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Posted by admin in CURRENT EVENTS on July 12th, 2023
\“The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don’t do anything about it.”Albert Einstein
How to Mirror the on-going Injustice and Insanity against Besieged Mankind?
Dr. Mahboob A. Khawaja specializes in international affairs-global security, peace and conflict resolution with keen interests in Islamic-Western comparative cultures and civilizations, and author of several publications including the latest: One Humanity and the Remaking of Global Peace, Security and Conflict Resolution. Lambert Academic Publications, Germany, 12/2019.
Global institutions of peace, security and conflict resolution are managed by people who lack basic understanding of mankind, its role and vitality in global affairs, protection of human rights and aspirations for a sustainable future-making. When a formidable action is needed to prevent violation of human rights, security and even essential needs of survival, they bent on issuing phony statements and refer to international law of humanitarian rights (which does not exist or nobody cares about), and show faces of solidarity for leading humanity in painful crises. They are deceptive as they breathe incompetence, greed, egoistic name and fame and betray humanity. There is much evil and less goodness in the 21st century global affairs – amassed collection of unthinkable junk history. Flamboyant expressions of besieged mankind that defies ignorance and hallmarks of modern civilized people.
There are seeds of unimaginable and destructive Western cultural absolutism that could destroy the sense of time and rational consciousness of living history. The on-going war in Ukraine, violations of human rights, colored prejudice and indigenous killings in North America, social and moral injustice and continuous warfare – all echo degradation of human values and soul, exhibit intellectual discard, universal unhappiness, horrors, societal chaos and socio-economic miseries of innumerable multitude.
The politically wise and elected failed to foresee the formidable challenges coming from the 99% oppressed mankind across from global frontiers. Most political leaders would claim intellectual integrity but where else false proclamations go unnoticed of human sufferings, pains and socioeconomic devastation cannot be assumed to be the strategies of kindness in the struggle for sustainable political change and systematic reformation of terror and injustice.
We witness that human tragedy between Russia-Ukraine, across Western Europe, North American streets, the Middle East and elsewhere while human conscience is still intact. Politicians tend to opt for convenient compromise deforming political truth as transient and pliable but truth is always ONE, not many, and this is what most contemporary leaders failed to comprehend. We, the People of the globe must learn from living history and think of navigational change or else it is a self-generated dehumanization curve – an evidence of a tragic human abnormality across all the functional domains, from thinking to actions. To safeguard our future, We, the People of global Conscience must evolve a compass of credibility to check those who are exercising political power and are entrusted with people’s confidence for peace, societal harmony and workable conflict resolutions.
The UNO – in Search of Reinventing another Universal Organization
The UNO was supposed to safeguard mankind from the “scourge of war”, but the UN Security Council- a progressive hope after WW2 is really a debating club for time killing exercises and a manipulative global political powerhouse. The Five self-appointed permanent members compete in fear of the others and sustainability propaganda to discuss the current issues. They are not interested in stopping the savagery of killings between Ukraine and Russia, going on for almost year and half, appalling human rights violation and dehumanization of the people of Palestine under Israeli occupation, freedom fighters in Kashmir against the Indian military control, million of Rohinga people ethnic displacement from Myanmar, and destabilization of Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Libya and so on. There is nothing good coming out of the Security Council as a main hub of global peace, security and conflict management. The eloquent speakers tend to march on people’s passion for peace and harmony with artful sophistry and captivating eloquence of words without meaning and prompt action to protect humanity.
The Western news media networks propel portraits of human degradation, historic injustice and socio-economic vices as if political deception and prejudice were new things to political thinkers and rulers. How could we rethink to change the centuries old dreadful human apparatus of brimstone, tormenting social inequalities and torture inflicted by the contemporary so called working democratic systems of political governance? The UNO and its inept leadership has no plan to safeguard mankind from the coming of a Third World War.
Extreme ideologies undermine Peace and Human Unity for Sustainable Future
Those who grab political power by extreme ideologies and hateful manipulation are men of political intrigue assuming power through exploitation of fellow human beings and impose their absurdity on human consciousness striving for survival. Indian PM Narendra Modi recently visited the US to uplift his dubious public image as a leader. He spoke of peace and terrorism when he is actively engaged in oppressing the minorities across India -Sikh, Hindu, Muslims, Christians, violations of women rights and rape and waging a prolonged war against the people of Kashmir. Truth is One and the same unchanging as it was many centuries earlier.
Contrary to the historic India under Mughal Empire where ethnic diversities lived in harmony, we are seeing contemporary India denying equal human rights and freedom – a framework of extreme Hinduism ideology. The masses of Kashmir seek their rights to freedom, not forced captivity. How strange for over seventy years, corrupt Pakistani politicians never thought of an international conference on Kashmir? Pakistanis are abhorrent to critical thinking and criticism for political change. The one track military minds dominate the Pakistani so called political landscape and people are struggling to restore a sense of normalcy and lost credibility to nation’s survival. Unless there is a navigational change away from the military dictatorship to restore democracy, Pakistanis could end-up losing their national freedom.
Could Ukraine and Russia meet at a conference table for an immediate ceasefire and peace making? NATO and the EU are not working in a logical framework to have a dialogue with Russia or to stop the killings and displacement of civilians across Ukraine. Would America and Israel determine the future of the war torn Middle East? Several oil producing Arab leaders are complicit in failure of finding a peaceful resolution of Palestine – be it the East Jerusalem or the annexation of the West Bank. These puppets are mindless beings not living with the Arab people but in palaces under the CIA management. Israeli and Palestinian both live in mutual fear and moral and intellectual decadence. Had they believed in Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Mohammad and their teachings as Prophets of God- all trying to unite mankind before God, they should have reached a peace deal.
