I have tried to make my book Comprehensible to the Common Man : Furquan Moharkan, Author of The Banker Who Crushed His Diamonds
Furquan Moharkan is a senior correspondent with Deccan Herald. He is among the dynamic faces of Kashmir , having recently authored a much impressive book The Banker Who Crushed His Diamonds- The YES Bank Story” .In an exclusive interview with the News Kashmir, he talks to Rameez Makhdoomi. A bit about your early life? I am a journalist by both luck, as well as by choice. I have done my BBA from Christ University, Bangalore, before starting my career as an investment banker. One year into job, I found my calling and quit the high-paying job, just to pursue journalism. It was all abrupt. I am thankful to Deccan Herald to give a chance to a newbie like me. And it was never looking behind from there. A Kashmir writer choosing economic genre to write is rare, how did your interest develop in same?Even though, I have been largely emotionally invested in Kashmir, due to my childhood memories in the place, yet Bengaluru has had more of an influence in shaping my career. What was so special about Yes Bank debacle story for you to author a book on it?It is mind-boggling to realize that action of one single man over the years, caused a loss of Rs 60,000 crore to 1.6 million investors – many of whom had invested hugely in the bank. And while Rana Kapoor went about the unprecedented irregularities, the ecosystem turned a blind eye – in a way, siding with powerful. The collapse of YES Bank – then India’s fourth largest private bank – has completely shattered trust of a common man in the banking system. And trust is the most important pillar of the financial system. Did you had belief that it would jump into one of best sellers on Amazon and other platforms?Yes, I had a bit of idea about it. I knew people wanted to know about it. Even within the ecosystem of YES Bank, lot of people wanted to get their hands in the book. Plus, I have tried to make the book comprehensible to the common man. Probably that is what led to success of the banking story, which is very rare. How excited are you it being adopted as a Bollywood film?Very excited. You know it will help a lot in financial literacy in our country – which is very rare. The screen is a very convenient form taking hard hitting stories to masses. Your advice to young writers of Kashmir?Stay true to yourself. Don’t get carried away. Focus on the subject that you know, rather than being a jack of all trades. Your role model ?I never made role models, but I did like the knowledge and subject matter expertise of many people. Dr Manmohan Singh, Dr Amartya Sen, Nidhi Razdan, Muzamil Jaleel to name a few of them. Would your future books also revolve around economic topics?Yes. I only know about the economics only. So putting my hat in a other ring, would be a very foolish step.
News Kashmir Desk Inflation or price rise amid the ragging Pandemic of Coronavirus is hitting quite badly the interests of the masses of Kashmir.
The rising inflation is giving harsh times to the people in the Valley of Kashmir. The monster of inflation is impacting all important sphere of life in the valley of Kashmir. Pertinently, Inflation means paying more for goods than what you were paying earlier. Off late, not only indispensable goods have seen a price hike, non-essential items have also seen this hike.Fruits and vegetables continue to be sold at very abnormal high prices as the government notified rate list is not being followed by shopkeepers and vendors selling perishables in Kashmir markets.Price rise complaints are surfacing at the juncture when when the FCSCA department claims to have sealed over a dozen shops for overpricing of the items during the recent times .On the other hand of the spectrum ,The black marketing done by few vested interests during the long closures of the national highway causes immense hardships to the consumers . The need of the hour is to undertake more market Checks so as to keep a eagle eye on black marketing .Vegetables and non vegetarian food items is witness to much drastic price rise during these highway closures . Eggs as a commodity also see much abnormal price rise during the road blockade .Currently even the price of chicken basic eatable item in Kashmir are hovering in high range of between Rs140 to 170 Per kilogram .More market checking squads on price rise is the way ahead to tackle the rising inflation in the Kashmir valley.It is important to mention that The Centre on Monday asked state governments to adopt zero tolerance against hoarding of essential supplies like food and drugs during the lockdowns and curfews imposed in some states to contain the spread of COVID-19.Local political pulse is also speaking against the price rise .Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Youth Wing Thursday said that the soaring prices of daily essentials including edible oils and vegetables had added to the woes of the people amid COVID-19 outbreak. A statement of PDP Youth Wing issued here quoted the PDP Youth State Secretary Arif Laigaroo as saying that due to an increase in the price of the essential commodities people were in a dilemma over what to buy and what not to buy.One hopes rising inflation especially of the essential items in Kashmir is checked immediately to give much needed relief to the masses .
