Bedar

BEDÃR AWAKE TO YOUR HERITAGE! Issue #
Bedãr
Awake to your
Heritage!
September 2015
MY MERCY EMBRACES ALL THINGS – QURAN 7:156 DIVINE QUOTES
The old monk lit a candle with his
trembling hands and went down the
worn out stone steps into the secret
chamber below where he had carefully
hidden the old manuscripts. Outside the
ancient crumbling walls of the basilica,
the night was moonless and a gentle
wind ruffled the desert sands of Basra.
He could barely control his excitement.
The day was near, perhaps it would
happen tomorrow – on the night of the
crescent moon!!
He was almost at the end of his mortal
age and in all the long years in the past
he had watched a spiritual decadence
creeping in the world around him. The
holy flames lit by Zoroaster, Moses, and
Jesus were extinguished with the blood
of humans. A corrupt Zoroastrianism
was at war for centuries with a more
corrupt Christianity, there was a
continuous conflict among sects and
creeds for supremacy stifling humanity
and bleeding the life blood of nations.
Among the sons of Ismail the belief in
one true God had become a faded
memory sinking the Arab world into the
darkness of idolatry. People of the Earth
had become blind and were suffering
under the heels of their tyrannical
masters. As he stepped into the dark
chamber he let out a silent prayer–
‘Please God let tomorrow be the day
when I meet the Deliverer’.
Bahira had spent most part of his long
life pouring over the tattered
manuscripts, which he believed to be the
original and unaltered gospels. The
language resembled old-Aramaic. On
many a nights he had crouched over
them under the candle light deciphering
this ancient language till early hours of
the morning. The texts talked about the
coming of a great Prophet, one who
would bring the light of Knowledge to
the ever darkening world. Signs had
been mentioned, celestial bodies would
form the divine pattern heralding the
coming of this Messiah.
Continued in the next issue….
“….O my Lord, enrich me in
knowledge.”(Quran, Sura Tãhã
20:114)
“Even if you are the most evil of evil
people, by the raft of knowledge
alone you shall cross over all sin.” –
Bhagvat Geeta, Verse 36
Basilca of Nestorian Christian monk Bahira, 4th
century A.D., Basra, Syria (photo credit: 12).
Spring in the Desert
The Story of Islam 01: Bahira of Basra

BEDÃR AWAKE TO YOUR HERITAGE! | Issue # 2
Sometime in the early 10th century a street in
Kufa, Iraq, called Damascus Gate was being
rebuilt. During the demolition of the old
street an ancient laboratory was unearthed.
It contained, besides other things, a mortar
and a large lump of gold. Experts began to
wonder, could this be the laboratory of the
legendary alchemist, Jãbir who tried to turn
gross metal to gold and create artificial life?!!
We are talking about Abu Müsa Jãbir ibn
Hayãn, also known as Geber in the West. He
is the founder of chemistry and the author of
the first chemical treatise. He was one of the
greatest alchemist who lived in 8th century
Kufa, Iraq. This Arab genius sought to
discover the nature of things and in the
process made fundamental discoveries and
invented over 20 kinds of laboratory
equipment which became the foundation for
the development of Chemistry and
Pharmaceutical science of the future. He
paved the way for most of the later
alchemists such as al-Kindi and al-Razi who
too were giants in the field of chemistry.
Geber’s books were of a major influence for
the medieval European alchemists. They
were later translated into Latin and became
standard texts for the European alchemists
of the Middle Ages. Jabir is credited with
scientifically systemizing Chemistry and
standardizing and perfecting numerous basic
chemical processes and equipment which
today form an integral part of a chemical
laboratory worldwide. Some of these include
sublimation, crystallization, liquefaction,
distillation, purification, amalgamation,
oxidation, evaporation and filtration.
Above: Various instruments invented by Jabir
(Photo credit: 13, 7)
ALCHEMY: MISCONCEPTS
The word Alchemy is derived from the Arabic
word for chemistry – Kimia i.e. al Kimia. For the
Islamic scientist, alchemy had nothing to do
with folk-lore or occult practices. It meant
experimental chemistry and till the 17th century
the Arab alchemists were the masters of this
science.
The ancient world had the knowledge of only
a mild acid – vinegar. Jabir discovered
Sulphuric, Nitric and Nitromuriatic acids
which are today the basic raw materials for
several chemical industries. He began the
chemical classification of substances,
invented a scale so precise that it could
weigh substances that were over 6400 times
less heavy than a kilo.
Over 1250 years ago, this remarkable
experimenter was a man ahead of his times.
Some of his remarkable books include, The
Great Book of Chemical Properties, The
Chemical Combinations and The Dyes. His
contribution to Chemical industry is equally
impressive. He made major breakthroughs in
the dyeing of cloth and leather, preparation
of hair dyes, water proofing of cloth and
protection of iron using varnishes. He
researched on writing in gold using iron
pyrites, glazing of tiles and ceramics using
salts. His work on metal refinement and
preparation of steel contributed to the
development of foundry techniques.
Among his greatest contributions are his
theories related to the constitution of metals
which, after minor modifications, have
become a part of Modern Chemistry since
the 18th century.
As for our fantasy and fairy tale fans, he
invented something for them as well - a
paper that was fire-resistant and an ink that
could be read in the darkness of the night!!
Our Islamic
Heritage-I
The Three Giants of
Chemistry- 1: Jabir
ry
Continued from above: Jabir
Above: Distillation process from 18th
century Arabic treatise. Photo credits:
13.
Below: 15th
century European portrait
of Geber. Photo credit: Wikipedia

