The Great Reformation in Arabia

Message of Peace - Justice P K Shamsuddin

 Al Zubayr Ibn Dita, another Jew had done a favour to Thabit Ibn Qays, when he left him after capturing hm. Thabit reciprocated this good deed and pleaded Mohammed to grant them pardon which was approved by Mohammed. When this came to the knowledge of Al Zubayr he pleaded that if he were to live in separation from his faily and children he has no use for life. Thabit then requested Mohammed to give similar pardon to his wife and family. Mohammed again granted this. When Zubayr heard of the pardon granted by Mohammed, he enquired about Kab Ibn Ksad, Huyyay Ibn Akhdnu, Asfal Ibn Samawal and other leaders of Bany Quraizah. During the time of Mohammed, the moral standard in Arabia was at the lowest level. Adultery was not considered a serious crime. Flirting and courting were common practices. Abu Sufian was a great leader of the Meccans and he was held at high esteem in the Meccan society. But historians state many things about Abu Sufian’s wife’s love and passion with other men. She was not ashamed to reveal her love affairs which she had with other men. There was no limit to the number of wives that a man could take or the number of women slaves and concubines one can have. This was a decisive blow to the growth of Islam. These immoralities were deeply rooted in their psychic character as described in the poetry of Umar Ibn Abu Radiah. 

Mommed knew that he could do no social reformation without the consent of all men and women who must be helping and sympathizing with one another. In order to make the society viable it was necessary to assure that the women enjoy their rights. Led by the Quranic revelations Mohammed started his social reconstruction; he began to teach men and women their rights and duties. This built the relationship between them strong and firm. Islam wanted its’ women to have the same rights as men given they have their rights and duties to be exercised in an atmosphere of love and compassion.

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Strikes and Hartals

Blooming Stars - Swami (Dr) Snehananda Jyoti

In 2007, a year after I returned from the USA, I had an invitation to inaugurate a major function in a college in Thodupuzha, Kerala. At that time I was in Palaruvi Waterfalls, near Aryankavu, about 4 hours journey by car from Thodupuzha. When I started driving on the day of a strike I was warned of the dangers as the whole of Kerala was on a general strike declared by a major political party. I drove with my wife. The road was clear as we were practically the only ones on the road. In some places I saw some curious police officers looking at us in dismay. On August 1, 2012, I drove from my Ashram near Munnar to Kottayam, about three hours drive, for a very important business in Kottayam only to find out that evening that a sudden and unexpected all-Kerala strike, illegal as well as immoral, was declared by the Communist Party of India, Marxist (CPM), for the following day causing me and millions of Keralites major inconvenience. The strike was declared to protest the arrest of a major politician (district secretary) who was involved in the planning of a well-known political murder. It certainly was to the great credit of the Communist Party of India (CPI) to dissociate itself from the strike even though the CPI was criticized and put down by the state General Secretary of CPM for its non-cooperation with the strike. This indicates that there are still some courageous leaders in the Communist Party to take a moral stance in a morally degenerate climate that is getting worse every day. It was also very commendable that a writers’ guild released a statement on the day following the strike decrying the CPM attacks against democracy. What surprised me most was the lack of moral response from religious leaders who ought to have been outraged at the very vicious and immoral hartal (general strike) that paralyzed an entire state.

The greatest social and political cancer on Kerala society eating away the most precious gift – freedom – won after so many sacrifices including lives and so much prolonged suffering from the colonial invaders and masters. The Marxist Party as the advocate of the downtrodden masses seems to have recently suffered a severe setback after another of its major politician (district secretary) boastfully ranted a list of several vengeful political murders in a public political forum a few weeks ago. It is unthinkable that a state in the Indian Union that has the highest literacy should have sunken so low. The general paralysis effected by fear and learned helplessness has taken over the whole society as political goondas (hired thugs) and goons unleash murderous violence as they indulge in their  dance of death.

A friend of mine recently told me with some kind of resignation to the inevitable that Malayalees (persons of Kerala) queue up before liquor stores and meat stores on the eve of the hartal to celebrate it as they are afraid to venture out on the day of  strike. Most are afraid of suffering injuries from their vehicles stoned and damaged. As I am examining myself, I do not have the courage that I had in 2007 when I drove for hours on deserted roads on that day of hartal. I would certainly like to recover that courage. Looks like I would have to take some risk of injury to my body or damage to my vehicle for the freedom I so much value, and without which life has no real value. Here I am reminded of the words of the American statesman, Patrick Henry: “Is life so dear or peace so sweet to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!” Mahatma Gandhi exhorted that his non-violence was not that of the coward. A coward dies many times in his life while a brave person dies only once. A coward in fact is a dead man existing and going through motions of life but not really living. 

