These scenes of public awareness

Whatever happened with a girl student in the national capital in the night of December 16 is being condemned in the whole country, and rightly so. Right from the spread of the news of the incident the countrywide wave of public anger has not dampened till the time of writing these lines. The chain of protests, statements and demands is going on, showing public awareness about this kind of crimes. Demands of legislating stringent laws and subjecting the culprits to exemplary punishment are being made on a large scale. Political and social representatives are presenting their viewpoints strongly in discussion on TV channels. The gist and objective of this entire move is that the government should take immediate measures to contain the crimes of this type, and that the responsible persons of society should have their say in it. And the government and the Ministry for Home Affairs seem to be on the weak wicket. Their statements are weak and clarifications lifeless. The force and enthusiasm seen in government statements on terrorism is totally absent here. Such is the thrust of protestors.

The thing that is lacking

But what is lacking in this protest is farsightedness and realism, viz. totally ignoring the causes and motivations of the crime. Only sometimes some proper voice is heard otherwise all of them lay stress on the cleanliness of the surface; no one is talking of the root causes. For example, there is no sorrow and anger against the ever widening net of government shops of wine, the mother of evils, and this illegal lethal business. No one is demanding to close these shops while the biggest cause of December 16 incident was this. This attitude of many girls and young women participating in the protests is strange. Such slogans can be seen on banners and placards: meri marzi ke baghair tum mujhe choo nahin sakte “You cannot touch me without my consent” (i.e. everything can be done with consent; there is nothing wrong in it), nazar buri tumhari ho aur purdah main karoon “Your glance is at fault and I do purdah” (i.e. do not tell me anything on the way I live and the way I dress). Those participating in discussions are also not opposing these things.

The role of protectors of rights

And the most interesting role in this matter is that of the individuals and organisations of women’s lib that run in the forefront of such protests. They are of the view that girls and the women going out of their houses should not be advised; they are free for their lifestyle, behaviour and dress style. They make much hue and cry whenever someone speaks on sexual crimes and excesses against women. The other day a lady political leader in Delhi only said that women should not remain outside in the night unnecessarily. It provided a big cause for ruckus by champions of women’s lib who made such an attack on her that it was difficult for her save herself. And it happens every time. Those who make statements at last have to regret. As far as the government is concerned, it is working for promotion of moral delinquencies in the name of development. Granting legal sanction to homosexuality and “live in relationship” is a case in point. There is no hope that any group of citizens would dare to rise against this situation under these circumstances. However, if Muslim organisations do something in this regard, it would work; for they have solid arguments about it and a cure for the ill, too

28/ 12/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf

The cause of “success” in Gujarat

It is being said that Narendra Modi got success for the third time in the Gujarat Assembly elections on the basis of development; but this is only partly true. Then it is also being said that this time Modi had sought vote in the name of the “honour” of Gujarat, development in the state and “sadbhavana”. That is, like in earlier election campaigns, he had not used provocation against any community; this is wholly true. Now the question is why it so happened. Raheel Dhattiwala, in 18 Dec issue of English daily The Hindu, has analysed it properly. He has written that today peace prevails in Gujarat and no riots took place during the election campaigns only because Modi did not require it this time. What Modi and the government of Modi had done in 2002 and what it had been happening later on in the form of genocide of Muslims, taking law in their hands, was enough for the majority of Hindu voters of Gujarat. According to Dhattiwala, the voters in Gujarat have been divided concretely. General hatred against Muslims is a matter of fact. Accepting this reality, the Gujarati Muslims too have compromised with it. This Dhattiwala is a Muslim doctoral student in Sociology in the U.K. He has made this analysis after long research during his stay in Gujarat.

This is the ground reality

There can be possibility of dissent to certain aspects of this analysis but this is the ground reality. The cause of “popularity of the chief minister of Gujarat is nothing but violence, destruction and massacre. For this purpose, Dalits and backward classes who are discriminated against in the state were coaxed in the name of Hindutva and by giving them free lease to do rioting and looting. In all the three elections of the assembly, government machineries were exploited openly; voters were made afraid (of consequences). After the bloodletting of February and March 2002, when then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee while addressing a public meeting in Ahmedabad on 4 April expressed his displeasure on it and asked the chief minister to maintain “raj dharma”, the majority in Gujarat took ill of it. Many leaders of BJP outside Gujarat were also angry. Therefore, only a week after it, Vajpayee had to compensate it by making a forceful speech against Muslims in a meeting in Goa. A conference of NRIs was held in New Delhi the same year. Tall personalities of the country and chief ministers of many states participated in it but a large number of Indians living abroad were all praise for the chief minister of Gujarat. And at that time there was no (talk of) development in Gujarat.

This is a question of integrity and survival of the country

Unbiased commentators and neutral analysts should accept the reality that there is a section here that believes in violence, hatred and discrimination. It has a particular agenda for the country. Though the group is little, it is holding command over all the resources in the country. Hatred against religious entities is its biggest weapon. It has established the laboratory in Gujarat after strivings spread over years. Therefore, the question where this mentality would take the country to if it continues to increase should be before the analysts and commentators. This is not a question of Muslims alone. If they (Muslims) stick to their faith and ideology, values and religious identity, they would pass over this age as well. The real question is about this great country and the future of all her citizens. Muslim groups, organisations and institutions in the country too should take notice of this trend not only because it targets Muslims but because this is a question of the integrity and survival of the country as well as of the protection, success and salvation of 1.25 crore people living here. Muslim leadership should not only be involved in its issues rather should think of the entire country.

25/ 12/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf

These scenes of public awareness

Whatever happened with a girl student in the national capital in the night of December 16 is being condemned in the whole country, and rightly so. Right from the spread of the news of the incident the countrywide wave of public anger has not dampened till the time of writing these lines. The chain of protests, statements and demands is going on, showing public awareness about this kind of crimes. Demands of legislating stringent laws and subjecting the culprits to exemplary punishment are being made on a large scale. Political and social representatives are presenting their viewpoints strongly in discussion on TV channels. The gist and objective of this entire move is that the government should take immediate measures to contain the crimes of this type, and that the responsible persons of society should have their say in it. And the government and the Ministry for Home Affairs seem to be on the weak wicket. Their statements are weak and clarifications lifeless. The force and enthusiasm seen in government statements on terrorism is totally absent here. Such is the thrust of protestors.

The thing that is lacking

But what is lacking in this protest is farsightedness and realism, viz. totally ignoring the causes and motivations of the crime. Only sometimes some proper voice is heard otherwise all of them lay stress on the cleanliness of the surface; no one is talking of the root causes. For example, there is no sorrow and anger against the ever widening net of government shops of wine, the mother of evils, and this illegal lethal business. No one is demanding to close these shops while the biggest cause of December 16 incident was this. This attitude of many girls and young women participating in the protests is strange. Such slogans can be seen on banners and placards: meri marzi ke baghair tum mujhe choo nahin sakte “You cannot touch me without my consent” (i.e. everything can be done with consent; there is nothing wrong in it), nazar buri tumhari ho aur purdah main karoon “Your glance is at fault and I do purdah” (i.e. do not tell me anything on the way I live and the way I dress). Those participating in discussions are also not opposing these things.

