Family honor and punishments

و لقد کرّمنابنی آدم و حملناھم فی البرّو والبحرورزقناھم من الطیّبات و فضّلناھم علی ا کثیرا" ممن خلقنا تفضیلا"
آیہ ۷۰، سورہ بنی اسرائیل
And surely WE have honored the children of Adam and WE carry them in the land and the sea and WE have given them good things and WE have made them to excel by an appropriate excellence over most of those whom we have created.

So God has made human beings "superior" to , say animals. We have been given intellect to use for example to differentiate between right and wrong. How we use that is what is important. I am sure you have heard of the judgement in Pakistan of the two men who cut off the nose and ears of a woman for keeping the honor of the family (the woman wanted to marry against the wishes of the family) Not unusual in Pakistan or for that matter among the Muslims of other countries.
Has that heinous act on the part of these two achieved their goal?
The whole world has come to know of that "bad for the family wish" of the woman.
Appropriately named--Fazeelat bibi, She is bringing more honor to her self and to the women of Pakistan.
Some say that such punishment as ordered by the court for the perpetrators (300K rs. fine +700K to be paid to the victim and also have nose and ears cut off like they did with the woman)is uncivilized, barbaric (as if the act itself was not barbaric) and belongs to medieval times, not the 21st century. Does it?
Pray tell how we consider ourselves more civilized than the medieval times.
USA statistics indicate rise of murders after capital punishment was lifted off and then started falling after '77 when it was re-instated in some states.
Those of you who think appropriate punishment is not deterrant compare such statistics.
And if all appropriate cases are dealt with properly the fear of death is not something any human being is willing to face easily and it will be helpful in reducing the incidence of such crimes. So, I do not think the judgement is not current with our times. There are situations where being lenient for any reason is dangerous. Have we not seen those perpetrators who as soon as they are released from the prison they go for their target at the first opprtunity and the society loses another life unnecessarily.. I am not saying that cutting off nose and ears of the perpetrators is going to eliminate that kind of crime in those areas of Pakistan but it will send a powerful message to those who are thinking of doing it again. That is why Allah has specifically mentioned that let not the believers take pity on such punishments and let a group of believers watch such punishment. The creator knows the weaknesses of His creations

Please visit my Urdu blog at http://saugoreebsc.blogspot.com/ and my Hindi blog at http://wahajuana.blogspot.com/

Sunday Surkhi-Aashoora

This is 10th day of Muharram called Aashoora (Arabic). There are multiple stories given for its importance to us. One that is obvious and is commemorated by Muslims especially the Shia, somewhat more extensively, is the Martyrdom of Hussain Ibn Ali Radiallahu Anhuma. But this is another one:
The Prophet SAWS in Madina found Jews fasting on that day so he enquired why did they fast. Apparantly he was told that because Musa AS fasted on that day as he and his people were saved from Phir'own so he was offering gratefulness to Allah. The prophet SAWS said that we have more right to be thankful because of Musa AS so we should also fast and he did on that day but he added that to distinguish it from Jews we as Muslims should fast 9th and 10 day both, These are therefore recommended fasts (Voluntary) for us.
The real Phir'own who stated when drwoning that he believes in Allah now is available for us all to see even today.(that photo, above, of his mummie described by Dr.Maurice Buccaile as the real person after thorough examination) Allah told him that He will not accept his Tawba at the dying time as it is too late but He would save his body for the posterity as a lesson (Ibrat) and that is what we have found the mummified body of that Phir'own Ramses.Here is the Qur'anic ref.: (S. Yunus, Ayat 90,91 and 92)

"And WE led the children of Israel across the sea; then Phiown and their hosts pursued them in rebellion and enmity, until when the drowning overtook him he said, "I believe that HE, there is no God but HE, in whom the children of Israel believe and I am of the Muslims". Now indeed! when thou hast rebelled afore and was of the corruptors. So this day WE deliver thee in thy body that thou mayest be a sign to those after thee. and verily many of mankind are of our signs heedless"

Thus spoke Allah the truth.

