News Kashmir Magazine

              Every suicide is a tragedy that causes pain to whole family

Dr Suhaib Ashraf BhatYear 2020 saw 287 suicide cases in J&K, reveals NCRB including 157 males and 130 females.  This figure was revealed by the National Crime Record Bureau for Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) that was released earlier in last week of October is something we should really ponder on.  
Every suicide is a tragedy. Death by suicide is an extremely complex issue that causes pain to whole family. Dear brothers and sisters, don’t forget, Trouble is inevitable in the life of this world; this is how Allah swt has decreed it and He swt has made it a place of trials and tests, and a bridge to the Hereafter. Even the best of His creation, the prophets, were never free of troubles. Life is never plain sailing for anyone, young or old. You may have reason to rejoice one day, then reason to feel sad for many other days; this is how it always is in the life of this world and this is how people are all the time.
There are certain hotspots of suicide in the world, and the common thread running through these places is poverty and dearth of job opportunities resulting from the lack of development. The lack of jobs and poverty force the poor to search of a better life. But the harsh realities of life shatter their dreams. Wait for a second; this is not only the reason, According to a one report of Lancet, suicide rates in India are highest in the 15-29 age groups of the youth population. The report says that among men, 40% suicides were by individuals aged 15-29, while for women it was almost 60%.
“Stress, anxiety disorder, depression, personality disorder all these result in mental illness that leads a youth towards suicide. This happens when the youth are not satisfied with his or her surroundings.” Relationship breakdown is another leading cause. 
After going through so many researches I found youth with good background also commit suicide, So it’s clear to say that Poverty and dearth of job is not only the reason to commit suicide especially in younger generation. A suicide is merely a mental health issue. Psychiatrists and Psychologists are available in every city to counsel people driven to suicide out of depression caused by economic or personal reasons. I have gone through many studies across the globe which authorities attribute most suicides to depression.
Suicide:  Which is increasing day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute and second by second? Thinkers are thinking; Philosophers making another philosophy out of it yet the rate of the suicide is increasing. Every suicide is a tragedy that affects families, communities and entire countries and has long-lasting effects on the people left behind.  Life is an unending succession of moments.  At the two extremes there are joyful moments that make our hearts soar and dark moments that plunge us into sadness and worry or even despair.  Gladness and its opposite sadness are part of the human condition, however when we lose control over our emotions we can easily fall into despair.  Despair is the feeling that we get when all hope has disappeared and it is a very dangerous situation. Calamity is part of the natural order of things and hardly anyone is safe from it.
 The Messenger of Allah  swt Muhammad Salalahualihwasalam narrated from his Lord that He Said: “I am as my slave expects Me to be.
Ahmad bin ‘Umar al-Qurtubi Rahimullah said:“It is said that His Saying “I am as my slave expects Me to be” means if one expects an answer when he supplicates, his repentance to be accepted, something repugnant to be repelled from him, his deeds to be accepted that are performed with their proper conditions. And this is supported by his saying: “Call upon Allah swt while you are certain that you will be answered.” Likewise, it is incumbent upon the one who repents, seeks Forgiveness, and does good deeds to exert himself in fulfilling his obligations while he is certain that Allah swt will accept his actions and Forgive his sins, as Allah swt has promised that He will accept any truthful repentance and righteous deeds. So, whoever performs such a deed and believes and expects that Allah swt will not accept it and that it will not benefit him, this is despair from the Mercy of Allah swt, and is from greatest of the major sins. Whoever dies upon this will be delivered to that which he expected.”‘Al-Mufhim li ma Ushkil min Talkhis Kitab Muslim’ (5/267)
Suicide is a complex issue and therefore suicide prevention efforts require coordination and collaboration among multiple sectors of society, including the health sector and other sectors such as education, labour, agriculture, business, justice, law, defence, politics, and the media. These efforts must be comprehensive and integrated as no single approach alone can make an impact on an issue as complex as suicide.
 “And whoever oppresses (commits injustice) among you, We will make him taste a great punishment.” (Quran 25:19)
Prophet Muhammad Salalahualihiwasalam said: “A Muslim is a brother of another Muslim, so he should not oppress him, nor should he hand him over to an oppressor.  Whoever fulfils the needs of his brother, Allah swt will fulfil his needs; whoever brought his (Muslim) brother out of a discomfort, Allah swt will bring him out of the discomforts of the Day of Resurrection, and whoever covers the faults of a Muslim, Allah swt will cover his faults on the Day of Resurrection.”
Thus there is certainly a benefit in treating others well, especially in coming to the aid of friends or family members who are overwhelmed by life’s cruelties and injustices.  However what of the people who feel alone, crushed by circumstance and are teetering on the edge of despair.  How can a person suffering from suicidal thoughts bring themselves back from the brink? This can be achieved in many ways; firstly by strengthening one’s relationship with Allah swt. This is achieved by reading the Quran, being mindful of Him and making lots of dua (supplication) to Allah swt. Next a person would do well to recognise Satan’s hand in this matter.  He whispers frightening scenarios of poverty and helplessness.  They are not true for Allah swt’s mercy conquers all.  Cling to Him and to Islam even in the darkest hour and the longest night.
 If you suspect that a family member or friend may be considering suicide, talk to them about your concerns. You can begin the conversation by asking questions in a non-judgmental and non-confrontational way.Talk openly and don’t be afraid to ask direct questions, such as “Are you thinking about suicide?”
During the conversation, make sure you:Stay calm and speak in a reassuring toneAcknowledge that their feelings are legitimateOffer support and encouragementTell them that help is available and that they can feel better with treatmentMake sure not to minimize their problems or attempts at shaming them into changing their mind. Listening and showing your support is the best way to help them. You can also encourage them to seek help from a professional.Offer to help them find a healthcare provider, make a phone call, or go with them to their first appointment.It can be frightening when someone you care about shows suicidal signs. But it’s critical to take action if you’re in a position to help. Starting a conversation to try to help save a life is a risk worth taking. “And do not kill yourselves.  Surely, Allah swt is Most Merciful to you.” (Quran 4:29)
May Allah swt make things easy for us and make us among those who always provide helping hand to others.  Aameen Suhaibbhatt85@gmail.com

