Month: August 2020

Hussaini Alam has to do with the history and not just religion

Hyderabad: Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is known around the world over for the mourning of Hazrat Hussain, the son of Imam Ali and a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, who was martyred in the battle of Karbala, in Iraq (about) about 1400 years ago.

Hyderabad’s Moharram traditions, especially its huge processions, are believed to be the largest in the Indian sub-continent, which witness the participation of thousands of people, including those of non-Islamic faiths.

The processions begin from the first day of Muharram and end on the tenth of the same month. The Alam, which is a symbolic representation of the martyrs who died in the battle of Karbala, is usually carried out of the Bibi Ka Alawa ashoor khana on an elephant. It is followed by performing Khooni Matam, flagellation as a practice of mourning.

Every Ashoorkhana’s Alam has a Tabaruq (leftovers from the battle of Karbala or the anything which is associated Hazarth Hussian’s family).A number of people visit the Alam to offer their prayers.

History

The Qutb Shahi rulers were  Shia Muslims. During the reign of Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah, the fifth Qutb Shahi King, a prominent religious man named Aga Ali went for Hajj pimilgrimage (performed in Mecca). During the pilgrimage he had the privilege of acquiring a double edged sword which belonged to Imam Jafar Al Sadiq,who is a member of Prophet Hussain’s family.

The sword was received by Mohammad Quli Qutb Shah with royal honors. He later directed to construct Hussaini Alam Ashoor Khana and appointed Aga Ali as its chief cleric. The relic was installed as an Alam, which is incorporated in a specially designed Alam. The monarch also issued a decree for a Mahi Maratib, Royal Umbrella and Naubat for the Ashoor Khana. Aga Ali was endowed with Jagir and pension for the upkeep of the Ashoor Khana.

The Langar of this ashoor khana is very famous, and still attracts thousands of Muslims every year It was started by Hayat Bakshi Begum, the daughter of Mohd. Quli Qutb Shah, on her boon (mannat) coming true. According to a legend, Hayat Bakshi Begum’s son Abdullah was on his way to the Golconda fort, when the elephant he was travelling on went wild.

The elephant then picked up pace, threw down the mahout and ran with the then one-year old Prince into the forest. The worried mother seeing the crescent of Muharrum on the same day prayed that if the Prince returned safely she would offer a chain of gold equal to the weight of the Langar.

She vowed that this chain of gold would be tied round the waist of the Prince and he would be made to walk to the ashoor khana with it. After a day or two, the elephant recovered from its fit and reportedly returned tamely to the fort. With her wish coming true, the Queen mother arranged for a carpet to be spread from the Golconda fort to Hussaini Alam.

The legend also says that Hayat Bakshi Begum tied a gold chain of forty maunds (a traditional unit of mass) around the body of the Prince, who later went walking to the Hussaini Alam ashoor khana. The Alam in the historical Bibi-ka-Alawa ashoor khana goes round in a procession within the precincts of the building on the night of ashoora , the 10th day of Muharram.10). Ashurkhanas are called so since it is linked to the day of Ashura.

Hayat Bakshi Begum held a unique place in Hyderabad and Qutb Shahi history, give that she was connected to three kings: she was the daughter of a monarch (Mohd. Quli Qutb Shah), wife of a king (successor of her father, Sultan Mohd. Qutb Shah) and her son was also a king (Abdullah Qutb Shah). She was believed to be one of the most powerful women in the dynasty.

Courtesy: Siasat.com

For first time in 700 years, no ‘tazia’ processions in Delhi

The carrying of ‘tazias’ at Muharram in Delhi has been undertaken since medieval times but this will be the first time for 700 years that processions will not be carried out, said Syed Kashif Nizami

The carrying of ‘tazias’ at Muharram in Delhi has been undertaken since medieval times but this will be the first time for 700 years that processions will not be carried out, said Syed Kashif Nizami, the custodian of the revered Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya shrine.

“Even during the Partition in 1947, there was no ban on ‘tazia’ processions in the dargah, but this time due to the corona pandemic, Delhi and the Central government have not allowed processions to be held in a mass religious programme.”

“For more than 700 years, the largest ‘tazia’, decorated with flowers, is kept in the Imambara, which is at a small distance from the dargah. More than four ‘tazias’ decorated with flowers are kept here.”

On the 10th day of Muharram, which marks the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet at Iraq’s Karbala in 681 A.D, a procession with mourners carrying daggers and knives is carried out from the dargah and the blood oozing out of their self-inflicted wounds is reminiscent of the tragedy.

