THUBNAILS HELP

I really like categorizing related things and sorting them into mental tables, lists and other sorts of illustrations. They really help in understanding and remembering better. . .

 Now, here in this blog there are two kinds of posts . . . my own and those those written by others mentioned along with their source. To make identification easier I'll will attach a thumbnail to each post indicative of the

 series they belong to. so my own written articles will always contain a thumbnail my own picture ;)

For others the thumbnails will vary. . .like articles taken off Iqra Society's collection of forwaded messages have the green logo.

The thumbnail of this retarded photo of mine  ----->

will be with every article I write for the ''Thoughts'' section . . .

Just endure the retardness please, I don't really have any other outlet.

When Men Dying of Thirst Give Up their Share of Water . . .

On the day of the battle of Yarmuk, I went out to find my uncle on the battlefield, and I had with me a container of water. I said to myself that he had some life left in him, then I would quench his thirst with the water and wash the dirt from his face. Suddenly, I came across him, and he was going in and out of conciousness. I asked him: “Do you want me to give you some water?” so, he nodded his head. Suddenly, he heard another wounded man in the distance calling out in pain. So, my uncle motioned for me to go tend to him. I went to him and saw that he was Hisham, the brother of ‘Amr bin al-’As. I came to him and asked if he wanted me to give him some water, and suddenly, we heard the sound of another man calling out in the distance in pain. So, he motioned for me to go tend to him. I came to him to find that he had already died. So, I went back to tend to Hisham only to find that he had died as well. Then, I went back to tend to my uncle only to find that he, too, had died.” So none of them, in their love for others had died without quenching their thirst. Such a proof of sacrifice and brotherhood is unparalleled in human history.


This incident was reported by ‘Abdullah bin al-Mubarak in ‘az-Zuhd’ (1/185), Ibn Hajar in ‘al-Isabah’ (7/34), and also in Ibn al-Mubarak’s ‘al-Jihad’ (1/100) by way of Abu al-Jahm bin Hudhayfah al-’Adawi, by way of ‘Umar bin Sa’id. The muhaqqiq of ‘al-Jihad’ mentions that the chain’s narrators are all trustworthy, and Allah Knows best.

Muslim Names . . .

Praise be to Allah, 

The Lord of the world

The basic principle concerning names is that they are permissible, but there are some matters which are prohibited according to sharee’ah and should be avoided when choosing names. These include the following:

 

Here are a few characteristics which a name should not contain in order to be halaal: *

1. Enslavement to or worship of anything other than Allaah, including Prophets and angels. It is not permissible to be enslaved to or to worship anyone or anything other than Allaah at all. Among the names which express enslavement to or worship of anything other than Allaah are ‘Abd al-Rasool (“slave of the Messenger”), ‘Abd al-Nabi (“slave of the Prophet”) and ‘Abd al-Ameer (slave of the prince) and other names which imply worship of or submission to anything other than Allaah. The person who has a name like this must change it. The great Sahaabi ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: My name was ‘Abd ‘Amr – or according to one report, ‘Abd al-Ka’bah – and when I became Muslim, the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) called me ‘Abd al-Rahmaan. (Narrated by al-Haakim, 3/306. Al-Dhahabi agreed with him)

2. Names of Allaah which are befitting only for Him, may He be glorified, such as al-Khaaliq (the Creator), al-Raaziq (the Provider), al-Rabb (the Lord), al-Rahmaan (the Most Merciful), etc., which are names that befit only Allaah; names which describe attributes which are true only of Allaah, such as Malik al-Mulook (King of kings), al-Qaahir (the Subduer), etc. It is haraam to call people by these names, and they must be changed. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Do you know of any who is similar to Him?” [Maryam 19:65].

3. Names that belong exclusively to the kuffaar and are not used by anyone else, such as ‘Abd al-Maseeh (“slave of the Messiah”), Butrous (Peter), Jurjus (George), and other names which denote religions of kufr.

4. Names of idols and false gods which are worshipped instead of Allaah, such as naming someone after a devil and so on.

It is not permissible to call people after the names referred to above; indeed, doing so is haraam and anyone who has such a name is obliged to change it.

Some characteristics make a name makrooh instead of haraam. These characteristics are: *

1. It is makrooh (disliked) to use names which have off-putting meanings, either because the meaning is ugly or because it will provoke others to make fun of the person. Such names also go against the teaching of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), who commanded us to give beautiful names. Examples of such (objectionable) names include Harb (“war”), Rashaash (sprinkles or drizzle), and Hiyaam – which is the name of a disease suffered by camels – and other names which have ugly or unpleasant meanings.

2. It is makrooh to use names which have alluring or provocative meanings. This happens a lot when it comes to naming girls, where some names are given which have sexual or provocative meanings.

