science) & PRINCIPAL ‘In spite of 47 English Quran to the straight path, the path of For books by the Maulana, click SAFI INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED STUDY (SIAS) translations, none has received the those You have blessed; not of on http://cpsglobal.org/books/ Rasiya Nagar, Vazhayoor East P.O. acceptance of the modern world.’ those who have incurred Your mwk n Malappuram Dist. -673633, Kerala, India Page 23 Phone: +91 9995250667 Do You Truly Rely on God? ... Allah the Almighty. This is a very II. DYS WORKSHOP IN MUSCAT fail, is not your business. He also says: Verily, you cannot simple rational issue. If there is a DATES: 20, 21 & 22 MARCH 2014 Even in religious issues whether guide aright everyone whom you specialist in a certain field doing TIMING: 8.30 am to 6.30 pm they have to do daw`ah (Islamic love: but it is God who guides him something for you, it is not proper FOR DETAILS CONTACT: MR. Moin Qureshi call) issues, scientific issues, or that wills [to be guided]; and He to go and do it yourself. How Cell : +96899236444, Email: [email protected] worship issues, you do the thing is fully aware of all who would let about if the one who is taking care and leave the rest to Allah. For themselves be guided. (Al-Qasas of this thing is Allah Himself! example, you worship Allah by 28:56) (Dr. Jasser Auda is an Associate III. DYS WORKSHOP IN JEDDAH calling people to do good deeds Ibn `Ataillah says: (Save yourself Professor at Qatar Faculty of DATES: April 3, 4, & 5, 2014. but guiding those people is left to from worrying. Somebody else Islamic Studies (QFIS), with the ORGANISED BY: BITSOA (Brothers in the Service of ALL - Jeddah) Allah. Allah says: already took care of your affairs Public Policy in Islam Program. Please register by: It is not for you [O Prophet] to for you.) What is meant by He has a PhD from University of Directly call/sms on the following numbers make people follow the right path, “somebody else”? Who provides Wales, UK, on the philosophy of Mr. Aliuddin: 0569543768, Mr. Abdul Lateef: 0507020867 since it is God [alone] who guides you with the means of living? Islamic law) FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT OUR WEB SITE: whom He wills. (Al-Baqarah Who plans for your success? Who (www.onislam.net/english/ www.discoveryourself.in 2:272). decides on the outcomes? It is shariah)

Rs. 800 cr. for Welfare... reflectio ns ISLAMIC VOICE, March 2014 23 Do You Truly Rely on God? Allah governs all that exists. You have to take the means and leave the outcomes to Allah. By Jasser Auda He!” (Al-Imran 3:173). Allah governs all that exists. You to stay at the mosque all the from me the causes, the means Then, when you have decided have to take the means and leave time arguing that he is devoting and take from me my power so In his well-known book, Al- upon a course of action, place the outcomes to Allah because himself and his time to worship that I return to Him and rely on Hikam (Words of Wisdom), your trust in God: for, verily, God taking the means and causes is Allah. The Prophet asked about Him. This is a valuable God- Sheikh Ahmad Ibn `Ataa’illah As- loves those who place their trust part of relying on Allah. When the one who takes care of him. given gift. Sakandari says: in Him. (Al- Imran 3:159). In the Prophet (peace and blessings The Prophet was told that the Relying on Allah is not inconsistent “Save yourself from worrying. God, then, let the believers place be upon him) wanted to give an man’s brother takes care of him. with what we call nowadays Somebody else already took care their trust! (Al-Imran 3:160). example of relying on Allah, he The Prophet replied: “His brother planning, making a feasibility of your affairs for you.” said: is better than him.” `Umar ibn study, studying the market, etc. Relying on Allah (tawakkul) “If you had all relied on Allah Al-Khattab advised some people All this is part of relying on Allah is one of the important as you should rely on Him, who stayed at the mosque and because by planning, organizing, Islamic concepts that may be then He would have provided said “We are relying on God.” He studying, etc. we are having misunderstood and SO might for you as He provides for the said his common words: “The sky recourse to the means of success. lead to undesirable results. This birds, who wake up hungry does not rain gold or silver.” If you are a trader, you have to misunderstanding might also in the morning and return If one cannot attain success make a feasibility study and do lead to some forms of deviation with full stomachs at dusk.” after having recourse to every your calculations. If you lose, this and introducing innovations (Authenticated by Al-Albani) necessary means, this is a proper is Allah’s decree. If you win, it is in religion. Likewise, it might You are like the bird. The bird situation to really rely on Allah. also Allah’s decree. You do not result in a state of failure in both There is a considerable difference does not stand on one branch of If the means you have taken fail have to worry about the outcomes. religious affairs and worldly between relying on Allah and a tree all the time waiting for the you, you might say: O Allah, I To lose or to win, to succeed or to affairs. When you leave worldly worrying, which is the same grains. But it moves from one have done my best and I left no Page 22 affairs to unreliable people, neglect S.M. ADAM NEWS AGENCY difference between the means branch to another until it gets the stone unturned, what should I # 150 M.M. Road Frazer Town the means, or quit your work and outcomes. By this I mean that grains. The bird has to do its best do? At this point, you are indeed Bangalore - 560 005 Mob: 9343728824 completely, you are deviating there is a difference between work to get the grains, and providing putting your trust in Allah. from the path of relying on Allah represented in striving to achieve the bird with the grains is Allah’s What is not conformable with and practising apathy (tawaakul) the goals, exerting efforts and work. relying on Allah is not to do not relying on Allah (tawakkul). devoting time and the outcome of So you should take the means and anything or not to have recourse What is meant by tadbir here? this work represented in events, leave out the outcomes to Allah. to every kind of means and causes Tadbir in Arabic means considering figures, and results. Your role Some Muslims, even those who of success. Some ignorant people the results and outcomes of a is to strive and rely on Allah. are on the path to Allah, do not ignore taking the necessary means certain action. So tadbir is closely You do not have to worry about take the means, stay at the mosque intentionally. What is needed connected with outcomes. In their the process of governing such all the time and ask people for from you is to take all the means, turn, the outcomes are connected affairs. It is Allah who governs food and clothes. and then rely on Allah. with the concept of relying on everything. {And who is it that It is reported that a man used Sometimes Allah might withhold Allah. Allah says: So that they governs all that exists?} (Yunus answered, “God is enough for us; 10:31), this is a clear question and how excellent a guardian is raised in the Qur’an.

