Random thoughts
Dr A Q Khan

The following answers are in continuations of last week’s article.

The nine that have no tenth are the nine mischief-makers of Bani Israel, for Allah says: “….and there were in the city nine men who made mischief in the land and would not reform” (27:48).

The ten that have no eleventh are the ten days of fasting prescribed for one who is performing the Pilgrimage of Tamatu (one of the three procedures of pilgrimage), but who cannot afford to sacrifice an animal, for Allah says: “…(but if he cannot afford it), he should fast for three days during the pilgrimage and seven days after his return, making ten days in all.” (2:196)

The eleven that have no twelfth are the Prophet Yusuf and his brothers, for Allah says: “…indeed I saw eleven stars.” (12:4)
Read the rest of this entry »

Random thoughts
Dr A Q Khan

God has created us in different tribes with different shapes, colours culture, taste and habits. Even our preference for literature varies from person to person. Personally, I have always been fond of reading books on Islamic history, Urdu literature, (auto)biographies and scientific books. I read, with great interest, books on Urdu poetry, Nasim Hijazi, Al-Farooq, Road to Mecca, Ghubar-e-Khatir, Urdu ki Aakhri Kitab, Ibn Batuta’s Travelogue, Tazkiratul Aoulia, etc. The latter is extremely interesting, with detailed biographies of 96 auliya with special emphasis on their spiritual powers.
Read the rest of this entry »

Random thoughts
By Dr A Q Khan

In one of my previous articles about Bhopal, I had written about its founding ruler, Raja Bhojpal and his sighting of the splitting of the moon, his sending of gifts, including betel leaves, to our Holy Prophet (PBUH).

My dear Bhopali friend, Tameezul Haq, has drawn my attention to another very important event that took place and has sent me a photocopy of an article published in the Kerala Magazine in 1948, based on Tareekh-e-Uzbekistan by Syed Kamaluddin Ahmad. Following is an excerpt from that article:
Read the rest of this entry »