Dr. Shabbir's Blog

July 31st, 2008 by Dr. Shabbir

IMAM ZAAMIN

No, it is not the name of any “Imam”. IMAM ZAAMIN = The Guardian (literally, the Guarantor) Imam.

When it comes to superstitions, Muslims of all sects try to outdo one another. 

[The Koondaas of Imam Ja’far Sadiq, Giarhween Sharif of ‘Ghaus Azam’ Jeelani, Bibi Fatima’s Sharbat and Sweets, Halwa of Owais Qarni are equally popular among the Sunnis, Shi’as, Aga Khanis, Sheikhias, Zaidis and even among the Husaini Brahmins of India. Especially, women observe these superstitions ‘religiously’. Let’s leave their description to some other time.]

Recently, ten youngsters were to travel out of town in two cars. One of the mothers chanted some Arabic words that she did not understand. Then they tied colorful bands on the arms of the youngsters believing that from then on the IMAM would be the Guardian or Guarantor for their safe trip - two way – “buy one, get one free”. Unfortunately, the very two cars collided soon after departure and all ten boys and girls received serious injuries.

While they were in the ER, the families ran into disputation:

-          The mother who chanted and recited was not pious.

-          She invoked the wrong Imam. It should have been Imam Mahdi. No, it should have been Imam Ali, nay, Imam Ja’far Sadiq, no, no all 12 Imams.

-          As the youngsters were fighting for their lives, the families were fighting about the superstitious procedure.

-          Fortunately, all boys and girls recovered in a few days but the families are not at speaking terms months after the accident.

 DOES THE STORY NEED ANY COMMENTS?

No Comments | Add Comments

July 27th, 2008 by Dr. Shabbir

Recently, Afghanistan had two dry seasons while Pakistan was having rather too much rains. The Taliban tried to force Hamid Karzai, de facto the mayor of Kabul, to officially declare the performance of Namaaz Istisqa (Rain Prayers) in every town of the country. Since no one listens to the mayor outside Kabul, Karzai could make no official declaration. The Taliban clerics were swift in issuing edicts of apostasy against him, and themselves held the Rain Prayer congregations wherever and whenever they could. Results remained conspicuous by absence in Afghanistan, but as monsoon came, Pakistan was flooded, without any Rain Prayers.

When the Taliban spokesman was asked to comment, he gave three reasons:

One - There was not enough prayer being performed per square mile in Afghanistan.

Two - Hamid Karzai’s presence was a bad omen for Afghanistan barring all blessings to descend upon the country. Hence, he must be eliminated. [But there is no such thing as a bad omen or a good omen.]

7:131 All good that came along, they ascribed it to their own worthiness, and any affliction that struck them, they blamed it on the bad omen of Moses and his companions. Remember that all omens (actions and their logical consequences) follow the Divine laws. In that sense, then, omens are with God alone. But most people do not know that there is no such thing as the superstitious bad omen or a good omen. [Friday the 13^th as a day of misfortune, the bad omen of a 13^th floor in a building, “touch wood” for good luck, lucky numbers and lucky stones, “waking up on the wrong side of the bed”, bad dreams etc all go out of the window]

Three - Pakistan had plenty of rains because:

a. The “blessed Mujahid of the times”, Mullah Baitullah Mahsood with his headquarters in Waziristan, was conducting successful ‘martyrdom operations’ of enormous proportions in the country and so, he must be considered the joint Emir-al-Mu’mineen along with the fugitive criminal Mullah Umar.

b. “Maulana” Fazlullah was an icing on the cake conducting ‘martyrdom operations’ and trying to establish the barbaric, manmade “Shari’ah Law” in the Swat area of Pakistan.

How’s that? Make your own judgment. My humble opinion: Taliban are strict followers of N2I (The Number Two Islam) which they wish to enforce all around.

Mao Tse Tung treated the recurrent drought in parts of China by urging every Chinese to plant a tree and he succeeded. Note the difference between action and vain rituals.

No Comments | Add Comments

July 22nd, 2008 by Dr. Shabbir

False beliefs are no respecters of college degrees. Ignorance of the Qur’an hurts Muslims as well as non-Muslims.

Victor Maseeh was exactly my age 13, a nice, bright teenage friend and neighbor in Karachi. We studied in the same school.

One day while we were in grade ix, he fell down at home, had convulsions and became unconscious. His highly educated parents thought that some demon had possessed the little boy, and drove him fast to the nearby church. A priest promptly confirmed their diagnosis and sang the Song of Solomon along with deacons and nuns. Surely, Victor woke up in a few minutes. His father’s wallet was lightened into Mother Mary’s treasury resting in the reverend’s long coat pocket. In retrospect, I think that the priest knew the self-limiting nature of the episode but, after all, a mullah he was, though Christian. (I said in a previous post that birds of the same feather flock together. Clergy of all religions has some common features.)

