The SIMPLE inside TRUTH - Jamiat Ahle Hadees 12.pdf · "THE SIMPLE TRUTH" December, 2012 (3) inside...

"THE SIMPLE TRUTH" December, 2012 (3)

inside

04 Editorial

05 Guidance from the Glorious Qur'an

06 Pearls of the Holy Prophet

07 Islamic Feature: Worship the Cre-ator, not His creation

10 Islamic Feature: Seeking IslamicKnowledge, A life-long obligation

12 Islamic Feature: Umme Sulaim

15 Islamic Feature: Rise and Fall ofMuslim Scientists

18 Feature: Allahabad Verdict onBabri Masjid

20 Feature: Ayudhya Judgement: ATwo Way Verdict

24 Feature: We do'nt want a Templewith Blood

25 Feature: Baitul Maqdis and SultanSalahuddin

29 News from Headquarter:

30 Obituaries :

The

SIMPLE

TRUTHMONTHLY

Chief Editor

Asghar Ali Imam Mahadi Salafi

Editor

Dr. Abul Hayat Ashraf

Publisher

Khawaja Md. Qutbuddin

Address:

Markazi Jamiat-e-Ahle Hadees Hind

Ahle Hadees Manzil

4116, Urdu Bazar, Jama Masjid,

Delhi-110006

Ph: 011-23273407

Fax: 011-23246613

websit: www.ahlehadees.org

E-mail: [email protected]

December, 2012

Vol. No. 6 Issue No. 12


The orgy of violence by so called “Kar Sevaks”

at Ayudhya on December 6,1992, which

resulted in the demolition of the historic Babri

Masque, left 11 Muslims dead and about two

dozen injured. Hundreds of Muslims were killed

elsewhere in India.

As many as 258 Muslim houses were destroyed

completely or partially and 4500 Muslims were

displaced. Besides the Babri Masjid, seven other

mosques destroyed partially. The Muslims killed

in Ayudhya by the Hindu militants include the two

sons of the late Imam of the Babri Masjid, Maulvi

Abdul Ghaffar, who led the prayers in the mosque

till the night of December 23, 1949, when the idols

were surreptitiously installed in the mosque.

From the circumstantial evidence, it appears that

the Hindu militants were given 40-hour by the State

Government and the Central Government after

imposition of the President’s rule not only to

demolish the Babri Mosque and erect a temple in

its place but also to destroy the symbols of Islam

and uproot the Muslims living in Ayudhya.

Before being torched and demolished, Muslim

houses and shops were looted by the local

Hindus and those from outside. Houses and

shops of Muslims adjoining the Hindu houses

and shops were burnt taking full care that Hindu

houses and property are not damaged at all.

The loss of Muslim property in Ayudhya violence

is estimated to the tune of over Rs two Crore

THE BABRI MASJID SHOULD

BE REBUILT ON THE SAME SITE

approximately. It does not include the house-

hold goods, jewellery and other items looted

from the houses.

Allowing willfully the demolition of the Babri

Masjid by the Central and State Governments

is a crime in itself, which the Indian Muslims are

not going to forget. There, however, is no need

for despair. Muslims have to lend tongue and

teeth to the truth. And above all, Allah Almighty

too favours the Right alone. But He also helps

those alone who help themselves. Though the

Babri Masjid is demolished, the morale of

Muslims is still high. They wish and pray for the

safety and stability of the country. We can still

save the country since a large majority of the

Indians, our Hindu brothers are God-fearing and

peace loving people. Their hearts also bleed with

us on this heinous crime of the demolition of the

Mosque. With the grace of God India is still not

starved for the honest leaders. They are existing

in abundance in the country who have the

capability to isolate the communalists.

We wish that the scars of the deep wounds

should be erased and therefore demand that:

(A)The temporary structure of the temple

erected between 6th and 7th December should

be removed.

(B) The Babri Masjid should be rebuilt on the

same site and handed over to the Muslims.

Editorial


On that Day people shall follow straight on

to the call of the summoner, no one daring

to show any laughtiness. Their voice shall

be hushed before the Most Compassionate

Lord, so that you will hear nothing but a

whispering murmur. On that Day intercession

shall not avail save of him whom the Most

Compassionate Lord permits, and whose

word of intercession is pleasing to Him.

In the text, the Arabic word DAEE, (caller) used

in the verse 20:108 signifies the angel whose

voice will call and direct all souls.

On the Last Day everyone will be seized by a

great awe, and, hence, nothing will remain

except the sound caused by people’s steps or

whispers of conversation in subdued voices. The

word used here hams-signifies a low, faint sound

suc has a whisper, or of the movement of steps,

or of speaking in a subdued voice, or the

movement of camels. The verse, thus, says that

on the Last Day everyone will be seized by a

great awe. First there will be the Loud blast of

the Trumpt then there will be stillness and hush

of awe and reverence: only the tramp of the

ranks marching along will be heard.

This verse may by translated in two ways. One

follows our text above. An alternative is: “ No

intercession will be of any avail on the Day unless

ISLAMIC CONCEPT

OF INTERCESSION

the Most Compassionate Lord grants it to be

made in favour of someone and is pleased to

hear the word (of intercession)” The words of

the verse are encompassing and legitimately

cover both renderings. For, indeed, the Last Day

will be so awesome that no one will dare utter a

single word let alone intercede on anyone else

behalf. Only those who enjoy God’s permission

to speak will be able to intercede and to say a

good word for those for whom they have been

permitted to intercede.

Both these points are emphasized at several

different places in the Holy Quran and in quite

unambiguous terms. For example, there is:

“who is there who might intercede with Him

save with His leave?” (Al Baqarah, 2:255).

The same idea is stated elsewhere: “That Day

the spirit and the angels will stand forth in

ranks and none shall speak except any who

is permitted by the Merciful, and he will say

what is right (Al-Naba78:38) At the same time

the Holy Quran also says: “They offer no

intercession except for those with whose

intercession He is pleased and who stand in

awe out of fear for Him” (Al-Anbiay 21: 28).

Likewise it is said: “How numerous are the

angels in the heavens! Their intercession will

avail nothing until Allah permits it and in

favour of whomsoever He wills and is pleased

(Al-Najm, 53:26)

Guidance from the Holy Quran


1. Abdullah bin Mas’ud reported that the

Messenger of allah (S.A.W.) said: the first

decision which will take place between the

people on the Day of Resurrection, will concern

the bloods (Bukhari and Muslim)

2. Abu Hurairah reported that the two women

from the tribe of Hudail fought and one of them

threw a stone on the other and killed her and

what was in her womb. The Messenger of Allah

(S.A.W.) decided that the ranson of her baby

was to free a slave man or a slave girl and the

blood money of the woman (killed) would be

paid by the offender (the other woman) and he

(the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) appointed her

children as heirs and the other persons who were

related to them (Bukhari & Muslim)

3. The Holy Prophet said: If anyone of you come

across an evil, he should try to stop it with his

hand (using force), if he is not in a position to

stop it by means of his tongue (meaning he

should speak against it). If he is not even able

to use his tongue then he should at least

condemn it in his heart. This is the weakest

degree of faith. (Saheeh Muslim)

4. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said: the Head

of state is the guardian of him who has nobody

to support him. (Abu Dawood, Tirmizi)

5. A woman belonging to a high and noble family

HUMAN VALUES

Pearls From the Holy Prophet

was arrested in connection with a theft. The case

was brought to the Holy Prophet, and it was

recommended that she may be spared the punishment

of theft. The Holy Prophet replied: The nations that

lived before you were destroyed by God because

they punished the common man for their crimes; I swear

by Him (God) who holds my life in His hand that even

if Fatima (the daughter of the (Prophet) has committed

this crime then I would have amputated her hand.

The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) has prohibited the

Believers from loot and plunder. (Bukhari and

Muslim)

6. It is narrated on the authority of ‘Abdullah

bin Masood that the Messenger of Allah

(S.A.W.) observed: Abusing a Muslim is an

outrage and fighting against him is unbelief.

