NisaN

Barson purani baat hai. Main jumme wale roz kisi dost se milne Nazimabad Karachi ki Gol Market gaya huwa tha. Shadeed garmi thi. Main garmi se bachne ke liye jumma namaz ke bahane masjid main chala gaya. Maulvi sahab ka khutba - bus aaeN baaeN shaaeN hi tha - magar aik baat khubsurat kahi unhoN ne

Azaazil farishta ke baare main kehte hain
 - us ke paas itna ilm tha, jitna 36 karoR kitaboN main hota hai 
- magar adam ko sajda na ker ke 
- abad tak shaitaan mardoood ka laqab paa gaya. 

Kehte hain - Azazil farishta bunyaadi toR per jin tha
 - aag se paida huwa tha
 - pehle zameen pe rehta tha
 - magar apne rab ki be-intiha ibadat guzari ki wajah se farishtoN ko bhaa gaya 
- aur unhoN ne use apna sardar maan liya 
- aur zameen se aasmanoN pe utha liya gaya.

Tassawure insaan to maujud tha 
- magar insaan ki abhi takhleeq nahi hui thi. 
Bara bhayanak tassawwur tha inssan ka

- Azazil jab farishtoN ka sardar bana to un main sab se ziyada aalim tha 
- kehte hain sirf us ko tassawure insaan ka ilm tha - jo khoon, qatal, jhoot, faraib jesi baatoN se pur tha 
- bas isi liye azazil apne rab ke saamne seena taan ke khara ho gaya - 

Apne ilm o ibaad guzaari pe nazzaN ho gaya 
- Rab ki hikmat na samjh paaya
 - aur aadam ko sajda kerne se inkaar ker diya

Mayoos ho gaya tha ke - mere itne ilm aur ibadat guzari ke saamne is insaan ko sajda ?
- Azazil se iblees ho gaya (came from Arabic word balas means despair)

FarishtoN ne Shaytaan kehna shuru ker diya (Shaytaan means disobedient Jin)

Agar muaafi maang ker, haat bandh ker
 - phir apne rab ke huzur haazir ho jaata to aur ooncha darja paa jata.

.......

Insaan ka to lafz hi nisaaN se nikla hai matlab galati (ka putla)

Shayed rab ko sab se achhi yahi baat lagti hai
 - ke galati karo aur phir khataawar ho ker, muaafi ke liye haat bandh ker phir rukuh, sajde ke liye din main 5 baar haazir ho jao.

-----------

Falsafe aur mantiq ke aetbaar se to bohat hi naa-maaqul si baat thi -magar sach poocho - to maulvi sahab ki baat dil ko lagti hai - shayed aesa hi hai - werna ye gorkh dhandha kiun sajaya jaata.

On A Quote (Deepak Chopra)

(This quote came during one panicky situation I had lately during travel - I guess it was a teaching moment).

I an not a big fan of Deepak Chopra. I think, he is just a very smart man who knew how to cash the aura of spirituality and eastern teachings to people in west. There was nothing new in his books for me. And, lately I was told he is selling oils, balms, ointments and healing recipes on his website!

(We have many such hakims and babas on the walls and streets of sub-continent)

Above said, once in a while I enjoy his quotes. Lately, one of his quote is all over the internet after it was mentioned in Ivanka Trump's book. I liked the quote, but it is easy said than easy done.

"In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you".

This quote also reminded me of many great cricket batsmen, who under massive pressure keep their cool in final overs of the match and wins only because of their ability to thrash blow with precision on last ball. There is a reason, cricket is said to be a game of life!

