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It was almost 3 hours before the Pehli Raat that I got the Taqleed Mubarak and it was very far off. RAIGARH in Chhattisgarh is 2 hours by train from Bilaspur. The nearest International Airport is Nagpur. Immediately after booking the ticket which had a 60+ waiting list I lost hope for a confirm ticket but I had to make it and travel was of 26 hours from Mumbai. I did manage to get through to RAC and the journey was quite easy. 15 families and a total of 72 Mumineen including children it was a very small place in terms of a moze but I had to do what I had to. A lot of things did need a close look and I think it must have been my fate to be there to resolve certain issues and matters.
Looking back at the last day of my visit I feel satisfied of the number of things that were accomplished in such a sort trip. Issues of Madrasa, afternoon niyaz which will be done by a family for now on for 3 years, Iftar during Shehrullah will be done by a Mumin for 3 years. I feel satisfied if all goes well. The rest is all just not to be remembered.
The sharaf of praying on the takht of Daiz Zaman on the day of Ashura by his raza is so enormous that one cannot account for it, may Allah fullfil our wishes to serve His Dai and grant him a long life. Ameen

Huzurala (TUS) did fasl that Ashara Mubarakah of 1429 will be held in Colombo for the second consecutive year. Truely when HJ told me about the fasl I said "You must be joking", She said that it was done. Well my heart had started pounding as I had to go for khidmat husainiyah, but wished would be there, knee bent before Maula (TUS). There are times when we are much further away yet closer.

Amibikapur in Chhattisgarh state of India. I had never heard of this place before in my life. I had a booking of Ahmedabad but then it was more then a 24 hour train ride to Ambikapur. I was told it was somewhere near Nagpur and thus my contact came in handy. Abbas bhai started working on his part to help me find the routes while I managed to re-route my flight directly to Nagpur, a day earlier then I was to travel. Within a few hour my itinerary was finalized and I was at my moze even before 48 hours of getting the farman. The coolest thing was that I had known the exact routes, complete bookings and also had the contact numbers at hand. I had called up Ambikapur and informed them of my arrival time a day after.

Sometimes we just don't know how things happen but they do. In a rush I packed whatever I had my hands on, as I was to fly in a few hours, a route I had never traveled. As I journeyed towards India my mind and soul flocked to Colombo and I knew I would miss it.

At the moze there were around 58 peole in all including Mumineen who came from the nearby towns Vishrampur and Surajpur. Ambikapur was a town surrounded by forests and was quite peaceful.

As for the daily routine waaz, two times of niyaaz and majlis. It was almost daily that we heard the Kalemaat fo Aqa Maula (TUS) especially the clips from al-Vazarat. We a had direct satellite relay from Colombo and the Mumineen watched Aqamaula (TUS) on the big screen using a DLP projector for the first time.

There was no madrasa there and the children were far from deeni talm, I had already prepared myself to have 3 children recite the shahadat of Maulana Aliasger, Maulana Abbas and Maulana Husain (AS) at the night majlis and it worked like a charm for everyone. The happiness of the children reflected that our Maula (TUS) would be happy.

It had been many years since I had done waaz but the essence of it all was the Dua and Nazaraat of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (TUS). The marasiya reciters were good, the attendance was timely and good. Everything was just too good and the most important part was that I could feel the presence of Maula's duas as days passed by.

The day of Ashura, we were most fortunate to listen to the duas of Maula (TUS) and what else could be better.

From the many things that I got from Ambikapur one is the most precious that will live with me for ever. The Wali's family who had been my wonderful hosts were originally from Shajapur and they had the "juti mubarak" of Syedna Abdul Qadir Najmuddin along with his alamat sharifah and mohar. I was fortunate to have the barakat of these.

Mumineen are the same where ever we go, the children of the same dawat. The love and caring among us is remarkable and its all because of our love for Aqamaula (TUS).

May Allah Subhanahu bless our beloved Maula (TUS) with a long and healthy life. Ameen

My instinct was telling me long that Colombo would be the one this time, though I neglected that feeling knowing that all logical aspects were against my thinking and one fine day father called me up to let me know that the venue of Ashara was Colombo. I could not belive it nor could anyone else. Soon we came to know that a lot of infrastructure and management had not been in proper place for the event. Waliullah and the Dai of Imam Husain knowing the best arrived in Sarendeeb announcing in the arrival address that it was necessary for him to come to Colombo. Soon the hurdles seem to pass away and when I reached the venue it seemed that everything was a mess. That night was Gurratus Shehr. Huzurala (TUS) was jalwanuma in the majlis till 9:35 PM, 2 hours and thousands of Mumineen blessed with qadambosi sharaf.