Zubaid said: I asked Abu Wail: Did You hear it

from Abdullah narrating it from the Messenger

of Allah (S.A.W.)? He replied: Yes. But there is

mention of the talk between Zubaid and Abu

Wail in the hadith narrated by Shuba (Sahih

Muslim)

7. Abdullah bin Amar bin Al Aas relates that

Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said: “The just and fair

persons (rulers and judges) will be seated on

chairs of light before Allah. Such persons are

those who decide justly and deal justly in the

matters relating to their families and other affairs

entrusted to them” (Saheeh Muslim)


Some of my no-Muslim friends once asked me,

“Whom do the Muslims worship?” I replied,

“Allah alone!” Why Allah alone? Because He is

the Creator of the heavens and the earth and

whatever is between them. He is the Life-giver

and Life-taker. While man is the best creation

of Allah, the Almighty and Exalted. Man is

bestowed with precious powers like

understanding and reasoning that distinguish him

from God’s other creations.

Then came my turn to ask them, “Whom do

you worship?” One of them said, “We worship

some gods and goddesses.” I said, “A number

of people like you worship different gods and

goddesses, and objects seen or unseen, living

or dead, celestial or worldly, Now a question

arises: Are the gods and goddesses, objects and

beings worshipped by you the creators or

creations?”

After a little pausing they said slowly, “They are

creators!” I again asked him, “Do you believe

in many creators?” Another friend broke his

silence, “No, they are not creators but creations.”

WORSHIP THE CREATOR, NOT HIS

CREATIONSBy Muhammad Abdus Samad

I again asked them, “Do you worship God’s

creations instead of God? The Creator has

created man to worship Him, not His creations.

In spite of being the best creation of God, you

worship His creations that are inferior to you!

Doesn’t it belittle your status of being the best

creation of God?”

Then yet another friend came with his argument,

“We don’t in fact worship the creations but we

simply want to get access to the Creator through

these beings or objects.” I submitted, “Do you

mean to say that man cannot get direct access

to his Creator; so he has to seek the help of

some objects or beings inferior to him? Does it

not amount to humiliation to man’s dignity?”

They, almost in one voice, finally told me that

there is enough reason and justification in what

I said. But they maintained that religion is a

subject which requires profound study.

Afterward I continued to say that we the Muslims

worship only the Creator and pray to Him alone

for the welfare and success of both the worlds.

In fact the true religion must have this

characteristic that it teaches worship of and

Islamic Feature


surrender to the Creator. Islam is the only religion

in the world that teacher the man how to worship

and pray to the Creator.

Why should the mankind worship Allah? Firstly,

because Allah is the Creator of man and

secondly, because man has been endowed with

knowledge and dignity and placed at a very high

position compared to other creations. Through

knowledge man can understand what is right and

what is wrong. Allah announces in the Holy

Quran: “Verily We honoured the progeny of

Adam.” (Al-Qur’an-17:70) “And He has

subjected to you, as from Him all that is in the

heavens and on earth: behold, in that are signs

indeed for those who reflect.” (Al-Quran:45:13)

“He has subjected the night and the day and

the sun and the moon for you, and the stars

have also been made subservient by His

Command.” (Al-Qur’an-16:12, 31:20)

Furthermore, Adam was honoured by directing

angels to prostrate before him. The angels did

so except Iblis who was cursed forever for the

same. (Al-Quran-38:72-78)

Thus it appears that man has attained the

authority and control over the heavens, earth

and sea and it became possible due to the

knowledge and power granted to him by Allah.

No creature of Allah, as far as our knowledge

goes, has been granted such honour and status

as man. Hence the man is regarded as the best

creation of Allah. Now a question arises: Is it

justified on the part of man that he who is created

as the best Creation by Allah should worship

and pray to any object (creation) inferior or equal

to him other than his Creator (Allah)? If the

answer is in negative, we must admit that a large

section of people have committed a serious

crime against the Creator (Allah). He can no

longer be called the best Creation of Allah. So

the man in highly obliged to worship and pray

to his Creator for his welfare and success in both

worlds. The Qur’an invites: “O mankind, serve

your Lord, who has created you as well as

those before you; do so that you are saved.”

(Al-Quran-2:21) “Your God is the One and

Only God.” Hence, whoever looks forward

to meet his Lord, let him do righteous works,

and let him associate none with the worship

of his Lord.” (Al-Qur,an-18:110,16:22) “O

men! Fear you r Lord Who created you from

a single being.” (Al-Quran-4:1)

How has the worship of creation crept into the

human society? The answer to his question needs

some explanations. The Quran tells that the

religion that has been prescribed for man since

his arrival on earth is Islam meaning submission

to the will of Allah, the Creator. The Quran

states: “The true religion with Allah is Islam. The

people of the Book adopted many different ways

rather than follow the true way of Islam even

after the knowledge of truth had reached them,

and his merely to commit excesses against one

another. Let him who refuses to follow the

ordinances and directives of Allah knows that


Allah is swift in His reckoning.” (Al Quran-3:19)

All Prophet of Allah right from Adam, the first

Prophet, to last Prophet, Muhammad (S.A.W.)

established submission to the will of Allah (divine

law) revealed to them and also taught their

respective people to do so for their redemption

in the next world. Submission to the will of Allah

(divine law) is called the worship of Creator

(Allah) in Islam and one who does so is called

Muslim. The Quran announces: “Abraham was

neither a Jew nor a Christian; he was a

Muslim, wholly devoted to God.” (Al-Quran-

3:67) When death approached Jacob, he

asked his sons: what will you worship after

me? They said: we shall worship your God,

the God of your fathers Abraham and Ismael

and Issaac and we have surrendered unto

Him. (Al Quran:3.133) And (Allah) have

raised in every nation a Prophet proclaiming:

“Serve Allah and shun the Evil One.” (Al

Quran-16:36, 21:25) Abraham prayed: “Our

Lord! Make us submissive to You and make

out of our descendants a community that

submits itself to You, and show us the ways

of Your worship, and turn to us in mercy. You

are Much Relenting, Most Compassionate.”

(Al-Quran-2:128) But when a section of

people, having given up the worship of the

Creator started to worship His creations and

preachers (Prophets), the worship of creations

emerged giving the birth to various man-made

religions in human society. And it still continues

among the humans. The basic reason of unrest

and clash between man and man is the worship

of creations instead of the worship of the

Creator (Allah). No Prophet ever told his

people to worship the creation or himself but

the creator. When Israelites considered Jesus

to be God he expressly prohibited it. The Quran

states: “They are surely disbelievers who say:

Lo! Allah is the Messiah (Christ), son of Mary.

The Messiah said: “O children of Israel! Serve

Allah, who is your Lord and my Lord. Allah

has forbidden Paradise for those who

associate anything with Him in His divinity

and their refuge shall be the Fire. No one

will be able to help such wrong doers.” (Al-

Quran-5:72) When Prophet Moses was away

for 40 days from his people (Israelites), they

started worshiping a calf. When Prophet Moses

came to know it, he strongly rebuked them. The

Holy Quran says: Verily those who worshipped

the calf will certainly incur indignation from

their Lord, and will be abased in the life of

this world. Thus do We reward those who

fabricate lies. As for those who do evil, and

later repent and have faith, such shall find

their Lord All-Forgiving, All-Compassionate

after (they repent and believe).” (Al-Quran-

7:148-153) Prophet Abraham rebuked his father

and his people for idol worship and said: “Fie

on you and all that you worship instead of

Allah.

(Cont on page No.14)


Some people are misled by their own wrong

presumption. There are those who keep

presuming that they have adequate Islamic

knowledge. Hence, they remain complacent and

no longer attach the least importance to seeking

knowledge about Islam. Even if a learning

opportunity comes to them, they fail to grab it

and just shrug it off or shy away from it.

Unfortunately, failure to realize that seeking

Islamic knowledge is an “individual obligation”

(Fardh Ain) of all Muslims, men and women

alike, would certainly be exacerbated the dismal

ignorance of such Muslims about the teachings

of their religion.

But the questions are do they really properly

understand the different injunctions and

prohibitions imposed by Allah on them? Are they

sure that they have got the correct Islamic

knowledge of the rudimentary Islamic teachings

at least?

Apparently, the manifest and usual reason given

by such people is that they hardly have time to

learn, owing to the hectic schedules of their daily

SEEKING ISLAMIC KNOWLEDGE

A LIFE-LONG OBLIGATIONBy: Marganie Mohammad

job routines. This is undeniably true, of course.

But nonetheless, and it seems ironic you often

see a plethora of people go about other

meaningless and in consequential activities which

are not in any way even related to their jobs

and which could not give them instantaneous

benefits.