The PLO lacks intelligent and effective leadership to counteract Netanyahu whereas the Israeli’s problem rests with the right wing extreme leadership devoid of peace, morality and human equality. PM Netanyahu glued to the extreme right wing parties planning to annex the West Bank of Palestine into Israeli territory. The settlement goes on and wicked leaders simply call it against international law. As if Palestinians were not human beings but just digits and numbers. One would have hoped that thinking Israeli politicians will safeguard their own freedom and security and work out a peaceful settlement between the two nations. None of them could live in peace and harmony unless human rights, freedom and justice are respected by all the parties.
Could the Global Leaders Learn to be People-oriented, Effective and Peacemakers?
Despite many political and strategic odds, one cannot blame the Western industrialized nations for ignorance, human prejudice and sociol-economic disparities. Why has nobody else challenged the racial inequality and moral injustice? What did the Arabs or Muslims contribute to the changing pattern of global political affairs? Global humanity is a mix of all cultures and civilizations. The Arab-Muslim world failed to produce any leader of vision and intellectual integrity for the changing and complex global affairs of the 21st century. When Arabs leaders had proactive vision and intellect and human values, they articulated a unique civilization tolerant of diversity and varied cultural ethnicity in Andalucía (Spain) and built upon the unity of faith to nurture peaceful co-existence and human development. If you list the historic scientific, educational and technological discoveries and contributions of Muslim scholars, they are countless.
Do you know any other scientists or scholars whose textbooks were used continuously for five centuries in European medical schools? Or their scientific work translated into Latin, French, Deutch, English and other languages spoken across the world. Husain Abdullah Bu Ali Sina – Ibne–Sina (Avicenna – “Canon of Medicine” and “Book of Healing”), and Zakria Al-Razi (Russ), 10th century scientists and scholars. The Europeans changed their names to Avicenna and Russ so that nobody would recognize them as Muslim scholars. It is noted that Ibne Sina (Avicenna) alone discovered and authenticated 36 pharmaceutical formulas being used to this day. Marai Rosa Menocal (A Golden Reign of Tolerance: The Ornament of the World: How Muslims, Jews and Christians Created a Culture of Tolerance in Medieval Spain, 2003), explains: The lessons of history, like the lessons of religion, sometime neglect examples of tolerance. A thousand years ago on the Iberian Peninsula, an enlightened vision of Islam had created the most advanced culture in Europe….In Cordoba, the library housed some 400,000 volumes at a time when the largest library in Latin Christendom probably held no more than 400.
Despite the sketchy illusions of freedom, democracy, human rights, liberty and justice, we are encroached, stuffed and at terrible risk of annihilation more accidental and by error of judgment than planned scheme of things by Man against Man. Often the extreme Western political propaganda inflamed hatred against colored and indigenous people, Islam and blames Muslims as being “terrorists.” David Floyd’s voice continues to echo – “I cannot breathe…I cannot breathe” across the global human consciousness. Often false propaganda, deception and prejudice are combined in a trajectory of plans to sell weapons and console the egoistic Arab leaders as allies of the Western military alliance. This political delusion is full of inherent inconsistencies. Gary Wills (What the Qur’an Meant and What It Matters. Viking, NY, 2017), a leading American scholar explains the reality in his new book:
Our enemy in this war is far less localizes than it was in World War 2 or the Cold War. Terror is a tool, not a country. Declaring a war on it is less like normal warfare, country versus country, there is No VE Day or VJ Day in such wars… living with fear is corrosive…the less we know about the reality of Islam, the more we will fight shadows and false emanations from our apprehension. Ignorance is the natural ally of fear. It is time for us to learn about the real Islam beginning with its source book – The Qur’an.
Dr. Mahboob A. Khawaja specializes in international affairs-global security, peace and conflict resolution with keen interests in Islamic-Western comparative cultures and civilizations, and author of several publications including the latest: One Humanity and the Remaking of Global Peace, Security and Conflict Resolution. Lambert Academic Publications, Germany, 12/2019.
Posted by admin in CURRENT EVENTS on December 8th, 2022
Peace or War: To be Optimistic or Pessimistic about the Future of Humanity
“Pity the nation whose people are sheep
And whose shepherds mislead them
Pity the nation whose leaders are liars
Whose sages are silenced
And whose bigots haunt the airwaves
Pity the nation that raises not its voice
Except to praise conquerors
And acclaim the bully as hero
And aims to rule the world
By force and by torture…
Pity the nation oh pity the people
who allow their rights to erode
and their freedoms to be washed away…”- Lawrence Ferlinghetti, poet
Mahboob A. Khawaja, PhD.
Realism has its own moral and intellectual properties and truth cannot be made truer simply by numbers and fake political statements. We, the People of globe have no passion for war; it is incompatible with human nature whereas peace is the outgrown truth of human consciousness and moral, spiritual, and physical balance. The on-going war between Russia-Ukraine and NATO appears to set the psychological agenda undermining a sustainable future for mankind without realizing its real-world affects across the board manifesting frightening waves of fear and hatred across the globe. Fear and hatred are the defining traits used by the warmongers to belittle mankind just as lifeless digits and numbers to be counted in official statistic.
Is the media propaganda a weapon of conquest of human minds, soul, and future-making? Come to understand the contemporary issues of the 21st century’s Russian-American and European discards over Ukraine and the future of oil and gas supplies, grain exports and economic relationships all under scrutiny between those who during the 2nd WW stood united against foreign aggression and killings of fellow human beings. An amassed collection of fear, ambiguity and distrust spells out the prevalent reality of current global affairs. There is no corresponding communications and dialogues between the superpowers to change the horrible present into a sustainable and peaceful future for the humanity populating this planet. All that is happening or could happen such as: “Ukraine goes in darkness”, “Russian bombing destroyed Ukraine’s infrastructures”, “NATO not fighting in Ukraine”, “the EU discard over Russian war on Ukraine”, and lot more making sensational headlines. The perplexed statistic of weapons and money to aid Ukraine represents a shaky scenario of encountering the military onslaught and balancing of reason is missing across the tensions of unrealized possibilities of peacemaking and conflict resolution.