The first thing is to give something in charity in secret. Allah swt says, “If you give charity openly then what a good thing it is; and if you give to beggars in secret it is better for you than everything, and He will remove some of your sins. And Allah is Aware of what you do.“(Qur’an 2:271).
The best among you are those who bring greatest benefits to many others. Charity preached by every religion of the world, is a way of bringing justice to society. And justice is the essence of religion, Islam has therefore made charity that is Zakah, obligatory and binding upon all those who embrace the faith; it has been made into an institution in order to give in permanence and regularity. You know that charity, is the Third Pillar of Islam, a major teaching. Being charitable and providing for the needy are important features of the Muslim character. Why is charity so important?The existence of countless starving, poor, hungry and destitute Muslims and non-Muslims in the world points to the need for this essential teaching to be put into practice. Affluent Muslims may not realize how their wealth could strengthen whole communities. Giving charity correctly is crucial to both the well-being of the needy as well as the ultimate happiness of the wealthy. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) emphasized this principle repeatedly. Every situation, good or bad, it’s a choice upon ourselves. Predicted on our intentions, whether it becomes a tool for good or for bad, the choice is yours. Either you can decide to follow it through to raise you up or you can complain about it, and send you down. That’s not theory, that’s a practise. If you practise it, you know that everything is due to Allah swt. And if you know that Allah swt acts with Hikma, with wisdom, then you know that in all occurrences, there is wisdom in that what happens to you. There is the opportunity for khayr and for goodness. 2ndly, being kind to people in word and deed, and all kinds of doing good. This is one of the means of removing worry, distress and anxiety. By this means Allah swt wards off worries and distress from the righteous and immoral alike, but the believer has the greater share of this, and is distinguished by the fact that his kindness to others stems from sincerity and the hope of reward, so Allah swt makes it easy for him to be kind to others because of the hope that this will bring good things and ward off bad things, by means of his sincerity and hope of reward. Allah swt says (interpretation of the meaning): “There is no good in most of their secret talks save (in) him who orders Sadaqah (charity in Allah’s Cause), or Ma‘roof (Islamic Monotheism and all the good and righteous deeds which Allah has ordained), or conciliation between mankind; and he who does this, seeking the good Pleasure of Allah, We shall give him a great reward.” [al-Nisa 4:114] Allah swt says (interpretation of the meaning): “O you who believe! Spend of that with which We have provided for you, before a Day comes when there will be no bargaining, nor friendship, nor intercession. And it is the disbelievers who are the Zaalimoon (wrongdoers)”[al-Baqarah 2:254] “The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah swt, is as the likeness of a grain (of corn); it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah swt gives manifold increase to whom He wills. And Allah swt is All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knower.262. Those who spend their wealth in the Cause of Allah swt, and do not follow up their gifts with reminders of their generosity or with injury, their reward is with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve”[al-Baqarah 2:261-262] “O you who believe! Spend of the good things which you have (legally) earned, and of that which We have produced from the earth for you, and do not aim at that which is bad to spend from it, (though) you would not accept it save if you close your eyes and tolerate therein. And know that Allah swt is Rich (Free of all needs), and Worthy of all praise”[al-Baqarah 2:267] “Believe in Allah swt and His Messenger (Muhammad), and spend of that whereof He has made you trustees. And such of you as believe and spend (in Allah swt’s way), theirs will be a great reward”[al-Hadeed 57:7]It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah swt be pleased with him) said: Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever gives charity equal to a date from good (halal) earnings – for Allah swt does not accept anything but that which is good – Allah swt will take it in His right hand and tend it for the one who gave it as any one of you tends his foal, until it becomes like a mountain.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1344; Muslim, 1014. It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah swt be pleased with him) that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah swt be upon him) said: “There is no day on which the people get up but two angels come down and one of them says, ‘O Allah, give in compensation to the one who spends (in charity),’ and the other says, ‘O Allah, destroy the one who withholds.’” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1374; Muslim, 1010.
