March 30, 2012

Concealing Poverty

Baba Ramdev interview on TV
Excerpt published in Muslim Murasu, March 2012

Swamijis are grave threat to politics. Imaginations are set on fire likening them to extremists and terrorists. Qualities of saints are in the open for 120 crore Indians to scrutinize. Service and betrayals will be discussed by the public. Those who taint saints are easily able to take photographs in closeness with chief ministers. Medias release photographs. Politicians who are aloof from the public become desperate. People do not abandon Swamijis.
Black money is in the mix in medicine industry, narcotic sales, election extravaganzas and real estate transactions. Politicians can expose black money. Those who pulverized politics fear saints. They are categorizing saints as those who are cloistered in maths and those who venture out, collect people and expose abominable scandals in the country. There is no question of closeness or relations for saints. Citizens of India are struggling for their life. We have to guard both Yoga Dharma and social Dharma. “Do yoga. Do not interfere in politics”. This is the warning issued. A complete conspiracy is hatched. Let us face the facts.
All political parties accept in principle to bring back black money stashed abroad. Wealth details of bureaucrats, higher rung politicians and dominating businessmen should be revealed. People sitting in power are maintaining abject silence. There is not a single action. Wealth details of Qaddafi were not known until he was in power. His gold and silver reserves were exposed once he was expelled from power. Property of one Qaddafi was mind boggling. There are thousand Qaddafis hidden in India.
No one has to apologize to me. Saints have renounced everything. They don’t harbor fear or favor for anyone. They will forgive mistakes and excesses of everyone. No one has to fall in the feet of Swamiji. Police force was unleashed on those protesting against black money at Ramlila ground. They sinned. Truth cannot be kept in the darkness for long. Politicians, rulers are afraid of truth, reality. They are in mortal fear and distress. Ruling structure is covering the poverty in the nation with veil.

March 26, 2012

Applying Brake

Muslim Murasu, March 2012

There was a time when editorial pages from English and Tamil dailies were preserved. They were compiled and put in book form. Enormous historic facts, laboriously collected data and details fed intellectual quest and eagerness of the readers. Assiduous efforts were condensed and concentrated in one page. Nation’s destiny and people’s future were turned around through writings. But now, papers are weighed in kilograms and traded for a trifle. Not even a single reader preserves editorial page. Magazines end up in dustbins after a brief perusal.
Islamic journal publishing operates on philanthropic grounds. Each line, each page expresses constitutional guarantee for freedom. Constitution of this nation permits ideas to be put in black and white. This is a huge mercy from God. Numerous intellectuals and national leaders fought hard to affirm journalistic freedom.
Private television channels are businesses spinning crores of rupees. Needs and expectations of average citizen will not be addressed. People do not participate in public meetings. Journals constitute final hope for democracy.
Journals should not doom themselves. Writers should record their ideas with utmost poise and equanimity. Writer should have a mental picture of published page even before starting to write. Tamil community is caught between dual troubles of steep inflation and vulgar entertainment. First and foremost, Tamilans should be given an opportunity to read. Reading is considered by many as a meaningless task. Only essential words should be printed. Writer shall first determine the length of the article. One page can be the norm and additional pages can be allotted in case of compelling data and useful photographs. New ideas with hitherto unknown perspective can be prioritized. Passages should tightly follow the line of the title and the main thrust of the message. Central theme should be constructed and carried forward in each word, line and paragraph.
There is one very important condition. One should know to apply brake. Writer should upfront know when to stop. Magazines that are published just because of excess availability of money or time or to display influence or self-importance will easily be rejected by the community. Writing is a God given gift. People involved in this can realize and work with additional responsibilities. Unqualified journals, editors and writers are burden to society. Only those with intellectual curiosity should enter this field. People without distinguished intellect can do a favor to humanity by staying away. Let readers be spared. Disgraceful ideas should not be imposed into the hearts of others.