On Pir Shams Multani - 2

This is an email on one of our previous blog-post: "Bayan Pir Shams Multani Ka" (here)

".... I just wanted to write to you after reading your post on Pir Shams Multani ka Bayan. I belong to the Ismaili faith of Islam. Pir Shams was a very decorated Pir of our faith, who propagated the message of Ismaili sect all across the sub continent. I wanted to tell you that the bayan you mentioned is a Ginan by Pir shams. We firmly believe that Ginans are akin to the ultimate truth as they are just an explanation or clarification of the glorious Quran. Having never visited Multan, or the shrine of Pir Shams, I am quite surprised that people still recite this Ginan (though I am not sure if they recite it to the letter).  I am attaching the link to the Ginan along with its translation.  http://www.ismaili.net/heritage/node/23164

 Also, here is the different recitation I could find on the University of Saskatchewan site. (Again I don't know if these are the authentic ismaili recitations or not) http://ginans.usask.ca/recitals/recitals.php?type=ginan&id=508570

... Stay blessed."

Needs a lot of depth!

I have encountered this quote of Khalil Jibran many times. In this era of social media, it needs a character of mountains and depth of an ocean to do this.

A quote on 'War and Peace'

Nowadays when I read news and see the waves of nationalism, so called patriotism, religious-ethnic-cultural intolerance everywhere - I find perplexing similarities with 1930s. Unfortunately, right now it is an unstable world and I get genuinely worried. People think war is a problem. It is indeed. But not taking care of peace is a bigger issue.

“It is not enough to win a war; it is more important to organize the peace.” ― Aristotle

Idris Muhammad's Jazz

Though I prefer to stay away from noisy clubs, restaurants and eatery places but if you are in New Orleans, you can't get away without paying homage to French Quarters!

I have been there few times but last time when I was there, it was a weekday. It was relatively quiet and we found a nice restaurant to enjoy seafood. Music in the background was mesmerizing. I asked our waiter and he said: "This is from son of the New Orleans, Idis Muhammad and this is his famous tune Loran's dance" (here). After that I heard his various compositions and loved it softly running on side as I do my mundane errands at home. I am not even a verified listener but I believe what distinguish his jazz composition is the simultaneous feeling of softness, vitality, happiness and beats synchronized with heart.

Out of all Loran's dance stayed my favorite, probably because on that day, at that given moment in restaurant it came to me more as a divine revelation, and I learned how a nice composition can drive human emotions.

One thing is evident as I read more on his life that he was in search of truth and followed the voice of his conscience and alike many African Americans who questioned the injustice of society. Few converted to Islam including Mohammad Ali Clay, during civil rights time in USA. Softness of his jazz along with vitality of tunes tell me that he was a deep person, not a superficial instrument player. He played his soul out in music.

Never complain of 7 things

In this fast pace technology with bombardment of audios, videos, articles, news, jokes, poetry etc etc via different apps and media - most of the information just take toll on time, energy and intellect. I am not immune either and try to find my way to adjust through this ride. But once in a while I get something which i feel is worth sharing. Nowadays, viral among Pakistani community is a drama clip, played by Mohammad Qavi Khan. I don't know the name of drama, neither writer nor channel. But it is interesting.  I am blogging to keep it for myself as every morning I delete previous night forwards. I was unable to find youtube link.

He says: Never complain of following seven things.

1. Your Qismat (luck, destiny)
2. Of your elders in front of your children
3. Of quality of  the house if you own it
4. Your parents and teacher
5. Of wife's family in front of her
6. Of  your friends in front of strangers
7. And of your guests, once they leave, to anyone

You don't need to agree but I think it is worth saving.

Kaare jahaan daraaz hai (On Travel Ban)

Main hawaii jahaz main pehli baar us waqt betha jab America aa raha tha - uski rudaad aik baar likhi thi (here) - uske baad kuch aesa huwa ke - zindagi 'safar dar safar' ban ke reh gai. Kuch gardish e doraN - aur  - Baqol Munir Niazi -  kujh sanoo maran da shoq vee see.

Uske baad idhar udhar is blog pe apne safar ki kuch posts bhi likhi (like here)

Jab peechle dino, USA main 'Travel Ban' ka shor-o-goga huwa to mujhe apne jahaz ka aik safar bohat aaya. Main Buenos Aires, Argentina ja raha tha. Flight ne subah subah utarna tha magar 'fog' is qadar thi ke jahaz ko qareebi shar 'Cardoba' utaar diya gaya. Hum waiting lounge main chale gaye.

