M Aamer Sarfraz

The third version of early Muslim history is derived from Dr Ahmad’s review based on Mossavi, Khamdimzada, Fatimi, Karamati, Imdadi, Hamid-Uddin, Montgomery and others’ works. The idea behind his thesis and my essay is academic and educational, and not to affront religious beliefs or insult revered figures in Islamic history. Ahmad determines that standard versions […]

Banu Umayyah usurped others’ right and ruled with an iron hand for hundred years. They were ousted by Banu Abbas who gained power in the name of Hazrat Ali and his decedents but chose to ignore them during most of their five-hundred-year rule. Both Dynasties encouraged innovation of Ahadith which could boost their Islamic credentials […]

I have been reading early Muslim history for a few decades. Very few books and interesting articles, unless they are unreferenced or in an unknown language, have escaped me. One would assume under these circumstances that there are not many surprises left in this subject area for me. However, this statement cannot be further from […]

Islam was supposed to be a simple and practical religion. Unfortunately, it has fallen prey to similar challenges, which have marred other religions over time. The main source of angst has been how and what we have received as early Muslim history. This has confused some and detracted others; but definitely put off many from […]

I am perhaps the only die-hard fan of Ch. Nisar Ali Khan of Chakri in Pakistan. Some say my interest in him is of a professional nature; others accuse me of being excessively affectionate towards Rajputs. Whatever you may choose to believe, I am fascinated by his personality — 70s hairstyle, choice of attire, rare […]

Some were excited, others were depressed; but most were shocked when Shehbaz Sharif was arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). He was called to answer for the Clean Water Project, but got ensnared for the Ashiana Housing Scheme. Did he refuse to cooperate or was he a flight risk? If he had not been […]

I am feeling helpless. I know others who are suicidal. People have even gone off watching Pakistani TV Channels. The government is making so many elementary mistakes that one wonders how is it being allowed to carry on? At the heart of all its problems is one man: Imran Khan. Khan is a decent fellow. […]

I am surrounded by people who think and speak aloud. I have no right to complain, because it comes with a heavenly package and may even be a reaction to my quieter disposition. I also get reminded that my silence isn’t empty, it is full of reverberation. I may have no riposte at this stage […]

I don’t know about you, but I confess that I had posters of ABBA and Smita Patil in my bedroom as a kid and both got a goodnight kiss. I was also obsessed with Patras Bokhari and Ahmed Faraz; and used their words to get me through my conventional and not so conventional juvenile angst. […]

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has performed exactly as predicted before the elections. Minus a rescue operation in South Punjab and elsewhere, it would not have formed a government in Punjab and struggled for one at the federal level. Now that the party has achieved its goal, all credit is being given to Imran Khan and his […]