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Girl Sheikh’s/ Sharieff alliance for their [email protected] Mob: Bangalore based Sunni educated Contact: 9342880248 Email: should be Doctor, Engineer, Master only two sons 25 years, 5.7” 2nd 08087651845. Muslim parents invite Alliance for [email protected] degree or IT Professional religious, PUC + Diploma in Civil own business their daughter, B.E. (Telecom), (Civil Contractors) invites a bride of SM parents seek alliance for their beautiful, 5.5 height, age 25 years, M.B.A. (HR) working in MNC, aged BANGALORE: SM Parents daughter from a respectable educated family minimum graduates, slim, beautiful, daughter 24, fair, 5.4’, M.Sc. in 30 years, 5’ 3” tall and fair. Groom Bachelor’s of Arts, Date of birth-25th religious below 23 years 5.3” / 5.4”, Biotechnology from well educated of Karnataka, willing to relocate should be aged around 33-35 years July 1979, Height-5.6, working as and settle in Canada / USA. from respectable family of Bangalore. and respectable family preferably from a, respectable, educated well Finance Analyst seeks alliance from Early marriage. Email details and from Bangalore or Abroad. Height Early marriage, NO DEMANDS professionally qualified, employed, ABSOLUTELY AND NO MEDIATOR photos to [email protected] Page 2 well settled boy Contact with resume PLEASE. H1B1 or multiple entry Contact: 9663894160. NO MEDIATOR and scanned photo to taranum. visas is an advantage, mail your PLEASE. UAPA is Draconian... [email protected] , 080 23531145, details with photos and bio-data to 9739445215. Sunni Muslim Senior Citizen in cannot be a law in favour of people ago. He said everyone wanted a [email protected] and you excellent health financially sound with or the Constitution. tolerant India. Bangalore based SM parents can call mobile: +1416 302 4490 or sober habits seeks modern, educated, Advocate Balan described the Advocate K. P. Muhammad (Executive Engineer) invites alliance local contact: 9845218203. non conservative bride absolutely UAPA as ‘a black Act’ and said Shareef said the vague and for daughter, 23 years, 5.4”, fair, independent with no liabilities non- hijab, grown up with Islamic values, Sunni Muslim family seeks alliance ceremonious Nikah desired. Call: several lives have been ruined due overboard definition of terrorism studying M. Tech final semester. for son, 33 yrs old, US citizen, 09242166192. to detention under this draconian in UAPA may encompass a wide Groom must be with M. Tech / MBA, very fair, Healthcare professional law. He said from 1857 to 1947, range of non-violent political aged 26-29 years Urdu speaking and working in New York, from educated, SM Parents invite alliance for their son 28 yrs, 5.6”, handsome, BE, working the laws in the country were activities, including political from respectable, educated, religious religious family living in USA, from and well settled family. Please contact Bangalore. Girl should be educated as software engineer for reputed IT colonial, from 1947 to 1990 the protests by minority populations Firm in Bangalore. Family is originally laws were semi-colonial and from and civil society groups, it – 9900965991. Email: hnmk60@ in science or computers, career gmail.com oriented, observing hijab, relocate from Udupi and settled in Bangalore 1990 till now, the laws were neo- authorizes warrantless search, to USA. Email: shamsun1011@ since 4 years. Looking for 5.1” to 5.5”, colonial. He said the UAPA will seizure and arrest with wide WANTED BRIDE yahoo.com religious, graduate girl aged between 22 to 25 from a respectable family. be challenged in the Supreme authority and few safeguards. Sunni Muslim parents (Bangalore) Court as it was undemocratic. He said the Act allows detention Sheik SM parents invite alliance for Please send your details to salma. invite alliance for their son, graduate their son N/W engineer handsome 28 [email protected] Mr. N. Babaiah, convener of the without charge up to 180 days, very fair, handsome 30 years, height National Confederation of Human including up to 30 days in police 5.7 ft, doing business belonging rights Organisations (NCHRO), custody and creates a strong to upper middle class respectable urged repeal of UAPA as it presumption against bail. family from Bangalore Girl should be minimum simple graduate, fair, would lead to increase of human Shareef said the UAPA violates the homely, religious, aged below 27 sufferings. He said the Muslims norms of natural justice as it puts years above 5.2 ft from respectable were being targeted as permanent the onus of proof on the accused family of Karnataka, early marriage. suspects. Mr. E. Abubakar, vice and not on the prosecution. He Contact: 9844252443 / 9972015425. chairman of the of the People’s alleged that the UAPA was being Please call or mail your details Movement Against UAPA, said used to detain poor tribals in West with photo and bio-data to e-mail: the law terrorizes people and Bengal and Chhattisgarh, who [email protected] curbs civil liberties. He recalled were trying to stop the seizure Sunni parents from Bangalore that the CPM passed a resolution of their precious farm land by seek alliance for their son age 26, calling for repeal of UAPA a year mining companies. n height 6 feet, BE in Electronics, PROFILE ISLAMIC VOICE, March 2014 25 Belief and Courage Helped Al-Shalagi Lensman Ghulam Muntaqa Commemorated Overcome Disability 3-Day Photo Abdullah Al-Shalagi is a shining example of how determination Exhibition at Bidar coupled with a strong spiritual life can overcome all odds. Bidar: A 3-day exhibition of He was also an avid collector of The Saudi man, who has a with Disabilities. to do his secondary school photographs snapped by late various kinds of honey. Nearly disability and uses a wheelchair, “After a while, I became a education from home and photojournalist Ghulam Muntaqa 200 varieties of honey including was one of the finalists at the Israr supervisor at Saudi Arabian eventually graduated with flying was held here on February the honey from Neem trees, (Arabic for ‘Determination’) Airlines for transport services colors. He also started to improve 3-5 at Rangeen Mahal. Nearly mango trees, tamarind trees and Awards on January, 23, 2014, for people with disabilities. Then