However, when it comes to spending even a

small portion of their time and efforts in doing

righteous deeds, such as learning pursuits, they

would try their best to come up with any reason

if only to elude doing that particular act of

worship. Moreover, many people could endure

sitting with their friends continuously for several

hours discussing insignificant matters, or having

fun during which time the name of Allah is not

even mentioned and they do not feel the passage

of long hours being immersed in such time-

wasting spree. But sitting even just for half an

hour listening to Islamic lectures and discussions

often considered boring by them which could

make them restless and uneasy.

True to the words of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.)

when he said: “Two kinds of favour which most

Islamic Feature


people are deceived of: good health and (vacant)

time”. What they have failed to discern is for

any moment they spend in the way of seeking

knowledge they are being rewarded by Allah

and He is pleased with them. Besides, seeking

knowledge is a lifelong obligation of every

Muslim.

In Saudi Arabia, the opportunity to learn about

Islam stands clear of any hitch and continues to

beckon the expatriate workers to seize it.

The different Islamic Dawah centres operating

under the Islamic Affairs, Endoment,

Propagation and Guidance in many cities in

Saudi Arabia are keeping their doors wide open

to welcome expatriates whether they are non-

Muslims, neo Muslim or born Muslims. Those

willing to understand Islam properly and bolster

their Islamic knowledge are welcome to visit

them.

These centres offer lectures in different

languages, such as English, Filipino, Thai, Urdu,

Malayalam, Singhalese etc. They have

competent workers and instructors who would

explain various Islamic topics including the

Friday sermons in different languages spoken

by the expatriates. However, dropping in these

centres, one would find that it’s the Muslim

converts who usually fill these centres. Born

Muslim expatriates seem to be depriving

themselves of this opportunity for only a handful

of them are visible there although these centres

are meant for all expatriates irrespective of their

nationalities and languages.

This golden opportunity to augment their Islamic

knowledge in its different fields, such as Islamic

aqeeda, Islamic jurisprudence, exegesis of the

Glorious Quran, Hadith of the Holy Prophet

(S.A.W.), history of his life and his noble

companions and Arabic language through these

learning centres blow-by-blow may just pass in

vain and they may not be able to come across it

again. When they are back in their respective

countries of origin, they certainly will not find

the same environment, the same climate, the same

competent teachers and the same opportunity

of learning.

These fields of knowledge are the ones that give

essence and meaning to the life of Muslims as

an entity created by Allah with only one purpose

to worship Him Alone. Moreover, these are

the fields of knowledge that life hereafter and

salvage them from Hellfire and bring about therir

admittance into endless bliss in Paradise.

How fortunate are the seekers of knowledge

nowadays who no longer experience a great deal

of hardship because of modern technology as

in stark contrast to Abul-Ayyub Al-Ansari who

traversed the distance between Madina and

Egypt on the back of a camel if only to meet

Uqba Ibn Aamir just to get a Hadith from him.

(Saudi Gazette)

µµµ


The companions of the Holy Prophet

Muhammad (S.A.W.) included persons from

various strata of the society. Quite a few were

from among his relations. But a large number

belonged to the group which embraced the

religion of Allah either voluntarily or through the

influence of others. In most cases male members

were the first to accept the new religion. And if

they happened to be the masters or the families

came to the fold of Islam. However there were

instances where the women played a major role

in expanding the circles of the divine religion. It

was Fatima bint Al-Khattab, who first

introduced Quranic verses to her brother Umar

Bin Al-Khattab and the magic of the words of

Allah opened for Umar the doors to the Straight

Path. Similar was the case of Abu Talha Ansari,

another devoted companion of the Holy Prophet

(S.A.W.).

Umme Sulaim was the grand-daughter of Salma

bint Zaid, who was the mother of Abdul

Muttalib, the grand father of our noble Prophet.

The first name of this aunt of the great Prophet

(S.A.W.) was Rameesa and Umme Sulaim was

her surname.

UMME SULAIM-A VALIANT

PROPAGATOR OF ISLAM

By Khalid Irfan

Malik bin Nasr married her. The family lived in

Madinah. They had a son, Anas, who was later

blessed specially by the Holy Prophet and

attained a prominent place among his

companions. When Mus’ab bin Umair reached

Madinah after the first Aqaba pledge to

propagate Islam. Umme Sulaim decided to

accept the religion of Allah. Her husband Malik

threatened to desert her if she were to become

a Muslim. Good wisdom had dawned on Umme

Sulaim. She did not yield to the threat.

Abandoning polytheism and idol worship, she

entered the domain of One and Only God. Her

husband separated from her and left for Syria.

Umme Sulaim belonged to a highly respectable

family. She had earned a good name for her

enviable qualities. Abu Talha (Zaid bin Suhail)

was the chief of the clan to which Malik

belonged. This 20 years old youth desired to

marry Umme Sulaim. She seized the opportunity

to propagate Islam and posed a question before

him, “Has not your God evolved from the earth?”

This was a reference to Uzza, a deity comprising

of three trees, who was worshipped by them.

When he replied in the affirmative, she asked,

Islamic Feature


“Have you ever thought over what you are

worshiping?” Abu Talha pondered over this

question seriously. Umme Sulaim described the

attributes of the New Religion. Abu Talha was

so impressed that he readily embraced Islam.

At the marriage ceremony, when the question

of dower was raised, she said, “Your Islam is

my dower!” Certainly it was the best of the

dowers.

Their first born was Abu Umair. He was a lively

and lovely kid. They loved him most because

he was their first child after coming to the fold

of Islam. The child fell ill and breathed his last

on the day when Abu Talha was on a journey.

He returned late in the night along with some

guests and inquired about the health of the child,

“How is our son?” “He is comfortable, better

than before,” was her short answer. Satisfied

with the reply, he returned to serve his guests.

Umme Sulaim engaged herself in preparing food

for the guests. She was quiet, calm and cool.

She had instructed the members of the house

not to break the news of the child’s death to

him. After serving food to the guests and making

them comfortable, he went to see his wife. She

addressed him, “If something is entrusted to you,

would you hesitate to return it if demaned back?”

“Certainly not!” Abu Talah replied. “Then,” she

said, “Bear with the parting of our son. He was

a trust from God and He has taken it back.”

And then grief took over him. He said: “Why

did you not tell me earlier?” “Because you have

returned after a tiresome journey. I wanted you

to take your food first.” Umme Sulaim had given

the parting bath to the child and having wrapped

the body in shroud, had kept it aside. Abu Talha

gazed at the body for sometime and proceeded

to the mosque. After prayer, he narrated the

incident to the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.). Whoever

heard, praised Umme Sulaim for her patience

and forbearance, and caring for the husband.

The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) praised her and

prayed, “May Allah bless you with another

child.” The prayer was granted and another child

was born to her who was named Abdullah.

According to a tradition reported in Bukhari,

wailing over the dead is prohibited in Islam.

Among the five women who kept up the oath of

not mourning the death publicly, the name of

Umme Sulaim tops the list. Umme Sulaim was

trusted in matters pertaining to state

administration and wars, as she was among the

few women who possessed valour and farsight.

She was chosen often for accompanying the

army in battles. In the battlefield she quenched

the thirst of soldiers, nursed their wounds and

supervised the kitchen work. Her indomitable

nature was exhibited most in the Battle of

Hunain. In the thick of the battle when pressure

from the enemy increased, most of the fresh

enfrants to the religion after the conquest of

Makkah, fled from the battle-field. At this hour

the Prophet (S.A.W.) himself stood firm against

the onslaught of the enemy. By him stood Umme

Sulaim holding the rein of a she camel in one


hand and a dagger in the other. Abu Talha drew

the attention of the Prophet (S.A.W.) to her,

who asked her: “Why are you standing with the

dagger in hand?” Courage and determination

was writ large on her face. She replied: “If the

enemy approaches, he will have his stomach

snipped open with this dagger. “The Prophet

(S.A.W.) smiled at the answer.

Apart from these activities, she was adept in

the knowledge of Tarditions also. She narrated

them whenever required. Her verdict even

settled controversies. She had collected

solutions for a number of problems pertaining

to women direct from the Prophet. She adored

and loved the Prophet to the extent that as soon

as he entered Madinah after migration from

Makkah, she took her eight years old son, Anas,

to him and said: “O Messanger of Allah, this

boy will always be at your service. Please accept

him.” The Prophet accepted this loving offer and

took Anas bin Malik in his service. The child

rose to fame as a great reporter of Hadith and a

devoted companion of the Prophet (S.A.W.).

