:: Hikmah @ Ekhwan.Com :: » Culture

The Ghosts Book

Juzar Noorani — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 14:24:37 +0000

Since the dawn of the human race, people have been fascinated by the term of “Ghost” or by the thought of any paranormal or super natural activity. Almost everyone, believers and non-believers alike seek more and more information that would quench their thirst of curiosity about the bewildered world.

From the presenter of the “Most Haunted” comes the book “Ghost Hunters” which captured my reading attention and the time spent with the book has been wonderful. The authors have dealt with the subject in a fairly balance way and have put in a lot of effort to pen their thoughts in words. At stages they simply call the “Ghost” as an act of the mind, or the sub consceince referring in their write-up to SickMan Fraud, that’s what I would personally call him, as these fellows are practically creating short circuits for the perfect human brain and making it go haywire, by explaining their sick theories. That said, the other side of the “Ghost Hunters” comes with some scientific explanations, explaining the apparitions as electrical impulses or the soul as being such, while on the other hand the authors have also tried to explain these unknown mystical happenings using the time theory and the existence of a parallel worlds and planes.

The authors have also taken pain to refer some deliberately fraud ghost stories as well to being about the balance needed in their work. Some unexplained and fascinating events have also been brought up from the files of investigators.

All in all, the book is a good read and have found it worth having. Though a portion of the book still remains incomplete in my read, I would surely return back to it. For me, the existence of paranormal beings and activities is a subject related to faith and therefore unquestioned, along with intensive studies into the subject, but the book’s neutral way of putting things up for inquisitive mind is very much appealing and sheds light on both sides of the coin, for a subject that has never been given it’s justified place in the real world of education, science and logical examinations.

The books is indeed THE guide to investigating the paranormal, and that too with some practical implications. And please do not judge it by its cover.

The Book Shelter

Juzar Noorani — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 06:17:12 +0000

The year 2011 has been quite dull in terms of writing good blog posts and now as the year 2012 rises bright and shiny, I just look forward to punching up some material on my blog. Thoughts come and fly by but when reduced to writing are saved for a lifetime.

A few days back I stumbled on a twitter account thebookshelter and found that two young ladies in the Emirates have literally started and orphanage for BOOKS!! There are so many good things you could do one might wonder and better buy a new one rather then hording old stuff and also spending on the maintenance of the so called Book Shelter. Apart from that, since the flow of eBooks have begun people have just begun to forget the touch, feel and scent of paper. These are the first few thoughts that same up my mind.

Being a book lover with so many sitting on my bookshelf, personally I would not even think of parting with my books with any one. I love them. Just looking at the shelves filled with them makes me feel my hunger for learning. I took a breath and emailed thebookshelter.ae that I would like to donate. They replied promptly and had the few books that were ready with me, picked-up.

I started surfing their website and found a book that I had been wanting to have a glimpse at since some time but had not dared buy it for the simple reason that time would not permit to go through it.

People who love the written word would not part for it even though the digital world grows faster and feel of paper, its wonderful smell that one breathes in being engrossed in the book opens the doors of imagination, creativity and knowledge. Homes are growing smaller, and the price that once pays per square feet nowadays its much larger for someone to actually fall in love with having a library at home but then I would not dare speak the same having more then 150 books lying on my bookshelf and having known people who have collected newspapers and weeklys over years. The lust and hunger for knowledge in these people cannot be explain in words, for the written word would fall short of it.

For those who would like to know more about the work done by the two Emarati ladies or even have a book for yourself visit http://thebookshelter.ae

Hoping to write more blog posts then the past in 2012.

From the heart it has sprung, and to the heart it shall penetrate.

Juzar Noorani — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 15:57:25 +0000

In the heart of Al Jamea tus Saifiyah, in Ewan al Barakat, the hearts of Abnaul Jamea were beating with a high-pitch rhythm and cadence. They were enthusiastically reciting the most recent, Eid al Fitr Qaseeda Mubarakah(1432H) of Dai al-Fatemi Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin TUS.

انت يا طيب العصر معتمدي * ادركــــــني مـــــولاي خذ بيدي

O’ Imam Tayyib al ‘Asr ^AS, thou art my succor and support; be my savior O’ my Moula, and hold my hand!

Not that this was the first time they were doing this in history! No, rather, it was being rendered in style and quite a different manner. The hexagonal setting and the central bir, along with other accoutrements, decoration and tazyeen simply accentuated the entire ambiance this morning.

