सूरए बक़रह की 7वीं आयत इस प्रकार हैः


خَتَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَى قُلُوبِهِمْ وَعَلَى سَمْعِهِمْ وَعَلَى أَبْصَارِهِمْ غِشَاوَةٌ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ (7)

अल्लाह ने उनके हृदय तथा कानों पर मुहर लगा दी है, उनकी आंखों पर पर्दा डाल दिया है तथा उनके लिए एक बड़ा दण्ड निर्धारित किया है। (2:7) यद्यपि काफ़िरों के पास बुद्धि, आंख तथा कान आदि होते हैं परन्तु उनके घृणित कार्यों और उनके हठ ने उनके सामने पर्दा डाल दिया है और वे वास्तविकता को समझने, देखने तथा सुनने की योग्यता खो चुके हैं। यह तो उनके लिए सांसारिक जीवन का दण्ड है परन्तु परलोक में बहुत ही बड़ा दण्ड उनकी प्रतीक्षा में है। यहां पर यह प्रश्न उठता है कि यदि ईश्वर ने काफ़िरों के हृदय, आंख व कान पर ताला डाल दिया है तो उनका अपराध क्या है? क्योंकि वे अपने कुफ़्र के संबन्ध में विवश थे। इस प्रश्न का उत्तर स्वयं क़ुरआन ने दिया है। सूरए मोमिन की ३५वीं आयत में आया हैः अल्लाह घमण्डी तथा अत्याचारी लोगों के हृदय पर मुहर लगा देता है।इसके अतिरिक्त सूरए निसा की १५५वीं आयत में हम पढ़ते हैं- अल्लाह ने उनके कुफ़्र के कारण उनके दिलों पर ताले लगा दिये हैं।वास्तव में यह आयत मनुष्य के संबन्ध में अल्लाह की प्रथा व परंपरा को दर्शाती है कि यदि वह सत्य के मुक़ाबले में घमण्ड या हठ से काम लेगा तो उसकी पहचान की शक्ति समाप्त हो जाएगी और उसे हर वस्तु उल्टी ही दिखाई देगी तथा वह लोक-परलोक में घाटा उठाएगा।इस आयत से हमने जो बातें सीखीं वे इस प्रकार हैं।जो सत्य को समझने के बाद भी उसे स्वीकार नहीं करेगा, ईश्वर उसके हृदय, कान और आंख पर ताला लगा देगा जो कि ईश्वर का दण्ड है।पशुओं और मनुष्यों के बीच केवल बुद्धि का ही अंतर है और कुफ़्र के कारण यह अन्तर भी समाप्त हो जाएगा।सूरए ब़क़रह की 8वीं आयत इस प्रकार हैःوَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يَقُولُ آَمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَبِالْيَوْمِ الْآَخِرِ وَمَا هُمْ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ (8)लोगों का एक गुट कहता है कि हम ईश्वर तथा प्रलय पर ईमान ले आए हैं जबकि वे ईमान नहीं लाए हैं। (2:8) क़ुरआन जो कि ईश्वर की ओर से मार्गदर्शन की किताब है हमें ईमान वालों, काफ़िरों तथा मुनाफ़िक़ों अर्थात मिथ्याचारियों की विशेषताएं बताती है ताकि हम स्वयं को पहचानें कि हम किस गुट में हैं और अन्य लोगों को भी पहचान सकें तथा उनके साथ उचित व्यवहार कर सकें। सूरए बक़रह के आरंभ से यहां तक चार आयतों में ईमान वालों का और दो आयतों में काफ़िरों का परिचय कराया गया है। इस आयत में और इसके बाद वाली पांच आयतों में तीसरे गुट अर्थात मिथ्याचारियों का परिचय कराया जा रहा है। इस गुट में न तो पहले गुट की सी पवित्रता तथा उज्जवलता है और न ही दूसरे गुट की भांति खुल्लम-खुल्ला इन्कार व उपेक्षा। इस प्रकार के लोगों के मन में न तो ईमान है और न ही ज़बान पर कुफ़्र है। यह लोग डरपोक मुनाफ़िक़ या मिथ्याचारी हैं जो अपने आंतरिक