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Mother Rediscovered

Thanks to the media, the commercial giants have spent heavily on defining motherhood through their products. Biscuits, stationeries, soft drinks, online gift vendors have all rediscovered a sudden fondness for the entity called ‘Mother’. Business as usual.

Violent love-hooks

The more our attachments, the more our pain of separation. A man with wife, son, mother, sister, brothers would suffer more the agony of separation than a brother without these ‘love-hooks’ which violently clings to his soul.

The journey

The journey

Though this journey was intended 2 years back, various engagements delayed it. Alternatively, it. . .

Tasawwuf: Comprehensive, Modern and Scientific

A critical essay by Shihab Thangal on the developments and present misconceptions about Mysticism in

Journalism in Egypt

Sayyed Shihab Thangal’s essay on the history and development of the Egyptian press. Translated by Jaihoon
Journalism has begun in Egypt since approximately a century and half. But press in those days was utilized was for publishing official notices.
In 1822, Muhammad Ali Pasha launched for the first time a paper called as ‘Journal View’ in both […]

Indian Shalwar, Malaysian Scarf, Arabian Jewellery & a Wedding

Although nikah is the obligatory part and the reception a Sunnah (Prophetic practice, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), the amount of time and effort (and money) invested is far from balanced.
The preparations start almost a month before the event. The male members travel to all the four directions for inviting near and far (and farthest) relatives […]

Mother’s care @ MeraWatan

Exclusive interview with Sheikh Muhammad Karakunnu, Director of Islamic Publishing House, Kerala, on May 18th 2002
It was in midst of his busy schedule that Jaihoon was given an opportunity to meet face to face with the renowned writer and thinker whom other writers see as their honorable guru.
So here was a dot-com enthusiast
With questions he […]

PMSA Pookoya Thangal: The dazzling light of today’s daybreak

‘Today is the sound continuation of Yesterday’
The flowers of past used to blossom in Imam’s gatherings. These moments tied present with the past. He was particular that ‘Today was the sound continuation of yesterday’. Today’s daybreak acquired its light from the fading light of yesterday’s twilight. History is not meager tales of past events. It […]

Kerala’s contribution to Arabic Language

Kerala has contributed much into the development of Arabic language and literature. The Arabs had come directly to Kerala for spreading Islam and as such Arabic language is evident here in its real form. Many Arab travelers and scholars have praised the Keralites’ way of pronunciation.
Arabic was given great prominence in the syllabi of the […]

The fall of Ottoman Caliphate and the Indian Khilafat Movement

Introduction
A western critic once wrote that a visitor from Mars who arrived on earth during the sixteenth century would have probably concluded that the world was on the verge of becoming Muslim. No doubt, with the Mughal Empire in the Indian Subcontinent in the East, Safavid Empire in the center and the Ottoman empire in […]

Genesis and Growth of the Mappila Community

Contributed to Jaihoon.com by Dr. Hussein Randathani. Posted on December 16 2005
The long-standing Arab contact

Graduation

Graduation Ceremony

Sayyida Nafisa at-Tahira

Rare Lady Saint of the Egpytians
[Excerpted from From the Light of Ahl al-Bayt: My Spiritual Experiences Unveiled] by Imam Metawalli ash-Sha`rawi
Sayyida Nafisa was born in Makkah on the 11th of Rabi`a al-Awwal, the same night that the Prophet (s) was born, in the year 145 H. Her father had been appointed governor of Madinat al-Munawwara […]

Rensselaer Senior Named One of Top 10 College Women by Glamour Magazine

Ghofrane Benghanem is tutor, biochemistry and biophysics student, Muslim, hospital volunteer, woman mentor, biomedical researcher, community advocate, teaching assistant, and more. She also has recently been named one of Glamour magazine’s Top Ten College Women in the United States.
“As a scientist, being included in a mainstream magazine that is read by many American women demonstrates […]

Great Ones are grown in the lap of Noble Mothers

[A life sketch of Sayyeda Khairunnisa, the mother of Maulana Syed Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi.]
Maulana’s mother was a hafidhah (committed Holy Quran into memory), a scholar and a poetess. A few of her books, including two poetry collections, have been published. She enjoyed good command over the women of the village and hence led […]

A change that veiled the body, but unveiled conscience

[Actress finds peace in the Holy Book by By Bassma Al Jandaly | 18-11-2002]
Beaming a broad, infectious smile, Abeer Al Sherqawi is eager to impart her newfound inner peace and serenity after rediscovering the Holy Quran.
The 32-year-old Egyptian screen siren, who used to wear skimpy outfits in the heyday of her career, recently came to […]

Unique pearls on the shore of Islam

This is an age where there are many struggles for the equality of women. Seminars, books, talk show demonstrations…what else not is used in propagation of the feminist agenda. And in this process, the apostles of feminism don’t waste any chance in painting Islam as a backward and discriminatory religion. Hijab is labeled as ‘an […]

Zamzam Cola and Muslim Barbie!

