Desert Rose

Desert Rose with Cactii !!!

Me and my brothers :)

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When my youngest brother put our camel ride snaps of Pushkar on his Orkut profile, I told him I'll put this one on my blog with the caption 'Desert Rose with Cactii'. I like the term 'desert rose' and the song with the Arabic tune! It really intrigues me.... With Azeem, I become a total teenager, but sadly, he works/ studies in Pune! 'Look Azeem, I did it ! And no, you're not the rose!' ;-p

Can a Believer follow occult / magic ?

Can a Believer (of God/ Allah and His Scriptures) simultaneously also be a member of an occult group or be amongst those who follow magic ? This is a serious question in today's world where a lot of things are misunderstood or ingrained into immature heads.

Of course, Dan Brown, got me interested in this subject when I watched 'Angels and Demons'. Checking back on history threw light on many untold, unheard secrets, which exist even today. This again is highlighted more clearly in his book, 'The Lost Symbol'. Lot of this magic and occult practices go back to the time of King Solomon and have their source in the 'Temple of Solomon', as it is known. King Solomon was a prophet of God. And was a true believer, but many people during his times took to magic, sorcery and put some blame on King Solomon too.

Even in today's society, the cult (or cults) exist. Many unsuspectingly become members without even knowing the 'secret' of these cults.

An important question here is - Can a Believer also be a member of such cult groups ?

The answer lies in Surah Al Baqarah (Ayat 102) :

And they followed [instead] what the devils had recited during the reign of Solomon. It was not Solomon who disbelieved, but the devils disbelieved, teaching people magic and that which was revealed to the two angels at Babylon, Harut and Marut. But the two angels do not teach anyone unless they say, "We are a trial, so do not disbelieve [by practicing magic]." And [yet] they learn from them that by which they cause separation between a man and his wife. But they do not harm anyone through it except by permission of Allah . And the people learn what harms them and does not benefit them. But the Children of Israel certainly knew that whoever purchased the magic would not have in the Hereafter any share. And wretched is that for which they sold themselves, if they only knew.

The detailed translation (tafsir) of above verse/ ayat as below (reference - http://quran.com/) :

And they follow (wa’ttaba‘ū is a supplement to nabadha, ‘[it] cast away’) what the devils used to relate, during the time of, Solomon’s kingdom, in the way of sorcery: it is said that they [the devils] buried these [books of sorcery] underneath his throne when his kingdom was taken from him; it is also said that they used to listen stealthily and add fabrications to what they heard, and then pass it on to the priests, who would compile it in books; this would be disseminated and rumours spread that the jinn had knowledge of the Unseen. Solomon gathered these books and buried them. When he died, the devils showed people where these books were, and the latter brought them out and found that they contained sorcery, and said, ‘Your kingdom was only thanks to what is in here’; they then took to learning them and rejected the Scriptures of their prophets. In order to demonstrate Solomon’s innocence and in repudiation of the Jews when they said, ‘Look at this Muhammad, he mentions Solomon as one of the prophets, when he was only a sorcerer’, God, exalted, says: Solomon disbelieved not, that is, he did not work magic because he disbelieved, but the devils disbelieved, teaching the people sorcery (this sentence is a circumstantial qualifier referring to the person governing the verb kafarū); and, teaching them, that which was revealed to the two angels, that is, the sorcery that they were inspired to [perform] (al-malakayn, ‘the two angels’: a variant reading has al-malikayn, ‘the two kings’) who were, in Babylon — a town in lower Iraq — Hārūt and Mārūt (here the names are standing in for ‘the two angels’, or an explication of the latter). Ibn ‘Abbās said, ‘They were two sorcerers who used to teach [people] magic’; it is also said that they were two angels that had been sent to teach [sorcery] to people as a trial from God. They taught not any man, without them saying, by way of counsel, ‘We are but a temptation, a trial from God for people, so that He may test them when they are taught it: whoever learns it is a disbeliever, but whoever renounces it, he is a believer; do not disbelieve’, by learning it; if this person refused and insisted on learning it, they would teach him.

