The Hindu civilization is the oldest civilization on the earth. All its parallels, Roman, Greek, Egyptian and Mesopotamian have seized to exist. The people across the river Sind were referred to as Hindus. The Aryans settled after their migration, generations before the commencement of Vedic period; which is millennium ago i.e more than three thousand five hundred years ago. The Rishis who led the life of a recluse did immense meditation and what was heard by them was Srutis or Vedas and it was recorded as Smriti. The Vedic words were the Upanishads Vedas-Rig Veda, Yajurveda, Atharvaveda, Sama veda, Ayurveda and Shastras. The Upanishads speak of a universal spirit (Brahman) and of an individual soul (Atman) and at times assert the identity of both. The All Existing Lord was Eshwara and the followers were referred to as Brahmins. The language of the times was prakrit, later it became Sanskrit. The common feature of the people of Vedic period was in the belief of existence of all Powerful God known as the Eshwara. The Omnipotent and Omnipresent, the Ever Existing and Ever Lasting lord, the Creator, Destructor and Nourisher or Sustainer. Later the philosophy developed and the belief of Eshwara taking the form of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva came into existence along with its attendant Mythology. The belief in the creator Shiva and his consort Parvathi and their sons Ganapathi and Subramaniam and its attendant mythology also came into existence. The Vishnu was the destroyer of Evil and he took birth whenever the evil took an upper hand. Thus, Vishnu has taken births as Avatars. Lord Rama and Lord Krishna are believed to be the avatars of Vishnu. While Ramayana and Mahabharata records the legend of Lord Rama and Lord Krishna and the war of Pandavas and Kauruvas, The speech and utterances of Lord Krishna on the battlefield to Arjuna is considered as divine utterances and it is in the Bhagvad Geeta. Brahman does not have any form and He is Formless.

Later down the centuries, the religion became dogmatic with Manu, the sage writing down the law for the people, who were referred to as Hindus. Thus came into existence Manu Shastra. This Manushastra recognized the existence of caste system based on the vocation practiced by the people. The people of God were the Brahmins, who were the custodians of scriptures living a most austere life of worship, learning and prayers. The rulers were Kshatriyas, the business community were the Vysias and the service providers and artisans were the Shudras. Those who did other menial jobs were outside the pale of these four castes and they were the downtrodden and outcastes. The Shudras and the outcasts did not have many rights and privileges of the society. The punishment for offences to be meted out to these four castes and the outcast were equally different. In any case, the main substance of these teachings of Hinduism was to live a Dharmic life of goodness and to shun evil. Those who continued to do the acts of evil will not get “Moksha” or merger with the Lord, but would be reborn on the earth as animals in the form of dog, cat or any other form. They can be reborn again in other castes based on the life lead by them in the previous birth. The concept of rebirth is the essential belief of Hinduism. The rebirth in the animal form or other forms was referred to as transmigration of souls. There is also the concept of award for good deeds and punishment or divine retribution in this world itself, and also in the hereafter as “Surag and Narag” heaven and hell.

The Hinduism took a turn after the advent of Islam and consequent rule of Muslims in India . A movement known as Bhakti Movement was started to bring a communal harmony between two religions of Hinduism and Islam based on the common belief of Dharma love for the Lord Almighty and final merger with the Lord. Various means were adapted to reach this goal like divine singing, music, poetry, hymns, community feeding and social work for the poor and down trodden. Great souls like Kabir, Meera Bai, Moinuddin Chisti, Amir Khusroo revived the religions to quote few names.

The second important movement was commenced during the British period by Raja Ram Mohan Roy starting the Brahma Samaj, Swami Dayananda Saraswati starting Arya Samaj to abolish the evil system of caste, sati and to bring reformation by widow remarriage, abolishing child marriage and such other bad evil customs and practices which had crept in the Hindu ethos and cultures.

Mughal Emperor Akbar attempted to synthesize both the religions based on the common beliefs and invented the religion “Deen e Ilahi” religion of God but it did not have any takers but his attempts did not go in vain. It could bridge the gap between the two major religions Hinduism and Islam based on the belief in the existence Almighty and All Powerful God, who controls the destiny of people and the universe. Many reformers like Sankaracharya, Madhavacharya, Ramanajam and Basaweswara enlightened the people about the different philosophies in Hinduism. The third most successful and important movement was started by Mahatma Gandhi along with his freedom struggle to win freedom from the British rule. Mahatma Gandhi known as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi believed in the existence of Eternal Truth. He commenced his life by experimenting with truth. He proposed that all are children of God and the casteless and downtrodden were to be given full dignity and he called them children of God “Harijana”. Baba Sahib Ambedkar the founding father of our Indian Constitution fought and won legal rights for the Harijans. Thus the freedom of India brought drastic changes in the religion of Hinduism by which all Hindus mingled together and prayed together in all the temples throughout the length and breadth of the country.

Along with the freedom struggle and ushering in of democracy and socialism, cultural and spiritual renaissance was also in the resurgence. Great Saints took birth among Hindus and Muslims and they tried to unite the people on the spiritual beliefs. Thus an important part was played by Yogees, Seers, Saints and Sufis to bring in an unification among the people of India. Foremost was Shirdi Sai Baba, who is considered as, Hindu and as a Muslim Fakir by Muslims.

Next in greatness, who took social reforms along with spiritual transformation is Sathya Sai Babaji. Sathya Sai Babaji did not live a life of a fakir or as a recluse as in the case of Shirdi Sai Babaji, but took the lead to elevate the burden of poverty by taking the enormous social work along with the elevation of the souls through education and has become a Messiah by opening high specialty hospitals for the poor and sick, who are left uncared by the cruel society. Sathya Sai Babaji is one of the greatest spiritual forces for the resurgence of Hinduism in the light of the materialistic living and agnostic thinking.

We are not to forget the role played by Swami Ramakrishna Paramahmsa who started Ramakrishna Mission and his beloved disciple Swami Vivekananda who revived the Vedic teaching of Vedanta i.e belief and worship in one Lord Almighty.
Maharishi Mahesh yogi revived yoga and became a universal yoga teacher. Yoga today has become a healer to the tension-ridden world. Presently, his work is carried out by number of his disciples one such is Sree Sree Ravi Sankar. Swami Ramdev is known for popularizing Yoga to the masses.5

Hundreds and thousands of saints, seers, yogis and reformers have been working for the resurgence of faith of the people in the religion of Hinduism by making them faithful compassionate and kind.

The influence of Islam in India was the birth of Sikhism. Sikh means a seeker of God. Guru Nanak along with his Muslim disciple Mardana walked all over India. He visited Makkah as a Muslim fakir. It is believed that he led the prayers in Makkah as a Imam for a year. He was proficient in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit and Gurumukhi. He adopted the belief of unity of Godhead i.e. Tauheed of Islam and belief of rebirth and Moksha of Hinduism. He taught the belief of Sufis ‘Zikr’-recitation of Lord’s name as ‘Japji’ . He wrote hundreds of hymns for ‘Japa’ in Gurumukhi. He advised his followers to earn the bread with a sweat of the brow and to feed the poor and needy. Thus in all Gurudwaras free feeding or langar is done to all and any person as was the practice among the Sufis in their ‘Khankas’. The divine music was a media to sing the celestial songs written by him. The learning of Brahmins, the Valour of Kshatriyas, the entrepreneurship of Vysyas, the hard work of Shudras were the ethics of Sikhism. Begging was totally discouraged and we don’t find begging among the Sikhs.

Let us now see the position of other two religious of our ancient land, Jainism and Buddhism. Lord Mahavira is the 24th Theerthantara of the religion of Jainism. Jainism is older than Buddhism. It is based on non-violence and Ahimsa. Today most of the trader’s business community Industrialist, like Birlas, Marvaris is Jains. They believe in truthful living and ahimsa, and non-violence.

Although Buddhisim took its birth in India. Siddharth the prince of Pataliputra in Bihar was much afflicted with suffering, agony and pain of the people. Buddhism was founded by Buddha. He was a prince of Kapilvastu who was much afflicted with suffering, agony and pain of the people. He took Sanyas to find out its cause. He received enlightenment and became Gautam Buddha. He found that attachment to worldly pleasures and sensual feelings resulted in disappointment and frustrations, thus leading to sorrows and suffering. He propounded eight-fold path, which teaches the need to develop and practice the Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration. It recommended the list of virtues or Paramitas for daily practice like generosity, discipline or morality, patience, diligence or effort, concentration and insight, skillful means, aspiration, spiritual power and wisdom.

After the Kalinga war, the King Ashok embraced Buddhism and spread its teaching throughout the length and breadth of India. Later Lord Sankaracharya, in 8th century before Christ revived Hinduism by starting four Maths in North, South, East and West of India.
Both Jainism and Buddhism have become totally minority religions in India. The followers of Buddhism are much low in India. However, it spread to Burma, Far East countries like Thailand, Sri Lanka, Japan, Philippines and China. The influence of both these religions to contain violence in society cannot be discounted. Compassion and Kindness to men and animals are the main features of both the religions. They are very soft spoken, kind and very compassionate people practicing both these religions.

Now let us turn towards the three Abrahamic religions, which took birth in Palestine, Jerusalem and in Makkah based on the common foundation and beliefs, which I shall elaborate and narrate to you.

Creation of Man

The religions in the Abrahamic three sister religions is based on the belief that God is Single and unitary and has no partners, nor there is any division of His work to be carried by any of His lieutenants. He is the Whole and Sole Creator, Destructor, Sustainer, Ever Living Creator of the entire universe, sun stars, moon anything and everything. Everything in this universe works on His commands and He has full knowledge and control over it. God assembled all His angles that are in ever submission and obedience to Him and announced about the creation of Man Adam in His own image. He created Adam out of clay and commanded all the angles to bow down before Man but the Chief of Angels disobeyed on the plea that he is more superior having been created with fire and he can burn the man of clay. God banished the chief of angles who became a Satan or Devil. The devil got permission from God to distract them from God’s path and way lay man and distract him. At the same time Satan admitted that he will not be able to distract or go near the most humble and obedient Men. God created Eve from the rib of man to give Adam Company and commanded both of them not to eat the fruit from the tree of life. However, Satan instigated Eve to taste the fruit to attain immortality. Eve in-turn instigated and influenced Adam to break the oath take by them to Lord. Both ate the fruit thus breaking the promise given to Lord to avoid the fruit and shun the company of the Devil. Both were thrown out of the paradise to the Earth. Lord taught Adam words to seek pardon and Adam and Eve met again and their first sin was pardoned. They were commanded to live a virtuous, sinless life and were promised Heaven after their death and Hell for ever damnation if they failed in their duties and committed wrongs and sins. Adam and Eve bore sons who quarreled and shed blood, thus man became a disobedient and thankless being. The progeny of Adam and Eve grew into five races and spread across the length and breadth of the earth. All nations were formed and civilizations developed. There was a need for guidance for man to follow the righteous path and hence God sent Prophets with message to the people, with commandments that those who committed sin would enter eternal fire and damnation and those would pray and submit to Lord’s commands and follow the righteous path would be awarded Heaven.

Again and again God warned that the Satan would way lay man and mislead them and God warned man to shun the company of evil and always follow goodness and be ever meek and humble, not to be arrogant, boastful and not to commit theft, murder, hurt another person, not to commit fornication or covet another’s wife. Thus a law was given to man to show what was righteous and what was wrong. Yet men committed wrongs and forgets the righteous path, despite God sending prophets after prophets to guide the humanity.

Man left the worship of Singular Unseen Lord of the universe and at the instance and instigation of Devil started creating idols for worship. Man choose Sun, Moon, Stars, Rivers, Animals for worship and committed many untold sins and put weaker men to hardship and slavery. He became unjust, cruel and wicked. Despite warnings from God, man disobeyed the prophets. Therefore, God sent punishment in the form of deluge, like in the case of Prophet Noah’s time. Those who followed Prophet Noah were saved the rest were all drowned. God punished erring humanity by fire, earthquakes and by other means.

