The New Nation - Internet Edition

Dharmendra Kumar

It is litle cold and light breeze is making me get shivers down the spine. I am siting in my balcony and relaxing. It is midnight twelve o'clock. I am not really sure, what I am doing. It happens now and then. And I just sit like this for hours together. Sometimes some thoughts waver in my mind and sometimes it is very quiet The calmness troubles me then, again I am in cluter of thoughts. I feel like siting like this. It brings me time to think, makes me remember my good and bad memories, occasionally brings me laugh on my misdeeds and sometimes makes me feel bad about some embarrassing moments.

Ponder over the past and worrying about the future, that is all I do when I sit like this. Looks like full moon day is close-by, the moon almost looks like full. Bright and Jubilant Full White Moon, with some spots on him. I remembered suddenly my childhood story - which was told by my grandma, which used to explain those spots on the moon. I don't think, I can recall that story in full now. And I am sure, the story doesn't carry the kick which it used to give. Deep in mind, I still wonder how that story used to give me wonderful feeling, and I used to beg my grandma to repeat the story every night Sometimes she fed up telling me same story again and again, and for the heck of story, she used to finish it short Even those tactics, what she used to follow, never deterred me from harassing her for telling the same the next night

The childhood memories started wandering in all my mind. Later when I was litle elder, probably around the age of nine, I tried to narrate the same story to my friends. I still remember that day. Those guys started laughing at me and called it a foolish story and made fun of that for next couple of days. The story didn't interest them and they considered it as a stupid story. I got hurt and went home and cried in my bed alone. And I didn't tell this to anyone till today. I am not feeling bad now about that incident, and I still wonder how much I cried that night and the days followed by. The pain might have got drained through my veins and just formed a residue in my memory lanes.

The precious feeling that we hold on a thing, may not last forever. The story which I used to treat with lot of reverence and joy, certainly don't give me any kick now. In fact, it couldn't even interest those my childhood friends then. And after that laughing incident, I didn't tell this story to anyone else. I changed my circles of friends couple of times, and I never told it to anybody. At every stage of education, I changed schools and colleges and always new friend circle is used to get formed. And still I didn't repeat that story to anyone.

The story which my grandma used to tell was somewhat like this. There was a prince who was lost and ..I think went in search of a princess to the moon. He roamed like hell and he gets tired. I am not sure of the sequence of incidents and all I could recall is what I am puting here. Then, when he tried to rest under the tree, where there is one old grandma trying to cook something for the travelers on the road. Don't really recall what happens then. But, what I remember is that the fire what made is the one causing all that hazy foggy shade on the moon. And that explain the spots on the moon. I was very much convinced.

Do you believe this story now? Neither I. And when I was studying six grade or something, I came to know about the man-exploration of the moon. I read that three men landed on Moon with their spaceship, Apollo. It was the revelation to me to know that time, that moon was also another place like earth, where there was no life. And those spots on the moon are nothing but huge ditches. I used to consider the moon as one of the Gods, and in India, we have a mythological humanly story how the eclipses occur. Of course, later I learnt how the eclipses are really formed. And we used to make fun of those mythological stories.

I remember reading a book on astronomy, where I saw the man's first footprint on moon. I was quite inspiring to see such great achievements of mankind. I borrowed this book from library and I took the photocopy of the photographs, which I liked. Landed Apollo Spaceship on moon, Neil Armstrong geting down the ladder to moon, two men standing next to the American Flag and of course, the first foot-print on Moon. I preserved those photocopies in my own small book library for quite long and I used to show to all my friends who paid visits to me, till they got bored with it And one day, when I was moving my home to different place, I think I myself put those pages in the dustbin.

Later I studied Engineering and came to America. Now I am doing some kind of Information Technology job and I lost myself in this cyber-space for the last few years. I happened to go to San Jose Tech Museum, where I saw one small rock sample, which was brought down from moon. It was sealed in a glass enclosure and was having a sparkling shining. It is certainly doesn't look like a heavenly rock, what I imagined. It looked quite like rock from one of those granite mines. Probably that is all what this universe is made up of. And everything may be same, in one or other way. I looked quite long time at this rock from the moon, than any other exhibits in the museum. And it made a print in my mind deep inside somewhere.

