Friday, December 11, 2009

MY LAST POST - KOLKATA ASHARA OHBAT 1431H

It would have been different - the possibilities were there for sure.
MUBARAK ! MUBARAK ! MAROL JAMAAT. You have become the nucleus where the worldwide mumineen, who will be gravitating, in the coming days. Hope and pray that you will be rising up to the occasion and the aspirations. Here is wishing you all the best.

As I reflect back on the past two months, sweet memories induce a trance like effect on my mind, and vivid scenes flood my memory. I had been planning meticulously to show case are State to the worldwide mumineen, who would have come. Good accommodation in out of the beaten track city areas, Chandernagore lights, mobile kathi roll vans and mishti doi outlets, are some of the few niche areas I had been working on. Every thing will have to wait, as of now.

There are no regret though. It had been a wonderful experience and I am deeply indebted to Janab Yunusbhai Saheb (DS) for providing the opportunity, to dream our dreams and also making it a possibility.

The power of our youth was evident, and there may be shortcomings and lapses in certain key areas, but as the final days approached. we all became 'ekjan' and this according to me is the singular achievement of mumineen of Kolkata.

It is but natural that after expectations had reached fever pitch, and the 'fasal mubarak' of MAROL on Jumoa night left many including our Janab Saheb teary eyed, emotions welled up in many a hearts, it was an obvious outcome.

Here is a comment from a young friend of mine :
'It was not us this time.Our hearts are indeed burdened. Of course burdened because our aspirations,imaginations are void now. Burdened with Void..what a strange feeling.After all its aala niyat. But I have just one hidayat to give "We see things as we think they are, Huzurala see's things as they will be in the future"!! Bhai Shabbir Z. Kohadawala - Former student of Don Bosco - Kolkata;Computer Application U.G. Christ College - Bangalore
December 10, 2009 7:55 PM

Similar feelings are being expressed by many of my young friends, many of whom have been reading and getting inspired by my blog post. One young I/T member told me that she got so tired after working at the E Jamaat verification task, one night. Her dad was observing her working late, and feeling tired. He came over, told her read one of my post, and this is what, she said : 'after reading your post I really got so energized and motivated'

So my young friends I know what all is going on in your minds. I am an old horse, who has faced many challenges in life. I have struggled hard, life has not been a cake walk for me. I have fallen flat many times, but each time I have bounced back, with more vigor and energy to take life head on.

AKHBAR IS ANWA'R - and the following episode from the glorious history of Islam, will surely provide a reassuring answer and solace, that what you have achieved by doing 'ohbat' is most praiseworthy. This is my way of saying THANK YOU FRIENDS.

Read on and you will soon realize that what transpires in life, we may not be able to understand at that particular time, but after many years, when we look back, the clear picture emerges. No good deed is in vain.

Now every one must be doing 'tilawat' of Surah - Al Fath (48) which opens with the ayah - 'Inna fat'hana lakal fath'al mubeena - Verily, We have given you (O Mohammad (S.A.) a manifest (clearly seen) victory. '

Now on reading this, what is your immediate thought. Is it not that Allah has granted his Rasul (SA) a victory in a decisive battle against munafekeens and after the victory, this Ayah may have been revealed ? Do you not think this Ayah may have been revealed after the Conquest of Makkah 8 A.H. ? Is it not so ? This is apparent.

But wait friends, you are in for a surprise ! The historical episode that happened is very very different, and in it a lesson is learnt, and by reflecting on it, many queries troubling you will be answered.

The Surah Al Fath was Revealed in Madinah in 6 A.H., not after a battle victory but after signing of the Al-Hudaibiyah Treaty at Thaniyatul Murar, with Quraish who succeeded in blocking the Muslims from reahing Ka'bah.


In short,the historical episode preceding the revelation of Surah Al Fath is as follows:

In the 6th Year of Al-Hijra in Madinah, Nabi (SA) had a dream that he had entered Makkah in security with his followers, and was performing Umrah.