Prophet Abraham

The humanity had become corrupt and had taken up to idol worships and forgotten the promise to worship one single unitary God. Abraham was a great prophet who fought with the Mighty King Namrood who and his followers worshiped fire as God. King Namrood created a huge fire and Abraham was catapulated into the fire. However, God saved Abraham by turning it into roses. By various ways God tested Abraham and choose Abraham as prophet. Abraham succeeded in His Love to the Lord Almighty. He bore Issac or Ishaq from his first wife Sara. Ishaq’s son Jacob later came to be known as Israel. His son Yusuf or Joseph succeeded to Jacob’s prophetic work. As a boy, his eleven brothers conspired and sold him to a caravan. The caravan went to Egypt where the Governor purchased him. The Governor’s wife Zulaika falls in love with him and the Governor noticed her action of chasing Joseph. Zulaika accuses Yusuf of attempting to molest her. Yusuf was imprisoned. In prison, he chooses to do God’s work. He prayed intensely. God chose him as a prophet and blessed him the gift to interpret dreams. He correctly interpreted the dreams of two prisoners out of whom one becomes the King’s personal cook. The king sees a dream and seeks its interpretation and none was able to interpret it. The cook remembers about Joseph and he recommends the king to take the services of Joseph and Joseph interprets the dream. Later the dream comes true and Joseph was made a governor. His brothers come to Egypt due to drought for taking grains and Joseph recognizes them. After a chain of events, the father and sons unite. In Egypt, these people of Jerusalem or Palestine came to be called as Jews. From the descendants of Joseph after several centuries was born Moses. The king Pharaoh was warned about the birth of a child who would end his religion and his rule. The Kind orders for killing of all the young ones. The mother of Moses puts the child in a cradle and leaves it in riverside. The cradle reaches the place where the Queen Asiya would be taking bath. She takes care of the child and Moses sister and mother go to the palace and request the Queen to give the child to their custody so that they can bring up in healthy surroundings. Thus, Moses was put to severe test. He refused to follow the gods of Pharaoh. He instigates his people to rise in revolt and to follow him. This, Moses does after God appears before him in the form of light from a bush and bestows the miraclesto defeat the Pharaoh. Later God bestows Ten Commandments to Mosses. This is how the Old Testament as a Gospel has come into existence. Moses takes his twelve Jewish tribes to Palestine; his followers were referred as Jews, and their religion as Judaism.

From among Moses, descendants came David whose gospel is known as Zaboor, Solomon and host of Prophets, one giving charge to the other. Prophet Zackaria had a niece Mary, who gave birth to a child miraculously through God’s Command. The child spoke about his mother’s innocence from the cradle. The child is Jesus. His Gospel is Bible or New Testament. The people of Palestine or Jews refused to accept him as a Prophet on the plea that he claimed to be Son of God. In the religion of Judaism, there cannot be worship to anyone other than Singular God who cannot be begotten or multiple nor have a partner. Jesus was accused of blasphemy and he was crucified. While he was taken to crucifixion, his followers ask him as to who would be the next prophet. Jesus said that no more prophets would come from Jews and a great prophet would come from Gentiles referring to Prophet Mohammed. Thus, the followers of Jesus are Christians. After the birth of Mohammed, who is the descendant of Abraham through his second son Ismail, his followers are referred to as Muslims. Holy book of Prophet Mohammed is Holy Quran.
Birth of Prophet Mohammad, Holy Quran and Muslims

Prophet Mohammad was born posthumously in the month of April 571 after Christ on Monday. His father died just before his birth and his mother died when he was six years and his grandfather died when he was eight years old. His uncle Abu Talib brought him up. He belonged to a noble family of the Tribe of Quraish in Makkah. As a child, he exhibited many wonderful miracles and he was unique. His family was the custodian of Holy Ka’ba where in had been placed 360 idols and all the tribes of Arabia would come annually to pay homage to the idols, but as a child he developed faith in One Almighty God, the Creator, Sustainer, Cherisher, Merciful and Compassionate. As he grew up his truthfulness, simplicity, helping nature to poor and old, infirm was noticed. His generosity, kindness and his good qualities came to be noticed and he was referred to as “Al Ameen” the Trustworthy and “Al Sadiq” the Truthful. He accompanied the caravan of his uncle as a child to various surrounding places of Arabia. The Christian Priest Buhaira recognized him as a future foretold prophet. His virtues attracted the attention of a rich widow Khadija who asked him to deal with her business by accompanying the caravan on trade. His scrupulous honesty, integrity and truthfulness made Khadija offer herself in marriage to him, although she was senior in age. Mohammad accepted her as his wife and he begot four daughters.

Mohammed was very godly and divine. He would distribute large sum of his wealth to poor people and would sit in a cave nearby hillock near Mecca in deep meditation. When he was 40 years old, Angel Gabriel appeared before him and asked him to read. Muhammad expressed in inability, as he was unlettered. Angel Gabriel hugs him and makes him read Allah God’s verses. From then on Muhammad kept getting the divine inspiration and verses from Allah God. All such utterances have been collected in Holy Quran, which has 30 chapters and 114 Suras. All the Suras start with the name of the Lord Allah the Merciful and Compassionate.

Allah the Merciful and Compassionate

Prophet Mohammed kept reciting the Suras of the Holy Book Quran as and when it was revealed to him. Initially very few people accepted his prophet-hood. He preached his people to bow down and pray only to single God Allah the Universal Lord, who is Creator, Sustainer, Cherisher, tremendous merciful and compassionate. Allah has 99 attributes. The most important is the attribute Ever Living and Ever Sustaining, having knowledge of all the things acts, and deeds of every living and non living beings crated by him at his command of ‘ kun fa ya kun’ “ Be and it came into existence. Allah commanded humanity not to be misled by Satan, the accursed enemy of Mankind, but to follow the straight path of those who are virtuous, truthful, doer of good deeds and who lay down their lives in sacrifice in the cause of Allah as obedient and sub serviants of Allah. The follower of Prophet Muhammad who believed him as the last of Prophets so far sent by Allah God and submitted in total submission and obedience to Allah God were referred to as Muslims. Muslims are faithful and the religion, which was practiced by all the prophets from the first creation of Adam, was known as Islam. Thereby, meaning submission to the will of Allah or God and Peace.

Prophet Muhammad lived in absolute poverty and shunned richness, wealth, prosperity and over lordship. He renounced the worldly living yet he was a trustworthy and honest tradesman. A perfect man, a perfect teacher, a perfect leader of men, a perfect being (Insan-e-kamil). He was a perfect example of pure and perfect living and Allah-God made him a perfect person with sterling character and conduct and commanded the humanity to follow Mohammed’s example in every walk of daily life. He was pure and practiced cleanliness of body, mind, heart and soul. All of the commands of Allah on the virtuous conduct for man was followed by him scrupulously. He was sincere and most humble to the core. A truly surrendered soul to the Supreme will of Almighty God. Prophet Mohammed was blessed with 99 good and noble qualities.

Allah God is most Merciful and Compassionate. God commanded man not to create fiction, mythology, and all such false gods in the form of idol worship but bow down and follow God alone and who is Single Owner of the universe without any partner or Sharing his work. God has created Heaven and Hell. He pardons the sins of all those who seek his Mercy and Benediction. He loves those who pray five times a day, keep fast for 30 days in the month of Ramzan, give charity from their wealth and perform pilgrimage of Holy Ka’ba built in Allah’s memory by Prophet Abraham and Prophet Ismael.

To Keep up the Promise

Allah commands humanity to be truthful, keep up their promises, and fulfill their contracts. Make good the loss that world be caused to others. Men should not indulge in cheating, misrepresentations and fraudulent acts.

All are Creatures of Allah

Allah commands that all are his creatures. All humanity of whatever race or colors, man or woman, Master or Slave are all equal and are all brothers and Sisters. The religion Islam created world brother-hood of man and they should share the joys and grieves. They should respect the kith and kin, parents, old people, infirm and sick, neighbors, travelers, salute and wish good to one and all, to known and unknown persons.

Maintain their duty to Allah and His Prophet Mohammad

All should submit to God and God alone in total obedience, sincerity and truthfulness. All should obey the Allah’s laws and whatever Prophet Mohammed has said and spoken. Everyone should give up anger, ego lust, jealousy, hatred, covetousness, and ill feeling but cultivate love for all, generosity, hospitality, sincerity and all good qualities.

Patience, tolerance, thankfulness and contentment

Allah commands humanity not to commit wrongs and always and ever be righteous and follow the right and straight path of every lasting goodness. Be always just and render justice always and ever. Do good and ever good to one and all. Not to speak lies, betray friends and relatives, but stand by all the relatives and friend in all adverse circumstances. Allah commands man to be ever patient, thankful and be content and tolerant to the people of all faiths. To speak in soft words, walk on the earth softly, not to be boastful, exhibit wealth, pomp and show. Not to be proud, haughty but be ever kind, compassionate, simple in manners and living. Be ever pure in body, mind, heart and soul. Not to bear rancor, hatred, prejudice, ill feelings for any and everyone. Not to cast their evil eye-on women and women should be virtuous, true to their faith, and faithful to husbands and be in veil ‘purdah’.

Eat only which is sacrificed- In Allah lord’s name

Alcohol drinking wine, gambling is totally prohibited and so also collecting interest on loans and usury is totally prohibited. God commands Muslims to relieve the burdens of the loans of faithful and help them with free loans without any expectations, but help people for the sake of Allah and his Prophet.

Allah commands mankind to do and die only for Allah-God’s sake and be every pure. Eat only those animals which have hoof cleft but not pork and the animals should have been sacrificed in God’s name and it becomes ‘Halal’. All carnivorous animals, pork, preying birds and blood of animals are totally prohibited.

Dance, music, silk dress (for men) and gold jewellery (for men) is prohibited
Men should not wear silk and expensive dresses but be simple. They should not wear women’s dress nor do dancing and singing and should not listen to music. They should not wear gold jewelry nor eat food in silver and gold plates. Man should control his animal desires, passions anger, ego, ill feelings, adopt correct posture and live with dignity, poise and grace.

Brotherhood of Man

The most important commandment is equality of Man and Woman. They should eat together and share all the wealth and everything with each other. All should join the times of happiness and sorrow. All should share the grief of his brother and relive him of his affliction. He should join the bier taken for burial and conduct prayers for the dead, be together at the time of burial, and pray for the forgiveness of the dead person. No faithful should carry even a grain of pride and ill feelings in their heart. If they do so all their good deeds will not be accepted and they will be sent to hell for eternal damnation.

Prophet Mohammed is Mercy to Mankind and light of Universe

Allah God refers Prophet Mohammed as mercy for the mankind and he would relieve all the sinners from hell by seeking pardon, mercy and forgiveness lord All Mighty God. Holy Quran refers Prophet Mohammed as light of the universe. He opened the mind of each of his followers to enlightenment and learning. Holy Quran says that Holy Prophet Mohammad has been sent as a Warner and Giver of Good tidings.
Adopt Eternal Goodness, Justice, Equality, Kindness and Love for Everyone and be Ever Forgiving

Allah and Prophet Mohammad commanded humankind to do ever good until their last breath; not to hurt anyone by hand, tongue or even ill feelings to anyone but live and serve Allah and His Prophet. Be always just and practice equality, kindness and love, ever love to all the creatures of the world. Allah has commanded humankind to shun wrong acts, evil deeds, cruel and wicked acts. Not to indulge in lying, theft, forgery, prostitution, shameful acts, adultery and fornication, but be always truthful and deal justly by doing justice to one and all. Be ever forgiving to the wrongs done by others and not to keep enmity and grudge in their hearts.
Commonality between the Religions of the World

Now world over universal brother hood is recognized and slavery of humankind has been totally abolished. All the laws of equality, freedom of man and justice has been recognized as fundamental rights of man and to perform all good deeds have been recognized as fundamental duties to be performed by the citizens in the constitution of India.

The Hindu law, Christian law and Mohammadan law on contracts, crime, special contracts, law of partnership, sale of goods and all laws of common nature have now been merged and parliamentary laws have been passed for all citizens to follow the same.
Every human being has realized that the destiny is controlled by the Super Being. You call it sub conscious mind, God, Eshwara or Allah or by whatever name it might be. All have realized that goodness shall prevail and Evil should be shunned in order to achieve eternal peace, harmony and happiness. Whatever religion you may belong to and in whatever manner you may worship and pray, it is universally recognized that mankind is singular and that they should live and let live, live in peace and harmony, in brotherhood, in kindness, be ever forgiving and show large heartedness. Everyone has realized that man should help another man when he is afflicted by calamity, flooding, earthquake or suffering due to deadly diseases, war or destruction.

