Jum'ah Journal- Sura Najm-2

Having understood the first verse, let us go to the second (Bear with me please these are important aspects and I cannot abbreviate more)
"Ma dzalla sahibukum wa ma ghawa"
"Your companion is neither astray nor being misled" (Yusufali)
"Your comrade erreth not, nor is deceived" (Pickthal)
"This fellow man of yours has not gone astray, nor is he deluded" (Asad)
"Tumhara rafeeq na bhatka hay na behka hay" (Maudoodi
The English translators of Maudoodi's "tafheem" mention gone 'astray' and 'deluded' also.

"Zdalla" indeed means going astray from the true path (not knowing it)
"Ghawa" is translated as 'deluded' actually also has same meaning (Dictionary) that is going astray, misguided or to misguide, lead astray, seduce, tempt lure etc. (Urdu speaking readers are familiar with (aghwaa). This also seems to suggest "going astray knowing that it is not the right path"
Anyway, "Deluded" is a 'loaded' word in as much as the physicians know its use. the understanding is not a problem that the prophet S. is referred to as "your companion" which indicates they know him well, he is not somebody from outside or unknown that is talking about things which appear to you to be 'out of their understanding'. So he is not gone astray but he is in complete possession of his senses.
Next:
"Wa ma yantiqu 'anilhawa, in huwa illa waHyun-yooHa"
"Nor does he say (aught) of (his own) desire. It is no less than ainspiration sent down to him"
(Yusuf Ali)
"Nor doth he speak of (his own) desire. It is naught save an inspiration that is inspired" (Pickthal)
"And neither does he speak of his own desire. That (which he conveys to you) is but a (divine) inspiration with which he is being inspired" (Asad)
The understanding is that the divine inspiration or revelation is not the word of the prophet S. but the Author is God himself. This is extremely important to grasp firmly as the meaning of "Wahi" about which I would have more to say but here I shall only mention from (Because it clarifies better) Maudoodi's "Tafheem-ul-Qur'an" translating to the best of my ability from Urdu.
He divides his (the prophet S.) speaking into three categories (my understanding, nt actual translation)
1. Speech related to the explanation of Qur'an, his instructions, his preaching etc. This was therefore essential to his mission so this speech must be devoid of error. He would therefore speak his own words but with God's inspiration(words of the prophet such as we also see in Hadeeth-e-Qudsi but the Maulana is implying all those things he would teach in his words (these can be termed as "Wahi-e-Khafi" but I am trying to avoid confusion here.)
2. Second, the speech with his companions on matters related to 'iqamat-e-deen' or making God's word supreme. Such would be occasions when he would discuss matters with the companions and may also ask (like at Badr confrontation) them their opinion. The companion reportedly asked him "is it God's guidance" for us or is it your own thinking"? And when he said it was his suggestion, the companion said "Ibeg to differ" and suggested to stop at another location which was strategically better for the Muslim Army. There were occasions where hisplan was corrected by God by a clear "Wahi" (If you will recall Sura "'Abasa").
3. third is 'the ordinary everyday' speech of a person like dealing with his family or visitors or on other 'mundane' matters. Though the prophet S. never even jokingly told a lie.
The speech that is clearly being differentiated here is what was being sent down as "revelation" which was not "his words" but God's exact words.
It is easy to understand here that if under any circumstances the prophet S. says something that is contrary to or likely to be misquoted in his mission, it would immediately be "corrected" (so to say) by the Angel Gabriel coming down with words from God, the "wahi", most of which is "recited" by us (the Qur'an) and is called therefore "recited wahi" as opposed to non-recited wahi (which includes almost evrything plus "hadeeth-e-Qudsi"-- the saying of the prophet S. beginning with, "God has told me......"

I'll stop here and wait till next week to see if I have made clear my point or it requires further clarification. So please feel free to criticise, or ask questions, and be objective. I am not good in summery writing and miss important point.