However, this time around, all such activities have been banned due to the pandemic. So this time only ‘tazias’ decorated with flowers will be sent to Karbala in the capital.

Gauhar Asghar Kasmi, a member of Shah-e-Mardan Dargah and Anjuman Karbala Committee at Aliganj Jorbagh in Delhi, said: “Every year, the ‘majlis’ starts from the first day of Muharram. Tazias are also kept at many places. On the 10th day of Muharram, processions reach here with nearly 70 large tazias. Tazias are buried here. A procession of mourners beating their chests take to the streets on Teej, the 12th day of mourning. ‘Majlis’ are being organised this year only in the Imambaras. People are allowed to participate in the Majlis with observance of social distancing norms.”

Hindu-Muslim unity is also at display every year on Muharram.

Mohammad Zuhaib Nizami, who is associated with Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya Dargah, said: “Many Hindu families in the vicinity have been part of the ‘tazia’ processions for many years owing to their faith. A Hindu family in Mehrauli has been doing so for many decades.”

The coronavirus has also affected the life of people involved in the business of ‘tazia’. ‘Tazias’ are made in thousands in Delhi, but this time due to corona, people are not buying ‘tazias’ for ‘aqidat’ (goodbye prayers).

Courtesy: National Herald

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/for-first-time-in-700-years-no-tazia-processions-in-delhi

 

List of 500 Most Influential Muslims of the world released

 

Jordan: Jordan-based Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre (RISSC) has released The 2020 Edition of the Muslim 500 naming 500 Influential Muslims of the world.

Leading scholar of Hadith, Islamic jurisprudence and Islamic finance Justice Sheikh Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani tops the list, while, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan is named the ‘Man of the year’, and US Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib has been named ‘Woman of the year’.

Ayatollah Khamenei the second Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran is on second number. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan is on 6th number. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is on 24th position.

• The Top 50 •

  1. HE Justice Sheikh Muhammad Taqi Usmani
    Scholar and Deobandi Leader (6)
  2. HE Grand Ayatollah Hajj Sayyid Ali Khamenei
    Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran
    (4)
  3. HH General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed
    Al-Nahyan
    Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces
    (15)
  4. HM King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud
    King of Saudi Arabia
    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques (2)
  5. HM King Abdullah II Ibn Al-Hussein
    King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan,
    Custodian of the Holy Sites in Jerusalem (3)
  6. HE President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
    President of the Republic of Turkey (1)
  7. HM King Mohammed VI
    King of Morocco (5)
  8. HE Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Hussein
    Sistani
    Marja of the Hawza, Najaf, Iraq (7)
  9. HE Sheikh Al-Habib Umar bin Hafiz
    Scholar and Director of Dar Al Mustafa, Tarim,
    Yemen (8)
  10. HM Sultan Qaboos bin Sa’id Al-Sa’id
    Sultan of Oman (12)
  11. Sheikh Salman Al-Ouda
    Scholar and Preacher (10)
  12. HH Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamid Al-Thani
    Emir of Qatar (19)
  13. HE President Joko Widodo
    President of Indonesia (16)
  14. HE Sheikh Dr Ahmad Muhammad Al-Tayyeb
    Grand Sheikh of the Al-Azhar University,
    Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Mosque (9)
  15. HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah
    Scholar and President of the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies (11)
  16. HE Imran Khan
    Prime Minister of Pakistan (29)
  17. HE President Muhammadu Buhari
    President of Nigeria (17)
  18. HE Sheikh Dr Ali Gomaa
    Former Grand Mufti of the Arab Republic of
    Egypt (18)
  19. Professor KH Said Aqil Siradj
    Chairman of Indonesia’s Nahdlatul Ulama (20)
  20. HRE Amirul Mu’minin Sheikh As-Sultan
    Muhammadu Sa’adu Abubakar III
    Sultan of Sokoto (21)
  21. Seyyed Hasan Nasrallah
    Secretary-General of Hezbollah (23)
  22. Sheikh Habib ‘Ali Zain Al Abideen Al-Jifri
    Preacher and Director General of the Tabah
    (24)
  23. Sheikh Hamza Yusuf Hanson
    Teacher and Co-Founder of Zaytuna College
    (25)
  24. HRH Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman
    bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud
    Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia (13)
  25. Sheikh Ahmad Tijani bin Ali Cisse
    Leader of the Tijaniyya Sufi Order (22)
    37
    He said, ‘Certainly not! indeed I have my Lord with me. He will guide me’.
    The Poets 26 : 62
    Calligraphy by Hasan Kan’an © FreeIslamicCalligraphy.com
  26. HE Sheikh Abdul-Aziz ibn Abdullah Aal
    Al-Sheikh
    Grand Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
    (26)
  27. Sheikha Munira Qubeysi
    Leader of the Qubeysi (27)
  28. Maulana Mahmood Madani
    Leader and Executive Member of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, India (32)
  29. Sheikh Mustafa Hosny
    Preacher (34)
  30. Sheikh Usama Al-Sayyid Al-Azhari
    Scholar (35)
  31. HH Shah Karim Al-Hussayni
    The Aga Khan IV, 49th Imam of Ismaili Muslims (36)
  32. HE Sheikh Dr Yusuf Al-Qaradawi
    Head of the International Union of Muslim
    Scholars (30)
  33. Habib Luthfi bin Yahya
    Preacher (37)
  34. Sheikh Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi
    Leader of the Houthi (38)
  35. Sheikh Mahmud Effendi
    Scholar and Preacher (39)
  36. Maulana Tariq Jameel
    Scholar and Preacher (40)
  37. Sheikh Moez Masoud
    Preacher and Televangelist (31)
  38. HE President Halimah Yacob
    President of Singapore (41)
  39. Sheikh Rached Ghannouchi
    Tunisian Politician (28)
  40. Sheikh Muhammad Al-Yaqoubi
    Scholar (42)
  41. Professor Seyyed Hossein Nasr
    Philosopher and University Professor (43)
  42. HE Mahathir Mohamad
    Prime Minister of Malaysia (44)
  43. Sheikh Uthman Taha
    Calligrapher (45)
  44. Mohammed Salah
    Footballer (46)
  45. Sheikh Muqtada Sadr
    Scholar and Political (47)
  46. HE President Mahmoud Abbas
    President of Palestine (HM)
  47. Dr Aref Ali Nayed
    Scholar (48)
  48. Dr Timothy Winter (Sheikh Abdal Hakim
    Murad)
    Islamic Scholar (HM)
  49. Dr Mohamed Bechari
    French activist (50)
  50. Maulana Nazur ur-Rahman
    Amir of Tablighi Jamaat, Pakistan (new)

