Dowry - A norm or a social disease?

Like all regions of Asia, Pakistani society is directed by a variety of cultural institutions and traditions, customs, norms and practices. One such cultural heritage adopted as a staunch custom is ‘Dowry’ or ‘Jahaiz’. Dowry means the materialistic things (the property, goods, or estate) that a wife brings to her husband in marriage or a gift of money or property to her man. In actuality this custom was initiated by Hindus hundreds of years ago and now unfortunately, it has migrated into Pakistan as well, running rampant like a disease in all regions of Pakistan.
Dowry or Jahaiz makes the girl acceptable and conventional depending on the amount of it brought by the girl. The larger the amount is, the more conventional the girl becomes.
Is there any such concept in Islam?

Had this been practiced by our Holy Prophet s.a.w? Whose footsteps a Muslim is bound to follow? I don’t find any such concept in the close vicinity to Quran and Sunnah.
What Islam suggests is, when the girl gets married, she is on the receiving end. She receives a gift; a dower or a marital gift, which is called as ‘Meher’ and it is mentioned in the Glorious Qur’an in Surah Al-Nisaa, Chapter 4, Verse Number 4 which says:
‘Give to the woman in dower, a marital gift’
For a marriage to solemnize in Islam, ‘Meher’ is compulsory. There are various cultures which have crept into the Muslim societies, specially in the Indo-Pak area, they give a small amount of ‘Meher ’ and they expect the wife to get a fridge, T.V, A.C, bedroom set, car, house furniture and even a plot or a house these days. A husband demanding dowry from the wife, directly or indirectly is prohibited in Islam. If the parents of the girl give the girl something out of their own free will, it is accepted. A Muslim father is told to get her daughter married away in a most simple ‘Nikah’ ceremony solemnized by a ‘Qazi’ (priest) in a mosque, witnessed by his close relatives and friends. He is not even required to throw a luncheon to the handful of invitees assembled for this occasion. In fact it is desirable on the part of the groom that he offers a reception (Waleema) to his near & dear ones without forgetting the poor people of his society.
The Prophet (pbuh) said:
"The best of the marriages is one which is least burdensome in the financial sense to the families of the bride and the groom"

Hazrat Ali r.a and Fatima r.a exemplify a perfect marriage ceremony which goes like:
After Prophet Muhammed s.a.w had got Fatima r.a’s silent consent for this marriage, he (pbuh) went to Hazrat Ali and asked: "Do you possess anything (which you can pay for the dowry) to marry Fatima?"
 Imam Ali R.A answered: "May my parents be your sacrifice! By Allah, there is not a thing of my affairs hidden from you; I own my sword, shield and the camel which I use for irrigation!"
Indeed, this was everything that Ali possessed in this world when he was about to get married!
 Allah’s Messenger S.A.W open-heartedly listened to Ali and said:
 "Ali, you cannot do without your sword, for you have to struggle with it and defend yourself against the enemies of Allah. As for your camel, you need is to irrigate palm trees and supports your family, and you need it as a means of travel. But I accept the shield as a dowry from you; thus sell it and bring me the money!"

This was the Islamic aspect of the ‘dowry’ ; which these days have been an issue of high intensity. The practice of dowry among ignorant Muslims is a result of the stimulus of the evil practices of the society they dwell in. Islam does not enforce any financial burden on the father of the girl. Though there is certainly no harm in giving gifts happily to the bride from her home.

 But these days “Dowry” has been made a standard for marriage. People first inquire shamelessly if the bride’s parents are able to afford a huge dowry of large intensity. If they can not, no matter how educated, well-mannered, sophisticated the girl may be, she remains unmarried. A large number of girls are sitting at their homes despite of being a gem in their self just because they can’t afford a gigantic ‘Jahaiz’ to feed the greedy groom. The most irksome aspect of this custom is that, this is set by the people who don’t even need dowry to run their homes or support the grooms in anyway. When the educated bourgeoisie class leans forwards, the uneducated ones’ can only be expected to follow.
“Dowry” in our society also decides the fate of the ‘daughter in laws’. If the girl has not brought a massive amount of dowry, she is maltreated, taunted and criticized by the in laws wholeheartedly.
Human rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has reported many incidents that are labeled 'dowry death', i.e., the bride has been murdered because she did not bring a sufficient amount of dowry with her. In India there are close to 15,000 dowry deaths estimated per year. Mostly it is presumed that the woman died because of a kitchen fire and they are passed off as accidents. Height of Ignorance!