Terrorists-a look at the unsuccessful demands

Today I wanted to express my thankfulnes to the Almighty for what He has provided us with but instead I must comment on what is tearing my heart.
For more than three decades now we have been searched and humiliated when boarding a plane. It all started with "hijacking" of the first plane to demand this or that. There have been terrorists attacks on tall buildings, hotels, railway stations, buses, mosques (while praying) and other variety of institutions all over the world since then. Some were just acts of 'revengeful retaliation' and some were associated with demands. The history of demands has not been favorable (Success in getting the demands fulfilled) , yet we continue seeing these acts of terrorism with a variety of demands.
As of this time we are not sure what the demands of the Mumbai terrorists are.
It seems unlikely these young men who have been brainwashed to eliminate the fear of death from them are likely to be successful in anything except perhaps worsening the India-Pakistan relations or worse still, instigate retaliatory attacks on innocent Muslims in Gujrat state or other areas of India where Hindu extremists will be inflamed (May God forbid that)
Neither the proponents of "War on terror" have had much success in frightening the extremists, not the extremists have had any success in getting anything except worldwide condemnation and yet the folly is perpetuated for political and other gains all over the world.
I am in tune with remarks of Deepak (Interview with Larry King Live last night) Chopra.
We indeed need to get globally united for stopping these inhuman acts, no matter who supports them. It is clear by now to all that Osama Bin Laden died some years ago, yet the Afghanistan suffered and Iraq suffered. So what we killed Zarqawi, did that strike a blow to 'terrorists' or made them more proud and firm in their resolve?
I am just an ordinary American Muslim and unable to do anything more than just let my frustration out in these words. Frustration against Muslims as much as against the leaders of my country (USA).
God help us.

Jum'ah Journal and Sunday Surkhi--update on Ali

Ali who was struck down with fulminating viral myocarditis in May has now done three months of cardiac rehab after his d/c from hospital. Doing well, Al-Hamdulillah, and well on his way to full recovery for eventual normal activities. Was just given OK for driving.
Yes it is miraculous ending indeed. When you look at the whole series of events that connected and were placed in a strategic line for the life-line of Ali you cannot fail to realize all this could have happened without the Powerful Hand of The Providence, the Almighty planner.
I was away for "celebration of Grateful for Ali day", so Jum'ah and Sunday missed. Here is what I am writing on the guest book of Ali Husnain Yunus (and I read it out for the gathering).

"dust-e-qudrat main teray marz-o-shifa, merg-o-hayat
mairay Maula teri zat-e-la shareek-o-lazawaal
Too nay bakhshi ik hayat-e-nau Ali Husnain ko
teri rahmat, teri qudrat ya Khuda-e-zul-Jalal
Teri hamd aur shukr tera sad hazar-o-sad hazaar
Too hi sunta hay du'ain too hay Shafi ba Kamaal."

(In your hand is the power of causing (giving) illness and cure, death and life
My Lord your person is without equal (or partner) and without decline
You granted a new life to Ali Husnain
(it shows) Your Grace and your Power O God with Grand majesty
We praise Thee and are grateful; to Thee a hundred thousand times
You are the One to grant prayers' acceptance, You are the Perfect Curer"

Kakkaji--4th and last part

He lived his whole life (with us) as if he is a "servant" but his authority in our family was that of a "Barri boorrhi", and his love was for everybody in the family like that also; he would scold children and love them. Many people of his generation in Saugor would eat a roti with a bulb of onion (roasted in hot ashes) and he would still do it once in a while (in Pakistan) although he had all good things to eat with us. He took pride, or felt satisfaction and purely out of love inserving everybody, never failing. day or night, cold or hot weathter or raining hard, I dont remember he ever swerved from his routine.
First thing he wakes up, wuzu and Fajr Namaz and tilawat-qur'an and would prepare the breakfast. he knew everybodies likings and dislikings. He called my son Hassan by his second name Minhaj (the name of my deceased, younger brother) and he knew whenever we go home from America he would prepare Zarda for him (Hassan called it "yellow rice") . He had his own respect and love in the village and wherever we lived. He could predict exactly what my brother would like at what time.
He would always remind us of what my father or mother would do in such and such situation. Although he was unable to go for Hajj (Despite my requests to go with me) I have performed Umrah and tawafs for him. He only complained of the pains he would suffer sometimes in back or chest (broken rib) and we would give some pain medication. Soon after coming from India in early 1948 he and my father were arrested by "Azad Kashmir" forces that had sprung up in the fight for Kashmir and after three days they were released as there was nothing against them (That is a different and interesting story, why and how it hapened). Although my father was OK but Kakkaji suffered "zad-o-kob" in the hands of the 'sipahis', although he was saying his namaz and reciting Qur'an etc., they considered him Hindu. he always had chest pains during winters following that.