his English and computer skills. in Jeddah, which honored those I was charged with establishing a “I continued to chase more 200 photos were displayed. It nectar drawn from oat crops were who showed the most success and became drive to find jobs. responsible for the He captured the hearts public relations and of those present at the media department at awards ceremony with the Charitable Society his self-confidence and for Disabled People in commitment to make Hail.” the most of life. Labor Al-Shalagi said he is was inaugurated by Deputy found in his collections. The Minister Adel Fakeih not self-conscious about Commissioner P. C. Jaffer. exhibition was organized on the gave him a plaque being in a wheelchair Among them were the historic six- eve of Bidar Utsav. n in recognition of his anymore. “Today I am no feet long bromide that captured achievements. longer that young person the panoramic view of Taj Mahal Life has not been smooth who was deprived of an Hotel and the Gateway of India sailing at all for the man education and a normal and other historic buildings and Abdullah Al-Shalagi receives a plaque recognizing his from Hail. He remembers life, who remained quiet the Bangalore’s Vidhana Soudha. achievements from Minister of Labor Adel Fakeih at the and stood still. I’m a how depression and Israr Awards in Jeddah. (AN photo) Ghulam Muntaqa who died last frustration as a youngster leader who wants to guide year, was an ace photographer over his disability threatened to committee to monitor and assess and lead his friends, brothers and who gathered antique cameras the services for passengers with compatriots with disabilities to a overwhelm him. He confined from scrap markets and made them disabilities at the airline.” better life.” himself to his bed, resulting in his work with various adjustments. weight ballooning. In addition, Al-Shalagi said he later decided (arabnews) he recalls, how his family felt that there was little chance for him in global affairs the world but to stay at home. “My family was also one of Indonesia’s Geothermal Energy the reasons for my despair Hot steam from underneath the it imports at a rate of 400,000 and frustration. They did not potential is being harnessed. encourage me to continue my earth is a source of energy. It is The country commissioned its barrels a day. Its neighbouring education. There was also a lack called geothermal energy which first geothermal power plant country Philippines uses 33 per of education facilities for people can be used to turn the turbines at Kamojang about 30 years cent of its geothermal resources with disabilities in Hail at that and produce electricity. ago. This is just a fraction of while Iceland produces nearly time. My family kept telling me Indonesia sits over large a fourth of its power from that it was no use continuing my reserves of geothermal geothermal resources. education because I was a person energy, but taps very little Indonesia was an oil exporter till with a physical disability.” Faced of it. The very fact that a few years ago. Now it imports with a disability and obesity, the country has 130 active oil and has quit its membership and little motivation from volcanoes is indication of OPEC. those around him, he stood at enough that a lot of steam Geothermal energy is a clean tap the geothermal sources are crossroads. It was at this point is churning underground and renewable source of energy implemented, the country will that he turned to Almighty Allah and is waiting to be tapped which does not emit any carbon be generating just about 12 per for guidance, strength and the for use. Sometimes the dioxide into the atmosphere. cent of its power needs from this willingness to change his life. volcanoes erupt spewing But the planners have not paid source by 2015, which is a gross “I started with the most important great amount of smoke and lava what it can really tap to reduce much attention towards its underutilization of a resource thing, my health. I succeeded in and wreak havoc in several of its dependence on oil which exploitation. If all its plan to that it is endowed with. n losing a significant amount of the country’s islands. The most weight and finally jumped out devastating of them erupted in of bed, metaphorically speaking- 1883 in Krakatoa and killed into my wheelchair.” 36,000 people. “It was then my new life started, I If one walks into mountains and had become mobile. This success led to further hope and the desire jungles of Sumatara, Java and to help others. other island of Indonesia, the columns of steam could be seen I started an Internet campaign rising from the warm mud. on social networking sites While it may spell disaster highlighting the rights of people with disabilities and supporting occasionally, it points to them. I increased my knowledge availability of a source which by reading about the rights of is vast and has the potential to people with disabilities online and supply 28 gigawatts of energy in magazines and newspapers. to the country. This is roughly “The campaign was a success and equivalent to 12 billion barrels had a big impact on my followers of oil. and readers. This helped me get But the country’s planners the first position I have ever held, have not paid much attention which was a member of the Hail to tap this source of energy. Service Committee for People Only about four per cent of this global affairs ISLAMIC VOICE, March 2014 26 Global Water Scenario Water Scarcity is leading to Conflicts Water is the most essential resource for life. Life, be it for humans, animals or plants, cannot be conceived without water. It sustains both life and livelihood. Civilisations have risen and fallen with the rise and fall of water table. With global population having of water supply and grassland diversified due to lifestyle Although food security has been on Earth involves 577,000 cubic exceeded seven billions, water for tribals inhabiting that changes. significantly increased in the past km of water. It is the water that is getting scarcer and scarcer. As region. q Now more water is diverted thirty years, water withdrawals evaporates from the oceanic more people stream into cities, u Israel has usurped all the water to grow fodder for livestock for irrigation