Allah couldn't have been more clearer than this. So let us all be shepherds.

Who is a shepherd according to Hadeeth?

“Each one of you is a shepherd. And each of you will be asked about your flock. A ruler also is a shepherd and he will be asked about his flock. And every man is a shepherd to his family. And every woman is the custodian of her husband’s house and his children. Thus each one of you is a shepherd and each one will be asked about his flock.” [Sahih Bukhari and Muslim]

Surah Al Baqarah (Verse - The Cow)

Quran begins with a small verse - Surah Al Fatiha (The Opening), praising Allah. This surah is part of the five obligatory prayers (namaaz) of the Muslims. It asks God (Allah) to guide us on the right path, the path of those HE favoured, and not of those who have incurred the anger of Allah or those who have gone astray.

This is followed by a very long verse (surah), called Surah Al Baqarah. Through this verse Allah tells us to recall some of the incidents which happened before Prophet Muhammed (SAS). It re-iterates there is only one God (Allah). And urges everyone, (including people to whom God first revealed the Torah and then the Gospel) that Quran is the final relevation of Allah and is from the same Lord they follow.

The highlights of Surah Al Baqarah :

Let us begin with understanding why this Verse has been named - The Cow. This is only with reference to one incident of Moses, which is mentioned in the Surah.

Though this verse is the longest one and highlights incidents from the lives of many Prophets - from Adam to Moses to Jesus, I am listing some of the important highlights of the Surah, which are universal and beneficial to all.

Who is a Muslim (A Believer) ?

According to Ayat 136 - Say (O Believers), "We have believed in Allah and what has been revealed to us and what has been revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the Descendents (Al Asbat) and what was given to Moses and Jesus and what was given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims (in submission) to Him".

Al Asbat =the 12 tribes of Israel descended from Jacob.

About Charity :

Ayat 262 - Those who spend their wealth in the Cause of Allah, and do not follow up their gifts with reminders of their generosity or with injury, their reward is with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.

Ayat 274 - Those who spend their wealth (in Allah's Cause) by night and day, in secret and in public, they shall have their reward with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.

About Kind Words :

Ayat 263 - Kind words and forgiving of faults are better than Sadaqah (charity) followed by injury. And Allah is Rich (Free of all wants) and He is Most-Forbearing.

About taking interest (usury) :

Ayat 275 - Those who eat Riba (usury) will not stand (on the Day of Resurrection) except like the standing of a person beaten by Shaitan (Satan) leading him to insanity. That is because they say: "Trading is only like Riba (usury)," whereas Allah has permitted trading and forbidden Riba (usury). So whosoever receives an admonition from his Lord and stops eating Riba (usury) shall not be punished for the past; his case is for Allah (to judge); but whoever returns [to Riba (usury)], such are the dwellers of the Fire - they will abide therein.

What is Rigteousness ?

Ayat 177 - ''Righteousness is not that you turn your faces towards the east or the west, but (true) righteousness is (in) one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveller, those who ask (for help), and for freeing slaves ; (and who) establishes prayer and gives zakat; (those who) fulfill their promise when they promise; and (those who) are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true. And it is those who are the righteous".

Change of Direction of Prayer :

Till the verse was revealed , the Qibla (direction of prayer) was Masjid-e-Aqsa at Jerusalem. This was later changed to Masjid Al Haram (Makkah).

Ayat 142 - The foolish among the people will say, "What has turned them away from their Qibla, which they used to face. Say, "To Allah belongs the east and the west. He guides whom He wills to a straight path."

Ayat 144 - We will surely turn you to a qiblah with which you will be pleased. So turn your face towards Al Masjid Al Haram (Mosque of Makkah).

Surely Allah knew about the disturbances that were to take place in Jerusalem at a later stage. That is why the Qibla and centre of worship was changed from Masjid-e-Aqsa to Makkah. If in today's age (when a lot of unrest is going on between the Israelies and Palestine), Masjid-e-Aqsa would have continued to be the direction of Prayer and worship, what a dilemma Muslims around the world would have been in! Surely, Allah is the Al-Knower and knows what is best. Subhallah!