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah swt be pleased with him) that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Allah said: ‘Spend, O son of Adam, and I shall spend on you.’” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5073; Muslim, 993. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity.” (Al-Tirmidhi)On the day when all other shade will be gone, Allah swt will shade and shelter those who give charity and care for the poor. The Muslim’s sacrifice in this life will be their protection on the Day of Judgment.The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “If anyone would like Allah swt to save him from the hardships of the Day of Resurrection, he should give more time to his debtor who is short of money, or remit his debt altogether.” (Muslim)If someone owes you money, it is considered charity if you show mercy, give the debtor more time to pay back his loan, or even cancel out the person’s debt. If charity is a person’s shade on the Day of Judgment, cancelling a person’s debt will also serve as a protection.It is considered better to give charity than receive it. One should be wary of repeatedly soliciting and taking from sadaqa and zakat funds. Those who refrain from taking these funds (so that more will be left for the other needy) will be provided for by Allah swt and be made self-reliant by Him.The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The upper hand is better than the lower hand (he who gives is better than him who takes). One should start giving first to his dependents. And the best object of charity is that which is given by a wealthy person (from the money left after his expenses). And whoever abstains from asking others for some financial help, Allah swt will give him and save him from asking others, Allah swt will make him self-sufficient.” (Al-Bukhari) The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity.” (Al-Tirmidhi)On the day when all other shade will be gone, Allah swt will shade and shelter those who give charity and care for the poor. The Muslim’s sacrifice in this life will be their protection on the Day of Judgment. By sacrificing part of one’s wealth and giving it in charity, the individual is guaranteeing protection for themselves from tragedy and misfortune.The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity.” (Al-Tirmidhi) suhaibbhatt85@gmail.com
DUA ( A weapon of a believer).By Sufaya Yousuf It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (Radiallhu Anhu) that the Messenger of Allah said: “(The Dua) of any one of you will be answered so long as he is not hasty in seeking a response and does not say, ‘I prayed but I have not had a response.Dua is a supplication, communication with Allah, most powerful, most merciful. It is a way through which a believer can make conversation with His master. We turn to Almighty Allah because we all know that only He can solve our problems, only He can fix our broken hearts no one else can ever do this. Because only He know the secrets of our hearts, the All-knowing, the most-powerful. Dua is a most compelling weapon works only for those who know how to use it sincerely and seriously. We can make dua in any language, when a women is in her menses and also in a state of ceremonial impurity.Allah (SWT) stated in the Holy Quran: “And your Lord says, “Call upon Me; I will respond to you.” Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell [rendered] contemptible” (Quran, 40:60).Anas reported that Allah’s Messenger visited a person from amongst the Muslims in order to inquire (about his health) who had grown feeble like the chicken. Allah’s Messenger said: Did you supplicate for anything or beg of Him about that? He said: Yes. I used to utter (these words): impose punishment upon me earlier in this world, what Thou art going to impose upon me in the Hereafter. Thereupon Allah’s Messenger said: Hallowed be Allah, you have neither the power nor forbearance to take upon yourself (the burden of His Punishment). Why did you not say this: O Allah, grant us good in the world and good in the Hereafter, and save us from the torment of Fire. He (the Holy Prophet) made this supplication (for him) and he was all right. — Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj, Sahih Muslim[3]There is no fixed time or place for dua we can make dua at anytime or anywhere. We should try to make dua in every situation because it is only dua which can change one’s destiny. And it’s only dua that can get you closer to Almighty and increase your faith in your Lord. According to Hadith Dua has a uniquely ability to change the destiny.(Tirmidhi)All the Prophets (peace be up on them), as we find in the Quran, restored to supplications, as their ultimate ‘weapon’ to solicit Allah’s help when all their efforts would fail while reforming nations in their respective hostile environment.At the time of battle of Badr, the future of Islam was under threat because a small ill-equipped band of 313 Muslim soldiers faced an army of 1000 well armed. The Prophet (peace be up on him) spent his whole night on the eve of battle in supplicating and begging for help. And on the day Allah grant Muslims the greatest victory of History.In another Hadith it is mentioned that dua is a worship (sunan Abu dawood). Dua is an expression of total dependence on Almighty Allah knowing that every single condition good or bad, happy or sad is in hands of Almighty Allah. Dua is that act which connects a slave