This Qaseeda Mubarakah possesses a rare and a distinctive flavour of Fatemi literature that is equaled by few, if any. It is a repository of the wisdom and philosophy of Fatemi adab. Small wonder then, that the readers never cease to be overwhelmed by every bait of it. The brilliance of this Qaseeda will forever continue to surprise and inspire thousands of its readers. The emotions expressed therein so plainly are too large for words to describe. Throughout the Qaseeda there is a sparkling gleam of Moula’s TUS deep affection for Mumineen, Moula’s doctrine of kindness, muwasaat, charity and love for humanity and he requires but few words to express these emotions. It also exhibits a beautiful approach to life and its meaning.

The intense thoughts and style and the compassionate outpouring make us feel we are in his proximity, rather, it is as if we are in his very heart. This is best explained by these abyaat (Verses):

و اجمعن بلطفك يا جامع الشـ * مل ما قد تناثر من بدد

و امـــلأن بيــوت المحبين مــن * طـارف نافع هــــكذا تلد

و مواليــــك اغنيتهم حاكمـــا * انمــــــا الكنز والله للولد

These profound emotions in poetry are of particular timeliness in contemplation of the difficulties the world is facing today, and much can be gleaned therefrom for human welfare and upliftment and in the understanding of life and its beauty. The Qaseeda has a specific recognizable message to convey, and the simplicity of the style brings the message to the inner consciousness of the reader quickly, clearly and effortlessly. From the heart it has sprung, and to the heart it shall penetrate.

May Allah grant our Aqa Moula TUS a long and healthy life and endow his Mansoos, Aali Qadr Moulaya Mufaddal Saifuddin a long life. Ameen

by Shk Mustafa bhai Zakir
(Ustad al-Jamea tus Saifiyah)
Saturday, 18th Zil Qad 1432H

Al IMTIHAAN AL SANAWI IN MUMBAI 1432H/2011A.D.

Juzar Noorani — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 06:17:16 +0000

The year 1432 H / 2011 A.D. is characterized by most remarkable epoch-making events of Fatemi, as well as world history.

It is the spectacular year of the twin celebrations, it is a hallmark of Melad Meawi and Masarrat al nas al mubarak.

Mumbai has been the epicenter for almost all of the celebrations and events of this year beginning from Ashara Mubarakah.

Currently it is the venue and miqaat for Imtihaan al Sanawi of Al Jamea tus Saifiyah.

This year we will be attaining another huge nemat and rehmat of Allah Subhanahu, the special barakaat of gathering ruhaani imtinaan of Our Maula TUS and His Mansus Aqeequl Yemen, Syedi wa maulaya Mufaddal Bhai Saheb Saifuddin TUS, who is also Amirul Jamea, may Allah grant both our Maula a long life of perpetual futuhaat and imamiyah shanaat.

In Al jamea tus Saifiyah, al imtihaan is synonymous to al imtinaan, as it is absolutely a hallmark of blessings and munificence of Duat Mutlaqeen AQ, especially of the 52nd Dai al Fatemi Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin TUS who has epitomized al imtihan as the prestigeous miqaat for expressing devotedly our muhabbat, tafaadi and khidmat, because these are the quintessential of ilm e Ala Mohammed AS.

Amirul muqddas Amirul Jamea, Syedi Yusufbhai saheb Najmuddin AQ once said;

للعبد اْية رقه ان يفدي الـ * مولى وحجة علمه ان يخدما

Al Imthaan allures thousands of mumineen every year to this institute. Its spirit forms the soul of Jamea. It draws a pattern for the academic and vocational activities and sets the bearings and dimensions for the teaching process and education which is adapted throughout the academic year. Imtihan is an experience where the gathering of mumineen imbibes and avail the values and deep philosophy and understanding of Islam and Fatemi tradition.

Maulana Taher Saifuddin AQ says:

وتفتح ابواب العلوم لهم اذا * بدت لهم في الامتحان المسائل

Imtihan is the embodiment of quality, and focuses in bringing out the best of the best from Anbnaul Jamea, in terms of learning, character building, and well accomplished personality.

وقد تولينا امر الامتحان على احسن الشاكلة

The best of the characteristics and systems by which jamea imtihaan is conducted is the qudsaani presence of Dai Fatemi in the imtihan which is an experience observed only in Jamea.

Therefore, it is certainly a surreal experience. Imtihan is a process in this hallowed and renowned Fatemi institute, in which everyone is sharing a common goal, that is, to demonstrate each ones ability to secure and attain the ridaa ( khushi) and pleasure of our spiritual and shafeeq Bawasaheb Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin TUS.

Abnaul jamea are beseeching the waseela of Awliyaullah and pray,

“May Allah endow our Maula Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin TUS a long long life enthroned on the arsh of sehat kameelah and aafiyaat daaemah for the continuation of this Imtihaan and for showering upon mumineen the Imtinaanat qudsaaniyah”.

