Ghuraba (Strangers) - Beautiful Nasheed with Lyrics

غرباء

قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : بدأَ الإسلامُ غريبًا، وسيعودُ كما بدأَ غريبًا، فطوبى للغرباءِ

الراوي: أبو هريرة المحدث: مسلم - المصدر: صحيح مسلم - الصفحة أو الرقم: 145

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said "Islam began as something strange, and it will return as something strange the way it began. So glad tidings for the Strangers"

 

ليس الغريب هو الذى فارغ الديار ودع الآن 
The stranger is not the one who empties the house and bids farewell now


و لكن الغريب هو الذى يجد و الناس من حوله يلعبون
But the stranger is he who is serious while the people around him play


و يصحو و الناس من حوله ينامون
And is awake while the people around him sleep


و يسلك درب الخير و الناس في ضلالهم يتخبطون
And follows the best path* while the people around him plot and plan in their misguidance
*also means 'narrow mountain pass'

و صدق الشاعر اذ يقول
And truthful was the poet when he said:


قال لى صاحب اراك غريبا
My friend said to me, I see you as a stranger


بين هذا الأنام دون خليل
Amongst these people without a close friend


قلت كلا! بل الأنام غريب انا في عالم و هذه سبيلى
I said nay! But the people are strange, I'm in the world and this is my way

هذا هو الغريب
This is the stranger

غريب عند العابثين من البشر
Strange in the view of those who jest and mock from amongst mankind


و لكنه عند ربه في مقام كريم
But in the Sight of his Lord, he is at a Noble Station

غرباء غرباء غرباء غرباء
غرباء غرباء غرباء غرباء
Ghurabaa`, ghurabaa`, ghurabaaa` ghurabaa`
Ghurabaa`, ghurabaa`, ghurabaaa` ghurabaa`


غرباء ولغير الله لا نحنى الجباة
Ghurabaaoo wa li ghairillaahi laa nahnil jibaa
Ghurabaa` do not bow the foreheads to anyone besides Allah


غرباء وارتضيناها شعارا للحياة
Ghurabaaoo' war tadhainaa haa shi’aaran lil hayaa
Ghurabaa` have chosen this to be the motto of life


غرباء ولغير الله لا نحنى الجباة
Ghurabaaoo wa li ghairillaahi laa nahnil jibaa

Ghurabaa` do not bow the foreheads to anyone besides Allah


غرباء وارتضيناها شعارا للحياة
Ghurabaaoo' war tadhainaa haa shi’aaran lil hayaaGhurabaa` have chosen this to be the motto of life


إن تسأل عنّا فإنّا لا نبال بالطغاة
Inta sal ‘anna fa inna laa nubaali bit-tughaahIf you ask about us, then we do not care about the tyrants

نحن جند الله دوما دربنا درب الأباة
Nahnu jundullaahi dawman darbunaa darbul-ubaahWe are the regular soldiers of Allah, our path is a reserved path


إن تسأل عنّا فإنّا لا نبال بالطغاة
Inta sal ‘anna fa inna laa nubaali bit-tughaah

If you ask about us, then we do not care about the tyrants


نحن جند الله دوما دربنا درب الأباة
Nahnu jundullaahi dawman darbunaa darbul-ubaah

We are the regular soldiers of Allah, our path is a reserved path

غرباء غرباء غرباء غرباء
غرباء غرباء غرباء غرباء
Ghurabaa`, ghurabaa`, ghurabaaa` ghurabaa`
Ghurabaa`, ghurabaa`, ghurabaaa` ghurabaa`


لن نبال للقيود بل سنمضى للخلود
Lan nubaali bil quyuud, bal sanamdhii lil khulood

We never care about the chains, rather we'll continue forever


لن نبال للقيود بل سنمضى للخلود
Lan nubaali bil quyuud, bal sanamdhii lil khulood

We never care about the chains, rather we'll continue forever


فلنجاهد ونناضل ونقاتل من جديد
Fal nujaahid wa nunaadhil wa nuqaatil min jadeed

So let us make jihad, and battle, and fight from the start


غرباء ... هكذا الأحرار في دنيا العبيد
Ghurabaaun hakadhal ahraaru fii dunya-al ‘abeed