Waqt guzaari ke liye - anjaane musaafir - batain kerne lage. Ab logoN ke safar ki wajoohaat suniye -

- Aik aurat, jis ki umar ab pachas ke aas paas hogi, koi 30 baras pehle shadi ker ke Buenos Aires gai thi - magar wahan us ki shadi chal nahi saki - woh phir USA aa gai - magar us relationship ki chubhan ab tak dil main baqi thi - keh rahi thi: "I want to clean my memories by revisting'!

- Aik shaks jis ki umar 65 ke lag bhag ho gi - Tango dance ka koi aesa show dekne ja raha tha jo saal main sirf aik hi baar us shahr main hota hai

- Aik PhD student thi jo 'Evita' pe maqala likhne ja rahi thi

- Aik aur larki thi jo Saint Felicita ki dukh bari kahani pe documentary banana chahti thi

- Aik buRha shaks tha - jis ki beti ne marte huwe us se kaha tha ke 'Liliana Crociati de Szaszak' ki qabar pe meri taraf se phool charRha dena 

- Aik joshila naujawan tha jo political science ka student tha aur Argentinian aur American siyasat ke mawazne pe kaam ker raha tha

- Aik soccer ka player tha jo 'La Boca' ka stadium dekhna chahta tha

Main ye sab chup chaap sun raha tha aur soch raha tha: " kiya koi beRi (travel ban) Khuld se nikle insaan ki bechain ruh ko safar se rok sakti hai? Iqbal ne isi liye to kaha tha:

baġh-e-bahisht se mujhe hukm-e-safar diyā thā kyuuN
kaar-e-jahaaN    daraaz hai    ab  meraa      intizaar kar

On "overrated inspiration"

When Saugoree uncle left comment on my post quoting Khushwant Singh (here), I recalled 2 things for which I always remember Khushwant Singh. Although I have read his writings here and there for many years, his one article is always near and dear to me ( How To Live and Die - here). Another thing is his advice to writers that: "You should write everyday as writing everyday will make you a better writer (than others)".

It took me to Argentinian artist Milo Lockett. When I first read his interview, I was little jolted on his initial statement that: "Inspiration is Utopian". But as he further explained: "What you need is to do your work everyday. Some days you will be less passionate. You may make more mistakes, but mistakes will make you a better person. Key is to do your work everyday".

I was lucky to have good teachers and seniors during my training. I was given one advice which worked like a magic for me. I was told to read every day no matter what - Christmas, New year, birthday, sad day, someone's funeral or vacation - READ EVERYDAY - anything related to subject - 5 minutes, 10 minutes or 15 minutes. I have done that for last many many years and I can assure you, it did not only make me a better physician but a better human being.

As they say: Inspiration is 1% and perspiration is 99%.

Last, but not the least. In cricket's history, Pakistan's Wasim Akram was one of the real legendary bowler. I honestly believe, no one ever came close to him in swing, line-n-length, yorker and varieties. Not Imran Khan, Dennis Lillee, any West Indian furious  or even Sir Richard Hadlee. Wasim said a beautiful thing: "In life, luck will just open the door for you but rest of the journey is all your hard work and practice everyday".

On 'web of love'

On "Zameen ka bojh uthane wale"

Nasir Kaazmi ka aik shyr hai

ye aap ham to bojh hain zameen ka 
zameen ka bojh uthane wale kya hue

Bohat waqt lag gaya mujhe ye samjhne main ke - Zameen ka bojh uthane waale kaun log hote hain?

Ye woh log hote hain jo apne kaam se mukhlis (honest and sincere) hote hain. 
Jin ki apne kaam se lagan 'Bartar az ande-shaaye sud-o-ziyan' hoti hai
Unhe is baat ki fiqar nahi hoti ke maal ban raha hai ya nahi - aasoodgi milti hai ya nahi 

Ye woh log hote hain, jo apne kaam ko ibaadat samjh ker kerte hain

A beautiful Quote on Urdu

اگر آپ اردو سیکھنا چاہتے ہیں تو عشق کر لیجئے اور اگر آپ عشق کرنا چاہتے ہو تو اردو سیکھ لیجئے ۔۔۔

خشونت سنگھ۔۔۔.

