Month: May 2025

  • Affordable Ways Couples Can Keep the Romance Alive

    Affordable Ways Couples Can Keep the Romance Alive

    When was the last time you and your partner truly connected without checking your phones or spending a fortune on a night out? In a world that often equates romance with luxury, it’s easy to forget that the deepest connections are often forged in life’s simplest moments. The good news? Keeping the spark alive in your relationship doesn’t have to cost a dime—it only requires intention, creativity, and a little effort.

    Modern life moves fast, and the demands of work, parenting, and daily routines can make romance feel like a neglected afterthought. But intellectual and emotionally mature couples understand that intimacy is built on everyday choices, not just grand gestures. According to Dr. John Gottman, a renowned relationship researcher, “Masters of relationships are mindful of how they spend their time together.” In other words, it’s the small, consistent acts that truly keep love thriving.

    This article offers twenty actionable, budget-friendly ways for couples to deepen their connection and rediscover the joy of being together. Whether you’ve been dating for six months or married for decades, these practices will inspire new conversations, laughter, and intimacy—without stretching your wallet. For those who value emotional depth over materialism, these tips will resonate deeply.


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    Affordable Ways Couples Can Keep the Romance Alive

    1 – Cook Together at Home
    Cooking together isn’t just about preparing food—it’s a shared experience that cultivates teamwork, communication, and intimacy. Couples can take turns choosing recipes, experimenting with new cuisines, or recreating favorite dishes from their past. This collaborative ritual provides an opportunity to bond over small victories, laugh at occasional kitchen disasters, and create a nurturing rhythm within the home.

    Food psychologist Brian Wansink noted in his book Mindless Eating that shared meals foster a sense of connection and mindfulness. Cooking at home also allows for better nutritional choices and financial savings—making it a win-win for romance and health. The act of preparing and enjoying a meal side-by-side can reignite that early spark, even on an ordinary weeknight.


    2 – Plan Regular At-Home Date Nights
    Who says date nights require a fancy restaurant or an expensive outing? With a little creativity, your living room can transform into a romantic escape. Whether it’s movie marathons, themed dinners, board game battles, or dancing to your favorite playlist, these evenings help couples break routine and reconnect emotionally.

    According to psychologist Dr. Terri Orbuch, author of 5 Simple Steps to Take Your Marriage from Good to Great, couples who regularly schedule intentional time together experience higher levels of satisfaction and intimacy. It’s not about spending money—it’s about prioritizing each other and staying curious about one another’s evolving selves.


    3 – Write Love Notes or Letters
    In an age dominated by instant messaging, handwritten expressions of affection can feel refreshingly personal and timeless. Writing love notes or letters provides an outlet for vulnerability and appreciation—two ingredients critical to emotional intimacy. Leave a sweet message in their bag or tuck a heartfelt letter under their pillow for a delightful surprise.

    Experts like Gary Chapman, author of The 5 Love Languages, emphasize the power of words in affirming love. For many, verbal or written affirmations speak louder than any grand gesture. Thoughtful notes don’t cost a penny but can leave a lasting emotional impact.


    4 – Take Walks Together
    Strolling side by side invites natural conversation and uninterrupted quality time. Unlike dining across from one another, walking aligns both your physical and emotional rhythm. Whether it’s a morning walk in the park or a sunset stroll through your neighborhood, it nurtures both your relationship and your well-being.

    Research from the American Psychological Association suggests that couples who engage in shared physical activities report greater relationship satisfaction. Plus, the combination of movement and nature has a calming effect, helping to reduce stress and foster a deeper connection.


    5 – Revisit Shared Memories
    Looking back can help you move forward. Revisit old photos, home videos, or mementos from special times in your relationship. Reminiscing about shared experiences fosters gratitude and reminds both partners of the journey they’ve been on together.

    As Dr. Susan Johnson, founder of Emotionally Focused Therapy, states, “Love is a continual process of tuning in, connecting, and revisiting.” Reflecting on your shared past not only strengthens emotional bonds but reignites fond feelings that may have faded amid daily routines.


    6 – Create a Couple’s Bucket List
    Dreaming together can be just as important as reminiscing. Sit down with your partner and make a bucket list of things you’d love to experience as a couple—whether it’s simple weekend hikes or long-term travel goals. The act of planning something exciting together strengthens emotional investment.

    This future-focused exercise, as explored in The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John Gottman, cultivates shared meaning and vision—two pillars of enduring love. It also gives couples something to look forward to, even in the most mundane phases of life.


    7 – Read a Book Together
    Reading the same book opens up space for thoughtful discussions and intellectual bonding. Choose a novel, self-help book, or even poetry that speaks to your shared interests. Take turns reading aloud or discuss chapters over coffee.

    Relationship scholar Esther Perel writes in Mating in Captivity that “intellectual intimacy is as vital as physical connection.” Reading together can reveal your partner’s worldview in new ways, leading to richer conversations and deeper respect.


    8 – Celebrate Small Wins
    You don’t have to wait for birthdays or anniversaries to celebrate each other. Did one of you finish a tough project? Tackle a household task? Small wins deserve acknowledgment. Make a toast, leave a note, or simply express your pride.

    Celebrating everyday victories creates a positive feedback loop within the relationship. Psychologist Dr. Martin Seligman, pioneer of Positive Psychology, notes that savoring achievements enhances well-being and strengthens bonds. Recognition breeds resilience and shared joy.


    9 – Unplug and Be Present
    Digital distractions can erode the intimacy that quality time cultivates. Set aside phone-free hours or evenings where you focus solely on each other. Being fully present allows couples to reconnect without the interference of screens.

    Cal Newport’s Digital Minimalism emphasizes the importance of intentional technology use for meaningful human interaction. By unplugging, couples send a powerful message: “You are my priority.” This practice fosters attentiveness, empathy, and emotional presence.


    10 – Start a Shared Hobby
    Trying something new together can infuse your relationship with excitement and camaraderie. Whether it’s gardening, painting, or learning a new language, shared hobbies create a sense of joint identity and fun.

    According to The All-or-Nothing Marriage by Eli Finkel, couples who engage in mutual growth experiences report higher satisfaction. Shared hobbies don’t just fill time—they build a deeper, more resilient partnership.


    11 – Practice Gratitude Daily
    Gratitude, when expressed consistently, fosters a positive relational climate. Take time each day to thank your partner for something they did—whether big or small. Vocalizing appreciation helps counteract the human tendency to focus on what’s lacking.

    Harvard Medical School studies confirm that gratitude significantly boosts happiness and strengthens relationships. Dr. Robert Emmons, a leading researcher on gratitude, writes that “gratitude blocks toxic emotions, reduces envy, and increases self-worth,” especially within romantic partnerships.


    12 – Volunteer Together
    Giving back as a couple creates shared purpose and alignment in values. Whether you’re helping at a local shelter or joining a charity walk, volunteering builds empathy and reminds couples of the bigger picture.

    In The Happiness Hypothesis, psychologist Jonathan Haidt explores how altruistic acts lead to deeper contentment. Couples who serve others together often report a stronger bond and a more meaningful connection beyond the personal.


    13 – Recreate Your First Date
    Revisiting the beginning of your journey can reignite emotions you may have forgotten. Dress up, go to the same place, or simply reenact the experience at home. It’s a playful way to reconnect with the person you first fell in love with.

    Memory researcher Dr. Dan McAdams points out that reliving positive shared narratives reinforces identity and intimacy. It’s not about nostalgia for its own sake—it’s about grounding your love story in the memories that built it.


    14 – Give Meaningful Compliments
    A sincere compliment can go a long way in making your partner feel seen and valued. Go beyond surface-level praise by acknowledging their strengths, growth, or efforts. Let them know what you admire—often and authentically.

    According to The Five Love Languages, words of affirmation can be transformative when delivered with intention. Compliments build emotional safety, reinforcing the idea that your partner is still your favorite person.


    15 – Take Turns Planning Surprise Activities
    Surprises keep relationships fresh. Alternate planning simple surprises—a new walking route, breakfast in bed, or an at-home spa night. The thoughtfulness behind these gestures rekindles excitement.

    Relationship expert Dr. Helen Fisher notes in Why We Love that novelty stimulates dopamine, the brain’s pleasure chemical. Small surprises foster a sense of spontaneity and joy—two underrated ingredients in long-term love.


    16 – Schedule Time to Talk (Without Complaints)
    Set aside regular time just to talk—not about chores or grievances, but dreams, ideas, and curiosities. These complaint-free check-ins reinforce connection without the tension of problem-solving.

    Psychologist Dr. Harville Hendrix advocates for “intentional dialogue,” a technique designed to foster deep listening and nonjudgmental sharing. Relationships thrive when partners feel heard and understood on a regular basis.


    17 – Make a Ritual Out of Parting and Reuniting
    Small rituals like a goodbye kiss in the morning or a hug when coming home add consistency and warmth. These micro-moments send the message: “You matter, no matter how busy life gets.”

    In The Power of Moments by Chip and Dan Heath, the authors argue that creating “peak moments” in daily life strengthens emotional memory and deepens bonds. Rituals aren’t trivial—they’re threads that stitch daily life with affection.


    18 – Create a Shared Journal
    A couple’s journal can serve as a space to reflect on experiences, express appreciation, or jot down future plans. It becomes a collaborative archive of your relationship’s evolution.

    Therapist Dr. Sue Johnson explains that emotional accessibility and responsiveness are the foundations of secure attachment. A shared journal encourages both, helping partners stay emotionally open and connected over time.


    19 – Listen to Music Together
    Music can unlock emotions that words often can’t. Spend time curating playlists, exploring new genres, or simply dancing in your kitchen. These shared soundtracks create emotional associations that linger.

    As Oliver Sacks writes in Musicophilia, music has the power to “move us, to comfort us, to energize us.” Listening together allows couples to communicate through rhythm, lyrics, and shared vibes.


    20 – Express Affection Daily
    Consistent physical affection—whether through holding hands, hugs, or gentle touches—helps maintain a sense of closeness. These gestures, though small, are vital to feeling connected.

    Biological anthropologist Dr. Tiffany Field found that regular physical affection reduces stress hormones and increases feelings of security. Intimacy thrives not only in grand acts but in quiet, daily demonstrations of love.


    21 – Picnic in the Park

    A picnic in the park offers couples a serene escape from daily routines, allowing them to reconnect amidst nature’s tranquility. The simplicity of sharing a meal outdoors, surrounded by greenery and fresh air, can rejuvenate the spirit and foster meaningful conversations. Such settings encourage mindfulness, enabling partners to appreciate each other’s company without the usual distractions.

    Moreover, engaging in outdoor activities like picnics has been linked to reduced stress levels and improved mental well-being. The act of preparing a meal together and choosing a picturesque spot can enhance collaboration and anticipation, adding a layer of excitement to the experience. This shared endeavor not only strengthens the bond but also creates lasting memories rooted in simplicity and genuine connection.

    22 – Cook Together

    Collaborative cooking serves as a delightful avenue for couples to engage in teamwork and creativity. Selecting a new recipe, shopping for ingredients, and navigating the cooking process together can be both educational and entertaining. This joint activity encourages communication, patience, and mutual support, essential components of a strong relationship.

    Beyond the practical skills acquired, cooking together allows partners to explore each other’s tastes and preferences, fostering a deeper understanding. The culmination of their efforts—a shared meal—becomes a symbol of their cooperation and shared goals. Such experiences can transform routine tasks into cherished rituals, reinforcing the couple’s connection through everyday activities.

    23 – Follow Invested Wallet For More

    For couples seeking financial harmony, resources like Invested Wallet offer valuable insights into budgeting, saving, and investing together. Navigating financial matters as a team can strengthen trust and ensure aligned goals. By exploring such platforms, partners can engage in informed discussions about their financial future, fostering transparency and mutual responsibility.

    Engaging with financial content together also opens avenues for setting shared objectives, such as saving for a vacation or investing in a home. This collaborative approach to finances not only promotes fiscal responsibility but also reinforces the partnership’s foundation, emphasizing unity in both emotional and practical realms.

    24 – Game Night at Home

    Hosting a game night at home introduces an element of fun and friendly competition into the relationship. Whether it’s board games, card games, or interactive video games, these activities can spark laughter and playful banter, enhancing the couple’s camaraderie. Such evenings provide a break from routine, allowing partners to unwind and enjoy each other’s company in a relaxed setting.

    Furthermore, game nights can reveal aspects of each other’s personalities, such as strategic thinking or a penchant for humor, deepening mutual appreciation. Collaborative games, in particular, emphasize teamwork and communication, reinforcing the couple’s ability to work together towards a common goal. These shared experiences contribute to a reservoir of positive memories, strengthening the relationship’s emotional resilience.

    25 – Explore Free Events

    Attending free local events offers couples an opportunity to experience new cultures, arts, and community activities without financial strain. From art exhibitions to public lectures, these events can stimulate intellectual discussions and shared interests. Engaging in such activities together broadens horizons and introduces fresh perspectives into the relationship.

    Moreover, exploring community events fosters a sense of belonging and shared identity within the local context. Participating in these gatherings can also lead to new friendships and networks, enriching the couple’s social life. The spontaneity and diversity of free events ensure that each outing offers a unique experience, keeping the relationship dynamic and engaging.

    26 – Volunteer Together

    Volunteering as a couple instills a shared sense of purpose and altruism. Engaging in community service projects allows partners to work side by side, addressing societal needs and making a tangible difference. This joint endeavor not only benefits the community but also reinforces the couple’s values and commitment to collective goals.

    Such experiences can deepen empathy and understanding, as partners witness each other’s compassion and dedication. Overcoming challenges together in volunteer settings can also enhance problem-solving skills and resilience within the relationship. Ultimately, shared acts of service can fortify the bond, highlighting the couple’s united front in contributing positively to the world around them.

    27 – DIY Date Night

    Creating a DIY project together transforms an ordinary evening into a collaborative adventure. Whether it’s crafting home decor, building a piece of furniture, or embarking on a creative art project, these activities encourage innovation and teamwork. The process of bringing an idea to fruition fosters a sense of accomplishment and mutual support.East Valley Hospital+2Picnic People+2Innermost+2

    Engaging in DIY projects also allows couples to personalize their shared space, embedding their joint efforts into their living environment. These tangible outcomes serve as constant reminders of their collaboration and creativity. Moreover, navigating the challenges of a project together can enhance communication and adaptability, essential traits for a thriving relationship.

    28 – Coffee Shop Catch-Up

    Spending time in a cozy coffee shop provides a relaxed atmosphere for meaningful conversations. Away from the distractions of home, couples can focus on each other, discussing aspirations, sharing stories, or simply enjoying each other’s presence. The ambient setting of a café often encourages introspection and deeper connection.

    Regular coffee dates can become cherished rituals, offering a consistent space for emotional check-ins and quality time. These moments of intentional presence reinforce the importance of nurturing the relationship amidst life’s busyness. Such simple yet profound interactions can significantly contribute to the couple’s emotional intimacy and understanding.

    29 – Stargazing Surprise

    Organizing a stargazing evening introduces a sense of wonder and tranquility into the relationship. Lying under the night sky, observing constellations, and sharing dreams can evoke deep conversations and a feeling of connectedness to the universe and each other. This serene activity allows couples to pause and reflect, fostering mindfulness and appreciation.Stargazing

    The simplicity of stargazing requires minimal resources but offers profound emotional rewards. It encourages partners to slow down and be present, strengthening their bond through shared awe and contemplation. Such experiences can become treasured memories, symbolizing the couple’s shared journey and aspirations.

    30 – Hit the Library

    Visiting a library together can be both educational and intimate. Exploring different genres, recommending books, or reading side by side creates a shared intellectual space. This environment promotes curiosity and continuous learning, enriching the relationship’s depth.

    Engaging in literary discussions can reveal new facets of each other’s thoughts and values. Moreover, the quietude of a library offers a peaceful setting for companionship without the need for constant conversation. Such outings underscore the importance of shared interests and the joy of discovering together.

    31 – DIY Spa Night

    Transforming your home into a spa sanctuary allows couples to indulge in relaxation and self-care together. Preparing facemasks, drawing a warm bath, or giving each other massages can alleviate stress and promote physical well-being. This shared pampering experience fosters intimacy and attentiveness.

    Creating a serene ambiance with candles, soothing music, and aromatic oils enhances the sensory experience. Such evenings encourage partners to slow down and prioritize each other’s comfort and happiness. Regularly dedicating time to mutual care can strengthen the emotional connection and demonstrate ongoing commitment.

    32 – Window Shopping Extravaganza

    Embarking on a window shopping adventure turns a casual stroll into an exploratory date. Browsing through stores, discussing preferences, and imagining future purchases can spark conversations about aspirations and tastes. This activity offers insight into each other’s personalities and desires without financial pressure.

    Such outings can also be playful and imaginative, allowing couples to dream together and share visions for their future. The act of meandering through shops and observing trends can lead to spontaneous discoveries and shared laughter. These light-hearted experiences contribute to a reservoir of joyful memories and mutual understanding.

    33 – Free Fitness Class

    Participating in a free fitness class together promotes health and mutual motivation. Whether it’s yoga, dance, or a boot camp session, exercising as a pair can enhance accountability and make workouts more enjoyable. This shared commitment to well-being reinforces the couple’s support for each other’s goals.Innermost+2G&G Fitness Equipment+2Wordpress Membership Plugin – ARMember+2

    Engaging in physical activity together also releases endorphins, boosting mood and energy levels. Overcoming challenges in a fitness setting can translate to increased resilience and cooperation in other areas of the relationship. Such experiences underscore the importance of teamwork and shared achievements.

    34 – Museum on a Budget

    Exploring a museum offers couples a cultural and educational experience that can inspire meaningful discussions. Many museums offer discounted or free admission days, making art and history accessible to all. Walking through exhibits together allows partners to share interpretations and learn from each other’s perspectives.

    Such outings can ignite curiosity and introduce new interests into the relationship. Engaging with diverse artworks or historical artifacts provides a backdrop for conversations about values, creativity, and the human experience. These shared cultural experiences

    35 – Plan a Future Trip (Just for Fun)

    Planning a dream vacation—without necessarily booking it—can be an exciting way to bond. Discussing potential destinations, activities, and ideal itineraries encourages open communication and imagination. This kind of lighthearted planning brings couples into alignment, showcasing shared values, travel styles, and long-term goals.

    Even if the trip never materializes, the process of dreaming together is meaningful. It inspires hope, fuels motivation to save or work toward mutual goals, and creates a shared vision of the future. Plus, it’s a budget-friendly date idea that requires only time, curiosity, and a willingness to explore life beyond the routine.

    36 – Try a New Recipe Challenge

    Turn dinner into an adventure by each selecting a mystery ingredient the other must use in a dish. This playful competition adds flair to mealtime and invites creativity into the kitchen. It also introduces spontaneity and fun, transforming a typical night into a culinary challenge.

    Working together through the cooking process can highlight teamwork and resourcefulness. Even if the meals don’t turn out perfect, the laughter and experimentation are what make the experience memorable. This date night also fosters trust and flexibility—two essential ingredients in a lasting relationship.

    37 – Create a Couple’s Playlist

    Building a shared playlist can be surprisingly intimate. Curating songs that remind you of each other, mark important moments, or simply get you dancing can deepen emotional connection. Each track tells a story, acting as a melodic memoir of your relationship.

    Listening to the playlist later—on road trips, cozy nights at home, or morning routines—helps keep that emotional tether alive. Music has a unique way of triggering memory and emotion, and a couple’s playlist becomes a sonic scrapbook of your shared journey.

    38 – Recreate Your First Date

    Revisiting your first date is a nostalgic and heartwarming way to reflect on how far you’ve come. Whether it was a coffee shop meet-up or a movie night, trying to replicate it as closely as possible can evoke the excitement and butterflies of early romance.

    This act of remembrance also reaffirms your bond and reignites the sense of wonder that brought you together. By celebrating your beginnings, you honor your growth and rekindle emotional intimacy—reminding each other why the relationship started in the first place.

    39 – Watch a Documentary and Discuss

    Choose a documentary on a topic neither of you knows much about and dive in together. Whether it’s on climate change, true crime, ancient civilizations, or groundbreaking science, the post-viewing discussion can spark curiosity and connection. It turns passive watching into active engagement.

    This shared intellectual stimulation encourages deeper conversations and reveals how each of you processes new information. It’s a great way to stretch your minds together, challenge perspectives, and possibly discover new mutual interests along the way.

    40 – Write Each Other a Letter

    Take a quiet evening to write heartfelt letters to one another. These don’t have to be poetic masterpieces—just honest expressions of appreciation, dreams, gratitude, or even apologies. Then, exchange and read them aloud or privately, depending on comfort levels.

    This exercise fosters vulnerability, which is the bedrock of true intimacy. It offers a pause to acknowledge your journey, express what may go unspoken in daily life, and reconnect emotionally. Couples who regularly communicate love and gratitude tend to experience stronger emotional bonds and higher relationship satisfaction.

    Conclusion

    Romance isn’t reserved for candlelit dinners or lavish getaways. It thrives in the everyday moments couples create with care and consciousness. For educated and emotionally aware partners, these affordable practices offer far more than fleeting sparks—they lay the foundation for enduring connection, deep respect, and mutual joy.

    As philosopher Alain de Botton puts it, “The best cure for love is to get to know them better.” Real love asks us to show up, not just when it’s convenient or exciting, but consistently and with intention. When couples prioritize connection over convenience, they discover that lasting romance is less about what you spend and more about how you show up—for each other, every day.

    Whether it’s stargazing from the backyard or crafting heartfelt letters at the kitchen table, romantic connection doesn’t require extravagance—it thrives on intention, creativity, and mutual presence. These 40 fun, romantic, and meaningful activities prove that staying in or exploring locally can be just as magical as any grand gesture. At the heart of it all is the shared willingness to show up, stay curious, and keep choosing each other—day after day.

    Bibliography

    1. Aron, Arthur, et al. The Self-Expansion Model and Motivation in Close Relationships. In Handbook of Closeness and Intimacy, edited by Debra J. Mashek and Arthur Aron, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2004.
    2. Chapman, Gary. The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts. Northfield Publishing, 2015.
    3. Gottman, John, and Nan Silver. The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work: A Practical Guide from the Country’s Foremost Relationship Expert. Harmony Books, 2015.
    4. Markman, Howard J., et al. Fighting for Your Marriage: Positive Steps for Preventing Divorce and Preserving a Lasting Love. Jossey-Bass, 2010.
    5. Perel, Esther. Mating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence. Harper Perennial, 2007.
    6. Tannen, Deborah. You Just Don’t Understand: Women and Men in Conversation. Ballantine Books, 2001.
    7. White, Ellen G., and Angela Hicks. Creative Dates for Couples: 52 Ideas to Nurture Your Relationship. Harvest House Publishers, 2010.
    8. Wilcox, W. Bradford, et al. “The Date Night Opportunity.” The National Marriage Project, University of Virginia, 2012. https://nationalmarriageproject.org/reports/date-night-opportunity/
    9. American Psychological Association. “Maintaining a Healthy Relationship.” APA, 2021. https://www.apa.org/topics/relationships/healthy-relationship

    By Amjad Izhar
    Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
    https://amjadizhar.blog

  • Advanced Spreadsheet Analysis with Pivot Tables and Power Pivot

    Advanced Spreadsheet Analysis with Pivot Tables and Power Pivot

    This text comprises excerpts from a tutorial on using Microsoft Excel and its add-ins for data analysis. The tutorial covers data manipulation techniques, including formatting, sorting, and filtering, using functions and formulas for calculations and analysis (like median, average, and standard deviation), and creating visualizations (histograms, bar charts). It also explores pivot tables and pivot charts for data aggregation and summarization, demonstrates the use of Power Query for data cleaning and transformation, and introduces Power Pivot for data modeling and the creation of measures and calculated columns. Finally, the tutorial discusses methods for sharing completed projects.

    Excel for Data Analysis:
    Study Guide

    Quiz

    1. What are the limitations of using Excel on a Mac operating system for this course? Mac users will not be able to complete the advanced chapters on power query and power pivot, as well as the final project. Also, Mac does not have as many data sources to pull from.
    2. What are the two major Microsoft 365 plans recommended for this course? The two main plans recommended are the family plan, which can be shared with up to six people, and the personal plan, which is for individual use. Additionally, the family plan has a one-month free trial.
    3. What is a key limitation of using the free Microsoft 365 online version for this course? The free online version of Microsoft 365 has limitations on power query and power pivot, which will restrict the user’s ability to follow along in the advanced chapters. The layout is also much different than the desktop app, and the course won’t provide specific support for navigating the online version.
    4. Explain the difference between saving a file versus save as. When a new file is created and saved, both save and save as will act the same, allowing the user to designate the file name and location. However, if a file has been previously saved and is being modified, using save will overwrite the original, whereas save as creates a new file while keeping the original.
    5. Describe what the “ribbon” is in Microsoft Excel. The ribbon is the area at the top of the Excel interface that contains the different tabs and commands. It’s where you can find options for formatting text, working with data, and inserting formulas.
    6. What is a nested IF statement and why might it be less ideal than using AND/OR functions? A nested IF statement is when an IF statement is placed inside another IF statement. While functional, it can become hard to read and difficult to debug. Logical functions like AND and OR simplify complex conditions, making the formulas easier to understand.
    7. What are the three major functions for statistical analysis covered in the course? The major functions covered include COUNT, which tallies the number of cells in a range containing a number, SUM, which calculates the total of numerical values in a range, and AVERAGE, which computes the mean of a set of numbers.
    8. Why is the standard deviation function, STDEV.S, used over STDEV.P in the course? STDEV.S is used because the data being analyzed is considered to be a sample of the total population rather than the entire population. STDEV.P is used when analyzing an entire population.
    9. What are the main differences between the QUARTILE.INC and QUARTILE.EXC functions? The main difference is that QUARTILE.INC is inclusive and can specify the Min and Max, which QUARTILE.EXC does not have the capability to do. Instead, QUARTILE.EXC excludes those outliers.
    10. Explain the use case of the TEXTJOIN function covered in the course. The TEXTJOIN function is used to combine values from multiple cells into a single text string, using a specified delimiter. This is helpful in aggregating text data and creating longer strings based on multiple values.

    Essay Questions

    1. Discuss the importance of selecting the correct version of Microsoft Excel for data analysis tasks, specifically when using advanced features. What factors should a user consider when choosing between Microsoft 365, Microsoft Office Home & Student, and Microsoft 365 online?
    2. Analyze the role of logical functions (IF, AND, OR) in data analysis within Excel. Provide examples of how these functions can be used to categorize and filter data based on multiple criteria, and discuss their advantage over nested IF statements.
    3. Compare and contrast the use of math and statistical functions like COUNT, SUM, AVERAGE, and standard deviation in the context of exploratory data analysis (EDA). How do these functions aid in understanding the distribution and central tendencies of a dataset, and why is it important to use descriptive statistics during EDA?
    4. Explore the importance of text functions in Excel, particularly LEFT, RIGHT, MID, FIND, and TEXTJOIN, in the context of data cleaning and preparation for analysis. Explain with examples how these functions can be used to extract, manipulate, and format text data from messy raw data.
    5. Discuss the various what-if analysis tools available in Excel including Scenario Manager, Goal Seek, Solver, and Data Tables. How do these tools assist in decision making, and how do they aid in the evaluation of different possible outcomes?

    Glossary of Key Terms

    • Power Query: A data transformation and preparation tool in Excel that allows users to import, clean, and shape data from various sources.
    • Power Pivot: An add-in in Excel that enables users to build data models, perform complex analysis, and manage large datasets with relationship tables.
    • Microsoft 365: A subscription service that provides access to a suite of Microsoft applications such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
    • Microsoft Office Home & Student: A one-time purchase of Microsoft Office applications for home and student use.
    • Ribbon: The interface at the top of an Excel window containing tabs and commands for managing spreadsheets.
    • Nested IF statement: An IF statement that is placed inside another IF statement.
    • Logical Function: A function that tests conditions and returns a result based on whether those conditions are true or false such as IF, AND, and OR.
    • COUNT Function: A function that counts the number of cells in a range that contain numbers.
    • SUM Function: A function that adds together all numerical values in a given range.
    • AVERAGE Function: A function that calculates the arithmetic mean of a set of numbers.
    • Standard Deviation: A measure of the amount of variation or dispersion of a set of data values using the functions of STDEV.S for sample population, and STDEV.P for population.
    • Quartile: A measure of division of a data set into four equal groups such as QUARTILE.INC and QUARTILE.EXC for inclusive and exclusive outliers respectively.
    • MODE Function: A function that returns the most frequently occurring value(s) in a data set.
    • Text Functions: Functions that allow for the manipulation of text such as LEFT, RIGHT, MID, FIND, and TEXTJOIN.
    • Data Validation: A tool that restricts the values or data types that can be entered in a cell.
    • Date Functions: Functions in Excel used to manipulate dates and times such as TODAY, YEAR, and MONTH.
    • What-If Analysis: A set of tools in Excel that allow users to test different scenarios and see how changes in input values affect the output.
    • Scenario Manager: A tool that allows users to create and save different scenarios in a spreadsheet.
    • Goal Seek: A tool that finds the input value needed to achieve a specific target output value.
    • Solver: A more advanced what-if analysis tool that can find optimal solutions while managing constraints.
    • Data Table: A way to see how changing a value will affect the result of a formula.
    • Slicer: A visual control that can be used to filter data in a pivot table or data table
    • Conditional Formatting: An Excel feature that allows formatting to be applied dynamically based on cell value.
    • Data Analysis Toolpak: An add-in that allows you to perform more advanced statistical analysis.
    • Histogram: A chart showing the distribution of numerical data.
    • Rank & Percentile: Statistical functions to rank values and find their percentiles in a data set.
    • Moving Average: A tool used to reduce the fluctuations in data and identify a more generalized trend.
    • Power Pivot Data Model: A relational database within Excel that allows you to connect multiple tables together.
    • DAX (Data Analysis Expressions): A formula language used in Power Pivot for calculations and data analysis.
    • Explicit Measure: A DAX expression that is explicitly defined in Power Pivot for use in calculations.
    • Implicit Measure: A calculation done by just simply putting in a variable into the values of a pivot table
    • Filter Function (DAX): A function used to limit the values or context that can be evaluated.
    • Calculate Function (DAX): A function to evaluate an expression in a modified filter context.
    • Relationship Functions (DAX): DAX functions used to manage relationships between tables in Power Pivot such as CROSSFILTER.
    • GitHub: A web-based platform for version control and collaboration using git.
    • Git: A distributed version control system that tracks changes in files and code.
    • Repository (Repo): A storage location for your project files.
    • ReadMe.md: A text file containing descriptive information about your project, written in markdown.
    • Markdown: A lightweight markup language used to format text in readmes and other documents.

    Mastering Excel: Data Analysis & Project Deployment

    Okay, here’s a detailed briefing document summarizing the key themes and ideas from the provided text, including relevant quotes.

    Briefing Document: Excel Course Overview & Project Setup

    1. Course Prerequisites & Excel Versions

    • Core Idea: The course requires a specific version of Excel for full functionality, particularly for the “Advanced” chapters covering Power Query and Power Pivot.
    • Platform Compatibility:Windows: Microsoft 365, Microsoft Office Home & Student, or older versions up to 2010 are compatible for the entire course.
    • Mac: Excel installed directly on a Mac will have limitations, particularly in the “Advanced” chapter. Power Query and Power Pivot are not fully supported.
    • Microsoft 365 Online: This version is free but also lacks full functionality for the “Advanced Data analysis” section and has a different layout. “the layout on the web browser version of this app is much different from that that’s installing your computer so I’m not going to be providing any support on this course on actually actually how to navigate this”.
    • Recommendation: The instructor recommends Microsoft 365 family plan as it “includes all the different features that I need” and is cost-effective when shared.
    • Trial Option: Microsoft 365 offers a one-month free trial, which could allow users to complete the course for free (if cancelled before the trial ends). “if money is an issue Microsoft 365 family offers this free one-month trial which I think you can complete this course within a month”.

    2. Excel Interface & Navigation

    • Ribbon Exploration: The course focuses on understanding the Excel ribbon, specifically the Home tab (formatting) and the Formulas tab (functions).
    • File Menu: This includes options for saving, printing, exporting, and closing files. It also contains account information, themes, feedback, and advanced options.
    • Sheet Manipulation: The course covers adding, deleting, renaming, and moving/copying sheets within and between workbooks.
    • Context Menus: Right-clicking on cells and objects will expose a lot of functions for various context specific actions.

    3. Excel Formulas and Functions

    • Core Concepts: Formulas are used for calculations and data manipulation; Functions are pre-built formulas for specific tasks.
    • Insert Function Tool: Helps users find and understand functions.
    • Logical Functions (IF, AND, OR): These are critical for conditional analysis.
    • Example of if statement “if it has The Logical test that we want to actually evaluate so I’m going to put in P3 in this case as it’s going to return true or false and then from there the next value in there is value if true which what do we want to return if it is true well that our goal is met and then if it’s not met we want to have well not met”.
    • Nested If statements should be avoided as they’re “hard to read” instead using and and or which are a lot clearer.
    • IFS is used for multiple condition evaluations, especially for bucketing data, but requires practice.
    • Math & Statistical Functions: COUNT, SUM, AVERAGE, MIN, MAX, STDEV.S, QUARTILE, MODE. These are important for Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA).
    • The P stands for population and the S stands for sample.
    • “if we went above and below the average by one standard deviation around 68% which is a heck a lot of data is within this one standard deviation”.
    • Text Functions: LEFT, RIGHT, MID, LEN, FIND, TEXTJOIN, TEXTSPLIT are key for data extraction and manipulation, as often times data is messy.
    • Date & Time Functions: YEAR, MONTH, DAY, DATE, NOW, TODAY are used for working with date data. “a value of one is added when I put into it plus one basically takes it to the next date”.
    • Error Handling: The course includes a section to identify and address common Excel formula errors with chatbots being recommended. “The biggest time saer I’ve found with any of these errors is using some sort of chatbot specifically me I’m going to go to something like chat GPT or even claw they’re going to be able to provide really quick help in understanding what an error is and what I need to do to fix it”.

    4. Data Analysis & Visualization Techniques

    • Data Tables: One and two input data tables for sensitivity analysis.
    • Tables: Converting ranges to tables unlocks sorting, filtering, and slicer functionalities.
    • Slicers: Used for interactive data filtering and dashboard creation.
    • Conditional Formatting: Highlights trends and patterns in data using color scales, data bars, and icon sets. “but you’re going to notice it basically does these bands but it does this entire table all formatted together and this is not what we necessarily want of course the total road is going to be the highest I want to look through that row and actually see where I should be actually looking”.
    • Analysis Toolpak: Includes Descriptive Statistics, Histogram, Rank and Percentile, Moving Average for deeper data analysis.
    • Charts: Creation of charts based on specific dataset with the x-axis as data range and the y-axis as frequency. “anyway I really like this because now look at this control we were able to minimize it not to go past 40,000 and have all these outliers and everything else that has past 40,000 is put into this basically more value”.
    • Solver, Goal Seek and Scenario Manager: For “what if” analysis and finding optimal solutions by changing input variables, even with constraints.

    5. Power Query & Data Import

    • Data Import: Importing data from various sources including text files (CSV), multiple Excel workbooks, web data.
    • Power Query Editor: Clean, transform, and combine data from different sources.
    • Loading Data: Option to load data into Tables or Pivot Tables.
    • Error Handling: Power Query has its own errors and notifications.

    6. Power Pivot & Data Modeling

    • Data Model: Linking multiple tables through relationships.
    • DAX (Data Analysis Expressions): Using DAX functions to create explicit measures for complex calculations and data aggregation.
    • Aggregation Functions: COUNT, DISTINCTCOUNT, SUM, AVERAGE, MEDIAN.
    • Filter Functions: Used to modify filter contexts for complex aggregations, calculate provides that filter option.
    • Relationship Functions: CROSSFILTER is used for relationship issues.
    • Pivot Tables with Power Pivot: Creating interactive visualizations that summarize data from the data model.

    7. Project & GitHub Integration

    • Project Structure: The course includes two projects: Salary Dashboard and Salary Analysis with a GitHub repo containing a readme for each with markdown.
    • GitHub: Used for sharing and version control of Excel projects.
    • Git: The core technology behind GitHub used for version control.
    • GitHub Desktop: An application that allows easy management of git repos.
    • Markdown: A markup language used to create formatted text in readmes, used in conjunction with Github.
    • File Management: Using a file system to organize project folders with their Excel files and readmes.
    • Pushing and Pulling: Demonstrates the workflow of pushing local changes to the remote repository (GitHub) and pulling remote changes to a local repository.

    8. Project Documentation & Sharing

    • README.md Files: Using Markdown syntax (headings, lists, bold/italics, links, images) to document project steps and insights.
    • Project Sharing: GitHub is used for sharing projects, and LinkedIn for showcasing completed work.
    • One drive is not recommended for projects that use power query or power pivot features.
    • Screen Captures: Using system tools (command shift 4 for mac and windows shift + s for windows) to capture relevant visualizations for readmes.

    Key Quotes:

    • “the layout on the web browser version of this app is much different from that that’s installing your computer so I’m not going to be providing any support on this course on actually actually how to navigate this”
    • “if money is an issue Microsoft 365 family offers this free one-month trial which I think you can complete this course within a month”
    • “if we went above and below the average by one standard deviation around 68% which is a heck a lot of data is within this one standard deviation”
    • “The biggest time saer I’ve found with any of these errors is using some sort of chatbot specifically me I’m going to go to something like chat GPT or even claw they’re going to be able to provide really quick help in understanding what an error is and what I need to do to fix it”
    • “but you’re going to notice it basically does these bands but it does this entire table all formatted together and this is not what we necessarily want of course the total road is going to be the highest I want to look through that row and actually see where I should be actually looking”
    • “anyway I really like this because now look at this control we were able to minimize it not to go past 40,000 and have all these outliers and everything else that has past 40,000 is put into this basically more value”

    Overall Theme:

    The course is a comprehensive guide to using Excel for data analysis, emphasizing not only the technical aspects of using the software but also the practical skills needed to conduct analysis, document findings, and share work effectively with GitHub.

    Mastering Microsoft Excel: Data Analysis and Power Query

    1. What are the different versions of Microsoft Excel, and which one is recommended for this course?

    There are several ways to access Microsoft Excel. These include:

    • Microsoft 365: A subscription service offering access to various Microsoft applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. It comes in family (up to six users) and personal plans. College students or those in large corporations may have free access. A free one-month trial is also often available. If you cancel before the trial ends, you can retain the view-only functionality.
    • Microsoft Office Home and Student: A one-time purchase that provides keys to install Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
    • Microsoft 365 Online: A free, web browser-based version of Excel with limitations.

    The course recommends using either Microsoft 365 (family or personal plan) or Microsoft Office Home and Student. These versions allow for full functionality and access to advanced features such as Power Query and Power Pivot. The online version does not include the advanced features needed for the entire course and has a different UI.

    2. What are the limitations of using Excel on a Mac operating system?

    If you are using a Mac operating system, you’ll have limitations in the advanced chapters. You will not be able to complete sections on Power Query and Power Pivot or the final course project. These features are available in the Windows version of Excel, where Microsoft invests most of its resources. The Mac version has a reduced number of data sources available in the data tab and lacks power pivot.

    3. What is the purpose of the “Ribbon” in Excel, and what kind of tasks can you perform there?

    The ribbon is the area at the top of the Excel interface that contains various tabs and tools. It is designed to perform different tasks and functionalities. It contains multiple tabs such as “Home,” “Insert,” “Page Layout,” “Formulas,” and “Data,” each with options for formatting, inserting elements, setting up the page, using formulas, and handling data, respectively. The Home tab is used for formatting text and how things appear in the spreadsheet, like fonts, colors, and cell styles. The ribbon allows you to customize various aspects of a spreadsheet.

    4. How do I manage different sheets and workbooks?

    In Excel, you can manipulate different sheets and workbooks in various ways. To move a sheet, you can right-click on its tab and select “Move or Copy,” then choose to move it to another workbook or create a copy. You can open and work with multiple workbooks simultaneously. You can also copy and paste cells or groups of cells between different sheets or workbooks.

    5. How do formulas and functions work in Excel, and what are some key examples?

    Formulas and functions are the building blocks of calculations and analysis in Excel. Formulas always start with an equal sign (=), followed by values, operators, and references to cells. Functions are pre-built calculations that perform specific tasks, like SUM, AVERAGE, or COUNT. The lecture specifically uses COUNTIF which takes a range of cells and calculates based on specific criteria. Other basic functions covered are also AND and OR. You can insert a function using the Insert Function button which is very useful if you don’t know the specific function name you’re looking for.

    6. What are logical functions and how are they used?

    Logical functions in Excel test a condition and return a result based on whether the condition is true or false. The most popular of these are IF, AND, and OR. An IF statement checks a condition and returns one value if it’s true and another if it’s false. Nested IF statements can evaluate multiple conditions, but AND and OR are better for combining criteria. For example, AND returns true only if all its conditions are true, while OR returns true if at least one condition is true. The IFS function allows for multiple logical tests and outputs a different result for each scenario.

    7. How do you use math and statistical functions to perform Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA)?

    Math and statistical functions are used to perform EDA on a dataset. Common functions include COUNT, SUM, AVERAGE, MIN, MAX, STDEV.S (sample standard deviation), and QUARTILE.INC (inclusive quartiles), and MODE. These functions help you calculate descriptive statistics like measures of center (mean, median, mode), spread (standard deviation, quartiles), and range (min, max). Quartiles divide the data into four equal parts. The lecture also demonstrated AVERAGEIF to calculate an average based on a specific criteria. The RANK function returns the rank of a number in a list of numbers. The analysis tool pack can be used to provide descriptive statistics along with histograms.

    8. How does Power Query work, and how can I connect it to multiple data sources?

    Power Query is a tool in Excel that allows you to connect, transform, and load data from multiple sources. To connect to data, go to “Data” -> “Get Data” and select your data source (e.g., from file, database, or the web). Power Query loads the data into a query editor, where you can apply various transformations like filtering, sorting, and data type conversions. You can combine data from multiple files or tables into a single table. Once transformed, you can load the data into an Excel sheet or data model. When you refresh your data, it automatically updates with those transformations. You can also use parameters to change the inputs in the query, such as changing a date filter.

    Spreadsheet and Chart Data Formatting

    Data formatting in spreadsheets involves several techniques to ensure data is presented clearly and is easily understood [1]. Here’s an overview of some key formatting methods mentioned in the sources:

    • Centering Titles: Titles can be centered at the top of a column to clearly indicate the data below it [1].
    • Number Formatting: Columns containing numerical data, such as salary, can be formatted as currency or accounting numbers [1].
    • Decimal Places: You can adjust the number of decimal places displayed, which is useful when dealing with large numbers [1].
    • Date Formatting: Date columns can be converted to short date formats, which is useful when dealing with columns such as job posting dates [1].
    • Conditional Formatting: This type of formatting allows cells to be highlighted based on a specific rule [2].
    • Rules can be created to highlight cells based on their value [2, 3].
    • Color scales can also be applied to cells, with different colors indicating high or low values [3].
    • Data bars can visually represent values within cells [3].
    • Icon sets can be used to make data more dynamic [3].
    • Format Painter: This tool allows you to copy the formatting from one cell to another [3].
    • Custom Number Formats: Custom number types can be created to format numerical values in a certain way [4].
    • For example, a custom number format can be created to display values in thousands with a “k” at the end (e.g., 9.6k) [4].
    • Axis Formatting: Chart axes can be formatted to display numbers in a more readable format [4, 5].
    • This includes things such as displaying numbers in thousands with a “k” at the end [4, 5].
    • Minimum and maximum values on the axes can be changed, in order to more clearly display the data [4, 5].