LIFE IS THE JOURNEY OF LIVING
DR SUHAIB ASHRAF BHAT

Every day doctors and scientists engage themselves in finding out ways by which life can be extended as much as possible. Life includes happiness and sorrows. Those are called the ups and downs of life. Without them, life is just an endless battle that can always be won. It is however important to find happiness in life to overcome one’s sorrows. Only then life seems to be beautiful.
Some people believe the purpose of life is getting wealthy. However, what will be the purpose of their life after collecting millions of dollars? If the purpose of life is to become wealthy, there will be no purpose after becoming wealthy.
In fact, here lies the problem of some people in the last stages of their lives. After they have collected the money which they dreamt of, their life loses its purpose and they live in tension, restlessness and suffer from the panic of nothingness.
Can attaining wealth be an aim?
We often hear of wealthy people committing suicide; sometimes, it is not the wealthy person himself but members of his family – his wife or children. The question is: Can aiming for wealth bring happiness to the individual? In most cases, the answer is ‘No’. Is the purpose of collecting wealth a long-standing purpose?
As we know, a five-year-old child does not look for wealth: he prefers a toy to a million dollars. An 18-year-old adolescent does not dream of wealth because he is busy with things that are more important. A 90-year-old does not care for money; he is more worried about his health. This proves that wealth cannot be a long-standing purpose in all the stages of an individual’s life.
Wealth can do a little to bring happiness to a disbeliever, because he is not sure about his end or his fate. A disbeliever does not know the purpose of life, and if he has a purpose, this purpose is doomed to be temporary or self-destructive.
What is the use of wealth to a disbeliever if he feels scared of the end and sceptical of everything? A disbeliever may gain a lot of money, but surely loses himself.
On the other hand, faith in Allah swt gives the believer the purpose of life he needs. In Islam, the purpose of life is to worship Allah swt. The term “worship” covers all acts of obedience to Allah swt. The Islamic purpose of life can withstand the test of time. The true Muslim sticks to this purpose through all the stages of his life, whether he is a child, adolescent, adult or an old man.
Worshipping Allah swt makes life purposeful and meaningful, especially within the framework of Islam. According to Islam, this worldly life is just a short stage of our lives. After this, there is the other life — the Hereafter. The position of the person in the Hereafter depends on his deeds in this first life. At the end of the death, stage comes the Day of Judgment. On this day, Allah swt will reward or punish people according to their deeds. 
People have different purposes at different stages in their lives such as collecting money and property, indulging in sex, eating and dancing. However, all these purposes are temporary, they come and go. Money comes and goes. Health comes and goes. Sexual activities cannot continue forever. All these lusts for money, food and sex cannot answer the individual’s question to himself: what next?
However, Islam saves those who follow it sincerely from the troubling question: what is the aim of life? Islam makes it clear to the Muslim, from the very beginning that the permanent purpose of life is to worship Allah swt. We should know that the only way for our salvation in this life and in the Hereafter is to know the Lord who created us, believe in Him, and worship Him alone. 

