Jum’ah Journal--

Qur’an Sura Fussilat (forty first)

“Say, is that ye deny Him Who created the earth in two days? And do ye join equals with Him? He is the Lord of all the worlds.

He set on it (earth) mountains standing firm high above, and bestowed blessings on the earth and measured therein all things to give them nourishment in due proportions. in four days in accordance with (the needs) of those who seek (sustenance)

Moreover He comprehended in His design the sky and it had been (as) as smoke: He said TO IT AND TO THE EARTH; come ye together willingly or unwillingly. They said, We do come (together) in willing obedience

So He completed them as seven firmaments in two days……Such is the decree (of Him) the exalted in Might, full of knowledge”

   I have given the translation of these verses for some times ago I heard from a Non-Muslim that Qur’an has made a mistake. It says six days but then it counts 2+4+2= 8 days. It is kind of naive to say so but anybody can see four days are included within the two days and the total is six no matter how you see. I thought it may be amusing to see (For 1400 years nobody saw obvious mistake of God Who calls Himself Full of knowledge and…)

Well, there it is folks

Chauffeur vs shoher

Those of you who know Urdu would be familiar But let me first place my recent Qat'ah or ruba'i, which was inspired by my dear friend whose story appears below

 "main retire ho kay samjha reh giya shoher mehiz ab huwa m'aloom main begum ka hun shofer mehiz, kaam sirkaree tha jab, aram deh thi zindagi gher kay kaam-o-kaaj ka ab reh giya noker mehiz" (Unless somebody insists I am not translating it)

 A dear friend of mine with a huge sense of humor was stopped at Canadian border returning to America in his car. They separated him from his wife and took their car and started questioning him (Routine thing for them I guess, for the same has happened to us too when I was returning with my wife some two years ago). The man asked him: "What brought you in Canada you have any friends, relatives?" "No." "What were you doing here" ? My friend sat back comfortably and started off something like that: "See, I live in NC and have been there for the last 38 years and me and my wife are retired. I dont do anything. Now, you see in my language the husband is known as "shoher", he emphasized like "Show Her". So now I have become from shoher to shofer (chauffeur) so wherever she tells me I drive her to that place" Maybe he was questioned more but the border police got the answer. Now he asked his wife some questions after that and said "ma'am your husband is a very interesting man" "That's why I married him" was the prompt answer.

Sunday Surkhi—Obama’s Healthcare agenda

There were many discussions on this subject criticizing the poor man that he is reckless and spending too much and we wont be able to afford it etc.

For one thing we need to realize that we Americans are very difficult to satisfy when it comes to getting medical attention, we always want the best and dont care how much it costs. In that case how can you spend so much on everybody?

Either some cost-cutting has to be done or one must see the cost-effectiveness. But the American temperament is not inclined to seeing the second best. Therefore no matter what kind of improvements one may see there will always be some aspects that will be unsatisfactory.

BUT there is no doubt that some change for the better must be started. I am at the “receiving” end being in medicare and sure something the older people will have to give it seems as will be the higher earning persons who will be taxed more.

I saw an example of a “simple” brain tumor that the Canadian lady could not wait for (although the doctor said they will move her up for excision) operation while her visual difficulties were getting worse and she came to USA and got the surgery done and now her vision has improved. It sounded like a Pituitary adenoma which is a slow growing tumor and of course requires hormone replacements after surgery, the surgery being “curative”

BUT ask those people who can not afford surgery and wait for their turn like one or two years for correction of Inguinal hernia or something similar. Yes in England I remember some would wait very long times for benign surgeries (which is in the long run, free) but there are other advantages of extending medical help to those who will never be able to afford otherwise and such examples are not shown on TV.

Imagine the expense of cancer treatments, Diabetes, Hormone replacements for those who have lost glands etc. these are lifelong treatments and life depends on these medications. When such treatments cannot be provided because of financial stress in the family or the only earning hand is the one who is sick, how would they get the treatment. Many lives are lost without treatments that is what will NOT happen when everybody is covered.

