Fortnightly Newsletter
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Reflections |
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In the Name of Allah,
the Most Gracious,
the Ever
Merciful
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‘I Crave for an Applause!’
I was low in spirits that day.
Nothing looked meaningful or encouraging. Gloom and failure were revolving
around me. I was feeling stagnant. The last day I was seeing a cricket
match, amidst a stadium jam-packed with a roaring crowd. I was enjoying the
game. The players were all competitive and were showing their spirits with
great vigour. And then among so many players, there was one ‘man of the
match’ who played a wonderful innings for his team. On finishing his turn,
he was coming back to the pavilion. And that was the very moment that
triggered the sad feeling I am talking about. The whole stadium was giving
him a standing ovation, applauding him in perfect unison on his
return to the dressing-room. He waved his bat in acknowledgement. A look of
spilling delight overwhelmed his face; he was in the air at that moment. ‘Oh
my God! What a moment in that man’s life’, I thought, carried away by the
sight of such a triumphant occasion. I would yearn to be one such man in my
life, one such hero in some sphere of activity. But I couldn’t. I was a
failure; just a useless man on this earth who couldn’t accomplish anything.
A poor background, ordinary education and no laurels in the bag – and no
applause. And at this particular moment, the feeling of so many fiascos
had become all the more gripping.
With that same dejected mood, I was slowly walking to my classroom for the
last lesson of my college years – years of ordinary grades, of course. There
were some four students who were already in the room when I entered. I knew
them; they were the heroes in their own right. The tales of success. They
were talking to each other, gossiping happily when I addressed one of them.
‘Sir, would you tell me your big events in life, something you can boast
on?’
‘Oh man, there are many such occasions, you know. But one was surely
unforgettable. This was when I won the international debating event in Hague
in the Netherlands. What a moment that was when I received the trophy and
the hall filled with thousands made a rapturous applause, something
that was penetrating in my soul. I cannot forget that,’ he related in a
rather emotional fashion.
‘Wonderful to hear this, sir,’ I replied and continued again with the same
question to the boy sitting next to him ‘Sir, I would like to listen to your
story of success in life. Have you ever been through such times?’
‘Yes, my dear, I have had a very fulfilling life. I can recall one moment
when we won the national hockey championship. That was the toughest of the
tournaments in my life. We were the least favourite for the tournament. But
our struggle and unity brought us the victory. A victory acquired with
immense toil. And then came the occasion when I was on the stage for the
winning prize. The crowd was applauding, admiring, appreciating, all
magnificently, and we were not on earth. It was like a dream come true.’
‘What a memorable occasion, that would be, I am sure,’ saying this I turned
to the third guy who, by this time, looked anxious to share his golden
moments in life.
‘I am sure, sir, you must be having your share of triumphs in your life?’ I
inquired.
‘Surely, friend. It was my passion for music that won me laurels. It was the
inter-college music competition that brought me recognition and the kind of
satisfaction one aspires. I was the winner of the competition. It was held
throughout the country and the jury comprised of very senior musicians. And
when the jury announced my name, it was like a soothing breeze brushing
against me. With eyes replete with tears, I went up to the stage for the
prize, and in the background I could listen to the applause from the whole
auditorium. ‘Oh man! What you have done to me; made me remember that time,’
he uttered passionately.
By that time the class was filled for the last lecture of our college years.
But I wanted to hear the fourth voice. The voice of the boy who was sitting
a little further away, working solemnly and gracefully on some class-work,
but overhearing our conversation, I was sure. I called him.
‘Sir, would you relate to me your one wonderful event of enduring memories
when you received a massive applause.’
He slowly moved his head and looked at me, smilingly. ‘My dear friend, I am
sorry, I can’t tell you this moment. But I do crave for an applause,’ saying
this he stood up under a spell of intense passion, and made for the rostrum,
and spoke:
‘My dear brothers, I have nothing to tell you about my accomplishments, my
victories, my triumphs in this life because these are trivial, worthless
things I have achieved. I find them nothing compared to the victory, to the
applause on one special day. For that special day, I am preparing myself,
dear folks. I cannot impress upon you the inferior things I have done in my
life. Valueless applauses resounding through the perishable auditoriums and
stadiums of this world. I am looking forward to a special applause, instead.
An applause that will outclass all the applauses and all the accolades in my
life. An applause that will be my fate if I happen to get through the test
of this life, the ordeal of this human existence on this earth. My dear
fellows, you too can receive that applause if you crave for it and work hard
for it. Something you have never imagined, never heard of in your life. If
you attend the noble calls of your conscience and follow the message of the
Almighty, you too can be the honourable recipient of that gift. One of my
friends, here, was asking me about one such occasion. I can’t waste my time
telling tales of worldly achievements, you innocent soul. I am in the middle
of a test. The test of this life. One special day will reveal all my
struggle, all my accomplishments in the test of this life. And that
occasion, sir, will be the Judgement Day. Yes, my dear brothers, I crave
for the applause on the Last Judgement. Just imagine, my dear follows,
that the day has come, the Day of Reckoning, and you are standing among your
fellow creatures, ready to hear your result. The eternal bliss of the
Paradise or the terrible infernal Fire! And here your name is announced,
amidst a pin drop silence within you, with nerves shrinking and the
breathing betraying you. And then, … you are declared the exalted the
citizen of paradise! Oh my Lord! What will be that applause like? Can
you imagine, my friends? Have you ever thought of such an occasion and the
grand victory waiting ahead?’
