Random thoughts
By Dr A Q Khan

Miserliness and greed always go hand in hand. A miser never has enough and will try to gain more wealth and property by any means – fair or unfair. We have all heard of the uncontrolled greed exhibited by Marcos of the Philippines. Ferdinand Marcos was so greedy that he stole many billions of dollars worth of public money and stashed it in personal accounts in Switzerland. He was ignominiously exiled and died abroad. In the end, that money was of no avail to him and his family. Nobody needs more than a million dollars to lead a comfortable, luxurious life, but greed has no limits. Another example is Sani Abacha, the military dictator of Nigeria.

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Random thoughts
By Dr A Q Khan

The word “borrowing” in itself looks so simple, but it has been responsible for untold and unimaginable hardship and misery to many. Only someone who has been a victim of this curse, whether lender or borrower, knows the consequences.

Almighty Allah has clearly warned against it in the Quran:

1. As for those who devour interest, they behave as the one whom Satan has confounded with his touch. Seized in this state, they say: Buying and selling is but a kind of interest, even though Allah has made buying and selling lawful, but interest unlawful (haram). (2:275-276)

2. Believers! Have fear of Allah and give up all outstanding interest if you do truly believe. But if you fail to do so, then be warned of war (chastisement) from Allah and His Prophet. If you repent even now, you have the right of the return of your capital; neither will you do wrong nor will you be wronged. But if the debtor is in difficult circumstances, let him have respite until the time of ease, and whatever you remit by way of charity is better for you. If only you know. (2:278-280)

3. Believers! Do not devour interest, double and redoubled, and be mindful of Allah, so that you may attain true success. (3:130)
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Random thoughts
by Dr.  A.  Q. Khan

Ye nagar sau martaba loota gaya

Was the romantic verse recited by famous Urdu poet Mir Taqi Mir almost two hundred years ago. “Nagar” (meaning his heart having fallen in love and been robbed a hundred times) also hinted at the city of Delhi that was attacked and looted so many times. Mir belonged to Delhi and had to migrate to Lucknow after it was attacked and its inhabitants were mercilessly massacred at the hands of the invaders, Nadir Shah and Ahmad Shah Abdali. When he reached Lucknow dressed very shabbily, people looked down upon him and taunted him. He responded with the following verse:

Kya bood-o-baash poochho ho, poorab ke saakino,
Ham ko ghareeb jaan-ke, hans-hans pukaar-ke.
Dilli jo ik sheher tha aalam men intikhaab,
Rehte-the muntakhab hi jahaan rozgaar ke,
Us-ko falak ne loot-kee veeraan kar-diya;
Ham rehne-vaale hain usi ujre dayaar ke.

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