(From page No.09)

(Al-Quran-21:51-69 Describing the futility of

the worship of gods, the Quran says: “And they

have taken other gods besides Allah that they

may be a source of strength for them. By no

means! They shall soon deny their worship

and shall become their adversaries instead.”

(Al-Quran-19:81-82)

The worship of Allah the Creator as prescribed

in Islam is not confined only to some rites and

rituals, but to the management of both individual

and social life in accordance with the will of Allah.

And it is called “Ibadat” (worship and obedience

to Allah) in Islam for which Allah has created

mankind. (Al-Qur’an-51:56) The success of

man in the next world depends on ibada the

establishes in this mundane world.

We must one day leave this mundane world.

Our death is certain but its time is uncertain. Birth

is the warrant of death. We must present an

account of our belief and action before the

Creator (Allah). Allah will not be pleased with

us if we worship His creations instead of Himself.

Consequently we will be consigned to the Hell

fire. Conversely Allah will be pleased with us if

we worship and pray Him alone. The Quran

announces: “Wosoever acts righteously

whether a man or a woman and embraces

Belief, We will surely grant him a good life,

and will surely grant such persons their

reward according to the best of their deeds.”

(Al-Quran-16:97) For those who believe and

do righteous deeds, will be in Gardens.

Beneath which rivers flow. That is the great

Triumph.” (Al-Qur’an-85:11)

SPENDING OF BELIEVERS“And give (O Prophet!) glad tidings to

those…. whose hearts shiver whenever

Allah is mentioned, who patiently bear

whatever affliction comes to them, who

establish Prayer, and who spend (for good

purposes) out of what We have provided

them.”

(Al-Quran-22:34-35)


RISE AND FALL OF MUSLIM

SCIENTISTSBy Ibrahim B. Syed

The rise of the Muslims to the zenith of civilisation

in a period of four decades was based on Al-

Islam’s emphasis on learning. This is obvious

when one takes a look at the Quran and the

traditions of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.)

which are filled with references to learning,

education, observation, and the use of reason.

The very first verse of the Quran revealed to

the Prophet on the night of power (laylathul

Qadr) in the month of Ramadhan in 611 CE

reads:

“Read: In the name of thy Lord Who created

man from a clot. Read: And the Lord is the Most

Generous Who taught by the pen, Taught man

that which he knew not.” (96:1-5)

“And they shall say had we but listened or

used reason, we would not be among the

inmates of the burning fire.” (67:10)

“Are those who have knowledge and those

who have no knowledge alike? Only the men

of understanding are mindful.” (39:9)

The Quran exhorts the Muslims to scientific

research: “And whoso bringeth the truth and

believeth therein such are the dutiful.” (39:33)

Every Muslim man’s and every Muslim woman’s

prayer should be: “My Lord! Enrich me with

knowledge.” (20:114)

The pursuit of knowledge and the use of reason

based on sense of observation is made

obligatory on every Muslim man and woman.

The following traditions of the Prophet (S.A.W.)

supplement the foregoing teachings of the Quran

in the following way:

1. Seek knowledge “even though it be in China”.

2. The acquisition of knowledge is compulsory

for every Muslim, whether male or female.”

3. The ink of the scholar is more sacred than

the blood of the martyr.”

4. Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave.

5. God has revealed to me, whoever walks in

the pursuit of knowledge I facilitate for him the

way to heaven.

6. The best form of worship is the pursuit of

knowledge.

7. Scholars should endeavour to spread

knowledge and provide education for people

who have been deprived of it. For, where

knowledge is hidden, it disappears.

8. Someone asked the Prophet (S.A.W.): “Who

is the biggest scholar?” He replied: “He who is

constantly trying to learn from other, for a scholar

is ever hungry for more knowledge.

Islamic Feature


9. Seek for knowledge and wisdom, for

whatever the vessel from which if flows, you

will never be the loser.

10. Thinking deep for one hour (with sincerity)

is better than 70 years of (mechanical) worship.

11. Worship without knowledge has no

goodness in it and knowledge without

understanding has no goodness in it.

And the recitation of the Quran,which is not

thoughtful has no goodness in it.”

12. To listen to the words of the learned and to

instill unto others the lessons of science is better

than religious exercises.”

13. Acquire knowledge: it enables its possessor

to distinguish right from the wrong, it lights the

way to heaven, it is our friend the desert, our

society in solitude, our companion when

friendless; it guides us to happiness; it sustains

us in misery, it is an ornament among friends

and an armour against enemies.”

Muslim Heritage in Science And

Technology

Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) was able to unite

the Arab tribes who had been torn by revenge,

rivalry, and internal fights, and produced a strong

nation, that acquired and ruled simultaneously

the two known empires at that time, namely the

Persian and Byzantine Empires. The Islamic

Empire extended from the Atlantic Ocean on

the West to the borders of China on the East.

Only 80 years after the death of their Prophet

the Muslims crossed to Europe to rule Spain

for more than 700 years. The Muslims preserved

the cultures of the conquered lands.

The Islamic Empire for more than 1,000 years

remained the most advanced and civilized nation

in the world. This is because Al-Islam stressed

the importance and respect of learning, forbade

destruction, developed in Muslims the respect

for authority, discipline, and tolerance for other

religions. The Muslims recognized excellence

and hungered intellectually. The teachings of the

Quran and Sunnah drove many Muslims to their

accomplishments in sciences and medicine.

By the 10th century their zeal and enthusiasm

for learning resulted in all essential Greek medical

and scientific writings being translated into Arabic

in Damascus, Cairo, and Baghdad. Arabic

became the international language of learning and

diplomacy. The centre of scientific knowledge

and activity shifted eastward, and Baghdad

emerged as the capital of the scientific world.

The Muslims became scientific innovators with

originality and productivity. The rise of Muslims

to the zenith of civilization lasted over a thousand

years. During this millennium Muslims

contributed vastly to the enhancements of arts,

science and cultural growth of mankind.

For example Islamic medicine is one of the most

famous and best known facets of Islamic

civilization, and in which the Muslim most

excelled. The Muslims were great torch bearers

of international scientific research. Some of the

best and most eloquent praises of science ever

written came from the pens of Muslim scientists

who considered their work to be acts of worship.

The same motives led to the establishment of

Al-Azhar (800 C.E.) the first university in world.

They hit the “source ball of knowledge” over

the fence to Europe. In the words of Campbell,

“The European medical system is Arabian not

only in origin but also in its structure. The Arabs


are the intellectual forbears of the Europeans.

In fact the Muslims are directly responsible for

the European Renaissance.

At the apes of its glory around the 10th century

Cordoba, the Capital of Muslim Spain, had

pavements, street lighting, three hundred public

baths, parks, palaces, one hundred thousand

houses and seventy libraries. There were close

to half a million books in a single library whereas

the whole of France contained much less than

this figure. The Muslim physicians performed

complicated eye surgery 600 years earlier than

in Europe. The Muslim scientists used paper

200 years before Europe, they had paper mills,

banks, police stations and invented spherical

trigonometry (indispensable for space sciences)

in the late 10th century, solved equations of the

third and fourth degree, binomials to the ninth

degree, and developed differential and integral

mathematics. They discovered the force of

gravitation, blood circulation, laws of motion,

and even developed the theory of evolution and

taught it in their universities. They measured the

circumferences of the earth and value for

specific gravities correct to three decimal places

almost a thousand years ago. There is hardly a

field of knowledge where Muslims did not

research, think, or investigate and explore or

invent something exemplary.

Present Status of Muslim Ummah:

The status of the Muslim Ummah is of great

concern to all the Muslim intellectuals. No one

can deny that the Muslim Ummah occupies a

position which is at the lowest rung of the ladder

in the world. The share of the Muslims in Noble

Prizes and the Olympic Games is close to

nothing. Muslim contributions to literature both

general and scientific is marginal at the best. It is

very sad to see the status of Muslims in the

present world at the bottom. Muslims have been

economically exploited and politically

subjugated. Economically, Muslims are poor; in

education they are backward; and in science

and technology they are marginal. Even very small

countries export arms, medicine and technology

to the Muslim countries. The average literacy

rate is around 38 per cent and in rural areas in

Muslim countries, the illiteracy rate among

Muslim women is 93 to 97 per cent. This is

contradictory to the message of the Quran and

Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) as mentioned

earlier. The Muslims educated in the western

world know about Western books and scholars

but they know very little about Muslims books

and the intellectual achievements of the Muslims.