First of Jan. 1994 he fell in the morning while making wuzu but recovered and was not hurt. Did not complain. Bhaijan Meraj's daughter (also a doctor) was home. Next day the same thing happened and he lost pulse, while Anjum tried to unsuccessfully revive him. He is buried alongside my father and mother's graves.
Bhaijan Meraj himself lived only one and a half year after him but when I went after Kakkaji's death I found my brother sad, like I had never seen him before in his life. I went to the grave with him and he said "Chalo kuch phool laylo kakkaji kay liyay" and he was choked. He was visibly in pain and I actually saw tears in his eyes. Bhaijan Meraj was a very strong man with a big big "hoslah" for I remember he was the one doing everything at my father's death. My oldest brother Dr. Siraj was there but had a 'weak heart' and was unable to do much other than sitting with the constant traffic of people coming for T'aziah. He was "paralysed" with grief. And of course I was not much help either.
May Allah bless their souls and reward them all with Jannat-ul-firdaus.
May Allah bless their souls in Jannah.

Sunday Surkhi-Obama

Comparing with other president-elects Obama beats them all in popularity and votes.
he is progressing fast. Incidentally O ba ma means---Ba=with and ma=us (Persian)
I wonder, however, how is he going to meet the standards he has set for himself and the parameters others have established for him.
I do not know whether I would like to be in his shoes.
How can he say anything or recommend anything that may be even remotely considered beneficial for Muslims? Everybody will jump at him
See! he IS a Muslim or Muslim-lover.
How can he sit and talk with "Rogue-nation" presidents. That is not "American" according to Bushiology. He may face blames like "talking to Terrorists is like being friends with terrorists-- we knew he is terrorist-sympathizer." That is not acceptable
Leaving Iraq may be interpreted as "American defeat" by many. "How can our forces be defeated?" naah that is unacceptable.
And how is he going to undo all the lies and fibs that have been fabricated and spread among the American people who have become confused as to what is the truth and that is not.
Then He has the first African American President and has to outperform every President gone before him as that will be his responsibility so carries the weight of the whole race with him. It is like--- Armstrong's first 'small step' and a huge leap of the mankind--type of thing for him.

He , on the other hand, opted for not changing his name, that was courageous and assertive conduct. It makes a powerful statement of 'truthfulness'. Maybe he has 'true grit' after all.
May be he is prepared mentally to face these most extraordinary challenges.

Jum'ah Journal - Late entry/Sura Najm Introduction

Bad weather (probably, though just raining is not bad ) interfered in my access to internet for several hours yesterday.

I am going to start with introduction of my thoughts on Sura Najm and will write more every Friday insha-Allah.
Najm, in Arabic means several things other than Star. Quote from the dictionary:
najama--to appear, come in sight, rise (star), begin, commence, set in;
to result, follow , arise, ensue, proceed, derive originate spring ('an or min--from)
Najama Qarnuhu---to begin to show, to observe the stars; to predict the future from the
stars, to practice astrology, TO PAY IN INSTALLMENTS.
Nujum (plural of Najm) which may mean stars (Like Nujum-as-cinema--film stars), installments, partial payments
Anjum, a celestial body, a star or lucky star, constellation, asterism
Also 'herbs', herbage, grass

As you read further you will appreciate why I wrote 'Installments' in capital letters

The background of the sura gives many interesting aspects but I wish to highlight the following
1. Time of revelation: Actually two parts, most of it was revealed in the 5th year of Nubuwwah around the year 614 and some verses were added in the year 1620 after the extraordinary experience of "m'iraaj" of the prophet PBUH.
2. This is the first Sura in which ayah of Sajdah appears and the last verse is associated with sajdah of the prophet PBUH and all the followers who were there, including the mushrikin (a most interesting thing and a story of "Satanic verses" followed, will relate it later).
3.It was revealed while he started speaking one day to all the people Muslims and non-Muslims gathered around the Ka'bah. His speech was this sura itself..