In this materialistic world people are running blindly towards things that will be eaten by worms. It has become a status symbol but their little game is ruining the lives of the poorer girls. They don’t realize the real, actual and the ideal 'dowry' of a girl, lies in her education, character, honour, dignity  and the ‘tarbiyat’  that she brings from her home! What’s the use of an immense dowry if it can not bring a single happy moment in your life? Futile!
At this crucial time, our society is suffering from severe poverty. People are massively dying of hunger, poverty and illiteracy. The well offs keep on complaining of being low on finance yet they spend lacs’ when it comes to ‘dowry’ just for the sake of maintaining an absurd custom which doesn’t have any Islamic aspect either. In spite of a consensus on disliking the practice, only a few have the courage to disown it.
If we contribute even a few thousands, abandoning this ridiculous practice, several schools, education institutes’, hospitals, charity centers, welfare centers etc can be constructed gradually.
Even a number of needy, destitute girls can be married if you save a gigantic amount you apt to spend for the dowry of your daughter, sister or if you intend to demand it from your wife.
Do you have the courage to break the idol of ‘dowry’ prevalent in your society? Perhaps your step, though at individual level, can be the beginning of the end to this satanic custom. So ready to be an Idol breaker?!


Xharaf Vsm

Pakistan Cyber Force

New sympathy gaining drama by MQM - Murder of Dr. Imran Farooq an Inside Job!

Imran Farooq - Head  of MQM's "Goli Maar" Doctors class.

Imran Farooq Murdered: What Happened? What is going to Happen? The murder of Dr. Imran Farooq – one of the founders of MQM, a central figure in the development of the party and a key architect of its conceptual and ideological foundations – in London has sent shock around Pakistani political circles, particularly in Karachi. According to one source, a lone assailant had been lying in wait inside the apartment block where Dr Farooq lived on the first floor. He was attacked with a knife when he was climbing the stairs. He died on the spot. Police said they were called to reports of a serious assault in the Edgware district of the British capital at 5:30 pm (16:30 GMT).“Officers found an Asian man, aged 50, with stab wounds and head injuries. Paramedics treated the man but he was pronounced dead at the scene at 6:37 pm (17:37 GMT),” said a spokesman for London’s Metropolitan Police.Right now all television channels seem more engrossed in showing MQM leader Altaf Hussain’s near hysterical breakdown at MQM’s London office.
At first the MQM leadership tried to keep the murder under wraps. Meetings in different cities to mark the 57th birthday of the party’s founding leader, Altaf Hussain, were suddenly cancelled for “unavoidable reasons” and supporters were told by senior leader Dr Farooq Sattar to go home.

At the same time, the MQM leadership in Karachi and London went into closed-door sessions to discuss the situation arising out of the development. Reports from London said the police had cordoned off the apartment block and preliminary investigations had begun. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack so far and no arrests have been made.

But we need to also begin thinking through the many critical questions that remain unanswered:

• Was this a run of the mill mugging and murder in a large international metropolis, or an international political targeting?
• Or an inside job as its being reported that Dr Imran Farooq resigned from the post of convener of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) coordination committee.
  

  The CIA in action once again

   
• A statement, issued by the party, said that he resigned due to some health problems. However, sources in the party said that a misunderstanding between the members of the coordination committee and the party leadership living in London was the main cause behind his resignation.
• Is it an attempt to gain public sympathy as apparently absence of Dr.Farooq is not going to disturb party setup. Instead he was being close to Atlaf Hussain & he was loaded with all the inside secrets which in case leaked might have had devastated the party image.
• Will this case also remain unsolved like Azeem Ahmed Tariq?
• Why is the zionist media showing that scumbag Altaf Hussain whining like a drunk alligator whereas NO coverage is being given to the massacre of innocent Muslims in Kashmir?
• NO coverage is given to the flood affected people and at the same time the zionist media is trying its level best to shatter the morale of the nation while at the same time MQM is being promoted as the "only hope" and the "only revolution" for Pakistan?
• Why CIA and MI6 have provided day and night surveillance systems to their puppet Altaf Hussain at all his mansions and homes whereas at the same time they failed to protect one of the BACKBONE party members?

