Cooking with Mindfulness and Love

Mumineen house holds are blessed to be receiving the barakat of 'Thali' and with each passing day, more and more mumineen are partaking the barakat. For the elderly living all by themselves, for those with permanent disabilities or constrains of any kind, for college students, working professionals, school teachers with family to tend, specially in big metros, it is a boon from heaven.

The good fall out of the 'Thali' is that many home makers are having more free time at their disposal to pursue their hobbies, give more quality time to their children, in many cases to supplement their family income. The common refrain is ' thali thi ghani rahat thai gayee'

However, in this blog I would like to share a very important aspect of cooking for your family with Mindfulness and Love. It has its own joy and pleasure, and the home maker surely earns great sawab and boon, for doing her duty. There is an apt proverb - ' the surest way to a man's heart ( and her entire family) is through his stomach' -  so very true.

For a home maker cooking for the family is an integral part of her life and the well being of her family. 'Thali' gives the home maker, more space and energy, more time to learn and cook nutritious food for her family. It should not be an easy way out.

I just came across a very interesting article by Debra Moffit on Intent Blog, which motivated me to share some nuggets with my readers, and my wife Rabab co-operated whole heartily in our effort to better understand this concept of Mindfulness and love by cooking the local Maharashtrian cuisine - 'sabudana (sago) kichri' which is full of starch and great for a quick boost of energy.  It is also very low in fat. However, it takes a great deal of time to prepare it, and here plays love and Mindfulness.

It has to be soaked in water for 3 hrs, after draining the water, the sabudana has to be dried for another 4 hrs. Then starts the cooking. Hope readers got the 'drift' as to why Rabab chose to make this dish, and  it was being made for the  first time.

Sabudana Kichri with Bangkok Soup 

As sabudana (sago) is low in protein and does not contain any mineral or vitamin, Rabab made Bangkok soup, to balance the diet. Believe me it turned out great, and in the cooking and partaking of it,  a great lesson learnt. 

Debra Moffit  is an award winning author of ' Awake in the World : 108 Practices to live a Divinely Inspired Life'

Excerpts :
The kitchen offers one of the best and most creative places for practicing Mindfulness. Turn a meal into meditation experience. Cook with Love.

 In ancient traditions it is said the cook is able to transmit subtle properties of his or her thoughts and emotions into food.

Food cooked with Love and Mindfulness provides nutrition for body, mind and spirit of the family.

She gives an example of Walter Danzer - founder of Soyana a natural food company located in Switzerland, their quality of food is very different from factory processed food.  

So ladies, try making a conscious meal at home - it does not have to be elaborate, it can be simple, but having the delectable energy of love. As you cook, be  fully aware, be mindful, and have positive thoughts, enjoy your cooking, and for sure,  your dish will have the soul nutrients - very subtle, it cannot be seen nor proved scientifically, but its effects will be evident, once it is served. You will surprise your self.

Give it a try. Set out a date, shortlist a meal to cook, enter the kitchen with a positive mind set, and see for your self as to what Debra says is true or just another crap.

'Dil thi jamara - dil thi jaman banayu' is well known. It means the meal has a delectable energy of love and soul nutrients, besides the required ingredients. In those old days, many have gone for Kathiawar ziyarats, and stayed at many small towns, where the musafirkhanas, generally in those days were entrusted to a family, who looked after the needs of the zuwwar.

One noticeable thing, and every one who has experienced it first hand will surely agree that, though the meals were basic, it tasted great. Even if you reached at odd hours, and if you had missed your lunch or dinner, they would be ready to rustle up a meal for your family.

We had such an experience many years ago, and as I write this I vividly recall the love and affection with which, we were served - a group of 14 - lunch at very short notice by a mumineen family  at Barod on our way from Rampura to Ujjain.

We had halted for Namaz and to freshen up at Barod masjid and asked for some hotel where we could have our lunch. The bhai who escorted us to the masjid said that, as it is a small town, no good eating place is there. Shortly he came with his family members and offered us izan, and within a short time of 30-45 min: we were taken to their home, and served piping hot zaman.

Such memories stay with you for ever. The above are just two examples and personal experiences of cooking and serving with delectable energy of love, having soul nutrients.

But please do not take my word, just try it out your self. Give one try, cook a conscious meal and see if there is a difference. It would be great, if you can share the experience. Click on the comment, so that all those who read the blog will also benefit. If you are not comfortable to go public, you can mail me at : asgarubi@gmail.com and I will keep it under wraps, all to my self.

Uskuni Ya Mubaraka

I am indebted to Mulla Husainbhai Kheriwala - Murakeeb MSB for giving me hadiyah of his compilations of Kalemaat Norraniyah of Aqa Moula (TUS) delivered on different miqaats arranged under different subtitles.

In  the sub title - maqamat Doat ul Satr is the Kalemaat Nooraniyah on 'Uskuni  ya Mubaraka' I am sharing with you, my rendering and my reflection, and also my thoughts on 'sukoon'  - contentment. Click on the below link to watch a 3 min video of my rendering and my reflection, which has resulted in this post.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-iy7YltYAA

If one has cared to observe A'li Qdr Muffadal Saifuddin Moula (TUS) in the past few months has been with  Maw'ziah  ( Spiritual, moral advice and admonitions)  counselling  mumineen, to take a 'break' to pause and reflect and do introspection.  It started with Back to Basics - Wudhu and Quran recitation. No matter what your status in the community or in your family, he exhorted with affection, and set up an action oriented and monitored working system, the benefit of which are very much evident.

The ever present doa mubaraka of Aqa Moula (TUS) and the mauhim of his A'li Qdr Muffadal Saifuddin  Moula (TUS) has had a very far reaching effect. Seniors like me paused and reflected in our self, and had no inhibition and shame in stating that yes - we have still to learn. My blog Wudhu - Back to Basic published on Jan: 26, 2013 is a clear evidence in this regard.

A'li Qdr  Muffadal Moula (TUS) is advocating the joys of simple life and at the same time, advising all those who are doubly blessed with material wealth and knowledge, to empathize with the marginalized.  To understand their hopes and aspirations,  to come forward and help them in improving their living conditions. These marginalized section of the society are an integral part of the community. To bring home the point, very recently he made the noble gesture in Rozat Tahera of making 'roti' and thus elevating the position of all those who struggle for survival. By this singular act he managed to  sent an emphatic message to the community, and all those in position of power, that where his priority is.

Here I would like to take my readers back in time to the Year 1915 ( 1333 H) which was the watershed in the annals of Fatemi Dawat.