represent 66 % of surface (502,800 cubic kms ) and even the little water is getting resources of the land under which in turn supply meat. the total withdrawals and up to from land (74,200 cubic kms). difficult to access. Palestinian Authority and put As the human dietary habits 90 % in arid regions, the other The same water amount falls as People could be citizens of one them beyond the reach of turn meat-centric, agriculture 34 % being used by domestic atmospheric precipitation (on the or the other nation-state. But Palestinians by raising a wall would become more water households (10 %), industry (20 ocean 458,000 cubic kms and on rivers are not the property of any all through the Palestinian intensive. %), or evaporated from reservoirs land 119,000 cubic kms). The particular state. They are part territory. q Production of meat is (4 %). difference between precipitation of a vast ecosystem and flow and evaporation from land surface through several states. As more (119,000 - 74,200 = 44,800 cubic powerful among these states try kms per year) represents the total to appropriate their waters, the runoff of Earth’s rivers (42,600 weaker are bound to be deprived. cubic kms per year), and a direct Competing claims on rivers groundwater runoff to the ocean therefore lead to conflicts. Such (2200 cubic kms per year). These conflicts are already aggravating are the principal sources of fresh relations between various states. water to supply life necessities Look at the following: and man’s economic activities. u China is reportedly building Can the Water supply be three dams on Brahmaputra Augmented? (called Sangpo in Tibet) river Pointers to the Crisis estimated to be 10 times Total Water Availability on Earth What is clear from the above to collect its water for irrigation more water-intensive than By modern estimates the statistics is that the humanity in its territory. If it goes ahead q Nearly a fifth of the global plant based calories and Earth’s hydrosphere contains a has been using the same water with the plans, it would mean population lacks easy access proteins. huge amount of water of about all through the centuries. So, decreased availability of water to potable water. q Even growing dependence 1,386 million cubic kilometres. how could the water supply be all along its length in the q More than half of the people on bio-fuels such as ethanol, However, 97.5% of this amount is augmented? Where should be North-eastern states of India across the world live in has led to diversion of water saline water and only 2.5% fresh human being look for more water? and Bangladesh. Affected water-stressed areas. to grow bio-fuel yielding water. The greater portion of Answer lies is conservation of livelihoods in Bangladesh q The annual global economic crops such as maize etc. the fresh water (68.7%) is in the water sources, treat and clean will directly lead to exodus of losses from water shortages q The InterAction Council shape of ice and permanent snow the waste water and use it again, ecological refugees who have are conservatively estimated comprising more than 30 cover in the Antarctic, the Arctic, at least for cleaning and washing nowhere to go than to come at $260 billion. former heads of states or and mountainous regions. Next purposes and water-harvesting to India. Any such dislocation q Water is renewable but finite government, has called for 29.9% are fresh ground waters. i.e., collecting the rainwater and of people will have disastrous resource. Nature can only urgent action as nations Only 0.26% of the total amount using for human needs as well as social, economic and political replenish only the extent of facing water crisis may be of fresh waters on the Earth are allowing it to percolate through consequences for the region. 43,000 billion cubic metres listed under failing states. concentrated in lakes, reservoirs, the ground to recharge the ground u Egypt is worried over Ethiopia per year. This is the maximum q The US State Department and river systems. They are most aquifers. raising a dam over Blue Nile theoretical amount of water has upgraded water to “A accessible for economic needs and has threatened it with regenerated under natural Most facts for this piece have been Central US foreign policy and very important for water military reprisals. conditions. But the human extracted from economist Brahma concern”. ecosystems u Conflict in Darfur region of population has doubled since Chellaney’s book Water, Peace Every year the water turnover Sudan had its roots in depletion 1970 and water use has also Most water for Food Production and War: Confronting the Global Water crisis, Oxford University Saudi Arabia Tops Food Wasters List Press. Also referred were: A little over 40 million residents in higher than the GDP of several strategy has been made at several linked to food production and http://webworld.unesco.org/ the GCC generate 26 million tons developed countries. conferences, but very little has a tangible fear that taps will run water/ihp/db/shiklomanov/index. of uneaten food or roughly 667 kg The GCC region has the dubious been done to implement the dramatically dry by 2050 in the shtml per person annually which hits an recommended controls. On the region, the need of the hour is to http://webworld.unesco.org/ average of 1.5 kg per day for each contrary, the neglect is reflected activate stringent measures, and water/ihp/db/shiklomanov/ individual with the UAE tipping in the fact that the UAE and to do that now. summary/html/summary. the 2 kg mark. Of this total, 17 Saudi Arabia have the highest The most logical and instant html#4.2. million tons are contributed by per person per day garbage contribution to reduction is Saudi Arabia. disposal in terms of weight, to cook less. But for multiple Oliver Twist asked for more and often five times that of other cultural and social reasons, that did not get any soup. For most of countries. does not occur. the GCC (Cooperation Council A little over 40 million residents The UN report underscores for the Arab States of the Gulf) in the GCC generate 26 million frightening implications if attitudes States, it is a question of taking far distinction of being a front- liner tons of uneaten food or roughly do not change and disposal