News Kashmir Magazine

Opinion ,23 November,2020

                       ANT-PACED JUDICIAL SYSTEM
Suhaib Ashraf Bhat

 Now, should we treat women as independent agents, responsible for themselves? Of course. But being responsible has nothing to do with being raped. Women don’t get raped because they were drinking or took drugs. Women do not get raped because they weren’t careful enough. Women get raped because someone raped them.” ―( Jessica Valenti)
Rape – Just few days back in KANPUR: A seven-year-old girl was raped and was found dead with her liver extracted. Where the hell we are leading? Is this not the shame for whole society? Rape is one of the more appalling things that one human being can do to another, and yet there is no other crime about which our society is so ambivalent. That must change.
Rape is a heinous crime – which is increasing day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute and second by second. Thinkers are thinking to reduce the crime; Philosophers making another philosophy out of it yet the rate of the crime is increasing by increasing rate. Punishment for the rape cases are much lower than the harm caused. In Indian court, the person freely walks in the society for months and years together, because of the ant-paced judicial system where we get hearings after hearings.
 The effects of rape can include both the initial physical trauma as well as deep psychological trauma. Although rape victims commonly report injuries and issues with their reproductive health after the sexual assault, rape doesn’t always involve physical force. The most common and lasting effects of rape involve mental health concerns and diminished social confidence.
Aftermath of Rape:
The aftermath of rape involves a cluster of acute and chronic physical and psychological effects. It’s important that victims receive comprehensive care. This only adds to the psychological impact of the rape on the victim. Victims of extremely violent rape, or those who were assaulted repeatedly or at a very young age, may need treatment for the rest of their lives. Is this not really breathtaking? 
Increasing crimes is what we are witnessing these days. Criminals have come up with various strategies of committing crimes to which unfortunately our judicial system is continuously failing.
When a crime is done to a person and when the victim goes to register a complaint, the first thing our police personnel do is to deny taking the complaint. Even if they take the complaint, they file it in such an easy manner that the criminal can easily escape even if he has done a grave mistake like rape. When a victim is raped the police files the complaint of “sexual assault” or “attempt to rape” and when the victim is assaulted sexually or attempted to rape, these “kind” men advises not to file the case and get compromised as the career of the criminal will get destroyed. These people have soft hearts towards criminals and stone-hearts towards innocents.
When the victims force to file a strong case against the criminals these people have a very good strategy to harass them by taking counter case from the criminals and lay false charges against the victims. In this way the victim is harassed double. In some situations, the victims are unable to tolerate injustice and even go to the extent of committing suicides!
For any crime to get reduced or stop we ought to go to the root cause. Know the reasons why it is happening. Be honest in accepting the reasons and endeavour to solve the problem logically. When you bring your emotions, feelings, sentiments and passions in between the solutions, you will never stop the crimes that are prevailing. You fail to realize that the crime gains momentum due to your behaviour towards the particular problem.
The only solution for this problem and to defend the honour of women – “the jewels of the society” is to the hang the culprits. Please no more TAREEK PAI TAREEK. 

Suhaibbhatt85@gmail.com

16 November,2020 Issue

TRADITIONAL CURRICULUM VS MODERN CURRICULUM
By Syed Mustafa Ahmad
Curriculum has been defined in many ways according to the need of the time. Before some decades, traditional curriculum was in dominance. It was also called bookish curriculum. It focused on books, exams, discipline, fixed time tables, paper degrees, law and order,etc. However, it was against the individual differences. Same kind of syllabus was for different children. Philosophy students were taught Urdu while English students were taught Hindi. In place of practical, theory dominated every part of  society.       But with the revolution in information technology, the need for the modern curriculum has arisen. The present age is the age of AI, robotics, Quantum mechanics, etc. Innovation is the order of the day. Men have started to colonize other celestial bodies. There are chances of life on Venus as well. The calculations that used to take thousands of years, are done in few seconds. Men have surpassed the speed of light. Gene scissors are in the market to protect us from lethal diseases. Carcinogenic diseases are controlled. In this way, there can be no liking for the traditional curriculum that only choked the sane voices. Let us contrast both curricula in some detail.      First is that the traditional curriculum is about books. Books are more important than children. Education is imparted in specialized buildings. There are strict teachers and management. There are fixed classes in a day. Teachers prepare what they have to teach in a particular period. They try their best to complete the syllabi. They, by hook or crook, complete their syllabi and prepare students for examinations while the modern curriculum is child-based. All the focus is diverted upon a child. His or her differences are known in the beginning. His or her psychology is understood so that teaching or learning becomes easy and fruitful. Here, a child is free to learn according to his or her taste. There are no specialized buildings for this curriculum. A child learns everywhere. He is trained in such a way that every experience becomes learning for him. He looks at animals. He doesn’t dread them. But he wants to know how it is created. In case of cow, how she gives milk. How she is mother. In cases of beautiful landscapes, he or she tries to know its Creator. This is the best characteristic of the modern curriculum.       Second is that the traditional curriculum is exam-dominated. Children, from the very beginning, are frightened that they have to pass with flying colors. They are in constant fear that if they don’t get a distinction or a position, they will be treated harshly. They, instead of reading textbooks, find short cut ways to get good marks. In this way, they become addicted to the hand made notes and guides prepared by some unknown persons. They learn questions and answers without knowing their crux. They become good in rote learning. In this way, the marvellous brains are lost in quagmire of nothingness. However, in case of the modern curriculum, there is no space for exams. A child learns different subjects and skills at the same time to be the master of those subjects or skills. He or she is expert in dealing with his or her subject because he or she likes to learn those very subjects. There is no thrust upon them. They learn what they learn. They use their creative powers to go against the views of their teachers. Children don’t believe blindly. Curriculum teaches them to criticize.      Third and last is paper degrees. In the traditional curriculum, degrees matter the most. A teacher without a particular degree is deemed unfit for teaching. However, he or she may be expert in his or her subject but she or he does not possess the required degree, he or she is unfit for that very post. But in case of the modern curriculum, there is no need for paper degrees. A rickshaw puller can be an engineer. A newspaper vendor can be the teacher of Bill Gates. Jack Ma, the founder of Ali Baba, can be the source of inspiration for those who have doctorates in many subjects. Jack Ma knows the real worth of life. He teaches his customers that while studying, I have known how to live real life. He inspires more than the so-called intellectuals of the bygone curriculum.       In short, there should be such kind of curriculum that can know the individual differences in  children. Until and unless the individual differences are unknown, we cannot think of any progress. Let us embrace the curriculum that makes child a child. I request parents and teachers to embrace only that curriculum which is reasonable. Hope good sense prevails!