    The sources also demonstrate how to format visualizations:

    • Chart titles should provide context or ask a question [6].
    • Axis titles should be descriptive, especially for the y-axis which may not be self-explanatory [5, 6].
    • Chart elements such as axes, titles, data labels, gridlines, legends and trendlines can be added or removed [6].
    • Quick layouts can be used to quickly try out different themes for charts [6].
    • Colors can be customized to highlight specific information in a chart [6].
    • Chart elements such as data labels can be customized to display the data in a variety of ways [4].

    These formatting techniques are intended to improve data visualization, making it easier to analyze and present [1, 6].

    Spreadsheet Data Filtering Techniques

    Data filtering is a powerful feature in spreadsheets that allows you to narrow down the data displayed based on specific criteria [1]. Here’s a breakdown of filtering techniques discussed in the sources:

    • Basic Filtering:
    • Filters can be applied to columns to show only data that matches a given condition [1].
    • For example, you can filter a job title column to show only “data analyst” roles [1].
    • Multiple filters can be applied to different columns to further refine the data. For example, you can filter for “data analyst” jobs that are “full-time” and in the “United States” [1].
    • Filters can also be applied to dates [1].
    • Filters can be cleared from columns to view all the data again [1].
    • Custom Filters:
    • Custom filters can be created to filter for data that meets certain conditions, such as values greater than zero and less than a specified value [2].
    • For example, a custom filter can be used to remove “NA” values from a column of median salaries [2].
    • Filtering in Tables:
    • When data is converted to a table, it automatically provides filter arrows at the top of each column [3].
    • These filter arrows allow for quick filtering based on text, dates, or numerical values [3].
    • Multiple values can be selected when filtering, such as selecting both “data analyst” and “business analyst” roles [3].
    • Filtering in Pivot Tables:
    • Pivot tables allow filtering by dragging fields into the “Filters” area [4].
    • You can filter rows or columns by selecting or deselecting specific values [4].
    • Label filters can be used to filter data based on text within labels, such as selecting jobs that contain the word “data” [4].
    • Value filters can be used to filter data based on numerical values, such as showing jobs with a count greater than 100 [4].
    • Filters can be cleared from tables to view all the data [4].
    • Slicers:
    • Slicers are a visual way to filter data in tables and pivot tables [3].
    • They provide buttons that can be clicked to filter data, making it easier for others to use the spreadsheet.
    • Slicers can be created for multiple fields and can be customized [3].
    • Multiple values can be selected by using multi select feature on slicers [3].
    • Timelines:
    • Timelines allow filtering of data by date and can be used in pivot tables or pivot charts [5, 6].
    • Timelines allow filtering by months, quarters, or years [6].
    • Filter Connections:
    • Filter connections can be used to connect filters from one pivot table to another [6].
    • This is especially useful when you want to have filters applied to multiple pivot tables simultaneously [6].

    Filtering is a crucial step in data analysis, allowing you to focus on relevant data and gain insights more effectively [1]. It can be used in combination with data sorting and formatting to help you better understand your data [1].

    In addition, the sources note a key limitation of filtering: filters are directional [7, 8]. When using relationships between tables, it is important to remember that filters are applied in the direction of the relationship [7, 8]. The sources provide a workaround for this limitation using Dax functions [8].

    Data Analysis Techniques and Methods

    Data analysis, as presented in the sources, involves a variety of techniques to explore, understand, and draw conclusions from data. Here’s a comprehensive overview of the key concepts and methods:

    1. Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA)

    • Descriptive Statistics: EDA often begins with calculating descriptive statistics such as mean, median, mode, standard deviation, minimum, and maximum [1]. These can be used to get a sense of the distribution of numerical data [1, 2].
    • Histograms: Histograms are used to visualize the distribution of data [1, 2]. They show the frequency of values within specified ranges [1, 3].
    • The width of the “bins” (the ranges on the x-axis) can be adjusted to better visualize the data [3].
    • Histograms are great for understanding the distribution of numerical data, and determining whether data is skewed or has outliers [1, 2].
    • Box and Whisker Plots: Box and whisker plots are used to visualize the distribution of data, especially when you want to compare different categories of data.
    • The box shows the interquartile range, which contains 50% of the data.
    • The line inside the box indicates the median [3].
    • Whiskers extend from the box to show the range of the data, and any outliers are shown as dots [3].
    • Scatter Plots: Scatter plots are used to compare two numerical values and identify any trends or correlations between them [4].
    • Map Charts: Map charts are used to visualize data geographically, such as showing median salaries by country [5].
    • Pivot Tables: Pivot tables are used to summarize and analyze data by aggregating it based on different categories [2, 6, 7].
    • Pivot tables allow you to quickly change the way data is displayed, by moving categories or filters.
    • Pivot tables can be used to calculate sums, averages, counts, and percentages [2, 6].
    • Data Analysis Toolpak: This Excel add-in provides tools to perform more advanced statistical analysis, including descriptive statistics, histograms, and rank and percentile calculations [8].

    2. Data Aggregation & Calculation

    • Math Functions: Spreadsheets include functions for performing calculations such as sum, average, min, and max [2, 6].
    • Conditional Aggregation: Functions like AVERAGEIF and SUMIFS allow you to perform calculations based on specified criteria [1, 2].
    • Median: The median is the middle value in a dataset, and it is less affected by outliers than the average, making it useful for analyzing salaries [1, 2].
    • Quartiles: Quartiles divide a dataset into four equal parts, and they can be used to analyze the distribution of the data [1].
    • Standard Deviation: Standard deviation measures the spread of data around the mean, which is useful for understanding the variability in the data [1].
    • Mode: The mode is the most frequently occurring value in a dataset [1].
    • Ranking: Data can be ranked to show its position relative to other values. [1]
    • Percentiles: Percentiles divide a dataset into 100 equal parts, and they can be used to show where a specific data point falls relative to others in the dataset [8].
    • Moving Average: A moving average is used to smooth out fluctuations in time series data [8].

    3. Data Transformation

    • Data Type Conversion: Data types can be changed to ensure that data is treated appropriately (e.g. changing text to a number) [9].
    • Data Grouping: Data can be grouped together based on common characteristics for analysis [6, 10].
    • Manual grouping allows you to create custom groups.
    • Automatic grouping uses hierarchies to group dates or other similar data.

    4. Advanced Analysis with DAX and Power Pivot

    • Data Modeling: Power Pivot allows you to model relationships between data from multiple tables [11].
    • Measures: Measures are formulas that are used to perform calculations on data in the data model [11].
    • Measures can be implicit or explicit. Implicit measures are created when you drag a field into the values area of a pivot table, whereas explicit measures are defined using DAX formulas. [12]
    • Calculated Columns: Calculated columns allow you to create new columns in your data model, based on formulas and expressions [12].
    • DAX (Data Analysis Expressions): DAX is a formula language that is used to create measures and calculated columns in Power Pivot [11, 12].
    • Aggregation Functions: DAX provides many functions for summarizing data, such as AVERAGE, COUNT, MAX, MIN, MEDIAN, and SUM [13].
    • Filter Functions: DAX provides filter functions, such as FILTER, and CALCULATE, which allow you to create measures that only perform calculations on subsets of your data [13]. CALCULATE evaluates an expression in a modified filter context [14].
    • Logical Operators: Logical operators, such as equal (=), not equal (<>), greater than (>), and less than (<), can be used in DAX formulas to create more complex filters.
    • Relationship Functions: DAX provides functions such as CROSSFILTER, which allows you to control the direction of filters [15].

    5. Visualizing Data

    • Charts: Charts are used to visually represent data, making it easier to identify patterns and trends [2, 6].
    • Common chart types include column charts, bar charts, histograms, scatter plots, and map charts [2-6].
    • Customization: Charts can be customized to improve their appearance and readability [3, 4, 6].
    • This includes adding titles, axis labels, data labels, legends, and gridlines [3, 4].
    • Number formats can also be customized for data labels.
    • Slicers: Slicers are interactive controls that allow you to filter pivot tables and pivot charts [7].

    In summary, data analysis involves a cycle of exploring, cleaning, transforming, calculating, and visualizing data. The sources demonstrate a range of techniques, from basic descriptive statistics and charting to more advanced techniques using DAX and Power Pivot. These tools enable you to gain a deeper understanding of your data and communicate your findings effectively.

    Mastering Pivot Tables: A Comprehensive Guide

    Pivot tables are a powerful tool for summarizing and analyzing data, allowing you to aggregate data based on different categories [1, 2]. Here’s a breakdown of key aspects of pivot tables, according to the sources:

    Creating Pivot Tables

    • Pivot tables can be created from a table or range of data [1].
    • When creating a pivot table, you can choose whether to place it in a new worksheet or an existing worksheet [1].
    • The data source for a pivot table can be changed, and the table can be refreshed to include new data [1, 2].
    • It is possible to add data from multiple tables to a data model and analyze it using pivot tables [1, 3].

    Pivot Table Layout

    • Pivot tables have different areas: filters, rows, columns, and values [1].
    • Fields dragged into the “rows” area appear as rows in the pivot table [1].
    • Fields dragged into the “columns” area appear as columns in the pivot table [1].
    • Fields dragged into the “values” area are aggregated using a specified calculation [1].
    • Fields dragged into the “filters” area can be used to filter the entire pivot table [1].
    • The layout of the fields can be adjusted to show them in stacked or in separate areas. [1]
    • Pivot tables can be displayed in compact, outline, or tabular form [4].

    Pivot Table Functionality

    • Data Aggregation: Pivot tables are used to summarize data by aggregating it based on different categories [1].
    • Pivot tables can perform calculations such as sums, averages, counts, and percentages [1].
    • The type of aggregation can be changed in the “value field settings” [1].
    • Value field settings also allow you to change the number format and name of the column [1, 2].
    • Filtering: Pivot tables allow you to filter data based on multiple categories [1].
    • Filters can be applied to the rows, columns, or values [1, 2].
    • Label filters can be used to filter data based on text, such as selecting jobs that contain the word “data” [2].
    • Value filters can be used to filter data based on numerical values, such as showing jobs with a count greater than 100 [2].
    • Grouping: Pivot tables can group data based on a hierarchy [4].
    • This allows you to analyze data at different levels of detail, such as by country and then by job title [4].
    • Automatic grouping allows you to group data by year, month, and day [4].
    • Manual grouping allows you to create custom groups of data [5].
    • Sorting: Pivot tables allow you to sort data based on different columns [6].
    • You can sort data by row labels or by values in a specific column [4, 6].
    • Calculated Fields and Items: Calculated fields and items can be added to a pivot table [5, 7].

    Pivot Table Design

    • Pivot tables can be styled with different colors and formats [6].
    • Options such as banded rows or columns, and row or column headers can be toggled on or off [6].
    • Grand totals for rows or columns can be toggled on or off [6].
    • Field headers can be toggled on or off [1, 6].

    Pivot Charts

    • Pivot tables can be used to create pivot charts [7, 8].
    • Pivot charts are dynamic and automatically update when the pivot table is modified [8].
    • Pivot charts include field buttons that allow you to filter the data within the chart [7].
    • Slicers and timelines can be added to pivot charts, to provide interactive filtering [7].
    • Pivot charts can be customized with different chart types and formatting options [7].

    Key Benefits of Pivot Tables

    • Dynamic Data Analysis: Pivot tables make it easy to analyze and explore data from different perspectives [1, 8].
    • Flexibility: Pivot tables can quickly be reconfigured to show different aggregations or perspectives of your data [1].
    • Efficiency: Pivot tables allow you to quickly calculate and summarize large amounts of data without complex formulas [1].
    • Interactivity: Pivot tables can be used to create interactive reports with slicers and timelines [7].
    • Data Relationships: Pivot tables can be used with data models to explore relationships between different data sets [9, 10].

    In summary, pivot tables provide a versatile and efficient way to analyze and present data in spreadsheets. They are especially useful for summarizing large datasets and creating interactive reports [1, 2, 6]. Pivot tables can be used in combination with pivot charts to visually represent trends and patterns in your data. The sources also note that measures created with DAX are often more powerful than calculated fields within a pivot table [7, 9].

    Creating Effective Charts in Excel

    Chart creation in Excel, as detailed in the sources, involves several steps, from selecting the right chart type to customizing it for clarity and impact. Here’s a breakdown of the chart creation process:

    1. Understanding Chart Types

    • Line Charts: These are best for time-series data, showing trends and connections over time [1].
    • Pie Charts: Pie charts are useful for comparing proportions of a whole, especially when there are two categories to visualize [2].
    • Column and Bar Charts: Column charts (vertical bars) and bar charts (horizontal bars) are used to compare values across categories [3].
    • Column charts are often used when categories have short names and the focus is on comparison by height.
    • Bar charts are useful for categories with longer names, to avoid overlapping labels [3].
    • Scatter Plots: Scatter plots are used to compare two numerical values and identify any correlations between them [4].
    • Map Charts: Map charts are used to visualize data geographically, such as showing median salaries by country [5].
    • Histograms: Histograms are used to visualize the distribution of numerical data, showing the frequency of values within specified ranges [5].
    • Combo Charts: Combo charts combine two or more chart types (e.g. column and line) to display different data sets [6, 7].

    2. Chart Creation Process

    • Data Selection: Begin by selecting the data you want to visualize, including both the categories and the values [1]. It is important to select only the data you want to plot, especially when using pie charts [2].
    • Inserting Charts: Go to the “Insert” tab in Excel and select the chart type you want.
    • You can start with “Recommended Charts” for suggestions [1].
    • The “All Charts” tab allows you to select a specific chart type and customize it further [1].
    • Chart Elements:Chart elements such as axes, titles, data labels, and legends can be added or removed using the “+” icon next to the chart, or in the “Chart Design” tab [2].
    • The chart title can be used to summarize the data or to ask a question that you want the reader to understand from the chart [2].
    • Axis titles are used to clarify what the values on the x and y axes represent, especially for the y-axis, if the values are not self-explanatory [2].
    • Chart Design Tab: The “Chart Design” tab allows for customization of the chart with different layouts, themes, and colors [2].

    3. Chart Customization

    • Titles and Labels: Chart titles and axis labels should be descriptive, and should clarify the purpose of the visualization.
    • Data Labels: Data labels can be added to display values directly on the chart [2].
    • The position, color, and formatting of the labels can be customized [2].
    • Trendlines: Trendlines can be added to charts to show trends in the data. Different options include linear, exponential, linear forecast, and moving average [2].
    • Color: Colors can be adjusted to highlight particular data or to make the chart more visually appealing [2]. Monochromatic color palettes may help focus the viewer on certain elements, such as using darker colors to emphasize certain parts of a pie chart [2].
    • Axes: The scale and bounds of the axes can be adjusted to better fit the data and eliminate visual clutter [4].
    • Number formats on the axes can also be customized to improve readability, such as using thousands separators and abbreviating with “k” [3, 4].
    • Legends: Legends can be used to show what different colors or shapes represent on the chart, especially when the chart has more than one data series [2].

    4. Chart Best Practices

    • Appropriate Chart Choice: Select a chart type that best represents your data, taking into account the type of data and the message you are trying to convey [1].
    • Data Ordering: Order the categories in a way that makes the data easier to compare, for example, from high to low [3].
    • Simplicity: Charts should be clear and concise, avoiding too much complexity or clutter [2].
    • Too many colors can be confusing [2].
    • Too many data labels can be overwhelming [2].
    • Consistent Formatting: Use consistent formatting across all of your charts, including titles, labels, colors, and fonts.
    • Minimize Overlap: Ensure that data labels, titles, and other elements are properly positioned to minimize overlap and maintain readability [2, 4].

    5. Interactive Charts

    • Slicers: Slicers are interactive controls that can be used to filter charts and pivot tables [8].
    • Slicers can be added from the pivot chart analyze tab [9].
    • Slicers can be connected to multiple charts [9].
    • Timelines: Timelines are interactive controls that can be used to filter charts that contain date information [9].
    • Timelines are inserted from the pivot chart analyze tab [9].

    In summary, chart creation is an iterative process that requires attention to detail. Choosing the correct chart type, customizing the visual elements, and understanding your audience are all essential for creating charts that are both effective and insightful. Charts should be designed to tell a story, to draw attention to key aspects of your data, and to help your audience gain a better understanding of the data itself.

    Excel for Data Analytics – Full Course for Beginners

    By Amjad Izhar
    Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
    https://amjadizhar.blog

  • Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen All Chapters Reading

    Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen All Chapters Reading

    YouTube Videos of Reading Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen

    Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter One
    Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Two
    Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Three
    Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Four
    Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Five
    Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Six
    Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Seven
    Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Eight
    Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Nine
    Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Ten
    Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Eleven
    Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Twelve
    Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Thirteen
    Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Fourteen
    Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Fifteen
    Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Sixteen
    Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Seventeen
    Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Eighteen
    Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Nineteen
    Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Twenty
    Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Twenty One
    Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Twenty Two
    Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Twenty Three
    Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Twenty Four
    Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Twenty Five
    Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Twenty Six
    Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Twenty Seven
    Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Twenty Eight
    Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Twenty Nine
    Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Thirty
    Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Thirty One
    Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Thirty Two
    Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Thirty Three
    Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Thirty Four
    Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Thirty Five
    Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Thirty Six
    Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Thirty Seven
    Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Thirty Eight
    Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Thirty Nine
    Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Forty
    Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Forty One
    Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Forty Two
    Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Forty Three
    044 Pride & Prejudice Chapter Forty Four
    045 Pride & Prejudice Chapter Forty Five
    046 Pride & Prejudice Chapter Forty Six
    047 Pride & Prejudice Chapter Forty Seven
    048 Pride & Prejudice Chapter Forty Eight
    049 Pride & Prejudice Chapter Forty Nine
    050 Pride & Prejudice Chapter Fifty
    051 Pride & Prejudice Chapter Fifty One
    052 Pride & Prejudice Chapter Fifty Two
    053 – Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Fifty Three
    054-Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Fifty Four
    055-Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Fifty Five
    056-Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Fifty Six
    057-Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Fifty Seven
    058-Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Fifty Eight
    059-Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Fifty Nine
    060-Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Sixty
    061-Last Chapter Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter Sixty One
    Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Chillbooks Audiobooks
    Opening credits – Pride and Prejudice (1995)

    By Amjad Izhar
    Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
    https://amjadizhar.blog

  • Al Riyadh Daily – May 22, 2025: Economic Impact of Vision 2030, Saudi-Chinese Security Cooperation Meeting, Gaza, West Bank

    Al Riyadh Daily – May 22, 2025: Economic Impact of Vision 2030, Saudi-Chinese Security Cooperation Meeting, Gaza, West Bank

    This source appears to be excerpts from a Saudi Arabian newspaper published on May 22, 2025. The articles cover a diverse range of topics, including the economic impact of Saudi Vision 2030, particularly concerning the Hajj and Umrah sectors, international relations highlighted by a Saudi-Chinese security cooperation meeting, various local news from different Saudi regions detailing events like graduations, cultural initiatives, and development projects, and discussions on the global economy, including oil prices and the gold market. The excerpts also feature reporting on the ongoing Israeli actions in Gaza and the West Bank, alongside cultural pieces like poetry and articles on social themes and the significance of Saudi identity.

    Podcast

    Descriptive Alt Text
    Al Riyadh Daily – May 22, 2025

    Saudi Investments and Services for Hajj and Umrah

    Based on the sources, the Hajj and Umrah sector is highlighted as a vital and attractive area for investment and development in the Kingdom.

    The Saudi government has invested significant amounts, specifically billions of riyals, in expanding the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah Al-Mukarramah and Madinah Al-Munawarah, as well as constructing airports, ports, and roads. These efforts aim to upgrade accommodation and lodging services and enhance the experiences of the Guests of Rahman (pilgrims). The sources indicate that reforms and features in the Hajj and Umrah sector have contributed to an increase in its competitiveness. This has supported a rise in both local and foreign direct investments (DDI and FDI), leading to an increase in job opportunities within this promising sector and its related fields. A report from the Ministry of Investment, in cooperation with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Guests of Rahman Program, discusses the investment environment in the Hajj and Umrah services sector.

    Several initiatives and services are implemented to support Hajj and Umrah pilgrims:

    • The “Makkah Route” initiative involves Saudi female cadres from the Ministry of Interior working at airports, such as Kuala Lumpur International Airport, to serve Guests of Rahman and facilitate and ease the performance of the Hajj.
    • The Passports Directorate has declared its readiness to complete the procedures for Guests of Rahman for the Hajj season across international air, land, and sea ports.
    • The Saudi Red Crescent Authority provides emergency medical and humanitarian services to Hajj pilgrims arriving from Yemen via the Al-Wadiah border crossing. These services include first aid, medical care, and providing informational and cultural materials. A seasonal first aid center is operated on the Sultanah-Sharourah road, and the readiness of centers along the routes leading to Makkah Al-Mukarramah is increased, covering all 17 first aid centers in the region.
    • The General Directorate of Civil Defense has strengthened its seasonal centers and land routes at the ports leading to the Holy Sites. They are exerting considerable effort during the Hajj season (1446 AH) by preparing 25 seasonal centers and 64 first aid teams to maintain the security and safety of the Guests of Rahman. These centers follow the general plan for Civil Defense and support the main centers in dealing with emergencies.
    • In Makkah Al-Mukarramah, the Makkah Health Cluster, represented by King Abdullah Medical City, is utilizing artificial intelligence technologies to improve patient services, such as analyzing facial images to read vital signs. While not explicitly limited to pilgrims, this technology is employed in the location of the Holy Capital and is likely relevant to the comprehensive healthcare services provided during peak seasons.

    The sources also mention strengthening cooperation between friendly countries through promoting concepts of tolerance and moderation, which aligns with the vision led by the Kingdom’s leadership.

    Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 Transformation

    Based on the sources, the Saudi development Vision, particularly Vision 2030, is presented as a significant and transformative national effort.

    Vision 2030 is described as an “icon” and a “document for crossing into the future”, which is planned and executed “with reality”. The sources indicate that Vision 2030 has been successful in achieving “most of its goals”, bringing about an “unprecedented economic transformation”.

    Key aspects and achievements of the Vision highlighted in the sources include:

    • Economic Diversification: A primary objective is to diversify the economy away from natural resource dependence and build an economy based on knowledge and innovation.
    • Private Sector Empowerment: The Vision aims to empower the private sector to become the main engine for growth.
    • Job Creation and Reduced Unemployment: The transformation driven by Vision 2030 has led to a rise in non-oil exports, the creation of over 2.4 million jobs, and a decrease in the unemployment rate to its lowest historical levels.
    • Development of the Hajj and Umrah Sector: This sector is recognized as a vital and attractive area for investment and development. Billions of riyals have been invested in expanding the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah and constructing essential infrastructure such as airports, ports, and roads. These efforts aim to upgrade accommodation and lodging services and enhance the experiences of the Guests of Rahman (pilgrims). Reforms in this sector have increased its competitiveness, attracting both local (DDI) and foreign direct investments (FDI) and creating more job opportunities. The “Guests of Rahman Program” is associated with these initiatives.
    • Promoting Tolerance and Moderation: The Vision, led by the Kingdom’s leadership, aligns with strengthening cooperation with other countries by promoting concepts of tolerance and moderation.
    • Enhancing National Identity: Efforts are underway to strengthen the Saudi national identity and promote its balanced cultural and religious heritage. This includes utilizing sectors like tourism and entertainment and supporting cultural initiatives, such as a film festival dedicated to identity cinema.
    • Sports Development: The sports sector is also a focus, with initiatives like “Saudi Golf” and “Go Golf” aimed at developing golf skills within the Saudi community. Strong support from the King and Crown Prince is mentioned for the development and spread of sports, alongside the hosting of major sports events and the development of infrastructure like King Abdullah Sports City.
    • Wildlife Development: Efforts related to wildlife development and preserving the natural balance, supported by national centers and licensed reserves, also feature in the sources, suggesting a focus on environmental aspects.

    Overall, the sources portray the Saudi development Vision as a multi-faceted initiative driving significant economic, social, and cultural changes, with a strong focus on diversification, investment attraction, infrastructure development, and enhancing key national sectors like Hajj, Umrah, and sports.

    Saudi Foreign Relations and Partnerships

    Based on the provided sources and our conversation, Saudi Arabia is actively engaged in various aspects of foreign relations, driven in part by its national development vision.

    Key points regarding Saudi foreign relations from the sources include:

    • Strategic Partnerships and Cooperation:The sources highlight the importance of strengthening strategic partnerships and cooperation with other countries.
    • Specific bilateral relationships are mentioned:
    • China: There is a focus on enhancing Saudi-Chinese cooperation and partnership. A joint Saudi-Chinese committee for security affairs exists, and its fifth meeting at a high level was held, resulting in the signing of the meeting’s minutes. A Saudi ambassador participated in this meeting.
    • United States: The Saudi Crown Prince emphasized the deepening of the strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia and the United States during the Saudi-American Investment Forum in Riyadh.
    • Japan: A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between the Saudi Minister of Justice and his Japanese counterpart, focusing on cooperation in the judicial field. This includes the exchange of expertise and information in legal and judicial domains, as well as in education and research.
    • Jordan: An MOU was signed between the Saudi Food and Drug Authority and the General Institution for Food and Drug in Jordan. This is seen as an extension of the “distinguished historical relations” between the two “brotherly countries”. It aims to boost cooperation in food and drug sectors, including exchanging legislation, standard specifications, technical expertise, and registration/evaluation systems. Both sides stressed the importance of aligning regulatory efforts with international standards through sustainable institutional partnerships, describing the Saudi-Jordanian partnership as a “pivotal pillar” and a “qualitative step” towards integration. Additionally, an MOU between the Saudi Ministry of Culture (Museums Authority) and a museum in Jordan involves cooperation in research, publishing, archaeological loans, and temporary exhibitions to enrich cultural content.
    • Promotion of Values: The Kingdom’s leadership, through its vision, aligns with strengthening cooperation with friendly countries by promoting concepts of tolerance and moderation. This suggests a foreign policy dimension focused on projecting certain values.
    • Regional Security Context:The sources touch upon regional security challenges, such as the situation in the Red Sea, where commercial shipping is deemed “high risk” due to actions by Houthi fighters reportedly supported by Iran. This indicates complex regional dynamics impacting international trade routes and likely influencing Saudi foreign policy in the region.
    • The situation in southern Lebanon and comments about the need to disarm “Hezbollah” by a US envoy are mentioned, highlighting ongoing regional tensions.
    • The Palestinian President’s calls to world leaders regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the need for urgent action, including the implementation of the two-state solution according to international legitimacy, point to the enduring significance of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in regional foreign relations.

    Overall, the sources indicate that Saudi foreign relations involve robust bilateral cooperation in various sectors (security, judicial, regulatory, cultural, economic/investment) with key partners, are guided by a vision that promotes tolerance and moderation, and operate within a complex regional security environment marked by various tensions and conflicts.

    Global Economic Indicators and Saudi Vision 2030

    Based on the sources and our conversation, several economic indicators are discussed, primarily within the context of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and broader global economic dynamics.

    The sources highlight that Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 has successfully achieved “most of its goals” and has brought about an “unprecedented economic transformation”. This transformation aims to diversify the economy away from natural resource dependence towards one based on knowledge and innovation, empowering the private sector.

    Specific economic indicators mentioned include:

    • Job Creation and Unemployment: The Vision 2030 transformation has led to the creation of over 2.4 million jobs and a decrease in the unemployment rate to its lowest historical levels.
    • Non-Oil Exports: Non-oil exports have seen a rise, indicating progress in economic diversification efforts.
    • Overall Investment: Total investments in the Saudi economy amounted to 82 billion USD in 2024.
    • Sector-Specific Investments:The Hajj and Umrah sector is identified as a vital and attractive area for investment. Billions of riyals have been invested in expanding the Two Holy Mosques and related infrastructure (airports, ports, roads). Regulatory reforms and features in this sector have increased its competitiveness, supporting an increase in both local (DDI) and foreign direct investments (FDI) and boosting job opportunities.
    • In the Artificial Intelligence (AI) sector, investments and projects in the Kingdom amounted to over 14.9 billion USD during the first quarter of the current year.
    • The real estate, tourism, entertainment, and hospitality sectors in areas like North Taif are experiencing significant growth and demand for investment.
    • Capital Markets:Gulf markets have shown a notable recovery, with the consumer discretionary sector leading in initial public offering (IPO) revenues in the first quarter of 2025.
    • The value of issued bonds and Sukuk in the region increased significantly, reaching 4.6 billion USD in the first quarter of 2025, compared to 1.6 billion USD in the same period last year. Sukuk, in particular, saw growth, valued at 4.1 billion USD.
    • Oil Prices: Oil prices increased, with Brent and WTI futures contracts rising. This rise is linked to growing supply concerns and geopolitical threats. US crude inventories unexpectedly increased in mid-May, potentially impacting prices. OPEC+ production by some countries, like Kazakhstan, is challenging output cut agreements. Production forecasts suggest US output could grow.
    • Refining Margins: European refining margins have decreased significantly, by 60% annually, ending a period of record profits. However, long delivery times for fuel shipments from the Middle East and refinery closures in Europe have helped prevent further declines and maintained margins above historical averages.
    • Shipping Costs/Insurance: Insurance prices for ships transiting the Red Sea have increased, likely due to the security situation. The volume and value of goods transported via the Red Sea have significantly decreased.
    • Precious Metals Prices:Gold prices increased, reaching a weekly high. This is attributed to investors seeking a safe haven amidst uncertainty in the US financial situation, a weaker dollar, and geopolitical fears, particularly following reports of potential actions against Iranian nuclear sites.
    • Silver, platinum, and palladium prices decreased.
    • Inflation: US Federal Reserve officials mentioned price increases driven by rising tariffs and reduced imports. Consumer price inflation in the UK is expected to rise in April.
    • Currency Values: The Dollar Index, measuring the US dollar against major currencies, decreased. The Japanese Yen strengthened against the dollar.

    Middle East Conflict Updates

    Based on the sources and our conversation, the regional landscape is marked by several significant conflicts and tensions:

    • Gaza and other Palestinian Territories:
    • The Israeli occupation forces have escalated their strikes on the city of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip.
    • Over 25 homes have been destroyed in various areas of Khan Yunis due to a series of air strikes.
    • A school for displaced people in Al-Fukhari was subjected to shelling.
    • Occupation vehicles have advanced near Salah al-Din street, close to the European Hospital in eastern Khan Yunis.
    • Occupation vehicles fired heavily north of the Nuseirat camp.
    • Israeli warplanes conducted a strike near Al-Awda Hospital – Tal al-Zaatar in the northern Gaza Strip.
    • The sources state that Israeli occupation forces have committed atrocities against Palestinians.
    • Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has issued an urgent appeal to world leaders concerning the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. He called for urgent action to break the siege, allow humanitarian and medical aid by land, sea, and air, and for an immediate and permanent ceasefire. He also called for the release of all detainees and the implementation of the two-state solution according to international legitimacy.
    • Beyond Gaza, Israeli bulldozers have demolished a tourist resort in the occupied town of Nahalin, south-west of Bethlehem, for the second time. They also demolished agricultural rooms and work facilities.
    • Israeli occupation forces have raided several areas in Ramallah, Tulkarm, Jenin, Nablus, and Jericho. Confrontations and firing of live ammunition, gas bombs, and stun grenades by soldiers against Palestinians have occurred.
    • Infrastructure, including water and electricity networks, has been bulldozed in Qabatiya, south of Jenin, with buildings raided and turned into a military barracks and mass arrests made. Bulldozers also destroyed civilian vehicles on the main street connecting Qabatiya to Jenin.
    • In Jenin camp, estimates suggest approximately 15 roads have been bulldozed. Around 600 homes were completely destroyed, with others damaged and uninhabitable. Significant damage to facilities, homes, and infrastructure was reported in Jenin city.
    • Southern Lebanon:
    • An Israeli strike in southern Lebanon resulted in one person killed in the town of Ein Baal.
    • Israel has carried out daily strikes this week, stating they target elements of “Hezbollah”, despite an existing ceasefire between the two sides.
    • Nine people were injured in the Mansouri area due to a strike.
    • The Israeli army announced it had “eliminated” an element in the Radwan Force, considered an elite unit of “Hezbollah”.
    • The US Deputy Special Envoy to Lebanon commented that Lebanon still has “a lot” to do to disarm “Hezbollah”.
    • Red Sea Security and Shipping:
    • Navigation in the Red Sea is considered “high risk”.
    • This is due to threats from Houthi fighters since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023.
    • Many ship operators are avoiding the Bab al-Mandab strait and choosing longer routes around the southern tip of Africa.
    • The US Navy stated that vessels are currently moving, but at approximately 50% of the rate compared to before November 2023.
    • Insurance prices for ships transiting the Red Sea have increased.
    • The volume and value of goods transported via the Red Sea have significantly decreased. The potential resumption of full navigation could impact refined product markets in Europe.

    These regional conflicts, particularly the security situation and geopolitical threats, are also cited as factors influencing economic indicators, such as rising oil prices and gold prices.

    By Amjad Izhar
    Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
    https://amjadizhar.blog

  • The Mountaintop: Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Life and Legacy

    The Mountaintop: Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Life and Legacy

    This collection of texts provides a detailed overview of the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr., a central figure in the American civil rights movement. It covers his early life in the vibrant Sweet Auburn neighborhood of Atlanta, his education at Morehouse College and theological seminaries, and his influential role as a minister and activist. The sources highlight key campaigns and events he was involved in, such as the Montgomery bus boycott, the desegregation efforts in Albany, Georgia, the confrontations in Birmingham, and the historic March on Washington. The texts also touch upon the broader context of the era, including the challenges of segregation, the rise of Black Power philosophy, the impact of the Vietnam War, and his eventual focus on the Poor People’s Campaign before his assassination in Memphis.

    Podcast

    01
    The Mountaintop: Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Life and Legacy

    The American Civil Rights Movement

    Drawing on the information provided in the sources, the Civil Rights Movement was a pivotal period in American history dedicated to ending racial segregation and discrimination, primarily affecting black Americans.

    Here’s a discussion of key aspects of the movement as presented in the sources:

    • Context: Despite generations having passed since the Civil War, a significant portion of the population, based on their color, remained isolated, poor, and faced severely limited opportunities. Much of American society, including housing in better areas, integrated schools and churches, downtown restaurants, lunch counters, theaters, and public libraries, was off limits to the black community across the country, including in Atlanta. The Supreme Court’s 1898 Plessy v. Ferguson decision had legitimized “separate but equal” facilities, which reformers fought against for decades.
    • Early Activism and Influences: Martin Luther King, Jr.’s father was involved in the Atlanta Civic and Political League and the Atlanta Baptist Ministers Union, which worked to register black voters and support other civic causes. King Sr. was also a leading figure in the Atlanta branch of the NAACP, which won a legal battle for equalizing white and black teachers’ salaries. Young Martin Luther King, Jr. was taught about the history of slavery and segregation by his mother, who emphasized his inherent equality and importance. A train trip where blacks had to congregate in a segregated car reinforced in him the affront of segregation to black dignity. Benjamin Mays, a prominent black educator and President of Morehouse College, challenged students like King to fight for the rights of the poor and disenfranchised and to use their knowledge for the dignity of the black community. Mays, who had spoken with Mohandas Gandhi, influenced King with his personal bearing and philosophical beliefs. King was influenced by Mohandas Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolent protest, or “Soul Force,” which Gandhi developed in South Africa to challenge the social and political order. Gandhi had successfully changed some laws in South Africa through this method before returning to India in 1915.
    • Key Figures and Organizations:
    • Martin Luther King, Jr.: He became a central figure in the movement. He was the son and grandson of preachers. He served as pastor of Dexter Baptist Church and later co-pastor with his father at Ebenezer Baptist Church. King was active in civic causes and the NAACP. His social and political influence grew as a pastor.
    • E. D. Nixon: A long-time social activist and Pullman porter, Nixon was deeply influenced by labor leader A. Philip Randolph’s message that Negroes had a right to freedom. Nixon was determined to fight for freedom. He was instrumental in the Montgomery Bus Boycott and chose King to lead it because he needed “somebody I could win with”.
    • Rosa Parks: A black seamstress and active NAACP member, her arrest in December 1955 for refusing to give up her seat on a bus sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
    • A. Philip Randolph: Labor leader who organized black Pullman porters. He also discussed staging a large demonstration in Washington with Bayard Rustin in late 1962.
    • Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC): Formed in January/February 1957 by King and other black leaders to fight segregation and achieve civil rights. King became its first president. Unlike the NAACP, SCLC focused on grass-roots protest and action-oriented nonviolent confrontation tactics. It fostered a mass movement based on Christian tenets of love and understanding. SCLC leaders rallied communities using nonviolent methods like marches, boycotts, and sit-ins.
    • Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC): Emerged from a meeting of student sit-in leaders and civil rights figures like Ella Baker in Raleigh, North Carolina. SNCC members were involved in voter registration efforts, particularly in Albany, Georgia, and Mississippi. Later, under Stokely Carmichael, SNCC’s leadership shifted and diverged from King’s nonviolent ideals, moving towards “Black Power”.
    • Congress of Racial Equality (CORE): A civil rights organization that organized the first “Freedom Ride” through the South to protest segregated bus facilities. James Farmer led CORE.
    • National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP): Focused efforts on legal challenges, voter registration drives, and other constitutional efforts. Roy Wilkins was a leader of the NAACP.
    • Urban League: Whitney Young Jr. was a leader of the Urban League.
    • Major Campaigns and Events:
    • Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956): Triggered by Rosa Parks’ arrest. King was chosen to lead the boycott. He addressed the community with purpose, stating they were American citizens determined to apply their citizenship fully. He declared they would work until justice ran down like water. King appealed for nonviolent responses to aggression, urging participants not to curse back, push back, or strike back if attacked, but to pray for the oppressor and use moral and spiritual force. The boycott was a call to action and a catalyst, bringing national attention to King. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled bus segregation illegal on November 13, 1956, and Montgomery buses were desegregated on December 21, 1956. The victory was a strong affirmation of self-worth for Montgomery’s black population.
    • Integration of Little Rock Central High School (1957): A major battle following the Brown v. Board of Education decision which struck down “separate but equal” schools. King sent a wire to President Eisenhower warning that federal inaction would set back integration by 50 years. Federal intervention tested the limits of the Brown decision and paved the way for the national movement with police protection.
    • Sit-ins (beginning 1960): Began in Greensboro, North Carolina. Students challenged segregation ordinances in over a hundred cities, North and South. King encouraged students to be willing to “fill the jails,” seeing the movement as an opportunity for people to act and become involved locally.
    • Freedom Rides (1961): CORE began these rides through the South to test the Supreme Court’s Boynton v. Virginia ruling banning segregation in interstate travel facilities. Riders faced violence. King urged them to continue following nonviolence, calling it “our most creative way to break loose from the paralyzing shackles of segregation” and emphasizing suffering in a righteous cause. The rides forced the Kennedy administration to ban segregation in facilities under Interstate Commerce Commission jurisdiction.
    • Albany Movement (1961-1962): SNCC workers initiated organizing efforts. A coalition of black organizations formed the Albany Movement to end all forms of segregation and discrimination. They employed direct action, nonviolent tactics. Thousands were arrested, including King. King appealed to President Kennedy for intervention, but Kennedy did not arrange a meeting, wanting the protests to end. From this experience, King learned that his efforts were too diffuse and that it was more strategic to attack a single aspect of entrenched policies rather than attempt to desegregate the city entirely. He realized that winning against a political power structure is difficult without votes, but possible against an economic power structure by impacting profit and loss. Despite setbacks, thousands of black citizens were added to voting rolls, and some segregation ordinances were repealed. The movement in Albany also saw the rise of “Freedom Songs”.
    • Birmingham Campaign (“Project C”) (1963): King and SCLC aimed to gain national attention in Birmingham, which had a rigid segregation system. Birmingham was chosen because King knew action there would provoke intense trouble, creating a “crisis to bargain with”. It was a carefully planned nonviolent direct action strategy to confront segregation. George Wallace was inaugurated as Alabama governor in January 1963, declaring “Segregation now! Segregation tomorrow! Segregation forever!”. Protests began in early April 1963, including sit-ins, marches, and boycotts. Police Commissioner Eugene “Bull” Connor used force against demonstrators. While arrested in Birmingham, King wrote his “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” defending direct action and explaining the pain of segregation. An agreement was reached in May 1963 to desegregate stores, restaurants, and schools. The vivid contrast of police dogs and fire hoses used against protesters gained worldwide publicity and moved President Kennedy to work on civil rights legislation.
    • March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (1963): Planned by leaders from various civil rights organizations and unions. The goals included addressing economic inequities and pressing for a civil rights bill. On August 28, 1963, over 200,000 people gathered, the largest reform demonstration in American history. King delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech. The event was covered by national television. Following the march, King and other leaders met with President Kennedy to discuss the pending civil rights bill. Kennedy issued a statement acknowledging the public awareness of the need to move forward on civil rights objectives.
    • Civil Rights Act of 1964: The confrontation with Wallace and events in Birmingham forced the Kennedy administration to take action. After President Kennedy’s assassination in November 1963, President Lyndon Johnson took office. Johnson was determined to pass the civil rights bill without compromise and saw the cause as winnable. Vice President Hubert Humphrey played a key role in convincing Senate Minority Leader Everett Dirksen and other Republicans to support the bill, overcoming Southern Democratic opposition. Johnson signed the historic legislation on July 2, 1964, with King and other civil rights leaders present.
    • St. Augustine Protests (1964): Civil rights campaigns targeted segregated public facilities catering to tourists. The city had white militants and police aligned with them, including Sheriff L.O. Davis, who cavorted with Klan members. Protests involved clashes at the beach and opposing rallies. A federal judge ordered businesses to begin desegregation, and a biracial committee was formed, though white members later resigned.
    • Freedom Summer (1964): A campaign in the Deep South, focusing on Mississippi, to register black voters. Thousands of activists, including white college students from the North, participated. Mississippi had the lowest percentage of black registered voters. The campaign faced violence, including the murder of three civil rights workers, James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner. King traveled to Mississippi amidst threats and spoke to encourage people. Despite violence, the project encouraged people to come out for change.
    • Selma Voting Rights Campaign (1965): Focused on the low number of black registered voters in Selma, Alabama. Local efforts were aided by SNCC, but faced resistance from Sheriff Jim Clark. King arrived in Selma in January 1965. President Johnson encouraged King to highlight instances of voting rights denial on television to gain national support for a voting rights bill. Protests led to arrests, including King’s. Violence occurred, including the forced march of children and the fatal shooting of Jimmie Lee Jackson by police. Jackson’s death spurred the decision to march from Selma to Montgomery. The first march on March 7, 1965, became known as “Bloody Sunday” when state troopers attacked marchers on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Televised images of the violence led hundreds to travel to Alabama to join the protest.
    • Voting Rights Act of 1965: On March 15, 1965, President Johnson addressed Congress and the nation, calling for legislation to eliminate illegal barriers to voting and embracing the civil rights movement’s cause. Johnson became exasperated with Governor Wallace’s deception regarding the crisis. The legislation passed.
    • Shift to the North and Economic Issues (starting 1965-1966): Following the Voting Rights Act, rioting broke out in cities like Watts, Los Angeles (1965). Ghettos across the country experienced riots as demands for change met fierce resistance. King decided to broaden the movement to focus on poverty and economic independence, targeting Chicago.
    • Chicago Freedom Movement (1966): King and SCLC moved into a Chicago tenement to highlight ghetto living conditions. They planned marches and boycotts demanding an end to discrimination in housing, employment, and schools. King challenged Mayor Richard J. Daley and the entrenched political structure. King’s demands echoed Martin Luther’s act of posting his theses. King met with youth gangs to urge nonviolence. Marches in white neighborhoods faced violence. While an agreement on open housing was reached with Daley, it lacked guarantees and demonstrated resistance to racial equality when it threatened property rights. The experience highlighted the difficulties in the North.
    • Meredith March Against Fear (1966): After James Meredith was shot while marching, King, Stokely Carmichael, and Floyd McKissick resumed the march. It helped register thousands of voters. During this march, Stokely Carmichael popularized the phrase “Black Power”.
    • “Black Power” and Shifting Dynamics (late 1960s): The rise of Black Power advocates like Stokely Carmichael challenged King’s nonviolent approach. Carmichael argued that blacks were born free and were fighting against white supremacy, not just for integration, and that whites could not give blacks freedom. He urged blacks to stop trying to prove themselves to whites and demanded that white people overcome their racism or be moved over. This perspective marked a divergence from King’s ideals. Malcolm X had also criticized King’s nonviolent strategy earlier, arguing against nonviolence and the idea of integration.
    • Vietnam War Opposition: King began publicly asserting his opposition to the Vietnam War, viewing it as immoral and a diversion of funds from antipoverty programs. This stance strained his relationship with President Johnson and fractured his national support, with some civil rights leaders criticizing him for merging the movements.
    • Poor People’s Campaign (announced 1967): Facing nationwide riots and the rise of Black Power, King decided to focus on economic inequality and poverty. He announced a campaign bringing poor people of all races (African Americans, Indians, Puerto Ricans, poor whites) to Washington, D.C., to demand jobs or income. It was planned as a sustained act of civil disobedience, not a single event like the 1963 March on Washington. The campaign aimed to channel frustration into constructive action and compel the government to aid the economically deprived, seeking an “Economic Bill of Rights”.
    • Memphis (1968): Facing an injunction, King gave a speech on April 3, 1968, saying he had “been to the mountaintop” and seen the “promised land,” though he might not get there with them.
    • Tactics and Philosophy: The movement widely employed nonviolent direct action, including marches, boycotts, sit-ins, and demonstrations. This was inspired by Gandhi’s philosophy. Nonviolent methods were seen as a creative way to break segregation and a path to suffering virtuously for a righteous cause. Filling the jails was seen as a fulfillment of a dream. The movement also used legal challenges and voter registration drives. Music, specifically “Freedom Songs,” became an important dimension of the movement.
    • Challenges and Resistance: The movement faced fierce resistance, including violence, arrests, police brutality (dogs, fire hoses), and intimidation from groups like the Ku Klux Klan and white vigilantes. The Plessy v. Ferguson decision and Jim Crow laws institutionalized segregation. State and local officials actively worked to prevent black citizens from exercising their rights, especially voting, through formal methods like poll taxes and literacy tests, and through violence. The FBI under J. Edgar Hoover also shadowed King, viewing him with suspicion. Internal tensions arose regarding tactics, particularly between King and more radical factions.
    • Impact: The movement, through its actions and suffering, brought national and worldwide publicity to the injustices of segregation. It led to significant federal intervention and the passage of landmark legislation such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. These efforts demonstrated that urgent change was necessary, just, and possible. The movement also raised expectations, leading to increased demands for change and contributing to the urban unrest of the late 1960s.