Sufism and Vedanta

Sufism or Tasawwuf or Irfan (Marifat e Elahi) teaches humanism, love, brotherhood and oneness and believes in creating a world citizenship through “Tauheed” (monotheism). Sufism or Irfan is a way of life to achieve perfection of manners, cultivate and culture the mind and heart with purity of thought and good behavior through possession of all virtues and negation of all vices by a process of self annihilation, self realization, self sacrifice and self surrender of will before the supreme will of Almighty Allah- God. Sufism is an absolutely peaceful and totally non violent movement to awaken the soul to greater grandeur through simple living and practicing lofty ideals through meditations ‘Zikr’ (incantation) Sama (singing of holy hyms) and other sufi practices by accepting the Prophet-hood (Risalat) of holy Prophet Mohammed; by strengthening of faith Servitude (certainty) by practicing the precepts of the Holy Prophet, performance of Daily Namaaz (Prayers) ; acts and deeds of righteousness; seeking and observing “Taqwa” ( awe or fear of God Allah); “Taubaah” (repentance) “Tawakal” ( Full surrender and trust in Allah); ‘ Iqlaas’ (Sincerity) ‘ Sidq’ (Truthfullness) Contentment (Tawakkul), Haya (Shame) ‘ Sabr’ (Patience) ‘Shukr’ (gratitude and thankfulness), ‘Zikr’ (Remembrance of Lords Names) Zohad’ (renunciation) ‘Khauf’ (fear) ‘Rida’ (Hope) ‘Khushu’ (fearfulness, humility) ‘Istiqamat’ (uprightness, a state in which Allah’s grace comes perpetual for it implies the perfect performance of Allah’s Service) ‘Firasa’ (insight) as Prophet Mohammed said ‘Beware of the believers insight for he sees with the Sight of Allah” “Wara” (abstaining, that is from all unnecessary and unseemly occupations) and ‘Simt’ (silence). The Prophet Mohammed is quoted as having said, “who so ever believes in Allah and his last day, let him speak good or else let him be silent”. Silence is interpreted both literally as meaning that the man should learn to govern his tongue and metaphorically is referring to a heart that silently accepts whatever Allah may decree ‘Adab’ (decent manners, as prophet said ‘Allah mannered me and taught me good manners”, live in righteous conduct; Dua (Prayer seeking constantly supplicant to Allah, for Allah says pray for me and I will answer you) ‘Faqr” (poverty) for Prophet said “ The poor shall enter paradise five hundred years before the rich” ‘Tafakkur’ (meditation) ‘Muraqaba’ (contemplation) and ‘Muhasabah’ self examination) ‘Tauheed’ (belief in one Allah-God) ‘Mohabba’ (love) ‘Shauq’ (yearning) ‘Uns’ (Intimacy) ‘Rida’ (satisfication). Truth is realized by daily submission to the rule of law laid down by Allah-God for achieving the perfection of human self by ‘Mujahida’ a collateral form of Jihad to mean “earnest striving after the mystical life. As the Holy Quran says, “And they that strive earnestly in our cause, we surely guide them upon our path (Quran 29:69). Prophet says that the greater warfare (Al Jihad e Akbar) is against the earnest striving with the carnal soul (mujahat al nufs). It is by seeking refuge in Allah and seeking his protection from the animal and satanic forces working in man, by observing ‘Saum’ (fasting) for the purpose of purification of the inner and outer actions of man, by ‘Qurbani’ (sacrifice) so as to enable man to break away from the indulgence of pleasure seeking, materialism, ritualism, taboos and superstitions so as to achiever perpetual peace and ‘As Sakina’ (eternal peace) through deeds of ever lasting goodness (baquiyat us salihat), thus to achiever God- Allah’s realization

Sufism enlightens the minds, sharpens the wit, broadens the outlook and purifies the heart and thinking. Above all Sufism or Irfan makes a person humane and a perfect gentleman in every sense of the term. Sufism is a branch of Islamic spiritualism and its study and practice is known as ‘Tasawuff’ (Gnosis). The study is divided into four branches. ‘Shariat’ (Common Law’) ‘Tariqat’ (Spiritual path) ‘Ubudiat’ (Servant Lord-unity with Allah) and ‘Marifat’ (Allah’s –God’s realization). Sufism begins with acceptance of Tawheed (monotheism) and Risalat of Prophet Mohammed by observance of personal hygiene, strict disciplined life, doing charity and earning one’s living through the sweat of the brow.

Sufism recognizes the presence of a living Master “Peer” and the disciple is the ‘Mureed’. The disciple has to take an oath of allegiance on the hand of the Master, who belongs to any one school of Sufism like Qadria, started by Abdul Qadar Gilani of Badhdad, Chistya School belonging to Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti of Ajmer India, Suharwaridia School started by Shaikh Shahabuddin Suharwadi, Naqshbandia, a school of Shaikh Bahauddin Naqshbandi and other schools of Sufies and their brotherhood. All Sufies aim at inner purification through intense prayers, self-denial of pleasure and sensual seeking, meditation, contemplation and self-sacrifice.

The concept of Vedantic teaching is also imparted through a teacher, master or a Guru to the pupil. There is Gurkala system of Guru Chela relationship and the aim is to seek self enlightenment and merger with Lord Almighty as the case of Sufies.

Mysticism of Christianity is also to seek enlightenment. Monks of various Christian orders have a strict path to seek the ultimate aim of God Realization through self-sacrifice, celibacy, love, and submission to the will of Almighty God.

In sum, today all religions teach humanism, brotherhood of Man and to live in peace and harmony. Man can eliminate his suffering by only serving mankind and save the world by acts of good deeds and shunning evil and protecting the nature and nature’s gifts and surroundings.

1 Shruti ("what is heard") refers to a canon of Hindu religious scripture; all of which have existed (in written form) since, at least, 500 BC. There are 4 sub-categories of Shruti: the Aranyakas, Brahmanas, Vedas, and the Upanishads. Shruti is said to have no author; but rather, are the divine recordings of "cosmic sounds of truth", heard by rishi.

2 The Sanskrit term upaniṣad derives from upa- (nearby), ni- (at the proper place, down) and sad, that is "sitting down near" a teacher in order to receive instruction[9] - "laying siege" to the teacher, as Schayer puts it.[10] Monier-Williams adds that "according to native authorities upanishad means 'setting to rest ignorance by revealing the knowledge of the supreme spirit');…"[11] A gloss of the term upaniṣad based on Shankara's commentary on the Kaṭha and Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upanishads equates it with Ātmavidyā, that is "knowledge of the Self", or Brahmavidyā "knowledge of Brahma".[citation needed] Other dictionary meanings include "esoteric doctrine" and "secret doctrine".
The Upanishads speak of a universal spirit (Brahman) and of an individual soul (Atman),[12] and at times assert the identity of both. Brahman is the ultimate, both transcendent and immanent, the absolute infinite existence, the sum total of all that ever is, was, or shall be.

3 The complexion of Lord Brahma is red. He is clad in red clothes. Brahma is traditionally depicted with four heads, four faces, and four arms. With each head, He continually recites one of the four Vedas. Lord Brahma and Brahman are different.

4 According to the ancient Hindu scriptures, there are four "varnas." The Bhagavad Gita says varnas are decided based on Guna and Karma. Manusmriti and some other shastras mention four varnas: the Brahmins (teachers, scholars and priests), the Kshatriyas (kings and warriors), the Vaishyas (agriculturists and traders), and Shudras (service providers and artisans).

5 No connection between Swami Ramdev and Mahesh Yogi
About Ramdev Baba
Baba Ramdev is a renowned Yoga teacher. Through the medium of television, he has taken the art of yoga to each and every household far and wide. He is the host of a program named 'Divya Yog' that airs on Aastha TV everyday, at 5 am in the morning. People from different parts of the country watch this program and have started doing yoga from the comforts of their home.

Early Life
Swami Ramdev was born as Ramkishan Yadav in the Mahendragarh district of Haryana. After studying at school till the eight standard, he joined a yogic monastery (gurukul) in Khanpur village. There, he started learning the techniques of Yoga, along with the Sanskrit language.

Renunciation
After completing his period of study at the Gurukul, Baba Ram Dev renounced the world and entered into Sanyas (monastic living). It was then that he assumed the name of Ramdev. He went to Jind district and joined the Kalva gurukul. There, he started teaching Yoga to the villagers across Haryana. It is believed that some time later, he traveled to the Himalayas, spending a number of years there. Thereafter, he went to Haridwar and till date, the city serves as his base.

Initiation into Ascetic Order
Swami Ramdev was initiated into the ascetic order by Swami Shankerdevji Maharaj. After his initiation, he joined the order of swamis and started studying the ancient Indian scriptures. At the same time, he also practiced intense self-discipline and meditation.

Divya Yoga Mandir Trust
As a promotional vehicle for Yoga, Baba Ram Dev established the Divya Yoga Mandir Trust in 1995. In this project, he was accompanied by Acharya Karamveer and Acharya Balkrishna. The headquarters of the trust are at the Kripalu Bagh Ashram of Haridwar. Baba Ramdev teaches yoga mainly at this ashram.

Baba Ram Dev Yoga
Baba Ramdev teaches Pranayama, a form of Yoga. The program consists of six breathing exercises, practiced in the following sequence…
Bhastrika Pranayama
Kapal Bhati Pranayama
Bahaya Pranayama
Anulom Vilom Pranayama
Bhramri Pranayama
Udgeeth Pranayama

6 Siddhartha, said to have been destined to a luxurious life as a prince, had three palaces (for seasonal occupation) especially built for him. His father, King Śuddhodana, wishing for Siddhartha to be a great king, shielded his son from religious teachings or knowledge of human suffering. Siddhartha was brought up by his mother's younger sister, Maha Pajapati.[20]

As the boy reached the age of 16, his father arranged his marriage to Yaśodharā (Pāli: Yasodharā), a cousin of the same age. According to the traditional account, in time, she gave birth to a son, Rahula. Siddhartha spent 29 years as a Prince in Kapilavastu. Although his father ensured that Siddhartha was provided with everything he could want or need, Siddhartha felt that material wealth was not the ultimate goal of life.[20]

We are aware of the following idioms:

Honesty is a way of life
Honesty is the best policy
Honesty is a liability
Honesty is a challenge

I experienced within a couple of days on my joining CESTAT then CEGAT at the age of 39 years that honesty is not a way of life there. A few officers of the Tribunal approached us and stated to quote “Nobody is honest here Sir and nobody works on their salary. Please use our services; we will do everything for you.”

I had been led to belief, practiced and imbibed that honesty should be the fundamental principle of life from the age of 4 years 4 months 4 days when as a child we undergo a simple religious ceremony to put us to tutelage and made to learn the alphabets. The ceremony is known as “Bismilla Khani” (To begin in the name of the Lord.)

I had the rare privilege to be born in a family of Sufis deeply imbibed in its culture for centuries. My grandfather was a civil servant and rose to the highest position in erstwhile Maharaja of Mysore’s service. My father was a scrupulously honest engineer in govt. service. My uncle was special secretary& chief election commissioner of Mysore state; one uncle was High Court judge and another was a Colonel in the Army. We were brought up in a Brahmin locality and schools & later exposed to Christian Convent College.

I stepped in the world where honesty, integrity and hard work were its hallmarks. But the culture of our capital city shocked me. I was scared away. I packed myself and my family back home. But for one of the outstanding then Sr. Vice President of the Tribunal Sri G Sankaran, I would not have continued in the service. Incidentally Sri G Sankaran also took premature retirement after his elevation as President. Later, he translated Bhagwatham in three volumes from Sanskrit to English.

I understand that honesty cannot be the best policy as it is a pacifist stand, to allow the stream to flow in whatever direction and even spoil the garden but you save yourself, a selfish proposition. But I had to learn, practice and take honesty as a challenge.

Some consider honesty as a liability as it forestalls all your progress and you are required to drink the hemlock like Socrates, carry the cross like Jesus or to be stoned and stripped as it happened to Prophet Mohammed. No one is prepared for these hardships as it is a fruitless and a thankless job.

I was prepared to face the toughest test but was not prepared to let down the scales of justice, honesty and integrity.