Ghurabaa`, this is how they are free in the enslaved world


فلنجاهد ونناضل ونقاتل من جديد
Fal nujaahid wa nunaadhil wa nuqaatil min jadeed

So let us make jihad, and battle, and fight from the start


غرباء ... هكذا الأحرار في دنيا العبيد
Ghurabaaun hakadhal ahraaru fii dunya-al ‘abeed

Ghurabaa`, this is how they are free in the enslaved world


غرباء غرباء غرباء غرباء
غرباء غرباء غرباء غرباء
Ghurabaa`, ghurabaa`, ghurabaaa` ghurabaa`
Ghurabaa`, ghurabaa`, ghurabaaa` ghurabaa`


كم تذاكرنا زمانا يوم كنّا سعداء
Kam tadhaakkarnaa zamaanan yawma kunna su’adaa`
How many times we remembered a time when we were happy


بكتاب الله نتلوه صباحا و مساءا
Bi kitaabillaahi natloohu sabaahan wa masaa`
In the book of Allah, we recite in the morning and the evening


كم تذاكرنا زمانا يوم كنّا سعداء
Kam tadhaakkarnaa zamaanan yawma kunna su’adaa`
How many times we remembered a time when we were happy


بكتاب الله نتلوه صباحا و مساءا
Bi kitaabillaahi natloohu sabaahan wa masaa`In the book of Allah, we recite in the morning and the evening


غرباء غرباء غرباء غرباء
غرباء غرباء غرباء غرباء
Ghurabaa`, ghurabaa`, ghurabaaa` ghurabaa`
Ghurabaa`, ghurabaa`, ghurabaaa` ghurabaa`


غرباء ولغير الله لا نحنى الجباة
Ghurabaaoo wa li ghairillaahi laa nahnil jibaa
Ghurabaa` do not bow the foreheads to anyone besides Allah


غرباء وارتضيناها شعارا للحياة
Ghurabaaoo' war tadhainaa haa shi’aaran lil hayaa
Ghurabaa` have chosen this to be the motto of life


غرباء ولغير الله لا نحنى الجباة
Ghurabaaoo wa li ghairillaahi laa nahnil jibaa

Ghurabaa` do not bow the foreheads to anyone besides Allah


غرباء وارتضيناها شعارا للحياة
Ghurabaaoo' war tadhainaa haa shi’aaran lil hayaaGhurabaa` have chosen this to be the motto of life


إن تسأل عنّا فإنّا لا نبال بالطغاة
Inta sal ‘anna fa inna laa nubaali bit-tughaahIf you ask about us, then we do not care about the tyrants

نحن جند الله دوما دربنا درب الأباة
Nahnu jundullaahi dawman darbunaa darbul-ubaahWe are the regular soldiers of Allah, our path is a reserved path


إن تسأل عنّا فإنّا لا نبال بالطغاة
Inta sal ‘anna fa inna laa nubaali bit-tughaah

If you ask about us, then we do not care about the tyrants


نحن جند الله دوما دربنا درب الأباة
Nahnu jundullaahi dawman darbunaa darbul-ubaah

We are the regular soldiers of Allah, our path is a reserved path


غرباء غرباء غرباء غرباء
غرباء غرباء غرباء غرباء
Ghurabaa`, ghurabaa`, ghurabaaa` ghurabaa`
Ghurabaa`, ghurabaa`, ghurabaaa` ghurabaa`

Beautiful Reminder - The Long Longing (Taweel ash Shawq) | طويل الشوق

Heart Melting Nasheed By Ahmad Bukhatir
Artist: محمد المقيط (Muhammad Al-Muqit)
Nasheed: طويل الشوق (new taweel al shawq - 'Long longing')
Written by: عائض القرنى (Shaikh Aa'idh al-Qarni)



Lyrics with English translation:
طويل الشوق يبقى فى اغتراب
A Longing person remains in alienation

فقير فى الحياة من الصحاب
He has scarcity of friends in his life

ومن يأمنك يا دنيا الدواهى
And who trusts you : 
O World of misfortunes

تدوسين المصاحب فى التراب
Tramples on fellows in the dust

وأعجب من مريدك وهو يدرى
I wonder at the one who wants you though he 
knows

بأنك فى الورى أم العجاب
That you are the strangest of creation

ولولا أن لى معنا جميلا لبعت المكث فيها بالذهاب
Were it not for the beautiful meaning that I 
have here
I would not have stayed here

