Syed Abdullah Tariq

إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعونَ یہ کون ہنستا ہے اُن خاک رُو دِوانوں پر جنہوں نے قیمتِ جاں پیشگی ادا کردی لہو سے سرخ جو سر میں نے اس کو پیش کیا قبول کر کے حیاتِ ابد عطا کردی #KhameneiMartyrdom #Khamenei

إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعون yeh kaun hansta hai un khāk-rū divānoñ par jin'hoñ ne qīmat-e-jāñ peshgī adā kar dī lahū se surkh jo sar maiñ ne us ko pesh kiyā qubūl kar ke ḥayāt-e-abad ʿaṭā kar dī #KhameneiMartyrdom #Khamenei

The best definition of #war I've come across was given by Erich Hartman, himself an air force pilot in World War II. Every person killed in a war, whether a soldier or a civilian, is a human being with a right to live, and the tragedy lies in how young lives are sacrificed for territorial or political ambitions that rarely serve the people or even the armies themselves. The countries stockpile lethal arms, which can annihilate the world many times over and ironically, the ministries responsible for this are called Ministries of Defence! UN @FAO says that less than 9% of the world's military expenditure can eradicate poverty from the earth within five years. Until the people of the world rise to question these man-made divisions, called borders, and demand the dismantling of armies and so-called Ministries of Defence, the cycle of bloodshed will continue. #Peace #WORKforCompassion

CONDEMNATION The #Pahalgam terror attack is deeply condemnable. I have always maintained that terrorism is among the gravest crimes against humanity. But when such atrocities are committed in the name of Islam, they represent the lowest depths of depravity, for they not only take innocent lives but also defile a sacred faith. Any attack on unarmed civilians is an act of terrorism—there is no justification for it, political, religious, or otherwise. If media reports are accurate, and the terrorists asked names before killing the tourists, then they were not just murderers of individuals—they were murderers of all humanity as per Qur’an (5:32). The victims were neither combatants, killers, nor agents of chaos; they were simply people who deserved life and dignity as being the progeny of Adam. This heinous act also raises serious questions about the effectiveness of the political changes imposed in #Kashmir . Clearly, such measures are unable to end the cycle of violence. Lasting peace will continue to elude us until we evolve beyond divisions—towards the ideal of One Earth, without borders, shared by all its inhabitants. If and when it happens, it will be our #AkhandBharat, an abode of Peace. ........................ CONDOLENCE: The passing of Pope Francis is a huge loss for all of humanity. As the spiritual leader of the largest religious following in the world, he embodied humility, compassion for the poor, and a progressive spirit. He advocated for greater rights for women within the Church, championed interfaith dialogue, and consistently raised his voice on issues threatening humanity—whether on the ground or in the atmosphere. In what became his final public act, he condemned the ongoing violence in Gaza and called for an immediate ceasefire, courageously standing for justice and peace until his last breath. May God reward his noble efforts for humanity and may the world be blessed with a worthy successor to carry forward his noble legacy.

As we gather for Pujas and #FridayPrayers, Let us not forget to pray For the vibrant colors of #Happiness and #Peace To return and stay forever— Not just for today— In the lives of all, including: The elderly in old-age homes, The widows in ashrams, The innocents in orphanages, And the needy. Wishing you a Happy and Peaceful #Holi From Syed Abdullah Tariq and the WORK Family

