7.4 Haj, the Annual Convention

(Chapter from "Islam for the Perverted" to be published soon)

One of the root causes of much communal and international mistrust and prejudice can be traced back to historic and often religion related legendary misconceptions about people belonging to alien geographical, political or racial identities. The destruction of the Babri mosque in India is an example of how distortion of history can nurture mass-hysteria for centuries. This author has had opportunities of working in association with fellow professionals of various nationalities, and was amused when many of them exclaimed "I often used to wonder what a Pakistani Mechanical Engineer would be like, but you are just like one of us -- the same theories, the same practices."  However, the object of this exercise is not to highlight the various regional prejudices but to point out that close contact in working on a common project helps to remove many of the fantasies or prejudices one may have about the other person, or people. Another common cause of many unrealistic and often schizophrenic attitudes is the supernatural mental pictures that people often have about various historic or holy places. By creating an obligation for every Muslim, who can afford, to visit the Masjidul Haram and assemble in the grounds of Arafat on a specified day of the year (9th Zul Haj) the Qur'an has ensured that people from all over the world would come in contact and develop mutual understanding. Many pilgrims are surprised to find that Makkah is a city like any other with streets, houses, bazaars, and mosques, except for the religious discipline and nonviolence which is a part of its life. Arabs, Aryans, Mongols, Negroes, Caucasians and people from many other races and nationalities live together and perform the Haj rites in complete unison and harmony. The prejudices resulting from differences in language, color and tradition evaporate and the experience of Haj convinces every participant that basically all human beings are the same and the apparent differences are insignificant. It thus eliminates the `clan or enemy' concept of the less developed cultures.

It is interesting that an attempt has been made to inculcate the same spirit by establishing a secular institution called the United Nations Organization. But unfortunately it consist of representatives of governments rather than people and is used for international intrigues rather than understanding. Much time is spent in maligning other nations and creating hatred and discord among people of different political inclinations. In the light of the failure and misuse of the UNO, the wisdom of limiting access to Makkah becomes quite obvious. The restriction, it transpires, is not a negative one but a positive one that requires everyone intending or aspiring to join in the great annual convention of unbiased humanity to accept the Islamic injunctions of universal freedom, equality, brotherhood, peace, honesty, truthfulness, humility and nonviolence first. This assertion becomes even clearer when one examines the rites and instructions of pilgrimage applicable to Haj.

All the rites performed during Haj are not prescribed clearly in the Qur'an. Some of the existing practices seem to be the results of improvisations by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) over ancient traditions, presumably with the help of divine guidance. In the enlightened era, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had only one opportunity of performing the Haj in the last year of his life when, according to estimates, he was accompanied by as many as a hundred thousand devotees. The traditions and narrations are many and sometimes even conflicting. There is some divergence of opinion on the relative significance of the various activities reportedly performed by the Prophet (PBUH). However, most scholars agree that circumambulations of the Ka'bah, which must not be confused with the prohibited act of worshiping the cubic structure itself which in its present form is no more than a symbolic axis and point of convergence, walking between the hills of Safa and Marwa, and the congregation and lecture or sermon at the grounds of Arafat on 9th Zul Haj are the essential elements in addition to the state of Ahram in which one must live with utmost simplicity and nonviolence and abstain from all normal pleasures and luxuries during three days of Haj. However, some of the ancient traditions regarding housing and travel conditions have been changing slowly with environmental changes in the area, although the basic tenets remain the same. It is hard to determine whether the prophet actually kissed the black stone or merely examined it at close quarters. One thing is definite -- he did not worship it. The most important aspect of Haj, indeed, is the attitude and intention of the pilgrim which should be one of total devotion and willingness to learn. Umra, a brief pilgrimage to the Ka'bah at any time of the year is also regarded as an adequate substitute for Haj.