    The Civil Rights Movement, as depicted in the sources, was a complex struggle involving strategic nonviolent confrontation, significant personal sacrifice, evolving goals, and challenges from external resistance and internal disagreements, ultimately leading to crucial legislative victories and increased awareness of systemic inequalities. As C.T. Vivian noted, “No one who is involved in a struggle for freedom and justice dies in vain”.

    King’s Philosophy of Nonviolent Resistance

    Based on the sources, nonviolent protest was a central tenet of Martin Luther King Jr.’s philosophy and a core strategy of the Civil Rights Movement. King believed that nonviolent resistance was one of the most potent weapons available to oppressed people in their quest for social justice. This approach was not seen as passive, but rather as an active strike against evil by the power of love. King was convinced that such nonviolent resistance was both courageous and morally consistent.

    Origins and Influences on King’s Nonviolent Philosophy:

    • King’s nonviolent philosophy was significantly influenced by Mohandas Gandhi’s concept of “Soul Force”—nonviolent resistance of conquering through love.
    • Gandhi’s philosophy involved challenging the social and political order through nonviolent protest, including boycotts, refusing to pay taxes, and large-scale noncooperation.
    • King was struck by the power unleashed by nonviolent protest as he read about Gandhi’s life and philosophy.
    • He received his first exposure to Gandhi’s ideas from American pacifist A. J. Muste at Crozer. While initially skeptical about adapting these techniques in the American South, hearing Mordecai Johnson speak admiringly of Gandhi’s tactics in 1950 solidified his understanding. Johnson described it as active, loud, disruptive noncooperation.
    • King began to see that tactics like boycotts, strikes, and protest marches, grounded in a spirit of justice and love for the oppressor, might actually be effective in challenging racial barriers.
    • He later wrote that Gandhi, by breaking the cycle of hatred, elevated the love ethic of Christ into an effective social force. King stated that the “Gandhian philosophy of nonviolence … is the only logical and moral approach to the solution of the race problem in the United States.”.
    • The sources also mention the central teachings of Jesus, specifically brotherly love and the Golden Rule, as principles articulated by King in his speech “The Negro and the Constitution”.
    • King’s wallet at the time of his death contained a handwritten note with a quote from Gandhi: “In the midst of death, life persists… . In the midst of darkness, light persists.”.

    Application and Strategy in the Civil Rights Movement:

    • The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), co-founded and led by King, fostered a mass movement based on Christian tenets of love and understanding, using tactics of nonviolent confrontation. They challenged power through marches, boycotts, and sit-ins.
    • In the Montgomery Bus Boycott, King appealed to black citizens for nonviolent responses to aggressive assaults, distributing pamphlets that suggested, “If cursed, do not curse back. If pushed, do not push back. If struck, do not strike back, but evidence … goodwill at all times.”. If attacked, they were advised not to fight back but to “pray for the oppressor and use moral and spiritual force to carry on the struggle for justice.”. When his home was bombed during the boycott, King urged the crowd that had gathered to disperse, emphasizing, “We cannot solve this problem through retaliatory violence… We must meet violence with nonviolence.”.
    • The Sit-In Movement, which began in Greensboro, North Carolina, and spread throughout the country, involved students challenging segregated lunch counters and other facilities. King encouraged students involved in the sit-in movement to be willing to “fill the jails”, seeing the movement as an opportunity for people to act and become involved.
    • The Freedom Rides, initiated by CORE, tested the desegregation of interstate travel facilities. When initial riders were attacked, Nashville student protesters, led by Diane Nash, decided to continue the rides, convinced that if the nonviolent Freedom Riders were stopped by violence, it would cut short the future of the movement.
    • In Albany, Georgia, SNCC workers and the Albany Movement aimed to end all forms of segregation using nonviolent tactics like sit-ins, boycotts, legal actions, marches, and mass demonstrations. Police Chief Laurie Pritchett attempted to counter King’s nonviolence with nonviolence of his own, arresting demonstrators quietly and avoiding brutality to prevent public relations mistakes and deny the movement images of violent repression.
    • In Birmingham, King and the SCLC planned “Project C” (for confrontation), a strategy of nonviolent direct action including peaceful demonstrations, economic boycotts, and national appeals. They carefully planned the campaign, recruiting volunteers willing to go to jail and conducting workshops in nonviolent techniques. They defied a court injunction against protests, accepting inevitable arrest and jail time. King defended the tactic of direct action and the right to defy unjust laws. The use of dogs and fire hoses against protesters exposed the violence of segregation to the nation, proving the efficacy of King’s strategy of nonviolent confrontation and contributing to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
    • The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom was intentionally organized to be peaceful, with authorities and organizers working together to ensure nonviolence.
    • In Selma, Alabama, King and others engaged in nonviolent voter registration efforts. Sheriff Jim Clark, known for his tough tactics, became a predictable foil for King’s nonviolent approach. Demonstrators, including schoolchildren, were jailed. The brutal attack on marchers during the march to Montgomery, known as “Bloody Sunday,” highlighted the violence faced by nonviolent protesters.
    • In Chicago, King applied nonviolent methods to challenge discrimination in housing, employment, and schools. Despite facing violent mobs, the discipline of the marchers, including gang members acting as marshals, remained impressive. King marveled that gang members, despite injuries, did not retaliate with violence.

    Challenges and Criticisms:

    • King faced criticism and challenges to his nonviolent approach, notably from advocates of “Black Power” like Stokely Carmichael and Malcolm X.
    • Malcolm X was particularly critical, arguing that African Americans could not achieve freedom nonviolently and that black people should not turn their backs on physical assaults but resist forcefully.
    • Stokely Carmichael, who became chairman of SNCC, argued that the movement was fighting against white supremacy, not just for integration, and that white people cannot grant freedom; they can only stop denying it. Carmichael’s declaration of “Black Power” was seen by King as an “unfortunate choice of words” and inimical to his nonviolent approach.
    • King worried about the implications of black separatism and the willingness of some to resort to physical violence, although he saw “Black Power” as potentially a positive step in accumulating economic and political power.
    • Despite their philosophical differences, Carmichael personally admired King, noting that people loved King and saw him “like God”.
    • The Memphis sanitation strike march, which King joined to support the poorest workers, erupted in violence initiated by police, leading to injuries, arrests, and a death. This showed the difficulty of maintaining nonviolence in the face of aggressive opposition.
    • The assassination of King, a preacher of nonviolence, tragically provoked widespread rioting and violence in cities across the country.

    Effectiveness and Impact:

    • Nonviolent protest was instrumental in gaining national attention for the Civil Rights Movement.
    • The Birmingham campaign’s success, partly due to the violent reaction of authorities to nonviolent demonstrators, demonstrated that urgent change was necessary and possible, leading President Kennedy to work on civil rights legislation that became the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
    • The Selma campaign, culminating in “Bloody Sunday,” pressured President Johnson to propose and Congress to pass the Voting Rights Act.
    • The victory in the Montgomery Bus Boycott was described as a strong affirmation of self-worth for the black population.
    • King described the Birmingham events as marking the “nonviolent movement coming of age,” demonstrating the ability to fill jails as a fulfillment of a dream.
    • Nonviolent noncooperation aimed to hurt occupiers economically and overwhelm military might through the sheer numbers of resisters, eventually leading the opposition to consider violence useless.

    In essence, nonviolent protest, drawing inspiration from Gandhi and Christian teachings, was King’s strategic and moral compass for the Civil Rights Movement. It was a deliberate, active method of confrontation designed to expose injustice, challenge the status quo, and compel change, despite facing significant violence and internal disagreements.

    The Reality of Racial Segregation

    Based on the sources, racial segregation was a deeply ingrained system in American society, particularly in the South, that isolated, impoverished, and limited the opportunities of black Americans based solely on the color of their skin. It created a condition of enforced inferiority and stood defiantly in the way of progress for the black race.

    Legal Basis and Challenges:

    • The practice of segregation was legitimized in 1898 by the Supreme Court’s Plessy v. Ferguson decision, which upheld the doctrine of “separate but equal” accommodations, initially for railroads. This decision required blacks and whites to be separated on public conveyances like buses and trains.
    • Reformers battled against the Plessy v. Ferguson decision for a long time.
    • In 1954, the Supreme Court’s decision in Brown v. Board of Education finally struck down the doctrine of “separate but equal” in public education, stating that separate educational facilities are inherently unequal. Although this decision did not immediately abolish segregation in other public areas, it declared permissive or mandatory segregation in 21 states unconstitutional and was considered a giant step toward desegregation.

    Manifestations of Segregation:

    Segregation affected nearly every aspect of life for black Americans:

    • Housing: It was impossible for black individuals to live in the better-developed sections of town. In Chicago, 800,000 black citizens were tightly segregated in tenement housing, paying inflated rents for substandard buildings. Efforts to challenge housing discrimination in Chicago through an “open housing campaign” faced violent reactions and resistance from white residents and realtors.
    • Schools and Churches: Schools and churches had either white or black congregations.
    • Public Facilities: Downtown restaurants and lunch counters in department stores were off-limits to black individuals. Theaters, public libraries, public parks, restrooms, and department store fitting rooms were segregated.
    • Transportation: Blacks were separated from whites on buses and trains. In Montgomery, black passengers had to pay at the front, exit, and re-enter through the back door, and could not sit in the first four rows reserved for whites. If white sections were full, a white passenger could take any other seat, requiring a black person in that row to stand up. City regulations prohibited blacks and whites from sitting next to each other on buses.
    • Other Public Places: Signs reading “Whites Only” were common at water fountains, swimming pools, elevators, and other public places. For example, the YMCA built a segregated pool for black children. After integration ordinances were put in place in Albany, Georgia, the city sold its municipal swimming pool to a private individual so it would not be subject to integration.
    • Employment: Segregation affected job opportunities and fair hiring practices.
    • Voting Rights: Despite paying taxes, blacks in many cases did not have the right to vote. Methods of intimidation like poll taxes and literacy tests were used to prevent black adults from registering to vote.

    Experiences Under Segregation:

    • Living under segregation meant daily indignities, both large and small.
    • Martin Luther King, Jr. experienced segregation from a young age, being cursed by a bus driver for attempting to sit in seats reserved for whites. He recognized, even as a child, that the social system was overpowering and unfair. He remembered being denied access to public parks, lunch counters, movie theaters, and the best schools.
    • Segregation caused feelings of anger and humiliation.
    • In his “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” King described the long suffering and humiliation that black people had endured, including codified hatred embedded in segregation laws. He spoke of having to explain to his daughter why she couldn’t go to an amusement park or to his son why white people treated colored people meanly. He mentioned the humiliation of constantly seeing “white” and “colored” signs, being called racial slurs, and feeling a “degenerating sense of ‘nobodiness’”.
    • Birmingham, Alabama, was described by King as the most segregated city in the nation, a stronghold of the KKK, with a police force fiercely opposed to protesters.

    Challenges to Segregation:

    The Civil Rights Movement employed various tactics to challenge segregation:

    • Legal Actions: The NAACP concentrated on legal challenges, such as the Brown v. Board of Education case. A federal court suit challenged bus segregation in Montgomery, leading to the Supreme Court declaring it unconstitutional.
    • Nonviolent Protest and Direct Action: Tactics included boycotts (like the Montgomery Bus Boycott), sit-ins (like the lunch counter sit-ins), marches, and mass demonstrations. These actions aimed to challenge power and expose the injustices of segregation.
    • Filling Jails: King encouraged protesters to be willing to “fill the jails” as a tactic to express themselves and become involved in the struggle.

    Despite these efforts, resistance to desegregation was strong, sometimes involving violence from white individuals and law enforcement. However, these confrontations often brought national attention to the cause and were instrumental in achieving significant legislative changes like the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed segregation in public accommodations, employment, and education.

    The Life and Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.

    Martin Luther King, Jr. was a pivotal figure in the American Civil Rights Movement, known for his powerful oratory and unwavering commitment to nonviolent protest against racial segregation and injustice.

    Born Michael King, Jr. in Atlanta, Georgia, on January 15, 1929, he was the second child and first son of Michael King, Sr. and Alberta Christine Williams King. The family later changed their name to “Martin Luther” after the sixteenth-century German religious leader. Preaching was deeply ingrained in his family, as his father, brother, grandfather, and great-grandfather on his mother’s side were all preachers. His father, Martin Luther King, Sr., known as “Daddy King,” was a dynamic speaker and influential pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church, who publicly challenged unjust prejudices and social conventions holding back the black race. His mother, Alberta Williams King, discussed the history of slavery and segregation with him, teaching him that his life mattered as much as anyone else’s.

    King attended Booker T. Washington High School and was admitted to Morehouse College at the age of 15, leaving after the eleventh grade. At Morehouse, a prominent black institution, he was significantly influenced by President Benjamin Mays, who encouraged students to fight for the rights of the poor and disenfranchised and use their education for the dignity of the black community. King experienced the pain of segregation firsthand on a bus trip returning from a speaking contest in Dublin, Georgia, which made him the angriest he had ever been. In contrast, a summer working in Simsbury, Connecticut, showed him a lack of discrimination outside the South.

    During his junior year at Morehouse, at age 17, King decided to become a minister, describing it as an “inner urge to serve humanity”. He sought a “rational” approach to ministry, aiming to be a “respectable force for ideas, even social protest”. He was ordained as a minister in February 1948, his final year at Morehouse, and became an associate pastor at Ebenezer. He graduated from Morehouse in June 1948 with a degree in sociology.

    King continued his education at Crozer Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania and later Boston University, where he received his Ph.D. in Systematic Theology in June 1955. At both institutions, he was deeply influenced by the philosophy of nonviolent protest, particularly that of Mohandas Gandhi. He came to believe that nonviolent resistance was an active strike against evil, both courageous and morally consistent. King wrote that Gandhi elevated “the love ethic of Christ to an effective social force” and that Gandhian nonviolence was the “only logical and moral approach to the solution of the race problem in the United States”.

    In 1954, King became the pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. He observed that Montgomery’s 50,000 black citizens lived in a state of “enforced inferiority,” with segregation impacting housing, schooling, and daily life, evidenced by common “whites only” signs. King was quickly involved in challenging segregation, with Dexter Avenue Baptist Church becoming a significant contributor to the NAACP.

    King’s involvement in the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which began on December 5, 1955, following Rosa Parks’s arrest for refusing to give up her seat, marked a turning point in his life and the Civil Rights Movement. Black leaders, including E. D. Nixon and Jo Ann Robinson, saw Parks’s arrest as an opportunity to challenge bus segregation and convinced King to lead the boycott due to his oratorical skills. The boycott was highly successful, with black citizens refusing to ride the buses. Addressing a crowd, King spoke of their determination as American citizens to fight for justice, using language from the Book of Amos. The boycott brought King national attention. Facing white hatred and an arrest during the boycott, King emphasized nonviolence and meeting hate with love. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled bus segregation illegal in November 1956, and Montgomery buses were desegregated the following month. The victory instilled a strong affirmation of self-worth in the black community.

    Building on the momentum from Montgomery, King and other black leaders formed the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957 to fight segregation and achieve civil rights. Unlike the NAACP’s focus on legal challenges, the SCLC was action-oriented, utilizing nonviolent tactics like marches, boycotts, and sit-ins. King became the SCLC’s first president.

    King was involved in numerous key events and campaigns throughout the Civil Rights Movement. He delivered his first major national address on voting rights at the Lincoln Memorial in May 1957. He sent a wire to President Eisenhower regarding the desegregation crisis in Little Rock, warning of setbacks if strong action wasn’t taken. In 1959, he resigned from his pastorate at Dexter to dedicate himself fully to the civil rights struggle. He supported the student sit-in movement that began in 1960, encouraging participants to be willing to “fill the jails” as a form of protest. He himself was arrested during an Atlanta sit-in, stating the goal was to bring desegregation to the city’s conscience.

    Following violence against the Freedom Riders in 1961, King returned to Montgomery, praising the riders’ courage and condemning the violence. He joined the Albany Movement in Georgia, where he was jailed. This campaign highlighted new challenges, including facing a police chief who avoided tactics that generated national sympathy for the movement and introduced the element of FBI surveillance driven by Cold War fears.

    In 1963, King and the SCLC planned the Birmingham campaign as a turning point in the movement. Facing Police Commissioner Eugene “Bull” Connor, known for his fierce opposition to protesters and ties to the KKK, King was arrested for demonstrating without a permit and wrote his influential “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”. The campaign, though met with resistance, gained national exposure and was the first time they could “literally fill the jails,” fulfilling a dream.

    King was a central figure in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in August 1963, delivering his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. The speech passionately articulated a vision of a nation where people would be judged by their character, not their skin color. After the march, King and other leaders met with President Kennedy to discuss pending civil rights legislation. King called Kennedy’s subsequent address on civil rights the “most earnest, human and profound appeal for understanding and justice that any President has uttered since the first days of the Republic”. Shortly after the March on Washington, four young girls were killed in the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, a church targeted by the KKK. King delivered a powerful eulogy for the children, calling them martyrs and urging people to work against the system that produced their murderers. King described the summer of 1963 as the “first offensive in history launched by the Negroes along a broad front,” a “simultaneous, massive assault against segregation”.

    Following President Kennedy’s assassination in November 1963, King felt that the tragedy might ironically speed up civil rights gains under the new president, Lyndon B. Johnson. He met with President Johnson, who, despite the challenges, was determined to pass civil rights legislation. King attended the signing ceremony for the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed segregation in public accommodations, employment, and education.

    In 1964, King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize at the age of 35, the youngest recipient at the time. He accepted the award on behalf of the civil rights movement and those who risked their lives for the cause, expressing belief in dignity, equality, and freedom through nonviolent good will.

    King turned his attention to voting rights, targeting Selma, Alabama, for a campaign in 1965, where few black adults were registered voters due to intimidation tactics. President Johnson called King, emphasizing the need to expose the denial of voting rights to the nation through publicity to help pass a voting rights bill. King was arrested during demonstrations in Selma.

    Seeking to broaden the movement’s focus to economic inequality, King initiated the Chicago Freedom Movement in 1966. He moved into a tenement to highlight poor living conditions and led marches demanding an end to discrimination in housing, employment, and schools. He also launched “Operation Breadbasket,” a campaign to boycott companies that did not offer employment to black individuals. While in Chicago, he joined the Meredith March in Mississippi after James Meredith was shot, a march that helped register thousands of black voters. During this march, Stokely Carmichael popularized the term “Black Power,” a concept inimical to King’s nonviolent approach.

    King also became increasingly vocal in his opposition to the Vietnam War, a stance that strained his relationship with President Johnson and drew criticism from some fellow civil rights leaders. He delivered his notable “Beyond Vietnam” speech in 1967.

    In response to nationwide urban riots and the rise of the Black Power movement, King planned the “Poor People’s Campaign” in late 1967, aiming to bring poor individuals of all races to Washington, D.C., to demand jobs or income. His final campaign was in support of striking sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1968. On April 3, 1968, he delivered his last speech, “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop,” acknowledging the difficult days ahead but expressing a vision of reaching the “promised land”.

    Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot and killed on April 4, 1968, while on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, where he was supporting the sanitation workers’ strike. He died at age 39. James Earl Ray was apprehended and confessed, but conspiracy theories regarding his death persist.

    King is remembered as a visionary leader, an inspiring speaker, and a man of great courage who used nonviolent resistance to challenge segregation and injustice. His commitment to fighting for basic rights and opportunities for black Americans and his belief in the power of love and justice continue to inspire.

    Key Martin Luther King Jr. Civil Rights Events

    Based on the sources provided, several key Civil Rights events stand out in the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr.:

    • Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956) The Montgomery Bus Boycott began on December 5, 1955, following the arrest of Rosa Parks, a seamstress, for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger, violating local segregation laws. Black leaders, including E. D. Nixon and Jo Ann Robinson, saw Parks’s arrest as an opportunity to challenge the city’s segregated bus system. Nixon and others convinced King, a powerful orator and relative newcomer, to lead a meeting at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, aiming to put him in a position where he would lead the boycott. King and Coretta watched on the first morning of the boycott as buses passed with almost no passengers, showing that Montgomery’s black citizens had responded beyond expectations. King addressed a large crowd, stating, “We are here this evening—for serious business”. He spoke of their determination as American citizens to apply their citizenship to its fullest meaning. Throughout the boycott, King and other leaders distributed pamphlets urging black citizens to respond nonviolently to aggression from whites. Facing white hatred and an arrest during the boycott, King became a focus of national attention. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled bus segregation illegal on November 13, 1956. Montgomery buses were desegregated on December 21, 1956. The victory instilled a strong affirmation of self-worth in much of Montgomery’s black population.
    • Formation of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) (1957) In January 1957, King met with black leaders in Atlanta to plan an organization that would maintain the momentum gained from the bus boycott. They formed and King became president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) to fight segregation and achieve civil rights. Unlike the NAACP, which focused on legal challenges, the SCLC was action-oriented, using tactics like marches, boycotts, and sit-ins to challenge segregation in the South.
    • Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom (1957) On May 17, 1957, King traveled to Washington, D.C., to participate with other civil rights leaders in a “Prayer Pilgrimage”. Here, he delivered his first major national address, calling for black voting rights, speaking to a crowd estimated by some at over 20,000 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
    • Little Rock School Crisis (1957) In the fall of 1957, Little Rock, Arkansas, became the scene of a major battle over the Brown v. Board of Education decision to desegregate schools. On September 9, King sent a wire to President Eisenhower warning that failure of the federal government to take strong action would set back integration by 50 years.
    • Support for the Student Sit-in Movement (1960) When the student sit-in movement began in February 1960 in Greensboro, North Carolina, challenging segregation ordinances, King supported the students. At a meeting attended by students from several states, King told them they must be willing to “fill the jails” as a form of protest. He saw the movement as an opportunity for people to act and become involved locally. On October 20, 1960, King joined students in a sit-in at Rich’s Department Store in Atlanta and was arrested and jailed along with 13 others. He stated the demonstration’s object was to bring the issue of desegregation “into the conscience of Atlanta”.
    • Freedom Rides (1961) The Freedom Rides were organized by CORE to test the enforcement of the Supreme Court ruling in Boynton v. Virginia (1960) that segregation in interstate travel facilities was illegal. Facing violence against the Freedom Riders, Martin Luther King returned to Montgomery on Sunday, May 21. About 50 federal agents escorted him from the airport. In a speech that evening, King thanked CORE, praised the courage of the riders, and condemned the violence, comparing it to Hitler’s Germany. He warned that if the federal government did not act, the situation could degenerate into chaos. He pledged that he and his organization would not sit idly by while black citizens faced lawlessness and injustice. The Freedom Riders’ efforts forced the Kennedy administration to direct the Interstate Commerce Commission to ban segregation in facilities under its jurisdiction.
    • Albany Movement (1961-1962) King and Ralph Abernathy arrived in Albany, Georgia, on December 15, 1961, joining a movement challenging segregation. The next day, King joined a march and was jailed along with nearly 200 black citizens. Albany Police Chief Laurie Pritchett avoided overreacting in ways that had generated national sympathy for the movement in other cities. King sent a wire to President Kennedy about the jailing of religious leaders who were fasting, stating they hoped to “arouse the conscience of this nation to the gross violations of human dignity and civil rights, which are the rule in Albany and surrounding counties”. Kennedy did not arrange the meeting in Washington that King requested, despite seven U.S. Senators encouraging White House intervention. The Albany campaign highlighted the challenge of a police chief who prevented dramatic confrontations and also introduced FBI surveillance due to Cold War fears. King later reflected that their efforts in Albany were too diffuse, attempting to desegregate the city in all respects rather than focusing on a single issue.
    • Birmingham Campaign (1963) King and the SCLC planned a campaign in Birmingham, Alabama, knowing it would likely provoke intense trouble and could gain national attention. Their plan, “Project C” (for confrontation), involved nonviolent direct action, boycotts, and appeals for justice, hinging on the reaction of Police Commissioner Eugene “Bull” Connor. In early April 1963, King and the SCLC, along with local leaders like Fred Shuttlesworth, began sit-ins, marches, and a boycott of downtown merchants. On April 12, 1963, King was arrested for demonstrating without a permit. While jailed, he wrote his influential “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”. In the letter, he defended direct action, the right to defy unjust laws, and described the suffering and humiliation endured by black Americans. He articulated why the movement found it difficult to wait for change, using powerful examples of the impact of segregation on families. The campaign included “D-Day” on May 2, where over 1,000 children and teenagers were arrested. The next day, police used dogs and fire hoses against young protesters in Kelly Ingram Park, gaining worldwide publicity. King was upbeat about the national exposure and the success at Birmingham, stating it marked the nonviolent movement “coming of age” and that it was the first time they could “literally to fill the jails,” fulfilling a dream. The vivid contrast between the protesters and the police actions, especially with dogs and fire hoses, was seen globally. These events moved President Kennedy to work on broad civil rights legislation.
    • March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (1963) Following the events in Birmingham and President Kennedy’s national address on civil rights, King prepared for the biggest demonstration yet. The “March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom” was planned to stress economic inequities and press for civil rights legislation. On August 28, 1963, over 200,000 people gathered around the Lincoln Memorial. King was the final speaker and delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, articulating a vision of a nation where people would be judged by their character. After the march, King and other leaders met with President Kennedy at the White House to discuss the pending civil rights bill.
    • 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing (1963) Shortly after the March on Washington, the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham was bombed, killing four young girls. This church had been a central location for planning civil rights activities.
    • Civil Rights Act of 1964 (1964) Following President Kennedy’s assassination, Lyndon B. Johnson became president and was determined to pass the civil rights bill. Johnson, who saw the civil rights cause as just and winnable, instructed his aides to work with Congress to ensure its passage. With concerted efforts and bipartisan support, the legislation passed. King attended the signing ceremony of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 at the White House on July 2, 1964. This act outlawed segregation in public accommodations, employment, and education.
    • Selma Voting Rights Campaign (1965) In 1965, King turned his attention to voting rights, focusing on Selma, Alabama, where few black adults were registered due to intimidation. After local efforts were met with resistance, including Sheriff Jim Clark openly turning away black applicants, the Voters League appealed to King. King arrived in Selma in January 1965 and was physically attacked upon signing into his hotel. President Johnson called King, emphasizing the need to expose the denial of voting rights to the nation through publicity to help pass a voting rights bill. King mobilized demonstrations, urging people to be willing to “go to jail by the thousands” and demanding the ballot. Protesters were beaten and arrested, but their continued efforts gained national attention. After a night march to Marion, Alabama, where Jimmie Lee Jackson was shot and killed trying to protect his mother, SCLC members discussed a march to Montgomery. At Jackson’s memorial service, King announced the march would begin on March 7. This march became known as “Bloody Sunday” after state troopers attacked the marchers on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. President Johnson responded by speaking to Congress, embracing the aims of the movement and calling for a voting rights bill. He declared that denying the right to vote was “wrong—deadly wrong” and that the struggle for human rights must be “our cause too”. He ended his speech saying, “And we shall overcome”. The Selma struggle’s impact helped propel the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
    • Chicago Freedom Movement (1966) Seeking to broaden the movement’s focus to economic inequality, King initiated the Chicago Freedom Movement in 1966. On January 26, 1966, King and aides moved into a tenement apartment in Chicago to highlight poor living conditions. The campaign aimed to end discrimination in housing, employment, and schools. Demands were posted on the door of Mayor Richard J. Daley’s office. King also launched “Operation Breadbasket” in Chicago, a campaign targeting companies for fair employment practices. The Chicago campaign demonstrated the difficulties of challenging deeply entrenched issues like housing discrimination in Northern cities. While an agreement was reached with city officials and real estate agents, it contained no guarantees or timetable, illustrating resistance to changes that threatened property rights.
    • Meredith March Against Fear (1966) After James Meredith was shot and wounded during his “March Against Fear” in Mississippi, King joined Floyd McKissick and Stokely Carmichael to continue the march. It was during this march that Stokely Carmichael popularized the term “Black Power,” a phrase inimical to King’s nonviolent approach, forcing King to confront and combat the concept.
    • Opposition to the Vietnam War (1967) In 1967, King became more vocal in his opposition to the Vietnam War, a stance that drew criticism from some. He delivered his notable “Beyond Vietnam” speech on April 4, 1967.
    • Poor People’s Campaign (1967-1968) In response to urban riots and the rise of Black Power, King and his advisors began planning the “Poor People’s Campaign” in late 1967, aiming to focus on economic inequalities and poverty. On December 4, 1967, King announced the campaign, stating it would bring poor individuals of all races to Washington, D.C., to demand jobs or income.
    • Memphis Sanitation Strike (1968) King’s final campaign supported striking sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee. On April 3, 1968, the evening before his death, King delivered his last speech, “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop,” at the Masonic Temple in Memphis. He spoke about the difficult days ahead but expressed his vision of reaching the “promised land”.

    By Amjad Izhar
    Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
    https://amjadizhar.blog

  • Mother Teresa: A Biography

    Mother Teresa: A Biography

    This collection of excerpts from a biography of Mother Teresa provides an overview of her life and work. It outlines her early life in Skopje, her decision to join the Loreto Sisters and move to India, and her subsequent call to work with the poorest in Calcutta. The text highlights the founding and growth of her order, the Missionaries of Charity, detailing their work establishing homes for the dying (Nirmal Hriday), children (Shishu Bhavan), and lepers (Shantinagar). It also touches on the order’s expansion globally, the challenges and criticisms Mother Teresa faced, and her impact on the world stage.

    The Life and Legacy of Mother Teresa

    Writing about Mother Teresa can be both frustrating and challenging, as her personality appears rife with contradictions upon closer inspection. While on the surface she lived a simple life devoted to her calling and faith, understanding her motives and purposes can be difficult. Her life is described as not inherently “interesting” in the modern sense, lacking great adventures or crises, and biographies often portray her reverentially, making it easy to forget she was a human being.

    However, the sources present a biography of Mother Teresa highlighting significant aspects of her life and work:

    • Early Life and Calling: Born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu on August 26, 1910, she first felt the desire to become a nun at the age of twelve, despite never having seen a nun. Her decision to pursue a religious life did not surprise her mother, Drana, perhaps due to Gonxha’s chronic poor health. Her chosen religious name, Teresa, was in honor of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, the patron saint of missions.
    • Entry into Loreto and Departure: Gonxha left her family and country at age 18 or 19 to join the Loreto Sisters, first in Dublin, Ireland, and then in India. She believed she was carrying out God’s plan by serving as a Loreto nun and teacher, instructing children of the poor.
    • The “Call Within a Call”: On September 10, 1946, while traveling by train to Darjeeling for a retreat, Mother Teresa experienced what she described as “another call”. She later stated the message was clear: she was to leave the convent and help the poor while living among them, considering it an order from God. This day is now celebrated annually by the Missionaries of Charity as Inspiration Day.
    • Founding the Missionaries of Charity: After receiving permission to leave Loreto and train in Patna, Mother Teresa returned to Calcutta in December 1948 and began her work in the slums, dressing in a white sari like a poor Bengali woman. She started by teaching children with a stick in the mud. She was joined by her first associate, Subashni Das, in March 1949, who became her first postulant. The Missionaries of Charity congregation was formally approved on October 7, 1950. The order has four vows: chastity, poverty, obedience, and a fourth vow to give “whole-hearted and free service to the poorest of the poor”. They committed to working only for the poor and living rigorously poor lives themselves, believing they served Jesus in the poor. Mother Teresa emphasized “starting right on the ground,” a defining concept for the constitution of the order.
    • Expanding Work and Recognition: Early initiatives included opening a school, a hostel for the ill and dying, and a feeding program. Key locations established were Nirmal Hriday (Home for the Dying) in 1952 and Shishu Bhavan (Home for children) in 1953. She began working with lepers in 1957 and opened Shantinagar (Place of Peace for Lepers) in 1965. The Missionaries of Charity Brothers were established in 1963. The order expanded outside of Calcutta in 1959 and outside of India in 1965 after receiving permission from the Pope to become a Society of Pontifical Right. By the 1980s, the order was opening many new foundations globally. Mother Teresa also established hospices for people with AIDS in 1987.
    • Public Profile and Celebrity: Mother Teresa became increasingly well-known, first in Calcutta and then internationally. Her interview with Malcolm Muggeridge in 1968 exposed her work to a wider audience, leading to donations and increasing fame. Muggeridge’s documentary and book, Something Beautiful for God, significantly contributed to her global recognition. Despite her fame, she tried to use it to benefit the poor and insisted on relying on God’s providence rather than aggressive fundraising.
    • Criticisms and Controversies: As her public profile grew, so did criticism and scrutiny. Criticisms included nonchalance over death, being a nuisance to doctors, and accusations of trying to convert Hindus. Later criticisms intensified regarding the acceptance of funds from questionable donors, the standard of care in her facilities, financial transparency, and political stances. She faced particular criticism for her strong stance against abortion, her silence on religious persecution in Albania, accepting donations from dictators, and her involvement in a campaign for Christian Dalits, which Indian Church officials criticized. The 1994 documentary Hell’s Angel and Christopher Hitchens’ book The Missionary Position were particularly critical, questioning her motives, finances, and methods. Despite challenges, she typically accepted criticism with a smile and continued her work.
    • Later Life, Death, and Sainthood: Mother Teresa’s health deteriorated in her later years, suffering heart attacks in 1983 and 1989. She considered stepping down as head of the order due to ill health. She died on September 5, 1997, after a heart attack. Her death was followed by a state funeral held by the Indian government. In 2003, Pope John Paul II beatified Mother Teresa, a step toward sainthood. This process included investigating her life and work, hearing testimony from both supporters and critics like Christopher Hitchens, and requiring a posthumous miracle. The Church’s investigation concluded her mission was to help individuals and bear witness to God’s presence, not fight for social change. Her legacy continues through the Missionaries of Charity and thousands of volunteers. The order trademarked her name in 2003 to prevent commercial exploitation.

    Despite the controversies and criticisms, many viewed Mother Teresa as a living saint even before her beatification. Supporters emphasized her deep faith and belief that she was an instrument of God. She is remembered for her commitment to rigorous poverty, her ability to inspire volunteers, and her conviction that Christ was present in everyone she served, particularly the poorest of the poor.

    The Missionaries of Charity: Founding and Legacy

    Based on the sources provided, the Missionaries of Charity are the religious congregation founded by Mother Teresa, dedicated to serving the poorest of the poor.

    Here are some key aspects of the Missionaries of Charity discussed in the sources:

    • Founding and Inspiration: The idea for a new congregation came to Mother Teresa on September 10, 1946, as “another call” to leave her convent and help the poor while living among them, which she saw as an order from God [prev turn, 10]. This call was to “quench the infinite thirst of Jesus Christ on the Cross for love of souls”, a tenet so important that chapels built by the order would be inscribed with the words “I thirst”. The congregation was formally approved on October 7, 1950 [prev turn, 32], as a new congregation limited to the diocese of Calcutta. Eleven young women began their lives as postulants that same day.
    • Mission and Vows: The aim of the Missionaries of Charity is to quench Jesus Christ’s thirst for love through evangelical counsels and “whole-hearted free service to the poorest of the poor”. Their particular mission is to labor at the salvation and sanctification of the poorest of the poor. They are called THE MISSIONARIES OF CHARITY. Members take the traditional vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience, adding a fourth vow: “to give whole-hearted and free service to the poorest of the poor”.
    • Rigorous Poverty: A core principle is the rigorous application of the vow of poverty. Mother Teresa believed their food and dress must be like the poor, serving the poor because they are Jesus. They saw rigorous poverty as their safeguard to prevent becoming like other religious orders that started serving the poor but ended up servicing the rich and themselves. They aimed to live like those who have nothing in order to understand and help them, being “poor by choice” while the poor are “poor by birth”. This included eating simple food, wearing habits made from old sacks, and initially going without things like tea or sufficient shawls. The constitution stipulated they would not own buildings or property, though this was later modified. They often went without necessities like cooking fuel, eating raw wheat, or eating bitter curry. They also resisted owning anything, even medical equipment, that wasn’t widely available to the poor. Mother Teresa continually reminded her sisters that because the poor did without, so must they, leading to donations like washing machines or carpets being given away.
    • Early Work and Activities: Upon returning to Calcutta in December 1948, Mother Teresa began her work in the slums, dressing in a white sari [prev turn, 21]. She started by teaching children [prev turn, 22]. The Missionaries of Charity began a feeding program, starting with the Bengali custom of mushti bhikka (a handful of rice). Early initiatives included opening a school, a hostel for the ill and dying (Nirmal Hriday), and a feeding program [prev turn]. Other key locations established were Shishu Bhavan (Home for children) [prev turn, 66] and Shantinagar (Place of Peace for Lepers) [prev turn, 72]. By the early 1980s, their activities included slum schools, daily meal programs feeding nearly 50,000, Shishu Bhavans caring for thousands of children, homes for the dying, and mobile clinics treating millions. They also established hospices for people with AIDS. A chart in the Motherhouse listed their various activities: child welfare, educational programs, nutritional daycares, family planning centers, dispensaries, leprosy clinics, rehabilitation centers, shelters, homes for unwed mothers, and hospices for the sick and dying.
    • Growth and Global Expansion: Initially confined to the diocese of Calcutta by church law, they received permission to expand within India in 1959. Houses were established in Delhi and Jhansi, and in Bombay. News of their work reached high levels, with Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru attending a dedication. The order was granted permission to become a Society of Pontifical Right by Pope Paul VI in February 1965, allowing them to work outside India. The first international home opened in Venezuela in 1965, where they also engaged in religious education due to a lack of priests. By 1970 in Caracas, they received permission for nuns to administer Holy Communion to the sick and dying. In 1968, Pope Paul VI invited them to work in Rome. They quickly expanded, opening missions in Sri Lanka (1967), Tanzania (1968), and Australia (1969), with a new center opening approximately every six months well into the next decade. By 1979, there were 158 foundations globally. By the 1980s, they were opening many new foundations globally [prev turn], though the bulk of their work remained in India. In 1988, they opened a mission in a Moscow hospital, unprecedented since the Russian Revolution. The growth of the order, particularly attracting vocations, was seen as remarkable at a time when religious vocations were generally declining.
    • Missionary Brothers and Volunteers: The Missionary Brothers of Charity were established in 1963 for work better suited for men, such as working with young boys. Led by Brother Andrew (Ian Travers-Ball), they adopted a less regimented, more adaptable style. They worked with poor boys at the Howrah railway station and in homes providing refuge and vocational training, and were involved with mobile leprosy clinics. They also grew rapidly and opened houses globally, often where the Sisters were not present. Thousands of volunteers also assist the Missionaries of Charity and Brothers. Come and Sees are typically young people working for a few weeks or months. Co-Workers, a term borrowed from Gandhi, number in the thousands globally and come from various backgrounds and religions. They are forbidden from fundraising or publicity but publish a newsletter. There is also a branch called Sick and Suffering Co-Workers who offer prayers.
    • Internal Life and Philosophy: Life in the order involves a long, grueling daily routine starting before 5 A.M. with prayers, meditation, and mass, followed by a simple breakfast, and being out on the streets by 7:45 A.M.. Sisters travel in pairs for safety and mutual help. Requirements for joining include physical and mental health, ability/desire to learn, common sense, and a cheerful disposition. Those who remain sever ties with their families, rarely returning home. Mother Teresa emphasized the work was religious, serving Jesus in the poor, rather than social work. The order largely maintained practices based on pre-Vatican II theology, emphasizing the spirit and the glory of suffering. Mother Teresa exerted rigid control, resisting interference from priests or outsiders and limiting sisters’ access to outside information like newspapers or television, believing it a distraction. She also generally did not want her sisters to be more educated than those they served, with the exception of those pursuing medical degrees.
    • Challenges and Criticisms: The Missionaries of Charity faced various challenges and criticisms. Some of the poor resisted them, seeing them as trying to convert them to Catholicism. Families were sometimes ashamed of their daughters’ vocations. Early on, Hindu Brahmins complained about Nirmal Hriday, accusing the nuns of conversion attempts and petitioning the city for their removal. They faced setbacks like leaving Belfast due to feeling unwanted or deaths from a fire in London and a bridge collapse in India. As Mother Teresa gained international fame, criticisms intensified [prev turn]. Concerns were raised about the standard of care in their facilities, including a lack of simple testing procedures and insufficient pain relief at Nirmal Hriday, which was contrasted with Mother Teresa having access to modern medical care for herself. Some critics argued their approach was outmoded, focusing on individual charity rather than addressing the root causes of poverty or advocating for social change. Mother Teresa’s strong stance against abortion and contraception also drew criticism. There were controversies regarding financial transparency, as the order did not keep detailed records of donations and spending. Accusations were made regarding the acceptance of funds from questionable donors like Jean-Claude Duvalier. Allegations surfaced about potential misuse of funds by Co-Workers, leading Mother Teresa to initially consider disbanding the group. Mother Teresa’s involvement in a campaign for Christian Dalits in India also drew public criticism, even from Indian Church officials, who argued it created schism. Critics like Christopher Hitchens questioned her motives, accusing her work of being propaganda linked to fighting abortion and running institutions more as a “cult based on death and suffering” than for the “honest relief of suffering”.
    • Legacy: At the time of Mother Teresa’s death, the Missionaries of Charity included over 4,000 sisters, 400 brothers, and thousands of volunteers (Co-Workers, Lay Missionaries of Charity, and Missionary of Charity Fathers). Thousands of volunteers continue to come to Calcutta annually. The order trademarked Mother Teresa’s name, the order’s name, and its logo in 2003 to prevent commercial exploitation. Their direction is carried out as Mother Teresa originally envisioned. The core of their legacy is their sacred treatment of all people, finding the presence of Jesus in everyone, especially the poorest of the poor, and performing each task for the poor as if doing it for Christ himself. Mother Teresa’s spirit is said to live on through her volunteers.

