Jum'ah Journal

You have all probably listened to the debates of the presidential hopefuls of both sides here. I did not listen to all of the debates but some I did.
I am impressed by the individual hardwork each one of them must have done to be able to say a few things about all the different and varied subjects they were questioned on. All offered a definite 'policy' or a set of answers to these questions no matter who was aking and no matter how the question was being placed.
I have always enjoyed the air of 'democracy' in this process of 'election' and when in England I saw the same thing there too but much less expensive than it is here in the states.
It is only natural for me to think of the Pakistani president who
1.succesfully dissolved the opposing (or possibly opposing) Judiciary (Suppreme court)
2.Equally successfully enthroaned a new Judiciary
3.made his retirement from Army an event for the nation
4.made sure that all the decisions taken during the Martial Law are made "unchallangable' (Such as sacking of all those Suppreme court Judges who refused to accept Martial Law as legal.
5.Entrusted the authority of dissolving the Martial Law in the (future) president
6. And it is expected, so far, that the Martial Law will be lifted on the 15th of December
Has performed a remarkably swift job of accomplishing all that in a short span of TWO WEEKS and got himself sworn-in as (civilian) president of Pakistan. (there may be more than 6 counted things of this period)
This would be 'officially' his third term, but I am sure, after 5 years (if he does survive that period) he will say this was his first term because he is becoming president as a civilian for the first time (and the previous 8 years will not be counted) and he will impose himself for another 5 years and make it 'look' legal)
I understand the difference of democracy in a young country like Pakistan and old one like USA and I'll give you the difference of educational levels of the people and everything but does that still sound reasonalble to you? To me this is mockery of democracy.
On the one hand I admire this man's undaunted self aggrandizement, and on the other absolutely condemn his methods of high-handedness and the deftful use of totalitarian authority to achieve his goal of remaining president of Pakistan "one way or the other".
But , the curtain has not yet dropped on the political drama of Pakistan.
I continue to pray for Pakistan and request all the readers to do the same.

Shariah vs Saudi Law

I know so much has already been said about the 'Lashes', I cant add much , but in these discussions unwary non-Muslims get the impression that Saudi monarchs promulgate "Islamic Law" and get confused. There are "Lashes" for "Khalwah" (even though, it is questionable khalwah sitting in the car), lashes for going to news media and so on. One gets the impression in the end, that is the only way of punishment in Islam (So it is barbaric, and indeed Saudi law seems to be so). It only goes to prove that you cannot take one 'sample' out of a 'whole' and try to make for its justification which is only "Just' in the background of 'whole'
A young woman's dignity and life is ruined permanently by the very authorities that ironically have a duty to presreve those things for every subject in their rule.
Sad, indeed.
Stories from Pakistan are not so different unfortunately, especially of the 'Waderas' and such old established institutions, which should have been demolished in Pakistan in 1947 or soon thereafter.
When will the sun of freedom rise in Pakistan!!!

Late Jum'ah journal - My first Thanksgiving

Reason for the delay, I was traveling as in the previous 'delayed' notes
Some of my family members got together on Thursday, for Turkey Dinner with all the typical American traditions.
This was the first time I had such an experience. (I am sure many of you have had this experience) My heart has been warmed with love, May Allah keep her heart always warm who did it and her husband's as they both worked hard.
I have been in USA for 38 years and Alhamdulillah now have my own "family" and this experience which I had only seen on the TV before, (Remember films like "Trains,Plains and Automobile---Should have added 'pains' or other such programs) I had not had it personally. So I'll give anything to "get home for such a great get together of the family' for no other purpose than just to be thankful to God for what He has given us in the form of 'Family'. This is indeed a unique 'celebration' and would recommend it to you all.
Of course Musa and Issa were the most enjoyable sources of love and togetherness. May God bless them both and their parents.

What is fraud?