कुफ़्र को छिपा कर दिखावे के लिए इस्लाम की घोषणा करते हैं। पैग़म्बरे इस्लाम हज़रत मुहम्मद मुस्तफ़ा सल्लल्लाहो अलैहे वे आलेही वसल्लम ने मक्के से मदीने हिजरत अर्थात पलायन किया और अनेकेश्वरवादियों को मुसलमानों के मुक़ाबले में भारी पराजय हुई तो मक्के और मदीने के कुछ लोगों ने दिल से इस्लाम पर विश्वास न होने के बावजूद अपनी जान या संपत्ति की सुरक्षा या किसी पद की प्राप्ति के लिए दिखावे के तौर पर इस्लाम लाने की घोषणा की और वे मुसलमानों में घुलमिल गए। स्पष्ट सी बात है कि यह लोग डरपोक थे और इनमें इतना साहस नहीं था कि वे अन्य काफ़िरों की भांति अपने कुफ़्र पर खुल्लम-खुल्ला डटे रहते। बहरहाल मिथ्याचार और रंग बदलना ऐसी समस्या है जिसका सभी क्रांतियों एवं सामाजिक परिवर्तनों को सामना करना पड़ता है इसीलिए हमें कभी यह नहीं सोचना चाहिए कि जो कोई अपने आप को ईमान वाला बताए उसके दिल में ईमान अवश्य होगा। ऐसे लोग बहुत हैं जो ऊपर से इस्लाम पर विश्वास दिखाते हैं परन्तु भीतर से उसकी जड़ें काटते हैं।इस आयत से हमनें जो बातें सीखीं वे यह हैं।ईमान एक आंतरिक वस्तु है न कि ज़बानी अतः हमें केवल लोगों की बातों से ही संतुष्ट नहीं हो जाना चाहिए।सूरए बक़रह की 9वीं आयत इस प्रकार हैःيُخَادِعُونَ اللَّهَ وَالَّذِينَ آَمَنُوا وَمَا يَخْدَعُونَ إِلَّا أَنْفُسَهُمْ وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ (9)वे लोग अल्लाह और ईमान वालों को धोखा देते हैं, जबकि वास्तव में वे अपने अतिरिक्त किसी को भी धोखा नहीं देते और यह बात उनकी समझ में नहीं आती। (2:9) मुनाफ़िक यह सोचते हैं कि वे बहुत चतुर हैं और ईमान का ढोंग रचाकर ईश्वर को धोखा दे रहे हैं। वे पैग़म्बरे इस्लाम हज़रत मुहम्मद मुस्तफ़ा सल्लल्लाहो अलैहे वे आलेही वसल्लम और मुसलमानों को धोखा देकर उचित समय पर इस्लाम पर प्रहार करना चाहते हैं जबकि ईश्वर उनके हृदय की बातों से परिचित है और उनकी मिथ्या को भलिभांति जानता है। वह उचित अवसर पर उनके कुरूप चेहरे पर पड़े हुए पर्दे को उठा देता है। यदि रोगी अपने चिकित्सक से झूठ बोले कि मैंने दवा खाई है तो वह अपनी सोच के अनुसार चिकित्सक को धोखा देता है जबकि वास्तव में उसने स्वयं को धोखा दिया है। इसी प्रकार से मुनाफ़िक़ सोचते हैं कि उन्होंने ईश्वर को धोखा दिया है किंतु वास्तव में वे स्वयं धोखे में हैं।इस आयत से हमने जो बातें सीखीं वे इस प्रकार हैं-मुनाफ़िक़ अर्थात मिथ्याचारी, धोखेबाज़ होता है अतः हमें उसकी ओर से सदैव ही सचेत रहना चाहिए।हमें स्वयं भी दूसरों को धोखा नहीं देना चाहिए क्योंकि धोखे के परिणाम स्वयं धोखा देने वाले तक अवश्य वापस आते हैं।इस्लाम भी मुनाफ़िक़ के साथ वैसा ही व्यवहार करता है जैसाकि मुनाफ़िक़ इस्लाम से करता है। वह दिखावे के लिए इस्लाम लाता है और इस्लाम भी उसे दिखावे का मुसलमान समझता है।मुनाफ़िक़ के हृदय में ईमान नहीं होता इसीलिए प्रलय में ईश्वर उसे भी काफ़िर के ही समान दण्ड देगा।मुनाफ़िक़ स्वयं को चतुर समझता है जबकि वह अत्यन्त मूर्ख होता है क्योंकि वह यह नहीं समझता कि ईश्वर उसकी हर बात से अवगत है। 

