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
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
RAMADAN IS A BOOT CAMP FOR THE MUSLIM BODY AND SOUl.
Suhaib Ashraf Bhat. In His infinite mercy, Allah has sent the light of Ramadan to erase the night. He has sent the month of the Qur’an so that He might elevate us and bring us from our isolation to His nearness.”(Yasmine Mogahed) Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is deemed auspicious and the holiest. During this month, which consists of 29 to 30 days, Muslims worldwide observe Roza (a fast from sunrise to sunset). This month focuses on Sawm (fasting – one of the five pillars of Islam). It is a month which is venerated in the Islamic religion, and it is distinguished from the other months by a number of characteristics and virtues, including the following: 1 – Allah swt has made fasting this month the fourth pillar of Islam, as He says (interpretation of the meaning): “The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’aan, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Sawm (fasts) that month” [al-Baqarah 2:185]and it was narrated in al-Saheehayn (al-Bukhaari, 8; Muslim, 16) from the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah swt be upon him) said: “Islam is built on five (pillars): the testimony that there is no god except Allah swt and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah swt Muhammad; establishing prayer; paying zakaah; fasting Ramadaan; and Hajj to the House (the Ka’bah).” 2 – Allah swt revealed the Qur’aan in this month, as He says in the verse quoted above (interpretation of the meaning): “The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’aan, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong)…”[al-Baqarah 2:185]And Allah swt says (interpretation of the meaning): “Verily, We have sent it (this Qur’aan) down in the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree).”[al-Qadr 97:1]3 – Allah swt has made Laylat al-Qadr in this month, which is better than a thousand months, as Allah swt says (interpretation of the meaning): “Verily, We have sent it (this Qur’aan) down in the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree).And what will make you know what the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is?The Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allah swt in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months).Therein descend the angels and the Rooh [Jibreel (Gabriel)] by Allah swt’s Permission with all Decrees,(All that night), there is peace (and goodness from Allah swt to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn”[al-Qadar 97:1-5] “We sent it (this Qur’aan) down on a blessed night [(i.e. the Night of Al-Qadr) in the month of Ramadan — the 9th month of the Islamic calendar]. Verily, We are ever warning [mankind that Our Torment will reach those who disbelieve in Our Oneness of Lordship and in Our Oneness of worship]”[al-Dukhaan 44:3]Allah swt has blessed Ramadaan with Laylat al-Qadr. Explaining the great status of this blessed night, Soorat al-Qadr was revealed, and there are many ahaadeeth which also speak of that, such as the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah swt be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allah swt Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah swt be upon him) said: “There has come to you Ramadaan, a blessed month which Allah swt has enjoined you to fast, during which the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the rebellious devils are chained up. In it there is a night which is better than a thousand months, and whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived.” Narrated by al-Nasaa’i, 2106; Ahmad, 8769. classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 999. And Abu Hurayrah (may Allah swt be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah swt Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah swt be upon him) said: “Whoever spends Laylat al-Qadr in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, will be forgiven his previous sins.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1910; Muslim, 760. 4 – Allah swt has made fasting Ramadaan and spending its nights in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward a means of forgiveness of sins, as was proven in al-Saheehayn (al-Bukhaari, 2014; Muslim, 760) from the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah according to which the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah swt be upon him) said: “Whoever fasts Ramadaan out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” And al-Bukhaari (2008) and Muslim (174) also narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah swt be upon him) said: “Whoever spends the nights of Ramadaan in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” The Muslims are unanimously agreed that it is Sunnah to pray qiyaam at night in Ramadaan. Al-Nawawi said that what is meant by praying qiyaam in Ramadaan is to pray Taraweeh, i.e., one achieves what is meant by qiyaam by praying Taraaweeh. 5 – In this month, Allah swt opens the gates of Paradise and closes the gates of Hell, and chains up the devils, as is stated in al-Saheehayn (al-Bukhaari, 1898; Muslim, 1079), from the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah who said that the Messenger of Allah swt Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah swt be upon him) said: “When Ramadaan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained up.” 6 – Every night Allah swt has people whom He redeems from the Fire. Imam Ahmad (5/256) narrated from the hadeeth of Abu Umaamah that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah swt be upon him) said: “At every breaking of the fast, Allah swt has people whom He redeems.” Al-Mundhiri said: there is nothing wrong with its isnaad; and it was classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 987. Al-Bazzaar (Kashf 962) narrated that Abu Sa’eed said: The Messenger of Allah swt Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah swt be upon him) said: “Allah swt has people whom He redeems every day and night – i.e., in Ramadaan – and every Muslim every day and night has a prayer that is answered.” 7 – Fasting Ramadaan is a means of expiation for the sins committed since the previous Ramadaan, so long as one avoids major sins. It was proven in Saheeh Muslim (233) that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah swt be upon him) said: “The five daily prayers, from one Jumu’ah to the next and from one Ramadaan to the next are expiation for (sins committed) in between, so long as you avoid major sins.” 8 – Fasting in Ramadaan is equivalent to fasting ten months, as is indicated by the hadeeth in Saheeh Muslim (1164) narrated from Abu Ayyoob al-Ansaari: “Whoever fasts Ramadaan then follows it with six days of Shawwaal, it will be like fasting for a lifetime.” Ahmad (21906) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah swt be upon him) said: “Whoever fasts Ramadaan, a month is like ten months, and fasting six days after al-Fitr will complete the year.” 9 – Whoever prays qiyaam in Ramadaan with the imam until he finishes, it will be recorded for him that he spent the whole night in prayer, because of the report narrated by Abu Dawood (1370) and others from the hadeeth of Abu Dharr (may Allah swt be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah swt Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah swt be upon him) said: “Whoever prays qiyaam with the imam until he finishes, it will be recorded for him that he spent the whole night in prayer.