Bouquets & Brickbats

The March 2007 issue of Islamic Voice carries many useful articles. We as Muslims should contribute to the efforts made by environmentalists in saving the world’s ecology. In this connection, I would request that it is better to avoid plastic bags for posting of Islamic Voice. Just a paper wrapper half the size of the magazine should be more than sufficient. I having been voicing my concern about this several times in the past. Frequently, the article entitled “Darkness to Light” is published. It is good in the sense of how the converted minds think. But I feel that this column may have to be re- titled as “Reverted to one God worship.”

Email: jam_abdulkader@yahoo.com

On 7th March, thousands of Muslims marched to Parliament to conduct a demonstration demanding job and educational opportunities for the community. The implementation of certain recommendation of Sachar Committee was also demanded. But it is very unfortunate that none of the national media covered such an important issue and they preferred to black out the news.


The present generation of Muslim youth is not willing to accept consistent deprivation and discrimination. How can the nation ignore the plight of one-seventh of its population? We all know that the sum total of deprivation breeds frustration and alienation.


Email: ruby.naushad@rediffmail.com

While researching on Muslim youth community development, it was actually by accident that I stumbled across the website of Islamic Voice. I appreciate the passionate commitment to the cause of Deen. I am especially delighted to learn about the “Discover Yourself Workshop” from an Islamic perspective. Mr A.W. Sadathullah Khan is the first Muslim motivational speaker I have come across!


I have long felt a great need for this in the Muslim community. As someone who does personal development (through books, CDs and seminars) on a regular basis, I know how positively personal development has impacted my life. But as an Australian Muslim, I have struggled to locate any Islamic personal development material.


Email: shaima_khan@hotmail.com

This refers to the editorial- “The Concept of Mind Care” (Islamic Voice, March 2007). You have rightly pointed out the urgent need for establishing “Mind-care Centres” appointing Muslim psychologists and psychiatrists for the benefit of the mentally depressed people in the present fast changing scenario where “stress and strain” is a common and inevitable phenomenon. It is because of lack of such centres that there are innumerable quacks particularly in the Mohallas of the poor who hoodwink the ignorant people by posing themselves as Aamils and proclaiming that they can cure any illness by giving talisman and doing so called banthish. There are also mazaars in some parts of the country where mentally retarded people gather for treatment and do un-Islamic practices. It is the belief in the wrong spiritual angle which makes people flock to the soothsayers, Aamils etc. The real spiritual angle is not different from the scientific angle. We will be good Muslims only by cultivating scientific tempers. The whole life of our Prophet (Pbuh) was based on rational approaches.

This is with reference to the article, “When adolescents meet” by Dr. Abd Al-Haleem Abu Shuqqah. In his article he has advocated for the meeting of opposite sex under supervision. In this present era, where there are umpteen number of co-ed institutions, professional colleges, software institutions etc, there is an environment where adolescents are studying or working together with the opposite sex. We cannot throw certain restrictions and expect them to follow it.


It is the responsibility of elders to see that their children are not indulging in any inappropriate activity and that they are observing Islamic standards of propriety. Parents and elders should inculcate in them the fear of Allah, good family values and good manners. Try to create a friendly, atmosphere at home among all members of the family A person with fear of Allah and good family values will certainly work within the standards of propriety defined by Islam, be it interacting with individuals of same sex or opposite sex.


Email: drshahidkbn@yahoo.com

This is with reference to the article, “Passion for Innovation” by.Maqbool Ahmed Siraj, Islamic Voice, March 2007, about the innovative concepts of Sajjad , I wish to suggest to him to use the dual concept of energy, i.e. Using both - solar panels (as he is using now) as well as using-batteries -powered by 12 Volts or 24 Volts (using two 12 Volt batteries in series) P.M.D.C. (Permanent Magnet Direct Current) Motor. In this type of motor, the shunt winding is replaced by two numbers of patented horse shoe type permanent magnets (for inducing magnetic flux) and are glued permanently to the body using special type (patented) of glue. The motors come in the range of various horsepower (up to three H.P) and can be base mounted (horizontally) as well as flange mounted (vertically). It is manufactured, as single sided shaft, as well as double-sided shaft. These motors are usually very compact and quite handy. These types of motors are manufactured in India and are easily available from local dealers. As an example, these types of motors are widely used in the manufacture of electric coil winding machines, etc.


Email: akhtarkhannum@gmail.com

This is in reply to the letter by Raheel Ahmed in Islamic Voic,e March 2007 titled ‘Derogatory to Urdu.’ The subscribers of an English Islamic Periodical will not be interested in prose/poetry in any other language with the exception of Arabic (for Quranic verses and Hadith only). So a subscriber’s request to the publisher in this regard should not be misinterpreted as ‘derogatory remarks’ relying upon the baseless statistics regarding the ‘knowledge of Islam among Non-Muslims’


Email: aboosait@yahoo.com

It was enlightening to read” The concept of Trinity,” Islamic Voice 2007. Obviously, Trinity has no relevance at all in Islam. “Allah begets not nor is begotten.” Allah emphasises in the holy Quran at many places while mentioning Prophet Jesus as, ‘Son of Mary.’ Prophet Jesus (Pbuh) was born miraculously to Virgin Mary, which is a miracle.


Email: afrin.k@gmail.com

Dear readers I have prepared a selected and annotated bibliography of writings in Urdu and English on contemporary Indian Muslim education. It runs into more than 200 pages. If you wish to procure it [free of cost] please email me on ysikand@yahoo.com or ysikand@gmail.com

It is amazing to find a few modern scholars equating Quran and Science.’ Today the Quranic verses may concur to the finding of science, but tomorrow. science may shift from its earlier stand. Can the same position be so with the Quran? The Quran will never change and shall always remain firm with its divinely ordained message for mankind. The holy Quran is not a book of science, but a way of life free from all frailities. It is unfortunate to see some scholars involving themselves in unnecessary debate and trying to equate the teaching of the Quran with that of science.

This refers to the column, “Our Dialogue” by Adil Salahi in Islamic Voice of February 2007. It is not a good idea that next years zakat could be paid this year. A man may die quickly and then next year’s zakat already paid is ‘null and void” Then someone will say… “never mind, your dead father’s contribution will be treated as sadaqa if not zakat”. Why give rise to a plethora of suggestions and possibilities. About pregnancy termination, the best answer could be-“ leave it to the decision of doctors and surgeons and accept the best advice and Allah will forgive you for any wrong done”. Do not make an Islamic decision separate from the expert’s decision-that is expert doctors and scientists. Adil Salahi’s advice is very reasonable.