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The opinions expressed in Transcend do not necessarily reflect those of the editors, publishers
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Dr. Muhammad Amin
Editor’s Note EDITOR’S NOTE
Dr. Naseem Ansari
This year, Ramadan will be upon us, and many of us are dreading the longest days we have fasted
in our lives. In doing so, we have completely forgotten to be grateful for the spiritual buffet that has
been presented to us on a silver platter. Muhammad E said, "When the month of Ramadan starts,
the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained”
[Bukhari]. This one hadith alone eliminates any excuses. However, added to the elimination of the
Dr. Waqas Ahmad
Shayateen are the extraordinary incentives to do good during this month. The Prophet E also said,
Khadija Ranjha
"Whoever fasted Ramadan with faith and in expectancy of reward, his previous sins are forgiven"
Mehr Khan
However, despairingly few Muslims avail this opportunity. Rather than improving their adab,
becoming regular in prayers, reading the Qur'an and praying qiyam, they spend the precious few
days of this blessed month squabbling and aggressively scurrying through buffet lines, stuffing
themselves in the pursuit of pakoras and samosas. Rather than practicing the hadith of the
Prophet E, “none of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself”, they
Rishtya Meena Kakar
scorn, and even curse, anyone who fills their plate before them. These people are fasting and
furious. It is because of this heedlessness that rather than wiping their slates clean, they are just
Javeria Naveed
Jamal Khattak
On the other end of the spectrum are those that acknowledge the golden opportunity in front of
them and strive to become closer to Allah I . They realize that this is a time where rewards are
abundant and it is much easier to reap the infinite bounties of Allah I . They emancipate their
hearts, control their anger, reflect critically, and arduously practice all the aspects of religion that
that had neglected in the previous months; they do this openly and proudly, despite scrutiny from
their peers. These people too are fasting and furious; however, their fury and hunger are fixated on
Asmara Ahmed Malik
However, even amongst these are a majority that, upon completion of the month of Ramadan, toss
Ahmed Malik
Yousaf Raza
aside this temporary boost of iman and go back to their usual carefree lives. While this potential is
there after any change a person makes in his habits, it is most pronounced in Ramadan. However,
despite this trend, from both a psychological and Islamic perspective, Ramadan is the perfect time
to create new habits. Every year, Allah I has given us 29 to 30 days to develop a new habit and
modern psychology corroborates this, stating that a new habit can take anywhere from twenty to
sixty days to form.
Ahmad Yaseen Arain
As well as issues directly pertaining to Ramadan, this issue of Transcend contains inspirational
Emad Atif Ahmad
experiences to motivate change, and self development tips on how to improve yourself during this
Anem J. Nawaz
Our goal in this issue is to provide clarity amidst confusion. We pray that we will all fill our hollow
vessels with the colors of Allah I and truly make this a date to remember!
UMAR SHUAIB
team
he MAGAZINE
SHIFA
STUDENTS SOCIETY
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FROM DECEPTION TO CORRECTION – ANEM JAVED NAWAZ, - 3RD YEAR MEDICAL STUDENT, SCM
ro m
F Deception
to Correction
Anem Javed Nawaz - 3rd year medical student, SCM
Y
es, it's true! You can be perfect too. There are a myriad of false claims, half-truths,
L'Oréal can give you the perfect hair, and deceptive statements that murk the
Olay can give you the perfect skin, and, marketplace. Airbrush makeup is a technique
Louis Vuitton can style you up from head to toe where pigments are sprayed on the face with
in the most sensational attire. You too can be high precision, promising its costumer the
like the perfect models in their advertisements. perfect 'celebrity look'. The technique allows
All you need is to believe in the “dream,” and for multiple pigments to be blended together
oh, yes… cough up a few extra pounds to buy seamlessly, thereby concealing any
the products. This appears to be a win-win blemishes or imperfections in the skin. The
situation, doesn't it? Picture this: thick, glossy, beauty industry justifies “air-brushing” in its
lustrous hair created by L'Oréal marketing practices by claiming that it is selling
products¯showcased by British celebrity your perfect dream. But don't you think their
Cheryl Cole¯topped off with smooth, wrinkle- products are sold on the basis of deceit and
free skin under your eyes, courtesy of Olay. false hopes?
It can be argued that Ms. Cole spends These “image-building” practices are a part of
£200,000 per year out of personal choice to modern public relations practices, and are
enhance her beauty, of which her landmark largely attributed to the work of Edward
“artificial hair extensions” are the major cost. Bernays, a nephew of Dr. Sigmund Freud, who
L'Oréal doesn't feel it is misleading for Ms. used his uncle's deranged psychoanalytical
Cole to promote their products, even though ideas to manipulate public opinion based on
L'Oréal's Elvive shampoo might never one's subconscious desires. Bernays put forth
produce “the look” of Cole's extension- his ideas in a 1947 essay, “The Engineering of
enhanced hair for customers. When eyebrows
were raised about misleading ads, the
Advertising Standards Authority, a self-
regulatory organization of the advertising
industry in the UK, rejected these claims of
deception. In their rebuttal, they argued that for
two out of the total thirty seconds they were on-
air, the advertisement notified the customer,
using miniscule-sized text, that the company
may have used “some” artificial hair
extensions. Whether that infinitesimal size of
the text could be read by the viewer is doubtful.
However, what still remains a rational
argument is, whether exploiting the human
tendency to believe such tricks¯in other words
their limited intellectual thinking¯is justifiable.
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Consent”, where he outlined the art of “If you obeyed most of those on Earth, they
manipulating people. His ideas were seen with would misguide you from Allah's Way. They
great interest by politicians and corporations follow nothing but conjecture. They are only
who could substantially increase their sales guessing” (6:116).
and profits with the practice of engineering
consents. His clientele Allah I has issued numerous
included various thriving warnings to human beings
organizations such as the against such fallacies and
A m e r i c a n To b a c c o misconceptions. He I has
Company, CBS Television, been guiding us to take a firm
and General Motors. In stand against their tactics
today's day and age, these and remain adherent to the
companies have become right path. To achieve this
highly affluent by building very objective, Allah I sent
upon the basics of “mis- messengers and portrayed
marketing”, deceptive their lives as an example to
positioning, and running ad be followed to success. At no
campaigns clearly aimed at occasion did the Holy
presenting only part of the Prophet E or his companions
truth-ideas that the use deception as a means of
aforementioned “father of delivering the Message of
public relations” so readily
Allah I to the people. The
propagated.
religion and its command-
ments were explained by
People may have the
them in all honesty.
freedom of expression, but
that does not necessarily imply that they also
“... Shaytaan made their actions seem good to
have the freedom of thought.
them and so debarred them from the way,
even though they were intelligent people”
Let's briefly shift the spotlight onto Pakistani
(29:38).
leaders ruling the Land of The Pure. Whether
in white or khaki, they have been known to use
These are nothing but tactics of Shaytaan to
well-crafted slogans for image-building, and
divert people into empty tasks. He paints
create illusions as means to increase their
activities that have nothing to do with the
political capital. People have been misled by
slogans of roti, kapara, makan, or Nizam-e- approval of Allah I , and makes them appear
Mustafa of the 1980's, parha likha Punjab of worth striving for. And what's worse is that we
the 2000's, and the current government's easily fall into his catch, negligently choosing
never-ending promises of putting an end to to waste our entire life on fleeting ideals. While
electricity “load-shedding”. While the masses we are distracted by his schemes, does it ever
have been able to see through all of these cross our minds that one day our lives in this
baseless promises time and again, the world will end, and that we will be called to
constant re-support for such leaders even accountability in the presence of Allah? It
after they shake public trust is inexplicable by doesn't! What a huge mistake it is for Insaan,
all means. who has no guarantee that he will even be
alive to live the next second, to pursue such
The question that arises is: why do we, the fruitless ambitions. And slowly, with the
general public, repeatedly get tricked into passage of time, we completely surrender to
believing these larger-than-life illusions? Why the distractions of this transient dunya, stop
do we let ourselves be conned by these “Oscar questioning our purpose in life, and end up
worthy artists” over and over again? devoting ourselves entirely towards worldly
plans, and insignificant rewards and targets.
If we revert to the message contained in the
Qur'an, Allah I very categorically commands, We start with consoling ourselves that in order
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for our “highly ambitious worldly goals” to be Deception only leads to destruction!
met, it is necessary for us to spend our days in
a certain way, the way standardized by the Deception might give us temporary
“societal pressures”. It eventually manifests comfort/pleasure, if at all, but in reality it is
itself in following a certain clan of trendsetters paving the path for our destruction in the future
— read Celebrities — and basically living a life by giving us no gains and all loss, making us
of self-deception. All this culminates into forget our final destiny. We need to put an end
compromise on our values, integrity, and to this scrumptious indulgence in loss! It is high
worse, our ability to Reason. time we recall our promise to our Lord and
revert to Him. To start with, let's purify our souls
So what could be done to ameliorate this actively with the remembrance of Allah I not
situation? Well, it is we who need to stand up only with our thinking, but our actions.
for the Freedom to THINK, the Freedom to
ANALYZE, and the Freedom to breakaway True perfection will be bestowed upon us if we
from the shackles of these multi-million-dollar abide by the rules framed by The One who
industries. It is our responsibility to disregard created us from a measly substance and gave
the images associated with these “brands” and us this life which we so often abuse.
personalities, and study them from a poised
elevation well above the curtains of illusion “O you who believe! Fear Allah and let each
and deceit. It should be our priority to beware self look to what it has sent forward for
of the plots which make us forget the REAL tomorrow. Fear Allah. Allah is aware of what
purpose of our existence. We should not let you do. Do not be like those who forgot Allah so
ourselves be pressurized into adopting worldly He made them forget themselves. Such
ideals and short-lived, transitory ambitions. people are the deviators” (9:18-19).
We must learn to QUESTION!
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GHAFLAH – RISHTYA MEENA KAKAR - 3RD YEAR MEDICAL STUDENT, SCM
GHAFLAH
Overlooked by USMLE Step 1
Spiritual Diseases of the Heart:
Heedlessness
Rishtya Meena Kakar - 3rd year medical student, SCM
relief from the disease of heedlessness. The This disease of lack of awareness of the
message of the prophets brought awareness commands of Allah I , lack of attention to the
of Allah I and could heal the symptoms of this guidance of Allah I and, lack of gratefulness
spiritual disease with the permission of Allah to the blessings of Allah I causes the
I , but many of the sufferers of heedlessness symptoms of being easily fooled, dissatisfied
ignored the message of the prophets and even with life, and leads to all the other diseases of
persecuted or killed the prophets. the heart: miserliness, fear of poverty, hatred,
anger, envy, arrogance, seeking reputation,
Allah I describes those who do not take
false hopes and negative thoughts, among
guidance from the prophets and persist in others. In fact, this disease predisposes to all
heedlessness as “having a cover (ghishawa) wrongdoing in the sufferer's life.
over their eyes.”(2:7). Thus, the sufferer of
heedlessness has a veil of falsehood drawn It is noted that those persons choosing a way
over them and finds it impossible to have a of life full of Dhikr are never found to suffer from
sound perception of right and wrong. this disease, for Allah I says: “Then do ye
remember me; I will remember you. Be
Clinical Features:
grateful to me and reject not faith.” (2:152)
Heedlessness is not a uniform disease but a
H o w e v e r, s o m e t i m e s a s u ff e r e r o f
dynamic clinical syndrome affecting each
heedlessness may appear to be implementing
sufferer in different ways. Nevertheless, the
Dhikr but is actually only completing prayer
basic defect is “choosing a way of living that
and Dua out of habit, nothing more than a
allows divine signs to pass without notice”
series of rituals and memorized words.
[Purification of the Heart Hamza Yusuf]. The
three most common clinical features of the Investigations:
disease of heedlessness are: (1) Analyze the Salah:
How many times a day do you pray? With
First, the sufferers of this syndrome are full concentration?
oblivious to the difference What are all the
between what Allah I has thoughts occupying your
commanded and what He mind during salah?
has prohibited, or they Do you see Salah as a
believe it to be irrelevant. burden or an act of
worship to look forward
Second, they trust and seek to?
guidance from human
sources but fail to trust or (2) Analyze relationship
ask guidance from Allah I . with Allah I :
Who do you trust and
Third, they blame Allah I depend on to guide you in
for their difficulties and your major decisions?
never thank Him for their Do you expect
success. In fact, they never provisions from others or
thank Allah I for any of the do you realize that only
gifts that He showers on Allah can provide for
them daily. you?
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patience (sabr): death and Hereafter and to help gain
What is your first response when you control over emotions
accomplish a goal or when stricken with
iii) Visit living righteous people to gain
hardship?
knowledge and receive their supplication
Who do you give credit to for your
accomplishments? 3. Invoke benedictions upon the Prophet :
Send prayer (salawat), peace (salam), and
Management:
The initial and most basic management of blessings (baraka) on the Prophet 500
heedlessness is to pray to Allah * to remove times a day: O you who believe, invoke
the cover over our perception and show things benedictions upon [the Prophet] and
in their reality, distinguished and clear. The salutations of peace. (33:56)
therapy of choice should be following the 4. Reciting the Book of Allah:
example of the Prophet as he prayed: Show Recite Quran in Arabic to realize its beauty
me the truth as truth and give me the ability to from Allah *
follow it; and show me falsehood as falsehood
Recite some Quran or listen to it in Arabic
and give me the ability to avoid it.
every day. Some recommended Surahs
In his manual, Purification of the Heart are:
(translated by Hamza Yusuf), Imam Al-Mawlud Surah Ya Sin after Fajr prayer
uncovered a multiple-deed therapy to cure the Surah al-Waqi'a after Maghrib prayer
sufferer of heedlessness. The treatment plan
Surah al-Mulk after Isha prayer
consists of four deeds which are each proven
to reverse the effects of heedlessness, I)Reflect upon the meaning of the Quran to
remove the veil of falsehood, and guide the awaken the heart
sufferer to the straight path. (This is) a Book (the Qur'an) which We
have sent down to you, full of blessings,
Prescription Rx:
that they may ponder over its Verses, and
Sincere repentance and seeking forgiveness:
that men of understanding may
i) Account of one's deeds before bedtime remember. (38:29)
ii) Ask for forgiveness 70-100 x/day
The effectiveness of the multiple-deed therapy
iii) Recite Sayyid al-Istighfar morning +
in the remission of the heedlessness disease
evening visiting righteous people:
is proven when the sufferer has established
i) Surround yourself with companions who regular remembrance of Allah * so that
are sincere and trustworthy throughout the day there is never a block of
ii) Visit graves of righteous ones to remember time during which he forgets the presence of
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Allah I and the true message of our beloved The examination revealed that he was not a
Prophet E. practicing Muslim, did not pray regularly, and
relied on his family and friends to help him
Prognosis: make big decisions in life. Before his latest
To understand the prognosis of heedlessness
huge investment in the stock market, he felt his
for the sufferer, one must look to the decree of
heart was against it, but ignored the feeling
Allah I , Who warns us that on the Day of because he saw other people investing.
