Jinnah, Father of the Nation

Father of the Nation Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah was Born on December 25, 1876, in a prominent mercantile family in Karachi. He received his early education at the Sindh Madrassat-ul-Islam, a renowned Islamic School and the Christian Mission School at his birth place. Jinnah went to London to join the Lincoln's Inn in 1893 to become the youngest Indian Barrister.

Jinnah being a good Muslim had the habit of reading history of Islamic rulers. Moreover he used to take guidance by Quran Recitation about setting up a pure Islamic society based on Islamic rules. Young Jinnah rose to prominence and became Bombay's most successful lawyer within a few years. Jinnah formally entered politics in 1905 from the platform of the Indian National Congress and at the Calcutta Congress session in December 1906, he also made his first political speech in support of the resolution on self-government. Mr. Montagu who was Secretary of State for India, once said "Jinnah is a very clever man, and such a man should have no chance of running the affairs of his own country”

For about three decades since his entry into politics in 1906, Jinnah passionately believed in Hindu-Muslim unity and he was responsible for the Congress-League Pact of 1916, known popularly as Lucknow Pact- the only pact ever signed between the two political organisations, the Congress and the All-India Muslim League, representing the two major communities in the subcontinent

Nehru Report in 1928 which represented the Congress-sponsored proposals for the future constitution of India, negated the minimum Muslim demands disappointed Jinnah and prompted him to migrate and settle down in London in the early thirties

He however returned to India in 1934, at the pleadings of few muslim leaders to organize muslim league and devoted himself for the purpose of organizing the Muslims on one platform. Under Jinnah's dynamic leadership, Muslim League was transformed into a mass organization, and made the spokesman of Indian Muslims as never before.

As a result of Jinnah's ceaseless efforts, the Muslims awakened from unreflective silence. The formulation of the Muslim demand for Pakistan in 1940 had a tremendous impact on the nature and course of Indian politics that lead to the the establishment of Pakistan in 14th of August 1947

Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah was nominated by the Muslim League as the Governor-General of Pakistan. Jinnah told the nation in his last message on 14 August, 1948: "The foundations of your State have been laid and it is now for you to build and build as quickly and as well as you can"

In accomplishing the task he had taken upon himself on the morrow of Pakistan's birth, Jinnah had worked himself to death, but he had, to quote richard Symons, "contributed more than any other man to Pakistan's survivial". He died on 11 September, 1948. How true was Lord Lawrence, the former Secretary of State for India, when he said, "Gandhi died by the hands of an assassin; Jinnah died by his devotion to Pakistan"

Jinnah, fought for the inherent rights of his people all through his life which is a true guiding path for all Pakistanis.

Islam and the Concept of Poetry

According to William Wordsworth “poetry is intermittent inspiration and overflow of powerful emotions expressed in tranquility”. A poet is the man of consciousness and wisdom. In past whenever disbelievers listen Quran Recitation, they claimed that it is as poetic book but actually Quranic verses and poetry are two different things. Here the question arises that is poetry allowed in Islam or not?

There are two main verses dealing with the subject of poets. In Sura Yasin in verse 69 the Qur’an says: “We have not instructed the (Prophet) in poetry, not is it meet for him; this is no less than a message and a Quran making things clear.” Why this verse was revealed to the Prophet? Simply because the Quranic idiom, language and style are so unique that none can excel it.

In few Islamic Schools poetry is being taught to praise the creator and his Prophet (PBUH) which is called Hamd and Naat. Similarly during the period of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) the poets used to paste or hang their writings on the walls of Kaaba and prove their excellence. “Saba Moalleqat” were very much popular writings hung on the walls of Kaaba.

Poets in to two classes; The evil ones and the righteous ones. The poets who spread evil are condemned. The poets who preach nobility are praised. Here one question arises. Is it only for poets? Is it not for prose writers? Or is it not for all humans? If somebody preaches profanity in prose will he be appreciated? Sacrilegious ideas or deeds have to be condemned.

Influence of Islam on Science

Muslims had made immense leaps forward in the area of Science ever since Islam was born. Cities having modern and scientific Islamic Schools like Baghdad, Damascus, Cairo and Cordoba were the centers of civilization and were flourishing and Muslim scientists made tremendous progress in applied as well as theoretical Science and Technology.

The idea of the college was a concept which was borrowed from Muslims. The first colleges appeared in the Muslim world in the late 600’s and early 700’s. Where, Muslims were taught Quran Recitation as well as the relation of science with the religion and the concepts of creation of this world. In Europe, some of the earliest colleges are those under the University of Paris and Oxford they were founded around the thirteenth century.

Islamic contributions to Science were now rapidly being translated and transferred from Spain to the rest of Europe. Ibnul Hairham’s works on Optics, (in which he deals with 50 Optical questions put to Muslim Scholars by the Franks), was translated widely. The Muslims discovered the Principle of Pendulum, which was used to measure time. Many of the principles of Isaac Newton were derived from former Islamic scientific contributions. In the field of Chemistry numerous Islamic works were translated into Latin.

All of this knowledge transferred from the Muslims to the Europeans was the vital raw material for the Scientific Revolution. Muslims not only passed on Greek classical works but also introduced new scientific theories, without which the European Renaissance could not have occurred.

Mosque, As a Center of Education

The Mosque is a center of almost all activities of an Islamic Society. It is used as a place of worship, as an Islamic School for education, a judicial court with Islamic laws, and a government center for making political and administrative decisions.

It is not only a symbol of their identity but also a refuge to protect them from evil. The Muslim community has always been attached to the mosque throughout history in some way or another. Mosques gained a special place due to a distinctive character of the Islamic faith, that is, Islam requires that its followers shape their lives on the principle of obedience to Allah.

As a center of education, Mosque is a place where all forms of educational activities take place. Muslims are taught Quran Recitation and Qur'anic verses are explained by the Islamic scholars. In past, Islamic education was delivered by informal method of teaching, but later on it was organized into a systemized method. Grand mosques in Damascus, Baghdad, Cairo, and Nishapur, remained famous as centers of learning.