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Nothing is Written

Life's Lessons - Joseph Mattappally

August 15th, it is Independence Day for Indians. This is still another opportunity for the Indians to ask themselves, ‘what could we be, in spite of the enormous freedom we got?’ The living condition of majority of Indians has not improved greatly; financial alienation, racial discrimination and religious indifferences still haunt them. Indian youth seems to have lost all hopes of a regenerated India. Politicians, religionists and corporate giants have drilled the boat from all sides. 

I remember a touching scene from the film ‘Lawrence of Arabia’. It depicts the glorious return of the hero through a burning desert carrying a human being who everybody thought is destined to die. It was at a situation at which crossing the Nedfud desert was considered impossible even for fire birds that Lawrence the hero turned back to rescue Gasim who had fallen from the horse and got seriously injured. Lawrence and his men were on an expedition to Turkey. Seeing Lawrence returning with Gasim, still alive, the Sheriff comments, "Truly, for some men nothing is written, unless they write it." In a land in which each one is born into a religion and where the clergy of all sects are united in propagating that it is they and the Almighty that decides everything, how can there be Lawrences? 

Once, a group of tiny frogs arranged a running competition. Their goal was to reach the top of a very high tower. A big crowd had gathered around the tower to see the race and cheer on the contestants... Honestly, no-one in the crowd really believed that the tiny frogs would reach the top of the tower. They continued shouting "Oh, too difficult, too difficult!" As they all expected, one by one the frogs began to give up. Still there was one tiny frog who did not….and finally, it became the only one to reach atop the tower. All the other tiny frogs naturally wanted to know how this one frog managed to do it? A contestant asked the winner frog how he could do that. It turned out...the winner was fully deaf. 

If India wants to emerge into a model, there is still a chance; a generation that believes in itself and grows deaf at least to politicians and false religionists and believe in a poverty free, caste free and corruption free India should replace the present. 

Independence Day Greetings to all.  

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Problems in Action

Health and Happiness - Dr Dwarakanath

Shankara a very bold Guru, as the entire Guru Parampara- culture must really be! He can swing his poem into ‘self’, money, lust, charity, all in a single strong yet beautiful swipe. He says, by attuning our ‘self’ with the sacred names of the lord, we the devotee try to elevate our ‘self’ to those noble qualities of the lord. All these efforts at study and worship of us, the devotee can be washed down in a single moment's passion, desire or lust, as it has such a power that it torpedoes the strong walls of will power. It is, therefore, essential to keep the company of noble and holy souls, so as to get encouragement and strengthen the will power. Charity being made with true feeling will make us understand that the needs and requirements of others are as important as one's own. The charity must flow from our own abundance and it should be done without any pomp and show, with a sense of brotherhood. Equanimity of mind is the true joy. By renouncing the fruits of action, i.e., attachment, but not the action, which is the duty, itself, is the only possible path to lead a life free from sensual pleasures and selfishness. We have to learn to do every action as a form of worship to god, according to Bhagavad Gita. So, what have to be renounced sincerely are the desire and the attachment. The intention and spirit of dedication to god is to be retained. To achieve this is, we should turn the intentions behind all actions towards positive or spiritual channels, at times, and it may be difficult to by-pass or change the native and in-born tendencies. 

The lust or craving for sex, is the greatest undoing for both male and female sadhakas- aspirers. This animal and momentary impulse is like fire, which can be used for good and bad, it will serve or destroy us completely. Though the sex is a natural phenomenon, if controlled, it is good for the home and the society at large. We should master the art of forgetting the sex of other person. This way we can turn away the mind from the impulses of the flesh and body-consciousness. We should enjoy nature and channelize our energy like painting, humour, singing, reading, etc. We have to make every effort not to allow the mind to stray even for a little while into forbidden grounds. Unfortunately, even the staring death into one's own face will not stop the human being from getting over such a shameful desire. The Maya of lust is so strong that in spite of realising that the ultimate destination is death, we find it difficult to overcome this temptation. 

Like any evil, amassing wealth also leads to unassuming problems. With the accumulation of wealth, the desires too increase, which breed pain and misery. It is also difficult to keep the accumulated wealth safe, even own son or kith and kin may become enemy. The so-called source of strength will become a source of fear for the miserable person, who amasses wealth. Natural love disappears due to fear and ego. Everything has a limit and anything beyond will become a cause for concern, anxiety and unhappiness. Unfortunately, in the present day world, most of us are under the false belief that wealth will bring us happiness. Thus, we become its slaves. At death, all of us have to go as ashes or dust and the amassed wealth will not accompany us even though we have sacrificed our life to accumulate it. It invites the grip of Maya, which is so strong and powerful in us that we never give different aspects of life their right and appropriate value for enrichment. 