رأيت الله فى ذا الكون ربا جميع الكائنات له تحابى
I found Allah, the Lord of the entire Universe
Every particle of the cosmos is in love with Him

شواهد أنه فرد جليل على رغم المجادل بالكذاب
There are many evidences of His Oneness & Might
Despite all the false arguments

تأمل قدرة الرحمن وانظر سيهديك التأمل للصواب
Contemplate on the abilities of the Most 
Merciful and see...
Soon your meditation would lead you to the 
truth

ومد الطرف فى كل النواحى سؤالك سوف يرجع بالجواب
Turn your face in all directions
Your question will soon return with an answer

Beautiful Nasheed - Rasulullah (Peace be upon him)

Can be downloaded from here:
http://www.4shared.com/audio/aczUmeN_/____.html

Lyrics with English Translation: 
 
رسول الله ربانا
وبالاسلام احياناThe Messenger of Allah nurtured us spiritually
And gave us life through Islam

وعلمنا بان نبقى
لدين الله اعوانا
And he taught us that we remain
The supporters of religion of Allah

تجمعنا بنور هداه
اخوانا وخلانا
He united us with the light of guidance
As brothers and sincere friends
 
واترعنا متى ظمئت
بنا الارواح ايمانا
And he gave life to the our souls
When they were thirsty for Faith

نهلنا منه شرعتنا 
واعلينا به الشانا
We inherited from him our Shari'ah
And with that our status was elevated

فلم نظلم ولم نغدر
ولم نستعلي طغيانا
So, we did not oppress, and were not treacherous
And we were not Mischievous in our arrogance
 
رسول الله اسوتنا
على المنهاج وصانا
Allah's Messenger is our role Model
He advised us to the right path

لأجل الحق كم بَذل
وكم قاسى وكم عانى
How much did he sacrifice for the sake of Truth
And so many sufferings and hardships he went through

وكم قد ذاق في ألم
من الإيذاء ألوانا
And how much did he taste in various forms of sadness
And how many types of tortures

فلم يخنع ولم يخضع
ولم يركع وما لانا
He did not humble himself and did not submit (to the evil)
And did not bow and never leaned (towards the wrong)

رشيد الرأي إن عصفت
رياح الظلم طوفانا
The enlightened and just in opinion 
When the winds of oppression were gushing all around

حكيم حيّر الدنيا
بسِحر القول تِبيانا
The wise-man who left the world spell-bounded
With the magic of his clear sayings
 
رحيم إن مضى وقضى
وكان العدل ميزانا
Merciful in his dealings and his judgments
And justice was his balance

شباب الحق فانطلِقوا
من المحراب فرسانا
So, O youth of Truth, Advance
From your worship places like knights

وبالإسلام فامتثِلوا
هدى المختار عنوانا
And in Islam take your examples
The Guidance brought by the chosen one

وسيروا بشِّروا الدنيا
بأنَّ الفجر قد بانِا
And travel and give glad tidings to the World
That the light of dawn has appeared

Knowledge belongs to Humanity - MOOC Massive Open Online Courses

“My Lord, increase me in knowledge.” [Qur'an, 20:114]

The Prophet also said: "Acquire knowledge and impart it to the people." - Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 107 

I remember one of the famous quote about knowledge that Knowledge is the missing property of a Momin (A true Muslim), wherever you find it, acquire it.

Purpose behind the long motivational intro is to inform you about the courses being offered online for free on different subjects mainly in computer science currently but this is just the beginning, these are the real courses taught at the top universities in the world.

I attended one of the 3 experimental courses offered in October. Introduction to Databases and i loved the way of teaching and their thirst to transfer knowledge to the developed and developing countries students and knowledge seekers at the convenience of their home and on their own pace.

The Points i noticed were

unlike other free online courses available on internet, this series of courses have weekly assignments, quizzes while attending lectures, mid-term exam throughout the course duration and a final exam to evaluate the knowledge of the course gain by the student.

Note: This post was written in December 2011 after finishing Intro to Database course, but was not completed and published for some reasons. Sorry for inconvenience. It is now being published as it was written.