16 November,2020 issue

Imraan Ibn Farooq sets example despite adversities in life 

Writes Ayesha Omer
(The writer can be reached at journoAish@gmail.com)

“I think continually of those who were truly great….. The name of those who in their lives fought for life,,,Who wore at their hearts the fire’s center.Born of the sun they travelled a sort while towards the sun,And left the vivid air signed with their honour.”
Greatness has always been a mark to aim at. In these rudderless days, when we are misguided by small and fumbling minds, it is not only inspiring but also imperative to “think continuously of those who are truly great.”    Soldiers on forgotten fields of battle, scientists in makeshift laboratories, stubborn idealists fighting to save a lost cause, teachers who would not be intimidated, tireless doctors, journalists  running to cover a story at the risk of their lives some time, the anonymous army of dreamers and doers- all these by their very living fought for everyone. They sacrificed the hours of ease for our casual comforts: they gave up safety for our security. Glorifying the heroic spirit of man, they added to our stature. Out of the shaken world which surrounds us. Spender reminds us of the unsung champions, the struggles and pioneers who were inflamed with a burning belief in humanity, love for work and passion. It is these fire-bringers, children of the light—“born of the sun”—who brought light out of darkness, faith out of confusion, and leaving “the vivid air signed with their honors”, conferred upon us their heritage of hope. All of us have got some dreams and desires in our minds; something that we wish to happen in the future or someone that we desire to be. But often these dreams are left unfulfilled. All credits to that simple yet strong trust on the fate one has, people lack the major factor to achieve their goals, that is hard work. A mere fixation of a dream in the mind does not work. This needs to be backed up with a strong dedication in the mindset to conquer the goal. An optimistic attitude and perseverance for the cause of achieving the goal is the key factor behind success. This is what most people lack in them and thereby fails in the itinerary of their dreams.But today what I am going to share with you is not a story of a successful business tycoon or actor or a politician but a true inspiration for those, whose dreams are shattered with the thoughts of being disable, poor, and not fit for any job, and for those who want to achieve something in life on their own but are not able to establish their own road to success and also for those who thought success comes for free (only dreaming about success) Inspiration that everyone need .A perfect vision is what every goal demands. A true estimation of the pathway one has to follow to achieve the target can yield great results in the long run! All successful people in this world are great dreamers. But the fact that makes them winners and not the others is the amount of perseverance they had towards their dream, and the amount of hard work they had to do in order to achieve that. One of the best examples of this determination and enthusiastic passion and love for work, (our inspirations) is Imraan-ibn-Farooq, recently passed out student of Masters in Convergent Journalism in Central University of Kashmir. A resident of Al- Bustaan colony of Durhama Baramullah next village to the hometown of Late Sujaat Bukhari Sahab. Done his graduation from Degree Collage Baramullah, dreaming to become a true journalist, a helping hand and an inspiration to thousands of people, he started his journey of hard work from early childhood, as life has never been normal for him to conquer his dreams. In early childhood he once had nose bleeding at up to that extend that he was about to fall unconscious one day.  His parents moved from pillar to post to get him to hospital in Srinagar at the earliest. Three hours later, he was diagnosed with Hemophilia at SKIMS. He couldn’t fathom what was happening. All he could see was the crestfallen face of His mother. He asked her, “What is the matter?” She had no answer. On enquiring consistently, he was faced with the revelation. He comes to know that he had Hemophilia. He felt as if somebody pushed him from the edge of a cliff. Something was terribly wrong, yet of course he was so far unaware of what was in store for him. Later on, he came to know that Hemophilia means that his blood lacks aSpecific protein that forms part of the coagulation system. If this protein is present in insufficient quantity, or not at all, the coagulation cascade in the blood is interrupted. Blood coagulation cannot function efficiently. Minor internal injuries can cause major bleeding into the muscles orJoints. Doctors immediately gave a blood transfusion followed by FFP (fresh Frozen plasma) this helps in coagulation of blood. With each passing day, he was recovering eventually bringing smiles on the faces of his family. With grave concerns about his future, they were both happy and Sad at the same time. He had two choices: either give in to the infirmity, or decide to fight the Weakness. He chose the latter. In the course of achieving a dream, one might face a multitude of negativities and oppositions. But the real trick lies in the manner in which the person tackles those oddities and marches ahead in his mission. But the journey till here has never been easy. He might still have vivid memories of neighbors and relatives pitching in the black magic angle. While coming to enquire about his health, they would add to the anxieties of his innocent family members, gullible enough to fall for such nonsense. Here society plays a major role in making a little problem an obstacle in ones life. Schooling was equally arduous. He was same as the other children in the school, yet quite different. Playing the same games like others was not possible, as it included the risk of getting hurt. Once, an injury in his footWhile playing cricket at school made him realize his weakness. The swelling in the ankle joint made him cry in excruciating pain. Though his home was not very far from the school, yet he could not take a single step. All his efforts to muster up his courage and walk were in vain. It wasthen that his elder sister, who studied in the same school, reached the Spot. She took him in her arms and rushed home. The incident, though small, continued to