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BIO
- DATA updated October 2007
In the year 1928, I was born in England into a very dedicated and
devoted Agakhani Ismaili family. Every grown-up member of our household
was supposed to meditate in the early morning, between four and five. Three
times a day, we all used to go to Jamatkhana (Ismailis' Prayer House),
and
recite the ritual prayer. This was a formally prescribed official prayer
in Gujrati (a language the majority of Aga Khan's followers speak),
known as the Ismaili Du'a. Every believing follower was supposed
to recite this authorized Du'a with full faith, without any variation.
Until replaced in 1956, that (old) Du'a had a phrase (Kalimah) which
formally Declared and Witnessed; Aly (son-in-law
of the Prophet), the master of the believers, is Shahi (truly) Allah.
While reciting that enigmatic Du'a, one would repeatedly prostrate oneself
before the photographs of His Highness The Aga Khan Sultan Muhammad Shah
Mehlati and affirm with firm conviction; the photographed
mortal was the prevalent physical manifestation of the Almighty God (Allah).
Huge multi-colored photos of the Aga Khan were hung from all the four walls
of all the Jamatkhanas in the world. We were also reciting: Aly-Muhammad yakk Khuda huqq
sanakh'th dafeh ballah. It translates; If
you have the true understanding that 'Aly and Muhammad (jointly) are one
Allah', then (all) your calamities will vanish.
Any Ismaili can verify these facts from his/her Old Du'a Book or by asking
the elders, over the age of sixty five. Those were the times in
the Ismaili history, when I was born.
The Aga Khan had repeatedly
announced that he was the 48th direct hereditary physical descendant of
Hadhrat Aly. He had the same Noor (the
manifest Light of Allah), that Aly - the first Imam had. Whenever the Aga
Khan would give his Holy Deedar (glimpse of his Noorani
face),
he would address us as "My Beloved Spiritual Children". Aga
Khan would most graciously bestow upon
us his "Special Paternal and Maternal Loving Blessings".
Such merciful bestowing would bring the tears rolling down my cheeks. Our
material and spiritual success was due to these Holy Blessings. We were
the chosen few, out the billions to have been so very fortunate. Giving
him 12 1/2% as Dasond in lieu of the Islamic Zakat, in CASH in the
Jamatkhana, from what was bestowed upon us by his mercy was like saying "Thank
You" to our Living Imam. He would then multiply our offerings and reward us manifold, here and
hereafter in the Heaven. These were and even are today the popular beliefs. Majority of Ismaili
would pay this percentage once a month from their monthly gross income,
but my parents would pay it daily.
Ismailis are taught
by their parents and the missionaries that Aga Khan's Farmans (Proclamations),
are the solemn Divine Dictates, being the very word of a
Living God. Each and every Proclamation made by the Aga Khan should
be entertained and understood as the verses of a "Speaking
Qur'an". On several occasions, these Proclamations would overrule
the sacred verses of the "Silent Qur'an"
but that should not bother us. We were tutored into believing that
what was revealed, 1400 years ago to a community of the Pagan Arabs living
in the age of ignorance, through Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him),
was outdated. Instead, we were ordered by the late Aga Khan to recite the
devotional Songs called Ginans, alleged to have been written by
the Ismaili Pirs. Majority of these Ginans, which attributed Divinity to
Aga Khan were composed at a much later date, by the Ismaili poets and printed
by the Ismaili Printing Press in Bombay. Please click GINANS
to
read more on the subject.
Majority of these
ancient beliefs and acts have not changed. Even today (1999), Ismailis
do recite the Ginans that attribute Divinity to Aga Khan. Instead of a
dozen or so photographs, today there are only a couple of them, which are
pulled down during the official visit of a non-Ismaili dignitary. Ismailis
do recite their Du'a (a modified version), facing all the directions.
At times their backs are facing the "Sacred
Mosque". In the 80's, when the multi-million dollar Burnaby Jamatkhana
in British Columbia was under planning, I wrote a personal letter
(as an ex-President of the Ismailia Council), to Karim Aga Khan. I earnestly
requested that looking ahead of time it would be advisable to construct
this new Jamatkhana facing the Qiblah (Ka'bah). The prestigious Burnaby
Jamatkhana does not face the direction of Mekkah. The
verses of the Holy Qur'an explicitly dictate that every Muslim
should face the "Sacred Mosque" in Mekkah, while praying. (Qur'an 2:149/150)
This is one of the major reasons why Ismailis do not allow any non-Ismaili
to enter any of their Jamatkhanas, specially during the prayer timings.
However, many young Muslim students in North America have, out of curiosity,
sneaked into these restricted prayer halls and observed the UNIQUE practices
of the so called "Ismaili Muslims".
