Mindless Trump!

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Javeed Ali

I read a story in today’s Washington Post which was captioned as “Where would a US Embassy in Jerusalem actually go? It had all the contours of US plot how they are going to establish their embassy in Jerusalem.  It follows after the irresponsible and ridiculous statement of US President Donald Trump wherein he has expressed his unrealistic dream of making the Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. He further said that US embassy will be relocated from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Donald Trump is one of the arrogant, immoral and wicked presidents of America who has a deep hatred for Islam and Muslims. He intentionally or inadvertently displayed his utter abhorrence for Islam at number of times through his insane deeds even in his Presidential election campaign. Now being as President, he always formulates foreign policies which always hurt the sentiments of Muslims.

But this time he has done a silly mistake which has provided us a great opportunity to unite a divided Muslim Ummah. We should try to make the best use of this foolish act of Trump to aware Muslim Ummah about the evil intentions of America and Israel against Islam and Islamic countries.

Israel illegally occupied Palestinian territories in the 1967 war, including East Jerusalem in defiance of the international community, and wasted no time in declaring the city as its “eternal, undivided” capital.

The first Qibla, Muslims prayed towards, is Al-Aqsa mosque or  “Bait-ul-Muqqadas” (Holy place) which is now in Jerusalem (Quds). Most of the prophets of Allah were appointed in this city. This is one of the most blessed places on earth.

Prophet Mohammad (SAW) with Ahlulbayt (A.S.) and noble companions (RA) used to say their prayers facing towards direction of Quds. Prophet Mohammad (SAWW) offered his prayers facing Bait-ul-Muqqadas for thirteen years when he was in Makkah then for seventeen months after emigration to Medina. The foundation for Bait-ul-Muqqadas has been laid by Prophets of Allah Almighty and they used to spend their sacred life there besides offered their prayers there also. Prophet Mohammad (SAWW) has said that Masjid-ul-Haram in Mecca is the first mosque that was constructed in the world and then Bait-ul-Muqqadas was the second mosque which was build 40 years later after the establishment of Masjid-ul-Haram.  According to the Holy Quran and Islamic traditions, Al-Aqsa Mosque is the place from which Prophet Mohammad (SAWW) went on a spiritual night journey  (Al Isra Val Me’raj) from Makkah to al-Aqsa.  Prophet Mohammad (SAWW) tethered Buraq to the Western Wall and prayed at al-Aqsa Mosque and after he finished his prayers, the Angel Jibril (A.S.) traveled with him to heaven, where he met several other prophets and led them in prayer.

It is well established fact that Quds is an important part of Islam and its liberation from the Zionist Israel is paramount for Islam. Therefore, whole Muslim Ummah, keeping aside their sectarian differences, should unite under one umbrella and fight for the Palestine freedom struggle with greater energy. We should all converge under one platform and we should use all the resources available to us for the just cause of Palestine.

We should never forget that the Arab Resistance Movement Hezbollah, the only entity that has defeated Israel ever, in 2006 had made a blueprint to liberate Quds and Palestine from the clutches of Israel but it was impeded by Israel with active support of Arab sheikhdoms who orchestrated a civil war in Syria and turmoil in Iraq immediately after the Hezbollah victory.

Israel along with its masters America with full backing and support from Persian Gulf Arab countries pumped petrodollars into the unjust war, created  ISIS (Daesh) and plethora of other terror groups to divert the attention from the core issue: Palestine.

Now as the ISIS menace have been wiped off from Iraq and Syria, Israeli Zionist forces have started direct confrontation by launching missile attack on Syria. This is being done to hamper the reconstruction and rebuilding process in Syria as they never want Syria to stay stable in order to keep their illegal occupation of Palestine intact.

The Israeli forces are killing, bombarding and torturing the innocent Palestinian people in a planned manner. Palestinians are struggling against the forced and illegal foreign occupations since last 6 to 7 decades and Israel is using every possible oppressive method to suppress the voice of helpless people.

Aftermath the fresh statement of Donald Trump, the  leader of Hamas Resistance movement Ismail Haniyeh  has called for a new uprising against Israel. “We should call for and we should work on launching an intifada in the face of the Zionist enemy,” Ismail Haniyeh said in a speech from Gaza on Thursday. A spokesperson for Hamas previously said on Wednesday night that Donald Trump had “opened the gates of hell” by taking the provocative step of calling the occupied city Israeli.

Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has said that the Muslim world should stand against the US plot to declare Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s “capital,” stressing that Palestine will eventually be freed from occupation.  Speaking on Wednesday on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Ayatollah Khamenei stated, “Palestine today tops the political issues facing the Islamic Ummah and everyone is duty-bound to make endeavors towards its freedom and salvage.” The Leader made the remarks in an address to state officials, ambassadors of Muslim countries and participants at the 31st International Islamic Unity Conference underway in Tehran. Ayatollah Khamenei said that the enemies’ utterence to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as the “capital” of the Israeli regime stems from their “incompetence and despair.”  “The Muslim world would undoubtedly stand against this conspiracy and the Zionists will be dealt a heavy blow with this move and dear Palestine will at last be liberated without doubt,” he added.

Traditional US allies like Saudi Arabia  are among a growing chorus condemning President Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan has criticised US President Donald Trump‘s decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, saying it would throw this region into “a ring of fire”.

I urge all the factions concerning Palestinian issue to unite quickly in order to have the strategy to confront the occupation of Palestine and the US administration policies inside the Palestinian territories. I request all the Muslim clerics of all sects to stop bickering on one another. We should ponder that our ultimate enemies are America and Israel and we should use our energy and resources against them not against our fellow Muslims. Stop using pulpits to spread venom against each other. These pulpits are not for dividing us on trivial issues but to unite as we Shias and Sunnis are two arms (Bazoo) of Islam. We should use the religious centres for Wahdat (unity) which was the fundamental ambition of all the prophets [Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse No. 213]

I want to conclude with the slogan, “From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be Free”.

-The author is a freelance writer and can  be reached at javeedaliofkashmir@gmail.com

 

Is Commemorating Birth Anniversaries of Religious dignitaries, an innovation or an act of polytheism?

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Mujtaba Abbas

Commemorating remembrance of eminent servants of Allah (SWT) like creating a memorial or celebrations of their Milad, in the view of wises is very clear, but for clarification of every kind of doubt in this matter legitimate testimonies are hereby presented.  1.    Organizing Ceremonies manifestation of Love.   Quran-e-Kareem, Invites Muslims towards love for Holy Prophet and his Holy House Hold.                    قُل لَّا أَسْأَلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا إِلَّا الْمَوَدَّةَ فِي الْقُرْبَىٰ( Shura 26/23)Say (Oh Prophet): ‘For this I ask of you no wage except the love of the (Prophet’s) house hold.There is no doubt about commemorating ceremonies for religious dignitaries is nothing but manifestation of love and attachment of people for them, which is in the view of Holy Quran completely correct and acceptable.  2.     Organizing Ceremonies, a Homage to Holy Prophet. Quran-e-Kareem, in addition to companionship of Holy Prophet, has introduced glorification of stature of Holy Prophet as a benchmark for salvation and prosperity.  فَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِهِ وَعَزَّرُوهُ وَنَصَرُوهُ وَاتَّبَعُوا النُّورَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ مَعَهُ أُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ (Araf/157)Those who believe in him and honor him, those who aid him and follow the light sent forth with him, shall surely prosper. In the light of this verse, it is well understood that honoring Holy Prophet in the view of Islam is completely desirable and praiseworthy and organizing ceremonies which are for having alive the glorious remembrance of Holy Prophet (PBUH) and for his eminent prominence to show our praises for him, shall beoccurrenceof gratification of Allah (SWT). Therefore in this verse of Quran four qualities for salvation are mentioned:                    A: Faith;(الذین آمنوا به)(those who believe him).                   B: Following his light; (واتّبعوا النّور الذی أنزل معه)                                         (The light sent forth with him is to be followed)

C: Helping him; (ونصروه)  (Being helpful for him)

D: Homage and glorification for stature of Holy Prophet; (و عزّروه)  (Honor him).