Excerpts from my article : Fajr Sadiq

' Sayedna Taher Saifuddin Moula (AQ) at the young age of 28 years assumed the august office of Di -ul - Mutlaq, and since that period Fatemi Dawat has been effused with vitality and radiance. However, at the onset, the young Dai had to face and uphill task, as the community was rife with pseudo intellectuals  ( educated and influenced by the West, as the British were the rulers) and money bags with bloated egos, who straddled the community like pantheons. It was indeed a daunting and herculean task for the young dai to rein them and their incessant scheming and plotting. Sayedna Taher Saifuddin Moula (AQ)  slowly but surely overcame all hurdles, with Taeed of Imam uz Zaman (SA) his profound I'lm and Statesmanship.'

The circumstances are different, now the Community is at the zenith of wealth and affluence. the players are different, but Akhlaq Mazmooha like ego, selfishness, materialistic mind set, insensitivity, mad rush to outdo each other with gross display of wealth and acquired positions, reliance on tech gadgets and many other vices concealed in the garb of development are very much prevalent.

I would not like to comment further, just sharing a recent picture from Sehrullah which had gone viral on Whatsapp. This pathetic picture of not a child but an understanding young man engrossed in Temple Run video game is an eye opener. This is not an isolated case, if one cares to observe, such numerous instances are played out in different metros and towns, where the contents of the mobile gets precedence over ibadat.

So dear readers, now you can understand , how daunting is the task of A'li Qdr Muffadal Moula Saifuddin (TUS) but he will surely succeed , as he is drawing spiritual sustenance and direction from the ever radiance presence and doa mubarak of our beloved Aqa Moula (TUS) the mubaraka of RasulAllah (SA) who is full of contentment and peace, in  awakened awareness that his Mansoos  A'li Qdr Moula Muffadal Saifuddin (TUS) will turn around the community, with his practical, action oriented measures.

He will make the community reflect and introspect and will make the affluent section of the society, more sensitive to the cause of the marginalized section.

I personally feel, and you readers have a right to agree or disagree with my thinking. I feel the sins, so many times alluded for which our beloved Aqa Moula (TUS) is suffering from infirmity, are those related more with the insensitivity of the affluent class of our community, insensitivity of those in position and power, rather than the shortcomings of the marginalized, who in spite of their niyat and convictions,  because of financial constraints, struggle of daily living , are unable to live up to the expectations, that the tenets of their Deen requires of them. Do reflect.

Let us desist from blame game, mud slinging, back biting, but to do self introspection. Has my action in any way hurt the feelings of my fellow mumineen directly, and if so, it has surely hurt the feelings of my beloved Aqa Moula (TUS) and the realization that ,  my insensitivity has been an impediment in the full recovery of health of my beloved Aqa Moula (TUS) This than, is the need of our times.

Recently came across a very moving account of a mumina bhen in Mumbai engrossed in making roti in the early hours in a very run down, small home.  A very moving account by Shk: Adnan Abidali - Jamea Nairobi Khidmat gujar, where he depicted the struggle of daily living and the faith these people have on their Moula (TUS) to see them through.  In his article ' Eid - Back to Basic', he quotes some one saying that A'li Qdr Moula  (TUS) has come to be known as the 'Champion of nobodies'

Here I would like to add that he is Moula of everybody, but in his scheme of things the 'nobodys' are giving precedence, and it augers well for the community as a whole.

In the video I have tried to reflect how the doa mubaraka of RasulAllah (SA) has been answered in our beloved Aqa Moula (TUS) This azeem doa will also be answered in each one of us, if we care to follow and adhere to the Maw'ziah of A'li Qdr Muffadal Moula (TUS) in true spirit.

He like a benevolent 'hadi'  is leading us all on sirat e mustaqim and telling us 'uskuni - uskuni' We should heed to his call of contentment, joys of simple living, sensitivity etc: If we are able to do so, than surely the azeem doa mubarak of our beloved Nabi (SA) will find resonance in all of us.  

A'li Qdr Moula (TUS) by his words and actions,  is telling us to become more sensitive, to enjoin simple living, to reflect inwards, to reach out and to empathize, to strengthen the  basic tenets of our Deen and avoid superfluous thinking and living.

The community at large is following his Maw'ziah in true spirit, and it is being reflected in many instances. Alhamdolillah ! 

 

WUDHU - Back to Basics

A PARODY -   NANA NI TO'   VAAT LAGI     BASIC MAAJ BAFOO

( my son in law being from Nagar, the colloquial word VAAT  used  by my grandson Moiz means
 'nana ni to'aavi bani ! )


Enjoying the regal status of a family Patriarch of a large brood of brothers and sisters, all grown up and having grown up children of their own, I have all these long years enjoyed an esteemed status, and have been looked upon by my family members as being the most religious, well read, knowledgeable, particularly in matters of DEEN etc: etc:

A regular Masjid goer, attending religiously miqaats and majalis  -  come Jumoa and you find me at the Masjid one hour before Zohar time, praying Tasbih ul Azam Namaz followed by tilawat of Surah Al -Khaf, Surah Al- Fath etc: My daily tialwat of Bawisa has long been appreciated by my family members and mumineen who hear me all these past years  during Layali Fadehla. 

This Ayyamul -ta-budaat out of the number of pious activities that mumineen are expected to perform for the shifa e kulli and umre darazi of our beloved Aqa Moula (TUS) whose 102 nd Milad Celebrations have commenced, I found out I have been performing most of them.  

The result of this post, is to share with my family and friends, my ignoble fall from the high horse that I have been riding all these long years. 

A'li Qadr Moula Mufaddal Saifuddin (TUS) call and emphasis this Ayyamul - ta- budaat  to do 'Kaamil Woodhu' has jolly well shaken my high pedestal. Like me, there are many who have been holding very elite and powerful positions in the Dawat khidmat, especially lady members of different khidmat idaara,  exhorting others all the time, now like me these poor souls are on their back foot. !!!

BACK TO BASICS has unnerved many. Ladies are saying they are being discriminated as mardo have to only 'sunavo' Quran Tilawat, while they have to perform Woodhu and all proper 'arkaan'  etc: to obtain the coveted Certificate. 

I was among the first to attend the Quran Tilawaat mohim, and as I knew the Muraqeeb on personal term, I just breezed passed. 

What was my undoing, was when I exhorted the ladies of my family to go and obtain the coveted certificate for Wudhu. For young mothers, with madrasa going kids, it was easy, as while teaching their kids, they were fortunate to brush up. The problem was with the old ladies past 60 like my wife. An E Jammat Sms came for a lady relative aged 92 years !! 

While my wife was trying to brush up correct pronunciations of woodhu ayaats and reciting them to my madrasa going grandson Moiz (the thumb rule in family relation is that grandparents are always more close and confide in their grand children, more,  than their own sons and daughters, as the latter, do not have much time for their parents )   

As my poor wife was 'lage raho' with my grandson, who had to repeatedly correct her several times, I was strutting around the house on my "KNOW ALL" high horse and feeling amused and at the same time a little sadden by the effort being put in by wife at this age. Poor thing had to first overcome her ego and open up to her grandchild - who became her tutor. 

