Friday, September 29, 2023
Monday, September 25, 2023
September 25, 2023 | No Comments |
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Birth anniversary celebration of the Prophet Muhammad is a sacred occasion for Muslims around the world. Beyond the festivities, it serves as an important time for introspection, with scholars delving into the issues afflicting the Muslim society and seeking solutions in the light of the Prophet’s teachings.
One pressing issue that found its way into the discussions at the 74th Rahmatul-lil-Alameen Day organized by the All India Majlise Tamire Millate on Sunday was the growing waywardness among the youth. It is disheartening to witness a rising trend of young individuals succumbing to intoxication, drug abuse, illiteracy, and involvement in criminal activities. The question on everyone’s mind is: What has led our youth astray from the righteous path? The answer, as highlighted by the Ulema (religious scholars), lies in the erosion of moral values and a gradual distancing from Islamic principles.
Intoxicants and drug abuse have become unfortunate companions for many young Muslims. This not only jeopardizes their physical and mental health but also disrupts their connection with the teachings of Islam. The Prophet Muhammad’s teachings emphasize the importance of a clear and sober mind, enabling individuals to make sound decisions and lead virtuous lives. “It is vital to remind our youth of these teachings to steer them away from the harmful path of substance abuse”, said Maulana Mehdi Hasan Aini Qasmi, Director, India Islamic Academy, Deoband.
It is the primary duty of parents to keep a tab on their children. They should routinely check their mobiles and chat boxes to find what their wards are indulging in. Another pressing concern is the increasing prevalence of illiteracy within the Muslim community. Education has always been highly regarded in Islamic culture, with the Prophet himself placing great emphasis on seeking knowledge. However, the sorry state of affairs today points to a deficiency in this regard. To overcome illiteracy, it is imperative to promote education and ensure that all members of the community have access to quality learning opportunities. However, care should be taken to discourage co-education as far as possible, said Qasmi who is also a member of the Islah-e-Muashra Committee of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board.
He cautioned youth about the pitfalls of social media and urged them not to fall prey to the fake news doing rounds on it. “Our reaction should always be positive like Prophet,” he said.
He wanted mosques to turn into hubs of counseling for youth. Members of other communities should also be invited to see for themselves what goes on there. This would not only help dispel misgivings about Islam but also send out positive vibes. Qasmi faulted the growing trend of late marriages and said it was the main reason for the youth going astray. He called for simplifying marriages so that the community could preserve its hard earned money.
Maulana Ahsan bin Mohammed Al Hamoomi, Khateeb, Shahi Masjid, Public Gardens, strongly condemned the allegation that Islam promoted terrorism and said peace and harmony was in its very DNA. He cited several incidents from the life of the Prophet to show how he condoned his bitter enemies who spared no occasion to harm him. They even plotted to kill him and imposed a social boycott of his family for nearly three years. The Prophet could have extracted revenge when he conquered Makkah but he chose to pardon his enemies and detractors. “This is Islamic way of answering acts of terrorism,” Maulana Hamoomi remarked and said the Prophet always insisted on spreading peace, feeding people and maintaining ties of kinship.
Former MP, Maulana Obaidullah Khan Aazmi, who was the chief guest, threw light on various aspects of the Prophet’s personality and referred to the key role played by him in giving shape to the Hilf-al-Fudul pact in Makkah to establish justice for all through collective action. He spoke about the impeccable character of the Prophet and his ability to resolve disputes through peaceful means. His teachings underscored the importance of justice, mercy, and compassion. It is incumbent upon the Muslim society to reintegrate these values into our daily lives.
Expressing love for the Prophet, he said, required more than mere words. It necessitated a profound commitment to following his teachings and emulating the exemplary actions of his companions, he said.
Mufti Khaleel Ahmed of Jamia Nizamia also spoke. Earlier, Dr. Abdul Qadeer of Shaheen Educational Institutions, welcomed the gathering. Mohammad Ziauddin Nayyar, President, Tameere Millat, said today’s programme was advanced so that it did not clash with the Ganesh immersion procession on September 28.
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
September 12, 2023 | No Comments |
Come September and the political temperature rises in Hyderabad. What generates heat is the million dollar question: was Hyderabad liberated or merged? Like the who came first, chicken- or egg-conundrum the issue sees endless debate. And as debates go they end up whipping passions.
Of late September 17 has turned out to be a political slugfest. Some would like to celebrate it as a ‘Liberation Day’, some as ‘Merger Day’ and few as a day of betrayal. It is also remembered as the day of Police Action code named ‘Operation Polo’. Whatever be the case, it remains the most controversial chapter in Indian history.
But many think labelling the invasion of Hyderabad as ‘Police Action’ to be a misnomer. It is named so to make the assault look like a law and order situation. “It was an organised, pre-planned full blown military attack in which the air force bombarded targets followed by tanks, armoured cars and armed men,” says Syed Ali Hashmi, author of the book – Hyderabad 1948: An Avoidable Invasion.
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
September 05, 2023 | No Comments |
He was speaking after releasing a book on late K M Arifuddin, noted educationist and Telangana protagonist, at the Madina Education Centre on Monday evening. Mehmood Ali turned the occasion into a virtual election campaign by recounting the achievements of the BRS government in different fields. He took frequent digs at the BJP and the Congress and without naming the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, said to achieve such spectacular success it required a 6-inch heart that beats for the people and not a 56-inch chest.
The biographical sketch on Arifuddin written by his wife, Sabiha Farzana, gives a detailed account of the life and struggle of her husband in establishing and nurturing educational institutions for the Muslim community. The book is designed and published by the Media Plus Foundation. For a change the Home Minister came to the programme along with his wife, Nasreen Fatima, due to their close ties with Arifuddin’s family.
