Random thoughts
By Dr A Q Khan

By looking at the title of this column, you might suppose that I am going to talk about hypocrites, the takers of bribes, adulterators, thieves or murderers, after which I would once again arrive at identifying the enemies of the nation and the state. Far from it! I do not intend to take that painful route today. What I am going to talk about here is a very serious story full of lessons for all of us. My attention was drawn to it by a dear friend of mine, Dr Shamsul Haq Alvi, who is professor of civil engineering and architecture at the University of Bahrain. I am also thankful to my dear friend, Prof Dr M Al-Ghazali for his invaluable input.

We (should) all know that in our Islamic history, there have been four great Imams whose legal edicts are followed by the majority of Muslims today. These are: Imam Abu Hanifah, Imam Malik, Imam Shafei and Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal. The majority of our Shia brothers generally follow Imam Jafar Sadiq. Let me also mention in passing that Imam Muhammad, a well-known disciple of Imam Abu Hanifah, was the teacher of Imam Shafei. The latter was the teacher of Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal. Imam Malik, who used to give lectures in the Prophet’s mosque at Madinah, was also among the teachers of Imam Shafei. All these Imams were thus connected to a common network of Muslim scholarship and all of them strived to promote the understanding and application of the Divine Commands and instructions given by the Holy Prophet (PBUH) to the lives of the Muslim community.
Read the rest of this entry »

Random thoughts
by Dr A Q Khan

The history of most countries of the world is full of wars and victories and defeats. While a nation is proud of its victories, it is the defeats that leave indelible marks, unforgettable pain and, to some extent, ignominy. Sometimes a victory after many defeats becomes a landmark in the history of that nation. The great victories achieved by Napoleon Bonaparte were followed by his defeats in Russia and at Waterloo. Similarly, Hitler’s victories were undone by his ultimate defeat and suicide. Neither the French nor the Germans will ever forget these defeats.
Read the rest of this entry »

Random Thoughts
by Dr. A. Q. Khan

In his letter to Mr Zahid Malik, Mr Ghulam Ishaq Khan also wrote: “Some foreign countries, with a resolute agenda for establishing a non-proliferation regime globally, took serious note of this development and their ‘Imam’ decided to penalise the country for its ’sin’ of acquiring nuclear explosive technology and audacious defiance of their avowed strategic policy objectives. Accordingly, in 1990, economic sanctions were imposed on Pakistan and the military aid and financial assistance…was totally suspended…

Read the rest of this entry »