Alexis Carre, the 2022-23 Thomas W. Smith Postdoctoral Research Associate of the James Madison Program, Princeton University (“Europeans Have Weapons but Aren’t Warriors” Foreign Policy: 12/07/22) , argues negating the history of European conquests across Asia, Africa, North Africa and South America as if they went in peace and were not the warriors of horrors, killings and political deception and military occupation. Often crises have multiple spillover agendas for change and surprises. Just as there is an EU, alliance between America and Japan, Russia, and China-Japan and so on. Could we imagine the coming of a new age of relationship between Russia, Ukraine, and America-led NATO when even most exemplary political vigilance could be liable to unusual surprises?
Is there an Irony between Logic and Political Wickedness?
Ukraine wanted to join the European community-NATO and claims the right of freedom to join any international organizations for its betterment, peace, and security. NATO’s formation and scope is limited to nationalistic conventional warfare in the European theatre. One wonders, what wars did NATO fight to protect its ideals and strategic priorities after the 1945 WW? What NATO had to do with Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya? Were these accidental engagements or simply an extension of planned irresistible catastrophic instances of tyranny against the people of Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and Syria? The history of NATO and its plans and ideological motives are equally distorted and disfigured on the global screen of reason, honesty, and accountability.
Is NATO run by the wrong people, glued to wrong thinking, and doing the wrong things without any rational sense of time, people’s interests, and history? Craig Murray (“NATO-an idea Whose Time has Gone.”: AntiWar.com), former British Ambassador to Uzbekistan and Rector of the University of Dundee, UK, foresees the body as obsolete
It is also the case that the situation in countries where NATO has been most active in killing people, including Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, and Pakistan-NATO’s attempt to be a
global arbiter and enforcer has been disastrous at all levels…it is very clever and cynical. NATO provides power to the elite and money to the wealthy.
Leader of Human Consciousness should Think Critically before They Act
Hans Morgenthau (Politics Among Nations: The Struggle for Power and Peace, 1978): the legendry theorists of the 20th century points out that: “Realism, believing as it does in the objectivity of the laws of politics…politics must be subjected to the dual test of reason and experience…..for realism, theory consists in ascertaining facts and giving them meaning through reason….If we want to know the moral and political qualities of his (politician) actions, we must know them, not his motives.”
We, the People live in a splendid Universe in which planet Earth floats ordained by the commands of God. We are moral beings unlike animals that possess the eyes, ear and other senses but cannot draw logical conclusion from their senses. We, the People draw rational results what we see and what we hear, therefore, we are different, and we cannot act or live animals. There is a moral sense of spirituality and humanity to co-exist in harmony with the rest of all creations on this Earth. Modern wars represent sadistic and cruel minds to undermine human rights, dignity and life. They destroy all that is built over the ages that we call human cultures and civilizations. All the Abrahamic Faiths (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) reveal the truth of “Trust” – human beings took to be responsible and be at peace with the Nature of Things. This TRUST and its reminder are clearly mentioned in The Qur’an, Chapter 33: 72:
“We did indeed offer the Trust to the Heavens and the Earth, And the mountains but they refused; To undertake it, being afraid thereof: But man undertook it; He was indeed unjust and foolish.”
We are One Humanity, and we are the most intelligent being populating the earth. We can THINK and REASON and cannot act like animals without accountability. The Earth is a living entity and is meant for us – human beings. We, the People wonder who else except God created life, the Earth and the living Universe floating in space well balanced and functional since time immemorial. Who else other than God determined the Earth’s spinning of 1670 km per hour? Who else than God ordained it to orbit the sun at 107,000 km per hour? And who else than God made it to spin at 28,437 km per hour at the equator? (https://www.newscientist.com/question/fastearthspin/#ixzz7C8p37S9X). Be aware that earth average distance to the Sun is about 93 million miles (105 million km); the distance of Moon from Earth is currently 384,821 km equivalent to 0.002572 Astronomical Units and if the distance between the Earth-Sun or the Earth-moon were ever to change, there will be no sign of life or habitats left on Earth.
We, the People, wish to rejoice truth, not evil. We, the worlds’ people, enjoin focused minds and imagination to articulate a new world of One Humanity, brotherhood and peaceful co-existence amongst all, free of hatred, fear, wars, encroachment and animosity. We, the people of the globe possess understanding – how to change the egoistic and embittered insanity of the few hate-mongers and warlords into equilibrium of balanced relationship between Man, Life and God- given living Universe in which we reside all.
Every beginning has its end and effective leaders should always be open to listening and learning. President Macron had a phone conversation with President Putin and reasserts the need for futuristic ‘security guarantees’ for Russia to come to peacemaking. President Biden tells audience in Washington that he can speak with President Putin. President Putin shows readiness to talk with Western leaders. For what are they waiting? Why don’t they take initiatives to have a dialogue for a ceasefire and peace treaty? The US, the EU, NATO, and Russia should rethink peacemaking, not enlarge the scope of the current conflict in Ukraine. President Putin needs to rethink to be at peace with their neighbours even if their national interest differs and the future could be challenging for peaceful co-existence. Most superpowers and their analytical thinkers and political planners lack understanding of the convergent factors of life articulating viable change when it is at the peak of its lifeline. They worship the form and forget the essence of peace, security, human survival, Planet Earth and global peace and unity of mankind for a sustainable future. Raymond Aron, French Political Philosopher and Sociologist offered the following foresight at the dawn of 1939 WW2:
“When one is speaking to people who profess to despise peace, one must say that, if one loves peace, it is not out of cowardice. It is ridiculous to set regimes founded on work against regimes founded on leisure. It is grotesque to believe that cannons can be resisted with butter, or effort with rest.”