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When You Grow Wise

Smart Plus - Rakesh Mittal IAS

            In November 1993, I was appointed as a Central Observer of the Election Commission for the Himachal Pradesh Assembly Elections. Just before leaving for my first visit to the state, I developed a severe pain in my wisdom tooth. I consulted a senior dentist who advised immediate extraction of the tooth and called me the next day. I was not prepared for this because I didn’t want to lose the tooth so early. Though I had crossed 44, my teeth had been in a good condition. So I consulted another dentist friend who advised me to wait for some time more as the pain could be managed with the help of medicines. Somehow the election duty was carried out without much difficulty.
The problem became acute once again next year and this time again, the dentist advised extraction of the wisdom tooth. He told me that there was no function of wisdom teeth after a certain age and that I need not be unduly concerned about losing one of them. I wanted to know the reason for these teeth being called wisdom teeth. He told me that these teeth grow after crossing the teens, i.e., in the early twenties and generally have to be removed in the forties. This information was enough for me to contemplate over the matter and I arrived at certain conclusions which I am going to share here.
Human Life has always been divided in four phases. In our scriptures these phases are called ‘Brahmacharya’, ‘Grastha’, ‘Van Prastha’ and ‘Sanyasa’, respectively. Assuming an ideal lifespan of 100 years each phase comes to about 25 years. However, in real life, a good lifespan may be taken as about 80 years.  So each phase of life is of about 20 years. The first phase of life, ‘Brahmacharya’, is a phase of restraint and learning. Those who wish to acquire anything in life have to remain disciplined and work hard during this period. The full meaning of life is hardly understood in this period. In a way it is good also. If life is understood in totality during this period, perhaps the urge to learn and acquire knowledge would be lost. Acquisition of mundane knowledge during this period is essential to successfully live the subsequent phases of life. This phase is like the running of an aeroplane on the ground before take-off. If sufficient speed is not acquired on the runway, the plane cannot take off and at times may meet with an accident.
The second phase of life is the most difficult one and can be compared to the take-off of an aeroplane. During this phase, one has to rise above the ground and achieve worldly success.  Maximum energy is consumed during this period and the knowledge acquired during the first phase of life is to be applied. One comes across a variety of experiences and we gain maturity and wisdom as a result of these interactions. While in the first phase of our life, one only acquires knowledge and remains on ground, in the second phase one acquires wisdom and gains height. That is why the wisdom teeth grow only in the early twenties. Their appearance thus indicates that the time for acquiring wisdom has come.
The acquisition of wisdom has also to come to an end. A period of 20-25 years in the second phase of life should be sufficient for a person to understand life fully and to acquire wisdom. It is like acquiring full height by an aeroplane during a flight. After acquiring this height, there is no need of going higher and the acquired height should be enjoyed. In human life this stage should reach at the age of 40-45 years and one should be able to grow fully wise by this time. At this stage, there is no need of wisdom teeth and that is why they are no more required. I feel that this could be the reason behind these teeth being called wisdom teeth.
Having grown wise, one enters the third phase of life. For a truly wise person life should become smooth in this phase and he should be able to enjoy it like an aeroplane journey in the third stage.  There is no need of any imposed restrictions in this phase and the gains of life are to be shared. A wise person should share his acquisitions including wisdom for his inner expansion as the outer expansion is no more required. If one does not share, in all probability he is heading for a miserable fourth phase of life.
The fourth phase of life is like the landing of an aeroplane. In this phase the acquired height is to be lost in order to land safely. If it is not done, a crash is inevitable. It means that a time comes in life when even wisdom has to be transcended. After all, in this cycle of birth and death, there are others in the queue and one should voluntarily make way for them. If one does not do so, he will either be pushed or crushed. A truly wise person should avoid this situation. That is why this phase of life is called ‘Sanyasa’ ashrarn. One has to give up everything for a happy end. Thus the four phases of life are the phases of acquiring knowledge, acquiring wisdom, sharing wisdom and transcending wisdom.

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The Trial of the Jews

Message of Peace - Justice P K Shamsuddin

Mohammed pondered over post threat situation. Banu Qurayyah remained in the midst of Medina. Mohammed was sure that they were capable of attacking Muslims. Unless for the sudden withdrawal of the Meccans and their allies, he knew that Banu Qurayzah would have attacked the Muslims. Mohammed appointed Ali as the commander of their operation with Qurayyah. Banu Qurayyah had fortified their houses but that was not enough to effectively resist a Muslim attack. Mohammed came to the scene and he enquired about the Jewish plan. Mohammed came to know that the Jews were evading him. More and more Muslims came to the scene and Mohammed declared a siege upon them. 

