Sunday Surkhi--

There are so many news from Pakistan showing how Muslims are killing Muslims. I do not know how these people celebrate Eid. I feel like going back to my childhood when all we did was celebrate the festival even though we would just go out to buy some samosa or pakoray for do paisa (adhanni bhi kehtay thay) and have so much fun in eating and feeling great. The only caveat was we were "enslaved" by the English and we fought for our freedom and felt proud of doing that.
What do these killers feel when they kill for the sake of killing?
I have unsuccessfullytried to find explanations behind such threats
"we have a number of suicide bombers waiting for our orders to go out and lay down their lives for "Islam", so beware of our Islam, it is coming and we will fight the Government (Muslims government of Pakistan) if they do not stop.
Both sides are swearing to stay the course.
Both sides are composed of Muslims
Both sides are composed of Pakistanis
Both sides have people going for five times a day prayers.
Both sides recite the same book daily.
Both sides people call themsleves true Muslims
The poor suicide squad people waiting for entering al-Jannah promised by these maulanas on behalf of Allah SWT. These are agents??? of Allah SWT, (God forbid), May Allah SWT forgive me for saying so. The brainwashed youngsters who may have deep down feeling of unworthiness and lonliness abandonment or whatever.
May Allah guide us all to the right path.
Iqbal marhoom said
"hilal-e-Eid hamari hansee urrata hay" (The crescent of Eid mocking at us)

My blogs

Well I have launched the new blog in Urdu under the heading
"Khiyalat wa ihsasat" which gives me freedom to write everything
In Hindi I write under
"Khiyal AaraiyaN"
So please go ahead and start looking at all if you preferहिन्दी or Urdu .
This was the first time we had Eid without our children or grandchildren and we felt it a bit, but I was talking to my wife we need to get used to it for things can sometimes happen like that as the children are busy with their own programs and some other commitments for the sake of their own children. Ramadan was like always full of sisters and brothers taking shahadah.
One spanish and one french gentleman did this time (in addition to three sisters). Hoping they will find guidance with other brothers who led them into this fold of Islam. I talked with them I will always be available whatever question they have.
I have always wondered at the strength of Iman of these persons how they face that significant change in their life. How God guides them and takes them into this fold to give them the satisfaction of their life. There must be some antecedent period of anxiety they go through, misgivings, like "to be or not to be" but at the end of their voyage they take that bold step which marks the end of confusion. Many eminent persons have done it and it is so amazing to read their stories of life. Yet it is all human drama that I have observed, had the chance to meet with so many persons with intriging and revealing reasons and their whole journey up to this memorable step they take and each one was enhancing my own Iman.

Sunday Surkhi—Eid Mubarak

Sunday Eids are better enjoyed and more widely attended for obvious reasons and this one (if you all had it Sunday and not Monday) is no exception.

Eid mubarak to all my readers who are Muslims

Each Muslim country has its own traditions for these celebrations and we see this wonderful variety all over. Get to-gethers and wishes are shared by all however and everybody gives the friends and relatives an “embrace”. So I picked up a joke in our gathering

Imam Saheb was given some remuneration or gift after finishing Taraweeh prayers and felt he was not adequately compensated so he said nothing. He led the prayers as usual and went into sajda with the Muqtadee(Followers) doing the same but they remained in sajda for some time and there was no more Allah-o-akbar to get them out of sajda.

Then they realized, the Imam was gone.

Sunday Surkhi--Temper and Sports

I have two instances of recent events to quote
Serena Williams losing her match making a bad remark to the lines person.
Michael Jordon making an ass of himself in the speech, at the ceremony when he was being conducted as the greatest player of Basket Ball.
I guess, to have a "high temper" helps in winning, I dont know. I am no winner in any sport. There are lots of (may be most of) excellent athletes who take their win and loss both equally gracefully. Some however are bad tempered foul-mouthed and outright rude persons even though they may be good players. I remember Tyson biting off ear of his opponent in boxing--a most unusual and unforgivable behavior which I would have barred him from ever entering into the arena for fighting after that if I was in some position. That is not Gladiator fight but a boxing game which was so examplified by the real greatest Mohammad Ali.
I like Serena but I have always liked her sister better but this bad behavior removes her from my list of likable players.
Many youngsters who go on to make great players start off as teenager talents and show erratic behavior in the beginning and then develop control and poise required for being on top or being amog the top players. I remember Conners improving rapidly though I saw lot of ticks of nervousness even later in his remarkable career. One of the most calm and composed behaviors I have seen is that of Bjorn Borg and also Pete Sampras (I watch a lot of tennis). Billie Jean Moffit (King) was a good player but was rash in behavior at least in the beginning, so was the hreat player Martina Navratilova. Chris Evert was however more graceful of these good players Billie Jean and Martins Navratilova lacked the female grace.

