Dr. Kizar Nawaz, spreading knowledge and peace

 

Dr. Kizar Nawaz is one of the respected member in many Islamic and Medical related communities on orkut.com, doing a vast research on comparative religion, Dr Kizar is a man of principals and discipline. His interview on Orkut’s Hall of Fame counts as one of the best interviews ever, Dr Kizar answered the questions of zazo on Islam,myths about Islam and on Dr Kizar’s personal life.

You are very welcome sir.

Let peace be with every one. First of all I would like to thank you personally for doing such a wonderful job, let god bless you and make your job more and more far reaching to greatest heights possible. I am at your service.

It’s my pleasure Sir, Can you please tell me a small biography of yours. Your education, family life, work and other pro experiences?

I was born in 1956 in madras. my native place is kayalpattanam.
I had my elementary education in madras and tuticorin.
I played football for school, as well as college, and in many all India tournaments.
I started reading Quran when I was 4 years old and finished first time when I was 5 years old. By God’s grace I recited the holy quran more than 400 times so far.
started reading Hadiths when I was 9 years old and still going on.
Read Bhagvat Geeta, Upanishads and Bible as well. and was having intensive research in all religions for the past 35 years.
Finished my MBBS from Stanley Medical College.
Had special training in ophthalmology and now practicing in Muscat
I am moderator of more than 10 communities of different categories like Islam, medicine, inter-religious debates etc on orkut.

Short history of my native place

Early settlers of Kayal

The First Wave

In about 875 AD, or so the legend goes, not far way from Cairo, the capital of Egypt, on the shadows of Mount Mukhadham, existed a town called Qirafathul Kubra. It was from this town that year, the legend continues, about 224 men, women and children, all descendants of the first caliph of Islam, Abubacker Siddique (Ral), belonging to the Bakhri tribe, left the Egyptian shores, under the leadership of Mohamed Kalji, in a ship made of wood (hence marakayar?) and eventually landed on the shores of Kayal.

This region, at that time, was under the rule of the Pandya king Abhirama Raja Adhiraja Raja Jayaveera Rajukaar. It is said that the new arrivals were given land by the King to settle and carry on their trading. A land title was also issued by the King to this effect.

The Second Wave

In about 1284 AD, it is said, 5 boat loads of people, escaping repression and natural disaster, left Egypt to various destinations. One such boat people, it is believed, reached the city of Kayal. The number of people in this ‘second major wave’ of settlers is unknown, but they were reportedly well received by the Pandya ruler of the time, Sundarapandya Thevar. The settlers were led by Syed Jamaludeen, believed to be the 21st descendant of Prophet Muhammed (Sal)[citation needed].

It is said that the Pandya king sent Syed Jamaludeen as his emissary to the court of Kublai Khan. After his return, it is believed, Syed Jamaludeen regularly supplied horses to the king and eventually rose to become the commander of the king’s army. Following the death of Sundarapandya in 1294 AD, Syed Jamaludeen is believed to have succeeded to the throne.

From.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kayalpattanam

How the interest in researching about religion started? The most doctors I saw till now hardly get time for anything else except there practice and medical books.

Well that’s why I posted the history of my forefathers from Egypt.
So basically our town belongs to people who speak Arabic fluently and has eminent scholars and waliullahs. And it always differed from the neighboring Hindu areas. So religion ever since my young days fascinated me, the customs, rituals etc etc of different religions kindled the fire in my thoughts to know more about them.

and fate I would put , though coming from an orthodox Muslim town, I had to reside in a Brahmin colony in my school days, where my father practiced as an eye specialist. So I had many Brahmin pandits living near by , their sons being friends of mine, heard a lot of stories from them about Hindu mythologies and all.

and finally I had my early education in a Christian school. St. Francis Xavier’s high school Tuticorin, where I had a lot of Christian friends and Jesuit fathers were my teachers who always inspired me with their knowledge and grace.

so a combination of all these things resulted in intense research on all these religions, for a period of 35 to 40 years now.

WELL I NEVER COMPROMISED ON MY PRACTICE. All these works were in my spare time.