too much and not eating it. in this waste parade, both on the 667 kg per person annually systems are not upgraded. It says According to the Rome- domestic and the commercial which hits an average of 1.5 kg rotting food creates greenhouse based Food and Agricultural front. The exponential increase per day for each individual with gases and the wide range of food Organization (FAO), a third of the in the number of food outlets, the UAE tipping the 2 kg mark. packaging materials compromises food produced globally is wasted restaurants and cafes has generated Of this total, 17 million tons are the recycling of the wasted food and this costs the global economy a further spike in wastage. contributed by Saudi Arabia. into organic energy, since much $750 billion annually, a figure The call for a waste management With acute water shortage directly of it is non-biodegradable. GUIDANCE ISLAMIC VOICE, March 2014 27 Purifying the Heart whatever change we intend to Heart The first thing to realize in trying undertake should stem from the With these realizations, we then By Nur Fadhilah Wahid but the heart does the same to the brain as well. to take on good habits or remove need to worship Allah better. Our need to work on purifying our raw intentions should root not heart, for a sound heart leads to “In order for us to realize our In a study conducted in the 1970s, bad ones is the state of our heart from our ego, desires and wants. sound limbs and actions. When God-given potential within our for instance, two physiologists — the source of all actions. Only Suggested action points: the heart is good, everything else lifetimes, we must break the cycles discovered that when the brain through reflection will we be able · Check your intentions: Always will follow, and habit-changing of stagnation that prevent us from sent messages to the heart, “the to know ourselves and who we do things for the sake of Allah . comes naturally. doing so, by abandoning methods heart did not automatically obey really are, and this self-awareness When we do things for Allah , Suggested action points: that have proven ineffective in the messages. Sometimes the is the basis of achieving good. we do things with ihsaan, with First, when you know the state fulfilling our responsibilities as heart sped up, while other times Reflection, with the knowledge love and perfection; we don’t tell of your heart and the state of people committed to Islam. We can it slowed down, indicating that that it is impossible to attain a ourselves “better luck next year”. yourself, then you know what you accomplish this only by changing the heart itself has its own type of pure heart, would then lead to When we do things for Allah, we need to make it easier to read the our current condition — this intelligence”. shame and humility before Allah focus on the “You” and not the Qur’an. requires courage, commitment and That said, the study of the brain , causing us to implore Him to “I”. Second, when you have the right above all, critical introspection.” is a relatively new science, while change our states. And truly, no · Shift your inner dialogue to one intentions, know with firm belief — Shaykh Hamza Yusuf (Agenda our knowledge of the heart and power nor change happens except which is intent on giving instead that Allah will make it easier for to Change our Condition) soul will always be limited as the by the will of Allah . of receiving, for in the giving is you to start inculcating that new Habits and the Heart Qur’an has mentioned: Suggested action points: barakah and aid from Allah . habit. Prophet Muhammad said: “Truly “And they ask you, [O · Look deep within yourself. Realization 3: Understanding the Third, when you understand the in the body there is a morsel of Muhammad], about the soul. · Keep a daily journal. Nature of Change nature of change, you know that flesh which, if it be whole, all Say, “The soul is of the affair of · Write down all the things you The third realization is to you have to start small, ‘small’ the body is whole and which, if it my Lord. And mankind have not do and feel; the conversations in understand that the nature of being that which is defined by be diseased, all of it is diseased. been given of knowledge except a your heart and mind. mankind in adopting changes is your own abilities. If you have Truly it is the heart.” [Bukhari & little.” [Qur’an: Chapter 17, Verse · Take note of your weaknesses, through gradual changes, and not not been reading the Qur’an your Muslim] 85]. your strengths, what makes you through an extreme makeover. whole life, start by reading half a As Muslims, we should be clear Three Realizations tick and what drives you. Although there are instances page of the Qur’an each day. that in Islamic thought, the center There are three kinds of · Learn to see yourself for who of people changing drastically The Prophet was asked, “What of consciousness and conscience realizations we need to have you really are literally overnight (for Allah is deeds are loved most by Allah?” is actually the heart and not the before we take the steps to make · Take note of the state of your capable of doing anything He He said, “The most regular brain as Western science tells changes in our lives. The first is heart. wishes), the nature of change constant deeds even though they us. Shaykh Hamza Yusuf said knowing the state of our heart, Realization 2: Having the Right generally is through gradual may be few.” [Bukhari] in recent times scientists have the second is having the right Intentions for Change adoption of new habits. (http://ProductiveMuslim.com/ discovered that there are more intentions towards change, while The second realization that we Three Actions that Purify the Newsletter) than 40,000 neurons in the heart the third is understanding the need to have is to understand that that communicate with the brain, nature of change. meaning that not only does the Realization 1: Knowing Our brain send messages to the heart, State LIFE & RELATIONSHIPS ISLAMIC VOICE, March 2014 28 Being a People Pleaser is a Burden! Drop it, and Please God!

The Discover Yourself Workshop was held in Durban and Cape Town, South Africa, in February 2014. Here, some of the participants share their experiences about the Workshop.