By now you all know what all was recorded in my confidential reports. But my honesty, integrity and hard work were never questioned but it was recorded in my CR along with extraneous unfounded, false, vexations and damaging remarks. All the courts from CAT, High Court and the Apex Court have set aside such remarks with strictures and my adversaries were exposed. It was a vindicating point for honesty, integrity, hard work and for justice.

You are all aware to the extent of false propaganda carried out in SBR Chennai and now here in Bangalore. But we have stood our ground.

Some among you have refused to belief in what we have practiced. They say it is a gimmick. Only one who practices and suffers knows best. We have refused to bow down to the storms, tempests and tsunamis. I have received anonymous letters decreeing my judgments as a judicial member but the highest body, the Apex Court has approved more than 98% of our orders. The departmental representatives, Board members were annoyed with us; so also the special councils & solicitor general appearing for the department. They filed affidavits against me but my sound grinding in law, justice and scruples had hardened me and my colleague Sri T K Jayaraman. We stood our ground and justice was on our side.

I could not accept honesty as a mere way of life as in the present times, culture has changed. I could not accept it a best policy as it is practiced for self protection and self aggrandizement. I did not give up honesty as a liability for my self- protection but I took it as a challenge to enforce it all through my life.

Someone sent me a packet with copies of 70 pages out of 400 pages of cabinet secretariat’s file pertaining to my promotion obtained under RTI Act. Now the cat is out of my bag. In 1999 my name was recommended for the post of vice president. Reminders after reminders were sent to the ACC for its clearance to Ministry of finance and Cabinet secretary. Ultimately it was cleared but a powerful lobby managed to get the file misplaced for about 2 years. The cabinet secretariat again called for fresh proposal. Again my name was sent. But the story was repeated. Later that powerful lobby got the post made into a selection post. The person adverse to me by then had recorded adverse CRs and despite the CAT’s order in my favour, I was over ruled for the post in 2004. I am happy that this thing has happened as I had to pass through the final test of honesty and integrity. These happenings did not dampen my spirit but I was emboldened to put in more hard work with more zeal and enthusiasm. I had to finally demonstrate that honesty cannot be practiced as a mere policy for self aggrandizement by pleasing the powers that be as justice would otherwise suffer.

When honesty is taken as a challenge, justice will come out in glorious colours, although like late Justice H R Khanna you may be superseded but democracy will survive and be saved.

Now is the time when honesty is no longer a way of life nor it is practiced as a best policy i.e. to live and allow corrupts to live. Today honesty is considered as a liability. Hence we all have to take it up as a challenge to restore the pristine glory of Justice, equality before Law, equal protection of law, and equal treatment of all in the eye of the law and to enforce justice with even hands without fear and favour.

Great lawyers like Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru won us the freedom. It is now for the lawyer’s community to take honesty as a challenge and free our country from the clutches of corruption and dishonesty.

Permit me to read out my poems. One poem has been written by my elder sister who happens to Justice of Peace in Birmingham Magistrate Court, UK.

Enjoy the Saccharine Sweetness

S. L. Peeran

I have found new joys, yester years
Deep scars are healed, I need to keep
My flag flying, hold my head high
My legs are no longer in deep shallow waters
I found firm ground. The sky is clear
The light around me is pleasant
The breeze brings me sweet fragrances
The horses of carriages have found freedom
I don’t need any more voyages, journeys
What lies ahead is an abode of temptress
A dancing daffodil a seductress
What lies ahead is a slippery path
A path to rinse away the saccharine sweetness
A place with deep hidden gloom,
With a cup of hemlock and misery
My heart is no longer of a lion
My head is no longer with youthful brashness
Now, I anchor my ship in this land of legends
Where wounded soldiers get healed for joys
Let’s enjoy the sweetness of this day.
(On my not moving to Mumbai on transfer)

I break my journey

S. L. Peeran

Now it is time for me to say goodbye!
The halting caravan moves
To find new pastures, new shores
But I leave it to proceed, I now stay put
My journey has ended. I have found
Candles, ‘diyas’ to light my humble dwelling
I have near me a small well
A spring with fresh flowing water
Nearby is a mountain with herbs
And roots to drive away the fret and fever
The day breaks with pleasant odors
Night fall brings the Moon’s light
The stars throw their bright spears
The ship that sails has found a shore
No more the back breaking journeys
The hounding dogs and the fear of their bites
No more fears of unborn tomorrows
Or unhealing wounds of yester years
Today for me is with perfumes of roses
The fragrance to last till I go to deep sleep!
(On my talking VRS from govt. service)

Retirement

Shakira Pasha

I rushed around not a moment to spare
Riding on the waves up and down in my life
Leaving the errands to my best half
Now ashore without a rudder or an oar
Deep in Sufi thoughts
Am I here am I there!
I gave judgement all day long
Now I am waiting for my judgement day
Time seems to have to stood still
Without the hussel / bussel of the court
In the silence of day and night
My own heart beats sound loud
I take solace from my pen
Which transform my inner turmoil to tranquillity
In the rhythm of my breath
I say thank God for the peace

Allah and His Prophet (SAS) extol in the Holy Quran and Hadis the virtues of charity to be carried out not only for the amelioration, well being of needy persons, friends, relatives, orphans, widows, infirm and the sick persons; but also to carry out acts of charity to all persons who are in dire need but are unable to ask for help from anyone due to their status and position. The travelers, wayfarers and those in debt are required to be helped.

Charity is an article of faith and has been made mandatory to be paid as Zakat, which is the third pillar of Islam. Allah & His Prophet have reiterated many times that the easiest path to heaven is not just affirmation of faith (Kalima) and prayers (Namaz) but it is through acts of charity. All social activities of helping the members of society or even doing acts for the welfare of mankind, plants and animals have been brought under the ambit of charity. To feed animals, water the plants, clear the pathways of thorns and weeds are all acts of charity. To speak a kind word is held to be a better form of charity. It is also an act of charity to bring compromise between warring groups, individuals and communities.

The governing groups in those early days of Islam like Caliphs, Imams and governors were directed to create ‘Baithul maal’, public trust and wakfs for carrying out various forms of charity such as feeding the poor, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless and caring for the infirm, old, sick and needy persons.

Charity is a redeemer from evil and brings multifold goodness to the persons performing it. Charity is the cream of compassion, mercy and kindness. To lend an ear to a hurt soul and to give solace and good council to the people in distress is also another form of charity. Charity encompasses everything which results in goodness and prevents the spread of evil, diseases and wrongdoings in the society.

We find today that the main activity of the government is to perform social welfare activities for the benefit of society at large. There are a large number of non governmental institutions who take up various kinds of social work for amelioration and welfare of persons, who are in need of help both monetary and for correctional purposes. The united nations have various bodies carrying out large scale social work, social welfare activities not only for amelioration and well being of mankind but also take up the major work for prevention of war and to bring peace to mankind.

All acts of charities which are beneficial to the mankind are rewarded suitably not only in this world but also in the life hereafter. To pray for the dead, to respect the dead by decent burial is another form of charity. To join in grief of people and offer condolences and give comfort is also an act of mercy and compassion.

Charity humanizes man and makes them virtuous and godly. The heart should melt on seeing the suffering of individuals and persons suffering from various ailments, deadly diseases and placed in hardship and misery. All our efforts in our daily activities from morning till night should be for the welfare of family members, community, society, nation and for the wellbeing of mankind. Only and only then peace and comfort is restored to the mankind.

It has been recommended to perform charitable acts openly by declaring it so as to enthuse others also to join in the acts of charity besides to do the charity in secret in such a way that when it is done with one hand, the other hand should not know it. Charitable acts are all godly actions and all those who make charitable actions as part and parcel of their daily living are peerless in nature and they acquire saintliness. They are kind hearted and good people of the mankind. To enlighten the world with knowledge and learning is also a highest form of charity as pen is sharper than sword.

Man has to believe and consider himself as a vicegerent on this beautiful mysterious planet Earth. Vicegerent of an Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Ever living, Everlasting Lord, the Most Perfect Being, who is always and constantly Beneficial, Merciful, Kind, Loving, Forgiving Sustainer, a Tremendous Being with umpteen matchless qualities. Man has to humble himself in total submission and surrender before that Everlasting, Ever living Lord who is neither begotten nor begets any “being” as a like one in the form of a wife, mother, father or a son. The Lord as a Being; is totally perfect and alone stands without a Guide and anyone giving Him council. The Lord is Self Sustaining All Alone (Wahid) and (Samad) without any partner to share His business and His command.

Man as a vicegerent has to merely submit himself virtuously forever and ever and at all times with full devotion and submission, without challenging the authority of the Supreme Being. Man has to ever praise the Lord of all creations and all beings in the universe. The universe itself is created by a word of command (Kun) and it has come into being (Fayakuun). None has the power to change a word of command except Himself. There is no interceptor other than Himself save as those permitted and accepted by Him.

For erring soul of man, the Great Being Allah has been an Ever Guide, a Master, a Friend, a ‘Moula’ and ‘Naseer’. All have to submit to Him unquestionable without challenging His ever Greatness (Allah hu Akbar). Allah has been guiding His Prophet Messengers, to pass on the message to the Mankind so as to prevent man become niggardly, disobedient mischievous and misguided by man’s eternal enemy Satan, the Iblis, the Shaitan.

It is the foremost command of Allah to man to surrender and submit before the full Eminence and Greatness of His supreme existence and obey His commands sent through His last Prophet Hazreth Mohammad Mustaffa (SAS). Allah has commanded to ever be obedient and loving to His last Prophet Mohammad (SAS) as he is the light (Noor) of the universe (Noorullah) and has brought the Book (Holy Quran) as an eternal guide to the niggardly error filled slippery man.

The most fundamental principal and command of Allah is to declare His ‘Wahdamiyat’ (Allah sovereignty and unity of Godhood) and Risalat (Prophethood) of Prophet Mohammad (SAS)

The second command is to praise Allah all the time and more so to cleanse himself and be in a state of inner and outer purity (Tuhar) and submit at an appointed hour in daily prayers of five times as taught by Prophet Mohammad (SAS).

Man should submit and surrender in prayers and extol the virtues and greatness of the Superior Being in the manner and fashion as dictated by Allah Himself through His Gabreal to Hazrath Mohammad Mustaffa (SAS). The prayers are referred to as ‘Namaz’. The prayers are performed to praise the Lord and to recall all His bounties, Mercy and Compassion and His Ever Forgiving quality and nature. The prayers are to break the violence and niggardliness of man and to make man to submit in peace to achieve both inner and outer solace, bliss and comfort for the soul. ‘Namaz’ the daily appointed prayers is to bridle the passions, carnal desires and the evil in man (Nafs e ammara) and to bring the ‘nafs’, the soul to obedience and order (nafseluwwamma) and to make the soul peaceful and a surrendered soul, ‘Nafs e mutmaeena’. Prayers are to help the soul to enlighten and purify itself and create a link with the Supreme Being. ‘Namaz is therefore ‘Meeraj e Muslimeen and momineen’. It is through prayers alone that the link with Supreme Being is established.

The troubled and ever turbulent mind is put to peace and solace and the heart is purified. The impurities of the soul are cleansed and ‘Namaz becomes ‘Shifaul momineen’ (purifier for the momineens). Prayers enable man to establish peace, order and tranquility in him both inwardly and outwardly. ‘Namaz’ brings humility in man and man achieves sublimity and solace. It is through ‘Namaz’, prayers, that the process of purification of soul begins and man becomes a true vicegerent of Lord Almighty. Man through ‘namaz’, prayer, achieves ‘ubudiyat’ (servant hood) and becomes an obedient servant of the Lord Almighty Allah.

Simplicity is a spark of divinity. In it is found humility and persons with these characteristics are god-fearing and gentle in their manners and courteous to the core. They are kind in their behavior and sweet tongued in their speech. Simple people shun ostentations, show, pomp and pride. They walk on the earth with humbleness and do not boast of their lineage, knowledge or achievement. Simple people do not attempt to stand tall and do not show off any of their talents or possessions. They are unassuming but in no way are they weak in the bearing or personality. They are strong minded with a will of iron and strength of steel. The most magnetic personality of the world is our Holy Prophet (SAS). He was most simple in manners, in living, in talk, speech and behavior. His most staunch enemy would acknowledge his greatness, his simplicity and humbleness. Allah says that the most humble and meek shall rule the world.