haunt him like a nightmare for a long time. All this caused a bizarre unease in him. He had to bear the Stares of his fellow students, as they came to know he had this ‘strange ‘disease. Although it is not a big deal now, medical science has improved and there is vaccine available to every patient, some need high dose some simple are some are even those who don’t need any vaccine just have to look after their health.) But that time it was not normal and this was an unusual kind of ‘discrimination’ he faced. Even the teachers were informed about it, lest they hit him sometime and add to the woes. At times, there were long spells of time when he was stuck within the peripheries of his home. Things he has experienced in the Years past have reinforced his belief that life with ‘hemophilia’ would never be normal.It was depressing and distressing. Mostly he passed his school exams with low grades. But as they say, there is light at the end of the tunnel. He made a resolve to befriend books and work hard. That was perhaps the only way to turn the tide in his favor. That would be his ticket to a dignified life. Disability exists only in the mind; it was time to overcome it.Twenty years have passed, and his life continues to be an aberration. Conditions were about as adverse as possible. Storms had damaged the little caravel; the Pinta had lost her rudder; the crews of all three vessels were threatening mutiny, and probably Imraan’own confidence in what seemed an insane enterprise was wearing. But he had set his course in the direction which his own institution and logical intelligence led to believe was the right one, and with dogged courage he kept on going. The words are not especially comforting  ones, but these are days when the world is less in need of supine comfort than of high gallantry and faith in an inner integrity. During these times of distress, doubts and weariness, people may well be inspirited by the words of this great hero of life, “Disability only exists in mind; and it’s time to overcome it”. Today, he feels fortunate enough to be pursuing “Masters in convergent Journalism”.  He aspires to be a good journalist and contribute to investigate the truth and for setting an example for the welfare of people fighting any kind of disability. Through this, he wish to speak for him and for those whose disability never stops them from achieving their goals. A strong determination can lead any man to combat all the difficulties in his path and give his best for his goal, it is not the goal you set that matters, but the hard work you do for the same. Not a single dream can be achieved without putting in the necessary efforts. It is, therefore, wiser to give the best output from one’s side in order to achieve the dreams rather than blaming the luck in the later phase. Not a single dream is unachievable unless it is backed up with perfect passion. It is one of the most common follies to assume that success always comes first and success should be the only outcome of any endeavor. If you look at it objectively, you will be amazed at why people should think that any accomplishment can come without any failures? It is humanly impossible to ensure that every step in any achievement will always be successful and lead to ultimate success. Determination to achieve success and the fortitude to withstand and learn can only ensure success in the long run. Imraan Ibn Farooq has now started working as a Managing editor for “KHABAR URDU” & has worked for Roznama wadi-e- Kashmir, & this is only his beginning of having the fruits of the tree he planted with hard work, patience and determination. Not only this he is running Multiple face book pages, Imraan Farooq Page, DW Media with 2.4k followers and more than 10k views in just 2 months, and also Peace news .He is also a you tuber and want to share the best content one need in these times .And for those who have almost forgotten the sweetness of their religion and humanity, is in dire need of golden thoughts. He owns 2 you tube channels “Pacific creators”, & “journo Imraan”. Despite this he is helping many new you tubers in editing and managing process, their videos and share the best content. And inspiring new youth to join him in search of truth and fair content for betterment of society. He is inspiring many new ideas and people with differently able specialties to come forward and make their future bright. He is owner of a webpage www.dwmedia.co.in  and tries to bring the best. Here I remember a Quote of Robert Louis Stevenson, “Anyone can carry his burden, however hard, until nightfall. Anyone can do his work, however hard, for one day.” One of the most appalling comments on our present way of life is that half of all our hospital beds are occupied by patients with nervous and mental troubles. And a principal cause is that too many people allow themselves to collapse under the crushing burdens of accumulated yesterday and fearful tomorrows. Here is the problem: You and I are standing in these split seconds at the meeting place of two eternities-the vast past that has endured forever and the future that is plunging on to the last syllable of recorded time. We often try to do so; and in the process, we wreck both our bodies and our minds. The answer is to live for today .Of course; it may be a part of today’s work calls for reviewing the past, or planning for tomorrow. But there’s no excuse for doing so with pain or regret. Instead of we should get the fact and push on from there. Today is the only time we can live. Let’s not turn it into a physical and mental hell by aimless worries about the future let’s also stop fretting over the blunders we made yesterday.              Remember how a walking trip always seems shorter if we concentrate. Not on the total distance to our destination, but just the distance to the next milepost. In the same way, we should concentrate on living within today. Then better tomorrow will inevitably follow. Same in today’s inspiring tale where dreams come across a milepost to reach his destination and the glories ahead. Being a journalist Imraan is happy to serve his passion and also living a live within the shades the Deen (Islam).                “He that loses wealth loses much;                  But he that loses courage loses all,                  Just as tall trees are known by their shadows;                  So are good men known by their struggle.”