I took two of my friends to this museum and showed them the rock. One guy said it might be a fake. And the other didn't show any interest in this. But I observed the rock for more time than the last time. I felt like this rock is having some story to tell the world. It might be millions of years in age and saw so many generations of humans. Might have had a beter view than many historians. From the top above, constantly observing with awe. I know there is no life in this rock. But, what if these inanimate items had a life form, which is not known to any human science?

How could it be a life story of a rock? Might run over millions of years, from childhood till the death of the rock. Can my grandma tell such a story to me? If there is life this rock, what it would think about the story of my grandma about the spots of moon? It might crack into pieces with laughter. Perhaps it might think? And I am going crazy on this stuff. So let it be.

And one night, which I was scanning across my television channels, I saw this controversial report from Fox Television that man never landed on the moon. And the program gave quite convincing arguments towards the hoax of man landing of moon. The program quite excited me and next day, I started searching all over the Internet to find more details on this. To my surprise, this controversy was more than twenty years old. And I was never aware of this side of the story.

After reading all these websites, my mind got jammed with this new stuff. For the next couple of days, I started arguing with my friends that man never landed on moon and I borrowed all the arguments from internet websites and the television program. It took me like a fever. I became mad started thinking pro-arguments for this hoax. And I found couple of websites arguing against this hoax and offering counter-arguments to the hoax. And as usual, after a month or so, I calmed down.

After some days, I came to know that countries like Japan and India, are planning to send space ships with men to Moon in the next couple of years. And probably, there will be an ending to this hoax - either pro or against Or it might lead to new hoaxes. You never know.

Still moon was bright and looking cool. He kind of laughing at me. Or might be wondering where my thoughts end up. By the time I die, my opinions might change drastically. Or my inner beliefs are going to get dissolved in the ocean of experience, which time is going to permit

But, even today, sometimes I get quite peace when I gaze at Full Moon. I am almost full in my heart and it is neither happiness nor sadness. I just want to sit in this balcony and would like to watch him. Even though I am aware of the scientific facts about moon by books and personal experience, sometimes I still would like to setle with my grandma's story and it comforts me somewhere deep inside my heart

Tamizul Haque, Barrister-at-Law

The first ten Suras starting from Sura-57 to Sura-66, all revealed in Madinah, and each dealing with some special point which needs emphasis in the social life of the Ummat The second contains short Maccan lyrics, each dealing with some aspect of religious life, expressed in language of great artistic beauty.

Sura Al-Hadid-57 is chiefly concerned with humility and the avoidance of arrogance, and a warning that retirement from the world may not be the best way of seeking the good pleasure of Allah. Its probable date is after the Conquest of Macca, A.H.8.

This Sura is valid for the propositions that Allah's Power and Knowledge extend to all things: follow His Light direct, without doubt or fear or half-heartedness, but with humility, generous charity, and faith, and not in a life of isolation from the world.

On reading of Ayet No. 3 of Sura Al-Hadid-57 one may conclude that -

Batin : that which is within, as opposed to that which is evident in things outside. Allah has both these qualities. His Signs are everywhere evident in the whole universe. But He is also immanent within us and in the soul of all good things. The pair of seemingly opposite qualities. First and Last Evident and Immanent Power and Wisdom. Giving of Life and Death, etc. are referred to here, to point the contrast with our human frailty, in which monasticism may not be the same as humility, spending may not be the same as charity, and so on.

The following tradition in Sahih Muslim is also significant for an understanding of this verse. The Holy Prophet said : "Thou art the First, so that there was nothing before Thee; and Thou art the Last, so that there is nothing after Thee; and Thou art Evident, (or Ascendant) so that there is nothing above Thee, and Thou art the the Hidden, the Knower of hidden things, so that there is nothing hidden from Thee.

