:: Hikmah @ Ekhwan.Com :: » Tradition

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.

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

Devri Tazyeen by Jamea Farigheen of the Year 1422

Juzar Noorani — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 09:27:33 +0000

The year 1422, we all had the sharaf of hosting ziyafat of Aqa Maula (TUS) as the academic year came to an end. Years of studying together, living and enjoying the atmosphere of Jamea, now everyone would be on their own ways in life. The theme of our ziyafat was Qasr Mubarak of Aqa Maula TUS. personally speaking it was the first ziyafat me and my friends had ever hosted and in anticipation of more throughout our lives. Today after almost 10 years, the days are still unforgotten. The days of ziyafat, the way we sat in front of Maula TUS in the last shafahi with tears flowing down the cheeks, its all a boon and a blessing we all cherish, while looking forward at life, the days of Jamea and the place itself never seems to be forgotten and it does keep us pulling back together.

Musty, just sent in a few pictures of the tazyeen that our classmates, in khidmat of Jamea, have done to the deodi mubarak in celebration of the 100th Milad Mubarak of Aqa Maula TUS. The photos remind me of the ziyafat and our Qasr theme as they moist my eyes. Musty and all 1422 folks, thanks for remembering us in this endeavor and thumbs-up to you all in doing a wonderful job.

For Love of the Written Word

Juzar Noorani — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 20:33:39 +0000

The Sharjah Book Fair is one massive event “for the love of the written word”, just as the slogan expresses. Visit the event and you would be astonished to the amount of ink mankind has spread of tons of paper full of expression and thoughts.

Since the dawn of civilization man has always been obsessed of communicating his thoughts, the knowledge that he acquire through a long learning process of understanding, experimenting and experiencing. The hunger and thirst for knowledge is what differentiates us humans from all other species that dwell this planet and probably make us feel superior.

The revolutionary age of information has digitized these thoughts and turned the ink into bits and bytes nevertheless the urge for holding a book in ones hand and swallowing the vast knowledge implanted in ink never lessens. The scent of the books its lustful binding and bright pages with shinny ink is what attracts readers to love the hard copies. Mind well that ink is called “rosh’naee” in Urdu because it radiates the light of knowledge and enlightens the soul. Love of books has grown and deepened within my heart and I could hardly resist a wonderful title except when the dept of my pocket is shallower. The Sharjah Book Fair is a place where I find relaxation skimming through pages and titles over the bookshelves and in stalls, and at times the clock stops as I just swallow a finer piece of work rather then just window shopping. The love and passion is never ending.

Though I am a book lover and like spending on a good title but the purse is not quick to open up. Though we are growing in terms of knowledge, education and information which is readily available everyday our lives are becoming shorter and homes smaller, with no spare time nor enough space to store the thought provoking work of authors. Even today books are a luxury for those who could afford to maintain its high costs.

During my recent visit to the Sharjah Book Fair, a thought popped up my mind as I looked up on the large banners that declared “Love for the written word”. The thought of being fortunate to own some of the worlds lovely titles published and happy to have read through the minds of some of the worlds brilliant men time has known was the most prominent. While another thought did sneak in to declare that since the authorities of Sharjah and its leadership are braving such a huge and massive event why not arrange some sort of a pre-owned books fair as well. The reason this thought popped up was seeing the tons and tons of paper displayed at the fair. The rate at which we are producing paper and coping up with demand is growing at such a high pace that I dare to say we might be out of paper in a very near future.

A book fair where people could dispose their pre-owned collection, share, sell, exchange or even give away for recycling would be another such massive event of equivalent impact to the community and our culture as well as our environment. Maybe such a stand alone book fair would not be possible but a well organized section in the International Book Far event could make a huge difference.

To be very much frank and truthful I even do not have an idea of how such an event or a part-event could even be organized but such an initiative would surely be a step forward for the intellectual beings that we humans belong to.

Sharjah International Book Fair

Juzar Noorani — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 10:41:38 +0000

The SIBF is one event that I wait the entire year to happen. It is a place where one can feed his or her intellectual appetite with vast and diverse collection of titles both new and old. There is much to write about on an even as massive and full of words as this one. For now it would be just enough two write about the opening ceremony of this book fair by the Ruler of Sharjah himself. His Highness Sheikh Sultan al-Qasimi a person well learned and well versed with both contemporary knowledge as well as classical is a author of several books himself.