Keeping Bad Company

Suhaib Ashraf Bhat
Friendship and companionship are important things.  A good friend is one who accepts your shortcomings, but at the same time guides and supports you.  A good friend is one who accommodates your faults but corrects them where possible.  A good friend is one who will love and forgive you for the sake of Allah swt. It is important to choose your friends carefully.  Prophet Muhammad Salalahualihiwasalam warned the believers about this too.  He said that a person would be influenced by his friends, and he warned that everyone should look carefully at those they consider to be their friends. What we can understand from this is that it is easy to be influenced by the people around us.  It is easy to take on their mannerisms and qualities without even being aware of it.  If these are good qualities then it is a good thing but what if the people you consider friends have pushed you away from the remembrance of Allah swt?  This could be a disaster, and Allah swt warns about it in the Quran.
“And (remember) the Day when the wrong-doer (oppressor, polytheist etc.) will bite on his hand, he will say: ‘Oh!  Would that I had taken a path with the Messenger.  Ah!  Woe to me!  Would that I had never taken so-and-so as a friend!  He indeed led me astray from the Reminder (the Quran) after it had come to me.’” (Quran 25:27)
Unnecessary companionship is a chronic disease that causes much harm. How often have the wrong kind of companionship and intermixing deprived people of Allah swt’s generosity, planting discord in their hearts which even the passage of time-even if it were long enough for mountains to be worn away-has been unable to dispel. In keeping such company one can find the roots of loss, both in this life and in the next life.
A servant should benefit from companionship. In order to do so he should divide people into four categories, and be careful not to get them mixed up, for once one of them is mixed with another, then evil can find its way through to him:
The first category is those people whose company is like food: it is indispensable, night or day. Once a servant has taken his need from it, he leaves it be until he requires it again, and so on. These are the people with knowledge of Allah-of His commands, of the scheming of His enemies, and of the diseases of the heart and their remedies- who wish well for Allah swt, His Prophet salalahualihiwasalam and His servants. Associating with this type of person is an achievement in itself.
The second category is those people whose company is like a medicine. They are only required when a disease sets in. When you are healthy, you have no need of them. However, mixing with them is sometimes necessary for your livelihood, businesses, consultation and the like. Once what you need from them has been fulfilled, mixing with them should be avoided.
The third category is those people whose company is harmful. Mixing with this type of person is like a disease, in all its variety and degrees and strengths and weaknesses. Associating with one or some of them is like an incurable chronic disease. You will never profit either in this life or in the next life if you have them for company, and you will surely lose either one or both of your religion and your livelihood because of them. If their companionship has taken hold of you and is established, then it becomes a fatal, terrifying sickness.
Amongst such people are those who neither speak any good that might benefit you, nor listen closely to you so that they might benefit from you. They do not know their souls and consequently put their selves in their rightful place. If they speak, their words fall on their listeners’ hearts like the lashes of a cane, while all the while they are full of admiration for and delight in their own words.
They cause distress to those in their company, while believing that they are the sweet scent of the gathering. All in all, mixing with anyone who is bad for the soul will not last, even if it is unavoidable. It can be one of the most distressing aspects of a servant’s life that he is plagued by such person, with whom it may be necessary to associate. In such a relationship, a servant should cling to good behaviour, only presenting him with his outward appearance, while disguising his inner soul, until Allah swt offers him a way out of his affliction and the means of escape from this situation.
The fourth category is those people whose company is doom itself. It is like taking poison: its victim either finds an antidote or perishes. Many people belong to this category. They are the people of religious innovation and misguidance, those who abandon the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saws) and advocate other beliefs. They call what is the Sunnah a bid’ah and vice-versa. A man with any intellect should not sit in their assemblies nor mix with them. The result of doing so will either be the death of his heart or, at the very best, its falling seriously ill.One of the most important things we must do, which sadly many people neglect, is that we should avoid bad company. 
We should seek out pious friends who fear Allah swt and who have the qualities of humility, charity, compassion, modesty and knowledge.  If we sit with them we will always benefit and they will be a means for us to get closer to Allah swt.
Suhaibbhatt85@gmail.com

November 9 issue,2020

 THE INSTITUTION OF FAMILY IS  ON THE VERGE OF DESTRUCTION

By Syed Mustafa Ahmad

Now and then, I come across families that were happy once but now yearning for cooperation and love. In this way, family assumes importance in shaping the personality of an individual. Without family, it is  impossible that a true personality is made. Family has a long history. That is why its importance has never been underestimated. After wandering for thousands of years, a man settled at a particular place and began to live a social life. He began to recognize other persons like him. He made relations with different people and among themselves ( his father, mother, sister, brother). Slowly and steadily, they began to know the importance of living together. With this recognition, came the concept of family. Family totally was a new experience for him. He now began to feel secure among his family members. His emotional maturity began to develop. He began to love human beings. In this way, the glorious revolution came in the society when the foundation of family was laid. Now, all the fears were the things of the past. There was something to look at in the times of despair. There was no aloneness. There was sharing and caring. So, a different mindset was prepared for the future generations.      The man keep embarking on this path for quite a long time. But suddenly this journey came to halt. The family system lost its way somewhere. It was not like a bolt from the blue. It was the rot of many decades that came to the surface. There are many causes responsible for this. So, let us know some basic causes.      First is mad race for materialism that has made it possible. The lust for money has made it possible that a person only is about money. In the past, a single member used to earn while others used to be depended upon him or her. But in the present, when the conditions become awry, the members who don’t earn, are looked down. They are humiliated. They, if being intellectually efficient, are sidelined because they don’t have money in their pockets. In this way, the bond of love and affection becomes  the soft target of materialism. The result is that the happy-living families are  disintegrated into number of nuclear families.       Second is that imitation has become the order of the day. We look at others and follow them blindly. In movies and dramas,  we come across people abandoning the joint families and preferring to live in the nuclear families. In this way, the structure of the joint families crumbles everyday.        Third modern age. Modern age has provided us with every comfort. Diseases are cured but it has given rise to a different type of division of labor. Now both a father and a mother go to work. Children are sent to schools. New lifestyle has become common everywhere. In this way, a nuclear family is preferred over a joint family.       Fourth is that the old people are understood as a useless burden. They are only fed and washed. In this way, the joint family systems are broken into many nuclear families. The old parents, who have nurtured their children in the best possible manner, are thrown out to others’ hands. In our village, a mother has become a burden for two sons. She has been living with her daughter for two years. It is a collective shame for us. She says,” I did what I could for my children, particularly the two sons. Now, they don’t want me. They call me a useless burden. My basic needs are unfulfilled. I crave for my sons’ faces. They hardly come to me. They want me to die. I am fed up with this life. I want to die. I cannot tolerate this humiliation. “.      Fifth is is that we have no counsellors, who can teach those persons who always are ready to live in a nuclear family. If they had been here, I think the situation would not have come to such impasse. At the time of intense conflicts in a family, anger and revenge prevail. After some time, there only is regret. At this situation, expert counsellors can prove fruitful. They can advise them that it is bad to split into a number of families, for petty things.        Sixth and  last  is that we have lost touch with the actual world. As we have not been able to understand the real motive of life, we feel suffocated. We are misfits in a society. we don’t  want anyone to come near to us. We want to live in isolation. In this manner, the whole concept of family has come to standstill.       Let us hope that the family system in particular and the joint family system in general is revived. We are social human beings. We should live side by side. Living in a society is beneficial. Let us ponder over it. 