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Salaat al-Taraaweeh, p. 15 10 – ‘Umrah in Ramadaan is equivalent to Hajj. Al-Bukhaari (1782) and Muslim (1256) narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas said: The Messenger of Allah swt Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah swt be upon him) said to a woman among the Ansaar, “What kept you from doing Hajj with us?” She said, “We only had two camels that we used for bringing water.” So her husband and son had gone for Hajj on one camel, and he left the other for them to use for bringing water.” He said, “When Ramadaan comes, go for ‘Umrah, for ‘Umrah in Ramadaan is equivalent to Hajj.” According to a report narrated by Muslim, “… is equivalent to doing Hajj with me.” 11 – It is Sunnah to observe i’tikaaf (retreat for the purpose of worship) in Ramadaan, because the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah swt be upon him) always did that, as it was narrated in the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah swt be pleased with her) that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah swt be upon him) used to spend the last ten days of Ramadaan in i’tikaaf until he passed away, then his wives observed i’tikaaf after him.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1922; Muslim, 1172. 12 – It is mustahabb in the sense of being strongly recommended in Ramadaan to study the Qur’aan together and to read it a great deal. You may study the Qur’aan together by reciting it to someone else and by having someone else recite it to you. The evidence that this is mustahabb is the fact that Jibreel used to meet the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah swt be upon him) every night in Ramadaan and study the Qur’aan with him. Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6; Muslim, 2308. Reading Qur’aaan is mustahabb in general, but more so in Ramadaan. 13 – It is mustahabb in Ramadaan to offer iftaar to those who are fasting, because of the hadeeth of Zayd ibn Khaalid al-Juhani (may Allah swt be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allah swt Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah swt be upon him) said: “Whoever gives iftaar to one who is fasting will have a reward like his, without that detracting from the fasting person’s reward in the slightest.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 807; Ibn Maajah, 1746; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 647. May this Ramadan be successful for all of us and provide us with good health and wealth. Remove all our sins, May this holy month of Ramadan be a month full of blessings. May we all be showered with peace, joy and prosperity. Aameen. Suhaibbhatt85@gmail.com
Syed Mustafa Ahmad God has created innumerable species for a purpose. Everyone is good at its place. No one is harming other. Among all the species, man is above all. He has been gifted with amazing faculties that make him extra ordinary. He has the potential to reach the pinnacles of glory or reach the lowest position. In this way, the ball is thrown in a humanbeing’s court to decide what to become. Here, in this article, I would like to discuss qualities of a worthy person. First is his or her personality. He or she knows his or her personality well. He has introspected and has learnt that who I am. Where from I came? Where I am going to? He knows the rights of His Creator as well as people. He knows that the most important deed in God’s eyes is manner. Treating His creation with etiquettes, is an important characteristic of the worthy person. He always wants to take full advantage of the situation where he can help anyone, regardless of creed, color, sex, etc. In short, his personality is a realized personality. Second is foresightedness. He always looks at the end of the tunnel, however, he lives carefully in the present. Moments of happiness or sadness don’t bother him very much because he knows that all the worldly happiness or sadness is temporary. Moreover, it is not advisable to get entrapped in the snares of worldly comfort and ease. He, after careful observation, has come to conclude that I have to live here in order to have the best in the Hereafter. Third is humility. He never is arrogant. He is down to Earth. He speaks according to situation. He never speaks against the needs of situation. After a careful observation, he has come to conclusion that sometimes it is better to keep silent because the need of the hour demands that. If he feels that his speaking can prove disastrous, he remains silent. In this way, his humility is real humility. He never bothers what others say. He does for the satisfaction of the heart and His Creator. Fourth is morality. He is good in conduct and business with everyone. He never loses sight of the fact that in order to please His Creator, he has to do what he is entitled to do. If a person does wrong to him, he never thinks of harming him or her. Being aware of the fact: a true person does good to everyone for the sake of God, in this way, he sets an example. He, sometimes, forces his opponent to think differently about him. Fifth is silence. It is one of the most important characteristics of the worthy person to remain silent. He reads less but ponder over the things that he has learnt. According to one of the great scientists that was featured in the monthly, Science Reporter, a person told him that I read a large number of books. The scientist was pleased. But he remarked that your way of reading is not good. If you read in this fashion, then it means that you have no time to think. You only add knowledge but without understanding anything. However, it doesn’t mean that they are silent in the times of speaking. At the moments of speaking, he speaks through many ways. Sixth and last is his or legacy. Knowing his deeds, almost everyone in the society wants to imitate him or her. Such is an attraction of his or her personality that everyone is ready to copy his or her style. He or she doesn’t feign but still people feel that it is an honor to be like him or her. Really, a worthy person is an asset. Now, it is up to us to decide whether we want to become a ray of hope or keep disturbing others in whatever manner we can do. The need of the hour is to prepare ourselves as the real models of truth, love, humility, etc., and become beneficial person. By: Syed Mustafa AhmadAuthor at AsnaavMustafa@asnaav.com