Dr Mahboob A. Khawaja specializes in international affairs-global security, peace, and conflict resolution with keen interests in Islamic-Western comparative cultures and civilizations, and author of several publications including the latest: One Humanity and the Remaking of Global Peace, Security and Conflict Resolution. Lambert Academic Publications, Germany, 12/2019.
Invincibility is a commendable goal – but can hi-tech weapons systems really provide an invincible defense shield? Sohail Gul Khan appears to be a realist because, according to the article, he emphasized that Pakistan is facing daunting challenges of internal and external security. But “invincible” means “incapable of being defeated.” Throughout time, great warriors have strived to achieve invincibility, but without success. History shows that adversaries inevitably devise methods to counter new weapon systems, and no doubt they will do the same in Pakistan.
Fortunately, there is a science-based approach that can protect Pakistan from both internal and external threats. It is appropriately termed, Invincible Defense Technology (IDT), because it assures invincibility, peace and even economic progress, to the nation and the military that employ it.
Invincible Defense Technology (IDT), a Proven, State-of-the-Art, Non-violent Military Solution
The IDT approach to defense has its basis in a radically new preventive model that has been thoroughly field-tested in numerous world battlegrounds. This approach results in rapid reduction of individual, societal and national collective stress. Its methods have been proven and adopted as part of the training of America’s future commanders at Norwich University, a nationally respected and oldest military academy in the USA (see also the YouTube video “Meditation Improves Performance at Military University“). IDT is further validated by 23 peer-reviewed studies carried out in both developed and developing nations. Its coherence-creating effect has also been documented on a global scale in a study published in the Journal of Offender Rehabilitation. When large assemblies of civilian IDT experts gathered during the years 1983–1985, international conflict decreased 32%, terrorism-related casualties decreased 72%, and overall violence was reduced in nations without intrusion by other governments.
IDT is totally unlike any other defense technology because it does not use violence in an attempt to quell violence. It is a more civilized approach, one especially worthy of nations that abhor violence as a means to power. IDT uniquely goes to the root cause of violence – the built-up stress in the individual and collective consciousness. Scientists have evidence that high levels of collective societal stress are the underlying cause of war, violence, crime and terrorism. When the IDT methodology is applied, stress levels throughout the population are rapidly reduced.
In an environment of lowered stress even staunch adversaries find ways to cooperate and overcome long-standing differences.
IDT Reduces Societal Stress
IDT uniquely neutralizes the underlying power base of contending groups, which is the stress, frustration and civil dissatisfaction prevailing in the general population. By eliminating the root cause of insurgency, violent outbreaks are pre-empted and prevented. IDT is effective because it gets to the heart of the matter. Terrorism often thrives in nations in which decades or even centuries of under-employment, poverty, and hunger have created a huge societal weight of stress, frustration and endemic unhappiness. This inevitably finds expression in acts of terrorism, civil unrest, social violence, and a downward spiral of economic degradation.
A specially trained military unit, an “IDT Prevention Wing of the Military,” uses IDT to reduce stress in the national collective consciousness. IDT could also be introduced into other large groups such as the police forces, or militias. As the stress and frustration ease, the population is more capable of finding orderly and constructive solutions to their problems.
Experience with IDT in other war-torn nations demonstrated increases in economic incentive and growth. Entrepreneurship and individual creativity also increased. With increased civic calm, people’s aspirations are raised and a more productive and balanced society emerges. Such a society abhors violence as a means for change or as an expression of discontent. With this, the ground for terrorism is eliminated. What is more fascinating, this change takes place within a few days or weeks after IDT is introduced. The changes are measurable from such statistics as crime rates, accidents, hospital admissions, infant mortality, etc.
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Military personnel in Latin America, Africa and Asia practice group Transcendental Meditation to help protect their nations from terrorism and war
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The daily routine for the IDT military personnel includes the non-religious practice of the Transcendental Meditation
program along with its advanced form, the TM-Sidhi program. As a societal coherence-creating military unit, they practice these programs twice a day, seven days a week, preferably in a secure location near the targeted population.
Such coherence-creating groups have achieved positive benefits in society, shown statistically, in a short time. Modern statistical methods used in this research show a low probability of any explanation other than a causal influence of the technology.
The IDT approach has been used during wartime resulting in the reduction of fighting, a decreased number of deaths and casualties, and an improvement in progress toward resolving the conflict peacefully. The war in Lebanon in 1983 was dramatically impacted in a peaceful way by an IDT Intervention Group. A thoroughly documented study of this phenomenon was published in the Journal of Conflict Resolution, and summaries of follow-up studies were published in the Journal of Social Behavior and Personality and the Journal of Scientific Exploration.
Summary
IDT works by utilizing our natural human brain mechanics, the most powerful natural resource possessed by every nation on earth. The beneficial transformational effects of IDT have been statistically proven numerous times to decrease and prevent violence and terrorism, and boost the economy.
IDT defense technology supersedes all other known defense technologies (which are based on electronic, chemical, and/or nuclear forces). These old, fear-based modalities are ultimately self-destructive for any nation, and for the human race as a whole, and must be replaced with IDT. So far, IDT is the only known, proven constructive approach.
The military that deploys this powerful, human-resource-based technology disallows negative trends and prevents enemies from arising, and as a result, it has no enemies. No enemies means no war, terrorism and no insurgency.