Jum'ah Journal--'Itikaaf

For some personal reasons I have not been able to start this "retreat" experience this year although I had set my mind on it.
'Itikaaf (Retreat--loosly translated) has its own rewards ( I am talking about the ones you get for yourself and of course Allah gives you many rewards also).
Kind of self-purification process, you sit and think while praying and making supplications reciting Qur'an or contemplating on some aya etc. there is so much to reflect upon. It is performed for Allah and one must be adult Muslim and have an intention to do it. The time spent in these supplications etc. is recommended but no worldly or loose talk is allowed in the masjid during 'itikaaf.
There are other religions that have some "retreat" programs though may not be as "specific" as in Islam. Islam makes it only "suggested" sunnah, not mandatory although the prophet Muhammad PBUH performed it every year as a "duty". The "mandatory 'Itikaaf"" is the one that someone makes it upon himself as an "offering" (Nadzar) or devotion--then it MUST be performed for the number of days that the person "mandated" it for himself. Generally it is optional and can be performed any time during Ramadhan or any other time and for any number of days (because it is OPTIONAL) although recommended for the last 10 days of Ramadhan. (the manner of the prophet PBUH)
Men perform it (and must do it ) in a mosque specially the one where all 5 prayers are held. For women it is preferable in her own home where she has her own nitch for prayers.
I enjoyed the time with extra prayers, tafseer study, some memorization of ayat etc. but the closeness to Allah is somewhat like that in Arafaat during Hajj (To tell you the truth, nothing really equals that feeling, you have to be in Arafaat to experience it).

September, the month (6th, 7th and +++)

Just to remind us all September is a month full of happenings Sept. 6------'92 Babri Masjid was destroyed '81 Anwar Sadaat was murdered (We were in Mina during Hajj) '65 war India-Pakistan Sept. 7, 1977---Pakistan Government declared Ahmadis or Qadianis as Minority Sept. 16, 1951, the first PM, Khan Liaqat Ali Khan was murdered. (the first political murder in the then new state/country of Pakistan I missed sept. 11? Well it does not have to be reminded by me so I did not mention. There may be more to this month......

Sunday Surkhi – Old people’s Home

There are some horrible stories about what happens to the elderly of immigrants in USA and as always there are two sides of the story.

Once we were in a group to discuss (Brain-storming session) what is the “future” plan for the elderly (Muslims) in our society?

I found out we had very poor knowledge about this and had very little to offer, in the way of practical suggestions. Let me start from (what we did on that day)

“Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but HIM and that ye be kind to parents, whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life, Say not to them a word of contempt nor repel them but address them in terms of honor

And out of kindness lower to them the wing of humility and say, My Lord! bestow on them Thy mercy even as they cherished me in my childhood “. Verses 23 and 24 from Sura # 17, Bani Israeel

Much has been done in tafseer of these verses and these verses reflect the main cultural value of parents in our society. How to deal with it in THIS country is a different matter. I believe that Verses are not time related they are true for all times and all societies including USA today. The reality, however, is that the way of life here is such that elderly are not tolerated when they retire and are less-functioning or otherwise an nuisance to live with. Whatever the situation respect should never be lost. Daughter-in-laws are frequent sources of such happening even though the “privacy” may not be as helpful as perceived. After all the daughter in law, herself, will get to that age also given the time and mothers mother-in-laws and fathers father-in-laws will be roles all “children” will take over one day. The cycle will go on.

So does an “Old people’s Home”, form an answer?

I do not know but worth considering at least in selected cases. I personally would hate to be in that situation but at (almost 76) my age I am up and about and able to take care of myself and do not have the usual old age ailments other than mild“arthritis”. Language, friends, surroundings, and TV and computer are all good investments but all in my age cannot operate these gadgets or cannot afford. I have, for instance, spent lot of money to be able to spend just a few hours with my old friends even for travelling long distances and even to Pakistan. These are all personal solutions and not a prescription for all.

Old peoples homes are notoriously ill-equipped, poorly staffed or staffed with poorly trained and even rude personnel etc. etc. So when your parents God-forbid are sick or unhealthy or disabled what are the choices?

I do not know we have a clearly definable prescription. Individual decisions tailored to the families and their circumstances would be the rule.

Unfortunately the “daughter-in-law” gets the bad name and she is therefore under greater pressure from all sides. I am afraid I have very little to go on for taking her side because no matter how you see it a son has a responsibility for his parents for in most situations he as well as his wife owe everything to them. The “parent of “home-less to Harvard” kind  child are not common but most immigrant parents have sacrificed much to give their children the life they enjoy. No doubt this is a society for single families and individualistic but some compromise must be created at least for,at least, one or two generations.

I have only touched upon one or two aspects of this multi-faceted question and am still  undecided about “solutions” Old people’s home or your own home?  There is no doubt if you keep own“home”, the rewards are tremendous especially in the hereafter, they may be a source of key to your Paradise. That is the Islamic understanding or teaching.