Suhaib Ashraf Bhat. Morning comes another dayHow can one be expected to live this wayToo much to handle, depression and painChaos and torment, almost drive me insaneShadows fall as night draws nearIt’s not the darkness that I fearHaunting memories too much to bearA life full of tragedy and despairHow much suffering should one soul sustain?Take this nightmare and its pain. Coronavirus (COVID-19), a virus that grew stealthily has become one of the deadliest viruses that is killing people worldwide. This virus took birth in Wuhan city of China and since then have travelled to more than 160 countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Coronavirus as a pandemic. It has become a mass scare and is leading to the deaths of thousands of people in numerous countries including China, Italy, Iran, Spain, the US and many more. In India, this pandemic started on 30 January 2020 by affecting an individual who had travel history from Wuhan, China.World economy is seeing its greatest fall ever. Corona virus has largely impacted the growth of almost every country and is responsible for the slump in GDP worldwide. Like other countries, India is also impacted by this virus. Almost every industry sector has seen a fall in their sales and revenue. Share markets that include Sensex and Nifty are on nose dive since the occurrence of this pandemic (COVID-19). Sensex has declined close to 8000 points in a month. This could be the beginning of a recession that Indian market will never want to witness. Investors are advised to stay safe and invested in this virus-infected stock market. Few industries that can benefit from novel coronavirus during the time of market crash are pharmaceuticals, healthcare and Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG). Due to this outbreak, almost 80% of Indian companies has witnessed cash flow difficulty and over 50% of companies are facing operations issues. As per Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) 53% of companies are impacted by COVID-19. Slow economic activity is resulting in cash flow problems eventually impacting repayments, interest, taxes, etc. The consequences of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak are unprecedented and felt around the world. The world of work is being profoundly affected by the pandemic. In addition to the threat to public health, the economic and social disruption threatens the long-term livelihoods and wellbeing of millions. The pandemic is heavily affecting labour markets, economies and enterprises, including global supply chains, leading to widespread business disruptions.The ILO and its constituents – Governments, workers and employers – will play a crucial role in combating the outbreak, ensuring the safety of individuals and the sustainability of businesses and jobs.The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is no exception. The disease – became a global pandemic – emerged in a densely populated manufacturing and transport hub in central China and has since spread to 29 other countries and regions (as of 20 February 2020), carried along by Chinese New Year and international travel.In contrast to the Western Africa Ebola emergency of 2013-2016 – more deadly but less contagious, arguably more isolated, and eventually contained in part by richer countries putting money into Africa – COVID-19 presents larger, more interdependent economies with management dilemmas. It has also surfaced at a time of eroding trust within and between countries – with national leadership under pressure from growing societal unrest and economic confrontations between major powers.Effective governance of cross-border crises such as pandemics involves preparedness, response and recovery at local, national and international levels. Epidemic preparedness assessments show many countries, especially in regions where new pathogens might emerge, are not well equipped to detect, report and respond to outbreaks. Response strategies vary, for example: playing up or playing down crises and staying open for business as long as possible versus seeking to reopen quickly. COVID-19 has highlighted tendencies in many countries to deny or cover up red flags in order to avoid economic or political penalties, but this approach can misfire.With tens of millions of workers now in quarantine and parts in short supply, China is struggling to get economic activity back on track. Countries with well-honed crisis risk-management arrangements are faring better at slowing the spread of infection, although that does not make them immune to political and economic pressures.COVID-19 has also shown how governance failures may involve inaction or over-zealous action by ill-prepared authorities scrambling to maintain or regain stability. Both ends of the spectrum undermine trust and cooperation among citizens and countries. Centralized control measures may seem necessary to stop or delay the spread of the virus, and compensate for weak individual and community resilience, but may also cause harm. Where a stringent policy response is deemed necessary, business will inevitably be impacted, with both near-term effects and less-expected longer-run consequences.Travel restrictions and quarantines affecting hundreds of millions of people have left Chinese factories short of labour and parts, disrupting just-in-time supply chains and triggering sales warnings across technology, automotive, consumer goods, pharmaceutical and other industries.Commodity prices have declined in response to a fall in China’s consumption of raw materials, and producers are considering cutting output.The mobility and work disruptions have led to marked declines in Chinese consumption, squeezing multinational companies in several sectors including aviation, education abroad, infrastructure, tourism, entertainment, hospitality, electronics, consumer and luxury goods.Forty-three out of 46 countries experienced a lower level of trade in goods. South Africa, India, Mexico, France and Italy are the five countries that suffered the highest reductions in trade volume. Unemployment is skyrocketing, while policymakers across countries race to implement fiscal and monetary measures to alleviate the financial burden on citizens and shore up economies under severe strain. The underlying cause of the economic slowdown is a global pandemic. The spread, and thus the economic impact of the virus, are highly unpredictable. But it affects people in all countries, states and localities to some degree. The pandemic also hurts almost all industries, turning the health care challenge into an economic one. Most of the economic disruptions affect the demand side. People can no longer go to work and often lose their jobs and incomes as businesses shutter their operations. Businesses are holding off on investments amid the growing uncertainty. And, exports will inevitably falter as other countries are taking similar actions to slow the spread of the virus. There will be some limited supply side effects. Businesses will fail as they lack customers and cash to sustain them for extended periods of time. Small and medium sized businesses, especially in low-margin industries, are ones most acutely hit by the economic fallout. Any economic intervention needs to primarily focus on boosting the demand side of the economy. This means replacing incomes, especially among lower-income and middle-income families. It is obvious to everyone that the financial crisis is shaking the entire world, East and West. It is a serious event that is giving the politicians, decision makers, prominent thinkers and economist’s sleepless nights. It is a huge calamity that is very complex and has many implications, which explains the great turmoil being experienced by economists and politicians, and it also explains why so much is being written about it, analysing it from different points of view. They are in a state of great confusion, and some of them have started to blame one another for what has happened. This crisis requires some explanation in order to highlight some important shar’i aspects that have to do with it. The crisis is real It has