Indian Islamic Scholar Maulana Mahmood Madani is on 28th position. Noted Pakistani scholar Maulana Tariq Jameel is on 36th position.

In The 2020 Edition of the Muslim 500 (The World’s 500 Most Influential Muslims), the first 50 persons are religious leaders and chiefs of the states while the remaining 450 persons belong to 13 other fields including politics, social and media fields.

Under the head Administration of Religious Affairs, the list also mentions eight other Indians including Shaikh Abooobackar Ahmed, Sayyid Ibrahimul Khaleel Al-Bukhari, Maulana Saad Kandhalvi, Mufti Abul Qasim Nomani, Maulana Shakir Ali Noorie, Hyderabad MP and MIM president Asaduddin Owaisi and Maulana Zuhair ul Hassan.

Source: Siasat

Inspiring: Azharuddin- a taxi driver’ son clears UPSC exam

Despite having financial difficulties, his mother Meraj focused on providing quality education to her children.

NEW DELHI: The Civil Services exam 2019 results have been announced by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

The coveted Civil Services Examination result has thrown a number of rags to riches stories.

Earlier in 2016, an autorickshaw driver’s son from Jalna, Ansar Ahmad Shaikh, made headlines after he cracks the UPSC in his first attempt and becomes the youngest IAS officer till date.

This year, many inspiring , positive, uplifting stories have been appearing in the newspaper.

Azharuddin Zahiruddin Quazi is also one among the candidates who has successfully cleared the 2019 UPSC examination .

Son of Zahiruddin Quazi, a taxi driver in Yavatmal area of the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, Azharuddin brought laurels by securing AIR- 315.

Quality education

Azharuddin’s parents have non-degree status. His father is non-matriculate and his mother Meraj is a Class 10 passout.

Despite having financial difficulties, his mother focused on providing quality education to her children.

Azaharuddin and his sibling are all qualified professionally.

One of his sibling has completed MBBS. Second is Chemical Engineer and third a Lawyer. Azharduddin himself is a National Colour Holder in Handball.

A graduated in Commerce from Yavatmal, Azharuddin got selected as a Probationary Officer in Corporation Bank where he served for 6 years before appearing for UPSC.