Therefore, honor and homage for Prophet in addition to faith in him and helping him and following his directions is imperative and celebrating beloved Holy Prophet is an example of (وعزّروه) .

  1. Organizing ceremonies is dedication and obedience for Allah (SWT).

Allah in Holy Quran has mentioned about glorifying the Prophet: (وَرَفَعْنٰا لَکَ ذِکْرَکَ) (Inshirah94/4) (Have We not raised your remembrance?)

In the light of this verse we can understand that Allah (SWT) wants magnificence and glory of Holy Prophet should spread across world and himself has weave Quranic verses in praise of His Prophet.

We too in obedience of His Holy Book, with organizing mnemonic splendor ceremonies, the utmost status of Holy Prophet being our role model of perfection and attainment by glorifying him and by this way degrees of our dedication and following of Allah (SWT) is showcased.  It is very much clear that the intention of Muslims from these ceremonies is nothing elsebut to make long loud the beloved Prophet.

 

  1. Coming down of revelation is not less than coming down of food.

Quran-e-Kareem through the tongue of Prophet of Allah mentions this story:

قَالَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا أَنْزِلْ عَلَيْنَا مَائِدَةً مِنَ السَّمَاءِ تَكُونُ لَنَا عِيدًا لِأَوَّلِنَا وَآخِرِنَا وَآيَةً مِنْكَ وَارْزُقْنَا وَأَنْتَ خَيْرُ الرَّازِقِينَ(Maeda 5/114).

‘Allah, our Lord, ‘ said (Prophet) Jesus, the son of Mary, ‘send down upon us a table out of heaven, that shall be a festival for us the first and the last of us and a sign from You. And provide for us; You are the Best of providers.

 

Prophet Jesus prays Allah for the Food of skies, so that Allah send down that Food for them and they will celebrate the day of coming down of Food as Festival (Eid).

This is what we want to ask that a Prophet who wants to celebrate a festival (Eid) the day on which Food of Skies is been sent down for them, which was not more than a fulfillment of bodily satisfaction. But if the Muslims of world celebrates the day of coming down of Allah’s revelation on Prophet or celebrates Prophet’s birth anniversary which are meant for the rescue of whole mankind and are actual resources for meaningful life of a human being. Organizing ceremonies of celebrations and celebrating these days as festivals (Eid) are sources of innovations and polytheism?

 

  1. Tradition Muslims.

The followers of Islam from ages organize such ceremonies for glorifying the remembrance of Holy Prophet.

Hussain Ibn Mohammed Diyar Baqari in his book Tarikh Khamis mentions:

Muslims of all over world used to celebrate the month in which Prophet Mohammed’s (PBUH) day of birth falls along with giving away feasts and during nights of that month alms were distributed among needy people, symbols of happiness were put into gear and all other kindness used to cover whole society and for recitation of memoirs of Milad of Prophet events were organized, and the illustration of his blessings and mercy used to be manifest on everybody.

With all above mentions we attain a general ruling for ceremonies of remembrance of dignitaries of our religion being legitimate and desirable in the light of Quran and tradition of Muslims.

Thus proves baselessness of such claims which says remembering Gods dear ones is an innovation. It is to be noted that innovation is one whose recommendation partially or generally used or applied against Quran and Tradition. While as the general ruling in this matter is completely aligned with Quran and the permanent tradition of Muslims which we understand.

Likewise organizing these ceremonies are only treated as symbols   of respect and glorifying the eminent servant of Allah (SWT) with this belief that their devotion and necessitous is all towards Almighty Allah. Thus has absolute harmony with basic principle of monotheism and Unanimity worship of Allah (SWT).

Therefore it get clearer that anyone who opposes these kind of ceremonies in which God’s dear ones are remembered has no base and foundation. We believe it can never cause polytheism and dualism for a Muslim.

 

Mujtaba Abbas (agamujtaba@gmail.com)

Wonderful Kashmir Experience penned down by Sri lankan traveller Sakie Ariyawansa

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It was a sunny day when I was wearing a Pharan and sitting on Sameer’s veranda in his ancestral Kashmiri home in Mazhom. The workers of the shawl workshop had already arrived, despise of the killing cold of the starting winter. I too was shivering and protested to move out of my warm blanket, when Sameer’s mom suggested me to go and absorb the sun. It first sounded like a joke for me, as a person coming from a warm country like Sri Lanka, where the sunlight is quite sharp and direct. But to my surprise, the Kashmiri sun light was mild and friendly.

While she busied herself in drying the red chillies over a mat in the garden, I snuggled in a blanket watching the early-morning-formed ice melting with the sun rays. The neighbours were also out on their verandas drying their carpets or feeding the cows. A man could have been sitting outside cleaning the Kaangdis ( Traditional Kashmiri firepots) , readying them for the upcoming chill. A young girl would have been stitching a worn out Pharan, maybe embroidering it with a new floral pattern.

Just as then, the latch of the gate creaked and a woman of her 40’s maybe, walked in to the garden. She wore a dark green Pharan and a head scarf of bright pink matching with the border design of her dress. Ring earrings hung from her ears. She had a fancy gold ring with green and red stones embossed to it. She came to Sameer’s mom who hugged her thrice and greeted with Salaams. Their gestures in conversations made me realized that it is about me. I was told that the lady who walked in is a neighbour and her son is to go to Delhi for further studies. She came towards me and sat across. She did not speak Hindi nor Urdu. She was from “that” generation which only spoke Kashmiri. My own Kashmiri was not good enough back then to have pleased her. I only knew how to count. But I could understand what someone would tell me.

She looked at me and smiled. She asked me when I will be going back to Delhi. I managed to say “Akh December” (one). She was extremely happy to have understood 1st of December. Not only that, she gave one clap and laughed with joy at my very slight Kashmiri. We shared a lot through the smiles and expressions. I was wrapping my arms around myself at which she kept saying “Toor cha?” I later found out it was for cold.

The 20 minutes we sat together of course included tea and biscuits with jam in the middle, and a hard doughnut which is known as Kulcha. She observed me struggling with Kulcha, and demonstrated how to eat it with ease. My every move was a joy filled laughter and I assume it made her fall for me more.

The two women were talking aloud mostly about village issues I guessed. I could only gape at their gestures and imagine what it was about. Words like, Siri Lanka, Bangalore and Sameer’s dost cleared to me that it was also about me. Having heard how far Sri Lanka is from Kashmir, her exclamations and surprise escalated further to know that I had come all the way by myself.

It was time for her to head back to her house, and she invited me to tag along with her. When I politely promised for some other time, she pulled out her fancy golden ring and put it on my finger. It was obviously quite big on me (I had thinner fingers) but it was a precious souvenir for me. I really wished I could wear it. Even tying a thread to make the ring hole smaller would not have worked. I denied to accept it, but she insisted that I did. Finally she kissed me on the forehead and left. I also managed to take some selfies with her before that! (I trained her enough until she could not stop taking photos)

There had been many such humans whom I have come across since my first trip to Kashmir. Speaking Urdu can be a definite advantage, but yet they are such people who accept with whole heart a guest, and make them feel home. They never hesitate to invite, always force to eat more, and offer to take you around at get your shopping done at absolutely low prices. So what is stopping you now?

Reality behind ISIS!