A week later, Victor fell unconscious again. An elderly relative advised that worn out leather shoes would scare the hell out of demons. Victor’s parents made the unconscious teenager smell the oldest stinky shoes available. Victor became fine again, in a few minutes.

A wise Muslim nurse of 80 years tried to explain that there was no demon involved and that the poor kid was having epileptic seizures and needed to see a doctor. But the parents got annoyed. They had memorized from the church such verses:

Mark 1:9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.

1:39 And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.
5:8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.
5:9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.
5:12 And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.
5:13 And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.

Mathew 8:16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:

[The resurrection of Jesus was witnessed only by Mary Magdalene, the same woman from whom Jesus had expelled seven demons. Many historians believe that she was his wife.] - Dr. Marcus Dods - Muhammad, Buddha and Christ

Al-Qur’an 4:51 Are you not aware of those who, after receiving their share of the Book, believe in JIBT (baseless mysteries, magic, future-telling, astrology, clairvoyance, evil eye, good and bad omens, amulets, dreams and prophecies, palm-reading, soothsaying, superstitions of all kind, jinn or demon-possession of people, exorcism, blowing verses and senseless words on people or in food and drink, counting names on rosaries). And they believe in Taaghoot (the evil humans who try to play God with their tyranny or with their religious exploitation as priests and monks, Mullahs and Sufis of any religion)? And then they claim that they, the deniers (of the Qur’an) are better guided than the believers in the Book!

Victor’s highly educated parents continued to refuse seeking medical attention. One day, as we were returning from school, the 13 year old Victor fell on the street. I placed my wooden scale in his mouth to avoid a tongue bite. Tens of people gathered trying in vain to hold his convulsions and making him smell the most worn out shoe available. He went into status epilepticus (unabated seizures) and … quickly breathed his last. Ah, Shabbir lost a very fine friend and neighbor who might have been practicing medicine with him right here in Florida!

Question: Can you tell who and what killed the promising child?

No Comments | Add Comments

July 21st, 2008 by Dr. Shabbir

http://youtube.com/watch?v=U3Rhn8yvvVA

No Comments | Add Comments

July 19th, 2008 by Dr. Shabbir

When asked about his valor (or foolishness), Naimatullah told us a story that his father had told him. (Shabbir read it in books much later.)

Baba Ghulam Farid used to walk on water. One day, he was crossing a river saying, “Allah, Allah!” A disciple of his was following him saying, “Ya Farid, Ya Farid!” All went fine. Suddenly, the disciple decided to utter, “Allah! Allah!” as his “master” was uttering. But he started drowning.

Baba Ghulam Farid picked up the man with his little finger. The disciple’s face became a question mark. The Sufi Baba answered, “I know Allah, so I was calling Him. You don’t know Him, you know me. So as soon as you started calling Allah, you went down.”

Naimat said: My mistake was saying, “Ya Allah help!” I should have said, “Abbaji (my father), help me!”

I asked Naimat to try it. He said, “OK” but then quickly disappeared in the fragrant crowd.

Moral of the story: It goes without saying that Baba Ghulam Farid’s story is a fabrication by some of his disciples. “Mystics (Sufis and Yogis) don’t fly; it’s their disciples that make them fly.” - Sheikh Sa’di

IN MY HUMBLE OPINION, NOTHING HURTS HUMAN BEINGS MORE THAN A PERSON REPORTING SOMETHING HEARD AS SEEN.

And here is the Ultimate Wisdom:

17:36 And you shall not follow blindly any information of which you have no direct knowledge. (Using your faculties of perception and conception) you must verify it for yourself. In the Court of your Lord, you will be held accountable for your hearing, sight, and the faculty of reasoning.

Shabbir, a life-long student

No Comments | Add Comments

July 18th, 2008 by Dr. Shabbir

By Badar Kanwar, M.D.

Upon arrival in Eastern Punjab (India) Phattoo was very happy for a short while. However, after the initial jubilations were over, Phattoo was approached by a Gyani Sant (a Sikh cleric) in Herdwar (the Sikh Temple in Amritsar). After a few visits the Sant asked him to give up some bad and good habits and gave have him a long list of silly do’s and don’ts.

Upon Phattoo’s specific inquiry he was told to stop eating meat. Bewildered, Phattoo said, “We cook meat at home every day.” He was asked to give up alcohol and exchange it with Bhang (drinkable Hashish) but he said, “We brew it in our house.” Next he was asked to give up lying. He replied, “Without lying I cannot conduct my daily business.” Feeling defeated, the Gyani Sant asked him to visit Herdwar in the Golden Temple once a week and said that he must choose to obey at least one of these commands. Phattoo got confused.