The Companions used to memorize and record the sayings of the Prophet within the mosque. In one of the corners of the Prophet's mosque, there was a raised platform that served as a central place of student activity for those interested to know about faith, worship, and other matters.

Relation of Muslim Parents and Children

In a pure Islamic family, parents are responsible for the best possible growth of their children and offer an unconditional love that compensates for the weaknesses of their children. The character of parents is a role model for children through which they learn the basic values and principles which they will carry with them throughout life.

Allah says in Qur’an "We have enjoined on man kindness to his parents: In pain did his mother bear him, and in pain did she give him birth. The carrying of the child to his weaning is thirty months. At length, when he reaches the age of full strength and attains forty years, he says, "O my Lord! Grant me that I may be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me, and upon both my parents, and that I may work righteousness such as You may approve; and be gracious to me in my issue. Truly have I turned to You and truly do I bow to You in Islam."

The Muslim father is also responsible for his child's training and education. Before traditional education, parents are responsible to teach their children Quran Recitation with translation. Concerning this, the Prophet (S) said: A father gives his child nothing better than a good education. (Mishkat, 4977, transmitted by Tirmidhi and Baihaqi)

It the responsibility of parents to choose right Islamic School for their Children for better education. The children, in turn, respect their parents as the source of their very being, as their teachers, and as the ones who have labored and sacrificed for their sakes. When they are grown, they should be responsible to care for their parents in their old age. These relative responsibilities should not be undertaken as a matter of duty, but rather emerge from the spontaneous promptings of parental love and the children's gratitude and respect.

Scientific Miracles of Quran

Qur’an miraculously predicted many inventions of modern science 1429 years ago and all those Qur’anic predictions are flawless. What scientists are proving in modern world is exactly what was told in Qur’an. The miraculous aspects of the Holy Book reflect its credibility and uniqueness.

God has said in the Quran:

“And He has set firm mountains in the earth so that it would not shake with you” (Quran, 16:15)
The modern theory of plate tectonics holds that mountains work as stabilizers for the earth. This knowledge about the role of mountains as stabilizers for the earth has just begun to be understood in the framework of plate tectonics since the late 1960’s.

Science has proved that the earth and the heavens were one connected entity. Then out of this homogeneous ‘smoke,’ they formed and separated from each other. Through Quran Recitation we come to know that Allah said “Have not those who disbelieved known that the heavens and the earth were one connected entity, then We separated them?”

Modern science has proved that all stars have a life cycle. They first lose their shine and then become totally dim. When all stars die or become dim, it means the end of the world, Who taught the Holy Prophet these recently discovered, fascinating and scientific facts? He is the One, God Almighty.

There are many other scientific proofs revealed by Quran which explain Islamic Schools of thought about the mysteries of universe which are still to be found.

Learning Quran Recitation Online

The Quran, the last revealed word of God, is the primary source of every Muslim's faith and practice. It deals with all the subjects that concern human beings: wisdom, doctrine, worship, transactions, law, etc., but its basic theme is the relationship between God and His creatures. At the same time, it provides guidelines and detailed teachings for a just society, proper human conduct, and an equitable economic system.

The Qur’an is a surprisingly sophisticated scripture which is the essence of Islam. It advocates monotheism, sodality, love for one another and various methods to improve our beingness in this world. It explains various facts most clearly and makes comments accordingly. Thus, the holy Quran is an important book that challenges the reader to think, ponder and examine for himself. It has the power to convince, motivate and influence.

The Quran Recitation is essential in the life of all Muslims and needs to be passed on to our children right from an early age. The holy Quran has the remedy to all human afflictions. Quran education guides us in all our activities and helps us associate our entire self with God's name and attributes. With Quranic education we can copiously understand that Islam is both a religion as well as a complete way of life.

Quran education made uncomplicated, simple and advantageous in online Islamic Schools. With the right path to Quran education, you can maintain a religion of peace, mercy, forgiveness complete with wisdom and insight. And this can happen only with appropriate guidance from knowledgeable and skillful tutors who can pass on various facets of Quran education to others.

The Virtue of Animal Sacrifice

In Islamic School of thought animal sacrifice is a symbol of Ibrahim's sacrifice, and to show gratitude towards Allah, Muslims sacrifice an animal during Eid-al-Adha such as a sheep, goat, cow, or camel. This sacrifice is commonly referred to as Udhiya (in Arabic) or Qurbani (in Urdu and Persian).

Through Quran Recitation we find the virtue of sacrifice as;

“The flesh and blood [of your sacrificed animals] does not reach God; it is only your piety that reaches Him. Thus has He subjected them to your service so that you may give glory to God for guiding you. [This is the way of the righteous] and [O Prophet!] give glad tidings to these righteous.” (22:37)

Muslims sacrifice animals in the remembrance of Abraham's sacrifice. For this act of sacrifice Abraham has been cited in the Qur’an as an exemplary vanguard in submission to God alone.

The animal used for sacrifice must be free from any form of illness or disability, including blindness, limping, and malnourishment, and they must meet certain age requirements.

The meat from the animal’s slaughtering is often distributed equally to three groups: one part for the person performing the sacrifice, one part for friends and family, and one part for the poor. This symbolizes our willingness to part with things that are considered valuable to us, while also sharing with those around us and those that are in need.

While it is often suggested that each Muslim perform the slaughter with their own hands, this is not always possible in many Western countries due to many health and safety regulations. Therefore, it is permissible for a sacrifice to be performed by someone else on one's behalf and then having the meat distributed to the poor, as long as one covers the costs of the animal and distribution.

One of the key requirements of the slaughtering process is to pronounce Allah's name before taking the animal's life. By saying "Allah hu Akbar" in Arabic, which translates to "God is Great", we are reminded that life is sacred.

Allah is the Biggest Healer

Being humans we commit good and bad deeds. It is very natural that a person intentionally or unintentionally does some deeds which are not permitted in religion. So we should always ask Allah for guidance and forgiveness as we are advised to do so in Qur’an.