March 20, 2012

Government Holiday If It Rains

Muslim Murasu, March 2012

Tamilnadu usually receives rainfall in November. Schools and colleges will be closed. Graduates groomed with this mentality later apply for government postings. Government employment that should serve and protect the interests of seven crore people becomes hostage to selfish mindset.
There is a way out. Holidays should be completely cancelled. Salary should be credited only if employee attends work. During sudden crises due to rain, storm or famine, workers are not readily available to be deputed on the field to serve the public. Hundred crore rupees is multiplied ten times and wasted. Officers who are used to having their hands greased during normal days cannot be expected to stay away from plundering during calamities like tsunami. People keep crying out for help in distress. Government bears all the ill reputation. Population census, poverty statistics, list of beneficiaries for various schemes, are not scrupulously prepared.
Government employment falls broadly in two categories; the ones that have chances for bribes and the others that don’t. Transfers in jobs and locations can bring balance. Each office offers two types. Residence, vehicle, education expenditure for offspring and marriage lavishness of particular employee should be secretly recorded or publicly put on internet. This will throw light on extra income in a year.
Holidays in May for schools and colleges is a wrong precedent set by the British. Currently, there is no need for such lengthy vacations. Holidays for courts is travesty. Lengthy queues are waiting in employment offices. Government is caught deep in loans. In such situation, state fund should not be wasted as salary for holidays. Tasks completed in a day, week, month and year should be clearly documented and put on internet and updated every time. There should not be over-dependence on any particular officer. Government functions should continue without mercy or help of any individual. “No salary for absentees” – this fear should settle in the hearts of government employees. ‘once employed, ever employed’ policy should change. Privatization brought in by then Prime Minister Narasimha Rao shall be extended to public sector employment as well. Mindset in public sector employment and private sector employment are in complete contrast. Salary deduction and impermanence should be urgently implemented. Discipline and restrictions practiced in army shall be insisted in public sector, failing which government funds will go wasted.

March 17, 2012

Expand Your Hearts

Maulana Mujibur Rahman Bakavi speech at Vadapalani Vijayaragavapuran Masjid
Published in Muslim Murasu, March 2012

People are living in small circles. Disunity and differences are causing fissures in heart. Qad aflaha man thazakaahaa. He succeeds whose hearts harbors Allah’s fear. Everyone should have soulful relation with God. A person will succeed if his heart is filled with God. You will not succeed if your small heart is populated only with wife, parents, kids, relations and native people. Hearts should not become seats of dirt, rage, vengeance or violence.
The name ‘Allah’ will render my life, relations, wealth and luxuries as valueless. Human sacrifices are believed to bring fortunes. We read in newspapers about neighbor kids being sacrificed. People offer sacrifices believing the words of astrologers who themselves are struggling for a better life. There are people who offer human sacrifices solely for selfish motives.
Knife did not cut. But the love for kid vanished. Ibrahim (alai) did not have a child until 90. Some scholars place this age at 98. Anyone will be happy to have a kid at 98. They will show all their love for this kid. “I will offer my life for Allah. I will offer the life of my kid that I got at the age of 98 if that pleases Allah”. Islam has withstood all these times and survives to this day by the sacrifice.
Today, sacrifice has given way to narrow life for relations. Some go even further and are trapped in a life of 'my home, my wife, my kid'. Universal brotherhood has shrunken to a minimum life for family. Muslims should come out of these small rings. Muslims all over the world worship one God. Other communities also should get this opportunity. When will this happen. Bal thuhfiroonal hayatha duniya val akhiratu khairun va abka. This world will perish. The next world is eternal. Family should be prepared for eternal life. Universal outlook, love for all communities, affection and broad-mindedness will bring floods of happiness in your homes. Allah will gift His forgiveness when soul departs body. Family members should remember kalima when they are in their death beds. That is real success. Let us expand our hearts and thoughts.

March 13, 2012

Those Who Follow Deen Will Succeed

Weekly speech at Tableeghi Markaz, Masjide Amina, Tolichowki, Hyderabad
Published in Muslim Murasu, March 2012