9 November issue

IslamophobiaSuhaib Ashraf Bhat 

Free speech or Fire speech?

Lets first talk about what is Islam?Islam is based on humanity, The Islamic view of humanity is filled with mercy and compassion, and it cannot be otherwise, because the Islamic religion is the last of the religions that were prescribed by Allah swt, may He be exalted, and He commanded all of mankind to enter this religion. He revealed this religion and sent it down to the most compassionate of mankind, Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah swt be upon him). This is confirmed in the Book of Allah swt, where He says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And We have sent you (O Muhammad) not but as a mercy for the ‘Alameen (mankind, jinns and all that exists)”[al-Anbiya’ 21:107]. 
Islam advises us to treat neighbours kindly, even if they are not Muslim.
Al-Qurtubi (may Allah swt have mercy on him) said:
I say: based on that, kind treatment of neighbours is enjoined and is recommended, whether they are Muslim or not. And this is the right thing to do. Kind treatment may be in the sense of helping or it may be in the sense of being kind, refraining from annoyance and standing by them. Al-Bukhaari narrated from ‘Aa’ishah that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah swt be upon him) said: “Jibreel kept urging me to treat neighbours kindly until I thought that he would make them heirs.” And it was narrated from Abu Shurayh that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah swt be upon him) said: “By Allah swt, he does not believe; by Allah swt, he does not believe; by Allah swt, he does not believe.” It was said: O Messenger of Allah swt, who is that? He said: “The one whose neighbour is not safe from his annoyance.” This is general in meaning and applies to all neighbours, and the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah swt be upon him) affirmed that the neighbour should not be annoyed by swearing three times and stating that the one who annoys his neighbour is not a believer in the complete sense. Concerning that Allah swt, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Allah swt does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion and did not drive you out of your homes. Verily,  Allah swt loves those who deal with equity” [al-Mumtahanah 60:8].
It is not part of Islam to force the non-Muslim to enter this religion, because sincerity is one of the conditions of accepting Islam. And Allah swt, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
“There is no compulsion in religion” [al-Baqarah 2:256].
Facebook on October 12 announced it would remove all content that “denies or distorts the Holocaust.”This expansion of its hate speech policies is a response to ‘the well-documented rise in anti-Semitism globally and the alarming level of ignorance about the Holocaust, especially among young people’, said the company but when it comes to the Islam they will not ban any content which hurt Muslim’s sentiments.  Muslims across the world have reacted furiously to French President Emmanuel Macron’s defence of free speech after a French school teacher who had shown his pupils cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed (Salalahualihiwasalam) was killed. It’s not the first time we are seeing rise of Islamphobia across the globe and when Muslims reacts to it they are called as extremists. Islamophobia is created when a person doesn’t properly understand what Muslims do or believe, and that the best way to combat it is to have a better understanding of Muslims and Islam. Nowadays the media, in all its forms and with all its tentacles, has the ability to easily construct a negative image of Islam and Muslims.  Creating news and opining instead of reporting has given people the ability to choose the channel that agrees with their views.  Thus whole populations are no longer exposed to other viewpoints.  There is nothing that encourages them to understand and empathize with the situations and lifestyles of diverse cultures, or even with their neighbours who have opinions that are different to the ones they hold dear. When you add social media to the already volatile mix, we find that Muslims endure daily racial slurs, degrading photos, intimidations, and harassment campaigns.  The structure of social media and each platform’s reliance on algorithms means that those with extremist views are able to connect to each other with ease.  It also means that deceptions about Muslims often live on even after being exposed.
Islam is a religion of more than 1.8 billion people, from widely diverse cultures, and consequently they cannot be lumped into one homogenous package. We must stop saying or thinking that everyone in this package (that doesn’t exist) is violent or threatening. We must start to separate vigilance in regard to terror from Islamophobia.  The media refers to “Muslim migration” with terms like, pests, plagues, and deluge.  This must stop. 
In conclusion, people across the globe must learn to look at their media in a different light.  We must learn how to separate the truth from the fiction, and the facts from opinions.  We need to choose our news outlets wisely and try to watch or read from across a wide array of viewpoints and understandings.

The writer can be emailed at : Suhaibbhatt85@gmail.com

                   What caused me to lose my love and passion for the Lord?”

Suhaib Ashraf Bhat 
One cause of spiritual apathy is sin in the believer’s life. There are several causes of apathy and before dealing with the problem we have to pause and find out the cause. There are several ways of finding out the cause and dealing with apathy. 
Some of these causes are: a weak relationship with Allah swt, laziness in worship, keeping company with careless people, being distracted by this world and its delights, and not thinking about the end of this world and the consequences of being ill-prepared to meet Allah swt. 
As for how to treat the Muslim who has been afflicted by apathy in worship, there are several ways of doing so including the following: 
1 – Strengthening his relationship with his Lord, by reading the Qur’aan and pondering its meanings, realizing the greatness of Allah swt by seeing the greatness of His Book, thinking about the greatness of His names and attributes and actions. 
2 – Regularly offering naafil prayers and persisting in doing so, even if they are few, because one of the greatest causes of the Muslim becoming apathetic is when he starts to do acts of worship and does a great deal in the beginning. This is not the way of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah swt be upon him) and is not what he advised his ummah to do. ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah swt be pleased with her) described his actions as ongoing, i.e., not interrupted or infrequent. And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah swt be upon him) told us that, “The most beloved of actions to Allah swt are those which are done persistently, even if they are little.” If a Muslim wants not to be afflicted by apathy, then let him strive to do a small action persistently, because this is better than doing a lot infrequently. 
3 – Striving to keep company with righteous and active people. A man who is energetic (in worship and Islamic activities) will make you more active and lazy people do not like active companions. So look for active friends who strive to memorize Qur’aan, seek knowledge and call people to Allah swt. Friends like that will encourage you to worship and will show you the way to good things. 
4 – Read books that tell the stories of active people so that you will have good examples in your journey towards Allah swt. 
5 – To make du’aa’, especially in the latter part of the night. The one who turns to his Lord and seeks His help to remain steadfast in worshipping Him and to worship Him well will never be let down.
May Allah swt make things easy for us.  Aameen 