“And your Lord said: “Invoke Me, I will respond to your (invocation). Verily! Those who scorn My worship (i.e. do not invoke Me, and do not believe in My Oneness, they will surely enter Hell in humiliation!” (Ghaafir 40:60)

The life is full of hardships, calamities, twists and turns. Being a Muslim we should have firm belief in Allah that He will always rescue from the mishaps. Through Quran Recitation we can find many verses in which Muslims are advised to as relief through supplication. Hence, belief in Allah is the source of security and peace. And the hearts that are devoid of trust are always far from Allah and are full of fright and confusion.

Supplication is the dearest thing to Allah. It is the way to patience in the cause of Allah. It is a sign of sincere dependence on Allah and keeping away from incapacity and laziness. It is an easy-to-make act of worship and it can be done at all places and times.

the supplicant must be a sincere believer. He should face the qiblah while making the supplication and should be sure that he is in the state of purity. He should raise his hands to Allah. He should be resolute in his supplication, supplicate at the times when invocations are most likely answered and select the supplications that are authentically reported from the Prophet. He should also not forget to make a sadaqah before his supplication. If he can do all these, from Islamic School of thought his supplication will never be rejected.

Why Islamic Schools are Preffered

An Islamic School is a place where children are groomed according to the principles of Islam. The ideal Islamic school must have syllabus conforming to the needs of modern education to compete the world.

The purpose of an Islamic school is essentially to create an environment that reflects an Islamic ideology. It is warm, embracing, encouraging and its decor redirects its inhabitants towards God remembrance and good actions. Students of Islamic schools can better live their life according to the teachings of Islam by understanding the concepts of Qur’an.

The role of an Islamic school teacher is to then produce a wholesome child who carries out his obligations as set out by the precepts of Islam. Teaching of Quran Recitation is the most valuable feature of an Islamic School. Teacher’s directive is to educate a child by giving him or her mannerisms and the etiquette that will serve the child and the community; to ultimately make the child understand the purpose of his life and to provide that child with knowledge that will equip him/her to pursue both worldly gains and most importantly after-life gains. Such a child does not feel coerced, stifled or imprisoned but feels motivated, free and eager.

An essential prerequisite is that religious and secular subjects should be made an indivisible whole. The compartmentalization of religious and secular education, based on a factitious division of life into spiritual and temporal, is not sanctioned by Islam.

Importance of Surah Ikhlas

This surah was revealed in Makkah and it has 4 verses. It is also known as surah al-Ikhlaas. It is narrated from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) that whoever recites this surah once will get the reward equal to ten times the number of people who have believed in the Islamic teachings.

This surah has many other rewards and its recitation is compared to one third of complete Quran Recitation. Reciting it once is a means of blessings for the reciter, if recited twice then the blessings are also showered upon the children of the reciter. Reciting it thrice brings blessings on the entire family of the reciter. If surah al-Ikhlas is recited 11 times, the reciter will have palaces built for him in Jannah.

In Islamic School of thought, when a person recites this surah 100 times, all his sins for the past 25 years are forgiven (except the sins of killing an innocent person or usurping the property of people). The one who recites it 1000 times will not die unless he sees his place in Jannah.

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) once advised a poor person to always say ‘salaam’ when entering his house, even if there was nobody there, and then recite surah at-Tawheed. After a little while, the man became abundantly wealthy.

It is narrated that if a person does not recite this surah in any of his five daily prayers, it is as if he has not prayed. In fact, if a person does not recite this surah in any of his prayers for seven consecutive days, and he dies, it will be as if he died while following the religion of Abu Lahab.

It is makruh to recite this surah in one breath. This surah has numerous other benefits and is a cure for many ailments. It should be recited when travelling or when facing a tyrant ruler.

Worth of Reciting Bismillah

If we were to give an exhaustive account of the benefits of the recitation of “Bismillah…” we would need more than a single volume to do justice to it. Apart from being part of every chapter in the Holy Qur’an (except the chapter of repentance [surah at-tawba]), it is also the most oft repeated verse in the Holy Qur’an.

It is narrated in Tafseere Burhaan that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) has said that when a person recites “Bismillah...” then five thousand ruby palaces are built for him in Jannah Each palace has a thousand chambers made of pearls and in each chamber has seventy thousand thrones of emerald and each throne has seventy thousand carpets made from special fabrics and upon each carpet is seated a Hur-ul-Ein. A person asked for the condition necessary to get this great reward and the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) replied that the person should recite the “Bismillah…” with conviction and understanding. You can judge how many merits complete Quran Recitation may have from this narration.

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) has also said that when a believer will have to cross the Pul-e-Siraat on the Day of Judgement, and he will say “Bismillah…” then the flames beneath him will start dying down until Jahannam will cry out, ‘O believer, pass through quickly, your presence is causing my fire to die out !’

In Islamic Schools the first lesson given to a child is to recite “Bismillah” knowing the fact that when a teacher teaches a child to recite “Bismillah…” the child, his parents and the teacher are all guaranteed freedom from hellfire. It is narrated that Prophet Isa (a.s.) was once passing by a graveyard and he saw a grave upon which the Wrath and Punishment of Allah (s.w.t.) was descending, so he quietly walked past. When he passed the same place after some time, he noticed that the Mercy and Blessings of Allah (s.w.t.) was being showered on the same grave. He was surprised at this and asked Allah (s.w.t.) about what has happened and it was revealed to him that the man inside the grave was a sinner and was thus being punished for his sins. When he died, his wife was pregnant and soon gave birth to a son. When the boy grew older, his mother took him to a teacher who taught him to recite “Bismillah…” and I felt that it would not be justice that this man’s son was calling My Name and I was punishing his father in the grave.

It is also mentioned that recitation of “Bismillah…” with a loud voice is from the signs of a true believer. Imam Ali Ridha (a.s.) said that “Bismillah…” is very close to the chosen name of Allah (s.w.t.) [Isma A’adham].

Excellence of Durood Shareef

Almighty Allah says in Qur’an: "Surely Allah and His Angels send blessings on the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim). O you who believe! Send Blessings (Durood) and Salutations (Salaams) on the Prophet with worthy Salutation".(Surah al-Ahzab: 56)

It is now evident through Quran Recitation that the recitation of Durood Shareef (Salawat) is in perfect obedience to the Divine Command and in complete conformity with the teachings of Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) of Islam. There is no scope to choose anything else when we have with us the words of Allah Ta'ala and His Apostle, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim).