The role of protectors of rights

And the most interesting role in this matter is that of the individuals and organisations of women’s lib that run in the forefront of such protests. They are of the view that girls and the women going out of their houses should not be advised; they are free for their lifestyle, behaviour and dress style. They make much hue and cry whenever someone speaks on sexual crimes and excesses against women. The other day a lady political leader in Delhi only said that women should not remain outside in the night unnecessarily. It provided a big cause for ruckus by champions of women’s lib who made such an attack on her that it was difficult for her save herself. And it happens every time. Those who make statements at last have to regret. As far as the government is concerned, it is working for promotion of moral delinquencies in the name of development. Granting legal sanction to homosexuality and “live in relationship” is a case in point. There is no hope that any group of citizens would dare to rise against this situation under these circumstances. However, if Muslim organisations do something in this regard, it would work; for they have solid arguments about it and a cure for the ill, too.

25/ 12/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf

Maulana Palanpuri said

“My respected friends! It is a matter of crying and weeping, a matter full of pains, if the wife of a man suffers from cancer, and doctors say she cannot remain alive; the wife is suffering on the cot; (just imagine) how much the man would weep, (thinking) that O Allah, if this woman dies, what would happen with the marriage of my two young daughters, what would happen with the marriage of my two young sons, what would happen with these two little suckling children, they always come to ask the mother for milk and tea, and this woman dies and goes deep into the grave. And why is this pain; it is because these children will remember their mother. The man feels restlessness on his wife’s suffering from cancer. But the grief of not fulfilling the duty assigned to the Holy Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be to him), as a result of which crores of people die without Iman (faith) and go to the Hell for ever, is not in our hearts even as much as that of the wife’s suffering from cancer.  How un-conscientious we have come to. So now we should seek forgiveness of Allah, saying: O Allah! We are Your sinful servants; You forgive my sins; now we would do the Dawah work, keeping in view the entire world.”

The spirit of the statement

This extract is from a statement made by Maulana Umar Palanpuri published in December issue of the monthly Armaghan. Maulana Palanpuri, the world knows, was associated with the propagation of the Deen; he spent all his life in this service. He was a distinguished Aalim and an outstanding orator. Thousands of people used to listen to his speeches with patience. The most important is that he used to lay emphasis on the need to convey Islam to non-Muslims along with his efforts to reform Muslims and make them practising. In this extract he has attracted the attention of Muslims towards this need. And the readers can feel the pain and heart-touching quality in it. The spirit of his statement is that conveying the Deen to non-Muslims is the responsibility of Muslims; but they are oblivious of this duty. Around them people are dying without Iman in large numbers but they have no inkling of it; no restlessness is found in them – not even equal to the grief one has on the illness of one’s near and dear one. The late Maulana was willing to do the Dawah work, keeping the entire world in view.

Cooperation in virtues

Besides Maulana Palanpuri, there had been many Ulama in the Tablighi movement who had the same thought and view. Even the founder of the movement, Maulana Muhammad Ilyas, was of the same view as found expression in his teachings and statements. A distinguished scholar of Deoband movement, Maulana Qari Muhammad Tayyab, had a formal plan in his mind. We do not know what Maulana Palanpuri and his like-minded Ulama practically did in this regard or to what extent their respective followers felt the impact of their statements; but it is a fact that any practical work on this line is not seen in this quarter. Rather in some way this work is considered wrong or unnecessary. Not only this, the organisations and individuals that do this work are opposed and charged with many allegations. – However, even today there are many persons in the Tablighi circle who feel the obligation of this work, the proof of which is there in the extract of Maulana Palanpuri. It would be better if these people tell others in their respective circles of influence about the importance of this work with reference to the Qur’ān and Sunnah and the purpose of the prophethood of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him). If they cannot do this work themselves, they should cooperate with the organisations and individuals who are doing this work to the extent of their limitations. 

22/ 12/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf

These scenes of public awareness

Whatever happened with a girl student in the national capital in the night of December 16 is being condemned in the whole country, and rightly so. Right from the spread of the news of the incident the countrywide wave of public anger has not dampened till the time of writing these lines. The chain of protests, statements and demands is going on, showing public awareness about this kind of crimes. Demands of legislating stringent laws and subjecting the culprits to exemplary punishment are being made on a large scale. Political and social representatives are presenting their viewpoints strongly in discussion on TV channels. The gist and objective of this entire move is that the government should take immediate measures to contain the crimes of this type, and that the responsible persons of society should have their say in it. And the government and the Ministry for Home Affairs seem to be on the weak wicket. Their statements are weak and clarifications lifeless. The force and enthusiasm seen in government statements on terrorism is totally absent here. Such is the thrust of protestors.

The thing that is lacking

But what is lacking in this protest is farsightedness and realism, viz. totally ignoring the causes and motivations of the crime. Only sometimes some proper voice is heard otherwise all of them lay stress on the cleanliness of the surface; no one is talking of the root causes. For example, there is no sorrow and anger against the ever widening net of government shops of wine, the mother of evils, and this illegal lethal business. No one is demanding to close these shops while the biggest cause of December 16 incident was this. This attitude of many girls and young women participating in the protests is strange. Such slogans can be seen on banners and placards: meri marzi ke baghair tum mujhe choo nahin sakte “You cannot touch me without my consent” (i.e. everything can be done with consent; there is nothing wrong in it), nazar buri tumhari ho aur purdah main karoon “Your glance is at fault and I do purdah” (i.e. do not tell me anything on the way I live and the way I dress). Those participating in discussions are also not opposing these things.

The role of protectors of rights

And the most interesting role in this matter is that of the individuals and organisations of women’s lib that run in the forefront of such protests. They are of the view that girls and the women going out of their houses should not be advised; they are free for their lifestyle, behaviour and dress style. They make much hue and cry whenever someone speaks on sexual crimes and excesses against women. The other day a lady political leader in Delhi only said that women should not remain outside in the night unnecessarily. It provided a big cause for ruckus by champions of women’s lib who made such an attack on her that it was difficult for her save herself. And it happens every time. Those who make statements at last have to regret. As far as the government is concerned, it is working for promotion of moral delinquencies in the name of development. Granting legal sanction to homosexuality and “live in relationship” is a case in point. There is no hope that any group of citizens would dare to rise against this situation under these circumstances. However, if Muslim organisations do something in this regard, it would work; for they have solid arguments about it and a cure for the ill, too.

22/ 12/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf

One more American report

“Islamist terrorism may end by 2030”. A bold headline in The Times of India. Its intro says: ‘A landmark US intelligence report released on Monday says the “current Islamist phase of terrorism” might end by 2030, but violent terrorism itself is unlikely to die completely and might evolve into bloodless forms of economic and financial terrorism.’ This report of National Intelligence Council of America is entitled “Global Trends 2030”. It analyses international trends from different angles and forecasts the events to take place in the next 18 years. The real focus is on finance and economy. It says that in the years to come the economy of India will get stronger while the economy of Pakistan will get weaker further and destroyed; may be the very existence of Pakistan come to an end. And, “Terrorist groups and their supporting countries will use financial terrorism on a large scale; they also might use cyber system and modern destructive technology” (The Times of India, 11 December, Pages 11 and 16).

