Tuesday, 4 March 2014
Friday, 29 November 2013
CLEANLINESS IS NEXT TO GODLINESS
CLEANLINESS IS NEXT TO GODLINESS
PROF WAQAR HUSSAIN
“Cleanliness is next to godliness”, this aphorism
is with us since ages. It is an indirect biblical statement and countless
people have commented upon it, orally as well as in text. I have gone through
the pages of history to get to the bottom of statement. I turned pages of
dictionaries to know it meaning. But no clear explanation and meanings are found.
Some regarded it mere physical cleanliness of thing and some even went on to
say. “I cleaned my hands but didn’t get closer to God”. Some famous writers
like P.J.O’ Rourke said: “Cleanliness becomes more important when godlessness
is unlikely”. Many indulged in the battle of words of godliness and
godlessness. Diversity, diversion and delusion of meanings damned this adage. So, it is matter of prime importance to get to
the real meaning of cleanliness, godliness and the whole statement. Godliness
denotes state of being pure, virtuous and holiness thus getting close to God.
And cleanliness means an act of purification leading to the level of sanctification.
The whole statement means cleanliness takes a common man to the proximity of
God. This journey starts from cleanliness of clothes, body and surroundings. Everything
around us should be clean and beautiful. For which, Addison says “Beauty
produces love, but cleanliness preserves it”.
Then, there is the cleanliness of
mind. Mind should be clear off from all the feelings of hatred, harm and
haram( sinful). Buddha’s eight fold path emphasized much in the cleanliness
of mind. When the dirt of sinfulness is obliterated from the screen of mind,
noble, lovable and pious actions come into action. The tongue sings sweat song
of love, fraternity and kindness. When actions and words are clean, purity of
soul and spirit is an ultimate product. When soul is soaring sky high in
morality; purity, piety and piousness of God is not far away. So cleanliness means
cleaning of clothes, body, mind, heart, gossip and soul. It is a multistage process
and elevates one closer to God. Perhaps, it is the level of cleanliness for
which The Holly Book says “God loves the clean” .That is why! The core and crux
of all the religions is “cleanliness” of all kind.
Bacon said, “Cleanliness of body
was ever esteemed to proceed from a due reverence to God, to society, and to ourselves”.
Look at the globe, you will find two
categories of countries. In one group of countries, you will find cleanliness
of all forms and these are the countries which we call ‘advanced’. While in a
group of countries where there is lack of cleanliness, they are languishing
behind in every field .So, the progress of nations is interlinked with the
cleanliness. May Allah bestow us the quality of cleanliness and make us worldly
advanced and spiritually strong. At the end, I want to present a short poem,
read it and follow it and get out of the present day quagmire.
Clean this, Clean that
Clean body, Clean clothe
Clean mind, clean soul
And get closer to the Sole
Cleanliness is half Iman
Cleanliness is half Islam
Cleanliness leads to godliness
Cleanliness ends godlessness.
Kar Safai, Paa
Bhalai
Sift hay yeh
khas khudai
Tuesday, 12 November 2013
LIPSTICK CAUSES CANCER
LIPSTICK
CAUSES CANCER
PROF WAQAR
HUSSAIN
Lipsticks and women are hand in gloves
with each other since ages. Dr. Younis Butt writes ironically: “Lipsticks are
the sticks with which women control men”. No doubt, it beautifies the women and
increase captivation. But like a Frankenstein’s monster it destroys its master
as its lead content cause deadly dangerous cancer. Its use has increased over
the time. British Zoologist Desmond Morris says: “The widespread practice of
enhancing the red color of the lips was due to a biological analogy with labia,
because these flush red and swell when women are aroused.” What may be the
reason, lipsticks are inseparable from present day women. It is their basic
right to use it or not. But our concern is about the lead ingredient of the present
day lipsticks. In past lipsticks were leads free. Mesopotamian were first to
invent and use lipstick. They used to apply finely ground gemstones on their
lips. Egyptian extracted red dye from focus-align; it contained iodine and
bromine which caused immense health hazard so they abandoned their use. Abul
Qasim Zahrawi invented solid, perfumed stick. British used a blend bee wax and
red color extracted from plants. American used lipstick with coloring substance
“carmine “extracted from an insect etc.
Now a day, lipsticks are made from
waxes, oils, organic dyes and inorganic pigments. More than 50% lipsticks made
in USA contain pig fat and castor oil, which impart shinning appearance. The
use of lard (fat of pig) is the matter of concern for the Muslim women. Their
religious emotion must be respected. On the contrary the Concern of
scientists is about inorganic pigments containing lead.
Lead compounds of red color or shade
may be
1) Lead monoxide
(PbO)- reddish yellow
2) Triplumbate
tetra oxide (Pb3 04) – red
3) Lead dioxide
(PbO2) - reddish brown.
It is not
sure which lead compound is used in lipstick, as it is trade secret. But one
study conducted in USA in 2007 revealed that 60% of tested lipsticks had minor
amount of lead especially in red ones. The level of lead varied from 0.03 to
0.65 parts per million (ppm). About 33% lipstick had lead content beyond the
safe limit of 0.1 ppm. So, the concern of scientists focus on high lead content
as lead is supposed to be carcinogenic, revealed by many studies.
Recently MT. Sinai Hospital Toronto has informed to public in pro bono
publico spirit: “Some brands of lipstick contains lead (Pb) which caused
cancer. The higher is the content of lead, higher is the chance of getting
cancer”. There are few simple tests to check the lead content in a
lipstick.
First, lipsticks, which stay on for a longer
time, contain higher content of lead.
Second, paste some lipstick on your
palm. Then rub it with gold ring or bangle. If, the color of lipstick changes
to black. It means lipstick contain lead.
Pass on this information to all
women you care. Your advice might save them and curb the curse of carcinogenic
cancer.
Keep in mind, the UK had made
strict laws about production of cosmetic products. Manufacturers cannot sell
their product in market before it is safely tested. Lead
is banned from all
cosmetics except hair dyes.
In USA, Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) regulates the lead content in food and cosmetics. They have successfully
reduced the content of lead to a benign level. A survey was conducted in 2011
on 400 lipsticks and results indicated minimum level of lead. According to FDA,
this level is harmless.
In Pakistan, it is the duty of health
department to redress the problem. In past our woman used to chew Sakra(
bark of walnut tree) to clean their teeth and mouth, apart from coloring their lips red. It was a
natural herbal lipstick without any side effects and also served the purpose of
teeth and mouth wash. We should seek the benefit from the experiences and
wisdom of our forefather. Isaac Asimov says; the saddest aspect of life
right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom”.
Is he not saying right?
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