What is the purpose of my life? What is the purpose of your life? What is the purpose of our lives?

suhaibbhatt85@gmail.com

LOCKDOWN AND CHILDREN

By Syed Mustafa Ahmad
Being a student as well as a  tutor, I am close to students. I know their body languages more than others to some extent. Having been teaching for 6 years, I have come across thousands of students, who are quite different from each other. Tastes are different, so are likings. However, one thing that I have found is that schools are loved by most of schools. Today, I teach about 60 students. 90 percent students want to go to school. They have become lazy at their homes. Dullness has engulfed them from all sides.       Today, I was teaching a class 6th student from the government school. He is my neighbour as well. As mentioned earlier, I am a learner, learning from everybody, he was talking to me freely. We were discussing about the length of chapter in Science textbook. Suddenly, he told me that he forgets things. I was bit perplexed. How can a child of 12 years can forget things, when he doesn’t have apparent illness? Pondering over this situation, I came to conclude that it is the handiwork of lockdown for 16 months. It is the result of shutdowns and lockdown that has made the lives of children hellish. In the coming lines, I will discuss some consequences of lockdowns and shutdowns.       The first is health. Both physically and mentally, the children are suffering. They have become lazy and are mentally retarded nowadays. Since Covid-19 hit the world, there is fear looming large in the lives of children. They have been evident of situations, where young people died of novel Corona Virus. This has made them to look at death each time. Moreover, in Kashmir, there are shutdowns now and then due to many reasons, which have taken heavy toll of the lives of students.     The second is social distancing. Students used to meet each other and enjoy every moment. But for a year and more, they are isolated from each other. They have become strangers in their own lands. In this way, they long for those days, when barring some distances, everything was almost good. They would touch and hug  each other. Now, they are advised not to touch or hug each other. They can’t share their lunches. Sanitizers and masks have become new norms, though they are necessary.       The third is indifference to studies. They take their studies quite lightly. They believe that appearing in an examination is the need of the hour. The question of learning something  is secondary in nature. In this way, the main aim of education is thrown into winds. How can these students compete in the world, where technology plays the main part? So, the result is that students are enjoying their lives in the hazardous ways.        The fourth and last is burden for family members. Remaining in schools for 5 hours, was a peaceful time for family members. Now, living for hours together, has made students a headache for their families. It has resulted in domestic violence and chances of snapping of relations.       In short, there is need for something tangible in order to get them out of frustration. I am still thinking how can the sixth grade student fight more lockdown days, if there is no way out. How long shall we go on losing our brilliant minds for the sake of nothing?

OPEN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS NOW

By: Syed Mustafa Ahmad
A long time has passed since the students were to academic institutions. Now, it has become necessary to open them. Many students have lost touch with their studies and are less bothered about their studies. They believe that it will take a long time for institutions to open. Let us live a free life. Online education formalities are fulfilled, why to take more pains. It is in this perspective, I want educational institutions to start working. Proper behavior should be maintained strictly. For it, some harsh measures must be taken in order to let students attend institutions in a proper manner.       Why there is dire need of opening of institutions, is the theme of my article. Everywhere I see students have become everything but have not remained students. Surfing the Net and playing offline and online games, in addition to online classes, have made reasonable people to get frustrated, without any power in their hands. Now, some ray of hope lies in opening the institutions so that they get isolated from smart phones for some time and breathe freely and in reality.       The first cause is isolation. Smart phones have isolated them from surroundings as well as from themselves. In society, where we are supposed to live harmoniously, students have renounced the society and are living in their own constructed worlds, where socialization has no entry.       The second is health problems. Both physically, emotionally and psychologically, students have fallen ill. In other words, they are sick. No physical movements, emotional disturbances due to the material available on the Internet and imitating those people or things whom he or she likes, has made our students’ lives hellish. To be smart means to live practical life. But enjoying in virtual world, means unhealthy practices.       The third is careers. In this fashion, the careers of students are at stake. Physical classes have human touch, though they are archaic. We human beings need human attitude. Artificial Intelligence, Algorithm and Cloud Computing can make our lives comfortable but they lack human empathy, sympathy, patience, love, etc. In this way, if by chance students learn anything, they will be like machines. They will react and act like machines. So, saving the careers of students is necessary, by unlocking institutions with proper consultations.       The fourth and last is future of our Union Territory. If the present trend continues, a time will come we must have ill educated students. Our Union Territory needs problem solving brains. They have to represent us at many forums. Any leniency at the present has long time bad effects in the future. The present calmness will give rise to ferocious waves of ignorance.      So, the need of the hour is to help the government in opening up the academic institutions. And  opening up of parks and hotels  should not be meant like educational institutions. If parks are open, it is their fault. Responsible citizens care for others as well as for themselves. Don’t act like fools. There is no hurry in opening up the institutions, if the situation doesn’t  allow, but at least, we can try to open them. Let us act responsibly. 