Critical questions were raised in the period of Maulana Ilyas (rah) concerning his mission and intention. “My intention is not to form a Jamaath or group. My intention is to take Ummath back to where Prophet left them before he departed”. Today we have assembled here with the same desire. We seek to uphold laws of God. Allah’s rule is same for all times. “Those who follow this religion will succeed”. Those who deviate from this will fail. All the incidents mentioned in Quran hold valuable lessons for us. They are not stories. They have guidance in them. No one likes to take names of kings and wealthy men, whom God have put to ignominy, as names for their children. Allah gave victory to some people. They will remain as archetype for success till the last day of this world. They did not possess technological power or economic or political might.
Deen is blissful life that embodies commands of Allah and teachings of Prophet. Deen should be practiced every second in our life. Each second, our success or failure is determined. Time is a sharp sickle. Either you slice it or it will slice you. Prophet has told that you will die the same way as you live, then you will be raised from death the same way and your next life will be same. Do what you have to do, lest you will be forced to do things that you should avoid. You will find yourself in such a situation.
Deen will come in life only through hard work. You have to put some efforts even to get some salt. First thing that connects Deen to a person is faith, strong belief. This was Prophet’s first call. Arab community was wallowing in abhorable depths in each facet of life. They had separate idol for each day, their prayers were filled with nakedness and they did not hesitate to bury an infant alive. Prophet’s first attention was towards Imaan. Imam Gazzali (rah) declared that growth of Ummath is tied to faith; their decline started when their faith diminished. Sahabas attained faith through severe sacrifices. Ali (rali) explained that his faith would not increase or decrease a bit even if heaven and hell are kept in front of his eyes. Imaan is two fold; believing God’s presence and believing success lies only in following Prophet. Sahabas first learned Imaan. Then they learned Quran. The result was that they were able to follow Allah’s commands as and when they came. They completely renounced liquor and usury.
Circumstances are created from actions. Actions are a result of faith. Good efforts will render faith. Prophet witnessed in Mihraj journey that actions from humans are ascending towards heaven and Allah’s judgements were racing towards earth.

March 12, 2012

Crowd Of Angels

Mufti Jameel Ahmedkhan Quadri, Balrampur, UP
Speech at Walaja mosque, Chennai in function organized by Markaz Milad Committee
Published in Muslim Murasu, March 2012

It has become difficult to sit for half an hour on the floor. Filling the entire place with chairs has become a necessity. Gathering should be intimate. People should sit closer. No one likes to sit on the floor when chairs are arranged. It seems uneasy. Health problems and weaknesses are also playing spoilsport. But it is Allah’s grace that we have assembled here. All of those have come here whom Prophet wanted to be here. You can plan thousand times over, but this is God’s mercy.
There is a popular hadees in Bukhari Shareef. It is appropriate to remember here that Allah’s praise and Prophet’s life are not different things. “Angels flock the place where people talk about Allah”.
Allah has created some “Sayyaaheen” angels. Sahabas asked about these Sayyaaheen angels and their purpose. They are numerous in number and constantly survey the earth. They will go in each direction and to each corner. They will spread out and look in solitudes, in mosques, in seminaries and in all other possible places. Companions of Prophet inquired about what are they searching for. “They are looking for zikr (God’s remembrance) gathering”. When they find a zikr place, they spread out their wings as ceilings and stay there gracefully. They will call out for their companion angels and announce that they have found what they came for. Prophet further illustrates that all angels will come pouring in and flock so tightly without leaving any place and will fill all space from earth to sky. Meetings like this are gatherings of elders and angels. Prophet said that such gatherings would be graced by the presence of angels. Then angels will return to Allah. Allah will inquire them. Inquiries are of two types. Allah is well aware of the felicitous visit of angels. Questions are asked in examinations to test the understanding. Questions will be asked in graves also. Allah inquires to proclaim His Glory. “They were saying ‘Allah, Allah’ and asking for forgiveness. They remembered You and prayed for heaven. They praised You and their speeches were filled with Your Glory”. Allah will ask whether they had seen Him. Angels will reply that those men have not seen Allah. Nevertheless they were gushing His Praise. Allah will ask, “What would they have done if they had seen Me”. Angels will reply that they would have shed their lives. “You will be witnesses. I have forgiven all their sins and mistakes.” Angels will tell that some had not come with intent, but just had come accidentally. Allah will reply that He has forgiven them as well.

March 08, 2012

Pronounce Bismillah Loudly

Darse Quran by Maulana Muhammad Mustafa Shareef Naqshbandhi
Published in Muslim Murasu, March 2012