The Time for Action is Now
In his speech Air Marshal Sohail Gul Khan also asserted that the PAF must incorporate contemporary training concepts and methodologies. IDT is the twenty-first century’s leading-edge defense system. If the Pakistan Air Force establishes IDT Prevention Wings of the Military, they will ease high tensions, reverse mistrust, crush hatred, create stability and permanently prevent war and terrorism. Extensive scientific research objectively says, “Yes, the system works.” Why not use it in Pakistan? Time is running out. The best time to act is now, before Pakistan’s perilous situation worsens.
About the author:
| Dr. Leffler served as an Associate of the Proteus Management Group at the Center for Strategic Leadership, US Army War College where he was published in “55 Trends Now Shaping the Future of Terrorism” – a US government-sponsored report aimed at governmental and military leaders. This groundbreaking report includes sections by Dr. David Leffler on Invincible Defense Technology, including an appendix entitled: “An Overlooked, Proven Solution to Terrorism.” Excerpts about Invincible Defense Technology taken from the 254 page report are available online at: http://www.DavidLeffler.com/terrorism-trends.html Note: The entire paper version of the report is available online at: http://www.amazon.com/Trends-Now-Shaping-Future-Terrorism/dp/1441451412 Currently Dr. Leffler serves as the Executive Director at the Center for Advanced Military Science (CAMS) in Fairfield, Iowa and teaches IDT. He is on Twitter and Facebook.
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Posted by admin in ISLAM MESSAGE OF PEACE, ISLAM=PEACE & BROTHERHOOD AMONG MANKIND, ISLAMIC CRESCENT on July 25th, 2014
The Pakistani nation, hostage to some of the worst forms of terrorism, much of it inbred, has been debating on whether or not talks with the Taliban would be productive. Most of the discussions revolve around whether it is justifiable to sit across the table with those who have caused thousands of civilians, among them children, as well as security forces to be killed or crippled. A large group favours dialogue, arguing that serious talks have never really been given a chance whilst the so called war on terror remained a proxy war for the US. Predictions are bandied about, and the best of analysts can do just that- analyse a situation that has become alarmingly unequal.
As a society, the Pakistani nation has rarely pondered, at least not deeply or collectively, whether it wants peace, or continuous strife. This may sound absurd, because have not people been literally clamouring for peace everywhere, have not successive governments made promises of ensuring peace and security and has not peace been the most prominent and popular of all topics of media talk shows, newspaper articles, political discourse and public meeting slogans?
Despite the brandishing of the peace slogan, the Pakistani society at large has become a violent and war mongering mix of individuals. Excluding militants, terrorists and criminals, most of us belong to this group: the common man who believes that it is right to enforce particular laws of the Sharia’h in Pakistan because it is an Islamic state; anyone who is a non Muslim is wajib-ul-qatal, or at least is a second rate citizen; anyone who dares to speak his mind and criticize or merely express a difference of opinion from standard interpretation of Islamic teachings ought to be killed, and mono dimensional religious indoctrination is another term for the way to paradise. This thinking has become so deeply etched in the psyche of a common Muslim in Pakistan that views and opinions that venture to suggest alternates are met immediately with violent reactions. If the first, almost unconscious response is to make an attack, it is small wonder that more serious forms of violence have developed and been condoned. With minds that are closed to any discussion or debate on religious views, particularly those that relate to public laws, society has turned its back on the only path towards a peaceful existence; that of mutual respect, consultation and freedom of expression. These are the building blocks of Islam, as they are of any true and authentic democracy. Islam gave choice to man, and linked it to both freedom and responsibility. Nowhere have Islamic teachings promoted oppression, least of all in its own name.
Religion in today’s Pakistan has taken various forms, almost all of them being either ritualistic, having no resemblance to the Islam that Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) brought, as did all other prophets before him. This was the Islam that came to purify man, gave him guidance from God, and taught him to love his fellow beings, reflect deeply, gain knowledge and do good deeds. The latter were defined as creating a society within which there would be equity, justice, kindness and mercy for all, regardless of creed, gender or status. This was a society where a Muslim would be the best example in terms of relations with others and honesty of dealings. It was not a society where followers of other religions would be hounded, age old statues of religious value to others be destroyed, women banned from education and public life and men forced to wear beards. This was not the Islam where an autobiography by a young courageous girl would be banned from schools or its inauguration cancelled; where a provincial governor would be killed by his guard who would then be garlanded by lawyers; where a 65 year old would be sentenced to death because he was silly enough to declare himself a prophet. It was certainly not the Islam that called for enforcement of particular kind of laws upon a society that was still struggling for the basic necessities of survival.
Distorted interpretations of this great religion have been hammered often by using religious rhetoric by vested interests. So much so that society feels that if it does not believe in these narratives, it will lose its faith. Our so called religious personalities have managed to relieve most of us with the God given gift of thinking about religion for ourselves, and making up our own minds about what is wrong and right. The oppression began by subduing the God given right to think for oneself; it continues with mass murders, and those who were oppressed have become almost indistinguishable from their tormentors.
When a society loses its ability to think and listen, and in turn the courage to speak up without fear of retribution, it begins to decay. We may be the target of militants who kill us physically, but we have already allowed ourselves to die a slow intellectual and spiritual death. Each time we believe in some religious rhetoric, or fail to condemn an act that has not been sanctioned by God for us to take, we become accomplices and militants.
Unless the average Muslim in Pakistan realizes how he has contributed to this unending game of killing those who do not conform to one’s world view, and unless he understands that God will hold him responsible for his belief and practice of Islam, both as an individual and as a member of a society, peace will remain elusive. We cannot bring peace when we ourselves are violent and ready to kill others, verbally, spiritually and intellectually. For that is what we have done to our society. For peace, we must learn to stand up for our right to dissent, on all including religious matters. And demonstrate zero tolerance for those who muzzle it.