I am all appreciative and impressed by the DEEN knowledge being dispensed to our children in  MSB and Madrasa idaaras throughout the world. It was so very different when we were Madrasa going kids. 

My Madrasa was in the Jamaat khana - 4 classes held in the four corners. We used to sit on the floor, and the Mulla Sab (now every one is called Janab) used to have a black low bench in front of him and a cane or fut - patti. Spanking was common. If a Class 2 boy got spanked, the entire Madrasa witnessed it !! 

As my wife was trying to pronounce correctly the masah for ears and faltered before my grandson, I made a life blunder by laughing out loud. This than my dear Readers was my undoing. Moiz turned around to me, and said 'Nana tame padho' Catch 2 for me. 

I blurted out confidently : wa sam mim mi monadeean ..... I was stopped mid sentence by my grandson who said: Nana - wa sam mim mi galat - wa asmeani.

Thus started a chain of commands one after the other, and as I faltered it was my wife's turn to feel amused. After 3-4 failed attempts on my part, my son Moiz ran to his mother and blurted out loud, so that the entire family could hear "MAA MAA  - NANA NI TO' VAAT LAGI - BASIC MAAJ BAFOO"

THANK ALLAH AND A'LI QADR MOULA (TUS) for sparing us mardo !!!

However, my family high pedestal had started to rock, and I was bent on making it steady. But it was easy said than done. Many thoughts assailed me - what was the point in saying namaz when my woodhu is not kaamil etc: The following night was a torture as one thought after another assailed me, and created doubts in my mind. 

Some how I managed to gather my wits, and as with my regular practice during Ayyamul ta-budaat I got up during Nisful Layl and with the mind focused on correctly pronouncing 'wa asmeni' I started the Wudhu, telling my self Asgar, steady, be clam, one thing at a time. 

Viola ! Correct pronunciation of 'wa asmeni' ! Felt very elated, but what happened next will surprise you. My mind went complete blank and  when it came to 'matha ni masah' how hard I tired I could not recall the correct words. It may be because I was so focused on 'wa asmeni' that I forgot and was totally confused.  I had return back and look up again and do the woodhu. 

I know my young friends will be finding this very amusing and unbelievable - but just wait my young friends, a few more years and  turn to my age approaching 75 and you will empathize and understand with my plight, and all those elders, who are trying hard to learn and perform correct Woodhu. Years of faulty recital is so ingrained, that any change is proving a daunting task. 

This 'write up' is than is a tribute to all seniors like me, who are making an honest attempt. Do not give up, how hard it may seem now. Both Moulas doa mubarak and nazarat will overcome the shortcoming.      

THE SECRET

The other day I had an opportunity to interact with a family friend who came visiting from outstation. I met her after a long time and this young mumina, who I knew to be well educated, had in the intervening years seemed to have acquired a lot of knowledge and appeared well read on subject of metaphysics, faith healing, physic and pranic healing, yoga, Reiki etc:

She has been attending many such sessions and talked at length with full conviction of its importance, and gave some insights and recommended some books to me, for which I am indebted to her.

However, I found that many of the truths and concepts are divulged regularly in vaaz and sabaks, and in this glorious Burhani Daur for a true seeker of knowledge, the opportunities are there more so, than in the previous zaman of Doat Kiram sahebs. This is common knowledge.


All this developments set me reflecting on what is that attracts these educated youngsters to know more about metaphysics and spiritual awakening, reading books, attending sessions, but when asked - do they attend sabaks, where according to me, we get to know the same things, they are lukewarm, giving standard excuses.

I have been reflecting on this a lot lately. However, it is somewhat personally satisfying to note, that my writing over the years, have found acceptance with a niche group, albeit very small group of educated and aware segment of mumineen, and I can say this now on the basis of the feedback being received from them.

I have been trying to synthesize the deeni knowledge acquired, with truths established through scientific discoveries and published material available on the Net. Here I would like to make it clear, that the Deeni knowledge is taken only from published sources and material (not from the haqiqat sabaks I am blessed to attend)

Now coming back to the book referred by may young family friend - THE SECRET - Rhonda Byrne. She was a bit taken back, when I told her I had not heard of the book. So immediately after she left, I googled and got to have a peek inside the book.

I will for ever remain indebted to my family friend, for before the Forward by the author there is a page containing the following :

AS ABOVE, SO BELOW
AS WITHIN, SO WITHOUT
- The Emerald Tablet - Circa 3000 BC
The law began in the beginning of the time. It has always been and will always be. 

This is the very thing we have been learning in 'sabaks' but it was news to me that it has been inscribed on a Tablet 5000 years ago.

In her Forward Rhonda Byrne goes on to say that she has been grateful to her daughter for gifting her a century old book, at a time when she was facing her life's worst crisis, and this book provided THE SECRET and a burning desire to share the secret, consumed her. This led to the making of 120 hour documentary film THE SECRET.

In her book 24 Amazing Teachers are featured, who by their work and writings, have shared their SECRET. Prentice Mulford (1834-1891) is regarded as the leader of New Thought Movement. Bob Bocher became famous for his 'Law of Attraction'

All the 24 amazing Teachers featured in the book, have written books, and most all of them have their web pages.

My personal quest, will be to find out what they have, which I do not know. In this way I will try to understand the problem that is vexing me.

So let me start with the famous quote dated 5000 years ago.
'AS ABOVE, SO BELOW
AS WITHIN, SO WITHOUT.'

As my writings concerns mumineen, specially youngsters groping for answers, without divulging anything from the 'sabaks' but relying on published material, vaaz mubaraks, deeni publications and the Net, let me proceed to prove conclusively, that for a true seeker of I'lm, the answers are in our Deen.

Everyone of you have heard of Syedna Hamid al- Din al -Kirmani (RA) I have written about his work, in one of my earlier blog. Now he is the one, who has clearly made the world understand the true meaning of Tawheed in the context of 'AS ABOVE, SO BELOW'

Now this is what Henry Corbin has to say in his Book - 'History of Islamic Philosophy'

'Syedna Hamid-al- Din Kirmani (RA) (d.408H/1017 A.D.) has fully delineated the esoteric hierarchy. There is a celestial hierarchy (the hudoods above) and there is a terrestrial hierarchy (the hudoods below) which symbolizes with each other.'

This than is the precise meaning, if there was ever one of the ancient wisdom. It is part of our Deen. It is there if you care to find.

In his Book ' Thoughts are things' Prentice Mulford goes on to state : ' There belongs to every human being a higher self, and a lower self, a self or mind of spirit, which has been growing for ages, and a self of the body, which is thing of yesterday.'

Now, if one cares to do tilawat of Nashihat of Syedi Sadik ali Saheb, one will find his repeated emphasizes on caring for the everlasting soul. ' Dunyani ni tu raghbat thi .....' simply superb. (I have translated a few stanzas, which can be found on my home page: www.hikmaah.com)

Dr. Alex Loyd talks of 'healing codes' about cellular memories, about release of negative emotions. Nothing new except that they have succeeded in making a business model of ancient wisdom.