led to the collapse of major banks and financial institutions; international stock markets have declined, trillions of dollars have evaporated, billions have disappeared from the financial markets, many countries in the world have hit rock bottom, millions have lost their wealth, be it in the form of shares, savings or investments; the investments of the American people in the stock markets have lost $4 trillion. This crisis has become like a tsunami, striking the economies of many countries. “the roof fell down upon them” Economy and money are the main foundation of Western society, and when they were content with that and forsook the laws of Allah swt, “Allah swt struck at the foundation of their building, and then the roof fell down upon them, from above them, and the torment overtook them from directions they did not perceive” [al-Nahl 16:26]. What we are seeing today of large scale destruction is about to utterly destroy them. The economic structure that they boast about and think will protect them has become the cause of their turmoil and decline. The calamity has come to them from above and from below. They thought that their financial system was perfect but from that system has come that which they never expected. “and the torment overtook them from directions they did not perceive”. “Say (to them), ‘It is from yourselves (because of your evil deeds)’” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:165] Just as calamities and disasters have known, tangible causes, they also have spiritual causes. The fact that there are tangible causes does not contradict the fact that there are spiritual causes too. Oppression, transgression, sin, disobedience to Allah swt and denying the rights of others are all causes of calamities befalling people at both individual and group levels, and even at the global level on occasion, as we are seeing in this crisis which involves calamities one after another. “Evil (sins and disobedience to Allah swt) has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned (by oppression and evil deeds)” [al-Room 30:41] “And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much” [al-Shoora 42:30] In the saheeh hadeeth it says: “When zina (fornication, adultery) and riba (usury, interest) appear in a town, then they have brought the punishment of Allah swt upon themselves.” Narrated by al-Tabaraani in al-Kabeer and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’ (679). What has befallen the people is not a problem from heaven; rather it is a calamity that has befallen them because of their sin and what their own hands have wrought. Allah swt gives respite but does not forget He gave them respite whilst they were dealing in riba and consuming it doubled and multiplied (cf. Aal ‘Imraan 3:130) and waging war against Him for so many years, until He punished them with shortness of crops and destruction, as He did with Pharaoh and his people before: “And indeed We punished the people of Fir‘awn (Pharaoh) with years of drought and shortness of fruits (crops), that they might remember (take heed)” [al-A’raaf 7:130]. The Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah swt be upon him) said: “Allah swt gives respite to the wrongdoer until, when He seizes him, He will not let him off.” Then he recited (interpretation of the meaning): “Such is the Seizure of your Lord when He seizes the (population of) towns while they are doing wrong. Verily, His Seizure is painful (and) severe” [Hood 11:102]. Agreed upon. No one should think that Allah swt in His exaltedness, might and power is leaving these people to wrong others and rebel (disobey Allah swt) in the earth wrongfully ( Yoonus 10:23), disbelieving in Him and committing every major sin, then He will not send down His wrath and punishment. The destiny of falsehood is to weaken and diminish: No matter how high it rises, there will come a day when it will inevitably be brought low. This is one of the laws of Allah swt that never changes. “It is Allah swt’s promise that nothing rises in this world but He will bring it down.” Al-Bukhaari, 2872. The Westerners occupied the pinnacle of the global economy, and they said: “Who is stronger than us?” so Allah swt brought them down from their financial fortresses and citadels, and instilled fear in their hearts and exposed the falseness of their claims.
PEACE AND ITS IMPORTANCE Syed Mustafa Ahmad Peace is relevant to every age. It is inseparably related with the human existence. Peace basically means harmony. With the passage of time, the concept of peace has gone through many changes. The concept of existence has widened to embrace global existence. In the present circumstances, the need of peace has increased manifold when there are many problems. Global warming, human rights violations, gender disparity, ethnic cleansing, etc., are the evils that are looking us into our faces. These problems have the potential to set the ground for a ferocious war. Nuclear arsenals can be disastrous, if not used properly. So, in this situation, the necessity of peace can hardly be overlooked. It should be clear that a war is not an attribute of a modern civilization. In the onward march of civilization, the biggest threat to peace has been an inclination towards aggressive nationalism. Man was pitted against man since progress was linked to a particular regional identity, narrowly defined by physical borders. It is called regionalism. It was only after the two World Wars and the dropping of two atom bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki that it began to dawn on us what lack of peace meant. The destruction left by the “ hot wars” made us to think that it was of no use for the sake of a particular region. The mutual coexistence could be a better option. In the process of things, the “ hot wars “ were replaced by the Cold War. The World was divided between two superpower rival camps. The USA on the one side and the erstwhile USSR on the other side. It lasted for 45 years. This Cold War like the previous two wars, threatened the World peace on a large scale. The concept of deterrence stopped them from engaging in a hot war. The arenas of the Cold War like Korea, Cuba, Vietnam, etc., made it clear that Europe was again heading for a collateral damage. It is only now that we have begun to grasp the fact that peace is not merely lack of war but a positive concept in itself. It is multifaceted and includes political, social, economic components and all other issues involving man. It is a holistic concept that can’t be fragmented and viewed. The League of Nations was formed to promote the World peace. But it spectacularly failed in achieving this. It must be noted here that both the World Wars were fought for the sake of peace. The First World War was fought for “making the World safe” and the Second World war was fought” for implementing President Wilson’s 14 points”. It was after the Second World war that we achieved limited success in managing peace by the setting up of the UNO. Although it has been dominated by the big powers, it has done some commendable work in giving every nation an equal voice. There is one country- one vote principle in the General Assembly. It has also realized its goal in resolving certain conflicts during the Cold War like the Korean War. But overall the UN in the present conditions have failed to resolve many issues. The Palestine issue, the