What to happen in the world

Those who are aware of the strategies of America might have understood the meaning of this report. With this report issued with reference to secret agencies America in fact wants to tell the world what it is going to do in the next 18 years. According to the report, it is going to weaken rather destroy the economy of rival countries and hold command over the economy of friendly countries. It will make violent events happen by its agents in different parts of the world in the name of countering “Islamist terrorism”. And, holding Islamic groups responsible for it, it will accelerate further its satanic campaign against Islam and the Muslim Ummah. Perhaps the American agencies have prepared the plan for terror events: where to stage these dramas; at which places in which countries how many “terrorist” attacks will be made; how many people will be killed, how many will remain alive and what statements are to be made; how many “9/11s” will occur, where “26/11s” are to take place. Then which stories are to be concocted to prove those dramas as “real events”. And perhaps the work of providing evidence has been also started.

Why to fear Islam?

The language of the report has revealed once again that America still sticks to use the term “Islamist terrorism” while Muslims made much hue and cry (against it) and its faithful Muslim countries themselves impressed upon it that this term should not be used at least at the government level. But a greater reality that American policymakers are much more afraid of Islam than they had been earlier has come to light. The advancements made by Islamic groups in certain parts of the world have worried them and they take the Islamic way of life as the biggest rather only obstacle in the implementation of their exploitative policies. They know that if Islamic system comes in vogue, it will bring along the interest-free economic system, which will weaken and at last destroy the interest-based economic system of Americans and Jews. That is why America uses ever newer methods and strategies to make the world afraid of Islam. Now it is the responsibility of the authorities on Islamic economic system to reach out to the hearts of human beings. Muslim scholars of this country must take up this work; for our government has badly fallen prey to the American economic strategies. It is the Islamic, moral and national responsibility of Muslim knowledgeable persons to take the country out of this deceit.

19/ 12/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf

The order of a lady DM

Recently there was a very interesting news report from Bijnor of Uttar Pradesh. State chief minister Akhilesh Yadav was to go to Rampur on 10 December to distribute cheques among girls under his government schemes “Kanya Vidyadhan Yojna” and “Hamari Beti Uska Kal”. On this occasion, the District Magistrate of Bijnor Sarika Mohan issued an order to the girls who were to receive cheques at the Rampur function, telling them to appear in simple and civilized dress, not in provocative and skinny dress; not to put on uncivilized dress like jeans, not even jewellery and black dress including burqua. Most of the girls and their parents protested against it. Muslim leaders also protested the ban on burqua; they even asked the girls to boycott the function. After these protests the lady magistrate withdrew her order saying that her order was taken wrongly and that she simply wanted the girls to appear in simple, sober and civilized dress (The Times of India, 11 December). However the function was organised. The chief minister and some senior leaders appeared in the function in black jackets.

The stand is weighty

The stand of the lady DM that her order was taken wrongly seems to be weighty. At least the modest and civilized families must have welcomed the purpose of her dress code that she wanted the girls to appear in modest and civilized dress. It was palpably evident with the order that this lady officer was fed up with the immodest dress, lifestyle and public behaviour of young girls. In this regard Muslim leaders must have welcomed her views. The real objection of these leaders was perhaps (rather definitely) to the ban on burqua. They should have contacted the lady DM to impress upon her to exclude burqua from her order as nothing can be more civilized and sober than burqua. Perhaps the lady DM included burqua in the list of banned dresses due only to its black colour; because in her opinion it was not proper to appear in black dress in this auspicious function. The first thing in this regard is that it is a superstition which does not behove an educated person. Then a burqua is available not only in black colour; it is there in other dark colours as well.

Even in Haryana

Whatever was the result of this move of the lady district magistrate of Bijnor, it does bring into light that many modest and farsighted people are worried about the character, lifestyle and likes and dislikes of the new generation. Just below that news report in the Times there is another report of the same nature (Delhi edition, page 18). Adarsh Mahila College, Bhiwani (Haryana) has banned the girl students’ putting on jeans and T-shirts. A fine of Rs one hundred will be charged on violation of this dress code. When the chairperson of National Commission for Women Mamta Sharma condemned it dubbing as absurd, the principal of the college Alka Sharma strongly defended the circular. She said: “There is no ban on jeans with long kurta but ban on jeans with T-shirt would remain in vogue.” This is good and healthy thinking. Every civilized citizen should hail it. Muslim circles must do it because this culture imported from the west is taking the new generation to destruction. The dictates of khap panchayats to punish boys and girls, taking law in their hands, are indeed condemnable. But most of the rulings of theirs to protect the new generation from waywardness are respectable. 

16/ 12/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf

The Comments of 6 December

On the occasion of the 20^th anniversary of the demolition of Babri Masjid, channels presented debates and newspapers comments on 6 December this year. One such analysis was presented by Mazher Hussain in The Hindu: The demolition that rebuilt a community. Its gist is that by demolishing the mosque Hindutva forces were in loss from political angle while this act of theirs got the Muslim community in the country united, enthused and awakened with regard to its identity, and a lot of non-practising members of the community turned practising. The educated and prosperous section (of the community) that used to keep from common Muslims, be pleased with the admiration of their attitude and condemnation of backwardness and ignorance of common Muslims by their non-Muslim friends, joined the Muslim mainstream and started exhibiting this identity of theirs. Even those individuals who did not follow the fundamental Islamic beliefs of oneness of God and Day of Judgement, and were atheists, became part of the Muslim mainstream from social point of view. Sectorial gaps in the Muslim society lessened, political awareness started emerging and the Muslims joined the activities related to education, employment and participation in general national society. New awareness prevailed upon Muslim women.

The analysis is correct to a great extent

The analyst is of the view that if the domes of Babri Masjid remained intact, Bharatiya Janata Party would have kept on getting public support by continuing its political propaganda against the mosque. On the other hand Muslims would have remained involved in the issue of their security and salvation as usual. The commentator has questioned whether the goondaism of 6 December 1992 just demolished a mosque or have spoiled the aspirations of Hindutva forces for ever. To deal with this question of the commentator is naturally the task of Hindutva circles but the analysis is correct to a great extent as far as the awakening among the Muslims in the country after this incident is concerned. It is a fact that after this incident the Indian Muslims got accelerated with regard to their religious and social identity. Here it can be said that this is a community that gets awakened only after it is beaten. Some instances can be cited in this regard. For example, when the Shah Bano case came to the fore in the 1980s, the entire community got united on one platform for the protection of their Shari’ah family laws. Such a sort of unity does not behove an outstanding community with Iman; it should display this character in every condition, in every circumstance.

Even this is not something ordinary

But in the particular circumstances prevailing in this country getting awakened thus is not something ordinary. Is it not a fact that besides this weakness and many other weaknesses like this, the community has presented a distinguished character? The series of riots started just after the partition of India. To weaken the community financially and socially besides giving it loss of lives was an important part of the strategy of anti-Muslim forces so that the community might give up its faith and values. Had it been any other community, it must have happened so. But this community, besides having lakhs of weaknesses, is a community of the faithful; a community of the followers of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) and nurtured on a particular anvil. The sheen of Iman is there in the veins and flesh of its members. On such occasions only this quality works. That is why it is live. After the Independence even when the trials and tribulations of sorts crossed the limits the Muslims of any city, town or village did not decide en masse to give up their Iman and their social identity; of course they accepted migration. Now it can be imagined that if this community enters into Islam totally and fulfils the requirements of the Qur’ān and Sunnah, what is there that it cannot do. May Allah protect it and bless it with consolidation and advancement.

