Laylatul Qadr-The Night of Power!

Laylatul Qadr-The Night of Power!

Allah Ta’ala in His infinite Mercy has favoured us in so many ways. Such blessings that we cannot possibly enumerate nor show sufficient gratitude to the Almighty. Amongst the many blessings include a very special GIFT..Laylatul Qadr- The Night of Power.

It is an opportunity to gain closeness to our Creator, forgiveness of our sins and an elevated position in Jannah (Paradise). The Night of Power is better that a 1000 months (83 years, 4 months)!

Allah, Most Wise, says:

"The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.” (Quran 97:3 )

The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) is reported to have said:

“Whosoever stands in "Ibaadah" (worship) on this night, with sincere faith and with genuine hopes of gaining reward, his previous sins will be forgiven." (Hadith-Bukhari and Muslim)

WHEN IS IT?

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) is reported to have said:

"Seek it (laylatul qadr) in Ramadan in the last ten nights. For verily, it is during the odd nights, 21st 23rd, 25th, 27th, 29th or the last night of Ramadhan." (Sahih Hadith Ahmad 5:318)

From traditions we learn that among the signs of this night is that it is a serene, quiet, shining night, neither hot, nor cold but temperate as if a moon is shining clear, and no meteors are shot at the "Shayateen" on that night; it lasts until the break of the dawn. Another sign is that at morn, the Sun rises without any radiant beams of light, appearing rather like the moon in it's fullness. On that day, Allah prohibits the "Shayateen" from rising up with the Sun.

WHAT TO DO ON THIS NIGHT?

Worship during this night can take on many forms. Here are a few suggestions to help you through Laylatul Qadr:

· Take a vacation for Allah! If possible, take a vacation for the last 10 days of Ramadan.Plan ahead if you are working.

· Discuss the importance of this night with your friends and family and Islamic Scholars(Ulama). Create an atmosphere for ibadah(worship).

· Perform Itikaaf (seclusion in a Masjid for worship) –Try to spend full ten days in I’tikaf. If you cannot spend all 10 days in Itikaaf, then do as many days as you can - even if it is only one day. According to the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) “whosoever performs "I'tikaaf" for a day thereby seeking the pleasure of Allah, Allah will spread three trenches between him and the fire of Hell, the width of each trench being greater than the distance between Heaven and the Earth."

· Increase the recitation of the Qur'an- Try to recite as much Qur’an as possible. There is great virtue in recitation. (reflect on the meaning of the verses, especially the verses used in Salah. This will help you concentrate)

· Increase Salah (prayer).Read as many Nawaafil (optional)Prayers as possible. Eg Tahajjud Salaah, Salatul Tasbih etc

· Make abundant Zikr (i.e remembering Allah, sending salawaat on our beloved Rasulullah(salallaho alaihe wassallam) and making Istigfaar(seeking forgiveness from Allah)

· Dua (Asking from Allah)- Spend lots of time begging from Allah to fulfil your needs and the needs of the Ummah both in this world and the hereafter. Ramadaan is replete with moments when duas are accepted. Aaisha (Radhiallaho anha) reports: "I said: 'O Messenger of Allah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), should I find myself the "Laylatul Qadr", what shall I pray. The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) replied: say,

Allaahumma innaka afuwwun tohibbul'afwa fa'fu anna

"O Allah, Thou art the One who grants pardon for sins. Thou lovest to pardon, so pardon me."(Hadith-Recorded by Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and at-Tirmithi)

For the dua in Arabic script please see: http://eislaminfo.blogspot.com/2011/08/dua-laylatul-qadr_4495.html

· Make list of Things you need from Allah-Ask yourself what you really want from Allah. Make a list of each and everything, no matter how small or how big it is, whether it deals with this world or the hereafter. Allah loves to hear from us and wants us to beg of Him. Once this list is ready then use it in your prayers.