Hazrat Anas (radi Allahu anhu) narrates that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) said: "He who reads a single Durood upon me, Almighty Allah blesses him ten times, ten of his sins are forgiven, and he is increased ten times in stages (internally). (Mishkaat)

Divine blessings on Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) is the highest and the most meritorious act in our Deen. This "Divine Blessings" is called Durood Shareef.

Muslims are a very fortunate people. Allah Ta'ala chose for them the name of Islam as a religion, declared to be comprehensive and final for mankind. Children learn the practices of Islam right from their childhood from Islamic Schools. As Muslims we should recite Durood Shareef in the Arabic language. Islam seeks to create a unified outlook and it is in the Arabic language alone which welds all Muslims into one great brotherhood.

The more Durood Shareef we recite, the greater the gain and benefit will be achieved in both the worlds. Hazrat Shaikh-e-Akbar Mo'inuddin ibn Arabi (radi Allahu anhu) has stated that, "Those who claim to love and revere the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) should increase their recital of the Durood Shareef in patience and perseverance until, through the mercy of Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim), they have the opportunity of witnessing his blessed countenance".

Spiritual Teachings for Muslims

Muslims all over the world reflect a great character and behavior and known for their inner salvation and good deeds. These characteristics are brought to them by the spiritual teachings of Islam through Qur’an, Hadith and Muslim scholars. Prophet (PBUH) is blessed with great character and his life is the ultimate guidance for all mankind.

When the anti-Muslims came to peek against Islam and the people started teasing Muslims on Quran Recitation and performing prayers, then Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) started preaching the Oneness of Allah and the Greatness of Islam. At that time he was a Spirtual master for everyone. The one, who came in the circle of Islam, had great blessings on him.

There were thousands of people who embraced Islam at that time. But after the death of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) a lot of Sahaba Karaam preached Islam and gave their lives in the way of Islam. Those were the successful men who were the students of their spiritual master Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). After Sahaba Karaam, this duty was fulfilled by the saints of Islam through Islamic Schools who were real lovers of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) and Allah. The saints of Islam preached in different areas of the world and those who became the real lover students of their spiritual masters earned great names in Islam and also in the world.

There are many examples before us who followed their Spiritual masters and got a famous name in this world and there miracles can be seen in this world. We need to have a spiritual master who can guide us to the right path.

People of Pakistan

Pakistan is a country that was created as a welcoming haven for Muslims. Majority of the people in Pakistan are Muslims. It became a country following the partitioning of India in the second half of the 1940s. Hindus living in the region that is now Pakistan fled to India. Muslims living in what is now India fled to Pakistan to practice their religion i.e. offer their prayers independently, celebrate religious events, build Islamic institutes for Quran Recitation and other Islamic practices.

Pakistan is a versatile land enriched with precious resources, having rivers, deserts, fertile land, and mines. Culture of Pakistan in constituted with different cultures. Different languages are being spoken in different part of the country.

The education in Pakistan is a bit immature but progressing very fast. There are so many Islamic Schools as well as conventional schools, colleges and universities in Pakistan providing quality of education across the country.

People of Pakistan faced many problems right after and before the independence. Armies from the ancient Persian Empire once invaded the territory now known as Pakistan. After Alexander the Great marched into Persian, he marched further east. His army also tried to control the people living in the mountains that were east of Persia.
Monguls have invaded Pakistan. Turks have invaded it. Arabs have invaded it. Afghanis have invaded it. The blood of all those invading armies has been mixed into the blood of the people of Pakistan.

Today the people of Pakistan no longer need to fight off invaders because of gaining atomic power and strong military force. Pakistani people are playing their part in the progress of Pakistan and soon they will be successful to put their country among the developed nations of the world.

Calligraphy, an Islamic Art

The history of Muslims is full of innovative discoveries and arts. It includes fields as varied as architecture, calligraphy, painting, and ceramics, among others. The premier form of Islamic Art is calligraphy, which is derived from the French word calligraphie and Greek word kalligraphia, meaning "beautiful handwriting."

One of the main reasons that the calligraphy is given a pedestal status in Islam is the Muslim belief that Allah (SWT) used the Arabic language to narrate his divine message to the Prophet Muhammad in the form of Holy Qur’an. This makes it sacred for Muslims all over the world.

Secondly, Islamic Art cannot be depicted by the use of pictures; therefore, using words as creativity avoids this problem as well. Calligraphy was of such importance for Muslims that it was taught in most of the Islamic Schools but with the invention of the printing press in European countries, the art of calligraphic writing mostly vanished.

Islamic art in the form of Calligraphy is most commonly found in mosques. The walls and ceilings of mosques are decorated with calligraphically written ayah. These inscriptions are done in a very complex and intricate way. Quran Recitation has its own charm when done through beautiful calligraphic designs of Quran.

Calligraphy further branched out according to the spread of Islam through the Arab World, Persia, the Ottoman Empire, The Indian Subcontinent and wherever else Islam reached. Throughout these different regions, calligraphy attained a unique flavor according to the symbiosis of native culture with the Islamic culture.

Calligraphic Islamic Art has evolved into a very multifaceted form of expression. The different forms of calligraphy include Diwani script, Ruqah script and Sini script. Diwani script was invented by Housam Roumini during the Ottoman Turks' early reign. The Calligraphy has played a vital part in the growth and progress of the Arabic language, and the various Muslim cultures.

All Educational Institutions are Reopening in Islamabad

All educational institutions working under the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE), the Punjab government as well as majority of private institutions and Islamic Schools will reopen today (Monday) after a six-day break announced in the wake of security threats.

After the attack on Islamic University, students are still enthusiastic to go to their educational institutions and continue their education of Science, Fiqah, and Quran Recitation etc

Educational institutions were closed as a security measure and now the ministry had decided to re-open them so that students’ time was not wasted. All Pakistan Private Schools Owners Association (APPSOA) President Malik Ibrar Hussain said 750 private educational institutions registered with the association would reopen today. He said “We are hiring security guards from different private companies and have submitted an application to the chief commissioner for providing weapons to the schools owners”.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Zahid Saeed said all government educational institutions would reopen today (Monday). He said the provincial government had announced that all educational institutions would open on Monday. He said all educational institutions had been directed to strengthen their security. He said the district administration had formed special teams to inspect the security arrangements and submit reports to the provincial government. “If any institution failed to strengthen its security, the institution would closed,” he warned. Dr Shamim Zaidi, the spokesman for Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU), said that the university would open on Monday and the staff would start their working. However, she said, the classes would not be held, as majority of students had gone back to their hometowns.