13/ 12/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf

The conference of great minds

A two-day extraordinary conference of a few great minds was held in New Delhi in the first week of December, which stressed all the countries “to give eradication of terrorism from the world top priority because the biggest threat to human beings is from it; their very existence is in danger; innocent people are being attacked at every place. In this regard all the countries should come together. Without mutual cooperation and organised and planned efforts the eradication of international terrorism is not possible.” These minds severely criticised the countries which give priority to human rights violations. They say that “violation of human rights is not a big issue. The big and real issue is international terrorism. The courts, judges and lawmakers of the world should play a leading role in this work; they should create stringent laws and ensure their implementation.” To them “war on terrorism” is the biggest need today. The countries which are patronising terrorism should be deal with strictly.

Who are these people?

Can those who have not read this news in newspapers or not listened to it on radio or TV tell whose conference this was? Of the heads of States? Of high police officers? Of functionaries of secret agencies? No. This gathering was of judges and chief justices, arranged by International Council of Jurists, and hosted by India. It is hard to believe that the judges whose responsibility is to pronounce judgements honestly after hearing the arguments of the parties, would have said all this. But the fact is that they said all this (The Hindu, 2 December) and said in the same language in which the countries advocating the so-called “anti-terror war” and their allies and supporters say. The resolution of the judges has no trace of justice and honesty, impartiality and reality. With a glance at the proceedings of the conference, it does not seem that they would have thought over the definition and meaning of terrorism. No, they didn’t. To them it was not necessary. Everyone knows what the meaning of terrorism today is. International media has taught human beings its meaning well.

No scope of positivity

Now those who want to think positively can do so; as these judges have not named any group or faith, so it would be wrong to think that the target of this conference was Islam and the Muslim Ummah. They are free to think so. But the fact is that there is no scope of this positivity. The timing of the conference of judges, its       language, its tone and the text of its resolutions clearly show that this gathering was part of the same campaign which is being run in the name of “war on terrorism” against Islam and the Islamic Ummah at the international level. The mind behind it is Zionism and its leader is America. Therefore the question how these judges came to believe that these attacks are made by some Islamic group. Have they reached this conclusion on the basis of their own investigation or the source of their information also is only media or American secret agencies? – Apparently this situation is alarming for the Ummah but it has also another aspect. With this exercise this reality has come to light once again that awakening in some parts of the Muslim world, experiment of Islamic system of governance in some countries and failure of exploitative forces in some countries have made the oppressive forces and their supporters badly unsettled. On the one hand they are giving proof of their absurdities by using Malala while on the other they are mocking at law and justice by using judges.

10/ 12/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf

Allama Shibli Noamani

Allama Shibli Noamani – who among those associated with Islamic learning in the world does not know this great name? The fact is that in the Indian subcontinent this was the personality who strongly resisted the massive aggression of western thoughts and ideologies against Islam and the Muslim Ummah towards the end of the 19^th century and in the beginning of the 20^th century. This was so much so that this name emerged as the symbol of Islamic sense of honour. With his solid research works Allama on the one hand rejected alien ideologies and eradicated their impact while on the other ascertained the direction of the Ummah whereby the later age movements and organisations fully benefited consciously or unconsciously. As Allama was not only an academic but a practical man as well, he established Darul Musannefin Shibli Academy in his native town Azamgarh to propagate his thought and accelerate his work on its basis. This Academy is a notable, renowned and distinguished institution. It produced best writers and solid literature for the supremacy of the True Deen and success of the Ummah.

Towards completion of the century

This institution has been progressing ever since, and is now preparing for the centenary celebrations two years later. This institution too fell victim to the Partition but this neither dampened the enthusiasm of its functionaries nor was the publication of its academic journal ‘Ma’arif’ got affected. However, due to unconcern and indifference of general Muslims and negligence of scholars it suffered and is suffering financial crunch, the information of which we had been receiving through Ma’arif and other sources. I had a great desire to visit this institution which was fulfilled in the third week of November. Following participation in the golden jubilee celebrations of Jamiatul Falah Bilariyaganj, Amir Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Omari and I reached Shibli Academy in the evening of 18 November, on the invitation of its Director Professor Ishtiyaq Ahmad Zilli. Maulana Omari has been one of the well-wishers of this institution. He has visited it repeatedly. He keeps on talking about its academic services. After stepping into the premises of the Academy, first of all the idea that this institution would have been in a dilapidated condition, as it is also a collective institution of the community, was removed. Sober but imposing buildings, greenery all around, cleanliness, peaceful atmosphere – which can be called exemplary for academic pursuit.

Let the community pay attention to it

But the most affected is its academic treasure consisting of rare books, invaluable manuscripts, calligraphies and letters of great personages that are there in small and big rooms. The articles of personal use of Allama Shibli are also there; they cannot be called preserved. This entire treasure wore a sorrowful look. However it is said that it is in a better condition compared to earlier. Professor Zilli took over the charge of the Academy in 2008; the first task he undertook was of repair and modernization of buildings, rooms and furniture. Now his total attention is on preservation of the grand academic treasure using modern means, which requires a large sum of money. But this task must be undertaken, for it treasures a big chunk of the history of Muslim Ummah in the subcontinent. Not only it should be preserved inside the Academy but also its copies made through modern technology be kept at more than one place as it is the great requirement of wisdom and farsightedness. The community should also make collective efforts to preserve historic books and manuscripts wherever available besides Darul Musannefin. May Allah help their managers and keep their esteem high.  

07/ 12/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf

‘Aam Admi Party’

Announcing the launch of his political party ‘Aam Admi Party’, Arvind Kejriwal has claimed that if his party came to power in the general elections, action would be taken against all corrupt political leaders and they would be subjected to due punishment within six months, that anti-corruption Jan Lokpal Bill would be adopted within fifteen days, CBI would be rendered independent and sovereign; and freeing the entire Indian society from corruption, basic needs of all citizens would be fulfilled. He said, “The entire country, from the high-ups to the lower level, is submerged in corruption; bribery in government offices is common; this situation is affecting the common man most; and as a result of this ever newer problem is threatening the country.” Raising the slogan “Hamara neta kaisa ho, aam admi jaisa ho (what should our leader look like, he should be like a common man)” in a public meeting on 26 November, he said, “If this new party comes to power, the real power in the country will be in the hands of the common man.” – There is no doubt that the party’s launching ceremony in New Delhi witnessed great zeal and enthusiasm.

One cause of disagreement

Kejriwal is a famous social activist. Two years ago, he along with a social activist of Maharashtra Anna Hazare and some other active personages had launched a strong and effective countrywide campaign against corruption but later on some disagreement in methodology developed among them. One cause of disagreement was that it was targeting only Congress and its Central Government while its attitude towards BJP was mild, and the BJP was also supporting it directly and RSS had openly announced to support it. And thus BJP was benefiting with this entire campaign. The stand of Arvind Kejriwal was that both the big parties were corrupt; therefore they should voice against both of them. Anna Hazare was not in favour of a new party (to him BJP was enough) while Arvind was of the view that eradication was not possible without direct participation in electoral politics. Now those who are on the platform of Aam Admi Party along with Arvind Kejriwal appear to some extent sincere and determined; for example renowned lawyers Shanti Bhushan, Prashant Bhushan, former naval chief Ram Das, Manish Sisodia, Gopal Rai, etc.