    Missionaries of Charity: Work Among the Poorest

    Based on the sources provided, the Missionaries of Charity were founded by Mother Teresa with a specific mission focused entirely on working with the poorest of the poor.

    Here’s a discussion of their work with the poor:

    • Core Motivation and Philosophy: The underlying motivation for the Missionaries of Charity’s work was deeply religious. Mother Teresa felt a call from God to serve the poor while living among them [prev turn, 10]. Their central tenet was to “quench the infinite thirst of Jesus Christ on the Cross for love of souls” [prev turn, 12]. They took a unique fourth vow “to give whole-hearted and free service to the poorest of the poor” [prev turn, 12, 38, 40]. Mother Teresa emphasized that they should not serve the poor like they were Jesus, but because they are Jesus. Their labor was aimed at the “salvation and sanctification of the poorest of the poor” [prev turn, 40], seeing the work as a means to find God and bear witness to his presence. They treated all people with sacredness, finding the presence of Jesus in everyone, especially the poorest, and performed tasks for the poor as if doing them for Christ himself. Mother Teresa explicitly stated, “We are first of all religious; we are not social workers, not teachers, not nurses or doctors, we are religious sisters. We serve Jesus in the poor”.
    • Location and Scope of Work: The Missionaries of Charity began their work in the slums of Calcutta, specifically the Motijihl area. Their activities expanded within Calcutta to areas like Kalighat. Initially limited to the Calcutta diocese, they later expanded throughout India, opening houses in Delhi, Jhansi, Bombay, and Ranchi. After gaining permission to work outside India, they expanded globally, establishing homes and missions in Venezuela, Rome, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Guatemala, the Philippines, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Brazil, London, New York City, Washington, D.C., and Moscow [85, 88, 97, 108, 121, prev turn]. They worked in various locations where the poor were found, including streets, alleyways, railway platforms, city streets, gutters, garbage heaps, and hospitals [27, 56, 65, 71, 87, prev turn].
    • Who They Served: Their focus was always the “poorest of the poor”, particularly those who were unwanted or had no family. They cared for the sick and dying, children, lepers [prev turn, 50, 75], and those suffering from diseases like cholera, smallpox, tuberculosis, and AIDS. They worked with street children, orphaned and wayward boys, unwed mothers, the homeless, crippled and mentally disabled, alcoholics, drug addicts, criminals, and the elderly and lonely.
    • Key Activities and Services:Education: Starting with teaching children in the slums using a stick in the mud [prev turn, 6, 25, 27, 50]. They also taught children catechism. Vocational training was provided for older children, such as typing, carpentry, needlework, radio repair, and farming.
    • Feeding Programs: Initiated by collecting mushti bhikka (a handful of rice) [prev turn, 36]. They ran daily meal programs feeding thousands [prev turn], providing food and sometimes clothing and soap.
    • Medical Care and Shelters: They provided basic medical assistance, learning simple procedures like giving injections and administering medicines. They established and ran:
    • Homes for the dying (Nirmal Hriday) [prev turn, 30, 50, 65].
    • Homes for children (Shishu Bhavan) [prev turn, 50, 71].
    • Homes and clinics for lepers (Shantinagar, mobile clinics) [prev turn, 50, 76, 87].
    • Dispensaries and rehabilitation centers.
    • Shelters for the homeless, crippled, and mentally disabled.
    • Homes for unwed mothers.
    • Hospices for the sick, dying, and AIDS patients [prev turn, 50, 108].
    • Mobile clinics treating millions [prev turn].
    • Personal Care and Support: They focused on providing comfort, solace, and dignity to the dying. They also visited families, attended community events, gave baths to dirty children, and taught hygiene. In the West, they engaged in family visits and prison ministry.
    • Approach to Work and Poverty: A defining characteristic was their commitment to “rigorous poverty” [prev turn, 44]. They believed their food and dress should be like the poor to understand and help them, seeing themselves as “poor by choice” while the poor were “poor by birth”. They often went without necessities like cooking fuel, adequate shawls, or even simple comforts like tea. They resisted owning material goods or expensive equipment, even medical, that wasn’t widely available to the poor, believing this was a safeguard against becoming like other orders that ended up servicing the rich. Mother Teresa herself was willing to perform the most menial tasks, such as sweeping floors or cleaning toilets. The daily routine was rigorous, starting early with prayers and mass, followed by being out working by 7:45 AM. They largely maintained practices based on pre-Vatican II theology, emphasizing the glory of suffering. Their approach focused on individual charity and helping whom they could, rather than advocating for social change or addressing the root causes of poverty.
    • Challenges and Criticisms: Despite their dedication, the Missionaries of Charity faced challenges. Some poor individuals resisted their help, sometimes fearing conversion attempts. Early on, Hindu Brahmins complained about perceived conversion efforts at Nirmal Hriday and petitioned for their removal. Families of young women joining the order were sometimes ashamed. As they gained fame, criticisms intensified regarding the standard of care in their facilities, including a lack of basic testing and insufficient pain relief [prev turn, 119, 124, 126]. Their approach was sometimes seen as outmoded, focused on charity rather than systemic change. Critics also pointed to Mother Teresa’s strong anti-abortion and anti-contraception stance as being at odds with addressing issues like overpopulation.

    Overall, the work of the Missionaries of Charity, as described in the sources, was characterized by a profound religious motivation to serve Jesus in the poorest, a commitment to extreme poverty, and a wide range of direct care activities for the most vulnerable, often carried out in difficult conditions.

    Life and Suffering in Calcutta

    Based on the provided sources and our conversation history, life in Calcutta was characterized by stark contrasts, profound suffering among the poor, and a complex social and political landscape.

    Here’s a discussion of life in Calcutta as depicted in the sources:

    • A City of Contrasts and Overcrowding: In the 1920s, Calcutta was the political capital of British India, a dynamic and cosmopolitan city. However, it was also described as overcrowded and spilling into the streets and alleys. It held cultural richness but was also a “cesspool of human misery and degradation”. The contrast with a place like Darjeeling, a fashionable hill resort with clear mountain air and refined culture, was startling. Even by the time Mother Teresa began her focused work with the poor, Calcutta had the third highest per-capita income in India, yet it was a “vast sea of suffering and despair”.
    • Widespread Poverty and Dire Living Conditions: Poverty was a pervasive issue in Calcutta, readily apparent to those who lived and worked there. The city teemed with humanity, and thousands of people were plunged into unrelenting poverty, especially after independence and partition led to overcrowding with job-seeking Hindus.
    • Street Life: The streets were a central feature of life, crowded with beggars and lepers. People were born and died hourly in the streets. Thousands were “pavement dwellers”. The sick and starving, weakened by disease and hunger, often simply dropped wherever they were to die.
    • Slums: Life in the slums, such as Motijihl and Tiljala, was particularly harsh. Motijihl, despite its name “Pearl Lake,” had no lake, but a large brackish sump for water, raw sewage flowing into open drains, and garbage piled on the streets. Residents lived in small hovels with dirt floors. Basic services like drainage, sewage, drinking water, and electricity were often absent. The shabby environment of the area even affected the Loreto school. By the later period, there were 3,000 official slums housing more than two million people.
    • Sanitation and Hygiene: Sanitation was a major problem; 44 percent of the city did not have sewers. Overflowing sewage contaminated available food and water.
    • Health Crises and Lack of Care: Calcutta faced significant health challenges. Diseases such as cholera, smallpox, tuberculosis, and AIDS were prevalent [prev turn]. Tuberculosis was a malady that claimed many nuns. During the Great Famine, thousands died in the streets daily. Malnutrition and overcrowded living conditions contributed to illness. Hospitals were overcrowded and sometimes turned people away. Leprosy was a growing problem, with thousands left with nowhere to go after a hospital closure. The social stigma attached to leprosy meant that even recovered individuals were shunned.
    • Social Vulnerabilities: The city’s poor faced numerous social challenges. Unwanted infants were regularly abandoned and left to die in clinics, on the streets, or in garbage bins. Orphaned, sick, and disabled children were cast into the streets to fend for themselves, often resorting to begging or petty crime. Young girls and infants were particularly at risk due to a cultural bias valuing boys. Unwed mothers were sometimes cast out of their homes. The city also had populations of alcoholics, drug addicts, criminals, and the elderly and lonely needing care [prev turn].
    • Historical and Political Context: Mother Teresa arrived in India at a time of growing unrest for self-government. The city experienced bloody riots between Hindus and Muslims in August 1946, leaving shops burned and sewers filled with bodies. Calcutta was also impacted by the Great Famine, which brought thousands fleeing rural areas to the city, adding to overcrowding and chaos, and claiming millions of lives in the wider region. The city faced challenges due to the partition following India’s independence. Calcutta officials were sometimes embarrassed by the extent of problems like the number of unwanted children.
    • Limited Formal Support: Despite the scale of the problems, the City of Calcutta and relief organizations struggled to provide sufficient help. The city’s governing body, the Calcutta Corporation, was described as powerless to help the growing numbers of poor.

    In summary, life in Calcutta, particularly for the “poorest of the poor,” was a harsh reality of severe overcrowding, lack of sanitation and basic services, rampant disease, and social abandonment, set against a backdrop of political change and social conflict, which Mother Teresa and the Missionaries of Charity sought to address through direct intervention and care.

    Mother Teresa and the Catholic Church

    Based on the sources and our conversation history, the Catholic Church played a foundational and central role in the life of Mother Teresa and the establishment and operation of the Missionaries of Charity.

    Here’s a discussion of the Catholic Church as depicted in the sources:

    • Early Life and Religious Formation: Mother Teresa’s upbringing was deeply rooted in the Roman Catholic community in Skopje, which, although small (less than 10 percent of the population in Albania), was close-knit. Her mother, Drana, was a devout Catholic who went to Mass almost every day and ensured her children practiced their religion and incorporated it into their everyday lives. Young Gonxha (Mother Teresa) was heavily influenced by the Sacred Heart church in Skopje, which served not only for religious teaching but also as a center of Albanian culture and identity. She showed an early tendency for religious devotion, participating in church activities, joining the choir, helping organize parish festivals, and teaching catechism to younger children. Father Franjo Jambrekovic, a Jesuit priest at Sacred Heart, significantly influenced her by sharing news of Jesuit missionary efforts in Bengal, India, and describing the horrible conditions of the poor there. He also established Catholic youth groups and the Sodality of Children of Mary, which Gonxha joined and became active in, offering prayers for Catholic missions. Father Jambrekovic provided guidance when she was discerning her life’s calling.
    • Joining a Religious Order (Loreto Sisters): Gonxha chose to join the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (IBVM), known as the Loreto Sisters. This order was founded by Mary Ward with a vision of women living and acting in the world, carrying Christ’s love to the poor, downtrodden, and helpless, inspired by the Gospels and modeled on the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). The Loreto Sisters were invited to India by Irish church officials to provide Catholic education, initially for the daughters of Irish Catholic military families but also providing free education for children of the poor and operating an orphanage and widow’s asylum. Gonxha entered the Loreto Novitiate in Darjeeling, a period of study and prayer before final vows. Life in the convent was disciplined and rigorous, including teaching at the affiliated school, studying English and Bengali, attending confession weekly, and listening to readings about the lives of saints or the rules of Loreto. She took her first vows as Sister Teresa in 1931 and her final vows in 1937, committing herself to the Loreto Sisters and a lifetime of poverty, chastity, and obedience in service to the Lord [prev turn].
    • The “Call” and Seeking Church Approval: Mother Teresa felt a distinct call from God in 1946 to serve the poor while living among them [prev turn, 26, 27, 48]. This required leaving the Loreto convent, a significant step that needed approval from the Church hierarchy. She sought advice from Father Celeste Van Exem, a Belgian Jesuit priest who became her spiritual advisor. Archbishop Ferdinand Périer of Calcutta was initially against the idea of a lone nun living among the poor on the streets. He ordered her transferred and cautioned silence. However, he also discreetly made inquiries about the feasibility and potential public and political reaction to such an idea, consulting with other priests like Father Julien Henry and the father general of the Jesuit Order. A major difficulty was church law, which disfavored the unnecessary growth of religious vocations for women, requiring a demonstration that existing orders weren’t doing the proposed work. The Daughters of St. Anne in Calcutta already ministered among the poor, dressed in Indian style, and ate simple food, posing a challenge to Mother Teresa’s proposal. Mother Teresa insisted her vision was different, focusing on the “poorest of the poor,” being more mobile, and starting from scratch.
    • Gaining Permission: Exclaustration and Diocesan Congregation: Mother Teresa’s request to leave the convent required an indult of exclaustration or secularization. The mother general in Rathfarnham granted permission to write to Rome for exclaustration, allowing her to remain a Loreto Sister while working outside the cloister. The Vatican granted this request in July 1948, with a condition for review after a year. After her year of working in the slums with growing support and a group of young women joining her, Archbishop Périer decided she would remain outside the cloister and supported recognizing her group as a congregation for the diocese of Calcutta. This required Rome’s final approval.
    • Founding the Missionaries of Charity: Mother Teresa drafted a constitution for the new order, outlining traditional vows (poverty, chastity, obedience) and adding a fourth vow: “to give whole-hearted and free service to the poorest of the poor”. This constitution and the fourth vow were accepted by the Vatican. On October 7, 1950, the Missionaries of Charity was recognized as a new congregation in the fold of the church, headed by Mother Teresa. The goal of the order, as stated in the constitution, was deeply religious: “to quench the infinite thirst of Jesus Christ on the Cross for love of souls” and to “labor at the salvation and sanctification of the poorest of the poor,” revealing God’s salvation.
    • Expansion and Pontifical Right: Initially confined to Calcutta, the Missionaries of Charity sought to expand throughout India. Archbishop Périer relented, and new houses were established in other Indian cities. News of their work reached high levels of the Indian government and the Roman Catholic Church hierarchy in India, such as Cardinal Valerian Gracias in Bombay. Mother Teresa later sought permission from Pope John XXIII for the Missionaries of Charity to become a Society of Pontifical Right, which would allow them to work in other countries. Pope Paul VI granted this in February 1965. The first home outside India was opened in Venezuela in 1965, following an invitation relayed by Archbishop James Robert Knox. Pope Paul VI also invited her to work in Rome in 1968. Mother Teresa also established the Missionary Brothers of Charity with permission from the archbishop of Calcutta in 1963, though under Church law, she could not head a male congregation.
    • Doctrine, Theology, and Vows: The Missionaries of Charity were explicitly defined as “religious sisters” serving Jesus in the poor, not primarily social workers or medical professionals [prev turn, 131]. Their theology was rooted in pre-Vatican II Church teachings, emphasizing the spirit over the flesh and the “glory of suffering”. They believed their rigorous poverty made them understand and help the poor better, seeing themselves as “poor by choice”. They aimed to treat each person as they would treat Jesus Christ, performing tasks for the poor as if doing them for Christ. Their vow of poverty included not owning buildings or property, though this was later modified.
    • Social Stances and Church Teaching: Mother Teresa adhered strictly to Church teachings on matters like birth control and abortion, which generated controversy. She promoted “Holy Family Planning” based on the rhythm method, the only method sanctioned by the Catholic Church. Her strong stance against abortion was a significant part of her public message, including during her Nobel Prize speech. In the context of the caste system in India, Mother Teresa became involved in a campaign for scheduled caste recognition for Christian Dalits, asserting that Christianity did not recognize caste. However, her actions and statements on this issue caused friction with other Christians and non-Christians.
    • Internal Dynamics and Criticism: Mother Teresa’s traditional approach and rigorous discipline were sometimes seen as outmoded, particularly in contrast to changes in other religious orders following Vatican II reforms, which aimed to make religious life more modern and accessible. Some within the Church criticized her resistance to higher education for her nuns, believing it was necessary for effective service. There were also criticisms regarding the standard of care in her facilities, which some felt did not align with modern medical standards, contrasting with the work of other Catholic sisters in the hospice movement. Despite criticisms, the Roman Catholic Church rallied to Mother Teresa’s defense, especially following the controversial “Hell’s Angel” documentary.
    • Path to Sainthood: Mother Teresa’s connection to the Catholic Church culminated in her beatification by Pope John Paul II in 2003, a step towards official sainthood. The process involved rigorous investigation, including testimony from both supporters and critics (like Christopher Hitchens), and the church required a posthumous miracle for beatification. The Vatican explicitly supported her approach of helping individuals and bearing witness to the Divine presence, rather than fighting for social change.

    In essence, the Catholic Church provided the spiritual framework, hierarchical support (despite initial hesitations), and guiding doctrines that enabled Mother Teresa’s mission to the poorest of the poor to take root and expand globally. Her work, while sometimes challenging established norms or attracting criticism, remained deeply intertwined with her identity as a Catholic nun and the mission of the Church.

    By Amjad Izhar
    Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
    https://amjadizhar.blog

  • Napoleon: A Biography

    Napoleon: A Biography

    This collection of text excerpts offers a detailed biography of Napoleon Bonaparte, charting his life from his early military education and family dynamics in Corsica and France through his rapid rise to power. The narrative covers his military campaigns, highlighting significant battles and strategic approaches, alongside his political maneuvers and the complexities of his relationships, particularly with his family and with Josephine. The excerpts also explore his attempts to consolidate power through political reforms and expansionist policies across Europe, examining both his successes and failures, culminating in his eventual defeats and exile. Finally, the text touches upon the challenges he faced, both personal and political, and his life and death during his captivity on St. Helena.

    Napoleon Bonaparte’s Early Life and Career

    Based on the information in the sources, here is a discussion of Napoleon Bonaparte’s early life:

    Birth and Family Origins Napoleon Bonaparte was born at Ajaccio, Corsica, on 15 August 1769. This is presented as a necessary factual statement due to the tendency for every aspect of his life to be turned into legend. The Buonaparte family tradition held that they were descended from Francesco Buonaparte, who emigrated to Corsica from the seaport of Sarzana in the early sixteenth century. The family surname, Buonaparte, was said to indicate Imperialist affiliations dating back to Ugo Buonaparte, a tenth-century follower of Emperor Otto II. However, the earliest verifiable record shows a Buonaparte family lawyer as a member of the Council of Ancients in Ajaccio in 1616, with several more serving on this council in the eighteenth century. Like the Ramolinos, the Buonapartes were part of the Corsican nobility. Carlo Buonaparte, Napoleon’s father, pursued a career in law, which along with the Church and the Army, were among the few acceptable professions for nobles, although lower legal positions like Carlo’s (procureur) were still essentially outside the aristocratic pale. Carlo’s aspiration to noble status was a driving force. He succeeded in obtaining patents declaring the Buonaparte family noble in February 1771, ratified on 13 September 1771. While Corsican nobility didn’t confer many advantages like feudal privileges or tax exemptions, this declaration was significant in the long term for the family. Carlo’s activities in the 1770s were characterized by being litigious and by truckling to the French Commissioners who ruled the island. Napoleon’s parents had eight children who survived, although an earlier son, also named Napoleon, was born and died in 1765, followed by a girl who also died. This has led to psychological interpretations that Napoleon may have unconsciously felt like a “replacement child” for the first Napoleon, compounding potential hostility towards his older brother Joseph. Napoleon’s mother, Letizia, is described as having a “Spartan self-sufficiency” and “fanatical devotion to work,” qualities which were later valuable to Napoleon. His father, Carlo, died of cancer on 24 February 1785.

    Corsican Environment and Influence Despite Napoleon’s later fury at being called “the Corsican” and his denials of his birthplace’s significance, the sources emphasize the deep influence of his early environment. His later character’s restlessness is partly attributed to the island’s confused and chaotic politics, which he absorbed from infancy. Dorothy Carrington is quoted as saying that childhood conversations, overheard by Napoleon, involved topics of “defeat, resistance, betrayal, heroism, torture, execution and conspiracy,” leaving a permanent imprint on his mind. A Corsican independence movement against Genoese overlords gained momentum after 1729. Pasquale Paoli’s movement took a more serious turn in 1755. Corsica became a pawn on the international diplomatic chessboard, with French troops entering cities by treaty in 1756 and Genoa formally ceding the island to France in 1768, the year before Napoleon’s birth. Napoleon himself lamented being born as the independent Corsica perished, describing the arrival of thirty thousand Frenchmen as drowning “the throne of liberty in waves of blood” and his cradle being “surrounded by the cries of the dying, the groans of the oppressed and tears of despair”. Carlo Buonaparte, however, immediately aligned himself with the new French overlords after Paoli’s retreat in 1769. The Corsican legacy is linked to Napoleon’s ruthless pragmatism, his impatience with abstract theory, and his conviction that problems are ultimately solved by force. The island’s “primitive” nature in the eighteenth century, with its sights, smells, and sounds described as primordial, is also noted. The streets of Ajaccio were filled with the stench of slaughtered animals and tanning hides, exacerbated by flies, heat, and a severe water shortage. It is suggested that Napoleon’s later habit of lying in hot baths was a compensation for this childhood water shortage. Another quintessential primitive aspect of Corsica was the vendetta, the tradition of blood vengeance handed down through generations. Travelers like Rousseau and Boswell, however, also described Corsicans as shrewd, voluble, intelligent, and interested in politics. During 1786-1791, Napoleon was still a fanatical Corsican nationalist and a partisan of Paoli, whom he worshipped intensely. His essay for the Academy of Lyons reflected a Rousseauesque conviction that Corsica represented the height of social and moral achievement. However, Paoli later brutally rebuffed Napoleon’s request for help with his history of Corsica, writing that “Youth is not the age for writing history,” which may have caused a slight decrease in his Paoli-mania. The “traumatic denouement of the Corsican saga” in 1792-93 is identified as a key psychological moment in the formation of the mature Napoleon.

    Education Napoleon began his formal education at a young age. He left Corsica at age nine for school in France. His preliminary education was provided at the school at Autun, run by Bishop Marbeuf’s nephew. Marbeuf, who apparently had an affair with Napoleon’s mother, guaranteed payment of fees for Napoleon and his brother Joseph at Autun. Joseph was also going to Autun to learn French before studying for the priesthood. Stories circulated later, likely by enemies, of a systematically destructive and tantrum-prone boy, but some anecdotal evidence from these years is considered genuinely grounded in fact, having been vouched for by Letizia and Joseph. After Autun, Napoleon was assigned to a military school, Brienne. While his academic progress there was fair, his social and personal formation was described as disastrous, turning him into a misanthropic recluse due to brutality, social snobbery, and racial prejudice. Corporal punishment, though officially outlawed, was practiced. One instance involved him being forced to eat dinner kneeling, wearing coarse clothing and a dunce’s cap, which caused hysteria. The military schools at Brienne and Paris, despite their potential aim of promoting social inequality, failed in this regard with Napoleon, as being a poor boy among rich cadets embittered him and fostered cynicism. By the age of sixteen, his experiences there suggested an authoritarian personality in the making. He later insisted on Spartan austerity at military academies when he came to power. He completed his education after the Ecole Royale Militaire in Paris.

    Early Military Career and Political Development (Pre-Consulate) Napoleon left the Ecole Royale Militaire on 28 October 1785 and joined the La Fere regiment at Valence. Before heading south, he visited his patron Bishop Marbeuf, receiving letters of introduction. He underwent ten weeks of basic training, progressing from private to corporal to sergeant, a method he later praised and attributed to his “common touch”. He completed his probation as an officer on 10 January 1786. His early duties were not burdensome, mainly mounting guard and looking after the men. He became a highly skilled artilleryman through a combination of assiduous fieldwork and extensive reading. His health was uncertain during this period, suffering from fevers which he attributed to “miasmata”. He wrote about working hard, saving candles by sleeping little and going to bed early, and eating only one meal a day. In April 1789, he was sent with troops to quell grain riots in Seurre, where he remained for two months and made a positive impression on the Intendant of Burgundy. Upon returning to Auxonne, he wrote his famous letter to Paoli lamenting Corsica’s loss of independence. He received leave to return to Corsica, where he attended the Paolistas’ party conference with Joseph and met the returned Paoli in Bastia. His writings from 1786-1791 show him as a fanatical Corsican nationalist and partisan of Paoli. He wrote an essay for the Academy of Lyons prize, which, though unsuccessful, provides insight into his political views around age twenty-two, revealing ideas derivative of Rousseau and a belief that morality is linked to freedom. His contempt for legal land titles compared to rights based on effort (“sweat,” “blood,” “sinews”) is noted as a feature reminiscent of modern fascism. Following his return to France, Napoleon’s ambitions grew. The siege of Toulon was a significant milestone in his career, leading to his promotion to brigadier-general. He met many figures there who would be important later in his career. Despite this success, the political situation remained uncertain. Sources suggest he was both idealistic and cynically ambitious throughout his early career. His time in Thermidorian Paris exposed him to a hedonistic society focused on sensuality and consumption, which contrasted sharply with the poverty of the slums. He noted the power and influence women seemed to hold in Parisian society. He felt like an insignificant officer with a provincial accent in these circles, struggling to adapt from his “coarseness of… demotic speech”. He married Josephine de Beauharnais (formerly Rose). His command of the Army of Italy saw him implementing the Directory’s strategy of having armies live off the land or by plunder, leading to accusations that he turned the campaign into a quest for booty. He wrestled with the excesses of his “hungry soldiers,” vowing to restore order, yet also wrote sycophantic letters boasting of victories. Exploiting France’s technologically advanced artillery, developed during the Revolution, allowed him to become an “artilleryman nonpareil”. His strategic thinking evolved, arguing to the Directory that islands like Corfu, Zante, and Cephalonia were more important than Italy for French interests. During this period, the Directory struggled for power, with figures like Barras, Talleyrand, Bernadotte, and Hoche in contention. Hoche, a potential rival, died mysteriously. Napoleon also planned for an invasion of England via Ireland, meeting with Wolfe Tone, who was unimpressed with Napoleon’s knowledge of the British Isles. Increasingly interested in the East, Napoleon wrote to the Directors arguing for the occupation of Egypt to destroy England and secure Levant trade as the Ottoman Empire declined. This reflected an “unassimilated obsession” with the Orient, drawing on his reading and desire to emulate figures like Alexander the Great. He expressed impatience with Europe, stating he hadn’t gained enough glory and “must go east”. The Egyptian campaign saw the establishment of institutions like the Egyptian Institute and achievements by scientists and savants in public works, despite initial ridicule from soldiers. This period culminated in the coup of 18 Brumaire (November 1799), where Napoleon, aligning with Sieyes, seized power from the Directory, despite moments of confusion and bluster during the process. The sources suggest he was, in part, a “creature of circumstances” shaped by the long-standing conflict with Britain, but also one who actively “created the circumstances”. His early career saw a shift in intellectual idols, moving from figures of the Roman Republic like Brutus and Plutarch to those of the Empire like Caesar and Tacitus as he himself moved towards imperial power. He believed history followed a cyclical course, seeing parallels between the chaos of the late Roman Republic leading to Augustus’s rule and the French Revolution’s struggles potentially leading to a dictator.

    This period laid the foundation for his personality and career, marked by a blend of Corsican pragmatism, military ambition, evolving political views, and a complex interaction with the revolutionary and European political landscape.

    Napoleon Bonaparte’s Military Campaigns

    Based on the sources provided, Napoleon Bonaparte’s military campaigns were a defining aspect of his career, characterized by evolving strategies, notable victories, and significant challenges. His early experiences laid the groundwork for the military principles he would employ on a grander scale.

    Early Campaigns and Rise to Prominence

    Napoleon’s military career began to gain prominence during the French Revolution. He served as a senior gunner in the Army of Italy, which was engaged in a stalemated campaign against Piedmont, supported by the British Navy operating through Genoa. Napoleon devised a stratagem for capturing Oneglia, which fell on 9 April 1794, boosting his reputation. He then wrote a general memorandum on grand strategy, basing his ideas on Guibert de Bourcet. His plan suggested attacking in Piedmont to force Austria to weaken its position on the Rhine, allowing a French strike there. This plan was supported by political commissars like Augustin Robespierre and Saliceti.

    The Italian campaign of 1796-97 against Austria is frequently highlighted for revealing Napoleon’s military genius. Appointed commander-in-chief of the Army of Italy, Napoleon rapidly advanced, taking control of key mountain passes and destroying a superior enemy force piecemeal through speed of movement. He aimed to march against Beaulieu, force a crossing of the Po, and then seize Lombardy, hoping within a month to be in the Tyrol to link with the Army of the Rhine. He sent glowing letters about his victories to the Directory, exaggerating his achievements for propaganda purposes. While soldiers committed excesses, which Napoleon vowed to correct, he also boasted of his victories. The Army of Italy’s achievements were extensive, recorded on an inscribed flag presented by the Directory, listing numerous battles and captured resources and artworks.

    From this campaign evolved military principles Napoleon never altered. These included ensuring open lines of communication, having a clear primary objective (the enemy army, not capitals or towns), always attacking, emphasizing artillery (ideally four guns per thousand men), and recognizing the moral factor as crucial. Above all, he stressed concentration of force, speed, the importance of time, and the cardinal principle of outflanking the enemy’s most exposed flank. Speed allowed for concentration, and a favorite ploy was dispersing to tempt the enemy to counter-disperse, followed by rapid concentration.

    Following the success in Italy, Napoleon briefly considered an invasion of England via Ireland in 1796, meeting with Wolfe Tone [cited in Conversation History]. He also occupied Ionian islands, which he argued were strategically important.

    The Egyptian Expedition

    Increasingly interested in the East, Napoleon argued for the occupation of Egypt to damage England and secure Levant trade as the Ottoman Empire declined [cited in Conversation History, 16]. This reflected an obsession with the Orient and a desire to emulate figures like Alexander the Great [cited in Conversation History]. The Egyptian expedition commenced despite cogent military arguments based on imponderables. If successful, Egypt could be a springboard for reinforcing Indian allies and expelling the British. A Suez canal project was also considered to neutralize British sea power. The invasion was seen as easier and less expensive than a descent on England.

    During the campaign, Napoleon drew up his men in rectangular squares at the Battle of the Pyramids (more properly Gizeh), facing roughly equal numbers but with technological superiority. He exhorted his soldiers by pointing to the Pyramids. His Syrian campaign involved battles like Mount Tabor, but the siege of Acre failed, leading to a French retreat. A controversial massacre occurred at Jaffa. After leaving command to Kleber, the French forces in Egypt eventually surrendered to the British in 1801.

    Campaign of 1800

    After seizing power in the Coup of 18 Brumaire, Napoleon reorganized the Army, preparing for a campaign against Austria. The plan involved a strategic offensive aiming to defeat Austrian armies in the Black Forest/Danube area and Italy. Napoleon’s strategy for the second Italian campaign was complex and, according to military historians, contained at least six major errors, including needing two separate lines of operation and assuming the Austrians would be purely reactive. The Austrians launched an unexpected offensive against Massena at Genoa and made Italy their main theatre. Despite these complexities, Napoleon crossed the St Bernard Pass and achieved victory at Marengo. Concurrently, Moreau campaigned successfully on the Rhine, winning the victory at Hohenlinden.

    Campaign of 1805 (Third Coalition)

    The grand strategy for the 1805 campaign against Austria was conceived by Lazare Carnot, drawing on Napoleon’s thinking. France fielded a large army, with offensives planned along the Main valley, into Swabia/Danube valley, and in the Po valley under Napoleon. The Italian campaign was initially designed as a sideshow but included provision for an advance into the Tyrol if successful.

    Napoleon’s plan was to move 210,000 troops to the Danube quickly to hit the Austrians before the Russians could join them. This involved dividing the army into seven independent corps, each a miniature army capable of living off the land and fighting superior detachments. This corps system was a key feature of his success, enabling surprise and mobility. His strategy involved wheeling south to envelop Mack’s Austrian army, then turning to deal with the Russians. The entire army crossed the Danube, with different corps marching along separate lines to avoid congestion and pressure on supplies, but remaining within one to two days’ march of each other. This lightning advance on the Danube was unprecedented in scale. The campaign culminated in victories such as the Battle of Ulm and the decisive Battle of Austerlitz. At Austerlitz, the Allies fell into Napoleon’s trap by denuding their center for an all-out assault on the French right, which proved stronger than expected. The Grande Armée, while celebrated in propaganda, experienced problems with sickness, horse losses, theft, and indiscipline. The campaign solidified Napoleon’s military system.

    Campaigns of 1806-07

    War with Prussia broke out in 1806. Napoleon’s campaign against Prussia saw decisive victories at Jena and Auerstedt, leading to the occupation of Berlin. He then campaigned against the Russians in 1806-07. This period included indecisive battles like Pultusk and difficult engagements like Eylau, where Napoleon’s ignorance of terrain and failure to scout ahead put him in a false position. Despite challenges, French victories at Heilsberg and Friedland, described as Ney’s finest hour, led to the Treaty of Tilsit with Russia. However, concerns were raised about Napoleon’s disregard for climatic and geographical factors, reminiscent of debacles in Egypt and Santo Domingo.

    The Peninsular War

    Spain, allied with France , became a protracted challenge after being occupied by France in 1808. The Peninsular War saw nationwide spontaneous uprisings and evolved into mixed regular and guerrilla warfare. The Spanish army had an early triumph at Bailen. Napoleon’s initial campaign in 1808-09 aimed to encircle Spanish armies using simultaneous flank attacks, but marshals like Lefebvre and Victor failed to cooperate effectively, allowing enemy forces to escape. Despite Napoleon’s victories and chasing armies out of Spain, Sir John Moore’s diversion pulled Napoleon north of Madrid, preventing a southward sweep that might have ended the war swiftly. Moore’s campaign bought Portugal and southern Spain a year’s respite, contributing to the war becoming a persistent problem.

    The war was characterized by constant threats to the French supply line due to guerrilla warfare, leading to starvation. Marshals like Marmont highlighted the superior logistics of the British army under Wellington compared to the French, who often lived off the land or carried supplies on soldiers’ backs. Wellington, noted as a master of logistics, organized continuous supply lines. In the final phase (1812-13), Wellington successfully coordinated regular forces and guerrillas. In 1812, Wellington struck at Marmont’s Army of Portugal, leveraging intelligence about the disposition of other French armies and their lack of cooperation.

    Campaign of 1809

    Austria invaded Bavaria in 1809, leading to Napoleon’s 1809 campaign. Key battles included Eckmühl and the surrender of Vienna. The Battle of Aspern-Essling was a notable struggle, followed by a successful crossing of the Danube and the Battle of Wagram. Napoleon’s dispositions at Wagram were classically Napoleonic, aiming for the center position between enemy wings to allow troop transfer. However, Bernadotte’s insubordination during the battle led to his removal from command. The campaign ended with the Treaty of Schönbrunn.

    The Russian Campaign of 1812

    The disastrous Russian campaign of 1812 saw a massive mobilization of forces, some 630,000 men, though the Grande Armée numbered around 350,000 in 1805 and had varying corps sizes in 1812. Napoleon planned to engage the Russian army, ideally encircling them, and bringing the war to a swift end. However, Russian commanders Barclay and Bagration eventually united their forces. Despite urgings from his marshals to winter in Smolensk, Napoleon, driven by momentum and news that Barclay would stand, ordered an advance on Moscow. The march was grueling, with soldiers suffering from dust, rain, water shortages, and massive horse losses due to lack of grazing and demanding cavalry tactics. The Battle of Borodino was fought outside Moscow, leading to the occupation of Moscow. The occupation was followed by the devastating retreat from Moscow, plagued by guerrilla warfare and battles like Maloyaroslavets. The sources point to Napoleon’s mistakes, including logistical failures and underestimating geographical factors.

    Later Campaigns (1813-1815)

    Following the Russian disaster, Napoleon faced renewed pressure. The war in Spain continued to drain resources, and King Joseph struggled with marshals who acted like provincial satraps. Wellington was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the British forces, creating a cohesive military force, while Joseph’s appointment changed little.

    In Germany (1813), Napoleon raised a new army of raw recruits. His initial moves were fumbling, but he achieved victories at battles like Lutzen and Bautzen. However, the Allies grew stronger. Napoleon’s strategy involved awaiting the enemy at Dresden while other corps advanced on Berlin and defended Hamburg. The Allies attempted to take Dresden, but Napoleon counterattacked and brought up reinforcements, planning a double envelopment on the flanks while fortifying his center. The campaign also saw battles like Leipzig, a turning point.

    The campaign in France (1814) saw Napoleon’s armies exhausted with no recruits, and French morale low. The Allies’ political will strengthened. This campaign included battles such as Montmirail. Wellington invaded France from the south, capturing Toulouse.

    Finally, in the Belgian campaign of 1815, Napoleon faced the Allies at Waterloo. The battle involved complexities with forces like Grouchy’s corps not being on the field. Ney’s performance was noted as sometimes incompetent.

    Throughout his campaigns, Napoleon demonstrated a blend of strategic vision and tactical execution, often relying on the speed, mobility, and loyalty of his army. However, his later campaigns were increasingly marked by logistical challenges, the growing strength and coordination of his enemies, and sometimes questionable decisions or marshal performance.

    Napoleon’s Complex Family Dynamics

    Based on the sources and our conversation history, the relationships within Napoleon Bonaparte’s family were complex, marked by Corsican origins, personal rivalries, political ambition, and ultimately, a mix of loyalty and significant betrayal.

    Corsican Roots and Early Dynamics: Napoleon’s family, the Buonapartes, like the Ramolinos, were part of the Corsican nobility. The island’s chaotic politics, characterized by defeat, resistance, betrayal, heroism, torture, execution, and conspiracy, left a permanent imprint on Napoleon’s mind, shaping his character and perhaps contributing to his later restlessness. The tradition of vendetta, where blood vengeance was handed down and family honor rigorously defended, was a quintessential aspect of Corsican life. This Corsican spirit, particularly the “family sense” or “primogeniture,” is seen by some as influencing Napoleon’s loyalty to Joseph, even when it was detrimental.

    Relationships with Parents: Napoleon’s early years involved navigating the challenges presented by his parents. His mother, Letizia, is described as having instilled discipline, pride, and good sense in him. Napoleon expressed great debt to her for these qualities. However, their relationship was also complex, with Napoleon later exhibiting deep ambivalence towards her and a potential “mother complex” that some depth psychologists connect to anxiety about her fidelity. Letizia herself was described as having fear and respect for Napoleon. She remained a strong figure, described as “Madame Mere,” who was legendarily stingy, in charge of imperial charities, and attempted to rule her family with a rod of iron. She constantly meddled and was grasping, keeping up an incessant vendetta against Josephine. Napoleon’s future prospects depended on his father, Carlo. Carlo died in February 1785 after a period of illness. Napoleon had an ambivalent relationship with his father, and some psychological interpretations suggest his conscious anger towards father-figures like Paoli may have tapped into an unconscious rage related to Carlo.

    Sibling Rivalries and Napoleon’s Perspective: Early life saw significant rivalry between Napoleon and his elder brother Joseph. Freud suggested Napoleon’s childhood desire to push Joseph aside transformed into love, requiring aggression directed elsewhere. Napoleon later had warm feelings for Joseph and encouraged his sense of importance, which some sources attribute to a “brother-complex” making Napoleon “absurdly weak” concerning him. The relationship with his younger brother Lucien began poorly, with Napoleon acting as a broody and withdrawn custodian who showed no affection. Lucien deeply resented this and always felt repugnance in bowing to Napoleon as Emperor. Lucien was later annoyed by Napoleon’s favoritism towards Joseph. Their relationship deteriorated further after Lucien married without Napoleon’s consent, leading to rage from Napoleon, Lucien storming off, and declaring hatred for Napoleon. Lucien’s defiance, supported by Letizia, meant Napoleon’s efforts to make him leave his wife failed. Napoleon often remarked bitterly that his brothers were useless, lamenting not having capable sons like Genghiz Khan. He saw his family as a source of trouble and was particularly frustrated by their constant meddling.

    Assigning Roles and Family as a Liability: As Napoleon rose to power, he appointed his siblings to positions of authority, making Joseph King of Naples and then Spain, Louis King of Holland, and Jerome King of Westphalia, and giving Elisa princely titles. He also used marshals as de facto viceroys in conquered territories. This authoritarian stance was partly intended to ensure his family consulted him. However, his loyalty to Joseph in Spain was considered a “great error,” as Joseph failed significantly there and struggled to control the marshals. Napoleon later regretted not sacrificing Joseph in Spain. Joseph’s appointment as Lieutenant-General in Paris in 1814 was also seen as a major mistake. Louis’s performance as King of Holland was abysmal, leading to Napoleon’s disgust and Louis’s eventual abdication. Jerome also drew Napoleon’s ire for suggesting Westphalians disagreed with Napoleon’s policies.

    The Family’s Hatred of Josephine: A central theme is the intense animosity towards Napoleon’s first wife, Josephine, from almost the entire Bonaparte clan. Lucien referred to her contemptuously as an “ageing Creole,” and Letizia always hated her, partly because she had wanted Napoleon to marry Desiree Clary. The sisters, including Pauline and especially Elisa and Caroline, despised her. They could not understand Napoleon’s complaisance regarding her love affairs and spendthrift ways, which they saw as spending “their” money. Pauline tried to engage in a family revenge by pursuing Josephine’s lover, Hippolyte Charles. At Napoleon’s coronation, Pauline and Caroline caused a near-affray at the altar with Josephine. This unrelenting hostility was counterproductive, paradoxically nudging Napoleon towards declaring Josephine Empress.

    Marriages and Dynastic Ambition: Napoleon’s marriages were intertwined with personal feelings and political strategy. His engagement to Desiree Clary, Joseph’s sister-in-law, brought a healthy dowry and made sense to the “hardheaded Napoleon”. His treatment of her after his career advanced is described as “despicable”. Desiree later married Bernadotte, a marriage seen as a scheme by the Bonapartist clan to neutralize a rival. Desiree, despite disliking Josephine, still seemed besotted with Napoleon and even spied on Bernadotte for the Bonapartes. His marriage to Josephine, a penniless Creole six years his elder, is attributed to factors ranging from anchoring himself to the ruling elite to potentially acting against his mother’s wishes. While he showed great passion in his early letters, he also harbored suspicion and grew frustrated by her childlessness. Despite the pressures for divorce, Josephine’s appeal to his superstitious nature about her bringing him luck initially delayed the separation. Napoleon’s need for an heir led to his divorce from Josephine and marriage to Marie-Louise of Austria, sister of the Czarina. This marriage, while a political alliance, caused uproar among his family. Napoleon respected Marie-Louise more than Josephine, and Marie-Louise’s letters in 1814 reveal she was genuinely in love with him. However, after his abdication, he seemed unable to respond to her, and Metternich ensured they would likely not reunite. The birth of their son, Napoleon II, was a source of dynastic hope and joy.

    Loyalty and Betrayal: The sources highlight instances of both loyalty and significant betrayal within the family. Eugene de Beauharnais, Napoleon’s stepson, stands out as a figure of loyalty, described as a “true man of honour” who refused the crown of Italy offered by the Allies and retreated according to Napoleon’s orders, stating he would remain faithful as the Emperor’s star faded. Later, Pauline, despite her earlier “featherheaded” nature, rushed to join Napoleon in exile, showing unexpected loyalty. In stark contrast, Murat and Caroline’s decision to sign a treaty with Metternich in 1814, agreeing to wage war on Eugene, is described as “quite unspeakable,” “horrible ingratitude,” and “scarcely to be borne”. The cumulative treachery and uselessness of his siblings were deeply frustrating to Napoleon.

    In summary, Napoleon’s family relationships were a microcosm of the political and personal complexities of his life, rooted in Corsican traditions, fueled by individual ambitions and rivalries, and ultimately proving to be both a tool for his dynastic aspirations and a significant source of challenge, disappointment, and betrayal.