The Sant said, “You have to give up some habit to be a good Sikh.” After some contemplation, Phattoo replied, “That is fine. I know what I am gonna give up - Coming to Herdwar.”

Moral of the story: Any rational human must not accept any law or ritual blindly unless the wisdom of it is explained with it. Hence, Al-Kitab = Bound Book of Law = Al-Hikmah = The Wisdom = The “Why” of these laws = AlQur’an.

Also, that birds of the same feather flock together. Mullahs (clergy) of all religions are similar. SA

(The poor, single, confused Phattoo died of a heart attack in 1963 at 41. Story complemented by Basharat’s elders from Amritsar.)

No Comments | Add Comments

July 18th, 2008 by Dr. Shabbir

Respected friends, Peace & Blessings!

This is a funny but incredible story. Many of my classmates are witnesses to it.

The year was 1968, our final year in medical college. Liaquat Medical College, Jamshoro (now a top class university) was not one of, nay… it was the most awe-inspiring campus in Pakistan and India. Wow! That original, locally excavated and carved yellowish stone-brick construction all through. The awesome college building, dissection halls, lecture theaters, laboratories, central offices, ER, patient wards, operating rooms, ICU, research centers, library, cafeterias, girls’ and boys’ separate hostels, guest houses, common rooms, TV lounges, play-fields, auditoriums and much more. Moreover, we had outstanding professors, lecturers and demonstrators in all departments. Think of anything best and LMC would stand no less than any campus in the West. We were proud of our LMC and even more proud (of course, in the Muslim sense with humility and thanks to Allah) of our country that could erect such a marvel on its sacred land.

LMC also had an Olympic size swimming pool. Arjun Das, an excellent Hindu classmate from interior Sind, was the swimming champion in 1967 while Shabbir was second. In 1968, the very tall Rustam Kavina, a Zoroastrian from Karachi, was the champion and Shabbir once again the runners-up, but topped as the best diver. Arjun Das came third in swimming.

Now, there was a third year student Naimtullah, son of a Tablighi “Maulana” from Raiwind, Lahore. He had never been to a swimming pool but he firmly “placed his trust in God”. Dazzled by the glitter and glamor of the Swimming Gala and the large, beautiful crowd, Naimat asked me in confidence, “If Arjun, a Hindu, can swim, why can’t I, a staunch believer, swim better than he?” I explained that everyone regardless of religion had to learn how to swim. He became emotional, “No, Bhagwan cannot be greater than Allah”, and, with that, he jumped into the deeper section of the pool shouting, “Help Ya Allah!”

What happened next is obvious. First, Allah refused to help him.

In the next few seconds, he was going up and down rumbling, gagging and yelling, “Save me for God’s sake, O You watchers!” Of course, we dived swiftly and took him out to safety.

Moral of the story is obvious: Allah’s Laws in the Universe do not discriminate between His servants. As you sow, so shall you reap.

What logic did Naimat present for his valor? Please wait for the next post.

No Comments | Add Comments

July 18th, 2008 by Dr. Shabbir

Dear friends, a good friend of mine, Basharat Ahmed of Florida, was born in a village, Hujra Shah Muqeem, a few years before Pakistan came into being in 1947. The village had only one grocery store owned and operated by a Sikh, Fateh Singh. He decided to move to the Indian side of Punjab. The villagers became very concerned since his was the only grocery store. They went to Fateh Singh as a delegation and earnestly requested him to stay on and become Muslim to harmonize with the local population. Generously, he agreed to stay back and, shaving his head, trimming his beard, removing the steel bracelet and changing his turban, he became Fateh Muhammad (Phattoo).

The shop remained open extended hours to service the community. Soon, the Imam Masjid started to visit Phattoo five times a day for taking him to Namaaz. The poor Phattoo had to load and unload his sacs of merchandize from the outdoor plank five times a day, an arduous undertaking indeed. Then the Imam started forcing three more daily prayers on him: Chaasht, Ishraaq and Tahajjud. He also taught him Istikhara prayer and fasting for penalties. During the month of Ramadhan, the Mullah and others kept spying on him if he was really fasting, to the extent of smelling his mouth. Then people started forcing him to go first for ‘Umra and then Hajj.

Five years went by, and one fine morning Phattoo announced that he was moving to India. The villagers came and urged him to stay. The Mullah inquired, “Why, Phattoo! You don’t like Islam?” He answered, “Mazab tay theek thaak howay ga par ae waillaiyan da Mazab hai ga.” (The religion might be OK but it is for those who have nothing to do.)

In the next darkness of the night, on his horse-cart, Phatto quietly crossed the border into India as Fateh Singh.