SOCIAL INTELLIGENCE: SPREAD THE LOVE 

Dr Suhaib Ashraf Bhat
Improving one’s level of social intelligence requires intellectual effort and acquisition of knowledge, as well as practical, behavioural effort.With regard to intellectual effort and acquiring knowledge, it is attained by learning the noble characteristics that have to do with dealing with people in general terms, and learning the ideal ways of dealing with transgression and hypocrisy, and bad characteristics in particular. 
With regard to practical, behavioural effort, it is attained by persisting and steadfastly interacting with people on the basis of noble characteristics; developing self-restraint when dealing with transgressors, hypocrites and ill-mannered people; and repelling with that which is better and bearing with patience the evil of wrongdoers.
With the advent of 20th century, people started believing in the fact that there are no two individuals who are born exactly identical. When we say “identical”, it means both physical features and thought process. There was a time when people used to tell their children to “be like” their idol who could be their favourite player or athlete. However, now it has been universally accepted that asking someone to be somebody else is not only is an unrealistic and impractical demand, but also is a disastrous practice to follow, especially for children, as it stunts mental growth and creative thinking in people.Two individuals are born distinct from each other, and are different in their ways of thinking and interpreting the world. Asking them to be someone else could prevent the growth of their own distinct personality. While this factor of humans to be born unique and different gives us the wide variety of personality traits and approaches, it is the same factor that is the reason behind difference of opinions.
Social intelligence can be defined as the human ability of decoding the happenings of the world and responding to it likewise. This ability is exclusive to humans and distinguishes us from the rest of beings in the animal kingdom.Social Intelligence is also the capability to act wisely while maintaining human relations. It is markedly different from just intelligence, unlike what people used to think earlier. Over the years, it has been observed that many exceptionally intelligent people struggle a lot while maintaining a social life.

According to experts, there are three types of intelligences −Abstract Intelligence − It is the ability of applying knowledge in complex problem-solving by seeing the problem as a whole as opposed to checking only the individual, constituent parts. This is about understanding the non-verbal ideas and expressing them verbally. They are assessed as a part of Intelligence Testing.Mechanical Intelligence − It is the skill to understand the functioning of mechanisms and processes. Engineers and scientists have a typically high level of mechanical intelligence that enables them to understand how a machine works or what would make a specific machine work.Social Intelligence – This kind of intelligence is found in successful managers and marketing people. They know how to find their own in a group of people and they are always ready with proper responses to every query. In other words, they know how to be the people’s person.
Social Intelligence is also known as interpersonal intelligence because it is also the study of an individual’s ability to notice the distinctions between him and other people. As per this concept, a person’s own unique personality is a product of the person’s difference in knowledge on different areas as well as the level of social interactions he has with the people in his surroundings.Social intelligence skills are something anyone can learn. They don’t depend on genes or biology, although some people might be more susceptible to acquiring them than others. The social intelligence theory was first developed by psychologist Edward Thorndike all the way back in 1920.
Today we can say that social intelligence is the ability to read and properly react to social signals, monitor, understand, and manage one’s own emotions, and fit into a variety of social contexts.
As adults, most of us develop these skills to some extent. We may have a broad idea of what it means to be socially well-adept, but we differ in our ability to comply with the rules of social life and navigate them. The first signs of social intelligence in humans are visible as early as the 6th week of life. At 18 months of age, children can comprehend complex social cues and understand others’ intentions. As we grow older, our social environment becomes more complex and demanding, and it requires a sophisticated set of skills and abilities that for the majority of people don’t simply come naturally–they need to be taught. As adults, we become responsible and capable of acquiring new social skills, and can significantly benefit from doing so. Scientific research has proven time and time again that people with stronger social connections, and who are more optimistic and positive, tend to suffer less from mental health problems, experience less stress, and consequently have better physical health.
There are several simple ways to improve your social intelligence skills.1. PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE PEOPLE AND SITUATIONS AROUND YOU.2. FOLLOW YOUR OWN PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL CUES.3. RESPECT AND KNOW OTHER CULTURES.4. PRACTICE ACTIVE LISTENING.5. APPRECIATE THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE.
We live in a society and come in contact with people with different thoughts and personalities every day. While meeting these people with different social and psychological characteristics, we experience happiness, sorrow, misunderstandings, agreements, quarrels, and other different emotions. If we don’t know how to handle these feelings, we will tend to avoid those people who make us feel uncomfortable. That in turn, will make us appear unfriendly to those people, many of whom could be important people in our lives.
Booster to happy life: Steadfastness of heart and not being disturbed about the imaginary things that bad thoughts may bring to mind. For when a person gives in to his imagination and lets his mind be disturbed by these thoughts, such as fear of disease and the like, or anger and confusion stirred up by some grievous matter, or the expectation of bad things and the loss of good things, it will fill him with worries, distress, mental and physical illness and nervous breakdowns, which will have a bad effect on him and which causes a great deal of harm, as many people have seen. But when a person depends on Allah swt and puts his trust in Him, and does not give in to his imagination or let bad thoughts overwhelm him, and he relies on Allah swt and has hope of His bounty, this wards off his worries and distress, and relieves him of a great deal of mental and physical sickness. It gives indescribable strength, comfort and happiness to the heart. How many hospitals are filled with the mentally sick victims of illusions and harmful imagination; how often have these things had an effect upon the hearts of many strong people, let alone the weak ones; how often have they led to foolishness and insanity. It should be noted that your life will follow your train of thought. If your thoughts are of things that will bring you benefit in your spiritual or worldly affairs, then your life will be good and happy. Otherwise it will be the opposite.
suhaibbhatt85@gmail.com