to his master. A slave lifts his hands as beggers does while lifting their begging bowls. Sometimes our duas are not being accepted, there is a option that the dua will be accepted later on in this life or in the Hereafter or the dua will be accepted by other means as one Hadith said, Jabir narrates from the Prophet, “Whoever does duaa to Allah, Allah fulfills his seeking or in exchange averts misfortune until the duaa is not related to sin or breaking some relation.” (Tirmidhi)Now a days, we only make dua when hardships befall us and is the last resort when, all else failed. However this should not be the case, we should always make Dua because it is a powerful weapon, it is a light in the darkest hours of our life. Dua is a source of comfort and ease in our difficult conditions. Prophet (saw) said, Whosoever desires that Allah answers his Duas in unfavourable and difficult conditions, he should make plentiful dua in days of ease and comfort.”We should always make dua for everyone because if we do so, the same thing will happen with us too. The Prophet said, ”Duaa for a person not present is accepted quickly by Allah”.May the above information strengthen our resolve for making more duas and may it benefit us in many ways. May Allah increase our knowledge and make this knowledge useful for us Ameen. By sufaya yousf. Currently pursuing bachelor at srinager. Sofisufaya1999@gmail.com
Syed Mustafa Ahmad It is an undeniable fact that in a civilized society, education is the most strongest tool. Since A long time, a civilized nation has been investing in education in whatever way they can. They are never lenient in spending over this resource. Education for them is the only motive of their life. A Chinese proverb says that for the secure future, a country or nation has to invest in education. So, it becomes clear that how important education is. If we look at different countries, we come across the happiest and the most developed countries of the world. When we delve deep into the causes responsible for their achievements, we see that they spend very less on defense , parties, shows, etc. They invest in human brains. Their motive is human development. Japan is a live-example of this. It is the third largest economy of the world. In 1945, they were devastated by the two atomic bombs. They made their destruction construction. Instead of falling into the depths of despair, they prepared themselves for something beneficial. They constructed from the grassroot level. What they do, is that they create human minds that they can enable them to reach the pinnacles of development and glory. However, in case of India and Pakistan, the situation is quite dismal. Both the countries are the product of bloody past. They live in past. Past grudges are still found in every domain of the countries. They look at each other through the lens of enemy. For this, they try everything that can help them to feel secure. In this way, they spend a lot of money over defense. This results in the deterioration of the major pillars of the country, particularly education. No university in both the countries is among the leading universities of the world. We don’t have world class research. This situation is not the product of a single factor. It is the handiwork of many things. First is religiosity. Religion has attained the most horrible shape in our society. Orthodoxy doesn’t not allow both the countries to look at the other side of the coin. Reasoning and enlightenment are alien to them. They believe that religion means to apply what is written in the so-called holy books. It doesn’t come to them that whether it is feasible or not. They want that whatever they believe in, should be found in nook and corner of their countries. In this way, the hard-earned money is spent on religious activities that have no sanction in religions. Second is that past is dearer to both the countries. They think that present is unsuitable for living. It is best for them to go back to that period, where myths ruled the roost. They are made to believe that once they were ahead of everyone. In this way, the past animosities, if present, persist in the present as well that make education a soft tool. They want the students to believe that in order to live, one has to go back into the past and follow that in letter and spirit. Third is syllabus. The Indus Valley Civilization syllabus has nothing to do with the present. Yes, it is our heritage. We should preserve it. However, it doesn’t make any sense when in the age of robotics, we are forced to learn those things that have no compatibility with the present. When people have begun to colonize the Mars, the students of both the countries are told to live the lives of glorious past that was half-glorious. In this way, education is compromised. The real meaning of education is to produce those people who can be problem solvers; nor problem creators. In the present, students have become frustrated and hence problem creators. Fourth and last is leniency. Both the countries are lenient in every manner. They abhor the word” hard-work”. What they want is that the heavens drop things for them, without any movement of our bodies. China has the principle of “ 9-9-6”. It means that they work everyday from 9a.m. to 9 p.m. for six days. It enables them to take lead in every sphere of life and has earned the tag of being the second largest economy of the world. Our condition is that some hours of learning or training make us tired. In this way, our educational system is out of context. Chinese students have a goal in their minds to make China “ great” in every respect. Hence, they prosper. In short, education must never be compromised. It should take lead. With it, health and hygiene should be given priority. When education is given its proper due, it means that other sectors will also prosper. The sooner this is achieved, the better it is for all of us. So, let us try our best to make creative education our priority. By: Syed Mustafa Ahmad