Kashmir issue, the Rohingyas, The Tamils, the Arab Spring, etc., to name few. Some issues among the above-mentioned problems can set the whole World on fire. We are witnessing it with each passing day when a nuclear power country incites another nuclear country for a war. In between, the helpless nations become the soft target. Until and unless, the grass root problems are not addressed, the achievement of global peace is a distant dream. Issues like poverty, global warming, female infanticide, genocide, loot of free market economy, fascism in the garb of democracy, etc., should be addressed on a war footing basis. For this to happen, everyone has to come forward for the sake of beautiful nature. If global peace is to be achieved as an objective, we must hate rhetoric and go to the root of the problem. It is the world divided into the ‘ haves’ and ‘have nots’. Until a balance is achieved between the two, there will always be disequilibrium and hence, a threat to world peace. The distribution of wealth and power is in favor of the industrially developed nations and until we redress this anomaly, there will continue to be disruptions in peace. The under developed nations must also inculcate a culture of self-help rather than expecting anything from the international organisations. Cultural invasion must be restrained since it breeds a sense of insecurity among minority communities and religions. Fundamentalism of extreme type should be stopped at any cost. It is this mindset that proves very destructive for the global peace. Superpowers must also give the temptation of mistaking their interests for the interests of the world in general. Regional groupings can play an instrument role in standing up to big power dominance and promoting their own agenda of peace. The Non- Aligned Movement was the best example in this regard. It tried to mitigate the rivalry between the two super powers and put forth their own agenda of global peace. SAARC, BRICS, RCEP and OIC can also play a decisive role in establishing to the global peace. Among them, SAARC has a large role to play, particularly in the South Asia. There are two nuclear weapons states in this group. They can act as a deterrence in the wake of any threat to the global peace. OIC can be helpful in reducing tensions among the Muslim countries in particular and the other countries in general. World peace and ecological stability are related since only peace can bring the focus back to preserving the earth, rather than destroying it. Both concepts appeal to the natural and stable instincts in man and are the two sides of sustainable development. Only if nations stop viewing each other with suspicion, they can divert resources towards creating a healthier environment, rather than simply defending a system and a way of life, which is no longer sustainable. Last but not the least, global peace is not a matter of policy. It is about survival. If we choose peace, we choose life and if we reject peace, we reject life. This painful experience has come to us after we have lost innumerable people. It is not too late to act. There is a change in the future. We can pledge that our actions should be in the direction of peace and not vice versa. We are hopeful that after a bloody battle, we will embrace peace. The only need is to be careful whatever we do. Before pointing at other person’s fault, we should look at ourselves. There should be a balanced world order. Inequality should be removed at the earliest.
Bankruptcy Suhaib Ashraf Bhat Bankruptcy is a legal process through which people or other entities who cannot repay debts to creditors may seek relief from some or all of their debts. In most jurisdictions, bankruptcy is imposed by a court order. often initiated by the debtor.Bankrupt is not the only legal status that an insolvent person may have, and the term bankruptcy is therefore not a synonym for insolvency. Many governments have called on youth to embrace the effort to protect themselves and the overall population. Youth are also in a position to help those who are most vulnerable, and to aid in increasing public health social awareness campaigns among their communities. Thus, youth are critical to limiting the virus’s spread and its impact on public health, society, and the economy at large.In terms of employment, youth are disproportionately unemployed, and those who are employed often work in the informal economy or gig economy, on precarious contracts or in the service sectors of the economy, that are likely to be severely affected by COVID-19.More than one billion youth are now no longer physically in school after the closure of schools and universities across many jurisdictions. The disruption in education and learning could have medium and long-term consequences on the quality of education, though the efforts made by teachers, school administrations, local and national governments to cope with the unprecedented circumstances to the best of their ability should be recognized.Many vulnerable youth such as migrants or homeless youth are in precarious situations. They are the ones who can easily be overlooked if governments do not pay specific attention, as they tend to be already in a situation without even their minimum requirements being met on health, education, employment and well-being.If you’re considering bankruptcy, here is how the process works: If your debts have become unmanageable or you’re facing foreclosure on your home, you might be thinking about declaring bankruptcy.While bankruptcy may be the only way out for some people,it also has serious consequences that are worth considering before you make any decisions. For example, bankruptcy will remain on your credit report for either seven or 10 years, depending on the type of bankruptcy.That can make it difficult to obtain a credit card, car loan, or mortgage in the future. It could also mean higher insurance rates and even affect your ability to get a job or rent an apartment.Bankruptcy can do severe damage to your credit score and should be considered as a last resort.As an alternative, you may be able to negotiate with your creditors and work out a payment plan or other satisfactory arrangement.If you decide to file for bankruptcy, you have two basic options: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13.A Chapter 7 bankruptcy will sell off many of your assets to pay your creditors. In a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you keep the assets but must repay your debts over a specified period. Bankruptcy is generally considered a last resort for people who are deep in debt and see no way to pay their bills. Before filing for bankruptcy, there are alternatives that are worth exploring. They are less costly than bankruptcy and likely to do less damage to your credit record.For example, find out if your creditors are willing to negotiate. Rather than wait for a bankruptcy settlement—and risk getting nothing at all—some creditors will agree to accept reduced payments over a longer period of time.In the case of a home mortgage, call your loan servicers to see what options may be available to you. Some lenders offer forbearance (postponing payments for a period of time), repayment plans (such as smaller payments stretched over a longer period), or loan modification programs (which might, for example, lower your interest rate for the remainder of the loan).