Let Arvind recall that discussion

Keeping in view the statements made, thoughts expressed and measures taken by the founder of Aam Admi Party, it would not be wrong to think that he is sincere in his endeavours, very much worried about the level of corruption, and wants to eradicate it at any cost. He is somewhat sentimental, often uses very harsh language. But he is a man committed to work. Therefore it seems proper to remind him to recall the talk that Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Omari had told him in the Jamaat headquarters last year when he along with his team was there to have a discussion with Jamaat functionaries. The Jamaat chief had told Arvind Kejriwal and his team that eradication of all evils including corruption is not possible without nurturing the concept of the Creator and Master and the Day of Judgement. Arvind had admitted, “Yes, at present this aspect is not included in our campaign; but now after your suggestion we would think over it, and if necessary we would visit you once again for your guidance.” Now, when Arvind Kejriwal is the founder and the most influential leader of his party, he must think over this aspect. The task is apparently difficult but, if it sounds well, this is the easiest way to eradicate corruption.

04/ 12/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf

One more incident of excesses

One more incident of excesses on Tablighi Jamaat people has come to light. According to a report in Inquilab of November 21, a group of Tablighi Jamaat was travelling from Mysore to Hazrat Nizamuddin in Train No. 12781. There were only 14 persons in this group. When the group reached Agra station, some persons got into their compartment; they had handcuffs in their hands. Tablighi Jamaat people say that they were policemen in plain clothes. According to them, “They suddenly tied our hands with handcuffs and started misbehaving with us. Then we were made to get down at Mathura station. There were policemen belonging to Haryana and U.P. in large numbers. At the station they video-graphed us; then we were carried to another police station nearby and beaten bitterly, abused, asked provocative questions, stripped, tied our legs, made to lie on our bellies, dipped in water….” The report has mentioned some more serious charges levelled by the victims, the reproduction of which is not proper. This entire statement has been attributed to Ameer of (Tablighi) Jamaat Hafiz Jameel Ahmad Sahib.

Why no notice was taken

This report of the Urdu daily is erroneous with regard to language and presentation. Details of the report could not be ascertained from any other source. According to this report, the incident took place on October 21 and the report was published in the November 21 issue of the daily. Then the details of the incident were revealed to the media reporters in the office of Rashtriya Ulama Council by the party’s National Secretary Lal Devendra Singh. The report also carries photographs of a group of the victims. As a whole the report does maintain that excesses were perpetrated on some Tablighi Jamaat people, and the incident is very serious in nature. But it is surprise that this incident of government atrocities and excesses on the innocents was not mentioned anywhere. Urdu press and Muslim circles also did not take notice of this incident in a manner they should have done. Perhaps it is because this is not the first incident of this nature with Tablighi Jamaat people. Earlier also many incidents took place. This process has been going on for a long time. According to a government circular in many cities, Tablighi Jamaat people have to report at local police stations their arrival and departure. At many places they are body-searched and misbehaved.

There was a time

There was a time when Tablighi Jamaat was considered harmless and indeed it was and is even today harmless because it strives for propagation and reformation only among Muslims. Therefore the government and its agencies used not to touch them. Contrary to it, an organisation which persuaded the Muslims to act upon Islam viz. the Qur’ān and Sunnah and to shape their life system in accordance with it. When during the Emergency a coercive ban was imposed on this organisation, the community kept silence and maintained indifference. It was perhaps because the Jamaats, organisations and institutions considered that the ban was imposed on that organisation and they were safe. Not only this, certain religious organisations even wrote books to condemn that organisation. The policymakers in the country gathered that the community is simpleton. Therefore they started acting upon the policy that had been adopted after the Independence. Eminent Muslim educational institutions were raided; then Ahle Hadees people were targeted. Then, linking the relationship of Taleban with the Deobandi thought, eyes were kept on madrasas, and now for the last some years Tablighi Jamaat has been watched. And it is being done at a time when a campaign to character-assassinate Islam and the Muslim Ummah is on the world over, and the organisations and practising Muslims are being targeted. Therefore, this misbehaviour with the Tablighi Jamaat people should be taken in the backdrop of governmental and political treatment with the Muslims.

01/ 12/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf

Bal Thackeray and Justice Katju

A section of the population of Maharashtra especially Mumbai on November 17 went emotional at the natural death of Bal Thackeray as if Thackeray was a great national hero who had done great deeds for the progress of the country and welfare of her masses. For that matter the way of political leaders’ expression of sorrow was the same. But there were some souls who had been looking at this all with great wonder; one of them is Chairman Press Council of India Justice (Retd.) Markande Katju. He was not able to bear all this; at last he expressed his heartfelt feelings in a written form the same day. He asked why he could not pay tribute to Thackeray, and then wrote, the gist of what is: Bal Thackeray emerged as a leader of Maharashtra on the politics of hate and narrow-mindedness. By presenting his bhumiputra (sons of the soil) theory for Maharashtrians, he worked much against the greater interests of the nation. He made his debut in politics with attacks on North Indians in Bombay (now Mumbai), then spread hatred against Biharis and U.P.ites, made attacks on Muslims as well – this entire gamut of his activities was against the constitution of the country and its unity and harmony. (November 19, The Hindu)

Why these accolades?

There would be hardly any right-thinking person in the entire country, even in Maharashtra and even from among the Marathi-speaking persons, who would oppose this analysis of Justice Katju. It is a fact that Bala saheb emerged as the leader of a section of Marathi speakers by spreading hatred and disgust against non-Marathis. But the question is how such a person could win these accolades, this countrywide fame and this political stature. The answer is “media” – he did get popularity among simple Marathis but it is the national and international media that treated him with accolades. Why? Because, it is the very nature, very habit and very basis of media. It treats with great fervor those who call others names. The entire post-Independence truth bears witness to this truth. During the Ram Mandir movement Ashok Singhal, Uma Bharti, Sadhvi Rithambara and Pravin Togadia could become “popular” due only to this. Three years ago, Varun Gandhi attained the height of fame in media within no times by abusing Muslims in public addresses in U.P. This is also the real cause of “popularity” of Modi in Gujarat.

One more question

Now there is one more question: why do media get success in its campaigns? The answer to this question is that this is the collective mentality of the public. And perhaps Justice Katju understands best this mentality of Indians more than anyone else. Making an extraordinary comment on this subject in the Indian Express (April 4 this year) he declared 90% Indians as foolish and presented 10 examples of their weaknesses. The media in fact take benefit from these weaknesses of the masses and provide them with what they want. The masses like the campaigns for sensationalism, blames and counter blames, abusing others and hatred and disgust. Therefore the real culprit is media, not Bal Thackeray. It was the media that made Thackeray a hero. And the media too is culprit No. 2. The culprit No. 1 is Indian public. So Justice Markande Katju will have to pay attention to training of the public mentality. He should not take the Thackeray issue as some secluded one; he should rather take it in the backdrop of entire moral decay, and then make attempts to reform it. Perhaps he is not in this position; but as the chief of Press Council he can do at least some reform of culprit No. 2.