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Javeed Ali

javeedaliofkashmir@gmail.com

At the time I was writing this piece, the news flashed on my smartphone that during Friday prayers in the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, ISIS terrorists settling off explosives, spraying worshippers with gunfire and killed at least 300 people including 27 children in the deadliest ever attack on Egyptian civilians. We have reached to that stage where these kind of terrorist attacks have become a normal routine now. Massacre of hundreds doesn’t make us feel saddened any more. The kind of ideology being propagated in world now has made us heartless and pitiless. Beheading innocent people doesn’t tremble our soul anymore as we see these things round the clock on the social media and we take it as a normal phenomenon. Where have we reached? Where is humanity? What is being fed to us that the word ‘mercy’ is obsolete now? Why is Islam which is the religion of peace being presented as a religion of barbarism? Why are the teachings of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) which are for the betterment of whole humanity being altered to justify killings? Why is Islam presented like it has to be imposed by force on people? Why we try to force our religion on others when we don’t implement it in our lives? This is all being done  because there are elements in this world who use Islam to fulfill their desired goals than to serve humanity which is the paramount segment of Islam.

ISIS or Daesh is one such group which was created to serve the interests of those who have nothing to do with Islam. America, Israel and their Arab puppets laid the foundation of this group and provided all the required resources to them including propaganda machinery. The main motive of this group was to create sectarian violence in the Middle East to pave way for the Greater Israel and to secure the illegitimate monarchy of Arab rulers. At the time when the youth were awakened against Zionist and arrogant powers in this world and were working and praying for the liberation of Palestine, Daesh was founded to sabotage the liberation movement of Palestine and to crush the resistance movement. The creators of this terrorist group in order to hoodwink the world community staged the drama of fighting this group. There are ample reports that US and Israel were providing arms and ammunition to ISIS terrorists in Iraq and Syria and also provided treatment to those ISIS terrorists who had got injured.

As the authorities in Iraq and Syria have now declared the complete elimination of ISIS terrorists from their countries, a point to ponder is that those groups who fought and defeated ISIS terrorists are being designated as terrorists by America, Israel and their Arab puppets. This is the clear indication that they are mourning the loss of billions of dollars which they had invested on this tumour (Daesh) and now they utter ridiculous things out of their frustration.

ISIS terrorists killed Shias, Sunnis, Christians, Yazidis and beheaded thousands of innocent people. They destroyed cultural heritage sites and religious places of different faiths in Iraq and Syria. They butchered hundreds of Muslim scholars belonging to both Shias and Sunnis.  They raped thousands of women in the name of so called Sex Jihad, a term which has no Islamic validation. They are beasts which are given free license by their masters to kill and rape. They are at the service of Zionism and play treacherous plots to malign the image of Islam.

Iraqi Army, Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) Al-Hashd Al-Sha’abi, Syrian Arab Army, Hezbollah Resistance Movement, Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and Russia played the brave and commendable role to eradicate this menace from Iraq and Syria. US which was claiming that they are fighting against ISIS terrorists in Iraq and Syria instead were hampering the job of anti-Deash forces. US and Israel employed all its options to save its creation (ISIS) but failed miserably in Iraq and Syria.

The disheartening thing is that at the time of complete annihilation of ISIS terrorists from Iraq and Syria, the Arab league called an emergency meeting where they gave a statement in which they declared Hezbollah as ‘terrorist outfit’ and accused Iran for interfering in Middle East. It clearly indicates that the defeat of Daesh has not gone in their favour.  The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas denounced the statement of Arab league and urged them to declare Israeli’s actions against Palestine as terrorism. Hamas also called on Arab states to support the legitimate struggle of the Palestinian people.

Its very tragic that the Saudi Arabia is tying with US and Israel to attack Iran and Hezbollah as was recently hinted by an Israeli Minister. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman in pursuit of kingship is using all designs to grab power at the expense of Palestinian cause. He even detained 11 fellow princes, hundreds of businessmen and government officials over claims of corruption and there are reports that they are being tortured by American mercenaries called ‘Blackwater’ .

We should always keep this thing in mind that US and Israel can never be friends with Muslims. They are sponsoring the terrorists to create the discord in Muslim Ummah for their nefarious designs. They have no love for Islam so Muslim countries should not pin any hope on them. They confront or defend a ruler depending on their evil interests. They confronted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and presented him as brutal and barbaric ruler as he was not serving their interests. Even rebellion was orchestrated in Syria against Bashar al-Assad to topple his government as he didn’t bow before the diktats of Zionist forces. He was blamed for killing his own people. This was all told to us through Western backed media like White Helmets and UK-based so called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The tragic part is that our media copied the same propaganda and pasted it in their publications. So its obvious that when we read these concocted and fabricated stories, it do affect our mindset in a wrong way. I invite all people who want to know the real ground situation of Syria. Just visit Syria once and interact with the civilians there. This is the only way you will come to know the reality than though the media which is backed by Zionism.

Have you ever seen US-Israeli nexus condemning the innocent killings happening in Palestine, Yemen, Rohingya, Egypt, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Libya, Nigeria, Bahrain. They only interfere where they have their set goals. Million of people were displaced in Yemen and thousands were brutally killed there by US-Saudi-led aggression. An alarming number of children are suffering of malnutrition and many of them have died of starvation. US-Saudi coalition have even blocked the humanitarian aid to the impoverished people of the poorest Arab country. Save the Children reported that 130 Yemeni children are now dying every day from extreme hunger or disease, with 50,000 dead this year alone. Where do our sympathy goes when the plight of these oppressed nations comes into our notice?

Even though ISIS lost its ground in Iraq and Syria, we should not be complacent. Their sponsors will be thinking to rebuild them with new name and place. They will reemerge anywhere with new flag and strategy to sow the seeds of discord again. So we all need to be cautious and work tirelessly to unite the Muslim Ummah as only united Ummah will break their bones. Moreover, we should educate those people who have got romanticized with the ideology of groups like ISIS due to lack of knowledge. We should make them understand that these are not Islamic groups but anti-Islamic groups in Islamic attire which is funded and supported by the enemies of Islam. They raise the deceptive flag of Islam and perpetrate heinous crimes which go entirely against the teachings of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and Holy Quran. They are Takfiri groups whose main ambition is to create strife among the Muslims and dominate the Muslim World. Its our religious obligation to forge unity and fight these Takfiri groups so that peace prevails in the world.

-The author is a freelance writer and can be reached at javeedaliofkashmir@gmail.com

 

THE LEGEND OF THE EAST

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Dr Amlan Das

 