Reckoning the heedless will be driven to their
punishment and be told along the way, “You Thus we see all three common clinical features
were once heedless of this. Now We have of the disease of heedlessness in this person.
removed your veil from you, so your sight this The therapist recommended he follow the
day is sharp!” (50:22) multiple deed treatment according to the
advice and example of the Prophet E. After
We can understand from this that no matter
starting treatment, the man began to feel
what the extent,
better, as predicted by
heedlessness is a
the Qur'an in Surah Ar-
disease from which
Ra'd where it says, “For
everyone will
without doubt, in the
eventually be cured. It
remembrance of Allah
is up to the sufferer
do hearts find
whether he will follow
satisfaction.” (13:28)
the treatment and be
cured in this life, before 1. What are the three
his death, or whether clinical features of
he will stay under his heedlessness?
veil of falsehood 2. What are the four
(ghishawa) and only deeds to restore
remember Allah I when the heart to healthy
he is pulled towards the Hellfire. awareness of Allah I ?
Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet the
Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Eat
suhoor for in suhoor there is blessing.”
(Narrated by al-Bukhaari and Muslim)
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TREASURE – YOUSUF RAZA - FINAL YEAR MEDICAL STUDENT, SCM
OF HORSES
HUNGER & TREASURE HUNTS
THE PHILOSOPHY OF RAMADAN
Yousuf Raza - Final year medical student, SCM
I
f I were to tell you that, unlike any other was created from earth and it receives its
article you might have ever read, this nourishment from this earth. The basal, carnal
particular one will unveil a treasure at the desires that we feel are satiated from earthly
end… Would you believe me? Would you material. When you are hungry, you eat. When
carefully read through every word on the page you are desirous of copulating, you fulfill that
so that a treasure would reveal itself to you in desire by whatever earthly means are at your
the end? If you think I'm exaggerating, then disposal.
there is only one way to find out… But hang on…
“Who are you?” That is the first question Animals do all this as well, don't they? In fact,
Sophie is asked in the introductory, philosophy
they do it by far greater efficacy than even
textbook (disguised as a novel), Sophie's
World. Imam Ghazali, the great 11th century humans can. The sexual abilities of a rooster
scholar, says that the realization of who you would put any human to shame, and a lion can
really are is the key to felicity—to eternal consume a significantly higher amount than
happiness! the human being can even dream of. So the
question is; Are we humans like animals then,
So…… Who are you? but inferior? Such a belief is a mockery of the
miraculously subtle
You may think that
answering such an If our horse is untrained, i n t r i c a c i e s w h i c h ,
'irrelevant' question is a together, conspire to
waste of time. You might spoiled, and granted each and keep human beings
as well make the most of alive. Unfortunately, the
what you have, and every demand according to its majority of humanity
enjoy this short life. At insists on leading life
least, that is how the own pleasure, it will ride us… s u b s e r v i e n t t o t h e
modern world puts it. commands of their
W h e n , a n d h o w, instead of letting us ride it! stomachs and genitalia.
humanity derailed to this
unfortunate ideology, is
beyond the scope of this short article. Suffice it What, then, of this SOUL?
to say that the focus shifted from metaphysics Your soul is who you really are! Allah
to physics, and so came a technological boom commands the angels in the Qur'an to
and a spiritual bang! prostrate to man by saying;
You are what your Creator says you are: a "When I have fashioned him (in due
composite of a body and a soul. Your body is proportion) and breathed into him of My
the derivative of, as the Qur'an explains, and
spirit, fall ye down in obeisance unto him."
modern science confirms the earth. The body
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This is our reality; Our essence. It has a divine it can also be an obstacle if the horse refuses
origin, as does the origin of its nourishment. to obey its rider. Just like the desert Arabs
What kind of divine nourishment is this? It is prepared their horses, Allah I asks us to
the kalaam (the Word) of the Creator of the prepare our “horses,” so that we can ride
Heavens and the Earth — Al-Qur'an! toward the pleasure of Allah I . If our horse is
untrained, spoiled, and granted each and
With this background in mind, let us begin our every demand according to its own pleasure, it
treasure hunt. The key to this treasure can be will ride us… instead of letting us ride it!
found in the six ayahs of Surah al-Baqarah, By depriving our bodies of their basic desires
from verses 183-188, which are concerned from dawn to dusk for the sake of Allah I , we
with fasting. You are probably thinking; What train ourselves in self-restraint and
does fasting have to do with the soul and the consciousness of Allah I . This is what the
body? What does any of all that have to do with ayah terms as taqwa. Taqwa literally means to
a treasure? This is where we piece the puzzle 'protect and save oneself.' In the Qur'anic
together. context, it means 'saving and protecting
yourself from indulging in what Allah has
declared to be forbidden.' Taqwa of Allah I is
that level of consciousness of Allah I , which
stops us from doing what he forbids, and
drives us to obey what He commands. This is
002.183 “O ye who believe! Fasting is how we maneuver our horse and prevent it
prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those from grazing in forbidden territory.
before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint”.
The ayah is calling you to attention: Straighten Two questions arise here: Why does
up, you who claim to believe! It is telling you Ramadan have to be the only month in which
that fasting (As-Saum) is prescribed onto you, we train our horses? Why not any other month
so that you may attain taqwa. So, what does of the year? Also, does the rider need anything
fasting really mean, and what does it have to else, beside a trained horse, to get to his
do with taqwa? destination? The answer to both of these
questions can be found in the next ayah:
The literal, Arabic word for fasting is 'As-
Siyaam.' In the time of the Prophet E, the
Arabs put their horses through an exercise
known as 'As-Siyaam,' to prepare them for
battles in hostile, desert conditions. They
would deprive the horses of food and water,
and make them stand in the heat of the desert. 002.185 “Ramadan is the (month) in which
Thereafter, when the need arose, the horses was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to
would be ready for battle. These horses would mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and
be accustomed to the harsh conditions, and judgment (Between right and wrong). So every
not give up on the fighter amidst the heat of one of you who is present (at his home) during
battle, leaving him there to die. that month should spend it in fasting.”
Scholars of old have described the Qur'an! The reason why this month is so
relationship of the soul and body as like that of special is that it has the honor of being the
a rider and his horse. The destination of the month of the Qur'an. That is why, once you are
rider is his Creator, and the horse is a means to done with training your horse and have
get there. However, as much as it is a means, increased in your taqwa, you are now ready to
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turn toward the Qur'an, and attain guidance. Siyaam and the Qur'an go hand-in-hand. Even
For “this is that book, therein is no doubt, though the night prayer was not made
guidance for the people of taqwa.” Taqwa is obligatory like fasting is, we understand that
the pre-requisite, the key, for attaining the spiritual advantage of both components is
guidance from the Qur'an; and through fasting the same.
we acquire this key.
This standing at night, or qiyam-ul-layl, is seen
If a person is not hungry, you can give him the in the form of taraweeh in our masajid.
best of food, and he will have no appetite for it. However, the speed with which most mosques
Similarly, by fasting, we foster taqwa. Hence, deal with these nightly prayers cannot possibly
this taqwa increases our hunger for guidance. give us the guidance we are looking for.
Only then can we benefit from the Qur'an, as Guidance comes with understanding, and
we could not have otherwise. The Qur'an understanding seems to be the last thing on
fulfills the second requirement of the rider, by the minds of most people leading the
giving him Guidance, and this is why it is taraweeh. So, if the reader really intends to
referred to as the 'nourishment for the soul.' reap the benefits that the Qur'an has to offer at
The indivisible relationship between the this time of year, then here is some practical
Qur'an and Ramadan is expressed in several advice:
narrations from the Prophet E, one of which
says: Read the translation (preferably explanation
“Fasting and Qur'an will intercede for the also) of the Qur'an that is to be recited that
servant (on the Day of Judgment). Fasting will particular night, so that you can gain as much
say: O Lord, I prevented him from food and benefit as possible from what is being recited.
desires of his body during the day so accept Since the bullet trains that run in most masajid
my intercession for him (and forgive him). And make this advice almost impractical, consider
the Qur'an will say: I prevented him from the next point.
sleeping at night so accept my
intercession for him. So their Do not go to the masjid (they
intercession will be are going to beat me over the
accepted.” head for this one) and pray at
home instead (praying
The Qur'an prevents us from taraweeh in the masjid is not
sleeping at night, allowing us obligatory in any way). Read
to stand in prayer while and understand as much
reciting it, and ponder over its Qur'an as you can, and then
meaning. The Prophet E also recite that portion in your own
said, prayer. It is best to recite from
memory. However, if that is not
“Whoever fasts in Ramadan possible, reciting from the
with faith and hope of Qur'an held in your hand is
reward, all his previous sins acceptable, according to
will be forgiven, and many scholars (I'll probably
whoever stands in prayer get slammed for this one as
at night in Ramadan with well).
faith and hope of reward, all his previous sins
will be forgiven.” The ideal of all this is to train yourself to know
enough Arabic, so that you have a somewhat
Through these ahadith, we understand that sufficient understanding of the Qur'an from the
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start. Therefore, you can directly understand 002.186 “Permitted to you, on the night of the
and appreciate what the Imam recites. fasts, is the approach to your wives. They are
However, this requires preparation and effort your garments and ye are their garments. Allah
throughout the entire year. Remember, “A knoweth what ye used to do secretly among
journey of a thousand miles begins with the yourselves; but He turned to you and forgave
first step,” so if you are not already at this level, you; so now associate with them, and seek
then upcoming Ramadan is the perfect what Allah Hath ordained for you, and eat and
opportunity for you to start! drink, until the white thread of dawn appears to
you distinct from its black thread; then
Focusing our attention back to the ayah, it complete your fast Till the night appears; but
goes on to mention that traveling or ill persons do not associate with your wives while ye are in
can compensate for their fasts on later dates, retreat in the mosques. Those are Limits (set
as Allah Î does not wish hardship on anyone. by) Allah: Approach not nigh thereto. Thus
The passage culminates by giving the reason doth Allah make clear His Signs to men: that
for the exercise; “To glorify Allah that He they may learn Taqwa.”
guided you and to be grateful.”
This ayah ends by the mentioning of Taqwa,
By fasting, we tame our bodies and bring them yet again, to emphasize its importance. Just in
under control. We also nourish our souls by case we are under the impression that being
standing in prayer, and allowing the Qur'an to good for just this one month will suffice for our
give us strength. All this effort results in the salvation, Allah Î reminds us to carry forward
attainment of the ultimate need of man what we acquired from this month, and not to
Guidance! With this need satisfied, all our indulge in transgression once Ramadan is
previous questions and qualms are then over; especially with regards to other people's
dispelled. The purpose and direction of our life rights:
then becomes clear. A feeling of inner peace
and tranquility sets in, and we glorify Allah Î , 002.186 “And do not eat up your property
and are grateful to Him. When this rush of among yourselves for vanities, nor use it as
gratitude then begins spreading, we realize bait for the judges, with intent that you may eat
that our Lord is near and we can ask of Him as up wrongfully and knowingly a little of (other)
we please, for the Al-Mighty is ever people's property.”
responsive:
So… there you have it! Fasting leads to taqwa.
002.185 “When My servants ask thee Taqwa results in taming of the horse, and
concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them); I leaves a hunger in the rider for guidance. The
listen to the prayer of every supplicant when Qiyam, with the Holy Qur'an at night, satiates
he calls on Me; Let them also, with a will, Listen that hunger. The guided rider now feels
to My call, and believe in Me; That they may gratitude, and closeness to his Lord as well,
walk in the right way.” and this feeling leads on to du'a. In that du'a,
you can ask for anything you want. However, if
The second part of this ayah also lays out the you are truly wise, you will ask for Allah Î to
condition for the acceptance of the keep you steadfast on His Path the entire year
supplication: The supplicant must play his round. In this way, you can ride your horse
part, and respond to Allah's call and believe in straight to the Treasures of Paradise!
Him! It goes, without saying, that a disobedient
and adamant servant does not deserve his This work was an adaptation of Dr. Israr's
wages. In the next ayah, Allah Î explains the Azmat-e-Siyam o Qiyam-e-Ramadan.
rules for fasting:
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A MAN IN THE MIRROR – HASSAN BAIG - 3RD YEAR MEDICAL STUDENT, SCM
Man in the
MIRROR
Hassan Baig - 3RD YEAR MEDICAL STUDENT, SCM
A person stood in the mirror looking at book, can't find it.” My head dropped forward
me. There was a fine looking and I said out loud, “Huh?” Did I read this right?
gentleman; one might even say that he First of all, heart disease is a major topic in
was as smooth as a lady-killer. This person medicine and it definitely is in the books.
had just come home in high spirits after playing Furthermore, if someone can't find it by flipping
a cricket match in school and winning, of through the pages, check the table of contents
course. He was feeling pretty confident or index. Finally, if the topic still can't be
because he felt that his fielding skills were located, don't message someone else; it's
crucial for the win. He thought that they embarrassing, isn't it? Then, I calmed down
couldn't have done it without him; how did he somewhat and tried to be fair. Maybe the
become such a big shot? Mr. Big Stuff. Well, person had a valid reason. I couldn't figure it
the person in the mirror was me, and I realized out. Why would anyone send this to me? None
that I had been glorifying myself for the past of my other friends have done anything like
ten minutes. There were many more important this.
things to do beside this, so I turned away from
the mirror and went to do some work. With this train of thoughts was attached
another whole boxcar worth load of thoughts.