Azharuddin gets free coaching for the preparation of the coveted recruitment exam from Jamia Hamdard Residential Coaching Residential Academy.

Inspiring stories

Pradeep Singh, who topped the UPSC examination is a farmer’s son.

Another inspiring success story doing the rounds is of Firoj Alam, currently working as a Police Constable in Delhi.

A total of 829 candidates have been recommended for Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS), among other civil services, it said.

Of the 829 candidates, 304 are from general category, 78 from Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), 251 from Other Backward Classes (OBC), 129 from Schedule Castes and 67 from Schedule Tribe category.

The EWS category was implemented in the exam for the first time in 2019.

Inspiring: Firoz Alam- a Delhi Police constable cracks 2019 UPSC

Civil Service aspirants from the Muslim community have been doing well in the prestigious exams since 2016.

NEW DELHI: Delhi Police constable Firoz Alam had registered a remarkable success in 2019 Civil Services Examinations.

Alam has secured the 645th All India Rank (AIR) in the prestigious all-India examination declared successful by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Tuesday.

While Alam had appeared for the UPSC exams for five times before but didn’t succeeded.

However, a graduate from Rana Degree College Pilkhuwa, Alam, cleared the exam in his 6th and final attempt.

According to Indian Express, Alam, who hails from Azampur Dehpa of Uttar Pradesh, is the first ‘officer’ in his family, and his village.

Ever since his story went viral, Twitterati pointing out the similarities on social media of reel-life character of dedicated constable Imran Ansaari of Amazon Prime Video’s ‘Paatal Lok’, and shower Alam with praise.

More from Delhi Police cracks UPSC

Five aspirants from the Delhi Police family have make it to the coveted team of Indian civil servants.

Apart from Alam, Vishakha Yadav, the daughter of ASI Raj Kumar posted in Dwarka district, and Navneet Mann, the daughter of Inspector Sukhdev Singh Mann posted with the vigilance unit, have secured 6th and 33rd all-India rank, respectively.

The inspiring success story of son of a taxi driver is also doing the round. Azharuddin Quazi cleared the IAS 2019 exam securing 315th rank.

Muslims % in UPSC

Apart from Alam and Azharuddin, a total of 40 Muslim candidates have cleared this year’s UPSC examination.

Muslim candidates has registered a 40 per cent increase in the number compared to 28 candidates last year.

Civil Service aspirants from the Muslim community have been doing well and there is a progressive improvement in performance in the prestigious exams since 2016.

Until recently, they constituted only 2.5%. However in 2016, all previous records were broken when 50 Muslim candidates qualified for the UPSC with 10 making it to the top 100.

Courtesy: Siasat

5% Muslims among UPSC CSE qualified candidates; one in top 100

“The realisation among the community to invest more in civil services came with the 2006 Sachar Committee Report, which documented the poor representation of Muslims in government jobs,” said Zafar Mahmood.

New Delhi: Out of 829 candidates who cleared the Civil Services Exam – 2019 batch, 42 are Muslims. The number rose as compared to last year. 28 had cleared in 2018 batch.

However, in the 2016 batch, for the first time in history, 50 Muslims were selected through the UPSC, with 10 making it to the top 100. In the 2017 batch, too, 50 Muslims were selected through the exam.

In 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 batches, number of selected Muslims were 30, 34, 38 and 36, respectively.

One in top 100

Safna Nazarudeen, who ranked 45, has secured the highest rank among Muslim candidates. Safna is the only Muslim who is in top 100 this year.

“Since 2016, the percentage of Muslim candidates has remained around 5 per cent, which is a big feat, considering that, since Independence, this number was around 2.5 per cent,” said Zafar Mahmood of the Zakat Foundation, which grooms Muslim candidates for the UPSC.

“Out of the 42 candidates who have made it this year, 27 are from Zakat Foundation,” Mahmood said ti The Print.

Sachar Committee Report

“The realisation among the community to invest more in civil services came with the 2006 Sachar Committee Report, which documented the poor representation of Muslims in government jobs,” said Mahmood.

According to the report, at the time, just 3 per cent of IAS officers, 1.8 per cent of Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officers and 4 per cent of IPS officers were Muslims, even though the community comprised 13.4 per cent of the population at the time (2001 census), as reported by The Print.

“Since then, there has been a big change in the outlook of the community, and it has managed to bring the representation each year to 5 per cent,” Mahmood added. “However, considering the total percentage of Muslims in India is 15 per cent, we have to make three times the effort to bring the representation up,” he said.

Courtesy: Siasat