A message on the party website said: “MQM convenor Dr Imran Farooq murdered in London ” as it declared 10 days of mourn.

Now the point to ponder over is that what is the aim behind this despicable act? Let's analyze who received the most benefit out of it.

• Public Sympathy support increased for MQM
• Incrased party support for MQM
• Shaheed e Inqilaab (so called) title received by MQM's ex-backbone.
• Full media support (including GEO, SAMAA, ARY, AAJ, HUM, CNN, BBC, FOX, SKY, DAWN, JANG) for MQM
• In the coming regime, this incident might create a soft portion for MQM so that MQM can remain in charge of Karachi

Also, keep it in mind that Altaf Hussain is a STAUNCH supporter of Qadiyanis who are renowned planted agents in Pakistan and Gustakhaan e Rasool S.A.W. Are you still confused? It's crystal clear!

Think.

State terrorism redefined

Main body written by Usha Khan
Edited by Enticing Fury

Pakistan Cyber Force

Hamid Karzai and U.S Allies begging on their knees for Pakistani Support

Source: Pakistan Cyber Force

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History is about to repeat itself once again. The increased number of trips to Islamabad by the Allied Puppet Karzai are an indication that Karzai needs many things from Islamabad. The surge is at its peak, and the situation on the ground in Afghanistan has deteriorated fro the worst. The Allied Puppet Hamid Karzai, better known as Mr. Schmooze who changes color like a chameleon, is in Islamabad trying to shore up support from Pakistan for his talks with Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. Karzai is also pleading for Islamabad’s support for a peaceful elections–something that other countries in the region cannot help with.

The puppet Afghan president Hamid Karzai

• The Allied Puppet Karzai has increased the frequency of his trips to Pakistan in recent months, in a sign of attempts to forge an end to the Taliban insurgency. Karzai is expected to meet Thursday with Pakistani army chief Gen. Ashfaq Kayani. Gen. Kayani and the ISI chief, Lt. General Shuja Pasha, have visited Kabul several times in the past few months.
• Afghan and Pakistani analysts have described Karzai’s visit as a drive for Islamabad’s support.
• Strong security during the election is also dependent on Pakistani cooperation, and definitely, Karzai will be trying to win the support of Pakistan for the holding of peaceful elections.
• Pakistan’s role was more important than any other country in the plan that Karzai announced to hold talks with the Taliban and the Hezb-e-Islami faction led by former Afghan Prime Minister Gulbuddin Hekmatyar that has also been fighting NATO-led and Afghan government forces.
• U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry told Obama about “efforts to support enhanced governance and accountability” amid new tensions with Karzai caused by U.S. efforts to promote its law-enforcement approach to fighting corruption in Afghanistan's National Interest.
• General David Petraeus, commander of forces in Afghanistan, explained that the military is “now at the highest operational tempo to date” and making headway against the Taliban National Interest.

General David H. Patraeus - United States Army

The Pakistanis are pushing Karzai for rapid movement towards peace. Zahid Hussain of the The Wall Street Journal reports that “Senior Pakistan officials have promoted a potential peace deal in meetings with U.S. and Afghan officials under which the Taliban would lay down arms in return for some measure of autonomy in the ethnic Pashtun areas of Afghanistan, people familiar with the discussions say. The Taliban draws its fighters largely from Pashtun areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan.”

• KANDAHAR: The Taliban vowed on day to launch attacks on Afghanistan’s imminent parliamentary poll, saying election workers and security forces will be the main target.
• “All the roads leading to polling centers will come under attack and election workers and security forces will be our primary targets ” Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid told AFP.
• More than 2,500 candidates are contesting the election on Saturday for the 249 seats in the lower house of parliament in the second poll of its kind since the Taliban were ousted from power in a 2001 US-led invasion. Times of India

Karzai’s trip is to seek support so that elections can be held in a peaceful atmosphere. Surely the Pakistanis will take Karzai to task for the blathering of Mr. Spanta. Many in Pakistan have called for the head of Mr. Spanta, if he doesn’t shut up or lower his Pakistanphobic rhetoric.