BELINDO: Before the workshop, I would get angry very quickly and said all kinds of things without R Very introspective. thinking. Now I have the knowledge to calm myself. A heavy burden was R The workshop is great and beneficial to anyone on this lifted off my shoulders on the last planet. It is the best workshop I have ever attended and I day; I forgave the man who took highly recommend this to everyone. my father’s life. My life has become R The Workshop helped me change myself, not the world. a lot calmer, calm enough so that I R I discovered who ‘I’ am and my purpose of life. can now help other people with the knowledge I received. Thank you R Worth attending and sharing with others, very radical once again for the amazing workshop thinking. and for making a difference. R I wish every Muslim would attend. GADIJA: Before the workshop, I R It was a very enlightening experience, delivered straight constantly bothered and worried from the heart. what others have to say? My R This workshop opened my eyes and opened me up from worries and fear was my working the long slumber. environment and my children. Now R It really transformed me. I have learned that what they say it’s not important and I focus on R Everything make sense, it gives tools to live. the ones I love. I took my power, R Every person should attend this workshop. “I have the power”. I learned that R A workshop, that anybody who would like to make a you will fall, you learn, you lose, change must attend. you learn and you will always win if you learn from your failures. I R It transformed me and I will not allow other people’s focus more on the now and present, opinions affect me. R instead of me worrying about how It made me aware to look at life from a different Allah- the fact that Allah has never was a dull moment, very emotional my children will be when they are perspective. forsaken me, but I have forsaken and excellent. older. I focus on the now and put the R It taught me that you can change if you want to, that you Allah, but not anymore now. AZRA: I attended the workshop two trust on my Creator. I am amazed, have the power to do so. I am at peace, I am content. Today ANISA: I feel very positive about years ago. Being recently married, I have experienced ‘Arafat’, I am R I am now able to distinguish between what is real and myself and feel stronger inside me I am attending the workshop with connected to my Creator. Today is what is not. to deal with my problems. my husband, after marriage, a lot has changed in my life in a few a new chapter in my life. The past R This workshop transformed me from darkness to light. JUNAID: There was definitely months, and I feel I have had to is gone and I have learned from it, R The workshop was an amazing experience. no direction in my personal life or deal with so many changes. Being I have found the good within the family life. We were living day to R I did a lot of reflection and re-wiring, mind blowing and married, it is taking time for me to bad. I am the best I can ‘BE’. I am a day with no goals or not knowing refreshing perspective. adjust to my new way of life. My unique creation of Allah most high. the evil we have done for the day. R husband is going through his own Jazakallah Khair! It took away all the veils off my eyes. After the workshop, I have no emotional and spiritual journey. I opinions about anybody and this IQBAL: My life has always been get frustrated as I feel he is taking discovered here that life is about reduces quarrels with friends, stressful and heavy and a rush to see of being stuck in the well, using too long, as I have to follow him. creating yourself. Walking out family and business associates. the day through. I had no directions, my hand, feet and courage to do I want to help him and be there of the workshop, I found Allah, Now I can count the evil that I trying to make ends meet. As we everything in my power to get for him. Having attended again, right in my heart. So peaceful, so have done for the day and ask are in this workshop, I am already out of the well and back to reality has renewed my trust in Allah, has contented and only love is all I am Allah’s forgiveness and they are feeling the hope and remedies for where I can be true to myself. helped me remove doubts, cleared my problems ahead. I now feel that experiencing. My heart opened, getting fewer and fewer. NAEEM: I can see my family in my mind of worry and fear. I have the tools to face the problems my view of Allah’s creation AHMED: We learnt the basic life a different light. I do not see them FOUZIA: The workshop has helped and depend on Almighty to assist changed. All I feel now is love, skills that one can practice in any as objects any more. I see them as me understand where I had been me further. peace, and joy. Who am I? A slave situation. My spouse and I have human beings with feelings and going wrong along my life and in of Allah. promised to practice the values of MARIAM: Before the workshop, their own view of how they see my marriage. I will inshallah, to FADILA: Before the workshop, the workshop. I found myself stuck at the bottom me. I accept the fact that they are the best of my ability, implement I was operating on autopilot, was of a well. It was dark, cold, and their own person and I accept the NAZIA: At the workshop, I have whatever knowledge and skills I never present for anything. My lonely. I had questioned why this, fact that I cannot change them. My learnt to understand my situation have learned in these energy packed mind was always on the buzz. I and why did that happen to me, of approach to them has changed. I in a different light. It opened my two days. A must attend workshop never took time out in any way. all the people? I am now in a state see clearer now and I respect who communication with my family for every person. May Allah reward Now after the workshop, I have of acceptance and admitting that they are. members. After the workshop, I you for your intention, efforts and learned to be present in the now. where I am now, is not where I want found my behavior had no excuse sacrifice in helping others. May To be alive and live, brought back to be. It is up to me, my intention NAFEESA: After the first and felt stupid for a moment. My Allah grant you the best of this the consciousness and awareness and willingness to make the change, workshop, I started applying the children were happy for me. Never world, health and happiness. I want to be in this world. I am tools. My whole life, I thought of everything and everyone, taking responsibility of my situation life is about finding myself, but I especially the consciousness of Workshop Schedule in Page No. 22 Advertisement ISLAMIC VOICE, March 2014 29 CHILDREN'S CORNER ISLAMIC VOICE, March 2014 30 Insects Forgiveness Among all animals, insects have a shell around themselves. They and follow division of labour. the largest numbers. It is estimated can live and survive in all kinds Some insects such as bees are Hina walked in, shoulders things. A good character is all you