About Patience and Test :

Ayat 155 - And we will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient.

Ayat 156 - Who, when disaster strikes them says, "Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.

Ayat 157 - Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the rightly guided.

This Verse also has the Ayat 255-Al Kursi, which describes the Lord -

"Allah! There is no god but He - the Living, The Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him Nor Sleep. His are all things In the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede In His presence except As he permitteth? He knoweth What (appeareth to His creatures As) Before or After or Behind them. Nor shall they compass Aught of his knowledge Except as He willeth. His throne doth extend Over the heavens And on earth, and He feeleth No fatigue in guarding And preserving them, For He is the Most High. The Supreme (in glory)."

May Allah guide us all.

Zikr -e- Ilahi by A R Rahman

Wonderful Zikr-e- Allah by A R Rahman. It concludes with chant of 99 names of Allah!

Hasbi Rabbi - by Sami Yusuf

RAMZAN MUBARAK TO ALL

Camel Ride at Pushkar

Our two day trip to Ajmer packed a lot of things in short time. First day, we went to Ajmer Sharif Dargah, then to Sarwar Sharif, which is 75 kms from Ajmer city. It was one n half hour non stop ride on a straight, clear road. Sarwar Sharif houses the dargah of 'Khwaja Fakhruddin Chisty', a companion and 'peer' brother of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chisty (Khwaja Garib Nawaaz). We halted for an hour and returned back to Ajmer in same time.

Next day we went to Pushkar and covered a few places in Ajmer itself like 'Soniji ki Nasiya' (it has a wonderful huge gold model of the Jain concept of Universe, you need to see it to believe it), Akbar Fort cum Museum and Ana Sagar Lake. I felt that the Museum charges of Rs 5 per person (Indian) and Rs 10 (for foreign tourist) was very less for of the place.

Pushkar houses the Pushkar lake, which is considered sacred to Hindus. It is usually crowded during the Pushkar Fair. We found a lot of partiality towards European tourists there. 40 feet from lake footwear is not allowed. But, we saw 3 pretty European girls venture close to the lake with their footwear on, without objection. When we near the same point where the girls were (away from the marble side from where people actually take a dip), we heard someone shouting from far, 'chappal upar, chappal upar'. But the girls continued to flaut the discipline laid down there.

The small town around the lake, was kinda sweet and peaceful. There were beautiful traditional artifacts. The market mostly caters to the European tourists, hence has many clothes and designs to suit their tastes. Though I was warned that Pushkar can be very expensive, I found it quite reasonable, wherever I checked. The highlight of our Pushkar trip was the 'Camel ride'. Though the camel owners were insisting for Rs 200 for a 2 hour ride, we wanted to have a short ride just for fun and experience, so we bargained at a lesser rate for half hour journey. I was skeptical how the camel ride would be. Then I thought to myself - 'This is the ride of our dear Prophet Muhammed SAS' and suddenly I was keen on sitting. The owner guided us saying that we should keep our body balance backwards as the camel gets up. With those instructions I managed the ride and the bumps while climbing uneven land. I had this feeling that I was way back in time in the land of Arabia and riding through the land there. Thoroughly enjoyed the ride and the small halts the camels used to take to relish the 'greens' on the ground.

The two days at Ajmer-Pushkar were memorable, Alhamdulillah.

Lost and.... found ?

I'd gone to Ajmer for a couple of days. We (me and my brothers) went by 9.40 pm Aravalli Express from Borivali on Saturday (31st July). This train reaches Ajmer at 4.40 pm next day. On our return journey, we came by the super-fast Jaipur Bandra Express, which leaves Ajmer at 8.30 pm and is supposed to reach Mumbai at 1.30 pm next day. Of course, the 'supposed to' remained a supposition only as next day early morning, we were told by the chai-wala who got in at some station at 7.30 am, that the train was running an hour late.