FAST OR FEAST? As Ramadan begins, Muslims exchange greetings, celebrating it as a month of blessings. At least, that is what I once believed. However, witnessing their practices and routines during this sacred month challenges that assumption. For most, Ramadan has become more of a festival than a time of spiritual devotion. In Muslim neighborhoods, nights come alive with bustling crowds—youth and even elders flock to vendors and restaurants with special Ramadan cuisine, loiter in groups, or engage in idle chatter until Suhoor (Sahri). Instead of a time for reflection and worship, the nights turn into a social pastime. Moreover, the unhealthy indulgence in Iftar meals often counteracts the physical benefits of fasting. Laden with deep-fried and fatty foods, these feasts harm rather than heal. Right from the word go at the sunset, they fall at the extravagant spreads, seldom pausing to reflect on the millions who struggle for a single meal—many of whom suffer from chronic hunger, and some even die of starvation. The Prophet (S.A.W.) did indeed greet his companions upon sighting the Ramadan moon, but for a different reason: "The Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) said, greeting his companions, 'The month of Ramadan has come to you, a blessed month. Allah has enjoined fasting upon you. In it, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained. In it is a night that is better than a thousand months. Whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived.’" (Musnad Ahmad 8991) Ramadan is a time to strengthen our connection with Allah. Instead of turning it into a nightly feast on the streets, it should be a period of self-discipline, deepening our understanding of the Qur’an, and perfecting our Salah. It is a month to cultivate empathy for the poor and needy. "The Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) was the most generous of people, and he was even more generous in Ramadan when Gabriel met him. Gabriel would meet him every night of Ramadan and study the Qur’an with him. The Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) was more generous in bringing good to people (in this month) than the blowing wind." (Bukhari 6) Will Muslims pause to reflect on these truths?

"The Qur'an teaches us that our words should be based on reason and evidence, but our tone and manner should be such that the listener finds them pleasant—not just ourselves." Excerpt from Allama's speech. Refer Qur'an (16:125) Scripted by Sumu Tariq. #QuranicWisdom #WORKforCompassion

'Saum' is the only pillar of Islam that has a unique status that all the ayaat related to it are gathered in one place in the Quran, in Surah Al-Baqarah (183-187). But then, a doubt arises… Ayah 186 seems different from the rest: وَإِذَا سَاَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا لِي وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا بِي لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ "And when My servants ask you concerning Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me and believe in Me that they may be guided." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:186) At first glance, it may seem like a mismatch—why is this ayah about Allah’s closeness placed in the middle of the fasting ayaat? But can anything in the word of Allah ﷻ be abrupt or out of context? Never. This placement holds a profound message related to Ramadan. Watch this Khutbah to uncover its wisdom: youtu.be/YiDk1XMQ0DQ?si… Let this month be a journey of spiritual closeness. Ramadan Mubarak to Everyone #Ramadan #Quran #Spirituality (Scripted by Sumu Tariq)

This Ramadan, make a firm Resolution. Let not your Salah be a mere Regulation. Let it evolve into a true Connection. Watch this video to discover what ‘Connection during Salah’ truly means: 🌐 youtu.be/QzW3WFWkGQU?si… The holy Christ said: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7) And the Qur’an assures: "As for those who strive in Us, We shall surely guide them to Our ways.” (29:69) If you’ve tried before and struggled, do not be disheartened. True steadfastness (Sab’r) is about enduring with faith—and the greatest reward of patience is Allah Himself. “Surely, Allah is with those who patiently persevere (Sabireen).” (2:153) Be resolute. Strive with perseverance. You will, by His grace, experience at least partly, that divine connection in Salah. experience, And who knows? You may be among the truly blessed who attain complete success.