that0ut of every ten different of environments. very useful as they make honey. slumped, threw her bag on the need and what other children do animal species, eight are insects. Most insects live Several others are useful as side and dropped into the nearest shows what their character is like. They are among the most diverse their lives pollinators, carrying pollens from chair. This is not how she returned There is something wrong with groups of animals on the planet, flowers of one plant to another from school every day. There them, not you. You have nothing including more than a million plant and thereby creating seeds. was usually a swing in her step to worry”. described species and representing Many insects are considered pests and a smile on her lips. Today, Hina was starting to feel a little something was wrong. Amina, better, but was surprised at what more than half of all known by human beings. These are lice, her mother came up to her and her mother had to say next, living organisms. Insects bed bugs. Several other such asked her if something was “But Hina, I’m disappointed in can walk, fly mosquitoes and flies transmit wrong, at which Hina burst into you”. “Why mama, the fault was and even swim. disease. Some get into wooden tears and fell sobbing into her lap. hers, what did I do?”, “I think Several of them live furniture and walls and make Running her hand through her complaining to the Principal was the early part of their them hollow. Some like locusts hair, her mother waited for her to a bad idea. I agree that what she lives in or under water. eat away crops. calm down and tell her what was did was wrong, but you could Some insects can even walk Medicines that kill insects are bothering her. have proven to be a better person on water. A few insects that alone. But some of called insecticides. Those who “Mummy, why are people mean if you had forgiven her. It’s better permanently live in water are them such as ants, bees study and do research on insects to others? Do they enjoy bullying to forgive and forget. It makes known as crustaceans who develop and termites live in colonies are known as Entomologists. other people? Is something wrong you nobler than the person who with me?”, she asked, tears still has wronged you”. Persian Wheel streaming down her cheeks. As she thought about her mother’s “Why, who’s bullying you?”, words, Hina understood the truth A Persian Wheel is a machine In India they came to be known went out of use. asked Amina, concerned. in them. She felt bad for having to lift water from a moving as ‘Rahat’ but were mostly The main difficulty with Persian Hina spilled out everything that tattled on Seema and decided to water source such as river or driven by oxen. They were wheels or ‘Rahat’ was that they was troubling her, “Mummy, apologize to her for it. large spring. It is a mechanical there’s a new girl in our class The next day, Hina had a new device with a large wheel which called Seema. She seemed nice resolve in her. She went straight moves by the force of the rush when she came in last week and to Seema ans said: “Seema, I am of water waves. The wheel has a I wanted to be friends with her. really sorry, I complained about lot of buckets which get filled up She’s very popular in our class you. If you are happy calling me when they go into water. As the too and everybody else wants to names, you can continue to do wheel moves, the buckets pour be her friend. But for some reason that. I will not mind. I will never water into a shaft which then she doesn’t like me. Makes fun again tell on you. Seema’s jaw flows into channels. These were of my hair, my name, my things, dropped when she heard this and first developed in Mesopotamia everything. I can’t seem to do before she could say anything, (now Iraq) 3,500 year ago nothing right. She is also turning Hina was gone. and were copied by Egyptian my friends against me now. They Seema had never imagined the and were further developed in in use till the early part of the could be moved only by rushing also giggle and whisper when things would take this turn. She ancient Iran. From here they last century. But with arrival of water. When water level went when I pass by. I don’t like it one murmured, “Hina is amazing. were carried to Spain and Syria. electricity operated pumps, they down, they will cease to work. bit”. All this came pouring out. I was so mean to her, yet it is And she continued breathlessly, she who came to me and sought “All these days I was bearing it forgiveness for complaining about Improve Your Wordpower but today, it became too much. it. I have been so wrong in calling She drew a funny picture of me her names. It is good character We will take up words related to sea and navigation. on the board and wrote mean that is important. Hina has been things about me. So I complained generous enough to ignore my Maritime: Anything related to the sea e.g., maritime trade to the Headmistress. So Seema crude manners.” was called to the office and Even as tears rolled down her Seafaring: Use of sea for travel or transportation. punished”. cheeks, she ran to Hina and said: Amina heard Hina out and settled “I admire your attitude. I can’t Anchor: A hook like heavy object linked to the ship by down to explain to her, “Beta, believe that you are saying sorry chain. It goes to the bottom of the sea and stops it there are always people who like when it should have been me! I from drifting on the waves. to act as bullies, you just need to realize how wrong I have been. know how to handle them. Just Forgive me, Hina!” Hina and Nautical Mile: A unit of measuring the length of journey because she is making fun of Seema hugged each other and you, it doesn’t mean that there is on the sea. It is 1852 metres. decided to bury the past and be anything wrong with you. People good friends forever. are never happy. They will always (Original story in Urdu by Dockyard: A facility where boats and ships are built. find faults. You are a lovely person Rubina Naz appeared on www. blessed with health, a charming urduyouthforum.org, Sail: A piece of fabric which is attached to the mast of ship Anchor personality, fantastic manners and translated into English by in order that winds drives most importantly, a good heart. Maqbool Ahmed Siraj, the ship. Those are the most important Edited by Shazia Akbar, Detroit)