The sacrifice of animals during Haj is not performed at an altar, but is meant for eating and distribution among the poor as described in verses 34 to 37 of Chapter 22 (The Pilgrimage). When looked at closely, the sacrifices and the shaving of heads seems to symbolize the end of the condition of Ahram and the restart of normal life for the pilgrim. The abundance of sacrificial meat would, inevitably, create an environment of feasting and celebration which is extended to the entire Muslim world by the custom of sympathetic sacrifices of Eidul Adha in commemoration of Ibraheem's (PBUH) demonstration of unflinching discipline. Pickthall translates verse 22:37 as follows:

     "Their flesh and their blood reach not Allah, but the devotion from you reacheth Him. Thus have We made them subject unto you that ye may magnify Allah that He hath guided you. And give good tidings (O Muhammad) to the good."    

The above stated verse and others in the same chapter can be construed to mean that the Qur'an is instructing believers to desist from the ancient traditions of wasteful ritual killings of healthy and useful animals as offerings to God. He, with his unrestrained ability to know what is in people's hearts, does not need any symbolic rituals to inform Him of an individual's intentions or beliefs.

The common belief arising from sayings of the Prophet (PBUH) that the performance of Haj washes away all past sins applies only to matters of an individual's obligations to God such as Salat or Fasting or perhaps Zakat. There is no reprieve from repaying debts or compensating for harm or injustices done to others. It is considered appropriate that before proceeding for Haj one must repay all debts, fulfill all social and contractual obligations, and make reparations for any discomfort or loss caused to anyone intentionally or unintentionally, publicly or secretly. And it goes without saying that one returning from Haj must try not to give up the spirit of pilgrimage ever.  

Capital Loses

It is happening after all. The people of the West are beginning to see through the façade and they are protesting. Although the press and electronic media are playing it down, the spark has all the potential to turn into a raging fire. The current protests are perhaps not very well articulated, but the feeling behind them is quite discernible. They are trying to break loose from the capitalist claw. They want freedom from the bondage of debt. They want their due share in the affluence brought about by their sweat, blood and tears. May be the movement will shake up the handful of Christian and Jewish extremists who have a strangle-hold on their lives. Or may be some new distraction will be created to take the wind out of the movement. But one thing is decided. The feelings of the oppressed masses of the West have taken the right direction. The next wave will definitely sweep the present lousy economic system aside.

How Benazir Died

Murder cases are always difficult to solve if there are more than one parties involved in them. However, if Hercule Poirot the fictional detective could solve the murder on the Orient Express, there is no reason why the case of Benazir Bhutto cannot be solved.

Video films of the murder shown on television clearly show a pistol shooter and a suicide bomber. But they were both on her left side while the wound was on the right side of the head. According to the doctors who had examined her corpse a piece of the skull above the right ear had disappeared. They thought that it could be an exit wound, but were perplexed that there was no entry wound. Pakistani police blamed the latch of the hatch of the bullet-proof car. Cryptically it would mean that what was meant to protect her became the cause of her death. The highly paid UN investigators also gave an inconclusive report and pointed in the same direction. No one seems to have been interested in the possibility of a third assassin. One thing seems obvious that the car was stopped at the particular point according to a plan and the crowd waiting outside rather than being inside park where she made the speech was gathered there for a purpose.

The scene of Benzir’s death had a number of multistoried buildings in the vicinity and there could have been one or more snipers on their roofs who could easily target her. It seems quite possible that a bullet fired from a high-powered rifle from one of the rooftops grazed Benazir’s head tangentially and drilled off a part of her skull above the right ear. Such a head injury could be fatal as it was.

The significant question is whether the three assassins were acting on their own or were sent by the same party or had been sent by three different parties. Many would immediately name three presidents, two past (from Pakistan and USA) and one present in Pakistan, but it would be very difficult to implicate any of them.

It is such a pity that in our time one of the basic requirement for being considered for the post of president or prime minister in many countries is the ability to give orders for clandestine assassinations – an honor previously reserved for mafia bosses.