On the opening ceremony of Jamea in Karachi, Aqa Maula TUS said quite presagingly about the paradigm and ideals of Al Jamea tus Saifiyah.

لافتح ابواب المعارف كلها * لمن كان دون القشر يرجو المعانيا

This inauguration of Jamea, is the opening of gates of all knowledge and absolute wisdom, for all those who desire the essence, rather than the kernel.

mfzakir

Noah’s Ark

Juzar Noorani — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 12:17:43 +0000

Everything I need to know, I learned from Noah’s Ark.

ONE: Don’t miss the boat.

TWO: Remember that we are all in the same boat.

THREE: Plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the Ark.

FOUR: Stay fit. When you’re 60 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.

FIVE: Don’t listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.

SIX: Build your future on high ground.

SEVEN: For safety’s sake, travel in pairs.

EIGHT: Speed isn’t always an advantage… The snails were on board with the cheetahs.

NINE: When you’re stressed, float awhile.

TEN: Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.

ELEVEN: No matter the storm, when you are with God, there’s always a rainbow waiting.

111 Lessons Life Taught Us

Juzar Noorani — Wed, 25 May 2011 07:54:56 +0000

Sometimes thinking about your life and sorting out what you have learned is just as important as tackling a new venture.

Reflect on your past, dig deep within yourself and answer one simple question:

What has life taught you?

Think about all the things you would love to tell yourself if you could travel back in time to give your younger self some advice about life.

Here’s a sample of 111 life lessons that were recently submitted to the site:

Spend more time with those who make you smile and less time with those who you feel pressured to impress.
Never tell someone their dreams are impossible. You’ll feel like a fool when they prove you wrong.
No matter how many mistakes you make or how slow you progress, you are still way ahead of everyone who isn’t trying.
Pursuing happiness by acquiring material things (fancy cars, expensive jewelry, designer clothing) is like jogging to the grocery store on your treadmill: it won’t get you anywhere.
Laugh at stupid jokes. Apologize. Tell someone how much they mean to you. It’s the small moments that make life grand.
At 79, I regret the things I didn’t do far more than the things I did.
Life is way more enjoyable when you stop trying to be cool and simply focus on being yourself.
Start by asking yourself whether each of your relationships drags you down or lifts you up. Surrounding yourself with positive, loving people is half the battle of living a happy, successful life.
When the ‘want’ gets stronger, the ‘how’ gets easier.
Too often we judge people on too little information. Instead of judging someone for what they do or where they are in their life, figure out why they do what they do and how they got to where they are.
If you want to feel rich, just count all the great things you have that money can’t buy.
I have taken noticed that the deeper I know about myself, the clearer I understand others.
You can’t change who you are. You can only change what you know and how you apply this knowledge.
I don’t need a certain number of friends, just a number of friends I can be certain of.
People who are meant to be together will find their way back to each other. They may take detours, but they’re never lost.
The older I get, and the more I learn, the more I realize I know so little. At 72, life still teaches me new lessons every day.
You can press forward long after you can’t. It’s just a matter of wanting it bad enough.
Complaining is like slapping yourself for slapping yourself. It doesn’t solve the problem, it just hurts you more.
Embrace change. As uncomfortable as it is sometimes, change allows us to stretch and grow. New things feel awkward and scary at first, but those feelings go away, and you are left with something bigger and bolder in your life.
Nobody ever feels 100% ready when an opportunity arises. Because most great opportunities in life force us to grow emotionally and intellectually. They force us to stretch ourselves and our comfort zones, which means we won’t feel totally comfortable at first. And when we don’t feel comfortable, we don’t feel ready.
No matter how bad your heart has been broken the world doesn’t stop for your grief. The sun comes right back up the next day.
Supporting, guiding, and making contributions to other people is one of life’s greatest rewards. In order to get, you have to give.
Learn to adjust the sails of your life to unpredictable winds, while keeping your focus clear on your destination. And keep sailing until you get there.
As you strive to achieve your goals and dreams you can count on there being some fairly substantial disappointments along the way. Don’t get discouraged, the road to your dreams may not be an easy one. Think of these disappointments as challenges – tests of persistence and courage – that life throws at you during your journey. They are necessary and are meant to help you grow as a person.
Spend less than you earn, go without until you have the money in hand.
Freedom is the greatest gift. Self-sufficiency is the greatest freedom.
Even when you feel like you have nothing, someone else likely has far less. Find them and help them. You’ll see why.
Marriages evolve and change. The feelings you had for the man or woman you married will mutate and evolve several times over the life of a marriage. Hopefully you will evolve in the same direction or at least embrace and accept the changes in the other person. It takes work, and sometimes it takes counseling. Don’t gloss over those changes or you may wake up next to a stranger one day.
Negativity breeds more negativity. When you focus only on the negative, obviously that’s all you will see. You will not seek out positivity, and even when positivity comes into your life, you’ll look for the negative side of things.
If you want something in your life you’ve never had, you’ll have to do something you’ve never done.
As a child, I always thought the expression “it’s better to give than to receive” was trite and silly. As an adult, I recognize the expression’s value. Having the capacity to give means you possess a mindset of abundance. Having the will to give means you want to make a difference in the world. Having the desire to give means you care.
It’s not so much what you say that counts, it’ how you make people feel.
Figure out what you want. Set real goals and make a logical plan to achieve them. It’s like the old saying, “A goal that is never written down is nothing more than a New Year’s resolution.” And we all know what happens to New Year’s resolutions.
Being open-minded is the key to more knowledge. If you want to know more about the world you have to keep an open mind. You have to give people and things a chance.
If you want love, give love. If you want friends, be friendly. If you want money, provide value. It really is this simple.
If something won’t be significant to you 3 days/3 months/3 years from now, don’t waste all your time worrying about it now.
Manage aging, but why fight it? You can spend a fortune on face creams, plastic surgery, hair growth formulas, and Botox, but eventually you realize you are fighting an uphill battle. Groom yourself nicely. Stay fit. Have unsightly things removed. But accept the beauty of aging. A striking mature man or woman is much more attractive than someone who looks overly taunt, tanned or top-heavy.
Never regret. If it’s good, it’s wonderful. If it’s bad, it’s experience.
Being busy and being productive are two different things.
Life is unbelievably brief. When you’re young, you might feel like there’s a huge mass of time ahead of you. But trust me, it passes much faster than you think. You get gray hairs before you feel like a real adult. And then you have kids, and suddenly they’re leaving for college. Stop long enough to appreciate it all.
Mistakes teach you important lessons. Every time you make one, you’re one step closer to your goal. The only mistake that can truly hurt you is choosing to do nothing simply because you’re too scared to make a mistake.
Your health is your life, keep up with it. Get an annual physical check-up.
Change is the only permanent thing in life.
Having a thousand credentials on the wall will not make you a decent human being. But genuinely helping one person everyday will.
You must create and look for opportunities. Opportunities rarely ever come knocking on the door of someone who’s not seeking them. You have to create and seek opportunities for yourself. You have to take the initiative to get the ball rolling and the doors opening.
Keep your brain active. Don’t get into a mental rut. Do new things, learn new things, explore new ideas in all areas of your life. Keep challenging yourself and your mind. Be curious and interested in the world around you.
Someone always has it worse. At times you may be having a bad day, but stop yourself and think about it; there are plenty of other people who have it worse off than you do.
In work and business, when they need you more than you need them, you have succeeded.
Trying to be somebody you’re not is not sexy. Be you. That’s when you’re beautiful.
Truly ‘rich’ people need ‘less’ to be happy.
Your ability to select a suitable spouse will greatly influence your financial and emotional well-being. Three common sense guidelines: 1. Pick someone who’s a joy to be around and who makes you happy. 2. Know the person well. 3. Ensure compatibility beyond physical attraction because beauty and youth are fleeting, while the mind and heart endure.
No matter how much progress you make there will always be the people who insist that whatever you’re trying to do is impossible. Or they may incessantly suggest that the idea or dream as a whole is utterly ridiculous because nobody really cares. When you come across these people, don’t try to reason with them. Instead, forget that they exist. They will only waste your time and energy.
We are all weird. And life is weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we call it love.
Saying “no” to right people gives you the time and resources required to say “yes” to right opportunities.
Living a life of honesty creates peace of mind, and peace of mind is priceless. Period. Don’t be dishonest and don’t put up with people who are.
If you catch yourself working hard and loving every minute of it, don’t stop. You’re on to something big. Because hard work ain’t hard when you concentrate on your passions.