Helmsman: A person What does a Refinery Do? who steers a ship. A refinery is where crude oil is out by pipes, cooled and turned Starboard: The right refined and made into petrol, into petrol for use in cars. The diesel and kerosene. The refinery diesel oil becomes gaseous at side of the board. Dockyard receives the crude oil and heats 300o C. It is extracted at this it to different temperatures. stage and cooled and turned into Hull: The basic The petrol becomes gaseous diesel. In this manner all different at a temperature between 35O Sailboat framework of the ship components are taken out and on which it floats. degree C and 140o C. It is taken turned into relevant products. CHILDREN'S CORNER ISLAMIC VOICE, March 2014 31 Sandy, the Clever Camel By Yoginder Sikand began dreaming of living as them, than slow-moving camels. the big city, and the desert people we, instead of wasting our lives in All across the desert, the camels city folks do. ‘Travelling on Close on their heels followed had allowed themselves to believe these filthy dumps?’ were very upset. The people they camel-back is too slow and other travelling salesmen from that whatever city-people thought ‘You mean, we can just trot off had lived with for centuries had old-fashioned,’ they said to the city, who taught the desert was best. They wanted nothing deep into the desert on our own?’ decided that they had no use for themselves. And so, they coughed folks that expensive diesel-driven more than to become just as city- said the other camels in surprise. them any longer and had turned up almost all their savings to buy pumps were a more ‘sensible’ people were. ‘There aren’t any humans there them out of their homes. As long And so it happened that in a short to feed us there, and certainly no as humans had found camels time almost all the inhabitants of garbage dumps to forage in.’ useful, they had treated them the desert had abandoned their ‘If our forefathers wandered with special care, housing them in camels. They turned them out in the heart of the desert when smart stables, giving them fruits to of their stables, replacing them there weren’t any people there eat, carefully combing their coats with cows and goats, which they and had no problem finding food and decorating them with richly- reared to sell in the market in and water, surely we can do that, embroidered saddle-cloths. But the hope of making a neat profit. too,’ cried Sandy. ‘Nature hasn’t now no one bothered about them Things had come to such a pass changed, even if human beings at all. The poor things were now that they even refused to let the have. If Nature gave our ancestors left to graze in garbage dumps all camels graze in their fields. That, enough to eat and drink, she’ll do day. they thought, would be a waste of the same with us, too, I’m sure. You can imagine how upset the precious fodder, which they could And, what is more, we’ll be free— camels all were at being treated so sell instead to make more money free from servitude to human shoddily. After all, for as long as to buy more city-made things. beings and free to roam and do they could remember (and camels The poor camels now had nowhere just as we please! Wouldn’t that have very long memories), they to go. All day they would linger be wonderful?’ had served the desert folk with love about in the garbage dumps on ‘Sandy! You clever thing! Why and without any complaint. But for the motor-bikes, jeeps and cars way of drawing water from their the fringes of the villages and didn’t we think of this before?’ them human life would have been that they saw city people riding wells than using camels for this bemoan their plight. They really chimed all the other camels. impossible in the desert. Humans about in on the television sets that purpose, that costly, factory-made didn’t know what to do. Do you know what happened used them for many purposes— they had recently acquired. blankets were ‘better’ than camel- Just when almost all the camels next? Sandy went around the for travelling, for carting goods, Representatives of city-based wool ones, and that the milk from had given up hope, Sandy, a desert, sharing her plan with the for ploughing fields, for drawing companies began to flock to city-based dairies that came in young she-camel, hit upon a forlorn camels that she met at the water from wells, for making coats remote desert hamlets in order to plastic bags was ‘tastier’ than brilliant idea one day. ‘My granny village garbage dumps. Then, on and blankets from their wool, and convince the desert folks to buy camel’s milk. used to tell me stories about our an appointed day, she gathered all for their milk. tractors to plough their fields. That The denizens of the desert easily ancestors,’ she said to her friends the camels—over two thousand of But times had now changed, and was a more ‘modern’ and ‘efficient’ believed whatever these men told as they munched on a pile of rotten them—and led them, in a majestic even deep in the desert people way of farming, they convinced them. After all, they were from vegetables in a garbage dump. procession over mountains of ‘Thousands of years ago, she told sand, heading deep into very World Sparrow Day me, much before human beings centre of the desert, where no invaded the desert, we camels human dared to tread. freely roamed the sands, going And that’s where the camels still wherever we pleased, eating the live, free and happy, no longer at berries, roots and juicy cactuses the mercy of men, just as their that Nature freely gave us, and ancestors had lived before humans drinking in desert pools. We had strayed into the desert and could do the same now, couldn’t trapped them. n

GHOUSE TOURS & TRAVELS Hajj, Umrah & Ziarath biodiversity which we take so created a dedicated website to Recognized by Government of India, Recognized by Government of Saudi Arabia much for granted. Nature, we must spread awareness in regard to HO: 3/1, 1st Floor, Opp. Gundu Rao House (Ex CM) World Sparrow Day is an initiative understand, does not come with a the World Sparrow Day –www. Rahmath Nagar, R.T. Nagar Post, Bangalore, India of the Nature Forever Society to lifetime guarantee. worldsparrowday.org. This website E-mail: [email protected] IATA celebrate March 20, every year as World Sparrow Day also has has a one of its kind collection of a broader vision to provide a photographs and information of BO: VI Ward, Bandimote, Bangalore Road, World Sparrow Day. In less than Opp. Masjid, Bellary - 583 101, Karnataka, India. four years, the World Sparrow Day platform where people who are twenty two species of sparrows Ph: India Code: 0091 STD: 08392 Off: 250526, 250531, (R) 244606 has become immensely popular working on the conservation of the found across the world. n and is celebrated in more than 40 House Sparrow and other common Al-Haj Mohammed Ghouse, Prop. Cell: 98440-50531 (0) 080-23530531 countries across the globe and is birds can network, collaborate gaining popularity in Europe and and exchange conservation ideas parts of south Asia. which will lead to better science The idea of celebrating World and improved results. It aims to Sparrow Day came up during an provide a meeting ground for informal discussion over tea at the people from different parts of the Nature Forever Society’s office. world to come together and form The idea is to earmark a day for a force that can play an important the House Sparrow to convey role in advocacy and in spreading the message of conservation of the awareness on the need of the House Sparrow and other conserving common biodiversity common birds and also mark a or species of lower conservation day of celebration to appreciate status. the beauty of the common The Nature Forever Society has