Moral of the story: “Mazab tay theek thaak howay ga par ae waillaiyan da Mazab hai ga.” Thanks to our “Imams”, Islam has become a collection of vain rituals, rites, fatalism, superstitions and irrational dogmas.

To: drshabbir@bellsouth.net
Subject: Thank you
Date: Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:40:11 +0000

AOA. May Allah grant you a long and healthy life. If it wasn’t for you, I would still be in the dark and would have kept following on the N2I. Your wisdom has shown me the light and I am ever so grateful to you. I read your blogs religiously and I look forward to it everyday. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I certainly feel relieved and this life makes so much sense now.

Best regards,
NK

—————————————————————

&versetopage=17&posts_per_page=10#post54_17">54:17' to Del.icio.us">&versetopage=17&posts_per_page=10#post54_17">54:17' to Del.icio.us" alt="Add 'PHATTOO - Will anyone reflect? 54:17' to Del.icio.us" />&versetopage=17&posts_per_page=10#post54_17">54:17' to digg">&versetopage=17&posts_per_page=10#post54_17">54:17' to digg" alt="Add 'PHATTOO - Will anyone reflect? 54:17' to digg" />&versetopage=17&posts_per_page=10#post54_17">54:17' to FURL">&versetopage=17&posts_per_page=10#post54_17">54:17' to FURL" alt="Add 'PHATTOO - Will anyone reflect? 54:17' to FURL" />&versetopage=17&posts_per_page=10#post54_17">54:17' to blinklist">&versetopage=17&posts_per_page=10#post54_17">54:17' to blinklist" alt="Add 'PHATTOO - Will anyone reflect? 54:17' to blinklist" />&versetopage=17&posts_per_page=10#post54_17">54:17' to reddit">&versetopage=17&posts_per_page=10#post54_17">54:17' to reddit" alt="Add 'PHATTOO - Will anyone reflect? 54:17' to reddit" />&versetopage=17&posts_per_page=10#post54_17">54:17' to Feed Me Links">&versetopage=17&posts_per_page=10#post54_17">54:17' to Feed Me Links" alt="Add 'PHATTOO - Will anyone reflect? 54:17' to Feed Me Links" />&versetopage=17&posts_per_page=10#post54_17">54:17' to Technorati">&versetopage=17&posts_per_page=10#post54_17">54:17' to Technorati" alt="Add 'PHATTOO - Will anyone reflect? 54:17' to Technorati" />&versetopage=17&posts_per_page=10#post54_17">54:17' to Yahoo My Web">&versetopage=17&posts_per_page=10#post54_17">54:17' to Yahoo My Web" alt="Add 'PHATTOO - Will anyone reflect? 54:17' to Yahoo My Web" />&versetopage=17&posts_per_page=10#post54_17">54:17' to Newsvine">&versetopage=17&posts_per_page=10#post54_17">54:17' to Newsvine" alt="Add 'PHATTOO - Will anyone reflect? 54:17' to Newsvine" />&versetopage=17&posts_per_page=10#post54_17">54:17' to Google Bookmarks">&versetopage=17&posts_per_page=10#post54_17">54:17' to Google Bookmarks" alt="Add 'PHATTOO - Will anyone reflect? 54:17' to Google Bookmarks" />&versetopage=17&posts_per_page=10#post54_17">54:17' to Spurl">&versetopage=17&posts_per_page=10#post54_17">54:17' to Spurl" alt="Add 'PHATTOO - Will anyone reflect? 54:17' to Spurl" />&versetopage=17&posts_per_page=10#post54_17">54:17' to Simpy">&versetopage=17&posts_per_page=10#post54_17">54:17' to Simpy" alt="Add 'PHATTOO - Will anyone reflect? 54:17' to Simpy" />&versetopage=17&posts_per_page=10#post54_17">54:17' to Bloglines">&versetopage=17&posts_per_page=10#post54_17">54:17' to Bloglines" alt="Add 'PHATTOO - Will anyone reflect? 54:17' to Bloglines" />

No Comments | Add Comments

July 15th, 2008 by Dr. Shabbir

THE RITUAL PRAYER (NAMAAZ) AND MORE
Ardeshir Spencer

 I am a Zoroastrian. Dr. Shabbir’s research is quite right. Your NAMAAZ was stolen from Zoroastrianism by your Parsi Imams from Persia.

It would be appropriate if we can discuss the startling similarities between some practices of Islam and Zoroastrianism. These parallels go beyond coincident. I will endeavor to enumerate a few here:

01. Requirements of prayers: Islam enjoins its followers to pray 5 times a day and is called by the Muezzin to his prayers. These prayers are at i) Dawn  ii) Noon  iii) Afternoon  iv) Sunset  v) Night.