At my desk, I had a few books opened and was How did I actually get my friends? This
reading about the heart. Because the events question took hold of my entire mind, and I lost
from the game kept popping back into my all focus on my studies. Because I act nice and
head, I couldn't maintain a friendly with people, I
single train of thought. guess that's how I got
First, I read a sentence; This willingness to change for friends. Simple as that.
thought about it; then What about people who
came the image of me others creates a chameleon don't like me? There are
diving for a catch. I was a lot of people I haven't
d o i n g s o m e t h i n g which can lack any true interacted with, so I did
reminiscent of multi- not a have chance to
tasking. All of a sudden,
character and also allows the befriend them. Now
my phone beeped and person to be used by others. what about people I do
received a message. know but don't like me or
The ridiculous part was hate me; basically my
that when I read the message, I leaned back in enemies. How many of those do I have? I
my chair with a smirk on my face and couldn't think of any off the top of my head.
remember thinking that I must be pretty cool to That's fine. It's not good to have enemies
get that message. Must have been high off of anyway. This topic of enemies brought to mind
the game. SMS: “Where is heart disease in the a quote I read sometime before, “You have
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enemies. Good. That means you've stood up threatened. This willingness to change for
for something, sometime in your life.” I don't others creates a chameleon which can lack
have any enemies that I know of. What does any true character and also allows the person
that mean? to be used by others… So am I one, I thought
to myself, as I stared at the lizard
As I sat in my chair, I looked sitting on the wall. I'm not very
around the room as if the popular, but do I try to blend in
answer was hidden there too much with the friends that
somewhere. Instead of I do have? It was time to go
finding what I was searching back, back in time and figure
for, I remembered that I out what I had been doing.
hadn't washed up after the
match. I took some new During my high school days, I
clothes from my closet and remember having lunch with
went to take a shower. The a few friends in the cafeteria. I
water started running and don't recall what we were
so did that boxcar of talking about but one guy
thoughts. No enemies, so randomly asked me if I
what. That just means I prayed to Allah five times a
haven't offended anyone. day. My friends knew I was a
I've been good. But I Muslim and obviously knew a
couldn't figure out how I've little bit about the religion as
been “good” to people. What well. I said, “Nah man, just
is “good?” Heart disease, are once or twice.” I read the
you serious? Why would anyone ask that? But situation as- if I say 'yes' then maybe they'll
what about my enemies? Soon frustration set think I'm a religious person. I guess I thought
in, and I tried to forget about it all. I looked up being religious was not the “friendly” or
and saw what seemed to be a crack in the wall. “popular” thing at the time. I still had spoken
I'm somewhat nearsighted so I couldn't be the truth; I wasn't regular with my prayers back
sure. Suddenly, the “crack” moved, and I then. But when I spoke, I put emphasis on the
jumped with it. It was a lizard. It had been words “Nah man” making it seem that I was
hidden by blending in with its surroundings, by dismissing the very possibility of actually
looking like a single crack among many. It hit praying all five times. I made it sound as if I was
me, not literally, but it was as if my boxcar had too cool for religion. Maybe that's what my
run into a boulder that caused the car to blow friends wanted to hear, maybe not, or maybe
wide open. This lizard reminded me of a book I they didn't really care what I said. All I know
had read a while back, Emotional Intelligence. now is that I had given up something I value,
This book focused on the importance of my faith, in order to stay inside a social circle.
empathy and how this should be used to build
relationships with people. In one chapter there With this memory, I finished up my shower and
was mention of a “social chameleon.” This is a got dressed. I wasn't done for the day yet. I
person with two sides: a public face and a could think of a few more times in which I had
private reality. He makes a good impression done something similar to the cafeteria
with people but these interactions can go incident. In all of these situations I pursued
against the person's own feelings or values. friends or simply acceptance. But this didn't
He will seem to be whatever those he is with come cheap; every time I had to pay with a little
seem to want. These chameleons are well- bit of my integrity, my values, my character. So
liked and popular. They will rarely confront what am I left with? Where's my “substance”?
another even if their own values are If I continued in this manner, I would soon have
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no substance left. I realized the pursuit of sincere and pure in our hearts not only when
friends or better yet, this pursuit of happiness we deal with people but also with every single
is a dangerous task. So what should I do; give action we do. This way we can ensure that our
it all up? No. If I can keep myself in check by bank of integrity remains as full as possible.
not straying away from my values, then
everything should be fine. And what exactly After getting dressed, I had been thinking over
are my values? Well, that's simple; God has this dilemma while standing in front of the
outlined those for me in His Book. He has also mirror. I looked at the man in the mirror. This
sent me a role model. By studying these two time I didn't see Mr. Big Stuff. This time I saw a
sources, we can learn that we should try to be man in pursuit of substance.
A NATION WEEPS
Sarah Rasool - 4th year medical student, SCM
STORY
OF
MY LIFE
Shazab Aslam - 3rd year medical student, SCM
Are you ready? A story of change. admit that I never had a serious thought about
why I was sent here, where I would go after
A ll of us go through a period of
ignorance in our lives; some stay
ignorant all their lives as they can
never break their chains to emerge from the
this, and how I would be dealt with there.
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heart beat? The same beat that had been the Egyptians. I studied Judaism, Hinduism,
beating for the last twenty years? Or was it my and Christianity. I compared them to my own
soul beating instead of my heart this time? religion, the one I had been following for years,
Sitting in a dark room with a yellow bulb bright following but not practicing.
enough only to light the clock so I could see the
time, 2:49 AM, I could hear the clock ticking, I came across Satanism too and discovered
ticking without a pause, never ready to give me many shocking things about it. But, I am
a passed second again. I sat thankful to Allah
up and asked myself: Is this that I realized I
all real? Did I actually die? had gold in my
Have I left this material pocket, and I had
body? Has my soul been been chasing
taken to be presented to its stones and dust.
Owner, the Owner Who I k e p t o n
owns the Heavens and the l e a r n i n g ,
Earth and everything in it? If I revealing to my
die now, right now, am I soul its true
ready to face my Creator; status. There
am I ready to answer: Who is was an emerging
your God? desire to repent,
a desire that grew
All our lives we worship success, status, stronger and stronger with each passing day,
science, money, and jobs. We prostitute strong enough to help me discard my base
ourselves for these fake goals and never ask desires. I began to move a bit closer to religion.
ourselves what is real or what is eternal. We I could see the road to peace. Deep inside my
chase materials that run away each time we go heart, I knew I was changing, or beginning to
near them. And how do we respond to the call melt at least, and I knew this change was for
that says, 'Come to the Success' five times a the better. As this was taking place, a friend of
day? mine advised me not to go any further or else I
might lose faith. I wondered if I had any faith to
I asked myself, is this life? Is this what I have begin with.
been doing?
I cannot say I have become a perfect Muslim,
That morning was a different one. The sun was or even a good one, or that I am no longer
different and so was the light, the sky was deluded by this world. But I feel like at least I
different and so were the clouds, the traffic was know where the light is, where the peace is,
different and so was the path. The same path where my home is, and it is certainly not this
that I had been using for over two years to get world. After reading all this I don't want anyone
to the same place five days a week, fifty-two to do anything but ask themselves the same
weeks a year. Or perhaps nothing was questions that changed my perception of this
different but my own self… world. If death comes to me right now, am I
That was the day I started my quest for God. It ready for it? Am I ready to move on to my
was then that I began studying all sorts of eternal life? Can I meet my Creator with pride?
religions and all the different concepts of God. I Am I ready?
studied the Babylonians, the Olympians, and
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THE
Ramadan 5
Sabeena Malik - 2nd year medical student, SCM
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Islamic lectures and Qur'anic recitations. the more enjoyable
While the impermissibility of 4. Meeting of the
music may be debatable, the fact Great Minds.
that it is, at the very least, Set aside a minimum of
discouraged is something that no ten to fifteen minutes of
serious student of Islam can break time as often as
deny—with specific reference to possible to study an
the kind of music that the majority Islamic book with a
of us are apt to listen to. If nothing friend, or group of
else, it is a waste of time and we friends who are also
could do with less of it, not more. looking to please Allah.
Unlike leaving the chai you are Inshallah, when your
addicted to, dropping this aspirations are similar,
particular habit for a month will you will find that you will
not bring on any withdrawal be able to feed off of the
symptoms and hopefully in so energy of one another,
doing, you will find time to fill your and this will help you in
ears with recordings of a more your quest to become a
blessed nature. better Muslim.
‘Umar said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
used to say when breaking his fast: “Dhahaba al-zama' waabtalat al-'urooqwathabata
al-ajr in shaAllaah (Thirst is gone, the veins are moistened and the reward is certain if
Allaah wills).”
BADAL DO ZAMANA !
Haisum Khawaja - 3rd year medical student, SCM
More often than not, you may come across this life. I do not blame any one of you, for I also aim
quote that has no author, to be a successful professional one day. I
mean it's a part of human nature to have this
“Don't just ask, demand for your rights, desire to be of a high status and to be
Make sure to also fulfill your duties.
respected in the community. One usually
If you want change, aspires to be the person whom everyone in the
Then be the change. community praises and looks up to.
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sure that everyone else's position always everyone's probably thinking that I'm probably
remains static, or 2)one can develop along crazy. But there is an element of reality in this
with everyone else, except work harder in and I can prove it, so please keep reading.
order to always stay a few
steps ahead of the rest. There are many small issues
that we ignore on a regular
The first method will give a basis and they gradually
person the illusion that he or build up to be very big affairs.
she is better than the rest, Just because a particular
but the second method is ideology or phenomenon is
what will bring out one's full accepted by the community
potential as an individual or just because it has
while at the same time become a habit, doesn't
uplifting everyone else in mean the act is justified or is
the community. In the end, it morally correct.
should not be about topping
others but topping yourself. Just think about why most of
us came to medical school?
Especially in the setting of The simple answer would be
our medical school, there is to become doctors. Out of
cut-throat competition at one-hundred students, who
times, but one shouldn't get sucked into that answer as such, probably only about forty of us
situation. Set goals for yourself and meet them will actually be working in the health sector. So,
regardless of whether you are the first or the then why are we all becoming doctors? What's
last; if you have met your objectives, than you the point of going through piles of books for 5
have succeeded in your mission. The same years that translates to nothing but
applies to life. Don't compare yourself to unnecessary stress? Some of us become
others, or feel superior for doing better or doctors because we actually want to; some do
having more. Do what you have to do to keep it only for the degree, for the sake of respect,
yourself in competition with yourself and not and to be known as Dr. Sahib or Sahiba. Some
others. Then, in the end, you might have your girls are worried they won't get good marriage
story-book ending and if not, at least, you will proposals; some unfortunate guys think their
be content with what you have achieved and marriage proposals have a better chance of
with what you have. being accepted after MBBS. Interestingly,
most don't even know why they are becoming
What I want to convey in this article is that we doctors.
blame others for our problems and continually
distract ourselves form fixing the actual Whatever the reason is for us being in medical
problem, which is us as individuals. At the end school, most of us in the admission interviews
of the day, no matter how much power and claimed that we wanted to be doctors for the
money one might have, one will never truly benefit of humanity and to contribute in helping
have complete power over anyone else but to improve the health standards of society. So
themselves. then, didn't most of us lie?
I believe that these days, almost 90% of For almost three years now, most students in
people in society may be hypocrites. Now my class, including myself, have been
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continuously complaining about the strenuous obesity and cigarette smoking are equally
curricular load and the fact that the blameworthy “habits.” Each, being equally
administrators never care for our demands. "disliked," albeit smoking being almost
Most of us don't study or even open a single prohibited by some, from an Islamic
textbook during an entire module, and wait for perspective but yet the double standard game
the last week or two prior to the test and then is played.
complain about the shortage of time and the
extra burden. How many of us study regularly For quite some time now, there has been
as is the requirement of responsible and heavy electrical load shedding and a water
professional medical students? Before shortage in our country. What most of us do, is
entering this field we all knew the study load just blame our politicians all the time regarding
requirements and the hard work that needs to their corruption.. While knowing that the
be put to become a doctor. We simply want country is in the state of crisis, most of us
food (knowledge) to be fed to us spoon by usually have our ACs set on max cooling; we
spoon without actually even trying to hold and have unnecessary lights/fans turned on in our
use the spoon ourselves. If one doesn't study homes and we usually leave our garage/ lawn
enough, he or she should accept the fact that lights on the entire night. That's all wastage of
he or she will not score those good grades electricity. Many of us keep the tap water
rather than making useless excuses and running while brushing our teeth or take 20 min
complaining that “some of the test questions showers. That's unnecessary wastage of
were out of course material.” Surfing facebook water. None of us are trying to help in the state
and youtube, participating in sports, or just of crisis and all we can do is blame the
being lazy for 3- 4 hrs a day is not an excuse for politicians for not providing enough. Well, if we
shortage of time to study. didn't waste so much than we wouldn't be
asking for as much.
Another major quirk in our society is the aspect
of food. We Pakistanis are very proud of our One last thing before I conclude this article is
cultural food and spices and are a nation another serious subject matter: Hijab. It's just
whose people enjoy food to the last bite. The funny how some girls wear a duppata or hijab
tastier we want the food to be, the more and when there's a talent show, wham hijab
basmati ghee/ oil and salt we add to it. We are mode goes off ,“ab tu scene on karna hai.” The
so proud of our food that we are willing to carry point is that on one side, the students will wear
diabetes, heart disease and hypertension with hijab (female students, God help the male
us and make all those routine hospital trips ones if they do wear a head scarf) because it is
after we turn 40. At this end of the rope, no one modest and we want everyone to know that we
has any major complaints but then when we are "Islamic". The attitude seems to be “It
see someone smoking we start counting all its doesn't matter if we wear tight clothes or skirts;
harms and assume that the particular smoker if our heads are covered we are good to go.”
is also of bad character.. We argue that But then, talent show comes around and
smoking leads to cancer and eventually death. everyone is going to be dressed-up, the
However, we hardly ever emphasize that occasion at which you should want to appear
McDonalds or “gajjar ka Halwa” in excessive modest, the hijab is off and the party is on.
amounts can also cause harm. (By the way, I'm Notwithstanding that, no matter how the girls
a non-smoker and I am not trying to promote are, the boys have to be modest too. “Lower
smoking here.) So then, technically both your gaze,” Islam says. It's double standards
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all around. The people who say that such-and- If we want to develop as a society and keep
such girl was in hijab and today she isn't, level in the race between nations, then we
should not forget that they have a hijab as well need to learn to “forgive and forget.” We are
– that of lowering their independent but we need to
gaze.. I'm not trying to l e a r n t o b e
target anyone in interdependent. For, it's
particular. It's a fact that
“Dangerous is not that which easy to break a single
people from both sides is evil, but are those people stick, but many sticks
have the wrong put together become
mindset. that do nothing about it.” impossible to break.
- Albert Einstein Yes, there will be times
People should not judge when your friends/
others. The other option brothers/ sisters may
is to judge all and by all you must include seem to be the biggest
yourself. Only God knows what's in our hearts hypocrites, but forgive them for as a friend that
and minds. It is part of human nature to judge is the least you can do. Remember that the one
others and have a “holier than thou” attitude. If who hurts his or her friends, is usually in more
you have a beard, then it is good for you. If you regret and pain than the one who he or she
wear Hijab, then it is good for you. That doesn't may have hurt. Hypocrisy only creates anger
give you an empirical right to judge others.. In within people, anger brings arrogance, with
the end, judgment will be passed by Allah and arrogance comes hatred, hatred triggers
not by any man or woman so save the trouble fights, and fights destroy a person's character
and keep your judgments to yourself. entirely.