Jum'ah Journal-Christmas day

Merry Christmas to my Christian readers. 

   Have the Christians ever questioned when exactly Christ PBUH was born? It is certain that he was not born on 25th of December, however it is his birthday that is being celebrated. Of course you have the option to celebrate on some other day as some Christians do it on 6th of January and feel that is more appropriate. The difference of Muslim feeling and that of Christian Muslims do not celebrate but if they would they would be celebrating the miracle of birth of this man called Jesus from a Virgin woman called Maryam (Mary) The Christians celebrate the a man was born to virgin Mary and was son of God saying that Man became God on this day (May God forgive me) There is a point for the Muslims being in Minority here and Christians in majority that we as Muslims should wish them for this day because of their belief but my point is (considered against the Ulama's stance) we should wish them with our belief in our heart and leave their belief with them. Like this is Muharram-ul-Haraam and we could as Sunni join the Shia majlis but without beating our chest. May be my point is misleading but I do not feel my Islam is hurt when I wish my neighbor happy Christmas today when on my Eid day my Christian neighbor wished me happy Eid. I quote no hadith or Aya here.

Sunday Surkhi-Old story

گاھے گاھے باز خواں ایں قصّہء ُپارینہ را
(Every now and again tell this old story again)
To tell you the truth I was watching one old movie as usual and thought of it very different than when I first saw it, "Dr. Zhivago".
One good thing for watching such oldies is that you dont have to watch it all can interrupt wherever and whenever you want to. Thus while watching I was carried into my own world of imagination.
As a Muslim why do I support the idea of a man, no matter who he is, for having married one woman and carrying on with another one so passionately that ultimately losing the life (You will recall at Omar Sharief's excellent portrayal of the acute coronary syndrome on seeing Laura). He obviously loved Laura more than he loved his wife, mother of at least two of his children. As a man of course you could love two women at the same time and equally which is human. I guess you could say the same for a woman too but women according some sayings of the sages are "monogamous" by nature (Are they?)
Anyway, the villainous Komerov was right in saying about her, "a slut", and yet Laura was so devoted to Yuri (Dr. Zhivago).
Well, it is such a moving story and catching and absorbing on the screen performed so well through MGM, and you cant help but be moved by it and end up in sympathy with both Laura and Yuri and of course Tonya. It reminded me of Chacha Ghalib who while married loved another woman.
Then reflect on those days of "Revolution" when Czar was killed along with the whole family and the "people" took over.And how long that Leninism etc. last? We saw it with our own eyes crumbling down almost overnight, not that the triumphant democracy/capitalism is any better but human beings have yet to learn how to run their affairs in a just and equitable fashion. (Have also seen and lived through the concepts of "Maxism" being started and over a short period supported and then eclipsed/disapproved)
It was only one time (in human history) when "just" governance was achieved may be just less than a half century- what is called
Khilafat-e-rashidah خلافت راشدہ
There is one more story I must relate here. My neuropathology teacher was a Polish individual who told me that in the USSR system the value of a physician was very poor. He was telling me about some man whose daughter was dating a doctor and her father was furious with her, "Why do you want to ruin your life marrying a doctor who remain poor all his life go for some worker who will be richer". Looks like Joe the Plumber, did have enormous capital then? (in Poland, and so was preferable to a doctor who was paid less)

Sunday Surkhi-Tiger

What is with women .
and
ATHLETES.
For the last 7-10days , every TV show has done it.
Poor Tiger, ended up rolling up Golf game.
Women seem to fall like insects on honey. I am not saying he is not attractive, but that is surely not the only reason!!!
Men in power, politics and so on do get women
And what happens to feminism or ERA?
No! I am past the age for being jealous
Well, what do you have to say?