Only a few arrows, stones and Javelins were shot between them. Banu Qurayyah got exhausted and started to realize that their resistance and fortifications are not going to help them and that they would fall into the hands of the Muslims. Mohammed sent Abu Lubaha to negotiate with them. He found that the women and children were in fear. Kab, their leader, suggested that they follow Mohammed and get converted to Islam, but the majority rejected the proposal of Kab. Kab then suggested that they themselves kill their women and children and go out to the Muslims and fight Mohammed. He said that if they happen to lose, their women and children would no more. Banu Qurayyah rejected the suggestion. Finally, Kab said that he found no other option to be considered. After elaborate consultations they thought of seeking the support of the tribe of Banu Al Nadir and their former allies from the tribes of Aws, with a hope that they would give them some protection. 

Banu Quraizah requested Mohammed to allow them to evacuate their territory and to settle down at Ad Hirah. But Mohammed rejected the proposal. Another group of tribesmen also approached Mohammed and informed him about another possible arrangement. Mohammed enquired if they would be happy if he allowed one of their men to arbitrate the case. They agreed and Mohammed asked them to appoint an arbitrator of their choice. This was communicated to the Jews. They appointed Sad Ibn Muaym who belonged to the tribe of Aws. He was a man of good repute. He wanted a guarantee from all parties that they would abide to his decision. It was assured. He asked the Banu Qurayyah command of their fortress to surrender their armor. He pronounced his judgment. He ordered that the fighting men to be put to the death sword and their women and children taken as captives. Banu Quraizah did not expect such a judgment from Saad Ibn Muaym, their former ally. They thought that he would plead for them. Sad knew that if the Meccans and their allies had won, the same destiny would have befallen upon the Muslims who were defeated, because of the Jewish treachery. The Jews brought one of their men for execution and said that it is God’s decision.

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Formula of Life

Blooming Stars - Swami (Dr) Snehananda Jyoti

Change in our consciousness will bring about change in the way we are, what we do and have. We have created the corrupt, greedy, immoral, hungry, and destructive world that deprives the overwhelming majority of inhabitants the necessities of life. We are our bothers’ and sisters’ keepers. We are for ourselves as well as for others. The ingredients of the formula for life are: Do to others what you like others to do to you (the Golden Rule). Treat others the same way you like to be treated. How do you like to be treated? Make an exhaustive list of the way you like to be treated. Now you know how to treat others. For instance, you like others to forgive you when you make a mistake; forgive them when they make a mistake.

• Accept yourself and others unconditionally. God does not create anything bad. We are all created by God; we are all good. God created us unconditionally, and loves us and accept us unconditionally. No apology for the way you are. You cannot help it. If others cannot accept you for who you are, it is their problem. Do not make their problem your problem.

• Live in the present; live in the here and now. Yesterday is gone; tomorrow comes only in terms of today. Today was the tomorrow we worried about yesterday. Tomorrow will be amply taken care of if we live today fully.

• Non-violence, truth force, and respect for others need to be in all human and international transactions.

• Give to each one what is one's due and more. Do not take advantage of anyone's misfortune, hard labor, and sweat.

• Do not fret over failures and waste precious energy fretting. Failure is part of human living. There is no human being who has not experienced it. Failure makes success even more enjoyable. Failure can be a stepping stone to success if used wisely.

• Give everyone the benefit of the doubt and a good measure of compassion. Concession and compassion go hand in hand.

• Think before you say and act.

• Be honest. Say what is on your mind, and mean what you say. Say only what is true. Nobody, except certain authorities for good governance or common good, has a right to certain information. It is good, though, to disclose everything to a few selected close friends.

• Thoughts cannot be controlled. They are neither good nor bad. They come and go. They become good or bad only when one consciously chooses them. Intentions can be controlled as they are acts of the will. 

• Fear and anxiety cripple the human spirit, drain the human energy, lead to depression, and make life worth not living.

• Keep your word. Do not make promises that you will not keep.

• Human freedom and perpetual vows do not go together. Freedom relates to a dynamic state, a vow relates to a static condition. Only doing God’s will at every moment is what is required of human beings as it is essential for holiness. That means on-going discernment. Humans continuously change over life-span.  A vow that is made at one period in life may not be relevant for another period. I will not recommend, except in the case of marriage, perpetual vows that will abridge human freedom.

• Eat nutritionally. Food is the first line of medication. Many diseases are due to poor eating habits. An old saying - an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure – is worth remembering. First nutrition, then taste. Taste without nutrition spells disaster. Food prepared and handled without love and care is toxic; I will not recommend its consumption.

• Take care of your body in the best possible way; for it is the temple of the Holy Spirit.

• Keep bodily, mental, and spiritual hygiene always. Make an examination of conscience at the end of every day, and come to terms with your own self, others, and God.

• Have a sense of humour; laugh heartily; celebrate life; do not take life so seriously as not to be able to laugh at yourself and others. Some ingredients are essential; others enhance the flavour.

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