· Best time for dua- Make sincere and all-embracing Duas. One of the best times to do this is during the last part of the night especially at the time of suhoor (sehri). Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him, related that Rasulullah (salallaho alaihe wassallam) said: When the last one-third of the night remains, our Lord, the Glorious One descends towards the heaven of the earth and proclaims: Who is that who supplicates for Me, and I grant his supplication? Who is that who begs Me for anything and I grant it to him? And who is that who seeks My forgiveness, and I forgive him? (Hadith-Bukhari, Muslim).

· Take regular breaks during the night to avoid getting over-exhausted. Try switching between different forms of worship.

May Allah accept our prayers and allow us to take full benefit of this Mubarak Night and let us not forget our brothers and sisters all over the world who are being oppressed and facing extreme hardships.

Mumtaz Mahal and its Begum

Mumtaz Mahal: A distinct creature en-caged in zoo gallows for the past 45 years

In the most gaudy manner, the small temple-like structure at the zoo clearly imitates a Mughal fort with posters plastered over its walls of Mumtaz Mahal – a kitsune [half human, half fox]. Inside the special pavilion, a small creature over a cot-like table with a human face over a body of a fox aptly entertains zoo visitors.

Mumtaz Begum (top) is a regular feature at the Karachi Zoo and resides in the special pavilion (bottom). PHOTOS: EXPRESS

Former Gandhi Gardens, today the zoo has almost all animals caged, including chimpanzees, lions, tigers, elephants, stags and crocodiles but an encaged fox has yet to be seen. However, a fox-cum-human surely fits the phrase ‘beloved ornament of the palace’, which is the meaning for the title Mumtaz Mahal.

This mythical creature, depicting a thousand years of ideas about supernatural beings, promises to be different yet entertaining. After all, it is the only animal that can talk at the zoo. It looks like a princess with a bushy tail, but the naked truth is that it’s a dead fox that has the head of a man, dolled up like a woman.

People of all age groups enjoy the entertaining show, even if they know it is a trick-oriented one. “When I was young, we would get scared,” said an excited Zarish, 17, as she walked out of the pavilion. “Even if we knew it’s an optical illusion, it would still be entertaining and scary at times.”

Kamila, 52, said that Mumtaz begum never gets old. “It brings me back to all the memories from childhood, we would get spell-bound by her performance,” she recalled fondly. “I remember exactly the way Mumtaz would sound, the bright lipstick and  the cakey make-up and it is still the same.”

The experience

Entering the small crypt, the ‘maa-fauq-ul-fitrat’ [supernatural] goes on a narrative stead where she amusingly talked about how she hails from the savannas in Africa but is being kept in confinement, as she happily ate the cake, juices, biscuits and fruits. Mumtaz is a fortune-teller too. So a student instantly asked her about his visa status while a concerned mother wondered about her daughter’s proposal.

Once actor Adnan Siddiqui happened to be shooting at the zoo when the person impersonating Mumtaz begum asked for a picture with him, said zoo’s security in-charge, Sajid Husain.

His driver was so excited that God gave him an opportunity to meet her. Actress Resham and politician Sharmila Farooqi are also a few visitors Mumtaz loves to brag about.

Behind the scenes

Rahim Baksh Hero, a 52-year-old performer in various movies, has also served as Mumtaz Mahal for some time. “It is just like a drama,” he said, revealing trade secrets. “We prepare for it beforehand and put up the best show when the audiences visit.”

Murad, who is currently playing Mumtaz Begum, is in his late 20s. He lives at the zoo, said Usman, a superviser. “He wakes up at 6am for prayers and work-out and then gets to the ‘mahal’ at around 9,” he said. “He puts on make-up himself.” Usman admired how Murad earns his livelihood through this unique talent.

Not everyone is, however, happy with this feature at the zoo. “It is despicable and ignoble,” claimed AA Quraishy, the founder of the zoo. “The optical illusion is designed by showmen working for their livelihood and surely people with weak values are the ones who admire illusions they can’t comprehend.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 8^th, 2013.