Satan, the accursed, who is a staunch enemy of man, has promised to Allah that he will not be able to disturb and mislead the humble people, who are devoted to Allah and fear Allah and are quick in obedience and also in repentance, when a wrong occurs. Simple persons have no airs about themselves and do not carry any class and caste feelings. They mingle with one and all. They are lovable and their faces glow with joy and happiness and it is contagious. Simple people are helpful for persons in need and always give a helping hand to whosoever seek their help. They are selfless in their service, without any expectation of any reward in return. They bow to the service winds like a tree or grass without being uprooted and adjust to any circumstance and are highly elastic in nature. They are sincere in all their attempts in all their endeavors. They take success and failure in their stride. They do not show their disappointment and failures by changed behavior. Their behavior is constant and does not change according to the circumstances. Simple people are good people who believe in all good things of life.

All Muslims are required to cultivate simplicity as a second nature in their personality and should maintain the command of Allah and His Prophet (SAS). Simple people are devoted to their duties and they serve Allah and His Prophet (SAS) with simple minded devotion. They do not suffer from duality of thoughts and action. They are neither double tongued nor colorful in their temperament.

Every individual is in pursuit of peace and happiness in life. There is no individual who does not seek it as a goal. Peace, solace and happiness have been the attempt of the present era through all the democratic institutions and educational processes. The individual upbringing, family background and training that a person undergoes at various levels has to be within the frame work of customs, traditions, mores and the laws governing the society; be it for an educated or an ordinary mundane person. All aim at civilizing the man and to make him a fit member of society; so that he lives in peace and harmony. In order to achieve this purpose, it is necessary to keep the mind and heart open to good thoughts, deeds and actions.

One of the factors which play a major role in destruction of good relationship between individuals and persons is to bear suspicion and rancor against one another. Suspicion and rancor are poison for sound relationship between individuals. It destroys the sincerity one gains in the upbringing. An individual becomes a hypocrite with double standards bearing rancor, spite, anger in the mind and heart.

A person becomes a doubting Thomas and starts disbelieving others. Although it is necessary to take precautions from being cheated by thugs, charlatans and frauds, this can be achieved by testing others by sound principles. Once a faith has been reposed in an individual, it should be sustained. Sound relationships are built on confidence and faith. The aim of any religion is to make individuals faithful and so is the aim of society in turning its citizens as good individuals, so that all daily activities are carried out with good intention and good faith. If individuals start doubting the society and faith of others, it brings in disorder in the society. Either the society itself is totally corrupt that no one can be believed, or falsity and cheating has become the order of the day. Faith and good intentions have to be pure and a necessity ingredient in daily actions. Only on these two foundations, the pillars of good governance and healthy relationships are built. All precautions should be taken to build good faith and healthy personalities in the society for achieving healthy relationships, peace and happiness. If the foundations of the daily living, which is based on good faith is shaken by suspicion and rancor than the wheels of society gets clogged. The personal individual relationships would be shattered and the consequences would be grave. Hence suspicion should not be allowed to gain a ground in healthy relationships between individuals in the society.

Man from the time of his creation has been a bundle of contradictions and born weak. Had Hz. Adam, the First Man, created from Allah’s Own Hand’s not sinned by breaking the commandment of the Lord, he would not have been removed from Lord’s presence and from the paradise. Hz. Adam had to undergo severe trial and tribulations. Lord the Almighty showed Mercy and Adam was pardoned. Adam was to live an earthly living to procreate, create food and live as per Allah’s commandment. His sons quarreled and first blood was shed in the form of man slaughter. Like-wise the future generations of Hz. Adam were quick in committing wrongs and sins. God in His Mercy has been sending great souls to redeem humanity from the consequences of the wrongs and sins committed by the whole society. Thus, we find in history, thousands of Prophets, saints and good law abiding people, who have shown through their examples and exemplary lives a way out for the erring souls to fight back the battles of life to gain victory, solace and peace. Peace is not a cheap commodity available on the desk of a store. It is a precious metal like gold, diamond and platinum to gain from the virtuous living; by being dogmatically steadfast in our correct daily living. Only then can we spiritually elevate ourselves to win our most daring open enemy i.e., our own erring soul and the Devil, the Satan.

The present modern civilized society is as a result of many million sacrifices done by our ancestors, prophets, saints, political leaders, scientist, social workers, farmers, businessmen and workers. Rome was not built in a day. It took a millennium to reach this stage of a scientific era. Even in present times, millions and trillions of good hands are working for the good of the humanity by daily sacrifices. Many a times, millions lose out and find themselves ever in loss due to their own short comings and doings, than the social system or due to any adverse situation created by our wrong friends, adversaries and dogmatic people around us. Many a losing battles have been won by being virtuous, exerting and excelling in patience during troubled times and by avoiding pleasing our cheap senses and by avoiding to indulge in bonhomie, mirth and pleasures. Lot of injustice is perpetuated in this world. In umpteen situations in life, we are victims of such quagmire happenings. It is in such a situation that we are required to exert patience, remain silent and forgive our adversaries. We have to remain steadfast on the commands of Allah then enter into bickering, ending in quarrels, fights which may ultimately result in our losing our face, name, fame and even our wealth. The adversaries would pounce for a weak move on our part to gain control over us and blast us for ever and ever. A little patience and observing silence and forgiving our erring adversary would save us from ruination. It is our ego and erring self, which is our stark enemy than our real adversary. Satan would wait for such moments when our equilibrium is lost and when we lose our self control to mislead us into the quick sand, so as to destroy us fully without any scope of any redemption to even save our face; so that we could one day again redeem ourselves. It is so easy to err and become victim to our passions, sentiments and emotions but it is ever so difficult to regain our composure, maintain our dignity, poise, manners, courtesy and never failing virtue of patience in all our troubled times. To forget and forgive an ugly moment is a divine service to our own ugly soul. This would elevate our status then push us down before our stark enemy.

Study of lives of great men would disclose how they were brow beaten a million times by their opponents. There are none who have not faced opposition in life. We triumph when we remain cool like a cucumber, maintain our poise, manners and virtue of patience and silence. And never let our erring soul and real adversary, the Devil to have a better say in all the affairs of our life. Momentarily we may feel grave injustices have been done to us to take to sword or pen to enter into a controversy, arguments to establish our rights. We may ultimately fail, never to regain our lost prestige. We will be left with lots of time for regret, if not, to continue the battle with ever grave situations for ourselves, for our descendents and all our friends. Our ever best friends would be left helpless and would not be of any help. This would again alarm us more and we may feel let down more and more. We would never gain a situation to have a plus point except to lose forever and never to win. Sometimes, we may win an argument but in the result may lose thousands of friends and admirers. It may look easy to win an argument and a point but ultimately we may not win friends and most importantly the love of humanity.

Our troubled mind should be put to peace. We need to buy peace quickly by compromises and adjustments, than open widely our mouth giving out only bad breath. If we can find a situation for dialogue, we shouldn’t miss it, so also a situation to shake hands and make amends. This is far more advantageous and puts us in comfortable situation. It is like saving for a rainy day. It is the experience of generations that none are given comforts for joys and exhilaration forever. Nature has designed its plan such that we are required to face many seasons. For every season, one should prepare to face it or else be prepared to lose the ground and let yourselves be defeated and let down. Many a crime on humanity is when we lose a ground in an ugly moment and a situation, to allow our erring soul to gain over our self to commit a wrong or a sin only to be punished by law. Thus, to err is human but to forgive is Divine.

“Our Lord! Forgive us therefore our faults, and cover our evil deeds and make us die with the righteous.” (The Quran 3: 193).

Nafs e mutmaenna’ is the truly surrendered soul to the commands of Allah and His Prophet (SAS), ‘Nafs e mutmaenna’ has reached the stage of sublimity and tranquility. The storms of the mind have died down; the passions of the heart have been totally subdued and the heat of the body has cooled down. The mind and the heart is totally turned to the ways of Lord and is at complete peace with Him. There is no wavering and fickle-mindedness in the mind. The supreme light of the Lord has dawned on the mind and heart. There is glow of light on the face and a halo around the head. The nafs e ammara, the carnal soul is subdued and humbled. The ‘nafs e lawamma’ gives guidance to the heart and mind with moral precepts and ‘Nafs e mutmaenna’ is in total peace with the Lord by following the commands of the Lord and His Prophet (SAS). When the nafs or soul is surrendered to the Lord, then the Lord bestows his secrets in the heart and such persons become humble devotees of the Lord. The Lord answers the prayers of the persons whose nafs has reached the stage of the surrender and humbled itself to the Lord’s service. Such persons are awe inspiring persons and Allah refers to such persons as his friends i.e. Walies. They are always is Allah’s service seeking his help and guidance and pursuing His qualities all the time. Such persons are fit to receive Allah’s grace and bounties. They are godly and heavenly. They live in total awe and fear of the Lord and are referred to as ‘Mutaqeens’ Those with righteous living are ‘Zahedeens’. They exercise patience during adverse periods and are always thankful to the Lord for the bounties showered on them. Hence they are also called ‘Sabereens’ and ‘Shakeareens’. They are in Lord’s service and serve His creatures and they are also called ‘Saliheens’. As they humble themselves in prayers and carry themselves in prayers and carry out the ‘ibadaat’, they are also referred as ‘Abideens’ and ‘Sajjideens’. Allah refers to ever humbled persons by various names. As they are always reciting the Prayers of Allah, they are also referred as ‘Zakireens’. When their ends come, Allah commands such soul to return to their heavenly abode, the final abode of peace.

Sura 89 Al Faqr

27 But ah! Your soul at Peace!
28 Return unto your Lord content in His good pleasure!
29 Enter you among My bondmen!
30 Enter you My Garden!

When ‘Nafs e ammara’, the carnal soul of man is bridled with moral and ethical teachings and is cultured with the light and experience of ages, the nafs or the soul or the inner self turns to ‘Nafs e lawamma’ or the moral self. This moral self teaches man to be within the bounds of ‘Hoodadullah’ or the accepted norms, traditions and fundamental rules laid down by the Sharait. The moral code of conduct refines and chisels the ‘Nafs e ammara’ and grinds it to remove its chaff namely the raw or rudimentary behavior more akin to carnal desires, passions, id and animal tendencies in man. The rough and tough behavior of the mind, body and soul is cultured with refined behavior. The rough feelings and outburst of temper tantrums, hatred, jealousy, and strong impulsive behavior is cultured and the inner self is made to listen to the commands of consciousness and intelligence. The moral self looks for uprightness and walks on path of goodness. It looks for beneficial tendencies and does not act in harmful way to self and for others.

It walks on the path of learning and knowledge. ‘Nafs e lawamma’ is the inner good conscience which keeps alerting the mind and soul, whenever it turns unruly and misconducts itself.

“And I do call witness the self reproaching spirit (Nafs e lawamma)” Sura 75:2

It is the moral self of man and it is a conscience keeper to make man to tread on the path of goodness and to be a law abiding person. The ‘Nafs e ammara’ is the passionate self, influenced by prejudices, anger, and ego and driven by animal tendencies. The cultural training and fear of Allah keeps the actions of ‘Nafs e ammara’ under check and the inner self develops a voice and that is the voice of ‘Nafs e lawamma’. Thus we find the consciousness being a three layered. ‘Nafs e ammara’ – the raw passionate self, ‘Nafs e lawamma’ – the moral self and ‘Nafs e mutmaenna’ – the surrendered and subjugated self to the commands of Allah and to the love of Prophet (PBUH). Whenever the inner consciousness is disturbed and gets awakened, it alerts the mind and reminds us of its responsibilities and duties for fulfillment. Nafs is the soul and lawamma is the questioning self. Thus in every human self, the upper most part of the consciousness is unbridled self, which is self centered and is carried away by self interest and emotions of anger, jealousy, self preservation and selfishness. The middle trained and educated self is the moral consciousness of man or ‘Nafs e lawamma’, which is the most important conscious. Its voice is alive and should not be deliberately stifled or made to wither away. The process of purification of heart and mind is helped through the questioning self i.e. ‘Nafs e lawamma’. Deliberately closing the doors of ‘Nafs e lawamma’ makes a person hard hearted, stony, quarrelsome, egoistic and dictatorial. A lively person in his silent moments listens to his questioning self for his own correction and for guidance. Allah Subhanetallah guides the soul towards the path of guidance, for which the consciousness should be made alive and its voice should be heard forever.