Jum'ah Journal - Muslim Events

This time ISNA held programs in Washington DC
Some time there will be more coverage of such peaceful events about Muslim Groups . We will see or our children or grandchildren will see that I am sure. These days the American Media is more interested in rioting-bombing type of news only.
But it is good to see that Muslims are making their presence known by all methods other than explosions. The truth of the matter is that no matter how much "Islam" is smeared with extremists doings, the true picture will always shine through in the end.. I cant give the same air to the Urdu saying I read somewhere by translation but here it is
"Haq jhukta nahiN jhukata hay" (Truth does not bend but makes others bend to it)
When Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. started that march did he think there will be an African-American President just 40 years later?
NO, but that has happened. So I am very very confident that things for Muslims are going to change some day (though events like Prof. Gate's arresting still may continue, once in a while). Let us keep working positively for that day when Muslims will be recognized as co-Americans without the hate or suspicion or just being "the other".

Jum’ah Journal--Knowledge

There is a lot of emphasis on obtaining knowledge in Islam like the first word revealed, “Iqra” (read) in the Qur’an.

There are so many other verses in it, for the same, and of course many sayings of the prophet, all inciting us to increase our knowledge

I wish to place here a short statement of Hazdrat Ali RA from Hujjat-ul-Baligha:

“ ALL CONTAINERS ARE REDUCED IN CAPACITY BY WHAT IS PLACED IN THEM, EXCEPT A CONTAINER OF KNOWLEDGE, WHICH EXPANDS.”

I remember somebody saying that after all what distinguished 007 from others was his knowledge (‘secular’ statement, for those who dont like religious dictates). That is , also, in my humble opinion the key for the Muslims in America to combat everything negative for Islam and Muslims.

Sunday Surkhi—Obama’s Ghana Visit

Well, there it is folks the history unfolding. Although Obama is not connected with the slaves except for his skin he pays a visit to the place of slaves-trade.

His comment:

  “The victims and victimizers and that is not the end of the story. We need to continue talking about events like slavery and HOLOCAUST.”

Very politically correct statement, you must admire that. However the fact is that the reason given for “continuing to talk about that” is so we dont forget.

OK, so we have not forgotten, or have we?

The same  human passion of expansionism and colonialism continues to exist (slavery alive and kicking!!)and what is more these things are  proposed as legitimate and worthy of taking seriously.

Man is not going to learn. It so happens I was contemplating today on the most interesting historical and religious figures of history e.g. David and Solomon or Dawood AS and Sulaiman AS.

Sulaiman AS prayed to God that he be granted a kingdom which has never been or will ever be granted to any other King. Allah granted that power for him. He had power over Jinns and had things done considered impossible for humans. He could travel by air (and fast) in those days. He had forces with all powerful human beings and Jinns etc. etc.

I was thinking he only built what Muslims call “haikal-e-Sulaimani” and did not build more than one palace for himself (as far as we know) and his 70 or so wives. He did not travel to the “end of the earth” or to the Moon or Sun or other space worlds (May be flying saucers had not been invented in those days). He asked for nothing else. He could have easily asked for kingdom of the whole earth and gotten it too, as I understand.

Marked contrast from the fir’owns we know of the past and the present. These were indeed God-fearing Kings and prophets.