MANAMA, May 21, 2002 (IslamOnline & News Agencies)
Iran’s version of Coke has hit the shelves of Bahrain’s supermarkets as residents of the Gulf kingdom increasingly express their frustration at U.S. policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by boycotting American products.
“There is growing demand for substitutes to American soft drinks, which is what prompted us to import […]

Western sciences came from Eastern Civilizations: Amartya Sen

[An edited excerpt from Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen’s address to the World Newspaper Congress, held between May 26 and 29 in Belgium]
I knew Daniel Pearl a little. He came to a talk of mine in Paris about two years ago, and we chatted afterwards. He knew then that he was soon going to be based […]

‘Beautifying ourselves for ourselves !

[by Abd Al-Hamid Al-Bakkoush. An article calling for reform, written by former Libyan prime minister Abd Al-Hamid Al-Bakkoush, who is known for his liberal views, recently appeared in the London-based Arabic-language daily Al-Hayat. The following are excerpts from the article]
History shows us that problems and crises are a matter of routine for peoples and nations… […]

Don’t ask me for that Love again.

[ Islamonline.net, By Anthony J. Aschettino Peace Activist – USA 21/06/2002]
Sometimes you go through an experience in life that leaves an indelible mark on your soul and an inerasable footprint on your mind. My trip through the West Bank as a participating member of the International Solidarity Movement for the Palestinian People was such […]

7 reasons why America is ‘Muslim Nation’

[Islam: The next American religion? By Michael Wolfe , Arabnews.com]
The US began as a haven for Christian outcasts. But what religion fits our current zeitgeist? The answer may be Islam. Americans tend to think of their country as, at the very least, a nominally Christian nation. Didn’t the Pilgrims come here for freedom to practice […]

Then reading to learn, Now learning to read

[Why don’t we read? By Wajeha Al-Huwaider/Al-Watan, Published on 26 August 2002, Arabnews.com]
Several years ago when I was trying to get a job here, I discovered that what I had studied for my master’s degree was a largely unknown subject. Consequently I found it hard to explain what was meant by Reading Management which is, […]

Atrocities against Women in India: Thoughts on Gujarat massacre

by Nihla_ag, Student Counselor.
Gujarat ke firaq se hai khar khar dil
Betaab hai seene mein aatish bahar dil
Marham nahin hai iske zakhm ka jahan mein
Shamshir-e-hijr se jo huwa hain figr dil
(My heart is thorn-filled with longing for Gujarat
Restless, frantic, flame wrapped in the spring
On earth there exists no balm for its wound
My heart split asunder […]

Dr. Sheikh Sultan receives honorary doctorate

Dr Sheikh Sultan receiving the honorary doctorate in London. Picture: WAM
His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has been conferred an honorary doctorate degree in law by the South Bank University of London.
During a graduation ceremony held here yesterday, to mark the graduation of 700 students, […]

‘Let’s Run a Race, but First Let Me Break Your Knees.’

An edited version from the article by by Arundhati Roy, ‘Buy One, Get One Free’ ; Sponsored by the Center for Economic and Social Rights; May 19, 2003. Copyright 2003 by Arundhati Roy
In these times, when we have to race to keep abreast of the speed at which our freedoms are being snatched from us, […]

Islamaphobia Acceptable face of Anti-Semitism

BRITISH EXPERT: ISLAMAPHOBIA ACCEPTABLE FACE OF ANTI-SEMITISM SINCE 911 [Press Release sent to Jaihoon.com]
London, 22/7/2003: A British journalist specializing in Middle Eastern affairs has identified Islamaphobia as the acceptable face of anti-Semitism in the West in a new book to be published in August 2003.
Monal Seidan is the British author of the Muslim’s Guide to […]

‘Arabs! Change, or you will be changed.’

Transcript of Shaikh Mohammad’s opening speech @ the Arab Strategy Forum
I wish a warm welcome to our guests.
This forum is held on the first day after the end of the mourning period for our dear departed Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. May Allah have mercy on his soul.
As we resume our official activities and […]

Time Poverty in the Technology Era

[By RICHARD SEVEN, Seattle Times]
Today, the constant pinging of your e-mail can be like the drip-drip-drip of water torture. We’re swimming in doodads and options - text messaging and search engines, Blackberries and blogs, Wi-fi, cell phones that try to do all of the above, and the promise that we haven’t seen anything yet.
We’re […]

Schooling for Failure!

Professor Yusuf Progler, islamonline.net
Measure of Failure
Before we can speak about the failures of modern schooling, in the West or anywhere else, we should consider what it is that schooling has set out to do. This will help us to consider whether or not schooling has failed at anything, or if it has actually succeeded in […]

Modern University - An Arabian Concept, says Cambridge Vice Chancellor

One day AUS was the dream of one person. Today you have made that dream a reality. It is the victory of one man’s vision. He (Dr. Sheikh Sultan) freely gave us his vision. And today his victory is our own.