The above points will be expanded more in description of events as I proceed now.
Let me begin with translation of the first ayah of this sura mubarakah
" Wan-najm-e-izda hawa"
"By the star when it goes down" (Yusufali's translation)
"By the star when it sets" (M. Faruq-e-'Azam Malik)
"By the star, when it descends" (Marmaduke Pickthal)
All Urdu translations are pretty much the same
Qasam hay sitaray ki jab woh ghuroob hua (Maudoodi)
Qasam hay sitaray ki jab giray (M.M.Junagadhi, M. Shabbir Usmani)
But here is one different:
"Consider this unfolding (of God's message), as it comes down from on high" (Muhammad Asad's
Message of Qur'an)
Now this one requires further explanation as he gives it himself, so I quote:
Or: "Consider the star when it sets"--an interpretation which for some reason has the preference of the majority of the commentators. However, almost all of them admit that the term najm derived from the verb, najama, 'it appeared, began, ensued, proceeded--denotes also the unfolding of something that comes or appears gradually, as if by installments. Hance this term has from the very beginning been applied to each of the gradually revealed parts (Nujum) of the Qur'an, and thus to the process of its gradual revelation or its 'unfolding' as such. This was, in fact, the interpretation of the above verse given by Abdullah Bin Abbas (as quoted by Tabari); in view of the sequence, this interpretation is regarded as fully justified by Raghib, Zamakhshari Baydawi, Ibn-e-Kathir and other authorities. Raghib and Ibn Kathir, point to the phrase "Mawaqi-an-nujum" in S. 56 v. 75, which undoubtedly refers to the step by step revelation of the Qur'an.
As regards his rendering the adjurative particle 'wa' (as Consider), he has the following explanation; Rendering "Kalla wal-Qamar" as "Nay, consider the moon", he says:
"This is the earliest Qur'anic in stance of the adjurative particle "wa" used in the sense of a solemn oath-like assertion- a calling to witness, as it were-meant (as in the expression "By God) to give weight to a subsequently stated truth or evidence of the truth: hence I am rendering it here and elsewhere as "consider"."

Asad , a scholar of Christian and Jewish Scriptures in addition to that of Islam, I pay attention to him.

Kakkaji Jannti -- 3

                              "Kakkaji and I"

Kakkaji lived in our house and worked like a 'servant' as he was always bringing groceries and stuff, helping my mother and sisters in cooking and whatever he could do, but he was not employed as servant and he never had much 'needs' anyway. Gradually he was "provided' everything by us including money if he needed but no "salary", that is why nobody considered him as servant or treated him like that.
He had his own place in our home to put his "charpai' and sleep separate from us always even after coming to Pakistan. Will talk about his habits etc. later but here I wish to talk about some of his relationship with me.
It started with my primary school years. He was finishing his Primary classes when I was starting so my mother had asked him to accompany me to school (same School, called Parao School) It had 4 classes of Urdu and 4 classes of Hindi. Kakkaji was in "Hindi School" and I, of course in Urdu School.
Kakkji was making some money rolling 'bidis" and what I enjoyed going with him and coming back from school was peanuts that he could buy with a paisa or even "dhela" (Half paisa) as they were still in currency. and he would share the peanuts with me (my fav.)
I was about 10 years old when my family moved (according to the plans of my mother) back to Panjab except me because I had to finish my sixth grade before leaving. So for about 4-5 months I was to be looked after by Kakkaji in our Saugor home where my older brother was also present with his children. I would find Kakkaji loving as well as as strict disciplinarian, if not more, as my mother herself.
My mother may have given some instructions to Kakkaji but I was to follow exactly his orders or else.
I was given the orders in no uncertain terms "suraj dhalay peh tum ghar aaogay" (Must be back home at sunset) "warna main tumahin kaan say paker ker laaonga" (otherwise I shall bring you home holding you by your ear".
As it happens sometimes you get late when playing and time passes. So I saw him coming in my playfields after sunset one day towards me.
"Oh no! , I thought." But it was too late I was given the exact treatment that had been 'ruled' but he was not harsh in holding my ear.
On the other hand I was given bath by him daily (despite my protests and ensuring him I was old enough to take bath myself) and at bed time "meri tangain dabatay thay until I was asleep (against wishes, ignoring my protests, so that I had to fake sleep sometimes)
Out of love he wanted me to have milk in a bowl (katoray main, we did not have glasses at home), but did not want other children to see so he would call me in a room and give me the bowl of milk (Incidentally I did not like to drink milk) which I had to finish in front of him, or else. (May be mother told him or maybe he wanted me "mota taghra" when I get back to Panjab.
He always loved me like that and when I went back home from USA he told me
"Bhaiyya sari umer angraizon say lartay rahay aur tum phir unhin amin ja ghusay" ("Brother" always fought against the English and you have joined them now) Remember he called my father brother. All white people were "English" to him. (My father was very active in Politics,was a provincial leader of Congress, to get rid of the British Raj)
Later, I had wanted very much to take Kakkaji for Hajj but he kept saying (dakter jaingay to unkay sath jaonga" (If "Doctor" goes I'll go with him) He called my older brother "doctor" even though I was also a doctor. He loved all the children of "Bhaiyya and bhabi" so he thought it would be impossible for him to leave "Doctor" for a few days. My bhabi (May Allah award her Jannah) did not know as much to "look after" her husband as Kakkaji did. I remember how much Bhaijan Meraj (Allah unhain Jannat main jageh ata fermaiay) was grieved on the death of Kakkaji (so was everybody else in the family).
He developed severe arthritis of knees and started walking with a limp so I talked with him to come to America with me (or come to England with my sister, apa Shakila) to get surgery. He refused saying "Jo paisay wahan kharch karogay mere janazay peh laga dena"
My own children remember him well and my son (JAG's writer) Hassan learnt the alphabet of Hindi from Kakkaji (during one visit) and developed more knowledge of Hindi on his own (Shauqiyya) so much so that he taught Hindi for a year as "Assistant teacher" to the professor of Hindi-Urdu" in the Un. of Chappel Hill. He can read and understand Hindi more than I can (See my Hindi Blog).