The oxygen is the basic need of life without which humans can’t survive . The second wave of Coronavirus pandemic has been much brutal in the country with patients all across struggling for oxygen . Scores of heart rending images and videos showing that patients dying due to lack of oxygen and given no medical attention have bruised the soul of India. Faced with shortage of oxygen supply to treat an unprecedented rise in critical Covid patients across the country, India tonight decided to ban the supply of oxygen for industrial purposes from April 22 till further order. “…..the supply of oxygen for industrial purposes by. manufacturers and suppliers is prohibited forthwith from 22.04.2021 till further orders,” the health ministry said in a statement.Crowds have formed outside hospitals in major cities which are filled to capacity. A number of people have died while waiting for oxygen.Experts have expressed shock and pain over the fact that Ever since the second wave of the pandemic started, the healthcare system in India has been teetering on the brink, with many hospitals unable to handle the relentless inflow of patients whilst also running short of beds, oxygen cylinders and other essentials. The hospitals in the country are finding it hard to shore up supplies of medical oxygen amid rising demand for beds as a fast-spreading second wave of coronavirus stretches the country’s chronically underfunded medical infrastructure to breaking point, officials and doctors said. One hopes that the Government would give utmost priority to the oxygen supply and ensure its availability in the entire country .
Suhaib Ashraf BhatWhat has been stated by the scholars is that Paradise is in the seventh heaven and Hell is in the lowest level of the earth. Al-Bukhaari (7432) narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah swt be upon him) said: “If you ask of Allah swt, then ask Him for al-Firdaws, for it is the middle of Paradise and the highest part of Paradise, and above it is the Throne of the Most Gracious.”Firstly: At-Tirmidhi narrated (2450) – and classed it as saheeh – that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah swt be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah swt Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah swt be upon him) said: “Whoever is concerned should set out when it is still night and whoever sets out when it is still night will reach the destination. Verily the merchandise of Allah swt is expensive, verily the merchandise of Allah swt is Paradise.”Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh at-Tirmidhi and elsewhere. Paradise is expensive merchandise, and al-Firdaws al-A‘la is the highest and best part of Paradise. No one reaches it except those whom Allah swt has singled out for more of His grace. At-Tirmidhi narrated (3174) – and classed it as saheeh – from Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah swt be pleased with him) that the Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah swt be upon him) said: “al-Firdaws is the highest part of Paradise, and the centre and the best of it.”Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani. It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah swt be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah swt Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah swt be upon him) said: “Paradise is surrounded with difficulties and Hell is surrounded with desires.” Agreed upon. If Paradise is surrounded with difficulties and different kinds of hardships, then how about the highest of its degrees and the most sublime of its statuses? This indicates that the matter is not something easy. Ibn al-Qayyim (Rahimullah) said: The purest of all created things, and the most sublime, luminous, noblest and highest in both literal and metaphorical terms is the Throne of the Most Gracious, may He be glorified and exalted. Hence it was fit for Him to rise above it. Therefore the closer anything is to the Throne, the more luminous, pure and noble it is than that which is further away from it. Hence Jannat al-Firdaws is the highest, noblest, most luminous and best part of Paradise, because it is close to the Throne, for the Throne is its roof, and the further away anything is from it, the darker and more constricted it is. Hence the lowest of the low is the worst of places and the most constricted and furthest from all that is good. End quote. Al-Fawaa’id (p. 27). The people of al-Firdaws al-A‘la are the ones who hasten to do good as they are commanded. Allah swt, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):“And those foremost ((in Islamic Faith of Monotheism and in performing righteous deeds) in the life of this world on the very first call for to embrace Islam,) will be foremost (in Paradise).These will be those nearest to Allah swt.In the Gardens of delight (Paradise)”[al-Waaqi‘ah 56:10-12]. As-Sa‘di said: Those who are nearest to Allah swt