I hope to look up on the Net on all the wisdom propounded by the rest of the 24 Amazing Teachers referred in the Book - The Secret, and try to find out, what they know, that I have not known by attending sabaks, and by my true seeking.

I hope my writing will motivate youngsters in removing some of the misconceptions.

An observation " Friends when you attend such lectures and healing sessions, do you carry mobiles with you, are you not all attention latching on to every word and when and when .............. I will leave it at that. All of you are so understanding and educated, I do will not have to spell out the details.

ABUNDANCE IN OUR DEEN

ABUNDANCE : Think abundance, feel abundance, BELIEVE abundance and surely it will manifest itself in your life. So says one of the pioneer of New Age Thinking- Robert Collier (1885-1950) in his famous Book - THE SECRET OF THE AGES.

His Secret : 3 steps to call upon your inner power - The Genie of your Mind
First and foremost : To realize that you have the power.
Next to know want you want and finally
To center your thoughts upon it with the singleness of purpose.

In order to achieve the best results he advices that we need to practice.

Now the question is what is ABUNDANCE ?
Is it material wealth ? All the creature comforts, or is it something very different. You must be knowing many who have all the material wealth, but are they really happy, are they living an enriching life ? Are they living a contended life ?

I quote another New Age Amazing Teacher Eckhart Tolle who writes in his famous Book : THE POWER OF NOW - ' those who have not found their true wealth, which is radiant joy of Being, and the deep unshakable peace that comes with it, are beggars, even if they have great material wealth.'

They are looking outside for scraps of pleasure and fulfillment, for validation, security or love, while they have a treasure within that not only includes all those things but infinitely greater than any thing, the world can offer.

As I read the above lines, which started to slowly sink in I found the answer to why Moulaya Raja saheb of Morbi, who made a living by a very humble profession of weaving cloth, threw the jewels back into the well, that came in his 'dol' (water bucket) not once but all the three times, when he intended to fetch water to perform 'wudhu'.

He threw back the jewels because he had the true wealth - the joy of Being. He could think abundance, feel abundance, and enjoy abundance, and he did not look outside for scraps of fulfillment and validation. This is the secret of abundance, that our DEEN has to offer to true seekers of bliss, prosperity and plenty.

Molaya Raja was fully focused on the Power of Now - he needed water for wudhu, as the magrib time was ending, and he knew fully well that the real wealth and abundance, came from 'ibadat' of Allah at the determined waqt. Water was what he needed and water was what he got.

And as to the true wealth and abundance, history bears witness, that the abundance experienced by Molaya Raja, manifested in due time in the form of nine 'ratans' (jewels) of exquisite and resplendent spirituality, humanity, piety and learning - we are familiar with their glorious history - Badre'en Doat kirams.

The first and foremost amongst them Syedna Ismail Badruddin Moula (RA) had immense material wealth, but his true seeking of abundance came from seeking I'lm - staying six months each year at Ahmadabad in the hazrat of Dai uz Zaman, and spending the remaining six months at Jamnagar looking after his business.

The true meaning of abundance was given by him, and as conveyed on several occasion to his mansoos Syedna Abdul Taiyyeb Zakiuddin Moula (RA)




AWESOME ABUNDANCE ! Not great material wealth as stated rightly by Ekhart Tolle, but the joy of being - the joy of serving DAI UL MUTLAQ - WHO IS TRUE ABUNDANCE. Abundance is in his 'gulami' as repeatedly stressed by Sayedi Sadikali Saheb.

I may or may not be possessing any material wealth, it is inconsequential, but I carry within me abundant love of my Moula (TUS) that in it self is ABUNDANCE. Each day is a joy for me , each day is a celebration, each day a thankful day. I feel happy, I feel blessed, and the gloss and glamor of material possessions, does not effect me.

Those who try to make a big show of their material wealth, those who are only self indulgent, self possessive, self centered - I really pity them, for they are seeking validation, they are feeling insecure, they are feeling incomplete.

As we celebrate the 100th Milad Mubarak of our beloved Aqa Moula (TUS) let us also throw back all that is transitory and seek that which is everlasting, and if our seeking is focused, the joy and bliss of Abundance in life will surely enrich us.

NOTES ON SPRITUALITY

22nd Rajab has a significance in our Fatemi tradition, as in many mumineen housholds, we make 'kheer puri' on this day and partake it by reciting salvat on Imam Jafar -us- Sadik (SA) As my wife is busy making 'kheer puri' I thought it most appropriate, to share with my friends some notes on Spirituality, as a befitting tribute to this day.

AQL - The human intellect is a microcosmic reflection of the Universal Intellect (Aql Kulli) When man attains proper use of his own intellect, he is able to move from the level of his own individual intellect to swim in the ocean of Universal (microcosmic) intellect.

Through going inward (contemplation - taffakur ) he is conveyed outward to dizzying heights.

- From the Article by Irshad Husain.

The body is the brute touched to life. The true man is the other, going pure of the body, rationly endowed with virtues, which belong to the Intellectual Activity, the virtue whose seat is a Seperate Soul, the Soul which even in its dwelling here may be kept apart - THIS SOUL CONSTITUTES THE HUMAN BEING - .......

- From ENNEADS - Plotinus

SPRITUALITY is the way you find meaning,hope, comfort and inner peace in your life.
As the body, mind and spirit are connected, the health of any one of these elements, seems to affect the health and good being of the other.

Some meanings of Arabic words we generally hear in Vaaz and bayans.

'johad'comes from 'jhd' - primaary meaning is to strive or to exert oneself.

Ilm - knowledge

hikmaah - wisdom

taffakur - reflection

al- nafs al mutma'inna (the satisfied soul)

al- nafs al lawwama ( the self accusing soul)

al - nafs al ammara bi al su' ( the soul that enjoins evil) that which comes under the influence of Shiytan

tasawwur - conception

tasdiq - assent

When Alexander was leaving for his world conquest, he went to see Diogenes, a great sage, who was lying on a sandy bank of the river and enjoying the morning sunshine.

He asked Alexander : Where are you going and for what ?
Alexander : I am going on a world conquest, I will conquer Asia Minor first.
Diogenes : And what will you do after conquering Asia Minor ?
Alexander : I will then go to conquer India
Diogenes : And what then ?
Alexander: I will have to conquer the whole world.
Diogenes : And what then ?
Alexander: Then I will rest and relax.