In conclusion, the point that I am trying to make “Respect all people (rich or poor, friend or
is that we all focus too much on matters that foe) as if they are above you, and you will
should be the least of our concern. It is highly forever be above them in their hearts.”
simple to give oneself a false psychological Anonymous
relief by using others as scapegoats for our
own self created problems. We, as a society Do that, and indeed you will have perfected
are day by day becoming more particular your character. People always respect those
about the superficial and materialistic rather of good character. If you think that most
than the simple basic values and elements of people are hypocrites and can't be trusted,
life. There is too much emphasis on the then you should become the example and
outward appearance of things and the fear of show them how to be trustworthy. If you want
becoming a social outcast – of becoming the people to change for the better, then you
new topic of gossip, that we tend to forget what should first change yourself for the better. If all
really makes each of us truly happy on the you can do is sit around and blame others of
inside. There's a saying, “when one is pointing being hypocrites, than you may be the biggest
his or her finger at someone in blame, three hypocrite of all.
fingers are pointing back.” Try it, make a fist
Badal do apni soch, badal do zamana!
and point at something. (You're pretty lame like
me if you actually tried it.) Running away from “Intelligence and Character, that is the goal
our problems doesn't help solve them, they of true education.”
just become bigger and that makes matters - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
worse.
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ANGER MANAGEMENT (PD)- VAJIHA JAVED, - 3RD YEAR MEDICAL STUDENT, SCM
Anger
M ana ge me nt
Vajiha Javed - 3rd year medical student, SCM
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one's nafs. commandments. Shaytan's ego thought, “I am
We medical students are taught how to made of fire! Why should I bow to this creature
manage a patient presenting to us with a of dust?” This is precisely what our egos make
disease. Management involves 4 steps: us think and do. “Who are you to point a finger
at me? I am righteous and knowledgeable. I
1. History
2. Examination am always right, how can I be wrong?” Well
3. Investigation brothers and sisters, this is
4. Treatment where we are completely
wrong. The best in the sight
Case:
of Allah I is the one who has
Mr. Angry Man presents to
attained the highest level of
you with a one hour history
taqwa.
o f a n g e r, w h i c h i s
aggravated by being “All mankind is from Adam
scolded and relieved by and Eve; an Arab has no
taking a bath or eating superiority over a non-Arab
chocolate. nor a does a non-Arab have
any superiority over an Arab;
History:
The first creation to ever feel a white has no superiority
anger was Iblees. over a black nor does a black
Uncontrolled anger is an have any superiority over a
attribute of Iblees but what white, except by piety and
benefit did he get from this? good action.” [From the Last
Allah I made Iblees an outcast and we are Sermon of the Prophet E]
taught to seek refuge from him before starting
Be humble. Spend time with people who have
every prayer. So every time you are angry,
more knowledge, better taqwa and better
think about which side you want to be with on
qualities than you. For example, if you
the Day of Judgment; the army of Allah I with
consider yourself very truthful, spend time with
the Angels, Prophets, Martyrs and Righteous someone who is even more truthful. Also, look
Ones, or with the army of Iblees and his for the qualities that you lack.
accomplices. On that day, Iblees himself will
forsake his followers for fear of Allah I . Investigation:
Shaytaan's force can never be a match for Al- An MRI of the brain will reveal well developed
Rahmaan (The Most Merciful). On that day, all visual, speech, and auditory areas. The frontal
will yearn to join the ranks of the righteous, but lobe, where thoughts are generated, will be
where will we be? atrophied (shrunken). As the Urdu proverb
goes, 'Ghusa aqal ko khaa jata hai.' Anger eats
Examination: up the intellect.
(Here is where the Baat Cheet ends, Dactor
Saab takes out his stethoscope, and you think, A lack of inner peace and tranquility has
“Oh he really is a doctor.”) On examination, brought this disease into all of our lives. It is
you will most likely find a hyperinflated ego. It is due to a lack of knowledge of our Deen,
this big ego that makes us angry whenever distance from Salaah, distance from Allah, and
something we dislike occurs. It is this ego that nearness to Shaytaan. As Dr. Israr Ahmed said
made the worst villain, Shaytaan, defy Allah's in his September 1968 lecture in Faisalabad
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(then Laylpur), “The concept of world peace is 4. Perform wudhu. Wash your face or
unimaginable without bringing about peace take a bath.
and tranquility within individuals.” 5. Look at your face in the mirror when
you are angry and see how bad you
Treatment: actually look: I'd even say you look just like
Refer to Davidson's Principles and Practice of the devil himself.
Medicine? Wrong approach! Refer to the
Qur'an and Sunnah. We get angry at the wrong time and in the
1. Say: “'A'oothu Billahi minash- wrong situations. We are enraged when
Shaytaanir-rajeem”“I seek refuge in Allah someone abuses us or our friends, but what do
from Satan the outcast.” Focus on the we do when we see people dying in the
meaning so that one is reminded who we mosques around us? Among the few who do
seek refuge from and whom we seek it in. get angry at the right time, many are
[Bukhari 7:99, Muslim 4:2015] misdirected to show their anger through
2. The Prophet E advised one who is violent protests. What is wrong with us these
overtaken by anger to sit if standing and to days? We need to snap out of it.
lie down if sitting.
3. Perform Sajdah. Ghusa tu naak pe The best way is to take out your anger in the
rakha hota haithe nose is a sign of present circumstances is through the pen.
arrogance and pride. Observe your nose Remember, the pen is mightier than the sword.
closely when you are angry. See how
hyper-inflated it becomes. That is why we I have written the article, so now be gone from
place our nose on the ground in front of here Shaytaan, and try your tricks elsewhere.
Allah I , to show utter submissiveness to Watch out people, he is coming right at you.
Beware. Be protected. 'A'oothu Billahi minash-
Him. In Sajdah, the heart is always at a
Shaytaanir-rajeem!
higher level than the nose and the intellect.
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) ascended the minbar and
said: “Ameen, ameen, ameen.” It was said: 'O Messenger of Allaah, you
ascended the minbar and said, 'Ameen, ameen, ameen.” He said: “Jibreel
(peace be upon him) came to me and said: 'If Ramadaan comes and a person is
not forgiven, he will enter Hell and Allaah will cast him far away. Say Ameen.' So I
said Ameen. He said: 'O Muhammad, if both or one of a person's parents are
alive and he does not honour them and he dies, he will enter Hell and Allaah will
cast him far away. Say Ameen.' So I said Ameen. He said: 'If you are mentioned in
a person's presence and he does not send blessings upon you and he dies, he
will enter Hell and Allaah will cast him far away. Say Ameen.' So I said Ameen.”
(Narrated by IbnHibbaan)
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FASTING AND FURIOUS (COVER ARTICLE) AHMED MALIK - FINAL YEAR MEDICAL STUDENT, SCM
The Fasting
& the Furious
Ahmed Malik - Final year medical student, SCM
A s the horizon turned a crimson-rose already had a cup of one type of tea or coffee
and the sun set once again, a feeling of and were presented with another blend, you
gratitude filled the air. The entire city couldn't refuse because, “you've had a cup of
was echoing with the euphonic sounds of, tea (or coffee) but you haven't had this kind.”
“God is the Greatest. God is the Greatest.” Then, as soon as it had started and people had
Table-spreads and table-cloths were their share, the city once again filled with the
instantaneously rolled out over the soft and sounds of, “God is the Greatest. God is the
fragrant rugs, and bowls upon bowls filled with Greatest.” This time it was the second call to
every quality and size of the juiciest dates were prayer, the iqaamah; all the table-spreads
passed around; cups of soothingly cold and were rolled up, put away, and the salah began.
refreshing water were presented to everyone, It was not the month of Ramadan. It was an
in an interminable manner. ordinary Monday or Thursday. Nevertheless,
a lot of people must have been fasting – in fact,
Why would the water not be cold, refreshing, most of them were.
and unrelenting, when it came from a
miraculous spring that Two questions arise from the recollection of
sprung in the middle of a this true story: if people
barren dessert, many were fasting on an
thousands of years ago ordinary Monday or
– a spring that will There is no “healthy competition” Thursday, then how
remain flowing till the or race to greatness that is more different is it from fasting
end of time. Why would in the month of
encouraged in Islam by the Ramadan? If the locals
there not be a variety of
all kinds of juicy dates, Qur`an or the sunnah than were so insistent on
when one of the few competing with others in doing serving the visitors of
plantations that can the Grand Mosque on
good, and attaining Allah's Mercy,
survive the weather of an ordinary Monday or
the land are date-palm
forgiveness, and a place in His Thursday, then how
trees? Yet, there was everlasting gardens of bliss; much more eager must
more to come; cups they be in the month of
after cups of different Ramadan?
types of teas and coffees of
The easiest way to
traditional and local blends were presented to
answer the first question would be that there is
any who desired to taste a cup or two. If you
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no real difference. We fast then, being uphold that belief in their lives. However, this is
deprived of food and water, and there are an open invitation to the race and is not limited
plenty of occasions that can cause us to lose only to the month of Ramadan. In essence,
patience and become the “fasting and the then, as believers, we should be eager to do
furious”, and we fast in Ramadan, being good deeds all our lives and not limit goodness
deprived of the same. The only difference may to special occasions or special times of the
be that if we chose to fast on any given Monday year.
or Thursday, we can fast in the winter months
when the days are shorter; in Ramadan we do As a result, it would seem that our initial
not have the luxury of a choice if it occurs in a questions, which can be linked under the
summer month, like this year. However, such broad heading of doing good, can be
an answer is deficient because for some it may answered by the following, “there is no
be blasphemous, for others it may be an difference between fasting in Ramadan and
oversimplification, and still others may say, fasting on any day out of Ramadan and there
“Yeah, that's what I feel,” and no clear need not be a difference between eagerness
consensus may be drawn. to give to others in Ramadan and eagerness to
give to others in any other time of the year.”
A simple way to answer the second question Again, such an answer is inadequate because
would be with a counter-question, “how are we it disregards the significance of Ramadan and
supposed to know what someone else will or is devoid of a holistic approach to the Qur`an,
will not do in the future?” Such an answer may and to the ways of Prophet Muhammad E.
seem logical, but would represent a gross
misinterpretation of the initial question. In that In another place in the Qur`an, Allah I advises
way we come back to square one with the two us to, “Be quick in the race for forgiveness from
questions still staring us in the face. your Lord, and for a Garden whose width is
Interestingly, both the questions can be linked that (of the whole) of the heavens and of the
together and answered as one entity. earth, prepared for the God-conscious” [Al-
There is no “healthy competition” or race to 'Imran 3:131]. While, in the previous ayah we
greatness that is more encouraged in Islam by learn that the Paradise whose expanse is
the Qur`an or the sunnah than competing with equal to the width of the entire heaven and
others in doing good, and attaining Allah's earth, is prepared for those who believe in
Mercy, forgiveness, and a place in His Allah and His Messengers, in this ayah we
everlasting gardens of bliss; “Race one with learn that there is an additional requirement:
another in hastening towards Forgiveness that of being “God-conscious,” Al-
from your Lord (Allah), and towards Paradise, Muttaqoonthose who have taqwah. The
the width whereof is as the width of the heaven subsequent ayaat (pl. of ayah) in the same
and the earth, prepared for those who believe surah, explain the characteristics of Al-
in Allah and His Messengers. That is the Grace Muttaqoon, as do the opening ayaat of the
of Allah which He bestows on whom He second surah of the Qur`an. There is no
pleases. And Allah is the Owner of Great mention, however, of what steps might lead
Bounty.” [Al-Hadeed 57:21]. Allah, the Owner one to attaining those characteristics and
of Great Bounty, encourages us to compete hence become Al-Muttaqoon.
and work with zeal to obtain the Paradise,
which He has prepared for those who believe It is with the mention of Ramadan and the
in Him and His Messengers and struggle to command to fast that we see mention of the
word Al-Muttaqoon as an indication of how to
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attain taqwah, “O you who believe! Observing foregoing, it becomes clear that a Muslim must
As-Saum (the fast) is prescribed for you as it try to do good acts all the time and should
was prescribed for those before you, that you increase them in quantity and work on
may become Al-Muttaqûn.” [Al-Baqarah improving their quality in the month of
2:183] The answer lies with Ramadan.
fasting in the month of
Ramadan. In order for us to This was the way of the
fulfill the additional Prophet E as well, as Ibn
requirement of being Al- 'Abbas e tells us, "that the
Muttaqoon, we have to go Messenger of Allah E was
through the month of the most generous person,
Ramadan, fasting and and he would be at his most
training ourselves to generous in Ramadan
develop the taqwah. In this, because Jibril would come to
also, lies the essence of the him every night and he would
month of Ramadan: it is a rehearse the Qur'an with
month of training. him" [Bukhari]. He E also
emphasized the importance
Like any training at work,
of feeding a fasting person by
where an employer pays the
saying, “He who gives food
employees to get trained in
for a fasting person to break
certain skills and expects them
his fast, will receive the same reward as him,
to use those skills throughout their
without anything being reduced from the
employment, our Creator, Allah, gives us
fasting person's reward" [at-Tirmidhee]. That
Ramadan as a period of training. During this
is why we can answer the second question,
training we also get paid and, better than any
which was not a question of what the people of
worldly occupation, our pay is multiplied
Makkah will or will not do in Ramadan but was
several times as the Prophet E informed us,
a question of what they must do out of an
“…Whoever draws nearer (to Allah) by understanding of the significance of the
performing any of the (optional) good deeds month, by saying “they must be abundant
in (this month) shall receive the same reward times more eager to serve the visitors of the
as performing an obligatory deed at any other Grand Masjid in the blessed month of
time, and whoever discharges an obligatory Ramadan.”
deed in (this month) shall receive the reward of
performing seventy obligations at any other Concerning the first question, there is a purely
time” [Narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah]. Why, academic aspect to it: fasting in Ramadan is a
then, would a person not have an extra fard (obligatory act of worship) and as such it is
eagerness to perform good acts in Ramadan? different from the nafil (optional) or Sunnah
And when we should be competing (in a fast on an ordinary Monday or Thursday.
healthy manner) to get the Mercy of Allah and Consequently, in the context of the
Paradise on ordinary days, how much more aforementioned hadeeth by Ibn Khuzaymah,
must we compete in the month that is meant to the obligatory fasting in this month has the
prepare us to become people – Al-Muttaqoon potential of being rewarded the performance
– who are promised a Paradise the expanse of of seventy obligations on any other ordinary
the heavens and the earth? From the day. In another hadeeth, the Prophet E
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explained that, in fact, the reward for fasting is as well) with a fury, not of anger and rage but of
even greater than that; Abu Huraira related enthusiasm and fervor, and hence, become
that the Prophet said: “Allah the Majestic and the “fasting and the furious”. With every
Exalted said: 'Every deed of man will receive passing hour, and every passing day, we
ten to 700 times reward, except Siyam should bring ourselves to account and
(fasting), for it is for Me and I shall reward it (as scrutinize each one of our actions. Never
I like). There are two occasions of joy for one should a day go by, but we should evaluate
who fasts: one when he breaks the fast and the how we have spent it; did we lower our gaze?