Why Taliban Attacked Islamic University

The worst example of terrorism is seen in Pakistan when two suicide bombers blew themselves one after the other at the new campus of the International Islamic University in Islamabad, on Tuesday, October 20, 2009. The blasts killed six people, including three girls, and left many other injured.

Taliban have taken credit for the suicide attack at the International Islamic University in Islamabad. As noted in yesterday's report on the attack, Taliban have no problems with striking at mosques, Islamic Schools and other religious institutions and events. The question is why Taliban would strike at an Islamic university where teaching of Quran Recitation and sharia is given along with scientific education. The answer is simple yet shocking. They want to destabilize Pakistan and few important factors made Islamic University a vulnerable place.

1) More than 6,000 women are among the 17,000 students at the International Islamic University in Islamabad. To the Taliban, women attending schools is against sharia.
2) There are more than 2,000 foreign students from 45 countries (mostly from China and Africa, according to Dawn. The foreigners are prime targets for the Taliban.
3) One of the suspected targets, the chairman of the Imam Abu Hanifa Block, is "known for his liberal views" on Islamic law.

Attack on Islamic University is condemned by every Muslim and non-Muslim in the world as it is a major setback for the people of Pakistan. The outcome of this attack is the stoppage of educational activities in Pakistan which is quite alarming for youth as well as for the parents of the students.

Do We Need a Spiritual Master

Before Islam, everyone was in the darkness of false worship of stone made gods who were helpless themselves. To pull out the humanity from darkness Allah sent his last Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). In the childhood he lived totaly differently as compared to other children of Makkah. He was well known of his honesty and beauty. After the time he was blessed with Islam, he started preaching Islam and the one and only Allah. He was blessed by countless miracles. The biggest and outstanding miracle is Holy Qur’an.

When the anti-Muslims came to peek against Islam and the people started teasing Muslims on Quran Recitation and performing prayers, then Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) started preaching the Oneness of Allah and the Greatness of Islam. At that time he was a Spirtual master for everyone. The one, who came in the circle of Islam, had great blessings on him.

There were thousands of people who embraced Islam at that time. But after the death of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) a lot of Sahaba Karaam preached Islam and gave their lives in the way of Islam. Those were the successful men who were the students of their spiritual master Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). After Sahaba Karaam, this duty was fulfilled by the saints of Islam through Islamic Schools who were real lovers of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) and Allah. The saints of Islam preached in different areas of the world and those who became the real lover students of their spiritual masters earned great names in Islam and also in the world.

There are many examples before us who followed their Spiritual masters and got a famous name in this world and there miracles can been seen in this world. We need to have a spiritual master who cam guide us to the right path.

How Can We Serve Islam

Being Muslims we are obligated to serve Islam by spreading its teaching to the world and by showing the real image of Islam. For this, first of all we must have a character that perfectly reflects a Muslim’s personality.

We can serve Islam by having a correct resolve and sincere intention, for Allaah blesses an action that is done sincerely for His sake alone, even if it is little. We should teach the newly converted Muslims, that how to offer prayers, fast, proper Quran Recitation and other good deeds.

We can serve Islam by knowing the right way and following it. The Straight Path means following the way of Qur’an and our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) with regard to the principles, ways and means of da'wah and being patient in adhering to that, whilst treating people with kindness and compassion, because they are suffering from the disease of sin.

We can serve Islam by giving precedence to that which is in the interests of Islam over your own whims and desires. Serving this religion means giving what is most precious of your money, effort, time, thought, etc. Have you not seen those who love sport (football or soccer) for example, how they devote their efforts, time and money to their beloved sport? But more is expected of you than that.

We can serve Islam by following in the footsteps of the scholar of prestigious Islamic Schools, daa'iyahs and reformers, having patience as your companion and putting up with tiredness and exhaustion. For you are doing a great act of worship which is the mission of the Prophets and Messengers and those who follow in their footsteps.

Fortune Telling

Many people claim to have the knowledge of unseen and the future. They are known by various names, among them: fortune-teller, soothsayer, foreseer, augur, magician, prognosticator, oracle, astrologer, palmist, etc. Because of the sacrilege and heresy involved in fortune telling, Islam has taken a very strong stance towards it in Qur’an. Islam opposes any form of association with those who practice fortune-telling, except to advise them to give up their forbidden practices.

These people can be divided into two categories.

1. Those who have no real knowledge or secrets but depend on telling their customers
about general incidences which happen to most people.
2. Those who have made contact with the Jinn. This group is of most importance because it usually involves the grave sin of Shirk, and those involved often tend to be highly accurate in their information and thus present a real Fitnah (temptations) for both Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

According to Islamic School of thought anyone who visits a fortune-teller believing that he knows the unseen and the future is that of Kufr (disbelief). Abu Hurayrah and al-Hasan both reported from the Prophet (pbuh) that he said, "Whosoever approaches a fortune-teller and believes what he says, has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad. Such a belief assigns to creation some of Allaah's attributes with regard to the knowledge of the unseen and the future. Consequently, it destroys Tawheed alAsmaa was-Sifaat, and represents a form of Shirk in this aspect of Tawheed.

Through Quran Recitation we clearly no one knows the unseen besides Allah. Not even the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Allaah said: With Him are the keys to the unseen and none knows it except Him alone."

So Muslims must take utmost care in dealing with books, magazines, newspapers as well as individuals who, in one way or another, claim knowledge of the future or the unseen.

Optimism

We have been advised in the Qur’an that goodness and evil are not equal. Therefore we should return good for evil (41:34). We come to know through Quran Recitation that this has been expressed repeatedly in the Qur’an in different wording.