Zoroastrianism also enjoins prayers 5 times a day called “Geh”. The devotee is summoned by the ringing of a bell in the AtashBehram / Agiary. These prayers are also at the same time as in Islam and their respective names are:

 Time: Islamic/ Zorastrianism

Dawn: Fajar/ Havaan

Noon: Zohar/ Rapithwan

Afternoon: Asr/ Uziren

Evening: Mazreem or Maghrib/ Aiwisuthrem

Night time: Isha or Ishan/ Ushaen.

02. Pre-requisites of Prayer: On entering the mosque and prior to commencing prayers a Muslim has to cover his head and wash his face and limbs. Similarly, a Zoroastrian on entering the Agiary will cover his head, wash his face and limbs and perform the Padyaab Kusti before commencing his prayers.

03. The Prayers: Prayers in Islam are in Arabic only, though translations/transliterations are available. The liturgy has to be conducted in Arabic only. In Zoroastrianism too, prayers have to be recited in Avesta or in Pazend only. In fact in Aveatan prayers Pazend portions have to be recited in an undertone so as not to break the seamless flow of Avestan Manthravani.

04. Sanctum Sanctorum and its veneration: The holiest spot in a Mosque is the wall facing Mecca and is called the Qiblah. In the Atashbehram/Agiary the room where the Atash Padshah is enthroned is also called the Keblaah. A Muslim will perform the Sajdah in front of the Qiblah and so also will the Zoroastrian perform the Sezdah before his Keblaah. Both involve kneeling down and touching the forehead to the ground.

 05. A Holy Month: In Islam Ramzan is the holy month in which all Muslims are required to fast in the day and only break their fast after sunset. In Zoroastrianism the month of Bahman has similiar connotations wherein all are requested to particularly abstain from flesh. Perhaps in the age of the Sassanian dynasty the month of Bahman was observed as Ramzan is now.

06. Ascent into Heaven: The hagiography of Islam assures us that Prophet Mohammad ascended to heaven from Jerusalem on the mythical beast Burrrak. He crossed the 7 spheres, exchanged greetings with the patriarchs and beheld the glory of God.

 
The Dinkard tells us that at the entreaties of Asho Zarthustra Bahman Ameshaspand transcendentally elevated his consciousness to the realm of heaven wherein Asho Zarthustra looked at the reflugent majesty of God. A similiar journey was attributed to the virtuous Ardaviraf who visited hell, purgatory and heaven during his spiritual journey.

The above similarities are obvious. A more careful research would reveal more parallels. However even these points are too close to be dismissed as mere coincidences. This means Zoroastrianism has had an enormous impact on Islam which is not acknowledged. Everyone agrees Islam owes a lot to Judaism and Christianity but I feel that the scholars of Islam borrowed very heavily from Iran and this can be perhaps attributed to that shadowy figure of Dastur Dinyar (Salman Farsi). This debt is so impressive that it had to be consistently downgraded and later denied. After all if Islam is supposedly directly inspired by God it cannot be seen to be acknowledging any debt to an older faith, specially the faith of a nation which Islam has defeated. This may perhaps explain the devotion of your Persian Imams to my Faith.

07. Chinvat Bridge (The SIRAAT BRIDGE): According to ancient Persian myth, when a person dies, the soul remains by the body for three days. On the fourth, it travels to Chinvat Bridge (the Bridge of the Separator, also call Al-Sirat), accompanied by gods of protection. The bridge is “finer than a hair and sharper than a sword” and spans a deep chasm teeming with monsters. On the other side of the bridge is the gateway to paradise.

08. Hell: Demons guard the foot of the bridge and argue with the gods over the soul’s fate. The actions of the dead person, both good and bad, are weighed, and the soul is either allowed to cross or denied access to the bridge. Spirits whose evil outweighs their good fall into the demon-infested pit to face eternal torment. In this abyss of the damned, each soul is tortured by a GHOUL that represents its sins in life. Once fallen into the gulf, no soul can escape the horrors of hell through its own power.

Zoroaster, a sixth century BC religious leader, had warned his followers of this obstacle to heaven but he promised to lead his flock safely across. The ancient manuscript Gathas (Songs of Zoroaster) explains that the Bridge of the Separator “becomes narrow for the wicked,” whereas the holy can easily pass unharmed. (In Gathas, the fair god Rashnu is named as the judge who helps determine who is worthy of salvation and who must be damned.) All infidels (non-believers) fall into hell, which the prophet says has been created especially for the “followers of the lie.”

The legends are sketchy but assert that Chinvat Bridge is located somewhere in the far north. It is a place of filth where the damned endure physical tortures and spiritual agony. Souls who are unsuccessful in crossing the Chinvat Bridge suffer these torments until AHRAMAN, the evil god of ZOROASTRIANISM, is destroyed by the good god Orzmahd during the LAST JUDGMENT. As this time, lost spirits are restored to the truth since “the lie” has been eradicated, or they face final ANNIHILATION.