Acharjya Ila Ram Das popularly known as “BaapIshwar” among his followers and supporters whose name needs no formal introduction was one of the greatest spiritual reformer, revolutionary preacher of the ethical principles of “Ek Saran Naam Dharma” founded by Mahapurush Shrimanta Shankardeva based on universal brotherhood and equality, finest orator, was indeed one of the incredible and ever talented son of our soil whose lifelong struggles and hardships have changed the lives of many, especially the downtrodden sections of our society. The cries and woes and the miserable and pathetic conditions of the oppressed sections of our society was indeed being a nightmare for him who could not resist from engaging himself for their welfare activities by rescuing them from the web of untouchability, discriminations, illiteracy and other prevalent dogmas during that period just as BabaSaheb Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, the founding father of modern India ,the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and the messiah of the oppressed sections fought in the national contexture, was a role model for him. He advocated a simple life based on moral values and became a centre of attraction for the emerging Vaishnavite movement in the mid 90s. His sole dedication as a religious promoter and a sincere missionary of Shrimanta Shankardev Sangha could win the hearts of the great masses, who even sacrificed his lucrative teaching career for his mission. He was a core member of the Saran committee of Shrimanta Shankardev Sangha, and also holds important and dignified portfolios like UpaPadadhikar, who had worked with his contemporary Vaishavite leader and Social activist Sunaram Chutiya. His speeches and discourses became so popular during that time that it was not only restricted among the Hindu masses but was also being greatly appreciated by the followers of Islam, Christians and other religions who conferred him with honorable titles like Auliya (meaning friend, helper, supporter, patron or protector) due to his depth knowledge on various religious scriptures, has been a sole inspiration for establishing global peace and communal harmony and people crowded in huge numbers assemble in the public meetings just to have a glimpses of him. Many eminent personalities of our state like poet Nilamoni Phukan, Ramakanta Muktiar, Dr. Maheswar Neog, Dr Indira Miri, Ex-President of India Fakharuddin Ali Ahmed, Ex-prime minister of India Smt. Indira Gandhi and others have indeed given due recognition to him for  his  God gifted talents. Once in a public meeting where both Nilamoni Phukan and Ila Ram Das were present, Phukan became mesmerized by his divine speech, said that “People of Assam have given me the title Bagmiveer (meaning maestro of oration) but in real sense son Ila Ram Das deserves this title”. His life took a new turning point in 1971 in the Nehrubali Adhivesan of Sangha at Nagaon where he resigned from Shrimanta Shankardev Sangha due to some ideological differences with his counterparts of Sangha and many of his supporters also came out along with him accordingly. He was so grief stricken after he abandon Sangha that he decided to hibernate himself totally from all sort of socio-cultural activities. His decision has indeed spread like fire all over the state and many of his followers and supporters became deeply lamented and planned to revive him again in all possible way. So on sole demand and humble request from his followers, supporters and well wishers, Baapishwar again resolved to start a new organization of Vaishnavite movement and finally Ek Saran Bhagawati Samaj came into existence. His revival was indeed a new ray of hope for many of his followers and they started promoting and building up organizational base in all over the state with him as the Acharjya (meaning the mentor or spiritual guide). The uniqueness of the Samaj is the divine Gunamala Kirtan and the Palnaam whose melody gives one a state of tranquility and heavenly spiritual experience which act as a boon in this arena of concrete and self-centered life and crave for material aspirations. As the Spiritual Icon of India Swami Vivekananda says “I have faith in my country, and especially in the youths of my country. My hope is in the youths”, similarly Ilaram Das too gave due importance and consideration to youths by starting a youth wing of Ek Saran Bhagwati Samaj named Tarun Vidyarathi Samaj whose prime objective was to impart spiritual and moral values amongst the youths as the youths play a pivotal role in the nation building process. The Prathana Sabha (Prayer Meeting) and various socio-cultural activities conducted by the Tarun Vidyarathi Samaj gives an important message to our new generation that its only by our cultural exploration we can link ourselves to our roots. As Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar says “When a man gets educated his family becomes developed but when a woman gets educated, a society becomes developed”. Keeping this in mind and giving due priority to women, he started a women wing of Ek Saran Bhagawati Samaj named as Sati Radhika Aai Matri Samitee for promoting awareness on women empowerment and motivating them to take important leadership roles for the all round development of our society. He also emphasized on various social prejudices of women prevalent in the society like early marriages, child marriages, birth spacing between births of two children etc and promoted education, vocational programmes for women like weaving under technical expertise and so on. The Naamghosa Rasamrit, Palnaam Tatwa, Nitya Prasangar Arhi etc were one of his superlative literary contributions. The Ek Saran Bhagawati Samaj is now working in all nooks and corners of our state to promote his vision universally. This legendary figure of Assam was awarded with the prestigious Shankardev Award for his outstanding activities by the Assam State Government on 2002. This versatile genius of the state breathed his last on 19th October 2003. His preachings and lifelong contributions will indeed remain as great milestones for the egalitarian Assamese Society and he will never be a forgotten hero.

 

Ghulam Mohammad Dar , 128 Year Old Life Story

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SYED BILAL

Growing old is basically going through series of changes that begin with life and continue throughout life cycle. In other words, it represents the closing period in the life-span, a time when the individual looks back on life, lives on past accomplishments and sophistications then finally begins to finish of his life course. Therefore, adjusting to the changes that accompany old age requires that an individual is flexible and develops new coping, new skills to adapt to the changes that are common to this time in their lives. We usually consider that there is not a universally accepted threshold of old age. Opinions differ according to the socio-economic and political situation.

 

Ghulam Mohammad Dar, who was born in the year 1898 has seen life with number of angles. Categorical note by him says that as people grow old, the likelihood of experiencing age-related loses increases. Such loses may impede the maintenance or acquisition of desired relationship resulting in a higher incidence of loneliness.

It was my routine visit to the nearby playground to watch a match between host club vs Kashmir Sports. On my way, suddenly I stepped backward to have a second glance towards the house of Ghulam Mohammad Dar who is living with his younger son Ghulam Rasool Dar who has a son Imran and a daughter Rubiya. Both of which are married, among which Imran has two sons Aatif and Aariz. Now it is only the determined hope and enthusiasm of Ghulam Mohammad Dar that makes him a competent player in the field of life. “it is not always flesh and blood which makes us fathers and sons but it is all the course of golden pure heart that makes us able to proceed forward in life,” says Ghulam Mohammad Dar.

In the courtyard, an old man sitting on an old-fashioned chair, that prompted me to change my mind and decided to have a conversation with the person of such a lovely wisdom and due flexibility in his physique and soul and is nearly 128 years old had seen the life from the time when nobody was not even wearing shalwar. I was thinking how can people who have such a big dignity living in their surroundings live a normal life without even meeting him on regular intervals. People were hardly able to arrange a phiran (traditional Kashmiri long coat) made up of suttal, the fabric that gets imported from different corners of the world. Ghulam Mohammad Dar had married in a time when people were hardly able to arrange shalwar for themselves. As far as his own marriage is concerned he stated  “I was not having a single shalwar at my home but somehow, I arranged it on my marriage. The custom was that a groom’s family had to pay entire expense even I paid 60 boag (currency measuring system) to the bride’s family and when the bride reached my home the people accompanying her paid 10 Boags back,says Ghulam Mohammad Dar. “My family had to even arrange a girl “sazged” to decorate the bride. I consumed 40 rupees on purchasing clothes, 9 rupees on buying meet. This is one of the costlier marriages of the time,” he further added.

Ghulam Mohammad Dar who has 6 sons and 2 daughters among which the elder one, the daughter who died soon after her birth. Her age at present would have been approximately 93 years. The elder son of Ghulam Mohammad Dar who is living separate has married 5 times and is living with his 5th wife. Apart from this, the physiological decline in ageing definitely refers to the physical changes some individual experiences because of the decline in the normal functioning of the body resulting in poor mobility, vision, hearing, inability to eat and digest food properly, a decline in memory, the inability to control certain physiological functions, and various chronic conditions. “Old age means multiple things, sometimes you feel totally sad, sometimes, joyful, some nights I can’t sleep, but I feel happy anyway, I have my family and I do what I like, I plant Haakh (collard greens), Brinjal and when I can’t do that, I plant beans,” says Ghulam Mohammad Dar.

“However, the partition and the resulting conflict changed the whole scene. The fate of the state turned into an insoluble tangle, however, there are conflicting versions of the basic situation and the happenings,” says Ghulam Mohammad Dar. It was well known fact that the Jammu people wanted to get integrated with the Indian Union while the Kashmiris were in two minds, he further added.