His Highness, the ruler is always present on this spectacular event each year and finds time for it from his busy schedule which indeed reflects his love for education and imparting of knowledge. Personally I have been very lucky and fortunate to be present during the opening and visit of the Ruler. Its his humble self that any person, be it a citizen or an expat, can extend his greetings to the scholarly personality as well as accompany him as he scrolls past the hundreds of stalls erected by the participants from all over the world. His Highness Dr. Shiekh Sultan al-Qasimi, signed the English copy of his book (Sard al-Zatt) as well as the new book (Hadeeth al-Zakirah).

It was an overwhelming occasion as he skimmed through the booths, surfing through the titles exhibited on each stalls.

Personally I find great pleasure even window shopping at such a beautiful place and time passes by in such a way hours just seem to be minutes and there is never enough time to inspect each section of personal interest even let alone adventuring into a new field of growing knowledge.

Being a fan of this yearly event in Sharjah, there are a few critical points at mind do need to be considered by the organisers. On this very first day there were no carry bags with the publishers at the booths provided by the organisers nor were there any invoice books, no trolleys and so on. Buying the books was hard on the first day though its better later on. But the situation is the same year after year on the first day.

Once again all the applaud to this event for the sake of the love of knowledge and books.

The positive student-teacher relationship

m.anjari — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 08:59:42 +0000

An important aspect dealt in contemporary era – is how interactive and positive is the relationship between a Teacher and a Student. Many cognitive theorists argue that learning is a social event, and that both teachers and students will pay the price if teachers neglect to form emotionally warm, supportive relationships with and among their students. (Foorming Positive Student-Teacher Relationships n.d.) According to the observations and surveys – a student spends his/her 5 to 7 hours in school/college around 9 to 10 months annually, and is affected by a group of teachers interacting with them daily. And more troubles outside of school that can easily distract mind of a student. As a result, they need more effective relationship with their teachers. These students feel that caring teachers “legitimize their personal concerns and also help them refocus energy on there goals (Speaking up: Student’s perspectives on school 1992).

This relationship when groomed – elevates the intellectual abilities of a student, and when neglected by a teacher – freezes the growth of capabilities and skills which resulting a waste of talent and carelessness of a teacher.

Where as a good and healthy relationship is defined through policies and principles of teaching and studying portrayed by Awlia-ullah Kiram S.A and Duat Kiram R.A in their ways of teaching and guidance. The Book Al-Alim wal-Gulam (The Master and The Disciple) is a master piece of projecting a way of learning, studying, educating and teaching with full application of the Ilm (knowledge) practically which needs to be full filled for conceiving the knowledge as a whole.

But there haven’t been any discussion about it done till now.

So this paper aims to take part in that discussion through a new aspect, that is in a Fatemi perspective in the light of kitab Al-Alim wal Gulam.

According to Pianta, positive student-teacher relationships are characterized by open communication, as well as emotional and academic support that exist between students and teachers (Pianta 1999). A positive relationship starts with a comforting reception from a teacher to a student from day one. The teacher needs to acknowledge the activities performed by students of any level and encourage them which then bond a positive relationship. The student needs to approach with full respect and honor for the teacher and consult in any queries occurring in academic activities and the communication between the student and the teacher serves as a connection between the two, which provides a better atmosphere for a classroom environment (www.csun.edu n.d.). The environment develops the growth of a student gradually in developing a personality, characteristics and manners. The student adapts the style of communication transmitted by the Teacher.

Ikhwan al Safa elaborates the pattern of the positive teacher-student relationship and communication that the teacher should use mercy, leniency, forgiveness, pity, compassion and kindness with the student, while student must also show respect for him (Iman Ahmed al Mastur n.d.).

Syedna Taher Saifuddin R.A and Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin T.U.S have strictly prohibited beating students on their mistakes, but to build a Father-Son like relationship that the student does not respond rebelliously. As we know that the knowledge cannot be forced upon, therefore the bondage between the teacher and student plays a vital role in educational development.

The emphasize has always been upon the communication and relationship between teacher and student socially, academically and personally.