This means that believers should always react positively. At all events they should refrain from negative reaction. Their behavior should be proper, not only in normal circumstances, but also in abnormal circumstances. That is, even when any group displays bad behavior, it is still incumbent on the believers not to display a retaliatory mentality. At that moment, too, they should prove to be men of principle. They should maintain their good behavior, even in the face of bad behavior from others.

Interpreting this verse, Abdullah ibn Abbas comments: ‘God has commanded Muslims in this verse, even when they are angered, to resort to patience and tolerance. Whenever anyone shows any signs of ignorance or a biased mentality, believers should adopt the path of tolerance and fortitude. And whenever anyone displays bad behavior, believers should forgive him.

This Islamic School of thought may be described as positive behavior. That is, opting for moderation instead of retaliation. Whatever the attitude of others may be, believers should always remain true to the highest Islamic standards of human character.

A believer is one who begins to lead his life in accordance with the higher realities; the level of whose thinking is above that of ordinary human beings. Such a person comes to have a limitless capacity for tolerance. His inner-self is so deeply immersed that in peace, no outward event can disturb his emotional balance. He takes pity on those who are easily angered. Where ordinary people become provoked, he remains blissfully serene.

Adult Education in Pakistan

There is great difference between the education of children and the education of adults. The chief purpose of children is to go to school and learn. But the adults may also have been engaged in other professional activities too. So educating adults is a bit challenging task.

For the purpose of education, adults may be divided into two classes the illiterate and the partially literate. It is the aim to see that every person in the arithmetic. Such knowledge is absolutely necessary for every person living in a democratic country. Some adults only get Islamic education like Quran Recitation, Hadith, Qur’an Memorization, Fiqah etc. They are not really obsessed by modern education. The purpose of adult education should be to create awareness for both forms of education.

While some of the people have modern education but no religious education. This also makes their life difficult because being a Muslim one must have proper knowledge of Islam. Those people who aim to get Islamic education and are struck in professional life can benefit from online Islamic Schools.

It is the aim that such adults as are partially literate should be taken further on the road of knowledge. They would be taught their rights and responsibilities as citizens. It will be their duty to pass the knowledge on to those who have little knowledge.
In Pakistan too, an adult school was first started in Karachi in a spirit of social service. The work was done in night schools. With the increase in the number of pupils, the number of institutions has also increased.

Generally, almost all the work is done free. It is done out of a spirit of social service. The importance of the work has now fully recognized all over the country. The government has extended its patronage and encouragement to adult education. To derive out illiteracy from the country, the government is very keen. It is a matter of pride that more and more Adult Education Societies are coming into existence in the different parts of the country.

How to Raise Up a Child?

Children are the blessings for their parents. Children are little angels of God with pure mind. They will learn exactly what you teach them. To make them good humans and Muslims they must be raised or taken care by the way of Allah so that they may succeed in this life and in the life hereafter.

An Islamic School would be the best option for your child to grow up in a purely Islamic environment. Where they teach your child about Allah and that we are only slaves to Allah. In Islamic Schools children are made to opt good deeds from early age and guidance is provided on every stage.

An Islamic School is a place where children not only learn Quran Recitation but completely understand the teachings of Qur’an, they are made to offer prayers regularly, enrich children's spiritual, mental and physical aspects.

We must always seek guidance so that we don't make mistakes and we must also threat our children properly, with softness and not just according to our will. Our children are our responsibility; we are the ones that should care most for them. Caring isn't just being nice or pampering the baby but we must also know what to do, what is good for them and what isn't.

Online Education Gaining Popularity

Online learning has gained popularity over the past several years simply because it makes the students life easier. Though it may not really provide the socialization process that one can get by attending school the traditional way, in online learning students can complete their program in their own convenience and pace.

With the advent of the Internet getting an education now is easier and more convenient than before. You have an option to complete your degree in two ways. There's the traditional way where you attend classes in your colleges or universities with the other students. And there's the distance learning where you can get your degree online.

Online education is suitable when you are living in a region where there is no such school from where you could learn the desired course. As if you are living in a Non-Muslim country and you want to get Islamic education, what you can do is to join an online Islamic School where you can easily learn Quran Recitation and other Islamic knowledge sitting at your home. It is seen that many people in US, UK, Canada and other countries opt this method to get religious education because it is trustworthy and easily.

Online education will provide student the independence to complete their work in their own pace since there's no deadline. Schedules are flexible and you have full control of time. They have the choice to finish one module in a short period of time or do the same module for several days. It has always been the case that people will tend to delay their work to the point where it's impossible for them to even continue.

Online learning requires you to attend online classes, online discussions, downloading learning materials and uploading the completed assignments. You need to know how to do conferencing, logging in to servers to download materials and uploading content or finished materials to the same server.

Character Building in Schools

Character development is a fundamental part of Islamic education and a primary interest in Muslim family's agenda for educating their children. Character building should be the ultimate goal of education followed by professional skills and knowledge. A perfect Islamic School should be a platform where children can learn to be the good citizens.

The role of parents is pivotal in nurturing the development of a child's aptitude toward learning at the most early stages of its growth. That’s why Muslim parents are focused to give the their children teaching of Qur’an. What is it that we actually want our children to learn? Obviously, we would like our children to eventually become professionals in a particular field. But during the early stages, what do we want our children to develop most? It is of course a child's character.

A child's character is a key-indicator and provides distinctive qualities which may indicate their level of development. These qualities may also be used to distinguish between strong or weak progressions. Likewise, in adulthood we use character to identify and distinguish an individual or groups from one another.

It is observed that in Quran Recitation schools, teachers are more concerned about the moral character of the children than scientific and modern education.

Forgiveness

Islam attaches great importance to the concept of pardoning of sins by Allah so that one may be saved from Hellfire. On several occasions, the Qur’an gives such prayers as ‘Pardon us, forgive us our sins, and have mercy upon us’ (Qur’an 2:286). Allah assures us that no matter what our sin, if we truly repent and seek His forgiveness, and take steps to put right our wrongs, He will forgive us. The Prophet Muhammad said, "My heart is clouded until I have asked God’s forgiveness seventy times during the day and night."