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu, Announcement: First Day of Ramadan Fasting Insha’Allah, Ramadan fasting will commence on Sunday, March 2, 2025. The new moon will not be visible anywhere in the Indian subcontinent on Friday, February 28, 2025. However, it will be clearly visible across India on Saturday, March 1, 2025, wherever the weather is clear. Consequently, Tarawih Salah will begin on the Don’t Miss the Tarawih Congregation Without a Valid Excuse While some mistakenly consider Tarawih to be Sunnah Mu’akkadah (an emphasized Sunnah), those who neglect this congregational performance are truly missing out on a tremendous blessing. The month of Ramadan is deeply connected with the Qur’an, as it was revealed in this sacred month. Traditionally, the entire Qur’an is recited in Tarawih prayers wherever organized. A Hafiz leads the prayer, while another Hafiz ensures the accuracy of the recitation. Since the time of Hazrat Umar (RA), Tarawih has been an essential means for Huffaz (memorizers of the Qur’an) to maintain and verify their memorization with precision. While written and digital copies of the Qur’an can be vulnerable to unintentional errors, the tradition of Tarawih, with continuous scrutiny by Huffaz, remains the most reliable way to preserve the Qur’an’s accuracy and authenticity. By participating in Tarawih, you become a part of this sacred tradition of safeguarding the Qur’an—an honor exclusive to Ramadan. Important Guidelines for Tarawih Congregation 1. Choose a Properly Conducted Tarawih * Avoid praying behind an Imam who recites too fast. * The Qur’an explicitly warns against hasty recitation. * The permissible speed is where every word is clearly distinguishable by non-Hafiz followers. * If the recitation is too fast, it is better to skip that congregation than to stand behind a disobedient Imam. 2. Avoid Undesirable Debates About 8 or 20 Rak‘ahs * Engaging in arguments over whether Tarawih should be 8 or 20 Rak‘ahs is a form of transgression. * The Prophet (SAW) prayed 8, 12, 20, and even more Rak'ahs on different occasions. * If you prefer 8 Rak‘ahs, join a congregation that follows this practice. * If attending a 20 Rak‘ah congregation, avoid leaving after only 8 Rak‘ahs. 3. Use a Small Qur’an or a Qur’an App During Tarawih * It is essential to stay focused and attentive during Salah. * Tarawih is longer than regular prayers, making it easier to get distracted. * The Qur’an commands us to listen attentively when it is recited. To maintain concentration, you may follow along by holding: - A small printed Qur’an - A Qur’an app on your mobile device * This helps maintain focus, prevents distractions, and enhances engagement with the recitation—making Tarawih feel shorter and more fulfilling. 4. Join Tarawih Online If Unable to Attend in Person * Women or men with valid reasons may join Tarawih online. * Tarawih will be streamed live on the following YouTube channel: 👉 @allamasyedabdullahtariqshorts?si=CSuyiGVvkvPp1XhG" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">youtube.com/@allamasyedabd… ⏰ Timings: (Insha’Allah) * Isha Salah: 8:00 PM IST * Tarawih Salah: 8:15 PM IST For any queries, contact us via WhatsApp: +91 93680 09628 May Allah bless us all with a spiritually enriching Ramadhan and accept our prayers, fasting, and devotion. Jazakum Allahu Khairan.

THE KUMBH — APPRECIATION AND CONCERNS The #KumbhMela2025, spanning 45 days, was undoubtedly the largest gathering of its kind in the world. The smooth execution of such a massive event is commendable, and the Uttar Pradesh government deserves credit for its successful organization. While a few casualties occurred in some areas of the Kumbh site and at New Delhi railway station, these were minimal given the immense crowd. However, was the claimed figure of 65 crore devotees taking a holy dip accurate? I have my doubts. India has approximately 111 crore Hindus today. Excluding around 11 crore comprising most of the tribal groups, Lingayats, non-religious individuals, or followers of many sects like the Brahma Kumaris—who do not practice the ritual of the holy dip—the number of believers in this tradition reduces to 100 crore. Further adjustments must be made. Nearly 25% of this population comprises children below 14, and another 0.85% are elderly individuals above 80. Realistically, at least 90% of these age groups would be unable to attend such a crowded event, reducing the number of potential devotees to around 87 crore. If 65 crore people truly took the holy dip, roughly 3 out of every 4 eligible Hindus would have done so. Ask your Hindu acquaintances — did 75% of them attend the Kumbh? Obviously, the media has dramatically overstated this statistic unnecessarily and without justification. Even if no lies were circulated, the Kumbh Mela would continue to be the world's greatest gathering, and its organizers would merit recognition. What troubles me is the overall deception and spectacle surrounding the event. The claim that this was a once-in-144-years occurrence is baseless—neither historical records nor religious texts support it. The term "Maha Kumbh" was only introduced in 2001, and the event has traditionally been held every 12 years. Furthermore, several high-ranking politicians and celebrities visited purely for PR purposes. According to YouTube videos, some people did not fully immerse themselves, while others did so only partially and some only stood in water without even taking a partial dip. According to Hindu tradition, a real holy dip necessitates complete immersion in the sacred river. Finally, those sincere and learned Hindu reformists who emphasize the true spiritual importance of the symbolic plunge have been overlooked in favor of blind faith, which reduces it to a mere ritual. As someone who envisions Bharat as the #VishwaGuru when #Satyuga rises from India, I'm disheartened to witness such pervasive fallacies on a national scale. How can we aspire to spiritual leadership when so much deceit pervades our collective consciousness? #manipulation

