Thursday, March 22, 2007

Asbaq of Himmah and Tanbih

I had started the kitaabs with much enthusiasm for the IT Committee as the Kitaabs have the precise etiquettes needed for a Khidmat guzaar and not a mumin only.

Himmah sketches the behavior and character that a Mumin should possess or rather devolop in his/her dealings with Awliya'ullah in all matters of life. While Tanbih alGaffileen sheds light on the conduct of Mumineen among themselves.

The group was of about 12 people initially and ended with 6. Majority of the men either did not like the subject or were simply not interested in attending the sabaq because it was me who was preaching. Was it me I really think.

I tried to be precise in the zikr I did to the extent that the sabaqs were more bookish and within the text itself rather then other sources except at places where I had to portray the lines that were between the ink. Himmah is a difficult kitaab in language and as a Kitaab of hikmat I had a feeling it would be hard to digest for those who are not prepared even though some have attended asbaq of Shz Sahebs.

On the other hand Tanbih was a more fascinating kitaab for its simplicity of language and richness of knowledge. What was comprehended in im mind was far more loftier then that which I could say. Its a masterpiece in itself, as it covers the secrets while pointing towards them in an obvious way. The coded language in a simple text is something that astonishes me about this Kitaab. Syedna Hatim (RA) had indeed put in its fold the vast realities, the keys to which were with his predecessors.
Today after a year both the kitaabs ended with a presence of only four. Those who wish to quench their thirst from the sweet streams of ilme Aale mohammed can't be kept away for those who have no respect for it. It is my job to continue with this Khidmat with another Kitaab even if a single soul is left. What I believe is that the fayz will reach those who are destined to receive it and those who loose their share are at loss.

May Allah bless our Hudaat Kiraam with afzal al-Jaza for their selfless efforts in imparting this knowledge and transferring these barakaat to reach our souls. May Allah grant Aqamoula (TUS) a long life. Ameen

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Saturday, December 02, 2006

The rain made our day.

It has been sometime since I have been blogging. There have been many events during the past few months which has kept me busy and busy. I have been observing a lot during these days and studying different prospects which I think will change my lifestyle in the comming days.

Well, here is the latest. It was 2nd of December the National Day of UAE and we had arranged a picnic for the IT Committee. We folks have been knowing each other since sometime and have been offering our khidmat to the community, that's what had brought all of us together, apart for the love for microchips.

Well the picnic was arranged but just a few attended and it was a family picnic on the whole. We had prepared ourselves for the Mushrif Park in Dubai and we were in for a surprise when I woke in the morning. It was pouring cats and dogs and it was certain that the streets had been flooded. Finally, it was courtious of Yusuf bhai Sandalwala to take the lead and call the gathering at his place. Most of us were lucky enough to reach till noon as a result of the flooding streets.

We had lunch and just gossiped the whole day. We kept talking on various topics and the hotest of all was traffic and rents. Well, atleast thats the most discussed topic anywhere in the UAE.

Did I forget something, malida, well Mohammed bhai Sherawala was in for a big surprise and I am sure he wont forget it and make a point of coming on time.

The climate was cool and rain kept pouring but in the evening when it calmed a bit we took the opportunity and started the fire. It was time for coal and smoke for filling the not so hungry stomach. But the Kababs were excellent and so was the chicken. That was a great day after all.



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Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Live Audio /Video Relay from Burhani Masjid Dubai

Hasan Qutbi known to me since a couple of years is the brain around this entire relay drill. Audio/Video that seemed to be possible only through ISDN point to point connection is has now been made possible through DSL lines as well through remote connection to a CUTE little device "SlingBox". The device basically used for streaming your home TV shows to the desktop has done the job.

The only drawback was that the device supports single connections or maybe its the DSL line that has a single IP to allow remote connection to the box. The device is just wonderful and I got to try it out. I am having an idea about conferencing through this box if this entire drill works well and good.

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Friday, March 10, 2006

Asbaq for the IT Committee of Sharjah

Allah Subhanahu has said in the Qur'an-e-Majid that "Allah will raise high in ranks those who have faith and those who are given Ilm." To seek knowledge has always been compulsary on the Human race since its very existence but you will get what you seek is not obligatory. It is a bounty of Allah and cannot be forcefully achieved.

Dua and the enthusiasm with which one seeks the truth does play an important role in achieving the target. The above Ayat not only shows the importance of Ilm but also reflects that amal is based on Ilm and cannot be benifited from to the optimal level till you have the knowledge needed for it. It is only Ilm that uplifts man and nothing else, Eman being the base of it.

We had sought raza for two kitaabs that are very crucial especially when it comes to the life of khidmat. One is Authored by Syednal Qadi al-Noman and the other by Syedna Hatim (RA). My intent was to provide a booster to the committee members for their most important and many khidmat, might they rise and work harder to achieve the joy of Maula's (TUS) qalb mubarak.

Getting raza for such lofty kitaabs was a bit hard as my friends and co-workers had never attended any asbaq before not even the basic kitaabs that build the foundation of our studies as we go on. I was afraid that we would not be the blessed once but the generosity of Syedna knows no limits nor has any boundaries for which our gratitude can never be enough.

There are always those who do not recognize the bounties of the lord and loose out. And there are those who receive it with much gratitude and humility these are the men who win the coin and are blesssed by Allah.

Yesterday night Janab Qusai BS handed to me the misaal for raza for the sabaqs and we started today. May Allah bless our Maula (TUS) for his azeem nemat and ehsan.

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Thursday, February 09, 2006

Ashara and Ashura in Sharjah

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.

Ashura Day Wasila 1427 in Sharjah

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.

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Sunday, January 29, 2006

Preps for the Satellite Relay on Tuesday

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.

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