Hearing this Diogenes laughs out loudly, and addressing his dog who is sitting neare by says: "Listen to what this mad king is saying. The man says that he will rest after he conquers the world. Here we are resting right now, without conquering a single place. Alexander dear, if rest is your ultimate objective, why not join me and my dog right now on this beautiful river bank ? There is enough space here for all of us. I am already resting.Why are you bent on creating so much mayhem and blood shed around the world, just to rest at the end of it all ? You can rest right here and now"

Dear friends does it ring a bell. Who are we fooling but our own self. Just reflect on what you want to achieve in life. Reflect on the all pervading Spirit, which sleeps in the stone, dreams in the animal and wakes up finally in Man. Try to understand it, reflect upon and sure enough you will find joy, sustenance and ever lasting peace.

In order to achieve Spirituality, first comes NIYYAT - resolve, intention
Fllowed by : TAUBA - penitence
MUJAHDA- probation or striving
MUHAZARA - when you feel the light, which is still veiled
MUKASHAFA -the veil is lifted and your spirituality radiates
through and through
( have used sufi words of attainment to drive the point home)

While on the subject of Spirituality, let me recall the childhood game of spoon and lime race, very popular is school Sports Meet. The one who touched the tape first with lime firmly placed in the spoon won. In real life though we find that people are running blindly at times, focused on reaching first with the spoon firmly in their mouth,( all worldly materialistic possessions ) but wen they touch the tape, they find that in their blind dash, some where down the road, they have dropped the lime.

Friends those who touch the tape, even if they come second or third or tenth for that matter, but with their lime firmly in their spoon, are the winners of this life's race.

On the Day of Judgement everyone will be gathered together in HIS RADIANT PRESENCE, the rankings will melt, those with lime in their spoon will be considered, and those who ran blindly only with spoon firmly in their mouth and without the lime will for ever regret.

The lime constitutes VALAYAT of AQA MOULA (TUS) all noble deeds as enshrined in our Deen. Reaching out to your relatives and community members in need. I need not elaborate.

In your mad rush to touch the finishing line of life, and to come out winner, please be focused on 'the lime' that may have fallen down. Pick it up and you will be the ultimate winner.

 It is the Greek Philosopher Diogenes again friends.

When one surrenders on its own to the Supreme Power -to the Will of Allah in the larger context, to our Moula (TUS)in the micro context, his Spirituality, will achieve the ultimate flowering, because in this willing surrender is the ultimate salvation.

If someone forcibly turns you into a means and uses you, you are bound to loose your soul. However, your soul will be fulfilled, if you surrender on your own, and become an instrument in the hands of existence.

The Greek sage Diognes, was once captured by a group of petty traders to enslave him. The traders are baffled when Diognes himself voluteers to be handcuffed. As they take him to the slave market to be sold, he proudly walks ahead of all of them. There is not a trace of fear on his face, while his captors look like captives.

Diogenes mounts on the platform and proclaims : ' What are you looking for ? They are all my slaves, and although they are not in chains yet, they cannot run away from me. HERE IS A MASTER FOR SALE - whosoever can afford a master should bid for him'

There are many savants who on account of their wisdom and spirituality have lived a fearless life, because they have willingly surrendered themselves to the Will of Allah. Our Fatemi history is enriched with many such incidents of true heroism, the one that readily comes to mind as I write is that of Syedna Kutbuddin Saheed (AQ)

He was chained and bound in the durbar of Auranzeb, but by his fearless utterance of Truth, he made all of them look like minions.

' Shere Khuda na sher woh garraya aa kadr..... ' Nashihat of Syedi Sadik Ali Saheb

It was the radiant Spirituality and surrender to the Will of Allah that enslaved Auranzeb, sitting on the throne, and although tied and bowed down in chains, Moulana Kutbuddin Saheed (RA) towered over every one. This is the power of Spirituality and Wisdom.

The sheer joy when individual consciousness merges with the Divine Consciousness, it is difficult to say wether the drop merged into the ocean or the ocean merged into the drop. When this happens, you begin to start seeing miracles. We are all so fortunate to be a witness to the living miracle - our beloved Aqa Moula (TUS) who in spite of advancing age, health concerns arrived at 9.40 am to deliver Vaaz at Saifee Masjid in pouring rain on Urs day, and was amongst his beloved mumineen till 2.45 pm.

Friends try to inculcate Spirituality in your daily lives, and feel true ecstacy and joy, that the material world will never be able to offer. The sheer joy of crossing a busy road in pouring rain, with umbrella flying and being drenched, but being in time for the Magrib farz, the sujood of shukr followed thereafter for having 'made it'is just one example of daily working Spirituality. Reaching out to the needy fellow mumineen, in what ever way possible etc: there are numerous ways and means of enriching yourself by enriching the lives of others.

Become Spiritual to become Free.

NAJWA E A'ANSOO

Saughat- e -a’ansoo leke aya hoon aza’ ki majlis me
yehi hadiyah- e- azadari hai meray MOULA ki pasand

( this is the extempore composition by my artist friend Bhai Noorudin Amarjee conveyed over phone, as I told him of Aqa Moula’s reception bayan mubarak, and my intention to write on the subject) 

On hearing Aqa Moula’s bayan at the Mombasa airport (courtesy DB Net) I started reflecting on the bayan wherein Aqa Moula, at the very start, brought into focus, his aspirations and purpose, by stating ‘ su najwa arz karso – tamara a’ansoo na najwa ne lewa ayo chhu…..’ This address was not confined to the mumineen of Mombasa and all those who have been blessed to be with Aqa Moula (TUS) in the Burhani Masjid and its precincts, but mumineen worldwide.

So every mumineen in all earnest should, at first become aware of what Aqa Moula (TUS) is requiring of them during this Muharram, what will make him please and earn his satisfaction and blessings. 

Once you become aware and focused, as to what is expected of you by your Moula this A’shara, whether you are blessed to sit at his feet in Mombasa, or you are sitting in a very small congregation in Modasa (Gujrat) it does not matter, unless you are able to weep profusely on the Martyerdom of Imam Husain (S.A.) on the burning plains of Karbala. 

I agree it is easy said than done, no sermonizing here, one has to be practical. 

First step is becoming aware of what is required of you, next your personal assessment of yourself. Human beings are all different, there are people who can shed tears easily, yet there are others who find it difficult to cry. I have observed many blessed mumineen, who at the mere sight of Aqa Moula tend to shed a lot of tears, others are equally emotional and moved, but tears do not come that easily, and there is a scientific explanation to it. ( to get my point straight, I will confide to you about my sister, who has grown up children of her own and stays in Pune. Now whenever, she comes to see me off at the station, I fail to understand, but as the train leaves the platform, she starts crying !!!)

It is for this reason, that Aqa Moula says, that ‘rovu na aavtu hoi, to Nazrul Mukam mano, mane yaad karo, maro chehro tamarni nazar samne rakho…’ 

So the first step is precisely do that. 

