Jum'ah Journal-Seven 'F's for Successful marriage

 I learned from a wise friend hoping he will forgive me for not asking his permission
1.Faith
2.Forgiving
 3.Forgetting
4.Forbearance
 5.Flexibility
 6.Friendship
7. Friendly attitude with family members (both spouses)

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Jum'ah Journal--Life is short

 Isbah wife of my nephew, Mansoor (Son of Bhaijan Meraj marhoom) went into coma after a couple of vomits and never made any recovery. A shocked  family mourning today.
Inna Lillah-e-wa inna ilaihi rajeoon
  May Allah forgive her sins and award her al-Jannah-Aameen


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

Sunday Surkhi- 18th of December and Xmas

Exactly fifty years ago today--
 Yes, an important day of my life. This was the first day of my work in the West.-- Royal South Hants Hospital in Southampton England where I started my first job as junior house surgeon. There were two surgical teams and two wards one female and one male The male ward's name was Aldridge and female's name ---I cant remember now.
  First day was my team's intake- (all surgical emergencies to be admitted to our care)- my boss Mr. Richardson, a tall typical Englishman rather showy type who was considered (as he told me one day) a vascular surgeon. Had long fingers and fond of such quips like:
 "Ahmad, we had summer last year on a Wednesday"
 He was a pleasure to work with. My immediate superior called 'Registrar' was an Australian chap,   He was of my size but a good energetic surgeon. In England anybody who has passed Fellowship examination of RC Surgeons turns into Mr. again from Dr. Because when the Royal College of surgeons was established traditionally the Barbers were the ones who did surgery, so they were called Misters and not Doctors. The College continued the tradition.
 If you remember that in India/Pakistan the Khatna ( Circumcision) of male Muslim child is/was performed by Barbers (experienced in that procedure)= haha what a legacy for surgeons but back to Christmas celebrations.
Like here in US there was "Christmas-mania" all over the place by the time I got into the residential rooms of the hospital so that when I started work all the wards had already been 'decorated' for Christmas. Each ward had a 'theme' for decoration. Male surgical ward was "Circus" so there were all kinds of Circus pictures and big plaques of circus kind of things like a man standing bending an iron bar or a lion or elephant etc. They called it "Aldridge Circus" and I saw signs in the hospital pointing to "Aldridge Circus" that way. Of course, this was all very unusual and new to me. I did not know how Christmas is celebrated and that was my first experience. Even Mr. Green told me-- Ahmad, "they become crazy on Christmas".
 I remember I had four surgical emergencies admitted that day all (probably) acute urinary retention (Prostate enlargements) and I learned from my Registrar a "non-touch" technique aseptic introduction of (soft) catheter for emptying the urinary bladder. Somehow I do not remember much about the female ward. On the second floor, right on top of Male surgical was the male medical ward and their theme of decoration was Robinhood. The house surgeon whose job I took over started in the male medical, and so I know more about male medical, also because my ultimate interest was medicine. I remember attending a case presentation by the medical consultant of that ward- a case of Temporal Arteritis- and I remember I was very impressed by his teaching.

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

Jum'ah Journal-advancing age

"When you are on the decline and Death is advancing, what then?
The inevitable meeting has accelerated its approach" Ali RA
 "Say, The Death from which ye flee will truly overtake you; then ye will be sent back to the knower of things secret and open: and He will tell you (the truth of) the things that ye did." Sura Jum'ah, Aya 8.

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

All American Muslim

 I have not had the pleasure of watching that show yet. Lowe's has been fooled by some people.
 The Ilsamophobic organization, I am surprised, has taken such methods to continue their jihad against Muslims, American or others. Strictly speaking there is nothing new about people being against Muslims or Islam. It started as soon as the prophet SAWS opened up the message. The circumstances and political atmosphere of the world has generated the current spirited activity against Muslims helped greatly by 9/11 and is expected to continue in USA, I do not know for how long in one form or the other.
 Some comments stated, "There is no such thing as all american muslism"
   The term seems to hurt these people but I think it is time to promote this term more widely. Some plans regarding that should be started by us. May be some of my readers will have better ideas about that. . I will add my own way when I can think up some practical way.


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

Sunday Surkhi- Beginning Muslim New Year

  I know today is NOT New Year's day for Muslims but actually 8th of the first month, Muharram-ul-Haram.
 Some body remarked, (Long time ago I heard) while others have jubilations (and lot of drinking) and parties to greet the new year Muslims' new year begins with weeping crying etc. (Probably meant as a joke)
   The prophet SAWS had asked Muslims to fast for 9th as well as 10th days of Muharram. These are voluntary fasts, not obligatory. That has nothing to do with "maatam" or observing the martyrdom.
 'Weeping and crying' as Maatam (in these 10 days) was added by Muslims who do that for observing Imam Hussain RA's martyrdom on the 10th day. Although only Shia community does that kind of maatam and other Muslims do not, it does not mean that other Muslims do not feel and condemn the appalling attitudes of the Muslims of that time who had the guts to cut down the beloved grandson of the prophet SAWS. It is so difficult to imagine such things could be actually happening in the Muslim community, but there is no doubt it did happen. Even earlier his father Ali RA, the very first male to accept Islam, the first cousin and husband of the prophet's most favorite,youngest daughter, was cut down while in Sajda by a "Khariji". What is most amazing is the man killed Ali RA considering him to be Kaafir, unbeliever, The very person who had the authority and knowledge to teach the Islamic law even from the earliest days and was consulted and held in that regard by the earlier Khalifas of the prophet SAWS.
Just imagine those early Muslims considering that anybody who commits a major sin (I am not discussing details but Ali RA was categorized in such group by those Muslims) becomes a non-Muslim and as such punishable by death immediately. The khariji concept, what a twisted logic?. But you know what 'tradition' seems to have 'survived' through fourteen centuries. We, the ordinary Muslims, are still suffering. It seems we need to make Maatam every day for the whole year for that kind of thinking among Muslims.


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

Jum'ah Journal--Holiday concept.

 You may feel surprized on my suggestion but it is true in Pakistan Jum'ah has been tried as holiday of the week when I was not in Pakistan.
 Muslims hold this day 'holy', Jews hold Saturday 'holy' and Christians consider Sunday; although Christians 'think' that God 'worked' for making earth and heavens in six days. Then rested on seventh (Sunday) I do not know whether they think God needed rest so we should also rest but the concept is different from others
 Should there be a holiday, one or two days in a week?
 I do not know. May be there should be because we as human beings do need rest from work sometimes
 Other than schools where it was sooooo very much needed by us students that there is no need to consider 'restful day' at all. The Mulims are told in no uncertain terms first to go to prayers when Azan is called on Friday and stop your work. Then after the prayer back to your work although the first part is considered as 'command' but the after salat going back to work is not interpreted as order but as suggestion (Convenient) If that was also considered a command then the poor Muslims will not be having any holiday. As simple as that. So this interpretation of going back to work as suggestion rather than command has helped us out for holiday on Fridays which some Muslims countries do observe.
 What has been common in the West is one full day (Sunday) and one half day (Saturday) will be 'holiday' from work That keeps Jews and Christians both happy. For Jews actually Sabbath begins on Friday after sunset.
Real work however suffers.
 Holiday mood actually kicks in from Friday midday Half day on Sat. is not for all and Sunday full day is not questioned. The real mood for work starts sometimes after midday Monday as the Monday morning is 'lazy'
 Having worked in hospitals and having seen emergencies, I always pray to God
 "Make me sick, if You have to, on a Tuesday when I can get full attention from doctors and Nurses"

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