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

The reflection of this can be seen in the book several times, especially when the Alim described the Gulam (Youthful) the way of spending money in sabil ul Allah, the Gulam immediately presented his total possession to the Alim, on the other hand Alim’s compassion can be easily understood by the addressing style of the Alim to Gulam. By ‘يابني’ which means my beloved child, and the limit of it can be assumed, that the Gulam called him ‘father’ (Alim wal Gulam n.d.).

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

May Allah bless Syedna Mohammad Burhanuddin with a healthy and prosperous life for many many long years to come. Ameen.

Bibliography

Alim wal Gulam.

Foorming Positive Student-Teacher Relationships. http//www.cedu.niu.edu/`shumow/itt/studentTchrrelationship.pdf.

Iman Ahmed al Mastur. Ikhwan al safa.

Phelan, Patrica, Ann Davidson, Hanh Locke, and Cao Thanh . “Speaking up:student’s perspectives on school.” Phi Delta Kappan 73.9, 1992: 695-704.

Pianta, Robert C. “Enhancing Relationships Between Children and Teachers.” American Psycological Assn, 1999.

“www.csun.edu.” http//www.csun.edu/~acc50786/education.html.

–

The Author is a Student of Al Jamea Tus Saifiyah, Karachi.

A Profession worth living

Juzar Noorani — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 14:36:25 +0000

At a very young age of about 15 years or so we had to write an essay about the best of all professions and which we in ourselves thought was an ideal one which made a real difference. I chose the teacher as the person who made the biggest difference in our lives, in shaping the individual, the society, culture and many other aspects of human life. The argument presented by a teenager was that if it were not for the teachers we would not have any doctors to save lives or engineers to shape our way of living. Everything depended on the teacher. There was also a quotation in the essay that “If you want to plan for 10 years plan trees but if you want to plan for a century educate women….or maybe it was children”. It does not matter as long as it was knowldge that was imparted.

It has been many years since then and recently I had to visit one of the very nice Schools in Sharjah where getting an admission is as difficult as a dream and reality. However, the principal of the School who is the owner himself and admired by many people for his devotion towards education, happened to be in touch with me for some reason. A School teacher asked me to accompany him to visit the Principal for the admission of his daughter. I willingly agreed and introduced him to the principal as a teacher. The principal exclaimed I have seen the papers written by your child. When asked what she would do with a million Dirhams, she has written that she would help her parents first and then others who are under privileged. The principal then exclaimed that “the children on teachers are the children of God”.

The school admitted the girl with priority and she was in one of the best schools with a low fee that the teacher could afford.

Teachers are not looser, they beget winners and champions. They are roots of our society. Yet in every part of the world they are the most under paid work force looking at the scope and importance of work. A few years back someone told me about a few teachers that they were a bunch of losers. I kept thinking why was that so. The reason was the person like him. He did not care for the person who cared for his child and nurtured him with knowledge. The teacher was not a loser rather the parent was.

Just because the teacher was under paid and sought other means to meets his ends does not make him so. Rather the parent was a loser who did not teach his child to respect his second parent just for a petty reason of not making enough money.

We are the losers when we pay low wages to teachers. The reason of the underpay is us, not being able to afford the high standard of the person who shapes are society and dump them into low grade work force category. It is we who are bent down by the weight of their generosity.

I have read in history several times that our culture has the highest stature for Gurus and the Kings and Emperors would bow to them in respect. Have we forgotten our culture and heritage.

A teacher is not a teacher, he is an actor who entertains, a farmer who sows and reaps, an engineer who builds character, a doctor who cures doubts and questions, a consultant who shows profitable ways of living and growing, an artist who draws and shapes the mind and thought, a couch and guide.

As I write this article I applaud all the teachers today on the 5th of October, being ‘The World Teachers Day“. A profession which is worth living, even for a day. My stand as a teenager seems fair enough even today. For the love and respect to all teachers in the world a single sentence would suffice, “You are not in the wrong profession, never were and never will be and the perspective of other people does not matter”.

Teachers Appreciation week is from May 2nd – May 6th, with teacher’s appreciation day being on Tuesday May 3rd, show your affection to your teachers and teach your children to do the same.

:: Hikmah @ Ekhwan.Com :: » Tradition

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

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