JAT EMBROIDERY
Blue Aba (woman’s tunic)
Embroidery by Jat women
The Hand of Abbas
The small white five -petalled flowers used to border
certain areas are believed to represent the panja (the
hand of Al-Abbas ibn Ali a.s.). [Image credits: 6.]
FAST FACTS
68thRanking of Bangladesh (GDP per capita- 2,364 US$) in
Global Gender Gap Report out of 142 countries by World
Economic Forum 2014
130thRanking of Saudi Arabia (GDP per capita – 51,000 US$)
This index measures gender equality. The lower the rank
the bigger the disparity in the rights enjoyed by men as
compared to women.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Need more information on a certain topic in this
magazine? Want to know the source/references
for information given in this magazine? Please
refer to page no. or contact the editor:
abdi_rupa@yahoo.co.in
The desert landscape of northwest India and
eastern Pakistan is dotted with mud huts and
thatched roofs of the hardy pastoral and
semi-pastoral nomads. Their homes have
been molded from the ochre earth beneath
them and vary from the well plastered huts
to a simple temporary dwellings made from
reed and grass. However in this desolate land
bloom blossoms of a different kind – bright
and beautiful motifs woven by the nibble
fingers of their womenfolk to adorn
themselves, their families and their homes.
Certain styles, color schemes, stitches and
motifs are specific to certain clans and have
complex social meaning. These are passed
on from mother to daughter. The purpose of
weaving embroidery onto clothes and other
objects of daily use is not just decoration, its
purpose is also to ritually transform and
make it function spiritually as well as
physically. The pieces of mirrors stitched into
the patterns are believe to ward off evil
spirits who flee when confronted with their
own images.
Some of the tribes who are known for their
embroidery are the Jats and Mutwas.
Spinning and weaving are popular Sufi
motifs in cotton growing areas of the world.
For the common folks living in these regions,
creating Islamic motifs, through weaving,
spinning and needlework, itself becomes an
act of prayer. Spinning accompanied by the
humming sound is compared to Dhikr. Such
spinning turns the heart into a splendor
precious thread. The need to spin also
symbolizes working on one’s material i.e. the
Self.
Header Image: Mutwa embroidery-The
Mutwa women incorporate tiny mirrors into
the design, along with intricate stitching
using buttonhole and chain stitches in their
style of embroidery. Motifs are mostly
geometric in keeping with Islamic rules
forbidding the depiction of humans and
animals.
Blue Aba: Very intricately worked blue aba
(tunic, top left) in which a variety of looped
and flat stitches are used to create subtle
changes in textures along with chain stitch,
open chain, couching, cretan, dot, fly, long
armed cross, and stem stitch interlaced with
tiny mirrors.
Image on bottom right: The Suf embroidery
style bears a resemblance to the Phulkari of
Punjab, Baluchi embroidery of Iran and the
needlework of Swat and Hazara in Pakistan.
This embroidery work can, thus, be identified
as a style of
embroidery
common to
the wider
region of
Southwest
Asia. In craft
history, soof (a
triangle) is
explained as one of the most imaginative
embroidery techniques, as no sketches or
motifs are ever drawn on cloth. The result is a
medley of fine geometric shapes which
needs a diligence in mathematical counting
(stitches are counted to create a consistent
series) to learn this art.
Art in the Muslim World
Blooms in the desert: Embroideries of Northwest
India and Pakistan
Beautiful motifs adorn the walls
of the Bhunga: -the traditional
hut of the semi-pastoral nomads
.