Be part of Team who make significant difference

I drafted my CV few years ago and was thinking of the objective of my life, what I really want to do in my life? People keep their real objective hidden and others have no objective or not thought ever for the purpose of their life more than a good and peaceful personal and professional life, but mine is an open secret I want to CHANGE the world OR more targeted it is to become part of the team who make significant difference in changing the world.

Seems like a bit imaginary, fiction and may be some would say it IMPOSSIBLE. Writing this vision was not the hard task but the real task is to get to know how to make it happen in reality! Because what you really wanna do is most of the time not for the reward and recognition you want from the people instead it is due to your passion, enthusiasm and inner peace and satisfaction. 

There are several aspects and dimensions i could contemplate over it, one way is to invent such machines and softwares (being a Computer Professional) that could ease the life of humanity and automate the manual recurring patterns in our lives to complete the tasks, another way could be by raising awareness on the serious issues that are the challenges everywhere and especially in the third world countries mainly Muslim countries, the possibilities are immense.

I chose to make the earth a place of harmony and peace where everyone loves each other and all is well everywhere.

First of all why it is not impossible? because only impossible is something that you have decided it is not possible else if you ponder over the word IMPOSSIBLE you will find that itself the word says, "I M Possible". Napoleon Bonaparte said: "Word impossible is in the dictionary of fools"

So started to change the world but how??? It is a simple logic. Who is the Earth filled with? we the humans, right? so how it would become a real peaceful place? by heading towards the positive change in humans. This is where i thought that i am the World and to make a real change i have to change myself. If i am good and everyone thinks the same and changes thyself, collectively World is gonna be changed ultimately.

Once upon a time i had a meetup with friends whose discussion nucleus was that other nations (Yahodis, Hindus, Christians etc.) are better than us as they respect everyone, they are helping, honest etc. Ah! so they were really inspired by the other nations... Why was that? even they don't have their religions in the original form still they are able to inspire the Muslims who have all the curriculum to spend a leading life?? because first we have left our Islamic values that could make us best in the entire world secondly we have time to discuss others (even the whole world) but we don't spend our energies in knowing ourselves and change us as our creator want us to be.

If we are not honest with our creator and the one who is continuously showering his blessings on us, who with the honest we would be??

This sacred month of Ramadan also teaches us the same to check out our mistakes and bad habits and turn them into good ones. To be united as Muslims and to help everyone particularly other Muslims. Be patient and Be wise in every act we do. The real warrior is the who continue to practice the teaching learnt in Ramadan, the whole year.

Think about yourself, you are the only one who can act on your behalf and the people in your surroundings will soon start getting inspired by you and try to be like you as in the past people used to enter in the religion of peace by only observing the behavior of Muslims in every aspect of life. Come on Together we will bring positive change and  by this way we are going to CHANGE the World!

A Visit to Dubai, U.A.E. (My First Day)

It was a shinning morning of April 29, 2012 which transformed into a hot day. A person (that's me :D) was preparing his belongings to take off at 7:50 PM from Karachi, Pakistan to Dubai, U.A.E. via Eritrean Airline. Nothing too magical but it was the first flight in his life so some excitement at this stage was normal.

Reached at Jinnah International Airport, Karachi much more time before the flight i.e. around 5:30 PM. After passing through luggage checking and enquiry (in doubting style just as i was a criminal) and then boarding pass with a seat alloting (took window seat especially to enjoy my first flight :) ) and then intizaar (waiting) at lounge.

Offered prayers (Asr, Maghrib), made and received well wishers' good bye phone calls and then headed towards the plane. Received by the East African Air Hostess ;) who guided me about my seat in a dramatic style and i thanked them being amazed by this style (Remember while reading that these all were my first experiences). Reached to my seat which was occupied by a person being confusion in seating arrangement " (FED " (If you had flew before, you must know it). I sat down at 17-D as 17-F (my alloted seat) was already filled, but then i asked him to excuse me and let me have my seat and here i was on the window seat (thinking in mind how amazing Almighty Allah made the human mind who bring into reality such innovative creations)

Plane was taking off and in a short moment cars and roads was just as shown in Google Maps and in a short while we were over the sea ( could not watch out anymore, reason: REFLECTION as lights of the plane turned on). Met to temporary neighbours, person on seat E was going to dubai to assist his brother in business and seat D guy was Receptionist at Gloria Hotel near BURJ KHALIFA. Had a long discussion about why pakistan is going through these crisis, Satan disguised in Peer Fakeer form and why people become victim of them. What as a muslim we should do and what we are doing etc. Had dinner in between the discussion and here the real challanges started when we land.