• After nine years of war, the Allied Puppet Karzai has little faith that coalition forces can rout the Taliban, his aides say. The insurgency, which is overwhelmingly waged by Pashtuns—Afghanistan’s largest ethnic group—shows no sign of abating despite the surge in U.S. troop numbers. Instead, the Afghan puppet leader, himself a Pashtun, is seeking a negotiated peace deal with the ever more strengthening Taliban.
• “If you just rely on the military, we’ve seen the result ”, explains Mohammad Masoom Stanekzai, the senior presidential puppet adviser for peace and reconciliation. “There is no purely military solution in Afghanistan.”
• American military commanders say they back their Puppet Karzai’s effort to court members of the Taliban, comparing it to the successful strategy in Iraq to win over the so called "Sunni Arab insurgents".
• Karzai’s overtures, formally launched at a June peace conference where he called insurgents “brothers” and “dear Talibs”, included asking the United Nations to remove Taliban leaders from the international sanctions black list and ordering the freeing of Taliban suspects from government custody.
• A separate government-sponsored conference of clerics in Kabul passed a resolution singling out insufficient enforcement of Sharia Islamic laws, the Taliban’s key demand, as the obstacle to peace. This month, the Puppet Karzai created a formal negotiating committee for talks with Taliban leaders. Wall Street Journal

The Afghan president’s motives for visiting Pakistan are clear i.e., to seek assistance in creating a government of national unity. Karzai is keenly aware that his predecessor was hanged from a lamppost in Kabul. A similar lamppost awaits him. Karzai is seeking to save his skin. He has restated his government’s resolve to hold peace talks with the Taliban, during a visit to neighboring Pakistan. He is visiting Pakistan just days ahead of September 18 parliamentary elections in his war-battered country and amid increased strikes from unmanned U.S. drones targeting suspected Al-Qaeda and Taliban leaders in the Pakistani tribal areas.

 Addressing a joint news conference with his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari on September 15, the Afghan Puppet leader said his government was prepared to hold talks with Taliban leaders who have dissociated themselves from Al-Qaeda and stopped supporting terrorism. Afghan and Pakistani analysts speaking to RFE/RL’s Radio Mashaal have described Karzai’s visit as a drive for Islamabad’s support. Strong security during the election in Afghanistan is also dependent on Pakistani cooperation, and definitely, Karzai will be trying to win the support of Pakistan for the holding of peaceful elections. Pakistan’s role was more important than any other country in the plan that Karzai announced to hold talks with the Taliban and the Hezb-e-Islami faction led by former Afghan Prime Minister Gulbuddin Hekmatyar who has also been fighting NATO-led and Afghan government forces.

The nature of the relationship between Pakistan and the United States and between Pakistan and Afghanistan is being reshaped in recent times and Karzai’s visit is seen in this context as well. And the success of the plan announced by Hamid Karzai for reconciliation with the Taliban and Hezb-e-Islami is also dependent on the role of Pakistan. On the other hand, in Kabul, Abdul Ghafoor Liwal, head of the Regional Studies Center, agreed that Karzai needed support from Pakistan.

 “Recently, progress has emerged in the Pakistan-Afghanistan relationship about some new developments on the scene and the same political and economic developments will [have been] discussed during the recent visit [of Karzai]”, Liwal said. “There is no doubt that Pakistan is holding a special position in the reconciliation plan that the Afghan president wants to introduce and implement.”

Taliban Commander Mullah Mohammad Omar

• Saleh Registani, a former senior commander of the Northern Alliance and a key Panjshiri representative in the national parliament, says that this time around the Taliban, should they reach a political deal with Karzai, could easily conquer the entire country.
• It is critical to remember at this point that a few days ago, Command Mullah Mohammad Omar refused to hold any dialogues with the Allied forces or their puppets. The only way to resolve Afghan issue according to him was that the allies and their puppets LEAVE afghanistan immediately or get ready to be skinned.
• “The Taliban are very strong and well equipped while the Northern Alliance is no longer the old Northern Alliance. It has no leadership, no weapons, no power. We cannot protect anyone anymore”, Mr. Registani says. “If you’re optimistic these days, you’re either blind or not living in Afghanistan.”

With the Northern Alliance disarmed and decapitated, its only major supporter is Delhi. Bharat is trying to bifurcate and partition Afghanistan, but has an uphill battle in conquering Afghans through its proxies who are divided and lack a coherent program.


Enticing Fury

Pakistan Cyber Force