THE JATS They came with only their Kharai
camels out of a landscape of naked tidal mudflats
and a bleak desolation flecked with saline
efflorescence that is the Desert of Kutch in north-
west India. They migrated southwards into coastal
parts of Kutch and Saurashtra in search of greener
pastures (peninsula part of Gujarat, India.) But this
was over fifty years ago. Since then they have
dispersed into smaller groups and evolved a semi
pastoral way of life. These are the Fakirani Jats.
we met them near the salt pans of Bhavnagar port
in Gujarat State of India. The Jats are believed to
have their origin in Syria, Iran and Afghanistan.
According one legend their tribe was initially
settled in Iran. A king of Iran wanted to marry a
beautiful girl called Jattu from their tribe. When
the king arrived with his soldiers to take his bride
the Jats massacred the soldiers and fled to Sindh
and Baluchistan. The Jats of Sindh and Kutch are
divided into 3 major clans - Garasia , Dhanetah and
Fakirani. Among these the Fakirani Jats are semi-
pastoral camel herders. Before the partition of
India they would migrate freely between Sindh and
Kutch with their camel herds feeding on the
mangrove forests which once dotted the entire
northwest coastline of the Indian subcontinent.
They were originally considered as holy men,
leading an austere life hence the name Fakirani.
[Above: A Jat playing the Surando]
‘Life was good then’, recalled Mohammad Bhai,
one of the Jat elders, ‘the mangrove forests were
dense and we would wander following our camels
from one pasture to another.’ But times had
changed, the forest had gone taking with them an
entire way of life. The rapid pace of ‘development’
has by passed them. Their camel herds which once
ran into hundreds have been drastically reduced.
Most of the men have taken up alternate means of
livelihood. Some have taken to cows and
buffaloes, selling their milk in the neighboring
villages. Others have taken up petty jobs in the
cities. Mohammadbhai himself worked at the
Bhavnagar port. With most men going out for
work only the young boys are left behind to graze
the camels. The Fakirani Jats are struggling to
adapt to changing times. The camels are their only
link to their past and they have clung on to them
along with the Surando, which is their 100-year old,
five-stringed traditional musical instrument. But
both lie in a dilapidated condition now. It’s only a
question of time before the indiscriminate
industrialization along the coast of Kutch and
Saurashtra forces these Jats to entirely give up
their traditional livelihood. As for the Surando,
none among the youngster know how to play it.
The Jats live near the coast in temporary huts
made from reed and grass, never knowing when
they will be driven out by the government
authorities.
The only brightness in this bleak scenario is the
colorful and ornate needle-work and jewelry
adorning their women. The Jat women are skillful
in embroidery, weaving densely worked geometric
patterns resembling cross stitch, and incorporating
mirrors. The girls begun to learn this craft from the
older women from a very young age.
Today coffee has become an integral part of
human lifestyle, but who really discovered it?
More than 1200 years ago a shepherd boy
named Khalid, grazing his goats on the
slopes of Ethiopia discovered this life
changing substance. He observed that after
eating some wild berries his goats became
excited and lively. The berries were taken
home and boiled in water to make the first
cup of coffee called al-qahwa. From Ethiopia
this beverage reached the Khanqahs of
Yemen where it was consumed by Sufis to
keep them vigilant during late night dhikr.
[Image below: A Turkish Coffee House]
From here it spread to
the rest of the Muslim
world through traders,
pilgrims and travelers.
By 15th century it had
reached Mecca and
Turkey, and by 16th
century it became a
popular drink on the
streets of Cairo. A Turkish merchant called
Pasqua Rosee first brought coffee into the
UK in 1650 CE. The preparation of coffee in
Europe is largely based on the traditional
Muslim preparation-boiling a mixture of
coffee powder, sugar and water and allowing
the coffee residue to settle at the bottom. In
1683 a Capuchin monk, Marco d’Aviano was
fighting against the Turks who had besieged
the city of Vienna. Once the Turks retreated,
the Viennese prepared coffee from the
abandoned sacks of Turkish coffee. Finding it
too bitter for their taste, they added cream
and honey to it. Since its resulting brown
color resembled the robes of the Capuchin
Monk, they named this preparation
Cappuccino in his honor.
To listen to a more exciting version of this
story please click the link given below:
SOUND FILE
https://soundcloud.com/rupa-abdi/coffee-final-
revised
Our Islamic Heritage II
The Story of Coffee