As our seats were confirmed at the last moment, they were scattered. I was to occupy the side seat (bottom berth) diagonally opposite to the compartment where my brothers were. They were allotted upper and middle berths opposite to each other in the one compartment. Our bags were pushed beneath the seats as we occupied our positions in the train. This train has two major halts, from where people were to board the trains at later stations at a later time. A major halt was at 1.30 am in the night too!

As majority of the travellers slept and even switched off the lights and drew the privacy curtains, the people coming in later, were clueless where to sleep and were pulling the curtains to check the seat numbers. People were adding more luggage, adjusting their own, while the earlier commuters slept. One passenger was to board our compartment too at 1.30 am, and we saw him in the morning!

Several people got down at Surat at 11.15 am next day, including two (mother-son) from our compartment, where our luggage was neatly tucked beneath the seat. The man who boarded the train at 1.30 am had two big baggages tucked beneath the seats where our luggage was! His family was in some other compartment. After he brushed his teeth, he moved in with his family. When the Surat duo got off with a lot of luggage, which included severals bags beneath one entire seat, a big box between two seats and a few bags here and there, I had a slight doubt where my bag was! I told my brother. He though I was joking, and shrugged it off in true brother-sister tuff style! And anyways, in a First Class AC compartment, one rarely comes across people with malafide intentions. As most people got off, we had also moved into one compartment and sat together. Because of non-stop rain from Rajasthan and dull and dark weather, we were bored major part of the journey.

The train was to reach Borivali at 2.30 pm (4th Aug). At around 1.50 pm , we started assembling our bags and preparing to get off at Borivali. It is then that I realised that my black trolley bag was missing! Again my older brother pacified me saying it might be behind the luggage of the man who got in past mid night! My younger checked behind that too and finally confirmed that the bag was missing ! My heart sank. It had my clothes, and some traditional stuff I'd picked from Ajmer and Pushkar for friends and family. It also had some personal things and cosmetics. Plus it had tucked between a 'janamaaz' (again picked from Ajmer Sharif), a special Arabic to English pocket sized Quran gifted to me by a colleague. Now this is a special possession, as I checked and found out that it is rare and a Saudi Arabia publication, not easily found locally.

I was angry at my brother for not taking my words earlier in the day seriously. We re-checked all the places including the top berths again. Again, same result - 'bag not found'! I called my Dad to inform him. He told us to check the surrounding compartments in the same coach. We did that. No result. In fact, when we started asking people around, some even got defensive. I called my brother-in-law for his advice. He told us to look out for TC or railway police and inform them of the theft first. Meanwhile both my brothers were checking under other seats in the coach. The man of husband-wife-baby family sitting on the side seat of our compartment, told us that only one group had vacated the compartment since morning. The mother-son at Surat. But hearing that I gave up hope that the bag would ever be found. He suggested that we take the PNR number and names of them and later trace their numbers through railway and check if they'd picked my bag by mistake. Knowing how little time one had once back to Mumbai routine life, I had little hope. Also, following up with people of Surat only on a hunch, was useless. My Dad suggested that even if we don't find the bag, it was better to inform authorities at Borivali station of such occurences so that if these are frequent on the route it could be highlighted (and action taken).

In life, I've learnt to mentally calm myself as I've learnt to cope with losses and shattered dreams. Only this time it was material, so I thought, what's the big deal anyways. Only I didn't want the Quran and another religious book inside the bag to be disrespected by anyone. Also, a few things taken for others, meant something to me. Losing 'my' things meant they could be replaced. Thinking of all these things, I prepared to get off at Borivali which was only a few mins away. Even the PNR number of the Surat duo was collected. The TC remarked that such instances were unheard of in upper class compartments. When I reflected back, the Surat duo had also taken their luggage in front of my eyes. I would have noticed my bag being taken away, if at all. But I couldn't recollect anything. I was irrirated at the person, who'd tucked his bags over our luggage and was nicely sitting 4 compartments away with his family. We'd questioned him also in the beginning and checked through their bags, but he said he hadn't moved any bags! In fact, there was a mini chaos in the entire coach as people came to know of the incident. Most of the people were going to get off at Bandra (the final destination of train). I also wondered if in the night as the train halted at places, some outsider might have pulled the bag away, seeing people in deep sleep.