Chhota Imambara, Lucknow - 8th Moharrum

Illustration by Mariyam Kazmi 

on the eve of 8th of Moharrum, Lucknow

8th Muharram (HAZRAT ABBAS(AS))

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem Tonight is the night of 8th of Moharram. Surely tonight, we will shed more tears. We will do more matam. Tonight is a very tragic night, it is the night of Hazrat Abbas. Abbas! Who was Abbas(AS)? Abbas, the Captain; Abbas, the Commander; Abbas, the brave and strong warrior; Abbas, the Alamder - flag bearer; Abbas, the faithful brother; Abbas, the guardian of Umme Kulthoom and Bibi Zainab; Abbas, Sakina's dearest uncle; Abbas, son of Ummul Baneen; Abbas, the lion son of Ali. Abbas (AS)was like his father, Ali(AS). He had all the qualities of his great father. Abbas (AS)was brave, strong, wise, loving, obedient and faithful. His father, Ali(AS), on his dying bed, gave Abbas' hand to Hussain(a.s) said: My son Abbas, Hussain(a.s) is the son of Bibi Fatima(s.a). Abbas, you are my son. Abbas, Hussain(a.s) is your master. You are Hussain(a.s)’s slave. Abbas, take care of Hussain(a.s)." Since that day, Abbas(AS) had fulfilled Hussain(a.s)'s every wish like a faithful slave. Abbas treated Hussain(a.s) like his master. He always treated Bibi Kulthoom(SA) and Bibi Zainab (SA)with great respect. He followed Hussain(a.s) like a shadow. Abbas was with Hussain(a.s) in Karbala. Hussain(a.s) knew Abbas was like their father, Ali(AS), a brave and strong warrior. He would tell Abbas(AS): "My brother Abbas(AS) keep your sword in its place. Don't take your sword out to fight. We have come to save Islam. Abbas(AS), we have come to teach true Islam. We will teach Islam - not with our swords but with our character. Patience Abbas(AS), patience" When Yazid's men pulled out Hussain(a.s)'s tents from the river bank, Abbas became very angry. He pulled out his sword and wanted to fight there and then. Hussain(a.s) said: "No Abbas, no! Be patient. We have not come here to fight, Abbas(AS). Imagine a warrior like Abbas(AS), asked not to pull his sword out, after being treated so badly. That needs great patience. Ashura came. Ali Akber(AS) gave his last Adhan. Everyone in Hussain(a.s)'s camp prayed Fajr Namaaz. The battle of Karbala began. One-by-one, Hussain(a.s)'s companions went to the battlefield and were martyred. Everytime a body was brought to the tent, Abbas went to Hussain(a.s) and said: Master, now allow me to go to the battlefield. Enough, Master, enough. Let me go and fight those beastly men, Master." Every time, Hussain(a.s) calmed Abbas (AS)down by saying: "No Abbas, no! How can I let you go? You are the captain of my army. You are my right hand man, Abbas. You are mu support, Abbas. Where would I be without you, Abbas? No Abbas(AS), no." Abbas' three brothers went to the battlefield and were martyred. Auno - Mohammed went to the battlefield and were martyred. Qasim (AS)went. His body was trampled and torn to pieces, Abbas (AS)became very restless and could not take it anymore. Somehow, he must get permission. Abbas walked to Umme Kulthoom and Zainab's tent and then turned back. He knew they won't let him go. Abbas walked to Hussain(a.s)'s tent several times and back again. How could he persuade Hussain(a.s) to let him go? Abbas is restless. Abbas wants permission to fight. Just then, little Sakina(SA), with her mashk, came to Abbas. "Uncle Abbas, look at my mashk. It is very dry. AL-ATASH, uncle. Sakina is very thirsty, uncle Abbas." Abbas thought of a way to get permission from Hussain(a.s). He picked up little Sakina and went to Hussain(a.s)'s tent. Abbas sat in front of Hussain(a.s), with Sakina on his lap. Abbas didn’t have to say anything. Hussain(a.s) looked at Abbas and then at Sakina(SA) and her mashk. Hussain(a.s) understood Abbas' expression. "Abbas, how can I say no, now? You have brought Sakina with you. Go Abbas, go. Go and fill Sakina’s mashk with water. One request, Abbas, leave your sword with me! Remember, Abbas(AS), you are not going to the fight. You are just going to get water for Sakina(SA)." Abbas gave his sword to Hussain(a.s). He kissed Sakina (SA)and put her down. He said: "Sakina, pray for me, pray that I get water for you." Abbas then went to Zainab(SA). "Sister Zainab(SA), give me permission to go to the battlefield." "Brother Abbas(AS), I used to hear that my hijab would be looted. Abbas(AS), I used to say, how dare could anyone snatch my hijab when I have eighteen brothers. Now Abbas(AS), that you are going, I believe that my hijab will really be looted." Abbas(AS) went to the battlefield. In one hand Abbas carried the Alam of Hussain(a.s)'s army and in the other he held a spear and Sakina's mashk. He had no sword to fight but had a spear for protection. He headed for River Furaat. Yazid's soldiers saw Abbas coming. They had seen Abbas fight and knew he was like his father, Ali(AS). They were scared, The few who dared to attack Abbas were killed by his spear. Abbas (AS)reached the river and filled Sakina's mashk. He then asked his faithful horse to drink water. The horse looked towards Hussain(a.s)'s camp and seemed to say: "Master, are you sure that the water will reach Sakina(SA)? Master, how can I drink when Sakina (SA)and Ali Asghar (AS)are thirsty? Let us first give them water, and then I will drink some." Abbas(AS), with his Alam in one hand and his spear and Sakina's water-filled mashk in the other, rode back. Umar Saad, Yazid's commander, ordered his men to stop Abbas taking water to Hussain(a.s)'s tents. The enemies surrounded Abbas(AS). They fired arrows from all directions. Abbas(AS) was hit with many arrows. He was bleeding. Just then, a soldier came from behind and struck his sword on Abbas' shoulder. Abbas (AS)gripped the mashk with his teeth, as his arm and spear fell to the ground. Another soldier came and struck his sword into Abbas' other shoulder. The Alam and the other arm fell to the ground. Imagine, Abbas(AS) on his horse - No arms - holding Sakina's mashk between his teeth. Water must reach Sakina(SA). Abbas(AS), still had the strength to go on. Sakina’s mashk is still filled with water. An arrow was shot. It hit Sakina's mashk. The water began to pour out. Abbas lost all his strength as the water poured out from Sakina's mashk. He fell from his horse and cried out: "Master, come to me. Master let me see you for the last time." Hussain(a.s) heard Abbas. He was heartbroken. With his hands on his back he cried out: "Son, Ali Akber, my back is gone. My support is gone. My Alamdar is gone." Hussain(a.s) and Ali Akber rushed to the battlefield. Hussain(a.s) saw his brother lying on the ground. Imagine how Hussain(a.s) felt when he saw his brother lying on the ground - covered with blood, both arms severed. He placed Abbas' head on his lap. "My brother, Abbas? You are leaving me too. Abbas, what will I do without you? My support, Abbas, I am finished without you. My brother Abbas, can I do anything for you?" "Yes, Master. When I came to this world, I saw your face first. Now, as I am going from this world, Master, I would like to see your face for the last time." 'Abbas, why can't you see me?" "Master, my eyes are covered with blood." Imam Hussain(a.s) cleaned Abbas' eyes. Abbas gazed at Hussain(a.s). "Abbas, I have a wish too. All your life you have called me Master. Once, brother Abbas, just once, call me brother." Abbas said: "Hussain(a.s), my brother, do not take my body to the tents. I am ashamed of myself. I don't want Sakina to see me. I don't want my sisters Kulthoom and Zainab to see me like this. I don't want Kulthoom and Zainab to cry." Abbas took his last breath and died on Hussain(a.s)'s lap. Poor Hussain(a.s)? What should he do now? Hussain(a.s) picked up the Alam and tied Sakina's mashk to it. Sakina saw the Alam coming. She shouted: "Children, come children. My uncle Abbas is coming with water. I will give all of you water. Come children, come." Hussain(a.s) reached the tent. He cried out: "Z-A-l-N-A-B…….Help me, Zainab(SA)…….The Alam has come……But the Alamdar has not…" INNA LILLAHE WA INNA ELAIHI RAJEOON! WE ARE FROM GOD AND TO GOD WE RETURN!