The mean rate for literacy for the Muslims is 35

per cent lower than that for the Third Word,

and 40 per cent below the world’s average.

The data suggests that almost two-thirds of the

Muslims worldwide are illiterate. This low level

of literacy, evidently, is responsible for the

Muslims live at present. Pakistan is the most

advanced Muslim country in science and

technology among Muslim nations. However, the

literacy rate for Pakistan, home to the second

largest Muslim Ummah in the world, rank the

lowest among the most populous nations, is even

below the average for the Muslim nations. What

is shocking is India the second most populous

nation in the world, has a significantly higher rate

of literacy than Pakistan and Bangladesh. At one

time the three countries constituted a single

country (British India) with a literacy rate of

12 per cent on the eve of the partition in 1947.


New Delhi: 01 October, 2010, Mr. Syed

Shahabduddn , President of All India Muslim e

Mushawarat, an umbrella body of Muslim

Organisations, has issued the following

statement;

The AIMMM is surprised by the verdict on the

title to the disputed site by the Allahabad High

Court & places the essential points before the

people for information.

1. The Judgment is inextricably confusing

because it is not a straight two to one judgment.

There are in fact 3 judgments and they go on

shifting their verdict on vital issues. Therefore

essentially the judgement does not settle or

resolve the issues.

2. The Judgment is extralegal based on myths

& legends, faith & superstitions, and not on the

evidence on record. It essentially highlights the

argument of faith which did not exist until recently

and was manufactured with political motives

some years before 1949 and subsequently

played up by the Sangh Parivar since the80,s.

3. The judgment also ignores the fact that the

Supreme Court Order of 1994 treated the

ALLAHABAD VERDICT ON BABRI

MASJID IS EXTRA-LEGAL

disputed site as one entity and did not envisage

any division and had laid down a road map for

the Government in respect of the acquired land,

once the title over the disputed land which said

that either a Majsid or a Mandir would be built

on the disputed site and the other shrine will be

built within the disputed area at some distance

from the first.

4. The Judgment allots the area under the central

dome to Ram lala, recognizing it as a deity but

does not take into the account the facts that Ram

lala was first placed in the inner courtyard of the

Masjid by human hands and later shifted to the

minbar under the mehrab (the central dome).

What is more important is that there is no

evidence that the idol of Ram lala was ever

sanctified through Pran Pratistha Puja which

makes an idol a deity, or a legal person.

5. The Judgment repeats wrongly in several

places that both Muslim & Hindu worshipped

in the Babri Masjid. The records establish that

the Muslims always and exclusively used the hall

under the three domes and the adjoining inner

courtyard for worship, and the Hindus

worshiped Ram at the Ram Chabutra located

Feature


in the outer courtyard, since late 19th Century.

6. The Judgment exceeds its authority as it goes

beyond the 1994 directive of the Supreme Court

for determining the title to the disputed site.

Indeed, it does whether the Supreme Court had

itself refused to do; declare whether it is Ram

Janambhumi.

7. The Judgment also goes beyond the pleadings

of the parties because no party asked for a

division of the disputed site. In dividing it the

judgment does not take into account that fact

that the Babri Masjid existed on the spot from

1528 was built by Mir Baqui on the orders of

Emperor Babar and that until 22 December

1949 Muslims prayed there with occasional

breaks due to exceptional circumstances.

8. The Judgment is simply impracticable because

with the total area of the Babri Masjid being

only about 1200 square feet, distributed among

3, it will only mean a mini Masjid & a mini

Mandir, next to each other giving rise to constant

friction.

9. Even if the Babri Masjid was built after

demolishing a standing Mandir, then the

Judgment ignores the universal law of Adverse

Possession which creates a right in favour of

the Muslims while no right is created in favour

of the Hindus by the illegal and surreptitious

introduction of Ram lalla in the inner courtyard

on 22-23 December 1949 because it was

immediately challenged by the authorities. The

Judgment ignored the vital affidavit of the DM,

Faizabad, on this point, which binds the

Government & the Judicity is dissatisfied &

shocked by the Judiciary. The Muslim

community is determined to exercise its right of

appeal to the Supreme Court with a view to

reverse the judicial stand from the mythological

to the legal, from next say frame to verifiable

evidence. The Suprem Court is expected to

admit the appeal by the Muslim Community and

may direct that the status quo may be extended

till the appeal is disposed of .

The Muslim community is ready to accept the

final judical verdict of the Supreme Court as it

is committed to the Constitution and the rule of

law. It does not see any scope for negotiations

among the parties until the final judicial verdict

establishes the rights and status of parties

concerned.

(An old article of Syed Shahabuddin. The

article is reprinted for the benefit of

readers. Ed.)

BASE YOUR LIFE ON

ISLAMIC PRINCIPLES“Believers! Obey Allah and obey the

Messenger, and those from among you

who are invested with authority; and

then if you were to dispute among

yourselves about anything refer it to

Allah and the Messenger if you indeed

believe in Allah and the Last Day; that

is better and more commendable in the

end;

(Al-Quran.4:59)


Faith of a few in majority community proved

victor in an interfaith dispute, law and evidence

became victims and vandalism legitimized and

legalized by the court.” It is the first and straight

forward reaction which struck the mind and

echoed repeatedly as I read reports, reactions

and gist of lengthy judgment of Honorable

Allahabad High Court. Frustration and

disappointment overwhelmed senses. But

considering the effects of the judgment, the

gloom may not last long. Today we have been

deprived of a Mosque by an interim judgment

that may be reversed in the Supreme Court. But

surely the Mandirites have been deprived of their

most vital communal plank.

Muslim Reaction:

Muslims intelligentsia, clerics and community

leaders are almost unanimous to conclude that

the judgment failed to satisfy legal standards of

a Title suit. See how justice A.M. Ahmadi,

former Chief Justice of India reacted: “If Muslims

or their representatives were looking for a

vindication of their position or claim and a sense

of “justice” which would also serve as a balm

18 years after the demolition of the Babri

Masjid, then Thursday’s Judgment of the

Allahabad High Court has left them with a

AYODHYA JUDGEMENT:

A TWO WAY VERDICTMuslims may be deprived of a Mosque, Sangh Parivar stands deprived

of communal plank

By Syyed Mansoor Agha

dilemma more questions than answers.

Justice Ahamadi, who was part of the Supreme

Court bench that delivered the judgment in 1994

declining to answer the Presidential reference

enquiring if there was a temple on the spot,

further said: “There is no running away from the

centrality of answering who has the title. I am

not sure on what basis the Sunni Waqf suit has

been time-barred. But if the title is not theirs,

how can one-third be a Masjid now, and if the

title is theirs, how can two thirds be divided?

There certainly can be a compromise but that

should have happened after the verdict. The

verdict should not appear like a decision of a

panchayat foisted forcibly on all parties.”

Mujtaba Farooq, Secretary of the Jamaat-e-

Islami Hind and member of All India Muslim

Personal Law Board expressed his anguish in

almost same vein: “This does not appear to be

a court verdict, but more a panchayat decision

if Muslims don’t have rights on the entire part,

why bother giving us even one third? Muslims

have always said they will respect the verdict,

so even if we plan to appeal this, we respect it.

A decision on the possible appeal will be taken

next week.”

Feature


Syed Ahmad Bukhari, Shahi Imam Jama Masjid

expressed dissatisfaction over the verdict and

said: “We are unhappy with the court verdict

and categorized it as, “settlement” and “partition”

suit, rather than a title suit.

“The judgment is extralegal. It essentially

highlights the argument of faith, former diplomat

and lawyer Syed Shahabudiin, of the AIMMM

said.

Prof. Akhtar-ul-Wasey, Director; Centre for

Islamic Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia, said: “it’s

difficult to see this as a “secular” verdict because

“ it bases things on belief and not evidence.”

When there is an intra-religious dispute,” He

added that this judgment is less of a judgment,

more a “balancing act.”

Dr. Zafrul Islam former President of AIMMM

and editor of MG said: “I believe the court has

grossly stepped to deliver its verdict about title

of the disputed land and whether the mosque

was built after demolishing a temple on the site.