In the month of Dhul Qadah at the head of 1400/1500 Muslims, carrying sheathed swords of travelers, as they had no intention to fight, he proceeded towards Makkah. When they reached Dhul-Hulaifah he ordered that the sacrificial animals be garlanded, and all of them entered into the state of Al-Ihram.

The Quraishites decided to resist the Prophets mission, at all cost and dispatched 200 horseman led by Khalid bin Al Walid. What followed was days of negotiations, as the Muslims were very clear, they had not come to fight.

Finally the Treaty of Al-Hudaibiyah was signed, under terms of which Nabi (SA) and the Muslims had to return back this time, and return next year, and they shall be allowed to stay in Makkah for three days only.

As expected the Muslims were grieved and many raised questions. When Nabi (SA) reached Madinah the Surah Al- Fath was revealed. It apparently seems to be a paradox, but it was this Treaty of Al-Hudaibiyah that finally led to Nabi (SA) marching triumphantly with a large Muslim army into Makkah in 8AH., and without bloodshed, the manifest victory over entire Arabia was achieved.

So friends this Akhbar may have given you the anwa'r (light) What is apparent to us, may not be real always. In the context of the above historical fact, now start reflecting, and I am confident that your many questions and doubts will be answered.

This ASHARA OHBAT has achieved much, it has energized and given focus to the community, it has changed 'mindsets'- it has removed 'cobwebs' of negative attitudes, it has bought into focus many more mumineen with talent and a desire to serve selflessly, it has achieved much much more - it is in truth a manifest victory for the Bohra Community of Kolkata - so rejoice my freinds and do not sulk !!

AQA MOULA (TUS) WILL SURELY BLESS THIS CITY !

On this very optimistic note, I finally end my last post.

NOTE: I have a HOME PAGE and a BLOG where I try to put my thoughts and kinowledge to good use. If you have appreciated my post, you are welcome to Bookmark them, and whenever you get free time or inclination, you may log on it. Keep in touch. Personally for me it has been a wonderful spiritual experience. KHUDA HAIFZ

www.hikmaah.com

http://www.mindmints.blogspot.com

Thursday, December 10, 2009

AS WE AWAIT - SO DOES THE WORLWIDE MUMINEEN

It is morning of Thursday 10th Dec: 2009 and with the worldwide mumineen and specially those in our city, still waiting anxiously for the 'fasal mubarak' I walk into the new masjid complex. Last night I am told youngsters had worked real hard, and after much effort managed to cart the heavy carpets to the ladies 'tutak' from ground floor storage.

I found Janab Amil Saheb supervising work, and Bhai Shabbir Kothari told me that last night Janab Saheb was there in the Masjid complex till 3.30 past midnight !! Stupendous 'ohbat' Words fail me to express my gratitude and appreciation.

I was fortunate to meet and interact with ABDUL HAFIZ BHAI who had flown in last night. He is is the head marble artisan from Makrana (Rajasthan) His family has been in the khidmat of constructing Roza Mubaraks, Masjid Kiblas. Abdul Hafiz bhai had stayed at Hutaib Mubarak for nearly 9 months and the Kubba Mubaraka of Syedna Hatim bin Syedna Ibrahim saheb (AQ) and the turbat mubarak, was completed under his supervision.

He was also blessed to work on the marble flooring inside the Zarih Mubarak of Imam Husain (SA) and narrated that in the cracks, that had developed near the 'kabre mubarak' of Moulana Ali Akber (SA) and Moulana Aliasgar (SA) he had seen blood droplets.

He was all praise for the construction and grandeur of our Masjid and the idyllic a location near large water body and surrounding scenery. You will feel proud to know that the design motif of our Masjid Kibla is taken from the design motif on the Zarih Mubarak of Imam Husain (SA) and according to Abdul Hafiz bhai, no other Kibla has such design motif. A singular honor for our Masjid.

I was privileged to see memorable pictures of Abdul Hafiz bhai with Aqa Moula (TUS) and Shazada sahebs, one was of his 'dakheli' touching the turbat mubaraka of Imam Husain (SA)

I was honored to meet him.