At this very moment, my eyes, filled with tears, saw our teacher standing in
the door, hearing the sermon of this unique individual. The next instance I
saw the teacher giving him a clap, spontaneously, rather unknowingly. The
whole class followed and in a twinkling of an eye, the whole room was
resounding with tumultuous applause for the young man for delivering the
only missing, and much needed, lecture of our college years.
Author:
Kamran Bashir
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In this
Issue |
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Reflections
* I Crave for an
Applause!
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Debate & Discuss
* Discussion Forum:
Family &
Marriage:
Core Issues
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Express & Explain
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General Discussion
Forum:
it is common
for husbands to beat
their wives
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Pause & Ponder
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Help Me O Muhammad (sws)
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News & Views
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Interfaith
Exhibition By
Renaissance
Readers Club UK
Announcements
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Successful
Participants
Recent
Additions
* Articles
* Q n As
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Spot on Site
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Debate and Discuss: |
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Discussion Forum:
Family & Marriage: Core Issues
Siddiq Bukhary (Moderator)
Why Adam had been blessed
with a wife?
To have pleasant company,
and to start a family with her perhaps!
It was the divine decree of
Allaah (swt)
God made human and He knows
human desire. So it is very much needed for Adam. When God made world for
human and He gave every thing to humans, so why not a wife. The question is
may be not so good. if so one may ask why God made Sun, Stars, Water etc.
These all are for human.
Allah s.a.w made man with an
innate quality of being a communal creature.
I believe that it
was Adam a.s who was feeling lonely and wanted company so Allah s.w.t who is
the knower of every thing in his infinite wisdom created hawwah (Eve)
astigfirallah if I am mistaken.
Setting aside human nature,
the thing which comes to mind is that the purpose of blessing Adam with wife
was of course the Allah's intension of starting a chain of human beings, to
test the souls.....either they would fullfil the oath they took of accepting
ALLAH as their LORD or not. n obviously to initiate the whole system of this
world ......the chain of prophets specially MUHAMMAD for whom this world is
created......to test human souls ........to announce results on last day n
then to make difference in the life of every individual in the hereafter.....
Obviously human beings require partners and mates to live with in the form of
bro., sis., father, mother, husband, wife, and other forms an ALLAH has
created affection amongst them BUT for the PROPHETS and for other OLIAS and
other PURE N PIOUS people ALLAH ALONE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH. They LOVE ALLAH and
are attached to HIM n THINK about him to such an extent that there remains no
room to think about any other worldly thing except when ALLAH wishes.....They
have no desire except the desire of ALLAH no wish but the wish of ALLAH.
Allah knows
Better than all.
The Qur’an says: And all
things We made in pairs, so that you may give thought. (51:49)
A women is not
only a blessing but also a sign of Allah for men and vice verca.
This is to remind
us that this world must have an anti world. We are mortal here then there must
be something exist called immortality.
Asalam Alaikum, Adam where
bless with a wife for company.
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Express and Explain: |
General Discussion Forum:
It is common for husbands to beat
their wives
Thank you for
sharing and what do you think about it?
Do they really beat
their wives ?
Or,
what would be our reaction if she was beaten by a non Muslim? Shall we remain
cool and calm?
Beating the wife, it
is an absurd concept and has nothing to do with Islam. Islam does not advocate
the 'beating' of the wife. A divorce is not granted instantaneously, the grounds
that are put forth to process a divorce in Islam are investigated thoroughly,
this process does take time i.e witnesses, cross references etc.
Islam does
not advocate the 'beating' of the wife.
Pickthal's Quran
Translation
4:34. Men are in charge of women, because Allah
hath made the one of them to excel the other, and because they spend of their
property (for the support of women). So good women are the obedient, guarding in
secret that which Allah hath guarded. As for those from whom ye fear rebellion,
admonish them and banish them to beds apart, and SCOURGE them. Then if
they obey you, seek not a way against them. Lo! Allah is ever High, Exalted,
Great.
Shakir's Quran Translation
4:34. Men are the maintainers of women because
Allah has made some of them to excel others and because they spend out of their
property; the good women are therefore obedient, guarding the unseen as Allah
has guarded; and (as to) those on whose part you fear desertion, admonish them,
and leave them alone in the sleeping-places and BEAT them; then if they
obey you, do not seek a way against them; surely Allah is High, Great.