Finally, Borivali came and we prepared to get off. Again as we passed the 'bohra' family (the ones who'd got in at 1.30 am), my older brother asked them to contact us in case anything was found anywhere. Now the man really took offense, thinking we were doubting him. We got off at Borivali station with the remaining baggage and waited. My brother went back in the train to give his mobile number to the passengers going further so that they could contact him in case they found anything. Though no such luck seemed possible, as we had checked most places. After a 10 min halt, the train started to move. And my brother was seen coming back..... with my black bag! It was like magic. Almost as in the movies, when the hero finally emerges through a foggy background..... I asked him how and where he found it. He said as he got in the train to give his contact details, the man from the Bohra family pointed to a bag lying in a corner, almost near the last compartment near the door (4 away from where we were seated!), and asked him, 'Is that bag yours?' When my brother saw it, he realised, it was !

I immediately called my Dad. I told him that my bag was found. His words began to fumble, his voice was trembling and he was almost in tears as I could sense from his voice! I asked him why he was crying. He said, "Your Mom just said that since we were returning from the house of Khwaja Gareeb Nawaz, such a thing can never happen! And no sooner did she complete the sentence, you called to say that your bag was found!" This entire realisation, also made me emotional. Such miracles I'd heard of, but experienced for the first time. We said, 'Shukran Allah, Alhamdullilah' and proceeded towards home....

Case of the Missing Cushion

Last Saturday, on my way back home from office, I noticed one entire seat in Ladies First Class compartment empty. I wondered why, as I got in. And when I did, I got the answer. The cushions were missing. The seat had been cut open with a sharp object from the middle and the cushion had been pulled out. The ripped open rexine was then covered over it from both sides. As it was raining outside and some seats were messy with rain water, this seat was totally avoided as water had collected in the folded parts of the rexine. Later on as the crowd started pouring in, someone suggested cleaning the seat and making place to sit. A few ladies, who were already wet, decided to forget hygiene, and preferred to sit through the long journey!

In Mumbai, it is not uncommon to see parts of public infrastructure being robbed / flicked for making fast bucks. Earlier the swanky dustbins, introduced a few years back on Mumbai roads, were robbed. Later on they were anyways discontinued after the train blasts and the Taj Hotel sabotage, for safety reasons. Then, when the ticket punching machines were introduced, we had street urchins to beggers to drug addicts, feeding the machine with papers and cards just to have it punched with 'something'. This something was of course the ticket validating time and station codes. When genuine people punched their tickets, the ink was barely visible, cutting a sorry picture in front of ticket checkers!

One of my previous posts, had pictures and stories of two missing seats from Ladies First Class compartment alongwith with cushion and rexine and the supporting plank below. Long back I've seen a couple of autorickshaw seats with railway logos while travelling in an auto. I wonder whether only the rexine part of the seat was ripped apart for it or the entire seat was flicked to make a luxurious seat for the autorickshaw !

Now as we slowly intent to convert Mumbai into a Shanghai-like city and have the Metro soon to be launched, I wonder how many more such luxury items (for which the working class is heavily taxed at source) will go missing ! God bless Mumbai and its citizens. Especially the train travellers!

What is Righteousness ?

Many people wonder what is righteousness and come up with their own conceptions. But why should we live on conceptions when Quran clearly defines what is expected of a true Muslim ?

We all have become very mean people in this world. We have forgotten the teachings of Quran and Hadeeth. We try to twist religion to suit us. In fact, when you actually start reading the Quran with meaning, every little doubt is cleared with ease. Nothing in the Quran is not followable in today's world. The message is universal and for all times. But we follow what suits us and what we are already following. And we discard which does not suit us. In fact, at all times, our endeavour should be to learn, grow and correct where were wrong till now.