India on 134th Place in Human

Development Index

A UN study

ranked India

at 134 out of

187 countries

in terms of Human Development

Index. The study however observed

that life expectancy at birth in India

has increased by 10.1 per cent a year

over the last two decades.In the 2010

Human Development Report,

prepared by UNDP, India had been

ranked at 119 out of 169 countries.

However, according to the new report

for 2011, it is misleading to compare

values and rankings with those of

previously published reports as the

underlying data and methods have

changed, as well as the number of

countries included in the Human

Development Index.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei called on the Muslim nations to form an international Islamic power bloc. 

In his message to Hajj Pilgrims in 2011, Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the popular uprisings in Arab countries and the recent anti-capitalism movement across the world and called on Muslim states to ‘make the most of this opportunity for the formation of an international Islamic power-bloc’. 

Ayatollah Khamenei said such global developments ‘can change the destiny of the Islamic Ummah (nation)’ and herald ‘a bright future accompanied with dignity and progress’, leader.ir reported on Saturday. 

“Today, the West, the United States and Zionism are weaker than ever,” the Leader pointed out. The Leader described the present era as a ‘new chapter’ in the history of the Islamic world in which ‘a young generation has emerged from the heart of these nations’.
Islam has become the guiding principle of popular movements despite efforts by secular rulers to contain the influence of religion in Muslim countries, Ayatollah Khamenei added.
The message was addressed to more than 2.5 million pilgrims from around the world who converged in the vast plains of Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia to perform a ritual of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. 

The following is the full text of message. 

In the Name of Allah, the All-beneficent, the All-merciful.
All praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, and may blessings and greetings be to the Master of the creatures, Muhammad Al-Mustafa and his immaculate Family and his elect Companions. 

The spiritual spring of Hajj has arrived with its freshness, purity and God-given grandeur and majesty, gathering again the faithful and eager hearts like butterflies encircling the Ka’bah of Divine Unity and Islamic solidarity. Camped at Makkah and Mina, Arafat and Mash’ar are the fortunate human beings who, having responded to the call of ‘proclaim the Hajj to all the people’, are being honored with the hospitality of the clement and munificent Lord. Here is the blessed House and the source of guidance from which the manifest Divine signs radiated and the canopy of safety was set up to cast its universal shade. 