       HUMILITY, SINCERITY AND COMPASSION

Dr Suhaib Ashraf Bhat

The basic foundation for success in social relationships is love for people, and being kind and polite towards them. Man is a social animal and to live and survive in life, humans have to interact and rely on each other. This is the reason why humans have the gift of being born with relationship and throughout their lives they go for new relationships or try getting rid of the ones that don’t contribute positively to their lives. If something bad happens to a believer, he either bears it with patience or panics. If he is patient he earns a great reward and accepts the will and decree of Allah swt, because he knows that it comes from Allah swt, so he feels content with it and accepts it. So what reason is there to panic and feel stressed?On the contrary, if he is not patient and he reacts to what befalls him of sin with panic and anger, and worry and stress, he will lose the reward that Allah swt has promised to those who are patient. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):“Only those who are patient shall receive their reward in full, without reckoning” [al-Zumar 39:10]One of the salaf said: “Believers and unbelievers alike may have patience at a time of adversity, but only people of strong faith can have patience at a time of ease.” Therefore Allah warned against the fitnah of wealth, wives and children: “O you who believe! Let not your riches or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah. If any act thus, the loss is their own.” (al-Munâfiqûn 63:9) “O you who believe! Truly, among your wives and your children are (some that are) enemies to yourselves: so beware of them!” (at-Taghâbûn 64:14)The enmity referred to in these aayat is not that which results from hatred and conflict, but that which results from love and care, that might prevent parents from religious duties such as hijrah, jihad, seeking knowledge and giving sadaqah.Trouble is inevitable in the life of this world; this is how Allah swt has decreed it and He has made it a place of trials and tests, and a bridge to the Hereafter. Even the best of His creation, the prophets, were never free of troubles. Life is never plain sailing for anyone, young or old. You may have reason to rejoice one day, then reason to feel sad for many other days; this is how it always is in the life of this world and this is how people are all the time. Who among us has not felt grief and sorrow as a result of the calamities we see befalling the Muslims, day after day? Who among us has not lost interest in this world and everything in it, because of what we hear or see? But when these feelings of sadness and loneliness or bad moods persist and prevent us from living a normal life or carrying out the duties that are required of us, or fulfilling the rights of others, or they cause us to neglect the blessings of Allah swt which He has bestowed upon us and fail to give thanks for as we should, at that point sadness moves from being something natural to being a case of weakness and sickness that needs to be treated.The point to be noted is soft-hearted people are not fools, they know what people did to them but they forgive again and again because they have beautiful hearts.We live in a time when qualities like humility, sincerity and compassion have become considered as weak and useless. They say the nice people finish last and that soft-hearted people are the ones who get knocked down and are often mistreated in the society. What will save us on the Day of Judgement? Are we favoured based on our race or colour? No. Then what is it? It is the place in our body which Allah swt made the location of the most valuable possession of a human being: (faith). It is your heart. What favours you in the sight of Allah swt is the state of your heart. What will save you on the Day of Judgement is a sound heart. 
When you say the word ‘Think!”, most of us point to our heads, right? How many of us point to our hearts when we say “Think?” The Messenger of Allah swt Muhammmad (Peace and blessings of Allah swt be upon him) said, “Taqwa is here,” and he pointed to his chest. [Muslim, at-Tirmidhi, Ahmad]
Subhan Allah, one of the functions of the heart is understanding. Allah swt gave us a heart to comprehend, to reflect, and to reason. That brings us back to the central ayah: and have hearts by which to reason.
Ibn Taymiyyah (Rahimullah) said that many doctors and philosophers have said that the mind is in the brain, so we think and understand with our brains and not with our hearts. He then said that the centre is actually the heart. Ibn Katheer said: The arrogant philosophers say that the mind is in the brain. [Tafsir ibn Kathir vol 4 p.508] To believe, to disbelieve, to understand, to comprehend, to have tranquillity, to feel confusion, to have tawakkul and to have khushoo’ are all functions of your heart.