Meri Zindagi To Firaaq Hai

Meri Zindagi To Firaaq Hai

Poet: Syed Naseer-Uddin Naseer

Meri Zindagi To Firaaq Hai, Wo Azal Se Dil Main Makeen Sahi
Wo Nigaah-E-Shauq Se Door Hain, Rag-E-Jaan Se Laakh Qareen Sahi

Hamain Jaan Deni Hai Aik Din, Wo Kisi Tarah Wo Kaheen Sahi
Hamain Aap Khainchiye Daar Par, Jo Nahin Koi To Hameen Sahi

Sar-E-Toor Ho, Sar-E-Hashr Ho, Hamain Intezaar Qabool Hai
Wo Kabhi Milen,Wo Kahin Milen,Wo Kabhi Sahi, Wo Kaheen Sahi

Na Ho Un Pe Kuchh Mera Bass Nahin, Ke Ye Aashqi Hai Hawas Nahin
Main Unhi Ka Tha, Main Unhi Ka Hun, Wo Mere Nahin, To Nahin Sahi

Mujhe Bhaithne Ki Jagah Milay, Meri Aarzoo Ka Bharam Rahay
Teri Anjuman Men Agar Nahin, Teri Anjuman Ke Qareen Sahi

Tera Dar To Hum Ko Na Mil Saka, Teri Rahguzar Ki Zameen Sahi
Hamain Sajda Karne Se Kaam Hai, Jo Wahan Nahin To Yaheen Sahi

Meri Zindagi Ka Naseeb Hai, Nahin Door Mujh Se Qareeb Hai
Mujhe Uska Gham To Naseeb Hai, Wo Agar Nahin To Naheen Sahi

Jo Ho Faislaa Woh Sunaaiye, Use Hashr Par Na Uthaaiye
Jo Karainge Aap Sitam Wahan, Wo Abhi Sahi, Wo Yaheen Sahi

Unhen Dekhne Ki Jo Lou Lagi, To 'Naseer' Dekh Hi Lainge Hum
Wo Hazaar Aankh Se Door Hon, Wo Hazaar Pardah Nasheen Sahi

تمنا مدتوں سے ہے جمال مصطفیٰ دیکھوں

تمنا مدتوں سے ہے جمال مصطفیٰ دیکھوں

امام الانبیاء دیکھوں، حبیب کبریا دیکھوں

وہ جن کے دم قدم سے صبح نے بھی روشنی پائی

منور کر دیا جس نے، فضا وہ رہنما دیکھوں

وہ جن کی برکتوں سے ابر و باراں بستے عالم میں

تمنا قلب مضطر کی وہ درِّ بے بہا دیکھوں

قدم باہر مدینہ سے تصور میں مدینہ ہے

الہی یا الہی عظمتوں کی انتہا دیکھوں

یہ دنیا بے ثبات و بے وفا و غم کا گہوارا

یہ ہے مطلوب: دارِ بے وفائی میں وفا دیکھوں

وہ مبدأ خلق عالم کا، درود ان پر سلام ان پر

میرے مولی یہ موقع دیں کہ ختم الانبیاء دیکھوں

کبھی ہو حسن کی محفل، کبھی ہو شوق کا منظر

کبھی آنسو کی زنجیروں میں عاشق کی صدا دیکھوں

رَسُولٌ قَاسُم الْخيْرَاتِ فِی الدُّنْيَا وَ فِی الْعُقْبی

شفیق از نفس ما در ما، نبی مجتبیٰ دیکھوں

در جنت پہ حاضر ہووں رسول پاک کے ہم راہ

شفاعت کا یہ منظر یا خدایا میں رضا دیکھوں

تمنا مدتوں سے ہے جمال مصطفیٰ دیکھوں

امام الانبیاء دیکھوں، حبیب کبریا دیکھوں