He is the person who has not even took a single tablet till date and obviously doesn’t even know that there are 2 to 3 medical shops running in their village. We were too busy in our conversation when suddenly somebody broken in and offered a “Noon Chai” to his grandchildren Aatif. I was fascinated to hear that Dar himself doesn’t even know how Noon Chai tastes from last 15 years. “I find it boring, ill and wasteful, if I don’t take 4 time Lipton tea cups a day,” says Ghulam Mohammad Dar. It is all due to the prayers of my mother who each and every time used to pray to Almighty Allah (Mumme wuchen peanch (5) pushte panen) and Alhamdulillah I have seen five said Ghulam Mohammad Dar.  Old age! It’s good, I keep on fighting and sometimes I miss my life when I was young, active, worked the whole day in the fields, went to relatives and on the next day I was just fine. Then the responsibility associated to being an adult, wife, children and the need of saving some money even it was just a farce for we people that time to earn and save money for our things, our obligations and responsibilities. Today Masha Allah I have my own family, house and very much property too but still sometimes I miss the old days. So, being old, getting old has been good because it went smoothly for me. I have no problems with old age. The health is now no more accompanying me as I many a times feel much tired than before even I had not stopped working still he further added.

During his young days, the key occupation was the Traditional Killam Kashi (silk yearing from mulberry trees). The people associated with the work used to transport the raw material to Srinagar through boats and finally handover it to the government. The boat used to carry 30 to 40 Manns (quantity used to measure) of raw material where they hardly get very little amount in return but much enough during those times,” said Ghulam Mohammad Dar. He further said that, the boatman used to charge 8 to 12 aaanas (currency) to transport it to Srinagar from Anantnag.

“Apart from this it was too much easier for we people to go to Pakistan than Srinagar as there existed no boundaries,” said Ghulam Mohammad Dar. He also recalled when the Pakistani raiders (kabails) arrived in Kashmir and according to him  everyone was trying to hide himself and how at the end Sherwani lead them towards the wrong path for which they later killed him.  “Dar” also said that life has become more complicated due to technological advancement. He said that whatever we are as independent (India) it is all because of the efforts of Gandhi, proceeding on vehemently he said, the development of village India, for Gandhi, was the development of India. Illiteracy, ignorance, and poverty characterized that vast population of rural India. “Gandhi organized mass movements to draw attention to the problems of the rural people, and also to involve the peasants in the freedom struggle, “he further added. “the description of the villages community in India was idyllic and superficial, although villages had their distinct identity and were ruled by the local heads,” says Ghulam Mohammad Dar. Villages were completely cut off from each other, i.e.; absolutely nothing to do with outside world he further added.

He remembers the time when the government arranged a small radio sized television and was installed in the nearby locality. How people use to assemble there and watch television. He says as the life started getting easy day by day, people still couldn’t live easily with each other. His grandson Imran Ahmad told that: “we used to hear so many stories from him when we were young that we would never forget. He is of course a living legend and an interesting man who has seen life very closely.

As far as the interests are concerned Mr. Ghulam Mohammad Dar used to be the great lover of music. Mukhtar Mir was a local Kashmiri singer who used to sing Kashmiri songs on different occasions. “He was a good Kashmiri funny poet also, we together were a Kashmiri singing band and almost I remained in the profession for at least for a period of 15 years,” says Ghulam Mohammad Dar. He says music may belong to any nation or place, the fact remains that it is always good to ears. He further said, everybody of us know, that there are no barriers of language or words that limit music lovers to listen and appreciate a good voice or a tone. “The sweet tones thus produced touch the heart and mind and even consoles human souls,” says Ghulam Mohammad Dar.

“The health and educational facilities during those times were available very less or we can say negligible. Among the doctors was, Rasool Naid who used to cure patients by homeopathic medicines. Rasool Naid was living in Wanpoh Anantnag so the residents from shamsipora and nearby villages would have to travel 6 to 7 kilometers by foot to reach wanpoh. Rasool Naid was not professionally well trained do remember “something is better than nothing,” says Ghulam Mohammad Dar. “Mumma Hakeem, Gani Hakeem were also unaani and ayurvedic doctors living in Chadroo Pulwama and Shangus Nowgam respectively, who used to cure patients by natural pure organic way,” says Ghulam Mohammad Dar. He says, these were the only medical aid options available to people of South Kashmir and in case of maternity related cases either a woman would give birth to child normally or would die in case the abnormality comes. The one more important and fundamental sector is the educational sector, he says, there was hardly a person who would read the letters coming from outside so people living in villages had to travel kilometers in order to make their letters read. “The entire village of shamsipora was having minimal fertile land of which the majority belonged to alone Prem Nath Chopra,” says Ghulam Mohammad Dar. He was having at least 22 khears (252 marlas) of land which approximately is very near to the entire fertile land of the said village added Ghulam Mohammad Dar. “How peculiar was the time when a single educated man was present in the village who used to be 5th standard pass and was highly educated in the entire NANDI BELT of Home Shalibugh,” says Ghulam Mohammad Dar. His name was Gafoor Dar, whenever a letter from outside the valley would reach in the village from the people who had gone to the other parts of the country particularly Punjab many a times even from Pakistan, people would rush with the letters in their hands towards the home of Gafoor Dar or Sansar Bhat a pandit living in the village. Since the pandits were in the majority added Ghulam Mohammad Dar. He says the extent of the poverty was so detreating that people had no shalwar’s to wear, they used to wear long tattered firans made of munnol.

I was first astonished to hear from Ghulam Mohammad that once a time when Mohammad Ali Jinnah arrived here in Kashmir, he made him wear the garland of dates that he had made personally. Ghulam Mohammad also remembers that he was carrying a goat with him. In order to see him, the people from the nearby villages rushed towards the venue that was organized at Pad-Shahi Bagh Bijbehara. He vehemently said, that people were evaporating from every side even some were carrying ploughs and daggers on their shoulders.

At last, he stated that  blessed are those homes where persons of such age are present and therefore the need of an hour is to take care of them physically, mentally and even socially. The concluding notes from Ghulam Mohammad were that no matter even if I would live for thousand years I still have to leave at the end. Better are those hands who help others in any way in their young age as when old age advances, lot of physical, mental and social changes take place, he added further.

This is quite an evident fact that as age advances, lot of physical, mental and social changes take place. Physical conditions may restrict movements, social changes may force dependency and mental condition may lead to depression and anxiety, even in poverty like conditions, it can lead towards economic insecurity and aggravate the situation. Remember ageing is a universal problem and no country can escape it different countries have felt its impact differently based on their socio-economic and cultural conditions.

I caught a braid chopper!

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By Javeed Ali

javeedaliofkashmir@gmail.com

I was browsing through my Facebook profile on my laptop. Its timeline from a long time has been displaying videos, images and contents of alleged braid chopping incidents in Kashmir. It has been over one month these views keep flaunting in front of you once you login to any social media app. The chapter started on September 04, 2017 and like a wild fire it has spread all over the Kashmir valley. Every now and then we see alleged braid choppers being held and beaten to pulp. But so far nothing concrete has come out who is behind this stratagem.

As my mind was revolving around the braid chopping incidents, I heard the noise of footsteps through our lane. It was over 12 midnight and when I peeped out of the window, I saw a middle aged man attired in Phiran (Kashmiri gown). It was an unusual thing as we reside in the area where movement of traffic and people gets curtailed before 10 in the evening. His appearance was shabby and he was looking weirdly around the surrounding. As my mind was already engrossed in the unabated braid chopping incidents in Kashmir, I straightaway suspected him as braid chopper. Without wasting any time, I gestured to him, “Tohe kya chu yepaeer karaan? (What are you doing here?)”.  Before he could utter anything, one of my neighbour who had already got on to the terrace of his house screamed, Braid chopper! Braid chopper! Within a flash, the whole horde of neighbourhood was on the ground. They caught hold of him and started enquiring about his uncommon presence in our territory. He was terrified and scared. Everyone was asking him queries and they started beating him before he could utter anything. He was punched, kicked, smashed, smacked, thumped, knocked, slammed and even abused. The ruthless and merciless beating caused him grievous injuries. He was bleeding profusely and broke down with tears trickling down his face. His clothes were searched but to our utter surprise there were only few pieces of cigarettes and no tool, blade or scissors were found.

