From Here and There

Not too long ago, anyone suggesting a link between spirituality and good health would have been laughed out of the room. But today spirituality is no longer a taboo in the world of science and medicine. A preliminary study by the University of Chicago researchers contends that belief in God may improve a person’s physical health. The study says strong spirituality, regardless of religion, results in improved physiological functioning, health and well-being. The university has received $1.8 million to conduct a comprehensive study to examine the connection between religious belief and health. The fact that a major research university is exploring the link between religion and health is a big step in recognising the importance of spirituality in our lives. One of the features of modernity has been a strong belief in the triumph of science and rationality. Now the wheel seems to have turned full circle with religion making a surprise comeback in our lives with growing intensity. The interest of researchers in establishing connections between science and spirituality is an indication of this profound change. Molecular biologist Dean Hamer in his 2004 best-selling book God Gene made the controversial claim that human spirituality is an adaptive trait and that the genes responsible for it can be identified. That argument still has few takers. But it goes to show that scientists are finally taking account of the role of religion and spirituality in the story of human evolution.


( The Times of India April 20, 2005)


Note: Are There Any Takers?


Are we as Muslims ready to take the challenge to present to the world- Islam as the way of life to spirituality, health, peace and happiness? The teachings of the Qur’an have an universal appeal which needs to cut across religious barriers.


Are we as Muslims prepared to present Islam in the context of ‘SPIRITUALITY’ or still be stuck up with the narrow sectarian views and fiqh of Islam?


The whole humanity is asking today and are we willing to give?


Are we going to stand to the demands of the time no matter what, to present Islam in the context of spirituality?


It is time we wake up and be in action, than to regret and blame others for our irresponsibility of missing the opportunity to present Islam as a universal path of love.


We are either changers or reactors. Are we going to stand for the contribution of the well-being of humanity?

33 years, since the inception of the Muslim Personal Board, it has worked for the unity, rights of the minorities and the protection of the shariah of all the sections of the Indian Muslims. Many attempts by the opposing groups have not succeeded in dividing the Board. The Board is as strong as it was before and all the members are in tact and no one has defected. Today what we see that different groups from various sects have come together and named their groups as Personal Law Boards floating parallel Boards. Members of the AIMPLB who addressed a huge gathering at the Sivajinagar stadium on April 3rd 2005, in Bangalore, were Secretary General Abdul Raheem Qureshi, Hyderabad, Maulana Kalbe Jawad, Lucknow, Alhaj Ibrahim Sulaiman Sait, Ex MP and Maulana Mufti Ashraf Ali, Bangalore. Everyone expressed their solidarity and a stand to work for the unity and the challenges of the Indian Muslim community.