The next day I came to know that I was no longer involved in Reflections after 4 years. Whatever that was, I know, that the wrong doers will pay. On the other hand I went on to the Hawaij dept. to serve my days and it was a relaxing job after all had happened. The experience was enhancing for all my longings for offering khidmat of Imam Husain (AS) and Aqamaula (TUS). As usual Moula (tus) knows the best how I got the sharaf qadambosi on Ashura night. I stood there in front of Moula for a couple of minutes while refreshment was served and then did qadambosi as if I were in a ziyafat. Salaam, qadambosi and a sharaf to do khidmat of Huzurala's qadam mubarak. It was all but a tashreef of the little things I did not worthy of any counting.

After Ashara, we all, father, mother, Nuruddin, Jamila, Mustafa, Moiz, Munira and kaki went to a little sight seeing. Sigriya was our first stop and then a night's stay at Kandy, for whihc I have a dreadful experience. The next day we headed to Perediniya (Botanical Garden), Ramboda Falls, a tea estate and nights stay at Nuwara Eliya. Next day we returned to Colombo having the fun to rafting on the way, in the Kwai river.

I returned on Saturday the 3rd of Feb after a 18 day journey. A long life awaits as I return.

Barakaat and saadat is what will remain forever. May Allah bless Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin a long life. Ameen

It has been many years since I last did Ashara out of Moula's (TUS) hazrat. I had been preparing to go for Ashara khidmat when it was announced that no one was to go to Mumbai. I didn't get a chance to go for waaz and also was tempted not to go to Mumbai, don't know why. My good friends did offer me accomodation at their place and I am thankful to them, but I just didn't want to go.

Well, this was the first time I was in Sharjah during Ashara and it was not anything like when you are doing Ashara with Moula (TUS). I did make up my mind and plungged into khidmat here. Here the IT Committee that was formed some 3 years back had now changed with many people coming in and an additional department to look after, the sound system - along with the relay. There was a lot of work and everything needed to be streamlined. People are new and need to be handled with care. I was a bit rough at times and that is a problem that I faced while handling the job.

As for everywhere our committee was no exception, I would like to quote a friend of mine, "There are too many Chiefs and no Indians". It is hard for a person who is in lead to tell a programmer to go sit and do data entry, but someone had to do it. I did try and set an example as I went on but did it work or not is not yet clear.

We did do a good job as a team. There are many people who work hard and as volunteers they need applaud. I am very much thankful to our Amil Saheb Qusai Bs Jamaluddin for supporting us as a committee by not only backing our plans but financially making us fit. The one thing everyone on the team appreciated was that on the day of Ashura, during the maqtal, he mentioned our team with a lot on emphasis and priority. He said that "The one group he would especially want to mention are those who are behind the curtains and are not seen in public...these are the IT Committee."

We all had a great feeling that each and everyday we had listened to Moula (TUS) and we done deedar. All because of the technology that is meant to serve our faith and our Moula (TUS). 2 waaz relayed through sattelite and one waaz 65 minutes video recording. Azeem Nemat. On the eve of Ashura we listened to the live kalemaat of Moula (TUS) for 30 Minutes and then Moula's paighaam for 15 Minutes. On Ashura another recording in which Mola (TUS) councelled Mumineen. May Allah bless him with a long life.



After about 5 years or so I was to deliver the bayan bayn al-Salatain on Ashura. I had been doing little preparations and had jotted a few points to mention in the wasila. I would like you, my reader, to know that it is the most difficult and easy of all tasks to make people weep on Imam Husain (AS). I was shivering before I stood up and it was not the first time I have spoken in public. I am used to it. But this time was unique. I just wished from my inner most part that Mola (TUS) bless me to fullfil his khidmat. As I stood next to the thakt and started the wasila the fear vanished. The fear was not what is called stage fear but of properly doing my part of Khidmat. I felt as if I was lifted in air as soon as I started. Al-Hamdolillah, by the dua of Moula (TUS) and his nazaraat it was a piece of cake.

I felt much relaxed after the wasila and now as I listen to the recording I feel that I could not have ever done it were it not for the sake of Imam Husain (AS) and his Dai (TUS).

Apart from all this, its so relaxing that Mustafa bhai, who was in portugal for waaz, both of us co-ordinated the reflections though we could not finish all of them but atleast we did some of it through the internet. The most incredible thing was that we were miles and miles away from the venue and alhamdolillah it was a great achievement and both Mustafa's niyat and mine took good shape. Qusai Bs also helped print and distribute the reflections in Sharjah and asked Shz Saheb to be distributed in Dubai too.

New Year has arrived and has shadowed us with enormous bounties especially the barakaat of live audioviz relay of Aqa Moula (TUS)'s first waaz mubarak.

We wish you all heartiest mubarakbadi on the auspicious occasion. The year is starting with the deedar of our beloved Moula (TUS) and lets all pray that it remains the same the whole year through.

"I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody."