28/ 11/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf

Fifty Years Ago

When the leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind founded a distinguished educational institution at Bilariyaganj in the man-fertile district of Azamgarh in Eastern Uttar Pradesh 50 years ago, the situation was very adverse; there was paucity of resources and no opportune time to think over the future course of action; however the idea was that the institution would train new generations purely in accordance with the Qur’ān and Sunnah, keeping from the prevalent sectorial concepts and rising above every kind of narrow-mindedness and parochialism. And also that it would acquaint the students with modern branches of knowledge so that after graduating therefrom they emerge strong enough from employment point of view; and that after graduation if they want to do specialisation in certain branch of Islamic learning, they might be admitted in any national or international institution. These wishes of the founders of Jamiatul Falah, their concerted efforts and their supplications did work and today after the passage of 50 years this institution has emerged as a strong, fruit-bearing tree, wherefrom thousands of students, male and female, are being benefited and spreading the light of knowledge at home and abroad. There is no sectorial restriction on these students; with regard to Deen the windows of their minds are opened totally so as to allow them to adopt whatsoever way they like in accordance with the Qur’ān and Sunnah.

A distinguished institution of its kind

In this way, Jamiatul Falah Bilariyaganj is a distinguished and only institution of its kind that teaches respect for all schools of thought and lending cooperation to all in goodness and piety. And it is also a fact that Jamiatul Falah enjoys the cooperation of Ulema of the various sects and institutions and these Ulema treat it with respect. It was greatly witnessed during the Golden Jubilee celebrations of this Jamia in the third week of November. The Ulema participated in the various sessions of the three-day celebrations but the way the Ulema and scholars expressed their feelings and thoughts in the Ulema Convention in the evening of November 16 was extraordinary. The gist of what they said is that all of them irrespective of their sectorial and group affiliations want the success of Islam and the resurgence of the Ummah. As for international challenges to education and tarbiyah, their viewpoint is that the Muslim Ummah in India should face them with full confidence and courage, and establish a harmonious fusion of Islamic and modern education so that the new generation might go ahead and face modern challenges at both fronts.

The future of Jamia is bright

Most of the founders of Jamia have departed to the Lord Almighty with success. Some are alive even today. In Akhirah those who have witnessed the Golden Jubilee celebrations and their auspicious scenes would tell the deceased that the objective with which they had established the Jamia is near completion. The functionaries of the Jamia today are making concerted efforts for the progress of Jamia with zeal and enthusiasm. Their concern and commitment was quite evident on the occasion of Golden Jubilee celebrations. Besides the sequence of programme and preparation for arrangements, the educational exhibitions of students were telling that the future of Jamiatul Falah Bilariyaganj is secure and bright. Organising the Golden Jubilee celebrations was indeed a great challenge. There might be some lacking in setting the programme – some topics that should have been there could not be included – and the participants might have felt some trouble but as a whole this programme was a great achievement. We hope nay believe that after this programme new ways of the progress of Jamia would open and soon it would be included among the most important educational institutions in the country, Allah willing.

25/ 11/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf

A question of the Apex Court

“Do people belonging to Sikh, Jain and Buddhist religious groups fall under the Hindu personal law?” The Apex Court has raised this question in response to a petition, and issued orders to issue notices to the Union Government and its Attorney General. A well-known Sikh scholar Birendra Kaur, in her petition, has challenged the attempts of the related Sections of the Constitution and other legislations to obliterate the separate identity of Sikhism by recognizing its followers under the broad religious connotation of Hindus. This lady scholar said this negated the constitutional guarantee to each individual to practise and propagate the religion of his/her choice. Earlier, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had dismissed this petition by Birendra Kaur but the Supreme Court not only allowed the petition for hearing but also raised the question before the Government and Attorney General and issued notices to them. (The Times of India, Nov. 13) The petitioner says that adopting one law for all religions is one thing but declaring other religions as parts of one particular religion is entirely different. “Would it be acceptable if the name of the Hindu Marriage Act was changed to Buddhist Marriage Act and made applicable to all four religions?”

It’s their internal matter

Which religious group adopts what status for itself is of course its internal matter, the right of which rests with it alone; no one else should cast opinion thereon. The Jain community has acquired the status of minority so that they might run their institutions under the facilities and privileges given to minorities. Although the Buddhist community calls itself a separate entity yet it has not been able to detach itself from the Hindu religion for the sake of reservation and government quotas. The history of Sikhism, according to our knowledge, is that Baba Nanak founded it on monotheism, viz. the concept of one creator and master and he was dead against idol worship but after Baba Guru Nanak, during the times of Guru Gobind Singh, its shape was changed and it came close to Hindu precepts and traditions. It is said to the extent that Khalsa panth was established for the protection of Hindu religion. However, many Sikh scholars, including Birendra Kaur take Sikhism as a separate and complete religion and in no way a part of any other religion; it has its own laws and bylaws, customs and traditions.

Our relation with this discussion

As mentioned above this is the internal matter of Hindu, Jain, Sikh and Buddhist religions, we have no direct relation with this issue. However, there is somewhat relation with it from one aspect. Here is a group that claims to be the “majority” religion; Vishwa Hindu Parishad represents it. The group claims that it consists of 80 to 85 per cent population, so it should dominate. On the basis of its so-called majority, it keeps on making efforts in different ways to subjugate minorities especially Muslims. Besides the above mentioned religions, it also declares those crores of Adivasis who in the known terms do not belong to any religion; these Adivasis have their own traditions and respective local beliefs and ways of living; they do not care even about who takes them in which way and who says what about them. But the Hindu Parishad men impose the authority of their artificial majority on Muslims. – This is another matter that the provocations and slogans of the Parishad make these people (Adivasis) gather around them. Can’t it be that some governmental or non-governmental institution conducts a survey to find out that with respect to faith and practice which is the most organised and comprehensive as well as the largest religion in the country?

22/ 11/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf

A court’s sympathy with the police

A trial court in Delhi has said that FIR should not be filed against police officers on mere flimsy and weak ground because it would entail serious consequences on their career and at last might ruin their career. Additional Sessions Judge Virender Bhat gave this opinion when a resident of Delhi complained that when in July he along with a relative was returning home after attending a wedding, an SHO stopped their car and asked for their vehicle’s papers. Later on he and his associate were compelled to drink liquor and assaulted inside lock-up. The complainant wanted the trial court to issue direction to lodge an FIR against the SHO and an ASI. But the judge rejected the man’s plea. The learned Judge also said, “Such an order paves the way for arrest of the police officers and their suspension. Their career gets adversely affected and no compensation will be adequate if later on they are absolved of the charges.” (The Times of India, November 12)

The concern is commendable

This concern of the learned Judge over the career and future of police personnel is respectable and commendable. Although legal and Constitutional provision says that courts should base their decisions on merit whosoever the parties might be; further that they should confine themselves to the requirements of law, for the responsibility of career and future of citizens rests with the government. For the last some years it is being observed that courts of law are passing remarks even in view of social and economic aspects; commentators call it judicial activism. While many are against it, some are also in favour of it. As our judges are part of society, their concern might be called proper. However, the expression of this concern and worry should not be only about police personnel and government officers, rather about all citizens. Isn’t it true that in certain cases policemen register FIR against common citizens on flimsy rather absurd grounds, then cases linger so much so that the career and future of innocents gets ruined, the compensation of which is not possible even after their acquittal.