Suppose a patient comes to see me, there is a charge for the visit or "fee".
Then I refer the patient for consultation with a specialist, because of his disease. The consultant charges his fees for consultation, again happens to be me, because of my specialty.
Then I order X number of tests some of which I perform and charge my fees that I am entitled to as a consultant, as I do those tests having been trained for it
Strictly speaking I have done everything according to my training, yes. I am wearing so many hats at one and the same time so I can get away with this (unethical peformance) fraud? Somebody is going to catch me some day of which I am absolutely certain.
Martial law is imposed by COAS.(One hat)
COAS gives authority to the President (second hat on the same head) to dissolve the Martial Law.

Similarly under the martial Law when there is no freedom of speech, no freedom of media, and all the existing Judiciary is sacked to establish (his own) new judiciary, etc. etc. how do you expect "fair Elections". Which country in the world will recognize such elections?
And yet that is what we see in Pakistan happening, the world watching in dismay and mildly criticising (Is it because it is a Third World Country (third class country?)
May be Musharraf should declare that only those should come out and vote if they are casting their votes in favor of Musharraf. Well this may sound like a ludicuous exaggeration but can you deny the truth it is carrying?
I will never forget the air of indignation and conceitedness on the face of the Pakistani president saying,
"Dont ask and dont demand the same type of democracy as you have; we are learning and doing very well"
"Dont ask and dont demand the same level of human rights you have....."
As if human rights ar'nt the same with Pakistani humans (are they less human Mr. president?)
Poor Pakistanis.

Jum'ah Journal+

What is an extremist?
One who advocates or exercises extreme measures (for example for political gains), one who believes in extremes, etxc. See my previous Jumuah note
What is being done in the name of "future democracy" in Pakistan by General Musharraf is steps. 
Hali said (M. Altaf Husain Hali marhoom)
"Insan ko ikhfa kay liyay nutq mila hay"
(Man has been given the power of speech for concealing the expression)

Veterans Day thoughts of a non-veteran

When retiring from the vet. Hospital four years ago, I had several 'thoughts' which were never gotten out in the open, so now here it is.
Once again I state clearly and unambiguously, I was proud to 'serve' those who served the nation. And I join the nation in the salute for them today.
I feel it was a unique opportunity for me to work in the Vet. hospital where I experienced the relationship with those patients who were generally less priviledged, less well-to-do (not all) and comprising special component of the American society and my patients ranged from as high a rank as a 'general' to the lowest rank of an ordinary soldier. Majority were genuinely dependent and thankful to the healthcare they were being offered although some indeed overusing and even 'ab-using' that priviledge. I, personally, was never put off by those 'demanding' type of veterans. (Yes I have criticisms of patients and of administration)
There were courageous, medal winners and all, seeking healthcare with us even if they had enough insurance to cover 'private' healthcare. I openly and unhesitatingly advised them to use private care if and when I thought it was in their best interest (I cant call it completely unethical).
In general I admired the veterans as such and despite all my criticisms of the quality of care being delivered to them, I am of the opinion that the Veterans Affairs Hospitals and such related institutions do have an important part to play which they are doing to their best (may not be the best by some standards) to maintain. (Not giving much thought to the media coverage of the Walter-Reed Hospital, for I think it is a good institution)
As a physician I enjoyed the respect given to me by my colleagues and coworkers along with the patients. During my residency, I rmember, when I rotated in VA hospital I found my teacher addessing the patients as 'sir', which I learnt later why it was so and I had already taken up that habit anyway.
Yes it is true the Veterans who were in the army once just 'did their job' but they indeed put their 'neck on the line', got maimed and mutilated, lost an eye or an ear or some body-part in the battle or just lost the psychological make-up and so on. So if we give them 'free healthcare' are we really doing them a favor? or perhapse trying to 'give back' something in compensation. This is very hard to balance. I being a non-veteran cannot really be a good judge.
I shall reserve my comments for the next Vet. day insha-Allah, about my relation ship with PVA (Paralysed Veterans of America) and my experience in looking after their interests along with other colleagues who I have a great admiration for.