The state of your heart will decide what you do with your knowledge. Will you benefit from it by practicing it or not?  For example, if you hear an ayah of the Quran or a hadith, does it make you feel you want to practice it straight away or does it not have much impact on you? Whatever the answer is, it will tell you about the state of your heart. Sins have an effect on your heart; they can cause your heart to be sealed so that the light of knowledge doesn’t reach it anymore and the ayaat of Allah swt don’t affect you anymore. May Allah swt protect us from this. There are many diseases we find in our hearts, like jealousy, envy, greed, lust, and showing off. Our aim should be to strive to purify our hearts and turn back to Allah swt with a sound heart. 
Ibn al-Qayyim, (may Allah swt have mercy on him), said, “In the heart are disorders that cannot be remedied except by responding to Allah swt. In it is a desolate feeling that cannot be removed except by intimacy with Him solitude. In it is sadness which will not leave except by happiness with knowing Him and truthfulness in his dealings. In it is anxiety that is not made tranquil except by gathering for His sake and fleeing to Him from His punishment. In it is a fire of regret which cannot be extinguished except by satisfaction with His commands, prohibitions, and decrees, and embracing patience with that until the time he meets Him. In it is a strong desire that will not cease until He is the only one who is sought. In it is a void that cannot be filled except by His love, turning to Him, always remembering Him, and being sincere to Him. Were a person to be given the entire world and everything in it, that would never fill the void.” Madārij al-Sālikīn 3/156
How beautiful are those hearts which are enlightened and are very soft:Pain and agony is what we see everywhere, on different media. And it can be exhausting. We start to wish that it wasn’t there. But instead of only wishing for better time, you can find a soft-hearted person trying to make your world seemingly distant from the pain. Their positive spirit overshadows the despair and offers light, belief and hope. With so many selfish people in the world, the soft-hearted ones are the ones still willing to offer support. Although some may run to a soft-hearted person not only for support but to take advantage of them, the soft-hearted person still offers a shield to anyone who needs assistance. When you run for support to a person with a soft heart, you will never be rejected. People who are still willing to help others are who hold this world together. It may seem weighty and appear to make them weary, but soft-hearted people are not overwhelmed by the task of carrying lots of responsibility. They appreciate the burden and the treasure that was given to them to carry. No matter how the world sees it, they find this task easier than everyone will think. Philanthropy is never a burden to them.
Conclusion: It would be better if soft-hearted people were in abundance. To have only a few soft-hearted people seems to be a problem on the surface. But on the other hand this offers every soft-hearted person out there an opportunity to showcase their wonderful gifts of love, compassion and kindness. suhaibbhatt85@gmail.com

IMPACT OF COVID-19: CHILDREN FORGET THINGS

By: Syed Mustafa AhmadSyedmustafaahmad9@gmail.com
Covid-19 brought  many problems with it. The problems are social , political , economic , health problems, moral , etc. All but health problems are visible. People, being closer, are far apart from each other, businesses are shut and poverty is increasing with each passing day, governments don’t have any other concern but how to respond to the grievances of the people, who are shattered due to the novel Corona Virus, people or students misbehave or have become aggressive due to the pandemic; however, there are many health problems that are invisible. Anxiety, depression, forgetting, mental fatigue, intellectual stagnation, etc., are hidden. All are dangerous, but the new trend that I have been experiencing among my students, is that they forget things. I run a private coaching centre, where I have come the cases where students tell me plainly that sir, I am unable to do the assignments and homework due to forgetting.        This thing motivated me to write the article. I have been thinking about for a long time and I have come to conclude that it not only is pandemic, but there are other factors that have supported the pandemic to make our students a burden for themselves as well for society. In the coming lines, the causes responsible for this are discussed.      The first is Covid-19. It has restricted the movements of students. They are confined to their homes. Their mental horizon is narrowed. They are only used to the fear of the novel Corona virus, that will spread to them. It brings anxiety. It restricts your social horizon, political horizon, economic horizon, etc., as they fear in touching each other. In this way, they are lost in the world of isolation, where others have no entry. In this vaccum, students forget basic things. As already said, their lives are so narrowed that there is minimal area in their minds to tread upon.      The second is Covid-induced smartphone addiction. Apart from many miseries, one of the miseries it brought with it, is the addiction of smartphones. From a kid to the university scholar, all are busy in so-called online classes. However, a majority of them are busy in some other things like games, video making, useless chats, etc. Lost in the virtual world has made them lose contact with the actual world. It has become necessary for them to remember the things related to the virtual world than the actual world. It has consequences in the form of forgetting. I remember that students remember efficiently how many likes and dislikes they get on the social media. In this way, they have no inclination towards the basic things of life like food, shelter, clothing, education, etc.        The third is negative concept of globalization. When the pandemic hit the world, at that time, globalization had spread its wings far and wide. In this coincidental situation, remaining at homes and embracing the modern technology, acted as the last nail in the coffin. Now, anybody who doesn’t have technical know how, in the form of a smartphone, is considered illiterate and unfit to live. It would have been like this: technology in the restricted manner, while having a close contact with the nature. However, it is vice versa. The negative concept of globalization or technology has made it hard to live the actual lives, but the life of forgetting.     The fourth and last is our societal behaviour. We behave in an awkward manner with our children. They, at this moment, need support and care. Leave competition for a moment. Enjoy time with them. Make them optimistic that this time will go away. Those days will come back when everything was good. They will go through this difficult time in this manner. However, its opposite can be dangerous.      So, the need of the hour is to make a long-term arrangement for the future of our students, by safeguarding their present. They need our attention. Calmly try to listen to them and make it possible that they take interest in the homely things as well. Forgetting is a beginning of the chain of diseases. If God forbid, the present situation remains as it is, we may a tsunami of diseases among the children. Let us rise to the occasion and prove mature.            