Surah Tauba, ninth Surah, another name to this Surah is “Baraath”. Baraath means disavowal. Some Surahs have two names. Surah Dahr is also called as Insan. Another name for Surah Lahab is Masad.
Every Surah in Quran starts with “Bismillah irrahman irraheem”, except this Surah. This Surah, at the outset, declares condemnation for Mushriq (idolators) and spells out grievous penalty for them. So the name of Allah, who is Rahman and Raheem, should not be invoked here. Surah Tauba should be started only with “Auzubillahi”.
Badr battle happened in Hijri 2. Hijri 3 saw Uhud battle. Kandhak took place in Hijri 5. Udaibiya agreement was accepted in Hijri 6. Meccah was conquered in Hijri 8. Muslims undertook their first Haj in Hijri 9. Prophet (sal) did his first and last Haj in tenth year. He delivered Hajjatul Vida Kutba there. Every Muslim should know the history of Islam. This will be helpful even in the life of graveyard and in Mahshar. This will strengthen our faith. Even remembering these facts will give us Sawab (rewards). Surah Tauba came in Hijri 9.
There are 114 Surahs in Quran. Bismillah is seal for each Surah. 113 Surahs have Bismillah in their beginning. Sulaiman (alai) wrote a letter to the queen Bilkis. There he starts with Bismillah. So the seal of Surah Tauba is placed there. Even earlier communities had the practice of saying Bismillah. Any activity started with Bismillah will be counted as Ibadath. There are 19 letters in “Bismillah irrahman irraheem”. “Alaiha thisatha ashar” – there are 19 angels on hell. If you regularly recite Bismillah, you can stay free from these 19 angels. Each letter has its Barakath.
You should have complete faith without an iota of doubt. Allah expects nothing less from you. Sahabas dared not to question in front of Prophet. They will stoop down and sit so quietly that birds will consider their heads to be nests. Surah Hujrah, 49th Surah, verse 2 came. “La tharfau aswathakum” – do not raise your voice above Prophet. After this Sahabas became even more silent. They used to direct their questions through Abubakkar and Umar (rali). Learning respect is everything. You miss that and you miss everything.
Everything has its beauty. The beauty of Quran is Bismillah. But we are not bringing it in our life. It is narrated in a Hadees that close everything with Bismillah before going to bed and start fresh in the morning with Bismillah. Women should say Bismillah while putting rice in the bowl. But TV, cellphone are making us indulgent and absent-minded. Reciting Bismillah is Taufeeq (godsend). Say it louder sometimes so that your children and relatives also will learn. It is narrated in a Riwayath that any activity started without Alhamdulillah will be damned. In another Riwayath, it is told that any activity started without Bismillah will be damned.
There are separate Dua (supplications) for everything like leaving house or entering house. But Bismillah is a general supplication. We do not start reciting Quran with “Akra bismillah”. Then blessings will be limited to reading Quran alone. It is Allah’s Grace that He has generalized Bismillah. No sentence in Arabic can start with “bi”. This is exception. When you say Bismillah, the verb will automatically get prepended. When you say Bismillah while eating, it means “akulu bismillah” – I eat with the name of Allah. This is the exceptional power of Bismillah. You won’t get nightmares if you go to bed with Bismillah. People keep cribbing that their lives are ridden with problems. If you are sleeping when God’s blessings are showered, what else do you expect. We fail to utter Bismillah. Let us take a resolution today that we will initiate every action with Bismillah. We won’t see failures. Tell Bismillah loudly to declare your faith. Allah listens. “Sami allahu liman hamidahu” – Allah has listened him who praised Allah.
Our Duas will have effect when we understand and plead. One who prays should know when to weep and when to feel happy. Our prayers are not being accepted. Otherwise Namazi won’t fail. When a person starts prayer with Allahu Akbar, a connection of Noor is established from his head to heaven. One will get enlightenment and blessings when he prays with mind and heart. But turning away from prayer altogether will bring grave losses. It is Quran’s glory that it will be rewarding even if one recites without understanding. Even seeing Quran gives Sawab.
Three Sahabas did not participate in Thabuk war. They were boycotted for 50 days. They felt deep remorse. Finally Allah accepted their repentance. That is the reason this Surah is called Tauba.
This Surah contains our oft-repeated verse, “Kunu maha sadiqeen” (verse 119). Be with the truthful. Verse 112 lists good qualities. Tauba is listed topmost. Ibadath comes later. People seeking repentance top the list of candidates who Allah is pleased with. Hadees – “All children of Adam are sinners. Best sinner is one who repents”. Memorize 40 hadees and you will receive Shafaath of Prophet. Tauba is to feel remorse for the mistakes. It is not just some physical expressions. Bani Israel were asked to cut their throats as a way to repent. But for our Prophet’s Ummath, it is enough to feel guilt in the heart and express it. But one should not continue doing sins. Do not put your fingers in fire just because you have burnol.