Hamed Mohammad Khan, president, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, and Ziauddin Nayyer, President of All India Majlis Tameer-e-Millat, paid rich tributes to Arifuddin’s services for the cause of education.
The Congress ruled the State for 50 years and the Telugu Desam for 9 years and yet Telangana remained backward. But within two years of coming to power, KCR showed what statehood for the region meant.Thanks to his inspiring leadership, Telangana progressed in all spheres and today it was No. 1 State in the country, the Home Minister said.The Chief Minister, he said, had a soft corner for minorities and the schemes sanctioned by him proved it. Till date a whopping sum of Rs. 400 crore was spent by the government on providing overseas scholarships to minority students to pursue higher education in foreign countries. The beauty of the scheme was that each student was provided Rs. 20 lakh which is non-refundable. Similarly, the government had provided Rs. 300 crore for the Shadi Mubarak scheme for the marriage of poor Muslims girls.
For the education of minority youth, the Telangana government set up 203 residential schools and later upgraded them into junior colleges. “All this is possible because of Telangana gaining statehood,” the Home Minister said and recalled the sacrifices made by KCR in making it a reality. He further stated how during the Nizam era people headed to Hyderabad for trading in jewels and diamonds and today they were coming here to make investments as there was total law and order and a peaceful atmosphere in the State.
Earlier, Mehmood Ali spoke about the missionary zeal displayed by the late Arifuddin in establishing a string of educational institutions under the Madina Education and Welfare Society. He also recalled his struggle in the separate Telangana movement. He urged Arifuddin’s children, Fasihuddin and Maria Tabassum, to take forward the mission of their father and that the government would extend all possible help.
Saturday, September 2, 2023
September 02, 2023 | No Comments |
Remember the time when you had your ear tweaked. Or you were made to stand on the bench for not doing the homework. Challenging moments they seemed at that point of time, surely. Now we know they were valuable life lessons in responsibility and discipline. We also realize the well-meaning intentions of the teacher behind these actions.
As September 5 draws near everyone gets ready to pay homage to the unsung heroes who inspired hopes, ignited imagination and instilled life skills in us. On this occasion, it is worthwhile to recall the timeless teachings of the Prophet of Islam. The greatest of educators, his pedagogy continues to open minds and touch hearts in a way no one else can. Not just his followers, but even others can learn a lot from his teaching methodology and enrich their lives.
Many people, even some Muslims, consider Prophet Muhammad to be just a Messenger of Allah. They are, of course, right. But more than an Apostle, he was sent by Allah to explain, teach, and instruct people with the Quranic wisdom. Though unlettered himself, his teachings are such that they guide one in every chapter of life. He lived in a desert environment and yet delivered a message that is all-inclusive for the entire mankind. In his classroom, no distinction was made between students on the basis of intelligence and social standing. The Prophet led by example and preached what he practiced.
Huwallazi ba’asa fil-ummiyyina rasulam min-hum yatlu alaihim ayatihi wa yuzakkihim wa yuallimuhumul – kitaba wal-hikmata wa in kanu min qablu lafi dalalim mubin. A-Jumua, 2. (It is He who sent among the illiterate ones a Messenger from among them – reciting to them His verses, purifying them and teaching them the book and wisdom, although they were in manifest error before.)
Influence of good teacher
We all know how the influence of a good teacher extends beyond the classroom, well into the future. But when it comes to Prophet Muhammad, his teachings serve as a beacon light – inspiring and impacting the lives of the believers down the ages. Even his bitter enemies and adversaries are easily won over by his noble personality and teachings..
We all know that Prophet Muhammad was sent with the express purpose of teaching and guidinghumanity onto the right path. For this he adopted a variety of techniques – analogies, similes, anecdotes, diagrams, gestures, humour, interactive dialogue, repetition, physical contact and continuous evolution to drive home the message. This pedagogical dimension of the Prophet is something which is not much highlighted and talked about.
His mission was all the more difficult as he was sent to tame and correct the Arabs who were stern, extremely crude and detestable in temperament. The Prophet showed exemplary patience, compassion and kindness in dealing with them. He was very methodical in explaining matters. He would repeat everything thrice. “If one wants to count his words, one could do so”, says his dearest wife, Hazrat Aisha. When he had to correct or reprimand a person he did so in a subtle way without hurting the sentiments.
Sublime character
A study of the Prophet’s sunnah (tradition), his unblemished life, and his sublime character shows that he taught through his actions, making it easy for the people to emulate him. Sometimes he would answer the questioner according to the level of his understanding, an important principle in teaching. Sometimes he would answer more than what a person had asked for. He would convey the meaning through example, drawing or through a simile. As teaching aids he taught through allusion, comparison and debate. The Messenger of Allah adopted a gradual approach in teaching so that it becomes easy for one to absorb and memorise things. Also he would speak about the most important aspects first and then the less important.
Laqad kana lakum fi rasulilllahi uswatun hasanatul liman kana yarjullaha wal-yaumal-akhira wa zakarallaha kasira (Al-Ahzaab, 21)
(You have an excellent example in the Messenger of Allah, for anyone who seeks Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah abundantly.)
Another notable feature of his teaching was that he answered questions taking into consideration the conditions, circumstances and abilities of the questioner. Sometimes he would give two different replies to the same question. There is an incident in the book of Hadith which says how a young man came to the Prophet and asked: “O Rasullah! Can I kiss my wife while I am fasting?.” The Prophet replied, “No”. After sometime an old man approached and put the same question and the Prophet said, “Yes”. The Prophet’s companions, who were present on the occasion, were amazed at the two different replies and started looking at each other in surprise. Clarifying their doubt, the Prophet said. “The old man can control himself.” On the contrary, the young man might not stop at kissing and may proceed further nullifying his fast, the Prophet explained.
Great teacher
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