3. It is makrooh to deliberately name someone after immoral people such as singers and actors/actresses, etc. If they have good names, it is permissible to use those names, but it must be because of the meaning of the name and not because of the desire to imitate those people.

4. It is makrooh to give names which have meanings that refer to sin, such as Saariq (“thief”) or Zaalim (“wrongdoer”); or to give the names of Pharaohs or sinners, such as Fir’awn (Pharaoh), Haamaan (the name of Pharaoh’s minister) and Qaaroon.

5. It is makrooh to use the names of animals which are well-known for their undesirable characteristics, such as al-Himaar (donkey), al-Kalb (dog), al-Qird (monkey), etc.

6. It is makrooh to use any name which is added to the words “al-Deen” or “al-Islam” (i.e., names which appear in idaafah – genitive construction – with these words), such as Noor al-Deen (“light of the religion”), Shams al-Deen (“sun of the religion”), Noor al-Islam (“light of Islam”), Shams al-Islam (“sun of Islam”), etc., because these names give a person more than he deserves. The scholars of the Salaf disliked being given nicknames of this sort. Imaam al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) disliked his nickname of Muhiy al-Deen (“reviver of the religion”); Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) also disliked his nickname of Taqiy al-Deen (“piety of the religion”), and he used to say, “But my family gave me this nickname and it became well-known.”

7. It is makrooh to add any word to the name of Allaah except the word ‘Abd (slave), as in ‘Abd-Allaah (Abdullah). Example of this include Hasab-Allaah, Rahmat-Allaah (the mercy of Allaah), etc. It is similarly makrooh to add words to the word al-Rasool (the Messenger).

8. It is makrooh to use the names of angels, or to call people after the names of soorahs in the Qur’aan, such as Ta-Ha, Yaa-Seen, etc. These names are al-Huroof al-Muqatta’ah (letters which appear at the beginning of some soorahs; their meaning is known only to Allaah – Translator), they are not names of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). See Tuhfat al-Mawdood by Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him), p 109.

These names are makrooh, and it is makrooh to give them to anyone. But if a person has been given such a name by his family, and he is grown up and it is difficult for him to change it, he does not have to do so.

There are four categories of good names: *

The first (best) category is the names ‘Abd-Allaah and ‘Abd al-Rahmaan. It was reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The most beloved of names to Allaah are ‘Abd-Allaah and ‘Abd al-Rahmaan.” (Narrated by Muslim in his Saheeh, 1398).

The second category is all the names which express enslavement to and worship of Allaah, such as ‘Abd al-Azeez, ‘Abd al-Raheem, ‘Abd al-Malik, ‘Abd al-Ilaah, ‘Abd al-Salaam, etc.

The third category is the names of Prophets and Messengers – may the peace and blessings of Allaah be upon them. Undoubtedly the best and greatest of them is our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him); the name Ahmad is also one of his names. Next come the names of the “Messengers of strong will” [cf. Al-Ahqaaf 46:35], namely Ibraaheem, Moosa, ‘Eesa and Nooh (may the peace and blessings of Allaah be upon them), then the rest of the Prophets - may the peace and blessings of Allaah be upon them.

The fourth category is the names of righteous slaves of Allaah, above all the companions of our noble Prophet. It is mustahabb to use their names, following their example and hoping to reach a higher status.

The fifth category is any other good name which has a proper and pleasant meaning.

It is also important to pay attention to a number of matters when giving names to our children, including the following: *

1. Recognizing the fact that this name will stay with the person for his entire lifetime, and it could cause some embarrassment or problems for him which in turn could make him feel badly towards his father, mother or whoever gave him this name.

2. When looking at names in order to choose one, we should look at it from a number of angles. We should look at the name itself, and also think of how it will sound when this person is a child, a youth, an adult, an old man and a father, and how it will suit his father to be called “Abu” (Father of) So and so, and how it will suit his son to be called Son and so son of So and so, etc.

3. Choosing the name is the right of the father, because he is the one after whom the child will be named (son of, or daughter of…). But it is mustahabb for the father to involve the mother in the decision and to ask for her opinion as to whether she thinks the name is good, so that she will feel happy.

4. The child must be named after his father even if the father is deceased or divorced, etc., even if he does not take care of the child or see him at all. It is utterly haraam to name a child after anyone other than his father, except in one case, which is when the child is born as the result of adultery (Allaah forbid). In this case the child should be named after his mother and it is not permissible to name him after his father.
* added by the the blogger
Source : www.islam-qa.com offers insight into Muslim belief and practice through questions, with answers supervised by Shaykh Muhammad Saalih al-Munajjid.

It's Been Months. . .