Wash your hearts in the Zamzam of piety, humility and God’s remembrance. Open the inner eye to the lights of the Divine signs. Embrace the spirit of submission and dedication, which are the hallmarks of true servant hood. Keep on refreshing in your hearts the memory of that patriarch who, in willing compliance, led his Ishmael to the scene of sacrifice, thus showing us the clear path of attaining the friendship of the Glorious Lord and the manner of traversing it with a resolve infused with faith and an intent imbued with sincerity. 

The station of Abraham is one among these manifest signs. The footprint by the side of Holy Ka’bah of Abraham, may Peace be upon him, is only a symbol of the station of Abraham. The station of Abraham is his station of dedication and self-sacrifice, his fortitude and resistance to personal desires and fatherly feelings as well as against the domination of unfaith, polytheism and Nimrod, the tyrant of the time. 

Today these two paths of deliverance lie open before each of us, individuals belonging to the Muslim Ummah. Determination, courage and firmness of resolve on part of each one of us can advance us towards the same goals to which mankind have been invited by the Divine envoys from Adam to the Seal of the Prophets, with the promise of dignity and felicity, in the world and the Hereafter, for those who take this path. 

It will be worthy of the Hajj pilgrims at this great assembly of the Islamic Ummah to address the most important issues of the Islamic world. The uprisings and revolutions in some important Islamic countries are at the head of these issues. The events that have taken place in the Islamic world in the interval between the previous and present Hajj pilgrimages can change the destiny of the Islamic Ummah, and they forebode a bright future accompanied with dignity and progress, material and spiritual. Dictators and ‘corrupt’ taghoots, allied with foreign powers, have been overthrown in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya, and the stormy waves of popular uprising in some other countries threaten to bring down the castles of wealth and power. 

This new chapter in the history of Our Ummah reveals certain truths which are all manifest Divine signs and give us vital lessons. These truths should be taken into account by Muslim nations in all their calculations. 

First, a young generation has emerged from the bowels of these nations after decades of political subjugation to foreign powers, which with its admirable self-confidence, is ready to face dangers, confront the dominant powers and is determined to change the status-quo.
Second, despite the authority and efforts of secular rulers and their overt and covert measures to curtail the influence of religion in these countries, Islam, with its conspicuous and impressive presence, has become the guiding principle of popular expression and sentiment. Like a fountainhead effusing through popular discourse and behavior it has given vitality and freshness to the rallies and activities of the millions. The mosques and minarets, Islamic slogans and calls of Allahu Akbar (God is Great), all are clear indications of this fact and the recent Tunisian elections provide decisive evidence for this claim. Without doubt, free elections in any Islamic country will hardly result in anything except what happened in Tunisia. 

Moreover, as revealed for all by this year’s events, God Almighty has placed such a force in the resolve and determination of nations that no power whatsoever can withstand it. With this God-given power nations can change their destiny and partake of Divine help.
Furthermore, during the last decades arrogant powers, led by the United States, had reduced the regional states to a subjugate condition through their political and security tactics. They imagined to have opened an obstacle-free highway for their rising economic, cultural and political domination over this sensitive part of the world. But now they are the primary target of the disgust and hatred of the region’s nations. To be certain, the regimes emerging from these revolutions will never submit to the disgraceful inequalities of the past, and the political geography of the region will be drawn by the nations in pursuance of their dignity and complete independence. 

In addition, the crafty nature of the hypocritical Western powers has become all too apparent for the people of these countries. The US and Europe made their utmost efforts to retain their pawns in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya, each of them in a particular way. But when their wishes had to give in before the resolve of the nations, they cast a wily friendly smile at the triumphant public.

There are further precious facts and manifest Divine signs embedded in the regional events of the past year, which are not hard to discern for reflective minds.
Nevertheless, the entire Islamic Ummah and especially the revolutionary nations stand in need of two basic elements:

First, the continuity of their stand and avoidance of slackness in resolve. In the Qur’an, the Divine summons to the Greatest Messenger, may God bless him and his Family, are addressed in these words: “Be steadfast, just as you have been commanded--[you] and whoever has turned [to God] with you--and do not overstep the bounds (11:112)” and “Be steadfast, just as you have been commanded (42:15).” The Prophet Moses, May Peace Be Upon Him, is quoted as telling his people: ‘Turn to God for help and be patient. The earth indeed belongs to God, and He gives its inheritance to whomever He wishes of His servants, and the outcome will be in favor of the God-fearing’. (7:128)” 

At the present, the most significant aspect of God-fearing for the risen nations is not to halt in their auspicious movement, and not to let themselves be diverted by the achievements of this phase. This is the important part of the God-fearing and piety whose possessors are rewarded with the “favorable outcome.” 

