FAREWELL TO OUR RESPECTED A'MIL SAHEB

Our most beloved Janab Amil Saheb Yunus bhai Saheb (DS) leading as always from the front. We Kolkatans will be missing him badly. His compassion, his understanding, his sincerity of purpose and most important his untiring efforts in galvanizing us 'ekjan' thai Moula upar fida thai javoo, is the single most important contribution.

The New Masjid will stand testimony to his untiring efforts.
WE SALUTE HIS DEDICATION. HE LEAVES BEHIND FOND MEMORIES FOR WHICH WE ARE INDEBTED.

Farewells are really painful and more so when we are called upon to bid farewell to and icon, who has inspired us all and changed us for the better.

This blog was conceptualized by me as ASHARA OHBAT 1431. Now Janab Saheb is leaving us but his legacy stands, his untiring efforts brought us so very close to the realization of our dream, and we hope one day soon it will surely be full filled.

In his farewell let me describe the empty feeling that most of us are experiencing in the words of Alfred Tennyson.


GONE - flitted away
Taken the stars from the night
And the sun from the day
Gone and a cloud in our hearts


Different committees and social groups are organizing are farewell meetings and gatherings. I feel many of my young friends also want to share their thoughts and feelings.

With this in mind I am posting this blog, providing a platform where mumineen can share their thoughts and feelings, they can share their personal experiences, how coming into contact with Janab Amil Saheb or following his advice helped them in their lives. Share your memories and thoughts. In this way you will also have a chance to bid farewell.

I know it is at times very difficult to put into words the feelings and thoughts. A simple 'I will miss him' ' he inspired me' 'he changed my life for the better' I will remember him always' etc; will do.

So feel free to express.

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

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.

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.

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/

FIVE DAYS TO GO - THE POWER OF INTENTION

As I took a walk around the masjid complex on Sunday 29th Nov: 2009., I witnessed the Power Of Intention in all its glory. ALHAMDOLILLAH !








'YA ALI HAIDER' Nothing seems IMPOSSIBLE now !!! YA ALI ! YA ALI !

THE DAY OF RECKONING DRAWS NEAR

As expected the excitement is growing each day as the day of reckoning draws near. Our city is in Lane No1 - the first name read out by Aqa Moula (TUS) in the Eid ul Adha Majlis at Saifee Mahal, from the list of cities around the world doing OHBAT for Ashara Mubaraka 1431H. There are ten others and as Aqa Moula (TUS) farmayu ‘ sagla’e tayyari ghani kidhee chhe, agyar gaam chhe, ehno jawab devu ghanoo mushkil chhe’

So as we enter the fourth and the final lap, so to speak, there are ten others with us vying for the same honor, dreaming the same dream, and putting in there best efforts, each city gathering momentum as the Day of Reckoning draws near.

As we enter the final stages or to give a fitting simile, the last lap of our race to gain recognition as the city worthy of the honor, I look back and reflect. Every one will agree with me, that we have seen a miracle unfold. Never in the history of our community in this city, have we witnessed such strong bonding, such unity of purpose, such positive energy.

One name stands tall amongst the hundreds, who have dared to dream, and it is - we all know, that of our most respected and revered Amil Saheb Janab Yunusbhai Saheb (DS) He has galvanized the community as never before. I have been the new masjid complex ‘regular’ so to say, for the past 2 years, but in these last 35 days, the pace of development and progress has left me breathless.

In this post I salute all those who have put in their heart and soul in OHBAT. It has been a wonderful experience for all those who have come forward, and each one of you is a winner. You have proved a point that – when there is WILL there is a WAY.

I am simply amazed at the positive attitude of all the principal functionaries entrusted with specific Masjid Tameer Tasks. A few days back Janab Amil Saheb chaired the meeting of the core committee and gave them a deadline - 3rd December 2009. I happened to interact with few of the members to elicit their response and reaction, and every one I talked with was confident.

One example will suffice – Mulla Yakubbhai Johar who has been overseeing the entire woodwork job, from the very start, was so upbeat that he told me not to worry, he has set for his entire team 1st Dec: 2009 as the deadline. This is what I call a winner attitude, and this is what we need in the final stages.

The final stage is very crucial as in any race. While writing this post I checked on Usain Bolt’s record breaking 9.69 sec video and learnt that in order to run fast one has to learn to land on the forefoot and not on the heels. While running if you land on your heels, you are putting your body’s center of gravity behind you, which slows you down. Short strides gives you strength and balance.