Once you are focused, the next step is ‘m’arefat’ for whom, you are shedding your tears, and why are you shedding year after year. I will just state one of the many reason, as often said by Aqa Moula (TUS) ‘ mumineen tame mara Moula Imam Husain na matam ane rova matej paiyda thaya cho, tamara paiydais no maqsad Imam Husain par a’aho jari karvoo che’ ( Note: these are not the exact words, but the spirit of the bayan mubarak is conveyed) 

Syedna Mohammad Burhanuddin Moula in his munajaat has beautifully articulated the sentiment of, forever remembering Husain (s.a.) in the following words:
WA AZKURU MOULAYAL HUSAINA DAA LANA, BE SAJDATEHE INDASH SHAHADATAY SAEELA (I always remember Moula Husain (s.a.) who during his shahadat remembered us in his Doa)

So it becomes obligatory and part of living faith for a mumin to shed a’asoo and do matam. During the bayan at the airport Aqa Moula recited the verse from Ya Sayedas Shohadaee - fizi aya nafse fizi ...

So once you become aware and focused, the next step is m’arefat and Muqaadas Moula Syedna Taher Saifuddin (RA) helps us in doing so, in the following verse :

AZHAL HUSAINU YUNADI, BAEENA JUMOIL AADI, INNIBNU TAHA WA SAADEE, MUNZO SALASEEN SADEE, ATLOOBU SHURBATA MAEE, WALAHFATA YA HUSAINA, YA SAYEDASH SHOHADEE.

(On the day of Ashaura before Shahadat, Husain (s.a.) performed the duty of Hujjat with enemies and asked. Don’t you know I am the son of that Nabi (s.a.) whom Quran has addressed as Tahaa and Suaad ? I am thirsty since last three days. I only ask of you just one sip of water. O Husain our grief upon you, O leader of the Shohada)

Believe me my young friends, when ever I recite the above verse, I am over whelmed by a surge of emotions, and tears flow as the entire scene of helplessness of an exalted Imam unfolds.

In an instant my mind recalls all those rightful people, who in order to uphold the truth, have suffered at the hands of tyrants. I recall Moulai Raj walking in the mohallas of Ahmedabad in ‘fakiri libas’ to save the souls from going astray, I recall Moulai Hasanfir, who because of his knowledge and piety, earned the enmity of the courtiers and was martyred. Spirituality suffered, knowledge was trampled by worldly and naïve people wielding position and power. It is important to connect your thoughts and feelings. 

At times recalling your meanness, your turning away a needy mumin bhai, wrongful use of your power and position to hurt a fellow human etc: in short recalling your sins and wrong doings and repenting, as you do matam, releases emotions and a torrent of tears. Just try it out this Muharram.

One is bound to shed tears on reciting the following verse, as to what the enemy did.

LAM YASMAU MINHU QAWLA, WAIZ SHAQU MA SAQAWLA, BAL QATALU MINHU MAWLA, AAMAL BARAYA TAWLAN, ALA ASHADDE ZAMAEE, WALAHFATA YA HUSAINA, YA SYEDASH SHOHADAEE.

(Enemies did not listen to his call, due to cruelty and enmity none of them gave water, but they killed him in the extreme of the thirst, one whose ahsaan covered the whole Universe. My unlimited sorrow and grief upon you, O leader of the Shohada.)

( Excerpts taken from my article entitled THE TRAGEDY OF KARBALA IN THE CONTEXT OF MARASIYA YA SYEDASH SHODAEE) www.hikmaah.com

Thus, I have tried to share with you my reflections and thoughts on the subject, and Allah willing I hope many will surely benefit. 

I have also been reading on the subject of crying and the experiments being carried out at St: Paul Ramsey Medical Centre in Minnesota.

Emotional tears are the response which only humans have, for only humans can weep. Ashley Montagu concluded that, weeping contributes not only to the health of the individual, but also to the group in a sense of community and that it tends to deepen involvement in the welfare of others. 

Tears are secreted by our lachrymals – tiny sponge like glands, which rest above the eye against the eye socket. It physical benefit is that it lubricates the eyeballs and eyelids. 


In experiments, it has been found that emotional tears after watching a sad movie, helped in the excretory process, which removes toxic substances that normally build up during emotional stress. 

However, it was not the case with tears that flowed on account of cutting onions. Tears serve as an evolutionary survival function. Crying is therapeutic, tears help us heal and are valuable aid to restoring inner calmness and peace. 

Book Refrence: William Frey :Crying –the Mystery of Tears
Gregg Levoy : Tears that Speak – Psychology Today 
Ashley Montagu : The Evolution of Weeping- Science Digest

I have merely mentioned the above to make the readers aware of the importance that the scientific community is giving to the study. 

However, we mumineen are not so mindful and concerned with the benefits that we receive at personal level, but are main concern and purpose is to earn the ‘khusi’ of our beloved Aqa Moula, and we know for sure what barakat and bounties we are to be blessed with in ‘akherat’ for shedding a’ansoo on Imam Husain (SA)

I conclude with the doa – 

‘ baqi rahe Burhanuddin az-hurmat-e-a’ansoo’ Ameen. 

NEW HIJRI YEAR 1430 MUBARAK AND MOHANNA TO ALL.
ILTEMAS UL DOA DURING THE DAYS OF A’SHARA AND SPECIALLY ON THE DAY OF A’SHURA.

'No Mind in Namaz' - a natural state of felt Oneness with ALLAH

During a recent Skype chat with my niece, who is doing a course in Middle Eastern Study at SOAS - London (http://soas.ac.uk) the chat veered on my earlier blog where I had quoted Eckhart Tolle.

I always admire and have high respect for our highly motivated and educated youngsters, who have been studying at various Colleges and Universities around the world, who are well read, have opportunity to come in contact and assimilate with different cultures,and thought processes.

So when my niece strongly recommended that I should buy the book, I did her bidding and when the bookseller refused to give the normal 10% discount, stating that the Book is in constant demand, I became sure that it is worth possessing.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

THE POWER OF NOW - Eckhart Tolle over 2 million copies sold carrying rave reviews from important personalities and thinkers and now available in thirty languages. Gujrati edition titled ' Shakti vartaman ni'

For all those who feel that there are 'nobody' in this vast set up of the Universe, Eckhart conveys a very potent and powerful message in the very beginning of the Book. His quote : YOU ARE HERE TO ENABLE THE DIVINE PURPOSE OF THE UNIVERSE TO UNFOLD. THAT IS HOW IMPORTANT YOU ARE. I felt myself a few inches taller as I read it, I am no push over but an important cog in the great churning. Hope you also on reading this must be feeling the same. After reading this quote of his, who will not feel important, and he backs up his contention with hard facts.

The hard fact : that a single human cell measuring 1/1000 of an inch across contain instructions within its DNA that would fill 1000 books of 600 pages each. Simply mind blowing !! I am made up of a trillion of cells.