The lower self or carnal soul akin to baser feelings in man, teaches man to commit folly and to repent in leisure. Holy Quran refers to this lower self or ego as ‘Nafs e ammara’ in the following way:

Verse 53 Sura Yusuf
“I do not exculpate myself. Lo! The Nafs e ammara (carnal, human) soul enjoins (teaches) unto evil. Save that whereon my Lord hath mercy. Lo! My Lord is Forgiving, Merciful”

Verse 26 Sura 38
“Do not follow your low desires because they will lead you astray from the path of Allah”

As we are born, our senses and gratification of pleasures are linked to our food requirements and the pleasures derived there from. When these desires and requirements of a child’s daily needs are not fulfilled then the child cries and weeps and calls for its gratification. Thus the first basic instinct is in appeasing the hunger. The second most important requirement of a growing child is the protection and safety from all fears and dangers. The parents provide this security by securing warmth, comfort and protection from all harms, ill effects and injuries.

These two needs of human beings, in as much as, requirements of food, shelter and seeking protection from every harm and fear are basic for the growth of a child till the child grows into a full human being. During this period of growth are associated several feelings which are inherent in the human being; like anger, jealousy, greed, likes, dislikes, hatred and laziness. While protecting one self, the harmful elements or those which portents to be of danger are required to be subdued constantly. That is how the dangerous elements are recognized as deleterious to the healthy growth of human child be it illness or any other such harmful feelings or elements in him.

The need for constant protection for a child from parents is through the feelings of love and attachment. There is reciprocation and this grows constantly over the periods of growth and development. Any disruption or deprivation of love and attachment would be a cause for depression or ill feelings with many side effects. The negative feelings arising due to lack of love and affection are all associated with ‘Nafs e ammara’ or the lower self of man.

A weaning from frustration, greed, sloth and slumber, anger and jealousy caused due to non-gratification of senses or otherwise are fundamental to the healthy growth of an individual. This is where the culture, education and light acquired through several ages of learning process helps in the normal healthy growth of an individual.

The ‘Nafs e ammara’ or lower self remains raw in the early stages of growth and development of inner personality of man. Childish pranks, tantrums, adamancy, stubbornness, laziness, petty jealousies, quarrels, lack of understanding are all part of the ‘Nafs e Ammara’. There will hardly be any understanding or good feelings, higher knowledge or realization of higher consciousness or presence of Almighty Allah. ‘Nafs e ammara’ is the rudimentary stage of inner self or ego or carnal soul. It keeps demanding for satisfaction of its low desires, passions and for its constant gratification. Thus it is selfish and self centered. In ‘Nafs e ammara’ the intelligence is at its lowest ebb and has no part to play. Therefore there is the need of canon law, the Sharait, to regulate the ‘Nafs e ammara’ to higher levels of consciousness, so that it is brought within the bounds of Allah (Hoodadullah). The ‘Nafs e ammara’ or carnal soul is required to be bridled to enable man to live in peace and happiness and to be a good citizen. For achieving goodness, for acquiring moral fear, for good behavior and for self realization; ‘Nafs e ammara’ is required to be kept under constant watch and control. Such a ‘Nafs e ammara’ which is subjected to the laws and commands of Allah is referred to as ‘Nafs e lawamma’ or ‘moral self’. All good feelings, compassion and mercy are associated with ‘Nafs e lawamma’. When the ‘Nafs e ammara’ is totally annihilated the soul becomes a god imposed soul or ‘Nafs e mutmaenna’. It is at this stage that higher intelligence assumes importance for Allah’s realization.

“As for such men as entertained the fear of standing before their Lord and controlled their soul from low desires, their abode will be paradise.” (Q79:41)

“Have you seen one who takes his passions as his deity? They are like beasts.” (Q25:44)

“He who purifies the soul is successful, and he who ruins it, is ruined.” (Q91:2)

If “patience is the mother of virtue” and if it is a jewel among the jewels of paradise, then humility on the other hand is considered as the ‘first lesson of wisdom’.

One can be knowledgeable, rich surrounded by power and pelf but such a person not necessarily is a wise one. Wisdom rarely dawns on a proud and haughty person. They are puffed up with pride and keep their noses high. They would be blind with power and rarely keep their eyes on the ground. Humility is the virtue of pious. Surely such persons are filled with patience and tolerance. One can reach any Himalayan heights of glory; achieve and win even ‘Noble Prize’ but it is very difficult to scale the heights of humility. One needs to grind the inner ego and all its related weaknesses to reach the point of humility. It is our self assumed importance and pride in having achieved any position in life that makes us always egoistic and puffed up with pride losing sight of the very many milestones still to be reached and heights of glory still to be attained. When power and position enters the mind, one goes blind to reality and every little of wisdom withdraws from their sight. Such persons ultimately make more enemies and seldom have good and sincere friends around them. A humble person is sincere to the core. Sincerity and truth oozes out from a humble being. His intentions are always pure and never give room for false pretensions and for assumed importance. A humble person does not give importance to ostentatious living but is satisfied with meager one and humble dwelling. He is neat and clean. He is fully aware and conscious that cleanliness is next to godliness. He never utters any word that would cause annoyance or hurt to anyone. He is gentle to the core and he put his foot on the earth softy and is upright in his daily conduct. A humble person is also meek and for this reason the Holy Scriptures speaks of the ‘meek ruling the world’ and humble persons being much loved by Lord Almighty. Satan promised the Lord that he will not trouble or go near the humble. Verse 83 of Surah ‘sad’ (38). A humble person is totally surrendered to the will of the Almighty Lord as a single minded slave. He has no desire of his own. His main aim of life is to please the Lord and live a life of righteousness, truth and be just at all times. He doesn’t curse Time or adverse circumstance but accepts all good and bad events as a test from the Lord and excels in patience and tolerance. When Prophet Jesus (PBUH) advised good and virtuous people to turn the other cheek, when someone slaps, it means that one should express one’s humility at all times and not be quick to react and take revenge. When our Prophet (PBUH) said about himself as ‘Fukrulfakri’ he meant to say that he is not ashamed of poverty but took pride in that as he was a totally surrendered person and a person of utmost humility and patience. All seers, saints and prophets are deeply humble and virtuous beings. Humility is not a weakness and a virtue as a necessity for the poor people. Every individual who believes in civilized living practices humility though at times human weakness may over power him but he is quick in seeking repentance and forgiveness. He is filled with remorse and quickly mends himself.

Verse 55 “(O Mankind) calls upon your Lord humbly and in secret. Lo! He loveth not aggressors”.

Verse 199 “Keep to forgiveness (O Muhammad), and enjoins kindness and turn away from the ignorant” (Sura 7 - The Heights).

Life is a mixture of adjustments and compromises. While during the course of our daily living, we look for shortcuts to achieve our objectives. We give up patience to wait for our turn, to reach our goal and target. Some how we want to achieve our objectives through all means - fair or unfair, clear or unclear, clean or unclean or by foul means, undeterred of the consequences one may have to face in the end. Sometimes the demands of life are such that one is prepared to give up the moral values one is required to observe under any circumstances; just for exchange of small value one may gain in the matter. Honesty in all dealings of life appear in this modern rigmarole of life to be something unachievable, in view of the fact, that there are too many people competing to achieve the same objective one is trying to reach. One is exasperated when people with short sights break a long waiting queue and get away with what they want by foul or fair means. When honest, dignified and cultured people are cheated day in and day out, it is then that the modern values of life start breaking, resulting in dire consequences of social upheaval and break down of society even leading to crime and punishment. The consequence of social breakdown sometimes is so grave that it may take ages for carrying out its repair. It may cost much for the society to put back the things in its normal place.

Now how do you define honesty and how to maintain it in the course of our living? Honesty is a term which is closely associated to Truth and clean dealings in all the business and official affairs of the world. Honesty is, plain speaking, simple and sublime, clear like crystal, and smooth flowing like a stream. There are no connivances contraptions, skewed way of thinking. The thinking is plain, clear and never deceptive, cunning and short sighted. The broad mindedness of mind and thinking will be palpable. There would be no narrow mindedness or short sightedness. A person practicing honesty always thinks of goodness and to do good to others and never adopts a foul and unfair means to achieve his objective. He may suffer and may loose something in terms of money and time but the end result and consequences are always good.

Persons acting with honesty always bear good intentions and the fruits achieved by their actions are always sweet like honey and never bitter or sour. One has always to look for the results, which are more important than the means. Adopting dubious means result in dubious results. The whole world keeps a watch on a person’s conduct. Good conduct, honest and fair means are always appreciated and such are the men of faith. Their prayers are answered and the light of wisdom always gets lit in their hearts and mind. Their living is laudable and appreciative and an example to emulate. Honesty and simplicity is divinity profound and in it is sincerity found. It is always truthful, Godly and divine. Honest people are gentle in manners, soft in speech with butter words and sweet tongue. Life sits lightly on their shoulders and they do not carry any baggage. Their souls glitter and their passage of life is smooth, sans hurdles, turmoil, turbulence and storms. Honest people always choose direct and straight paths and they do not fall into error.

Now, we are living in an advance age of our civilization, with advancement in every filed. The door of communication has opened up to new vistas of knowledge and learning. The march of time has quickened its pace, so much so, that the vitals of the modern life are being devoured by new viruses, which are threatening to end the very existence of Man on this beautiful planet. From the time a child is born, he is being prepared to face the fast life. From the age of two or even less, a child is admitted to a play school. No longer do the nannies and grannies, aunts and uncles play with the child. There is a cultural breakdown and due to shortage of space of living, crammed living, living in concrete jungles, children are bereft of the beauty of nature and to watch the pleasantness the fauna and flora provides to thrill the senses and the opportunities it provides for observation and learning.

The masses and so also the privileged class are no longer in a position to spare time to learn the nuances of music, language and various other aspects of culture. They have to be consent with by watching films on the screen and be consent with entertainment provided to appease the cheap senses of mind and heart. Today more importance is given to that type of entertainment which satisfies the baser elements in man. This has been the major cause for breakdown of one’s personality and a person to become ‘egocentric’, ‘selfish’, ‘self-centered’; ‘spend thrift’, ‘greedy’, ‘jealous’ and such other weaknesses that robs a person of peace and solace.

Mankind has realized now that the advancement achieved with scientific and medical inventions besides great progress in the art of living has at the same time robbed man of the happiness of joint family system and age old traditions. Every age has found this loss around it in its time and tenure. Holy Quran in Sura C-III has referred to man being in a state of loss and points out that only those who are believers (in Almighty God, and in eternal goodness) and do good works and exhort one another to truth and exhort one another to endurance (patience) are saved from loss. Loss means loss of every good aspect of living, culture and civilization. Thus patience has been considered as a mother of virtue. Every human being has to have endurance and develop patience in every walk of life so that the baser elements in man do not strike him like a poisonous snake to death. The disturbing elements in mind and heart are required to be curbed. The multiple desires erupting like fountain constantly requires controlling and checking and one has to set limits of tolerance. The living needs to be cultivated and it can be done only by exerting in endurance and patience. A seed takes its own time to sprout to a sapling and to a tree then to reach the flowering stage before it can bear sweet fruits for us to relish. So also all good deeds need and require time, patience and endurance to bear sweet fruits.

Loss of patience is a sure way to defeat and it ruins all the good that is likely to happen in our life. Self control can be cultivated only through patience. Just as a mother exhibits enormous patience in the upbringing of a child; so also virtues and good deeds requires at its root level patience.

God praised those who adopt patience and mentioned more than several times in the Holy Quran. He kept most good deeds and merits linked with patience. God Says:

“When they kept patience, I created leaders from amongst them who showed guidance according to my instructions” Sura 32.V.24.

God says owing to the patience of Bani Israel, the words of your Lord were perfected well over them.

“I will reward those for their goods works and who are patient.”
“They will be given double rewards for their patience.”
“The patient will be given rewards fully without accounts.”
“Fasting is only for Me and I will give its rewards.”
He kept connection with those having patience with Him and promised that He is with the patient.
“Take to patience, God is with the patient” Sura 2: V 249.
“If you keep patience and fear God… your Lord will help you with five thousand well armed angels”
“These are blessings and mercy upon them from their Lord and they are those who are guided” Sura 2 V 58.