For the next fifty four
years, following the footsteps of my grandparents and parents, I whole
heartedly served the two Imams of my times and the Ismaili community, with
Tan,
Man and Dhan (Body, Mind and Money). Even today, my efforts are directed
at bringing these misguided Ismailis to the Deen
of Allah. In 1972, in the recognition of my dedicated services to
the community, specially to the Ismaili orphans and widows of Karachi,
I was appointed President of the Ismailia Regional Council for Karachi
and Baluchistan by Karim Aga Khan himself. I devotedly discharged my duties
as a senior community leader, until I emigrated to Canada in 1975.
 Towards
the end of 1982, when I was a devoted Ismaili, I published my first book
on the history (the Divine Link) of the Aga Khans. It was entitled
'From
Abraham to Aga Khan'. The information contained in it was mostly
based upon the religious teachings that I had received over the years from
my parents, the Ismaili missionaries (many of them were paid by the Aga
Khans) and the literature published by the Ismaili Religious Institutions
in India and Pakistan (financed by the Aga Khans). Several of the non-Ismaili
and a few Ismaili readers pointed out to me that Karim Aga Khan was not
the physical direct descendants of the Prophet, as claimed by him. They
all suggested that I should read the history of the Assassins
of Alamut.
As the years went on, I continued
my research on the subject of Ismaili literature and history. At the same
time I augmented my studies with the revealed and inspired messages that
are to be found in the Bible and the Qur'an. By the grace of Almighty Allah
, I got out of my inherited tunnel vision that I had so firmly established
for more than half a century. I could now compare with an open mind what
I had studied in the past, with what I was learning in the present. I began
asking questions in private as well as in public, by writing letters and
pamphlets. I approached from the lowest to the highest authority but got
no answer.
The real change in my attitude
came when I discovered to my utter surprise
that the Aga Khans were not the direct descendants
of the Fatimid Imams that ruled Egypt between the ninth and tenth centuries.
Even today (2007), no Ismaili organization
or Ismaili Institute has published any book refuting my research or my published
works. This total silence has been
a cause of true concern for the Ismaili students, facing a barge of questions
from the Muslim Students who have visited my Internet Web Site. Yes, I
have seen lots and lots of totally baseless and fictitious documents that
simply does the unscrupulous dirty job of the author's "character assassination".
I am neither a Wahabi nor a Saudi Agent (paid or otherwise). I never ever
had a kidney transplant, so the story of Saudis/Wahabis having donated
a kidney and/or the money, is a Big Lie like the rest of the lies.
 At
the end of 1988, based upon my advanced studies and the most recent discoveries,
I published 'Understanding Ismailism'. Shortly
after its publication, in December 1988, the honorary secretary of the
Aga Khan's Ismaili Council for British Columbia filed a "Complaint" before
the Aga Khan's Conciliation and Arbitration Board. The Complainant had
asked the Board to recommend my expulsion from the
community, under the Ismaili Constitution that is ordained by Karim
Aga Khan. In March 1989, before the Board could pass a judgement
of ex-communication, I publicly withdrew my oath
of allegiance to Karim Aga Khan, upon the advice of my lawyers.
The roots of Fatimid Ismailis were in the Middle East
where Islam was born. The roots of majority of the Agakhani Ismailis are
in the Indo-Pakistan sub-continent. Their conversion from Hinduism has
gone through various phases of proselytizing. During the past one and half
centuries, the religion of these converts has undergone such drastic changes
that the present generation of the Agakhani Ismailis is totally ignorant
of the practices of their forefathers that lived only three or four generations
ago. To make these followers of Aga Khan, aware of their own roots and
the various stages of proselytizing, in 1991, I published 'A
History Of The Agakhani Ismailis'. The book has since then been
well received by the open minded Ismailis and the Muslims at large. Anyone
interested can download from my web site, 'Understanding
Ismailism' and
'A History Of The Agakhani Ismailis'
Since the age of eighteen I had been reading with interest,
the Holy Bible. In 1949 I wrote my first article based upon John's Gospel
and the Book of Revelation. In the 1970's, I began comparing the texts
of Holy Bible with the Holy Qur'an (Koran). At the end of 1989, I wrote
'Understanding
the Bible - through Koranic Messages'. It was published at a time
in the history of the Middle East when there was a greater need for Jews,
Christians, and Muslims - the three children of Abraham, to re-examine
their own roots and unite as brothers. Today the situation is out of hand
due to the continued heavy handedness and the human right violations committed
by the ruling Israeli Government. The book was reviewed by the famous Canadian
author Tom Harpur. He is a former professor of the New Testament, and the
Religious Editor of 'The Toronto Star'. Several months later, I was interviewed
by the Tom Harpur, a former Professor of New Testament at the Toronto
School of Theology, in his nationally televised series in Canada 'Heaven and Hell'.
For the past many years I have attended several Bible
Study Classes run by Christian missionaries and scholars. Here I was given
the opportunity to compare the teachings of prophet Jesus (peace be upon
him), and the present day beliefs and practices of various denominations
of Christianity.