Bulls**t might help you get you to the top, but it won’t keep you there. The truth always rises to the top and buries the bulls**t eventually.
After 40 years of teaching at a local college I’ve come to realize that a teacher is nothing but a clever student.
Sooner or later, you just want to be around the people who make you smile.
Forgiving yourself is far more important (and difficult) than getting others to forgive you.
Simplicity is often a major factor of success. But the process of simplifying things is rarely easy.
There are few joys in life that equal a good conversation, a good read, a good walk, a good hug, a good smile, or a good friend.
Laughter is the best medicine for stress. Laugh at yourself often. Find the humor in whatever situation you’re in.
Everything that happens in life is neither good nor bad. It just depends on your perspective.
When you spend time worrying, you’re simply using your imagination to create things you don’t want.
Maturity is more about education and life experience than it is about age. I know plenty of mature 30-somethings and immature 50-somethings.
When passion and skill work together, we’re often left with a masterpiece.
You’re not alone. Everyone has problems. Some people are just better at hiding them than others.
True friendship and true love do sustain the tests of distance and time.
It’s the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary. I believe this to be true and have experienced this with my own family. When I think of the times where we laughed the most or had the most fun – it was when we were doing simple, everyday things like swimming in a pool, combing a beach for shells, playing a board game or sharing a delicious meal.
Get up 30 minutes earlier so you don’t have to rush around like a mad man. That 30 minutes will help you avoid speeding tickets, tardiness, and other unnecessary headaches. (Read Getting Things Done.)
It is okay to be angry. It is never okay to be cruel.
Arguments are natural. An argument between two close friends doesn’t show a lack of love or respect, it’s simply a disagreement. In fact, quite often, the only reason we get frustrated with people and argue with them is because we care about them. Which is why we need to remember not to get too carried away.
Money and stuff are not all that important. Yes, you want enough to be comfortable and do the things you want to do. But accumulating for the sake of accumulating is boring and empty. Trust me, it gets old fast. So feed your soul, not your ego.
Hang out with younger people. Stay connected with what the generation behind you is doing and thinking. Establish friendships with them. You will benefit and learn from each other. Don’t act superior, because younger people may know a whole lot more than you do.
There is nothing to hold you back except yourself. There is only one question to ask yourself here: “What would you do if you were not afraid?” Think about it.
No matter how it turns out, it always ends up just the way it should be. Either you succeed or you learn something. Win-Win.
Either you’re going to take action and seize new opportunities or someone else will. You can’t change anything or make any sort of progress by sitting back and thinking about it.
Your years spent at school, reading and learning will seem short compared to a lifetime of minimum wage jobs. Get a good education, concentrate on areas that interest you and pursue your dreams.
Keep six months of your salary in an emergency savings account just in case you lose your job or have an emergency that prevents you from working for a prolonged period of time. And keep a few extra hundred dollars on hand for unexpected expenses, such as car and home repair.
A hero is someone who makes a positive difference in someone else’s life – even if it’s only one other person’s life.
You’re never too old to follow your dreams, whatever they may be. I didn’t start my first business until I was 46 (something I always wanted to do). Now at 53, my business is more successful than I ever could have dreamed.
Let your kids fail. Your kids will be okay, even if you think they are headed for the juvenile hall right now. Don’t come to their rescue all the time. Don’t manage every detail of their lives or over-schedule them with karate or viola lessons. Give them some boundaries, and then relax.
Be vulnerable. Allow yourself to feel, to be open and authentic. Tear down any emotional brick walls you have built around yourself and feel every exquisite emotion, both good and bad. This is real life. This is how you welcome new opportunities.
There’s no such thing as ‘risk free.’ Everything you do or don’t do in life has an inherent risk.
Take a step back to gain some perspective. Usually when we’re worried or upset, it’s because we’ve lost perspective. In the grand scheme of things, this one problem means almost nothing.
Every mistake you make is progress. Mistakes teach you important lessons. Every time you make one, you’re one step closer to your goal. The only mistake that can truly hurt you is choosing to do nothing simply because you’re too scared to make a mistake.
The greatest “adventure” is the ability to INQUIRE, TO ASK QUESTIONS. Sometimes in the process of inquiry, the search is more significant than the answers. Answers come from other people, from the universe of knowledge and history, and from the intuition and deep wisdom inside yourself.
If it were easy everyone would do it. This is why get rich quick schemes will never be true. If it was so quick and easy then everyone would be millionaires. Making money and accomplishing tasks is hard work, but well worth it.
If you awake every morning with the thought that something wonderful will happen in your life today, and you pay close attention, you’ll often find that you’re right.
If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting.
Count your blessings every day. I know, this is a refrigerator magnet line, but practice it daily anyway. There is so much good, so much beauty, so much love in your life. What more do you really need? You have so much right now, you just need to pause long enough to appreciate it.
It’s not about getting a chance, it’s about taking a chance. You’ll rarely be 100% sure it will work. But you can always be 100% sure doing nothing won’t work. Sometimes you just have to go for it!
The one with nothing to hide is always the one left standing tall.
There is only one way to learn, and that is through action. Trying to learn without doing is like trying to lose weight by watching someone else exercise. It’s just not going to work.
Change happens for a reason. Roll with it. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it.
Experience life before you settle down. Whatever it is you want to do or experience, do as much of it as you can before you have children. Especially travel. Live in a hostel in Costa Rica for a month or drive across the country from coast to coast if you have to. But go have some really great, amazing, mind-blowing experiences.
Life gives and takes away. During difficult times, be committed to resolving problems, but also lighten up and ride the waves of impermanence. What is a monster problem today will be a forgotten thought in the future.
When two people cooperate instead of competing against each other their teamwork accomplishes far more than either of them could have achieved on their own.
Between what happened and what will happen is your choice. So choose to be positive in everyday tasks.
The best feeling in the world is getting paid to do what you love to do.
Good looks attracts the eyes. Personality attracts the heart.
If you’re smiling right now, you’re doing something right.
If you live your life consumed by the past, you waste the great moments you still have left to live.
Treat every small interaction with another person as an opportunity to make a positive impact in both your lives.
There’s a big difference between knowing and doing. Knowledge is useless without action.
Time is of the essence. You are born and you will die. Don’t waste the time in between. Use a time management system to control events, rather than have events controlling you.
The French have an aphorism that you don’t appreciate something until you don’t have it anymore. In 40 years from now what is it that you will regret not having accomplished, appreciated or attempted? Do it, appreciate it, attempt it NOW!
If it’s out of your control, why fret about it? Concentrating on things you can control is how you make good things happen.
Never send a text message, email or photo to someone that’s unfit for the eyes of the entire world. In this digital age you never know what might slip into the public eye.
The acquisition of knowledge doesn’t mean you’re growing. Growing happens when what you know changes how you live.

