Bouquets and Brickbats

While reading,” The Harvest of the Tongue” in the April 2006 issue of Islamic Voice relating to idle talk, one particular point came to my mind.   As a kid, I have been hearing “Qawallis” and film songs (Let me add I do not fancy both) and there is use of Allah’s name, like “Allah….”, “Subhanallah…”, etc. This pains me very much as Allah is too great an entity for we earthlings to even comprehend His greatness! It is practically intangible to either describe Him or to comprehend His power, how magnificent Allah is! There is a verse to authenticate my point of view from the holy Quran…”Don’t take Allah’s name in vain”. When Allah Himself has warned us about this misuse, I ponder over the ‘Imaan’ of the individuals using His name frivolously.

Email: gmirshadulhaque@gmail.com

Thank you for publishing a series of articles on Islamic mysticism.  The May 2006 issue of Islamic Voice carries a very interesting book review of The Corporate Sufi and also an article on Sufism-“Awaken Your Soul.” In fact, in my opinion, every Muslim is a born Sufi and every Sufi is a true Muslim to the core.

Email: afzalpir@rediffmail.com

“Let’s Make Dream Teams”, the article by M. Hanif Lakdawala in Islamic Voice, May 2006 was an eye opener. I am not sure if Zakat money can be ploughed into building educational institutions since the beneficiaries inadvertently may include affluent class as also the non-Muslims. In my opinion, Zakat is never meant to be an “investment fund” or a “venture capital”. According to Sahih Al Bukhari (summarized p377)” Zakat should be taken from rich (Muslims) and given to poor (Muslims) wherever they are”. Thus it is clear that Zakat is a “consumption fund” essentially to meet the basic needs of the poor members of the community. In an educational trust, at best, the collected Zakat should be exclusively earmarked to meet the living or hostel expenses and fees of only those students whose parents/guardians qualify to receive Zakat. Those who contribute large amounts especially from affluent countries should appreciate that Zakat is not just some money which has to parted with every year. It has to be spent too for the purpose it is meant for. Zakat or no Zakat, any money collected by “Chanda Usooli” is always seen as easy money and therefore vulnerable for misuse. The champion and pioneer of modern education among Indian Muslims, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, of the 19th century too had to suffer the pernicious evil of corruption. One of his subordinates embezzled so much cash that he was convicted and sent to jail. The only difference now is that we hear of corruption, but no one is penalised. Hanif Lakdawala’s observations prove that History repeats itself. Lessons of History seem to have been learnt too. Not by the community, but by the “bad guys” who have evolved mechanisms not to get caught.


Email: dr.a.ahmed@sify.com

It is great to see that now there are more pages in Islamic Voice by God’s grace. Maybe in future, we will get to see a change in the format of the publication too-a new look, like a magazine. After all, growth and progress is all part of life.

Philanthropists dedicate their properties for the benefit of the community. In my opinion, the muthawallis or the trustees of Awkaf can and should improve the Wakf properties and make them more useful to the community. As such, the construction of a Hajj House at Quddus Sahib Eidgah for the benefit of Hajj pilgrims will be worthwhile. If a Hajj House is constructed , the rest of the ground will be available for Eid prayers. Dormitories in the Hajj House will accommodate Hajj pilgrims during the Hajj season and during the other months, it can be used as a guest house for businessmen and tourists coming to Bangalore. From this income, all facilities can be provided to the Hajj pilgrims and also scholarships can be given to deserving poor students of the community for higher studies.


The Jumma Masjid Trust in Bangalore should ignore the opposition and rethink about constructing a Hajj House at the Quddus Sahib Eidgah and run it under its own management.

I am a regular reader of Islamic Voice and I request that the contents should include basis aspects like how to perform namaz. The article should consist of what is to be recited while performing namaz behind the Imam. Also publish in detail on how the Zuhr, Asar and Maghrib prayers are to be performed. Let the details of performance be according to the Hanafi, as well as the Ahle-Hadith viewpoints. I like Islamic Voice to be around us, rather than away from us. So make the paper a weekly. Atleast make it a fortnightly paper. I know that you will never lose revenue by doing so. Instead, more advertisers will publish their advertisements, as by doing so, their products will be fresh in the minds of people. If Islamic Voice becomes a weekly or a fortnightly, the editorial contents, be it moral or material will also enlighten the readers.

This is with reference to the article, “Awaken Your Soul,” by Dr. Syed Liaqath Peeran in the May 2006 edition of Islamic Voice wherein he says “…Sufism is a branch of Islamic spiritualism…” Both the terms Sufi and Sufism and Sufi beliefs have no basis from the traditional Islamic sources of the Qur’an and Sunnah, Rather, Sufism is in essence a conglomerate consisting of extracts from a multitude of other religions with which Sufis interacted. Sufism is so similar to other religions, and very tolerant of them, that a change to Sufism does not involve a complete change of life, as Islam requires. So Buddhists, Sikhs, Taoists and mystic Jews and Christians looking for an easy alternative find solace in Sufism.

Email: aboosait@yahoo.com