are the elite of mankind. End quote. Tafseer as-Sa‘di (p. 833) Ibn Katheer (Rahimullah) said: Whoever competes in doing righteous deeds in this world and wins the contest, in the hereafter he will be among the first to attain reward and honour, for the recompense matches the nature of the deed and as you do, so you will be requited. End quote. Tafseer Ibn Katheer (7/517) Secondly: It should be noted that one of the best means of attaining what you want and being saved from what you fear is supplication (du‘aa’), for supplication is worship, as it was narrated from the Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah swt be upon him) in a saheeh hadith. As it is an act of worship that is beloved to Allah swt, it is a means of attaining one’s goal. When Allah swt wills good for a person, He causes him to take the measures that lead to it and He makes it easy to do the deeds that will qualify him to attain that. Allah swt, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):“As for him who gives (in charity) and keeps his duty to Allah swt and fears Him,And believes in Al-Husna,We will make smooth for him the path of ease (goodness).But he who is a greedy miser and thinks himself self-sufficient,And gives the lie to Al-Husna,We will make smooth for him the path for evil”[al-Layl 92:5-10]. Al-Haafiz said: This indicates that al-Firdaws is above all of Paradise. Hence the Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah swt be upon him) said, teaching the ummah and motivating them: “If you ask of Allah swt, then ask Him for al-Firdaws.” End quote. Thirdly: It should be noted that attaining high status in this world and the hereafter cannot be done by means of wishful thinking and dreaming; rather it can only be by taking the measures that lead to that. Otherwise there would be no difference between one who is honest and one who is a liar. This is by the wisdom of Allah swt, may He be exalted, that He has made His slaves accountable and enjoined certain things upon them. Allah swt, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):“It will not be in accordance with your desires (Muslims), nor those of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), whosoever works evil, will have the recompense thereof, and he will not find any protector or helper besides Allah swt.And whoever does righteous good deeds, male or female, and is a true believer in the Oneness of Allah swt (Muslim), such will enter Paradise and not the least injustice, even to the size of a Naqeera (speck on the back of a datestone), will be done to them”[an-Nisa’ 4:123-124]. Shaykh Ibn Sa‘di said:“It” that is, the matter of your salvation and purification “will not be in accordance with your wishes nor those of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)”. “Wishes” refers to self-talk that is not based in actions, and which is accompanied by mere claims; if one wished the opposite, it would be all the same. This is general in meaning and applies to all matters, so how about if it applies to the issues of faith and eternal happiness?… His deeds either confirm that claim or demonstrate that it is false.End quote from Tafseer as-Sa‘di (205) Sincerity towards Allah swt:Muslim (1909) narrated from Sahl ibn Hunayf (may Allah swt be pleased with him) that the Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah swt be upon him) said: “Whoever sincerely asks Allah swt for martyrdom, Allah swt will cause him to attain the status of the martyrs, even if he dies in his bed.” An-Nawawi (may Allah swt have mercy on him) said: This indicates that it is mustahabb to ask Allah swt for martyrdom and it is mustahabb to have good intentions. End quote. ·Belief in Allah swt and in His MessengersAllah swt, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):“Verily! Those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah swt Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous deeds, shall have the Gardens of Al-Firdaws (the Paradise) for their entertainment”[al-Kahf 18:107]. As-Sa‘di said: It may be that what is meant by the Gardens of al-Firdaws is the highest part of Paradise, the middle and the best thereof, and that this reward is for the one who perfected his faith and righteous deeds, and for the Prophets and those who are nearest to Allah swt. Or it may be that what is meant is all the levels of Paradise, so this reward includes all levels of people of faith, including those who are nearest to Allah swt, the righteous, and ordinary believers, each according to his condition. This is more likely to be the meaning, because of its general nature.End quote from Tafseer as-Sa‘di (488). It was narrated from Abu Sa‘eed al-Khudri (may Allah swt be pleased with him) that the Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah swt be upon him) said: “The people of Paradise will see the people of the chambers above them as they see a brilliant star far away on the horizon in the east or in the west, because of the difference in status between them.” They said: O Messenger of Allah swt, will those be the chambers of the Prophets that will be attained by no one else? He said: “No, by the One in Whose hand is my soul; they will be men who believed in Allah swt and believed in the Messengers.”Agreed upon. Al-Haafiz said: The words “and believed in the Messengers” mean in the true sense of the word, otherwise everyone who believed in Allah swt and believed in His Messengers would reach that level, and that is not