Subday Surkhi-Kakkaji jannati part 2

Panwari (Pan seller) is not a very rich individual so a Hindu, by tradition, would be hard put to provide 'Jahaiz' for seven girls. One can sympathize with him and then when the 8th child born to his wife was a boy, one can feel how happy he would be. Right?
Well not necessarily because his wife did'nt make it after the childbirth. He was not only sad but perhaps also nervous about the "shigoon" of his male child.
As it turned out the male child, Ram Pershad, had other 'problems' when he grew up. for instance, he played with girls more than with boys. Did not behave like boys. Then on top of that he would be less enthusiatic about Divali or Dusehra and more at ease and actualy happy with Choti Eid and Bakara-Eid. In fact he would don clean and new clothes on Eids and my older sisters with whom he played tell me that he would also try fasting in Ramzan. These things enraged his father even more who would beat him up frequently.
Our mohallah was mostly Hindu and only a few Muslim (including ours) homes. He was a frequent visitor in our home but after he was 11 or 12 his visits decreased. Like so many of youngsters of those days (and also "not-so-young" people) in our city (saugor) he started 'making birri' (rolling up the leaves in the Birri shape and) earning up to a rupee by the evening (Sitara Chhap Birri was very popular in those days) The owner of the company was a Muslim, I remember as his son was a classmate of my older brother.
Ram Pershad had attended school for 4-5 years to learn basic Hindi (Since I was very young when I started school my mother asked him to accompany me to the school (Same School) and thus one or two years of School must have 'overlapped' with me starting and he finishing (more about the School later.)
Briefly speaking, his father arranged for Ram Pershad's marriage when he was barely 15 or 16 (nothing unusual) but the 'wife' did not stay with him for more than two days and left him
Allah SWT had not designed him to be a full man. His father had, out of desperation, escalated the physical abuse of the young 'man' so he was spending more time with our family and in fact, defying his father he accepted Islam and declared it so because HE wanted to be MUSLIM SO BAD and actually moved in with us.
Why and how Allah SWT placed so much love for Islam in his heart, I do not have any inkling. So are His plans and only He knows about them better. As I think about this question today I am forced to think that Allah had made him "non-man" and Muslim, so that one day when there is nobody to care for my disabled sister he would do it and that is why also, Allah placed so much love in Kakkaji's heart for his adopted (willingly) family. Mind you, I find it hard to say "adopted" because nobody in my family considered him to belong to any other family than ours. Occasionally he would go to see some of his sisters who had been married and settled in some other (nearby) village or town.
At the time of his puberty he must have gone through a mental storm of "sexual-identity" as expected and I do remember an episode of "opium" poisoning which he survived but as he became a Muslim and started living with us, accepted as such, he had no further 'identity' problems. He learnt Qur'an and Namaz from my mother and once learnt, he was regular in namaz and daily morning tilawat, till his last day.
Next I wish to talk about 'Kakkaji and I' as I had my own relationship with him, May Allah reward him Al-Jannah.