This verdict has smashed trust in the judiciary.”

“It is the duty of the central government to

approach the Supreme Court to annul a verdict

that overlooked constitutional tenets, “National

Integration Council member Navaid Hamid said.

Dr. Manzoor Alam, of AIMC observed that

Muslims were “amazed” at the verdicts “reliance

more on faith than on the facts”.

Prominent Shia clerics Maulana Mohammad

Mirza Athar of Shia Personal Law Board

Maulana Kalbe Jawwad and others expressed

their disappointment but cautiously.

Criticism by non-Muslims: The groups and

individuals of enlightened non-Muslim

intelligentsia who do not have a stake in the

dispute are also critical of the verdict. Prominent

among them are historians, jurists and social

activists.

Mr. Kuldip Nayar a noted journalist, rights

activist and former High Commissioner to U.K.

in his reaction to “fractured judgment” observed:

“The court was more interested in pleasing all

sections than in clarity. He said, “the silver lining

is that 2010 is not the same as 1992. People of

India have moved on and matured over the

years.

Eminent historian K.N. Panikkar noted that the

verdict was some sort of an attempted

compromise. The former professor of modern

history in JNU. Mr. Panikkar said: Whether this

compromise is strictly on the basis of law is a

doubtful fact. “Panikkar said that the court had

completely overlooked the fact that idol of Ram

was placed in the Masjid by use of force (in

1949) in fact, the judgment validates the

aggression by one group of the claimants.

Romilla Thapar, a reputed historian has noted:

“The verdict is a political judgment which is not

what one expects from a court of law. The

verdict has annulled respect for history and

seeks to replace history with religious faith.”

In her blunt critique she writes: “The court has

declared that a particular spot is where a diviner

or semi divine person was born …. This is in

response to an argument by Hindu faith and

belief. Given the absence of evidence in support

of the claim, such a verdict is not what one

expects from a court of law… can this support


a legal decision on claims to a birth place,

possession of land and the deliberate destruction

of a major historical monument to assist in

acquiring the land?”

She further said: The verdict has created a

precedent in the court of law. Since the

deliberate destruction of historical monuments

has not been condemned what is to stop people

from continuing to destroy others?” She

lamented, “The verdict has annulled respect for

history and seeks to replace history with religious

faith. True reconciliation can only come when

there is confidence that the law in this country

bases itself not just on faith and belief, but on

evidence.”

A joint statement signed by K.M. Shrimali, Irfan

Habib, Amiya Kumar Bagchi, Suvira Jaiswal,

M.K. Raina, Vivan Sundaram, Utsa Patnaik,

Zoya Hasan, Prabhat Patnaik, C.P.

Chandrasekhar, Jayati Ghosh, Geeta Kapur

along with Mrs. Thapar and Pannikar with 47

others prominent secular activists and historians

says: “The judgment has raised serious concerns

because of the way history, reason and secular

values have been treated in it,” and that “the

judgment is yet another blow to the secular fabric

of our country and the repute of our judiciary.”

Former Lok Sabha secretary general and

constitutional expert Subash Kashyap said the

judgment appeared to be more an exercise in

judicial mediation.

Rajiv Dhavan, a senior Counsel of Supreme

Court writes: “The Babri Masjid was destroyed

on Demember 6, 1992. It has all along been

assumed that the site on which it stood belonged

to Muslims. This having been decided in the

1940s; and the Hindu claims having been

rejected in 1885. It is also clear that the Muslims

did not lose the right to full ownership of the site

after the fateful idols were installed because the

Waqf Board filed its suit before 12 years

expired.” The judges seem to have over reached

themselves on the legal question and decided

something doubtfully to and offer a solution

which nobody had asked for.” “This is not a

judgment of a court of law based on legalities,

but a panchayti judgment.” Mr. Dhavan

suggested: “if the legal questions had been

properly answered the site would have belonged

to the Muslim community and the Hindu right to

prayer would have been recognized as moral

rather than a legal right which the Muslims should

consider conceding.

Silver Lining

Though the judgment, on its face is disappointing

yet one can see silver lining in the whole episode;

that evokes optimism. We need not to be

disappointed and should accept it as His will.

We were ordained to do our best to establish

claim and restore the Mosque for His worship.

We did it but perhaps, Allah has some other

scheme. What seems to be a defeat may be

converted in Fatahun Mubeen (Open victory).

I strongly hope so.

Justice S.U. Khan has underlined that silver

lining when he wrote: “This judgment is not finally

deciding the matter and the most crucial stage is

to come after it. … “ So we are to prepare for

that crucial stage. His remark, sometimes

patience is intense action, silence is speech and


pauses are punches, is also worth mentioning.

The patience which Muslims demonstrated

proved the essence of Justice Khan’s

observation. Before the judgment came,

everybody was scared of the aftermath. But the

way the apparent losers reacted peacefully and

gracefully gave a stunning message to the world

that the Muslims of India are not a senseless lot

of reactionary people but most sensible and

peace loving citizens. They have translated the

real meaning of sab’r (patience) in action. I

consider this as a big gain in the present world

scenario.

The other important point as stressed by Kuldip

Nayer is: “2010 is not the same as 1992. People

of India have moved on and matured over the

years.” The debates on TV and reactions in

news papers underline this heartening change

that the communalism is fading in public

perception and a more mature, secular India is

emerging.

Sobriety has also been noted in the reactions of

Sangh Privar, which has been heading the politics

of hatred for a long. RSS Chief Mohan

Bhaqwat’s advice to his follwers to exercise

“restraint” has worked and usual euphoria and

whipping communal feelings remained absent in

his cadres.

It has a clear indication that another communal

movement is nowhere on the horizon. By allotting

the mysthical janmasthan to the legal entity of

Ram Lalla at the cost of Muslim displeasure,

the Court may have validated theSangh Parivars

Ram Janmabhoomi movement but with the legal

nod came the sobering suggestion that the issue

was closed for future mobilization on communal

lines.

As reported by Mail Today most insiders felt

that while the issue may infuse fresh enthusiasm

for building a temple, the two factors that led to

the movement acquiring nationwide momentum

in the 90s were missing. One was the allegation

of Muslim “appeasement” and second was the

propaganda of injured Hindu pride over the

Babri Mosque standing at the purported

birthplace of Lord Ram.

Advani did his best to whip up the feeling of

victimhood and revenge for the supposed

historical wrongs among the majority by riding

a chariot with cries of “Saugandh Ram ki Khate

hain, hum mandir wahin banayenge.” It is worth

mentioning that his comments at BJP core group

meeting after the verdict were devoid of any

provocation for mischief. The judgment, Advani

said, begins a new era of inter-community

relations and “national integration”.

Should we not welcome these notions? I see a

more peaceful and better future for Muslims in

these conditions and invoke Justice Khan’s

observation: “Muslims must also ponder that at

present the entire world wants to know the exact

teachings of Islam in respect of relationship of

Muslims with others. In this regard Muslims in

India enjoy a unique position. They have been

rulers here, they have been ruled and now they

are sharers in power (of course, junior partners).

They are not in majority but they are also not a

negligible minority.”

vvv


“We do not want a temple that is made with

blood,” said Baba Gyan Das, a BJP rebel, in

an interview to the Times of India on

September 28.

Rejecting the VHP proposal for construction of

a temple on the site of the Babri Masjid, Baba

Das said, “The claim to be cutting stones and

doing the preparatory work but for the past

eight years all they have produced is two pillars.

If they really wanted a temple, they would have

built it by now .

“The VHP is involved in grabbing temples. In

the beginning, I was the only one here to oppose

them. Now, everyone has come together-all the

sadhus and mahants except for a few like

Paramhans and Nritgopal Das of the Digamber

Akhada-and we want the BJP to be defeated,

he disclosed.

In response to the interviewer’s statement that the

Muslims of Ayodhya have been feeling insecure

ever since the demolition of the Babri Masjid, Baba

Das said, “The Muslims here are terrified of the

VHP and its activists, not the Hindus of Ayodhya,

not the sadhus and sants. Now the BJP claims that

there have been not riots since, it came to power,

but I find this logic strange. When we are the ones

who start riots, why should there be riots when the

government is ours?”

WE DON’T WANT A TEMPLE

WITH BLOOD: BABA GYAN DAS

“Why was the enemy allowed to enter our own

home and kill our young men? If truth be told,

this is a government of traders and shop

keepers,” he stressed.