I had been in private practice through out my career, taking the mantle from my father.
Now I am settled in Muscat and having a roaring practice here by gods grace.

I am sure 30-40 years is a long journey for you. How was the experience? How many scholars you met and how many places you been to, for this research?

Yes it was a long but pleasant journey because I went after light. (Knowledge)
in Islam, I have met many eminent scholars and had chat, as well lessons from them. and extensive reading I would put showed many solutions for my questions.

my maternal grand father was a philosopher, and poet. and I think I inherited that. Because many things I felt it came from inside, that’s from my mind itself as if I had known for years, but later confirmed in reality. God is great.

read biographies of great religious persons in all religions from books as well as nets.

The most talk about issue today in every country, society and religion is Islam and Muslim. Mostly a very common name attached to Muslims is “Terrorists” its hard and sad to accept by any Muslim who has nothing to do with terror but still its a bitter truth. How much these effect your thoughts and worries?

There are two aspects in this.

First of all , for what a group of people do the whole community should not be blamed.

Secondly, killing innocent people never comes under jihad.

You had similar incidents in Ireland, Sri Lanka, and else where too where the party
involved were blamed and not the concerned religions they belonged.

AL QURAN SURAH. 5 : 32.

Because of that We ordained for the Children of Israel that if anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread mischief in the land – it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind. And indeed, there came to them Our Messengers with clear proofs, evidences, and signs, even then after that many of them continued to exceed the limits (e.g. by doing oppression unjustly and exceeding beyond the limits set by Allah by committing the major sins) in the land!.

There are lots of misconceptions or you can say questions non-Muslims have about Islam, can you tell us what is the meaning of Jihad? Why Jihad is necessary? is there is no peaceful way to solve the issues rather taking weapons in hands?

In Arabic, Jihad means “strive” or “struggle”.
Jihad appears frequently in the Qur’an and common usage as the idiomatic expression “striving in the way of Allah ” (al-jihad fi sabil Allah)

According to scholar John Esposito, Jihad requires Muslims to “struggle in the way of God” or “to struggle to improve one’s self and/or society. Jihad is directed against Satan’s inducements, aspects of one’s own self, or against a visible enemy.

The four major categories of jihad that are recognized are
Jihad against one’s own self (Jihad al-Nafs),
Jihad of the tongue (Jihad al-lisan),
Jihad of the hand (Jihad al-yad),
and Jihad of the sword (Jihad as-sayf).

In the classical manuals of Islamic jurisprudence, the rules associated with armed warfare are covered at great length. Such rules include not killing women, children and non-combatants, as well as not damaging cultivated or residential areas. More recently, modern Muslims have tried to re-interpret the Islamic sources, stressing that Jihad is essentially defensive warfare aimed at protecting Muslims and Islam.

In Modern Standard Arabic, jihad is one of the correct terms for a struggle for any cause, violent or not, religious or secular (though ???? kif?? is also used). For instance, Mahatma Gandhi’s struggle for Indian independence is called a “jihad” in Modern Standard Arabic (as well as many other dialects of Arabic); the terminology is applied to the fight for women’s liberation.

use of weapons depends upon the type of oppression, but Quran stresses to make peaceful agreements with oppressors and keep them up. so peace is the main stress in Islam with fellow beings. But oppression of any kind for anyone should be relieved.

From: Sahih Al Bukhari.

Narrated ‘Aisha: The Prophet said “Gabriel continued to recommend me about treating the neighbors Kindly and politely so much so that I thought he would order me to make them as my heirs. (Book #73, Hadith #43)

Narrates Ibn Umar: Allah’ Apostle said, Gabriel kept on recommending me about treating the neighbors in a kind and polite manner, so much so that I thought that he would order (me) to make them (my) heirs.” (Book #73, Hadith #44)

What was more challenging in your life between the studies of medical and studies of religions?

I would say study of religion was more challenging. Because they say ignorance is bliss.

So once you have learnt about religion, then next step is to follow accordingly, initially to follow according to Islam was difficult, but once you went through then it was bliss total.