My all attempts to protect him from beating and listen to his version failed completely as he was badly overpowered by the huge group of people of our vicinity. In the meantime, police vehicles arrived and they asked to hand him over to them. The people declined to hand him over to police and started chanting slogans suspecting him as Army worker. They pelted stones on police vehicles but police burst tear smoke shells and took him forcibly in their vehicle. After that everyone started making bizarre stories surrounding the incident as is common in Kashmir.

The next day, respectable and trustworthy elders of our area went to the police station to enquire about the fate of the alleged braid chopper. They were shocked to know that the person whom we had beaten barbarously is a mentally retarded patient of our nearby locality. He was now admitted in a hospital. His family members were present there with the medical documents which confirmed that he is suffering from stress and depression since last 20 years. They were crying bitterly along with the mentally challenged person whom we had suspected as braid chopper. Doctors attending him claimed that he will take time to recuperate from the bad injuries inflicted on him by our brutal beating.

This is one instance where we have beaten an innocent person just because we are facing the case of mass hysteria as propounded by the psychologists. An unruly mob roughed up foreign tourists when they had lost their way which had sent out an undesirable example to the world contrary to the fact that we are known as best in the hospitality with the guests. In Shallabugh area of Ganderbal, a group of 3 non-local tourists and guests of a local scribe were severely beaten and thrashed by locals as they mistook them as braid choppers. Their vehicle was also damaged and later on they were rescued by police. In another incident, two men were inhumanely hammered in Wakoora area of same district when they were collecting donations for a Yateem (orphan) trust.

In one of the disheartening incident, a 70-year old person was stoned to death in Anantnag on the suspicion of braid chopper. At some places rag pickers, Bihari labourers, transgender, lovers and drug addicts were also badly beaten just because they were at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Attack on the modesty of women is unbearable and same cannot be allowed to happen in our society. Braid chopping is an ugly scene which has made inroads in Kashmir after it previously occurred in different parts of the world and across the India as well. So it has to be looked from the broader perspectives rather than through the contours of the prevailing conflict in Kashmir.  After braid choppers hit Delhi in July, the police commissioned experts from the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences to study the phenomenon. The same institute had researched complaints about a monkey-like creature attacking people in the national Capital in 2001 and concluded that the entire episode was a case of mass hysteria. It means when a fear or threat real or imagined spreads to a large number of people through rumours or narratives so much so that many of them start reporting similar symptoms. A former head of the department of Psychiatry at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) reportedly told one of the news agency, “From all available evidence it seems that the women are cutting their own hair, either consciously or in an altered sensorium, likely to seek attention”. One more psychiatrist added that braid chopping could be the result of depression or stress ailments of women folk. Only time will tell us what is the exact cause and intent of this braid chopping scenario till then we should avoid believing in conspiracy theories.

We should not pay heed to rumours as there are many mischief and rumour mongers who always play pranks for their amusement and fun. Social media is helping these pranksters.  It creates fear psychosis which badly impacts the behaviour of human souls which in turn makes him or her the victim of mass hysteria. There may be genuine incidents of braid chopping but we should not blame it on any group or party without having any authenticity. We should not use the violent ways to protest against what is still a mystery. A 5-year old boy Sibti Hyder of Gangoo was injured at Pahoo, Pulwama when he was hit by a stone on his head. What was his fault? Was he involved in braid chopping? Why are we becoming the nation of vigilantes?

Last year rumour mongers got almost whole Kashmir populace on the streets on the rumour that polio drops caused deaths. Moreover, we should never forget the killing of Asrar Dar of Maisuma in 2009 who was killed by his friends on the love tangle and then his killers had protested violently for three days in Maisuma area and had blamed police for the killing. It was only after the investigation done by police which had revealed that the friends who were protesting against his death were his real killers. Furthermore, in the same year one of the relative of JKLF chairperson Mohammad Yasin Malik who was an auto rickshaw driver was strangulated to death by the robbers. At that time too, the blame was put on police for his death. Later on, investigations carried out in his death unraveled his killers as the robbers who had robbed him in his auto and strangulated him to death.

So we should ponder that giving unnecessary attention to rumour mongers is severely damaging our business and day to day life. There are so many business hawkers who are fearful to go to any region these days fearing they might be suspected as braid choppers. Even relatives and friends don’t visit to their respective relatives or friends. Few days ago a youth was beaten ruthlessly in Kakapora area in Pulwama when he was visiting to his aunt on his motorcycle. Where are we heading. The world will laugh at us if they will come to know about our ridiculous acts. The media fraternity needs to play an important role. They should not circulate anything without verifying the authenticity of incident. Moreover, we should not believe in rumours like holy scripts as there are many elements who are propagating rumours to serve their own motives.  Let’s all confront this menace without targeting the innocent beings and most importantly we should prevent the spread of rumours which has badly impacting the life in Kashmir.

KARBALA THE GREATEST MESAAGE OF UNITY AMONG UMMAH.

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Syed Karar Hashmi

 

 

Message of Karbala is to strive or struggle for the cause of Islam, justice and righteousness. It can be waged by various means such as speeches, writings, wealth, enlightening fellow humans by oratory and discourses or writing books and articles . So also funding of welfare projects like schools, hospitals, roads, bridges and so on.

 

 

To  think always about  one’s defense is the proof of being alive and alert. Suppose we are dealing with a powerful enemy who intends to violate our rights  or to attack the territory of our lands, and suppose that we are at the moment too weak to defend ourselves and any effort on our part would entail a serious loss and no positive result could be gained now or in the future. In such a case it is obvious that we are unable to resist such a strong foe but, at the same time, we are obliged to strengthen our forces rather than losing our spirit and remaining inactive.

 

THE KARBALA SHOWS US TO STRIVE AGAINST ALL IMPERIAL POWERS IRRESPECTIVE OF NUMERICAL STRENGTH TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.

 

 

 

Imam Husayn had shown by his acts as well as his various discourses during the seven days of Muharram at Karbala, that this conflict was much more universal in nature, and that he knew that he was going to live forever through his martyrdom.

 

 

 

Yazeed died as uselessly as he lived; only three years after the battle of Karbala took place. While trying to race a baboon, he fell from his horse and broke his neck. As history has recorded, those who were apparent victors at Karbala have disappeared without trace.

 

 

 

While the plain of Karbala was transformed from a deserted piece of barren land into a bustling town, of which, the central monument is Imam Husayn’s glorious tomb. Millions of people visit the tomb in reverence, all the year round, day and night. Imam Husayn’s martyrdom is observed with solemn deference all over the world, every year during the first ten days of the month of Muharram, by his followers. Public gatherings are held, speeches are made in which the story of Karbala is retold in touching tones and prayers are made to the effect that may the almighty Allah grant the same courage and strength to his followers in their hour of trial as he did to Imam Husayn. At the end of these gatherings, the audience stand up and pay homage to Husayn and his companions in the following formal terms:

 

I WISH I WAS WITH YOU ( AT KARBALA ) AND WOULD THEREFORE, HAVE ATTAINED THE SAME EXALTED STATION ( AS YOU DID).

 

 

 

Although, the observance of commemoration of Imam Husayn in Muharram has only recently started in the Western countries, they are a part of the Muslim culture in India, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq and other eastern countries.

 

 

 

New centers have been established in Canada, the USA, and in many European countries where these practices of Muharram are done with all the elaborate details.

The main element of these commemorative practices is the message of Imam Husayn, which is also the message of the Prophet of Islam, which is Islam in its purest form.

