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A Brief Study of Muslim Politics in India

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By Shoaib Mohammed Introduction Historically, the social fabric of Muslims in India has always been part of “bhartiyata” for centuries and they were as much integral to Indian society as Hindus. The consideration of Muslims as a distinct political category started at the very introduction of the modern democratic system in the early 20th century. In post independent India, religion has been one of the one major bases of politics. The case has been similar with Indian Muslims. However, the nature of Muslim society in India is not homogenous. Most political parties including Muslim political parties are victims of this myth. Indian Muslims are divided into many social and political groups. Its voting behavior too has not been homogenous. As a result, no single political party is able to mobilize the Muslim community as a whole. Muslim Political Discourse According to Hilal Ahmed, Associate Professor at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, postcolon...
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A Mercy to the Nations

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By Noaman Ali Amongst rubble and dust, thunder and stygian clouds, and in a debauchery-striken land Emerges a sliver of light, a beacon in unsuspecting troubled waters, the yáng to the yīn, a flavour to the bland. An average Joe, yet the most perfect a man could ever get; for like him, there was none By the sobriquet of Al-Sadiq, he went and I speak of none other than The Chosen One. Despite his attributes, he has had his share of facing trials and tribulations For that is the very thing which has placed him on the pedestal, with fruition. Stoned, excoriated, often decried unjustly and was alleged to wear, of a magician, a mask All because he wanted the best for us, was that too much to ask? Blatantly challenged was he to prove of the Almighty's existence time and again by the idolators and ignorant men. When their real intent was just to cause him misery and make his life a Gehenna, and to someone who would later forgive them. So blessed was he that, with God...
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The beauty your eyes behold

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By Khurram Murad Siddiqui Aestheticization of meaning is art, and taking that note, we all are artists - some of us learned, some amateur. The manifestation of our art is by what resources, skills and thoughts we own around. Some privileged sons of gold, pile up the statues and structures like Tajmahal and Burj Khalifa. Some apply red lipstick, some drape white aprons, some wear platinum bracelets on their wrist and some handicraft them with palm leaves around them. Each ones worth defines the worth of their art. Music of Metallica bands and harp of darvesh, film director's 10 billion dollar movie and grandmothers bedtime stories, are versions and layers of art. Some of us recognize the art beyond the tv screens and some of us fail to find it on our tablecloth. We live in a world of classifications, types, and specifics. So we have classified art as we did to humans centuries ago. Appreciating art that fails to make it to mainstream or to be specific "the internet"...
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The Philosophy of E'itekaf

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By S. Adi Al Hasan Islamic philosopher of repute Dr. Hossein Nasr says that "contemporary man has lost his essence". The modern day man has lost his axle of life. Modern western philosophies have denied the existence of soul. As a result, he has become a material being. He is on a perpetual treadmill of Pursuit of Happiness, but in vain. How much ever one climbs the ladder, still life is empty from inside. The west has adopted a system of materialism in which man finds no space for the concept of religion, faith or spirituality. On the contrary, the Eastern philosophies have recognized the existence of soul and the feel that it cannot grow until the material needs are shun. Eastern religions such as Buddhism have given an ideology where man secludes himself from the rest to the world, abandons his family, adapts to  solitude and assumes that this road is the path to enlightenment. Both these extremes are against human nature and man cannot fight his own nature. Man is...
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Far Beyond The Worldly Fantasies

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By Asim Jawad A month, special in itself Helping me train myself Not an issue to stay hungry When I'm full of empathy Never to complain about shortage of time When I can earn and pray long: my lifeline Not to hold back from sharing When all I do now is sincere caring Donating from my yearly savings Eliminating the poor's poverty living It was never about tasty delicacies Far beyond the worldly specialities Not a moment to spare Wasting time; I don't dare Staying away from all that is forbidden I discover my human powers that were hidden No masks to change and fit in Believe me there's no backbiting Understanding what was revealed for humanity I feel it was sent down only for me With the doors of forgiveness open Tears flow with none of my past forsaken It was never about lavish parties Far beyond the worldly fantasies
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The Wisdom of Luqman

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By Sauban Musaddiq One of the oft-cited parable in the Quran is that of Luqman (AS) advising his son about the oneness of Allah and duties enjoined on humans by Him (Surah Luqman - 31:13-18). Luqman (AS) was an Ethiopian slave enslaved in Jerusalem, and his wisdom soon gained him the praise and adulation from his master and his people. He was called Al-Hakeem (The Wise), which is a testament to him being the epitome of Wisdom. In the verse 13 of Surah Luqman, Luqman (AS) advises his son not to associate partners with Allah and that doing so would be a great “Zulm”. The word used here, “Zulm”, can be broadly interpreted as “Injustice”, but if we delve into its origins, it is indicative for a word for grossly misplacing or misrepresenting something. Indeed there can be no graver misplacement, than misplacing one’s faith with anything other than Allah. The next two Ayahs delve into the obligations of parents upon their children. Allah stresses on the sacrifices and hardsh...
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Stay insatiable. Keep writing!

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By Noaman Ali Writing is a form of expression which holds unrivalled puissance to put forward one's contemplations in a manner comprehensible to the reader. It is usually expressed in the form of simple prose to [sometimes] unfathomable catharsis. Now, as a greenhorn to this subject, one might saunter the lanes of Merriam Webster all day long (which, actually is a vital part in the process) and not get too far without one simple sine qua non: reading[¹]. What better way to know where one stands and where to start from other than reading? It can indubitably be said that writing and reading are the two sides of a coin. With profound reading, a tyro is slackened off of his original (usually obdurate) understanding of the process of writing—i.e., HIS initial plan of proceeding. And when we get a brief picture, we can go on about in an orderly and organized fashion which includes paying equal attention to grammar and punctuation. Speaking of which, grammar shouldn't b...
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