Here the case is rather serious

And this situation is rather serious as far as Muslims are concerned, particularly in regard to the allegations of terrorism. Muslims are picked up on flimsiest doubts – especially the youth who are busy in some faculty of education to prepare for settling their career so that they might make their and their families’ future better and secure. But their undue, unsubstantiated and baseless detention and arrest ruins their and their families’ future. Then this colossal loss cannot be compensated even if they are acquitted in some cases. Not only this, every arrest of this kind shocks the entire Muslim community; the web of doubt is further widened. – The sympathy of the learned Judge of Delhi with policemen and other government officials is well and good; we support it; but how well and good it would be if judges issue orders for moral training of policemen and tell them that as they feel grieved at the very idea of ruination of their career and future following FIRs against them, similarly darkness hovers before the eyes of innocents and the members of their families (if they are arrested on concocted charges).

19/ 11/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf

“Why this feeling of Muslims”

“As a member of a minority community I can see after all why a Muslim feels he has not been understood better. But the question is why active Muslims are not trying to tell us in detail and make us understand all about Islam. For example, I want to understand Islam with good intention and in this regard my mind is quite open. There are also other persons like me who want to understand this religion without any prejudice; therefore the teachings of Islam be made clear to us. Ours is such a country where all major religions of the world are present. Besides those few persons who exploit religion for their political and other objectives, we (Indians) have been tolerant towards other religions, other languages and traditions.” This is the gist of a letter published in the English daily The Hindu on 9^th November. And the context of this letter is the discussion on the award given to a foreign author VS Naipaul at Mumbai Literature Festival and its opposition. Naipaul is a treacherous and perjurer writer.

It’s our enjoined obligation

But at this time the award to Naipaul is not under discussion; for the disease that those having a particular mind and thinking are being awarded is common. The use of the innocent girl Malala of Pakistan for Nobel Prize also presents this mentality. The opinion of Susan Jacob, a Christian letter writer from Chennai is under discussion here; the spirit of this letter is that a Non-Muslim wants to understand Islam with good intention and without any bias, and suggests to Muslims to do this work. Muslims should do this work not because the present time is hard and full of trials for the Muslim Ummah, Islam is being attacked from all quarters, efforts are on to defame and harass the Muslim Ummah at international level – hence the need to propagate Islam so that they might get rid of this ordeal – but because it is the assigned duty of Muslim Ummah and every member of it; they have to do this work in every condition. Whether the condition is cordial or otherwise, this Ummah has been raised for this very purpose. The success and welfare of the entire humanity is its objective and to draw the attention of human beings towards their Creator and Master is its responsibility.

Pinpointing a fact

But the letter of Susan Jacob is pinpointing the fact that Muslims are indifferent to this obligation. Let’s take this very country. Dawah and propagation is being carried out but not at the level this country needs. The Islamic movement is doing this work formally in a planned manner. Besides, some other organisations and individuals are also busy in distributing the copies of Qur’ān and Islamic literature in their own respective ways but they are not getting the support from the general community to the extent required. There should be a situation in which every Muslim who has even some conscious knowledge of Islam should strive for Dawah wholeheartedly. Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) caused the greatest revolution in human history within a short period of 23 years on the basis of Dawah. Today the responsibility for this work rests with his Ummah. The other fact mentioned in the letter of Susan is that a majority of masses are unprejudiced. Indeed the Islamic Dawah will have no impact on those who are doing anti-Islam propaganda in a planned manner, as a long-term conspiracy; but those are not affected by this propaganda will definitely accept the impact of Dawah.

16/ 11/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf

Dargah Haji Ali

A famous leader of Congress, Digvijay Singh is of the view that prohibiting women from visiting graves and dargahs is a Talibani act, which cannot be allowed here in India. This remark of Mr. Singh is on the news, according to which women have been prohibited from visiting the graves in the premises of famous dargah of Peer Haji Ali. The dargah management has taken this decision formally with reference to the Shari’ah which prohibits women from visiting dargahs and graves. There is no restriction on the presence of women in the area outside graves within the premises. The decision was taken a few months ago but it became the point of dispute at the time when some women associated with Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan reached there, and then raised this issue at various levels. This issue proved a ‘delicious dish’ for the media as well. Now many people are expressing their views on the issue, and condemning and opposing the decision of the dargah management committee. The remark of Congress leader Digvijay Singh which he made on Twitter is also part of it. Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi of BJP also spoke.

What is this Mahila Andolan?

It was said that this Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan is a campaign to awaken Muslim women about their rights. According to it, “Mullas” and “semi-literate Ulama” have kept Muslim women in backwardness; the latter are victim of outmodedness and illiteracy. In this respect, this Andolan should have strongly supported the decision of Haji Ali Dargah Committee, for women’s visit to dargahs and graves, their seeking favours from them, offering gifts to them – all this amounts to outmodedness and ignorance from Islamic Shari’ah, and thus is a symbol of backwardness. But the Mahila Andolan is working against its very objectives. By supporting the presence of women around graves, they want to keep women from the Deen and Shari’ah. – However the fact is that the Muslim Mahila Andolan should do what it is doing. For this is basically an anti-Shari’ah forum, wants to put the Shari’ah laws upside down, and instigates Muslim women against the Shari’ah. This campaign against the Dargah Committee is being run by anti-Shari’ah forces, and not by Muslim women.

This is not the work of sincere persons

And, as for political leaders like Digvijay Singh, the first thing is that it is not necessary for them to express on every issue; without their speaking the affairs of the country can go on. Then, to declare a good work as something bad and to associate it with the Taliban does not behoove sincere and responsible persons. The Talibans of Afghanistan were good, noble and constructive people; and they are so even now. During their regime, they almost put an end to all bad things like alcoholism, drugs, immorality, trafficking of and trade in girls – the work which proved unbearable for America and its allies. Therefore the latter launched an international campaign to defame the Taliban directly and Islam indirectly. A part of the campaign was also to float fake Taliban groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Hence all this incidents of violence and destruction taking place in those regimes are the handiwork of these American Talibans. This propaganda against Taliban is so strong that many Muslims have also fallen prey to it. As for the real issue, Digvijay Singh is a literate person; he should himself study the Shari’ah and see how strong wisdom lies in Islam prohibiting women from visiting dargahs. 

13/ 11/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf

The Opinion of a Justice

Eminent legal luminary Justice Rejender Sachar is of the view that Nahj al-Balaghah, a collection of the teachings of Hazrat Ali, is the guiding principle for protection of the rights of all human beings, especially orphans, the poor and downtrodden, labourers, women and minorities. Hazrat Ali wanted to implement the justice system of Islam in a way that the rights of all human beings could be protected and no one’s rights be violated. The Justice expressed his opinion in an international conference on “Nahj al-Balaghah and the Challenge of Modern Age” held in New Delhi in the first week of November. According to The Inquilab (November 6), many scholars and intellectuals, including Justice Sachar and other Non-Muslim scholars participated in this conference. The collective opinion of all the participants was that Nahj al-Balaghah is the complete and best guideline for proper guidance of all human beings these days; in its light human problems can be solved. Further that the Alvi politics is the complete specimen of the divine politics. The conference was hosted by Idara Tafheem-e-Islam and India Islamic Cultural Centre.