Most of us have seen the effect that a
mother’s lullaby has on a crying infant. The
muezzin’s soulful call to prayer (azãn) or the
divine melody emanating from the chanting
of the Holy Quran has inspired or calmed
many a dull and restless heart. Would you
still say that music and melody are Devil’s
temptation?!!
Music was a popular cultural tradition among
the Arabs during the time of the Prophet
(saw). Music was used in worship rituals and
to express delight and sorrow. Many Hadiths
(a collection of traditions containing sayings
of the prophet Muhammad which, with
accounts of his daily practice, constitute the
major source of guidance for Muslims apart
from the Koran) have indicated that the
Prophet (saw) not only expressed his likeness
for Music but also encouraged others to play
it during festive occasions. Hence music is an
integral part of Islamic traditions. According
to A M Baqir al-Majlisi, Allah revealed the
Zabur (Book of Psalms) to Prophet Dawud
(David a.s). And Allah commanded birds and
mountains to sing praise of Allah along with
Dawud. Allah gave Dawud a.s. such a
melodious voice that none before him had
ever heard. But there is other form of music
played for vain entertainment which can lead
to temptation and distract us away from the
path of God. Under its captivating and
sometimes almost hypnotic effect music can
make people indulge in acts of violence and
lust.
Thus different kinds of music can have
different effects on people. Among the Sufis
sama (literal meaning in Arabic - to listen
deeply) refers to the practice of listening to
sacred verses, sacred poetry, spiritual music /
song for Divine remembrance and in Divine
remembrance, often accompanied by
ecstatic whirling and other gestures. The
Sufis called sama a slippery stone, implying
the dangers associated with it and the need
for discretion. Perhaps by knowing the
intention of the one who composed the
music and the intention of the listener one
can judge what kind of music takes us closer
to God and what kind leads us into darkness.
So music per se is neither good nor bad. It’s
like the TV, its effect depends on which
channel you are tuning into!!
Why is Pig’s meat
forbidden in Islam?
Forbidden to you (for food) are blood, dead
meat, flesh of swine, and that which has been
sacrificed in a name other than that of Allah….
Quran, Sura Al-Mã’idah 5:3
Pigs are scavengers by nature, which
means that they will eat almost anything,
including rotten food, feces, urine,
carcasses and even cancerous
growths. Unfortunately the digestive
system of a pig is incapable of effectively
removing these accumulated toxins from
the body because a pig will digest its food
entirely in about 4 hours. This is simply
not long enough to remove the excess
toxins that were ingested, these toxins
are then stored directly in the fat cells and
organs of the pig itself. Pigs are a host to
a number of parasites, viruses and other
organisms, many of which can be directly
transmitted to humans, some include:
 Taenia solium (Tapeworm) -an intestinal
parasite that can damage almost all
organs of the body
 Menangle virus –a virus that can cause
fever, chills, rashes, headaches and
sweating.
 Trichinella –A parasitic roundworm that
can cause edema, myalgia, fever and
malaise.
Hepatitis E –A viral inflammation that can
cause fatigue, nausea and jaundice. More
severe cases can lead to liver fibrosis and
cirrhosis.
Raising pigs under hygienic conditions and
cooking their meat properly is no guarantee
of safety from the above mentioned risks.
WHAT DO OTHERS THINK
Sarojini Naidu
She was an Indian freedom fighter, a follower
of Mahatma Gandhi and a poetess. She said:
It (Islam) was the first religion that preached
and practiced democracy; for, in the mosque,
when the call for prayer is sounded and
worshippers are gathered together, the
democracy of Islam is embodied five times a
day when the peasant and king kneel side by
side and proclaim: ‘God Alone is Great’… I
have been struck over and over again by this
indivisible unity of Islam that makes man
instinctively a brother.
DID YOU KNOW?
On 9th Nov.2004 the Amman declaration was
issued jointly by 170 of world’s leading
Islamic clerics and scholars in Amman,
Jordan under the stewardship of King
Abdulla II bin Al-Hussein of Jordan (above). It
was a fatwa (legal ruling) denouncing all acts
of terrorism committed in the name of Islam.
The Amman declaration was an endeavor by
the clerical institutions to reiterate some
amount of authority over those who have
hijacked Islam for their own murderous
agenda.
Myths? Beliefs? Facts?
Music: A slippery stone