 

 

 

Karbala is a gift to humanity. It teaches the parents how to love and cherish their children – however, when the time of sacrifice, the parent comes is in the forefront to sacrifice his/her child for the right cause.It teaches men and women how a husband should behave with her wife, and vise-versa. Even when the family is threatened for life, property, and honour, how sensible people keep their heads and act according to Allah’s and nature’s laws. It teaches the faithful that your beliefs and your convictions are the most important thing in the world.It teaches the faithful to find the right Imam and follow him.It teaches the faithful that helplessness and lack of power in this world do not mean a thing as long as one has chosen the right path and he/she is convinced that he/she is on the side of the truth.

 

 

 

 

When tents were burning in Karbala, Lady Zainab, Imam Husayn’s sister approached her 24 year old nephew, Imam Ali Zain Al-Abideen and asked him: “Nephew, you are our Imam now, what is your command about us, shall we all get burnt to death or save our lives and go out of the tents without our Hijab?”

 

 

IMAM ALI ZAIN AL-ABIDEEN REPLIED: “AUNT, SAVING YOUR LIFE IS OBLIGATORY, GO OUT AND SAVE YOURSELVES AND THE CHILDREN.”

 

 

 

The head coverings had already been looted from the heads of the ladies by the enemy soldiers. However, Lady Zainab is the grand-daughter of the Prophet of Islam; she is the daughter of Imam Ali and Lady Fatima. She did not need anyone else to tell her what the religious law was. She had grown up with Islam. By this one act, Lady Zainab showed to the world the importance of the Imam of the time. At the same time, Imam Ali Zain Al-Abideen’s reply showed that Islamic law is what it is, but common sense always prevails.

The Karbala shows us to strive against all imperial powers irrespective of Numerical strength taken into consideration.

 

THE HOLY QURAN ADVISES, “MAKE READY THEN AGAINST THEM WHAT FORCE YOU CAN, AND STRONG SQUADRONS WHEREBY YOU MAY STRIKE TERROR INTO THE ENEMY OF GOD AND YOUR ENEMY.” (08:60)

 

 

 

 

The writer is a Social and RTI Activist from Central Kashmir Ganderbal District , studying at Jamia Al Mustafa (s.a.w) International University Qom Iran.

 

Karbala, the persuasion to good and dissuasion to evil

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By Javeed Ali

javeedaliofkashmir@gmail.com

The tragedy of Karbala that occurred fifty years after the death of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) is a unique event of Islamic history—many dimensional and multi leveled. Just when the Muslim empire had reached almost its peak of glory, Imam Hussain (A.S.) the grandson of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) challenged not only the legitimacy of Yazid, the ruler of the Muslim empire but even the validity of that imperialist tyranny which was masquerading as Islamic State. And Hussain sealed his protest with his blood and the blood of the small number of his companions who fell fighting, under heaviest odds, against hordes of state mercenaries. He willingly suffered all those tyranny and persecution. The battle of Karbala was a clash not between personalities but between two principles; love of truth against lust for power; passion for justice against perversity of tyranny.

The movement of Imam Hussain (A.S.) was for the establishment of the truth and justice.

Imam Hussain (A.S.) said, “Indeed, I have risen up solely to seek the reform of the Ummah of my grandfather (PBUH). I want to command what is good and stop what is wrong”.

This sentence highlights the basic position of ‘enjoining the good and forbidding the evil’. Imam Hussain (A.S.) through this sentence expresses the pivotal role of ‘enjoining good and forbidding evil’ and conveys it as the final target of his uprising. The essence of enjoining good and forbidding evil is existing in all the religions of Abrahamic lineage and it has been an obligation for all the prophets and messengers, Imams and believers. It is not merely a matter of jurisprudential obligation, but in fact a standard and philosophy for sending divinely prophets; all this is because the material world is the place where vice and virtue, truth and falsehood, good and bad, darkness and light, excellence and lowliness get intermingled. Sometimes all this is intermixed in such a way that it becomes difficult to get them identified. , then follow, and act upon it. The divine religions are providing us an understanding about enjoining and forbidding, and in fact, (it provides understanding about) good and bad, truth and falsehood, darkness and light, excellence and lowliness, command us to perform the good, avoid bad and thus bestow us divine guidance towards the right path. For the importance of enjoining good and forbidding wrong, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) says, “One who enjoins good and forbids wrong is vicegerent of Allah, Book of Allah and the Messenger of Allah on the earth”.

Accordingly, the basic of enjoining good and forbidding evil is not particular to Imam Hussain (A.S.). Instead, it is an obligation for all prophets and messengers, pious people and believers. Since during the time of the Doyen of Martyrs Imam Hussain (A.S.), the good and evil were severely intermingled and the evil had attained currency in all the affairs. Goodness had been consigned to the oblivion and this was causing forgetfulness and negligence towards religion of Islam, the prophetic traditions. Therefore, Imam Hussain (A.S.) saw the possibility of revival and revitalization of traditions of Prophet of Allah (PBUH) and the religion of Islam and its defense in staging protest against the prevailing situation and in enjoining the good and forbidding evil. For this reason, he stated that by way of enjoining good and forbidding wrong he is going to rectify the Islamic society.

“Indeed, I have not risen to do mischief, neither as an adventurer, nor to cause corruption and tyranny. I have risen up solely to seek the reform of the Ummah of my grandfather (PBUH). I want to command what is good and stop what is wrong, and (in this) I follow the conduct of my grandfather and my father, Ali Ibn Ab Talib (A.S.).

While analyzing the event of Karbala and Ashura, different kinds of outcomes and results as well as lessons can be deduced. Among these teachings we can have the lessons of sacrifice, religiosity, valour, equality and equity, uprising for God, love and affection.

In every way the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (A.S.) is the Great Sacrifice for the humankind. The greatness of the sacrifice is judged by the gravity of the situation or the uniqueness of the circumstances in which it occurs and the extent to which it serves the purpose of Allah, that is, how far it carries the message in the forthcoming generations and its popularity with them. The sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.) and Prophet Ismail (A.S.) was only a trial and the reason why Allah willed it was to prove the great perseverance, strength of character and magnanimity of the Apostleships of Ibrahim (A.S.) and Ismail (A.S.) . Having fulfilled the command of Allah they proved to have the incredible virtues of piety to be the forefathers of the ones destined to offer the ‘GREAT SACRIFICE’. Besides, Allah wanted to ransom the sacrifice of Prophet Ismail (A.S.) and predict the imminent ‘GREAT SACRIFICE’.

When the day of Ashura dawned the situation was very critical for the religion of Islam. Imam Hussain (A.S.) stood as the successor and the representative of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)-the Seal of all Prophets, while Yazid was asking him to swear allegiance of the pure Apostleships of all the 1,24,000 Prophets who had strived for the religion of Allah, to submit to him and his evil ways.

Imam Hussain (A.S.) was the testamentary trustee and the inheritor of the virtues of all the Prophets; while Yazid wanted to annihilate Islam by pressurizing such a personality like Imam Hussain (A.S.) to swear allegiance to an evil man like himself. It was the question of the life and death of the faith, Islam; while the efforts and strivings of all the Prophets depended on Imam Hussain (A.S.).

Thus in his valiant, undaunted stance Imam Hussain (A.S.) fearlessly gave away his brothers, sons, friends and companions and then his own life, but saved the religion of Islam and the strivings, hardships, work, labours and exertions of all the Prophets, thus reviving and rekindling the extinguishing embers of Islam and qualifying as ‘THE GREAT SACRIFICE’.