Jum'ah Journal---Muslim and their Groupings

I was at ISNA (Islamic Society of North America) and IMANA (Islamic Medical Asociation of North America) meetings and so my absence for these days.
Interesting thing to see ISNA "the mother" being "born" out (of the Child) MSA (Muslim Students Association). IMA came into being at MSA so it was first called IMA of USA and Canada, eventually acquiring the name of IMANA and Canadian becoming "divorced" out into separate organization.
Bazaar at ISNA (Also in APPNA and IMANA meetings) has become very popular indeed and this time I saw strange things in the bazaar-- Saw a woman standing with dollars in her hand and "asking" for help and there may be more individual/persons "asking" for dollars. This I never saw before but there are many organizations masajid and others who collect money for their Islamic centers or whatever.
At this point in time we must ask ourselves what are we doing here?
Are we doing it the right thing? Is being a good Muslim enough?
Are we doing it just for ourselves and our children or for the Muslim Ummah in general?
We need to define our role as Muslims in this land as we are now recognized as part of USA.
This places on us a very heavy responsibility because never before in the history of Islam Muslims have had such opportunity to do something positive for the Ummah and also because never before such a large section of educated (Educated in the religious as well as nonreligious sections) Muslims have been placed in such position.
I feel that the leadership of Muslims be it ISNA or ICNA or other even smaller organizations must get together not just for one vote but also for one Islam and present it to the world as one. It seems there is no other better place than this 'land of opportunities' where such visions can be materialized into viable accomplishments. Let it not be said that we did not measure up to the task for the next generation is expecting from us such guidance and they can make it if given the proper beginnings and if they are clear about the goals set orth by us- the generation that will disappear soon.
I felt very comfortable in IMANA meeting where I saw the first American born and raised physician becoming the president of IMANA.

Jumáh Journal--Raising children in USA

Well not just USA but anywhere these days really but specifically in the West.
it is becoming a huge challenge because there are so many teachers and guides for a child these days that parents take a back seat almost in any family (may be a bit exaggeration). There is
Mr. Computer
and all his friends, colleagues subordinates or whatever you call them grouped in one word:
  " Media" so that this has become more meaningful than it was in older times; like now it has print media, electronic media like TV, radio and movies are all now included in media and
the electronic gadgets available these days range from the old radios to Ipods. Itunes, I phone  I pads iTablets and many i-somethings I do not know yet and may be forthcoming in future.
To cut the story short there are those more influential machines that provide the guidance to the young ones today and they rely more heavily on them than on any older persons like fathers or mothers or uncles etc. -one of those who are considered by the young ones completely ignorant and incapable of understanding the information even if given to them from these "Guides"
Just look at the way the father of the most honored and decorated young star of the music world ever in the history treated this youngster. What makes me wonder is that he himself was not necessarily a novice in music and why did he have so much difficulty in realizing the young talent in his own house and beat him up for not doing his way of music. Poor Michael (I am writing one day after Michael Jackson's death), but maybe his father gives credit to himself that he is responsible for the stardom of Michael.
I am going away from the point.
These media can make you believe in the most impossible things, and they are so ubiquitous. Parents sorely suffer from the lack or paucity of time, time to spend with the kids these days that they might as well be absent.
As I wrote in my previous note about pre birth and post birth notes (2/24/07, 3/11/07 and 3/16/07) of rearing babies, they must consider that time to be extremely precious when the baby is totally dependent on parents. As soon as TV and computer takes over parents have lost it unless they strive to maintain their control of time for this and time for that with the child. it is therefore of utmost importance to have the following :
Maintain a continuing communication channel with the child
maintain a specific time table for the child to sit with or rather the parents to sit with child just for report of the day for friends and foes of the child the games they play and discussion of such interests (just 20 to 30 minutes may be sufficient but it all depends upon how much time the child can afford
(NOT how much time the parents can afford--they must always afford that time, no ifs and buts, period)
This communication must continue even in episodic form when the child has gone away from home, graduated etc. (may be to the end of your life).
This can work ONLY if the child has in the long run realized that parents do have knowledge and it is worth sharing with them. In other words parents have to be smarter (they usually are) than children and make the children believe there is more to it in the knowledge than the media.
Once the child has gone away from home (dorms) at the university level he/she has their own sphere in which to move, parental and home effects are gone by that time.
So consider that time available to you as parents when the child is living at home with you to shape the future of your child and nurture as you wish. then make use of that very short time to the best of your ability, for you cannot blame the gadgetry or media.
To be continued