The Prophet (SAS) said patience is half of faith. He said: The lowest measure of what you have been given is sure faith and firm determination of patience. He who has been given a portion of those two qualities has got no fear even if he prays little at night and fasts little during day time. If you can stand with firm foot with patience just as you are now and do not turn away from this way, it is dear to me. If anybody does divine service equal to all of you after turning away from patience, it will not be dear to me. I fear the world will be opened to you after me. You will then cherish hatred for one another and the dwellers of heaven will then be dissatisfied with you. He, who keeps patience and expects rewards, will get full reward. Then he recited this verse:

“What is near you will come to an end and what is near God will only remain. I will give full rewards to those who being patient do good works” Sura 16 V 96

The Prophet (SAS) once said that patience is a jewel among the jewels of paradise. The Prophet (SAS) was once asked: ‘What is faith? He said: Patience. The Prophet said: To say what patience dictates is the best act.

Prophet Jesus Christ (PBUH) said: You cannot earn what you love till you keep patience at what you do not love.

The Prophet (SAS) said: Had patience been given the form of a man, it would have keen kind. God loves the patient.

(For more reading on “Patience and Gratefulness” See Chapter II of Volume IV of Ihya Ulum-id-din by Hazret Imam Ghazali (RAA)).

This is an old adage about friendship. Friendship is not mere casual contact or relationship. It is a deep relationship and a bond thickened through true feelings of give and take which brings joy and happiness in the relationship of two or more persons. Among friends there is no grudges or complains and neither they carry any heavy feelings on a baggage. The hearts open up to each other and genuine feelings of concern and well being is carried by friends. The relationship is gentle, light hearted and between them there is laughter and true concern for each other. Truth prevails between them. There is no cover up, camouflage or trickery. There is give and take and friends do not stand upon formalities. The relationship is more for gain than any loss between them. They mutually respect each others feelings. The relationship is more than brotherly.

Friends share their deep secrets….. Friends do not betray the trust and confidence in each other. Friends rescue each other in troubled times and help each other to cross the barriers and bridges. Friendship is blessed and the prorobial friendship is of our Holy Prophet (PBUH) with his companions, particularly with his foremost companions, those of Hazrath Abubakar Siddique(RAA), Hazrath Omar Farooq(RAA), Hazrath Usmangahi(RAA) and Hazrath Ali Karam allahu wajhu (RAA).

Friendship is like a white lily, its fragrance is sweet like honey; lasting till times endless sight. Flowing smoothly like a river, without asking for any martial gain and wealth in return.

Companions have in their bosom love aplenty and Sun’s generosity, shining on them the tranquility of moon, vastness of an ocean for clarity. Friendship enriches the mind and the soul.

You look for friends under light and shade. To share joys, mirth and gaiety. To seek comfort, solace and happiness. To share woes and enrich hopes. To stir the ship of hope and happiness to safe shores.

Friendship renews bonds to sinew warmth, which is hidden in nature’s breast. It instills in mind strength of iron, to unfold thrill, to trickle sweet dreams, to reach the zenith of inner peace. Divinity sparkles in friendship. One of the attributes of Allah is ‘Wali’ and ‘Naseer’. Allah is a friend of sincere persons, who surrender to Him with all humility and put all their trust in Him. Thus friendship purifies the mind and enlightens the soul and lightens the burden of craving. The burning greed vanishes from the heart, raising goodness to a Divine Path.

It is human instinct to show likes and dislikes and to be happy when all things happen as per our desires and wishes. So long as our pleasure principle works, we are satisfied and are joyous. Only when we face the difficulties in life that sorrows binds us. At the changing attitudes of our adversaries, we get upset and angry and when our competitors succeed, we are thrown in fits of jealousy or ill feelings. Anger is a sudden gush of emotions when our rational feelings get submerged in disquiet and unhealthy feelings. Our blood boils and during this moment all the good feelings disappear and momentarily, the gush of emotions and feelings would throw us into temper tantrums. So long as we calm down soon and rationalize our feelings and bring back normalcy in a humorous way, no harm appears. Only when the dissatisfied feelings are carried to a longer length and we give up our normal sensible actions and proceed to do harm to others and when such feelings are misdirected to bring in disharmony in the relationship between the fellow beings, it is then that the sufferings begins to take birth.

Anger and jealousy are twin sisters, when aroused from the depth of our inner consciousness; they act as tsunami to destroy the shores of the beautiful life. The harm that emanates would not only bring discomfort to ourselves but would also lay down a foundation for destruction of all that is built up for a long time. The gardens of love and affection tended and cared, emitting sweet fragrance would be washed away to nothingness.

When individuals are unable to harm others through their twin emotional imbalances and at the same time are not in a position to wean out the same with defense mechanism by forgiveness or rationalization, then both these twin feelings will take a toll on the mental and physical health of the individuals.

A well balanced personality maintains all the inner feelings and it is well blended without letting out or disturbing the love and affection in us which are the most beautiful flowers in the garden of our life.

Human beings are blessed with innate goodness. In order to retain this goodness and make it to bloom and to bear sweet honeyed fruits, then the level of these two sisters have to be tempered and kept in absolute control.

Satan (Shaitan) was the ‘moulvi-e-malkut’, the Chief of Angels and is believed to have attained highest degree of knowledge and worship. But when Lord Almighty directed him to bow down before Adam, he refused and lost the highest status held by him. He was banished from the presence of our Lord, the Rub. It is these two twin sisters – anger and jealousy (the ill feelings generated on account of Satan feeling superior) brought down on him the wrath of Allah. Thus, jealousy is the FIRST SIN in the eye of Allah. It destroys the love, compassion and mercy in the human being and makes on hard hearted. It is to the hard hearted that Allah warns of hell fire. Hatred is the bitter fruits of anger and jealousy emitting from the hard hearted and black soul. There may be countless reasons for one to become angry and feel jealous. But one needs to develop self control and forgiveness. One needs to seek the blessings of Allah by being ever devoted to Him. Only through humility and devotion can these twin sisters – anger and jealousy, be subdued and love and affection, compassion and mercy can be cherished, to help us to reach the highest echelons of spirituality.

A sinless person would have cultivated all good feelings to a highest degree and would have reduced the evil feelings to negligibility.

The holy book Al Quran reminds man of his various obligations and duties, which he has to fulfill in his life time. The first and foremost is of his duty and obligations towards the creator – Allahtalla. And the nest is his duties and obligations toward the mankind. Among them is the man’s foremost duty towards himself in as much as to purify his own thoughts, mind, and behavior and refine himself in all aspects of his living. His talk towards one and all should be respectful, affectionate and loving. ‘Luqman’ while reminding his sons of his various duties, points out that the voice should not be raised while speaking with others and the worst of the voice is of the ass and the donkeys. When they bray, they bray so loud that it is unpleasant to the ears.

Charity is one of the obligations in Islam - to openly and secretly help those in distress and in need, to feed the poor and cloth the needful, To give alms from the wealth in a proportionate manner as laid down in the holy book. All this is very fine. But to speak a kind word to a wounded heart, to relieve pain of a heavily burdened mind and soul is far better than alms giving. When one cultures the mind and heart to refinement, a person becomes kindly and good hearted. It is the goodness and that to the eternal goodness, which is important for a society, which aims at bringing an Islamic way of living. Soft and smooth butter words are honeyed words. It instills love and affection in the minds of the people. While harsh words breed cruelty and hardheartedness. Allah desires mussalmans to live in peace, love and orderliness. This is possible when every individual adopts sweet language and shows kindness in every action more particularly in speech and outward behavior. Harsh behavior is due to mental aberrations and out of anger, jealousy and hatred. When these qualities are subdued and springs of love and affection burst forth from the heart, the speech of a person becomes soft, kind and loving. This spreads good culture and society becomes well mannered and godly.

It so happens that some needy persons approaches for help when a person is either not having means to help or is so busy in work that the needy persons appearance is a great distraction. It is at this time that a person is faced with a testing time. It is at this hour one should show restrain and speak to the needy person in a kind and affectionate tone and not show anger or shout at the indigent person. Such behavior is not appreciated by Allah. Humanity is good breeding good culture and the same is expressed by kindness and affection in speech and in outward behavior being refined and smooth.

“To err is human but to forgive is divine,” is an old adage. If men start taking revenge for each and every small mistakes and wrongs done by others to them, then peace, love and affection and harmony of the world would be lost forever. It is in the nature of man to commit mistakes but to repent in leisure is also second nature of man. Since it is human to fall in error and commit a folly therefore it becomes incumbent on every individual to forgive by overlooking the mistakes and wrongs of others. Patience and fortitude should be exercised to a great extent to achieve the desired goal of peace of mind and happiness in life. If we keep harboring grudge against our fellowmen for wrongs committed by them against us, then it is sure way to lose peace of mind and happiness forever. Instead we need to develop magnanimity and large heartedness to forgive all and silly mistakes and wrongs of others.

A question posed is as to whether serious crimes committed against individuals or against the society should also be forgiven? It is not so, it would lead to lawlessness and breakdown of law and order and also disturb the peace and tranquility of the society. In such circumstances, therefore law takes its own course. Society has laid down rules and regulations for punishing suitably the wrong doers. One should also do introspection before prosecuting any individual by seeking justice against a law breaker and wrong doer. Such a person maybe your own kith and kin. In such circumstances, it may break the family bonds and filial relationship. Compromise and compounding of offenses are provided in law. There would be umpteen instances when wrong doer in a fit of emotions, anger and in passion would commit a wrong, a sin or a crime but would definitely not have an intention to harm the injured person. Intention plays an important part in such circumstances to determine the gravity of such offenses. It is in such circumstances law requires for pardoning the wrong doer or giving less punitive punishment than incarnation or corporal punishment. If the wrong doer comes forward to compensate the wrong committed by adequate and full monetary compensation or undertakes to do good and charitable works to atone his sin then such wrong doers are required to be pardoned by exercising magnanimity and large heartedness.

All wrongs are not punishable like jeers, taunts, criticism and insults. It may cause deep hurt and this would be a cause to bear a grudge and rancor. This is an occasion to exercise restraint and to pardon such foolish and silly persons, for they have committed wrongs without knowing its ramifications. To ignore such vain talks of others and exercise silence is a better proposition for maintaining healthy relationship.

Allah and His Prophet (SAS) have again and again assured of forgiveness and clemency to sinners and wrongdoers on their seeking pardon and forgiveness. Holy Prophet (SAS) was troubled by his enemies throughout his Prophethood but he kept forgiving his enemies including his staunchest enemy Abu Sufian. “Forgive them for they know not what wrong they do,” he would advice his followers

Self realization may dawn on the wrong doers and they would realize their mistakes and seek to amend for their wrongs and would patch up the relationships by seeking friendship and by strengthening it by good deeds. Therefore every individual needs t do introspection and should develop large heartedness, broad mindedness, love and affection to forget and forgive the wrongs of fellowmen, kith and kin so as to achieve ‘As-sakina’ in their hearts i.e. eternal peace, solace and bliss in this life and in the life hereafter.

Islam teaches man to shun impurity of body, mind and soul and to walk on the straight path which leads them to heavenly bliss, solace and peace. Cleanliness of all the eternal body by bath to reach the stage of purity (tuhar) in the prescribed method is mandatory for all Muslim men and women. Before every prayer one has to perform abulution with water (wadhu) by washing face, hands and feet, to gargle and to clean the nose with water to remove the impurities and teeth brushed with Miswaak. It is not enough to clean the body alone but the living rooms, kitchen, toilets and clothes have to be cleaned and kept in good wearable condition. Clothes for prayer should be free from stains of blood, semen, urine, filth and vomit, although ostentation and show is decreed and discouraged but use of perfumes is recommended. One cannot stand in prayers (namaz) nor recite Quran e sharief unless one is in a state of Tuhar- purity and wadhu. One has to repeat the wadhu if one breaks the wind or on vomiting or on loss of blood due to injury or for any other reason. One has to trim ones beard and hair locks and is also required to remove hair from armpits, and pubic regions regularly. This to keep a person always clean and neat “Taharat” is the term used for explaining the regular use of water for cleaning the body parts after bowel movement and urination. Most important aspect of cleanliness besides personal and physical hygiene is the cleanliness of heart and mind. The heart should not bear malice, hatred, anger, covetousness, jealousy, pride, lust, greed, ego and all such negative feelings but should be pure qualities of love, affection, goodness, gratitude, generosity, sincerely, humility, thankfulness and large heartedness. The mind should be free from ill feelings, prejudice, narrow mindedness, and most importantly “Kufr” and duality. The mind should stand up against tyranny, dictatorship, egocentricity, and all evils. A person has to be morally upright. The soul has to be purified with “Tauheed” and acceptance of Allah’s predominance and our feeling of total submission to Allah and love for our Holy Prophet. Allah promises to befriend those who have achieved eternal goodness by cleansing body, mind, heart, soul and  those who achieve “Qalb e saleem”, pure and golden heart.