The Holy Quran says: “And the camels of sacrifice We have made for you among the Signs of Allah, for you in them is good, so mention the name of Allah on them….” (Al-Hajj:36)

In the above verse Allah says that the camels which are to be sacrificed in His name as an obligatory rite of Hajj are among His Signs to mankind, and for this reason they should be given due regard and respect. Relative to this fact, and more intense in its pinnacle of virtue and holiness is the regard to the Prophetic and Apostolic people who being the Signs of Allah sacrificed their all in the way of the Beneficent Lord to support and endorse His cause. Similar is the case of Imam Hussain (A.S.) and his faithful companions who sacrificed themselves in such a manner on the hot sands of Karbala to save Islam that their example has no parallel in the history of the world. Therefore, by the justice of the Book of Allah, they have every right and reason to be eulogized, remembered and their strivings respected and commemorated.

Imam Hussain (A.S.) is the benefactor of Humanity. The favours of Imam Hussain (A.S.) are not just limited to Muslims, Shias or Sunnis; in fact His (A.S.) favours are on the entire humanity. This is because if Imam Hussain (A.S.) would not have given these sacrifices, then there would have been no religion, no faith, no Islam. Hence there would have been neither Sunni nor Shia, everyone would have been non-religious, and there would be no such thing as religion left because the accursed beings of that era were not just planning to eradicate the Shia or Sunni values, they wanted to eradicate human values. If today we see a human (means a human with humanity) somewhere then that is the outcome of this great sacrifice of Imam Hussain (A.S.). It is all because of the sacrifices of the companions of Imam Hussain (A.S.) and Bani Hashim.

The important lesson that we need to imbibe from the event of Karbala was propagated by Syeda Zainab (S.A.), the granddaughter of Prophet Mohamamd (PBUH) and was beautifully summed up by revolutionary thinker Dr Ali Shariati.  The role of Syeda Zainab (S.A.) in the aftermath of Karbala is equally important, and that’s why Dr Ali Shariati calls Zainab ‘the saviour of humanity’. “Those who died committed a Hussaini act. Those who remain must perform a Zainabi act. Otherwise, they are Yazids,” says Shariati. One has to choose either blood or the message, to be a martyr like Hussain or messenger like Zainab.  Every revolution has two visages: blood and the message. Imam Hussain (A.S.) and his companions undertook the first mission, that of blood. The second mission is to carry the message of blood to the future generations, to be the eloquent tongue of this flowing blood. Commemorating Azadari (mourning) is to spread and propagate the message of Imam Hussain (A.S.) as was done by Syeda Zainab (S.A.).  Imam Khomeini (R.A.) has said: These tears terrify the enemies of Islam; because to cry for the oppressed is to speak up against the oppressor.

 

 

Eid-e- Ghadir, the day to Unite Muslim Ummah

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Eid-e-Ghadir, the day to unite Muslim Ummah
Javeed Ali
javeedaliofkashmir@gmail.com

  • Ten years after the migration and on the last days of Dhu al-Qi’dah, Prophet of Islam (Pbuh) moved from Madinah to Makkah for Hajj. He only once attended Hajj rituals, a few months before his passing. Since this Hajj took place in the last year of his life, he made his farewells to people.
    The Messenger of Allah ((Pbuh) ordered his close followers to call all the people in different places to join him in his last Hajj pilgrimage. On this pilgrimage he taught them how to perform the pilgrimage in a correct and unified form.
    Hazrat Ali (AS) was in Yemen, preaching Islam. He moved towards Makkah together with his companions and joined Prophet (Pbuh) before rituals began.
    When the rituals of Hajj (Hajjatul-Wada’), were over, Prophet (Pbuh), accompanied by thousands of faithful, left Makkah for Madinah. This was the year 10 AH (coinciding with February 632).
    This was first time that the Muslims with this magnitude gathered in one place in the presence of their leader, the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh).
    On his way to Makkah, more than seventy thousand people followed Prophet (Pbuh).
    When Prophet accompanied by multitude of pilgrims reached a pond, called Ghadeer-e-Khumm (which is close to today’s al-Juhfah), on 18th of Zil-Hijjah of the year 10 AH, he ordered them to stop. It was a place where people from different provinces used to say good bye to each other before taking different routes for their homes.
    In this place, the following verse of the Qur’an was revealed:
    “O Apostle! Deliver what has been sent down to you from your Lord; and if you don’t do it, you have not delivered His message (at all); and Allah will protect you from the people …” (Qur’an 5:67)
    Upon receiving the verse, the Prophet (Pbuh) stopped at Khum which was extremely hot. Then he sent for all people who have been ahead in the way, to come back and waited until all pilgrims who fell behind, arrived and gathered. He ordered Salman al Farsi (RA) to use rocks and camel toolings to make a pulpit (minbar) so he could make his announcement. It was around noon time in the first of the fall, and due to the extreme heat in that Valley, people were wrapping their robes around their feet and legs, and were sitting around the pulpit, on the hot rocks.
    On this day the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) spent approximately five hours in this place; three hours of which he was on the pulpit. He recited nearly one hundred verses from The glorious Quran, and for seventy three times reminded and warned people of their deeds and future. Then he gave them a long speech.
    The following is a part of his speech which has been widely narrated by both Shia & Sunni traditionists:
    The Messenger of Allah (SAWW) declared:
    “It seems the time approached when I shall be called away (by Allah) and I shall answer that call. I am leaving for you two precious things and if you adhere to them both, you will never go astray after me. They are the Book of Allah and my Progeny, that is my Ahlul Bayt. The two shall never separate from each other until they come to me by the Pool of Kausar.”
    Then the Messenger of Allah continued:
    “Do I not have more right over the believers than what they have over themselves?”
    People cried and answered:
    “Yes, O’ Messenger of God.”
    Then followed the key sentence denoting the clear designation of Hazrat Ali bin Abi Talib as his vicegerent. The Prophet (Pbuh) held up the hand of Ali and said:
    “For whoever I am his Leader (Mawla), ‘Ali is his Leader (Mawla).”
    In some narrations the word used was Wali rather than Mawla – with the same implication.
    The Prophet (Pbuh) continued:
    “O’ God, love those who love him, and be hostile to those who are hostile to him.”
    These were the key parts of the speech of the Prophet (SAWW). There are also more detailed versions of this sermon which are recorded by many authorities.
    Immediately after the Prophet (Pbuh) finished his speech, the following verse of the Qur’an was revealed:
    “Today I have perfected your religion and completed my favour upon you, and I was satisfied that Islam be your religion.” (Qur’an 5:3)
    After his speech, the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) asked everybody to give the oath of allegiance to Ali (A.S.) and congratulate him. Among those who did so was ‘ Hazrat Umar b. al-Khattab (RA), who said:
    “Well done Ibn Abi Talib! Today you became the leader (Mawla) of all believing men and women.”
    Allah ordered His Prophet (Pbuh) to inform the people of this designation at a time of crowded populous so that all could become the narrators of the tradition, while they exceeded a hundred thousand.
    Narrated by Zayd b. Arqam: Abu al-Tufayl said: “I heard it from the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh), and there was no one (there) except that he saw him with his eyes and heard him with his ears.”
    Shia Muslims believe this to be the appointment of Ali as Imam of Muslims. Most Muslims accept the historicity of the event, but not all believe that this constituted an appointment of Ali as the successor to the Prophet. The day’s anniversary in the Islamic Calendar (18 Dhu al-Hijjah) is celebrated by Muslims as Eid al-Ghadeer.
    Eid of Ghadeer should be used to unite Muslim Ummah as the enemies of Islam are using the same day to create discord among the Muslim Ummah. It is crucial that people are able to approach these matters in a mature and respectful manner. Discussion and debate is healthy and it’s important that we are able to speak openly about differences between various schools of thought in Islam.
    This year the day was celebrated on 10th of September.