Bouquets and Brickbats

The announcement on the first fasting day of Ramadan by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi that his government would promulgate an ordinance as per the government appointed Justice M.S. Janardhanan commission recommendations bringing in the 3.5% reservation in jobs and education for the backward sections among Muslims and Christians has brought immense happiness to these otherwise disappointed religious communities. The Chief Minister and the government of Tamil Nadu deserve kudos for this right decision which was long due and doing justice to them.


Many committee reports had pointed out that Muslims were educationally and economically more backward due to various reasons. One hopes that there will be no problem at all in this promulgation as it is well thought of and in accordance with the existing system of reservation in the country. Many other states where there is no reservation for Muslims and Christians should also adopt this example and see to it that these backward communities are benefited.

Dr.Maher Hathout in the article “Qur’an and Islamic Jurisprudence - Part 24 (IV August 2007) states that writing the phrase of the “Holy Qur’an...” is not allowed. However, the copy of the Qur’an with English translation distributed worldwide by Saudi Government on the front page itself inscribes the phrase “The Holy Qur’an”. This kind of non- consequential controversy does not need mention. Further the author referring to Jahannam (Hell), writes that it is “temporary.., as it is not clearly stated in the Qur’an if it is permanent or eternal”. This is contrary to what the Qur’an states: “Those who disbelieve among the people of the earlier revelations and the polytheists shall burn for ever in the fire of Hell. They are worst of all creations”(Surah 98, Ayat 6). There are several other passages in the holy Qur’an, which mentions the same.


Email: akhtarmah@yahoo.com

This is with reference to the contents of the article “Islamic Investments in India: Opportunities”, by Mr. Talha Sareshwala, one of the directors of Parsoli Corporation Ltd., in Islamic Voice, September 2007 issue. I wish to bring to your notice that the write-up is a copy of my research published by Idafa Investments Pvt. Ltd., Bombay in March 2006 and in several international magazines such as Islamic Business & Finance, Dubai, UAE, (January 2006), Islamic Finance Today, Colombo, Sri Lanka (December 2006), Business Islamica, Dubai, UAE (January 2007). This is an exclusive research conducted by me and financed by Idafa Investments Pvt. Ltd. Mumbai.


The author Mr. Talha Sareshwala has nowhere in the whole article mentioned my name or that of Idafa Investments which financed this research. In fact, Mr. Talha did not give any other reference either, thereby giving the impression that the entire research was his. I take strong objection to the manner in which Mr Talha and his company Parsoli are freely using my research findings for their business purposes. Scores of national papers and other publishing houses such as The Economic Times, The Telegraph, Asia Times Online, just to name a few, have quoted me on this subject, which you can access through the Net.

Email: shariqnisar@gmail.com

This letter is triggered by your answer to a question published on page 27 of September 2007 issue. The question is about giving Zakat to Syeds. I was shocked to read your answer. There appears to be some intellectual bankruptcy also creeping into your magazine.  The term “Syed us Sadaat” was used only for the immediate family of the Prophet. The word is used as a common noun in the Middle East. In Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Muslim countries, this word is not used to denote a group of individuals as mentioned by you.  The Prophet did not have any sons and no man can have his descendants through his daughters because the daughters progress the seed of their husbands and not their fathers. Most interestingly, you have mentioned that Syeds are Prophet’s descendants through his daughter Fatima. He had three more daughters and why are their children not taken in to account? Why and how they have been excluded? Fatima’s children and their progeny are Hazrat Ali’s descendants and not Prophet’s descendants. Your answer endorses the Shia theory of “Five Pure” (Panjatan Pak) comprising Prophet, Fatima, Ali, Hasan and Husain! Like Brahmanic Priests in the Hindu Society, some people tried to make Islam their family business like the Shia-e-Ali or Ali’s Shia or Ali’s Group (Shia means a group in Arabic language). Most of these people adopted the term “Syed” and started claiming that they are the descendants of the Prophet. The term came to be used in the Indian sub-continent as if it is a ‘Caste’ among Muslims and these people tried to create differences among Muslims and destroy the fundamental teachings of Islam ie., unity of God and universal brotherhood. Some of these people claim to be Ahl-e-Sunnat outwardly but inwardly follow the Shia theory. There is no sanction in Islam for such beliefs or practices. As per Islam, anybody who is poor deserves to be given Zakat (parents and children are to be taken care of and obviously one does not give Zakat to one’s parents or, children).