Asar Sura 103

1. By (the token of) times (through the ages)
2. Verily man is in loss
3. Except such as have faith and do righteous deeds, And (join together in the mutual teaching of truth, and of patience and constancy

Every moment a part of the energy gained is lost. Age withers and law of diminishing return works. The glorious sun is burning its gases and energy is being lost every moment. When human growth occurs there is ageing and slowly and steadily the ageing process overpowers and the charming youth and beauty starts withering away forever. Allah Subhanethalla assures man kind by taking an oath on “Asar”, the evening, which is the declining period of sunset, that mankind is in ever state of loss except those who do good deeds, are virtuous, truthful and patient. The law of diminishing return does not apply to those who are always focused to do good and are ever vigilant to perform their duties, walk on straight path of eternal truth, bear difficulties with fortitude and patience, and hold in their bosom certainty of faith.

Every one works and they put to actions their thoughts on the basis of inner urges that keep erupting like storms and cyclones. So also impulses and desires which pushes the mind to action. The fruits of such impulsive actions need not necessarily be sweet. Many a times such fruits are bitter and sour. When urges arise from deep felt thoughts and are put to action after due deliberations of all pros and cons and after taking into consideration of all the laws governing such work and actions then the chosen path is well laid out. The actions are all guided actions and such actions seldom fail. They bear sweet fruits. For success in any venture the actions are to be deliberated at each and every step. Every precaution and care has to be exercised well in advance. The dangers on the path are to be carefully studied to over come it. Meticulous planning and study has to be carried out with patience and truth as the guidelines and aim should be to achieve everlasting goodness alone. When one is unmindful of all the threats and mischief’s that lay ahead and one proceeds carelessly without any good aims and are directionless then one has to face bitter consequences. Hence patience, well experienced lessons of wisdom and truth should always be the light house for guidance and it should never be shunned. Only when goodness, truth and patience are practiced at every moment of our lives then Allah Subhanethalla assures mankind of success and fruitful results

Purity in actions done for the sake of Allah’s and His Prophet’s pleasure (Fi Sabhi lilallah)

Man is a selfish being and he needs to gratify his senses every now and then. Man’s motivation is thus self gratification, self protection and self preservation. Islam’s main teaching is to surrender fully in total obedience to the will of Allah and to achieve As Sakina, peace and tranquility. Allah has purchased the life and propery of the belivers, in exchange of the Heaven. Therefore the act of surrender implies total submission and every action of a musalmaan is to please the Lord almighty and His holy prophet Hazreth Mohammad Mustafa (SAS). Every action is performed with purity if mind and heart abd the sublime soul doesn’t feel satisfied till it rests in the feeling that the Lord Almighty has been pleased with his actions and has accepted the same. Thus the motivation of the musalman is not selfish interest to perform his duties at the instance and will of Almighty Allah and His Prophet (SAS). He is prepared to accept any worldly loss or injury while performing his actions willingly and pleasingly. Musalman does not grudge for his wordly or heavenly action as there is no motive or self gratification involved in is actions. A person who has fallen in love does all that is required to be done to please his beloved and any hardship or pain is accepted joyfully willingly and in good humor. Lovers are two personalities with a single soul. The fragrance of love is so enormous and pleasing that every act of a lover to the other is solely for each other’s pleasure. They share their joys and grieves and do all that is required to be done to keep each other happy and pleasing. So also a musalman, who is in total surrender and submission is not at all bothered about any hardship he encounters while performing his duties to his  Lord Almighty in terms of the Holy Scriptures and the pleasure of Allah’s Prophet (SAS). The aspect of fear and its consequences are all eliminated in a musalman’s actions as it is the pleasure of Allah and His Prophet (SAS). A musalman has no grievances, grouse or complain for anything of that which he is not in possession of for his needs and pleasure are in Allah’s blessings and acceptance.

A muslman had adopted the virtues if simplicity and humility. He therefore places full Reliance (Tawakal) on Allah and His Prophet (SAS). He praises Lord Almighty by reciting His Greatness and praises Allah a million times by repeating constantly Allah’s name and virtues. A musalman constantly sends every moment his salutation (Darood e shareff) to Allah’s prophet (SAS) and his (SAS) descendents. Thereby a musalman wins the confidence and love of Allah and His prophet (SAS). A musalman’s pleasure is solely to please the Lord and His Prophet (SAS) and succeed in placing all his actions to the pleasure of the Lord Almighty and His prophet (SAS). A musalman is ever patient with his sabr abd always expresses his thanks (sukar) to Allah and His prophet (SAS) for all the bounties received by him through the various means provided by nature. The Sun, moon and the planets have all been made subservient to man and particularly to a surrendered and obedient soul i.e. the musalman. A musalman accepts the postion of vicegerent (Khalifa and agent) of the Lord Almighty and fully discharges the trust placed in him by Lord Almighty and His Prohphet (SAS) while discharging his duties ‘Fisabilliallah’ that is for the pleasure of Allah and His prophet. (SAS).

Simplicity is a spark of divinity. In it is found humility and persons with these characteristics are god-fearing and gentle in their manners and courteous to the core. They are kind in their behavior and sweet tongued in their speech. Simple people shun ostentations, show, pomp and pride. They walk on the earth with humbleness and do not boast of their lineage, knowledge or achievement. Simple people do not attempt to stand tall and do not show off any of their talents or possessions. They are unassuming but in no way are they weak in the bearing or personality. They are strong minded with a will of iron and strength of steel. The most magnetic personality of the world is our Holy Prophet (SAS). He was most simple in manners, in living, in talk, speech and behavior. His most staunch enemy would acknowledge his greatness, his simplicity and humbleness. Allah says that the most humble and meek shall rule the world.

Satan, the accursed, who is a staunch enemy of man, has promised to Allah that he will not be able to disturb and mislead the humble people, who are devoted to Allah and fear Allah and are quick in obedience and also in repentance, when a wrong occurs. Simple persons have no airs about themselves and do not carry any class and caste feelings. They mingle with one and all. They are lovable and their faces glow with joy and happiness and it is contagious. Simple people are helpful for persons in need and always give a helping hand to whosoever seek their help. They are selfless in their service, without any expectation of any reward in return. They bow to the severe winds like a tree or grass without being uprooted and adjust to any circumstance and are highly elastic in nature. They are sincere in all their attempts in all their endeavors. They take success and failure in their stride. They do not show their disappointment and failures by changed behavior. Their behavior is constant and does not change according to the circumstances. Simple people are good people who believe in all good things of life.

All Muslims are required to cultivate simplicity as a second nature in their personality and should maintain the command of Allah and His Prophet (SAS). Simple people are devoted to their duties and they serve Allah and His Prophet (SAS) with simple minded devotion. They do not suffer from duality of thoughts and action. They are neither double tongued nor colorful in their temperament.

Asar Sura 103

1. By (the token of) times (through the ages)
2. Verily man is in loss
3. Except such as have faith and do righteous deeds, And (join together in the mutual teaching of truth, and of patience and constancy

Every moment a part of the energy gained is lost. Age withers and law of diminishing return works. The glorious sun is burning its gases and energy is being lost every moment. When human growth occurs there is ageing and slowly and steadily the ageing process overpowers and the charming youth and beauty starts withering away forever. Allah Subhanethalla assures man kind by taking an oath on “Asar”, the evening, which is the declining period of sunset, that mankind is in ever state of loss except those who do good deeds, are virtuous, truthful and patient. The law of diminishing return does not apply to those who are always focused to do good and are ever vigilant to perform their duties, walk on straight path of eternal truth, bear difficulties with fortitude and patience, and hold in their bosom certainty of faith.

Every one works and they put to actions their thoughts on the basis of inner urges that keep erupting like storms and cyclones. So also impulses and desires which pushes the mind to action. The fruits of such impulsive actions need not necessarily be sweet. Many a times such fruits are bitter and sour. When urges arise from deep felt thoughts and are put to action after due deliberations of all pros and cons and after taking into consideration of all the laws governing such work and actions then the chosen path is well laid out. The actions are all guided actions and such actions seldom fail. They bear sweet fruits. For success in any venture the actions are to be deliberated at each and every step. Every precaution and care has to be exercised well in advance. The dangers on the path are to be carefully studied to over come it. Meticulous planning and study has to be carried out with patience and truth as the guidelines and aim should be to achieve everlasting goodness alone. When one is unmindful of all the threats and mischief’s that lay ahead and one proceeds carelessly without any good aims and are directionless then one has to face bitter consequences. Hence patience, well experienced lessons of wisdom and truth should always be the light house for guidance and it should never be shunned. Only when goodness, truth and patience are practiced at every moment of our lives then Allah Subhanethalla assures mankind of success and fruitful results.
(The author is an editor of Sufi world. He can be reached at internationalsuficentre@gmail.com. Please visit www.internationalsuficentre.org)

Man is a selfish being and he needs to gratify his senses every now and then. Man’s motivation is thus self gratification, self protection and self preservation. Islam’s main teaching is to surrender fully in total obedience to the will of Allah and to achieve As Sakina, peace and tranquility. Allah has purchased the life and propery of the belivers, in exchange of the Heaven. Therefore the act of surrender implies total submission and every action of a musalmaan is to please the Lord almighty and His holy prophet Hazreth Mohammad Mustafa (SAS). Every action is performed with purity if mind and heart abd the sublime soul doesn’t feel satisfied till it rests in the feeling that the Lord Almighty has been pleased with his actions and has accepted the same. Thus the motivation of the musalman is not selfish interest to perform his duties at the instance and will of Almighty Allah and His Prophet (SAS). He is prepared to accept any worldly loss or injury while performing his actions willingly and pleasingly. Musalman does not grudge for his wordly or heavenly action as there is no motive or self gratification involved in is actions. A person who has fallen in love does all that is required to be done to please his beloved and any hardship or pain is accepted joyfully willingly and in good humor. Lovers are two personalities with a single soul. The fragrance of love is so enormous and pleasing that every act of a lover to the other is solely for each other’s pleasure. They share their joys and grieves and do all that is required to be done to keep each other happy and pleasing. So also a musalman, who is in total surrender and submission is not at all bothered about any hardship he encounters while performing his duties to his Lord Almighty in terms of the Holy Scriptures and the pleasure of Allah’s Prophet (SAS). The aspect of fear and its consequences are all eliminated in a musalman’s actions as it is the pleasure of Allah and His Prophet (SAS). A musalman has no grievances, grouse or complain for anything of that which he is not in possession of for his needs and pleasure are in Allah’s blessings and acceptance.

A muslman had adopted the virtues if simplicity and humility. He therefore places full Reliance (Tawakal) on Allah and His Prophet (SAS). He praises Lord Almighty by reciting His Greatness and praises Allah a million times by repeating constantly Allah’s name and virtues. A musalman constantly sends every moment his salutation (Darood e shareff) to Allah’s prophet (SAS) and his (SAS) descendents. Thereby a musalman wins the confidence and love of Allah and His prophet (SAS). A musalman’s pleasure is solely to please the Lord and His Prophet (SAS) and succeed in placing all his actions to the pleasure of the Lord Almighty and His prophet (SAS). A musalman is ever patient with his sabr abd always expresses his thanks (sukar) to Allah and His prophet (SAS) for all the bounties received by him through the various means provided by nature. The Sun, moon and the planets have all been made subservient to man and particularly to a surrendered and obedient soul i.e. the musalman. A musalman accepts the postion of vicegerent (Khalifa and agent) of the Lord Almighty and fully discharges the trust placed in him by Lord Almighty and His Prohphet (SAS) while discharging his duties ‘Fisabilliallah’ that is for the pleasure of Allah and His prophet. (SAS).(The author is an editor of Sufi world. He can be reached at internationalsuficentre@gmail.com. Please visit www.internationalsuficentre.org)