other when he will meet his Lord'" [Muslim]. Did we refrain from using foul language? Did
What a Mercy of Allah! How, then, can we be we control our anger at even the most difficult
reluctant to fulfill this obligation? Secondly, in moments? We should compete and race with
this month of training, we should try to perfect one another – in a healthy manner – to do good
our fast and use it to harness our desires in all our lives and especially more so in this
Ramadan, and even after the blessed month blessed month, as our beloved Messenger E
has passed us. We should make our fast advised us, "Ramadan has come to you. (It is)
meaningful and not a mere time of hunger and a month of blessing, in which Allah covers you
thirst as the Last Messenger of Allah E warned with blessing, for He sends down Mercy,
us, Abu Huraira related that Rasulullah E said: decreases sins, and answers prayers. In it,
“Many people who fast get nothing from their Allah looks at your competition (in good
fast except hunger and thirst, and many deeds), and boasts about you to His angels.
people who pray at night get nothing from it So show Allah goodness from yourselves, for
except wakefulness” [Darimi]. One way to the unfortunate one is he who is deprived in
avoid such a fate is to give up lying, backbiting, (this month) of the mercy of Allah, the Mighty,
and other such 'false speech', “Whoever does the Exalted" [Narrated by Tabarani].
not abandon falsehood in word and action,
then Allah I has no need that he should leave
his food and drink" [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree]. “…And the last of their call shall be: All the
Fasting is a shield from the blazing fire of Hell praises and thanks are to Allah, Lord of 'Alamin
[Musnad Ahmad, Saheeh]. We should fast (mankind, jinn, and all that exists)the Lord of
this Ramadan (and, in shaa Allah, future ones the worlds.” [Yunus 10:10]
“Verily, We have sent it (this Qur'aan) down in the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree).
And what will make you know what the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is?
The Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping
Allaah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months).
Therein descend the angels and the Rooh [Jibreel (Gabriel)] by Allaah's Permission with all Decrees,
(All that night), there is peace (and goodness from Allaah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn”
[al-Qadar 97:1-5]
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A'TIKAAF- ANONYMOUS
Rejuvenated
My A’TIKAAFExperience
Experience
I
t was the last day before I headed back. I sat
against the wall of the masjid staring out onto Personally I'd achieved what I didn't think was
the road. In the past ten days, I had desired to possible for me. Ten days without Facebook,
have as little to do with the outside world as Gmail and my cell phone seemed unimaginable
possible. But today I had to step back into it. I had a while ago. I realized that it was possible to
to leave my sanctuary. I was a little scared – I sleep on the floor on a 6 by 3 area quite
didn't want to go back. I saw the usual hustle and comfortably. Eating simple brought home satiety
bustle of a typical Lahori morning. People had to of a different kind. I had learned how to live like a
get to places – and they had to get there fast. This traveler and came to understand the saying of
was what scared me. Did I really want to go back the Prophet E, “Be in this world as though you
to that world? Where the unrelenting pursuit for were a traveler” in a new light. But most of all
more and more made people oblivious to the through the prayers, the du'as and the recitation
reality of the world they lived in. A world wrought of the Qur'an I had grown closer to my Creator in
with poverty, injustice and the supposedly recent ways that cannot be expressed in any language
phenomenon of “terrorism”. The rich were and can only be experienced. This was by far my
getting richer and the poor poorer. In the world I best Ramadan ever and I did not want it to end.
saw, the multimillionaire was speeding away in But as is the nature of this world all things, good
his BMW fueled by the blood of the peasants. or bad, must come to an end.
That's what terrorized me – the sight of a godless
world. The world inside the masjid had been Nobody in the history of creation had a spiritual
nothing short of bliss for the past ten days. experience similar to what the Prophet E had on
Peace, quiet and serenity. People could be seen the Mai'raj, from which he too had to
calling on to their Lord sitting, return. He had a job to do and
standing and lying down. Top as members of his Ummah we
notch neurologists and also have a job at hand. We
drivers were eating from the are the messengers of the
same dish and praying side Messenger and we need to
by side, each giving the other carry on his mission. Our
the respect they deserved on prayer, fasting and spiritual
account of their humanity and recluses like these give us the
not on their worldly status. character of a believer; a
Futile arguments, foul character strong enough to
speech and angry bouts were contribute positively towards
infrequent if at all. The society and to rid it of the
sporadic squabble here and poverty, strife and injustice that
there was a given but on the inundate its core. This is the
whole the place gave a message that the Divine
glimpse of what paradise Eloquence gave to the
would be when Allah says, Messenger E in Surah Al-
“Not frivolity will they hear Inshirah the 94th Surah of the
therein, nor any taint of ill,- Qur'an. As long as the journey
Only the saying, "Peace! seemed at the beginning of the
Peace” (Al-Qur'an 56: 25-26). ten days it finished. And as long
Away from family I found a as the life of this world looks it too
home amidst complete strangers – what brought shall one day finish.
us together was faith.
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HAZRAT ALI e - DR. WAQAS AHMED - CONSULTANT CARDIOLOGY SHIFA INTL HOSPITAL
T he Meeting took place on Thursday, 26th morning, when the assassins heard that the
Safar in the 13 t h year of the Prophet E had already left Makkah, they
prophethood in the house known as rushed in and pulled the sheet off from the
dar-an-nadwah (the house of council). sleeping soul Lo and Behold! It was Ali e . He
Amongst the attendees were notable leaders was only 20 years old or so at that time.
of the Quraysh including Abu-jahl bin Hisham
and Omaiyah bin Kalaf. Iblees himself, He is the fourth in the venerated list of “The
disguised as an elderly man from Najd, Ten” ('Asharah Mubasharah) who were given
attended the meeting. The deliberations went glad tidings of Paradise by the Noble Prophet
on for hours and finally on the suggestion of E.
Abu Jahl, fully backed by Iblees, the decision
His name was Ali bin Abi Talib. His father, Abu
was made to assassinate Muhammad bin
Talib bin Abdul Muttalib, was the paternal
Abdullah E and finish the emerging threat of
uncle of the Prophet E, and his guardian and
the religion of Islam. Eleven men were chosen
protector till his death in the tenth year of the
t o i m p l e m e n t t h i s devilish plan. As
prophethood. His mother was Fatima bint
night fell on Makkah,
Asad bin Hashim, hence he
they posted carefully
became the first Caliph
chosen assassins
from Banu Hashim.
around the house of the
Noble Prophet E .
Sa'ad bin Abi Waqas e once sat
The Prophet E had
Meanwhile, the a m o n g s t p e o p l e a n d w a s taken Ali e under his
Prophet, on the advice remembering Ali bin Abi Talib e patronage and raised
of Gabriel e , had and said, “Three things the him like a son, even
already left Makkah in
Prophet E said about Ali, had he during the life of Abu
the company of Abu Talib. Hence Ali e had
Bakr e . But before he said one about me, it would have stayed with him from
left, he E had given been dearer to me than red that point on. One day,
special instructions to a camels… he entered into the
very special person. house of the Prophet E
The instructions were to who was praying and
lie in the bed of the behind him was his wife
Prophet E covered in his mantle and wait for Khadijah E . Ali asked the Prophet E what he
the assassins. In the early hours of the was doing and the Prophet E
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replied, “I invite you to the worship of Allah who son-in-law, and his Companion.
has no partners and that you reject al-Lat and
al-'Uza.” He was given the appellation of Abu Turab
(the father of dust) by none other than the
Ali e said, “I have never Noble Prophet E himself.
heard this before and must When the Prophet E and the
consult my father.” The Companions migrated to
Prophet E asked him not to Medina, the Prophet E made
speak to anyone else about bonds of brotherhood
it. That night, the words of amongst the Ansar (helpers)
the Prophet E kept coming and the Muhajirin (the
back to the young boy's migrants). When all the
mind and at the first light of bonds had been made, Ali e
day he hurried to the came to the Prophet E and
Prophet E. said, “O Prophet of Allah, you
have chosen an Ansari
“What do you want of Ali?”
brother for each Muhajir but
“Testify that there is no God you did not chose one for
but Allah and reject any me.”
partners with Him,” replied The Prophet E smiled and
the Prophet E. asked Ali to sit close to him,
put his arm around him and said, “You are my
Ali e repeated the words and became the third brother in this world and the Hereafter,” then
person to embrace Islam after the wife of the he turned to the people and made an
prophet E, Khadija E , and his freed slave, Zaid announcement, “O People! Ali is my brother,
bin Haritha e . He was only 11 years old at that Ali is my brother.”
time. According to at-Tabari, when the ayah, He accompanied the Prophet E on all his
“Warn thy family who are thy nearest of Kin,”
battles except the battle of Tabuk. The Prophet
[Ash-Shu'ara 26:214] was revealed, the
E asked Ali e to stay behind in Medina. Ali e
Prophet E asked Ali to prepare a meal for the
asked him, “O Prophet, You are leaving me
family. The next day, after serving the meal to
behind among the women and the children?”
his extended family, the Prophet E invited
them to Islam and the worship of one God and The Prophet E replied, “Are you not happy that
said, “Which one of you will be my helper in this I am leaving you behind just as Musa had left
matter?” his brother Harun (to watch over Bani-Israel),
When no one answered, the 13 year old Ali except that there will be no Prophet after me.”
stood up and said, “O messenger of Allah, I will
be your helper.” After the truce of Hudaibiyah, the Prophet E
learned that the expelled Jews of Banu-Nadir
The Prophet E placed his hand on Ali's neck and Banu-Qainuqa were plotting with the Jews
and said, “This is my brother.” of Khaibar to attack Medina. So in Muharram,
th
7 Hijri, the Prophet E marched towards
He occupied a unique position amongst the
Companions. He had three unique honors: he Khaibar with five thousand Companions. The
was the closest relative of the Prophet E, his Jews put up a fierce resistance and their
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strongest fort (Nai'm) could not be conquered people and was remembering Ali bin Abi Talib
despite numerous attempts by the Muslim e and said, “Three things the Prophet E said
army. Finally, the Prophet E said, “Tomorrow I about Ali, had he said one about me, it would
shall give the banner to a man who loves Allah have been dearer to me than red camels. First,
and His Messenger and Allah and His I heard the Prophet E refer to Ali as Harun was
Messenger love him and that Allah will grant to Musa except that there was to be no prophet
victory at his hand.” All the Companions felt after him. Second, on the day of the conquest
this intense desire in their hearts to be this of Khaibar, the Prophet E promised to give the
fortunate person. After all, the confirmation of banner to the one who loves Allah and His
the love of Allah and His Messenger is Messenger and Allah and His Messenger Love
transcendent over all the treasures of this him and it turned out to be Ali. Third, When this
world. Many a Companion failed to sleep that ayah was revealed, “Verily Allah wishes only to
night in the Muslim camp. In the morning, the remove ar-Rijs from you O members of the
Prophet E asked, “Where is Ali?” He was family (of the Prophet) and to purify you with a
informed that Ali was suffering from an eye thorough purification,” [Al-Ahzab 33:33] The
ailment and was in pain. He asked for Ali to be Prophet E called Ali e , his daughter Fatima E ,
brought to him and on Ali's arrival, the Prophet and his grandsons Hassan e and Husain e
E put his saliva in his eyes and the sickness and said, “O Allah these are the members of
instantly disappeared. The banner was my family.”
handed to Ali bin Abi Talib e and victory
followed, just as the Prophet E had predicted. Ali's e wisdom in Islamic legal matters was
unparalleled. He was a master in the field of
th
In the 9 year of Hijri, the Noble Prophet E inheritance which is one of the most complex
dispatched Abu Bakr as the leader of the Hajj legal fields in Islam. Once a man came with his
delegation. Soon after the departure of the wife to the second caliph 'Umar bin Khattab e
Pilgrims came the revelation from Allah I (the and told the caliph that the woman had
opening ayaat of surah at-Taubah) in which committed zina as she had born a child after
Allah and His Messenger were declared free only 6 months of marriage. The caliph 'Umar e
from obligation from those pagans who had ordered for the woman to be stoned in
shown no respect for the treaties which they accordance with the Islamic law. Ali bin Abi
had entered into with the Prophet E. This was Talib e was sitting there and said, “O leader of
a monumental public announcement. The the faithful, this woman is innocent.”
Prophet E specifically sent Ali bin Abi Talib e
as soon as the revelation came. Ali reached “How is that?” Asked 'Umar e .
the Muslim contingent before they entered
Ali e replied, “Allah I says in the Qur'an, “And
Makkah. Abu Bakr asked Ali whether he was
the bearing of him and the weaning of him is
sent to take over the command (Imarah) of the
thirty months,” [Al-Ahqaf 46:15], “And his
contingent or just to make that announcement.
weaning is in two years,” [Luqman 31:14]. So if
Ali replied, “I have been sent to make the
we deduct the period of weaning, which is
proclamation only.” He subsequently stood at
twenty four months, from thirty, then that
al-jamrah and read aloud all the ayaat as
leaves behind six months, so it is possible for a
commanded by the Prophet E.
woman to have a live birth in six months.”
Sa'ad bin Abi Waqas e once sat amongst
Upon hearing this caliph 'Umar e said, “Had it
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not been for Ali, 'Umar would have been sin.”
destroyed.”
“Patience and faith are like
It was because of his Ali's e wisdom in Islamic head and body, when
e x t r a o r d i n a r y patience leaves, faith is
jurisprudence that the
legal matters was also no longer there, for
Prophet E appointed Ali as unparalleled. He was a how can a body exist
a j u d g e f o r Ye m e n . without a head.”
master in the field of
According to a hadith
recorded by Imam Ahmad inheritance which is one of “A faqih (Islamic jurist) is
one who lets no one lose
& Tirmidhi, when the the most complex legal their faith in Allah, nor give
Prophet E made that
appointment Ali said to
fields in Islam. permission for committing
sins, nor make one
him, “O Messenger of
fearless of the torment of
Allah, You are sending me to Yemen and
Allah, nor lets one inclined to anything else
people will come to me for judgment and I don't
shun the Qur'an.”
know how to judge.”