Notice the similarity? So you guys are actually pagan stone and sun worshippers, correct? But your Koran is pure and free from plagiarism.

 THE FIVE RITUAL ZOROASTRIAN PRAYERS

The five prayers were developed AFTER the Prophet Zoroaster.
See below some quotes on the ritual prayer ceremony:
From the book J.J. Modi: The Religious Ceremonies and Customs of the Parsees. (Bombay, 1922.) Part 3.

 1. There are three grades of the Sacred Fire-(A) The Sacred Fire of the Atash Behram, (B) that of the Atash, Adaran and (C) that of the Atash Dadgah. These three have their different rituals of consecration and also different rituals for the daily prayers at the five times (gahs) of the day, when they are fed with fresh fuel. We will, at first, speak of the process of consecrating these three grades of the sacred fire. For example, he falls on his knees in his prayers; he lowers his head and bows; he raises his hands towards Heaven. All these ways or rites, which symbolize service or obedience or homage to God, are done occasionally.

The candidate is to say his prayers five times during the day. He is expected to pass his time in a religious or pious mood. The candidate [203] has, during these six days, to pass his time in prayers during the five Gahs and to observe all the observances of saying the grace at meals, etc. He is not to come in contact with any non-Zoroastrian.

 The five periods for the performance of the ceremony:

The Bui ceremony is performed five times every day. It is performed at the commencement of each of the five Gahs or periods of the day which correspond to a certain extent, with the canonical hours of the Christians.

18 These periods are the following:
 (1) Hawan. It begins from early morning when the stars begin to cease to appear, and lasts up to 12 O’Clock when the sun comes overhead. Literally, it means the time when the ceremony of pounding the Haoma is performed.
(2) Rapithwin. It runs from 12 o’clock noon to 3 p. m. Literally, it means the pith (pithwa) or the middle part of the day (ayarê).
(3) Uzerin. It runs from 3 p.m. to the time when the stars begin to appear. Literally, it means the time of the advancement of the sun.
(4) Aiwisruthrem. It runs from nightfall to midnight.
(5) Ushahin. It runs from midnight to dawn when the stars begin to cease to appear.

The priest performs the Kusti-padyab (i.e., performs ablutions and unties and puts on the Kusti again with the recital of a prayer).
The Bui ceremony in an Atash Behram: A priest who has performed the Khub ceremony, performs the Kusti-padyab at the commencement of each new Gah, i.e., the period of the day, as described above, and then recites his Farziyat, i.e., the necessary prayers, which are the Srosh-baj, the Gah according to the time of the day, and the Khwarshed and Mihr Niyayeshes during the day periods, i.e., the above named first three gahs.

During the night-periods which form the last two gahs, the Khwarshed and Mihr Niyayeshes are replaced by Srosh Yasht (Yasna 57) and Srosh Hadokht. He then goes into the sacred chamber, puts on white gloves, places some frankincense over the Sacred Fire, and then the Mâchi, i.e., the six pieces of sandalwood as said above. If [234] sandalwood is not obtainable, six pieces of any other kind of clean good wood will do. The six pieces are placed over the fire from three different positions, thus:

http://www.avesta.org/ritual/rcc3.htm

No Comments | Add Comments

July 14th, 2008 by Dr. Shabbir

CAUTION: The most sensitive subject (NAMAAZ) is now being presented with due respect. The reader that gets startled and upset at this humble submission may stop reading on to avoid further aggravation.

WASH OR RUB?

LIGHTLY RUB YOUR FEET (WAMSAHU) - NO IF, AND OR BUT!

Why does the Mullah insert within brackets (wash) your feet? ‘Arjulikum’ and ‘Arjalakum’ do not carry different meanings, but the Mullah gimmickry revolves around a vowel of no concern.

5:6 O You who have chosen to be graced with belief! When you congregate for Salaat, wash your faces and your forearms, hands to the elbows. Lightly rub your heads and your feet to the ankles. —-.

Doesn’t Bukhari Hadith tell us that the exalted Prophet used to pray with his shoes on?
WHO CONTRIVED NAMAAZ (THE RITUAL PRAYER)?

There was not one single man who introduced the Namaaz deception into Islam. Obviously, no one man could. Such conspiracies have to be state-sponsored in order to get hold of the masses. Think of the history of Christianity for a moment. The Pauline doctrine was not canonized until Emperor Constantine supported it at the Conference of Nicea in 325 CE.

WHAT ACTUALLY IS SALAAT:

2:43 And establish the Divine System, and set up the Just Economic Order in the society. And bow with others who bow to these Commands.

