The Quran, to Muslims, is a living miracle....

EMINENT columnist and former diplomat M. Zamir is of that rare breed --- an individual whose knowledge is broad, whose interests are diverse, whose ideas are advanced, whose conversation sparkles and beckons, and who can present complex issues in simple distillation. His latest book, Ayats from Al-Quran and Hadith from Sahih Al-Bukhari, is a labour of love, the outcome of painstaking research and much effort.

To Muslims, the religion of Islam is coeval with humanity, not a new faith preached by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the 7th century AD. Divinely inspired prophets and messengers of God, starting from Adam have, over countless millennia, preached its eternal message in different ages and to different peoples. The religion was perfected with the revelation of the Quran to the final prophet and messenger of God, Hazrat Muhammad. The Quran, to Muslims, is of divine orgin, the immutable word of God. The Hadith comprise the teachings and traditions of the Prophet, and are a supplement to the Quran. As the name suggests, M. Zamir's book consists of two parts. The first part relates to the Quran and the second to selected Hadith from Sahih Al-Bukhari.

Allan Nevins and Henry Steele Commager, distinguished historians both, relate a singular incident in their Pocket History of the United States. During the American Civil War, many churches, educational institutions and libraries in the Confederate States were damaged and even burnt down. The librarian of the University of Alabama could save only one volume from fire, the Quran. Nevins and Commager were surely sufficiently intrigued by this fact. There is no other reason for them to mention it in a compact volume of history, more so as it had at best a tenuous link with the scope of their work.

To Muslims, the Quran is a living miracle. The first part of M. Zamir's book is a flexibly knit, concise commentary of the Quran. The Suras are treated serially. A brief introduction to a Sura is followed by a gist of the verses. The author's observations on selected verses of the Sura are given after that. The observations or comments, based on deep study, are persuasive. A few verses are given in Arabic and also in transliteration and translation.

Many would find interest in the Doas or supplications that have been cited; the occasions where they should especially be recited have also been given. The verses chosen by the author for his observations cover a wide range, from the philosophical and mystical to the allegorical and also to those that bear upon everyday life. There are virtues that are lauded, and character traits or tendencies that are deprecated. There is an impressive bibliography at the end of the book. In the preface, the author expresses thanks to, among others, eminent scholars whose published works have helped in his research. Abdullah Yusuf Ali, whose annotated English translation of the Quran is familiar to many, is among those mentioned.

The six compilations of Sahih Hadith that are considered the most exhaustive, the most authoritative, and are cited most often are by Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu Daud, Ibn Maja and Nasai. Of these, scholars have accorded primacy to Bukhari. The second part of M. Zamir's book contains selected Hadith from Sahih Bukhari. Hadith afford explanations, exegesis and insights. They serve to translate the high principles and great abstractions of the Quran into norms and guidelines for everyday life, at the personal and community levels. The author's selection covers various aspects of life and human behaviour, including faith, food, good manners, knowledge and revelation.

The book includes a good number of Doas and suggests the occasions most appropriate for their recital. There are striking similarities between some of the selected Hadith and scriptures of other faiths. On page 250 there is a Hadith that guests should be treated generously; similar to the Upanishadic dictum Athithi devo bhava Another Hadith on page 239 states that the majority of people entering the gates of Paradise “were the poor, while the wealthy were stopped at the gate”; comparable to the Gospel of Matthew (xix, 24): “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God.” The point underscored perhaps relates to social responsibility that goes with wealth and thus the higher standards of conduct expected of the wealthy. Incidentally, at the National Prayer Breakfast on February 5 this year, President Obama quoted the following Hadith: “None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.”

A few improvements are suggested for any future edition. An index would make the book more reader friendly. The English titles of some of the Suras have not been given. There are also some misprints and errors in editing. On page 155, it is suggested that the words “This day have I perfected your religion for you” are from Sura An-Nasr. They are from Sura Madia, Verse lll. On page 178 there is a very brief account of the Hadith relating to the prescription of five daily prayers. During Miraj, fifty prayers a day were enjoined initially, but later “reduced to five after entreaties of the Prophet on the advice of Abraham.” The reference is to Hadith no. 345 in volume I of Sahih Bukhari. The obligation of fifty daily prayers was reduced progressively to five, after the Prophet, at the instance of Moses, went back repeatedly to God to plead for reduction. Moses was concerned that a heavy obligation would be difficult to bear for Muslims.

A few editorial errors do not, of course, detract from the purpose and value of the book, which, in fact, should be of interest to many people. It is more than a primer or introduction to those who are not knowledgeable about Islam but wish to learn. To well-informed people, it should be a work of ready reference. At a secular level it gives a sense of the Muslim ethos and social values. Certainly it is a useful addition to the literature on religion. M. Zamir has probably touched more lives in the last half a dozen years than he did in a distinguished career of nearly thirty five years as a diplomat prior to that.

Housework: Enjoy It ! ! !