As for L.K. Adwani, Baba Das said, “Advani

is a Pakistani. In fact, Advani is a bhagerha. He

fled Pakistan and came running to India. If he is

such a great Hindu, why did not he stay behind

in his country and fight for the rights of Hindus?

As regards the VHP propaganda for cultural

nationalism of a country where Hinduism has a

special place, he said, “People of all religions

Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians fought for

this country. India belongs to all equally. How can

someone say that Muslims are not Indians. But

the RSS wants to break the country and create a

Hindu Rashtra which they can then control. I want

a secular state in which all people are equal.”

He also criticized Prime Minister Vajpayee’s call

for debate on conversion and said, “If people

are converting to other religions, whose fault is

this? For too long, sadhus and pundits have been

happy sitting in their temples. They tell Hindus

‘you are untouchables’. One should look into

one’s weaknesses and not point fingers at

others.”

(The interview of Baba Gyan Das is reprinted

for the benefit of readers. Editor)

Feature


In the middle ages Europeans were very ignorant

and superstitious people. Even some of those

who were considered well educated believed

in anything supernatural or incredible. At the

same time the European rulers and monarchs

were at war with each other. They had little

regard for Christianity particularly the Christian

church which was eager to establish its

dominance over the ignorant and those who

were extraordinarily credulous and superstitious.

The Pope wanted to increase has own personal

power since he was the head of the church. He

declared that it was unsafe for Christians to travel

to the holy places in the heart of the Muslim

world. The superstitious Europeans fell prey to

the preaching of the people for a war and a

crusade against Muslims and the Muslim world.

It seems the crusades were an ingenious attempt

on the part of the Pope at restoring the waning

influence of church over Christian monarchies.

The Pope directed the war mongering tendencies

of the Europeans outwards against the Muslim

world. They believed in him and flocked together

under one banner and set out to invade the

Muslim world. The first crusade ended in 1099

after the fall of Bait Ul Maqdis, i.e., Jerusalem.

BAIT-UL MAQDIS (JERUSALEM)

AND SALAHUDDIN

By Mohammad Yacoob

After Jerusalem was conquered, The Christian

armies behaved very cruelly and massacred the

entire Muslim population of Jerusalem. The

streets were running with the Muslim blood; even

women children and feeble old Muslims were

not spared. Masjid (Mosques) and other places

of worship were descomated and destroyed.

Intoxication of victory turned the Europeans into

vicious rulers.

In 532 Anno Hijira (1137 C.E.), Salahuddin was

born in a small town on the banks of River Tigris

on the border of Iran and Iraq. His real name

was Yusuf Ibn Ayyub. Salahuddin and other titles

were given to him when he became the vizier of

the Fatimide Khilafath in Egypt and during his

conquests, Ayyub, Salahuddin’s father settled

down in Damascus in 1143. In this glamorous

city of the golden age of Islam, young Yusuf was

educated in one of the Islamic Madrasas. At

that time history was taking a big turn.

Islamic spirit was determining a new course of

action to be taken by the Muslims in order to

restore their dignity. In 1144 Muslims besieged

and conquered the city of Edema. This city was

conquered by an European Christian, Baldwin

of Boulogne, before the fall of Bait Ul Maqdis

Feature


(Jerusalem) in 1099. Although the city was not

especially important, its conquest by Muslims

was a great blow to the Franks, for it indicated

to the Europeans that the Muslims have taken

steps to liberate areas of Muslim world now

occupied by Franks.

The second crusade was triggered by the

preaching of Bernard of Clairvaux. Its motives

had little to do with the so called crusades. Even

copies of a letter written by a Christian king

named Prester John were circulated throughout

Europe. It was nothing more than a charming

fantasy, proved later to have been written by a

non-existent person yet is was enough to

convince the ignorant and superstitious

Christians and European kings for waging a war

against the Muslim world.

“I am prester John, Lord of the Lords, by the

power and virtue of God and Jesus Christ. I am

a great monarch under heaven and above hell.

My Kingdom extends over the three Indies.

Seventy two kings are my vassals, and all the wild

beasts and monstrous creatures are in my domain.

There is the fountain of youth. There are pebbles

that give light, restore sight, and make their

possessors invisible. There are ants which dig gold

and fish which gives the royal purple. There is the

salamander which lives in fire.

When I go to war, 13 great crosses of gold and

jewels are carried before me, each one followed

by 10,000 knights and a hundred thousand

footmen. There are no poor in my domain, no

thieves, no flatters or misers, no dissension, no

lies and no vices. Before my marvelous castle

there is a marvelous mirror on a marvelous many

storied pedestal, and in this marvelous mirror I

see everything that goes on in my kingdom and

detect any conspiracies….”

The letter went on for several pages in the same

manner, and ended with prester’s promise to

attack and destroy Muslims. Finally in the spring

of 1147, the armies of the second crusade

arrived in the Muslim world. To their amazement

they discovered that the Franks had adopted

the Muslim customs. Their women, for example,

often went veiled they used face powder, henna

and other cosmetics that were still unknown in

Europe. Many of the Franks wore Arab

burnoose. They still spoke French mixed with

Arabic words.

The French members of the army found it difficult

to understand the local Franks.

During the summer of 1148, when Salahuddin

was only 10 years old, the leaders of the second

crusade attacked Damascus. They led a terrible

march on the fortifications around Damascus and

left all the beautiful gardens and trees in ashes

and in ruins, because they wished to demonstrate

their disapproval of the teachings of Prophet

Muhammad (S.A.W.) regarding the

preservation of trees during war. The Christian

army was led by warriors who were very

confident of their victory over the Muslims. They

held a meeting before the war to choose a ruler

for the conquered city Damascus. They laid a

siege of the city. This blockade continued for

four days, when the Muslims armies took the

initiative and continued relentless attack and


defeated the European army. The Muslims

drove the remaining Christian army away from

the city’s walls, into the surrounding fields.

Salahuddin was aware of what was happening

in and around Damascus. There was no peace

in the area. The invaders were threatening the

lives of the Muslims and non Muslims and at the

same time the internal troubles of the Muslims

themselves were also causing confusion and

chaos. In 1163 Salahuddin accompanied his

uncle Shirkuh to Egypt, who was invited to Egypt

to become an assistant to Shawar, the Vizier of

Egypt. Shirkuh led three expeditions against the

forces that were threatening Shawar. During the

second expedition Shirkuh discovered that

Shawar had made a secret agreement with

Franks. It seems he was afraid of the growing

influence of Shirkuh. The third expedition

resulted in defeat of the enemy forces and

appointment of Shirkuh to the vizierate of Egypt.

Salahuddin rose to power during his uncle’s

vizierate. He had already commanded the armies

in the last two expeditions and did not have any

difficulty in restoring peace during difficult times.

Immediately after the death of his uncle Shirkuh

in 564 A.H. (1169), he was appointed vizier of

Egypt. He devoted much of his time to restoring

order in all places and recovered Damitta in

1170. During the period 1174 to 1177 he

captured Emessa, Hamat, Mosul, Aleppo,

Aswan and Alexandria. By the year 582 A.H.

(1186) he had gained control of Egypt and the

surrounding countries, and was given the title of

Sultan of all Muslim lands west of Baghdad and

east of Libya. Now he diverted his attention

towards the enemy held territories and prepared

to carry out Jihad against the crusaders. The

most important battle was fought at Hattin Hills.

At Hattin Hills the Muslims surrounded the

crusaders and then attacked them in July 1187.

The fight raged all day with the Christians getting

the worst of it. The Muslims fought bravely under

the able and brilliant leadership of Salahuddin.

The systematic assault of the Muslims created

panic among the Christians that was so great

that they became completely disorganized and

lost the heart to continue the combat. It was a

shameful defeat for the Christians. Among those

captured by the Muslim army were King Guy

of Geoffrey, his borhter, Renand de Chattilon,

Lord of Kerek and many others. Bahauddin in

his book Salahuddin or What Befall Sultan

Yusuf Salahuddin says.

“The Muslims spent night in rejoicing over the

victory. Every voice chanted praises of God and

on all sides rose cries of Allahu Akbar and La

Ilaha Illah until dawn.”

The Muslims had the blessings of Allah. They

marched towards the other Christian held

territories and cities with a new Islamic spirit. In

the coming months Haifa, Acre, Nablus, the

fortress of Tiberias. Caearin and Nazareth fell

into the Muslim hands with little or no resistance.