[9:119, 89:27-30 ‘Salaat’ = To follow closely like a runners-up (Musalli) follows the winning horse (Saabiq). ‘Aqimussallat’ = Establish the System that facilitates the following of Divine Commands]

The Qur’an commands us to remember Allah lying, sitting and standing any time. Call it the ritual salaat.

THE IMAMIST CONSPIRACY OF NAMAAZ: Remind yourself of the famous weird tale of the Prophet (S) ascending to heavens to meet with Allah, the so-called Me’raaj (the word is non-existent in the Qur’an). Is not Allah Omnipresent? The “Imams” of Hadith want us to believe that Allah ordained 50 ritual prayers daily for Muslims on that occasion. As the exalted Prophet was descending, Prophet Moses told him of the impossibility of the situation and sent Muhammad (S) back again and again. Imagine the Prophet (S) bargaining with God! Repeated visits to and fro then bring the number down to 40, 30, 20, 10, and finally 5! Moses a. s. wanted him to make one more trip but Muhammad (S) felt shy to bargain any further. Was this Hadith, in addition to promoting ritualism, fabricated to prove Moses’ farsightedness over Muhammad (S)? Only an extremely gullible mind would accept this nonsense.

The later Persian Imams built upon this tale and formulated the current Namaaz. They received strong support from the Persian Zoroastrian mother of Khalifa Haroon Rasheed, Khaizran (d. 789 CE). Haroon’s Zoroastrian viziers, the Baramika, were only too happy to join hands with the royal mother, Khaizran.

So, it was she in concert with others who “canonized” Namaaz according to the desires of the Criminal Imams in 153 AH (773 CE). Her main philosopher was Imam Al-Khalil bin Ahmad Shikoh, the first ever compiler of Arabic to Persian dictionary, Al-’Ain.

WHY WAS IMAM HANBAL FLOGGED? Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal is reported to have been flogged by Khalifa Mamun son of Haroon because Hanbal supposedly insisted that the Qur’an being the Word of God was Ghair Makhlooq (non-creation). No! That wasn’t it. It was too trivial a debate. Hanbal got flogged because he saw and opposed the Persian Namaaz (Bandagi or Gah) being incorporated into Islam.

ANOTHER POINT OF INTEREST: Khaizran spent a fortune on her project and distributed one million gold coins and 65 million silver coins among her subjects to propagate the ‘canonized’ Namaaz. References are given in the next heading.

Is Physical Prostration Immodest? The Mode of Salaat Prayer:

The exalted Prophet is reported to have prohibited physical prostration for reasons of modesty since the Salaat prayer used to be only congregational and in the Masjid with men standing on the left side and women on the right. The Salaat prayer used to begin with people standing behind the local Emir (governor) and it was completed in that posture. The Emir recited only Surah Al-Fatihah OR a few other verses relevant to the situation. Then he got on with the issues about community welfare and public affairs. When the assembly was adjourned, people dispersed and worked on the agreed upon decisions while engaging in their jobs or businesses. Incidentally, that also indicates that Friday was never a holiday during the early noble era of Islam.

(Ref: 1. ‘Azwaaj-in-Nabi wal-Ashaab’, by Hammad bin Hakam in 94 AH, 210 years before Tareekh Tabari. 2. ‘Kitab-e-Dalail-e-Nabawwut Syedna Muhammad’ by Abdul Jabbar Fatimi, written in 130 AH, 150 years before Tabari, the first ever ‘canonized’ historian.)

Less than 5% Muslims “perform” the five times a day Namaaz and they keep announcing it. No one can say or says, “I have established Salaat.” Yet, most Muslims keep arguing about Namaaz.

Violation of human Rights by the Namaazis: Then, hardly any of them would display exceptional character. And most certainly, they won’t even think of violating human rights during the process. The so-called Namaazi would leave a hungry, crying child, or a sick elderly to fulfill the so-called “Huqooqullah” (the rights of Allah), a term which nowhere appears in the Qur’an except implicitly at one place where it means helping the needy with one’s wealth. Empty rituals are certainly by no means ordained in the Qur’an.

6:141 He is the One Who creates bounties for you, such as gardens that are cultivated, greens that are wild, palm trees of various kinds, crops in diversity, olives and pomegranates, fruits that are similar and diverse. Enjoy them, but give Him His Right on the Day of the Harvest. And waste not the bounty of God. He does not love the wasteful. [‘give Him His Right’ = Give God His Right = Render to the poor what is their Divinely ordained right.]

Experiment: Call a random gathering of Muslims anywhere for Namaaz under completely unexpected circumstances. You will notice almost all of them joining the lines, most of them without Wudhu (Ablution)!

What Exactly Was NAMAAZ (Ritual Salaat): As far as I have been able to analytically search our history and Hadith, following was the probable situation in the lifetime of the exalted Prophet and Sahaba Kiraam.