the case. ·Doing wudoo’ when it is difficult, taking many steps to the mosque, and waiting for prayer after prayerIt was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah swt be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah swt Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah swt be upon him) said: “Shall I not tell you something by means of which Allah swt erases sins and raises people in status?” They said: Yes, O Messenger of Allah swt. He said: “Doing wudoo’ properly at times when it is difficult to do so, taking many steps to the mosque, and waiting for prayer after prayer. That is constant readiness.” Narrated by Muslim (251) The acts of obedience that are mentioned in saheeh reports as means of being with the Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah swt be upon him) in ParadiseMuslim (489) narrated that Rabee‘ah ibn Ka‘b al-Aslami (may Allah swt be pleased with him) said: I used to stay overnight with the Messenger of Allah swt Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah swt be upon him) and bring him water for wudoo’ and whatever he needed. He said to me: “Ask.” I said: I ask to be with you in Paradise. He said: “Is there anything else?” I said: That is all, He said: “Help me to do that for you by prostrating a great deal.” Muslim also narrated (2983) that Abu Hurayrah said: The Messenger of Allah swt (blessings and peace of Allah swt be upon him) said: “The one who sponsors an orphan, whether it is a relative of his or not, he and I will be like these two in Paradise,” and Maalik pointed with his forefinger and middle finger. And he narrated (2631) that Anas ibn Maalik said: The Messenger of Allah swt Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah swt be upon him) said: : “Whoever takes care of two girls until they reach puberty, he and I will come like this on the Day of Resurrection” – and he held his two fingers together. Imam Ahmad narrated (12089) that Anas or someone else said: The Messenger of Allah swt Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah swt be upon him) said: “Whoever takes care of two or three daughters, or two or three sisters, until they die before him or he dies before them, he and I will be like these two,” and he gestured with his forefinger and middle finger.Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in as-Saheehah (296) To sum up: striving hard in doing righteous deeds, hastening to do good deeds, persisting in righteous deeds and acts of kindness, and competing in doing good and righteous deeds form the basis for reaching what one most hopes for in this world and the hereafter, even if that ultimate goal is al-Firdaws. Suhaibbhatt85@gmail.com
By Syed Mustafa Ahmad Students are an asset. They are past, present and future of a nation. It is they who keep the flame of development alive. The Poet of East, Sir Muhammad Iqbal, stressed upon this fact that the destiny of the students is not this worldly matter; but rising above the worldly bonds, is the main aim of students. Looking through this lens makes it clear how we sensitive we must be towards the development of students. No leniency is acceptable in this regard. If we look at the developed nations of the world, they invest in students. They have experienced old people, who guide the youth or students in the best possible way. Japan and China are some live examples. Instead on spending on other futile things, they want to make their nation supreme in every respect. So, they are sensitive towards the all round development of their students. However, in our case, there is no such thing. Students are left with no opportunities to prove their mettle. They have world class brains but the absence of opportunities and some other factors, hurt their cause. It should be kept in mind that it is not the product of a single factor; rather it is the combination of many factors. Let us try to know some of them. First is materialism. When the main objective of life is to pile up material things, then there are cent percent chances that students will be neglected. Indeed, it is happening in our society. The associated-thing with it is that education itself has become a source of earning as much as anyone can. In this situation, no doubt, we have students but they are good for nothing. They want to complete their education because they think that education is an end in itself. So, getting a piece of degree, make them to feel that we have invested a lot in earning these pieces of degrees, now, let us extract as much as we can. In this way, the main objective before students, is thrown to winds. Second is lack of knowledge. We do not know why we are here. When the elders and leaders do not their objective of life, it makes no sense that students of theirs can do miracles. They will toe the line and become good for nothing. Mark Twain says that only two days are important: One is when we are born and the day when we know why. This is the gist of life. Any sane person who, if asked, admits that there is an objective behind our creation. We are not useless. However, our ignorance has made it possible that neither we nor our students know anything about it. Third is imitation. Well, imitating others in good principles is a welcome step. However, imitating others blindly, is a curse. Everyone is different. No two people are same. But we tend to forget this thing. The main concern of our students is to imitate those who earn a lot and are respected by each