By Quran Recitation we come to know that we are likewise asked to show mercy to our fellow men. (90:17) Since God is Himself forgiving, He desires that people should cultivate this attribute and show forgiveness to other human beings. (The Qur’an, 24:22; 64:14).

The Prophet Muhammad taught his followers that the individual who pardons his enemy, even while having the power to extract revenge, will be nearest to God in the Hereafter. Once the Prophet was asked, "How many times are we to forgive our servants’ faults?" He remained silent. The questioner repeated his question. But the Prophet gave no answer. But when the person asked a third time, he said, "Forgive your servant seventy times a day." So the Islamic School of thought is very clear regarding the importance of forgiveness.

The Qur’an makes it clear that a strong, adverse, emotional reaction such as anger does not befit the true believer, and instead cites as a mark of excellence the quality of forgiveness: "When they become angry, they are forgiving." (42:37)

Worship as a Social Service for Muslims

Worship in Islam is not only for the remembrance of God but it serves for humanity in great deal. Serving for humanity is always the first priority for a true Muslim as the rights of humans in Islam are of immense importance. The Holy Qur'an declares that they have been made "in the best of moulds"

The equality between the people is established with Salat (Prayer). In congregational salat Muslims say their prayers standing in rows five times a day. Big and small, rich and poor, powerless and powerful, literate and illiterate all stand in the same rows without any discrimination. The lesson of equality is also taught in Islamic Schools when all the children are irrespective of their status are dealt equally.

Fasting is to live without food and water from dawn to dusk. A man may be very rich, but he has to go hungry and thirsty just like any common man. In this way by observing the fast in the process of worshipping God, a Muslim personally experiences human need as well.

Hajj, too, is essentially a form of worship. During Hajj many different kinds of people come together, but the pilgrims are forbidden to fight. The pilgrim must avoid all friction lest his pilgrimage become unacceptable in the eyes of God. Similarly Quran Recitation makes a man to think about the teachings of Islam and acts upon them to worship and to serve for the humanity.

Zakat is a form of worship of God along with a form of service to humanity. By apportioning a share of one’s wealth to God, man acknowledges God as the giver, while at the same time he trains himself to fulfill his responsibilities towards human beings.

Existence of God

Humans are superior creation of God, provided with the knowledge and strength to discover and invent. When we see the entire universe we are forced to believe in its existence. Now the question is when and how did it come into being? Explaining its existence as the creation of God is no final answer, so it is generally held--since the very next question which arises is if God made the universe, then who made God?

Well the idea of the creation of universe and the concept of God is mentioned in the Qur’an and by thorough Quran Recitation and understanding we come to know that there is one God who created the universe and every other thing.

Sometimes it is argued that belief must rest on proof. But, from the purely scientific standpoint, nothing in this world can be proved or disproved. So far as believing in anything is concerned, the option is not between the proved and the unproved, but between the workable and the non-workable.

What Islamic school of thought says is that the universe itself does not have the ability to create. It can neither increase nor decrease itself by so much as a particle. As with all other scientific concepts, we must choose not between the universe with God and the universe without God, but between God and a non-existent universe. Since a non-existent universe is unconceivable, we must perforce opt for the concept of the universe with God.

Muslims, the Ambassadars of Islam

Islam is propagated in the whole world due to the proper mechanism of preaching. Muslims went everywhere to spread the teachings of Qur’an and the knowledge of Islam and by the Grace of God they succeeded in their mission. They proved to be the best ambassadors of Islam and impressed others with their beliefs, behavior and way of conduct.

At the time of the Prophet’s demise, his companions numbered more than one hundred thousand. However it is worth noting that if you go to Mecca and Medina you will find only a small number of graves there. The reason for this is that these companions left Arabia and spread to various countries far and beyond its borders. They established Islamic Schools to spread islam. The majority of them breathed their last in various Asian and African countries, where their graves still exist.

Why did this happen? It was because during his last days the Prophet gathered his companions together in the mosque in Medina and addressed them in these words: God has sent me as his messenger for the entire world. So you do not differ with one another. And spread in the land and communicate my message to people inhabiting other places besides Arabia. (Seerat Ibn Hisham 4/279).

It was this command of the Prophet that led to the Sahaba (companions of the Prophet) settling in foreign lands. In those countries either did business or earned their living by hard work, all the while communicating to their non-Muslim compatriots the message of monotheism which they had received from the Prophet. Every one of them thus became a virtual ambassador of Islam. People learnt Quran Recitation and followed the rules of Islam. This resulted in Islam spreading across the globe. Its evidence can still be seen in the inhabited world of that time.

Spiritualism and Mysticism

The concept of spiritualism or mysticism has existed in the world for thousands of years. It has many schools of thought, which must be dealt here, albeit briefly, in order that the Islamic School of thought about spiritualism can come out clearly vis-à-vis other schools of spiritualism.

Three basic concepts are worth mentioning here. According to the first concept, spiritualism means to establish contact with one’s own inner personality. To them man’s inner existence is akin to a mysterious ocean, which remains, under normal circumstances, undiscovered for man.

The spiritual quest means from the Islamic point of view that the servant (of God) wants to join/contact God, his Creator. Islamic spiritualism is in actual fact a realization of God. Whatever man gains at the level of his heart and mind through the realization of God is known as Islamic spiritualism. This is all related to the worship and Quran Recitation in depth. Islamic spiritualism has come to have two schools of thought, one may be called Qur’anic school of thought and the other is commonly known as tasawwuf.

The other concept of spiritualism is basically produced under the influence of the philosophy of monism. According to the concept of monism, leaving the details aside, all forms of existence are in actual fact manifestations of the same source. According to this concept of spiritualism, to put it in simple words, it is for the part to realize its whole in order that it may join it by discovering it.

From Islamic viewpoint man’s existence has two aspects/levels to it. One is man’s visible body which is in need of a number of material things. Without providing the material things like food, water, clothes, home etc. physical body cannot survive. The other aspect of human personality is that in it there is an invisible being called soul. The soul too requires certain things, but these are not of material nature. These are entirely of non-material nature, hence its requirements too was to be fulfilled.