Jum'ah Journal

Listening to the American opinions we see two opposite sides 1. Support Musharraf for he has done well and alternative is unacceptable because it is Al-Qaeda-Fundamentalist Islamic etc. 2. Musharraf has done damage, he is not fighting terrorists he is fighting Judiciary and dragging Lawyers putting them behind bars and not moving towards Democracy at all. Get him out and let the People of Pakistan get a chance. I fear there is that McArthyism underpinnings. They want to advance" democracy" at all costs even if it requires supporting dictators. There is presumption that if Musharraf is removed his type of 'iron hand' may be difficult to find in 'civilians (No matter what Bhutto says). There is widespread covering up of truth with all kinds of lies in the world today and the people think they can all get by without the lies being exposed (Not realizing or even knowing that they are so thinly veiled). Is the philosophy of using brute force to suppress extremism the right thing? Has any thought been given to sitting on the table, sorting out differences? Have Ulama of Pakistan any opinion about how to engage in dialogue? Have all the consequences of this military advancement on our own people considered? We have experience of fighting our East Pakistani brothers, dont we learn from mistakes? America uses brute force for everything because they have the force and power and are prepared to spend for it as long as they are in control. Why should Pakistan follow that philosophy? What do they have, other than "kashkol"? Just think of it. Extremist idiologies have been affecting Muslims from the very beginning, but they all die out given time. I know Ali , May God be pleased with him, dealt with the Kharjiyah and lost his life to them but he first sent the best faqeeh of his times to argue with them and resorted to fighting only when all alternatives were exhausted. Unfortunately Muslims have been plagued with such extremists throughout their history. Admittedly this is a difficult situation but what I see is that non-Muslim forces utilize Muslim divisions to their advantage. I am just a concerned Muslim and a concerned Pakistani-American. I know that majority of Ulama are intelligent reasonable sophisticated individuals and can argue with the extremists in better ways. I dont know why they dont come forward? Are they scared too?

Retreat in Ramadan II

At my age sleeping on the floor is'nt very comfortable so I got an inflatable mattress which did a good job. My problem was that timings for my rest did not match the timings for younger persons who could sleep for 3-4 hours after morning "spiritual exercises" (I could only do about an hour), so I wanted to sleep soon after night prayer in order to get up for Tahajjud, better refreshed and better prepared.
There was going to be some sleep deprivation anyway, so I did OK on the whole.
I had the unique experience of reading through the first volume of (Urdu translation) Ibn Kathir. I was intrigued by the number of hadithes he was able to stuff in for explanations. I thought he sometimes gets carried away too far from the subject under discussion in story telling. You can almost get a feeling of the cultural millieu in which he was writing, what was Islamic culture like then (13th-14th century CE).
I also get a feeling that human beings have a tendency to exaggerate and add fanciful aspects to events related to 'religion' and followers of Islam are no exception even though there is a curb placed by Qur'an saying:
"O ye who believe! ask not questions about things which if made plain to you may cause you trouble. But if you ask about things when the Qur'an is being revealed......"
An excellent example is also in the story of "people of the cave". How many were they, who were they etc. Qur'an only reveals what concerns us for admonition and instruction but leaves out un-necessary details and we should refrain from those details too. For if dont we are likely fall in to error. Like in Sura Najm (53rd, verses 15-16), "Near it is the Garden of abode. Behold the "lote-tree" was shrouded (in mystery un-speakable)" (Yusufali's attempt to translate 'Izd yaghshassidrata ma yaghsha') The tafsir writers get lost in imagination of all kinds of things they can come up with, which of course is not necessarily relavant and can easily (and should) be skipped. If the Almighty used such words couched in mystery why go into the details of that "shroud". (That is my sincere feeling).
However that is what I see in Ibn-Kathir also. My sincere apologies to the great writer and Muhaddis (who am I to criticize?). The good thing, nevertheless is that his document holds the key to the Muslim thought process of his time and it is a very valuable document as it is, that is why all modern mufassirin depend on his documantation for expalanation and excegesis. May Allah reward him higher and higher places in Paradise. On the whole you get the real meanings well clarified and that is what matters.