Jum'ah Journalمیری پیاری سی -پوتی--

۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔ فتبارک اللہ احسن الخالقین " ............So blessed be Allah, the best TO CREATE" (Yusuf Ali) "............""""""""""""""""""""the best of creators" (Maulana M. Shafi, Farooq-e-Azam, and also Muhsin Khan) This is from the 14th verse of 23rd sura I point these differences in translations because of the explanation given by Asad, but before I quote that, I wish to say Maudoodi says "kareegerکاریگر" in Urdu translation and Asad says, "Artison" in his translation, so as not to get into any 'problem' with word Khaliq, which is also stated by M. M. Shafi(معارف القران that this word is used as creators for creators of art etc, also. Now the quote of Asad which will make my point clear: "Lit. 'the best of creators'. As Tabari points out the Arabs apply the designation 'creator' to every artison (S'ani) a usage also current in European languages with reference to the creation of works of art and imagination. Since God is THE ONLY CREATOR in the real, primary sense of this word the phrase "Ahsan-ul-Khaliqeen" احسن الخالقینmust be understood this secondary sense of the term Khaliq." I always understood the meaning to be 'best of Creators' but I saw the translation of some Urdu mufassireen and of Yusuf Ali who instead, in their translation make the word 'Best' to relate to things created rather than the creator and so I had to look up more translations to see why they 'avoid' "the best of creators".

     Now the real reason for this particular verse My dear readers Allah has given us a most beautiful Grand-daughter (پوتی) last Tuesday 8th of December, and my joy knows no bounds and I am unsuccessfully trying to find words of gratefulness to Allah the best of creators. That verse had first struck my imagination when her father Hassan was born although it happens to strike me every time I hear, a child is born, but grand daughter is something sooo precious.

Sunday Surkhi-Saddam and Osama

It is no secret that Osama was within the reach of Americans when the higher Authority let him go, back in 2001 or so.
Saddam was attacked and was known to be rogue to Americans in 1991 and Bush Senior did not take him Kuwait was liberated (that was within a couple of days of carpet bombing of Bughdad) but Bush continued destruction of Saddam's army and people with much loss of life mostly that of Iraqis. Then everything was left to Bush Junior for attacking and capturing Saddam, there was no hurry here.
while Osama who was the main and the first taget roamed free in Afghanistan.
One wonders what is the aim, what is he purpose of fighting and killing.
War means loss of life and security for all and it continues unabated all over the world today, not just Pakistan.
Are we more civilized than Changez Khan or Halakoo Khan?
Big news about the treatment of prisoners in Iran, but no news of the prisoners in Israel.
Does political arrangement mean fraud only?
Put a label of sun on darkness and call the darkness, a sun and then insist on everybody to agree on that statement.
This is the sum of of our leaders of the most advanced and most civilized nations of the world today.
Feel like striking my forehead against the wall/stone.

Jum'ah Journal-Spirit of Sacrifice

Hajj is a kind of worship of Allah in which physical, financial, emotional and spiritual participation is required, all. Sacrifice is for hajjis sort of marking the end of nearly all rituals of this worship in which the Muslims all over the world participate, sacrificing a specified animal.
Commemorating the almost sacrifice of the son by Prophet Ibrahim AS.
Detatch your self from all the religious dictates etc. and just think about sacrificing your own son, with your own hand.
Well, that is what that man was doing and the son was prepared for it too. That is amazing in itself.
Now, in addition to the "commemoration" what would you sacrifice?
I have often thought that one of the most diffricult things to sacrifice is of -- "SELF" your ego your self, how you value your own self your own thoughts and ideas etc. In the language of Qur'an I would draw your attention to lust, desire etc. a translation of "Hawa"
"Hast thou ever considered (the kind of man) who makes his own desires his deity. and whom God has (thereupon) let go astray......"
As if following your own desires in opposition to the teachings of Qur'an is making your desire your god. That is a very powerful statement.
That should make us look again at our feelings if they make us feel good about things for which God has a punishment spelled out. We need to 'sacrifice' that good feeling.