Apna Muqam Paida Kar

No two days in the life of a Muslim should be the same. A Muslim should always strive to do something new. Something different. Something more than the previous day.

Isi roz-o-shab main ulajh kar na rah ja
Ke tere zamaan o makaan aur bhi hain

Lose not yourself in the cycle of days and nights
Within your reach are feats even more

Dyare Ishq Mein Apna Muqam Paida Kar
Naya Zamana Naya Subho Sham Paida Kar

Iqbal's philosophy of khudi shows that man is neither soul nor body. Man is above both because he pessesses them. Iqbal's naujawan is a Man of Khudi. The absolute Khudi is infinetly creative. "Know thy self and success shall be thine" said by some Philosopher. Iqbal expresses if man becomes empror of himself then he can lead the world to his own direction. He says:

"The man of strong character who is master of himself
will find fortune complaisant.
....
He will dig up the foundations of the universe
and cast its atoms into a new mould.
He will subvert the course of Time
And wreck the azure firmament.
By his own strength he will produce
A new world which will do his pleasure

Agar kho gaya ek nasheman to kya ghum..!

Allama Iqbal addresses the youth:
Sitaron se aage jahan aur bhi hain
Abhi ishq ke imtehan aur bhi hain

Beyond the stars there are worlds more
Our quest yet has more tests to pass

Tahi zindagi se nahin ye fizayen
Yahan siakdon karwaan aur bhi hain

This existence alone does not matter
There are boundless journeys more

Khana’at na kar aalam-e-rang-o-bu par
Chaman aur bhi aashiyaan aur bhi hain

Do not rest on what you have
There are other gardens, other nests (resting places) too

Agar kho gaya ek nasheman to kya ghum
Maqmat-e-aah-o-fughaan aur bhi hain

Why worry if you have lost one abode
There are a million addresses to claim

Tu shaheen hai parvwaaz hai kaam tera
Tere saamne aasmaan aur bhi hain

You are the falcon, your passion is flight
And you have skies more to transcend

Isi roz-o-shab main ulajh kar na rah ja
Ke tere zamaan o makaan aur bhi hain

Lose not yourself in the cycle of days and nights
Within your reach are feats even more

Gaye din ke tanha tha main anjuman mein
Yahaan ab mere raazdaan aur bhi hain

Gone is the day when I was lonesome in the crowd
Today those who resonate my thoughts are more

 Allama Iqbal had written these lines in 1908. But I feel that he has written these inspiring, soothing lines just for me. Here

Najmuddin Erbakan, Moulana Moududi and Hasan al Banna Shaheed

The departure of Najmuddin Erbakan (Necmettin Erbakan) is a great tragedy of our times. Najmuddin Erbakan could be truly called as the modern icon of Islamic Movement. He was a epoch making personality and one of the architects of modern history. The way vast multitudes of people thronged in his last journey and the way young and old, known and unknown people showered their love and affection towards their departed leader speaks volumes about the stature of the leader. It epitomises the overwhelming sway he held over the Islam loving people throughout the world. It also illustrates the deep impact he made throughout the Muslim world with his untiring struggle for the cause of Islam.

One of the famous poems of Allama Iqbal is Tulu Islam (The Rise of Islam). In it Allama succinctly and beautifully depicts the rise and renaissance of Islam throughout the world once again. The words mellow you. The poet of the East has listed out various factors leading to the renaissance of Islam in the world. One of the factors highlighted by the Allama is as follows:

Ataa momin ko phir dargaah-e-haq sey honay walaa hai

Shikoh-e-turkmaani, zahan hindi, nataq aaraabi

The Muslim is to be endowed again from the God’s  Court with

Turkman’s grandeur, Indian’s wisdom, Arab’s eloquence

The prophecy of the Allama had blossomed into reality soon after his demise. Moulana Syed Abul A'ala Moududi personified Zahan hindi (Wisdom of Indian) in the 20th century. Undoubtedly Moulana's real and major contribution could be termed as idealogical and intellectual contribution. He stimulated the intellect and presented the Islamic thought in its glorious form. At those times the critics of Islam were hell-bent in attacking Islam in all possible ways. Moulana effectively silenced them with his thought provoking, down to the earth and intellectually stimulating rejoinders. Besides he gave shape to the Islamic Idealogy and with his endeavours Islam rose to greater heights as an Ideological power house.

During the same period the Arab world witnessed the rise of two towering personalities viz Hasan al Banna Shaheed and Syed Qutb Shaheed in Egypt. These legendery leaders known for their superb communicaion skills, eloquence and power of speech mesmerised the Islamic world. They were the primary architects of Islamic renaissance in the Arab world.


Twentieth century witnessed Islamic revival in larger scale throughout the world. Infact it could be easily termed as the century in which Zahan Hindi (Wisdom of Indian) and Nataq A'arabi (Eloquence of Arab)  flourished and had lasting impact. The mammoth contribution of Moulana Moududi in the intellectual arena pointed to the dream of Allama Iqbal's Zahan Hindi (Wisdom of Indian). Similarly the emotional appeal and action packed contribution of Hasan al Banna and the Ikhwan symbolised Allama Iqbal's Nataq A'arabi. The beautiful and forceful convergence of Intellect and emotion triggered a new wave of Islamic Renaissance throughout the Islamic world. This new wave of synergy influenced and altered the course of the century.

The outcome of that synergy of intellect and emotion could be seen everywhere. Some eighty years back, Muslims were wary of revealing their Muslim identiy. They were diffident and hesitant to proclaim themselves as Muslims. But, today one can see mind boggling confidence and exuberance among the Muslims throughout the world.

The rise of Islam as the biggest force in the intellectual and idealogical world is one of the fruitful culmination of thes two great men. Infact Islam has emerged as the Idealogical super power of our times.
In this way the dream of Zahan Hindi and Nataq A'arabi of Allama Iqbal were fulfilled. Shikoh Turkmani was the one which needed to be fulfilled. And it take long time. It got culminated in the fag end of the twentieth century with the rise of Marhoom Najmuddin Erbakan as the symbol of Shikoh Turkmani. He gave new vigour and power to Islam and created shock and awe among the Baatil.

The role of the Turks had been significant in the entire history of Islam. They were in the forefront in propagating and safeguarding Islam. They had plaved a major role in the history of Islam. Allama Iqbal had symbolised the grandeur, dignity and respect as Shikoh. Turks had increased the grandeur to manifold.

The return of the Turks to the Islamic camp, I feel, is the biggest event of the twenty first century. And Najmuddin Erbakan had played a vital role in this historic turnaround.

What is Shikoh-e-Turkmani?

If you want to feel the impact of Shikoh-e-Turkmani just go through the numerous write-ups, comments and observations published in American and western magazines. They scream with the provocative heading "The return of Ottomans" and depict the shock and awe that has engulfed the western psyche.

If you want to feel the Shikoh-e-Turkmani go to You Tube and just see the mesmerising speech of Tayyip Erdogon which he delivered in the Summit held at Davos. He lambasts the Israelie Prime Minister.

From a speech delivered by Sadatullah Husseini in a Taziyati Function held at Hyderabad. 

Translated by T Azeez Luthfullah

To be continued.....

Crossposted in Luthfispace

The world is looking for you!

The world is not looking for servants,—there are plenty of these,—but for masters, men who form their purposes and then carry them out, le... - MORE

The world is not looking for servants,—there are plenty of these,—but for masters, men who form their purposes and then carry them out, let the consequences be what they may.

-Woodrow Wilson

Ya rab Dil -e- Muslim ku woh zinda tamanna de

Jo Qalb ku garma de aur ruh ku tadpa de

-Allama Iqbal

On one occasion, when Aurangzeb (1618-1707), the last great Mughal emperor of India had just completed his prayers he again raised his hands in supplication, his eyes filling with tears. In this state he continued to pray in silence for a very long time.

All the while, his minister stood by his side.

When the emperor’s supplications finally came to an end, the minister, Sadullah addressed him thus “Your Majesty, the flag of your empire can be seen flying everywhere, right from Kashmir to the Deccan. Is there still some wish in your heart which has been left unfulfilled and because of which you are so grief-stricken?”

Aurangzeb remained silent for a while, then, his voice changed with emotion, he replied, “Sadullah, marde khwaham.” (Sadullah, I need a man.)

Aurangzeb’s plan of action lacked nothing, and he had all the resources necessary for good government. Yet he failed to consolidate the Mughal rule, because he had no worthy successors to shoulder this responsibility.

If Aurangzeb had a team of true, sincere people, the course of history after his reign would have been very different from what it was, and what we see it as today.

The mission of Islam means searching among the crowd - among the multitudes who are loquacious in the name of God, for a man whom fear of God has left speechless.

Amongst those who are in pursuit of the world, it is looking for one who has stopped dead in his tracks for the sake of the Hereafter. Amongst those who revel in the name of God, it seeks those who are fighting for God’s cause. Amongst those who are bent on settling accounts with others, it awaits those souls who know how to reckon with themselves.

Such are the people of whom Islam has the greatest need. It is through such people, and such people alone, that Islam will once again be able to resume its position of intellectual ascendancy and political supremacy.

- Moulana Wahiduddin Khan

Deve Gowda, Allama Iqbal and a photo

 

Here in this photo an overly reverential party worker does not hesitate to show Janata Dal (Secular) national president H.D. Deve Gowda‘s his diving skills at a meeting of the party in Chikamagalur on Tuesday.

Allama Iqbal said:

Yeh ek sajda jise tu giraan samajtha hai!
hazaar sajde se deta hai aadmi ku najaat

You find it very labourious to submit and surrender before God
It will liberate you from thousands of prostration

Those who do not fear God, fear EVERYBODY AND EVERYTHING. Those who fear God alone. fear nothing. They don’t have the need to bow before other humanbeings.

Cross posted in Luthfispace.

Saare jahan se acha Hindustan hamara..!

Rakesh Sharma

The Day
 It was 3rd April, 1984. I could not remember whether it was Monday or Thursday. But, the date and day would be written in golden letters in the annals of Modern India.

The Event 
It was on that day Rakesh Sharma of Indian Air Force became the first Indian and 138th person to travel in space. Rakesh Sharma spent eight days in space.
It is more than two decades now.
But, still I could recall and reconnect the drama, pleasure and ecstasy of that day.  I had been giving final touches to the sketch in biology record book when my father handed over the copy of தினமணி (Dinamani - the Tamil edition of the Indian Express) to me. It carried the photograph of Rakesh Sharma and I could not remember the exact wordings of the news. But I could relish the delight  I felt then, even now.

The conversation
I could not remember the details. Even now I am ignorant of the details. What do we have achieved by that space mission? What did Rakesh Sharma do for more than a week up over there?
He is one of the forgotten heroes now. But, one thing I will never forget.

It was his answer given to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi then.
Indira Gandhi, sitting in her office in New Delhi talked with Rakesh Sharma who was hovering around the globe over the sky.
Indira Gandhi in her own voice full of confidence and with a palpable sense of joy asked Rakesh, ''Sharmaji, ooper se bharat kaisa laga?"
Rakesh Sharma said, Saare jahan se acha Hindustan hamara..! Those are the immortal lines of Allama Iqbal.
You could listen the conversation by clicking here.

The question
The big, big, big question here is whether we could say Saare jahan se acha Hindustan Hamara..! now?
In what aspects and fields do we excel than other countries?

Yes. There is one important field where nobody on this earth could beat us.

We have Narendra Modi with us.
Yes, the same Modi who has been described as "mass murderer" by fellow Gujarati and veteran journalist Vir Sanghvi.
Yes the same Modi who is seen worshiping deadly weapons in these photographs.
Yes the same Modi who has been branded as the "Ugly Indian" by seasoned journalist Seema Mustafa.
Yes the same Modi who was famously depicted by the Supreme court of this land as modern day Nero. Remember we do not have a single politician who has got such a distinction in this entire world today. Yet he is still roaming free. This could happen only in India ie Saare Jahan se acha Hindustan Hamara..!

One day he stands as a accused criminal in front of some lowly officer answering questions.

Next day he shares the dais with the Chief Justice of the nation.

Yes. We could say that we are the best.
God bless this nation.

Yet, there is hope...!
Yes. There is hope..!
We may have failed in delivering justice to all.
It took seventeen long years for Liberhan Commision to submit its report. The UPA government is yet to take action against the culprits.

Those who stoked the communal fire in Bombay are still at large. They have won elections and they continue to form governments. And the findings and report of the Sri Krishna Commision is gathering dust in some unknown cup board of a central government office.

The nation has witnessed countless number of riots, arson, murders etc. Yet not a single culprit has been punished so far. No one has been hanged. The murderers, looters, vandals, miscreants are roaming free.
It may take ages to punish the mass murderers of Gujarat.

Still, there is hope.

  

Teesta Setalvad                                    Harsh Mander

We have Teesta Setalvads. We have Harsh Manders. We have Sandeep Pandeys. We have Zakia Ehsan Jafferis. And the list goes on. These noble souls have not lost hope. They are relentless in their struggle. They work indefatiguably for the establishment of Justice.

Let their tribe increase.

Besides Aam Aadmi of this great nation do not prefer bigotry. Aam Aadmi may be powerless in the times of crisis. But, he has the right to vote. And he has the habit of using it wisely.

So, Allama Iqbal and Rakesh Sharma are right.  

Saare Jahan se acha Hindustan Hamara..!

Lab pe aati hai dua

lab pe aatii hai duaa banke tamannaa merii

zindagii shammaa kii surat ho Khudaayaa merii

ho mere dam se yuuN hii mere watan kii ziinat

jis tarah phuul se hotii hai chaman kii ziinat

zindagii ho merii parawaane kii surat yaa rab

ilm kii shammaa se ho mujhako mohabbat yaa rab

ho meraa kaam Gariibon kii himaayat karanaa

dardmandon se zaiifon se mohabbat karanaa

mere allaah buraaii se bachaanaa mujhako

nek jo raah ho us raah pe chalaanaa mujhako

this is the poem which has been lingering in my mind for the past few days. It is beautiful. It is mesmerising. It is enchanting. It melts your soul.
The voice of Chitra Jagjit Singh makes it more empowering.
To hear it click here.

A poem, a girl and a success story

I want to share with you a poem.
Brother Muniruddin Sheriff introduced me to the spirit of THIS poem.
Who wrote it? When it was written? I don't know. But it has been my favourite for the past two decades. I can recite it by heart.
It is a wonderful poem. It may not be brilliant than Allama Iqbal's fiery, inspiring poems. But still I like it. As I said I heard it from Muniruddin Sheriff. You would love his voice. It smacks lots of confidence and never say die attitude. In those days SIO's zonal office functioned in peiamet's kattur sadayappan street's office. Oh..! those were the most romantic, hectic, hilarious days. The story of those days could be told some other time.
Now back to the poem. Come on recite with me. You would love the spirit.

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you are trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
When you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.

Life's race is full of twists and turns,
As everyone of us finally learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won, had he stuck it out,
Don't give up, though the pace seems slow
You may succeed if you give it a go.

Success is failure, turned inside out,
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt.
You can never tell how the race will end,
A victory may lie just around the next bend.
So stay the course when you're hardest hit;
It's when things seem worse that you must not quit.

I have been reciting this poem off and on for the past twenty years. I have always loved to share this with my friends. Seldom I have come across persons who are not quitters.
But last fortnight I met a terrific personality who personifies this poem. When I first met her and conversed with her the lines of this poem kept on hovering over my mind. She is Mariyam Farzhana Shadiq. Her father is Muhammad Sadiq. Her mother is Fathima Sadiq. Her brother is Muhammad Hussain Sadiq. What has Mariyam achieved? She stands tall among the winners of the UPSC exam this year. She has got 30th rank among the 734 winners. Out of 734, twenty seven brothers and sisters were Muslims. Mariyam is the first among Muslims.

The success story of Mariyam starts from a trip she made to Yezhilagam - the collector's office in Chennai.
It was a trip she made some fifteen years back. She accompanied her father, who went there for some work.
It was her maiden visit to any Government Office. She was just twelve years old and was studying in seventh standard in the famous church park convent. She was simply bowled over by the charm generated by the district collector. The way he generated awe among the staff there, the sudden change in the office atmosphere upon his arrival, the expectations twinkling in the eyes of the waiting public, the glow in the face of a waiting widow with a petition clutched tightly in her hand - every thing made a lasting impact in her.
That was the day when she resolved to become a collector. Whether she was in school or chatting with friends the scenes from the Govt office kept on replaying in her mind.
She kept this desire alive. She lived with this desire. She modified herself. She vowed to accomplish her goal: நான் கலெக்டர் ஆவேன்
To say it in her words என்ன ஆக வேண்டும் என யோசிப்பதற்குள் it was decided!
This dream became her sole purpose of her life. She worked hard to realise this dream. She discarded going to movies..! Infact for the past fifteen years she has not seen a single movie. She worked hard and passed the higher secondary exams with flying colours. She got admitted to Stella Mary's College and passed the BCom with first class. She joined MCom in SIET college and passed with distinction. Then she left to Delhi to join vajiram ravi coaching institute for IAS aspirants there. She cleared the preliminary exams but failed in Mains. She didn't lose heart.
Pressure was there. The relatives were giving suggestions. Alliance options were piling up. But she didn't budge. She vowed to continue her struggle. Her father was on her side giving her support and motivating her.
She returned to Chennai and joined the Jai Ganesh Coaching Academy for IAS aspirants there. She worked indefatigably. Now she cleared both preliminary and mains, but failed in interview. She didn't let it go. She didn't quit. She didn't lose her heart. She worked hard with renewed vigour. She kept herself saying :"Winners never quit; Quitters never win. And I want to be a winner"
Ultimately this year she tasted success! She got 30th rank!
When asked about the secret of her success, Mariyam simply said : 'All praise be to Allah" Her father echoes the spirit. It is simply heartening.
And above all, here is a good news which will make you exhilarate with joy. Mariyam had embraced Islam some years before. Her father, mother and brother too have embraced Islam. Alhumdulillah!

And also read : There is no full stop in India!