Dactyloscopy or Finger-printing

It was in the 14th century Iran that finger prints were recognised first as being unique to individuals (but see below the last ref.) but the real pioneering work was done by one Azizul-Haque (Khan Bahadur Aziz-ul-Haque), a police officer working under Sir Edward Henry to establish that science now used for identifying criminals. Azizul Haque was a brilliant mathematician to come up with such work and another Indian Police officer worked with him by the name of Hem Chander Bose (Roy Bahadur Hem Chandr Bose). (There is a proposal to give credit to these individuals to call this scientific method as Henry-Hem-AzizulHaque method: Note here Henry added for being the superior )
In the present era of technological advances, perhaps other systems of anthropometric analysis may point to the use of 'DNA' as more correct but (without going into scientific discussion of uses abuses misuses and errors of detection etc.) the claim has been made before that:
NO TWO FINGER PRINTS ARE EXACTLY ALIKE.
Now let me draw your attention to the following:
"Does man think that We cannot (resurrect him and) bring his bones together again?
Yea, indeed We are able to make whole his very finger-tips" (Sura 'Al-Qiyama', 75th chapter Verses 3 and 4 of Qur'an-el-Kareem.
 Something to think about!!

Retreat in Ramadan

AA all, here I am again after my retreat (I'tikaf)
Incidentally I know Christians have some 'retreat' also but I dont know the details, please enlighten us if you do.
No, I did not pray that US Congress should accept Ramadan as holy month.
Whereas I agree that is a positive step, I think it is delayed. US Army had created the post of Muslim Chaplin 12 years ago (or thereabout) which was a 'recognition' of the Muslim personell in the Army. One or our new Muslimah would wear an army-matching 'hijab' at her post (Fort Bragg, NC), would exercise at Sahar time instead with others at regular time, just to name a few things Army 'agreed' for providing to the Muslims. ( I was closely associated with Fort Bragg's Muslims and had welcomed the then Capt. Abdur-Rasheed, the first Army Muslim chaplin)
But probably some things like this must lag behind?
Now as for Muslims this is a "spiritual renewal" in this month but what is needed is more (does it last for the rest of the 11 months?)
The Lord, the Almighty Allah and his teachings remain the same for the rest of the year, right?
"wa ma qadarullaha haqqa qadrihee" (No just estimate have they made of Allah such as is due to Him)


EACH BREATH THAT ONE TAKES IS A STEP TOWARD ONE"S DESTINY (Ali IBn-Abi Taalib RA)

Jum'ah Journal- Not necessarily political

EACH BREATH THAT ONE TAKES IS A STEP TOWARD ONE"S DESTINY (Ali IBn-Abi Taalib RA)
From Abi Shuraih-al-Khuza'ei, that the prophet PBUH said'
"Whoever believes in God and the last day so he should treat his neighbor with kindness and favor
and whoever believes in God and the last day should be generous and respectful to his guest
and whoever believes in God and the last day, should say something good or (else) keep quiet."

Well the 'Bollinger broughaha' is about over on Ahmedinijad but the advice of the prophet is very fitting for the president of Columbia university.
I am a North Carolinian and have always been proud of the Hospitality traditions of the 'south'. I hope the students of the university have not learnt unworthy things from their President.
O! I dont think President Ahmedinijad did a vey good thing to say about the Holocast or about Israel. His both statements do not suit the president of a Soverign Nation (in my humble opinion) but the criticism on that has also become somewhat childish. Maybe the last part of the prophet's advice is good for him too.