    Napoleon’s Political Maneuvers

    Napoleon Bonaparte’s career was significantly shaped by his skillful and often ruthless political maneuvers, which were as crucial to his rise and maintenance of power as his military genius. These tactics evolved from his early experiences in Corsica to his dealings on the international stage as Emperor.

    Early Corsican Politics and Fixer Role

    Napoleon’s political education began in the complex and chaotic environment of Corsica. He and his elder brother Joseph quickly acquired a reputation as small-time ‘fixers’. Napoleon was active in election campaigns for the new Corsican assembly and attended political meetings. Despite being a military officer, he spent considerable time “stirring up trouble” on the island, drawing complaints from his superiors. He sought to extend his leave from the army, using a clearly bogus reason, to continue his involvement in Corsican politics. For the whole of 1790, he was effectively a Corsican politician.

    His political views at this juncture were marked by a “fanatical Corsican nationalist” sentiment and a fervent support for Paoli. However, as his relationship with Paoli deteriorated, Napoleon became a “very unsubtle propagandist,” publicly denouncing Paoli as a traitor who had “sold” the nation.

    To advance in Corsican politics, Napoleon meticulously analyzed the island’s power structure. In the election for lieutenant-colonelships in the volunteer battalions, he employed bribery, lodging over two hundred voting volunteers and providing them with lavish board. He also added intimidation to his tactics. During the election itself, his men physically removed one of the supervising commissioners from the house of his opponents, and Pozzo di Borgo, a rival, was physically attacked during the voting process, leading Pozzo to swear eternal vengeance by the code of vendetta. This period also saw Napoleon, influenced by Saliceti, demonstrate “full Machiavellian skill” in manipulating political factions within towns like Ajaccio.

    Propaganda and Shaping Public Opinion

    Napoleon consistently used propaganda as a political weapon. His early work, Le Souper de Beaucaire, an “unashamed work of propaganda,” was designed to justify the Jacobin position and fiercely attacked Paoli. This successful foray into political propaganda led the powerful political commissar Saliceti to draw the Bonaparte family closer. Later, as commander of the Army of Italy, Napoleon masterfully employed his own newspapers, distributed free to soldiers and even smuggled into France, to shape opinion. These papers, Le Courrier de l’Armee d’Italie and La France vue de l’Armee d’Italie, exaggerated his achievements and presented his errors as “deliberate mistakes,” contributing to the birth of the Napoleonic legend. He understood the importance of “propaganda, image and myth-making” in a way his rivals did not.

    Leveraging Connections and Adapting to Political Shifts

    Napoleon was adept at using his connections. His early success was linked to figures like du Teil, his commanding officer, and later, powerful political commissars like Saliceti and Augustin Robespierre, who supported his military plans. However, he was also pragmatic, readily abandoning former allies when circumstances changed. His “ready abandonment” of the Robespierres after Thermidor, described by critics as “the most cynical form of realpolitik,” involved distancing himself from them publicly.

    He skillfully lobbied and maneuvered within the political system in Paris. Faced with a demotion and an undesirable assignment in the Vendee, he stalled by requesting leave and then lobbied influential friends to get him a better position. He found a key ally in Barras, who helped him get reinstated and, following an Austrian counter-offensive, put forward Napoleon’s name for a command in Italy, where Napoleon had consistently argued the key to victory lay. His appointment as Commander-in-Chief of the Army of Italy was, in part, attributed to Barras rewarding one of his favorites, a point highlighted by the Parisian press.

    Political Strategy in Conquered Territories

    In Italy, Napoleon engaged in significant political restructuring. He compelled Genoa to accept a French garrison, occupied pro-Austrian Modena, and attempted to pressure Venice. He worked to advance his project for a northern Italian republic, setting up several interim “republics”. He strategically navigated the complex political landscape, aiming to encourage pro-French elements without provoking conservative factions. He openly articulated a Machiavellian approach, supporting aristocratic parties because they were “the party of the rich landowners and priests, who in the long run will end by winning the support of the mass of the people”. He was careful when dealing with the Catholic Church, attempting to appease anticlericals while also writing warmly to the Pope. He set up republics with French-style constitutions. Despite his efforts, he remained cynical about the Italian people’s commitment to liberty and equality.

    Navigating the Directory and the Coup of 18 Brumaire

    Napoleon closely followed internal French politics. He identified three main power groupings in Paris: the determined republicans, the outright royalists, and the ‘don’t knows’. He particularly despised the fence-sitters. Meanwhile, the Directors themselves had grievances against Napoleon, including his actions in Venice and Genoa without their authority, his looting, and his “unconstitutional” peace terms.

    To counter opposition from the Right and navigate the power struggle within the Directory, Napoleon employed several political weapons. He fostered an alliance with Barras, facilitated by figures like Talleyrand. However, Napoleon was strategically hesitant to act too quickly, waiting for the “fruit” to be ripe for his own ascendancy. He openly expressed his contempt for the Directors, viewing them as ineffectual.

    The Coup of 18 Brumaire was a complex political maneuver involving multiple plotters. Napoleon played off rivals and factions, appearing to be above party considerations. He collaborated with Sieyes, a key figure wanting to overthrow the existing constitution. Despite initial hesitations and differing goals with Sieyes, Napoleon secured key figures like Fouche’s support to ensure police non-interference. He also sought to neutralize military rivals like Bernadotte, though only secured his neutrality through Joseph’s intervention.

    During the coup itself, when faced with resistance and accusations of being a “Caesar, Cromwell, tyrant” in the Council of Ancients, Napoleon’s initial address was reportedly floundering. It was his brother, Lucien Bonaparte, who, as president of the Five Hundred, dramatically intervened to rally the Guardsmen, falsely claiming that assassins were present and urging the soldiers to clear the chamber. This transformed the planned “transfer of parliamentary power by political legerdemain” into one “at the point of a bayonet”. Napoleon succeeded partly because of his “immensely skilful” political maneuvering, his ability to appear reluctant to seize power, and his understanding of propaganda and image.

    Consolidating Power as First Consul and Emperor

    After Brumaire, Napoleon continued his political maneuvering to consolidate power. He outmaneuvered Sieyes, rejecting the position of ‘Grand Elector’ and using his propaganda machine to highlight his “magnanimity”. He then wore down Sieyes and his faction through protracted negotiations over the new constitution. He skillfully navigated between political factions, appearing to lean Right or Left as needed. He purged the Jacobins to reassure the Right while simultaneously leaking correspondence with Louis XVIII to the Jacobins to demonstrate a lack of royalist sympathy.

    He used various political tools to bypass legislative opposition, such as senatus consultum, arrets, and plebiscites. He neutralized political opponents by keeping them under surveillance, exiling them, or removing their relatives from public office. He strategically appointed second-raters or younger men bound by loyalty to ministries to diminish their power and prevent them from developing independent power bases.

    One of his most significant political maneuvers was the Concordat with the Catholic Church, which aimed to co-opt their traditional supporters and stabilize the religious landscape after the Revolution. He was declared President of the Cisalpine Republic and Protector of the Helvetic Republic. The creation of the Legion of Honour was a “consummate act of mystification” designed to camouflage his imperial demeanor and co-opt the military elite.

    International Diplomacy and Manipulation

    On the international stage, Napoleon engaged in complex diplomatic maneuvers. He used Talleyrand to put out peace feelers and whip up French public opinion against adversaries like Austria and Britain. He skillfully played the British game during negotiations in 1803, his anger over press portrayals noted as a factor. He leveraged international rivalries, such as seeking an alliance with Czar Paul I of Russia against British interests in India.

    Leading up to the Third Coalition, Talleyrand performed “sterling service” in keeping Prussia neutral. At Austerlitz, Napoleon engaged in elaborate deception, feigning confusion and fear to lure the Allied armies into his trap. He believed in humiliating defeated enemies rather than conciliating them.

    The Treaty of Tilsit with Czar Alexander I was a complex political agreement involving spheres of influence, blockades, and secret protocols regarding territories like Turkey, Finland, Spain, and Portugal. It also included informal agreements for a joint Franco-Russian project against British power in India. However, the “insincerity of the two parties” and conflicting interests led to its eventual breakdown. At Erfurt, Napoleon’s attempt to secure a dynastic marriage was sabotaged by Talleyrand, who was secretly plotting with the Czar.

    Using Family and Marshals in Governance

    Napoleon used his family and marshals as part of his political control over conquered territories. He installed his siblings as kings or rulers in places like Naples, Holland, and Westphalia, and used marshals as “de facto viceroys” in others like Poland and Aragon. These family courts were often supported by loyal French officials.

    Later Political Efforts and Mistakes

    Even in decline, Napoleon attempted political maneuvers. During the campaign in France in 1814, he promised constitutional reforms and the summoning of an electoral college, making seemingly conciliatory appointments like Carnot and recalling Fouche. He even reconciled with Lucien Bonaparte. However, these reforms were seen as superficial attempts to create a “new liberal image,” with his true intentions being to rescind concessions once militarily secure. His decision to return to Paris after Waterloo and work within constitutional norms was deemed a “gross error” and an act of folly. He later regretted not acting decisively against treacherous figures like Talleyrand and Fouche, who consistently plotted against him. The source notes a “continuing mystery” about his weakness in dealing with the treachery of Bernadotte, Talleyrand, and Fouche.

    In summary, Napoleon’s political maneuvers were characterized by adaptability, cunning, effective propaganda, the strategic use of allies and rivals, and an unwavering focus on consolidating and expanding his own power, often at the expense of others.

    Napoleon’s Exiles: Elba and St. Helena

    Napoleon Bonaparte experienced two periods of exile in his life: first on the island of Elba, and finally on the remote island of St. Helena. These exiles marked the end of his direct rule but were still subject to intense political maneuvering, both by Napoleon himself and by the Allied powers.

    Exile on Elba (1814-1815)

    Following his abdication in 1814, Napoleon was exiled to the island of Elba. The choice of Elba came after considering and rejecting many other potential locations, including the United States (deemed too extreme by Fouche), Corsica and Sardinia (considered too large and potentially defensible), and Corfu (too small and distant). Many proposed sites were British possessions, like Gibraltar, St. Helena, and even Botany Bay, but Tory backbenchers objected to Napoleon sullying these places. The idea of keeping him under house arrest at the British fort of St. George in Scotland was also raised but rejected due to concerns about Whig opposition leaders seeking a writ of habeas corpus. Ultimately, Czar Alexander I was the prime mover behind the idea of Elba as the place of exile.

    Napoleon was escorted to Elba by a convoy of fourteen carriages and Polish lancers. Six hundred Guardsmen were planned to follow him. Before leaving Fontainebleau, he delivered an emotional farewell speech to his Old Guard, which became a famous setpiece of Napoleonic iconography.

    While on Elba, Napoleon spent time reflecting on his defeats. He concluded that he was not defeated by a popular uprising or nationalism, but by the sheer weight of numbers from a coalition of four powers (Britain, Prussia, Russia, and Austria). He also realized he had failed to uphold the implicit “social contract” of 1799 by conflicting with the Catholic Church, failing to maintain living standards, and imposing high taxation and conscription.

    Despite the relative proximity of Elba to Europe, there was concern among the Allies about his presence. Fouche famously remarked that Napoleon on Elba was to Europe as Vesuvius was to Naples. There was also fear of an assassin’s dagger or bullet from figures like the comte d’Artois. Adding to Napoleon’s situation, Louis XVIII’s government in France refused to pay the annuity that had been agreed upon as part of his abdication settlement.

    Napoleon consulted his intimates about returning to the mainland. General Drouot advised against it, but his sister Pauline and mother Madame Mere were enthusiastic. Letizia’s alleged advice was, “Go, my son, fulfil your destiny. You were not made to die on this island”. Napoleon later claimed he had no real option but to return, as his veterans would accuse him of cowardice if he stayed while France suffered under Bourbon rule and the annuity was not paid. There is also a more feasible theory that Austria and England colluded to create a situation where Napoleon would return, providing an excuse to send him to a more distant island to convince the Czar that he could not remain in Europe.

    Napoleon’s departure from Elba on a moonless night on August 23, 1799 (this date seems incorrect based on the context, as it relates to his return from Egypt; the return from Elba was in 1815 – Self-correction: Source mentions the return from Egypt on Aug 23, 1799. The return from Elba is discussed later, in the context of the Hundred Days in sources like and focusing on the march to Paris. The sources don’t give the specific date of departure from Elba in the main narrative provided, but the context of chapters 25-27 is 1814-1815). He traveled in three coaches, aiming for Paris, and arrived in Ajaccio on September 30 due to contrary winds. He spent a few nights in his family home, anxious about whether he would arrive in Paris too late.

    Exile on St. Helena (1815-1821)

    After the defeat at Waterloo, Napoleon returned to Paris. He made what was considered a “gross error” by deciding to work within constitutional norms rather than returning to the field or dissolving the chambers. Fouche campaigned against him, spreading panic and claiming Napoleon intended to become a dictator. Despite plotting by figures like Talleyrand and Fouche, Napoleon did not act decisively against them. He later regretted not having hanged Talleyrand and Fouche, believing he would still be on the throne if he had. Fouche, instrumental in pressuring Napoleon to leave Paris, eventually informed him that he must depart Rochefort and would not be allowed back on French soil.

    Faced with limited options (sailing out to likely capture, returning to lead the Army, or surrendering to the British), Napoleon ultimately decided to surrender to the British. His aides negotiated with Captain Maitland of HMS Bellerophon, seeking asylum in England or safe passage to the U.S.A.. Maitland, engaging in “pure machiavellianism,” hinted that asylum in England might be possible while secretly waiting for explicit orders from the Admiralty. When the order came, it was uncompromising: Napoleon was to be taken to St. Helena. Napoleon rejected proposals to fight the blockade or escape in a whaleboat, and also a last-minute plea from his brother Joseph to return and lead the Army. He stated he would not be the cause of another cannon-shot in France.

    The Allies rubberstamped the British action in the Convention of Paris on August 2nd. On August 4th, Maitland put to sea from Plymouth to transfer Napoleon to the HMS Northumberland for the journey to St. Helena.

    Life on St. Helena was harsh. Napoleon’s residence at Longwood was in a decaying state, infested with rats and plagued by dysentery. Sir Hudson Lowe, the governor, and Lord Bathurst, the Secretary of State for War, implemented draconian restrictions. Napoleon’s household was reduced, those remaining had to commit indefinitely, the annual expenditure was limited, correspondence was strictly controlled by the Governor, passes to visit Longwood required his permission, gifts mentioning imperial status were forbidden, unsupervised riding was curtailed, and Napoleon’s presence had to be checked twice daily. These instructions were described as breathing a spirit of “pure, vindictive spite”. The legality of his detention was later questioned in Parliament, and an Act of Indemnity was passed, effectively admitting there was no legal basis for holding him.

    Despite Lowe’s precautions, news and bulletins reached Napoleon’s supporters in England, leading to a public outcry in 1817. Figures like Lord Holland in the House of Lords raised the issue, and articles in The Times insinuated the government was trying to hasten Napoleon’s death. This negative publicity led to Bathurst instructing Lowe to restore Napoleon’s allowance. Smuggled documents, like Napoleon’s Remontrance, were turned into effective propaganda pamphlets in England.

    Napoleon found his captors, the British, to be a “ferocious race,” though he admired their soldiers and Parliament. He perceived a cultural barbarism, citing their practice of men drinking after women left the table and Henry VIII’s actions regarding Anne Boleyn. He continued to feel that France represented civilization against English barbarism. News from Europe was generally depressing, reinforcing a sense of pessimism. He learned of the executions of Ney and Murat and the humiliation of France under Allied occupation.

    Escape plans were discussed, and serious attempts were devised in the United States, but Napoleon consistently refused to sanction them. He explained this decision by stating he would not survive six months in America before being assassinated by the comte d’Artois’s contract killers; he felt he was “better off in St Helena”. He avoided going outside after dark to avoid seeing the sentries Lowe posted around Longwood at night.

    Napoleon’s health deteriorated seriously. A physician, Stokoe, diagnosed hepatitis, but this diagnosis had to be “doctored” due to political pressure, and Stokoe was court-martialed and dismissed for calling Napoleon “the Emperor”. Shortly before his death, Napoleon told Bertrand he hoped the English would not make him a prize exhibit by burying him in Westminster Abbey. He also stated he did not want the consolations of Catholicism, preferring to be “happy not to have religion” and free from “chimerical fears”.

    On April 15th, he signed new codicils to his bequests and his last will and testament. Paragraph Five of the will stated: “My death is premature. I have been assassinated by the English oligarchy and their hired murderer. The English people will not be long in avenging me”. The circumstances of his death are described as “controversial and hotly disputed territory”. While the theory of death by cancer was advanced, sources also mention the theory of poisoning, with Montholon identified as a suspect.

    The source uses a Jungian fable to place Napoleon’s experience in myth, noting his birth on one island (Corsica), exile to a second (Elba), and death on a third (St. Helena), with England representing a potential fourth island, his nemesis. His chaining to the rock of St. Helena is likened to Prometheus, who was also chained to a rock.

    By Amjad Izhar
    Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
    https://amjadizhar.blog

  • Response to 23 Questions – Complete Playlist – Arrival of Imam Mahdi – Javed Ahmed Ghamidi Analysis of Hadith Narrations

    Response to 23 Questions – Complete Playlist – Arrival of Imam Mahdi – Javed Ahmed Ghamidi Analysis of Hadith Narrations

    The text comprises a lengthy discussion surrounding the prophesied figure of the Mahdi, specifically examining various narrations and traditions about the Mahdi’s characteristics, arrival, and reign. The speakers debate the authenticity and reliability of different sources, analyzing their chains of transmission and historical context. A significant portion focuses on the methodology of evaluating and verifying these traditions, employing principles of Hadith criticism. The discussion explores differing scholarly interpretations and approaches to determining the validity of these accounts concerning the Mahdi’s imminent arrival. Ultimately, the speakers aim to clarify the authenticity and significance of various traditions relating to the Mahdi.

    A Deep Dive into Faith, Tradition, and the Figure of Mehdi

    Short-Answer Quiz

    1. What is the significance of “iman” according to the text? Iman is described as belief in Allah, His angels, prophets, books, and ultimately acceptance of God’s will. It is a fundamental principle of Islam and a key aspect of a Muslim’s faith, and is a core topic of discussion in the text.
    2. Explain the concept of “Risalat” as it relates to the Quran and Sunnah. “Risalat,” or prophethood, is interpreted as the explanation and teaching of the Quran by the Prophet, and the Sunnah is seen as a continuation of that teaching in practice. They are both central to Islamic faith and serve as guides to religious life and law.
    3. What is “Sharia,” and how does it relate to the concept of “tafsilat”? Sharia is the Islamic law, and tafsilat refers to the details or aspects of that law. Together, they make up the framework for how a Muslim is expected to live according to the rules of Islam.
    4. Describe the role of Jibreel in the context of the text. Jibreel, the angel Gabriel, is mentioned as the one who brought the Quran to Prophet Muhammad. Jibreel also communicated other teachings of the faith, including the duties of daily life, to the Prophet.
    5. What are “hadiths,” and how are they viewed in relation to the Quran? Hadiths are narratives of the Prophet’s sayings, actions, and approvals. They are viewed as a valuable source of Islamic guidance, however, the text also explores varying opinions about their status in relation to the Quran.
    6. Explain the concept of “tawatur” as described in the source. Tawatur is a concept related to the transmission of hadiths, referring to a narration reported by so many people that it is considered virtually certain to be true. It emphasizes a chain of reliable narrators that make claims trustworthy.
    7. What is meant by “mufassar” and “fammaksi” as mentioned in the text? “Mufassar” refers to something that is clear and detailed, while “fammaksi” seems to describe people who offer different or various interpretations, and can be seen as a source of disagreement regarding the understanding of law and tradition.
    8. How does the source present the figure of Imam Mehndi? The text examines the hadiths associated with Imam Mehndi, noting that while his existence and significance is well known, there is little mention of him in the most canonical collections of hadith. It casts doubt on some narratives and explores multiple interpretations.
    9. Describe the debate surrounding the concept of “tanks” in the context of Islamic tradition. “Tanks” is used as a metaphor for the process of scrutinizing or filtering traditions (especially Hadith), particularly the reliability of narrators and the substance of what has been handed down. The process of tanking is presented as central to understanding Islamic tradition.
    10. What is meant by the term “mujaddid”? Mujaddid refers to a person who is seen as a renewer or reviver of faith in Islam, appearing every century to guide the community. The text considers the role of such people and their relationship to tradition and interpretation.

    Answer Key

    1. Iman is described as belief in Allah, His angels, prophets, books, and ultimately acceptance of God’s will. It is a fundamental principle of Islam and a key aspect of a Muslim’s faith, and is a core topic of discussion in the text.
    2. “Risalat,” or prophethood, is interpreted as the explanation and teaching of the Quran by the Prophet, and the Sunnah is seen as a continuation of that teaching in practice. They are both central to Islamic faith and serve as guides to religious life and law.
    3. Sharia is the Islamic law, and tafsilat refers to the details or aspects of that law. Together, they make up the framework for how a Muslim is expected to live according to the rules of Islam.
    4. Jibreel, the angel Gabriel, is mentioned as the one who brought the Quran to Prophet Muhammad. Jibreel also communicated other teachings of the faith, including the duties of daily life, to the Prophet.
    5. Hadiths are narratives of the Prophet’s sayings, actions, and approvals. They are viewed as a valuable source of Islamic guidance, however, the text also explores varying opinions about their status in relation to the Quran.
    6. Tawatur is a concept related to the transmission of hadiths, referring to a narration reported by so many people that it is considered virtually certain to be true. It emphasizes a chain of reliable narrators that make claims trustworthy.
    7. “Mufassar” refers to something that is clear and detailed, while “fammaksi” seems to describe people who offer different or various interpretations, and can be seen as a source of disagreement regarding the understanding of law and tradition.
    8. The text examines the hadiths associated with Imam Mehndi, noting that while his existence and significance is well known, there is little mention of him in the most canonical collections of hadith. It casts doubt on some narratives and explores multiple interpretations.
    9. “Tanks” is used as a metaphor for the process of scrutinizing or filtering traditions (especially Hadith), particularly the reliability of narrators and the substance of what has been handed down. The process of tanking is presented as central to understanding Islamic tradition.
    10. Mujaddid refers to a person who is seen as a renewer or reviver of faith in Islam, appearing every century to guide the community. The text considers the role of such people and their relationship to tradition and interpretation.

    Essay Questions

    1. Analyze the source’s perspective on the relative authority of the Quran and Hadith in Islamic thought and practice. How does the text navigate the complexities of their relationship?
    2. Explore the arguments presented for and against the figure of Imam Mehndi. What are the key sources and interpretations that the text engages with, and what conclusions does it seem to reach?
    3. Discuss the metaphor of “tanks” as a means of filtering and scrutinizing Islamic tradition. How does this concept function as a means of discerning authenticity and reliability, and what does the text have to say about its effectiveness?
    4. Examine the different approaches to the interpretation of hadith presented in the text. How are the concepts of “tawatur,” “sanad,” and “matn” utilized in the analysis of hadiths? What are the main debates and tensions surrounding these approaches?
    5. How does the source engage with the diversity of Islamic interpretations and practices? What does it reveal about the challenges of achieving consensus and unity within Islam?

    Glossary

    • Iman: Faith or belief, particularly in the core tenets of Islam.
    • Risalat: Prophethood, the act of conveying divine messages and teachings.
    • Sharia: Islamic law, derived from the Quran and Sunnah.
    • Tafsilat: The details or aspects of something, often referring to the particulars of Sharia.
    • Jibreel: The angel Gabriel, who conveyed revelations to Prophet Muhammad.
    • Hadith: A narrative of the Prophet’s sayings, actions, and approvals.
    • Tawatur: A concept related to the transmission of hadiths, referring to a narration reported by so many people that it is considered virtually certain to be true.
    • Mufassar: Something that is clear and detailed.
    • Fammaksi: Those who offer different or various interpretations.
    • Imam Mehndi: A future Islamic leader who will establish justice and peace.
    • Tanks: A metaphor for the process of scrutinizing and filtering traditions, especially hadith.
    • Mujaddid: A renewer or reviver of faith in Islam, appearing every century.
    • Sunnah: The practices and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad.
    • Sanad: The chain of narrators of a hadith.
    • Matn: The content or text of a hadith.
    • Ahl-e-Bayt: The family of Prophet Muhammad.
    • Caliph: A political and religious successor to the Prophet Muhammad, leader of the Islamic community.
    • Istala: Terminology, a technical or specialized language or set of terms.
    • Aqeedah: Creed, beliefs
    • Muhaddisin: Scholars of hadith.
    • Tanks: A metaphor for the process of scrutinizing and filtering traditions.
    • Ijma: Scholarly consensus.
    • Tazia: A Shia mourning ritual.

    A Critical Examination of Islamic Eschatology

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    Briefing Document: Analysis of “Pasted Text”

    Date: October 26, 2023

    Subject: Analysis of a Discourse on Islamic Theology, Tradition, and the Figure of the Mahdi

    Sources: Excerpts from “Pasted Text”

    Introduction:

    This document provides a detailed analysis of a lengthy discourse centered around Islamic theology, tradition, and the figure of the Mahdi. The speaker, whose identity is not explicitly revealed, engages with various concepts including iman (faith), Sharia (Islamic law), Risalat (prophethood), tawatur (continuous narration), hadith (prophetic traditions), and interpretations of the Quran. A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the figure of the Mahdi, a messianic figure in Islamic eschatology. The speaker critically examines hadith related to the Mahdi, raising questions about their authenticity and interpretation, particularly in light of traditional scholarship. The discourse is presented as a dialogue with an interlocutor, and sometimes directly addresses a listening audience.

    Main Themes & Key Ideas:

    1. The Importance of the Quran and Sunnah:
    • The speaker emphasizes the foundational role of the Quran and the Sunnah (prophetic traditions) as sources of Islamic law and belief:
    • If you are explaining the Quran in Risalat then the day are teaching the The day is teaching the Sunnah Day teaching is going on
    • There is a clear emphasis that true faith and practice must be rooted in these primary sources.
    • The speaker acknowledges that there are layers of interpretation and tradition that come between the believers and the Quran. This tension between the sources and interpretations is a central theme.
    1. Critical Examination of Hadith and Tawatur:
    • The discourse is highly critical of traditional hadith methodology, especially regarding tawatur (continuous narration):
    • The fierce debate going on here has no bearing not related to istemalon Din Aslam has become possible through this Qabaat i.e. a tradition of an entire era to something to transfer it further is a crime
    • The speaker questions how many narratives constitute tawatur and how the character and reliability of narrators are assessed. They argue that claims of tawatur are often inflated and that the actual number of narrators may be much lower.
    • The speaker stresses the importance of scrutinizing chains of narrators (isnad) and the content (matn) of hadith:
    • Three things are observed in the Hadith game what is the character of the doer, what is his nature which you can prove in court with proof
    • The concept of tawatur is challenged, with the speaker saying “…when we use tabadtur there and here the talks are going on throughout the day It is not like this, if there is advice of knowledge then knowledge that this divorce is a secret in the world…“.
    • They point out inconsistencies and contradictions in traditions attributed to the Prophet.
    1. The Figure of the Mahdi and Its Traditional Narratives:
    • The speaker dedicates a substantial portion of the discussion to the figure of the Mahdi, a messianic figure believed to appear before the Day of Judgment:
    • They analyze numerous hadith related to the Mahdi, pointing out discrepancies and contradictions:
    • The narration is present in and those seven sentences they are reducing the tank but they are doing all this what has happened means I have put it at your service…“.
    • It is said that in different narrations it picture It happened that this medicine is used You had told from the big tehsil that bat and Who is it called and on what basis
    • They argue that many common beliefs about the Mahdi are based on weak or fabricated hadith.
    • I have claimed that it is mehndi Allama Iqbal about Maji Sodani I told you that life is till Mehndi brought the nation alive with his speech He has in fact created a great hatred in the minds of people a wave of minor revival Brought the country alive with Mehndi’s speech
    • They specifically critique narrations concerning the Mahdi’s lineage, name, and physical characteristics.
    • They argue that many of the details about the Mahdi are not found in the most authoritative collections of Hadith, like Bukhari and Muslim:
    • In this case it is clear that it is disclosed on the basis of which the proceedings were filed there should be promises in it such things of things that have no potential for being worthy So their mehndi will come, this or that This will be a matter, it will depend on you
    • That means mother, Bukhari and Muslim are also included in these Whatever has been stated, I will further I will do affairs to know what is it that which has been attributed to totally different so in these books the way people understand or as if they exist…
    • The speaker implies that the Mahdi narratives may have developed over time and been influenced by political and social circumstances.
    1. The Authority of the Ulema and Traditional Scholarship:
    • The discourse is implicitly critical of traditional Ulema and the way they have transmitted and interpreted hadith.
    • The speaker challenges the idea that consensus among scholars is necessarily correct, especially when dealing with hadith about the Mahdi.
    • They emphasize the importance of individual judgment and critical thinking when engaging with religious texts.
    • We are the humiliating witnesses of this entire Ummah at night maukeen’s zaaavier look this is what I have We have already stated before you that our The common narration here is that when a The matter has spread so widely and It might have happened to people here, so Did we find any effect or anything in the Quran I got this kind of thing, which day has brought it here I got this kind of tradition which I read about you
    1. Emphasis on Action and Living a Righteous Life:
    • The speaker implies a focus on individual piety and adherence to core Islamic principles rather than waiting for the Mahdi’s arrival:
    • Because of this why do I remember my faith in everything you say I have to tell and Arif Statement forms have been given there and further action has been taken to get it done
    • They seem to suggest that the emphasis on the Mahdi can sometimes detract from the practical responsibilities of Muslims.
    • They discuss topics such as fasting, belief in Allah, and other requirements of faith.
    1. Interpretation of Religious Texts:
    • Throughout the discourse, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the context in which religious texts were revealed, and the need to avoid literal interpretations that may not be in line with the core principles of Islam.
    • They emphasize the importance of reason and critical thinking when interpreting the Quran and the Sunnah.
    • They criticize some scholars for following traditions blindly instead of understanding the true meaning of religious texts.

    Important Quotes Illustrating Key Ideas:

    • “That means faith is never a part of remembrance” – This suggests that faith should be more than just passive acceptance of doctrines.
    • “Those which are mentioned in hadiths are … expressed my opinion in it so it will be like that did you value it then how can you get involved in it can be done…” – The speaker highlights that the hadith were written as interpretations, and their understanding of it as such is important.
    • “I am telling you about abhadrasin I am sure that when this thing came in front of them then What attitude did he adopt? This is a matter of the first or second century and after that This is your Imam Bukhari coming in the third or fourth Imam Muslim arranges these two books” – This highlights the importance of historical context in understanding the development of hadith.
    • “And millions turned into crores and today one and a half billion Their number is more than the national This is the most important time for churning praise More Mustang sources means that of the date which Sentences are denied in this way or are they true” – Suggests a critical approach to tradition, questioning whether claims of large numbers are accurate.
    • “But the tank has been done which has been decided People will not be able to tolerate it here People could not accept this What is the reason that other Jains accept him?” – Implies that tradition is subject to scrutiny.
    • The first thing that happened was that I picked up a man from my first bat will What does this mean any doubt will arise about him what was told in his name And the father’s name will be my father’s name His name will be Mohammed [music] A person with my name will be a good man” – Highlights what is seen as dubious information about the Mahdi from specific traditional sources.

    Conclusion:

    The discourse presented in “Pasted Text” offers a critical perspective on traditional Islamic thought, particularly concerning the role of hadith and the figure of the Mahdi. The speaker encourages a return to the foundational sources of Islam (the Quran and Sunnah), emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and questioning established narratives. The conversation challenges many conventional views on hadith methodology, the concept of tawatur, and the interpretation of traditions relating to the Mahdi. The central theme that weaves throughout the document is a call for an active and independent faith, based upon understanding and action, instead of blind acceptance of dogma.

    This text appears to be aimed at an audience familiar with Islamic theology and the Mahdi traditions. It could be considered a challenge to traditional religious authorities and a call for religious reform. It suggests that the meaning of texts and traditions should be subject to continuous interpretation and contextualization, and that an understanding of those interpretations should form the core of their use.

    Authenticity of Hadith and the Mehdi

    FAQ: Key Themes from the Provided Text

    • What is the core of Islamic faith (Iman), and how is it defined in the Quran and Hadith?
    • The core of Islamic faith, or Iman, is defined by belief in Allah, His angels, His prophets, His books, and the Day of Judgment, among other things. This understanding is rooted in both the Quran and the Hadith (sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad). The speaker emphasizes the importance of direct revelation and teaching by the Prophet himself, as conveyed by the Angel Gabriel (Jibreel), that encompasses not only religious teachings but also the “day,” meaning the entire way of life, including laws (Sharia) and traditions (Sunnah).
    • What is the significance of “Tawaatur,” and how is it used to validate Hadith?
    • Tawaatur refers to the widespread and continuous transmission of information, specifically Hadith, by a large number of people across generations. This concept is essential in determining the reliability of a Hadith. For a tradition to be considered Tawaatur, it needs to be narrated by a multitude of individuals, making it highly improbable that they all colluded on a false account. The text explores the criteria for determining Tawaatur and discusses whether it should be applied to all Hadith or if specific conditions must be met, and mentions the discussions in the field of Hadith regarding the number of transmitters for a Hadith to be considered Tawaatur.
    • What is the role of Muhaddithin (Hadith scholars) in preserving and evaluating Hadith?
    • Muhaddithin are scholars who specialize in the study, preservation, and evaluation of Hadith. They examine various aspects of a Hadith, including the chain of narrators (Sanad) and the text itself (Matn). They assess the character of the narrators, their reliability, and their ability to accurately transmit the information. Muhaddithin also analyze the consistency of a Hadith with the Quran and other established teachings. The text highlights the complex and rigorous process that Muhaddithin undertake to ensure the integrity of the Hadith.
    • What are the different levels of Hadith, and why is this categorization important?
    • Hadith are classified into different levels or ranks based on their reliability, including Sahih (authentic), Hasan (good), and other categories. Sahih Hadith are considered the most authentic, while Hasan Hadith are considered to be of acceptable quality but may have a weaker chain of narrators. There are also Hadith that are considered weak due to various reasons. This categorization is crucial in determining the weight that should be given to a particular Hadith in Islamic jurisprudence and theology. The speaker refers to books that describe this categorization.
    • What is the significance of Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim, and why are their collections considered so authoritative?
    • Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim are two of the most renowned Hadith scholars. Their collections, Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, are considered to be among the most authoritative and reliable sources of Hadith in Sunni Islam. These collections underwent a rigorous selection process and only include Hadith that meet strict criteria for authenticity. The speaker notes that neither Imam Bukhari nor Imam Muslim mentioned a Mehdi in their collections.
    • What is the concept of “Mehdi” discussed in the text, and why is there debate around its authenticity?
    • The concept of a “Mehdi” (a divinely guided leader) is discussed in the text, focusing on the traditions (revayeten) concerning his arrival before the Day of Judgment. While some traditions describe a just ruler with the same name as the prophet, others do not include specific names. There is no consensus view on the “Mehdi”, even some do not believe it, nor is it mentioned in some of the more authoritative collections of Hadith. The speaker points out that while many Muslims believe in the coming of Mehdi, the narrations about him vary significantly. The text critiques this widely held belief because it lacks validation through the most reliable sources of hadith.
    • What are the criticisms and interpretations of the traditions related to Mehdi in this discussion?
    • The discussion includes critiques of the traditions about the Mehdi, pointing out that these are not mentioned in the two most authoritative sources of hadith (Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim). Some argue that these traditions are late and have been introduced into Islam over time, and others that the descriptions of the Mehdi are too vague and contradictory. The discussion explores the idea that some traditions may have been influenced by political aspirations, and that the belief in the Mehdi has been used to fuel revolutionary movements. The text also highlights how the concept of a ruler that would be just has been historically associated with many figures not just a Mehdi.
    • What is the correct approach to understanding the Quran and Sunnah?
    • The correct approach requires a deep understanding of the Quran and the Sunnah, with the Quran given primacy. This understanding should also involve rigorous analysis of Hadith through established methodologies. The process includes evaluating the chain of narrators and the text of the Hadith itself. It also involves critical thinking and not accepting popular beliefs or narratives blindly, rather one should seek information from original sources and use logic. The text suggests that it is better to understand the historical context of the Hadith. Also, the speaker indicates that both the Quran and the Sunnah should be used in combination to understand the Islamic faith.

    Core Islamic Concepts and Critical Analysis

    Key topics in the provided text include faith (iman), Islam, Sharia, the Quran, Hadith, the Prophet Muhammad, the concept of a Mahdi, and the importance of critical analysis in religious matters.

    Core Islamic Concepts:

    • Iman (Faith): The sources discuss the components of faith, such as belief in Allah, angels, prophets, and holy books [1]. It also notes that faith is not part of remembrance [2, 3].
    • Islam: Islam is presented as a path of salvation, defined partly by the Sunnah [4]. The sources distinguish between faith and the practice of Islam [4].
    • Sharia: Sharia, or Islamic law, is mentioned as a key element of the faith [1, 5]. The sources also discuss the interpretation and application of Sharia [1].
    • The Quran: The Quran is presented as a foundational text, and any interpretation or belief should be based on the Quran [1, 2, 5]. The Quran is described as a guide for humanity [6].
    • Hadith: The Hadith, or traditions of the Prophet Muhammad, are discussed in detail as a source of guidance, with emphasis on their authenticity and the need for careful evaluation [1, 2, 4, 7]. The text explores the methods used by scholars to verify Hadith, including assessing the character of narrators and the chain of transmission [7, 8].

    The Prophet Muhammad:

    • The Prophet Muhammad is central to the discussion, and his teachings (Sunnah) are considered essential [4, 5].
    • The sources reference the Prophet’s interactions with the angel Jibreel, and how that shapes Islamic teachings [5].
    • The Prophet’s role as a teacher and interpreter of the Quran is highlighted [4, 5].

    The Concept of a Mahdi:

    • The sources discuss the concept of a Mahdi, a figure who is believed to appear before the Day of Judgment to establish justice [2, 9, 10].
    • The text analyzes various traditions about the Mahdi, noting that his name will be like the Prophet’s and his father’s will be like the Prophet’s father’s, and that he will be from the Prophet’s family [11-13].
    • There’s a critical examination of the traditions related to the Mahdi and their absence from some of the most authoritative Hadith collections [14-16]. The text also discusses different interpretations of the Mahdi’s role and characteristics [17-19].
    • The sources express skepticism toward widely accepted narratives, and ask the reader to assess the validity of popular beliefs [20, 21].

    Critical Analysis and Interpretation:

    • The text places significant emphasis on the importance of critical analysis of religious texts and traditions [1, 4]. It discusses methods of evaluating the authenticity of Hadith [7, 8].
    • It is noted that multiple interpretations of texts and concepts are possible [1, 4].
    • The sources also delve into the challenges of preserving and transmitting religious knowledge accurately over time [22-25].
    • The text discusses the significance of understanding the context in which a statement is made, as well as the character of the one making the statement [7, 8, 25, 26].
    • The text advocates for a balanced approach, emphasizing that traditions should be evaluated in the light of the Quran and reason [2, 4, 27-30].

    Other Key Themes:

    • The Role of Scholars: The text highlights the responsibility of religious scholars to engage in careful analysis of religious texts and traditions [2, 27-29]. The sources also explore the historical context of Islamic scholarship, such as the contributions of Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim [15, 31, 32].
    • The Importance of Context: The text highlights the importance of understanding the context in which a statement is made, as well as the character of the one making the statement [7, 8, 25, 26].
    • The Danger of Misinformation: The sources warn against the dangers of accepting information without proper verification [4, 6, 23].
    • The Significance of Remembrance: The text makes a distinction between faith and remembrance, with faith not being a part of remembrance [2, 3].

    This detailed overview should give you a good understanding of the key topics in the text.

    Pillars of Islamic Faith

    The sources discuss Islamic faith (iman) as a central concept with specific components [1, 2]. These include belief in Allah, His angels, His prophets, and His holy books [2].

    Key aspects of Islamic faith according to the sources:

    • Belief in Allah: This is the most fundamental aspect of faith, with all other beliefs stemming from it [2].
    • Belief in Angels: Faith includes the belief in the existence of angels as messengers of Allah [2].
    • Belief in Prophets: Muslims must believe in all the prophets of Allah, including Muhammad, who is considered the last prophet [1, 2].
    • Belief in Holy Books: The Quran is the primary holy book, but Muslims also believe in other holy books revealed by Allah [2].
    • Faith vs. Remembrance: The text notes that faith is not part of remembrance, which means that faith is not merely an act of remembering something, but a more fundamental belief [1, 3].
    • Faith and Action: The sources emphasize that true faith is not just a matter of intellectual assent but also involves actions and practices that reflect that faith, including following the Sharia, or Islamic law, which is considered an expression of faith [1, 2].
    • Faith as a Foundation: Faith is described as foundational to Islam, and it is what makes a person a Muslim [4].
    • Faith and the Unseen: Faith in Islam also extends to belief in the unseen, such as the Day of Judgment [5] and the concept of destiny, also known as qadar, which is discussed in other sections of the sources.
    • Faith and Interpretation: The sources suggest that the understanding of faith should be in accordance with the Quran and the Sunnah, and that people should critically evaluate their beliefs to ensure they align with these sources [6, 7].

    The sources emphasize the importance of understanding the details of faith and not just accepting it blindly [1]. A critical approach to understanding and interpreting faith is recommended. The text also notes that the Prophet Muhammad himself emphasized the importance of understanding the core tenets of faith, as seen in his answers to questions about what constitutes faith [1]. There is a focus on the need to practice Islam, which is described as an outward expression of one’s faith [1].

    The sources differentiate between faith and Islam, noting that faith (iman) is primarily an internal belief, while Islam is a set of actions and practices that outwardly reflect that belief [4]. The sources mention that faith is never a part of remembrance [3].

    The Quran: Foundation of Islamic Belief and Practice

    The sources discuss the Quran as a foundational text in Islam, emphasizing its importance as a guide for Muslims [1-3]. The sources also highlight that any interpretation or belief should be based on the Quran [4].

    Key points about Quranic verses from the sources:

    • The Quran as a Foundation: The sources repeatedly emphasize that the Quran is the ultimate source of guidance in Islam [1-4]. It is considered a complete and comprehensive text that provides guidance on all aspects of life.
    • Basis of Belief: Any belief or practice should be rooted in the Quran. The text suggests that interpretations of faith, Sharia, and other Islamic concepts must be supported by the Quran [1, 2, 4].
    • Interpretation: The sources imply that interpreting the Quran requires careful consideration and should not be done haphazardly [1, 2]. It is mentioned that scholars and individuals have the right to interpret the Quran, but these interpretations should align with the text and its overall message [2].
    • The Quran and Prophethood: The sources refer to the Quran as a message revealed to the Prophet Muhammad [1, 2]. The Prophet’s role in explaining and conveying the Quran is highlighted, emphasizing that his teachings (Sunnah) are based on the Quranic message [1, 3].
    • Guidance and Salvation: The Quran is described as a means of guidance and a path to salvation, and it is said to be a revelation for people to be warned of the auction and the last days [3, 5]. The text indicates that the Quran provides a clear path for believers to follow, and it helps them to distinguish between right and wrong.
    • Challenge to Accepted Beliefs: The sources question widely accepted beliefs that are not explicitly stated in the Quran [4]. It challenges the reader to critically assess their beliefs and to ensure that they are aligned with Quranic principles.
    • The Quran and Hadith: The sources explain that while the Quran is the primary source of guidance, the Hadith, or traditions of the Prophet, provide further context and explanations of the Quranic verses [1-3]. However, the Hadith should be evaluated for authenticity in relation to the Quran.
    • The Quran and Remembrance: The text makes a distinction between faith and remembrance, with faith not being a part of remembrance. However, it is mentioned that remembering the Quran is an important aspect of practicing Islam, and the text also suggests that reflecting on the Quran’s teachings is a way to strengthen one’s faith.
    • The Quran and the Day: The sources indicate that the Quran contains the content of the day, which suggests that the Quran is not just a text for the past but contains guidance for present and future issues. It is also stated that “the day” is taught while explaining the Quran [1].
    • The Quran and Understanding: It is mentioned that if people do not understand the Quran, they should express their questions to seek clarification. The text suggests that understanding the Quran is an important part of being a Muslim [4].
    • The Quran and “Majeed”: The sources refer to the Quran as “Majeed”, which is a term used to express the Quran’s honorable and glorious status [1, 4, 5]. It is also stated that the way things are described in some verse of the Majeed is important, particularly in the context of discussions around the Mahdi [4].