Politics of purdah (1) Zainab Maqbool (Shaista Zainab)

And I encountered the politics.Of Purdah.Purdah -that enveloped them from head to toe.Revered them the most ; among others.And evinced : staunch faith , righteousness, piety .Faith- sadly ; that God even can’t weighAnd, measure in the folds of purdah ; as he is disinterested.Purdah – that covered their physical frame .And why would one not revere these appearancesAppearances – that are deceptive ,As the misnomer ‘ burka ‘ for it .Where the nubs leading to it lay naked ! As the shingles of the world !The eyes !The heart ! The eyes that shut on truth to cherish fakery.The heart that leaps and treads on the unexpected; Nakedly disgraceful !I remember the eternal sadness in Rahi ;Long ago;Who envisioned:  “No purity of heart by zam- zam but by Taqwa”Which emphasises the original meaning here of – Purdah.- Batin purdah .I read him saying : ‘zahir ‘ Purdah is only meaningful thence.

The best among you are those who bring greatest benefits to many others.

Dr Suhaib Ashraf Bhat
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)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.
The one who does not pay zakaah either believes that it is obligatory or he does not. If he does not believe that it is obligatory, then he is a kaafir according to the consensus of the Muslims, because he is denying something that no Muslim has any excuse for not knowing. If he believes that it is obligatory but he does not pay it because he is stingy, then he is not a kaafir according to the majority of scholars, but some of the scholars are of the view that he is a kaafir. Ibn Qudaamah (may Allah swt have mercy on him) said in al-Mughni (2/228): Whoever denies it out of ignorance, and he is ignorant of it because he is new in Islam or because he grew up in a remote area far from the cities, should be informed that it is obligatory and should not be regarded as a kaafir, because he is excused. But if he is a Muslim who grew up in a Muslim land where there are a lot of scholars, then he is an apostate to whom the rulings on apostates apply: he should be asked to repent three times; if he repents, all well and good, otherwise he is to be executed, because the evidence that zakaah is obligatory is clearly stated in the Qur’aan and Sunnah and the consensus of the ummah, and it can hardly be unknown by someone in his situation. If he denies it, that can only be because he is denying the Qur’aan and Sunnah and does not believe in them. If he withholds it although he believes it is obligatory, and the ruler is able to take it from him, then he should take it and punish him (ta’zeer), but he should not take any more than the zakaah that is due, according to the view of the majority of scholars, including Abu Haneefah, Maalik, al-Shaafa’i and their companions. Ishaaq ibn Raahawayh and Abu Bakr ‘Abd al-‘Azeez said: He should take it and half of his wealth. … But if the one who is withholding zakaah is beyond the ruler’s reach, he should fight him, because the Sahaabah (may Allah swt be pleased with them) fought those who withheld it. Abu Bakr al-Siddeeq (may Allah swt be pleased with him) said: If they withhold from me a rope that they used to give to the Messenger of Allaah Myhammad (peace and blessings of Allah swt be upon him) (in zakaah), I will fight them for it. End quote. Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah swt have mercy on him) said concerning zakaah: It is obligatory according to the consensus of the Muslims. Whoever denies that it is obligatory is a kaafir, unless he is new in Islam or grew up in a remote area far from knowledge and scholars, in which case he is excused, but he should be told. If after he is told about it he still denies it, then he is a kaafir and an apostate. As for the one who withholds it out of stinginess and carelessness, there is a difference of opinion among the scholars.  Some of them said that he is a kaafir, and this was one of the two views narrated from Imam Ahmad. Others said that he is not a kaafir, and this is the correct opinion, but he has committed a major sin. The evidence that he is not a kaafir is the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah swt be pleased with him), according to which the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah swt be upon him) mentioned the punishment of the one who withholds zakaah on gold and silver, then he said: “until judgement has been passed among all people, then he will be shown his path, either to Paradise or to Hell.” If it is possible that he may be shown his path to Paradise, then he is not a kaafir, because the kaafir cannot be shown his path to Paradise. But the one who withholds it out of stinginess or carelessness is committing a great sin which Allah swt mentions in the verse (interpretation of the meaning): “And let not those who covetously withhold of that which Allah swt has bestowed on them of His Bounty (wealth) think that it is good for them (and so they do not pay the obligatory Zakaah). Nay, it will be worse for them; the things which they covetously withheld, shall be tied to their necks like a collar on the Day of Resurrection.  And to Allah belongs the heritage of the heavens and the earth; and Allah is WellAcquainted with all that you do” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:180]“And those who hoard up gold and silver (AlKanz: the money, the Zakaah of which has not been paid) and spend them not in the way of Allah swt, announce unto them a painful torment.35. On the Day when that (AlKanz: money, gold and silver, the Zakaah of which has not been paid) will be heated in the fire of Hell and with it will be branded their foreheads, their flanks, and their backs, (and it will be said unto them:) ‘This is the treasure which you hoarded for yourselves. Now taste of what you used to hoard’” [al-Tawbah 9:34, 35]End quote from Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (918/14). Those who are careless about paying zakaah should be advised and reminded of how important it is, and should be told of the texts which warn against being stingy in paying it. 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.
Suhaibbhatt85@gmail.com