Food Path

Scientists seem to divide life forms into three basic categories, microbes, plants and animals. The basic difference between plants and animals is that plants are stationary while animals are mobile. However, if we look at the basic supporting element for life it turns out to be food. All living beings need food to survive. So it seems reasonable that food or its consumption should form the basis of division of life forms. Based on the food path within their bodies, life forms can be divided into four categories – microbes, plants, animals and human beings as follows:

Microbes: No definable food path

Plants: Food path vertical upwards

Animals: Food path mostly horizontal

Human Beings: Food path vertical downwards

It is interesting that during the evolution from plant to human, the food path has taken two ninety degree turns in stages. It also shows that human beings are not a sub-species of animals but a more advanced and separate species.

What this means is that man is neither social animal as western philosophers put it, nor talking animal as arab philisophers pu it. Man is just man and under all circumstances he or she must act like man or woman and not like an animal. Ther is no room for animal instincts in human behavior.

A lot of research has been carried out on animal instincts in relation to biology, psychology and other fields and the same have been applied to human beings. Instintive actions or responses are those that can be performed without the need for a learning process.

Unique human instincts are responsibility, mercy, leadership, communication, problem solving, and hygeine not necessarily in the order of importance. The primary object of education should be to develop and groom these human instincts,

End of NOTWorld

The closure of the News of the World is a rare victory for decency and public opinion – an event to rejoice. The corruption that has spread in the world in the name of freedom of expression is simply appalling. The very meaning of journalism seems to have been lost. To my mind, if someone gets hurt and it is reported it is journalism; but if someone is paid to hurt someone so that it may be reported, it is not journalism: it is crime. Similarly if someone walks naked on the street and it is reported, it is journalism; but if someone is paid to walk naked so that it may be reported, it is not journalism: it is pimping. To go a bit further, if a bowler bowls badly a loses a game for his team and it is reported, it is journalism; but if a bowler is paid thru clandestine means to bowl badly to create a story it is anything but journalism. It is really disturbing that the editorial staff of NOTWorld instead of helping in the recovery of an abducted child used their skills and information to publish stories putting the innocent victim in greater danger and eventual death.

I must congratulate those entrepreneurs who had the courage and conviction to risk reduction in sales by not advertising in the bad newspaper. I believe that the civil society of the UK has found its strength and should be emulated by all everywhere. It gives me hope for the future of the worldwide human community.

New Definitions

Alcohol = Organic compound present in fermented beverages that has become a sex trigger   for people of many western nations due to prolonged usage over many centuries

Demoncracy = Corrupt democracy

Fate = Inability to explain


Intelligence = Information gained by stealth


UNO = Skyscraper in New York where diplomats of all countries assemble but those of a few authorize wars and impose sanctions to take away basic human rights from weak and helpless people

Audit Reports

Recently I was researching the financial status of some equipment manufacturers and banks in connection with a project. Apart from their technical and operational information I also collected summaries of their annual audited accounts.

As I surfed the web, I stumbled upon the websites of two of the world’s biggest and most influential financial institutions, The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. To my utter surprise I was unable to find any annual accounts, balance sheets or auditor’s reports on these websites, although there was a wealth of other data.

I really wonder as to whether these institutions are bound by any laws at all. If not, they must be the wellsprings of worldwide financial anarchy.

There were other things too that made me wonder. The World Bank’s slogan is “Working for a World free of poverty”. Does that mean they only look after the interests of those who are free of poverty at the expense of the poor? From their performance record it seems quite likely.

The IMF proudly states “Unlike the General Assembly of the United Nations, where each country has one vote, decision making at the IMF was designed to reflect the position of each member country in the global economy. Each IMF member country is assigned a quota that determines its financial commitment to the IMF, as well as its voting power.” Same story.

Dexter

In Latin the word dexter means on the right hand and sinister means the left hand. In English dexterity is skillfulness while sinister is evil. According to the Holy Qur’an on the day of Judgment those with the record of their deeds in the right hand will go to heaven while those with the record of their deeds in the left hand will go to hell. In the British parliament the ruling party sits on the right of the speaker while the opposition has to take the left seats. In political jargon a rightist is a conservative while a leftist believes in socialism or communism which is looked down upon by the rightists.