Second, vigilance with regard to the plots and gimmicks of the arrogant international powers who have suffered a setback from these uprisings and revolutions. They will not sit idle. They will reenter the arena with all their political, financial and security outfits to reestablish their influence and control in these countries. Their outfits are carrot and stick and deceit. Experience has shown there are some among the elite who are susceptible to these gimmicks. Fear, greed or negligence prompt them to serve the enemy. The vigilant eyes of the youth, intellectuals and religious scholars should be closely watchful. 

The biggest danger posed by the Camp of Unfaith and arrogant powers lies in its intervention and influence over the structures of the new political systems in these countries. They will do their utmost to see that the new systems do not take on an Islamic and democratic identity. All the concerned people in these countries and all those who cherish their homeland’s honor, dignity and progress should work to ensure the complete and perfect Islamic and democratic character of the emergent polity. In this regard, the role of the constitutions will be prominent. National unity and official recognition of sectarian, tribal and ethnic differences are a precondition of future success. 

The valiant revolutionary nations of Egypt, Tunisia and Libya, as well as other awakened and combatant nations, should know that the sole means of deliverance from the oppression and guile of the United States and other Western hubristic powers is to establish a global balance of power conducive to their interests. The Muslims should bring themselves on a par with the great world powers in order to be able to reach a serious solution of their problems with the World-devourers. This cannot be achieved except with the cooperation, understanding and solidarity of Islamic countries. This was an unforgettable advice of the great Imam Khomeini. 

For months on, the United States and NATO dropped bombs on the heads of the Libyan people making Gaddafi, a vicious dictator, an excuse. Gaddafi was someone who was considered their close friend before the valiant uprising of the Libyan people. They used to coddle him, steal the wealth of Libya through his hands and press or kiss his hand in order to dupe him. Following the people’s uprising, they made him an excuse to destroy the entire infrastructure of Libya. Which state could stop the tragic massacre of the Libyan people and destruction of the country at the hands of NATO? Until the claws and fangs of the bloodthirsty and barbaric Western powers are not broken, such dangers will remain conceivable for Islamic countries. Their safety from such dangers is not possible except by forming the Islamic world as a powerful pole.

Today the West, United States and Zionism are weaker than ever before. Economic troubles, successive failures in Afghanistan and Iraq, deep-running public outrage in America and other Western countries with its daily widening scope, the struggles and sacrifices of the people of Palestine and Lebanon, the daring popular uprisings in Yemen, Bahrain and some other countries under American influence--all these are significant portents for the Islamic Ummah, especially for the emergent revolutionary nations. Faithful men and women throughout the Islamic world, particularly in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya should make the most of this opportunity for the formation of an international Islamic power block. The vanguard and the elite of the uprisings should place their trust in Almighty God and, with reliance on His promise of help, adorn the new chapter in the history of the Islamic Ummah with their lasting achievements, thus earning God’s approval and fulfilling the prerequisites of His help 

May Peace be upon God’s righteous servants! 
Seyyed Ali Hussaini Khamenei 
29 Dhul Qa’dah, 1432 
5 Aban, 1390 
27 October, 2011 

                                                                                                                                                             

France and Islam

Fighting freedom with fire

Nov 2nd 2011, 15:06 by S.P. | PARIS

WHEN the French satirical weekly,Charlie Hebdo, reprinted controversial Danish cartoons of the Prophet, Muhammad, five years ago, French political leaders were ambivalent. Jacques Chirac, then the president, called it a “manifest provocation”. “Anything that can wound the convictions of others should be avoided,” he declared. Today’s political reactions to a fresh controversy surrounding Charlie Hebdo and Islam have been far more robust.

The paper’s issue dated November 2nd and entitled "Charia Hebdo" (a play on the French word for sharia), is “edited” by Muhammad, who threatens in a front-page cartoon “100 lashes if you don’t die of laughter!” Inside are dozens of satirical stories and cartoons depicting Muhammad, as well as caricatures featuring women wearing the burqa, the face-covering veil. The idea was to “celebrate” the victory of Islamists at Tunisia’s recent election, and the introduction of sharia law in Libya. Late last night, the publication’s offices in the 20th arrondissement of Paris were firebombed.

This time, French politicians have been unequivocal. François Fillon, the centre-right prime minister, not only denounced the attack, but declared that “freedom of expression is an inalienable value”. Bertrand Delanoë, the Socialist mayor of Paris, deplored the “act of violence against the freedom of expression”. 

In some ways, this is a straightforward issue of the right to free speech. France outlaws holocaust-denial, but otherwise protects free speech. Controversial cases often end up in court. Since it was founded 19 years ago, Charlie Hebdo’s editor told Le Monde, his paper has been sued 13 times by various Catholic organisations, offended by the depiction of Christianity—but only once by Muslim groups, which went after Charlie Hebdo over the 2006 caricature issue and lost the case.