    In summary, the sources consistently portray the Quran as the central reference point for all aspects of Islamic belief and practice. The text emphasizes the need for a thorough and critical understanding of the Quran and advocates for interpretations that are consistent with its teachings. The text challenges widely held assumptions and urges the reader to verify these assumptions against what is stated in the Quran, especially popular beliefs about the Mahdi.

    Authenticating Hadith: A Critical Analysis

    The sources discuss Hadith traditions as a significant source of guidance in Islam, second only to the Quran. However, they also emphasize the importance of critical evaluation and authentication of Hadith.

    Key aspects of Hadith traditions as described in the sources:

    • Definition: Hadith refers to the traditions, sayings, and actions of the Prophet Muhammad [1, 2]. These are considered an essential source of guidance for Muslims, providing context and explanation for Quranic verses.
    • Importance: Hadith are presented as a means to understand and practice Islam, and the Sunnah (the way of the Prophet) is based on the Hadith [2]. The sources note that the day (or way of life), is taught while explaining the Quran and Hadith.
    • Transmission and Narration: The sources explain that Hadith are transmitted through a chain of narrators, with each narrator passing on what they heard or saw [3, 4]. This process of narration is a focus of critical analysis [5, 6].
    • Authenticity: A major focus of the sources is on the authenticity of Hadith. The text explores methods used by scholars to determine which Hadith are reliable [6, 7]. This includes looking at the character of the narrators, and the chain of narrators [5, 7].
    • Methods of Verification: Several methods are mentioned for verifying Hadith:
    • Character of Narrators: Scholars evaluate the trustworthiness and reliability of each narrator in the chain [6-8]. This includes assessing their honesty, memory, and piety.
    • Chain of Narration (Sanad): The chain of narrators is scrutinized to ensure continuity and accuracy [3, 5]. Any breaks or inconsistencies can cast doubt on the authenticity of the Hadith.
    • Comparison with Quran: The text stresses that Hadith should be in accordance with the Quran [9, 10]. Any Hadith that contradicts the Quran is rejected.
    • Textual Analysis: The content of the Hadith is analyzed to determine if it aligns with Islamic principles and teachings [7].
    • Tawatur: The concept of tawatur, which refers to a tradition that has been transmitted by so many people that it is considered definitively true, is discussed in the context of assessing Hadith [5, 11-13]. If a Hadith is mutawatir (transmitted through tawatur) it is considered very reliable.
    • Classification of Hadith: The sources mention that Hadith are classified into different categories based on their level of authenticity [14, 15]. This includes terms like sahih (sound), hasan (good), and da’if (weak) [15, 16]. The sources indicate that the sahih Hadith are the most reliable, and that the books of Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim contain the most reliable traditions [7, 17].
    • Muhaddithin (Hadith Scholars): The role of muhaddithin, or Hadith scholars, is emphasized. These scholars dedicated their lives to collecting, verifying, and classifying Hadith [6, 7, 18, 19]. The text notes that many scholars have worked to verify and organize Hadith, including Sheikh Albany, Shoaib, and others [20, 21].
    • The Importance of Context: The sources emphasize the importance of understanding the context in which a Hadith was narrated. This includes the circumstances surrounding the Prophet’s statement and the historical context of the Hadith [7, 8].
    • Potential for Misinterpretation: The text suggests that Hadith can be misinterpreted or misused if not understood correctly. The need for proper understanding and context is emphasized to avoid misleading interpretations [4, 7].
    • Hadith and the Day: The sources indicate that the Hadith provides information about “the day” or a way of life, and can provide a basis for how to act in particular situations [2, 22].
    • Hadith and the Mahdi: The sources discuss Hadith related to the Mahdi, and emphasize that there is little reliable material about the Mahdi in the most authoritative collections of Hadith [14, 17].

    In summary, the sources present a nuanced view of Hadith traditions, highlighting their importance while also stressing the need for rigorous critical analysis. The text emphasizes the methods used by scholars to authenticate Hadith, the importance of context, and the potential for misinterpretation. The sources suggest that Muslims should approach Hadith with both respect and a critical eye, always ensuring that they align with the Quran and reason. The need to rely on reliable sources of Hadith is emphasized and readers are warned against accepting unverified reports [10, 16, 23, 24].

    Authenticating Prophetic Sayings in Islam

    The sources discuss Prophetic sayings, also known as Hadith, as a crucial element of Islamic tradition. These sayings are considered a primary source of guidance for Muslims, second only to the Quran [1-3].

    Key aspects of Prophetic sayings, as detailed in the sources, include:

    • Source and Transmission: Prophetic sayings are the recorded words, actions, and approvals of the Prophet Muhammad [3]. They are transmitted through chains of narrators, with each narrator passing on what they heard or witnessed [3, 4].
    • Guidance and Explanation: The sayings of the Prophet provide essential context and practical application of the principles found in the Quran. They are seen as an explanation of Quranic verses and a guide for daily life [1, 3]. The Sunnah, which is the way of the Prophet, is based on these sayings and actions [3]. The sources also indicate that the “day” or way of life, is taught through the explanation of the Quran and Hadith [1].
    • Importance of Verification: The sources strongly emphasize that not all Prophetic sayings are equally reliable. A significant portion of the text is dedicated to the methods of verifying and authenticating these sayings [3, 4].
    • Methods of Authentication:Character of Narrators: The trustworthiness and reliability of each narrator in the chain is evaluated [4]. This includes assessments of their honesty, memory, and piety [4, 5].
    • Chain of Narration (Sanad): The chain of narrators is examined for continuity and accuracy. Breaks or inconsistencies in the chain can cast doubt on the authenticity of a saying [4, 5].
    • Consistency with Quran: The content of the saying must align with the principles of the Quran [2, 4, 5]. Any saying that contradicts the Quran is considered unreliable [4].
    • Textual Analysis: The content of the saying itself is analyzed to determine its consistency with Islamic teachings [3, 5].
    • Tawatur: The concept of tawatur, meaning that a saying is transmitted by so many people that it is definitely true, is used to evaluate reliability [6, 7].
    • Classification of Hadith: Prophetic sayings are classified based on their authenticity. Common classifications are sahih (sound), hasan (good), and da’if (weak) [8]. The sahih sayings, found primarily in collections like those of Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim, are considered the most reliable [4, 5, 9].
    • Role of Muhaddithin: Scholars of Hadith, known as muhaddithin, play a vital role in collecting, verifying, and classifying Prophetic sayings [4, 10, 11]. These scholars dedicated their lives to this task, and their work is critical to understanding and applying Hadith correctly [10, 12].
    • Context is Key: Understanding the context in which a Prophetic saying was uttered is crucial for its correct interpretation [5, 13]. The circumstances of the Prophet’s statement and its historical context are important considerations [5].
    • Potential for Misinterpretation: The sources warn that Prophetic sayings can be misinterpreted if not approached with proper understanding and context. Misunderstandings can lead to flawed or incorrect beliefs and practices [1, 5, 14-16].
    • Hadith and the Mahdi: The sources discuss sayings related to the Mahdi, noting a lack of reliable material on this figure in the most authoritative Hadith collections [3, 9, 17-23]. The sources challenge common beliefs about the Mahdi that are not supported by strong evidence from the Quran or Hadith [9, 18-21, 24-27].
    • Hadith and “the Day”: The sources indicate that Hadith provide guidance for “the day”, or a way of life, including actions in specific situations [1, 3].

    In conclusion, the sources depict Prophetic sayings as a vital source of guidance in Islam, second only to the Quran. However, they emphasize the need for meticulous verification, careful interpretation, and a critical approach to these sayings. The sources caution against accepting sayings without proper scrutiny, and advocate for reliance on trusted sources and methods of authentication. The most reliable of the Hadith are considered to be in the collections of Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim [5, 9]. The sources also emphasize that Prophetic sayings must always be in alignment with the teachings of the Quran [2, 3, 5].

    Response to 23 Questions – Complete Playlist – Arrival of Imam Mahdi – Javed Ahmed Ghamidi