Staying home was termed as the “front line defence” against the virus, and calling for urgent measures to ensure everyone has a roof over their head.With tenants struggling to pay rent during the coronavirus outbreak, more than a dozen U.S. cities, including New York, Seattle and San Francisco, have temporarily banned evictions.Eviction bans are now so common in the United States that the National Low Income Housing Coalition, a non-profit advocacy group, has set up an online tracker.Canada has announced C$27 billion ($18.6 billion) in direct support to families and businesses struggling because of coronavirus.This includes payments of up to C$900 every two weeks to workers who must stay home to self-isolate or care for children but do not qualify for unemployment benefits, as well as a one-off payment for low-income households.In London, where house prices are among of the highest in the world, mortgage providers have agreed to a three-month delay in repayments for borrowers affected by coronavirus.This allows homeowners to take a break from paying all or part of a monthly mortgage repayment but will increase the total amount owed, with bigger repayments in future.Many people have called for rent freezes, including activists who interrupted a council meeting in Portland in the western U.S. state of Oregon. The mayor said their proposal was illegal.In midwestern Ohio, more than 100,000 have signed a petition calling for a freeze on rent, along with mortgage payments and bills.”Be flexible where you can,” the Residential Landlords Association advised its members in England and Wales. “Work with the tenant to repay any arrears when things return to normal.”Officials in the eastern U.S. state of Connecticut have banned utility disconnections, regardless of arrears.”People need electricity, heat and water to stay home safely right now,” said Attorney General William Tong in a statement.Germany has reintroduced an initiative allowing employees to work shorter hours but keep their jobs to soften the impact of coronavirus on the labour market and allow workers to pay essential bills.Under the initiative, first used during the 2008 financial crisis, companies can apply for state aid to cover the costs of keeping people on. More than 2 million people are expected to use the scheme.France’s housing ministry said it would open two isolation centres in Paris to house and protect more than 3,600 homeless people living in the capital who have tested positive for the virus but are not required to go to hospital.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a dramatic loss of human life worldwide and presents an unprecedented challenge to public health, food systems and the world of work. The economic and social disruption caused by the pandemic is devastating: tens of millions of people are at risk of falling into extreme poverty, while the number of undernourished people, currently estimated at nearly 690 million, could increase by up to 132 million.Millions of enterprises face an existential threat. Nearly half of the world’s 3.3 billion global workforce are at risk of losing their livelihoods. Informal economy workers are particularly vulnerable because the majority lack social protection and access to quality health care and have lost access to productive assets.The pandemic has been affecting the entire food system and has laid bare its fragility. Border closures, trade restrictions and confinement measures have been preventing farmers from accessing markets, including for buying inputs and selling their produce, and agricultural workers from harvesting crops, thus disrupting domestic and international food supply chains and reducing access to healthy, safe and diverse diets. The pandemic has decimated jobs and placed millions of livelihoods at risk. As breadwinners lose jobs, fall ill and die, the food security and nutrition of millions of women and men are under threat, with those in low-income countries, particularly the most marginalized populations, which include small-scale farmers and indigenous peoples, being hardest hit.Millions of agricultural workers – waged and self-employed – while feeding the world, regularly face high levels of working poverty, malnutrition and poor health, and suffer from a lack of safety and labour protection as well as other types of abuse. With low and irregular incomes and a lack of social support, many of them are spurred to continue working, often in unsafe conditions, thus exposing themselves and their families to additional risks. Further, when experiencing income losses, they may resort to negative coping strategies, such as distress sale of assets, predatory loans or child labour. Migrant agricultural workers are particularly vulnerable, because they face risks in their transport, working and living conditions and struggle to access support measures put in place by governments. Guaranteeing the safety and health of all agri-food workers – from primary producers to those involved in food processing, transport and retail, including street food vendors – as well as better incomes and protection, will be critical to saving lives and protecting public health, people’s livelihoods and food security.In the COVID-19 crisis food security, public health, and employment and labour issues, in particular workers’ health and safety, converge. Adhering to workplace safety and health practices and ensuring access to decent work and the protection of labour rights in all industries will be crucial in addressing the human dimension of the crisis. Immediate and purposeful action to save lives and livelihoods should include extending social protection towards universal health coverage and income support for those most affected. These include workers in the informal economy and in poorly protected and low-paid jobs, including youth, older workers, and migrants. Particular attention must be paid to the situation of women, who are over-represented in low-paid jobs and care roles. Different forms of support are key, including cash transfers, child allowances and healthy school meals, shelter and food relief initiatives, support for employment retention and recovery, and financial relief for businesses, including micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. In designing and implementing such measures it is essential that governments work closely with employers and workers.Countries dealing with existing humanitarian crises or emergencies are particularly exposed to the effects of COVID-19. Responding swiftly to the pandemic, while ensuring that humanitarian and recovery assistance reaches those most in need, is critical.Now is the time for global solidarity and support, especially with the most vulnerable in our societies, particularly in the emerging and developing world. Only together can we overcome the intertwined health and social and economic impacts of the pandemic and prevent its escalation into a protracted humanitarian and food security catastrophe, with the potential loss of already achieved development gains.We must recognize this opportunity to build back better, as noted in the policy brief issued by the United Nations Secretary-General. We are committed to pooling our expertise and experience to support countries in their crisis response measures and efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. We need to develop long-term sustainable strategies to address the challenges facing the health and agri-food sectors. Priority should be given to addressing underlying food security and malnutrition challenges, tackling rural poverty, in particular through more and better jobs in the rural economy, extending social protection to all, facilitating safe migration pathways and promoting the formalization of the informal economy. We must rethink and tackle this situation with ambition and urgency. Only then can we protect the health, livelihoods, food security and nutrition of all people, and ensure that our ‘new normal’ is a better one.