Yes, I know it's been months and as usual one of my many other poor resolutions has not been properly carried out. However, repair to the damage can be done :)

Here I'll start a series of messages which I got from the Iqra Society of IBA. These messages are from different sources, which shall also be mentioned.

Also, I would specially like to thank Jasera Arshad, from the City Campus (who I have not been able to meet yet) for her devotion for the Iqra Society. She is one of the very few people whose speaking actions have turned the society into a new leaf.

Beneath the Cairn

Buried in the mountain, very steep

Of bricks and stones dangerously deep,

Praying to God for something meek,

I lay awake for a week.

The injuries and weight made me insane,

I was almost dead with scare and pain.

I tried my best to lift the cairn,

But all my efforts just went in vain.

Since that shake, till that day,

No rescue came, to my dismay

With nothing to do or to say,

I closed my eyes and slept away.

Then I woke up once again

This time without scare or pain

On spotting waterfalls and pretty plains,

I realized, to heaven, I came.

Composed on:

October 30, 2005

at 1:30 am!

Islam and Marketing

Since I have a presentation tomorrow for which I haven't even chosen an article, research work to be done for API, more than 20 marketing articles to be discovered and analysed and tens of chapters to be read before the end of this month, it is natural that I do anything but what I am supposed to do.

So here goes an article which I had written in BBA II for the Iqra Society. Hope you like it!

''In this rapidly industrializing world, where science never ceases to create new wonders, where the fashion and film industries flourish and where markets introduce hundreds of new commodities, services and even brands to consumers each year, hence prosper, it is a pity that the general ethical, moral and religious standards move quite in the opposite direction. Of course, it would be unjust to blame only one factor for this deterioration of humanity because one evil gives birth to the other and hence, creates a whole web or rather cycle of anti-social elements. These factors definitely vary in their intensities and so do their magnitudes. And these elements are so deeply entwined that it becomes a complex task to distinguish the merits and demerits of one from the other’s. Furthermore, the chore becomes even more challenging when an attempt is made towards improving these moral conditions by classifying phenomena into ‘wrong’ or ‘right’. In such an event when logic fails to define these relative issues and where consensus is desired, Islam, in my opinion serves as the rope that ties humanity together.

As Muslims, we must seek and are in fact accountable to improve the conditions of whatever areas of life we dwell in. Today, we are business students and tomorrow will bring us a lot of opportunities to prove ourselves one way or the other. Apparently, we usually do study about application of ethics in the corporate world but the theories get lost somewhere in the struggle to stand out amongst one’s peers and to impress one’s superiors. In such events it is only the fear of Allah and the Hereafter that guides one to the right way. For many ‘marketing’ may be the key-word. Yes, I see marketing as a pillar today which supports businesses unconditionally and goes to any length to promote the product at hand no matter what. Hence, it is the duty of the individuals behind shaping the marketing industry. Islam can and should be used as the sole guide for it is in my opinion ‘extremely moderate’ (perplexed???)

There are many modes of marketing, several of which, fortunately, have still not found their way into our country. However, the ones those exist are misleading enough and need to done something about. Below, I have tried to put how many aspects of advertisements and other marketing techniques go against Islam, hence, are socially, morally and ethically wrong, even if we fail to recognize them as so.

INCOMPLETE FACTS 

And cover not Truth with falsehood, nor conceal the Truth when ye know (what it is). 

(Verse 42, Chapter 2(Surah Al-Baqara)) 

Normally salespersons blow the positive points of the product at hand out  of proportion. Apart from the exaggeration, advertisers deliberately leave out the undesirable features. The verse above asks to strike balance among all the facets of the subject telling all the facts in the right proportion. Hence, it would also inform consumers about the adverse effects of the product and save many users from health problems and other hassles.

HYPOCRISY 

Advertising agencies are created to advertise and only advertise. Had they had any ethical values, curses such as cigarettes, drinks, etc would never be portrayed in such a positive manner which lures our youth into trying them and into even further evils. However, the brainchild behind a successful ad himself knows the harms and avoids it. The models too, who apparently make huge claims about products do not themselves believe in it. Hence, their claims are nothing but out right lies.

Most loathsome is it in the sight of God that you say what you do not do! 

(verse 3, Surah 61( Surah Saff))

Allah hates hypocrisy. Naturally, if we stick to the right path, we won’t even have the need of using these sinful tricks.

HARAM PRODUCTS/ SERVICES

We saw earlier that the advertising industry is blind and does not care about its methods. Furthermore it does not even care about the nature of product it sells. In fact, even in a Muslim country like Pakistan, we do see advertisements of contemporary banks, on our television sets, in spite of the fact that Riba (usury) has been declared a major sin.

“That they took riba (usury), through they were forbidden and that they devoured men’s substance wrongfully – We have prepared for those among men who reject faith a grievous punishment.” 