The Prophet E showed great compassion
The Prophet E smiled and told Ali e to come
towards all children, but his love for the sons
closer to him and struck his chest with his hand
(Hassan e and Husain e ) of Ali bin Abi Talib e
and said, “O Allah, make his tongue steadfast
was unparalleled. The Companions narrated
and guide his heart. O Ali! When two
that the Prophet E was sitting on the pulpit and
complainants come to you, do not decide the
matter until you have heard from the second right next to him was Hassan bin Ali e . The
one just as you had heard from the first one. If Prophet E would turn to him frequently during
you do that, the right decision will come to his talk with the Companions and say, “This
you.” here my son [referring to Hassan e ] is a leader
and I hope that Allah will bring peace through
Ali e never lied. Once when he was saying him in two warring factions of the Muslims.”
something, someone claimed that he was
lying. Ali e cursed him and the man lost his Al-Bukhari reports that the Prophet E would
eyesight before leaving the assembly. frequently refer to Hassan e and Husain e as
“My two flowers in this world,” and frequently
Ali e left behind a chest of sayings full of lift them and hug them.
wisdom which are frequently quoted to this
day. Some of his famous sayings are: After the martyrdom of the third caliph Usman
bin 'Affan e , Ali bin Abi Talib e was chosen as
“People are day dreaming and when they die, the fourth caliph in the year 35 Hijri. He had
they will finally wake up.” initially declined to become the caliph, which
“Beauty of manners is the essence of a man, reflected his modesty and Taqwa, but at the
wisdom is his helper and etiquette his legacy.” insistence of the Companions and the real fear
of a civil war in the nascent Muslim state, he
“It is bestowing to give anything when asked reluctantly agreed. The caliphate was
and to give without asking is benevolence. immediately surrounded by controversy and
Idleness in prayer, want of subsistence and division of a large number of the Companions
decrease in taste are all punishments for a with one group supporting Ali e and the
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second one siding with Mu'awiyah e and Banu his life after a few days. Ali bin Abi Talib e
Umayiyah clan. This gave the best opportunity embraced martyrdom on 17th Ramadan, 40
to the master plotter Abdullah bin Saba (the Hijri. His son Hassan bin Ali e led the funeral
devious Jew) to create even more prayers. May Allah I shower His Mercy on Ali
misunderstandings amongst the two groups of bin Abi Talib, the fourth of the rightly guided
Muslims. This ultimately led to two unfortunate caliphs.
battles, the first one between the army of Ali e
and that lead by Sayyidah Ayesha E (the References:
1. Lings, Martin (Abu Bakr Siraj uddin).
mother of the believers), which was called the
Muhammad: His life based on the earliest
battle of Jamal, and the second one with the
sources. Suhayl academy Lahore,
army of Mu'awiyah e called the battle of Siffin.
Pakistan.
Another fitna broke out during that time; they 2. Najeebabadi, Akbar Shah. The History of
were called the Khawarij and were an Islam. Darussalam, Riyadh.
extremist sect of deviant Muslims who rejected 3. Alminshawi, Muhammad Siddique. 100
all efforts by Ali e to reach a peaceful accord stories from the life of Ali bin Abi Talib
with Mu'awiyah e . They devised a devilish (Arabic). Dar-al-Fadhila.
plan to assassinate both Ali and Mu'awiyah. 4. Raz, Muhammad Daoud. Sahih al-
Two teams were dispatched to execute this Bukhari. Urdu translation and sharh.
plan. Mu'awiyah e escaped with minor Naumani kutub khana, Lahore.
5. Tabari, Ja'far Muhammad bin. Tareekh-e-
injuries, but Ibn-Muljam was successful in
Tabari, vol-3. Al-Faisal publishers, Lahore.
inflicting a mortal wound on Ali e which took
RamadanSermon
A llah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said in a sermon which he delivered to them on the last day of Sha'ban,
"A great month, a blessed month, a month containing a night which is better than a thousand months has
approached you people. Allah has appointed the observance of fasting during it as an obligatory duty, and the
passing of its night in prayer as a voluntary practice. If someone draws near to Allah during it with some good act he
will be like one who fulfils an obligatory duty in another month, and he who fulfils an obligatory duty in it will be like
one who fulfils seventy obligatory duties in another month. It is the month of endurance and the reward of endurance
is Paradise. It is the month of sharing with others, and a month in which the believer's provision is increased. If
someone gives one who has been fasting something with which to break his fast it will provide forgiveness of his sins
and save him from Hell, and he will have a reward equal to his without his reward being diminished in any respect."
We remarked to Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) that not all of us have the means to give one who had been
fasting something with which to break his fast. He replied, "Allah gives this reward to him who gives one who has been
fasting some milk mixed with water, or a date, or a drink of water with which to break his fast. Anyone who gives a full
meal to one who has been fasting will be given a drink from my tank (Hawd) by Allah and will not thirst till he enters
Paradise. It is a month whose beginning is mercy, whose middle is forgiveness, and whose end is freedom from Hell. If
anyone makes things easy for his slave during it, Allah will forgive him and free him from Hell."
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RAMADAN LIVED A WORLD APART - ANONYMOUS
Ramadan LIVED A
WORLD APART
T
he sizzle and crackle of toast in a hot your thoughts and actions – like one heart beat
pan and the hurried conversation simultaneously drumming among thousands,
among two voices abruptly wakens you. each fighting a personal jihad, not much unlike
Before dawn, behind the curtains, the quiet yours. This unison and commonality among
darkness in the windows is broken only by the you and everyone elseeven with those you
clatter of dishes and spoons as a steaming pot only pass byis a brotherhood found only within
of soup is brought to the table. Bread is handed a Muslim country.
out from a chinger – you blink twice – water is
poured out into a glass, still rocking back and A life lived without the exchange of “salam”,
forth… After sehri you go back to sleep. At without the daily adhan, leaves you feeling
school, your friends are deep in a isolated – as if you are stranded alone on an
conversation. You try to keep pace, but island. There is nothing you can share with a
suddenly they come to an edge. Heated words neighbor who has never fasted, your
are exchanged. The room falls silent. A distant colleague who has never silently waited for the
feeling and a sense of foreignness slowly sun to pass below the horizon just for a sip of
settles in between you and your friends. water. None of your classmates have ever
broken a peaceful sehri at night; none try to
This article is about how restrain irate words. When
Ramadan, one of the most Ramadan comes, the jihad is
constant and visible pillars yours alone. Yet in a country
of Islam, is so different when like Pakistan, when you wake
experienced in the West up on a day of Ramadan, you
and when experienced in a are joined not only by your
Muslim country. Everyday neighbors and friends, but by
life in a Muslim country is the entire community. The
very unlike that in the West – adhan echoes from four
and the biggest contrast is corners as you wipe the last
seen during Ramadan. The dish clean. Each person you
month of Ramadan in a non- meet during the day is
Muslim country is lived in absorbed in a continual state
solitary; whereas Ramadan of self-discipline. Each
within Muslim countries is person who greets you does
feeling as if the entire world so with a knowing smile. You
is by your side. are not alone. You are with
them in this community, in
When Ramadan arrives in this jihad, and in this beautiful
Pakistan, everyone you month of Ramadan. Another
come across in the street, difference is that when you see
office, or in the classroom is also with you – in Ramadan all around you, permeating every
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part of life, you begin to absorb the energy and eleven, only to be wakened soon after and told
spirit with which others practice Ramadan. the next day was Eid – that the past 28 days
And the true essence of the month becomes took real meaning. A continuous month of
clearer. When you see this religion lived out in countless whispered prayers and silent
front of your eyes and when you also sacrifices made together truly are
participate in the rituals of eidi and moon- extraordinary – not just something simply
sighting, your understanding of this blessing added into a mundane, habitual routine.
becomes deeper. Just hearing about eidi and Fasting in Ramadan is common among all
of how much of a struggle it is to search for an Muslims no matter where they live, but the
elusive moon hidden in the sky did not bring opportunity to worship together and share the
the beauty of Ramadan to life for me. It was jihad with both loved ones and with just
only after living in Pakistan, after seeing the acquaintances is truly a blessing uniquely
faces of cousins light up when handed eidi, found within Muslim countries.
after having gone under the covers at half past
MySECOND
MY SECOND INNINGS - DR. ARSHAD JAVED - ASSISTANT PROFESSOR ANATOMY SCM
INNINGS
A fter reading the title, my reader will surely
perceive that the following account is
related to a cricket match. Sadly, this is not
the case, and all cricket lovers will be disappointed
with this disclosure.
of my condition came a week later. It was none
other than undergoing cardiac surgery, commonly
known as “bypass”. The prospect of such a long,
risky procedure with its accompanying
complications scared me and shook me to my
Once upon a time, an insurance company used a foundations. What bothered me the most was the
catchy slogan to lure in customers. “Life has no thought of the pain and coughing that often came
second innings.” Somehow, over the years, it stuck with it. My surgeon, Dr. Khalid Rasheed, warned
in my mind. The title of the article is inspired by me of a two percent risk of having a stroke. The
that advertisement.More than 4 years ago, as I lay thought of being paralyzed brought indescribable
on a table in the Cath Lab of AFIC, the cardiologist emotions. I prayed to Allah to guide my surgeon in
broke the news that numbed my mind choosing the best option for me. Dr. Khalid was
momentarily. He told me that there was 95 to 99 going abroad for three weeks and I had to wait for
percent blockage in three of my coronary arteries. his return. This heightened my anxiety further. The
On the plus side, this had not affected my cardiac period prior to surgery became one of reflection
function. SubhaanAllah. What struck me was how I and introspection. In simple words, it was one of
could have survived with this. Sure, I was having stock taking. I thought constantly of the account
symptoms, such as heaviness in the chest after that would be presented to Allah when I would
meals and more recently, limitation in my daily stand before Him. I found I had nothing notable
routine due to exhaustion by midday. I also had a that would facilitate my deliverance from the fires
couple of brief blackouts. I had attributed all this to of Hell. What if I were not to return to this world
stress. My cardiologist did not expect to see this after my surgery? For some reason that I can't
degree of stenting. He had hinted towards the comprehend, one ayah from surah Ar Rahman
probability of stenting only one vessel. However, kept on ringing in my mind “and for him who fears
no one has more knowledge than Allah; The Aleem to stand before his Lord are two gardens” (55:66).
and Khabeer.The verdict on further management This thought was to continue for many days before
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and even after my surgery. It was a hot day in May praise be to Allah. My faith in prayer has grown
when I gave an emotionless goodbye to my family stronger ever since. I had silently prayed to Allah
and entered the Operation Room. I can still recall for making my post-operative period free of severe
the look on their faces. It seemed as if I would pain and the distress of coughing. Alhamdulillah,
never ever see them again. I woke up in the ICU, the pain I had was bearable and I never needed any
choking from the endotracheal tube, which was injection. The strong pain-killers were needed for
promptly removed. I was covered in a white sheet, only two days, and then I was comfortable with
with tubes sticking out of various parts of my body just the ordinary ones. The only time I coughed
– six in all. The first night in the ICU was eerie. The was when the physiotherapist ordered me to do
room seemed pitch dark, as if I was deep in a pit, so. There was one recurring question that kept on
with only some light coming from the Nurses' bothering me after my surgery? Why have I been
Station that seemed miles away. The fact that I allowed to live? Why this second chance? I asked a
needed to be fed, bathed and clothed after the religious scholar. He had no answer. Perhaps Allah
operation made me feel like a newborn. It was is putting me through a trial to see if I could do
virtually impossible for me to eat or drink by some ahsan amal. Since then I have tried to do
myself. Lifting a paper cup to drink became a what I could not do in my first innings. I have tried
Herculean effort. Verily, man has been created to understand Qur'an and made an attempt to
weak. Never in my life had the reality of this fact teach it formally in IIMC, Rawalpindi. I was given
been driven home to me. that opportunity by the former Head of Anatomy,
Within 24 hours of my surgery I was back in my Professor Rameez Iqbal, who himself is an
room. I had hallucinations that did not let me accomplished Qu'ran and Hadith teacher. I was
sleep. It was difficult to take a deep breath; it felt as amazed at how I was able to get the message
if my chest was encased in a metal jacket. Speaking through to my audience, which was not very large,
was a problem as well. It made me breathless. The but attentive nevertheless.
first steps that I took made me dizzy, and I became After more than a year, I moved to Shifa College of
drenched in sweat. Washing my face became a Medicine as a teacher, and this has brought me in
slow motion affair. A look at myself in the mirror contact with some amazing people. They
st
made me cower in fear. It was not me there. I saw a organized the 1 Islamic Perspectives Conference
deathly pale person with a drawn out expression. and gave me a chance to participate. They honored
This was from blood loss that had not been me again this year. They are my source of
replaced. In this scenario, I sought solace and inspiration and I have learned a lot about Islam and
refuge in the Qu'ran . the Qur'an in the weekly
Listening to it put me at
For some reason that I can't meetings hosted by Dr.
peace and obviated the Waqas. May Allah bless
n e e d f o r a n y s l e e p comprehend, one ayah from and reward all of them in
inducers. I was home on surah Ar Rahman kept on ringing the dunya and aakhira. For
the sixth postoperative in my mind “and for him who me, Shifa Hospital brought
d a y, a n d m y 'shifa' to me in many ways
breathlessness was
fears to stand before his Lord are through the blessings of
compounded by asthma two gardens” Allah, the Almighty. The
which lasted two weeks. (55:66). surgery brought a change
Reading and listening to in my personality. I am no
Qu'ran gave me inner longer irritable and
peace and physical strength. Within a month, I aggressive. I am no longer worried about
progressed from not being able to walk ten paces tomorrow. I am thankful to Allah for every breath I
without getting breathless to forty minutes of take and every second of my life. I feel I have been
uninterrupted walk. I resumed driving after five given a bonus to live again and play the second
weeks and drove to see a friend six weeks later. innings. AllahAllah
Alhamdulillah. Such are the wonders of Allah. All
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SERVANT OF THE BOOK : A TRIBUTE TO DR. ISRAR AHMED FROM THE SHIFA STUDENT SOCIETY
SERVANT BOOK
A TRIBUTE TO DR. ISRAR AHMED FROM
OF
THE
THE SHIFA STUDENT SOCIETY
“Old furniture and this simple bedroom – don't you floor. Those who saw him on these months' long
desire comfort and luxury?” asked the host of the trips said that he brought two pairs of clothes and
show. Unlike other celebrities he had televised his while one would be in laundry he would wear the
show with, this one did not live in a mansion. On the other. Far from charging speaking fees he did not
contrary he lived in a small bedroom with precious even claim an honorarium on the sales of his
little in terms of ornamentation and decoration. This books. Where many of us look for the religion to
celebrity lived like a pretty ordinary man. serve our needs by giving us more and more in
terms of leniency he looked towards himself to
“I have all the comfort and luxury I need in here; a give the religion more and more sacrifice.
bed to sleep on, a table and chair to sit and write on
if I want. What you are sitting on is a sofa-cum-bed For decades he tirelessly taught the Qur'an at
for my wife. I have this small fridge to provide me different levels. Year after year he would explain the
with cold water. What more could I want?” meaning of the entire Qur'an at taraweeh during
Ramadan. He taught a short Qur'an course, which
But he was anything but an ordinary man. A medical was an in-depth exposition of a few selected
doctor by qualification, Dr. Israr Ahmed realized portions of the Holy Book, which was carried out
very early on that the ailments of humanity are too over and over again in different parts of the globe.
deep seated to be cured by the medical community. This he did in spite of his hypertension, diabetes,
He believed that the panacea lay in the Qur'an and heart problems, a bilateral knee transplant, a spine
to the propagation and implementation of this he operation, and other medical conditions all testing
worked tirelessly until he breathed his last on the his faith at different times.