· Ritual prayer or Namaaz was a small part of Aqamatis-Salaat, i.e. establishing the System that facilitates the following of Divine Commands.

· The ritual prayer was always congregational.

· Women and men both formed this congregation, women on the right side of men.

· The frequency and timing of the congregations were determined by the State as needed. It was never fixed as five times a day ritual.

· Namaaz was performed with the Emir (governor) reciting some verses from the Qur’an relevant to the situation at hand as the congregation listened to him. The Emir would recite a few verses in the standing position as did the congregation behind him.

· Masjid was not a temple of worship. It was the Assembly, the School, the Municipality, the Parliament and the Government House. So, after that recitation, the leader and people would discuss real issues about the community, entertain questions, present bills, announce decisions of the Shura (Counsel) and the Assembly would legislate. People came up with their ideas addressing the problems facing the community and for betterment of the society. Masjid was also the place where the leaders were elected.

[Some references on WHO CONTRIVED NAMAZ? - Azwaaj-in-Nabi wal-Ashaab, written by Hammad bin Hakam in 94 AH, 210 years before Tareekh Tabari. - Kitab-e-Dalail-e-Nabawwut Syedna Muhammad (S) by Abdul Jabbar Fatimi, written in 130 AH, 150 years before Tabari, the first ever ‘canonized’ historian. - Haroon Wa Baramikatil Faras by Sheikhul Ifta Salman bin Abu Qasim Baghdadi. Vol 1 pg 31-55. - Meezan-il-Faris by Hujjatullah Abdul Qadir Ali Al-Moosvi pg 249-261. - Takmilatil Lughatal ‘Ain ‘Urfa by Al-Ustaz Jalaluddin Al-Ash’ari on Imam Al-Khalil ibn Ahmad Shikoh Tabrezi Vol 2 pg 3-5. - Mujahid-al-Munafiq Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal by Abdul Muhsin bin Mullah Ali Al-Qari, pg 67-135]

HOW QUICKLY WAS THE RITUAL SALAAT CHANGING!

Bukhari Vol.1, Book 10, Number 507: Narrated Ghailan: Anas bin Malik (A Sahabi) said, “I do not find (now-a-days) things as they were (practised) at the time of the Prophet.” Somebody said “The prayer (is as it was)”. Anas said, “Have you not done in the prayer what you have done?”

Bukhari Vol.1, Book 10, Number 508: Narrated Az-Zuhri that he visited Anas bin Malik at Damascus and found him weeping and asked him why he was weeping. He replied, “I do not know anything which I used to know during the lifetime of Allah’s Apostle except this prayer which is being lost (not being offered as it should be).”

The comments, “Have you not done in the prayer what you have done?”, and the “Lost Prayer” indicate that something went wrong with the Ritual Prayer (Namaaz) soon after Sahaba Kiraam.

DOES HADITH EXPLAIN THE METHOD OF NAMAAZ?
The Book of Allah claims to be, and certainly is, complete, detailed and describes all things divinely ordained. Say this to an N2I. The knee-jerk response will be, “No, it does not give you the method of Namaaz.” Well, did Allah forget? Contrary to the common claims, all the books of Hadith combined together will fail to give you a complete, consistent method of Namaaz.

RITUALISTIC SALAAT BY ITSELF IS NOTHING:

11:87 They said, “O Shoaib! (We had thought that your religion was only a matter between you and your Lord). Does your Salaat command that we should forsake the worship that our fathers practised? Or, that we leave off doing what we like to do with our economy? Behold, you want us to think that you are the only clement, and the rightly guided man among us.”

DOES NAMAAZ DO ALL THIS? AQAAMATUSSALAAT SURE DOES:

29:45 (O Prophet) convey to people all that is revealed to you of the Book, and establish the Divine System. For, verily, establishment of the Divine System will shut off lewdness, stinginess and behavior contrary to the Divine Values. This is so, because Allah’s Law is the Greatest Law that can give you eminence. And (O People) Allah knows whatever you contrive on your own. [21:10, 21:24, 23:70, 43:43-44, 70:21-27 - ‘Fahasha’ includes lewdness and miserliness and ‘Munkar’ is all behavior that goes against Divine Values given in the Qur’an]

CENTRAL PRAYER: What is Salaatil Wusta? Central Prayer? Middle Namaaz? Namaaz ‘Asr? No, it is the Central Duty.

2:238 Remember to fulfill all your commitments and especially the Central Duty of guarding the Divine System. And remain diligent in devotion to God.

WHAT SHOULD WE DO WITH NAMAAZ?

In my humble opinion, we should continue the ritual Namaz as it is until a true Islamic state is established somewhere. The government will then decide how to bring the true spirit of Salaat into today’s empty ritual.

A life-long student, Shabbir

No Comments | Add Comments