Posted by admin in Islam: The Universal Message of Peace on January 25th, 2013
Question: Please give me the evidence about Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi in the light of Qur’an & Ahadith?
Answer
Before writing the arguments of Eid Milad-un-Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam), we want to clear the meaning of Milad according to literature and shariah.
The word Milad has been derived from “viladut” which means birth. Therefore, according to Arabic language, milad is a word which signifies the place and time of birth. In the light of shariah, we mean, Milad is to remember the events which took place at the birth time of the Nabi Akram (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) and we get the opportunity of narrating the seerat of the Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) on this occasion, we also presents the Holy Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) gifts of durood -o- salam. We mention before the people attributes and praises of the Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi waSallam). We do not believe that Milad is specified with same night but, we believe that the remembrance of the Holy Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) is incumbent in each minute and second of time and every Muslim should act it sunnahs in the whole life time. Milad un Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) is a great source of preaching. It is incumbent for scholars to teach Muslims nations on this Holy occasion, moral behavior of the Holy Nabi, (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) his antiquates, His affairs, His serat, His dealings and His worships.
Now, we write the proofs of Milad from the Holy Qur’an , the hadith of the Nabi Pak (Sallallahu alayhi waSallam) and consensus of Ulema.
The Qur’an ic ayats prove that to celebrate Milad is not only a proper deed but it is also praiseworthy.
1) Allah Ta’ala says in Qur’an :
“The Salaam is on Him the day when he was born and the day when he will die and the day when he will be raised alive.” [Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Qur’an , Sura Al-Maryam, Ayat 15]
In the above ayat, Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala has mentioned the complete Milad of Hazrat Sayyidina Yahya (‘Alayhis-Salaam). And before this Allah Almighty has mentioned the events which took place before the birth. It is the same way of celebrating birth day as Ahlus-Sunnah adopts for the Milad of the last Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) of Allah Almighty. In other words the Nabiy-Allah, Hazrat Sayyidina Isa bin Maryam (‘Alayhis-Salaam) celebrate his own milad.
2) As Allah Almighty says:
“And the same peace on me the day I was born and the day I will die and the day I would raised alive.” [Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Qur’an , Sura Al Maryum , Ayat 33]
Before this ayat, Allah Almighty has stated the whole story of Maryum (Alayhas-Salaam) that who she got pregnant and gave birth her great son, the Nabi of Allah, Sayyidina Isa (‘Alayhis-Salaam). Allah Almighty also mentioned the words of Sayyidina Isa (Alaihis Salam) by which Sayyidina Isa (Alaihis Salam) praised himself. This style of narrating story is nothing but celebration of Milad of Hazrat Sayyidina Isa, Alaihis Salam. Ahle Sunnat also narrate the story of Holy Nabi Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi waSallam) in the same style. We too narrate the events which took place before the birth and after it as Allah Almighty narrated about Sayyidina Yahya and Sayyidina Isa (Alaihimus Salam). Therefore, a person who has eyes of justice, will obviously accept that to celebrate Milad is an important deed which Allah Almighty has done. So it proves that the bases of Milad is found in the Holy Qur’an.
3) Allah Almighty says:
“And remind them of the days of the Allah.” [Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Qur’an , Sura Ibrahim, Ayat5]
In this ayat Allah Almighty orders his Nabi Musa ‘Alayhis-Salaam to remind his nation the days of Allah Almighty. “The days of Allah” are those days in which great events took place or Allah Almighty bestowed his great rewards to his creature. As the Holy Qur’an testifies this explanation of the days of Allah Almighty. In the Holy Qur’an, Sayyidina Musa Alaihis Salam says:
“And when Musa said it his people remember Allah’s favor upon you, when he delivered you from Firawn’s people who used to afflict you worsly, and slaughter your sons and let your daughters live and in it there was shown great mercy of your lord.” [Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Qur’an , Sura Ibrahim , Ayat 6 ]
According to Allah’s Ayat, emancipation of the nation of Sayyidina Musa Alaihis Salam from Firawn is a day of Allah, so the birth day of the Holy Nabi Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi waSallam) is, with any doubt, also a day of Allah, because the Nabi Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) emancipated whole world from the darkness of ignorance and brought them to the light of guidance. Therefore, the birthday (Milad) of the Holy Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) deserves to be celebrated then the celebration of any other event. In case we would not be grateful to Allah Almighty for his favor, that is Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam). He will punish us severely . As Allah Almighty says :
“And remember when your lord proclaimed, if you will be great full then I shall give you more and if your thankless then my treatment is severe.” [Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Qur’an , Sura Ibrahim , Ayat 7
4) Allah Almighty says :
“Then remember the bounties of Allah and wander not in the earth spreading mischief.” [Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Qur’an , Sura Araf , Ayat 74]
In the above ayat Allah Almighty orders us to remember his bounties and rewards. The last Nabi of Allah Ta’ala, Sayyidina wa Mawlana Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) is, undoubtedly, great blessing of Allah Almighty for whole mankind. Allah Almighty himself considers the Holy Last Messenger (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) his great favor for mankind as He says:
“Undoubtedly, Allah did a great favor to the Muslims that in them from among themselves sent a messenger who recites unto them His Ayats and purifies them and teaches them the Kitab and Hikmah and necessarily before that they were certainly apparent error.” [Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Qur’an , Sura Ale Imran , Ayat 164]
Therefor, according to Allah’s commandments in Holy Qur’an, we must remember the beloved Nabi of Allah, Sayyidina wa Mawlana Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi waSallam) and Milad-un-Nabi is a best way of remembrance of the greatest Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam). In other words, Allah Almighty says:
“And publicize well the favor of your Rabb (lord)” [Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Qur’an , Sura Al Duha , Ayat 11]
The Companion of the Holy Last Messenger (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) Hazrat Abdullah Ibne Abbas (Radhi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu) explained the word favors. He says here, “In this ayat favor signifies the Nubuwwat and al-Islam.” [Tafseer Ibne Abbas, Sure Al Duha, Page 651].