14th of April, 2010.
“The best of you are those who learn and teach the
Dr. Israr Ahmed was more Qur'an”, The Prophet E told
than just a religious scholar. us. Many would tell you that
He was an intellectual in The one-man army that he was, he was the best teacher of
touch with his times and in is now gone – but his legacy the Qur'an in Urdu. That
contact with the common made him the best of the
folk. Where others would remains. No amount words can best. The one-man army
preach mere religious do justice to his contribution to that he was, is now gone –
dogma and rituals, he would our time. Only by understanding but his legacy remains. No
aim to explain the wisdom amount words can do justice
behind the practices. He the philosophy and the to his contribution to our
propagated that Muslims teachings that he left behind can time. Only by understanding
should not indulge in one truly comprehend his the philosophy and the
luxuries and frivolities whilst teachings that he left behind
the deen of Allah lies in need mastery. can one truly comprehend
of help. This may be labeled his mastery.
as an extreme point of view
but to his credit, and perhaps his greatest quality of May Allah accept his efforts, forgive his
all, Dr. Israr practiced what he preached.
shortcomings, allow us to live his legacy and let us
Where others would ask for speaking fees and join him in the highest stations in Paradise.
hotel accommodation, Dr. Israr would opt to lodge
at somebody's home preferring to sleep on the
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HEALTH RAMADAN – JAVERIA NAVEED - 3RD YEAR MEDICAL STUDENT, SCM
for
HEALTH GUIDELINES
RAMADAN
Javeria Naveed - 3rd year medical student, SCM
D etoxify yourself!
cheese, peanut butter, cream cheese, tofu, bran for baking, and use brown flour when
protein bars, and meat. making bread (roti).
Always have some yoghurt with sehri as it will
help you retain your water during the day so Indigestion and “Wind”
you do not get dehydrated Causes: Overeating. Too much fried and fatty
Haleem an excellent source of protein and foods, spicy foods and foods that produce
slow-burning food! wind, e.g., eggs, cabbage, lentils, beans,
Dates an excellent source of sugar, fiber, carbonated drinks, etc.
carbohydrates, potassium and magnesium.
They are also highly recommended by the Remedy: Do not overeat. Drink adequate
Sunnah. amounts of water and fruit juices. Avoid fried
Almonds rich in protein and fiber with less fat. and fatty foods. Add celery seeds (ajmor) to
Ground almonds and milk make a healthy lentils and beans to lessen wind production.
drink.
Bananas good source of carbohydrates, Headaches
potassium and magnesium. Causes: Caffeine and tobacco withdrawal;
doing too much work during the day; lack of
DRINK sleep; hunger and thirst (usually occurs at the
Drink as much water, fruit juices and drinks end of the day), stress, etc.
containing potassium as possible between
Iftaar and bedtime so that your body may Remedy: Cut down on or stop caffeine
recover fluid levels in preparation for the next containing drinks 1-2 weeks before Ramadan.
day. Ideally six to eight glasses of fluids should Herbal teas and caffeine-free coffee may be
be taken per day. substituted. Re-organize your schedule so as
Drink two or three glasses of liquid at suhoor – to have adequate time to do the necessary
this will keep your body hydrated during the things and so you can get adequate rest and
day. sleep.
Before eating at iftar, drink two glasses of
fluidthis will rehydrate you and make you feel a Lethargy (“Low blood pressure”)
little full which will prevent you from gulping Causes: Too little fluid intake, decreased salt
down your food. intake, and not eating enough at Sehri and
Keep water by your bedside! Drink a glass of Iftaar.
water before you go to bed and have some
more if you get up in the middle of the night. Remedy: Increase fluid and salt intake. Eat
Drink a glass full of fresh milk after sehri – enough to sustain yourself through the next
before fajr. This will help those with stomach day. Drink at least 1 liter of fluid between Iftaar
acid problems. and bedtime.
Drink orange juice or sweet lemon juice during Caution: Low blood pressure should be
iftaar. This will help to readjust the stomach confirmed by taking a reading when symptoms
after a long day of fasting. are present. Persons with high blood pressure
may need their medication adjusted for the
Some Common Problems encountered month of Ramadan.
during Ramadan:
Low Blood Sugar Weakness, dizziness,
Constipation tiredness, poor concentration, feeling shaky
Causes: Too much refined carbohydrates, too (tremors), inability to do physical activities,
little water, and not enough fiber in the diet. headaches, and strong, irregular heart beat
are symptoms of low blood sugar.
Remedy: Increase fiber intake and complex
carbohydrates. Increase water intake, use Causes: Consuming too much sugar-
containing foods, i.e., refined carbohydrates,
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especially at sehri. during Ramadan.
Remedy: Limit sugar-containing foods and Causes: Some people have a tendency to
drinks at sehri. Eat more complex produce stones in the kidney. Other causes
carbohydrates. include not drinking enough
liquids to flush out the
This applies to non-diabetics. kidneys.
Diabetics will need to adjust
their medications during Remedy: Drink excessive
Ramadan and must consult amounts of liquid between
their doctor for this. Iftaar and bedtime. Those
prone to kidney stones
Muscle Cramps must also decrease their
Causes: Inadequate intake of calcium intake, e.g., dairy
calcium or magnesium- products, shell fishes, etc.
containing foods.
Joint Pains
Remedy: Eat foods rich in the Causes: During
above minerals, e.g., fruit and Ramadan, when extra
vegetables, dairy products, salawaat (pl, of salah) are
meat, dried fruit, and dates. performed, the pressure on
the knee and ankle joints
Caution: Those on high blood increases. In the elderly,
pressure medication or those and those with arthritis, this
prone to kidney stones should consult their may result in pain, stiffness, swelling and
doctor. discomfort.
Heartburn, Gastritis, Hiatus Hernia, and Remedy: Start losing weight so that these
Peptic Ulcers joints do not have to carry extra loads. Also
Causes: Increased acid levels in an empty acclimatize by exercising the lower limbs
stomach during Ramadan can aggravate the before Ramadan (walking 30-45 minutes 3
above conditions. It presents as a burning pain times a week etc.) so that they can be
in the stomach area and under the ribs prepared for the additional strain. Being
radiating up the chest to the throat. The main physically fit allows greater flexibility during
culprits are spicy foods, especially sauces, Ramadan
coffee and aerated drinks like cola, and fatty
and fried foods. I pray that with the help of these few guidelines
we all can fast in great health, and enjoy fully
Remedy: Avoid all the above foods as much the spiritual benefits of Ramadan!
as possible. Also do not overeat. Have small
meals rather than one big meal, like a small The preceding article was a summary of Dr.
Iftaar and a snack after Taraweeh. Mushfiq Khan's advice with some relevant
Medications are available (PPIs) to control added information.
acid levels in the stomach. But these should be
taken only under the supervision of your
doctor.
Kidney Stones
Kidney stones may not present themselves for
months to years after they are formed. So
those prone to stones should take special care
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STANDING OUT:
7 STEPS TO FIGHTING
NEGATIVE PEER PRESSURE
Ammarah Usmani-Journalism student of Wichita University in Kansas
W on't you have a hard time getting a isolated. Her grades and her social life were
job with that on?” sinking as she struggled to pull her life
together.
Amina's friends continuously nagged her One day, as Amina was about to step outside
about her hijab. She'd been wearing it since for her morning class, she passed by her
she was 13 and had felt quite proud to be the hallway mirror and stopped. Hijab. What once
only covered Muslim girl in her class. seemed as a beautiful, liberating concept to
her now made her feel ugly. She felt deformed,
But now as a college student, she was feeling trapped, and alone. She slid to her knees,
a bit overwhelmed. Other students respected spilling tears of helplessness. She thought no
her beliefs, but her own Muslim friends were one was listening to her whispered sobs, but
the ones were giving her a hard time. someone was. And He wasn't going to let her
She wouldn't tag along with them to college collapse.
parties or spend excessive amounts of time at ***
the mall. Sure, Amina had the option to just Believe it or not, Amina's situation is not
avoid alcohol and the opposite gender at the incredibly unique. Many practicing Muslims,
parties, but the fact that she wore the flag of both male and female, suffer from negative
Islam now made her stay away from any un- peer pressure and end up feeling like social
Islamic environments. outcasts. Society's
She would usually demands indeed do
hang out with her No matter how strong you think affect us all in one way
friends during her free you are, your companions, the o r a n o t h e r . T h e
time, but slowly they
started detaching from
people you are surrounded by s a d d e s t t r u t h i n
today's world is that
h e r , u n a b l e t o on a regular basis, can slowly oftentimes our Muslim
u n d e r s t a n d h e r but surely leave a mark on you. friends are the ones
mindset and why she who pose as the bad
was risking her social influence for us. The
life by being “different”. struggle of wearing hijab is obviously common
for Muslim sisters, but other struggles that
“Live a little!”, they used to say.
apply to brothers as well can include avoiding
Months passed and Amina felt more and more immorality with the other gender, being
steadfast in prayer, fasting, and staying away
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from overall worldly temptations. Most times, we think that if we are
knowledgeable about Islam
The difference among those and firm in our Deen, we can
Muslims is that some fight easily influence others. But
the pressure and emerge beware, the opposite can
victorious, while others often happen. It's always
eventually fall prey and best to surround yourself with
conform. people who you think are
How should Muslims fight going to have a good effect
that heavy burden? Here on you. Of course it's okay to
are steps to effectively have non-Muslim friends, but
overcoming peer pressure: it's not wise to become very
close to them.
1. The most important fact to
always remember is that no Our beautiful Prophet E gave
matter how isolated we feel parables comparing the
from the rest of the world, effects of two different types
we're not alone. We can of companions:
never be completely alone.
“The example of a good companion and a bad
Allah reminds His servants in the Qur'an:
companion is like that of the seller of musk,
“Then do you remember Me; I will remember and the one who blows the blacksmith's
you. Be grateful to Me, and reject not Faith. O bellows. So as for the seller of musk then either
you who believe! Seek help with patient he will grant you some, or you buy some from
perseverance and prayer; for Allah is with him, or at least you enjoy a pleasant smell from
those who patiently persevere.” (2:152-153) him. As for the one who blows the blacksmith's
Allah reassures us that as long as we turn to bellows then either he will burn your clothes or
Him, He will be there to aid and guide us. you will get an offensive smell from him” [Al-
Patience and perseverance are our golden Bukhari and Muslim].
keys.
No matter how strong you think you are, your
2. Know that you're not the only one going companions, the people you are surrounded
through peer pressure. This disease affects by on a regular basis, can slowly but surely
many of us, some more than others. This leave a mark on you. It's your choice to
feeling may be strongest at the age of determine whether you want a good or bad
adolescence; however, it can occur at other mark.
points in life as well. Other Muslim brothers
4. Become active in your Islamic community! If
and sisters are going through the same thing
you live in a Muslim country or near a relatively
and many eventually emerge from it, so don't
active Muslim community, find out if there any
lose faith and keep praying to Allah.
local youth groups and try to attend their
3. If most of your negative influence is coming meetings or activities, attend weekly
from your non-Muslim or Muslim friends, you halaqahs, or even join a sisters' knitting club (if
need to start being proactive. Avoid the bad you're a sister of course!). Try anything that will
company and try to find other practicing give you a chance to get to know more
Muslim friends. Muslims your age who have a similar mindset
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TIB-E- NABWI- SYEDA AFSHEEN PERVAIZ - 3RD YEAR MEDICAL STUDENT, SCM
MEDICINE OF THE
PROPHET
Syeda Afsheen Pervaiz - 3rd year medical student, SCM
The Prophet E once said, A heart may also be infected by desires and
attractions towards the opposite gender, which
E
“ very illness has a cure, and when [the] can lead to inappropriate usage of time,
proper cure is applied to the disease, it energy, and money. In order for us to be saved
ends it, Allah willing.” [Sahih Muslim] from this infection, we are given the solution in
these words of our Prophet E:
Types of diseases can be divided into two
broad categories: those that affect the heart “O young people! Whoever among you is able
and those which inflict the body. A diseased or to marry should marry, and whoever is not able
misguided heart is the worst of all illnesses to marry, is recommended to fast, as fasting
because it leads to the destruction of one's life diminishes his sexual power” [Sahih al
in this world, as well as in the Hereafter; only Bukhari]. Hence we find solutions to illnesses
those whose hearts are guided to the truth are of the heart, whether it is related to faith or
victorious. towards worldly desires.
This was the reason our Prophet Muhammad
E used to supplicate with the following words: The second category comprises of diseases
which affect the human body. Broadly
“O Controller of the hearts, make my heart speaking, there is one act human beings do
s t e a d f a s t i n Yo u r which leads to multiple
religion.” [At-Tirmidhi]
A diseased or misguided problems, and that is
Also, a heart that is excessive eating.
devoid of love for Allah heart is the worst of all The Prophet E said, as
I can never be at peace
and can never be
illnesses because it leads to narrated in Tirmidhi and
Ibn Majah, “The son of
c o n t e n t . T h e o n l y the destruction of one's life in Adam never fills a vessel
solution to such worse than his stomach.
depression and misery this world, as well as in the The son of Adam only
is the excessive
remembrance of Allah Hereafter
needs a few bites that
would sustain him, but if
I . he insists, one-third
Allah I says in the Glorious Qur'aan, Surah should be reserved for his food, another third
Ra'ad, verse 28, “Verily, in the remembrance of for his drink and last third for his breathing”.
Allaah do hearts find rest.”