(Verse 161, Chapter 4(Surah Ni’sa))

In fact, foreign channels, which we frequently watch, also advertise drinks, haraam edibles and other forbidden things.Repeated exposure to such advertisements can if not make us use these products, at least lessen our resistance towards them, ultimately carrying us away from Islam which asks to condemn the wrong according to our capacities.

VIOLATION OF HIJAB

One of the worst features of marketing today is violation of the limits prescribed by the Quran and Sunnah regarding Hijab. Today, we hardly find a billboard, a tv ad or poster without an attractive woman. The westerners, in the name of art, culture and ‘liberalism’ make their mothers and daughters’ beauties public to be view and ‘enjoyed’. And hijab is not just limited to the extent we cover our bodies up to. According to the our Prophet (PBUH) it has six basic conditions :

1. The extent should be covered (from naval to the knee, for man and the whole body except the face, hands and feet, for women)

2. The attire should not resemble that of some opposite religion.

3. The attire should not resemble that of the opposite gender.

4. The clothes should not be close-fitting and reveal the figure.

5. The cloth should not be translucent.

6. A Muslim’s robes should not reflect worldly honour.

However, almost all of these conditions are violated in advertisements and go unnoticed because we have incorporated them in our lives and become habitual. In fact, the advertising/ modeling industry has recently affected our minds so much that many men today have started adopting feminine characteristics in their attires in the name of ‘metro sexuality’.

Furthermore, it must be noted that hijab is not just restricted to clothes. A Muslim is required to display decency is his body language, while interacting with the opposite gender and even in solitude. However, today we see transverse waves coming from the ad industry.

EXTRAVAGANCE

Marketing obviously has modes other than television ads as well. Today corporations look out for prominent social events like seminars, conferences and even graduation ceremonies or corporate dinners and if approached in a convincing way grant huge sums of money as sponsors. The aid is primarily given so that the sponsors may get a chance to advertise themselves and share the credit for the success of the event. It must be noted that these events though do have a sensible vision but are so much draped by unnecessary worldly pomp and show that it becomes unpleasant in the sight of Allah.  The speakers or chief guests if coming from off station areas are kept at 5-star hotel rooms with costs more than what is required. The interior of the venue is so decorated that violates all the rules of simplicity and humility taught to us by Islam. Definitely, the marketing sector is not to be completely blamed here. As, previously mentioned, this corruption is more like a cycle than any thing else.

MUSIC

The prophet said, "From among my followers there will be some people who will consider illegal sexual intercourse, the wearing of silk, the drinking of alcoholic drinks and the use of musical instruments, as lawful. And there will be some people who will stay near the side of a mountain and in the evening their shepherd will come to them with their sheep and ask them for something, but they will say to him, 'Return to us tomorrow.' Allah will destroy them during the night and will let the mountain fall on them, and He will transform the rest of them into monkeys and pigs and they will remain so till the Day of Resurrection."

No. 5226 (The Book of Drinks), Sahih AlBukhari

Most may think that an advertisement without music will be lifeless but it is not so. Today, we can easily capture natural sounds and with sound editing softwares, (without manipulating the original piece) enhance its pleasant features. For instance, Peace TV, a 24-hour Islamic channel, owned by the IRF (Islamic Research Foundation) uses sounds of waves, birds, water, etc to make their presentations attractive. It also extracts portions from Nasheeds.

 SYSTEMATIC CORRUPTION 

We usually see that negative elements have more permittivity than positive ones. Hence, one wrong act supports the other which may be even worse. Social sectors, specially the ones that deal directly with masses of people, just as the marketing industry have very spontaneous and long lasting effects on people.

However, as Muslims it is all up to us how we set our priorities.

“O my people! This life of the present is nothing but (temporary) enjoyment: it is the Hereafter that is the Home that will last.” 

(verse 39, Chapter 40, Surah Mu’minun)

 May Allah bless with guidance all those who seek it. Ameen.''

Let's Get Started!

Well, I don't really believe in writing just for the sake of writing. However there are times when the urge to write pushes me beyond my capacity to behold and out I pour myself. Hence, whatever I write is more like a personal diary entry than a public blog. And once all the feelings and notions take the shape of words it becomes amazingly clear to me what my dilemmas and their origins are and what possible solutions there may be to them. And many a times beautiful feelings without any object at all when jotted on paper become an eternal source of pleasure for me for I can very well recall whatever I had gone through earlier by reading an old piece.

Yes, one rather funny thing, which might not make sense to some, is that I usually write when under a lot of pressure. Most of my articles have been written on nights just before the mid-term or final exams. This one is being written at 2.30 am when I have more than 5 lengthy assignments to start. But that’s the way it is. 

All I hope is that the pressure or rather the eustress remains with me at all times and helps this blog keep rolling!