Jumáh Journal-Qurán and its teaching

Frequently quoted hadeeth-e-nabawi:
"Khairukum man taállam-al-Qurána wa Államahu"
The best among you are those who learn Qurán and then teach (others).
In the Muslim world specifically the non-Arabic speaking one the method is to make a child recognize the letters and words and their "a'raab" or harakaat, so that he/she can recite Qurán (visual learning) and also some parts are memorized.
if you learn Arabic then you may also reach its meanings even though help from original sources is still required to understand the meanings.
Most cities in the West now have some Qurán teaching going on in masjid or private home or Islamic center depending on the Muslim population in that area. For basic recitation these are fundamentals essential for learning. Each family has its own plan for this teaching. I was taught by my mother and I remember that once I had learnt the basics I would sit and recite by my own effort with my mother listening and correcting until I finished.
Islamic centers and masajid in US have some programs going for this purpose and some Islamic centers have Hifz programs that is they have teacher guides for those children who wish to memorize the Qurán. Admittedly the number of such children or parents who want their children to memorize are not large but certainly there are respectable functional programs running in US where the children are doing that.
The numbers for memorization students may not be enough to generate funds from fees to establish a class and its teacher but additional Quránic sciences can be added for expanding the field of study along with memorization. There is need for Qurán scholars here more than for just Hafizes who are required for leading Taraweeh prayers which is a very popular thing with the Muslims mashallah, although the prophet SAWS tried to make it optional only. I must admit myself that I do enjoy this Taraweeh prayers more than I enjoy other regular Farzd prayers.
It is not generally recognised in the non-arabic speaking Muslim world that proper pronunciation (Tajweed) is very important for recitation of Qurán-el-Majeed. The fact is it is critically important not just for appreciating its beauty and rhythm etc. but also for is meanings and the fact that this is the word of the Creator. We try to learn languages like English and speak in the way the local people do or like the English do or learn to speak french in the way the french speak but we seem less inclined to learn Quránic language in the proper way it should be pronounced. Some Arabic speaking Muslims cannot do that in the proper way either unless thay are initiated in the art of of Tajweed (which includes Qirát, BTW.)
Should we have a Hafiz teach us the proper Tajweed (because each hafiz is first given instruction in that art before starting Hifz. The answer is Yes we should have such availability in each masjid, Islamic center of the city.

Hindi Blog Clarification

The title is Master Jhakki
Jhakki means somebody who is under the effects of drugs not completely inebriated.
In Hindi I am recalling my childhood times and my recollections of one of the teachers. he was a dear old man and I would not swear he really did indulge in any drugs, may be his demeanor was of such kind. He retired after teaching my class and when I saw him one day he carried a jug of water with him which makes me think he must have suffered from Diabetes. I think he liked me but when it came to punishment for making a mistake or being wrong in answer he did not spare me. His most favorite method (not liked by me) was that of holding the ear lobule in his fingers and squeezing it, sometimes with a small pebble in between. That was not pleasant I tell you.
I was little and could hide underneath a desk where he could not reach. I would put the slate in front of him he is standing right in front of me and from his facial expression I would make a good guess that my answer is incorrect so i will quietly slip under the desk. By the time he lifts his face he finds me absent and sometimes he would know where I am but would not pursue further and leave me alone thus I would escape that ear pain. Once he went back to his chair all is forgotten.
it amazes me how he pardoned me over and over so may times. He was just a sweet old man I guess

Jumáh Journal--Story of Two Wolves

Sometimes in the daily "mail" in your computer brings words of wisdom which may be profoundly moving. The story I am going to write below is one of those. First let me write it then will add some comments about it.
One evening an old Cherokee Indian told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son the battle is between two wolves inside us all."
"One is Evil---It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego.
The other is Good: It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."
Grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked the grandfather
"Which wolf wins?"
The old Cherokee simply replied, "the one you feed"
Indeed this is a simple and profound story. What I thought immediately was another book which is not a story book but its wisdom there is no doubt about and we read it daily yet do not get moved. Something to think about
Here are those words from Sura Shams (91st)
7. By the soul, and the proportion and order given to it:
8.And its enlightenment as to its wrong and its right;-
9.Truly he succeeds that purifies it
10 And he fails that corrupts it.
The original words of Arabic really have more profound meaning and effect than the attempt (By Allama Yusuf Ali) at the English rendering. I am not at all comparing the Old Cherokee's words of wisdom with the eternal words of the Almighty Creator for they are not comparable but merely pointing out what we lack in due understanding of the Qurán-el-Hakeem.

