Zeeshan Rasool Khan

  Among all Islamic months, Ramadan is special. It is characterized by fasting- which is one of the five pillars of Islam. During this month, Muslims observe fast, eat before sunrise and after sunset- not in between. Allah (swt) mentions the purpose of fasting in the Quran and says – Lailakum Tataqun (so that you attain taqwa - that means the consciousness of Allah that can lead to His true obedience and His Messenger (pbuh). The food that Muslims consume during the month of Ramadan also makes this month unique. Depending upon the financial strength, every family ensures that varieties of dishes are cooked and served; however, one thing remains constant in each house, which is the use of ‘dates’. Almost every family breaks the fast with Dates. In Arabic, the date-palm tree is called ‘ Nakhla’ , and the fruit (date) is called ‘Tamr’ . In Turkish and Urdu languages, it is called Hurma and Khajoor respectively. Botanically, it belongs to the family Arecaceae, genus- Phoenix , a...

  Allah created all creatures in pairs – Male and Female. Both genders in any species have significance. This significance is indeed much greater in human beings. Man cannot exist without women and women cannot survive without men. In absence of any one of them, we cannot think of a family, society, or nation. However, women are treated as weaker than men. Physically and emotionally, they are not considered as brave as men are. Nowhere in the world are women and men sharing equal powers. And in most countries, women have accepted this as the norm and live their lives accordingly. But, despite that, they continue to face discrimination of various kinds, cruelty, and violence. Globally, women are suffering. In many places, patriarchy is turning out to be a bane for them. It has produced a sense of fear and insecurity among them all over the world. Such happenings in any part of the world bring the men’s conscience into question. However, in Muslim-dominated regions, these deplorable ...

  Zeeshan Rasool Khan Years ago, Molana Mushtaq Ahmad Khan Sahb gifted me a book ’ Moie Muqaddas Ki Azmat ’ – the grandeur of Prophet’s (Pbuh) sacred hair’ to read. The language, presentation, the art of explaining intricate things lucidly, and frequent mention of Quranic verses and Ahadith to authenticate every point impressed me profoundly. I became eager to know more about its writer – Molana Engineer Nazir Ahmad Pampori Sahb . On the next meet with Molana Mushtaq Ahmad Khan Sahb, I managed to ask him about Er Nazir Sahib. As I uttered Nazir Sahb’s name, Molana was all praises for him. A few years later, when Molana Mushtaq Sahb fell ill, I had the privilege to meet Er. Nazir Sahib at former’s home. However, the meeting was confined just to greetings. Months after that, on instructions of Molana Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, a seminar ‘Niyamat’e Uzma (Pbuh) Conference’ was organized in Kulgam and Er. Nazir Sahib graced the event with his presence as a guest speaker. That time I not on...

  ZEESHAN RASOOL KHAN History is rife with instances of blasphemy that were aimed at disrespecting Islam, its founder, and other holy personalities. Through statements, drawing cartoons, and writing books, anti-Islamists have always attempted to demonize Islam and there is no end in sight to this mindless exercise. To counter such acts within its country, the State of Pakistan with approximately 96% Muslims introduced anti-blasphemy laws in its constitution. Historically, the blasphemy laws were enacted by British colonial authorities and Pakistan continued these after its creation. With the purpose to ‘Islamicise’ Pakistan, as is believed, General Zia-ul-Haq supervised the addition of many clauses to these laws and made them stringent. The religious scholars and a large section of society support these laws and consider them as derivatives of Quranic ordains. These laws meant to rein in blasphemy, however, have always been on the radar of Human Right Organizations and analysts, ...

  By – Zeeshan Rasool Khan  The discourse of Kashmiri Sufism is incomplete without mention of Aishmuqam town. This town has historical and spiritual significance. When Sheikh-ul-Aalam (R.a) noticed the devotion of his disciple – Zain-ud-din-Wali (R.a), he instructed him to meditate in the thick forest of Aish, now known as Aishmuqam. The influence of Zain-ud-din Wali (R.a) turned this place into a mystic abode with a never-fading spiritual aroma. Aishmuqam produced great personalities from time to time who contributed to the spread of this aroma to distant places and Peer Ghulam Hassan Siddiqui Sahb was one among them. Hassan Sahb was born in 1931. His father Peer Yousuf Sahb was a well-read personality, a poet, a preacher; a mystic associated with Kubravia, Suharwardia, and Owaisi orders of Sufism and had a massive following. His mother Khadijah was hafiza (had memorized the noble Quran). Peer Hassan Sahb got initial guidance from his father and received primary educatio...

  By – Zeeshan Rasool Khan To create global awareness about the importance of a healthy environment, world environment day is celebrated every year on June 5. Also known as, Eco day or simply Environment day, world environment day was established by UN General Assembly in 1972. Its celebrations are theme-based and each year a particular theme is declared by United Nations. The theme of first-world environment day held in 1974 was ‘only one earth’ and this year it is ‘Ecosystem Restoration’. What is an Ecosystem? The term Ecosystem was introduced by A.G Tansley in 1935. He defined it as; the system resulting from the interaction of all living and non-living factors of the environment. In fact, in nature, the living organisms and their non-living environment interact with each other and they are so much inseparably interlinked that there is a frequent exchange of material and energy leading to a tropic structure, biotic diversity, and material cycle (i.e exchange of materials...

  By – Zeeshan Rasool Khan There was a time when people would believe ‘Parents are next to God’. But, as the desire for materialism grew, most of us are no longer holding this opinion. Time has changed our priorities. While on one hand, we flauntingly celebrate days to honor parents but on the other hand, parents are not valued much in most families. Sanctity of the sacred Parent-Child relationship has become fouled in many households. Nowadays there exists disagreement of worst kind between parent and ward. Some homes have broken due to parent-child discord. Especially old-aged people are being maltreated and are having poignant tales to narrate. Ill-fated families prefer to get rid of them by consigning them to Old-age homes which have increased in number worldwide. The fact that Muslims are no exception to these acts makes the situation more depressing. Scholars, writers, clerics, and activists are making efforts to remove mistrust among youngsters and elders of the family a...