Coming back to point and main question - What is Righteousness ?

According to Surah Al- Baqarah (Verse No 177) :
''Righteousness is not that you turn your faces towards the east or the west, but (true) righteousness is (in) one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveller, those who ask (for help), and for freeing slaves ; (and who) establishes prayer and gives zakat; (those who) fulfill their promise when they promise; and (those who) are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous.''

This is word to word from Quran. In this short verse Allah says everything that HE expects from humans in conduct.

May Allah guide us all on the right path.

Maula Ya Salli Wa Sallim

Mashallah ! Needs no comments..... I love this naat.

Shab-e-Baraat (The night of Accountability / Salvation)

Hadith :
From Hazrat Ala ibne Haris (R), Hazrat Ayesha Rad says, “Once Rasulullah SallallahuAlaiyhiwa Sallam stood for Salat at night and he stayed in Sajdah for such a long time that I thought he had passed away. I then woke up and shook his thumb. His thumb shook. He got up from Sajdah and completed his Salat and told me,“O `A’ishah (or O Humaira [as he would call her]), have you thought that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would not give you your right?” I said, “No, by Allah, Allah’s Messenger. But when you stayed prostrating so long, I thought you had passed away.” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) then said, “Do you know what night this is?” I said, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “This is the 15th night of Sha`ban. Almighty Allah turns towards His servants on the 15th of Sha`ban and forgives those who ask for His forgiveness, grants mercy to those who ask for it, and delays (punishing or bringing to account) the evil people.”
Shuabul Iman, Baihaqi 3/382 – 368

Another Hadith :

Mu-az Ibne Jabal (RA) quot es Rasulullah SallallahuAlaiyhiwaSallam: “Allah Ta’la looks on to His creation at the half of Shaban, and without ‘mushrik’ (who make partners wit h Allah Taala and jealous people – He forgives all.” (Shahih Ibne Hibban)

Ibn Majah also reported with a weak chain of reporters on the authority of `Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,
''After sunset on the night of Middle of Sha`ban, Allah in His great mercy and kindness turns towards His creation and asks, "Is there anyone who would seek My forgiveness and I forgive him (or her)? Is there anyone who is in need to ask Me and I provide for his (or her) needs. Is there anyone who is in pain and seeks My help and I help him (or her)? Is there…? Is there…?” until the time of Dawn."

Shab-e- Baraat is observed on the night of 15th of Shabaan (15 days prior to Ramzan). As Muslims worldwide, calculate the beginning of a new day from sunset, Shab-e-Baraat this year is on the night of 27th July, 2010.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is said to have recommended prayers during this night and fasting during the following day.

It reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to visit the Muslim cemetery on this evening and he used to pray for the deceased Muslims.

It is also believed that the all the events, deaths, 'rizq' for the coming year (till next Shab e baraat) is accorded on this night.

To avail full benefit of the night, one has to offer Nifil namaaz throughout the night, recite the Quran, ask for forgiveness, offer supplication (dua). Some formats of Nifil namaaz are circulated these days. Though the formats do not appear in Quran / Hadeeth, they are recommended as they include duas and verses from Quran, which will be beneficial for all of us.

May Allah guide us and show us the right path

Note : The attached video was made in previous Shabaan, hence the timings and venue mentioned towards the end may be ignored

Tere Bin Laden

Seen a movie after a long long time. Last one I saw in Feb 2010 with my family - 'My Name is Khan'. After that none interested me enough to go and watch. Sunday I was totally down -with stress, hectic life and dull health. Since all were at home for the weekend, my sister suggested we watch 'Tere Bin Laden' as the reviews were good. Though I wasn't keen, she suggested it would cheer me up as from the recent stress of my life. I'd seen some funny promos and it was a short movie after all and at a cinema hall 10 mins walk from our house. Also, offbeat cinema by new film-makers are good food for thought, so the deal seemed fair enough. I said 'yes' and decided to be part of the gang.

