The Bombing

satyavadi #43:

You said, “ Also, can`t understand why ``Abdullah was born at Surat, India to a family of the former Nawabs of Surat`` . Abdullah could also have been born to some Ashraf Rangwala, a State Bank of India employee and Zubeida Rangwala, 8th grade bilogy teacher at ``St. Some One`` high school in the same Surat. Why the Nawab family ? Elitism..............I dare not say that :)”

-----I was only alluding to another ‘playboy-prince’ in early Islamic period who did a mid-course 180 degree turn. Perhaps it was too obtuse.

And you add “We can only pray that no moron ever does what that Israeli does in this article, because I am sure that something like that would trigger the worst tragedy in the history of humankind. Trust the faith of Muslims for that.”

-----Couldn’t agree more.

regards

t

rehanhasanansari #51

here is another Iqbal for you:
The last couplet in the same poem.

hawa hay go toond-o-taiz laikin chiraagh apna jala raha hay
woh mard-e-darwaish jis ko haqq nay diyay haiN andaaz-e-khusrawana

rgds

t

mannyd # 49:


That is an interesting thought. What with so many things happening on October 12 this cannot be discounted. But why Jinnahabad? Why not Pakistan?

rgds

Moez #48:

Moez: “I`m in favor of these vested scholars learn it hard way.......”

-------Perhaps your optimism is misplaced. If they have not learned the lessons in the past
seven or eight centuries what makes you think they ever will?

Let us go back to the roots and examine the five basic tenets of Islam.

1: Kalema or Shahadat.
2: Salat or Namaz.
3: Saum or Rozah.
4: Haj or Pilgrimage.
5: Zakat.

Let us examine their deeper meanings, implications and continuous impact upon the Muslim’s life for the moment.

SHAHADAT
Unless one is a new Muslim, this Kalemah is taken for granted and chanted and shunted in the deep recesses of the individual and collective sub conscious

SALAT & HAJ
Instead of a gradually expanding focal point for the local and worldwide Muslims --- local street mosque, local area mosque, and outside city gatherings twice a year, and an out of country gathering once in a lifetime-----(daily, Friday, Eids and Haj prayers)---- they have turned into rituals. Rituals without any impact on the self or the community at large.

SAUM
Instead of time for inner and outward introspection where the focus should be on the self and its relationship with others in the city, country, Ummah and Allah it has become a dietary ritual.

ZAKAT
This is an obligatory 2 1/2 % yearly tax on assets to be distributed to the poor relatives, the State and or other deserving causes.
I will take Pakistan as an example. Zia introduced at source deduction of Zakat. People expolited a loophole and by the thousands if not millions submitted certificates to their banks stating they were Shias, and thus exempt from this tax.

This outlook has to change. This change has to come from within and without. A collective change in which unfortunately one cannot minimize or ignore the role of the Ulemas.

regards

temporal

Temporal :

I do not understand. How does the hatred and bigotry of one set of people invalidate your beliefs, your character, your soul ? You may lack the influence that the fatwa-issuers have, but that is not a crime or a sin. All that you can do, that you are expected to do, is to stand up for what you believe in. The outcome is whatever it is, that is where faith, optimism and patience come into the picture.

-arun gupta

FarangiKush# 52

you say

Please read Al-Biruni.written around 1000AD it is the most authoritative account to date.Also travels of Ibn-Batuta,Tunisian--1200AD maybe,very very informative.I have yet to come across such objective reporting even in this day & age of instant info.

Since when has history written by invaders become objective :

1. Do you buy the british history when they say that 1857 freedom struggle was mutiny

2. Or that tibet was invaded by china to improve the tibetan life

3. or that hitler was model of compassion when he invaded austria

4. or that the british colonized the entire world to civilize them and it was a white man`s burden to civilize and the british empire was act of british compassion

5. or that america killed 3 million vietnamese for sake of democracy

6. or pakistan killed 3 million bangladeshis for entirely humanitarian reasons.

the invaders as rule are powerful. they need to wash down their guilt. and as they are powerful they can push down their versions of history down the unwilling throats of the invaded population.

the invaded population loses its identity.

very obviously you have lost , besides the foreskin of you penis, entire notions of what your identity is and hence you are intent on ratifying the garbage of invaders as the Truth.

A CIRCUMCISED NATION ... that is PAKISTAN... nay a CASTRATED NATION ...THAT is PAKISTAN...or should i say JINNAHABAD

Temporal,

Very well written.

Islam is simplicity and simplicity is Islam.

Keep it up.

Aliya $ 46:

What a great read.
-----Thankyou!

Hope to see some more.
------Why? You gave no reasons or comments.

rgds

t


PS:

Aliya #47:

*grin * -- ditto--.
I maybe slow, but me thinks me got the message the first time. *zmm *

Temporal,
a very well written piece of (pardon the expression) ``temporary insanity`` here.