Again the gist of Ayet No. 1 to 29 of Sura Al-Hadid-57 has been summarized by Abdullah Yusuf Ali thus -

Allah is all-in-all : follow His Law

And His Light, and obey His Apostle, who invites

You to deeds of goodness and charity.

Strive and spend your resources and yourselves

In the Cause of Allah : He will grant you a Light

To go before you and guide you to your Eternal

Goal, where no Evil can enter. When success

Crowns your efforts, even then is the time

To humble yourselves before Allah, in sincere

Witness to His Love. The pleasures here below

Are deceptive : be foremost in seeking Allah

And His Good Pleasure : trust Him : be not

Like those who mistook mere renunciation

Of the world for Allah's service. Allah's Grace

Is for all : be your love and your service for all.

It is clear that retirement from the world may not be the best way of seeking Allah's good pleasure. Also renunciation of this world and adoption of a monastic life may not be the same as humility,

We all known that the Christianity/ Hinduism/Buddhism etc. are religions pertaining to or characteristic of monks, nuns friars and the right But Islam does not believe in such a life as it insist that life has to be lived and not endured . In other word a believer of Faith is expected to enjoy the bounties of the life as Allah has provided for him. At the same time he must not forget to that he has an Islamic duty of enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong and believing in Allah.

For beter understanding I would like to mention here Ayet No. 104 of Sura-III (Al-i-Imran) which runs thus -

Let there arise out of you

A band of people

Inviting to all that is good,

Enjoining what is right,

And forbidding what is wrong :

They are the ones

To atain felicity.

This principle has also been repeated in Ayet No. 110 of Sura-III (Al-i-Imran).

Again in part of Ayet No. 12 of Sura-49 (Hujurat) the Holy Qur-an speaks thus -

O ye who believe !

Avoid suspicion as much

(As possible) : for suspicion

In some cases is a sin :

And spy not on each other,

Nor speak ill of each other

Behind their backs.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali explains the above Ayet thus -

Most kinds of suspicion are baseless and to be avoided, and some are crimes in themselves : for they do cruel injustice to innocent men and women. Spying, or enquiring too curiously into other people's affairs, means either idle curiosity, and is therefore futile, or suspicion carried a stage further, which almost amounts to sin. Back-biting also is a brood of the same genus. It may be either futile but all the same mischievous, or it may be poisoned with malice, in which case it is a sin added to sin.

Again in part of Ayet No. 13 of Sura-49 (Hujurat) the Holy Qur-an speaks thus -

O mankind ! We created

You from a single (pair)

Of a male and a female,

And made you into

Nations and tribes, that

Ye may know each other

Not that ye may despise

(Each other). Verily

The most honoured of you

In the sight of Allah

Is (he who is) the most

Righteous of you.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali explains the above Ayet thus -

This is addressed to all mankind and not only to the Muslim brotherhood, though it is understood that in a perfected world the two would be synonymous. As it is, mankind is descended from one pair of parents. Their

tribes, races, and nations are convenient labels by which we may know certain differing characteristics. Before Allah they are all one, and he gets most honour who is most righteous.

Ayet No. 14 of Sura-49 (Hujurat) is the authority for the proposition that some desert Arabs were somewhat shaky in their Faith. Their hearts and minds were pety, and they thought of pety things, while Islam requires the complete submission of one's being to Allah. Some of the failing of the desert Arabs are described in xlviii. 11-15. But the reference here is said to be to the Banu Asad, who came to profess Islam in order to get charity during a famine.

The subsequent Ayets distinguished the Believer from those of Unbeliever or who have not completely submited to the Will of Allah and accepted Islam as their religion.

Allah knows the innermost motives and secrets of our heart, and we can not deceive Him by ataching a certain label to ourselves.

Islam in itself is a precious privilege. By accepting it we confer no favour on its preacher or on any community. If the acceptance is from the heart, it is a great favour done to those who accept, that the Light of Allah has entered their hearts and they have received guidance.