Let me share some spiritual truths, which I have had the good fortune to learn in 'sabaks' but in his book Ekhard has forcefully and with telling effect put 'upfront' in the most simplest to understand way. Eckhart is said to have experienced spiritual realization, one night after his twenty-ninth birthday. I know many youngsters may already have read the Book.

What is my point in writing about the Book - it is precisely that to convey that OUR DEEN if followed in true spirit is more enriching and sublime. Here I am taking help of Eckhart, I am deeply indebted to him, for by the end of my post, the readers will be fully understand what i want to convey.

In the introduction Eckhart states to the followers of ancient religions, that there is no need to go elsewhere for the truth, his mission is to show you how to go more deeply into what you already have.

Some random thoughts gleaned from the Book.

' The word enlightenment conjures up the idea of some super human accomplishment, and the ego likes to keep it that way, but it is simply your natural state of felt oneness with Being.'

We mumineen are blessed to have a MOULA whose very presence, energizes and enlightens many to feel the oneness with Being. Each year during 'asr' on Ashura, this feeling of oneness becomes profound and intense. I am sure many of my readers may have experienced this sublime feeling.

According to Eckhart, compulsive thinking, this incessant mental noise prevents you from finding the realm of inner stillness, that is inseparable from the Being. This is because the voice (your thoughts) belong to your conditioned mind , which is the result of all your past history as well as the collective cultural mind set you inherited.

He suggests that you start 'watching the thinker' so that the higher level of consciousness becomes activated. A very novel concept propounded by him is that when you learn to control your thoughts - the incessant chatter, when it subsides, you experience a discontinuity in the mental stream - a gap of 'no mind'

At first, the gaps will be short, a few seconds perhaps, but gradually they will become longer. When these gaps occur, you feel a certain stillness and peace inside you. This then is the beginning of your natural state of felt oneness with the Being, which is usually obscured by the mind. With practice, the sense of stillness and peace will deepen. In fact, there is no end to its depth. You will also feel a subtle emanation of joy arising from deep within: the joy of Being.

As you go deeply into this realm of 'no mind' you realize the state of pure consciousness. In that state, you feel your own presence with such intensity and such joy of thinking, all emotions, your physical body, as well as the whole external world becomes really insignificant, in comparison to it.

Now this over two million copies Best Selling Author advices some practical steps in everyday life to achieve this 'no mind' gap. Here are a few of the simple routine steps :

## Every time you walk up and down the stairs in your house or place of work, pay close attention to every step, every movement, even your breathing. Be totally present.

## Or when you wash your hands, pay attention to all the sense perceptions associated with the activity: the sound and feel of water, the movement of your hand, the scent of the soap and so on.

## Or when you get into the car, after you close the door, pause for a few seconds and observe the flow of your breath.

Now to all my readers I put forward a very simple and basic question.

Offering Namaz on 'waqt' with discontinuity in the mental stream, by being totally present, shutting out the incessant chatter of the thoughts, is a much better practice to become enlightened, to achieve the natural state of oneness with the Being ?

Is it not my friends ? It surely is, but we have not given it the thought - 'ghar ki murgi dal barabar !'

Thank you Eckhard Tolle for telling us that there is no need to go elsewhere for the truth. OUR DEEN makes us not only enlightened but also nurtures us for emancipation.

But first things first - switch off the mobiles. It amuses me to see many holding their hand sets immediately after 'salam', some go further, casting a fast glance between 'ruku' and 'sujood' at the blip on their hand set during 'sunnat / vasek namaz' !!

I fervently hope that those who have cared to read my blog will surely find truth in it. To my young friends living in college campuses and professionals, who surely may have read THE POWER OF NOW it will be a revelation.

TAFFAKUR - 90TH MILAD MUBARAKA OHBAT POST

Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding. - 190 :
Surah Al-Imran

Scientific fact: The retina is a transparent , paper thin layer of nerve tissue at the back of the eyeball, on which the eye's lens projects an image of the world. It is connected by the optic nerve, a million fiber cell, to regions deep in the brain. A human retina is less than a centimeter square and half millimeter thick.

It takes robot vision programme about 100 computer instructions to derive single edge or motion detection from a comparable video image. 100 million instructions are needed to do a million detection's, and 1000 MIPS to repeat them ten times per second to match the retina. ( Article on the net - ' When will computer hardware match the human brain - Hans Moravec)

Tafakkur: Just go to think of it. Thousands of birth per minute around the world - chubby cheeks, rosy lips, dimple chin, glowing eyes with retina in place, needing no computer programme, no human ingenuity, no advertisement promotion - a complete packaging, a miracle indeed.

All Hamd is for Allah for his Glorious creation. With the help of retina, we are able to see, and that itself is marvel of Allah's creation. But as I was reflecting on this, a thought provoking aspect of 'seeing' held me spell bound and I cried aloud ALHAMDOLILLAH! I know exactly the place and the time it occurred. 

The day was 24th July'01.
'To see' is relative to one who is seeing. To illustrate my point, I will narrate a very common sight that we happen to see a number of times. A kite (bird of hawk family) who has ensnared a mouse firmly between its legs, was being pursued frantically by other kites and crows, and there was a much commotion up in the sky. A common scene that we witness in our cities.

Coming to my point, the above scene being enacted high in the sky was seen by different types of people at the same time.

For the street children fighting over coins thrown out to them from the passing car, the chase in the skies, provided a merry diversion, and they cheered and ran around and looked up expectantly, as to what will be the final outcome.

For a Merrill Lynch & Co.Inc: executive enjoying his lunch break on the 20th floor plush office and looking out of the glass windows, the spectacle in the sky is viewed with interest, as the art of survival in the highly competitive market place, by deft and timely marketing techniques. He is thinking of incorporating one or two features from the fight in the sky and the lessons learnt, in the report on 'overriding the market sentiments', that he is busy preparing for the upcoming seminar.

For a betting syndicate boss out for lunch with his cronies, the fight above in the sky, gives them an opportunity to horn their 'betting skills' and each puts his bet, on who will ultimately get the prized booty - in this case the mouse.

A politician who is facing censor and investigations resulting from 'tahelka type' exposures, sees himself as the 'poor kite' who is being pursued, one who has by dint of hard work got hold of the well deserved 'meat' and now his own tribe is after him, to rob him of the booty.

A radical trade unionist addressing a meeting, looks up and on seeing the spectacle in the sky, exhorts his comrades to unitedly fight for their rights, and kite with the prey is seen as the bourgeois capitalist who alone wants to enjoy the fruits of their collective labor.

Thus a common spectacle is seen in countless other ways by different set of people. Now let me bring you back to what finally happens high up in the sky.The kite tries many ways to escape with its prey. At last exhausted and disgusted, it drops the mouse, which is instantly caught by another kite, which is now hotly pursued. Once free of its burden, it alights to rest on a tree branch, beneath which a wise sage is sitting and he has also been observing closely the spectacle in the sky.

