Soul Talk

Goodness is achieved by purifying thought, mind and action, for which silence is essential.


It is commonly observed that people make loud thinking and express their anxieties. Sometimes abuses are also uttered.


Persons hearing this talk, need not participate or take notice of this or interfere; as the person, who has formulated his loud talk, might have been influenced by many factors, and hence any person hearing this, should not take notice at all. The loud talk is in the realm of imagination and not a reality.


There is an unwritten law in morals and customs as well as in religious ethics that a person should be cautious about his utterances, as such utterances will have serious consequences.


Silence, patience and prayers are suggested remedies. It is a golden remedy. It prevents many complications that crop up due to such loud thinking, as many persons do not have capacity to make distinction between loud talk, vain talk or outburst of emotions or about cold calculated thought, which is crystallised for execution and action.


Persons of high maturity which is attained due to experience in life, religious influence and spirituality, concentrate on the Almighty and ponder His creation. Some persons, who have not cultivated their manners and are bereft or high thinking and spiritual life, tend to comment on others, with a view to cause injury and hurt.


In such circumstances as well, the person exposed to such vain talk, should not react and by remaining calm and aloof, he wards off much evil, mischief and wrong. He should not express his hurt or react to such vain and inglorious person’s activities. Totally neglecting such persons and keeping distance is the best remedy. Spiritual people maintain calm and total distance from such vain, inglorious and vulgar talk and do not participate or react to such people’s behaviour.


Spiritual people’s aim is to elevate their self to high goals of ultimate goodness. Goodness is achieved by purifying thought, mind and action, for which silence is essential and to remain totally aloof and in non-participation in such talks and being in such company.


Just as an innocuous remark or loud thinking does not call for reaction or comments by persons hearing it, likewise, praise of one’s personality may have arisen out of some motive to please the person in question. It may be misleading and not arising out of genuine reasons or the praise may not be a real one. A person may be applauded today, but at the same time, his other deeds might have been overlooked or not taken notice of. It quite often happens that the real nature of a praised person is never revealed. His dark deeds are camouflaged and when it gets exposed, the very praised person is denigrated. Praise is like a poison to personal spiritual growth. It may encourage and enliven the person for some time, if it has been made for some genuine achievement, but praise for praise’s sake, damages the person’s perspective and the praised one begins to live in a “fools paradise”, and due to this consistent feeling of elation, he develops ego and personality disorder. Therefore, it is philosopher’s advice to avoid praise or flattery.


(The writer is editor of Sufi World and be reached at internationalsuficentre@gmail. com)

Survey of Non-muslim over Muslim Women Wearing Hijab


In our increasingly polarized world, issues once unimportant have become a source of discord among people, irrespective of religion or culture. The issue of hijab, burqa or purdah, for instance, is drawing huge debates from western as well as other communities in India.


A silent revolution gaining support from all over India is occurring. While on one hand more and more educated Muslim women are voluntarily opting for the hijab, misconceptions abound among the non-Muslims about the issue.


A random survey of Non-muslims towards hijab conducted by Islamic Voice and Trends Research and Analysis Centre (TRAC) revealed a widespread misunderstanding surrounding Islam and those who wear a hijab. The sample size was 391.


Non-Muslims between 17 to 35 years both male and female were asked, “What thought comes to your mind, the moment you see a women wearing a veil?” 28 % of the respondents opined that they thought a Muslim woman is suppressed and wearing the veil against her will, 24 % respondent said that Muslim women wearing hijab are less educated, 18 % of the respondents opined it is Muslim women’s Faith and personal choice and 17 % said hijab protects the honour of Muslim women, and 13 % respondents said Muslim women wearing hijab are submissive and superstitious


Roswita Mendes, 29, an interior designer said “I have many Muslim friends whose parents have no problems with their sons going to late night parties or having girlfriends or smoking, but they cannot stand their daughters without purdah”. I think forcing Muslim girls to wear purdah is inhuman”, she said, “Even if hijab is mandatory in Islam, why does the society not enforce Islamic teaching on Muslim boys instead of singling out girls”.


Sneha Masalkar, 23, student of MBA program opines that often the wearing of the Hijab is something that is done for the same societal and family pressures that compel women to do things like shave their legs, put on make-up, etc. “People in a city like Mumbai don’t really care what people wear; if a Muslim woman enjoys wearing the Hijab, it’s her choice and I respect her choice”, said Sneha.


According to Alok Banerjee, creative director with an advertising agency, the issue really isn’t whether wearing a Hijab is good or bad. “I think it can be either, depending on the situation; it’s whether women can choose to do one or the other. I dare say a woman choosing to wear a Hijab in India would probably fare better than a woman choosing to wear a tank top, skirt, or revealing dress, etc. in India” he said.


Dr Jayna Shah, a general practitioner believes that freedom means choice and while many women find the hijab liberating and secure, countless others find it restrictive and suffocating and can’t wait to be rid of it. “Not wanting to offend anyone, I have a Muslim boyfriend and recently wanted to experience the hijab to see what it’s like. One should not judge unless you’ve been in that place yourself. In India, with its hot and humid climate, a hijab is more an inconvenience then anything else. Being in loose, bulky clothes restrict your movement” she said.


Priyanka Desai, 26, receptionist with a five star hotel, does not believe that the hijab protects women from rape. Arguing that tons of research has concluded that attire will not keep women from being raped she said “Rape is about power, not sex. Countless women have been raped and murdered in full hijab. Yet, we choose to ignore this. Rape can only be eradicated by teaching men to respect women and their bodies and not by hiding the women” she said.


Aditi Divatia, 26, HR manager with an Insurance company, thinks hijabed Muslim women exclude themselves from a whole lot of outdoor activities such as sports and going to gym. “While the hijab might attract stereotyping at the workplace, I firmly believe that it’s the person, in the end, that will earn the promotion in the corporate world, and not the clothing - I’ve seen talented Muslim women with full hijab getting promotion on merits” she said.


Prinka Arora, 25, product executive with a multinational company when asked what comes to her mind when she comes across a Muslim woman in hijab said, “I envy her. I am struggling to keep pace with the changing fashion scenario everyday whereas a Muslim woman in hijab has no such pressure. She is so lucky. I wish even I could have the liberty of wearing hijab”.