Jamea Saifiyah in Nairobi

Juzar Noorani — Wed, 04 May 2011 15:31:07 +0000

East Africa which has been known as the cradle of civilization according to many theories of the beginning of life has had the barakaat of Matam of Imam Husain AS several times during Ashara and as Huzurala TUS has stated in his waaz several times that the summary and the khulasa of the Ilm of Ale Mohammed is the Matam and Buka on Imam Husain AS. Therefore the seeds of barakaat sown by the 51st Fatemi Dai, Syedna Taher Saifuddin RA, the first Dai to visit East Africa accompanied by his successor who after several years will lay the foundation stone of Jamea Saifiyah, the fountain head of Ilme Ale Mohammed, in the Jazira Yemeniyah which encompasses today’s East Africa within its fold.

Mansur al-Yemen, as he was titled by his revered father Syedna Tahir Saifuddin, Aqa Maula TUS has brought to life the legacy of Aimmat Tahireen and Duat Kiram on the auspicious occasion of his Milad al-Meavi (100th Birthday), as al-Jamea-Tus-Saifiyah embarks on the journey of ilm and hikmat under the benevolent shade of his generous nazaraat in Nairobi, East Africa. The first day that brings the Fatemi legacy to life in Nairobi Jamea was the day of Shahadat of Maulatena Fatema AS, the year 1432 H. The first day of Jamea in Nairobi was marked on the auspicious occasion, be it the year, the month and the day.

The 100th Milad of Huzurala TUS

Juzar Noorani — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 01:47:40 +0000

The air was filled with joy as the days of the 100th Milad Mubaral approached nearer and the heart pounded with joy while we heard that the Milad was to be held in Mumbai. Mumbai, a place where a place to stay was a big question for a family planning to attend the grand celebrations. Fortunately for us a family friend was most generous with his home.

The celebrations started with Qasre Aali Nikah Majlis and the next day was the Milad night, then the waaz on Milad day.

It was such a wonderful occasion and pleasure to be part of the Mawkib al-Burhani. A truely very historic procession on the Marine Drive. We could see the queen’s necklace lit up with the Saify Hospital sparking like a Jewel.

As the days past by in preparation of the Mawkib by Mumineen children, the night when the procession was held arrived. The barakaat received by me personally being on the stage where Maula TUS was jalwanuma was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Mohammed on his 8th waras had the sharaf to walk in the Mawkib dressed as a Date. A blessing cherished by all of us for years to come.

Nine days after returning from Mumbai, I got a call from ATTALIM that I was Summoned in Hazrat Aliyah on Yaume Shahadat of Maulatena Fatema AS. The day that lifted soul, my conscious and changed lots in our lives was just five days from my waras as the hijri calender and ten days before my birthday. Everything was just perfect and fit in its place. It was the Qasr Mubarak of Huzurala TUS and the Barakat of Syedna Noor Mohammed Nooruddin RA was just in place. That Wednesday would always be remembered an cherished throughout my life and so will it for my classmates as well. Shz Aliqadr Syedi Mufaddal Bs Saifuddin DM gave each one of us the Bushra about the sharaf that Huzurala TUS had bestowed on us on the auspicious occasion of the Milad al-Meavi.