In 1992, I published a booklet 'Understanding
Jesus - the factual perceptions'. In the field of inviting Christians
to the path shown by Jesus - the righteous Messiah, I have invited scholars
from North America and England and held several dialogues and public lectures
in North America.
By the Grace of Allah (SWT), my wife and I are now Sunni
Muslims. The question often asked by the Shi'ah readers is; Why
my wife and I, who were Shia'hs by birth joined the Sect of Sunni Muslims
after leaving the enigmatic Sect of the Agakhani Ismailis?
To know the answer please click SUNNA
.
I cordially invite the readers
to read the various articles placed on this Web Site. They are the tools for the
Believing Muslims to give the "Daw'ah" (Invitation)to the misguided generations of Christians
and to the mislead Agakhani Ismailis by their Religious Leaders.
Ismailis are in the habit of quoting the last verse
of Surah Al-Kafirun (109), "to you be your Way and
to me mine" and add, why do not the
Da'is (persons doing the Daw'ah) leave the Agakhani Ismailis alone to their
own Way of following their Hazar Imam and the Da'is just keep following
the Qur'an? These interrogators are probably unaware that the Opening Verse
of this Surah reads, "Say: O ye that reject Faith!".
The obvious counter question would be; Are
the interrogators, who wish to be left alone are in effect admitting;
they are the Rejecters of Faith? Here is a verse from Surah
Al-i' Imran (3):
Let there arise out of you a band
of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding
what is wrong: They are the ones to attain felicity. Verse 104
May the Most Merciful Allah Guide the misguided rejecters
of HIS TRUTH, that was Revealed through His Messengers, Ibrahim (a.s.), Musa (a.s.),
'Isa (a.s.) and Muhammad (s.a.s.).
In December 2006, based upon queries from the web surfers,
the following clarification was added:
-
1. Every Hadeeth - Re-reported Narration that is in circulation does NOT constitute the Prophet's Sunnah.
2. Every Prevalent Islamic Tradition is NOT based upon the Prophet's Definitive Sunnah.
3. Every Authentic Sunnah of the Prophet has to be within the frame work of
Sunnat'ullah meaning "The Law of Allah", records the Glorious Qur'an. (See Verses 10: 15, 33: 2, 6: 50).
4. The word Sunnah means "The Trodden Path" which also constitutes "The Law" in many instances. The adopted customs by the Prophet defines the approved Path.
5. There are Compulsory as well as Optional Prophetic Traditions.
6. The words Sunnat'ullah and Sunnat'awlin (Earlier Traditions) do appear in the Qur'an, but NO Sunnat-ur-Rasool.
- 7.
To know
further on the Subject please visit SUNNA
In the early part of this
21st century, my Internet Website
'Critical Study of Christianity, Islam and Ismailism' gave rise to several
polemical debates on the cyberspace, mostly from the Christian Webmasters.
Regrettably, I
noticed that the True Islam based upon the Revealed Verses of the Qur'an was
being viciously maligned and distorted by the Christian
scholars with thousands of Weak, Spurious as well as Fabricated Hadiths
that Muslims of this era do absolve and then try to defend those dubious
narrations on their Sites.
In 2001, I published the book Myths and Realities of
Hadith -- a critical study. I placed it on my web site to inform the
Christian scholars that I do not subscribe to anything and everything that is
attributed to the Prophet. Many Muslim scholars had in the past raised their
voices but that was either suppressed or never publicized. I continued my research upon the subject of
the Primary and Secondary Documents of Islam. It was discovered that in several
instances the tafshir (commentaries) of the Glorious Qur'an was based upon the reported
Narrations, which the Prophet who had personally taught the Qur'an
could NOT have pronounced.
The practice of interpreting the verses of the Qur'an by comparing relevant text
or texts from other revealed verses was disregarded and ignored when a Hadith -
weak or fabricated, compiled by the
so called authoritative 'Six
Muslim Compilers' was quoted.
One such serious instance of total disregard that I noticed was concerning the
Life of Prophet Jesus. The perceptions for the Historical Jesus that lived upon
this earth, as derived by from the time-honored inherited traditional tales
prevalent among the Muslims have completely over shadowed what has been recorded
within the verses of the Qur'an and the earlier Books.
In 2003, I published the book
Rediscovering the Realities of Jesus - his crucifixion, resurrection, ascension
and celibacy. Knowing "Historical Jesus" is to know Messiah 'Isa - Jesus
Christ the son of Mary. The book presents a well-synthesized image of Jesus that
emerges from the Earlier Scriptures adequately supported by the verses of the Qur'an
revealed to mankind, that is logically engaging to
Christians and Muslims. To read the text of this book in the .pdf format click:
Rediscovering the Realities of Jesus
I end with the chapter #103 of the
Glorious Qur'an:
By the declining day,
Lo! man is in a state of loss,
Save those who believe and do good works,
and exhort one another to truth
and exhort one another to endurance.

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