The first thing to be pleased with

The first thing to be pleased with is that Justice Rajender Sachar not only participated in this conference but also expressed his view positively; otherwise he never participates in a programme held with reference to Islam or any other religion, saying that he does not believe in God or religion, as if he is an atheist. We hope that he would have participated in this conference with complete understanding and expressed his opinion on Nahj al-Balaghah only after its study; likewise, the Muslim and Non-Muslim participants would have expressed their respective opinions with full responsibility. Otherwise, generally it so happens that eminent personalities are invited to such academic conferences; and they do participate and customarily express whatever they know on the subject or whatever they are briefed. The organisers and the audience do not take their talks with much sincerity. It is a matter of concern that it happens in the programmes held on Islamic subjects as well.

Give it the shape of a campaign

But with the reporting of Nahj al-Balaghah conference we feel that the participants expressed their views with responsibility and that they were sincere in their views. Now, if they widen their canvass of thinking to look at the subject afresh, they would definitely reach a conclusion that the knowledge of Hazrat Ali was extracted from the Qur’ān and Sunnah. It is necessary to have the knowledge of the Qur’ān and Sunnah to appreciate Nahj al-Balaghah or the teachings of Nahj al-Balaghah call for the study of the Qur’ān and Sunnah. The scholars cannot but reach the conclusion that Islam provides the complete way of life and covers all the spheres of life. It is the obligation of the organisers of Islamic conferences that they convey this message at every level. In the present age it is necessary because anti-Islam forces in the leadership of America and Israel have waged a war against Islam; at present humanity is standing at a crossroads. Therefore, there should not be mere customary expression in support of the Islamic system rather it should be given the shape of a campaign and movement. It is only thus that concord between thought and action can be seen.

10/ 11/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf

One thousand five hundred years ago

One thousand five hundred years ago, when governor of Yemen Abraha established a church in Yemen to compete with Ka’ba, people did not pay attention to it. And when, under the pretext of avenging the desecration of the church, he marched towards Makkah with an intention to demolish Ka’ba, he had thought thus Ka’ba would be removed from the face of the earth and people would start believing in the church. But his strategy did not succeed; Ka’ba remained protected. With this entire move, the objective before Abraha was only to make Yemen rather than Makkah the spiritual and trade centre of the Arab world. – But today, after the passage of one thousand five hundred years, if the imperialist forces have the same intention about Ka’ba, their objective is much more than that of Abraha. They have nothing to do with spirituality and trade as they are already in occupation of natural resources in the Gulf. The real issue before them is as to what is the attraction in Islam that people from every corner and every quarter of the world move towards the Harmain Sharifain. Muslims’ presence around Ka’ba presents a unique show of human unity. All distinctions of race and complexion, language and locality come to a naught there. All of them appear in one single colour; and one single Kalima is there on their tongues.

The concern is quite appropriate

Yes, the concern of these forces is quite appropriate as the scene Ka’ba presents is like this. And its true observation can be had only by looking at it with open eyes there itself, not with the picturesque presentation in photographs, films, video-graphs, cameras and speeches as the latter can present it only at surface level. The difficulty with imperialist forces is that they form opinion while sitting at a long distance and as such they are deprived of the reality. But those who observe such scenes in an unprejudiced manner and are in search of the Truth shake themselves of the exploitative culture and take refuge under the Truth. In this regard women are ahead. This is also a big cause for the concern of imperialist forces. We Muslims feel cheerful and elated at such scenes but let’s ask these ill-conceived forces what they feel at such scenes. Their peace by day and sleep at night get vitiated. They fail to understand what they should do – how to destroy this extraordinary show of human unity, and how to present an alternative to it.

A Question?

Now the question is why after all the imperialist and exploitative forces want to break this human unity. The answer is that human disintegration, cultural clash, geographical conflicts, clashes based on race and colour distinction and lingual tussles form the bases for their existence. But for these they cannot live. When their objective is disintegration of society, how can they tolerate the oneness of man that Islam envisages? However, this is an opportunity for the lovers of this unique show of human unity to knock with reference to this unity at the hearts of imperialist forces and those under their influence. During the Hajj this year an attempt was made from the precincts of Ka’ba to give this very message to masses that they should look at this human unity in a positive, not negative, light, and try to understand that Islam wants the welfare of all and sundry and not otherwise for anyone. If the forces that are at enmity with it realise it and come towards it, the Muslim Ummah is ready to extend warm welcome to them. 

07/ 11/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf

That Rapper of France

She was a famous and popular singer of France. Every song of hers was a great hit. She was very much busy in her work. Her fame resonated even outside France, in other countries of Europe. But three years ago she suddenly secluded herself from public life, and speculations of sorts were being made. Then in the first week of October she suddenly appeared on TF1, a TV channel in France, in a completely changed posture so much so that it was difficult for the French viewers to recognize her at the first glance. She was in Hijab, and no French citizen had any doubt that it was Islamic Hijab, because due to serious opposition to Hijab or scarf in France Hijab has been greatly introduced there; everyone there knows what an Islamic Hijab or scarf is. Then she stunned the viewers with her revelation that she had reverted to Islam, and that too after deep understanding and close reading of the Qur’ān. This singer is Melanie Georgiades, known as Diam’s. Alarabiya.net published this story of Diam’s in great detail on October 2; parts of this story were also published in some Urdu newspapers on October 3.

And her entire inner self got changed

Diam’s narrates the voice of her conscience that during the last days of her life as a singer she was suffering from depression and took help of drugs to overcome it; she was torn of life; meanwhile when one day she was talking to a Muslim acquaintance in Paris, she suddenly told her that it was time for Salat for her and that she was going to the centre to say the prayers. Diam’s insisted that she too would go there and see what a Salat is and how it is performed. She says that when she prostrated along with her Muslim friend she felt change in her inner self and enjoyed comfort and serenity, the type of which she had never experience earlier. Thereafter she went to Mauritius, where she studied the Qur’ān and Islamic literature and after having been fully convinced reverted to Islam. She said good-bye to her past; now she is a new person and Muslimah. As for purdah she says that it is enjoined by Shari’ah and every Muslim woman should abide by it. She takes the opposition to Islamic norms in France as violation of the tradition of tolerance in France.

Various causes and reasons

And this feeling of Diam’s is the feeling of every woman in the west who experiences the Islamic faith and puts it into practice. Reports of reversion to Islam surface on the internet and most of them are those of women. Every such woman narrates her experience. Causes and reasons are different. Some are attracted by monotheism in Islam; some others by the way Salat is offered; yet some others by Islamic concepts of trustworthiness, modesty and forgiveness. Some women are attracted by the Qur’ānic statement of Prophet Isa (Jesus), and after reversion to Islam declare that they became Christians then in the real sense. Many say that they have not changed their religion, rather realized their religion in its true sense and that they have reverted to their religion. But most of the women reverting to Islam in the west are those who realize the rights and status Islam gives to women and the respect and dignity they get in the Islamic society – and this is the real cause of fear and worry of anti-Islam forces. Their concerted efforts are that women in the west do not get introduced to the realities of Islam.

04/ 11/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf