Moulana Khudbudeen Ahmed Baqawi is no more!

Moulana A Khudbudeen Ahmed Baqawi at Kumbakonam Ulema meet

Moulana Khudbudeen Ahmed Baqawi, former Muawin Ameer-e-Halqa of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Tamil Nadu is no more. Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiwoon. He breathed his last in faraway Singapore today evening. He had gone there to be with his daughter there. It is said that he suffered a massive heart attack which proved to be fatal. He was admitted at UYISN,KOON TECK PUAT HOSPITAL in Singapore for treatment. Eventually he breathed his last there.

Moulana Khudbudeen Ahmed Baqawi is a legend here. He was involved with the translation of The Holy Quran. It was his magnum opus.Moulana undertook this noble task under the active encouragement of Moulana M A Jameel Ahmed Sahib when there was no translation available in Tamil. Now we have dozens of translations available in the market.

Moulana Khudbudeen Sahib's contribution in the Tamil literary field is enormous. He has translated many books in Tamil. He is from Aravakurichi and got attracted to the Islamic movement when he was serving as a Imam in Villivakkam, Chennai. Moulana S M Malik of Hyderabad who was residing in Chennai then introduced him the revolutionery message of the tahreek. Moulana M. A. Jameel Ahmed Sahib identified and nurtured his talent in translating books.

Besides Moulana has trained, groomed and evolved many activists to the Iyakkam. Br T. E. Naser. Br Sheikh Dawood, Br Ashraf Ali and scores of youngsters were groomed by him. One of his star product is our own Br S. N. Sikkander, the present chief of Welfare Party of India. It could be said that an entire generation of youngsters got inspired by him. There was a time when not a single tarbiyati ijtema would be held without his speech or dars. His room in the IFT complex served as the training centre for all of those who had got attached with the Iyakkam. Moulana is very soft spoken. He had his own way of giving lectures. He was very amiable. He was very humble and polite and as they say in Tamil he would never அதிர்ந்து பேச மாட்டார். He would argue for his point of view. But, he would never fight. He used to lead the salat in Jamaat Office. He had this unique voice. His Qirat was exceptionally good and mellowing.

He was also proved to be Qutb of deen in the sense that he was steadfast in the way of Allah. He was a model for Azeemath. Being a alim he could have easily charted his own way and reaped much more and more benefits. But the tahreeki chap (Iyakka muthirai) was imbibed him such a way that he prefered Azeemath over Ruksath. He never cared about his family, sons, daughters. His only care was of the tahreek and its mission.  He was of the 'old generation' who prefered mission over everything else.

It is very difficult to think that he is no more. Two or three weeks back he came to see me. We had tea. We discussed a lot. Moulana shared some of his personal thoughts and plans. He declared that he had resigned from the post of Principal of Jamia Kulliatus Salam with his charecteristic smile and shining eyes. He said in the same breath that he had not resigned from the Jamaat and would continue to strive for the Nasbul ayn of the Jamaat till the last breath.

May Allah grant him Jannat ul Firdaus. Ameen.  

UPDATES:

Moulana was laid to rest in Singapore.

Moulana Khudbudeen Ahmed Baqawi in Trichy library

Moulana A Khudbudeen Ahmed Baqawi who passed away yesterday was laid to rest in  CHOU CHU KANG, MUSLIM CEMETERY in Singapore after Zuhr prayer around 2.00pm. Moulvi A Zafarullah Rahmani lead the Janaza prayer. Zafarullah Rahmani has been closely associated with the late Moulana for the past three decades. In an email Zafar Sahib said:

Just returned from qabrasthan after Tadfeen was over.

A group of young ulama helped me in performing the ghusl and takfeen of marhoom Mawlana Qutub Sahib.

I did lead the Janazah prayer. And then a brief condolence meeting was also held there. The late leader's service to the Islam and his zeal for grooming the younger generation was recalled.

No one thought to take a snap of the face of deceased Mawlana . Everybody had I phones and mobile with them. But nobody thought of taking a snap. Perhaps it was the will of Allah. Manshiyat e ilah? 

Every one in the Jamaat were unanimous in one point: ie Qutb sb looked like in a deep sleep in peace. Just like a "Nafs  e mutmayinnah"

Moulana Ejaz Ahmed Aslam Sahib led Qaibana Janaza prayer was held in Chennai.

A Qaibana Janaza prayer for the departed soul was organised in Chennai. It was the day of Eid-ul-Azha and a large number of the members, karkunan, muthafeeqeen converged in the Masjid-e-Ikhlas, Perambur High Road, Jamalia at Asr. It was a sheer coincidence that Moulana Ejaz Ahmed Aslam Sahib was in the city. He was here on his way to Benares to attend an interfaith conference organised by Budhists there.

Moulana delivered a short, concise and moving speech before the Janaza Prayer. He recalled his forty years of companionship with the Moulana. "He was soft spoken, humble and totally devoted to the cause of Islam. He devoted his entire life in the cause of Islam. We have to emulate this trait and totally dedicate ourselves to the cause of Islam", he said.

மெளலவி குத்புதீன் அஹமத் பாகவி அவர்கள் இறையடி சேர்ந்தார்கள்

ஜமாஅத்தே இஸ்லாமி ஹிந்த் தமிழகத்தின் மூத்த தலைவர்களில் ஒருவரும், IFT வெளியிட்டுள்ள  திருக்குர்ஆன்  தமிழ் மொழிப்பெயர்ப்பாளருமான மெளலவி குத்புதீன் அஹமத் பாகவி அவர்கள் 6.11.2011 அன்று மாலை சிங்கப்பூரில் இறையடி சேர்ந்தார்கள்.  இன்னாலில்லாஹி வ இன்னா இலைஹி இராஜீவூன்.

தமிழகத்தில் இஸ்லாமிய இயக்கத்தை அனைத்து பகுதிகளில் வேரூன்ற செய்ததில் மிகப்பெரிய பங்காற்றியுள்ளார்கள். 

ஜமாஅத்தே இஸ்லாமி ஹிந்த் தமிழகத்தின் துணைத்தலைவராக பணியாற்றியுள்ளார்கள்.  மேலும் இறைமார்க்கத்தை மேலோங்க செய்கின்ற பணிகளில் தனது இறுதி காலம் வரை தொடர்ந்து பணியாற்றிக் கொண்டிருந்தார்கள்.  தனது 76 வயதிலும் இஸ்லாமிக் சென்டர் வேலூரில் நடைபெற்றுவரும் குல்லியத்துஸலாம் அரபிக்கல்லூரியின் முதல்வராக பணியாற்றி வந்தார்கள்.

 A news report in JIH website. Here

Moulana Ejaz Ahmed Aslam

மௌலானா குத்புத்தீன் அஹ்மத் பாகவி குறித்து மௌலானா இஃஜாஸ் அஹ்மத் அஸ்லம்
அன்புக்கினிய நண்பர் மௌலானா குத்புத்தீன் அஹ்மத் பாகவி அவர்களுடன் எனக்கு நாற்பது ஆண்டுகளாக பழக்கம். திருச்சியைச் சேர்ந்தவர் அவர். சென்னையில் வில்லிவாக்கத்தில் பள்ளிவாசல் ஒன்றில் இமாமாகப் பணியாற்றி வந்தபோது ஜமாஅத்துடன் நெருக்கமானார். அதன் பிறகு தனது இறுதி மூச்சு வரை அவர் ஜமாஅத்துடன் இணைந்து இருந்தார்; இஸ்லாத்திற்காக சேவையாற்றுவதிலும், குர்ஆனின் செய்தியைப் பரப்புவதிலும், இஸ்லாமியக் கல்வியைப் போதிப்பதிலும் முழுமூச்சாக ஈடுபட்டார்.
 
அவர்  மிகவும் இனியவர்; கண்ணியமான மனிதர்; அதிகம் பேச மாட்டார்; அறிவும் தெளிவும் நிறைந்த அறிஞர். குர்ஆனைவும் நபிமொழியையும் நபிவழியையும் நன்றாக விளங்கிக் கொள்கின்ற ஆற்றலை அல்லாஹ் அவருக்கு நிறையவே அளித்திருந்தான். எந்தவொரு விஷயத்தை எடுத்துக்கொண்டாலும் அதன் அடி முதல் நுனி வரை மிக எளிதாக கணித்துக்கொள்கின்ற ஆற்றலையும் அல்லாஹ் அவருக்கு வழங்கியிருந்தான்.
 
குர்ஆனை தமிழில் மொழிபெயர்க்கின்ற சேவையில் அவர் தன்னை முழுமையாக அர்ப்பணித்துக் கொண்டிருந்தார். தமிழில் எளிய நடையில் இனிய மொழியில் மொழிபெயர்ப்பு கிடைப்பதற்கு அவர் பெரும் பங்காற்றினார். 
 
வாய்மையுடனும் உளத்தூய்மையுடனும் அவர் ஆற்றிய சேவைகள் அனைத்தையும் அல்லாஹ் ஏற்றுக்கொள்வானாக; அவருடைய பிழைகளைப் பொறுத்தருள்வானாக; அவருக்கு தன்னுடைய கருணையையும் கிருபையையும் அருள்வானாக; பாவங்களை மன்னித்தருள்வானாக; மறுமையில் முடிவே இல்லாத நிலையான வாழ்வின் மிக உயர்வான படித்தரங்களை வழங்குவானாக; அவருடைய குடும்பத்தாருக்கு அழகிய பொறுமையை மேற்கொள்கின்ற நற்பேற்றை அருள்வானாக என நான் அல்லாஹ்விடம் பிரார்த்திக்கின்றேன். 
 
அவருடைய ஆளுமையை ஹபீஸ் மீரட்டி என்கிற கவிஞரின் கவிதை வரிகளில் சொல்லி விடலாம்:

ஹயாத் ஜிஸ் கி அமானத் தீஹ் உஸ் கூ லோடா தீ 

மை ஆஜ் செய்ன் சே ஸோதா ஹூன் பாவுன் பெஹ்லாயே

வாழ்க்கை என்கிற இந்த அமானத்தை அதற்கு உரியவரிடம் ஒப்படைத்துவிட்டேன். 

இன்றைக்கு நிம்மதியாக உறங்குகின்றேன் கால்களை நீட்டிக்கொண்டு

மௌலானா  இஃஜாஸ் அஹ்மத் அஸ்லம் அவர்கள் வாணியம்பாடியைச் சார்ந்தவர். 1977 முதல் 1990 வரை ஜமாத்தே இஸ்லாமி ஹிந்தின் தமிழகத் தலைவராகப் பணியாற்றியவர். கடந்த 21 ஆண்டுகளாக ஜமாத்தே இஸ்லாமி ஹிந்தின் அகில இந்திய செயலாளராகச் சேவையாற்றி வருகின்றார்.

He was sobre, serious and soft spoken gentleman : Moulana Ejaz Ahmed Aslam

Moulana Qutbudeen Ahmed Baqawi has been my friend and comrade for the past four decades. He was from Trichy and got attached with the Islamic Movement when he was serving as an Imam in Villlivakkam, Chennai. He served for the cause of Islam, Quran and Islamic Education whole heartedly till his last breath.

He was a serious, sobre and soft spoken gentleman. He was a man of knowledge and God has provided him with the special gift of understanding the inner dimensions of Quran and Hadith.

He dedicated himself with the noble task of translating the word of God into Tamil. And with his major contribution the translation of the Holy Quran in Tamil was published. It is the simple, lucid and immensely captivating translation available in the market now.

May Allah accept his sincere services. May Allah forgive his shortcomings. May Allah bestow him with His rahmat and maqfirat and grant him higher rankings in the eternal abode of Jannah. May Allah bestow Sabr-e-Jameel to his family members. Aameen.

In the end one could personify the departed with the following lines from Hafeez Meerati :

Hayat jis ki amanat thee us ku lotaadee
main aaj chain se sotha hoon paaun pehlaye
I have returned the amanah of life to its owner
Today I stretch my legs and sleep merrily

Some reflections on the death of Moulana A Khutbudeen Ahmed Sahib: Muqeet Mujtaba Ali

Muqeet Mujtaba Ali, a long time associate, student and friend of Moulana A Khutbudeen Ahmed Baqawi Sahib writes the following:

Sitting in silence I recall my meeting with him at his house about four months ago. He compelled me to have tea with him. Neither he nor I knew that we were meeting for the last time.
Just a week ago, he had been to Singapore to meet his daughter there.
His wife and other children who wished him a happy journey never even dreamt that he will never come back.
Those who saw him off at the airport never knew that they were seeing him off forever.
The man, who is no more now, never knew that he is not going to meet his near and dear ones again. That his flight to Singapore was the last flight of his life!
His daughter in Singapore never knew that her father has come all along from Chennai to Singapore with an invisible ‘kafan’ wrapped over his body.
None realised that Allah was preparing for his burial in Singapore.
The deceased was a great scholar of Islam. He was the author and translator of many books in Tamil. His great contribution was the translation of Qur’an in Tamil language.
I pray to Allah to forgive all his sins and grant him the highest place in Jannah. Aameen.

Some Points to Think and Act Upon:
1. Death is certain. None can escape death. So I and you must be wise enough to prepare for the life after death.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَلْتَنْظُرْ نَفْسٌ مَا قَدَّمَتْ لِغَدٍ ۖ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ [٥٩:١٨
O Believers! fear Allah and let every person look and consider what he sends forward for the morrow. Fear Allah; Allah is well aware of all that you do. (Al-Hashr 59: 18)

2. The time of death is destined by Allah, the Giver of life, and the Taker of life. Neither the time of death can be advanced, nor can it be postponed.

وَلَوْ يُؤَاخِذُ اللَّهُ النَّاسَ بِظُلْمِهِمْ مَا تَرَكَ عَلَيْهَا مِنْ دَابَّةٍ وَلَٰكِنْ يُؤَخِّرُهُمْ إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى ۖ فَإِذَا جَاءَ أَجَلُهُمْ لَا يَسْتَأْخِرُونَ سَاعَةً ۖ وَلَا يَسْتَقْدِمُونَ [١٦:٦١
Were Allah to take people to task for their wrong-doing, He would not have spared even a single living creature on the face of the earth. But He grants them respite until an appointed term. And when that term arrives, they have no power to delay it by a single moment, nor to hasten it.(Al-Nahl 16: 61)

3. The Place where one will die is decided already by Allah. None except Allah knows the place of every man’s death.

…وَمَا تَدْرِي نَفْسٌ بِأَيِّ أَرْضٍ تَمُوتُ …[٣١:٣٤
No soul knows in which land he will die!(Luqman 31: 34)
Kuthbudeen Sahib spent his entire life in Tamilnadu, India. His death was destined in Singapore. So Allah took him there in the evening of his life.
We must realise and understand very well that Allah drives a person out of his house and takes him to a place where he is destined to die, and he dies there.

… قُلْ لَوْ كُنْتُمْ فِي بُيُوتِكُمْ لَبَرَزَ الَّذِينَ كُتِبَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْقَتْلُ إِلَىٰ مَضَاجِعِهِمْ ۖ ….[٣:١٥٤
Say: ‘Even if you had been in your houses, those for whom slaying had been appointed would have gone forth to the places where they were to be slain.’ (Al Imran 3 : 154)

4. Most important thing for a Muslim is to die in the state of Imaan.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ [٣:١٠٢
Believers! Fear Allah as He should be feared, and see that you do not die save in the state of submission to Allah.(Al 'Imran 3: 102)
This ayah, along with other verses, is recited during Nikkah, marriage sermon. Brides and bridegrooms are reminded of death even during the happiest occasion of their life: Your happiness is not permanent. Nor is your life! Prefer that which is permanent over that which is transitory.

بَلْ تُؤْثِرُونَ الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَا [٨٧:١٦
وَالْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰ [٨٧:١٧
Nay! but you prefer the present life, whereas the Hereafter is better and longer lasting. (Al-A'la 87: 16-17)

More Here 

மௌலானா குத்புத்தீன் அஹ்மத் பாகவி மறைவு : சில சிந்தனைகள் - முகீத் முஜ்தபா அலீ

6. நவம்பர், 2011. ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமை.

தியாகத்திருநாள் நன்றாகக் கழிந்தது.

படுக்கப்போவதற்கு முன்பு வழக்கம்போல மின்னஞ்சல் பெட்டியைத் திறந்தபோதுதான் அந்தச் செய்தியைப் படித்தேன்.

மௌலானா குத்புத்தீன் அஹ்மத் பாகவி மறைந்துவிட்டார் என்கிற செய்தியை நண்பர் அனுப்பியிருந்தார்.

இன்னாலில்லாஹி வஇன்ன இலைஹி ராஜிவூன்

பெருநாள் அன்று மட்டுமே இருக்கக்கூடிய மகிழ்ச்சியும் மனநிறைவும் அந்தக் கணத்திலேயே அகன்றன.

இதயத்துக்கினியவர் எவராவது இறந்துபோகும் போது சோகம் மனத்தைக் கவ்வத்தானே செய்யும்.

மடியில் இருந்த கணிணித் திரையைப் பார்த்தவாறு உறைந்துபோனேன்.
அறையும் வீடும் நிசப்தத்தில் உறைந்திருக்க மௌலானாவைச் சந்தித்த அந்த நிமிடங்கள் மீண்டும் மனத்திரையில் ஓடின.

நான்கு மாதங்கள் கூட ஆகியிருக்காது.

வழக்கம்போல ஜமாஅத் அலுவலகத்திற்குச் சென்று எல்லோரையும் பார்த்து விசாரித்த பிறகு மௌலானாவைச் சந்திப்பதற்காக அவருடைய வீட்டுக்குப் போனேன். வற்புறுத்தி தேநீர் குடிக்க வைத்தார். அவரும் சரி, நானும் சரி தேநீருடன் அளவளாவிய அந்த மாலை வேளை தான் நாம் ஒருவரையொருவர் சந்திக்கின்ற கடைசி வேளை என்று இம்மியளவுகூட எண்ணிப் பார்க்கவில்லை.

மீண்டும் கணிணித் திரையில் தெரிந்த அந்த வலைப்பூ வாசகங்களை வாசித்தேன்.

ஒரு வாரத்திற்கு முன்பு தான் அவர் தனது மகளைப் பார்ப்பதற்காக சிங்கப்பூர் போய் இருக்கின்றார். கடல் கடந்து நெடும்பயணம் கிளம்பிய அவரை மகிழ்ச்சியுடன் அனுப்பி வைத்த அவருடைய குடும்பத்தார் அதுதான் அவருடைய கடைசி பயணம் என்கிற விவரம் தெரிந்திருக்கவில்லை.
விமான நிலையம் வரை சென்று அவரை வழியனுப்பி வைத்தவர்கள் அவரை நிரந்தரமாக வழியனுப்பிக் கொண்டிருக்கின்றோம் என நினைத்தும் பார்த்திருக்க மாட்டார்கள்.

இனி இயக்கத் தோழர்களையும் குடும்பத்தாரையும் மீண்டும் சந்திக்கின்ற வாய்ப்பே தனக்குக் கிடைக்காது என விமானம் ஏறிய அவருக்கும் தெரிந்திருக்கவில்லை. அந்த விமானப் பயணம் தான் தனது வாழ்வின் கடைசிப் பயணம் என்றும் நினைத்துக்கூடப் பார்த்திருக்க மாட்டார்.

சிங்கப்பூரில் இருக்கின்ற அவருடைய மகளுக்கும் சென்னையிலிருந்து சிங்கப்பூர் வரை பறந்து வந்திருக்கின்ற தனது தந்தையார் எவருடைய கண்களுக்கும் புலப்படாத கஃபன் துணியைக் கட்டிக் கொண்டு வந்திருக்கின்றார் என்பது தெரியாமலே போயிற்று. 

சிங்கப்பூரில் அவருடைய நல்லடக்கத்திற்கான ஏற்பாடுகளை அல்லாஹ் செய்துகொண்டிருந்தது எவருக்குமே தெரிந்திருக்கவில்லை.

மௌலானா குத்புத்தீன் அஹ்மத் பாகவி நாடறிந்த எழுத்தாளர்; பன்னூலாசிரியர்; மொழிபெயர்ப்பாளர். திருக்குர்ஆனை தமிழில் மொழிபெயர்க்கின்ற பணியில் அவருடைய பங்களிப்பும் பங்கேற்பும் மகத்தானது. அல்லாஹ் அவருடைய நற்பணிகளை ஏற்றுக்கொள்வானாக! அவருடைய பாவங்களை மன்னிப்பானாக! ஆமீன்.
அவருடை மரணம் எழுப்பிய சில சிந்தனைகளை இங்கே பகிர்ந்துகொள்கின்றேன்.

சிந்திப்போம்! செயல்படுவோம்!

 1. மரணத்தைத் தவிர்க்க முடியாது.

மரணம் நிச்சயமான ஒன்று. எனவே, அந்த மரணத்திற்காகவும் அதன் பிறகு வரவிருக்கின்ற மறுமை வாழ்வுக்காகவும் நீங்களும் நானும் தக்க ஆயத்தங்களைச் செய்ய வேண்டும். இந்த விஷயத்தில் விழிப்புடன் செயலாற்ற வேண்டும்.

இறைநம்பிக்கை கொண்டவர்களே! அல்லாஹ்-வுக்கு அஞ்சுங்கள். மேலும், ஒவ்வொரு மனிதனும், நாளைய தினத்திற்காக எதனைத் தயார் செய்து வைத்திருக்கின்றான் என்று பார்க்கட்டும். அல்லாஹ்-வுக்கு அஞ்சிய வண்ணம் இருங்கள். நீங்கள் செய்யும் செயல்கள் அனைத்தையும் திண்ணமாக அல்லாஹ் அறிபவனாக இருக்கின்றான்.                     

(அத்தியாயம் 59 அல்ஹஷர் : 18)

2. உயிரைக் கொடுப்பவனும் இறைவன்தான். உயிரைப் பறிப்பவனும் அவனே. அவனே மரணத்திற்கான தேதியையும் நேரத்தையும் குறிக்கின்றான். அதனைத் தவிர்க்கவோ, தாமதப்படுத்தவோ, தள்ளிப்போடவோ, முடியாது.

மனிதர்கள் இழைக்கும் அக்கிரமங்களுக்காக அல்லாஹ் அவர்களை (உடனுக்குடன்) பிடிப்ப-தாயிருந்தால், பூமியில் எந்த உயிரினத்தையும் அவன் விட்டு வைத்திருக்க மாட்டான்! ஆயினும், ஒரு குறிப்பிட்ட தவணை வரை அவர்களுக்கு அவன் அவகாசம் அளிக்கின்றான். பிறகு அந்த நேரம் வந்துவிடுமாயின் ஒரு வினாடிகூட அவர்-களால் பிந்தவும் முடியாது; முந்தவும் முடியாது.                              (அத்தியாயம் 16: அந்நஹ்ல் : 61)

3. ஒருவர் எங்கே எப்படி மரணமடைவார் என்பதை இறைவன் ஏற்கனவே தீர்மானித்து விட்டான்.

 இறைவனைத் தவிர வேறு எவருக்கும் அது பற்றிய தகவல் தெரியாது.

தான் எந்தப் பூமியில் மரணமடைவோம் என்பதும் எந்த மனிதருக்கும் தெரியாது.                                 (அத்தியாயம் 31 : 34)

மௌலானா குத்புத்தீன் அஹ்மத் பாகவி சாகிப் தம்முடைய வாழ்நாள் முழுவதையும் தமிழ்நாட்டில் தான் கழித்தார். ஆனால் சிங்கப்பூர்தான் அவரது மரணக்களம் என ஏற்கனவே தீர்மானிக்கப்பட்டிருந்தது. இதனால் அவருடைய வாழ்வின் கடைசி நாட்களில் அல்லாஹ் அவரை சிங்கப்பூருக்கு எடுத்துக் கொண்டு போனான்.

ஒருவர் எந்த இடத்தில் மரணமடைய வேண்டும் என்று விதிக்கப்பட்டிருக்கின்றதோ அந்த இடத்திற்கு அல்லாஹ் அவரை அவருடைய இடத்திலிருந்து கிளப்பிக் கொண்டு போகின்றான் என்பதை நாம் நன்றாகப் புரிந்துகொள்ள வேண்டும்.

நீர் கூறும்: ‘நீங்கள் உங்கள் வீடுகளில் அடைந்திருந்தாலும் யாருடைய விதியில் மரணம் எழுதப்பட்டு விட்டதோ, அவர்கள் தம் மரணக்களங்களை நோக்கி வந்தே தீருவர்!‘                        

(அத்தியாயம் 3: ஆலுஇம்ரான் : 154)

4. மரணிக்கும்போது இறைநம்பிக்கை இருக்கின்ற நிலையில் மரணிக்க வேண்டும். இதுதான் எல்லாவற்றையும் விட முக்கியமானதாகும்.

‘இறைநம்பிக்கை கொண்டவர்களே! நீங்கள் அல்லாஹ்வுக்கு அஞ்ச வேண்டிய முறைப்படி அஞ்சுங்கள். மேலும் நீங்கள் முஸ்லிம்களாக அன்றி மரணமடைய வேண்டாம்.                                 (அத்தியாயம் 3 ஆலுஇம்ரான் : 102)

இந்த வசனம் நிகாஹ் குத்பாவில் திருமணச் சொற்பொழிவில் ஓதப்படுகின்றது.

அதாவது மணமக்களுக்கு மரணம் குறித்து நினைவூட்டப்படுகின்றது. அவர்களுடைய வாழ்வின் மிக மிக சந்தோஷமான வேளையில் மகிழ்ச்சி பொங்குகின்ற தருணத்தில் அவர்களுக்கு மரணத்தைக் குறித்து நினைவூட்டப்படுகின்றது.

இதற்கு என்ன பொருள்?

உங்களுடைய இந்த மகிழ்ச்சியும் சந்தோஷமும் நிலையானதன்று. அது போலத்தான் உங்களுடைய வாழ்வும். எனவே நிலையில்லாத இந்த வாழ்வை விட நிலையான மறுமை வாழ்வுக்கு அதிக முன்னுரிமை தாருங்கள்.

ஆனால், நீங்கள் இம்மை வாழ்வுக்கே முன்னுரிமை அளிக்கின்றீர்கள். உண்மையில், மறுமையே மிகவும் மேலானதாகவும், நிலைத்து நிற்கக்கூடியதாகவும் இருக்கின்றது.                              (அத்தியாயம் 87 அல் அஃலா : 16, 17)

5. பின்வரும் துஆவை ஜனாஸா தொழுகையில் மட்டுமின்றி அடிக்கடி ஓதுவதை நாம் பழக்கப்-படுத்திக்கொள்ள வேண்டும்.

‘இறைவனே! நம்மில் உயிருடன் வாழ்வின் எவரையும் இறைநம்பிக்கை உள்ள நிலையில் வாழச் செய்வாயாக! நம்மில் மரணிக்கின்ற எவரையும் இறைநம்பிக்கை உள்ள நிலையில் மரணிக்கச் செய்வாயாக!

எனக்கு இன்னொரு துஆவும் மிகவும் பிடிக்கும். யூசுப் நபி செய்த துஆ அது:

வானங்களையும் பூமியையும் படைத்தவனே! நீதான் இம்மையிலும் மறுமையிலும் என் பாதுகாவலன். நான் இஸ்லாத்தில் இருக்கும் நிலையிலேயே என்னை மரணிக்கச் செய்வாயாக! மேலும் என்னை ஒழுக்கசீலர்களுடன் சேர்ப்பாயாக!                                  

(அத்தியாயம் 12 : யூசுப் : 101)

அல்லாஹ் நம் அனைவருக்கும் இறைநம்பிக்கையின்படி வாழ்கின்ற, அந்த நிலையிலேயே மரணிக்கின்ற நற்பேற்றைத் தந்தருள்வானாக! அதறகான வழிகாட்டுதலையும் நல்லருளையும் தந்தருள்வானாக!

"Don't call him Veer Savarkar"

Veteran Writer, political commentator, social activist Chinna Kuthoosi @ Thiyagarajan passed away on 22nd May. I have met this legendary writer a couple of times. Once with Marhoom Moulana M A Jameel Ahmed Sahib and many times with our own kavinjar Moosa Kaka.

He was very receptive. always to the point. I remember during a discussion I inadvertantly uttered the name Veer Savarkar. He immediately corrected me. "Don't say Veer Savarkar. He is just Savarkar. What has he done to be called Veer Savarkar? He wrote an apology letter to the British to reduce his prison term".

Then once when prominent cartoonist Irfan Hussain of Outlook was murdered by unidentified persons in New Delhi we had published a collection of cartoons of Irfan Hussain with a four line message at the end in Samarasam. Chinna Kuthoosi liked it. He admired the choice of the cartoons. They were all famous cartoons of Irfan Hussain ridiculing the hindutva ways of L K Advani, M M Joshi etc. He liked the subtle suggestion hidden behind the choice of the cartoons and the four line message. When I heard it I was at cloud nine.

Lessons to be learnt from the success stories of Janab C Abdul Hakeem Sahib and Moulana M A Jameel Ahmed Sahib

"Our forefathers like Mr. C. Abdul Hakeem Sahib who were not so much educated have done a lot for the educational upliftment of not only Muslims but also non-Muslims. But, unfortunately it is not the case with us – the present generation who are well educated and at the helm of affairs– in comparison with them, of course with some exceptions. It is our duty to recapture their spirit and zeal for the betterment of the community and country," said P. K. Shabbir Ahmed in a function organized by The Tamil Nadu Chapter of the Federation of Muslim Educational Institutions in India (FEMEII) held in Chennai.

When I read these words in a report of the event by V M Khaleelur Rahman in Two Circles I was pleasantly surprised. I have been contemplating in similar lines for the past few years. Especially after the demise of Moulana M. A. Jameel Ahmed, the General Secretary of Islamic Foundation Trust (IFT). Moulana Jameel Sahib too was not a graduate or to put in the words of P K Shabbir Sahib 'not so much educated'. But with his hardwork, vision and foresight he achieved much more than the brothers who have taken his mantle now. In terms of achievements and accomplishments his successors with higher educational qualifications and those at the helm of affairs stand miles and miles behind Moulana M A Jameel Ahmed Sahib.

Why is it so? What made Janab C Abdul Hakeem Sahib and Moulana M A Jameel Sahib click? Is it because 'old is gold'? We have to find an answer. Perhaps the answer lies in the following words of Allama Iqbal:

Kabhi aey, Naujawan Muslim! taddabur bhi kiya tu ney?

Wo kya gardon tha tu jis ka hai ik toota hua tara

Tujhey uss qaum nay pala hai aaghosh-e-mohabbat main

Kuchal dala tha jis nay paon main taaj-e-sir-e-dara

(Meanings: Taddabur = To think; Gardon = Sky (Simile, group of Prophet (PBUH) and his companions here); Qaum = Nation (Muslims here); Aaghosh-e-Mohabbat = Caring protection; Kuchal = Trample; Taj-e-sir-e-dara = Royal crown)

Janab P K Shabbir Ahmed is the most sober person I have ever met. He is cool, calm and committed activist with a mission. He is the moving spirit behind Organisation of Muslim Educational Institutions and Associations of Tamil Nadu OMEIT for the past few decades. He is a man of few words. But when he choses to talk he delivers words of wisdom.

Photo of P. K. Shabbir Ahmed : courtesy : Ko Shafee Ahmed

What is annoying me more is the growing influence of western culture, says Ameer, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind

There is a saying that 'Out of sight, out of mind'. That is why visiting each other, meeting friends is necessary to sustain friendship and relations. 

You meet a lot of people with varied backgrounds and tastes. Years pass by and you forget them. But sometimes you maintain a sweet memory of a long lost friend without meeting him for years together. Then one fine morning when you get a pleasing news about a long lost friend, how would you feel? Elated? Excited? Jubilant? Delighted? 

I felt so when I received an email with an interview given by Moulana Syed Jalaluddin Umari. It was sent by Br N. Ataullah. I was elated when I read the name of the interviewer. The words 'by Sharfuddin B.S, Kuwait.' glittered in RED.

Memories of meeting this brother lingered in my mind. I met him in Chennai then Madras at IIFSO meet twenty three years ago. We visited the Chennai Book fair. He was searching a book titled 'A Caravan of dreams' written by Idhris Shah. We had tea and butter biscuits in a restaurent. When we were waiting for tea, he did a startling act. He pulled a cigarette from a pack and started smoking. The poise, sityle, and the confidence with which he smoked was cahrming. Nowadays nobody smokes in SIO circle. We talked of current affairs. I don't remember the details. 

I have never met him again. But I have been following him over the years. Br Abdus Salam puttege was one of his friends who used to visit Chennai for printing Kannada Translation of Quran. Once Moulana M. A. Jameel Ahmed narrated an incident involving Br Sharfuddin Banagal (B is for Banagal). It was of a magnificent lecture delivered by Br Sharfuddin on Seerah at a non-Muslim gathering. I remember the joy with which Moulana M. A. Jameel Ahmed mentioned this incident. Br Sharfuddin was attached with Sanmarga kannada weekly. He was the Sub-Editor there. I preserved his visiting card for many years. Years later when I became sub-Editor of Samarasam Tamil Fortnightly I made my visiting card in a similar design. 

I could not meet him again. Twenty three years have passed. Now when I saw his write-up and photo with the Ameer-e-Jamaat, I was.... Oh! leave it yaar. Over to the interview.

Moulana Syed Jalaluddin Umari, a prominent Islamic Scholar acclaimed for his great works in Urdu Islamic literature, also leads Jamat-e –Islami Hind, as its All India President. Besides being an Islamic scholar, Moulana Jalaluddin, a septuagenarian leader has thorough comprehension of national and international issues that differentiates him from traditional Moulavis. He is bestowed with knowledge of a scholar, charisma of a leader, vision of a visionary, deliberations of a thinker and above all thorough comprehension of current affairs.   He was in Kuwait as a guest of ministry of Awkaf and Islamic Affairs and participated in IMA Youth Wing’s one-day conference organized under the patronage of Ministry of Awkaf and Islamic Affairs.

Here are the excerpts from his of interview with him taken at Le Meridian Hotel, Kuwait.

While India’s GDP is growing through economic reforms, why is the Jamaat opposing globalization and liberalization? Are you against progress ?

We are not against progress or any kind of development activities in India. However, we are against two things. Firstly, influence of western and particularly American culture to Indian society, which is being imported along with globalization and liberalization. Secondly, we oppose the scenario where benefits of development are reaped by very minute percentage i.e. 5% urban elite in India and fruits of development are not reaching the entire population. Even among the cities, only some cities are benefiting from the developments. You cannot see the glitters of development in cities like Patna and Kolkata, what you may see in Delhi and Mumbai.  The so-called development may bring glitter to only some cities. However in villages, which constitute majority of Indian geography, no influence of progress is noticed. Even today, it is sad to state that, in spite of big claims about progress and development more than 30% of people in India are living below poverty line. When we claim about higher growth rate of GDP, we forget that we are counting the common man along with TATAs, Birlas and Ambanis, and calculating the average. We support progress, which is directed towards the steady development of entire population of India.

More annoying is, the growing influence of western culture in India. As a result, extra marital sex and premarital sex in no more a taboo in our country among younger generation and doctors are now advocating safe sex rather than advising to refrain from such practices. When we talk about economic progress, we should not forget that this progress has brought enormous contrasts in our society. Several people are deprived of two meals per day, where as many million rupees are spent on fast food by urban elite. In many of our villages, people are deprived of clothing where as millions of rupees are being spent for cosmetics. Some are living in big bungalows while many cannot afford humble huts for themselves.  We are against this kind of contrasts in our society but not against progress. While west is suffering from the drawbacks of their own culture, we are welcoming it in our society without knowing the consequences.  If food, shelter and clothing are guaranteed to majority of the populace, we will whole-heartedly support such progress.

Can you outline how central and state governments have responded to Sachar Committee report ?

Sachar committee report is a big eye-opener for all, which reveals the truth that despite the hue and cry about Muslim appeasement, Muslims are among the most deprived communities in India. The report confirms that they are more backward than OBCs in many areas.  The government was bound to accept this fact since ‘Sachar Committee’ is a government appointed body. If such a committee would have been appointed by any other independent organization or a Muslim organization, the government would have probably rejected the report. Sachar committee report enumerates detailed data and irrefutable proofs explaining the status of Muslims in various fields in different states.

There was another report called ‘Ranganath Mishra’ commission report, which unfortunately was not tabled by the government in the parliament. This report also reveals similar facts identified by Sachar Committee report.  Muslims are demanding that the recommendations of Sachar Committee and Mishra Commission report have to be implemented.  According to government’s official statistics, Muslims constitute 14% of the population. Though actual percentage of Muslims is obviously much higher than government statistics, Muslims need to secure minimum and appropriate share of 14% in all aspects of life such as education and representation in legislative assemblies.  According to Mishra Commission report minorities should get 15% reservations in employment and education, out of which 10% reservation should be given to Muslims owing to their pathetic condition in India. Furthermore, the commission also recommends that if there is any leftover quota from the remaining 5% unutilized by other minorities, it also needs to be given to Muslims.

All major Muslim organizations including Jamate Islami Hind, Jamiatul Ulema Hind and Majlis Mushawarat unanimously demand that the recommendations of  the Sachar Committee and Mishra commission  reports have to be implemented.  However, government is lending a deaf ear to the plea of Muslims. Ironically, central government and none of the state governments have taken any step forward to implement Sachar committee recommendations. The BJP led state governments have rejected these recommendations saying that these are attempts to appease Muslims. Meanwhile state governments led by so-called secular parties also has not done anything to implement it other than rendering some lip services. In West Bengal, a state where Muslims are severely deprived, the government has announced that it will give 10% reservations to Muslims. Since assembly elections of West Bengal are round the corner, it is difficult to judge if the government is sincere in its announcement or if it is just an election gimmick. In West Bengal, where Muslims constitute almost 27% population, the  government now accepts that they have committed a mistake by sidelining Muslims during the  long span of communist rule in the state. Other than announcement in the wake of upcoming assembly elections, no practical steps have been taken to implement the report.   However, Andhra Pradesh government has announced 4% reservation to Muslims and in Karnataka there is some kind of reservation existing from the beginning. In Kerala, government has formed a committee to study the implementation of recommendations of Sachar Committee report. Apart from this, practical steps towards implementation of the Sachar committee and Mishra commission reports are not being seen anywhere in India.

How did Muslims themselves respond to the Sachar Committee report to do something for the community at non-governmental level ?