We know now that an unhealthy and excessive
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diet leads to obesity, which is a risk factor for “There comes forth from their [bees'] bellies, a
multiple diseases like diabetes, drink of varying color wherein is healing for
atherosclerosis leading to myocardial men” (al-Nahl 16:69).
infarction, hypertension, and
many others. The solution The Prophet E used to drink
has been given to us; it just honey mixed in water; it is
requires a little patience, and very beneficial for the
gratitude towards Allah for the health. Drinking honey on
rizq He has provided us. A an empty stomach
believer should not have a dissolves phlegm, cleanses
desire to eat each and every the stomach, reduces its
thing that he or she comes viscosity, washes matter,
across or that which is warms it up a little and
available to them. A believer opens its inlet and exit. It
acts like a stranger in this has similar effects on the
world and waits for the eternal liver, kidneys and urethra,
Paradise where he or she can but is most beneficial to the
have 'anything' and as many stomach.
things as he or she likes.
The Qur'an, Allah says in
Regarding cures for specific Surah Isra, ayat 82, has
diseases, we find numerous narrations in been sent as a healing and mercy to those who
authentic ahadith. A few examples are as believe. The Qur'an is the Kalaam of Allah.
follows: Mountains would have crumbled if Allah had
revealed it upon them and the earth would
“Use the black seed, because it contains a have broken apart. How, then, can an illness
cure for every type of ailment except resist the Words of Allah?
death.”[At-Tirmidhi]. Black seed is locally
known as 'kalwanji'. In an authentic narration, we find that Surah Al-
Fatiha has been given healing potential
Another narration explains, “What an excellent against snake and scorpion bites.
food is vinegar.” [Sahih Muslim]. Vinegar, as
we know, helps against gastric inflammation, Recitation of the last two Surahs of the Qur'an,
constipation, tumors and from poisonous of Surat-Al-Fatiha, and of Ayat-ul-Kursi is the
mushrooms. solution to whispers from shaitan and the evil
eye. It is recommended to read the last three
At another place the Prophet E says, “Eat the Surahs of the Qur'an, thrice each, after Fajr
Zait and use it as an ointment, because it is and Maghrib, and if possible, once after every
produced by a blessed tree” [At-Tirmidhi]. Zait, salah.
known as olive oil, works like a laxative, helps
against poisons, softens the skin, and slows This was a very minute part of Tib-e-Nabawi E.
down the aging process. We get to know, from deep study, that Allah I
has sent down guidance for us regarding every
“Make use of the two cures; honey and the situation of life, whether it is related to the soul
Qur'aan” [Ibn Majah]. or the body. Indeed, all praise is due to Allah.
Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
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i fa
h aks
W
S pe
e asked various students and
faculty of Shifa College of Medicine
the two following questions. Let's
follow the same routine for at least 5 years with
the same group of people .Also my
observation and interactive skills have
hear what they have to say! improved some what.
Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever spends Laylat al-
Qadr in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, will be forgiven his
previous sins.”
(Narrated by al-Bukhaari and Muslim)
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RAMADAN- RABIA AMIR - 1ST YEAR MEDICAL STUDENT, SCM
SPIRIT OF
W ith the holy month of Ramadan what Ramadan has become in the twenty-first
drawing closer, I am here in century a blatant display of materialism.
Islamabad, on my own for the first
Fasting, as one of the five pillars of Islam, is
time, thinking about how difficult the sehris and
referred to by the word “Saum'' in the Holy
iftars will be in a hostel without my family, how I
Quran which means literally 'to abstain'. The
would miss out on the iftar parties my friends
purpose of the Saum is simple-- the obtaining
back home would host, how this Ramadan
of Taqwah. Saum may also be defined as a
would be spent all alone-- then I realize my
state of the heart which stops us from bad
mistake and begin to feel stirrings of shame.
deeds and motivates us towards doing good.
Dear Reader, here I am, yearning for home, for The only thing that can permit us to walk on
splendid iftar parties, for delicious buffets Sirrat-ul-Mustaqeem or lead us astray on the
when the only One I should be caring about is path of worldly temptation is our inner desire. It
Allah. But no, my greatest worry is not my is here that we find the actual purpose of
beloved Creator but my own stomach and my Saum; the taming of our worldly desires in the
parties. I try to recall exactly when, to me, light of the teachings of Allah to help us
Ramadan became not a month of Abstinence achieve Taqwah and become a Mutaqi.
but a month of outings and festivities and I
draw a blank.
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A CELEBRATION AND FUNERAL - ANONYMOUS
A Celebration
and
A Funeral
T he Qur`an tells of an awe-inspiring because in a translation a person can do only
storythe story of our father, Ibraheem so much to preserve both meaning and syntax.
(Peace be upon him). Though every For the great majority of translations, it is the
ayah (roughly, verse) related to his story is meaning that is preserved more carefully than
beautiful, one set of ayaat (verses) in particular the syntax. In the end, I wish to encourage
describe Ibraheem (Peace be upon him) in a myself and any readers to develop enough of
manner that cannot be matched. Time and an interest to refer back to the original after
again, I read those ayaat and cannot stop my reading the translation:
eyes from welling with tears of amazement,
"Then, when they had both(Abraham and
with tears of shame for our satisfaction with
Ishmael) submitted themselves (to the Will of
what little we practice of our religion, which is
Allâh), and he (Ibraheem) had laid him
next to nothing compared to the submission of
(Ismaeel) prostrate on his forehead (or on the
Ibraheem (Peace be upon him). As I write this,
side of his forehead for slaughtering); And We
I am involved in an inner push-and-pull: "I want
called out to him: 'O Abraham! You have
to quote the ayah but I will have to translate it;
fulfilled the dream (vision)!' Verily! Thus do We
the translation will surely take away from the
reward the Muhsinûn (good-doers). Verily, that
eloquence of the original; I shouldn't quote it as
indeed was a manifest trial. And We ransomed
it will not be able to convey the original. I
him with a great sacrifice (i.e. a ram); And We
should quote it even if it is
left for him (a goodly
translated, because At that point, a thought raced through my
remembrance) among
those who may not have mind, "could not an outsider find a
generations (to come) in
read it will want to read contradiction in the setting of this
later times. Salâmun
it." And back again to the
f u n e r a l ? T h o u g h n o t a p o i n t o f (peace) be upon Ibrâhim
first thought: "I want to
consternation in my mind, could the (Abraham)!"
quote the ayah but..."
continued celebration of the 'Eid festival [As-Saafaat 37:103-
Essentially, there are
only a few things that
alongside the funeral serve as a 109]
can break this tangle of dilemma of the conscious for an This is an example of the
thought. The reader outsider?” ultimate form of
should read it in the submitting one's will to
original language if he or she knows it, or else Allah (God). How peaceful and how beautiful
should work to learn the language. A would the world be in which the people all
translation of the verse can only convey a submit to His will? It is this submission to the
certain portion of the eloquence of the verse commands and will of God that Islam demands
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of its followers. Hence, the word Islam itself, Prophet Ibraheem's (Peace be upon him)
from the Arabic root word consisting of the sacrifice right as he was about to sacrifice his
letters S-L-M, is derived from a word that son and gave him a ram, in the stead of his
means, peace, submission, and obedience. son, to sacrifice. It is on this celebration of 'Eid-
Putting these words together and keeping in ul-Adha that we, too, sacrifice an animal and
mind the principles of Islam we can formulate a pray to Allah, praise Him, and thank Him for His
definition of the word – rather, religion and, blessings.
more appropriately, complete way of lifeI –
slam: Attaining peace through the submission I happened to be close to my family village a
and obedience to the One and Only Lord, God, few days before the 'Eid day. The day of Eid
and Creator, Allah. It is the attainment of a true was drawing closer and being amongst
inner peace with oneself; it is the attainment of relatives after spending months and months
a true peace of a society, of a region, of a away from home while studying, I was happily
nation, of a peoples, and of humanity at large; anticipating the day. It was in the late afternoon
it is the attainment of a true peace with the on the day before 'Eid that we received a
happenings in one's life; it is the attainment of a phone call; one of our relatives in the family
peace of mind, a peace of the soul. The village had passed away. The funeral prayer
attainment of that peace is reached through was scheduled for the next daythe 'Eid day.
the complete submission to our Lord, God, and After informing my parents by phone, and as a
Creator, Allah and making our desires result of their desire for me to attend the
obedient to His commands. In fact, such funeral, I picked up one of my bags and
obedience and submission is the only way to prepared myself for the journey to the family
attain any and all such peace. After all, that is village with my aunt and my cousins. It was to
what the great Prophet, Ibraheem (Abraham) be a three to four hour drive and we were
and many other of God's great Messengers maximizing space in the car in terms of the
and Prophets did. Were not they the few in the number of people travelling together. Due to
history of humanity who the limited space, added to the
attained true peace in all its fact that we were only to stay
senses? there for the day of the
funeral, I decided to pack
About 9 months ago, lightly. Two pairs of clothes, in
Muslims across the globe addition to what I was
shared in the celebration of wearing on the journey,
a holy dayor rather days would be sufficient; one pair
culminating on the 10th of of clothes I could wear to bed
the Dhul-Hijjah (last month at night for the one night we
of the Islamic calendar), the were to be there; the second
day of the 'Feast of the pair I would wear on the day
Sacrifice – to commemorate of the funeral.
the sacrifice of Prophet
Ibraheem (Peace be upon The question that came to
him) when he submitted to mind only hesitantly was
Allah's command and went what would be an appropriate
to sacrifice his then, only- set of clothes to wear to the
son. Out of His infinite Mercy, Allah accepted funeral? It was only a moment's of thought
after which I chose to pack my newly-bought
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clothes for the occasion of 'Eid in my bag. On and newest clothes for this celebration, the
any other day and in any other culture this one before it ('Eid-ul-Fitr), and even for the
would seem incongruous. However, there was Friday prayer.
a thought to rely on:
'everyone else would He attainment of that peace is reached After getting washed-up
surely also be wearing through the complete submission to our and changed, my cousin
clothes for the occasion Lord, God, and Creator, Allah and making and I left the house to
of 'Eid.' After a long drive our desires obedient to His commands. In follow the funeral as they
of a good four hours, we fact, such obedience and submission is took the deceased from
reached the destination the only way to attain any and all such the house to the place
at mid-night, met with peace. After all, that is what the great where the funeral prayer
t h e f a m i l y o f t h e Prophet, Ibraheem (Abraham) and many was to be offered. This
deceased, and paid our
other of God's great Messengers and place was an open field
Prophets did. outside the Mosque,
condolences by praying
for blessings of Paradise w h i c h c o u l d
for the deceased and for patience and the accommodate a large number of people. As I
reward of patience for the family of the looked at the field, the coffin of the deceased,
deceased. Even in the midst of the loss, the the people – including the children of the
hosts greeted the travelers with a small dinner deceased, and the new, clean, and, in some
and a warm cup of tea. Hospitality for the cases, embroidery-adorned clothes of those
visitors, even if it was a time of mourning, was people, one thought kept coming to mind: "how
not neglected. Then, the hosts painstakingly difficult must it be for the family of the
arranged for beds for everyone and did not deceased?" The funeral prayer was to directly
retire for the night until all had been catered for, follow the 'Eid prayer. After securing the coffin
even if it was two or three in the morning. As at the funeral prayer place, we proceeded to
soon as I was shown my bed, I snuggled in the Masjid (mosque) to join the congregation
under the comforter to protect myself from the of the 'Eid prayer.
cold, which was accentuated by the limited use At the end of the prayer and the accompanying
of heaters, and fell sound asleep. sermon, the Imam (leader of the prayer)
It was at the call for the early morning-prayer encouraged the entire 'Eid congregation to
that we awoke and then after an hour or so the attend the funeral prayer. The people all exited
house was a hustle-bustle in preparation for the Masjid and reassembled on the field where
the 'Eid prayer. Like the other celebration the funeral prayer was to be offered, still
before it following the holy month of Ramadan wearing their new, adorned clothes for the
('Eid-ul-Fitr), this 'Eid, 'Eid-ul-Adha, is started festive occasion of 'Eid. At that point, a thought
with a special prayer offered in congregation; raced through my mind, "could not an outsider
the prayer is offered in the morning after find a contradiction in the setting of this
sunrise and is attended by even those who funeral? Though not a point of consternation in
may not be accustomed to praying on ordinary my mind, could the continued celebration of
days. As I completed my preparations for the the 'Eid festival alongside the funeral serve as
'Eid prayer I saw that as I had expected, a dilemma of the conscious for an outsider?"
everyone was wearing clothes that they had The fact of the matter is that the celebration of
prepared for the occasion of 'Eid. It is part of 'Eid is not one where we create an atmosphere
the Islamic tradition to wear the cleanest, best, of an uncontrolled party as would be
paradoxical to a funeral. Rather, the
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celebration itself begins with a prayer and is "Allâh burdens not a person beyond his
commemorating a time of great test for the scope." [Al-Baqarah 2:286]
Prophet Ibraheem when he was commanded
to give up his only son. This celebration then, is Following this statement, Allah gives us a
one of perseverance and sacrifice, self- beautiful supplication that we can make to Him
discipline and submission, and obedience and to relieve us of our hardship:
acceptance of God's will. Similarly, this funeral "Our Lord! Punish us not if we forget or fall into
was one, as are all others, of perseverance error, our Lord! Lay not on us a burden like that
and sacrifice, and submission and acceptance which You did lay on those before us; our Lord!
of God's will. Put not on us a burden greater than we have
After the funeral prayer, we followed the coffin strength to bear. Pardon us and grant us
to the burial site. The body of the deceased Forgiveness. Have mercy on us. You are our
was lowered down into the grave that had Maulâ (Patron, Supporter and Protector, etc.)
already been dug out and prepared. Then, the and give us victory over the disbelieving
grave was made stable and the dirt was slowly people." [Al-Baqarah 2:286]
thrown in to fill the grave. The children of the
deceased partook in the filling of the grave by As I was preparing to leave the next day, I met
taking the shovel in-turn to place the dirt into the children of the deceased and I could see
the grave. As I looked on, I kept thinking, "how their eyes well up with tears at the mention of
hard must it be for the family of the deceased?" their mother though they were grown men with
As soon as the grave was filled my cousin and I children of their own. The tears were not of
were each requested to recite a portion of the anger or disbelief in what had happened.
Holy Qur`an. My cousin was asked to recite Instead, they were tears of mercy and love for
the first few verses of the second surah their mother and for perseverance and an
(roughly, chapter) of the Qur`an and then I acceptance of the will of God. In this way, and
recited the last few verses of the second surah because of the very essence of the two, I
of the Qur`an as requested. In these few witnessed a celebration and a funeral on the
verses, I found the answer to my thoughts same dayboth demonstrating what it entails to
about the difficulty the family must be going be an adherent of Islam.
through,
The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“Whoever gives iftaar to one who is fasting will have a reward like his, without
that detracting from the reward of the fasting person in the slightest.”
(Narrated by al-Tirmidhi)
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