Suhaibhatt85@gmail.com

SOCIAL EVILS IN OUR SOCIETY

By Syed Mustafa Ahmad
There are many evils prevalent in our society. Some of them are attached with it since time immemorial. But some have recently entered into our society. The evils prevalent in our society are: dowry, drug addiction, domestic violence,  female foeticide, female infanticide, illegal abortions, corruption, gender inequality, racism, human trafficking, casteism, poverty, food adulteration, hoarding, etc., to name a few. All these evils adversely affect our lives. But some are more grave than others. Like female infanticide and female foeticide are against humanity and the natural plan. No one has the liberty to kill a living being especially a human being. It directly attacks the very survival of generations. But this sort of behavior is not the culmination of some days; but it has a long history that slowly and steadily prepared  ground for such a behavior that we see in our society. Here, I will throw some light over some causes.      First is materialism. Materialism is such a path that is to be treaded upon carefully. It has the potential of creating as well as destroying. But the experience shows that a majority of people are destroyed by the harmful side of materialism. They worship materialism. Humanity is humiliated in the pursuit of this. The destruction of the Central Asia, Myanmar, Syria, Kashmir, Africa, etc., to name a few has made it clear to us that when the crown of humanity acts against his or her capacity, the fate of the whole world is destined to be destructive. This destruction gives rise to a number of other crimes. Drug addiction, sex scandals, human trafficking, etc., happen in these areas because in the backdrop of failure of the government, might becomes right. Anti-social elements take place of morality and the result is that the society falls into an abyss of immortality, where from it is very difficult to come out.      Second is religiosity. Religions almost teach peace and comfort. There are some rare occasions when violence of very less magnitude is permitted. In today’s world, religiosity has taken the place of religion. Dowry system in Islam has been permitted on the pretext that the last Prophet Muhammad ( PBUH) gave his daughter Hazrat Fatima some household things, at the time of her marriage. The things discussed in the most authentic books show that they were some household things and nothing more like a cushion with date leaves. This incident is taken as a condition for forceful dowry. A girl is forced by her in-laws to bring the modern gadgets from her parents’ home. But the reality is that when a father according to his wish gives some things to his daughter as a heart’s contentment, it is legal. But when it becomes matter of life and death, it becomes religiosity and becomes a life-taking evil.      Third is that we lack scientific temper. Every religious and non-religious text stress upon this fact that a person should ponder over the creation of  Universe. The perfect design of the Universe will make a person realize that there is someone who is the most intelligent and the perfect designer. The diversity among the living beings, will allow him or her to appreciate his or her Creator. The diversity among the non-living things will also leave him or her amazed. The natural phenomena will force him or her to think that they happen due to natural causes. There is no human contribution in it. This kind of mindset is an asset for the whole humanity. In contrast, the superstitious mind never thinks like this. He or she fears the natural phenomena. The rainbow is something to be worshipped. The big trees on account of their size are to be called sacred. Animals are for the service of man but in a humanitarian manner, are worshipped without any solid base. God becomes happy when we help each other, regardless of colour, age, religion, etc. But what when we sacrifice human beings to appease gods, means that we are more nasty than animals. God hates violence but we kill each other on the pretext that certain people bring ill-omen and they should be killed instantly. This approach is quite dangerous and its fruits are quite bitter to taste.       Fourth is the lenient government. They actually are hand in glove. If they are serious, no crime will happen on large scale. The culprits should be dealt harshly. There should be no complacency in punishing the culprits. The culprits, due to many reasons, get  freedom without much pain. In politics, a ruler should be an embodiment of both mercy and dread. A ruler will rule according to the situations. The other side of him or her that is dread, is more important in the contemporary world. The language of love is not understood by  the majority of people. So, it becomes necessary to get them on the right track by the use of stick. I feel it is nice to punish the guilty so that others get a lesson. It will somehow bring down the graph of evils down.      And the last is gender discrimination. A girl and a boy are discriminated on the basis of useless things. A boy is generally taken as a source of pride while a girl as a source of shame. This mindset will not allow girls to live. The ways will be sought to kill them so that the shame they bring with them is ended forever. Our social structure makes it possible to distinguish between a boy and a girl. A girl is always looked with suspicion. Most of the times, boys get scot free while girls are subjected to different harassments for the same activity that is done by a boy. This inequality is found everywhere. From homes to the markets, the story is same. This atmosphere brings no comfort but only gloom and frustration. And we are eyewitnesses to this. No day passes without some girl raped, teased, molested, etc., due to prejudices. It is a long story of misery with no end in future.      We call ourselves modern but we still live in an orthodox manner. We have not understood the reality of a man’s creation. If we had known, we would have mended our ways. If someone knows it, he or she still follows others and the society becomes devoid of the ethically good persons that create so many problems for the society. Let humanity prevail.
By: syed Mustafa Ahmad.