As far as Muslim organizations are concerned, all Muslims organizations have welcomed sachar committee report and are pressurizing the government to implement its recommendations.  However, there are no collective efforts from the Muslim organization towards implementation of Sachar and Mishra commission report. Muslim organizations are expressing their views through their own separate platforms. Needless to say, the Muslim organizations had been striving for the betterment of Muslims even before the submission of Sachar Committee report. Jamate Islami Hind also has established many schools, colleges and hospitals in different parts of India. It has also served employment generation. Many other Muslim organizations have also contributed toward the upliftment of the community. In Hyderabad for example Salahudddin Owasi has established many schools, colleges and contributed towards social work. Jamiatul Ulema Hind has established many Arabic Madraras and colleges. Vision 2016 is also part of the Jamat’s activities towards upliftment of the society in general, and Muslims in particular. Sachar committee report has reconfirmed the importance of such activities. Muslim community in India is a huge community and all these efforts rendered by Muslims are just small efforts compared to the size of the community and magnitude of the challenges they are facing. Muslim organizations joined together cannot produce the same thing what a concerned and responsible government can produce.

  
From reports, we understand that recently many innocent Muslim youth are targeted in the name of war on terror. What you say about this situation ?

American policy of war on terror initiated by erstwhile US government has influenced many countries including our own country. Thus, it is true that Muslims particularly many innocent Muslim youth were targeted in the name of war on terror. An atmosphere is created through media stereotypes where if any terrorist activities is reported, Muslims are blamed at the outset, without finding out the real culprits.  However during the recent past there have been several instances in India where many activists from non-Muslim outfits have been arrested for terrorist activities, with cases registered against them, and some of them are even behind the bars.  This has brought a slight change in the trend of out rightly blaming Muslims for any untoward incidents without finding the real culprits.

 
Reports about attacks against churches, moral policing by anti social elements and atmosphere of hatred show that communal elements are growing in India. What you think about this situation ?

It is true that there are communal elements in India and there are continued efforts by anti social elements to spread communalism. However, it is not true that communalism has grown much higher than ever. There were no major communal riots in India after the Gurjart riots, which is still famed as the biggest communal riot in India post partition. Previously Bihar was considered as a communally sensitive area. Bihar now is a riot free state, though there is poverty, corruption and many other problems which can be capitalized by anti social elements. During the rule of Lalu Prasad Yadav and Nitish Kumar there were no communal riots in Bihar. Earlier during the rule of congress, communal riots were common in Bihar. In Uttar Pradesh as well, which is again considered as the most sensitive state, there was no major communal riots reported in the recent past even during the rule of BJP, which was followed by the rule of Mulayam Singh and Mayawati. Recently there were some communal riots in Hyderabad. However, it did not spread to other parts of the state, unlike Gujarat riots which soon spread to the entire state. This does not mean that you can have a sigh of relief that communalism has faded away from India. Efforts are needed to promote the atmosphere of understanding and tolerance and communal elements need to be defeated.  Peace is a basic need of human beings, which is also an inevitable need of progress. Jamat and other organizations can only wish and advocate peace. However, government has more power to ensure and establish peace.

 
You have mentioned about Gujart riots. Do you think Narendra Modi, who is termed as architect of Gujarat riots will be convicted by the court ?

As you know, there are several cases against Narendar Modi and justice will take its own course. We do not have any other sources to know about the status of his case other than media. The Supreme Court of India has given many impartial judgments in the past, which strengthen one’s belief in judiciary. In any democracy, the Court is the final door to knock for seeking justice. Hence, one has to wait and see what happens.

What you think about women’s reservation bill presented recently by the ruling party ?

Women reservation bill is not beneficial to minorities, particularly Muslims. Majority of the Muslim organizations opposed this bill including Jamaate Islami Hind. Moreover, all other small and big political parties are against this bill except the Congress and the Communist party. BJP is has adopted a middle path in this regard. If this bill is passed, it will be a gateway to the so-called upper cast elites to strengthen their political might. Their women folk will also reach the parliament alongside their men. Women folks of backward communities are already less in number in politics. This bill is in no way beneficial to any backward communities. Muslim organizations including Jamaat e Islami Hind feel that a separate quota for Muslims and other backward communities has to be fixed in the women’s reservation. Otherwise, women’s reservation bill in its current form only serves the interests of the upper cast elite. According to Lalu Prasad Yadav, a political strongman with proven track record, “even we cannot reach parliament if this bill is implemented”. Jamate Islami Hind has visited many national level political leaders to express its dissatisfaction regarding the bill and we feel that many parties think on similar lines.

Is there any preparation by JIH to launch a political Party ?

Jamat Islami Hindi is an organization with a mission and we have no intension to become a political party. The Jamaat has its own area of work and has a long way to go. However, in the current political scenario of our country, the Jamaat feels that there is a need of a political party, which pursues value-based politics and serves the interests of the weaker sections.   Hence, Jamaat will support any movement to establish such a political party, which particularly addresses common problems of weaker sections in India, including Muslims.  The Jamaat will support such a party and feels that time is ripe for its establishment. Educational upliftment, employment generation, eradication of communal riots, over all social development could be some of its agenda.

 
Can you brief about the Vision 2016 project initiated by JIH ?

Through Vision 2016,  Jamaat-e-Islami Hind has initiated so many social service activities towards the betterment of downtrodden people, Muslims in particular, in areas where they are living under pathetic conditions. Many schools have been established in many parts of India. In Delhi, we have undertaken a big project of hospital construction. Scholarship programs for talented poor children have also been initiated. Interest free loans and monetary support are being given to many people to generate their own means of income and to come out of the clutches of poverty.

Through Vision 2016 project, relief activities have been initiated at a larger scale compared to our customary relief activities, towards people affected from natural calamities and riots. We also support marriage needs of poor families.  However, the outcome of entire project cannot be anticipated soon. It is like giving education to a child. Outcome of the education is apparent when the boy grows up, secures his own job and social status. It is a long process and any social change cannot be anticipated within a short time. You may have to wait for 10-15 years to see at least some better consequences of the project.

We are doing social service activities from the beginning, much before the presentation of Sachar Committee report. However vision 2016 is much focused and a large-scale project compared to the previous social service activities of JIH.