Punjabi words

Iss zaban main kuchh apni hi khoobian hain jo aur zabanon main kam hi milti hain
Masalan aaj meray zihin main yeh gana (folk song) aya

"Tairay bajray di raakkhi aRya main na behndi way" (I dont want to sit to watch (guard) your (field of) Bajra my darling.)
Note, the translation of the word "aRya" I have rendered ''darling'' because that is the intention here from the beloved (female) to the lover (male) who presumably is the "owner" of the field.
"aRya" is a brief of "bhaiRiya" which actually means "the bad one". This unusual expression is used only in Panjabi (may be some in other languages too but I am not aware of) where a"bad" is expressing not only good but also it contains the feelings of love and respect. Many women speak that word during their daily discussions amongst themselves mostly between close female friends. But when a girl speaks that word with a boy it infuses romanticism in its meanings also, as is apparant in the song verse I have quoted above. This is quite apart from the simple language of romance in some panjabi folk songs where a minimally impressive theme is used as a ground for expressing romantic feelings in some subtle and some not so subtle phrazes.
Men usually do not speak such words during their friendly discussions but of course they have a lot more frankly unparliamentry words (and yes Panjabi language is fertile for these) at their disposal to express their closeness of friendship.

Abortion Kills

Yes, the doctor too
This is so sad and then the shooter may call himself pro-life
Irony of everything I see.
If they are so much against the physician there are so many ways to complain against him to put him out of practice if you want, why kill? Ethically he may not be on the right in my opinion but he was human in addition to being a doctor and did not deserve this.
This is sheer insanity.
Addition I am writing today April 23rd, 2016
 Just seen on computor an Indian Movie called "GAURI"
 A very cleverly adapted concept played well by the actors
 Synopsis: A couple decides to abort the child because they were "unprepared and could not afford at that time" and later went on to have a girl who grew up to 10-11 years of age when they visited for a vacation older house where they had the abortion carried out.
 The "soul" of the "aborted child appears to them in the form of same age and appearance as their daughter and  produces "horror and fear " for them
 Tells them they should not have "killed her".

Jumáh Journal--Control your words

There is a story about a slave and his master.
Bring the best part of the body for me (Wanted to eat something from the sacrificed animal).
The slave brought him the tongue.
Next he asked bring the worst part of the body for me.
The slave brought the tongue again.
So he asked how come the same thing can be best as well as worst.
The slave explained:
"Sir, use of this part of the body judiciously and properly can elevate your position and use of the same in-appropriately can precipitate your fall."
This is what I remember what I read long time ago.
I will end this by quoting from Hazdrat Ali RA,( I know there is hadeeth of the prophet about guarding the tongue which I am not quoting here.). This is said in a different way:
"Words are under your control until you have spoken them,
but you come under their control once you have spoken them"

Sunday Surkhi--Punjabi Custom

I was 11 yr. old when I came from Saugor (a city)to Punjab in my village Kotla, where I spent 4 wonderful years of my childhood.
It is not just a change from city to village but also change of way of living different language, aab-o-hawa etc. I was confronted with a variety of cultural aspects to get accustomed to.