May Allah Subhanahu bless our beloved Maula Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin TUS with a long life in Sehat and Afiyat. Ameen

Kitab al-Alim wal Gulam & Modern Pedagogy

m.anjari — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 19:46:47 +0000

Introduction: Allah almighty states in Quran: “Allah brought you forth from your mother’s wombs knowing nothing, and gave you hearing and sight and hearts, might u do shukr”.

Allah has bestowed men with Aql to acquire al Ilm. But he is not able to do that without a teacher or guide who helps him learning. For that Allah has sent his rusul as he states: “We have sent to you a messenger from among you, who recite upon you Our a’ya’t and (give taharat to you , and teaches you the book (Quran) and hikmah, and teaches you which you don’t know”. And he teach him with wahy , and his wasi said that “the al Ilm that Adam A.S was come with is in Mohammad S.A and his Progeny” This kalam of him enlightens that al Ilm came with Adam A.S . Allah has sent them for the purpose of education, and education is life long process, it should have a proper system, by which a student standard raise level by level.

The kitab Alim wal Ghulam is a replica of the above system.

Education is given equally due importance by the people of the world regardless of their faith and believes there has been developed a number of philosophies and pedagogies over the centuries. This thesis aims to emphasize the literary master piece Alim wal Ghulam as a complete pedagogy when confronts to the above systems.Along with this Kitab al A’alim al Gulam owes it own Sunnah Salehsa.

The following are some different concepts and philosophies about education:

Idealism[1] comes from the great Greek philosophers like Socrates and Plato, according to this school ideas are the ultimate reality, there for the aim of education is to seek knowledge rather than creating it. Search for truth and character development of the learners are the main goals of it, Where as the teacher is to serve as a guide. Socrates use “Dialectical Method” a process where ideas are put into battle against each other, with the most significant idea winning the battle to sharpen and purify men’s thoughts. Plato followed the path of his teacher Socrates and defined ideas as the only knowledge of “Archetypes”[2] or the “forms” that leads to the virtue since these include ideas such as beauty, justice or goodness which are true realities. Idealist education involves depth of learning, a holistic approach that involves teaching the whole rather than its parts.

Realism: According to the Realists school reality “exists independent of the human mind”[3]. The definitive reality is the world of physical objects. The focal point is the objects where truth is objective-“what can be observed”³and it is independent of ideas. The aim of education to enable the learners to explore the world through inquiry hence scientific method is supported as the way to enlighten. Aristotle emphasized on understanding the ultimate and unchanged form before the object itself. For example, a rose exists whether or not a person is aware of it. A rose can exist in the mind without being physically present, but ultimately, the rose shares properties with all other roses and flowers, although one rose may be red and another peach coloured³.

Existentialism is the philosophy that places emphasis on individual existence, freedom, and choice. Existentialism stresses the individuality of existence, and the problems that arise with said existence. Because there is so much diversity in the philosophy of existentialism, a concrete definition is hard to put down. Certain themes are common to almost all existential writing, which helps mark the writing as such. The term itself suggests one major theme, the stress on concrete, individual existence, and on subjectivity, individual freedom and choice[4].

Pragmatism or progressivism: John Dewy is the proponent of Pragmatism or progressivism; he seeks inquiry and experiencing as the key to learning. According to Dewy experience is a mean to an end as well as an end in itself[5]. Human experience is the key element to learning, which aims to seek understanding, coordinating environment into whole, teaching through inquiry and promoting personal growth and democracy.

kitab al A’alim al Gulam: Syedna Taher Saifuddin R.A deliberates in this speech: “Abu Qasim R.A, the one sent to Yemen for of zuhur organized the system of spreading al Ilm there, and mentioned some principles of it in the kitab al A’alim al Gulam.”[6]

The Book al-Alim wal-Gulam (The Master and The Disciple) shows a practical aspect of the theoretical aspect of teacher-student educational relationship and communication. Enlightened by this perspective, the teachers and student can follow the fatemi principles of educational communication. As this starts with the question of how should an Alim be thanked that he must be obeyed.

The reflection of this can severally seemed in the book, especially when the A’alim described Gulam the way of spending money in sabil ul Allah, the Gulam immediately present this total possession in front of the A’alim on the other hand A’alim’s compassion can be easily understood by the addressing style of the Alim to Gulam. ‘يابني’ which means my beloved child, and the limit of it can be assumed, that the Gulam called him ‘father’.