First Anniversary of my blog

MY blog says August of 06 was the day but reading it one will find that my first attempt successfully writing and publishing my blog was actually on 25th of september.
When writing this morning I forgot to mention that and since in the blogoshphere it seems to be a rawaj so I thought it may not be out of date or time
Apnay blog ki pehli salgrah.
'Kis qadar jaldi guzer jaatay hain apnay maah-o- saal'

Prohibition II

An incident is related in the books of hadeeth/ Seerah (Will get you reference later or if you have it please tell). There was one sahabi who used to drink and came into the company of sahaba with the prophet PBUH while 'drunk'. Sahaba started to scold him and made derogatory remarks for obvious reasons. The prophet stopped them and said something like, "Dont do that to him, he loves Allah and his prophet". Imagine the situation and now think how we treat the alcoholics or think about them. ADVICE FOR PHYSICIANS. Physicians see drunks in the ER often with one problem or the other. Physician should have a 'sympathetic attitude' for the drunk because he is a patient even if he is garrulous (Not unusual) and rude. The attitude of the physician can be 'dangerous' because the drunk is unable to tell you he has headache or chest pain etc. My advice is based on my own experience as I did not realize the importance of my 'attitude' until I bacame a neurologist. EACH BREATH THAT ONE TAKES IS A STEP TOWARD ONE"S DESTINY (Ali IBn-Abi Taalib RA)

Step-by-step prohibition

Chapter 16, Verse 67 (Al-Qur'an) "And from the fruits of datepalm and the vine, ye get out STRONG DRINK and WHOLESOME FOOD; behold in this there is a sign for those who are wise." Ch. II, Verse 219, "They ask thee concerning wine and gambling, say, "in them there is sin and some profit but the sin is greater than profit" Ch.IV, Verse 43 "O ye who believe, approach not prayers in a state of intoxication, until ye understand what ye say......" Ch. V, Verse 90: "O ye who believe, intoxicants and gambling, sacrificing to stones and divination by arrows are an abomination of satan's handiwork, eschew such abomination that ye may prosper." Leaving the gambling and sacrifice etc. and talking only of "intoxicants" (any drug including alcohol that alters mind in such a way that there is delirium and confusion) here is prohibition of alcohol step by step by the Almighty, the Wise First placing two types of preparations from dates and grapes: one "intoxicant" and other called wholesome food (healthy and nonhealthy). Allama Asad has given the translation better "...........intixcants as well as wholesome sustenance"......" Next two ayat (given in the above order) may have been sent down later but the last one was final, the command, stay away from it and the Muslims of Madina immediately followed the Hukm.. There was time interval of 10 years between the first(in the order given above) and the last (given above) The Almighty knew that it is not easy to give up drinking suddenly and also one can get deathly sick (may even die) on sudden withdrawal from alcohol (Physicians know that)

 EACH BREATH THAT ONE TAKES IS A STEP TOWARD ONE"S DESTINY (Ali IBn-Abi Taalib RA)

Mankind- IV---"one"

Qur'an, Ch. II, verse 213, opens:
"Mankind was one single nation and God sent messengers with glad tidings and warnings and with them He sent the Book in truth......."
The book and the messengers were sent for teaching and guidance. All were teaching the same message, "To believe in God", so the life was supposed to be followed according to those teachings.
Some hold that religion developed in the (Darwinian) evolutionary way. Human beings, after making a big jump from monkeys, started thinking they should have respect and adulation (worship) of all the big and beautiful and useful things around them and gradually came to a conclusion there should be a god who would be the creator of everything (So man 'created' a god for explanation of the evolutionary theory?). Well we are scientifically backward and think God started the whole thing and not the other way round. We think even Evolution is His creation.
Differences in the "teachings" were developed by men themselves that God will clear-up on the day of resurrection.



EACH BREATH THAT ONE TAKES IS A STEP TOWARD ONE"S DESTINY (Ali Ibn-Abi Taalib RA)

Mankind III-man and woman

"And of His signs is this that He created for you, your wives from your own species that you may find peace with them and created love and mercy between you. Surely in this there are many signs for those who reflect". (Chapter 30, Verse 21)
"Find peace with them" or (better wording) "dwell in tranquility with them"
My italics are the main point I wish to emphasize. the creator has put that love and mercy (this word is a poor and less expressive for the Arabic word "Rahmah". This is His deliberate design---the intense attraction a man feels towards woman and a woman towards a man (go beyond and further than sex) is purposeful. There are two words used not one, both are equal essential ingredients (love by itself is insufficient and 'mercy' by itself is insufficient to complete the purpose, both spouses therefore need to 'reflect'.
I promise I'll write more on this subject after Ramadan.