Jum'ah Journal--Ramadan Message

We have come a long way in this country as Muslims. Various factors have turned out to be effective teachers and attention getters for Muslims and Islam in this country over the past couple of decades and 9/11 is not the most important one.
We see Hajj every year,
We get Ramadan "breaking Fast" in the white house
We see Eid celebrations and messages from authorities in the Government
We have said prayers in Arabic for opening Senate or congress sessions
We have regular appointed Imams (Muslim Chaplins) in all categories of the armed forces
and more
This makes me feel that we have a strong responsibility of answering questions on Islam and its stand on various things we encounter daily with our colleagues, coworkers, what have you. We cannot leave it to the Imam or other Scholar or on Dawa committee etc.
Like one of the persons who I met in Pakistan who advised me:
"You are Ambassadors of Islam".
It was 1977 I was in the plane leaving from Karachi to Lahore when he, wearing Arabic dress came to sit with me, a clean-shave wearing a three piece suit. Yes his diagnosis was correct he was no other than Dr. Mohammad Muhsin Khan the translator of Bokhari and Quran-el-Majeed (Noble Qur'an)
He was a 1950 grad. of my college (King Edward)and had specialized in Pulmonary Medicine.

Ethical Considerations but not for the "priviledged"

You may have come across organ thefts in Palestinian areas by the Israeli army personel.
One story of a 19 yr. old stone-thrower Bilal shot by the Israeli Army and body (alive?)transported away to some hospital, brought back after 5 days for the victim's family for burial, with autopsy(Post mortem) mark a slit from the chin to the lower abdomen sewen up. No proof that kidneys or other organs have been "stolen". (but the suspicion is very strong)
Bilal's story is published and this is not the first child, many other Palestinians have provided the needed organs for the Jews in Israel before.
Heinous, hair-raising crime of first killing (purposefully?) and then.............
Although the Jewish religeon allowes organ transplantations for Jews but not organ donation, so to save jewish lives the organs must come from non-jews.
Regardless of the religeous dictates; Just think of this for a moment.

Telephones and me

I am not friends with “telephones”.
I grew up in a home without telephones and it was when our family had moved to city and lived there for some time that we had a telephone hooked up about 1957-8, something like that.
I had left home after 1953-4 and never learnt the use of this communication method (I mean I knew but never made use of it).
After getting my MBBS I got my “house job” (1958) in Mayo Hospital for one year. There were no telephones in the wards. I would write a note (question suggestion or whatever) on a notebook which the “ward bearer” (baira) will take it to the appropriate person, say house physician or surgeon in other ward who would write the answer and notebook would be brought back to me. Even in my Obstetric training in Lady Willindon Hospital the students had no phone and the aya with her flipflops would come (you could hear the slippers in the veranda from our room) and announce in the verandah “doc sahbji case aye” (Doctor there is emergency which meant that labor has started or water is broke etc.) so whoever is on call would rush to the labor room. Telephones were installed (in Mayo hosp) at the time I finished my job, (Jan.1959) but before that there was one telephone outside the hospital building under a tree ( a telephone booth of some sort). I used that phone once during the time I was senior house physician.
That was summer holidays time and Col. Ilahi Bukhsh Marhoom (my boss, Prof. of Medicine and Principal of the college) had to be called. A patient with acute coronary was admitted who was well-known to the then health minister (Khan Khudadad Khan) and Khan saheb came to the ward in the evening to visit the patient and wanted to see/talk to the doctor incharge. I had to use that phone.
I was in Peshawar for over two years and my department had the phones but not in my (our, more than one senior lecturers) office. I could use the other office phones however. Once I called a freind of mine changing my voice to feminine but he recognized and said and I still remember
“Ba her rangay keh khwahi jama mee posh
man andazay qadat ra mee shanasam”
(Whatever color or type of clothes you may wear, I recognize you from the way you walk)
I start my first job in Southampton after reaching England and have to use telephone for everything. For the first time I realized that I could not hear so well in my right ear, the one which has now the cochlear implant (the left was also not normal) so from then on I used only left ear for listening to the phone. the first day at my job (house surgeon) I received lot of calls as my ward was admitting surgical emergencies… boy I was nervous using this machine as I was not used to it. I still remember there four cases of urinary retention (male ward) and my registrar(An Australian Chap), taught me (very gracefully) the non touch technique of introducing the catheter. Well, after a week or so I became comfortable using phones.
Now, I hardly ever use telephone because I cannot hear with my left ear even with hearing aid’s maximum tune up. I do possess one mobile (cell-phone) but it is more for urgent needs.
The communication technology has advanced so much but for a real “paindoo” like me I am still out of touch and still not friendly with these gadgets.