A quote of bill cosby and it is to remind myself to keep focused on one thing, pleasing the only human soul we will forever love and stay bound to, in this world and the hereafter, our beloved Moula Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (TUS).

We humbly request your kind remembrance in your dua during these auspicious days of barkaat of buka and matam on Imam Husain (AS) especially on the day of Ashura.

Wassalaam,

Abdy Syedna wa Amatehi (TUS),

Juzar Shk Yusuf bhai,
Maria Mu. Juzar
Mohammed Mu Juzar

It was almost after zawal that I recieved a phone call from Janab Qusai BS, our Amil Saheb, that Huzurala (TUS) has with karam given raza for Audio Video relay of the first waaz. I was at carrefour with my wife and kid and I didnt know what to say for a few minutes. My heart began to pound in happiness and I seemed as if I was in the floating on air. I snapped myself ot of it to reply to Janab but the happiness just could not be held back.

I kept offering sajadaat as we proceeded home. We were to meet at night after magrib namaaz for fine tunning all audio and other related equipment for Ashara but this was yet an addtional joy. We had recieved our 12ft x 10ft Da-Lite rear projection screen a few days back and it was ready for its first debut.

As soon as we were over with the equipment in the control room and had set-up the reciever, the camera controllers, the DVD-R, the amplifiers and other stuff we began the task of fixing the gigantic fast-flod screen. It was the first time we had fixed one and obviously it was to take time, 2 hours. It was ready and all set for the relay. Some more work is pending and we will be on it tommorrow, Insha'allah.

I am personally grateful to Qusai BS for his support to the IT Committee which will prove its worth as time goes by. We are all here for khidmat and as the bohras believe and practice, it is our Moula's nazaraat that gives us strength. That why most of the bohras believe in community service and the benefit of the human race on the whole.

I do hope that more and more waaz will be relayed, Insha'allah.

Well, at last the wait is over and I was told from Mumbai that I won't b getting a moze any more. All Ummal are at their own mowaze and also other Qasre Aali and Asateza will be going for khidmat. I knew that chances were dim but still was trying my best. I thought that I could go for khidmat this year coz from next year again it would be with Moula (TUS).

Well, what ever happens is for the better but I was really very much depressed in the beginning that with all heart I wanted to go for khidmat and had made up my mind but didnt get a chance.

I am thinking of trying to write more for DBNet in line to Ashara, might it give me the sawab of khidmat I long wished to perform.

Shz Aliasger BS Kalimuddin will be coming to Dubai and I am quite happy knowing that will get more barakaat of Sabaq on the hands of Shz Saheb. Lets see how everything turns out. I want to go to Dubai for listening waaz also.

Henry Van's words make me think that I should try my best to prepare for doing the waaz if I was to be granted the moze. The words give me light as I start preparing myself for the azeem khidmat.

I will start picking up and looking at awraaq and kitabs from tonight as soon as I return from the purchase trip with the IT committee for the Ashara preparations in Sharjah. We have to go a leap forward and acquire more techinically sound stuff looking at the future rather then the immediate now.

It has been sometime since I have really done any preparation for doing a waaz that too in Ashara, maybe 7 years. Thats a long time. Since 1419 H I haven't done waaz and maybe if I get a moze this year I might have to prepare for one. It is realy tough making people weep in rememberence of the sacrifice of Imam Husain (AS) and is the greatest of all Khidmats and lots of responsibility.

I have done araz for khidmat husainiyah since there is a farman that no one attend Ashara with Huzurala (TUS). I would have prefered to attend with Moula (TUS) but then this is the second best choice if I had to make one. Waiting for farman is also tense since at times waaz must be prepared according to the locality and the maturity of the people who are to listen to it.

I haven't had it difficult to deliver a speech or a bayan on a particular subject ever. And I guess this is the barakat of Jamea Saifiyah only. Offcourse the nazaraat of my beloved Moula (TUS) is the soul of all my strength. I write as I ponder and think on what to do. How wil I prepare myself for such a huge responsibility and by heart beats faster as I think of the farman to go to any xyz place for waaz. Surely, I rely on my Moula's Nazaraat rather then my own capacity which is not only too short to handle such an enormous duty but also has caught what I call, rust, due to the long break.

I have a lot of mawaad and content for the purpose but still feel nervous. I can feel the fear in my veins as tears roll on my cheeks. But I have to do what I have to do. I wait to serve. They also serve who stand and wait.

Mumineen are hungry to cry aloud and mourn Imam Husain (AS) and recieve more ilm during ashara and it is the Dai of Ale Mohammed (AS) who not only has the right but the power to deliver it to them. We Khidmat Guzaars are merely tools in his hand.

I do humbly ask all readers and my friends to remember me during these days. And I am sure I will do the best to make my Moula (TUS) happy with all his help and nazaraat. May Allah bless Moula (TUS) with sehat and afiyat forever. Ameen.