I didn't regret the decision to watch the movie. The entire movie was interesting as the name. We laughed right from the first frame to the last. It was one helluva crazy movie! My sister put Archana Puran Singh to shame with her non-stop laughter. The film storyline is set in Pakistan, though the shooting took place in India only. It is about a young Pakistani journalist, Ali Zafar (the good looking singer from Pak) who dreams of going to America (USA). And the amount of tricks he does to get there. The first frame begins with a cover story on the first flight going to USA from Pakistan after the 9/11. There is only one Pakistani (Ali) in the all American passenger list (including the cabin crew). Everyone gives him a strange n suspicious look. To make matters worse, the air hostess drops a butter knife and apna Ali gets up in hero-style to return it back to her! Holding up the butter knife, he moves behind the air hostess telling her that she dropped something down and flashes the butter knife! That's it ! The air hostess yells and all hell breaks loose! Ali is taken into custody and questioned and news is twisted and flashed everywhere..... That's how the film opens!

Like the first scene, every scene is crazy but with a lot of message. The Bin Laden in the movie is a fake Osama look-alike set up for earning big bucks, to go to America! The casting, accent, scenes, everything is done with a lot of care to create a Pakistani feel. And all this with an all Indian cast and locations. Only Ali Zafar is the Pakistani actor in the movie. The film is funny as well as satirical. It speaks volumes of US policies, the reality behind the actual 'breaking' news we see on television and has lot of anti-Bush'ism' ! The character of Osama lookalike, played by Pradhuman Singh is too good. A simple village guy, who runs a poultry farm and is crazy about his 'kukkads' and 'kukdis' unwillingly becomes a man-on-the-run after he becomes wanted by the US Army! All characters appear realistic. And though the movie is shot in Hyderabad, you feel you are in Pakistan ! A truly well-made movie with no dull moment and no lecture baazi. Everything is said joking, but hits where it should !

A clean masterpiece by debutante writer-director Abhishek Sharma, the film is recommended for young and old !

Shab-e-Mehraj : The night of Ascent

Many non Muslims wonder what Shab-e-Mehraj is. 'Shab' here means 'night' and 'Mehraj' was Prophet Mohammed SAS's ascent to the seven heavens on this particular night. This was a indeed a miracle of Allah. Though a lot of things happened there and Muhammed SAS met many too, the earthly time taken for the entire episode was merely a few minutes. It is reported that his bed was still warm when he returned back from his journey. The video details the entire episode very beautifully. Though the language is Arabic, the subtitles are English. With the subtitles, I need not add more descriptions about Shab-e-Mehraj in my post as it is self explanatory. I like this particular video because of the beautiful rhythm and tune.

For those who do not know, music is prohibited in Islam. The only permissible instrument is the 'Daf' (flat and round- similar to a drum, but with only one side). The entire rhythm is only on 'daf'' and the beautiful rendition of the words / lyrics. Though music is prohibited, beautiful recitation of Quran is part of Islamic culture. It is called the 'Qiraat'. When you hear a 'Qiraat' of some Hafiz (one who knows the entire Quran by heart)- the octaves, balancing of low and high pitch and controlling of breath, the best of best singers appear nothing. It is that amazing ! And when a Qiraat or Nasheed (religious song) is accompanied by a beautiful voice, then the entire effect is breath-taking ! And no music (not even a Daf) is required as the words flow with such musical perfection.... Subhanallah!

5th July - Holiday or Bandh or just fun ?

It's a holiday in US today due to their Independence Day yesterday. In US, the holidays falling on a Saturday/ Sunday are moved to a Monday. So the Dollar market (which forms major part of our forex) is closed today.

In some suburban areas of Mumbai, markets are closed on Mondays instead of Sundays. Mira Road is always closed on Mondays, except for 'Monday Markets' selling low cost wares on the road during evenings.