Friends you must be wondering what has fast running to do with OHBAT. As you come to the end of the post, you will surely find out. The point I want to make is that there are techniques of doing the things right, and as it is crunch time, we all have to unite together and DO IT RIGHT.

Here the similarities of the race ends – for Ashara Ohbat we do not have to touch the tape, we have to touch the ‘kalbe muneer’ (the glowing heart) of our beloved Aqa Moula (TUS) wherein resides the spiritual splendor and latent potentiality of Imam uz Zaman (SA) in all its radiant glory.

We have been doing OHBAT and the reports are being sent in Hazrat Aliyah Imamiyah on regular basis.

I was telling you about techniques and this is one of them which I want to share with you all. I hope after being properly convinced about it, (log on to the links given to get a complete idea) you will try the experiment, and as for myself, I am convinced that if every one in our city does it with RIGHT ATTITUDE a miracle may unfold. Much has been achieved so far, because of the right attitude and positive thinking, we have to just make one more united effort, and I am sure it will be fireworks on the Day of Reckoning for our city.

It is called THE INTENTION EXPERIMENT a direct result of the Best Selling Book "The Power of Intention' by Lynne Mc Taggart.

http://www.theintentionexperiment.com/the-leaf-intention-experiment


The Intention Experiment is a series of scientifically controlled, web-based experiments testing the power of intention to change the physical world.Thousands of volunteers from 30 countries around the world have participated in Intention Experiments thus far.

Lynne Mc Taggart, architect of the experiments, is working with leading physicists and psychologists from the University of Arizona, Princeton University, the International Institute of Biophysics, Cambridge University and the Institute of Noetic Sciences.

These experiments are being run at McTaggart’s seminars and conferences and on the web, and have produced extraordinary results.
This is not about sending intentions to make a million dollars.

True, if you have logged on to the above link you may have been convinced that in this last few days, if every one of us channelize our intentions that yes our city will receive the sharaf of Ashara Mubaraka 1431 our beloved Aqa Moula (TUS) will surely bless our city and so forth, positive intentions will surely materialize into reality. Let us give it a try.

It was the Power of Intention of one person in the beginning Janab Amil Saheb that galvanized us all, and we have reached this far.

Log on to the video link of my Face Book friend Bhai Murtaza Badri and his cat walk on shredded glass pieces will doubly convince you of the Power Of Intention.

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1192019753115



MSB EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE is holding Annual Sports Day 2009-10 at Rabindra Sarobar Stadium (opp: Menoka Cinema) on Sunday 6th Dec: 2009 (8 to 11 am) As it is on the very next day after Eid e Gadir e khum, the children and teachers have requested the Management for permission to end the Event with fire crackers, being fully positive that in this way, they will be celebrating the 'fasal mubarak' of Ashara 1431H in our city. This is what I call the RIGHT ATTITUDE

So friends if our city receives the 'sharaf' do join us at Rabindra Sarobar. I have been interacting a lot and believe me, it is not merely lip service, but with full conviction they tell me it will be our city surely this time.

I salute my fellow mumineen. I am honored and proud to be one amongst you.

OUR BELOVED AQA MOULA WILL DO 'FASAL MUBARAK'
LET US BE POSITIVE.
LET US GIVE OUR VERY BEST
LET US SEE THE POWER OF OUR INTENTIONS TURNING INTO REALITY.
LET US KEEP PRAYING AND DO TILAWAT AND MATAM in the few days that are left.

I am indebted to all my friends who have been reading my posts, have given me suggestions, have commented and given me words of encouragement. For me personally it has been an awakening experience. I wait in animated anticipation with thousands of fellow mumineen.

MOULA ! MOULA ! MOULA !

Friends you may enjoy listening to a beautiful Hamd rendering, which will help in evoking Positive Intentions

http://www.alahazart.net

Type the following in Search and download.
Mujhay Rang De
Vocalist: Al-Haaj Muhammad Owais Raza Qadri
Hamd | Urdu | Duration: 00:07:17

Also read my post with pictures of the activity around the masjid site I witnessed on Sunday 29th Dec: 2009 - 5 days before the deadline. Way to go Freinds - we may be lagging behind others in crucial factors, but in Enthusiasm we are at the very top. No doubt about it.

http://theintentionexperiment.ning.com/profiles/blogs/the-power-of-intention