NEWS AND VIEWS The shrewd and sometimes misleading marketing techniques of international allopathic drug manufacturers have often been exposed. News: Baba Ramdev, in promoting Patanjali’s products, has come up with a unique stunt. In a viral video, he races against a horse, overtakes it, and declares: "Ghode ki tarah tez daudne ki taakat, strong immunity, anti-aging aur power chahiye toh Swarna Shilajit avam Immunogrit Gold khaaiye." (If you want the speed of a horse, strong immunity, anti-aging, and power, then consume Swarna Shilajit and Immunogrit Gold.) moneycontrol.com/news/trends/ba… Views: While video editing can enhance speed, a still frame reveals that the horse was trotting and the ‘Trot’ of a horse has a speed range of 10–19 km/h with an average speed of 15 km/h. Additionally, Ramdev ran for just 14 seconds before stopping. A healthy 59-year-old running at 20 km/h for such a short duration is not an extraordinary feat. The benefits of the herbs he promotes are well known. However, instead of being swayed by marketing gimmicks, consumers should rely on genuine user reviews when deciding whether to purchase such products. #falseadvertising #herbs

Contacting you after three days. I was in Mumbai for two days with two engagements on Saturday, Oct. 22, and one on Sunday, Oct. 23. Maharashtra head, Br. Awais Ansari, received me at the airport at 7:45 a.m. and we reached Heritage Hotel. His wife and little Kulsoom accompanied him. As we had to wait an hour for the room, Awais suggested I have the complimentary breakfast while they waited. I felt ashamed leaving baby Kulsoom as I ate. At 3:00 p.m., we headed to Phoenix Paragon Plaza in Kurla for a podcast, delayed 15 minutes by Mumbai traffic. I had never met or spoken to the host, Zeeshan Sheikh, who has 4.3 million followers on his main channel. Like most Muslims, he had little knowledge of Islam, but his curiosity set him apart. Our brief pre-podcast chat revealed his rational, absorbing nature. Initially, he intended to discuss Islam’s stance on the ‘Law of Attraction’ and ‘Manifestation.’ However, our earlier conversation shifted his focus to the true spirit behind Islamic practices, particularly Namaz (Salah), often reduced to rituals. His popularity is linked to the ‘Law of Attraction,’ and I am glad that it wasn’t brought up as addressing it honestly, might have cost him followers. While some of the Theory’s aspects like positivity are in common with Islam, its core philosophy is self-centered and focused on worldly success. In contrast, Islam prioritizes the life hereafter and encourages selflessness and charity. The podcast went well—at one point, I saw tears in Zeeshan’s eyes, which moved me too. It was a first for me in an interview. From there, we proceeded to Alma Latifi Hall, Sabu Siddique College, Byculla, for a talk on ‘The Role of Muslims in Promoting Peace and Understanding.’ Traffic delayed us an hour. The turnout was slightly below expectations, but the audience was deeply engaged. I poured my heart out and they seemed to absorb it all. The Pune team and some in Mumbai, including Br. Nadeem Quraishi, worked hard for this event. Thanks to Mr. Mushtaq Sb., a longtime supporter of WORK, we got the venue free of charge. Dr. Zaheer I. Kazi, secretary of the Anjuman, managing the college, presided, and other Anjuman office bearers attended. On Nov. 23, we had a scheduled meeting with all the WORkers who had traveled to Mumbai. It was heartening to see participation not just from Mumbai and Pune but also from Nasik, Jalgaon, Latur, Sholapur, Ahmad Nagar, Gujarat, and even Karnataka and Dubai! The three-and-a-half-hour meeting, including a quick lunch, flew by as if it were three-and-a-half minutes and then I had to depart. One day, I will part from all the WORKers, and our time together will seem short. That is life, but the WORK will continue and proceed on and on, Insha’Allah.