Yusuf Ali's Quran Translation
4:34. Men are the protectors and maintainers of
women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and
because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are
devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband's) absence what Allah would have
them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct,
admonish them (first), (Next), refuse to share their beds, (And last) BEAT
them; but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of
annoyance): For Allah is Most High, great (above you all).
Quran Translation, Islam version 4.00 at
www.yildun.com
[4.34] Men are the maintainers of women because
Allah has made some of them to excel others and because they spend out of their
property; the good women are therefore obedient, guarding the unseen as Allah
has guarded; and (as to) those on whose part you fear desertion, admonish them,
and leave them alone in the sleeping-places and BEAT them; then if they
obey you, do not seek a way against them; surely Allah is High, Great.
Every other translation use meaning of ‘Daraba’
here to ‘BEAT’. Pickthal means to ‘SCOURGE’.
If you mean or interpret otherwise then, it is
absurd, whimful and wishful.
welcome to the forums Dalmir
An important topic indeed
We ought to keep in mind that we cannot go along
literal meanings from Qur'an always. it is utmost important to keep in mind the
'text' and the 'context' camels and horses are mentioned in Qur'an for the days
when it was being revealed. however it does not mean its verses are not
applicable to the journey on cars and aero-planes.
similarly 'beating' can be altered with holding
pocket money, limiting makeup shopping:), canceling holiday trips, not sharing
debit/credit cards etc --all of which could be worse than beating in the
changing cultures--specially when you are living in a society where a man can
actually end up in prison because of beating wife.
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Pause
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Help
Me O Muhammad (sws)
Question asked
by Saleem Ahmad.
Posted on: Wednesday, February 28,
2007 - Hits: 207
Question:
Can I say " Ya
Mohammad (sws) Madad" (Help me O Mohammad (sws))
Answer:
We
believe that this sentence purely implies polytheistic ideas. This is so because
Islam explains in no unclear terms that the Prophet was a human being who could
die (and he did die) and that God is the only source of help who can hear us
wherever and whenever we call him and can respond to our requests. He is the
only entity that is omnipotent and omnipresent. No other entity can be believed
to have such qualities.
We should therefore not express such things
because they amount to shirk (polytheism).
Regards,
Tariq Mahmood
Hashmi
Research Assistant, Studying Islam
Topic URL: http://www.studying-islam.org/querytext.aspx?id=584
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News and Views: |
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Interfaith Exhibition By Renaissance
Readers Club UK
Venue: Excel London
Event: Islam Channel Exhibition
2007-04-20 Nov’07
Two Days Event
The stand displayed the works of the scholars working at Al-Mawrid
Institute of Islamic Sciences; in the form of Books, Audio and Visual Material
and Websites. Also there were posters and literature about various religious
faiths and cultures.
Visitors from various backgrounds visited the stand from all
over the UK and abroad, specially from other European countries and also from
parts of South East Asia. There were a large number of students resident in UK
for their graduate and post graduate studies.
Many visitors were in association with various Islamic
organisations working in UK. Some were also representing other Interfaith groups
like ‘Thursday’s Child’ and the Portsmouth Interfaith Group.
We intend to put
up a similar stand in a forth coming grand 4 days family event in UK –Living
Islam Camp—organised by ISB. Studying Islam and sister sites’ members are
requested to donate generously for our exhibition stands for such events in
order to get our message through as wide as possible –insh’Allah.
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Announcements: |
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Successful Participants
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ID |
Course
Name |
Country |
Grade |
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6181 |
Arrangement of the Qur'an |
USA |
E |
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4170 |
Family and Marriage: Related
Issues |
USA |
C+ |
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6771 |
Family and Marriage: Related
Issues |
UK |
A+ |
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6856 |
Family and Marriage: Related
Issues |
Canada |
B+ |
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7355 |
Islamic Customs and Etiquette |
USA |
E+ |
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7319 |
Islamic Customs and Etiquette |
USA |
E+ |
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6802 |
Islamic Customs and Etiquette |
UK |
B+ |
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7152 |
Islamic Customs and Etiquette |
Nigeria |
D+ |
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6219 |
Islamic Punishments: Basic
Directives |
USA |
B |
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7086 |
Language of the Qur'an |
USA |
B+ |
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4170 |
Norms of Gender Interaction |
USA |
C+ |
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5414 |
Revelation of the Qur'an |
UK |
D+ |
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7086 |
Revelation of the Qur'an |
USA |
B |
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4170 |
The Religion of Islam |
USA |
A+ |
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7086 |
Theme of the Qur'an |
USA |
A |
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267 |
Understanding the Sunnah |
Australia |
A+ |
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5354 |
Adaab i Mu`asharat |
Pakistan |
A |
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6766 |
Islam ka Khandni Nizam:
Bunyadi Mubaahs |
Saudi Arabia |
A |
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6766 |
Nuzul-e-Qur'an |
Saudi Arabia |
A+ |
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267 |
Ta'ruf i Hadith |
Australia |
C |
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