1. Parker, Philip. 2010. The Empire
Stops Here: A Journey along the
Frontiers of the Roman World.
Pimlico Random House, London
2. Schaik, J., Christine Gruwez. 2014.
The Impulse of Freedom in Islam.
Lindisfarne Books. Great
Barrington, USA
3. Janekins, Everett Jr. 2011.The
Muslim Diaspora (Volume 1, 570-
1500): A comprehensive reference to
the spread of Islam in Asia, Africa,
Europe and the Americas: Volume 1.
McFarland & Company, North
Carolina, USA.
4. BaqirAl-Majlisi,Allamah
Muhammad. (publication date not
mentioned)Hayat Al Qulub, Vol. 1,
Stories of the Prophets. Ansariyan
Publications, Qum, Iran
5. Yadama, Gautam N. 2013.Fires,
Fuel, and the Fate of 3 Billion: The
State of the Energy Impoverished.
Oxford University Press, New York.
USA
6. Dusenbury, Mary M, Carol Bier.
2004. Flowers, Dragons & Pine
Trees: Asian Textiles in the Spencer
Museum of Art. Hudson Hills Press.
USA
7. Lockyer Norman ed.Nature,
Volume7.Nov.1872-April1873.
MacMillan and Co. New York.
8. Reffner, Ervin. (Publication date
unknown). The Esoteric Codex:
The Alchemists. e-publication
(public domain)
9. Samiuddin.Abida and R. Khanum.
2008. Global Encyclopaedic
Ethnography of Indian
Muslims.Volume2.Global Vision
Publishing House, New Delhi, India.
10. ‘So Heddan So Hoddan’, a flim by
Anjali Monteiro and K.P.
Jayasankar
11. https://procaricature.wordpress.co
m/2008/12/05/memory-of-another-
day-damascus-syria/
12. Al-Hassani,SalimTS.2006.1001
Inventions: Muslim Heritage in Our
World. Foundation for Science and
Technology. Manchester, UK
13. Engelberg,NC
et.al.2013.Schaecher’s Mechanisms
of Microbial Disease. Wolters Kulwer
and Lippincott Williams and
Wilkins.PA.USA
14. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/ar
ticles/archive/2012/12/12/eating-
pork.aspx
[Note: Unless otherwise mentioned, all photo
credits are to Wikipedia.]
LETTERS FROM OUR
READERS
References and Further Reading

Bedãr
Awake to your
Heritage!
Dr. Rupa Abdi
abdi_rupa@yahoo.co.in
What has Islam come to mean? What was it meant to be? What
does the world owe to the Islamic Civilization, which reached its
peak when Europe was passing through the Dark Ages? These
are some of the questions that we are trying to explore in this e-
magazine. Suggestions and criticism are welcome but please
keep it civil.

Bedar

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