I requested Abdul Hafiz bhai was a photo op and he was kind to oblige me. The picture being held by Abdul Hafiz bhai is that of Muqaddas Moula Syedna Taher Saifuddin (RA) giving audience to Fateh Mohammad ( father of Abdul Hafiz bhai) who had supervised the construction of the Roza Mubaraka of Syedna Fakhruddin Saheed (AQ) and numerous other marble works.

I would be failing if I do not mention the sustained khidmat of Bhai Sahbbir Kothari. For past 2 years he has been a regular and works with gusto and enthusiasm.

As I conclude this post I have just received information that Insa Allah Aqa Moula (TUS) is likely to do 'fasal mubarak' tonight - Jumoa Night from Rozat Tahera.

Let us wait and keep praying.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

As we await the Fasal Mubaraka for Ashara 1431H







THE MASJID AT TOPSIA AWAITS
SO DO MUMINEEN OF OUR CITY
AND WITH THEM THOUSANDS AROUND THE WORLD

IT IS KOLKATA - WE SAY
IS IT KOLKATA THEY ASK ?


WE KNOW NOT WHAT OUR MOULA KNOWS
SO IN HUMILITY - SUBMISSION AND CONTINUOUS PRAYERS
AND WITH A THANKFUL HEART WE AWAIT THE FASAL MUBARAK

WITH INTENTIONS PURE - WITH SWEAT AND TOIL
THE HERCULEAN EFFORTS FOR GENERATIONS WILL BE REMEMBERED
A FEW YEARS DOWN THE LINE - THE YOUNGSTERS WHO HAVE TOILED
WILL BE PROUD PARENTS AND TAKING THEIR CHILDREN BY HAND
WILL NARRATE HOW HARD THEY HAD WORKED LIFTING TRUCKLOADS OF BRICKS
REMOVING RUBBISH LIFTING HEAVY MARBLE SLABS AND BEAMS
TO REALIZE THE DREAM

IN PRAISE AND HUMILITY I SALUTE ALL THOSE WHO DARED TO DREAM
ALHAMDOLILLAH !!






The setting sun on Ashura day will cast a crimson glow on the window frames of the Masjid, and the tear drop on the exquisite glass panels will radiate the emotions and the flowing tears of thousands assembled in the Masjid to witness the historic recitation of maqtal e Husain (SA) by Aqa Moula (TUS) Insa Allah.

The khidmat of these exquisite glass panels has been done by Sk: Fidahusainbhai Hasanali Rangoonwala and brothers (Rangoon Glass - Kolkata) The expertise and efforts put in by Bhai Firoz Hasanali Rangoonwala deserves special mention.

I am indebted to Bhai Murtaza Attari for translating my concept into a beautiful digital image in spite of time constrains.






Wednesday, December 2, 2009

ILTEJA

Under the auspices of Burhain Womens Organisation, a mumina'at behno majlis on the auspicious occasion of Salgirah Day of muqaddasa Busaheba A'matullah Aaisaheba was held at the new masjid complex, for tilawat and tasabeeh. A hugh attendance was witnessed. The following Ilteja written by Bhen Bilkisbai Ujjainwala was recited.




(click on the image for bigger fonts)


Mumineen of Kolkata eagerly await the 'fasal mubarak'. Here is an interesting news item, which proves how Ilteja, Tilawat - Tasabeeh - and the most important of all the building of the MASJID is showing results. Excerpts from the News Report appearing in the Financial Express.

'One reason why Emirates has increased its flights could be that Dawoodi Bohra community's 99-year-old spiritual leader, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin Saheb, may visit the city in the middle of December to inaugurate a mosque at Topsia. Around 15,000 disciples are expected to come here via air.'


To read the full report, click on the below link.
http://www.financialexpress.com/news/foreign-airlines-in-kolkata-look-to-middle-east-se-for-traffic/543959/