    The Original Text

    [music] Greetings [music] We get to hear about Facebook on the internet how long did you wait so far The curtain is done, the suit is done I am placing before you what I am saying It seems that the matter has progressed further now, Ramji Saheb in that circle of the day where Let’s keep talking, someone or the other would be doing it There are three things beyond that, It has been done this way and it is very serious ehraph is the first sound in conversation I would like you to tell me that this We discussed these things in the past, now we what is this akira What is the difference between Akira and the rest of the day’s work Where is this belief expressed and during the day Paris is also there, you have included this in it I did not do it, first thing I will do is apply That is what the most important thing is A lot of talk is allowed This is the picture of Majeed Risalat If you look at my book Mizan After remembering the faith in that, I am the same Dad is teaching me You should go to different places to get Majeed posted Look here people are being scolded in the mosque Where your basic emperor’s at They have invited people where they face objections where people’s love is everywhere You yourself are the interpretation of faith in your prophethood It is also said about the cylinder that a It would have been the time when mahakumbhtari used to read dirty books Tap Integrity That is, what is this law, what is its Sharia what is tafsilat what are the aspects of iman remembrance yes you were not aware of their details After that Lata did her new work I praised the prophethood of Nazil and believed in it He also taught him and also taught him law which is called Sharia These words are used in the Quran the wrong mother sallallahu alaihi wasallam himself It is said that Jibreel came to be one Mukundi Nakum has come to teach you your day If you are explaining the Quran in Risalat then the day are teaching the The day is teaching the Sunnah Day teaching is going on so there are youth other Mukundi What is the meaning of Nakum i.e. this disclosure the sun should be placed before you so that when If you need it, of course Tell me the way in which that thing should come out which Honorable it is necessary to do what is necessary This is the first question asked on the spot what is iman and that the Rasul Allah himself Sallallahu Salam has answered that The answer is exactly the same as in kurare mosque Placed at 10 have been counted in many places Rasulullah sallallahu salam accepted the same I have paid a lot of attention and what is that Belief in Allah and on the angels of Allah Faith in the prophets of Allah Faith in Allah Faith in books, fasting is the measure of your life, if you How to use CAD? can be used for Apart from this, it is said about something that there is a belief And salute me with your picture Our people here did it The book can also be from the mill and newspapers if statements have been made then they it is a matter of salutation I accept that as well, but it is absolutely It’s the same way you spend your day believe in the way you believe in Sharia The way you got the second picture of Majeed All these things actually believe in hands On the book of Allah or on the confluence of the months of Risalah When we accept one thing our faith runs away If we take it then it is obvious that then the message I salute you also madam, my sincere and the book of Allah is the mosque So every difference that has been described in it should be considered It’s an honor to describe it like this [music] I have explained them which the Holy Quran has explained Now till doomsday a person has this right It is not that it adds any value or Reduce yours when you are invited to Islam Then five things will be debated and other matters will also come up Eat these kind of newspapers if you are Shariat follower Which means the newspaper is mine, the newspaper is light yes Akbar Mustaq together with all such There will be scope for debate on these things This might be my point about them The city can be your point of view There can be two opinions regarding their investigation. There are facts which are described in the Holy Quran it is also obvious about them My Fame Your Fan Abu Hanifa’s Fahm Shafi’s fan is a fan of marriage, a big fan mufassar and fammakshi fans are different could or some hadith is understood There is no question about this reason What comes is what is stated in the Quran Those which are mentioned in hadiths are the beliefs The message which was accepted by the beloved Allah Salam Jibril has made statements in response to Amen and he said that he made Mukundi Nakul these wishes On the basis of this we need to talk to Muslims We have to talk to non-Muslims too There is no such thing as a spell in these can go What you told us about this, which is the value These are the basic requirements of the day A person is called a Muslim because of Tell me how faith is achieved And is this mentioned somewhere in those letters? smile I am making himaniyad in majeed statement of allah The Prophet’s invitation as described in the book This is their basic intention, the matter is newspaper How can we leave the newspaper in our hands? are what thing happen Something has been said somewhere, something has been mentioned somewhere He gave a sermon and there was something in it that he said If you give pharma then this is a common thing that people already have I know that it is a statement from their farm it is possible that they may have some talisman There could be some reason for divorce, some order but it is the faith of the day or The way in which the faith of the day will be expressed Passenger As a Fundamental Purchase of Prophethood and if he makes the statement verbally Even then there is access to every single person and As far as the Quran is concerned, it is the real thing why rent a mosque in this That means he has come to tell us that there is a way to get salvation What is important for what to believe What is important to do if you If we look at the incident of Jibril, then the first question is What is faith? The second question is what is Islam? You should also see what Islam is, that it A thing has been described which is a Sunnah Since then it is continuing in the entire Muslim Ummah and This is how Islam and Twitter are helping These words are neither a part of faith nor This Dar Haqiqat of Islam is the Academy It happens and as long as we are in this world Time will keep changing for such things present it in an intelligent manner and the way You and I have discussed many issues before this. we’ve talked about those things what is the instruction like this You will find it in picture books If I have expressed my opinion in it so it will be like that did you value it then how can you get involved in it can be done and if this thing is included If you can go then give it some more time Do it and I told you all this I also copied their faith in living We will have to bring it, but we will have to believe in the proof as well That thing is the statement of Quran A man will have to deal with a girl as a book He who is his fan will understand it According to him he was shocked that he had to make a statement Doing all these things is actually a sign of the world it’s a thing of the realm This thing is considered a part of the faith of a Muslim if he had to make it, then was it necessary that he The way the matter is described in some verse of Majeed Before the doomsday, that is Mehndi Whoever is behind will be the presence of Ali Salam Go in your hand must contain Because all the prophets brought the whole day Everything that is honorable to us Tell that to the prophets from the very first day who Prayer given to the prophets by doing for us The fast has been given, the zakat has been given That means his There have been changes, but this is complete If the thing is not always present, then it It should also be in the guidance of the prophets There should be a statement in the Majeed regarding this too When Majeed came to invite Bani Ismail If given then all the values ​​will be presented not in front of them Your thing cannot be something which cannot be defined by the Quran I did not state that in any case the Quran I will be made on the basis of Majeed and Anyone who wants to talk about it I will use it more to get it done I am requesting that there is a lot of effort in getting it done this thing was stated like this this head together We have faith, but this is such a thing Those who can be so difficult to understand That is why faith is never included in the angel of remembrance neither can they do it nor should they do it He is what is described in the Book of Allah and in the Book of Allah if people If you do not understand then you should express your This was stated in a meeting with Jibril and similar statement has been made When the day came for you to learn, the Prophet Whatever I have eaten since day, it is like this If there is no mention of the fallen thing then the rest What status does Hazrat have that he can to things as faith or as captivity Ask people to express your opinion in an informed manner Describe it, whoever feels at peace is a scum From here you mentioned JBL When alamate is used in the hadith with the poetic greeting about doomsday So the signs that you described are that these Arabs This building is made of bare feet and bare bodied shepherds cut off everything from one another in the making of Then they will go There is no statement in the mosque, people are still asking questions if an alarm is not in Then why this insistence about the other one? That should also be included in the Quran, see this But we will talk separately, why come should come and why shouldn’t What opinion is being expressed is actually what is the newspaper of the head That is, there is some ittalaat that has been given to you So that when it comes out it is easy for people to The benefits of faith are in the blessing of the beloved By daawat you should understand that Allah’s The Prophet has told and in this way every era The effect of the picture of the beloved beloved in the messenger This is their intention to keep coming in front of people It happens, but it is in terms of its reality What is it, meet my head and get the newspaper in the newspaper I requested that in the Quran Statements have been made in Mali’s newspaper Quran It has been stated in the Qur’an-e-Majeed that fulanbad should not be its It has to do with its importance when you say this that there is a belief when they say that this is faith Then there would obviously be statements which both alarm It has been narrated in the Hadith People can talk about him You have been narrating your interpretation Why was it necessary for Majeed to give a statement do There are many old newspapers, if you get them done He meets in the mosque to get it done, it is not famous what is the Quran for i.e. Quran is He has come so that he may be a revelation to the people Nazir beware of the auction and the end and state the day’s māvṛd and principles So that God’s guidance can be presented to the people Majeed got this done absolutely without any reason Some crucifixion words were said and the rest were for the Prophet If it has been left then here also if there is any recovery If we talk to him then I will forgive his mischief nasarham will do it the real question is not that Whether to believe it or not, it has nothing to do with it from the debate of that which means that which has both the signs I agree, I tell it again and again rather it is their shark it is told that we fry He also had this conversation with the Arabs about their charvaye but I never even imagined it It can be said that both are signs of sanctity has become a part and if this sign If the plane was a part of memory then the message Statement in response to the first question to the General Assembly should do So the last question is when will the doomsday come i.e. My belief in the doomsday has been declared, what do I say above, when Risalat Mehboob Sanam will answer this question I have said that I neither know nor ask After that one knows that something tell me the alarm, tell me the alarm If this is proved by the tradition, Aslam will be suffixed to you in the prophethood There is no milk of any kind in relation to them If it happens then I will make a statement and if its an issue If we understand it then we will explain it to people But this is all an illusion The story of Ashab-e-Kaaf is known The story of Zulqarnain is knowledge which is taken from the Quran We get it when we learn from the Qur’an If it happens then there is no belief of knowledge status is given to him but the understanding is not there Making the issue understandable and correct of the verses Knowing what one’s destination is is all knowledge Because of this why do I remember my faith in everything you say I have to tell and Arif Statement forms have been given there and further action has been taken to get it done There were statements everywhere in It is said that when we say that if You are calling it a part of your faith So tell me Rasulallah There is a debate in which the complete truth is present if so then kaitraz would be used in response to this Please tell me who is that reader of Quran-e-Majeed This is the verse which is making you naffi Until there is no argument, every The thing that’s sold in Royton is made of honesty How can I make my faith a part of my faith? yes, only then will you make me a part of the main That faith should be a thing of remembrance That means faith is never a part of remembrance I have requested that everything that How will you imaaniyat it in Quran make it and there is another thing it’s a thing to be told I put the memory aside It will be the entire poem of the day i.e. when the contents of the day are stated So there is lakhs of faith in it, O Rahman and the whole Shariat or is it a book or is it the content of the day which people I have to tell the one whose feast I want to convince You have to give it in which you have to take action against the mistakes also After this there is knowledge which we can get through Majeed It can be achieved through hadiths also it will be looked at from its own perspective, i.e. If any matter of knowledge is to be stated in Majeed It is dated You hold the evidence quantifiable They tell people when they are converted to Islam Have faith in man and sea there are talks about and it has to be done because if statements are made then so Why would we give our people rights in what happened? State your opinion Because of this You should understand the difference between difference and knowledge Alright, let’s move on with this debate You heard this from many tehsils that the thing is called aqeedah and that which is said It is believed that any Muslim should believe in this The condition is to get it done in the mosque itself How, where has this been stated and such It is a matter of knowledge, it is done with faith it doesn’t matter let’s move on that this is the tradition of mehndi, the news about it it is not like this in any one hadith or any two It has been brought to some four edition from Hadi, rather There has been a copy in this I am in front of you I will keep the newspaper then we will know what If anything else happens, then news comes out from this In front of me they say that the hadith of Jar Med The limits have been reached on Twitter and Shruti Then he made it fun and said that here The intention behind Twitter is that humans should stay healthy Like Shah Dulhak sir this heart also writes that there are many traditions of this father who Sukni’s face is very close to the bat They ring in front of me and they also say that The entire mehndi ritual is done till the end of the pan If it reaches there then please tell me that this which is tawaatur how accidents happen We also get more news in this in Wahid what is the difference and if something is different from tabaatur If it is a statement then how would its importance increase firstly i would like to say that this which is usually spoken of akayd in which But I did it before It is when a group exists with its special common man I have come so what things has she learned now? I have declared it to be my decency to believe, that is to say, The verses of Islam are those which are stated Now when some people in the mosque asked for a is there a special point, did you adopt the view or a If he established Madrasa then why did he worry Believing in things to be Ahle Sunnat It was declared necessary that these people should be such as that of the Imamate It is a belief but Ahle Sunnat do not believe in it No, but among the people of tashriyon he is the one having a basic or visible status so are the gangs that came into existence later He narrates these in the capacity of his aqayat if you do it then it doesn’t matter But when you rise above these gangs The day of Allah is celebrated as the day of God The Prophet will present the statement [music] Do you know where you are not present? The old Majeed has stated with ease that for the people of faith, their father Ibrahim He used the word Muslim for Shamma Man Muslimeen for me and you what the day is like To establish it is a Shabakht, is he a Muslim? When I will be asked about my religion I will tell Islam to me when I am having fun If alcohol is asked, then what is he, a Muslim? Then these people are numb, what is the answer? You should know that our Were born born One thing she used to do was that she ready to give the Sunnah the status it deserves no the han which are used in nazms If you do it, he says there is no need for it that is, whoever the people are, they are in their own way If you lead a religious life then nazms Use It is said in the prophethood that you speak of salaam The same interpretation has been used in Hadith 100 as well Today the Sultan of Al Jamal is a Muslim For this, there is a political poem in Arabic language. If the interpretation is of Jama then people listen to the Baal Jama what does it mean He also believes in Sunnah and uses Nazms There is no need to do both the works Introduce yourself as a Muslim Present the day to the whole nation of Islam and Always state what you believe Where is his basic idea in the book of Allah and it’s the foundation of everything you do Where is it in the Sunnah of the Prophet of Allah ok understand this first thing now after that Tawa makes matches happen at a distance but the thing is There is a bat and the one who has the knowledge If it was destroyed in use then it would have been called old. which has been copied It is done as Imam Shafi has said in Tabeer The way we appreciated it after our mirror interpretation kept doing it, that is all the Muslim people, all Since the time of Ikram he has been reminded of the day This Twitter user is putting death ahead of status It is a totally different thing, don’t see Ravi in ​​it Let’s go and see who will tell the story This is the belief of the whole Muslim There is a statement of Aqeedah which goes on When will it be said about building a mosque If it has been possible then this is what will be said that bhaijama and tawa have been damaged due to this by the way when you talk about the Sunnah There also they say the same thing that Bhaijaan and The name of tavajon is kevi i.e. all the Muslims revealed the book of Allah to Majeed Received Risalat Mehfil from Nursery in the capacity of and Start helping your future generations Diya, if this is a matter of Sunnah then this There should not be any misunderstanding from the nafs of tawaatur that The fierce debate going on here has no bearing not related to istemalon Din Aslam has become possible through this Qabaat i.e. a tradition of an entire era to something to transfer it further is a crime There is no debate, I did not see Ravi in ​​this That means more than a lakh Sahab Ikram left took the day and why did he close the next rasro He started doing it and turned lakhs into millions And millions turned into crores and today one and a half billion Their number is more than the national This is the most important time for churning praise More Mustang sources means that of the date which Sentences are denied in this way or are they true What kind of mantras are they that remove every doubt You get tied up in the morning, keep it aside You can take it after that which we have in the newspaper The word tabadtur was used in jail His name goes that many things It is like I have told you many times that Even in the times of messenger of love, and Even after you, people keep narrating what they heard One man started it, two men started it, three Now when many people have said no, stated the matter That means you saw that 10-20 people were making statements There are 50-60 people making statements free space But there is news for this also according to I have started remembering istala i.e. this is now one rabi is dorabi 10 rabi is 20 rabi If the number is large enough then it is generally said I think this thing is helping with bats and more He is the author of this reform according to the Hadith If you look at the books of poetry, that is If there are books of principles of Hadith then in them There is a debate that if it becomes 60 then he would be eager if it becomes 40 then he would be eager if it becomes 26 if it happens it will happen then it If you assume this is the case then here but it doesn’t happen that when do I get along with men I have found one thing because I found it in the middle because I have got it after speaking to 40 people, no newspapers are being forced to So that’s why I saw each and every news. If his Radhika There will also be a view of that thing here as well It will also be tested here, basic from here Your lies about 50 men will be maintained Please tell us with pride here How many books are there in the name of Mauja? Present She is served for 40-50 people if statements are made in relation it is istala i.e. it means apostle Allah Start describing some action that you have seen Diya this rate is recorded in a realistic way and this This also has its importance in the record of praise that if it is known that 40 people have stated this but before counting to 40 We’ll see who is 40. That means people are helpless it is kiram What is their number? This is a matter of discussion. The first spice is one, which is that which we get from this have already started many times that Three things are observed in the Hadith game what is the character of the doer, what is his nature which you can prove in court with proof I tell you from Visakhapatnam then I saw this The secret of praise is That is, this thing is worth paying attention to, if someone else He said that I have heard it from Phalan so their They also have a time of meeting, if it is like this No, that Hazrat has left this world They were born later in that city It was never possible for them to meet If it does not happen then the year is seen and then its After hifzohit the ear is seen this thing The story is still funny even after watching it Now just because it is a salad it doesn’t mean that She has now reached the level of competence The next step is to see whether There is no fault to be found in this is found to start means that someone In comparison to the tradition of excessive education, she has stood up and more people have come Let’s take the biggest lesson, what is that So the old Majeed I am not against the Quran It is not against the Sunnah because In the Qur’an and Sunnah and Prophethood you all have From ima and tawato given to everyone If you are waiting till the end then watch this This is how the Muslim of Il Miracle will go If you are not against it then you will like to see all these things Later you can learn some tradition with the ability I give you the capability, that means you are not there Whose authority is now established over the world? According to my understanding this is Imam Bukhari is popular and can go to Kabul did not coincide with Imam Muslim ready to do Kabul Otherwise, there is a divorce of the world in this Therefore its argument would rest on that person only which is to him It is possible Is that as far as I know this man is absolutely Adil has recovered from hernia The second one is stating that your This is not true in my experience, this is false does he talk or its hafiz If I have come and made this statement in this era then all these things are if this date is in the record then when A treasure trove of traditions passing through these feelings Now this comes before us as an example of mushroom So the rate became 10, it became 20, it became 50 She became a Turk in many ways came now you say to him that this is If it is reaching the level of rapid then this That’s not Twitter, that’s something else entirely and it comes to the newspaper jail like this OK good answer this is what we call tawato On the occasion of Majeed’s statement Quran-e-Majeed which is mutavaad breed breed The fruit of the lake Anil is also the same as that of the Sunnah If this is the case then Twitter is fake knowledge The medium through which this information I am getting transferred further, my question to you is this that is when we use tabadtur there and here the talks are going on throughout the day It is not like this, if there is advice of knowledge then knowledge that this divorce is a secret in the world for the transformation of knowledge that he What is the reason for him becoming Tibetan after Hadith in which our mohaddhin used then Do you think it is correct and in your view The rule of tawato should be imposed on the hadith as well You should not apply it at all anyway it is wrong and It is not entered in the newspapers that there is no scope for denial here So before counting the people who are going Who needs to see them and where can they talk to? I have also heard that they are doing good for everyone Or did you not hear it or understand it or not All those things will be debated here and muhaddishin They do the same thing, that is, this is how they are People do this but when these mohadd scenes are seen When you write on things, you do it like this Now this whole series of objections to Mehndi This continues with reference to we have done in a similar way As a matter of fact, I have asked you something in today’s dishes There are too many questions about that Royton In which revayaten Yamuna is presented It is said that around two and a half hundred came In this This patient very mischievously said that Mehndi Ali Salam’s definitely before the doomsday will be those revayaten which are those If any tradition becomes evident from this and Then we will also tell you about the real Royton Inshallah we will talk in great detail [music] Rahim Assalam But it’s this second feature that we would like to In this case definitely mehndi is from Gandhi saheb who belongs to the one who is from their point of view When objections are raised then dampness becomes their jayjane I am happy meaning Thank you very much for your time First of all I want to make a disclosure to you Put it in front of the listeners Copy of various articles inside the house If you have done it then I would like a few minutes Tell people Dan’s point of view what is it and then we would like that those traditions but he should come and ask Gandhi saheb that he how do you see it is written that many The narration is attributed to Rasool Salam and to the words Jim, this much is meant for Ali, it is said Until that mujaddhid appears By that time the world will end, right? When doomsday comes, he will be among my family It will happen through my itart, it will happen through my ummat Fatima’s child will bear my name The name will be his father’s name, my father’s name He would be a cook, but Hawk means that in appearance it will be different like The table call is told on his forehead n She would have no hair or any other hair and would be tall This world is filled with oppression, tyranny and evil mamu hogi Whoever doubts Allah will make it true Justice and Rowdy in the world People would have punished him by extending his time will remain there as long as he is on the side of Allah i.e. truth Sir, please do not make a Muslim his methods are like this You will be blessed with happiness which no one has experienced before Your best land on land you have never seen or heard of will yield its finest fruits and from the sky There will be a shower of mercy, there will be a lot of money I will be in such a state that I will be trampled under your feet And they became innumerable, one man will stand up and say Give me the wealth of mehndi and that He would say, of course take me and she would be so suppressed by him He will fill you with wealth as if that person takes you away If possible, then this is a revelation which is definitely a must for Mehndi There is rise in the Ummah with reference to and where It is said that in different narrations it picture It happened that this medicine is used You had told from the big tehsil that bat and Who is it called and on what basis Why can’t lakhs be made today’s first My question to you is this These revayaten are present in such large numbers it is said that if all the deposits are revayaten Their certificate should be done and the city should be kept aside it is close to 500 so when you say that These are the news, these are the limits, these are the same news This thing is coming from them, mutawater is present in them If orders cannot be placed then it is so big These reports come to us in large numbers. and yet we say mutawater the news of I have mentioned earlier that one thing There are many who are there in any community to praise someone in a gang or a community honey does it further Then it is said that in such large numbers saheb ikram brought one thing forward To give an example of this, its example is Sunnah Their number is also more than lakhs this thing is written in every book It is available from the earliest times to the present times You can keep listening to this with the pan away There is also an agreement of knowledge on what we are it’s a totally different thing what’s the other thing The second thing is that it is important to convey something People narrated after hearing it from their beloved started and the number of people increased 10 people gave their statements, 15 gave their statements 20 people gave a statement, that means this debate A question arose whether we can send news here too now But you can give the order of tabaatur to the news can’t vote for this he is not tavakur This is what we call tavajpure from that time The newspaper pan is far away, which means we have some divorce I got it but I got it from more people Upon examination it appears that here use of the word taatur I am doing one thing and when we the land of infidels is seen in the mukhtafe areas I see in the Mukhtite era if so we cannot dare to say that this They can gather on lies or make some conspiracy now when this thing is assessment palace then The Goyat Batterer is born and then his What is the natural outcome, it is natural The result is that in every round he The ijma of knowledge is copied from this I have already submitted my request to you Completely free from the need to get it done in the same way when we are entered in the Jafare of Hadith and the Hadith The knowledge of a Muslim before he is wounded If we take stock of the tradition, there also the first The circle looks empty from this Narration further i.e. in the collection of hadith should be refreshed And vote for him further on your own responsibility When you gave the message of Salam in the prophethood, if they make a statement or give it to them then their The method of giving is absolutely free what was the biggest thing of the day kurare majeed The Sahib read it out in the Risalat The writers ex-written her The one who remembers him remembered him as a Muslim that Quran reached every home and then National Promises Racializing Is Getting Harder People should keep fasts, people should get Umrah and Hajj This thing was going on even before as a result of the picture all are in muslim It will be released every year when the month of Ram comes So we keep fasts every year during Hajj When the opportunity comes then the convoy of Ravan for the harem People become Muslims even on normal days You are probably going to do this thing and it is obvious that these The question does not arise, then you have to do this kind of This is achieved by things of knowledge While speaking about the outline of tabadtur, do look at this should take it what is its navyat then Akhbari matwatara this istila by muhaddisin we have risen here and it only means this there were too many people there were too many people A large number is making a statement and a large number If you are narrating then please give evidence of Hadith take out the books and you will know that there is someone who should be with me, someone would say it should be 40, someone says it should be 20 Needed Understand its meaning today; it certainly means this It is not possible that only one person is narrating This means that the munffirat people follow the tradition that is it is not the case that the entire section is One thing is coming from Saheb Ikram’s Puri One thing is coming from the Jamaat that it is not like this Rather people are saying one two three four Rated 9, could be more There can be less when there is only one person everywhere If it stays then you become poor Our advice is knowledgeable for all the hadiths is used as a term and means It happens that the news is of breaking level It could not reach it, it needs a road I want to see and take stock of it, Sonakshi is here That is the thing which when you say salaam in prophethood When the narration started, then it became Medina and they started the work of the tank all this The cucumber that you see at this moment is It is in Bukhari and it is in Muslim This tank is in the books because of its implementation Rules were made to make ends meet Chant was made, we will discuss it in detail have done it i.e. what was seen how How were they tested in this We observed that whenever an affected person mahtyasin gives the right verdict in his ijtalah So there are three things for him in terms of Sharad is the basic We have also talked about TFSI in this That is, what is that thing that ends the character Let’s see if she finds the man to be a liar or not He doesn’t have a story, what is his character He is in love with Allah from the bottom of the heart Even the ruler’s feet trust him In view of this, they have done this in this way This is the form of Rakhi which is made by hands the coin is like this Ravi is telling that I have slept like a full moon It will happen, I will stand up today and say what is done I heard it from the fruit man and he married again If he is a man then someone should try to make him a Babar If he is not ready for this then this year Sanat’s is seen and the third thing is the ear After this, the judge is like a parallel buffalo if she is affected by all these stages then Then he tells his Han as per his advice He justified the pain in his book We do Al Jameel of the book of Imam Bukhari Why was it named correctly? There is the correct word in it, the correct Urdu word I am not being used but in this my friend But the Rao who came down to Puri in which he I have also recited some more Sharahit verses you have collected it in your book so that is why Al Jameel is said to be the book of the Muslim That is why it is called Jaanu correctly i.e. The author has made arrangements for this in it You can disagree with the hiltajam of But he has arranged that these Or the selection of murwayat according to the night Now when something is based on tradition But if the statement is made then first of all this should be seen It will be known who narrated this tradition where did it come from how much is it you just stated He said it is close to 500 After listening to him, I forwarded the matter to you. made a statement You further told this to 10 people 10 people put forward their lighters in the air If you start making statements then now this number will increase The dates will be fixed i.e. the chain will keep on building It will go away, whatever is taken is the same thing The sentence was the same, that is, I heard it I told him my statement after giving it now maybe i am getting it I will say it somewhere in front of 25 people I made the statement in front of 15 people two of them made statements and four of them Lightly in front of his shagirdon him It will generally grow on this foundation You may have heard it is said that the Imam Bukhari passed away due to Addison’s millions This is what lakhs of people want i.e. incident There aren’t lakhs, Aslam the tradition is of lakhs it is not in numbers but in this manner turns into millions First of all it should be that what is this statement Leaving aside the fun, when we do all these kinds of things the things that appear like an amber in front of us If we count the place which is lying there then Turk In terms of that means take each date separately If you take it, it is close to 500 but how many are these Sahab is from 23 years old now Mehndi’s total Narrated 23 August In the Prophethood you were from Salam 23 Saheb as Rao D narrates i.e. I do not know, nor do I recite it how did we get it from 23 saheb describes a peace and a saint When you move up then the B’s from front The name comes last, the narrator tells his Keeping all this tassam sun intact you will In the end it takes you to the end I salute you with my tongue on your face It will come out but there will be no friend to hear it Every listener will who is later describing it to the one who I have heard that from people, he is very proud of his Sanat Where will it end in the name of someone ahead He will say that this matter started from there so on 23rd Now that Aabha is close to those 23 that there are nearly 500 narrations which are contrary They have turned into Turks, you should filter them When we start to wander, at first this is less I.e. the first thing we will do is that The muhaddisin who searched for Royton were trying to get to the gate in the light of their See anything might have happened, people said this He started doing it but Saheb Ikram asked him for some reason is it related to or are they propagating further So What did they do to each and every thing started to check If the matter is being narrated in a relation then you should also We will see your character as well We will also look into our in-laws’ house and look into everything. the execution of seeing this If we are talking about something today then it is new can not talk that we have to know about those people They do not know that those people are present in front of them that is, at most, which people are they when you are looking at then you are looking at these who I am telling this to sir, after that if anything If there are people then now these people are born They start checking every single person. It was decided about Saheb that he We will not follow tradition if we talk about any person I know that he is not compelled to do so If you know how to take names like this then asahaabe So Mohammad but after them those who make statements We will look at them from every angle We will do a post mortem of his personality We will do a post-mortem and then we will tell you From this, he has informed us They are recorded in the books of Rizal I am helping this for a common man Therefore whenever I am on any tradition If there is a conversation, it is not today I can do it, tell me Madhu, only I can’t do it We would have been presenting the same intention, that is In the first century AD, when this sequence of events It started with those shameless people who We have the information that is available in books Their record has been deposited in order I gave it had adopted the method of narrating from For this he made a special hand like this This Munkar was kept, this is the Hadith It is not acceptable to do this, it is beyond our reach That is not the way of the Ulema in our time Whatever information they could gather they At this time, someone has written it in the books He would have been giving you a new excuse in the same zakire whoever is doing that to Zakire One of the results of Raju The obvious thing that comes to the fore is that this thing Ability may or may not be present In this I am feeling relieved now, look at these four men Some people say that it is true and some people say that it is Is it true or not in my experience No, I have no objection to this If we get the information then there are many more of them It happens that the man has to decide seeing him he had to divide his decision into parts they get confused so heard this would be that a middle one says that near it The tradition is acceptable, another says I am not capable of Kabul, I take every single sun There is no other way to make this, see this is big There is a famous debate about Imam Bukhari The Muslim also has a sister and who Imam Muslim has given his sahih regarding this Some observations have also been made in the case that In the case of Imam Bukhari Koi Taal this There was insistence that we have promises to be fulfilled I should have met this thing once It is not enough to say that the world is one or There should also be martyrdom of meeting in a city if you want then it means that things should be arranged in a proper way In the test, divorce happens and their Divorce happens in this matter as well by keeping this in mind you arrive at the conclusion that no, the people who are doing it have no say We are not like this in this, then there are many good things That’s why it’s night time, it’s a little hotter faster That means you just said that this cable It is not Kabul, it is just that I isravayat does not take only this diya Is this Maakaran a Hadith or have you told me this? What is your objection with the tehsil what is the flaw in the character then this kind of They are very gentle like that, that’s why I Praise is the only way to judge a record is that I did a little bit of this in the stars We are talking to the common people of Diya and Jeera. These are very funny things, they are giving the best If it cannot be brought then in this way our about the muhaddisin’s opinions about those accumulation in the tank i.e. this Then the fan’s Mehreen is doing everything which are very big scenes in this ummat He collected a lot of them all put it in front of you and then see if Medina Well a man Well that means they will definitely go through Lux Will we accept this story you told us? This is the revealing statement made by Mehndi, isn’t it? In this case it is clear that it is disclosed on the basis of which the proceedings were filed there should be promises in it such things of things that have no potential for being worthy So their mehndi will come, this or that This will be a matter, it will depend on you By this I mean this is a responsibility, so this is according to the tradition There must be a tradition which must be followed in matters of Mehndi I can be introduced into these Rao’s I have already applied, repeat it again I give you that Imam Malik narrated this in one narration I didn’t even like to take the That is, while sitting in Medina he Mother used to do corn there which hundreds People proceeded further It is not that the Hadith narration started from this It is a proper book As a fan, I found it all in order and People started learning about it by visiting the judge did you take very little after that you puri puri The old book is empty and that too is empty This news is conveyed to him by Imam Malik If it does not reach then this is also a spice [music] A big news is being given so I have requested I am telling you about abhadrasin I am sure that when this thing came in front of them then What attitude did he adopt? This is a matter of the first or second century and after that This is your Imam Bukhari coming in the third or fourth Imam Muslim arranges these two books Now three-four saris have passed by During the entire period this fan was in his lotus position has reached the tank of everything Suppose there is something which a man has knowledge of not me, she too has come a long way are present, their conditions have been tightened and These two books reduce the big house, Babul to just Famines give a solution A true Muslim knows this If this is mentioned then these two books I will mention this many times before The Ummah of Hadith has come to be known, that is, books yes, you can only get three and the second Bukhari or the third with the animal Examination of Muslim that mehndi will come and its name will be this and this it will happen and it will happen there is no mention of it That means, did it actually become empty like this? When these events began to be sifted through if yes then I did not get it completely In his book he has described it like this: Rao the Mod Sanatan’s I am a friend but I am not complete Now this thing has happened After this the hadith of second, third and fourth grade The status of the books is also evident that arranged according to troubles The book tells the story from his heart In that it is more correct narration, if there is any So how big are the numbers from Kabul? Keeping this in front of him, he now goes to the house of books first entry then it was not said so first The grade book is completely empty That means mother, Bukhari and Muslim are also included in these Whatever has been stated, I will further I will do affairs to know what is it that which has been attributed to totally different so in these books the way people understand or as if they exist And Muslims, in these three books you can see this There are pharma I did Mehndi with the words Mehndi Alaihissalam Mehndi will come before the doomsday Their dominance will be established on the train of wealth They will review the patient from the Muslim side Mention this story, this name of Mehdi Ali Salam There is no mention of this in these three books I am telling you how to get close to 500 The Turks who would have reached us by air from the 23rd When we put all the records in front of us, The whole thing is present in front of them too Your book [music] Understand it as second, third and fourth grade Whatever has been written in the books has now been brought to the fore keep it and then look at it on the same principle i.e. what The principle is that the I have loved filtering and breaking down traditions Is Hasan in a better or a lesser rank? There is a tradition that after that what is the level of I descend to Raod Puri He is a Turk, I told you. that is, what comes out completely when you If we do istikha then we come to know that Most of them contain or have such zifs Why aren’t you even mentioning them? People also talked about the clock as a result of This is a story that someone made up and narrated Ismat has been given in the name of marriage madshin has given us complete books The arrangement which has been given by collecting the maujuaat and stating it It is a different matter that people have to inspire people by narrating books Let’s start joking around lightly it happens that this book exists like maujooaate is ever like lavil maslunga So you have collected all these complete books After doing it, it becomes apparent that it is a huge The share is that of the rich or the poor What does it mean, that which is right? We have stated any one of the conditions All three conditions were not met When it is not found then it goes into a tailspin Has gone Now there is no talk during the day on its foundation not be said Nothing was said regarding Shakti she can go because when she is fulfilled on this path If you don’t get down then you too will not accept the scene and when a man accepts any tradition we will not do it, Kabul we will not do it, see they If they accept it then we can debate on it if they don’t do it then it is obvious that they Agents are giving advice to not do Kabul, right? what are those brokers they are the same What has remained in my character after so many years? what has happened in me, some insult so it is not inside after this these second, third, fourth grade The revelations which have been described in the books Which you can classify as Sahi or Hasan Are I don’t want you to decide that There are so many differences on the basis that some There is a statement in them too which has been presented Whoever comes across this jail has gone Without any tank you are the first one of them He will choose keeping Sharad in mind, that means he There are so many problems that to some extent till then either it comes within the range of correct or A comes under the purview of Hasan them as correct but let’s just If we come down and accept them, then we will know It happens that this is a total of seven sentences. Seven sentences means the total number of sentences is seven The sentence which comes from the implementation of the election and thereafter those who are in the hands of Satva we will help them again first of all you will go upstairs sentence is one the second sentence is the third sentence or I The statement of Saheb Aai makes it clear that the sentence what does it mean the fact is that today one thing This statement was made, but only 10 people heard it have talked One thing, then a statement on another occasion the sentence became the same thing When the statements were made from one side, the other one ran away So these are total seven sentences which are its results in front of us the result of the tank These are rare in our times today So it’s continuing in the same way right now he is not saying his point i.e. who is mahtyasim Shoaib is reducing the amount of money And loot sahab is doing a similar thing Our Abdullah Azmi is a very extraordinary person Side has done what jia usually said The net is still called Abdullah Azmi, his status is known to him, his book is like this Akshay has become what was his motive in that He stayed in Madinah all his life The same workers kept on doing Tabrez and the same workers kept on doing Dainik Nabi kept giving and sitting there he said anjamul she used to do kamil that is, what was their motive that whatever is right And Hasan is the one whom Imam Bukhari narrated. Those who were taken by Imam Muslim who was taken into the care of mother Imam Malik and That too which is a second, third or fourth grade movie The thunder that struck Royton is as big as the stock that contains it thing also on this middle sadhna kankeet mayor Puri descends and gives him the right to Islam Or all those stories can be called Hasan He has deposited it somewhere in this book I have Zahoor Mehndi’s father in it at night Is If you keep the whole father in front of you, then he Seventh memory ok those seven sentences and those 7 sentences He stated that in it, a same friend same sentence is describing it in other words at another place I am making a statement, as a result of which this Around 14, Rao becomes the Now that you have reached this place it is obvious that now you will reduce the number of mosques and you will see their Tanki will defend those incidents when We have explained it in the context of our Hadith Those seven Raos go in front, that means now What has been done here is based on something that existed before Wherever there was conflict in it, remove that one It’s the same thing, two people are saying the same thing Two things are being stated by the companion, so you go out and tell them exactly Let me tell you what is this, this is the total The stock in front of you is seven sentences sound of love When they deposit it and after depositing it they When you start reading it becomes clear that There is something else in them that is said But we will get to that later, first this If there is any objection to the whole matter, then it must be Please explain, that’s why I am telling you Tuffil that when a matter comes in front of the people Especially in front of common people, this is ₹ 500 If it comes to ₹200 then he should understand that what does that mean i.e. 500 no it can be 5000 so immediately goes on increasing yes people get to know that a person Sitting in a gathering, he delivered a speech about the first century I saw 500 people there, they heard 500 went ahead and started making a statement This makes millions of things But according to the method of mahadisin he Let’s see what the actual things were So did I request you to prostrate myself? When you collect all the 500 rupees then it will be fun The truck has 23 names of cars which When you go through the tank operation, you will Seven sentences completely fit the mayor of the tank They think the same thing even at this moment, which means they are mine lying nearby and the animal and perfect this Look who is this sharif amir horoscope from ustadul hadi jamia til islamia film madina film Munawara i.e. in Madina Munawwar Jamia Islamia is a university established he is a master at it and this is before Madrasa film Very personable and this [ _ ] is also very hot have done he does new things, this is not his man the method of madyasin We will do it before people start arguing But despite the confusion one man goes to one The way in which mahsushinkh is prepared In the same way al jameel kamil fil hadith sahih It is included in the title of this book The walkyad statements made in this sentence I am never sugar candy, my friend It appears that the rest of you is fine, however that in the words of those sentences there is something If they become alpha then do their tank We disclosed his immortality to me I put it before you now, you have told in detail that A blue is our belief and I have told you a little about his story Tell me your conversation till now Muktsar Reveal it to those who are listening Then we will take the buffalo forward, you will see this It is said that when the imagination of Mehndi appears came forward and people claimed that this Rasool Sassar had said something to the patient To suit the things intended with Rasgulla When you went, the other gentlemen also went to the scene If yes then the name of the mother is Zahoor Medi There is no story in Bukhari nor in Muslim and then what is said is on twitter It is said that their tanks number in hundreds maudensin did it herself, if you didn’t do it then It also becomes the time when bechtar The narration is present in and those seven sentences they are reducing the tank but they are doing all this what has happened means I have put it at your service I requested that this animal that no scholar has arranged this The gang of muhaddisin has always been the same and sitting in Madinah they This has reduced our old Those are the names, all of them are accepting this work These are the results of the tanking they did What has the same Satva’s hands taken out The same two gentlemen of Satva are in excess in this, but It did not make any difference i.e. walkyaat I will put those sentences before you. Then see what he learns from those sentences. The story proves to be one that rises in the hearts of people or do you know anything else Do the four saheb have any objection to his sanat? Look there is no objection left against Shalabh If that is not there then there is no objection left at all If it were so then why would Muslims not take Bukhari’s advice? If you don’t take it, that means you give less importance to your mayor I keep doing it and I forget you For example, there is a person about give tank about a rabi but you Give them good aspects so that they can get Kabul done if you have done it then so I will try to understand it by keeping it in front of me In the light of the Quran, we will see what is yet to come The gossip that is going on is that From today onwards, a fan of salad means a fan of tradition. by which the historical records are checked what are her results so far Natale ilm has taken out some of these for me I won’t reveal them to you I am saying that it contains this sentence which Statements have been made, you will see those statements What am I to them like they say in the statement I will take it but then you tell me that I knew the story that we had The one who was being made a believer was among these It is called found That is, till now it was just that here and there Instead of listening to stories here and there It would be better if you see Daastan first instead of Sarai what do we have, what is death There is no mention in the Quran of this Why this view or this hadith There is no life in Mahate Qutub, second or third Mention started appearing in fourth grade books It is mentioned what happened when you If you implement the tank then there are countless things the fun and the obvious agreement to leave just like that whatever is left is saved as a result of the tank he did this but now we this It is said that if there is any spice left on it If it is not there then let’s see what it is You people are from Kabul and tell me that they have somewhere It is Kabul, that is, I have not yet I did not give my opinion, I presented my knowledge before you I am fully praising what is in this film There was masala, where did the whole thing start? What is the opinion of the people of knowledge regarding this And by people of knowledge I mean Singh now I am not talking about the rest of the people I request you that if you tell the rest of the people If we talk about going from bottom to top then our Here Lamai Iqbal termed it as disappointment Baitullah is cancelling it just by giving it Sindhi sahab raised questions on this Allama’s wish was fulfilled by Maji Sahib wrote a book and told that this It is absolutely dishonesty, it is a worm from the heart Earlier Sharif had raised the issue in his case. Syed Rashid Raza sahab has done countless If you raise your hand then what is the matter in this This is my condition, this is the point of view, I am the request I am doing If you look at any one of these The common man was not made aware of the need to go to Kabul If you look at Syed Rashid Raja Saheb, he is great Mishra says this jokingly The author of Almanar is definitely in the limelight Mohammed Abdul’s disciple made this statement do that this is the rate at which the LB Hazrat was disappointed after doing a lot of juddojah If it happens then watch to show them hope That means all his work was for Kulsi then. From today onwards no one can give them any fun do not accept even this but the method of The people who have reviewed the above This choice has been made, this choice is near me The extent of this election is commendable what do you take it to mean What is the issue regarding this Quran? What will we talk about next in the light of Sunnah what will we talk about in the half light In Surat this has come before us, so on this When we start goo we’ll take one each na first of all we will go and see whom b how is it from, how has it become fake, what are the words So let us read these seven sentences now. is allowed Now, I am going to reveal it to you. The first tradition now is that of Shahid himself from raziyalal I read art in its words Rasool Allah or Urdu if you are making a statement then after making the statement In the future people will recite it, what is in it If there is any dispute, please keep that in front as well, Rao Now I am translating it for you Now he is a true Rabbit according to the will of Allah. I’m translating what I’ve read now he is living properly god gave him rabbit yes they say that Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam said He will be a ruler in the last days Keep the words in your words Khalifatul Aakhri In this world there will be a ruler who will punish the filth without whom it will be divided Where is Mehndi in the alphabet now? Fayaz has also become a good lawyer There have been some changes, there have been some changes as well, with age Even a shameful personality like Abdul Aziz It has happened, meaning just as it has happened in the Quran also that The one who told Imam Ahmad bin him from Surat Hal A group of good and bad rulers was brought out The whole of Qatar is present, there is pharma in it In the last days the ruler will be the one who is evil among whom it will be divided without Well it’s a date gone the other way I am Abu Shahid Raju Allahu it is a tariq This word has come in, which means the same thing The words are telling, then the days have passed See what happened even then Prophet Sallallahu Salam He said that after me, the last era will come It’s over After me, such a ruler is making a statement The one who will make people [ _ ] a lot will have the same thing won’t count The word is the same but it was the last one there In this world there is a possibility that after me there will be another in date One of the 19 rulers will be the one who He will make people squirt a lot of it will not be selfish Where to apply mehndi in this Where did people mention him at night? If there is a plan like this then I what is the need to deny it That is, if you say this in the messengership, sallallahu Salam has said it and it is towards you If that is right Ajay, such a soul is of Allah Thank God some heavenly personality has come Someone has to come, I have to have faith in someone The bad things keep on coming You will see Shah Jahan inside the Mughals As Uparna also came and as English A Muslim also came like Sher Shah Suri, so did we It’s been very old for a while now so let’s go A ruler came in his last days After Rasulullah this happened for the upliftment of You say about it that Malhar is full then this first narration, first sentence There are three ways to You will understand i.e. Abu Saeed is happy allah noorvaidh are having a date in The alpha is in the second tariq These are alphas, they have been manipulated In this Where is the cold, where is that imagination in it If it is true then such a ruler should be born and maybe I’ll go upstairs If I put 12-13 saris, then I will pass by I have also announced it above, I will only do it if I If I talk only this much then my eyes are on Foreign Umar She goes towards bin Abdul Aziz like this Such was his personality, so he went away Well, it could be another man, someone else Treat it but where is the henna in this Is Before you walk A pond of praises will ask where will be After that in 124 a Muslim government came into power settled in haspane After that Fatima was established The caliphate of the Ottomans was established, well then Meaning sultanate began to be established at this place This is a Mughal of a dream, where is all this will be so he says kunna in d jabir his Sahabi Javed bin Abdullah The one sitting near Razi Allah He said that time is near, that time It is almost certain that someone will go to the people of Iraq No religion, it is the name of a scale and a coin K means in the form of religion, fake etc. Dirhams are made of gold and silver and Dinars are made of gold The religion is made of silver and the coffee is made of coffee The people of Iraq have scales for measuring etc. Neither any coffee nor any religion will come, we asked this Where will it come from, what does it mean that the wealth which is Is it happening or will it come? It will stop Ahl-e-Iraq K honey we asked where can this happen from He said that he would stop him on Azam’s behalf will take That means the poem of a Muslim from Azam’s side If it is fixed, he will stop getting bad where will it come again We asked where this would come from What will be the outcome from Azam’s side? that the han of the Muslims or the centre of their sultanate This thing will stop happening now, see No one is living about the world A machine is running, then it’s silent for a while After staying he said who said Jabir bin Abdullah razeallah the messenger of allah Salam said the last days of my Ummah what was I there what would they say after me in the last days there will be a ruler who people will poop a lot [music] will do it, there will be a great spread among the people and he This kind of person will defecate a lot of people Alphas have also come to be counted in the Baj Triangle i.e. his faiyaazi’s statement is a Fayyaz will be the ruler, I will request before that I have said that there is no such thing in this not the kind of person people usually care about Do Are [music] Taken from the right Muslim Before any Zikar in Bukhari Muslim No mehndi is very good which are described to him in the net what is he saying a ruler giving news of the arrival of The muscles responsible for the birth of an opponent are the same making a statement and stating anything it is taken from muslim and It is 2914, that means this is the way of Muslims, you I have accepted it but there is no role of mehndi in it There is no mention of it from you, which means it has been cancelled What is the reason for doing this brother, why don’t we make one It is a great joy to be born here It is being told that many Fayaz will be born There will be dirt in it, Jin Jin will make it mehndi From where did it enter, there is nothing else We have also taken the custom of mutton from Muslims And those 2913 proved to be true bills i.e. those Abu There were three ways of narrating Khudri including have been taken and this Jabir Abdullah is happy allahu akbar After this now the best Javed bin Abdullah Rajeev Rasool Allah But he will be on a gang and he will be for it He will keep fighting with people till the doomsday, Ghalib will remain You said then Hazrat Is Ibn Maryam sister in the ajaano iqamat of any namaz If He descends, then He will be a group that is on the right path He will be a rich Christian in the gang from Mary I would request you to please come and meet us offer namaaz but they will not reply I will not pray because Allah has bestowed this Ummah this privilege that you In this bus-baaz the rich are the talkers He would like to come and pray, he will say this that you stay ahead and say this to someone People will perform the imamate, there is mention of Amir in this There is mention of Imam here, where is that Mehndi There is not even one word of Mehndi in words there is no speciality left on this side, that is An imagination is described of one of his companions Any name can be Muslim a gang of will be on It will be a good thing We are also studying, they have to study something Muslims will also have an Imam if they have gone So you are an Imam, you should also go ahead and do this I will say, Sir, please teach me the Namaz A prophet of Allah descended from the sky It is said that what will happen to their inheritance It is a matter but we have to talk about it later We are currently in the prison of objection I am placing this tradition before you that this in custom You will request them to do anything less He says in reply no bhaiya You make Nawaz yourself, this is a daily affair We go to some place, the Imam of the mosque Looking at me and looking at you they will say namaaz Read this, we say in reply that no you You are the imam of this mosque Well in that if Syedna Nasir Aslam this They will say that Allah has given you this I have given honor to your name, you are the one If I am among them then I will lead someone else’s leadership There is no need to accept it and whoever If it is in the name of time, he will offer prayers How did Imam Mehndi enter into this? What is the argument for mehndi in this? Tell me what is the mutton of this tradition? It has been taken from Muslim Ahmad and the amount is What is 15177 this is it means you can see it In this Syedna Masih described the origin of Islam There is a mention of these in this tradition, we should discuss them separately We have to do it but what is the use of faith and mehndi in this is watching that the caliph Similarly here the Ameer or Imam of a Muslim will be If any group is on the right track and it is against the Muslims If he is giving a feast for his rights inside, then we are also his Many Imams will be present, how many Muslims There are ways in which Ikwan rise when they come The Islamic world has risen, and all those who are closed down Attendance even in a mosque where Imam is present If Syedna Messiah brings Islam there, The Imam will be the same man plane mehndi kaise It happened, how did he put it inside patience That means if any of these people live then you will not get this place also. will get First myself and then Abdullah Jabir bin Abdullah rasulullah ambakhun It is stated that Rasulullah sallallahu Salam asked him what is your time This will be the situation when Maryam comes from the sky to this side Revealed amongst you as a Ruler will summer here Now that A good thing descended from the sky on that occasion Someone from among you will perform the Imamat It is also used for the Imam of the mosque and is also used for rulers we have a Muslim ruler here Especially in our Fiqh it is called Imam so you can translate it both ways Take it upon yourself to offer your namaz Any person from among you will perform the Imamat or he will be There will be someone inside you to kill time There’s someone inside you This vector of Rasulullah Salam was copied what glory will you have when this time Maryam is by your side and she descends between you and they will lead you Your Imam will be from within you. He will lead you here as well You carry the word of Imamat in both the gems Look at it, that is Syedna Masiha Islam If they become rulers then how can the Messiah be Islam Well, I will lead you in your prayer. I will do it Where did I describe it before I have already said that the Syedna who is in this It is the tradition of Nazul, it is our pleasure to have them We need to talk to someone but this At present Imam Mahdi is debating this tradition Please tell me if there is any mention of him in this in the same category After that food was eaten by Abdullah Ibn Mashhur Art Art Abdullah bin Masood pleased Allah know that this Also listen to the tradition, what does it mean Before this we have talked about Javed bin Abdullah I have seen the ritual, now he is agreeing, isn’t he? Abu Saeed himself had seen the narration by Allah Let’s see Abdullah It is said that Rasul Allah said The world will not end, even Allah Lock one of my family members I will bring the one whose name is similar to mine and whose My father’s name will be like my father’s name Even among my Ahl-e-Bat, the Ummah One of my namesakes will be Shaka Shaka Maran who fills the lands with justice like this It will give you pain as if it were heavier than the earlier cruelty will Rasulullah sallallahu salam said The world will not end in time and others Even among my Ahlul Bayt, my companion I saw that a person’s name would become the king of Arab What happened to you i.e. Abdullah bin Masood May Allah grant you peace, there is a companion who narrates there’s only one sentence for free How did this happen? The first thing that happened was that I picked up a man from my first bat will What does this mean any doubt will arise about him what was told in his name And the father’s name will be my father’s name His name will be Mohammed [music] A person with my name will be a good man There is nothing of Nazil anywhere, Nazil has no I was there, will I get up or will he come or Allah Taala will bring it here What was being said earlier is the same thing here also been talk like the first oppressor Due to cruelty the world and the world will come to an end you won’t be able to do this please bring it somewhere When Dahar Kahi Laat Kumud Shah means this is it before the world ends, one such The ruler will come now, see what happens We had raised the question that this is Sukhmaran’s Talking Now the special video will come in the video This Fatima will be seen in the video He will come among the Mughals, where will he come See, he stated this Abdullah bin Masood is the one who narrates the same sentence My namesake has been among my friends One man will be the tool of Arab’s murder So what did you reveal about Mohammed bin A man named Abdullah in Arabia He will be the ruler, he will be very generous and If the order was made then what happened in this? Mustafabad There is no government in Arabia that is still in power This is a very good recipe, I remember when If the decision is given there then what about the people What do we have to do emotionally in their case? What kind of ruler is he, he has a lot of emotions older than I will give it to you but let’s go very unusual a man named Mohammed bin Abdullah Tomb What is the name of Mohammed Mohammed Salman Some son became the Lokpran of Will this be the name in public as well or not? it will be so, these are not buses well there’s another thing ok i took this also you know that Before Saudi, Hashmi family lived here Upma was the queen, she was considered a gentleman among them From tomorrow someone has become someone else and tomorrow someone else will become but what has been said is Does it mean the messenger of the family of Mehfil Aslam People are present all over the world right now His rule is still there, it will be established someday At this time the Kashmir dynasty is ruling Arab I am born to create tomorrow or it may have happened before or after People will put a divorce cut on the same one there will be a surname The one who will be great Fayyaz will be great Adil Fayyaz Ruler Adil Ruler Syedna Umar Raji Allah knows the Adil, the Tayyar, the Umar bin Fayyaz The then he became Iman Mehndi So this is the concept of mehandiyat Where from I have submitted before you more than this more than what is known is that No good ruler can be born among the Muslims It will happen and that justice will prevail among the Muslims He will do it and it will be born in time When people fly in great oppression You must have read it more and more The results are out, let’s move on Another tradition of its own came into being, i.e. from this The gentleman whom we have seen earlier, now this No new companion was added Abu Saeed I got it done myself but the sentence is a little So, mention it separately on the cover The prophet is performing his duties on the right day Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam nakum For seven weeks the canal sat in Rajanam with this Ajal apna hellok christian revenge kam jummah mubarak Shahid himself narrates Are What increased before this was that my the name of mohammed bin abdullah from alebait Who knows now that one person will become the Quran It happened that his trouble would be cough and nose would be interested what is this condition that makes a home I quote haven’t you been born yet A new thing was known and here Muhammad bin His name will be Abdullah, be happy with him That is, what we know so far will come to arabia Biryani what standards do you live by He is not my best friend we will come to Arabia Or a ruler will be born Mohammed bin His name will be Abdullah, his forehead will be His nose will be held high, will he become me? who will fill the earth with justice As if the first oppression will be heavier than the flight we already knew that in Arabia What does Arabia want from the land? The land is exactly the same as the way we Zameen Sir Zameen’s words are their origin They speak for Pakistan in Arabic too If this happens then someone from the whole world There is no mention of the whole world In this entire world of imagination, there is no one who is a follower of Islam. Galba will be established, there is no argument with me There will be a brand in Arabia, that is Quran He will be known as Mohammed bin Abdullah In the messengership family, take it seriously what is the point of the whole thing Look at it, that is what you would be doing If this innocent man fills him with justice then Later on, the world will come to know about doomsday no what will happen to him during this phase of the year will be What would you be like for 5 years? make two years in it That is, what kind of a ruler is this for 7 years? The one whose name will go will have this forehead This must be a matter of his nose, one of these This thing is also extraordinary, seven year old alpha Rasool Allah has kept us so strong I will be in The Arabs’ heads will be in the ground will separate There will be a lot of trouble, there will be trouble which of these things will it be It is possible What is the connection between Mehndi and the picture here? But it has also been a 11130 These words of Nabi Salam have been copied in me family or he said that from among my family members There will be a person who will accompany me for 9 years till date and fill the land accordingly Will it only make a difference here, what really happened there 7 years became 9 years 2 years That means at least 2 terms which we have here today You will get this much hukmurani for 1 year In which there will be a lot of fire and a lot of justice here at Is There is no such use, it is very simple Fatima’s reign continues This was the medicine and leave the video alone Dabad says that we are the family of Rasullah You went in the messengership of Salam, mother she is madam’s child I have met you in many places in the world He said that this Saudi regime that has been established Earlier Sir Jameen was called Sharif in Arabia Was I will thank Allah for the great thing The thing is right for faces 7 years 9 years But what change does it make in the world? What statement will be made in the universe what changes in the sky and the earth sentence She will become someone who has lived what you just wrote Someone probably read out his story not me, after this the last one too Shahid has done it himself Our time is too much, this is our last What is the riwayat, what is stated in it is this on we cha okay in the next special I will question you in detail and about Mehndi Whatever remains of this situation is objectionable whatever happens depends on your understanding You have also said this inshallah Thank you very much for your time so far [music] Today, the Blue Moon is being celebrated The debate is fierce and the whole mehndi is present Is thanks a lot from us Whatever we have learnt till now what do we know from them It told will 7 years or maximum of 9 years 673 amount Now who is Pravah and she herself is ready to accept it Allah If you are a little gentle with the tank then this month When does it happen then it is the narration of Abu Saeed Khudri Rasool Allah Rasool Allah In whose time Allah sent down abundant blessings If the land does its best, it will go away His era will give justice to the people There will be many Moshis in me and the Ummah will get glory She will get seven or eight years of Maya it will be ok Khudri has already stated this topic earlier The only new thing in this is that The word Mehndi felt good for the first time I am wrong in this too will be His name will be Mohammed bin Abdullah And he is from the family of Rasulullah Salam yes so much Understand Mehndi i.e. the meaning of Mehndi Is These words were used in Rashidin’s case The messenger has become one with respect to father and salam It is narrated that in many sunnati v sunnatul fire rashidin That means you need do its leg also and in the same way which is mine After my After Rasgulla Salim, Syed Abu Bakra used these words about it is not made of ice in Arabic is used So you can also say Hadi Hiyat in Urdu Are If it is used in the case of Caliphate Even though it has been given there is no such thing now the whole thing He said that in the last days or after me These are the words of later on in the last days At the end of my nation there will be a ruler It must be Adil. There was a 9 year old ritual, now it is an 8 year old ritual He will rule for 9 years and his name will be in my name will be like that i.e. Mohammed will be the son of his father His name will be Abdullah, he is from my family will be When People will be happy when the oppression is strong Let’s finish it for this year right for eight years right for nine years She should apply mehndi, I request you I’ve already known that before in the messengership of aapsemm you have proved right in your statement We are not going to do it this way for the benefit of everyone If you use this word then it is mehndi a special picture for a special person It is not at all necessary to take any intention from this this is the name of these ravayaton, these are seven There is a tradition which you can read in the tavern It is protected to some extent by the tank If 10 people are saying that he is right then Somebody might be ponding over it as well All these things can be said about them too. but you can choose them Whatever you get to know from them, you decide Assume that he has some relation with her which is commonly used in Mehndi in our country. I hereby make an application Chuka this thing is within the Rawats themselves It has been said that the ruler will be in Arabia I have already said this and then finally The way the words of deposit are related to the world The same way they come about the last moment From the era of Rasool Allah in Edison whom should I do favours to This will give us strength to do something in our faith What is missing or added in a day? what happens is the thing that is being killed So I don’t have any problem with that man Take it, but assume that your Your prophethood is for till the doomsday when till the doomsday for every person is considered a prophet If you want to bring man upon you as a Rasool then It would have been evident because of your sincerity There were many things in our time too, which You said it has been completed like the Quran-e-Majeed There is testimony of Gala-e-Room in this and other such things These things are your thing, even if you talk about fishing Or should we keep mentioning the same patient again and again? Whatever we keep doing, Rasulullah sir This was done in response to Jibril Amin’s question Will a time come when I am before you These naked and barefoot Arabs are the ones who roam around Cowboy building changing into each other Will you be competing or Ankur, tell me now I will give the girl to my daughter Tabeer told Kiya that if it ends then This thing has happened in this era, we have I have seen this with my eyes, I salute you in this messenger a mark of his honesty in front of the people It is evident like this It will be a sign of welcome she is said to be sent from the sky As a result, Islam became dominant all over the world It will happen in Royton where did you find this If you have seen it, it means you should understand these promises completely. this is what it needs ok it’s nothing more than that Puri Rao D I have placed it before you now After this, if you allow, a moon would be filled Presenting this last narration in which The word mehndi has come, I have requested Given that it doesn’t make much difference gin can last I have claimed that it is mehndi Allama Iqbal about Maji Sodani I told you that life is till Mehndi brought the nation alive with his speech He has in fact created a great hatred in the minds of people a wave of minor revival Brought the country alive with Mehndi’s speech This is how we are in India Jaunpuri, perhaps you have seen that their Maharana Gulfam is mentioned in Smuggler When Azad took care of Bhaat at his place There are many people who have loved this whose name was also the same Mehndi gained more fame in the times of well this is his own inclination, he said if you did this also then I am requesting this to you I know that this is not a big deal, but Keep it aside for a while And then see what happens to the tradition itself. This is the situation, that is, it is true that badhyasana You should accept isravayat in this way I did this, can it make any significant difference Labs do not matter more than mehndi It doesn’t matter but where is the tradition in the hakim of mustadra That means the entire collection of Hadith has been sung to speak any of them Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim who left it all to their own decency Descending There is no debate yet on why he left. So he said, I am its Iraq I am doing it this way it means that I have collected here what is left so this is actually al mustadra kala saiyan Is When was he born? In 331 i.e. in the fourth century When did you leave this world in 405 i.e. The fifth century lacks 16 salutes of the world 400 years after departure from If you are born in 321 then understand that born in the fourth century and then after The whole fourth century passed in this They have done all their work in the fifth century He departed from this world in the presence of So this word has no connection with Mehndi imam malik Nor did Bukhari Muslim accept it Well people should answer this very calmly we give In which there are narrations but very few There can be many kisses and there can be less things can happen either way the question is who is this Syed you are giving this thing to him How can it be guessed i.e. the last In this world one finds a famous personality Allah will create such a beloved The personality will emerge through which this happens will go and that will be the whole story How did you read and tell me all this? Can be ignored if left unattended So why did you leave it, this would be the question right? There is a narration of the Hakeem of Mustard and in the Hadith This Mutton is cooked in a very simple way They are doing it, they have other ways too Now let me tell you something interesting. what is the situation, how are the words This Abdullah Azmi saheb is going, I have You searched that this is my point of view that there is no such person or that there is no madrasa It is not the situation but our way of seeing the scene he is one of his attackers and he Big non-trivial [ __ ] tour in spot I have done it in this see this I have heard the same narration from Javed bin Abdullah. Imam Muslim also copied the same tradition we have read this that I told the Prophet (peace be upon him) listen la tajalo type tum bin One of my Ummah will be on zero right and He will be the book for this to Allah this Ummah used about people e.g. Imam o Hanifa Imam Shafi as our Used for the Imam of the Mosque In the same way it is against the Muslim rulers. This tradition is also used for your health Li this is the narration Javed Abdullah Raji Another mohaddesh supports this narration of Allah make a statement and I copied it and it This is not one of the common books, now see this Here was the word Yakul Ameer (we are rich) What will a Muslim say to Christ there? Rich Abdullah The same words of the rich in front of him and the fun the word ka has been Why did Imam Muslim call him Kabul? didn’t It is clear that this word itself There is also a way to enter Royton. before I put him in front of me and put my 55 I request you to describe the city of Nuqta that this report which I read before you These are the seven Raos, these are from the four Sahab from these very Turks The choice made by Abdullah Aadmi Sahib I told you to look at it There is nothing new in them, just the same things The only thing that has happened is that this is the compulsion which you have These two have been placed in front of me and also from sir He has practised The number of Rawaaya has increased to 14 and it is with This is what everyone is forced to do, these are the things that has been placed in front of you, sister, there is no new the thing is not among those where I searched for you how did he come in they also came in I have also explained this tradition to you. I don’t like this I take me in these But I have no objection, that is, I understand that I am sure that if Rasoolullah is not ashamed of the Arab There will be a ruler who will be considered great by the ancient people Faiyaz will be the ruler in whose era In Who has achieved great prosperity in Arabia? If it goes then what is so special about it, it is a machine If there is anyone like Rasgulla Salim then his comparison is If it is correct then the right to deny will be fulfilled No one can read Quran in the light of the day There is no objection in the light of principles in the mouth But whatever is to be stated If his Tazia is being done then it will be done Now if you do its Tazia by turning it around i.e. After all what is the reason that this is the compulsion of the Khalifa There will be excrement, Adil will rob without Jin The Caliph will be the caliph, this is the word Imam Muslim takes and if Imam Bukhari takes it then there is this get like will he be from my family or will he have my name Will it be in my name or his father’s name? There will be something in Bukhari Muslim in the name does not meet any of the I did not take it, that is, as much as I offered I don’t mind, but they They did not even give them what they had taken The only thing is that there will be a Caliph after me After me there will be a great person who will be very brave I have said that there is no time limit in it nor is there a name in it Isn’t it true that So if you make those Roytons your foundation that this was actually the matter, more on that later in second, third and fourth grade books Gradually relief started to come and in the middle After escaping from the Sadhna tank, he roamed to some extent Till now it has become acceptable, I will take this matter I have done the maths so that there is no one to believe them doesn’t it mean that it becomes clear that it is not the real thing If I talk about it then my point of view is that the real The matter was as much as Imam Bukhari said and Imam Muslim has taken All the other things are in the era of talk I kept getting involved in these Roytons Those people took as much as they could Puri used to get down and her mistake was who was he Which Caliph was that after which this Shukran In the times of If you take a look at the date So it seems clear that at the age of On this basis, I It is written that the meaning of mehndi is tradition mohadyasana tank’s corpse is not complete However, they descend in those which are true revelations A Fayyazi Khalifa The arrival of a Fayaz ruler has been reported and its mixture in syednavar rabbul This is the story of Aziz the Atima Rasulullah Salam I have become every Bharatpuri in the same way He declared his loss to the city When Imam Muslim took it, he said all these took out the details So it is understandable that he is the Caliph Rashid is against Rashida’s reality In the last 1200 years, the personality about whom I can’t put my finger on it, it’s not that there is power about them if the patient Someone was diagnosed and that patient is not admitted in India If it is complete then there is no glory in it kabul should be done so if you bukhari And if we take the tradition of Muslims, then their The mixture is in front of us, our praise is already there We have become a part of it but Allah’s We are thankful that you gave Salam in the prophethood that passing is complete if tapsilaat If I go then it is obvious that he will make a mistake again If you don’t become one, then you don’t cry, so what is the situation? that his name would not be Mohammed, this name would it wasn’t theirs It is also true that he will be from among the Ahle Bayt If it is not correct then whatever is the rest of the population If you want to call them Mehndi then I have already told you that there is no henna better than that In the prophethood of this you Salim yourself have spoken Faiyaz has said in the translation that my Opened fire Rashid Rashiduddin will also be Mahdin Rashid and Mahavir will also be there in reality Khalifa e Rashid and Khalifa e Mehndi e ki Mani that there are words in Arabic language so I I take it this way, I will disclose it again Before Dunn continues his argument, he says that Whatever we have in store, that is the way and has done extraordinary reduction and in the whole world Islam has subdivided its work into The ravayaten month which was done when madam it is the same but the number is a bit more There is an increase of two of the saheb but There is no difference in the content, these are the things that It is said in them and I requested you that if we accept all those things as well If we take it then the idea of ​​Mehndi which people I should stay for any of them The picture is not about a ruler Looks like some phishing was done Imran Khan’s wife Ausaf will be on his forehead this must be kushada, this must be naguchi There is nothing but Adil will be the match I have already done many orders etc. If you accept that Rao then no one There is nothing wrong with them, but those who There is a sense of opportunity in it, I saw it I don’t know where these rates are found Let us see, if it is worthy of recognition from the record point of view So what about the rest of Madison? Bukhari and Muslim are forming an opinion There are two strong ones preparing before us so that we may be fully aware of this Why did he leave me and I started crying I have left it but it was not a compulsion It was not an issue that it should be left alone However, if you want to see about Khalifa So this is what comes she has made them and the compelling statements in them Hazrat Umar bin Abdul has made a mistake Aziz, keep the whole thing in front of you After this, if you have any questions then I I will answer them as well and then I would like to that today we should tell people that this which is absolutely dismissed good night what kind of a way is this if this it’s ok if this is the detail this is the situation of events too if this We have presented something, this is the right more than this If something cannot be explained then it what is the reason for being born tasawwraj Whoever comes next, they should be given Lok Kabul we do it, we even narrate them They also present it before the people in their Khutba What is the lesson of this, i.e. these are two different worlds why are babies born one month old najahan this whole thing will run in this manner There is a huge stock lying there, we searched the gate Its gate’s width is less than the entire Mohadd scene it has been done, there is some selection in it He is helpless, we have put him before the people In this article also, further choice was made go and if they are understood, then their There comes a place in front of us where this is it second where whatever comes in front of the people gives them another picture in which many From which many stories are told Those events are also described in which But the tank has been done which has been decided People will not be able to tolerate it here People could not accept this What is the reason that other Jains accept him? What is the reason that books are written on this? What is the reason that we never maulama describes it i want I will answer this question for you but Before this debate gets going, what has been said so far Whatever objections and questions have been raised about what has been said If it happens, tell me this, I will answer it I give you everything, thank you very much The last narration from the picture and its The complete picture that I have after reading these Roytons comes in front of you, you described it as a you talked should I object to the people who ask this question and You often recite bhajans in other matters too About the verse of Bazm in Kharat ki Roytan how can this kind of thing happen It is mentioned in the books, please tell me When we open the Bukhari of Imam Bukhari, he He himself writes that in this book, I In Only the correct narration is mentioned and many are correct It is narrated that out of the fear of tawalat I have If you have left me then the first thing Please answer whether you would like to buy this house believe that a tradition is correct but if it is not in Bukhari then we will give it to him I will take it that I just told you The rest of the books in front of you are Raav the Rakhi and it is said that this is on mohtasana tank Puri comes down, they can be accepted All this is in Bukhari so he is not a Muslim I wouldn’t be there if I didn’t believe it I would have explained it to you but this question inspite of that where is the question that when This fan and its tank reduce the power of the tank is being reduced and the tank is being reduce the tank capacity and filter the radish When are you helping your helpless self by slamming Imam Malik has no ordinary status among them That means she is from this fan’s mother His book would have been among the immortal books. There are other compelling reasons too but a proper book He alone achieved the status and fame of Everywhere people received him Once upon a time the government wanted This book is considered as a Muslim custom Bukhari and Muslim should be made mandatory You call him Sanyaan, he has a special If there is any tradition among them then If people have great trust then these questions is what I have picked up that why is this The tafsilat is not there in them, that means that tafsilat which is not even suitable for the tavern tank It is worthy, I have also presented it before you I have told you all that I am with you, I have presented it to you all It is not Bukhari Muslim’s, it has been presented Even if they are taken into consideration, then they will be so much It is known, but nevertheless, it The question remains whether they speaking tafsilat There is a tradition in me that I do begging from you Are If the verse mentioned above is in Bukhari But you can try another strategy on it again If someone is worth everything there, It’s tanked because I’ve already applied for it Before this, after talking to a big Tuffyl I have told you that this message is from mahfilm Things are being described in relation to these All these fans will always be tanked I am a fan of Tankid, my love, that’s why I was born that he should do this when this kiss is in front of him Rao the came here, someone in relation to you sir When the matter was stated then this type of record was made The principles of the gate were made and their tank was made People care when told Well, this is a hadith, they understand it at this time Rasulullah Salam is narrating the matter while sitting Hey brother, this is not how people regard you A person is talking to me from He has met me and gone out to say something that those who heard him further stated Those who heard it further stated this reduced the size of the gate These are a few gates whatever happens if the saint for doing it with hands her meat is present Even after Bukhari Muslim, people continued doing it Bukhari herself has been becoming a Muslim vessel In our present times, in this era the Sheikh Albany has done this work on all the Siya you see his pocket race is correct Is This is the work of one of the present times Shoaib and No, it’s not less of a festival, just see who’s on the number They have tanked on things, this will continue I will also keep tanking them If we want to talk on principles i.e. on Sanat then this It will be told what Ravi’s character is. We will see whether Sanat is passing away or not It is not happening i.e. what is the date If all this is seen then it will never be less I have to wait, it will happen like this also, that is, in some Somewhere inside the tradition, there is a hidden cat there is some problem somewhere due to objection Alphas have come, these are called mard scene it shows the date I have already done one kalobium of it I will work similarly on the basis of the Quran Tanks will be built on the basis of Sunnah also There will be a tank on the foundation of Muslims too They will do this at some separate time How have I tried to read the Hadith I am doing it in my time and even now I am requesting you that what the scene has done Rao D has given him the title of Zahoor Mehndi I ordered all of those rates from in terms of what they have done in front of you See what compels them and then Majeed has gone ahead and requested that the scene Have done Imam Malik did not take any action, Imam Bukhari and The Muslims accepted only this much that a caliph or a khukhran would be Adil There will be a problem and people will also have a problem with Sayaji will divide We are also told that in the Fan or Hadith that when a narration is brought in which Central government is helpless, if the real content is from whatever is in it should be in some big book and it is tajudurg but in other books it has been Whose mistake has been kicking near me since then If the matter has come in which contact then it is ours So whoever is a fan of Hadith, whatever he ends with Tajuddin Turk and he which is tapsilat if Imam Hari did not copy So what does it mean when it runs away into the books? it makes a difference but that tapsila if you The debate is siled if it changes the whole picture Even if that foundation is absolutely done, if you give then this question will arise then this what is this look you have said a goal given tafsilat The tapsilat is that this thing is in Bukhari As an example it is told that Rasool Salim I got a Khojara made for myself, it’s a good phrase Badal people told about our absconding place But this pus was made for the surgery in this way The collected ones were sacrificed by Rasulullah Salam Someone gave it to me, this is the description, but If even then the imagination of the hut starts to occur If it happens, then will this be the description? I have shared with you that if this much is said You can assume that after me there will be another who If Fayyaz and Adil will also be there then this No one could even do this with their hands It may be so and I have requested this that a personality like Syed or Umar Abdul Aziz as A has also been done but if you want to know the rest If you look at things then look at yourself like his name will be with my name my father’s name along with his father’s name This will be called the kick from the front I am raising this question why not Kabul Was I made a request that I would take it i.e. i don’t have any objection if one such Ruler Adil Ruler Fayyaz Ruler He is going to come to Arabia and will last for seven to eight years He will establish a government and his name will be Mohammed bin If Abdullah is there then is he trustworthy? The family of Rasullah Salim is present in this Time can be any one of them If I get power I will be the last man standing I have already told you that he is from a Saudi family. The first Sharif who is from Mecca is Hashmi. Even time is flying by, don’t let their generations see it If you are doing it then there is no use man Well, but I go further and tell you this I am asking what is this tapsilat The companion is the same and he is narrating the same It is not possible that Wasim is so much In front of Bukhari in front of Imam Muslim why not kabul People should pay attention to this, I have an objection There is no objection to the whole thing No, his name will be Mohammed bin Na His Risalat will be from the family of Mahasabha Full Name Mohammed bin Abdullah Mahdi Or will mehndi be their symbol or will people Mehndi is applied due to guidance or faith I’ll say it doesn’t matter this way what if some ruler comes to our place Come to my country or come to your country He should go to Arab and do his hard work There is no secret of ability in this and it Neither the matter will become any belief nor any man will be made A patient is the one who tries to create sensation in the message In relation to Rao, I came and people made a statement If the patient is cured then its It means that Huzoori had said that if not if it happens then what would it mean It is because people have attributed the tradition to you I have made a mistake in giving in the way these I am looking at the tradition and I said yes This pissing is complete every time near me It has happened, that is, as much as is said if it is in muslim things can be seen but I requested you to give this Whatever I have stated along with Statements made by Abba to Rao the four If you accept it, what will be its consequences I mean that imagination of Mehndi waterfall It has been proven that those who make statements there is nothing from them, this is their tradition It is completely free from all kinds of tasabbhora Answer: It is said that there is a tradition of mine In front of you is the seventh salutation Without saying anything I bring every morning for Sumit In this century, we will strengthen such a person who The religious matters of the Ummah are considered as established and This will strengthen you and your mujaddhid there is an idea of ​​it, only question is asked Efforts are ongoing to fix them So if this system exists if you do, then next time you should accept that The rest of the story is yours That would not be proved in nirvayaton But if a person goes and he if he is a mujaddhid and he wants to do this then On his part, he did not say anything this time Nizam where did this happen i.e. so much talk There is a lot of talk about tanks on this too But let me just get the gist of it What is said in this that in every century such People will keep on being born who will celebrate the day of Allah We will keep the names of all such people alive Whatever number of days we live, we say the right thing Let me tell you so that by doing this I can tell you that what happened wrong everyone is missing this So what is new in this, what is the insult in this mention of and Here is the caliph, the ruler, but this is Arabia It is said there that a completely different thing was said and the second thing is that she is all alone should be believed from today too Now let us look at every period in the last 1200 years in me such people are born that the day that we do the inauguration, these are our days of inauguration An idol has been built here and people have Books have been written about our times Qadar Alam Maulana Syed Mulla Sahib Baududi the title of the book is tajidon or din That is, this is the whole process and it is obvious that this I need you as my messenger, my love, I have given you the Quran I gave you the Sunnah, this treasure of your traditions In relation to this, its results are presented before us in dini tasawrak are born people mistakes are also made in their tajdir to isolate them, to fix them like this N man is less and such shameful people are born I keep on becoming 10 in this era I give you kilos of such people in every era are born that if this whole system is worried about mehndi then trace it and tell me the counter question This is done to go back to the old glory There was no statement from that side, not even in Royton. If it happens then you tell me how to get it done We get some blueprints of this that Allah has said who is this the whole day of uddin kullu la If it will happen for Allah’s sake then it will be by now If it does not happen then Mehdi (peace be upon him) will come That is what they will do if it is not for Allah If it happens then who will do it, me and the others After that, after doing 10 jogur from last 35-40 years I have already told you that these verses have no connection It’s not from our time Rasulallah Salam the last prophet of Allah When Allah Ta’ala granted blessings to the position of prophethood If he sends any messenger then his By becoming God’s court for the mukahatabin comes this is his court statement and its As a result it became necessary that the land Or should the dominance of the heart prevail in Arabia? He is helpless, perhaps I will tell him the day Before leaving this world he completes every or did the bloodshed happen or did some leela happen After that what do you have to wait for i.e. Did you see that a person offered a feast He said that I am Allah’s messenger She did not even have status and respect for the elders It was not objected to by itself that Take the lava and burn it, the Quran wala is present, Rajni This type of person and some big man from corn why not the one that was selected but In spite of all this when it is said that this God This sir has come in the capacity of a prophet of He will go after establishing his supremacy on the earth reduced it now what are you waiting for Yes it has become a great sign, Allah Ta’ala So it has been stated in these verses What does this have to do with you What has been said in it are the difficulties of the Arabs In the combat Sahib was asked to fight Get up for this and this is what will come out of this war It will happen at the end of the day on this earth the matter in which it has been stated in this what is the connection with the times well we’re all moving on to the end Our time is also moving ahead here Is You mentioned Bukhari Muslim among them The word mehndi in the rituals There is no rich home, it is the word of Bukhari As soon as you start seeing the hand coming down, Bukhari will start All the people I see say this that by rich we mean Imams etc You should pick up the books of Ahle Sunnat akhayat pick up the books of the rest of their najriyat See all the Ulema have been muttafik for 1400 years There is a narration in which it is said before the doomsday Salute will be present for these people, Prayers will be offered on the deathbed, this is the only salvation My question to you is this revayaten what you have maybe everything will be ok no, they tell the man that this is capable Kabul I have this gay, he is a worthy person close to me too It can be Kabul i.e. it can be in When is not a question Since you applied it, I am saying that you made something special that completely the next It may be nearby, if it is okay then tell me please answer me this question how It is possible that such a large number of our Ulama Today Muslims are in greater numbers than Ikram’s Urban If you ask anybody, he will say the same thing Mehdi Ali Salam has to come to our Puri It is narrated that these are the things of their captivity It is included inside, the decision will come after this Don’t read Gangoli, read Shah Kashmiri inside Everybody says that they will come and decide Then how did this idea come into being again? I have offered myself to be on this I’ll chit-chat and tell you this but Talk to the patient about a small thing or which book of kaidah is birthday where is this mentioned or somebody else’s There is mention of Christ but no mention of If it is not there then it is not so because of this, that is The first jametarin book of the area is It is a belief, it is there, let’s see it show me somewhere so that these things are not Analysts are not lakhs, the kind of people who make statements We will do it later in the prison books for sure I have lived a long life but both of these big There is no mention in the books so that’s why I thought of the matter closely that it’s not And even if it is there, what will be mentioned from here I will bring another old one In Arabia his name will be Mohammed bin If he is Abdullah, people will call him Hidyaat aftakhenge will say the same way this side fire today is called the day in the same way will say as if Abdul Aziz had aged It is said so, I have requested that this No one is willing to accept the whole thing There is no obstacle, whoever wants can take it There is no debate in this, he has the idea but there is a debate and a conversation that is presented God’s beloved will come, God’s Mahmud will come in this The whole world has achieved glory So now just look at this whole thing The world will fill this court with these things Where was the statement made, the solution can be found from there also How do we solve this issue again? I am saying that if there are any other questions before or about these ravayatons which I have presented before you or the inscriptions on these if some people are doing naat scope Are you offering so much freedom then that Let me know so that I can talk to him again I created this to bring fun to you Now let’s proceed carefully as follows See what happens to us, the common man one must also understand that the real thing is that the traditions which take place have meaning to go away for a while Forget about these things and see that How Rivayat comes into existence That is, Rasoolullah Salam said again and again I repeat, the Quran is given by Sharda Puri Those who wrote it gave it to the group Those who remember him remembered him as a National The issue is in terms of the book of Allah It is done, Rasulullah Salam issued the Sunnah This prayer, this fasting, all these things This Sunnah was issued in all the Sahabahs. Issued in the capacity of Rasulullah Salam that the sir has to give it forward with isiyat love of a mother This breed still reaches us in the same capacity it’s been done I will leave this world with my beloved Even if people meet you after you leave and whatever happens, you get it too Stated those things in front of the people present do the Coming here he narrated what Rasullah Heard from Salim Referring to his mushayarad, he Rasool saw his beloved doing some work it was a great thing That is, Allah’s messenger punished someone for this Mehboob had done it, but never restricted it but stopped it on the spot You must also apply power ice in it I did not like it but people expressed their love They do it well and explain it to the listeners Even if they demand it, I will state it now Brother Have you heard it from someone in the village? and listened to let them do it, they did it too Those Lapatiya type of people who lied People talked about butter bill had to make something out of something had to make something out of something They too have made all this spread now why did it go means if all these things which The statement was being made, a Muslim was making the statement and it is assumed that Muslims If he makes a statement, he will make it correct, won’t he? to believe that the knowledge of Muslims i.e. the first century I am challenging this, why are we I challenged it because it was clearly visible that The matter is very simple GB Dastaan people reach from somewhere for Rawal duly dies and Rasulallah calls him I narrate it with reference to my beloved The first century is a great favor to the elders He was born in 1905 and after that one of his There is complete chain, these people have been doing this for two-three centuries What did they feel about the situation did that in reference to the Prophet of Allah things I have definitely seen what is bigger than this for me It is possible that if I become a Muslim, Masood will be the first What happened in the first century became bigger than what happened in the second century What could be the thing that would make me want you sir? If I tell you the things then what are the words of sir What will be the result sir, these statements will be made and You will be in love with them, you should have heard them too There can be a big ilaam in it i.e. If the Lord has spoken about something or Have you told me anything about getting Majeed done or something If you have pointed towards gamais then it is a big thing If possible, then valuable wealth is also a way It was like this that I would not have picked up the media and completed it. The Ummah only decides that whoever Kabul is making a statement, do it well The second could also have been that we would have been won’t even listen to anything what was the method that was devised and I did not adopt this method, The first person to run and love was the first person to practise K al- ilm took the Brother, what method have you adopted? Is this Rasgulla Salim’s great wealth? the things that are being stated in relation to These people have knowledge and action for us, sir. that there is a desire to laugh in them Your character is in them, your love is in them, we are in this We will not let Zakiro win but what everything we are mixing these, this is happening on mobile In these stories, there is something going on in them If the house is being included then what should do tank That is, the tavern tankid this fruit existence for him I came to you and I praised you for that that now we will see that what is being stated Is she worthy of being accepted? Is she worthy of being accepted? The peace that the muhaddishin made for Kabul In which I got three of them broken again and again Things will start to look like in the street and then they will also see this thing in the treatment We will see if it is against the Quran or not. It is not against the Sunnah to come here completely Make principles, I did not make these but I made Medina On this basis the work of Chhan Phatak started This Bukhari, this Muslim and their Besides, many other people are doing the same thing He is the greatest in this entire Ummah Reduced IMI This is what happened, this was the right attitude What would be the right approach in this? I I will tell you the approach and it is near me This is the approach to the important people of the Ummah We should adopt this, we have done it here what is that approach in calling the opportunity The approach is that when you do day x Or if you say anything about the day then We definitely have the Quran and Sunnah There is some export from Royton in safe condition If you want to do it then first check the result of the gate revayaten will be worthy only to them will consider it worthy of demand i.e. what mahsushin reduced He has said all this If it is present in the books then first look at it The opinion will be formed that this is very widespread There is a stock, I requested you that this We are talking about fun in this 500 rupees Those who have found their way are almost there what has been happening in the whole ummah put it in front first And first of all we will die from among them i.e. on the basis of intkalon and then Will they come down or at the most Hasan’s dead body But we will not accept anything lower than this. We will see what has been said and then We will then present the Sunnah before the Quran We will review it on the whole night It will descend then you will salute him in the prophethood would try to state it in relation to a This is the approach, I think this approach is correct I tell the Muslims that this is what they should do one should approach love if he is following tradition If you want to save yourself from fitness then this is the way means not to deny it, it is obviously a You will have to deprive yourself of a great blessing And neither gems nor any thing which is visible to the snake It is not known whether it will be accepted during the day or not What things can be entered through The right attitude will be given to the one who watches our scenes these are the burnt rolls sir please save the engine Marriage hall says this is disrespectful to sir The official Imam of Engine Malik Imam Bukhari and The Imam is a Muslim, this is the attitude They have adopted the option of searching and doing it Brother He will prepare them and give them his I will keep the point of view in mind if I keep it At this time, I have told you the little I have done that all these Zakira are in such large numbers The use of this vessel should be reduced to its selection It has started, see who has done it and how to Kabul There are seven leaders of Kiaba These people are helpless in this, I have written all this material if I put it in front of you then Sir, she is doing it now, this is an approach According to me this is correct Firoz but one the second man and that I request you Go to that era, i.e. in the messengership After the salam hundreds of thousands of things have spread they made a picture Imam Mehdi will come in the last days If you don’t do Kabul and read them, then all those things will happen The picture will be a beloved from Allah There will be a look from the sky The sky and earth will be filled with justice for Islam Galba will prevail These are the things, how did these things happen? It was a small matter that a Muslim had a I wish I would be the Caliph The spirit of Dastaan ​​Sarai is such that it is political Conditions developed later He became very famous among the people, The first century brought you widespread fame If you see it then look at one approach, this is so It has become very famous, it is such a famous thing all the famous thing is this tank is ok must see ravayaton but in ravayaton also right in royton also There is so much of water in the tank of Madhyasin too It has been said that he will be the caliph, this much has been said Isn’t it their responsibility to create chaos in Nazrul Masih A Muslim emir will be from within them Since so much has been said, this is actually the same thing yes people are making statements now what did you do instead of this When you leave here the thing that is spread You will open your mouth after their tank The gym was a spread out thing, the gym has been izaafe tasawra entered the gym dastan sarai Jim had already come, such was the TFSI lakh that If you look at them, a strange picture emerges. where did he keep all the pictures where after placing it you now say that When all this has happened through the action of the tank, after all this It’s the same thing, what difference does it make That means, let us assume that if Imam Bukhari takes this much I have taken that if one is great then it will be as great as the rest The details are being given and they will also be cancelled what do you need to do then this second one The approach is based on the results of this second approach Water falls on the whole surface The way they tanked all those things that the peace is over It was spread out and I applied for Rs. 500 present in large numbers at the moment At the same time, they got together politically But as you say, there were many debates and The result was that if this spreads then there is a The approach is that you enter from the Quran Sunnah If yes then Rao should first do muhaddissana separate the tank and then whatever raw material is there in it Whatever is expressed in them, it is full upon the friend stand on the foundation of what has happened and The second approach is that the king who lived in the first century It has spread in the world by keeping his fame in front take the idea from there and then look at it here You will notice even the smallest things There is mention of a rich man in old music There was a mention of a Caliph and here was this picture I fill them with colors and they ravayaten this The color is worth it, we will fill it with wire So these are the two approaches to me and did not give the people their rights like You can accept the approach as you deem fit, but Right next to me for the whole day The approach is what I’m joking about that there is no one weaker than the Messenger of Allah The talks will not be held even if we The first approach you described is this approach hamleen and in this point of view khalil You mentioned that muhaddisin netankit has reduced a question in the minds of people will you think that same sansouti will be in the same mohadd scene Masaan is open, please mention the rest of the scenes Those who reduced their presence on Hadith There are hundreds of Ulema, so they If you are reducing the tank from this but That imagination that I have in the society If he is present there then invite him as well are second attitude garba that this theekmumani has mentioned the imam Has a Muslim said this much or has Hakeem At the most, one word was added here yes this is ok but there is a future when this is done then the thing which is spread inside people I want to take the picture that is formed from them What am I to you? This is what I want to take If there was no agreement in this then the scene would have been like this Why was there a need to suffer? To reduce why the need for The meaning was one attitude that we would say that Whatever people are saying about sir In this context, this is a worthy example for us It is not possible for the whole ummah to decide this and What was the second way? The second way was to Whatever statement is made, we should accept it Third method We called it the humiliation of Murad aka Sumit Who among the people of knowledge has created that method of seduction what not we will do pride gate we will do tank We will do it, don’t listen but we will see and then After that if the Rasool mentions anything If she is on Ulla’s side, then she will be just as much as This friend will be completely destroyed from here onwards These people will not accept things from me There are two approaches and the rise we have here This is the approach that people usually prepare The second approach means whatever is spread in it if it happens its effect is accepted He is taken to the ashram. Aslam I am taken here what is done that if there is anything weak in it, then After all it is because after giving something there is something ahead Nothing has been taken from me nor from any rich person There has been talk about a Caliph, right? when these things have happened to them If you add it then you can see it later What is the result of one’s complete belief? I enter the day with emotion Then there is the relation of Mehndi The wait begins again for the world People fight for a great revolution inside And I saw in my time that Baj and He gives sermons every day on Namaz and this They say that he is about to be born, in fact what are the words that have been born and a few After a while many people kiss the same thing listen to the revayaten and while listening it is evident The thing is this full tank is not in front of the people If I had kept the right attitude towards the day This is not the case as this approach What I understand and what Maukeen’s approach is if this is the right approach then when he has to do it with Jain People will come forward and say look at this, This is a matter worth objection This is a matter worth objection The whole world believes in one thing It is said that a Muslim’s ijjama is based on what There is unity, that is, there is agreement on the fact that one Happiness will come from the sky, I have become obsessed with my beloved If you want to talk about Ijma also then that this is it, say that ijjamaiye of saurabh you Those talks have been spread openly When those things are stated on such a large scale It would have been done in the first or second century When the statement was made in the Majlisson, how many people You would have heard the tale with interest if there was an inn How would people have understood this? These are the ones whose work I have placed before you There are people who performed this service you asked if you can type on these as well You give them the responsibility of tankid too muhaddisson keep doing it yourself also, it’s good He taught at the campus Second chances will do some happy songs The third one will stitch him up He did things i.e. famous things what will be the status of useless things What status will it have if Twitter is born? if it happens then how does it arise and what i do for the gate filtering ravayaton We will keep working on the basis of these nights We are the humiliating witnesses of this entire Ummah at night maukeen’s zaaavier look this is what I have We have already stated before you that our The common narration here is that when a The matter has spread so widely and It might have happened to people here, so Did we find any effect or anything in the Quran I got this kind of thing, which day has brought it here I got this kind of tradition which I read about you It is kept in front that it will be the only one so let’s all go should be put together and placed before the people There’s a wrong way near me and I Varman says that as a result of this approach You can spend the day with stories of ravayaton Let’s hand over the gloves right in that The principle is that Quran and Sunnah are less The day stands on the foundation and all this time Zakira is there we will take his life and In this, they will stick to the principles that Sir Sean has established since the first century I have discussed this in my book Keanu, there is no need to make any mistakes in years Is there absolutely no need to add anything It’s a great value, I got them this time everything is in the light okay sir last Question on today’s special Kaur Mehndi As a common man I would like to be where This is from the study of this Puri which you gave Tell me the approaches and then do the tank of each thing By doing this he is giving real insight into the methodology what happened, with which saheb were you talking, she tells him put in order tell me this which is usually It is said that brother I am absolutely sure about you I am the one asking and I am asking in this land I have usually been saying the same thing it is said Ramji sahab said that during the day If you talk about new things then this is your approach This statement is actually something new compared to the first one that you do not accept the thing which is established I am here but this is your approach actually does not go towards the clarification of old things Please feel free towards this. That is, I accept that this is my own Muktanagar, I am stating all Mohan Sin, all maukeen thats it love her its divorce There is also a divorce in me, just look at this that I told you that all these The Rao who did the tank of ravayaton Abdullah Azmi is the author of the poem and Jameel Kamil is the author of the poem. in which she becomes 14 poor people and in which she becomes 6 poor people there is sound We have harassed you more The other person accepts it or accepts it in some other way Competition does not understand this knowledge of history so much The common people should also know that Praise is like looking at a tank in a wise manner Neither can it be made into cadets nor does it have any faith Should we make any addition to our day? It happens that we lack something during the day The whole day is covered in the Quran and Sunnah He is present and our praise is for Rasulullah It is praiseworthy that this great action of the tank was taken it is passing, it will keep passing in this matter We can’t show any weakness in this tank The implementation of this is our daily responsibility Because the matter concerns Allah’s messenger It is not possible for this to affect us Let’s get influenced by fame, one thing It has been spread as a tale To give it to me, please tell me a story After that it is on everybody’s lips But we have We Muslims have faced our punches A narration was spread that it is on our lips things that have spread and gained fame like this Rasul Allah will not accept it like this If the matter is stated in relation to this, then this it will go through the action of the tank and this they I have gone through all this, I have disclosed it I have placed it in front of you, okay, we are all very Thank you so much for your time here Time definitely ends in the hands of Mehndi from many tehsils, we have done three definite I have understood your point of view, Inshallah Next time there is prohibition in the house of Maas All the salutations are due to the Nazul of the Salam which They are objected to in front of you Till then I will keep you thank you very much thank you [music]