So in the light of the given explanation by the cousin of the Holy Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam), we can say that Allah Almighty orders us to remember Sayyidina Rasul-e-Akram (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) in our gatherings between the people, in our mosque between the worshiper and in our houses between our families and Milad un Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam), as I have written is a best way for this Qur’anic purpose.
4) Allah Almighty orders us :
“Say you oly Allah’s grace and his mercy, on it therefore let them rejoice. That is better then all their wealth.“
In this ayat, Allah Almighty orders us to enjoy on his grace and mercy. If we see around us we find that each favor of Allah Almighty is great mercy for us. Even our existence is also a mercy of Allah Almighty. But the greatest of Allah is the Holy Nabi (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him). As Allah Almighty says:
“And we sent not you but as Rahmah for all worlds.” [Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Qur’an , Sura Al Ambiya, Ayat 107]
So according the Qur’anic teachings, it is necessary for us that we must be happy and pleased on the birthday of the Holy Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam). The one who pleases with the Holy Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) is really a true follower of the Holy Qur’an. And it is obvious that, in whole world Muslims celebrates Milad un Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam). Especially for enjoying the mercy of Allah Almighty that is the beloved Nabi of Allah Almighty (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam). Therefore the Holy Qur’an itself confirms the Milad un Nabi (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him).
5) The gathering of Milad un Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) incite Muslims on saying Darood and Salaam upon Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) Allah Almighty says:
Oh you who I believe send upon Him blessing and salute Him fully well in abundance. [Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Qur’an , Sura Al Ahzab , Ayat 56]
According to Shari’ah, a thing which is desired by Shari’ah, is exactly a like an aim of Shari’ah. And the benifit of durood-o-salam are so much in numbers that can not be counted. Durood-o-salam causes for the help of Allah Almighty in this world and here after. So milad un Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) is a source of fulfilling the commandments of Allah Almighty
6) Allah Almighty says:
And all that we narrate to you of the tidings of the messengers is for the purpose of strengthening your heart therewith. [Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Qur’an , Sura Hood, Ayat 121]
This Ayat ul-Karim reveals that the Hikmah of mentioning the stories and events of Nabiyyen (Alayhim Salaam ajma’in) was to stand fast the heart of the last Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam). And it is obvious that we are, also today, in need of being stand fast. We must know that how, the Nabi of Allah (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) faced the problems of his time so that we may face the problems of our times according to the Sunnah. Therefore Milad un Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) provides us an opportunity to know about the affair of the Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam).
(Narrations of the Holy Nabi (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him)
There are many narrations, which proves the Milad sharif but I write a few.
1) The Nabi of Allah (Allahs Grace and Peace be upon him) himself stated his own birth from very beginning He says: “I had been transferred, continuously, from purified offspring to purified wombs. I had been given birth by a lawful marriage not by adultery. When Allah Almighty sent Adam Alaihis Salam on earth so He put me in his spine and then transferred in Nuh Alaihs salam in his boat, and then in Ibrahim Alaihis salam Allah Alighty transfered me continuesly from nobel offsprings to the purified wombs up to that He brought me in my parents who never committed adultery.” [Tafseer Ruhul biyan, Vol. 3, Page 54]
As we have written in the beginning that Milad means the time of birth or place of birth. So the Holy Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) himself celebrated his own Milad. In the same way Ahlus-Sunnah following the Holy Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) narrate the events of the birth of the Holy Nabi (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him) .This hadith is the clear proof Milad un Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) and as well as tell us that to celebrate Milad un Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) is not innovation (bid’at) but it is a sunnah (tradition) of Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam).
There are many other narrations which narrate that the Nabi of Allah (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him) celebrate his own Milad several times, some of those narrations have been written in Mishkat Sharif.
2) The one who rejoices on the birth day of the Holy Nabi would not be severely punished and it is hopped that a Muslim who celebrate the Milad un Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam), will not be punished in hell. Imam Bukhari Rahmatullah Alaih narrates that Abu Lahab would be punished lightly in the Hell on Monday. Because he rejoiced and freed his handmaid indicating by his finger, when the Nabi of Allah Almighty (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him) took birth. So as a reward of happiness on milad un Nabi (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him) he would be given water by his finger. (Saheehul Bukhari Vol. 2, Page 764)
Imam shams ud din Naseer Al Damaishqi narrates this hadith in poetry. Here is its translation.
If such kafir was denounced (in the Qur’an )
And perished are his hands, and in the flame is his eternal abode.
It is narrated every Monday.
His torment is made easy for his joy at the birth of Ahmad. (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him)
What is the expectation then of a servant who spent all his life.