On reaching Dubai Airport and heading towards Eye Scanning and Immigration Hall we passed through lot of elevators (It is a huge airport). Hall was extremely full, so many travelers were in the queues. We (Me and my hamsafars) found a queue which was a bit shorter than others. Rengtay Rengtay (Very Slowly) we were going forward in the queand after about 1.5 hour it was my turn. Passport, Visa provided to officer, Retina scanning done... and he just shown me that my name on Visa was different than in Passport (AHMED WAQAS instead of WAQAS AHMED)... WT*! he gave me a piece of paper written "SOMETHING Al Ism" (don't remember exactly but the meaning was extracted by me, it was "Difference/Ambiguity in Name") and sent me to Room. I took it this to Room 1 and he asked me to pay 130 Dirham :( saying that pay this fine in bank for correction. I argued him a bit that it is not the mistake made by me and if this amount could be reduced (130 * 25, calculation tou chal he rahi hoti haina dimagh mei :P), he was so calm saying that how much are you willing to pay? 2 dirham? i got astonished listening that. then another arabi officer said in anger that this is an official fine, it is your and your visa company problem, pay 130 Dirham otherwise i will deport you. And i back off, just went to bank and got ticket by paying 130 AED, submitted to officer and headed towards the baggage claim area with the tiring feelings.

As it took me quite long in this process, my hamsafars had gone and my flight was not enlisted on screen of baggage collection points anymore.. Enquired from Officer, he checked it out on Computer and i collected my luggage from point 6... then scanning of baggage and i KHUROOJ (Exit) from Terminal 1. As guided i started finding BUS STAND and reached there to wait for my route bus. (Whatever i had to ask to someone, i always got indians and pakistanis to talk even in urdu).

Bus arrived i got into it and i asked an indian to punch my Card (was not quite sure how check-in and check-out works to deduct the amount so thought not to experiment instead i relied upon asking), after a short while i had a look at the side window where a transparent sticker sticked saying that "Ladies and Families only". I warned the indian about it (he was a poor guy from Madras), he said no problem and i relaxed though not satisfied (also i saw a guy was standing although we had seat empty, i didn't get at that time why he is not sitting, dimagh ki batti nahi jali pori tarha may be due to tireness).

And then on the next stop a SHOURTA came for regular checking...(what i thought at that time :D) he asked for our bus cards and employee cards or passport... i just gave him both the things thinking he is just verifying something... but he finally said that you people come behind me. Why! ??? You are at the wrong compartment... again WT*! huh... checked out and got down with baggage... I asked the indian now what? he said we will request him and here i go... (finally Allah g nay battian jaladein me k mind ki) i thought to request to let me go and apologize for my act and that "ANA LA MALOOM" i requested in such speed that i just landed today and i was not quite sure which bus to take and how to punch the card and i was so nervous due to which this happend and i would not do it again.. and YA he actually showed some flexibility... and finally after charging them all 110 AED... left me without charge also he helped me in taking the bus and punching the card (although i knew the process  by that time but for the sake of being innocent :D) and he also let the driver know that i need assistance for my destination stop AND FINALLY I WAS IN THE ROOM AT 1 AM.

It is not a very big place but people are somehow co-operative.. (11 persons including me in this small room jo apnay mulk mei meray akelay ka room hai at roof) most are pakistanis in this room 1 indian bhi hai (ab tk kuch he logun say baat hwi hai) it is morning of Apr 30. Now going to have a round of town.

MORAL: Halat o waqiat logun ko dekh kr i can surely say... Her Chamakti Chez Sona Nahi Hoti.

What is knowledge exchange?

There has been much confusion about the term knowledge exchange.

For the purposes of this survey knowledge exchange refers to the role that universities can play in stimulating and contributing to innovation and social and economic growth through the flow of ideas, skills, research and sharing of resources and people with private, public and third sector partners.

Some examples of knowledge exchange include:

collaborative research; contract research; consultancies; business people and sector experts working with academics to co-develop curricula; guest lectures; public lectures; supporting community regeneration; universities offering short courses and CPD; building capacity in government teams; advising on policy; knowledge exchange networking events etc.....