Understanding Islam beyond its rituals

By,Shahnawaz Ahmad,

The most discussed religion in any age has been Islam and consequently the most discussed figure has been Prophet Muhammad(PBUH),the man whom Allah chosen to be His last messenger and completed His favour on humanity by revealing Quran.

Unfortunately, gross misunderstanding and ignorance exist with Islam, a revealed religion from God Almighty which is a reflection of nature based on human conscience. Opponents of Islam are presenting a narrative of Islam based on their personal bias and experience to misinform the public and thus make Islam appear as unfavourable in the eyes of people.

Good judgment demands that when someone seeks to understand a phenomenon, he or she often refers to an expert in the field. Unfortunately many people heavily rely on media personalities who because of their personal bias and prejudice are making Islam appear incompatible with modern way of life. We spend our time and energy to unravel the secrets of nature; however we fail miserably to use the same unbiased approach to comprehend the truth about Islam and thus have given rise to fear, intimidation and branding its followers ruthless and uncultured. Nothing can be further from the truth if you consider the fact that about 1400 years ago and in complete accord with human conscience of today and in line with current progressive thought that Islam categorically declared that “there should be no compulsion in religion” (Quran 2:257).

7 Things That Productive People Do In The First 10 Minutes At Work

Ah, a new day at the office. But will it be a good one, full of productivity? Even though offices can be unpredictable places, there are things that productive people do differently to squeeze the most out of their work day, every day.

Productive people know that the first 10 minutes of their day in the office can make or break the amount of work they can get done. Productive people make sure to follow through with a few actions before they get down to business.

So if you’re interested in super charging your productivity, do these 7 things in the first 10 minutes at work.

1. Write 3 things you’re grateful for
A study on gratitude done at the University of Miami found that people who kept a daily journal of gratitude were happier, more productive and much happier. Sheryl Towers, professional development coach, says in her bookSeeds of Success: “The results of the study indicated that daily gratitude exercises resulted in higher reported levels of alertness, enthusiasm, determination, optimism and energy. Additionally, the gratitude group experienced less depression and stress, was more likely to help others, exercised more regularly and made more progress toward personal goals. According to the findings, people who feel grateful are also more likely to feel loved.”

Tipu Sultan: He fought British and now Hindutva fanatics fighting him

By IndScribe

The BJP’s bigotry is well-known as far as Tipu Sultan is concerned. They don’t like Tipu and there are reasons.But first go back to history, which is very clear. Tipu Sultan fought British and they feared him, this can’t be erased from history.

Not just Tipu, his father Hyder Ali had also fought Britishers and defeated them. But, even Hyder Ali, is not liked.The reasons don’t need to be explained. There were no other figures in contemporary India, then, who dared fight British.

Tipu Sultan ( Courtesy : wikimedia )

Tipu defeated British and later got martyred in the last Anglo-Mysore war. There are records of communication between Tipu, his persistent efforts to forge unity among Marathas and Nizams, to establish a joint front against the British.

Both Marathas and Nizams ditched him. He wrote to Napoleon, be befriended British, did everything possible to evict British. But these aspects have no value for those who simply hate Tipu.

Yet, in case of Tipu Sultan, the right-wing ‘dig out’ out entire history, make an effort to find anything negative just to abuse, even spread falsehoods, to term him and declare him ‘anti-Hindu’.

Fine, sometime do remember, Shivaji’s attacks within the country, plunder of Surat, too. Do talk of other historical figures too who sided with British or your interest in history is limited to targeting a man whom you don’t want to accept as a hero.

What the Western Thinkers Said about Islam

What the Western Thinkers Said about Islam
Islam came like a flood of light – it illumined the entire environment. Its charm so captivated many that they moved into its fold – but those who, for a variety of reasons, did not enter its fold, were also spell-bound. They could not help admiring its beauty, splendour and grandeur. They confessed its greatness and paid tributes to it. Their evidence is important in one respect: it comes from those who are not within it, from many who have, on the whole, been rather antagonistic; but they too had to admit its unique features, its serenity that casts its spell on all and sundry. It is a selection of such evidence that we now present.

Islam: A Simple, Humanitarian and Attractive Religion

“Islam had the power of peacefully conquering souls by the simplicity of its theology, the clearness of its dogma and principles, and the definite number of the practices which it demands. In contrast to Christianity which has been undergoing continual transformation since its origin, Islam has remained identical with itself.”
(Jean L’heureux, Etude sur L’Islamisme P.35)

“Two features in the Creed of Islam have always specially attracted me. One is the God conception, the other is its unquestionable sincerity – a tremendous asset in human affairs, the religious aspect of them especially. After all, sincerity is almost divine and like love covers a multitude of sins.”
(Major Arthur Glyn Leonard, Islam – Her Moral and Spiritual Value, London, 1927)

“Sense of justice is one of the most wonderful ideals of Islam, because as I read in the Qur’an I find those dynamic principles of life, not mystic but practical ethics for the daily conduct of life suited to the whole world.”
(Sirojini Naidu, Lecture on “The Ideals of Islam vide Speeches and Writings of Sirojini Naidu, Madras, 1918, P 167)

“The rise of Islam is perhaps the most amazing event in human history. Springing from a land and a people alike previously negligible, Islam spread within a century over half the earth, shattering great empires, overthrowing long established religions, remoulding the souls of races, and building up a whole new world – the world of Islam…For the first three centuries of its existence (circ.A.D. 650-1000) the realm of Islam was the most civilised and progressive portion of the world. Studded with splendid cities, gracious mosques, and quiet universities where the wisdom of the ancient world was preserved and appreciated, the Muslim world offered a striking contrast to the Christian West, then sunk in the night of the Dark Ages.”
(A.M Lothrop Stoddard, Ph.D., The New World of Islam, London 1932, pp1-3)