Ras

Harimau

Psst...if you ever *really * want people to start listening to what you say...take out the accusations...and rethink what is it that you`re really trying to say? That India is an all-inclusive secular state...as long as you claim to be related to Hinduism in some obscure manner...and as long as you don`t challenge the fact that Brahmins are this and not that? And those good-for-nothing scheduled castes are getting free seats in so many places...?? Try looking into the situation of Native Indians in US and more specifically Canada and compare the priviliges given to them here with the ``priviliges`` of Scheduled-Caste people in India. (ALSO compare the subjugation and treatment both received at the hands of stronger groups).

I will ask again, and if you get time from your busy life, please answer...I`m still waiting.

WHO ARE BRAHMINS? WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A BRAHMIN IN THIS DAY AND AGE?

What does it mean to be a HINDU? (does it depend on taking revenge from the Muslims for all that they have done to us first and foremost?) CLARIFY exactly what would make a lowly (but BRAHMIN) HINDU APOLOGIST like me to rise to your nationalistically admiring ranks??

Please elaborate, this young apprentice has to decide between the dark side of the force and the good side...MAY The Force BE with you.

Brat

ad:#42

Thanks for your kind words.

Please understand.This I am requesting you as a an impartial & objective observer(justice lover?).

The invaders were not interested in the religion of their own.Few kings are.We in Islam call it malookiyat which is opposite to Khilafat.Waging war for loot,plunder,& conversion is not Islamic but at the same time we cannot call these kings non-muslims either.These kings did not view the pundits,brahmins,& mahints as pious religious persons either.They viewed them as fellow plunderers.Most of the local populace was also happy to support the invaders because they were sick & tired of exploitation by the religious-king-usurpers(temple keepers).In fact the son-in-law of the local king himself called & sided with this particular invader.

Please read Al-Biruni.written around 1000AD it is the most authoritative account to date.Also travels of Ibn-Batuta,Tunisian--1200AD maybe,very very informative.I have yet to come across such objective reporting even in this day & age of instant info.

Wassalaam.

PS:I have studied some hinduism myself simply to understand the other side.It may not be a bad idea if you read something on Islam.Martin Lings biography of our Prophet(sw)is a good read.

Re: Mr. T. [I like this name for you, especially after reading your fiction in which you`re blowing up the world!], #38

I should`ve expected philosophical musing from you. Don`t forget that only our physical beings will turn into dust or ashes. What happens after that, who knows. Some believe that our bodies are akin to shoes; when they get old, you toss them and buy new ones (hopefully, nice and expensive ones!).

It`s true! Years of half-hour sitcoms, sandwich between commercials, have taken a toll on my attention span!

``Itni puraani yaari aur sar-e-aam aap nay yeh baat likh di?``

Well, as they say, with friends like Godot...

Temporal,

As always witty, succinct, and you know what...Bravo!

If t the bottom line (of this article) is the renaissance of Islam by obliterating Ka`ba then I think (in my humble opinion) wont work because you know the Musalmaan mentality one thing get stuck up there wont come out easily (there will be LOT of bloodshed`s and it will keep going on). I`m in favor of these vested scholars learn it hard way like the Christians did in middle ages. When they will grab the power and try to achieve the lost golden age of Islam they will come to their senses that they just simply can`t deliver (current election in Iran, for e.g).

Sooner or later Muslims have to realized to keep up with the world, they have to be `awaken,` they simply can`t live in the 7th century forever.

And for the distracters, just ignore them. From your other interacts I know you`re a good fella, so buddy keep writing.

Wasalaam,

Moez Momin

What a great read. Hope to see some more.

What a great read. Hope to see some more.

macgupta #44:

arun:

----My question : why is that not relevant ? I would say that in reality, it is the only thing that is relevant.
---- My question is : again, why ? What is it about the existence of Zaid`s, Bakr`s, Saad`s definition of Muslim that coerces you into doing/not-doing or believing/not-believing that you otherwise would not-do/do or not-believe/believe ?

As usual very thought provoking queries from you.

Wish I had a cut dried answer. In my mind I am a Muslim. In addition to Allah, and Prophet Muhammed I believe in tolerance and respect for everyone else on planet earth.
I hate obsessive excesses be it in the guise of religion, politics or social mores.
I believe in the moderation and goodness of the human spirit.
I believe in living and letting others live.
I believe in being a good neighbour.
I believe in being a good corporate citizen of this earth.
Whether I follow the tenets and rituals of my professed religion is my business.
I hate fundamentalism of any stripe.
I am not devoid of hatred. I am normal. But I hate hatred. It irks me forever.
And I am at peace with myself.

Submit this criteria to those five ‘learned’ Aalims that issued that fatwa against Shabana Azmi, and see them froth with hatred and bigotry. That is why I will politely say it is not relevant.

regards

temporal