So now the kite,once free of its burden, alights to rest on a tree branch, beneath which a wise sage is sitting and he has also been observing closely the spectacle in the sky.

This is what he says: 'Oh what peace and happiness attend upon him who shakes off all worldly attractions and burdens and becomes free! What danger otherwise.' Thus saying he falls into deep contemplation. How very true.

To 'let go' does not mean to forsake the world and go deep into the woods.It is more to do with our attitude towards materialism.If we make it a means to attend a noble end, it is beneficial but if we make it an 'end in itself' it will surely bring sorrow and misery. 

A sterling example of what I want to convey is reflected in the life ofMoulana Ali (S.A.) and in the nasihat of Syedi Sadikali Saheb.

'hazar viga zameen kherta pote apni kuvaat thi
 khazuri te ma boi ne daulat peda karta mehnat thi'

But at the same time Moulana Ali (S.A.)  admonishes worldly materialism with the words ' khank che tara khazana upar....'

Detachment in human relationship does not mean an absence of caring. It means caring so much, that you suspend your own value judgements about others and relate to them from a position of love rather than attempting to control or judge them. The person who is detached in this sense is one who will avoid all the unnecessary sufferings that most people experience in their relationship.

Try squeezing a handful of water and see how quickly it disappears. But relax and let your hand flow in the same water as long as you like. This is the principle of detachment and flowing. Allowing the things to flow naturally is the way of the universe. (Book: "You'll see it when you believe it" by Dr. Wayne W.Dyer)  I highly recommend this book.

Thus I finally come to the end of the series. I am deeply indebted to Mulla Murtazabhai Rasheed  the owner of Malumaat mailing list, for having posted the series on the mailing list, and thus helping me to fulfill my niyaat. 

 All the Dawoodi Bohra portals like DB Net and others are doing a  singular service to the community.It is surely a dirty world out there on theworld wide web, and these moderated lists and 'sites' are acting as 'guiding stars' and citadel to guide us and provide shelter from the murky world.

The necessity and importance of this can be judged from the fact, that in a recent report on world wide internet surfing trends, it is estimated that as high as 70% traffic on the net is directed towards 'porno' sites, and as majority are teenagers and young adult, you can well imagine the negative impacts on their psyche and thinking.

All Hamd is for Allah for His azeem ehsanats for having blessed us with a Hadi and Rehbar.

When it comes to Hamd and Shukr for the azeem ehsans of our
beloved Aqa Moula (TUS) words fail me, and tears, deep down
feeling of gratefulness, spiritual bliss, resolve to serve my
Moula and community better, are some of the few things that I
offer in humility, fully aware of my limitation of knowledge
and capacity.
I end in the words of Syedi Sadikali Saheb :

"Dai che pan ginaye che goya Imam ma
Che muktada azal thi salaat o siyaam ma
Mazmoon hiqmato na che jena kalam ma
Arwah ni haj yakeen che jena salaam ma
Burhanuddin na chera ma hi Rab nu che vuzud
Karze jukhi ne ehne tu Sadik Ali sujuud"

Here I would take the liberty to add:

'Sadik Ali jo jota aa Burhanuddin ni shaan
Shukr na asu fakat niklta, ruki jata kalaam '
(Source: My home page: 'Child care for you')

May Allah grant my beloved Aqa Moula (TUS) sehato -afiyaat - ta- kiyamat. Ameen. 

NOTE : This article has been edited slightly.
 

Lessons from Battle of Ohad

In the decisive battle of OHAD the Quraishites smarting by the defeat suffered at Badr encamped at Ohad under the relentless Abu Sufiyan, with a formidable force of 3000 we'll equipped soldiers, and their sole motive was complete annihilation of the Muslims. 

Against this daunting enemy the Muslims numbered only 700 who only possessed 2 horses, but none the less marched ahead on to challenge the idolaters. 

From this battle I would like to narrate some incidents, and the niyat is that readers, should reflect and do introspection. The niyat behind our actions play a very important role, in determining the station we achieve in our Deen.

 Our ma'ad (the return) solely depends on the niyat behind all our actions. Be it big or small.

 After the departure of the Quraishites, people went out to check the identity of those killed and wounded. Zaid bin Thabit said : ' Muhammad (SA) sent me to seek S'ad bin Ar Rabi and said : ' when you see him, say : ' peace be upon you from me'  and say to him ' the Messenger of Allah says : How do you feel ? '

Zaid said : ' I started wandering about and checking those killed, till I came across Sa'd when he was about to die having suffered about seventy strokes or stabs of a sword, a spear and an arrow had pierced his body. As instructed I said to S'ad -” O Sa'd, the Messenger of Allah, sends you his greetings, and says peace be upon you, tell me how you feel? 

S'ad said: ' and let peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. Tell him, I smell the scent of the Paradise. Tell the Helpers, my people, you all will not be excused before Allah if the Prophet is hurt, and your eyes are blinking (meaning you are still living and not dead) thus saying, he died.

Now let us reflect upon another martyr Al - Usarim - named Amr bin Thabit, whom the Muslims had already urged to embrace Islam but he refused, but fought against the Quraishites. The Muslims found him amongst the wounded, on the verge of close death. They asked him: "What made you fight? Is it out of zeal to defend your people or is it because of an inclination to Islam? "He said:" It is (certainly) an inclination it Islam. I believe in Allah and His Messenger. I have fought with the Messenger Of Allah, till I have got what you see" thus saying he died. 

They told Muhammad (SA) about him. Hearing that he said: " He is one of the inhabitants of Paradise, although he has not offered one single namaz"

Now would request readers to reflect on reading the death of another valiant Arab who fought on the side of the Muslims. 

Qazman, who was found among the wounded, fought heroically, and killed seven or eight idolators. He was weakened by the wounds he sustained, they carried him to the habitation of Bani Zufr. The Muslims gave him glad tidings of Paradise. But he said : " by Allah, I have fought out of the zeal of my people. Had it not been for that I would have never fought." When his wounds worsened he committed suicide. 

Muhammad (SA) had already said whenever he was mentioned to him " He is an inhabitant of Fire" 

The martyrdom of Usarim and the death of Qazman does call for reflection and introspection. One embraced Islam although he had not performed any salaat, his niyat emancipated him. Qazman fought valiantly but in vain. 

Contrary to Qazman there was a Jew of Bani Tha'labah among those who fought with the Muslims, and got killed. He told his people who were reluctant to fight alongside the Muslims with whom they had a pact, it being Saturday. He told his people : " If I were killed, my property should be put at Muhammad's disposal" He fought with valour and was killed. 

On hearing of his death, Muhammad (SA) said: " Mukhaireeq is the best Jew"

Now this statement of Muhammad (SA) calls for reflection and introspection. Muhammad (SA) did not say that Mukhaireeq is the inhabitant of Jannat. 

So dear readers, in this Akhbar is Anwaar for those who reflect.