This was like when you go for a game of football you should do atleast half an hour exercise like stretching, and sprinting etc. which is difficult, but once the match starts you are fit in it because of this preparation.

About medical studies well, it’s another ocean altogether, but the lesson I learnt is learning never ends, from the cradle to death.

What is the definition of religious extremism for you? Do you think every person who do follow his/her religion strictly and dedicatedly comes into the category of extremist? Please share your thoughts.

Surah 35: 32 Then We gave the Book the Quran) for inheritance to such of Our slaves whom We chose (the followers of Muhammad SAW). Then of them are some who wrong their ownselves, and of them are some who follow a middle course, and of them are some who are, by Allah’s Leave, foremost in good deeds. That (inheritance of the Quran), that is indeed a great grace.

According to me this is religious extremism.

“Some who are, by Allah’s Leave, foremost in good deeds ”

extremism in doing good deeds.

others are fanaticism. as said here.
” Then of them are some who wrong their ownselves.”

Well no. Religion is to streamline human in to a straight path. Islam is not a religion it is actually a way of living virtuously so no one will be wrong if they follow it in the right way. Islam is the only religion which by law prevents one from drinking, gambling, adultery and even lending on interest. Islam advocates compulsory charity, which is just opposite to lending in interest. one who is interested in getting interest, will restrict his charity, so that he can lend more and earn from that. Charity feeds poor and interest starves them.

I still remember that after 9/11 tragedy I used to get a regular forwarded message on my cell phone that “Not every Muslim is a terrorist but every terrorist caught is a Muslim, why?”, I also read somewhere a quote from a well known author though I cant recall his name, he said “Islam is the best religion in the world having worst followers”

How much Muslims are responsible for making bad image of there ownself in the world? What and where they lack? Proper education? Social backwardness? Negative media publicity or something else?

Education, social backwardness negative media publicity all these plus certain ( only religious knowledge ) uneducated teachers contribute to this state of Muslim youths. Also media exaggeration makes it magnified, how far these news are true.
GOD ONLY KNOWS.

Dr, please tell us what are your favorite pass time, other than work and religious activities what you like to do?

Like to watch TV. Favorite is BBC and Discovery Channel.

Walking daily with my wife for 45 Min,

Reading, Reading and Reading.

What you would be if not a doctor?

Well very difficult question for me.

Because I was groomed to be a doctor right from my first day by my father and god fulfilled our dreams. Alternatively, I would have had an orphanage caring for handicapped children, and aged.

Dr Kizar please share the day when you felt most successful and the day when you felt a failure and disappointment.

I felt successful when I got admission in to medical college. And, I was extremely disappointed when my father got expired suddenly.

Who is that person who you followed all your life and he is the inspiration for you forever? Why?

My father. I learnt all from him. He was my guru too.

How to live doing good only ever and correct bad if found any where in any body.

Dr Kizar, may I ask you a very personal question on your decision of taking job outside India, What makes you took this step? Many high educated people choose other countries to serve than their own country though India needs people like you more than other country. What is your explanation on this issue?

As a matter of fact, it was due to the worst Hindu Muslim conflicts at that time in my part of the city, which prompted me to migrate, though not the right decision, which I feel now, but I am happy to live in Oman.

How did you find orkut.com? Since when you are active here and did it really helped you in building a good social network?

t was my daughter. Zahra, who is a doctor in Chennai(madras), introduced me to orkut in aug. 2006. From that time no turning back. I feel I am one of those who utilized orkut to the maximum. I spend at least 5 to 6 hours daily in orkut, answering various questions on religion, general, as well as medicine.

Islam

Muslim Doctors

We are Proud to be Muslim

United we Stand

DiscussIslam

above are some of my important communities.

It’s great to have words with you Sir. I wish you achieve more in your work, Thanks for giving your precious time on Orkut’s Hall of Fame.

zazo, thank you very much.

its my pleasure. I enjoyed thoroughly the two days I was here, let ALLAH give peace and prosperity for all. Wish you all good luck. Good bye.

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