This divine method of teaching and seeking Al Ilm (knowledge) helps a learner to apply much of he/she has been taught as it becomes habitual to him/her, this theory is also known as simple non-associative learning.

So the aim of this methodology in Fatemi literature is to lead the learner toward the achievement of highest peak of al Ilm and it is impossible unless through proper channel as Allah almighty has created them, from level to level until he reaches his final destiny of being with the ‘insan e mutlaq’[7].

To conclude- the code of success in educational development is not the “text book” but is the relationship and communication between student and teacher. Hudaat Kiram S.A have set us such criteria which develops the holistic personality of a student not academically but socially and personally and religiously.

May Allah bless Syedna Mohammad Burhanuddin a long and healthy life, till the Day of Judgment. Ameen

References:

1. al Quran al Karim

2. Kitab ul A’alim wal Gulam

3. al Khotobat al Munirah

4. Doll, C. R. (1986). Curriculum development (5^th ed.). Sydney: Prentice Hall

5. The Republic. (2002). Retrieved from http://www.idph.net/conteudos/ebooks/republic.pdf

6. Cohen, L. M. N. School of thought. Retrieved from http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/ed416/PP2.html

7. Metallica. (1997). My little corner of existentialism. Retrieved from http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/ed416/PP2.html

8. Dewey, J. (1938/1997). Experience and education. Macmillan

Footnotes:

[1] Doll, C. R. (1986). Curriculum development (5^th ed.). Sydney: Prentice Hall

[2] The Republic. (2002). Retrieved from http://www.idph.net/conteudos/ebooks/republic.pdf

[3] Cohen, L. M. N. School of thought. Retrieved from http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/ed416/PP2.html

[4] Metallica. (1997). My little corner of existentialism. Retrieved from http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/ed416/PP2.html

[5] Dewey, J. (1938/1997). Experience and education. Macmillan.

[6] Al Khotobat al Munirah, 1380, al Jamea tus Saifiyah

[7] The term has been driven from Ikhwan-us- Safa reflected as a complete human being which according to Fatemi perspective is Imam-uz- Zaman

Taharat – Cleansing and Purity

Juzar Noorani — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 21:06:52 +0000

A child born from the womb of its mother is pure and fresh as a blank wrinkle free paper. Scripts in various forms are written on the paper, ranging from art and beautiful sketches to scars that are not worth remembering. These scars may also be in the form of sins and guilt that one may carry throughout the life.

Just as the human body needs cleansing from dust and dirt to keep itself healthy so does its soul and spirit, the blank paper which gets spills of ink on it in the form of sins. It needs to purify itself from vague and faulty thoughts and feelings. The pain of sinful behavior and practices.

The only thing that can purify such unseen filth is to know its own self. For he who knows the self knows his lord, said Rasulallah SA. This is the mot difficult part in the life of any normal human being. Most of the time humans are totally unaware of their own needs, wants, desires and fears.

Syednal Qadi al-Noman, the Chief Justice of the Fatimi Empire during the Imammat of Maulana Imam Moiz (AS) in Qahera, has written a book titled “Kitab al-Taharat”, the Book of purity.

Syednal Qadil Noman (RA) a person whose purity of heart was a mention of the Imam and his faith in the Aimmat Tahereen AS most profound in nature writes a book titled “Taharat” and in its preface describes his intention in writing the book, where he states that after knowing the lord and his apostles and Awliyat the most important of all that should be learned and practiced is “Salaat”, Namaaz. One might wonder that the kitaab is titled “Taharat” and the preface points to “Salaat” and he continues to write the virtues of it and declaring that since the most important thing to start with is Salaat and the keyto it is taharat it should be elaborated further.

The kitaab has the two major pillars of Islam described and elaborated in it by the pen of one of the most proficient writer, author and judge in the Fatemi empire during his time. Both the pillars of Islam are the start point of faith and religion itself. To attain the purity of soul and spirit one must go closer to the lord and that is in sujud. Each farizat prayer is a kaffarat to sins prior to it and therefore before getting any closer to the lord, Allah, one must cleanse himself of all dirt. The body does need cleaning but the various practices and arkan of wuzu, gusl and etiquette of the toilet ensure the purification of the mind and thought as well.

The two daaim explained in detail and its arkan and practice are indeed “Taharat” for the mind, body and soul.

Huzurala TUS has with karam and ehsan granted raza to all Mumineen all over the world to learn from this kitaab and embrace it with purity of heart and intention, putting it to practice. May Allah bless him a long life for many more centuries to come. Ameen

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