Yet the controversy comes at a delicate time for France’s efforts to reconcile its secular tradition with the demands of its Muslim minority of some 5m, which is Europe’s biggest. France has banned the wearing of the burqa in public. It recently cracked down on Friday prayers in the streets of Paris. A permit to build a big new mosque in Marseilles has just been refused on technical grounds. Any pretext can be used these days to spread (and amplify via social media) outrage at the mere hint of Islamophobia.

Hence, presumably, the more cautious reaction today of French Muslim leaders. Mohammed Moussaoui, leader of the French Council of the Muslim Faith, an official body, condemned the attack, and stated his “profound attachment” to freedom of expression. But he also “strongly deplored the very caricatural tone” of the newspaper towards Islam.

Many Muslims will indeed find the cartoons offensive, not least because they breach a convention in Islam that the Prophet should not be depicted. But Nicolas Sarkozy, the current French president who was then interior minister, put it well in 2006 during the previous controversy: he preferred, he said, “an excess of caricature to an excess of censorship”.

SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR VISITED HOLY SHRINE OF HAZRAT ALI (A.S)

फलसफा-ए- जेहाद

फलसफा-ए- जेहाद 

जेहाद के मौजू पर इस्लाम में व्यापक द्रष्टिकोण मौजूद है, लेकिन इस विषय को जानबूझकर तोड़ मरोड़ कर और मनफी (नकारात्मक) जाविये पेश किये गए हैं, जो तराकी याफ्ता दौर में "Cave Religion (खोह या गार का मज़हब ) की अवधारणा (नज़रिए) को पेश करता है.   

फलसफा-ए- जेहाद 

कुरान करीम  जन्नत को "अमन की जगह" कह रहा है. इस लिए मुसलमानों ने इस अमन या सुकून की जगह को हासिल करने के लिए हर कोशिश अपनी ज़ात के ऊपर या अपने अहल ओ अयाल के ऊपर या अपने गिरोह के ऊपर की जा रही है. यह बहुत बड़ा अलमिया है कि इस्लाम का इदराक "बे-खता" लोगों को मारने में किया जा रहा है.  

जिहाद की तारीफ़ (difnition : परिभाषा ) :

मग़रिब की दुनिया ने जहाँ इस्लाम को समझने में ज़बरदस्त गलतियाँ कीं हैं, लफ्जे - जेहाद को भी बहुत फूहड़ ढंग से पेश किया गया है.  जिहाद को "होली वार" (Holi War) के तौर पर तर्जुमा किया गया है. जबकि होली-वार का तर्जुमा "हर्ब-उल- मुक़दसः" है, जो कहीं भी कुरान की किसी भी आयात में नहीं मिलेगी. इस्लामिक हवालाजात में कहीं भी कोई ऐसा रेफरेंस नहीं मिलता जिससे यह पता चले की कभी भी इस्लाम ने  "गैर-मुस्लिम" के ऊपर हमला करने या जंग की इजाज़त दी हों. सिर्फ इस लिए कि वोह मुसलमान नहीं हैं  ऐसा कहीं नहीं है. 

लफ्जे जिहाद, इस्तेख्राज किया गया है, लफ्जे "जहादा" से, जिसके मानी, तात्पर्य - "सख्त कोशिश करना, जद्दो जहद करना" है. इन्फिरादी तौर पर या शख्सि तौर पर जिहाद के मानी - इन्सान का अपनी ज़ात के अन्दुरुनी जौहर या सिफात के बचाव के लिए की जाने वाली सख्त कोशिश का नाम है, ताकि वोह इसको अल्लाह के सामने "सजदा" या इताअत का जो भी तरीका हों करके पेश कर सके. जिहाद उस कोशिश या जद्दो जहद को कहते है जो एहकाम ए इलाही को अदा करने के लिए की जाती है और हवाए नफस की मुखालफत, और शैय्तान की नाफ़रमानी के ज़रिये की जाती है, .