Later, Beirut, Jebeil, ar Ramala, Yebna, ad-

Darun, Tibnin, Ascalon. Gazzah, Beti Jibrin and

an-Natrun and other cities were captured.

Salahuddin and the Muslim army set out to

achieve the final goal of the Islamic mission to


recapture and recover the city of Jerusalem aka

Baitul Maqdis from the usurpers and those who

desecrated the city.

Salahuddin was well aware of the conditions

under which the Europeans had invaded

Jerusalem approximately 90 years earlier. He

offered his generous terms to the delegation of

the Christians for the surrender of Jerusalem

peacefully. They refused his offer to give up the

city. He was left with no other alternative than

to liberate the city through military victory. He

positioned his troops in such a manner that it

provided a shield for his men who had been

digging through the wall. He continued his assault

and kept the pressure on the enemy until his men

were able to dig through the city wall. Soon the

yellow banner of Salahuddin appeared on the

Mount of Olives. Muslim victory rendered the

Christians helpless and immediately they pleaded

for peace and mercy.

Salahuddin accepted a treaty on his own terms.

The keys of the city were given to the Sultan.

He entered the city on 27 Rajab 583 A.H.

(1187), on the anniversary of the Night of

Ascension. It was great day. Salahuddin

declared: “If God permits us to drive the enemy

from that Holy House, what happiness is ours

and what powerful aid is afforded to us when

He grants us His help! For 90 years Bait-Ul

Maqdis has been in the hands of the infidels,

and never in all that time has God received

homage of His servants in Bait-Ul Maqdis. The

solicitude of our rulers slept while ages went by

and the Franks remained her masters. It has been

my dream and the desire of the Banu Ayyub to

recapture the strong Holy City and Al-Aqsa

Mosque, built upon foundations of awareness

of God. There is the rock which has remained

shining and stainless, the path of the ascension

of the Prophet, and the sublime dome which

crowns the rock. There the lightning flashed and

the Boraq sprang from the earth and the light of

heaven illuminated the darkness of the earth. The

Mosque, Al-Aqsa, was made a goal of

pilgrimage by the Prophet. God wishes to render

it to us in all its beauty, for He made mention of

it through the mouth of the noblest of His

creatures who said, “Glory be to God who

transported His servant by night from the sacred

Mosque (In Makkah) to the farthest Mosque

(Al-Aqsa).”

At that time thousands of hands were laboring

at the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The stones were

washed and sprinkled with rose water. A slender

pulpit of carved wood was placed in Al-Aqsa

Mosque. This pulpit was constructed and kept

in the city of Aleppo on orders from Sultan

Nuruddin, who wished to placed it in the Al-

Aqsa Mosque. Salahuddin had sent for it from

Aleppo. Around this pulpit prayer carpets were

spread. At that time the Muslims hastened to

perform the ablution. They prepared to pray in

this Mosque, Al-Aqsa, while the muezzin

ascended the tower to make the adhan.

(The writer is former Chairman, the

Consultative Committee of Indian Muslims

in US and Canada.)

µµµ


The five-day refresher course upgrading the

aptitude of Madani Ulama, teachers and social

reformers ended on 29 November, 2012. The

concluding function was chaired by Hafiz

Muhammad Yahaya, Ameer Markazi Jamiat

Ahel Hadeeth, Hind and moderated by Maulana

Aziz Ahmad Madani. Key speakers at the

function were Dr Abdul Latif Kindi, Sayyed

Mushtaq Ali Nadvi, Khursheed Ahmad Salafi,

Dr. Fazlur Rahman Madani, Dr Muhammad

Mufazzal, Maulana Abdul Makarim Azhari,

Maulana Abdut Tawwab Madani and Maulana

Muhammad Yunus Madani etc.

Earlier inaugural function was graced by H.E.

Ahmad Ali Al-Rumi (Saudi Embassy) who

addressing the audience said: “Morality, honesty,

sincerity, help, respect for others and tolerance

of each others views are a few of the behavioural

traits that are considered good every body is

expected to manifest them. Nowa-days, it seems

religion is not preached and followed in its real

spirit and sense. There is a need to stress that

good behavioural traits, following Holy Quran

and Sunnah, which are the characteristics of

religion, should be developed among humans.

Maulana Asghar Ali Imam Mahadi Salafi

General Secretary, Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadeeth

said: “Man is the only being who is endowed

FIVE-DAY REFRESHER COURSE

ENDED ON 29 NOVEMBER, 2012

News from Headquarter

with respect and dignity by none other than God

the Almighty Himself. Man has been created in

the best of moulds. In the words of the

Messenger of God (S.A.W.) “Be the servants

of God and brothers to each other. The Holy

Quran and Ahadeeth have enumerated in great

detail the fundamental human rights of security

of life, property, honour and dignity.

It is duty of Ulama and social reformers to teach

the real spirit of religion and emphasis should

be made to establish peace, and harmony in

Society. The social evils should be eradicated.

They should strive for peace, prosperity, piety

and human dignity. They must stand for equality,

fraternity, justice, fair play and impartiality. The

syllabi of Schools and Madarsas should be

developed from this perspective. Books should

be written and prescribed to promote humanity

and clean the society from social evils. In day-

to-day activities, people who exhibit good

behavioural traits should be given adequate

encouragement.

The participants of the refresher course

appreciated the Jamiat Ahle Hadeeth

endeavours for such a great programme, taking

care of particpansts, comport, extending warm

welcome to them and managing each and every

event to the contentment of the participants.


Maulana Abdul Karim Salafi, Head of Delhi

Unit of Jamiat Ahle Hadeeth, a member of

Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadeeth’s Majlis-e-

Shoora and Trustee of many mosques died in

Delhi after a prolonged illness on 5 November

2012, at the age of 55. He was buried on

November 6, in Delhi in the presence of a large

number of his friends, Jamati members and fans.

A number of great personalities in India and

abroad condoled his death and paid rich tributes

to him. He is survived by his wife, 7 sons and

two daughters. During the last days of his life,

he lost his eye sight.

He was born in Tukriyya, Siddharth Nagar, UP.

He was educated at Madarsa Misbahul Uloom,

Tukriayya, Jamia Rahmania Banaras and Jamia

Salafia Benaras.

He was attached with Jamia Islamia Sanabil

under Abul Kalam Azad Islamic Awakening

Center, New Delhi for almost 12 years. He was

founder of Markaz Ibn Qayyum At-Talimiyya

Al Khairiyya, Delhi and Umme Salma Girls

Public schools, Shaheen Bagh, New Delhi. He

was pious, knowledgeable scholar, kind hearted

and a devoted Muslim. Hafiz Muhammad Yahay,

Ameer Jamiate Ahle Hadeeth, Hind; Maulana

Asghar Ali Imam Mahadi Salafi, General

OBITUARIES:

Secretary and Alhaj Wakel Parvez, the treasurer,

while paying rich tributes to him said that he was

a great Alim, a renowned Islamic scholar, a man

of action and principles who never bartered his

conscience and rendered great sacrifices for the

milli and Jamaati causes. His death is a great

loss to the millat and Jamaat May Allah forgive

his sins and give him peace and rest in Jannat.

Dr Abdul Haq Ansari, former Ameer of JIH

Hind died of a heart attack on 3, October at

Aligarh at the age of 81. He was born on

September 1, 1931 at Tamkohi, Deoria, Uttar

Pradesh.

He received his early education in his native

place and there after in Gorakhpur. He did his

B.A. Honours in Arabic, MA and Phd in

Philosophy from Aligarh Muslim University and

MTS from Harvard University. He worked as

a teacher and professor at Vishwa Bharti

University (Shanti Niketan), of Arabci, Persian

and Islamic Studies, Umm Darman University

(Sudan), U.P.M University (Malayasia),

University of Riyadh and King Fahad University

of Petroleum and Minerals, Daheran.

He is survived by his wife, one son and four

daughters. He was buried at Aligarh.

Obituaries

The SIMPLE inside TRUTH - Jamiat Ahle Hadees 12.pdf · "THE SIMPLE TRUTH" December, 2012 (3) inside...

Documents

Transcript of The SIMPLE inside TRUTH - Jamiat Ahle Hadees 12.pdf · "THE SIMPLE TRUTH" December, 2012 (3) inside...