Mankind II

"And of His signs is the creation of heavens and the earth and the difference of your tongues and colors. Surely in this there are many signs for the learned." (Chapter 31, Verse 22)
Italics and bold letters are my option.
Only a creator can say things like this. After all what is color, just a mixture and distribution of pigment in the skin and we all have the same mouth, tongue, teeth, gutters and nasal cavities which we use for producing meaningful sounds and the 'meaningfulness' varies from place to place. Anthroplogists and linguists would go to extreme lengths for explanations.
Incidentally, I have often wondered at the similarity of
EARTH (English) and Eardh (Arabic). Did this English word come from Hebrew? (I am no 'epistemologist')

EACH BREATH THAT ONE TAKES IS A STEP TOWARD ONE"S DESTINY (Ali IBn-Abi Taalib RA)

Mankind

"O! mankind, We created you from one man and one woman and then divided you into nations and tribes so that you recognise one-another. Indeed the most honorable in the eyes of God is he who is most pious of you. Surely God is all-knowing, all-wise." (Verse 13, Chapter 49th)

In addition , the prophet's last Khutbah has words meaning,something like this "No Arab has superiority over non-Arab and no non-Arab has superiority over an Arab" (This is not exact quote).
The meanings are self-evident of the truth that shines.

EACH BREATH THAT ONE TAKES IS A STEP TOWARD ONE"S DESTINY (Ali IBn-Abi Taalib RA)

The Scriptures III

Not a very clear pic., but this is an image of the original writing in "Koofi"mode of writing taken from the "Tashkent copy" (On the right is given the same writing in modern mode of writing). The Qur'an written down for the second (Copied from the first ever written Qur'an preserved with Hafsah RA-the wife of the prophet PBUH) and "official" time during Khilafah of Uthman RA within 15-20 years of the death of the prophet PBUH. Many of you are familiar with the above document but this is just to indicate ALL the Qur'ans written or printed anywhere in the world subsequently MUST conform to this writing (In addition to the verbal preservation in the form of Huffazd -Plural of Hafizd- those who put the whole Qur'an to memory, better than mechanical recording). Hafizd means guardian, the reason why every copy of Qur'an is certified by a Hafizd to be correct. Actual preservation therefore is sonic (the sounds which the Hafizd must learn to produce with his mouth tongue and gutters, even if he does not understand the meaning or significance of the sound)
There is no other Scripture preserved like this IN ITS ORIGINAL FORM.
Real Guardian is God Himself who makes His promise, "We have, without doubt sent down this message; and We will assuredly guard it" ChapterXV, Verse 9.

The Scripture II

"And We caused Jesus, the son of Mary, to follow in the footsteps of those (earlier prophets), confirming the truth of whatever there still remained of the Torah; and We vouchsafed unto him the Gospel, wherein there was guidance and light (Noor), confirming the truth of whatever still remained of the Torah and as a guidance and admonition unto the God-conscious." ChapterV, verse 46 of the Qur'an.
There is clear evidence of the previous two Books revealed to people for the same purpose.
As Injeel was "confirming" whatever was in the Torah, likewise, the Qur'an is confirming whatever was in Injeel/Gospel and in Taurat/Torah.
The Author of all these Scriptures is the same God and what He wants is the same from the people to whom he reveales these instructions (Guidance and Light). Instead of following the truth the people whatever they call themselves, Christians or Jews or Muslims, they fight with eachother and between themselves, each one of them believing they are "on the right".
Should't we try to understand the spirit of the Scripture?

EACH BREATH THAT ONE TAKES IS A STEP TOWARD ONE"S DESTINY (Ali IBn-Abi Taalib RA)