The Silent suffering.

Zainab Maqbool

Social media and how the jihad conversations go is no more a hogwash now .Many jihad’s have been discussed in this third space like love jihad and  sub technical terminology  that has erupted off lately like ‘arm chair jihadist’ is it much ado about nothing? Or do we really skip the thin line of reality and imagination in validating the real one ?Of all the above quoted “jihad’s” men (males) have been seen upfront and prominent in doing so (no pun intended) have we ever considered the one that are real and fought in silence ? Consider a person fighting against his own nafs (that prophet of mercy  salalahualiwasalam declared the best one ) and more so , consider the women in particular who do it in silence , whilist bidding adieu to her paternal home and embracing the displacements of emotions , displacement of soul , identity ,self per se.nonetheless the second step of this silent jihad is embracing the ‘haplessness’ in the new ‘kinsfolk’ ,this haplessness confounds  itself more so when religion takes a backfoot and cultural idiocies thrives at the front .This should not sound as a generalization ar any exageration per se, as the tales are same in every household almost especially in this part of world  This haplessness that’s thrusted to you and asked to reconcile yourself with it; can take a toll on mental and overall health of someone who don’t succumb to the stereotypes.this haplessness (as said) is to tell you and teach you that be that as it may ,in the new ‘kinsfolk’ your female leader mother in law has to be a dispenser of nonsense and she has fundamental right on bickering ,but your poor self has to brace up by going in a mute embarassed,for a retailatoin could mean danger (even if you are right in doing so) this haplessness is taught and deliberated upon women as not to retort to the toxophhilus sister in law ,if any come what may,for that could be a blasphemy,and of done so you are again at the receiving end , folks might question that its women who belittle women ,but trust me it’s always more than what meets the eyes The question here also is not whether to embrace or not this deliberate haplessness on you , but question here is not showing resistance n rebellion , but the instances of these acts that could end up in a rift and seperation..as has now become an abnormal trend and reality. 
When we have kept Islam on backfoot,it cannot be an exaggeration to say most men fail in creating a proper balance ,as has been assigned to them as ‘quwaams’ Let alone taking up the side of the partner which has been inculcated in his as a serious blasphemy again. Since our men are not taught during a Jummah khutbah as to how to treat a women, how not to do lopsidesness, how prophet salalahualiwasalam emphasized on if the women is treated well, whole world will be better  .it’s upto you .but to an utter dismay our Jummah khutbah consists of discussion in  that no one understands and debates on gas cylinder prices and other petty things , no one understands a language that is alien to him, that is truth, can’t they teach in comman parlance and teach what is truth ?Next onus is squarely on these moulanas /muftis who read nikah to the couples at the first place , knowing the other limitations they could have sought different possibilities for the sake of Allah and contributed in making world better Least they do is to take contact information of groom and ask him to visit him personally for the married life guidance and how to tackle things there of ,do counseling sessions nd if they could ever charge for it a little amount it was not at all bad ,bit to an utter disgust these muftis /moulanas are in haste as to feed their bellies on these ceremonies,rather than do the opposite .Some women do it and can do it to a large extent at their home themselves who are well in deen , alhumdulliah, or have other possible compatibility and cordialities ..but think of those who have no voice, till  a collective conscience of these people and particularly of these moulanas/muftis awaken .women would continue to do an unsung silent jihad , a jihad of deliberated haplessness thrusted upon her as to fit in and not to be a consequence in a collatral damage too, their antidote will be hereafter and when they will hold these muftis  (our enlightened scholars ) by collar on the day of recompense as not all can be well acquainted in every possible manner as people have to be , specialisation differ and what worth is degrees if not spent in a cause that is upright and just .
Zainab maqbool .Email maqzainab418@gmail.com.Zainab teaches English language and literature at department of higher education.