Islamic Movements

There are always two distinct kinds of movements. One is launched positively, on the basis of some discovery which is held to be of great benefit of mankind, whereas the other is a negative process, set in motion out of a sense of deprivation, or in order to recover something which has been lost. The Islamic movement, for its part, was certainly launched with a prior sense of having found something of inestimable value.

The wonderful sense of discovery with which the companions of the Prophet were imbued was that of having become aware of the oneness of God, Qur’an and great Islamic values in contradiction to polytheism. The realization had come to them that the life hereafter - man's entry into paradise - was the only goal worthy of man's endeavors. They learned too that a life devoid of principle was one of utter degradation and that the highest human objective should be to become a man of principle. They had been stirred to the very core of their beings by this thought. Their very souls had been moved by it, their minds enlightened by Quran Recitation, and new doors to reality opened before them. Their lives were so truly transformed by this idea that it was kind of re-birth for them. Although whatever they had gained in the process was apparently non-material - a thing of the mind - it was so great a thing for them that it took precedence over all else. This discovery gave them the strength to remain content, even when bereft of all their worldly possessions. No sacrifice was then too great for them to make.

Another benefit of their discovery was that it conferred upon them the position of da'is (preachers) through Islamic Schools, conveyors of the divine message to the entire world. Let me stress that it is important at this point to understand the essential difference between a da'i (preacher) and a national leader. The latter is one who, at the apex of the ruling party, expects to be able to command others and to make demands upon them, whereas the da'i (preacher) is always the giver. He never takes anything from other.

What the companions of the Prophet had was greater than anything else in this world. What they had discovered was a guarantee that they might stand before the world as givers, not takers. It was this characteristic which endowed them with such irresistible power, and it was not long before the greater part of the inhabited world came under their sway, for their moral superiority was undeniable.

But this, regrettably, cannot be said of present-day Muslims, who parrot the names of the Prophet's companions without their religion being in any sense a great discovery for them. Hence this desire of theirs is to appear before the world in the garb of national leader, and not as da'is (preachers). The Muslim image in the world today is that of the taker, not of the giver. And that being so, the man behind the image is utterly without value. It is his sense of loss which motivates him, and not his sense of gain. Propelled by such people, the Islamic movement is doomed to lose momentum, and it will not be long before it comes to a complete standstill unless we take measures to re-energize it. We must surely undertake individual and mass reforms, returning to the basic tenets of Islam, if we are not to be swamped by total moral inertia.

Seeking Knowledge

Human history pre-dates the advent of Islam by about twenty five thousand years. During this long period man made little progress in knowledge and science. Because there were no Islamic Schools True scientific progress was made only when Islam broke with the ancient system of royal absolutism, thus heralding the age of intellectual freedom.

It is a well-known fact that while intellectual progress is best made through the exchange of views, the system of determinism stalls this process altogether. This has been very well expressed by an American writer: ‘When all think alike, no one thinks very much.’

The ispiration of seeking knowledge came from Qur’an and Hadith. Quran is its incredible depth of meaning. Many many volumes have been written expounding on the meanings the Holy Quran and this practice continues till this day. The Quran is like an ever-flowing spring: it gives and gives and never runs dry. And people will take from Quran Recitation according to the extent of their sincerity and their willingness to be guided.

The fact is that the world of realities is unbounded in scope. But the mind of a single individual—particularly in isolation—has its limitations. It is only in a situation where there can be a frank exchange of views and free interaction without any official repression, that people can learn from one another and there can be a widespread increase in knowledge. Conversely, in an environment where people’s thinking is confined to a single constricted sphere, general knowledge will remain limited.

When people have full freedom to think and speak, differences of opinion will inevitably result. Each will criticize the other’s viewpoint. This process of criticism is an essential part of intellectual development. In this world the choice for us is not between uncritical acceptance. It is rather between criticism and mental stagnation. If curbs are placed on criticism, what results in reality is mental stagnation rather than a state of uncomplaining acceptance.

Freedom of Thought in Islam

Islam for the first time in human history brought about a revolution in freedom of thought. In all the ages of history prior to Islam, the system of absolutism prevailed, and man was consequently denied freedom of thought. This was a matter of the utmost gravity for it is a fact that the secret of all human progress lies hidden in such freedom.

The first benefit of intellectual freedom is to enable man to achieve that high virtue which in the Qur’an is called "fearing the unseen." That is, without any apparent compulsion or pressure from God, man, of his own free will, acknowledges God and leads his life in this world, going in fear of Him. In the absence of an atmosphere of total freedom, no one can undergo this spiritual experience—an indescribable spiritual pleasure—which is called in the Qur’an, going in fear of the Lord. Without such freedom it is not possible to give credit to anyone for this highest of human virtues.

Man is a thinking creature. Of necessity he forms opinions. If curbs are placed on the independent expression of his views, the content of his thought may remain unchanged, but his ideas will never find expression in his speech and writings. Islamic Schools promote freedom of thoughts by removing the curbs. Curbs of this nature, imposed by a community or a state, will ultimately produce a society of hypocrites. No sincere person can ever flourish in such a repressive atmosphere. It is only freedom of thought and expression which can save man from hypocrisy. Moreover, intellectual freedom is directly related to creativity. A society with freedom of thought will produce creative human beings: a society which places curbs on freedom of expression will necessarily witness intellectual stagnation; it will stop producing creative minds, and its development will come to a final standstill.

Non-Muslims claim that they respect the freedom of every human but Muslims were brutally tortured on practicing their religion i.e. for offering prayers and Quran Recitation. In matters of criticism or expression of differences, the right approach is for people to end unnecessary sensitivity to it instead of attempting to put an end to criticism and differences. This is the demand of Islam as well as of nature.

According to the Hadith it is a virtue on the part of believers: to accept the truth without any reservation when it is presented to them. That is to say, a believer is one who has the ability in the perfect sense of the word to accept the truth. Whenever truth is brought before him, whenever his faults are pointed out to him, no complex comes in the way of his accepting of the truth.

This quality is present to the maximum degree in one who is ready and waiting to accept the truth when it is brought before him. Eager for his own improvement, he accepts the truth with pleasure. This keenness for self-reform through acceptance of the truth is perfectly expressed in the words of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab: "May God bless on one who sends me gifts of my own shortcomings."