GOD-ORIENTED LIFE By Syed Mustafa Ahmad About 13 billion years ago, the Universe was created with a bang, called the” Big Bang”. According to this theory, the Whole Universe was a single entity. The intelligent Designer, parted the Earth from the seven skies with a bang that resulted in the origin of the present Earth. The Holy Qur’an also reiterates this fact in Chapter Al Anbiya. In this way, there are ample evidences that make it clear that there are many ways to know God. God is invisible but His manifestations are everywhere to know Him. In the present world, it is very easy to learn about God. He is omnipresent if we open our eyes a bit. Indeed, our bodies are so beautiful and intricate that a person is forced to introspect. If this is the case, let us try to know some things that make it crystal clear that God is present and we must know him. First is our bodies. The way they are designed, is unbelievable. In the speech by Gyanvatsal Swami, he says that it costs some trillion dollars to make a dead human body. It is not a living body. So, one can easily imagine that how costly the human beings are. We take these kinds of truths lightly but if we ponder over these facts, we will eventually come to know that there is someone who is intelligent and surely He is our creator. We should be thankful to Him for this gift. Second is greenery around us. In Autumn, there is no life. But when it comes to Spring, the same Earth comes to life. Bacteria that were dead in the soil, came to life with some drops of rain fall on the dead Earth. The same God is responsible for making the both things to happen; deadening of the Earth as well as providing life to it. Flowers of different colours bloom that marvel us. Poets as well as aesthetics begin to praise beauty in their works. They deliberately sideline other things of importance in order to know the real worth of things. William Wordsworth in his poem “ Daffodils” says that how one day when he was in a passive mood, he came across Daffodils that were dancing in the wind. Such was the effect of this scene that whenever he was lying vacant, the charming scene of the flowers used to give him the wealth that no material thing can provide to him. Moreover, John Keats says that a thing of beauty is a joy forever. In this way, we can conclude that greenery is about knowing God. Third and last is diversity among the human beings. There are 7.8 billion people in the world, who are different from each other. No two brains are same. Similarly, no two persons’ fingerprints match. Zebras that look alike, are actually different. All these diverse things have one thing in common that there is someone who is intelligent in every sense. He doesn’t get tired after creating this diverse world. In this way, God’s knowledge comes forth with no flaw. In the above things, the main thing that is of utmost importance is that there are innumerable things present that are evident of the fact that God has to be accepted and followed in letter and spirit. Air is invisible; doesn’t mean that air does not exist. Same is the case with God. If He is invisible; doesn’t mean that He doesn’t exist. Logic is necessary in every thing. But some things in the present are of that nature that either we don’t have enough knowledge to know the intricacies of God or God Himself has reserved some things for the world Hereafter. Wahidudin khan says that we must look around. It, in the long run, will help us to know God as well as ourselves.
As I look back on life, I realise that every time I thought I was being rejected from something good, I was actually being redirected to something better. You must convince your heart that whatever God has decreed for you is the most appropriate and beneficial to you. (Imam Gazali Rahimullah) Do not be sad, because sadness cause you to regret the past, to have misgivings concerning the future and to make you waste away your present. Do not be sad because grief cannot return the one that is lost or is gone away. Have faith, Give your life a second chance. Keep your eyes open. Lost will be replaced with something best. See upon you the signs of blessing, How many have been deprived of that which we already have? Lock your blessing up and keep them safe by being thankful. Past is gone, future is unseen, so all you have is present. Are you the one who created human? Are you the one who grants them provision? Are you the one who is taking care of their needs? No, it is Allah swt, Who does all that, Who is more merciful towards them than you are. Have complete trust that Allah swt will never cause them to be lost, may He be glorified and praised. This matter is not up to us at all. If all the people thought in this way no one would have any peace of mind. But praise be to Allah swt Who has guaranteed provision for everyone. Allah swt says (interpretation of the meaning): “And no moving (living) creature is there on earth but its provision is due from Allah swt. And He knows its dwelling place and its deposit (in the uterus or grave). All is in a Clear Book (Al‑Lawh Al‑Mahfooz — the Book of Decrees with Allah swt)” [Hood 11:6] So cast these thoughts away from your mind. Maybe you have a day coming up that will be your first free day in a long time, and you want to make the most of it. Maybe you’re thinking about those days you wake up and feel weirdly present, happy about the sunshine, singing to yourself, and want to know how to have more of them. Let today be the day you let go of worries and embrace pleasure and contemplation. Let go of yourself, get lost, slow down, and enjoy the moment. The one who seeks happiness and success in this world has to have a balanced approach without letting the one outweigh the other. In this manner he can strengthen his heart with faith and find peace of mind in doing that which he is required to do. You know that death is an inevitable reality that will come to every living thing, and no one will be spared that, no matter how noble his status before Allah swt. Allah swt said to His Prophet, the noblest of all creation (interpretation of the meaning): “Verily, you (O Muhammad) will die, and verily, they (too) will die” [al-Zumar 39:30] And Allah swt says (interpretation of the meaning): “Everyone shall taste death. And only on the Day of Resurrection shall you be paid your wages in full. And whoever is removed away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, he indeed is successful. The life of this world is only the enjoyment of deception (a deceiving thing)” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:185] And