Ganj al-`Arsh Q: I have been reading YMD for a couple of years and find it very informative. My family and I, particularly enjoy and learn from the “Questions & Answers” section as it handles most contemporary issues that the Muslims are facing in India and abroad. I would request you to clarify the matter of wearing Taveez. Even if you have mentioned this issue in previous articles, please clarify this matter once more. YMD There is a hadith of the Prophet which says, “Whoever hung something, is bound up to that thing.” The hadith lends several meanings. One is: whosoever hung an amule ..read more

Impressed by the aerial locomotion of birds, man has been, since known times, trying to fly. He tried artificial wings, with feathers from the birds. But the intricate force-and-motion patterns associated with flight and feathers are far too complex for imitation. All attempts ended in failure, writes SYED IQBAL ZAHEER.   Ever since man took birth on this planet he has been staring at the birds in wonder and longing. How lucky of them to be able to fly? What joy to be floating like that on the airwaves? How beautiful the world for them from a height so convenient? And how envious the fre ..read more

Place of Revelation: Makkan1 [1] Alif. Lam. Mim. [2] These are the verses of the Wise Book. [3] A guidance and a mercy for those who excel (in good deeds).2 Commentary 1. Qatadah has said that except for two verses – 27 and 28 – the rest of the Surah is Makkan. Ibn Abbas, however, said that three of its verses are not Makkan. (Qurtubi) 2. The ‘muhsinin‘ of the text has been explained in the verse itself with words that follow: “those who offer the Prayers (assiduously), give the Zakah.” (Zamakshari) [4] Those who offer the Prayers (assiduously), give the Zakah and, they – in the Herea ..read more

The prophetic traditions presented hereinunder highlight Islam’s balanced stand on the role and responsibility of a leader. Neither veneration, on the one hand, nor self-profession or self-validation, on the other, are allowed to exceed clear limits when it came to the matter of a leader’s true position and value. 1. Anas ibn Malik reported: A man said, “O Muhammad! O master, son of our master! O best of us, son of the best of us!” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “O people!Fear Allah and do not let Satan deceive you! I am Muhammad, the son of Abdullah, the serva ..read more

INDIA With Nine Million in Gulf Countries Nearly nine million Indian expats live and work in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, new data show, making the region their top destinations and the India Gulf migration corridor one of the busiest in the world. The Ministry of External Affairs said that an estimated 10.34 million NRIs live in 210 countries, including 3.41 million in the UAE, 2.59 million in Saudi Arabia, 1.02 million in Kuwait, 740,000 in Qatar, 700,000 in Oman and 320,000 in Bahrain. Outside the Gulf region, the biggest concentration of NRIs was in the US with 1.28 milli ..read more

Advertising in this era is not just limited to businesses; people promote themselves to attract attention. Selfies is one of the tools of advertising amongst the youngsters. Every occasion, every place, and every time, people are enthusiastic to click their own pictures and upload them on their Whatsapp status or put it up on Facebook or Instagram, if only to receive appreciation from others, or perhaps as self glorification. Go to a hotel: you find people taking pictures of food and how they eat. Go to a wedding: you find girls and boys all dressed like celebrities, taking pictures with every ..read more

A difference of opinion indicates interest and commitment. Not stupidity and ignorance. Only the interested and committed, disagree, writes MIRZA YAWAR BAIG. Muslims are perhaps a people who have the highest number of differences of opinion in the world, when it comes to understanding our religion. I am sure someone will disagree with this statement as well. However be that as it may, we should therefore be the greatest experts in expressing those differences in the most positive ways, building trust and friendship and encouraging further enquiry and debate to understand better. Sadly the oppo ..read more

Happiness and Possessions Q: I am a 19-year-old Muslim boy, medical entrance student. My parents are both doctors. Thanks to Allah(swt) that He has made us financially very sound. I need your valuable guidance about how once can control his sexual urge. How do you think I can make my nafs fully obedient and submissive? My lack of control over my nafs leads me to some sins. Please don’t disclose my identity. R., On Email YMD Happiness in life is one thing, financial success another. There are many in the world, in millions, who are financially successful, which had been the sole objective of ..read more

A civilisation based on materials cannot outlast human aspirations, greed and adventurism.It will collapse when the materials stocks are emptied, writes SYED IQBAL ZAHEER.   The world is close to facing a decline that can lead to the collapse of the system that governs its life and environment. The Western system of life and thought, which is the system that governs a large part of the world today, is a material-based system. (We differentiate between a system of life and thought, and a civilisation. The West apart, the rest of the world is still not bowled clean over by the modern Weste ..read more

[52] Verily, you cannot make the dead hear nor can you make the deaf hear the call when they turn away showing their backs. 68 [53] Nor are you going to guide the blind out of their error. You can only make hear those who believe in Our signs and so they surrender. [54] It is Allah who created you in (a state of) weakness, then made after weakness strength, weakness and hoary-head. He creates what He wills and He is the All-Knowing, the All-Powerful. Commentary 68. Ibn Kathir uses this occasion to stress upon the living not to lose contacts with the dead: by way of visits to the graves, s ..read more