The Arab world is on a threshold of information explosion, like the rest of the […]

Sheikh Zainudhin Makhdum

Introduction
Sheikh Zainudhin Makhdum I, son of Ahmed bin Ma’bari, was born in 872 A.H at Cochin. He settled at Ponnani and being a master of Arabic language, he had several literary works to his credit including Murshid, Adkiya and Shubul Iman.
He had also written a treatise called ‘Tahrees Ahlil Imani Ala Jihadi Abdatisuul Bani’ appealing […]

Umar Qazi - Sufi Poet on Horseback

Introduction
In 19th and 20th centuries, India had to bear many sufferings at the hands of British rule. The Indian Muslims fought with full vigor to oppose the British imperialistic designs. They had to face drastic economic consequences as a result. In the anti-imperialistic battle, great leaders who left their marks on history led them.
Umar Qazi […]

Dedication

Throughout my stay in Sharjah for the past 15 years, I have witnessed the bits and pieces of the cultural happenings taking place in the Arab world. Every civilization has to pass through a series of changes, I agree. Yet, there need to be efforts to revitalize the past culture with the same degree of […]

All About MeraWatan

MeraWatan is an e-documentary on the historical and cultural impact of the Indo-Arab relations. It primarily focuses on the Arab-Kerala relationship with a flavor of Iqbalian philosophy.
The whole concept of MeraWatan stems from a single verse of Iqbal,
“Meer-E-Arab Ko Aaayi Tandi Hawan Jahan Se
Mera Watan Wahi Hai, Mera Watan Wahi Hai! “
From where the Arabian […]

The Unique position of Muslims

[This is an abridged version of a speech delivered by the late Maulana Syed Abul. . .

A day in the life of Ali Mian

Known as Ali Mian among his family members and friends, the Maulana is scholar, thinker. . .

Great Ones are grown in the lap of Noble Mothers

[A life sketch of Sayyeda Khairunnisa, the mother of Maulana Syed Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi.]

Maulana’s. . .

A message to Jaihoon from Ali Mian’s student

Assalamoalykum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

May Almighty Allah reward you for hosting such a wonderful website, dedicated to. . .

A Plea for Dua

(in memory of Ali Mian- Syed Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi [ra])

Ever since from my prized. . .

Religion vs. Philosophy- To Embrace or Exclude?

What is the character and general structures of the universe in which we live? Is there a permanent element in the constitution of this universe? How are we related to it? What place do we occupy in it, and what is the kind of conduct that benefits the place we occupy? These questions are common […]

A Muslim University

Many studies have been conducted on establishing an Islamic university. But this topic requires to be viewed from another angle i.e. from a religious point of view. In my opinion, any problem facing the Muslims, be it cultural or otherwise, is basically a religious problem. Every problem is related to their religious problem.
The popular belief […]

The Invasion of Dreams: Reality strikes back

(Iqbal’s analysis the Freudian theory of dreams)
… It is in the elimination of the satanic from the Divine that the followers of Freud have done inestimable service to religion; though I cannot help saying that the main theory of this newer psychology does not appear to be supported by any adequate evidence.
If our vagrant impulses […]

Allama Iqbal’s Biography

Birth
Iqbal was born in the Punjab on February 22, 1873. His ancestors, who were Kashmiri Brahmins, had embraced Islam two hundred years earlier. Iqbal’s own father was a devout Muslim with Sufistic bent of mind.
Primary Education
He received his early education in Sialkot. After passing the entrance examination, he joined Intermediary College. Mir Hassan, a great […]

Iqbal: A bridge between East and the West

By Saeed A. Durrani, School of Physics & Astronomy, University of Birmingham, England
Essay read at the International Symposium on ‘Iqbal and the Modern Era’ held at Ghent, Belgium, on 18-19 November 1997 under the auspices of Iqbal Foundation Europe. This version was published in Iqbal Review, by Iqbal Academy Hyderabad, Nov 1998. Posted on July […]

Vacation 2007 (July)- DAY VI

July 28
The morning kicked off in anxiety of the items to be packed while going. I remembered an ethnic wardrobe which I had selected but not bought. Wasting no time, I rushed there and was back in minutes. On the way I dropped again in my laws’ home for lunch. After food, I moved out […]

Vacation 2007 (July)- DAY V

July 27
Friday. On the way to the congregational prayer, I met Haris hudawi, a PhD student of Hamdard University, Delhi. Brilliant and dedicated, he was a true seeker of knowledge. Slightly younger than me, he was still unmarried. After prayer, I moved out quickly. But Nature willed otherwise. It was raining heavy. All the believers […]

October 06 2006

October 06 2006
At around Juma prayer time, I reached at the Masjid Muhammadiya, the newly built masjid at Sirhind Nagar, Kottakkal for the monthly Durood majlis. This day was special here because it was the opening of the Masjid and the first Durood majlis here. Till then it was held at another masque, Sirhind Masjid, […]

October 2006

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Sep 9 2006 : Journal of Vacation Trip 2006
Sep 9 2006

The Air Arabia flight arrived around Maghrib time at the Nedumbassery International flight. The flight had begun with the announcement of the “subhanalladhi sakhar lana” dua which is recited in the beginning of the travel. This was the first time I had […]

July 2006

Hunters the artists are, Not prey!
Al hamdu lillah, there has sbeen considerable progress on the new Malayalam book project. The cover design is done in state of the art style. There is charm and appeal for both eyes and heart. Almost three weeks of day-night deliberations, the artist was also tirelessly enthusiastic for its perfection.
When […]