and everyone. They forget themselves and at the end of the day, are not found in any place. It is a big fault of our society that let students follow others without looking at both sides of the coin. In this way, the marvellous brains are destroyed. Fourth and last is corruption. Students feel choked in a corrupted society. Their wings are clipped before taking a flight. In our corrupted state, merit is taken for granted while show off and bribery take a long flight which no one can imagine. What can a student do in this environment? Obviously, he or she will feel that it is useless to be enlightened. However, he or she enlightens himself or herself but in some other way. A student asides itself from the mainstream learning where question papers are sold. In this way, the very aim of education goes for a toss and enlightenment hangs its head in shame. In short, students should be taken care of. They have plastic minds. We are moulders. We have to come forward to mould them in the best manner. Let us to pledge that we will never let our students feel in want. Instead, we must be ready to help them in whatever way we can. Hope good sense prevails! By: SYED MUSTAFA AHMADADDRESS: HAJIBAGH, ZAINAKOTEAUTHOR AT ASNAAV ( AN ONLINE PORTAL)WWW.ASNAAV.COM
Corporal Punishment Menace Corporal punishment of the students is a menace .Section 17 of the RTE Act, 2009, in India imposes an absolute bar on corporal punishment. It prohibits physical punishment and mental harassment to child and prescribes disciplinary action to be taken against the guilty person in accordance with the service rules applicable to such person.Recently in a viral video of a teacher at Private Coaching center located at Parraypora Srinagar a teacher is seen repeatedly slapping a student 20 times which has evoked much criticism after it went viral across the social media platforms. This video generated shock waves across the Kashmir valley. In the viral video the student was seen getting slapped repeatedly by his Chemistry teacher at Hope Classes- a private coaching centre in Srinagar.
The Administration of Jammu and Kashmir took immediate notice of the matter as DC Srinagar took immediate cognizance of the matter and directed action against the said teacher .
The DC office directed imposition of relevant right to education laws against the erring teacher for his horrendous act of corporal punishment and directed both coaching institute and teacher to be present before court .It is worth mentioning here that the Managing Director of Hope Classes Parraypora while admitting that the teacher has done an offence by serving corporal punishment to his student and said that there is no logical justification which can defend the incident. He also assured that action on part of the institution will be initiated against the accused teacher.One hopes that in coming times we end the corporal punishment completely and weed out this menace from our education sector .
Ramadan Hopes Rameez Makhdoomi The holy month of Ramadan started on Wednesday, 14 April 2021. However, in Kerala, the festival started 13 April. In this holy month, which is also called Ramzan in India, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. During the fast, they do not drink or eat, and strictly refrain from indulging in any immoral acts.In Jammu and Kashmir too Ramadan started on 14 April, 2021 with lot of hopes especially in the Muslim majority Kashmir valley . People of Kashmir have multiple hopes as Ramadan has ushered . People are hopeful of peace and prosperity in Kashmir . The major hope and prayer on the ground zero is the end of pandemic Coronavirus . As a matter of fact , the pandemic of Coronavirus has killed millions and infected crores worldwide . The economies have been shattered across places . Kashmir too has been at much receiving end of the pandemic. People are hoping that in the blessed month of Ramadan prayers would result in an end to pandemic Coronavirus . People of Kashmir would also be praying an end to rising crimes and immoral acts in our society . The recent killings of daughter in laws in Kashmir has exposed growing ugly nature of our society .This practice of fasting across Ramadan helps in detoxifying the soul and brings closer to Allah and thus leads us to doing moral acts is big hope .Everyone of us becomes honest in our conduct and we do more self introspection should be pulse of our prayers during the Ramadan . In his latest Ramadan Dairy , eminent writer and Gender Justice activist Mushtaq ul Haq Ahmad Sikander writes :” Each human has material and spiritual components embedded in their personality. The material aspect relates and operates at Instinctual level reaching its zenith in hedonism, whereas spiritual dimension needs transcendental connection. While everyday we nurture our physical needs without caring much about the spiritual ones, Ramdan makes us to give time to our spiritual needs. Fasting deprives our body for sometime the cravings that it demands, helping us strengthen our will power by keeping the instincts in control. We nurture our body for eleven months and most of us eat in an ill mannered way but the one month of fasting helps us to regain control of our eating habits in a balanced manner while supplementing and replenishing our spirituality too. “ One hopes Ramadan 2021 would be a foundation stone for global happiness of humanity and also the valley of Kashmir would emerge from the pain and regain its lost glory.