In this world majority of people are right handed, i.e. they prefer to work with their right hand and also write with it. There seems to be no biological explanation for it. But there can be a bio-mechanical one.

In most human bodies the heart is slightly to the left of the centerline of the torso and so is the stomach. Thus there is a slightly greater weight on the left side and the left foot. If the balancing system of the human body would not take care of it, most people would tend to lean to their left. Not surprisingly we have a tendency to extend our right hands when ever action is needed as it helps to balance the weight or more accurately the moment about the centre line.

The interesting question is, “why are our hearts and stomachs slightly to the left?” If we apply Darwin’s theory of evolution it would seem that initially equal numbers of people would have had their hearts and stomachs on the right or left or in the centre. May be in those days there were equal numbers of right-handed, left-handed and ambidextrous people. But those who favored the left side had a better chance of survival and outgrew the other types in population until the others became nearly extinct. It really boggles the mind as to what advantage having the heart and stomach on the left would give to a human being as opposed to having them on the right or in the centre.

Any suggestions?

OBL2?

There are people in this world who can swear that they attended the funeral of Osama bin Laden many years ago. And yet on 2nd May, 2011 US commandos raided a house in Abbottabad and shot a man they claimed to be OBL and announced that his DNA matched with some of his relatives. Next day as many as his three wives and some children were captured by the Pakistani military who verified that the man was named Osama bin Laden. How is that possible?

Simple enough! Osama might have had a namesake cousin who may have volunteered to act as his double or decoy when he was on the run. After the death of the famous OBL the innocent cousin might have decided to live out the rest of his life in anonymity in Abbottabad and although there was a multimillion dollar head money, those who knew about him decided to keep quiet until the CIA found out that someone by that name was alive and living there. The US leaders obviously thought that political mileage could be gained by having the poor man assassinated and the ugly operation was staged. It is not surprising that the face of the dead man was not shown to any outsider and the body was promptly disposed off out of anybody’s reach.

What a pity that some ten billion dollars that could have been spent on alleviating the misery of suffering humanity were wasted on hunting and killing a simple unsuspecting Beduin.

Just a guess, but it sounds plausible.

HEAT IS ON

Ever since I was taught Newton’s Law of Gravitation at school, “Every particle in the universe attracts every other particle…….,” I had been wondering how the particles know of each other’s existence. The first prerequisite for attracting or being attracted is awareness of the other’s presence. So there must be something being exchanged among all particles of matter in the universe. Some scientists have suggested the existence of a force field around everything that exists; others have proposed the existence of gravitons. But as usual, they all missed the obvious.

Way back in the early 1960s I learnt about thermal radiation and heat transfer and came across the Stefan-Boltzmann Law of Blackbody radiation discovered in late nineteenth century. A black body is a hypothetic body that completely absorbs all wavelengths of thermal radiation incident on it. Such bodies do not reflect light, and therefore appear black if their temperatures are low enough so as not to be self-luminous. All blackbodies heated to a given temperature emit thermal radiation given by:

q = σ T4 A (1)

where

q = heat transfer per unit time (W)

σ = 5.6703 10-8 (W/m2K4) - The Stefan-Boltzmann Constant

T = absolute temperature Kelvin (K)

A = surface area of the emitting body (m2)

It was later modified for grey and colored bodies that were not black and for temperature of the environment or other bodies interacting with it. The final simplified equation of net heat transferred from one body to another is of the form:

q = ε σ Fh,c (Th4 - Tc4) Ac

where ε is the emissivity, F the form factor and h and c denote the hotter and colder temperatures.

I had found the answer to my long unresolved conundrum. Every object in the universe makes its presence felt by emitting thermal radiation, the intensity of which is proportional to the fourth power of its absolute temperature, and every object reacts to change in temperature of every other object in its sight.