the poet said: Every son of a female, no matter how long he lives, Will one day be carried on the bier. Always putting your trust in Allah swt in all your affairs, and knowing that this trust (tawakkul) will ward off the whispers of the Shaytaan and put an end to them. Once you have resolved to do that, then do not look back. If you feel that these whispers are overwhelming you again, then turn to Allah swt and seek refuge in Him. Allah swt says (interpretation of the meaning): “And if an evil whisper comes to you from Shaytaan (Satan), then seek refuge with Allah swt. Verily, He is All-Hearer, All-Knower” [al-A’raaf 7:200] Lift your head high and look forward; start your daily life with steadfastness and certainty, and approach all your actions with energy and peace of mind. How many good things there are in this world that fill hearts with contentment and tranquillity and fill the heart with hope and certain faith. You can be alone in public or privately alone, but take some solitary time. If most of your solitary time is spent a certain way, find another way to spend it. For instance, if you work from home, go somewhere else to be alone. Visit a library, a museum, or take yourself out to lunch.Spend time away from your phone and your computer. Forgetting your ordinary obligations will help you live in the moment. Choose to move on from feelings of resentment. Nothing takes you away from the present like dwelling in the past. To clear your day of resentment, make a list of people who have hurt you, or, if there is one person strongly on your mind, write only that name. Spend some time thinking about how much they hurt you, and what effect that has had on you. Decide to attempt forgiveness. Say it aloud if that sometimes helps you.Ask yourself what you know about the person who hurt you. Try to reconstruct the stresses, pressures, traumas, and fears that this person has experienced.Let go of your anger. Allow yourself to feel compassion for the person who wronged you. You don’t have to reconcile them, just let yourself feel some goodwill towards them.Forgiveness can have a positive effect on your health and wellbeing. Choosing to forgive a betrayal can lower your blood pressure, improve your heart health, and diminish anxiety and depression.
We choose our joys and sorrows long before we experience them, He said,The happiest of all people is he who has a sincere heart, a patient body, and contentment with what he possesses. I replied. Most important thing here is to remember, In the period of sufferings real character of the people are revealed and exposed. The masks are down while the ugly faces are open to humanity as whole but don’t forget “No sadness goes on and No joy lasts forever”. You can be damn sure that the people who are there for you when you most need help are the ones that really do love you. It’s easy to love someone when they’re happy and breezing through life. It’s more difficult when that person is so stuck in pain they barely have any love to give. Remember that the people who really, truly, unconditionally love you, will still have love to give to you, even if you’re temporarily unable to give it back. Secondly, struggle doesn’t make you who you are as much as it tends to reveal who you are. When you’re truly in a state of desperation to fix something, your real self will start to emerge out of necessity. Pay attention to this. There are great lessons to be learned from seeing what you do and who you are in the most trying times. To live for today, focus on what you have. Appreciate the things that make each day yours. When someone does something you appreciate, thank them. Let everyone you love know one thing you love about them. Make a list of things you are grateful for, and share it with those you love.If something happens in your day that you appreciate, write it down, title it, and include as much detail as you can, including how it came to be and how it made you feel. Take the opportunities given to you today, whether they be invitations from friends or samples at the grocery store. Don’t do anything that makes you feel truly wrong, but do encourage yourself to try new things. Say “yes” to more than you usually do, and you might surprise yourself.Set short-term goals that are connected to the bigger picture of what you ultimately want in life and who you want to become. These will impact what you do in the day to day. Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah swt have mercy on him) was asked: Can a believer become mentally ill? What is the treatment for that according to sharee’ah? Please note that modern medicine treats these illnesses with modern medicines only. He replied: Undoubtedly a person may suffer from psychological or mental diseases, such as anxiety about the future and regret for the past. Psychological diseases affect the body more than physical diseases affect it. Treating these diseases by means of the things prescribed in sharee’ah – i.e., ruqyah – is more effective than treating them with physical medicines, as is well known. One of the means of treating them is mentioned in the saheeh hadeeth from Ibn Mas’ood (may Allah swt be pleased with him): “There is no-one who is afflicted by distress and grief, and says: ‘Allaahumma inni ‘abduka ibn ‘abdika ibn amatika naasyati bi yadika, maada fiyya hukmuka, ‘adlun fiyya qadaa’uka. As’aluka bi kulli ismin huwa laka sammayta bihi nafsaka aw anzaltahu fi kitaabika aw ‘allamtahu ahadan min khalqika aw ista’tharta bihi fi ‘ilm il-ghayb ‘indaka an taj’al al-Qur’aana rabee’ qalbi wa noor sadri wa jalaa’ huzni wa dhihaab hammi (O Allaah, I am Your slave, son of Your slave, son of Your maidservant; my forelock is in Your hand, Your command over me is forever executed and Your decree over me is just. I ask You by every name belonging to You which You have named Yourself with, or revealed in Your Book, or You taught to any of Your creation, or You have preserved in the knowledge of the Unseen with You, that You make the Qur’aan the life of my heart and the light of my breast, and a departure for my sorrow and a release for my anxiety),’ but Allah swt will take away his distress and grief, and replace it with joy.” This is one of the remedies prescribed in sharee’ah.
“Our anxiety does not come from thinking about the future, but from wanting to control it.”. Kahlil Gibran. Anxiety is often about not feeling our usual sense of control in life, and as the poet Kahlil Gibran suggests above, about getting stuck in our thoughts about the future. Suhaibbhatt85@gmail.com