Jum'ah Journal-The Human Being

I am sure you all (Muslims) know about these ayat but I wish to make some comments.
S. 20th (Taha), aya # 113 and 114

"And thus We have sent this down-An Arabic Qur'an-and explained therein in detail some of the warnings, in order that they may fear Allah or that it may cause their remembrance (of Him). High above is Allah, The King, the Truth;
Be not in haste with the Qur'an before its revelation to thee is completed, but say, "O my Lord! advance me in Knowledge."

and S. #75, Al-Qiyamah, Aya # 14 through 20

"Nay, Man will be evidence against himself, even though he were to put up his excuses
Move not thy tongue concerning it (the Qur'an) to make haste therewith. It is for Us to collect and to promulgate it: but when We have promulgated it, follow thou its recital (as promulgated.) Nay more it is for Us to explain it (and make it clear).
Nay (ye men) but love the fleeting life."
Now, all exegetes say that these verses indicate the human aspect of the prophet(and it is true) when The Author (Allah SWT) indicates to the 'receiving' human being not to hurry in reciting when trying to "learn" the verses from the reciter (Jibreel AS) who Allah is calling him as "We reciting"
I feel uneasy about the word "Promulgated" (Yusuf Ali's) but prefer Asad's rendering (of fa-inna Alaina jam'ahu wa Qur'anah)----"for behold it is for Us to gather it (in thy heart) and to cause it to be read (as it aught to be read)"
I have chosen the ayat before and after (the verses that suggest Allah's instruction to the prophet) which stand out clearly (almost) out of sequence. As if Allah SWT is revealing the wahi and then suddenly starts "instructing" the prophet, "dont hurry or worry that you will forget because Allah SWT will not make you forget it. Just follow it as it is being revealed". This is no doubt about the human aspect of worry of the prophet related to this situation of "wahi".
Asad however makes another point that I will quote from his "The Message O f The Qur'an"
After making a point about both passages (quoted above from the two Surahs) he goes on to say...."but both have also a wider import inasmuch as they apply to every believer who reads, listens to or studies the Qur'an; in 20:114 we are told not to draw hasty -and therefore potentaily erroneous- conclusions from isolated verse or statements of the Qur'an since only the study of the WHOLE of its message can give us a correct insight. The present passage (of 75th Surah) on the other hand lays stress on the need to imbibe the divine writ slowly, patiently to give full thought to the meaning of every word and phrase and to avoid the kind of haste which is indistinguishable from mechanical glibness and which, moreover, induces the person who reads recites or listens to remain satisfied with the more beautiful sound of the Qur'anic language without understanding or even paying adequate attention to-its message."

As you can see this man (Asad -Leopold Weis) has a special insight into the meanings of Qur'an. His genius is not just that he was an accomplished writer-Journalist but also he was well-versed in the Christain and Jewish Scriptures. I love the way he makes his points. May Allah grant him Al-Jannah

History created on 4th November 2008

I was a witness to the times when Pakistan came into existence on 15th August 1947.
I am here now on 4th of November 2008, in USA watching and participating in the history making election and of a Non-white man being elected President of USA.
African Americans were brought to America as slaves about the year1619 or so. More and more were brought and used as workers for developing America what we see today.
1865, (Abe Lincoln) saw slavery officially ending here (15th Amendment to the constitution)
1965, we see "Voting rights act" being passed for the constitution, somewhat of a starting point of the African Americans to participate in United States Political process (Although there was something like "Black men voting rights in 1870).
33 years later first African American elected to the highest office in the States. To me this is an achievement not only for the Blacks but also for the whites, for they have come a long way too.