GLOBALIZATION AND ITS CONSEQUENCES By Syed Mustafa Ahmad
Globalization can be defined as free flow of ideas, goods, services and people. Globalization has existed through out history. However, the speed and the scale of the movements of the goods has been different from period to period. In the past, during to lack of Science and technology, the rate of globalization was slow. But in the contemporary world, its pace is very quick. The main reason, apart from other reasons,  is the age of information technology. The quickest services provided by information technology have enabled us to spread ideas, goods, services, people, etc., quickly from one place to another.       Globalization is not the result of a single factor. Necessity is the main motive that results in globalization. No country or nation wants to remain aloof from others. A nation or country cannot be self sufficient in every respect. So, the circumstances force a nation or country to opt for globalization. Moreover, in the backdrop of the Covid-19 in December, 2019, it has become quite clear that how closely the world is knitted in the present world. The emergence of the Covid-19 in China, has almost engulfed the whole world. Any toward incident in any part of the world has a direct bearing on all the affairs of the countries. In short, we can say that the world is a global village, where everything is shared from one corner of the world to another in the quickest time. Now, we have some idea of globalization. We are in a position to understand that necessities are the main building blocks of globalization. But what about its impacts? On the paper, it looks like that it is full of advantages. But when we delve deep into it,  reality comes to the surface. In the next lines, I will throw some light over the consequences of globalization.
Consequences of GlobalizationPolitical: The first consequence of globalization is that it has reduced the state from a welfare state to a minimalist state. The core functions of a state include the maintainence of law and order and protection from any external aggression. Moreover, a state has to strive for the creation of socially and economically well being state. The entrance of globalization has eroded the capacity of a state to only look out for the maintainence of law and order and forget about the social and economic well being of a state. The entry of MNCs has made the state the toothless tigers. There is a compromise on the name of sovereignty. A powerful country interferes in the internal and external affairs of a state.  A state’s own laws and regulations are compromised on the name of development. It is a tight rope and to walk upon it is not a cakewalk at all.Social or Cultural: Apart from the political repercussions or consequences, globalization has affected our culture as well. It has affected our domestic life, food, drink, clothes, ideas, etc. It has also affected the people’s preferences leading to the threat of the common culture that can threaten the other cultures of the world. America, being the most powerful country in the world, rules over the physical life, social life, economic life, ethical life, mental life, etc., of people. America’s hegemony is found in many ways. In case of Soft Power, America dominates in ideological and cultural dimensions. They manipulate the world cultures in their own favour and we call it the Cultural Homogenization. The examples of this culture include the “ jeans culture” and the usage of “ fast foods”. However, it doesn’t mean that other cultures only get subdued. But they also learn new things. It shows that culture is a dynamic concept. It is a give and take method. But here again, it is a path to be treaded upon carefully.Economic: Globalization has economic dimension as well. When it comes to the economic Globalization, our eyes fall on the international institutions like IMF and the World Bank. It is because these institutions play a major role in determining not only the economic policies but also the political and social policies of a country. Economic globalization means to merge a country’s economy with the world economy. But this process is fraught with many dangers. A developing economy can be wiped out if it merges its economy with the developed countries. Recession may or may not harm the developed countries but there are cent percent chances that a developing country will be left in ruins. There will be no recovery from this shock. However, there are chances that a developing country may have access to the world market and try its best to develop itself like the developed countries. But this fact should be kept in mind that any mistake from the side of a developing country can prove fatal. Moreover, economic globalization doesn’t benefit everyone equally. The rich become richer while the poor become poorer. There is a wide gap between the  rich and the poor. One percent people  control ninety percent population in America. So, it can be easily deduced that economic globalization is a sugar-coated poison in my opinion.       The above discussion makes it clear that there are both positive as well negative sides of globalization. It is up to a country now how to tread on this path. It is a risky path. The largest economies of the world can walk up on this path without any hesitation. But for a country like India, that is a developing country with a myriad of problems, it is very dangerous. India is the fifth largest economy of the world. Its economy is about 2.7 trillion dollars. America has about 20 trillion dollars. China has about 14 or 15 trillion dollars. In this case, India lags behind. India cannot afford to merge its economy with these economies because at some time in the future, it may prove disastrous. So, our country should try to become self-reliant and then try to look out for the world market. 

Neglectful Husband and depressed wife

Suhaib Bhat 
Harming wife a sin : This is one of the basic principles of Islam. Because harming even others is haraam in the case of strangers, it is even more so in the case of harming one’s wife.
 It was narrated from ‘Ubaadah ibn al-Saamit that the Messenger of Allah swt (peace and blessings of Allah swt be upon him) ruled, “There should be no harming nor reciprocating harm.” (Narrated by Ibn Maajah,, 2340)
This hadeeth was classed as saheeh by Imaam Ahmad, al-Haakim, Ibn al-Salaah and others. See Khalaasat al-Badr al-Muneer, 2/438.
 Among the things to which the Lawgiver drew attention in this matter is the prohibition of hitting or beating in a severe manner.
 It was narrated from Jaabir that the Messenger of Allah swt (peace and blessings of Allah swt be upon him) said in his Farewell Sermon:
“Fear Allah swt concerning women! Verily you have taken them on the security of Allah swt, and intercourse with them has been made lawful unto you by words of Allah swt. You too have rights over them, and that they should not allow anyone to sit on your bed [i.e., not let them into the house] whom you do not like. But if they do that, you can chastise them but not severely. Their rights upon you are that you should provide them with food and clothing in a fitting manner” (Narrated by Muslim, 1218).
The husband’s rights over his wife.
 The rights of the husband over his wife are among the greatest rights; indeed his rights over her are greater than her rights over him, because Allah swt says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And they (women) have rights (over their husbands as regards living expenses) similar (to those of their husbands) over them (as regards obedience and respect) to what is reasonable, but men have a degree (of responsibility) over them [al-Baqarah 2:228]
 al-Jassaas said: Allah swt tells us in this aayah that each of the spouses has rights over the other, and that the husband has one particular right over his wife which she does not have over him.
 Ibn al-‘Arabi said: this text states that he has some preference over her with regard to rights and duties of marriage.
 These rights include:
 (a)The obligation of obedience. Allah swt has made the man a qawwaam (protector and maintainer) of the woman by commanding, directing and taking care of her, just as guardians take care of their charges, by virtue of the physical and mental faculties that Allah swt has given only to men and the financial obligations that He has enjoined upon them. Allah swt says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah swt has made one of them to excel the other, and because they spend (to support them) from their means” [al-Nisaa’ 4:34]
 ‘Ali ibn Abi Talhah said, narrating from Ibn ‘Abbaas: “Men are the protectors and maintainers of women” means, they are in charge of them, i.e., she should obey him in matters of obedience that Allah swt has enjoined upon her, and obey him by treating his family well and taking care of his wealth. This was the view of Muqaatil, al-Saddi and al-Dahhaak.(Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 1/492)
 (b)Making herself available to her husband. One of the rights that the husband has over his wife is that he should be able to enjoy her (physically). If he marries a woman and she is able to have intercourse, she is obliged to submit herself to him according to the contract, if he asks her. That is after he gives her the immediate mahr, and gives her some time – two or three days, if she asks for that – to sort herself out, because that is something that she needs, and because that is not too long and is customary. 
If a wife refuses to respond to her husband’s request for intercourse, she has done something haraam and has committed a major sin, unless she has a valid shar’i excuse such as menses, obligatory fasting, sickness, etc.
 It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah swt be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allah swt (peace and blessings of Allah swt be upon him) said: ‘When a man calls his wife to his bed and she refuses, and he went to sleep angry with her, the angels will curse her until morning.’” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3065; Muslim, 1436)
 (c)Not admitting anyone whom the husband dislikes. One of the rights that the husband has over his wife is that she should not permit anyone whom he dislikes to enter his house.
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah swt be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah swt (peace and blessings of Allah swt be upon him) said: “It is not permitted for a woman to fast when her husband is present without his permission, or to admit anyone into his house without his permission. And whatever she spends (in charity) of his wealth without his consent, ….” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 4899; Muslim, 1026)