Therefore, we should be true, sincere and devoted ourselves, and leave the case of others to Allah Sobhanahutahla from Whose eyes nothing is hidden.

Again in Ayet No. 15 of Sura-49 (Hujurat) of Holy Qur-an it is clear that-

Only those are Believers, Who have believed in Allah, And His Apostle, and have Never since doubted, but Have striven with their Belongings and their persons In the Cause of Allah: Such are the sincere ones.

In Ayet No. 10 and 11 of Sura-61 (Saff) is the fifth Sura of the series of short Madina Suras beginning with Sura-57 of (Hadid). Its subject mater is the need for discipline, practical work, and self-sacrifice in the Cause of the Ummat

Abdullah Yusuf Ali summerises Sura-61 (Saff) thus-

Allah's glory shines through all the universe

What deeds of unity and discipline,

Of love and righteousness, have you

To show in conduct ? Or do you

Only mock and insult the apostles

As they did of old ? Nay, trust in Allah

And strive your utmost in His Cause.

Litle have you to give, but glorious

Is the reward that Allah will give you,--

Now and in the Eternal Life to come !

What lessons can we learn from the stories of Musa Alaisalam and Esa Alaisalam ? Holy Qur-an in Ayet No. 5 of the said Sura clearly mentioned what Musa Alaisalam said to his people.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali explains the above Ayet thus -

The people of Moses often rebelled against him. vexed his spirit, and insulted him. They did not through ignorance, but from a selfish, perverse, and rebellious spirit, for which they received punishment The Ummat of Islam should remember and take note of it, and should avoid any deviation from the Law and Will of Allah.

Again in Ayet No. 6 of Sura-61 (Saff) of Holy Qur-an remind us what Jesus, The son of Mary said : "O Children of Israel ! I am the apostle of Allah (Sent) to you, confirming The Law (which came) Before me, and giving Glad Tidings of an Apostle To come after me, Whose name shall be Ahmad.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali explains the above Ayet thus -

"Ahmad", or "Muhammad", the Praised One, is almost a translation of the Greek word Periclytos. In the present Gospel of John, the word "Comforter" in the English version is for the Greek word "Paracletos", which means "Advocate", "one called to the help of another, a kind friend", rather than "Comforter". Our doctors contend that Paracletos is a corrupt reading for Periclytos, and that in their original saying of Jesus there was a prophecy of our Holy Prophet Ahmad by name. Even if we read Paraclete, it would apply to the Holy Prophet, who is "a Mercy for all creatures" and "most kind and merciful to the Believers.

I have considered The Gospel According to Mathew from which it is clear that Jesus Christ had limited mission. I am reproducing the verbatim text as contained in line Nos. 24 and 25 of Mathew Chapter-15, of the Holy Bible which clearly speaks thus -

Jesus replied, 'I was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, and to them alone'.

About the coming of the Holy Prophet (S.M.) I find from the Gospel According to John of the Holy Bible in line Nos. 26 and 27 of Chapter-15 which clearly speaks thus-

'But when your Advocate has come, whom I will send you from the Father-the Sprit of truth that issues from the Father-he will bear witness to me. And you also are my witnesses, because you have been with me from the first'.

Again on reading the line Nos.7 and 8 of Chapter-16 from the Gospel According to John of the Holy Bible it will be found thus-

Nevertheless I tell you the truth : it is for your good that I am leaving you. If I do not go, your Advocate will not come, whereas if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will confute the world, and show where wrong and right and judgement lie.

Further from line Nos. 12 and 13 of Gospel According to John's in Chapter-16 of Holy Bible one will find thus -

'There is still much that I could say to you, but the burden would be too great for you now. However, when he comes who is the Spirit of truth, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but will tell only what he hears; and he will make known to you the things that are coming'.

From all these statements, we may conclude that the Islamic Doctrine of "WAHI" which the Holy Prophet (S.M) of Islam used to receive from time to time from Allah Subahanahutalah are true facts rightly claimed by the Muslims.

(To be continued)