Whatever may be the circumstances, conditions reasons or whatever, the fact that Obama has become the president speaks out the wonders of the democratic process. It is a terse reminder for the Muslims who were told by their prophet (Not exact hadeeth wording) more than 14 centuries ago:
"Obey your leader even if he is a black man" And remember he (PBUH) appointed a young man (Usama Bin Zayd) as the chief commanding Officer of the Islamic forces, son of an ex-slave.

Kakkaji- A jannati person-Part 1

Before getting into discussion I have some points to make
First, the name
In my city of birth Saugor (Maddhya pradesh) Kakka is the same as chachcha (chacha or uncle fathers brother) and of course addition of "ji" is for respect as he was older than me.
Second, His original name was "Raam Pershaad" born in a Hindu family and converted to Islam (Called himself Shamshad Khan) at the hands of my father (therefore he called my father "Bhaiyya", the respectable word for brother). That is the reason we called him "Kakka"
Third point. Kakkji is a unique person
It is difficult for me to talk about this aspect. He died in Jan. 1994.
Allah SWT is  the creator and has His own plan. I would only say that Raam Pershad was a "woman" in the body of a man. I refer to my friend Mystic's blog for the Human touch or Woman's touch, which has prompted me to talk about Kakkaji for he indeed had the "woman's touch" with which he loved us all (All the children of Bhaiyya and Bhabi and their grandchildren.)
I will describe some of this love he had for me, for instance, some other day. My first purpose is to describe his love for my youngest sister (died in 1984 or thereabout).
I am aware of this "story' being so very personal and has my emotional attachment but some points are worth making as they are educational and instructional.
Some circumstances (will explain later) made Shamshad live with us as a family member and he "migrated" with my father to Pakistan and lived with us till his death, May Allah grant him Al-Jannah.
Kakkaji was a 'typical barri boorrhi' (بڑی بوڑھی) of our family and was devotedly attached to us but more so to my youngest sister looking after her who developed "retardation" soon after birth (mentally challenged) and required complete care during her last years of life, My brother had a room constructed for her to live within his family. She had gradually become unable to walk or look after herself. Kakkaji "nursed" her, fed her and did everything for her.
Nobody else in my family could that job (out of my sisters for example, who all were in their own homes married and settled.) Emotionally she was a drain on my mind as well as my brother's, (Also a physician) so much so that when I went for Hajj in 1981, I prayed to Allah to relieve her of her and our misery permanently. She died in 1984 and when I visited home (my brother's home was "my home") after that and was hardly getting off the vehicle to go inside, Kakkaji got hold of me and said, "Chalo meri baitee say milo pehlay" (Come and see my daughter first) and took me to the graveyard.
The way he looked after her was great "ihsaan' of his on our whole family and we all felt so indebted to him though he never made any claims other than the love and all of us showed him the same unwavering love for him that he had shown all his life toward us (Bhayya aur bhabi ki nishanian). Sorry! my eyes are wet.
Will write more next time insha-Allah as there are more lessons in his life story.

Sunday Surkhi--Different

Musa (my nawasa), now 2 & 1/2 yr old expressing himself boldly needs to be talked about more, as the only "surkhi" these days is Elections.
he was standing in front of the open fridge and looking at a Juice bottle that he was not familiar with as he is usually given apple juice or orange juice. His "ammi" was next to him and trying to keep that juice away from him (Prune Juice) .
Realizing that he demands "I want that juice Ammi".
"No, you dont drink that one, it is not good for you"
"I want it because it is diffferrent". You would love to hear that the way he says it
He was out all day with his father today and on coming back home declares to his mother
"Mama! I went hiking today with baba"
Masha-Allah his vocabulary and ease with which he delivers his sentences is so enjoyable.
The bubbliness of his cousin Issa who is only two months younger is the other enjoyable part. He has started talking now and his vocabulary is going to catch up but he is more "Urdu" oriented. He would show his excitement physically and verbally when he will see or hear the voice of his Dadi or Dada, "Dadi!!! Dadi!!!" or "Dada!! dada!!!" and will not hide his excitement He tends to speak more Urdu words than English. and freely mixes them at his own convenience. So you have to be attentive when he speaks.
I dont know what is the excitement he is pointing to his cousin in that picture but it depicts their closeness and friendliness so clearly and I love it, dont mind sharing with all of you.