A good relationship between the spouses means that each of them should pay attention to the feelings of the other and they should try to make one another happy. It also means paying attention to the spouse’s circumstances and relationship with those who have right over him or her, so as to help him fulfil those rights, such as the rights of parents, relatives, neighbours and so on. The basis for all of that is understanding, love and compassion. 
Our Lord, the All-Knowing, All-Aware, says (interpretation of the meaning):
“The good deed and the evil deed cannot be equal. Repel (the evil) with one which is better (i.e. Allah swt ordered the faithful believers to be patient at the time of anger, and to excuse those who treat them badly), then verily! he, between whom and you there was enmity, (will become) as though he was a close friend.
But none is granted it (the above quality) except those who are patient, and none is granted it except the owner of the great portion (of the happiness in the Hereafter i.e. Paradise and in this world of a high moral character)”
[Fussilat 41:34-35]. 
As-Sa‘di said in Tayseer al-Kareem al-Rahmaan (p. 749):
Then Allah swt enjoins showing a special type of kindness that will have a great impact, which is treating kindly the one who mistreats you. Allah swt says, “Repel (the evil) with one which is better” i.e., if  someone mistreats you, especially if he has significant rights over you, such as relatives, friends and so on, in word or deed, then respond in a way that is better. If he severs ties with you, uphold ties with him; if he wrongs you, forgive him; if he talks about you behind your back or in your presence, do not respond in kind – rather forgive him and speak to him gently; if he shuns you and does not speak to you, then speak to him kindly and greet him with salaam. If you respond to mistreatment with kindness you will attain great benefits.
“then verily! he, between whom and you there was enmity, (will become) as though he was a close friend” i.e., as if he is near and dear
“But none is granted it” i.e., no one is granted this praiseworthy quality “except those who are patient” in putting up with what they dislike and respond to it in the way that Allah swt likes, for people are naturally inclined to respond to bad treatment with more bad treatment, and not to forgive it. So, how about responding with kind treatment. If a person is patient, obeys the command of his Lord, is aware of the great reward, and knows that responding to bad treatment in kind will not benefit him in any way and will only make the enmity stronger, whereas treating him kindly will not lower his esteem and that in fact the one who is humble for the sake of Allah swt, He will raise him in status — then it will be easy for him and he will find joy in doing that.
“and none is granted it except the owner of the great portion (of happiness in the Hereafter i.e. Paradise, and in this world of a high moral character)” because it is one of the attributes of the elite among mankind, by means of which a person attains high status in this world and in the Hereafter, which is the greatest of noble characteristics.
It was narrated that ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Aamir said: I met the Messenger of Allah swt (blessings and peace of Allah swt be upon him), and I took him by the hand and said: O Messenger of Allah swt, tell me of the most virtuous deeds. He said: “O ‘Uqbah, uphold ties with those who cut you off, give to those who withhold from you and turn away from those who mistreat you.” 
Narrated by Ahmad, 16883; classed as saheeh (authentic) by al-Albaani in Saheeh at-Targheeb, 2536 

Interference of relatives and others in a couple’s life in ways that spoil it and cause trouble is not acceptable according to sharee‘ah (Islamic law) and people’s customs. This matter has to be dealt with wisely and carefully, so as to reduce negative consequences and achieve that which is in everyone’s best interests. The basis for that is achieving mutual understanding and cooperation between the spouses in dealing with it. It may sometimes need patience. So long as the matter has nothing to do with halaal (lawful) and haram (unlawful), 
Du‘aa’(supplication) is one of the greatest means of attaining what one seeks and being saved from what one fears, but that should be without a specific order or specific prayer.Bringing about reconciliation between people is something very important in Islamic teachings, and immense reward results from bringing about such reconciliation. By the same token, there are stern warnings against creating division among people. It was narrated from Abu’d-Dardaa’ (may Allah swt be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah swt be upon him) said: “Shall I not tell you something that is better than the status of (voluntary) fasting, prayer and charity?” They said: “Yes.” He said: “Reconciling in a case of discord, for the evil of discord is the shaver.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (2509), who said: It was narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah swt be upon him) said: “It is the shaver, and I do not say that it shaves hair, but that it shaves (i.e., destroys) religious commitment.” End quote.
Islamic teaching describes several guidelines that will lead to having a peaceful and sound atmosphere in the home, including the following:
Choosing a good wife.Making the home a place of remembrance of Allah swt.Establishing the laws of Allah swt in the home.Teaching the members of the household about Islamic faith and manners.Continually reciting Soorat al-Baqarah in the home to drive away the Shaytaan from the home.Not allowing anyone into the home whose religious commitment is not good.Keeping family secrets.