In response to Tony’s query I thought it would be fitting that I provide a little detail regarding alcohol and Islam. So that Tony does not get discouraged by the rather long response I have first clarified Islam’s position on alcohol and for the benefit of those who are further interested I have provided some detail regarding the gradual prohibition of alcohol in Islam. Plus I appreciate your interest Tony and am delighted by the fact that you have read the Koran.
It is rather obvious that humans are the most advanced species that inhabit the planet Earth or at least that is the information that we currently have. Humans have progressed much from their humble beginnings and have continued to achieve the impossible. God refers to man as His vicegerent on Earth, and thus it is our responsibility to uphold the highest moral and ethical standards at all times.
Alcohol, as we all know, is an intoxicating substance. It induces a stupor, rids man of all his natural inhibitions, and is known to “Cloud the Mind”. Man is incapacitated of thinking straight when under influence and partakes in many activities while he is drunk which he may regret once the affects of the alcohol wear off. Most of these activities are not befitting of God’s vicegerent and thus alcohol is strictly prohibited in Islam. (more…)
Continuing from the first part of this article, let us move further on to points 4, 5 and 7.
Forget comparing his tenure with his predecessors. The statistics speak for themselves, the level of corruption this year is exactly the same level when Musharraf took charge of the country. Corruption is still at its peak while law and order are still on vacation. (more…)
Well since I received such valuable feedback on both my posts I though it would only be fair that I responded to the comments and observations made by the readers. I tried to restrict myself to a comment but my response was rather long and thus I have put it up as a post.
First off, I do acknowledge that perhaps my comments were a bit harsh and I let my emotions get the best of me but when it comes to religion I do get swept away at times. However, care will be taken in the future.
“The events in Pakistan this week represent another setback to Pakistani democracy. Pakistan’s interests would be served by a prompt return to civilian rule and restoration of the democratic process. I urge that Pakistan move quickly in that direction.
I am sending my ambassador back to Islamabad to underscore my view directly to the military authorities and to hear their intentions. I will also be consulting closely with all concerned nations about maintaining peace and stability in South Asia. “
Statement by President Bill Clinton
Office of the President
White House
Washington, DC, October 13, 1999
When another bloodless coup took place on October 12 1999, most people had mixed feelings and apathy was the more resounding response at the sight of seeing another entry by the army into politics. With Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan and Zia ul Haq imposing marital law before him, Pervaiz Musharraf didn’t exactly come off as a beacon of light to the citizens of Pakistan. (more…)
(Although this post has nothing to do with Pakistan I thought it might be a good idea to diversify the subjects while keeping the focus on Pakistan. International law is becoming an important part of the world around us.)
It has been almost four years since the ‘coalition of the willing’ commenced attacks against Iraq and there has been much debate about the technical aspects of the war on things such as the strength of forces, the weapons employed, the strategies devised and the managing of Iraq’s economy. Also, at times the discussion is enamelled with sprinkles of some ethical and humanitarian considerations.
By contrast, the law, in particular, international law, has been almost totally absent from the debate. It is a shame that international law, which is a fundamental aspect of international relations, has been left out. Most people, not just in Pakistan, but across the globe accept it as a matter of fact that the war is illegal since no weapons of mass destruction (WMD) have been discovered in the past four years, along with the idea of ‘regime change’, carrying no international legitimacy.
Those people will probably be surprised to find out that the statement by the Attorney-General of the UK, Lord Goldsmith to a parliamentary question regarding the legal basis of the war and a similar statement by the Attorney-General of the United States, John Ashcroft to the US Congress made no mention of the weapons of mass destruction, or humanitarian intervention, or preemptive self-defence. However, the surprises don’t end there and they would be puzzled if they were told that this war drew legality from UN Security Council resolutions. (more…)
An all time hit song picturised on probably the most famous pakistani film actor, Waheed Murad. Its a glimpse of the days when the Pakistani film industry was at par with its Indian couterpart. Originally sung by Ahmed Rushdi, it has been re-done by a number of artists. Enjoy!
Hajj…One of the most important aspects of Islam…And an extremely important pillar upon which the very foundation of Islam rests upon. Every Prophet of God performed the ritual of Hajj even before religion was perfected by God in the form of Islam.
The Hajj is one of the most spiritual and life-changing experiences that a believer will face. A believer is required to make the pilgrimage at least once in his or her life time. A devout Muslim’s whole life is directed towards this spiritual goal; all of life becomes a pilgrimage. I do not think I have to continue as to the importance of Hajj in Islam.
And yet, on the 31st of December 2006, during the very culmination of Hajj, a large population of our country will be “celebrating” the New Year. Celebrating the New Year of a calendar which has no bearings with Islam (being solar in nature) is not my issue but the very fact that they feel it is necessary to celebrate regardless of their religions teachings (or in this case ignorance).
I noticed a lot of the radio stations playing national songs on this day to celeberate the Quaid’s birthday, but there was no real talk about what the Quaid stood for or what he created. I still feel there’s a great amount of confusion about the the man who created Pakistan. People assume that just because he created an Islamic state a state for the Muslims of the Indian sub-continent, he was a religious man himself. Nothing could be further from the truth. Mr. Jinnah enjoyed his fair share of western indulgences, however it was his principles and ideals acquired in the west that saw the dream of Pakistan through.
I am attaching an article by Eqbal Ahmed, a great Pakistani scholar not fully appreciated in his native country, about Jinnah, the man who founded a very different country from what it is today.
Jinnah, in a Class of His Own
[Dawn, 11 June 1995]
Mohammad Ali Jinnah is an enigma of modern history. His aristocratic English lifestyle, Victorian manners, and secular outlook rendered him a most unlikely leader of India’s Muslims. Yet, he led them to separate statehood, creating history and, in Saad R. Khairi’s apt phrase, ‘altering geography’. (more…)
Carrying forward TIME’s person of the year theme for this year, I thought it would be a good idea to make YOU, the PAKISTANI, our Pakistani of the year. Here are just a few reasons why YOU are the Pakistani of the year. (more…)
At an early age as we attain our elementary education, one of the first things we learn, is about our homeland, Pakistan. We are taught that Pakistan consists of five provinces: Sindh in the south, Punjab to the east, Baluchistan to the west, NWFP in the north and Kashmir. With great pride and fondness we learn that these provinces are home to different ethnic groups with their own unique set of traditions, culture and language. All of which have voluntarily fused into one nation, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the first country to be founded on a religious ideology. A nation built for the very purpose to serve us Muslims living in the Indian Subcontinent but before we venture onwards, let us return to our schooling.
Progressing from elementary to secondary education, we slowly learn things aren’t exactly what they seem to be. (more…)