Washik

Housework seems like a hassle to most. We often feel too lazy to tidy up our houses on a regular basis. But ultimately, it's us, who turn out to be the sufferers. It takes a greater deal of time to clean up when you let those clutters collect at your home for a little too long. But cleaning can be fun! If you feel the cleaning task too gruelling then put on your favourite record on the stereo. Work with fun as you dance to the tune of your favourite music. Your cleaning task will seem less tiresome.
Then there are those easy tricks for quicker cleaning. Choose your weekend to straighten up your entire house. Carry a basket filled with cleaning materials as you move about the house. This basket will save you the time of moving back and forth to get cleaning materials. While you start cleaning, remember not to jump on to a new room before you are done with the first one. Make sure you have enough time on your hands if you really wish to tidy up those hard-to-reach nooks of your rooms. We often save up those old magazines, which we know we won't read anymore. These magazines and newspapers only cast a messy look on our rooms. So stop saving them. Besides, eliminate anything that you haven't used for more than 2 to 3 years. You can free up your shelf-space if you stop collecting unnecessary things.
While cleaning, as you move around the house, pick up the things, which don't belong to those particular rooms. Later on, put them in their appropriate place. You can also rearrange your kitchen cupboards or the wardrobe while you are talking over your cordless receiver. This 2-in-one idea will help to cut your actual time into half.
If you suddenly hear that a pack of guests is about to invade your house, then instead of freaking-out, rush to the living room and tidy it up in a jiffy. How? Pay attention to obvious clutters. Remove the dead flowers, empty the ashtray, and straighten up the cushions, rugs, chairs and decorative pieces to give the room a sense of order. Then finally, turn on a lamp and spray the air freshener. In a few minutes, your chamber will change its appearance. Housework can actually be simple and fun if you really want it that way. Since we'll have to tidy up the house anyway, then let's learn to enjoy it............

Blaze at Bashundhara City

Washik

A raging blaze yesterday reduced the upper levels of the capital's Bashundhara City shopping complex to a skeleton, killing at least seven people and injuring 20 others.

Ill-equipped to douse high-rise flames, the fire fighters could do little as the fire that broke out on the 17th floor at around 1:45pm swallowed up two floors above and three below.

Later, military, police and Rab personnel joined them and brought the flames under control at around 9:00pm.

For hours, they fought an uphill battle with miserably inadequate equipment at their disposal.

Since Fire Service and Civil Defence's only aerial ladder cannot gain access beyond 13th floor, six floors of the 20-storey mall-cum-office tower remained out of the fire fighters' reach to be left in ruins.

Black plumes of smoke from the high rise spiralled upward, while blazing windowpanes, furniture and other objects rained down on the pavement.

Of those dead, Baki Billa, a member of Bashundhara's own firefighting department, slipped and fell trying to climb down a rope.

Three others however made safe landing while an air force chopper rescued another fireman from the rooftop.

The injured were rushed to nearby clinics and hospitals and treated for burns and smoke inhalation.

Lt Commander Shahidul Islam, who led a 36-member rescue team from the navy, said they searched through the affected floors, but found no-one.

However, locals said a number of people might be trapped inside as smoke and heat made it difficult to come out to safety. Their fears came true as the rescuers in a post-fire search found six bodies beside the elevator doors on the 17th floor.

Witnesses said none of the corpses could be identified as they were charred beyond recognition.

Some staff of the shopping complex, the largest in the country, said they were afraid the bodies retrieved might be their six missing colleagues'.

Earlier, hundreds of panic-stricken shoppers scrambled for exits as summer winds fanned the flames on the floors overhead.

Those who were in the cineplex and gymnasium in the shopping centre were brought out of the building through gates on the west.

The sight of upper Bashundhara burning fiercely caused panic among occupants of the neighbouring buildings.

With the television channels broadcasting live the inferno leaping across the landmark structure, thousands of people crowded the Panthapath area to see first-hand how things develop. As a result, fire trucks struggled to reach the scene.

Director General (DG) of Fire Service Brig Gen Abu Naim Mohammad Shahidullah said cause of the fire could not yet be known. Some of the shop-owners at the mall however said short-circuit might be responsible.

In the evening, the government formed a three-member committee to probe the incident.

Shahnoor Miah, public relations officer of the home ministry, told The Daily Star that Abdul Hanif, joint secretary (police) of the ministry, will head the committee that has been asked to submit report within seven workdays. The other two members are from the police and fire brigade.

State minister for home, local lawmakers, inspector general of police (IGP), DG of Rab, Dhaka Metropolitan police commissioner and other senior officials visited the scene immediately.

State Minister for Home Tanjim Ahmed Sohel said the fire could not be put out due to lack of proper firefighting equipment.

"The fire brigade should have at least five ladders, while they have only one," he observed.

Vehicular movement on Panthapath, Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue, Sonargaon Road and Green Road were suspended to avert accidents and help the fire fighters and others reach the spot.

Casualties would have been much higher had all the offices not been closed on the weekend.

Sleepless Night……….

It’s almost four in the morning. I could not sleep… I went to bed early thinking that after the hard day’s work that I went through today. I would sleep like a log. But I could not. I kept thinking about when I will be finished with my … about how I won’t be able to jam with my band day after tomorrow because I could not … I went to bed listening to my favorite tracks of Bappa thought how I would have a band like he dose. But still I could not sleep …. I was frustrated. I don’t know with what, but I was totally frustrated with something that I could not point out. May be it’s that girl I keep thinking about. I needed a smoke. It was 3.30 am and I’m out of cigarettes…. How convenient …!...!...!...!

I can’t sleep like a log now………………


Thanks
Washik