So, today's bandh by opposition doesn't affect some people. To me it looks like we're celebrating American Independence with USA! But this is with a difference. The celebration or fun is being had by the Opposition. Whereas the people are being inconvenienced. Here, we're pelting stones at the public, stopping trains where people are travelling and causing inconveniece to the 'junta', whereas this Bandh is supposed to be aimed at the Government !

To me, the entire bandh/ strike concept (which has almost become neglible in Mumbai in the recent past) looks like a big picnic for the party workers who're involved in it. Just like before a picnic or some major event, volunteers gather early morning with food supplies. Then they go out and have fun... puncturing tyres, pelting stones, troubling people. The fun of some is troublesome for many. Who doesn't like to bully others? It's often the target who suffers! Many people who stay away from home (like my youngest brother at Pune!) and depend on outside food are sitting sans a breakfast now. Lunch is again another big question !!! People wanting to go out for emergency work, will be stranded. Sick people will suffer. India will suffer financial losses in crores! Maybe this will further add to prices! So, who will benefit anyways?

Most people are at home due to fear. Some just want a holiday and are glad this is some excuse to stay home. June-July have no Bank Holidays anyways! Over a period of time, I've noticed that strikes and bandhs are called during months when there are no holidays! Interesting, ain't it ?

At such times, people in the service industry are in the most odd situations! Banks, Hotels (not restaurants) and other service providers, on whom public depend cannot just close the shutters and vanish! We just do not know what is to be done. All such organisations make their own action plan. That also differs from department to department, depending on what needs they are catering to! Due to one such decision of giving ladies the benefit of not coming, I am at home! :-) Some organisations have called their staff at 6 / 7 am so that they can work while the commotion, if any, goes on outside. And most such agitations get over by 5 / 6 pm, which is by when offices also shut. And service providers work till much later! Maybe, customers/ clients might not come and might have to eventually go back home. But you cannot predict such things in advance. Clearing/ RTGS / CMS sections of banks depends on RBI to take a call in such cases. If RBI itself is closed due to low attendence, then banks can relax....

Just got a call from my office too. My team and others from South Mumbai (no incidents reported from that side as yet!) who'd braved their way to office are now going back home on boss's instructions...... No customers, forex closed, more untoward incidents in suburbs........ now its more an ego war between parties, all of whom are trying to prove who has more power and say!

For me, it's an extended weekend ! Hmm....

Broken marriage promise pushed her to suicide...

'Broken marriage promise pushed her to suicide'- These were the headlines in 'Mumbai Mirror' on Sunday, June 27. The person who committed suicide was Viveka Babaji, a known model. This is the most talked about news at the moment and makes one wonder! There were several related articles too on the subject. On dreams, hollow life and quest for love... which is all very sad.

Life in a city gets too embroiled in too many expectations from life and self. First - studies ; then work - and it's a competitive world out there! And if you take all of it sincerely, you realise you forgot to live. And when you want to live, you realise things have changed. And for a woman, who is biologically made for some functions by nature, when you do not fulfill them, an emptiness sets in! Also, if due to reasons beyond your control, you are unable to marry, family and society puts a lot of pressure, often blaming the girl herself ! And if all this is accompanied by broken promises and shattering of related dreams, it can totally break a woman, sometimes even a strong one! Because naturally, a woman needs security and a man's presence in her life to feel complete. That's how God has made them.

There was a similar incident in Bhayander several months back. A girl of 37 years, who was unmarried, got frustrated with the pressures and ridicule of society and finally decided to end her life. An unmarried girl (without her own fault) is often looked at with questionable eyes! Also, our society has so many customs and traditions, where only 'married' women are allowed to participate. This is further insulting and demeaning to unmarried women and widows! In our society woman is blamed for almost everything -breaking of an engagement/ rishta; early and untimely death of her husband; not being able to bear children; also not being able to have a male child. Such societal behaviour can drive a person to insanity after a while... You might have a good job, a decent salary and lifestyle, but sans 'happiness', everything still boils to nothing !

Life can surely be strange and unfair to some!