मजमूई (सामूहिक ) तौर पर जिहाद कई तरीके इख़्तियार कर सकता है, जैसे :-

1. अकली या शउरी जिहाद : मज्मोई तौर पर इसमें वोह जद्दो जहद / कोशिशें मुहीत होती हैं जिसके ज़रिये से खुदा का हुक्म, इंसानों ( बनी-अदम ) तक पहुँचाया जाय और सामाजिक बुराइयाँ के सद्दे-बाब (खात्मा) के लिए इल्म, हिकमत, और हुरमत से पुर तक़रीर का इस्तेमाल किया जाय. जैसा कि कुरान ए करीम की इस आयात से ज़ाहिर होता है, " "और उस व्यक्ति से बात में कौन अच्छा हों सकता है जो अल्लाह की ओर बुलाय और अछे कर्म करे और कहे; "निसंदेह, मैं मुस्लिम (आज्ञाकारी) हूँ." ( कुरान : सूरा हां०मीम०सज्दा, ४१:३३)
2. इख्तेसादी जिहाद (आर्थिक जिहाद - Economic Jihad) : यह वोह जिहाद है जिसमे हम अपने ज़राय आमदनी से कुछ हिस्सा मुफलिस और नादार लोगों, बेवाओं और यतीमो, मोहताजो और बे-आसरा लोगों के लिए खर्च करते हैं ताकि उनकी मदद हों सके. 
3. माद्दी जिहाद (भौतिक : physical ) जिहाद:इसमें वोह जिहाद शामिल है जिसमे इज्तिमाई तौर पर मुसल्लह अफराद (collectively armed ) ज़ुल्म के खिलाफ, इस्तेह्साल (शोषण) के खिलाफ या मुआवेज़ा के तौर पर किया जाता है. 
4. इस तरह हम देखते हैं कि जिहाद का तसव्वुर या नजरिया बहुत ही वसीह और कुशादा है. 

माद्दी जिहाद :

जंग के मैदान में किया जाने वाला जिहाद सबसे आखिर गुज़र-गाह है, जिसमे सख्त ही नहीं, बल्कि शदीद शरायत मौजूद हैं. यह जिहाद हुर्रियत (आज़ादी ) के लिए ख़ास तौर पर ईमान की आजादी के लिए किया जाता है. कुरान ए करीम में इरशाद है, "अनुमति दी गई उन लोगो को जिनके विरुद्ध युध्ह किया जा रहा है, क्योंकि उन पर ज़ुल्म किया गया -- और निश्चय ही अल्लाह उनकी सहायता की पूरी सामर्थ्य रखता है." : (कुरान : अल-हज्ज, २२:३८) 

आगे इरशाद ए बारी ए ताला है, "ये वे लोग हैं जो अपने घरो से नाहक निकाले गए, केवल इस लिए कि वे कहते हैं कि "हमारा रब अल्लाह है". यदि अल्लाह लोगो को एक दूसरे के द्वारा हटाता न रहता तो मठ और गिरजा और यहूदी प्रार्थना भवन और मस्जिदें, जिनमे अल्लाह का अधिक नाम लिया जाता है, सब ढ़ा दी जातीं. अल्लाह अवश्य उसकी सहायता करेगा -- निश्चय ही अल्लाह बड़ा बलवान, प्रभुत्वशाली है.

कुरान ए करीम में और भी कई मकामात हैं, जहाँ इस बात का तजकिरा किया गया है, मिसाल के तौर पर सूरए "आले इमरान" की आयात न० 75 में इरशाद होता है, " तुम्हे क्या हुआ है कि अल्लाह के मार्ग में और उन कमज़ोर पुरषों, औरतों और बच्चों के लिए युद्ध न करो, जो प्रार्थनाएं करते हैं कि "हमारे रब ! तू हमें इस बस्ती से निकाल, जिसके लोग अत्याचारी हैं. और हमारे लिए अपनी ओर से तू कोई सहायक नियुक्त कर".

इस तरह यह चीज़ वाजेह हों जाती है कि मादी जिहाद की तारीफ़ कुरान ए करीम ने साफ़ तौर पर वाजेह  और मोइय्यन कर दी है, और उसकी शरायत से वाकिफ करा दिया गया है.  

यह ज़रूर है कि इस्लाम नें ऊपर बयाँ की गई शरायत के तहत हालाँकि जिहाद की इजाज़त दी है, बल्कि कुछ हालात में वाजिब करार दिया है, लेकिन ज़िम्मेदारी के जाब्ते के तहत, इस्लाम के "सलामती" की छिपी हुई मंशा ज़ाहिर होती है. गैर फौजी या शहरियों के खिलाफ कोई जिदाल नहीं. 

यहाँ भी कुरान रहनुमाई कर रहा है, " और अल्लाह की राह में उन लोगो से लड़ो जो तुमसे लड़े, लेकिन ज्यादती न करो. निसंदेह अल्लाह ज्यादती करने वाले को पसंद  नहीं करता." (कुरान : सूरा बकरा : 2:190) 

शहरियों के खिलाफ कोई जंग / हमला नहीं : इस्लाम ने यह नुमायाँ कर दिया है कि उसकी जंग / जेहाद किसी शहरी के खिलाफ नहीं है. और न ही उन लोगो के खिलाफ है जो जंग में हिस्सा नहीं ले रहे हैं. यह जंग सिर्फ  लश्कर या जंगी रिसाले के खिलाफ है. आम अवाम जो फौजी नहीं है, उनसे कोई मतलब नहीं, उन्हें कोई ज़रर नहीं पहुँचाया जायेगा. 

यहाँ पर भी कुरान का हुक्म मौजूद है, "और अल्लाह की राह में उन लोगो से लड़ो जो तुमसे लड़े, " कुरान : सूरा बकरा : 2:190)