An opinion on man and woman

I have an 80 years old very wise friend who is now retired, but very widely traveled and experienced with life. We frequently get engage in lengthy conversation after my work on and off. He made following comment from his experiences in life. I don't agree but it is worth sharing.

"Man may not take it seriously if he comes to know his woman likes another man in her heart as far as she is not sleeping with him. And woman may not mind if his man is sleeping with another woman as far he does not give her any place in his heart".

(Agree?)

On "Neki aur Badii"

Aik din hamare babaji ne kaha

"Buraii se hazar gaz dur raho, magar us ki nafrat ko dil main jagah banane na do"

Main ne kaha: "Babaji! buraii se nafrat to achhi cheez hui. Aap ki ye baat theek nahi lagti"

UnhoN ne jawab diya: "Beta nafrat ka jazba bakhud aik buraii hai. Badi ki illat (reason) neki hai. Badi ki apni aakhri manzil neki hai - neki ka suraj buraai ki ghup aazmaishoN hi main chamakta hai. Buraii hai to neki hai. Mere rab ne kisi cheez ko be-wajah paida nahi kiya - Zaher ka piyala tha to suqraat hai".

Aur phir  Maulana rumi ka ye shyr gungunane lage 

Aao aao, jo bhi ho tum aao aao 
mutlashi ho, aabid ho, rehbaani ho 
is karwaan pe mayoosi ka sayaa nahi
hazar ahed ke khaain ho
phir bhi aao,   aao aao

A Quote

(I don't agree with the second part of the quote but still it is a strong statement)

A Quote

Can't promise, it's Minto. But very strong

Marvel of Surah Baqarah 94-96

Reza Aslan is again in news as he is starting a series of his travelogue of religious exploration on CNN. I tend to agree with him as at the end, it is all about belief that either you lean towards accepting a divine power or not. This let me go back to my own experience and readings of different religions, cultures and societies. I firmly believe that no part of the human existence is left without divine intervention - whether it is a far flung village in Africa or a high mountain of Tibet. Reza wrote a beautiful article as a prologue to his series: "Why I am a Muslim" (here). I am in same boat as he is.

Nothing makes me believe in Islam except Quran, as Umar Bin Khattab famously said after listening Surah Haqqah that it can't be a human made poetry (It is a very poetical surah). I start reading Quran to affirm my atheism and agnosticism, but at many places I had to close book and wonder about it's teaching. Surah Asar had a massive impact on me, though I am still a very confused spiritualist but those two simple lines are core guiding principal for any human life.

My biggest shock came when I reached Surah baqarah ayat 94 to 96. Being a man of science, I always believed that humans will eventually conquer many diseases, and life span of humans will go up to 1000 years, once gene therapy takes off. I saw that prediction right there.

I took some flakes when I wrote post of Pir Shams Multani (here), but in truth human journey is far from over. Many more catalogs of human intellects, war and peace, destruction and resurrections, death and misery, happiness and achievements, many more civilizations alike Romans, exploration of far corners of universe and star wars have yet to be written.

Abhi picture baqi hai mere dost

An added advantage of being a parent

Its almost midnight and I am tired and exhausted - but wants to write this short post as I think, this was an extremely smart observation, today I heard at NPR.

"Being a parent is not only a very profound experience but simultaneously it makes you desperate to make this world a better place".

Good night.

A quote

"If you want to strike water, you don't dig six 1-foot wells; you dig one 6-foot well." ~ Buddha

Shortcut to Ishqe Haqiqi

"Babaji! hum jese sahal-pasandoN ke liye ishqe-haqiqi ka koi shortcut nahi?

"Hai, bilkul hai - magar zara mushkil hai - aur mardoN ke liye thoRa ziyada mushkil hai"

"Woh kiya?"

"Sachhe aur khaalis ishqe-mazaji ka tajarba"

"Aesa kiun?"

"Are pagle! jo aik aurat ka na ho saka - woh aik khuda ka kese ho sakta hai"!