Happy with the arrival of Ahmad (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him) and died on the one ness of Allah Almighty.(Haul-ul-Ahtifal Bil Maullid Al-Nabvi Al Sharif, Page 11)
2) The Holy Nabi Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) celebrated his own Milad by having fast. Imam Waliuddin write this narration with reference to the Sahee Muslim. When the Nabi of Allah (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) was asked about the fast of Monday. He (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him) said:
“I took birth and the Qur’an was revealed upon me in this day.” [Mishkat Sharif, Page 179]
This narration proves that to celebrate Milad un Nabi is a tradition of the Holy Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) on every Monday. Secondly, it is lawful to fix a particular day for Milad un Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam). Thirdly, it is an act ofsunnah to worship in the pleasure of the Milad un Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam)
1) Imam Al-Hafiz Al-Suyuti in his famous book “Al-Hawii Lil-Fatawii” allocated a special chapter on that topic and named it “The Excellence of Objective in Celebrating the Mawlid” where he said: The question under consideration is what the verdict of the Shari’ah on celebrating the Holy Birthday of the Noble Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi waSallam) during the month of Rabbi-ul-Awwal. From the point of view of Shari’ah is this a praiseworthy action or a blameworthy one? And do those who arrange such celebration Receive blessings or not? He said:
“The reply to this question is that in my view the Meelad Shareef (Celebration of the Birthday of the Noble Nabi Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallamon Him) is in fact such an occasion of happiness on which people assemble and recite the Holy Qu’ran to the extent that is easy. Then they relate the prophecies concerning the appearance of the Noble Nabi (Allah’s Grace & Peace be upon Him) that have been transmitted in Ahadith and Author, and the miraculous events and signs that took place on his birth. Then food is set before them and according to their desire they partake thereof to satisfaction. This festival of celebrating the birthday of the Noble Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi waSallam) is a Bid’ah Hasanah (good Innovation) and those arranging it will get blessing, since in such a celebration is found the expression of joy and happiness at the greatness and eminence of the Noble Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi waSallam) and his birth“.
Even Ibn Taymiyyah said in his book “Necessity of the Right Path“, p. 266, 5th line from the bottom of that page, published by Dar Al-Hadith, the following:
“As far as what people do during the Meelad, either as a rival celebration to that which the Christian do during the time of Christ’s birthday or as an expression of their love and admiration and a sign of praise for the Noble Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi waSallam), Allah Almighty will surely reward them for such Ij’tiha”.
He (Ibn Taymiyyah) then said:
“Although Meelad was not practiced by (Salaf), they should have done so since there was no objection against it from the Shari’ah point of view.”
And we certainly only celebrate Meelad out of love and admiration to the Nabi of all Mankind.
2. Imam Al-Hafiz Al-Qastalani, who gave commentary on Sahih Bukhari, said:
“May Allah Almighty shower his Mercy upon a person who takes the days of the month of Rabbi-ul-Awwal, in which the Noble Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi waSallam) was born, as days of feast and celebration for doing so is the best cure for the heart of an ailing person.”
3. Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar was asked, same reference of Imam Suyuti, about Meelad Shareef. His reply was:
“Meelad Shareef is, in fact, and innovation, which was not transmitted from any pious predecessor in the first three centuries. Nevertheless, both acts of virtue as well as acts of abomination are found in it (i.e. Sometimes acts of virtue are found therein and sometimes acts of abomination). If in the Meelad Shareef only acts of virtue are done and acts of abomination are abstained from, then the Meelad Shareef is a Bid’ah Hasanah (good innovation), otherwise not.”
He then added:
“To do any virtuous act and to observe it annually as means of recollection for any special day on which Allah Almighty has bestowed any favor or removed any calamity is a form of showing gratitude to Allah Almighty. Gratitude to Allah Almighty is expressed through different kinds of Ibaadah (worship) -prostration and standing in prayer, charity and recitation of the Holy Qu’ran. And what is a greater favor from Allah Almighty can there be than the appearance of the Nabi of Mercy (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallamon Him) on this day (i.e. 12th of Rabbi-ul-Awwal)?”
Some people do not limit it and celebrate the Meelad Shareef on any day of Rabbi-ul-Awwal. Nay, some people have extended it even more and increased the period to the whole year. According to the latter, the Meelad Shareef can be celebrated on any day of the year. The objective here is the same, i.e. to rejoice at and celebrate the Holy Birth of the Nabi Akram (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam).
4. Imam Abu-Bakr Abdullah Al-Demashqi compiled a number of books on the subject and called them “Collection of Traditions on the Birth of the Chosen Nabi“, “The Pure Expression on the Birthday of the Best of Creations” and “The Spring for the Thirsty One on the Birth of the Rightly Guided“.
5. Imam Al-Hafiz Al-Iraqi wrote a book and called it “The Pure Spring on the Sublime Birth“.
6. Imam Ibn Dahyah wrote a book and called it “Enlightenment on the Birthday of the Bearer of Good News, The Warner“.
7. Imam Mulla Ali Qari wrote a book and called it “The Quenching Spring on the Birthday of the Nabi“.(Sallallahu alayhi waSallam)
8. Imam Shams Ul-Din bin Naser Al-Dumashqi, said in his book: “The Spring for the Thirsty One on the Birth of the Rightly Guided” about the story of Abu Lahab that he will receive a light punishment every Monday for expressing joy at the birth of the Noble Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallamon him) on that day. The Imam said the following verse of poetry, the translation is: If such Kafir was denounced in the ( Qur’an ) and perished are his hands, and in the Flames is his eternal abode It is narrated that every Monday.
His torment is made easy for his Joy at the Birth of Ahmad What is the expectation then of a servant who spent all his life Happy with the Arrival of Ahmad (Sallallahu alayhi waSallam)and died on the Oneness of Allah.
9. Imam Shams Ul-Din Ibn al-Jazri, the Imam of reciters, wrote a book and named it “The Scent of Notification on the Blessed Birthday“.
10. Imam Al-Hafiz Ibn Al-Jawzi, said in the description of Meelad: “Peace and Tranquillity takes over during that year and a good glad tiding to obtain your wish and inspiration.”
11. Imam Abu-Shamah, The Sheik of Al Hafiz Al Nawawi, said:
“The best of the innovations of our times is what is carried out on the day of corresponding to the birthday of our Beloved Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam), where people give out donations, practice what is right, express their joy and happiness, in doing so is surely a sign of love and admiration for the Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam)”.
Courtesy: Abdul Wahid http://www.oocities.org/~abdulwahid/muslimarticles/rasul.html revised by Al-Hashemiyya Society (an Ahlus-Sunnah val-Jama’at society)
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