When older persons come to meet you they have a way of expressing their piyar and dua combined in one act
sir peh hath pherna.
I had not experienced that before but all my Massis (khalas-friends of my mother) would do that on my head as I would greet them.
So, whats the big deal?
Well not much but they all would do that from back of my head to the front with sufficient pressure to undo all what I had tried to accomplish looking good with the appropriate use of a fine comb.
I had to go back to mirror and comb.
But it is so innocent and deservedly appropriate way of greeting that I do it frequently now here on the young ones but with one difference---making sure their hairdo is not messed up

Jumáh Journal--Moon Split

There is an "Email" around about some pic. of moon showing "split" which it is not but less educated Muslims are going round calling it "proof of Muhammad SAWS and his miracle"
The miracle as I remember was that the prophet PBUH raised his finger to split it to show to those denied him and God and then brought the two pieces together which to me means the two pieces were joined again. The miracle would NOT be a miracle if there is scientific explanation.
Looking up sura Qamar let me quote first two verses:
""The hour (of judgement) is nigh and the moon is cleft asunder. But if they see a sign they turn away and say" This is but a transient magic"
Let just quote what Allama Yusuf Ali says in the introduction of this sura
" This is an invitation to listen to the message and TURN TO TRUTH and righteousness"
Of course some more knowledgeable persons have already commented upon this moonsplit being scientific observation and NOT a SPLIT.

Jumáh Journal-Media and their respect

We live in an age of multimedia world, written, spoken. you-tube and other electronic media. These are all around us whether we like it or not. There are however those who take the news wisely, sift it with their own reasoning etc. Those who accept it as they are without question are surely at fault. After all God has given us the reasoning power for some purpose, right?
"O ye who believe, if a wicked person comes to you with any news, ascertain the truth, lest ye harm people unwittingly and afterwards become full of repentance for what ye have done"
Sura Hujuraat 49th sura verse #6. (Need I give you today's world example?)
A related statement of Hazrat Ali RA (From "Living and dying with Grace")
"Understand information you hear with reasoning of responsibility, NOT THE REASONING OF THE REPORTER, for there are many reports of knowledge but few are responsible." (Capitalization is mine)
How very correct even today. Of course the verses of Qurán Majeed are universal and timeless.
And God warns us in S. Bani Israeel, 17th sura, verse 36
" And pursue not that of which thou hast no knowledge; for every act of hearing, or of seeing or of (feeling in) the heart, will be enquired into (on the day of Judgement)." feeling in the heart can also be said to be use of intellect or reasoning with your intelligence.
May He protect us from following the wrong path.

Thermometer

Deputy Nazir Ahmad was a remarkable maulvi and his writings are a classic. There was sometimes in his writings humorous tinge worth a laugh. In "Ruya-e-sadiqa", he writes
"Angraiz to bala kay moojid hain thermameter aik qism ki nali nikaali hay uss say hararat ka derja máloom hota hay jo chahay dekh lay. iss nali kay aagay nabz aur qarooray aur zaban dekhnay ki zroorat baqi na rahi. Iss nali ko pehlay baghal main rakhtay thay ab munh main rakhnay lagay hain - aainda dekhiyay kahan rakhna tajweez karain."
May be he did not know or was familiar with the rectal placement, I dont know. I have similarly enjoyed Qudratullah Shahab who writes such humor more commonly.

Sunday Surkhi- Mothers day

Happy mothers day to all
For me it is like: zara umr-e-rafta ko aawaz dena

Well folks this is the way I feel
"Zindagi sari kati tujh say juda honay kay bád
too juda ho jaiy-gi, ay maN kabhi socha na tha
Yad kerta huN muhabbat, piyar tera aaj bhi
Hay abhi saaya fagan mayray liyay teri dua"
I hate to translate this one .

JumáhJournal--God is everywhere

" Each time you look up in the sky
Or watch the fluffy clouds drift by
Or feel the sunshine warm and bright
Or watch the dark turn into light
Or hear the bluebird sweetly sing
Or see the winter turn to spring
Or stop to pick a daffodil
Or gather violets on some hill
Or touch a leaf or see a tree
IT'S ALL GOD WHISPERING, THIS IS ME."

( Helen Steiner Rice- not her whole poem)

Poets are special people who see what everybody does and then
Alfaaz ko khoobsurat laRiyoN maiN pro daytay haiN