    By Amjad Izhar
    Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
    https://amjadizhar.blog

  • Building LangGraph Applications and AI Agents

    Building LangGraph Applications and AI Agents

    The source material provides a comprehensive introduction to Langraph, a framework for building and managing AI workflows, often in conjunction with Langchain. It begins by explaining core concepts such as the state graph (the blueprint of the workflow) and runnables (standardized executable components), illustrating their relationship to nodes and the importance of message types like human, AI, system, tool, and function messages, often familiar from LLM APIs. The text then progressively guides the reader through building simple sequential graphs, handling multiple inputs, implementing conditional logic for routing with conditional edges, and finally, constructing looping graphs. Building upon these fundamentals, the source transitions to the exciting world of AI agents, demonstrating how to integrate LLMs to create a basic chatbot, enhance it with a simple memory mechanism using message history, and develop more sophisticated agents like React agents capable of using tools for reasoning and acting, culminating in the creation of a practical document drafter project featuring human-AI collaboration and an introduction to Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) agents that interact with a knowledge base. Throughout the examples, the importance of clear docstrings for tools and systematic graph construction is emphasized, highlighting how Langraph facilitates creating robust and modular AI applications.

    Langraph State Graph Fundamentals

    Based on the sources provided, here is a discussion of the State graph in Langraph:

    The StateGraph is a fundamental and important element in Langraph. Its main purpose is to build and compile the graph structure. You can think of the StateGraph as a framework that helps you design and manage the flow of tasks in your application. It manages the nodes, the edges, and the overall state, ensuring that the workflow operates in a unified way and that data flows correctly between components.

    An analogy used to describe the StateGraph is a blueprint of a building. Just as a blueprint outlines the design and connections within a building, the StateGraph defines the structure and flow of your workflow or application.

    When coding in Langraph, the StateGraph is often one of the first elements you actually interact with. To create a graph in Langraph, you use the StateGraph attribute and initialize it by passing in your state schema. This state schema is typically defined using a class inheriting from TypeDict, such as AgentState, which holds the attributes that represent the shared data or context of the application. After defining the state schema, you then use the StateGraph instance to add nodes and edges to build the complete graph structure. Finally, the graph structure is compiled using the compile() method of the StateGraph instance.

    Langraph Runnables: Building AI Workflows

    Based on the sources, here is a discussion of Runnables components in Langraph:

    In Langraph, a Runnable is defined as a standardized executable component. It serves as a fundamental building block that performs a specific task within an AI workflow. The concept allows for the creation of modular systems.

    An analogy used to describe Runnables is that of a Lego brick. Just as Lego bricks can be snapped together to construct complex structures, runnables can be combined to create sophisticated AI workflows.

    The sources contrast a Runnable with a Node, stating that a runnable can represent various operations, whereas a node in Langraph typically receives a state, performs an action on that state, and then updates the state. The distinction might not be immediately clear but is expected to become more apparent in coding sections.

    The term “runnable” also appears in the context of defining conditional edges, specifically in the type hint for the path parameter as hashable runnable any. However, the source indicates that this complexity is not something to worry about initially.

    Langraph and Langchain Message Types

    Message types are standardized components within Langraph that represent different parts of an AI workflow, particularly interactions with large language models (LLMs). They are fundamental building blocks, treated as inbuilt data types by the developers of Langraph and Langchain.

    Several specific message types are discussed in the sources:

    • Human Message: Represents the input from a user. When invoking a graph with user input, it is often provided as a Human Message. These messages are stored in the state, often as part of a list, to maintain conversation history. The content of a human message remains unaltered by the AI or other components. You import HumanMessage from langchain.schema.messages or langchain_core.messages.
    • AI Message: Represents responses generated by AI models. The content from an LLM’s response is extracted and converted into an AI Message to be appended to the state’s message history. Like Human Messages, they are stored in the state to maintain conversation history.
    • System Message: Used to provide instructions or context to the LLM. Examples include prompts like “You are a helpful assistant”. Explicitly using the SystemMessage type when invoking the model is preferred over just passing a string, as it enhances readability and signals to the LLM that it is a system instruction.
    • Tool Message: Represents data passed back to the LLM after a tool has been called. This data can include the content generated by the tool and the tool call ID. Tool messages are used in workflows involving tools, such as the React agent, to show the results of tool execution. The content of a Tool Message can also be used in the graph’s logic, for example, to determine the next step based on which tool was used.
    • Function Message: Similar to the Tool Message but specific to function calls. (The sources do not provide further detail on this type beyond its mention).

    At the core of these specific message types is the BaseMessage. BaseMessage is described as the foundational class for all message types in Langraph. It acts as a parent class from which types like AIMessage, HumanMessage, ToolMessage, and SystemMessage inherit properties. These child classes may also have their own unique properties.

    Message types play a crucial role in defining the structure of the AgentState, which we discussed previously as the shared data structure for a graph. The messages attribute within the state is typically defined using type annotations like List[HumanMessage] or List[Union[HumanMessage, AIMessage]] when memory is needed. A more advanced and commonly used way to define the state messages is using annotated with Sequence[BaseMessage] and a reducer function like add_messages. This structure, facilitated by these message types and supporting functions, automatically handles state updates for sequences (like chat history) by appending new messages rather than overwriting existing ones, thereby preserving the conversation flow.

    By representing different interaction types as distinct message types and storing them in the state, Langraph enables the construction of stateful AI applications like chatbots with memory, where the entire history of messages can be passed to the LLM for context. They are also important for structuring output and logging the workflow progress, as demonstrated by functions that format and print different message types. Utilizing these predefined message types within Langraph and Langchain libraries provides a balance between flexible control over the workflow and reducing the need to write extensive manual code for managing conversations.

    Langraph Node Actions Explained

    Based on the sources and our conversation history, here is a discussion of Nodes actions in Langraph:

    In Langraph, a Node is defined as an individual function or operation that performs a specific task within the graph. Think of nodes as fundamental building blocks or individual stations on an assembly line, each doing one specific job.

    The primary action of a typical node is to receive the current state of the application as input, process it, and then produce an output or an updated state. This state is a shared data structure holding the current information or context of the entire application. The input to a node function is typically the AgentState (or whichever class represents your state schema) [6, 9, 10, 12, 16, 21, 24, 25, 30, 35/36, 41], and the expected output is the updated state of the same type [6, 9, 10, 12, 16, 21, 24, 25, 30, 35/36, 41].

    When building a graph, the node’s action is defined by a normal standard python function. This function is passed as the second parameter to the graph.add_node() method. The first parameter is the chosen name for the node within the graph structure.

    Common types of actions performed by nodes include:

    • Updating or processing data within the state: This involves accessing attributes of the state, performing operations (like string concatenation, arithmetic, list manipulation), and assigning the results back to the state’s attributes. For state attributes that are sequences like message history, the action might involve appending new items to the list rather than replacing it entirely, especially when using reducer functions like add_messages.
    • Invoking Large Language Models (LLMs): Nodes can perform the action of calling an LLM, often by passing the current state’s messages to the model using methods like lm.invoke() [24, 25, 30, 35/36, 41]. The node’s action then typically involves extracting the relevant part of the LLM’s response (like response.content) and updating the state, frequently by appending the AI’s response to the message history.
    • Running Tools: While tools are functionalities used within nodes, a special kind of node called a Tool Node has the main job of running a tool. The action of a Tool Node is to execute the configured tools and connect the tool’s output back into the state. The tools themselves perform specific tasks, and the Tool Node facilitates integrating their results into the workflow.
    • Making Decisions (Router Nodes): Some nodes, particularly those used with conditional edges, don’t necessarily modify the state but perform the action of deciding the next node to execute based on the current state’s content [16/17, 22, 31, 36]. Their “action” is to return a string representing the name of the next edge to follow [16/17, 22, 31, 36]. The logic within the function (often using if/else statements) determines which edge name is returned [16/17, 22]. These nodes are crucial for implementing conditional logic and loops in the graph structure.

    Docstrings are also important for describing a node’s action, especially for nodes or tools that interact with LLMs in agentic workflows. They help inform the LLM about the function’s purpose and expected behavior. For tools, a docstring is often necessary for the graph to work correctly.

    In essence, node actions are the specific operations performed by the Python functions linked to nodes in the graph structure. They are responsible for receiving, processing, and updating the shared state, or for directing the flow of execution through the graph based on logic applied to the state.

    Langraph Conditional Edges Explained

    Based on the sources and our conversation history, let’s discuss Conditional edges in Langraph.

    Conditional edges are a type of specialized connection between nodes in a Langraph structure. Unlike a standard edge which dictates a fixed sequence of execution (e.g., always go from Node A to Node B), a conditional edge allows the graph’s flow to change dynamically based on specific conditions or logic applied to the current state of the application.

    You can think of a conditional edge like a traffic light or an if/else statement. The “condition” (like the light color or the result of the if check) decides which path to take next. This capability is crucial for implementing conditional logic and branching in your workflow.

    To implement conditional edges in Langraph, you use the graph.add_conditional_edge() method. This method typically requires three main components:

    1. Source Node: The node from which the conditional edge originates. This is the node where the decision is made about the next step.
    2. Decision Function (Path): A Python function that takes the current state as input and returns a value (often a string or boolean) that dictates the next edge to follow. This function embodies the conditional logic (e.g., checking a state attribute’s value). It’s important to note that when a node’s primary role is just to make a decision for a conditional edge without modifying the state, the function returns the edge name/key rather than the updated state. If the function itself doesn’t return the state, you might need to use a pass-through like lambda state: state when adding the node if the node requires state output, though the value determining the edge is what the conditional edge uses.
    3. Path Map: A dictionary that maps the possible return values from the decision function (the keys) to the names of the target nodes (the values). This tells Langraph which node to go to for each possible outcome of the decision function. For example, if the decision function returns the string ‘continue’, the path map specifies which node is associated with the ‘continue’ key.

    Conditional edges are particularly important for creating loops in the graph structure. By using a conditional edge, you can direct the flow of execution back to a previous node based on a condition, allowing certain parts of the graph to be executed repeatedly until the condition is met. This is seen in the looping graph example where a should_continue function determines if the counter is less than five, returning a ‘loop’ edge that goes back to the ‘random’ node.

    They are also fundamental in building more complex agent architectures like React agents and the Drafter project. In these cases, a conditional edge allows the agent to decide whether to use a tool (loop back to a tool execution node or the agent itself to process tool output) or to finish the process (go to the end point). The logic in the decision function checks the state (e.g., if the last message contains tool calls, or if a specific tool like ‘save’ was used) to determine the next step.

    In summary, conditional edges are a powerful feature in Langraph that enable dynamic workflows by allowing the graph’s execution path to be determined by logic applied to the current application state, implemented using add_conditional_edge, a decision function returning a path key, and a path map linking keys to target nodes.

    LangGraph Complete Course for Beginners – Complex AI Agents with Python

    By Amjad Izhar
    Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
    https://amjadizhar.blog

  • Creating Reports and Visualizations with Excel and Power BI

    Creating Reports and Visualizations with Excel and Power BI

    This extensive text provides a detailed tutorial on using Excel and Power BI for data analysis, emphasizing how to convert raw data into actionable insights. It covers fundamental techniques like sorting, filtering, and using Flash Fill in Excel, then moves to more advanced tools such as Pivot Tables for summarizing data and Power Query for importing, cleaning, and transforming data. The document highlights how Power Query is particularly useful for handling data from external sources and combining multiple files, positioning it as a significant advancement in data manipulation capabilities. It then introduces Power Pivot and the concept of a data model to manage relationships between multiple tables and handle large datasets more efficiently, contrasting it with the limitations of relying solely on worksheet formulas like XLOOKUP. Finally, the text explores Power BI Desktop and Power BI Online for creating interactive visualizations and reports, demonstrating how to import data, build data models, write DAX formulas, and share insights, showcasing the power of these tools for analyzing large volumes of data and creating dynamic dashboards.

    Excel and Power BI Data Analysis Tools

    Based on the sources, Data Analysis is defined as the process of converting raw data into useful information. The purpose of this conversion is to gain insight and make decisions. The source mentions that there are various synonyms for data analysis, including data analytics, analytics, business intelligence, and data science.

    The sources highlight that almost every tool used for data analysis requires a proper data set. A proper data set generally includes a field name at the top and empty cells all the way around.

    Several tools are presented in the sources as being used for data analysis in Excel and Power BI:

    • Sort and Filter: These are fundamental tools available in Excel tables, Pivot Tables, Power Query, Power Pivot, and Power BI Desktop. Sorting organizes records in a table, for example, from smallest to largest (a to z) or largest to smallest (z to a). You can sort by one column or multiple columns. Filtering shows only certain records based on one or more conditions. Filters can use various logical tests like AND, OR, or BETWEEN. A particularly helpful use of filtering in the Excel worksheet is to extract specific records. Filtering can also be data type specific, offering different options for dates, text, and numbers. When filtering, the records that match the criteria are shown, and the rest are hidden.
    • Flash Fill: This is a one-time, simple data cleaning tool in Excel. It can be used if there’s a consistent pattern in the data. You provide an example by typing the desired output next to the original data, and then Flash Fill attempts to apply the pattern to the rest of the column. It’s not recommended for tasks that need to be repeated or refreshed with new data; for those, formulas or Power Query are suggested.
    • Pivot Table: This is an amazing tool to build reports and charts. It’s particularly useful for summarizing data, such as survey results, showing counts and percentages. Standard pivot tables are suitable for small data sets within Excel and simple calculations like count and percent of total. They allow you to drag fields to areas like Rows and Values to create unique lists and calculations. Pivot tables can connect to data from various sources, including tables or ranges in the worksheet, external data sources, data models in Power Pivot, and data models in Power BI online. A key point is that with standard pivot tables, you have to repeatedly add number formatting to fields.
    • Power Query: Described as the greatest Excel tool invented since the pivot table. It excels at importing data from outside of Excel (like text files, other Excel files, databases, websites), cleaning data (e.g., splitting columns, extracting information), transforming data (e.g., removing columns, calculating new columns, combining tables), and loading data to the Excel worksheet, the pivot table cache, or the Power Pivot data model. Power Query is also present in Power BI Desktop, functioning the same way. Power Query memorizes the steps applied during importing, cleaning, and transforming, allowing for easy refreshing of data. These steps form the foundation of a Power Query query. Power Query has a functional language called M code, which is used for data mashup.
    • XLOOKUP function: A worksheet formula that can be used in data analysis, particularly when you need to look up values from one table and bring them into another column in your main table. It’s presented as a modern replacement for older lookup functions like VLOOKUP. XLOOKUP is appropriate when the data is already in the Excel worksheet, the data set is not excessively large (e.g., 43,000 rows is considered not a lot), and the solution can be created using standard pivot tables and Excel charts.
    • Power Pivot: An Excel feature that creates data model pivot tables. It allows for creating relationships between related tables, which helps avoid using many lookup formulas like XLOOKUP. Power Pivot enables the use of more than one table in a pivot table report. It is also capable of importing large amounts of data into a behind-the-scenes columnar database that compresses the data and can hold millions of rows. Power Pivot allows for the creation of reusable, formattable formulas called DAX measures, which are used in data model pivot tables. In Power Pivot, DAX measures are built in the measure grid below the fact table.
    • DAX Formulas: Data Analysis Expressions, a function-based formula language used in Power Pivot and Power BI Desktop. There are two types: DAX measures (reusable formulas dragged into data model pivot tables) and DAX calculated columns (formulas that add a new column to a table). Dax measures calculate based on the conditions or criteria (filter context) in the pivot table. This filter context makes calculations efficient, especially with large data sets. In Power Pivot, the assignment operator for DAX measures is a colon followed by an equal sign. In Power BI Desktop, it’s just an equal sign.
    • Data Model: Created in Power Pivot or Power BI Desktop, it involves multiple tables with relationships defined between them. Dimension or lookup tables, which contain unique lists (the “one” side of a relationship) and attributes, are related to fact tables, which contain repeating values (the “many” side of a relationship). Creating relationships in the data model replaces the need for lookup formulas like XLOOKUP and allows dragging and dropping fields from any related table into reports. The data model is stored in a behind-the-scenes columnar database.
    • Power BI Desktop: A free Microsoft tool designed for creating data models, visualizations, and reports. It contains the same Power Query and Power Pivot tools found in Excel. Power BI has a wider variety of visuals and reporting tools compared to Excel, and its visuals are interactive. Data models created in Excel Power Pivot can be imported into Power BI Desktop.
    • Power BI Online: Requires a license and allows users to upload Power BI Desktop files or Excel files with Power Pivot data models. This makes reports, visuals, dashboards, and data models shareable and universally available to assigned groups, serving as a single source of truth for data. Dashboards in Power BI Online are specific locations where you can pin important information (tables, charts, visuals, etc.) from various reports and workbooks for easy presentation and sharing. Dashboards should present information needed for good decisions.

    The sources provide examples illustrating these tools:

    • Example 1 shows using Sort, Filter, and Flash Fill.
    • Example 4 (from video 3) shows summarizing survey results with a Pivot Table.
    • Example 5 demonstrates using Power Query to import, transform, and refresh data from a website CSV file.
    • Example 6 shows using Power Query to combine multiple files into one table, calculate a new column, and load it to the Pivot Table cache.
    • Example 7 illustrates solving a data modeling problem (needing data from multiple tables) using worksheet formulas like XLOOKUP to add helper columns before creating standard Pivot Table reports and charts. This approach is suitable for smaller data sets.
    • Example 8 shows solving the same data modeling problem as Example 7 but using Power Query to import data from an external Excel file and load it directly to the Power Pivot data model. This approach is better for larger data sets and allows creating relationships between tables and reusable DAX measures. It also introduces concepts like the one-to-many relationship and hiding fields in the data model.
    • Example 9 uses Power BI Desktop for the same data source as Example 8, demonstrating importing data with Power Query, loading it to the data model in Power BI Desktop, and creating interactive visuals and dashboards. This approach is preferred for interactive and shareable visuals.
    • Example 10 shows importing 7 million rows of data from an SQL database into Power BI Desktop using Power Query. It discusses the efficiency of the columnar database for handling big data and creating calculated columns and measures using DAX formulas (including the concept of iterator functions like SUMX) to calculate values like revenue and cost. It also covers creating a date table using DAX and marking it as a date table.

    In essence, data analysis, as presented in the sources, is about transforming data for insight and decision-making using a range of tools in Excel and Power BI, from basic sorting and filtering to advanced data modeling with Power Query, Power Pivot, and Power BI Desktop, often involving calculated formulas using XLOOKUP or DAX. The choice of tool often depends on the size of the data, the source of the data, the complexity of transformations needed, and the desired output (e.g., simple report vs. interactive dashboard).

    Mastering Power Query: Data Transformation in Excel and Power BI

    Based on the sources, Power Query is highlighted as a fundamental and highly valuable tool in the process of Data Analysis, which involves converting raw data into useful information to gain insight and make decisions. It is described as the greatest Excel tool invented since the pivot table.

    The primary reason for Power Query’s significance is that while tools like the Pivot Table were amazing for building reports and charts, there was a missing piece for importing data into Excel and fixing or cleaning bad data. Power Query fills this gap.

    Power Query is not exclusive to Excel; it is also available in Power BI Desktop and functions the same way in both applications.

    Key Capabilities of Power Query:

    • Importing Data: Power Query excels at bringing data into your analysis environment from various sources outside of Excel. These sources include:
    • Text files (like CSV, TXT)
    • Other Excel files
    • Databases (like SQL databases)
    • Websites
    • Folders (to combine multiple files)
    • Many other data sources
    • Cleaning Data: It provides tools to fix issues or extract specific parts of your data. Examples include:
    • Splitting columns (e.g., splitting first and last name)
    • Extracting information (e.g., extracting a date from a date time field)
    • Handling delimiters (e.g., tab delimiters in text files)
    • Transforming Data: Power Query allows you to reshape and modify data before loading it. Examples include:
    • Removing unwanted columns
    • Calculating new columns (e.g., multiplying Units by Price to get Sales)
    • Combining multiple tables into one table
    • Changing data types
    • Filtering data (e.g., filtering files by extension in a folder import)
    • Transforming text (e.g., changing text case to lowercase for filtering)
    • Removing relational columns automatically added during database import

    The Power Query Editor:

    Transformations are performed in the Power Query Editor, which is a separate window on top of the Excel or Power BI Desktop window. The Editor provides a preview of the data.

    • Applied Steps: One of the most important features is the recording of Applied Steps. Power Query memorizes every step applied during importing, cleaning, and transforming. These steps are rerun automatically when the data is refreshed. You can view the data preview at each step of the process.
    • M Code: Behind the user interface and applied steps is a functional language called M code, which Microsoft calls the data mashup language. While Power Query writes this code automatically when you use the user interface, you can view it in the formula bar or the Advanced Editor, and even write your own M code. M code is case-sensitive, which is different from the Excel worksheet.

    Loading Data:

    After cleaning and transforming data in the Power Query Editor, the results need to be loaded. The loading destination depends on whether you are using Excel or Power BI Desktop and the purpose of the analysis.

    • In Excel:
    • The default is to load the data as an Excel Table on a new worksheet.
    • Using Close & Load To, you can control the destination:
    • Load as a Table to a specified worksheet location.
    • Load to the Pivot Table Cache (for creating Pivot Tables directly from the query output without first putting it on a worksheet).
    • Load to the Power Pivot Data Model (used when working with multiple tables and relationships).
    • Only Create a Connection: This option stores the query definition in the Power Query Editor but does not load the data anywhere visible in the worksheet. This is the crucial option when importing data for the Data Model, especially when combining it with the Add this data to the Data Model option. It prevents duplicating the data source by putting it in a worksheet table and the data model.
    • In Power BI Desktop:
    • The Power Query Editor has a Close & Apply button. This closes the editor, applies the steps, and loads the data only to the columnar database in the Data Model. There is no option to load directly to a worksheet as in Excel, as the primary destination is always the data model for creating visuals and reports.

    Benefits and Use Cases:

    • Automation and Refreshing: Because Power Query memorizes the steps, when the source data updates (e.g., a new monthly file is added to a folder, or a website CSV changes), you can simply click Refresh, and Power Query will re-import, re-clean, re-transform, and reload the data automatically. This eliminates repetitive manual tasks.
    • Handling Different Data Structures: Power Query is adept at handling various delimiters (comma, tab) and structures (single tables, multiple files in a folder).
    • Data Modeling: Power Query is essential for importing data from external sources into the Power Pivot or Power BI Data Model. This allows for building relationships between tables and avoiding the need for numerous lookup formulas like XLOOKUP in the worksheet, especially when dealing with data from multiple tables.
    • Big Data: Power Query is used to import large amounts of data (e.g., 7 million rows from an SQL database) into the compressed columnar database used by Power Pivot and Power BI Desktop.

    Examples from Sources:

    • Example 5: Power Query is used to import, transform, and load data from a website CSV file to an Excel worksheet table that can then be easily refreshed.
    • Example 6: Power Query imports and combines data from multiple text files in a folder into a single table, adds a calculated ‘Sales’ column, and loads it directly to the Pivot Table cache, ready for reporting and charting.
    • Example 8: Power Query imports data from tables within an external Excel file and loads them directly to the Power Pivot Data Model using the “Only Create Connection” and “Add to the Data Model” options, preparing the data for creating relationships and data model pivot tables.
    • Example 10: Power Query connects to an online SQL database with 7 million rows, imports selected tables using credentials, checks and changes data types, removes unnecessary columns in the Power Query Editor, and loads the data to the Power BI Desktop Data Model.

    In summary, Power Query is a robust, user-friendly, and essential tool for modern data analysis in both Excel and Power BI Desktop, providing powerful capabilities for connecting to, cleaning, and transforming data from a wide range of sources, automating repetitive data preparation tasks, and enabling advanced data modeling.

    The Art of Excel Pivot Tables

    Based on the sources, Pivot Tables are a cornerstone tool in data analysis, designed primarily for building reports and charts. They are considered one of the most significant tools invented in Excel, with Power Query being highlighted as the greatest since the pivot table.

    Here’s a discussion of Pivot Tables based on the information provided:

    • Core Purpose and Functionality Pivot Tables allow you to convert raw data into useful information by summarizing and organizing records in a table. They provide an interactive way to analyze data by dragging fields into different areas (like Rows, Columns, and Values) in the Pivot Table Fields task pane. They use the same sorting and filtering conventions as Excel tables.
    • Standard Pivot Tables (Working with One Table) This type of pivot table is used when you have your data in a single table, such as an Excel worksheet table or a “flat table” created by adding lookup columns using functions like XLOOKUP. They perform calculations using built-in options like “Summarize Values By” (e.g., Count, Sum) and “Show Values As” (e.g., Percent of Column Total, Difference From Previous).
    • They are appropriate for data already in Excel, when there isn’t a lot of data (e.g., 43,000 rows is considered manageable, but 100,000-500,000 rows might slow down).
    • A limitation is that if you use the same number field in multiple reports, you have to reapply number formatting each time.
    • Standard pivot tables can automatically group dates into months and years.
    • Data sources can be a table or range directly in the worksheet, or data loaded into the Pivot Table Cache from Power Query. You can access data directly from the Pivot Table Cache using the “from external data source” option.
    • Data Model Pivot Tables (Working with Multiple Tables) Introduced with tools like Power Pivot and Power BI Desktop, Data Model Pivot Tables work with multiple tables loaded into a behind-the-scenes columnar database called the Data Model.
    • Relationships: Instead of using lookup formulas like XLOOKUP in the worksheet, relationships (often one-to-many) are created between related tables in the Data Model (e.g., linking a fact table with sales data to dimension tables like products, sales reps, or dates). This allows you to drag and drop fields from any related table into the pivot table report.
    • DAX Measures: Calculations are performed using reusable DAX measures that you create. A significant advantage is that you can include number formatting in the DAX measure, and this formatting will apply automatically whenever the measure is used in a pivot table.
    • Filter Context: DAX measures calculate efficiently using a concept called Filter Context, where the measure automatically filters the data based on the conditions in the pivot table (rows, columns, filters) before performing the calculation.
    • Handling Big Data: The Data Model, using a columnar database, can handle importing and analyzing large amounts of data (millions of rows), which is much better than handling such volumes directly in an Excel worksheet.
    • Data Loading: Data is typically loaded into the Data Model using Power Query, often selecting the “Only Create a Connection” and “Add this data to the Data Model” options to avoid duplicating data in the worksheet.
    • Date Tables: Unlike standard pivot tables, Data Model pivot tables do not automatically group dates. A dedicated date dimension table with a unique list of dates and attributes (like month, year) is required and linked via a relationship. The date table must be marked as a date table in the Data Model to function correctly.
    • Implicit vs. Explicit Measures: It is recommended to use explicit (user-created) DAX measures rather than implicit measures, which are automatically created when you drag a raw number field into a Data Model pivot table. Implicit measures are hidden, read-only, cannot be formatted or reused, and do not transfer when connecting live to data models in Power BI Desktop.
    • You can hide unnecessary fields in the Data Model so they don’t appear in the pivot table field list, making it less cluttered.
    • Integration with Power Query Power Query is essential for getting data from external sources and cleaning/transforming it before it is used in a pivot table. Power Query output can be loaded directly to the Pivot Table Cache for standard pivot tables or to the Data Model for data model pivot tables. This eliminates repetitive manual data preparation steps, as refreshing the query automatically updates the pivot table report.
    • Integration with Power Pivot and Power BI Desktop Power Pivot in Excel and Power BI Desktop share the core Data Model technology, enabling the creation of Data Model Pivot Tables. Power BI Desktop has a visual called a “Matrix” which is similar to an Excel pivot table and is used for cross-tab reports from the Data Model. You can also connect Excel pivot tables directly to data models stored online in Power BI Service.

    In summary, Pivot Tables are powerful tools for data summarization and reporting, evolving from the standard type working with single tables to the more advanced Data Model type capable of handling multiple tables and large datasets using DAX formulas and relationships, often populated and managed with the help of Power Query and the Data Model environment.

    Understanding the Data Model for Power Tools

    Based on the sources and our previous discussion about Pivot Tables, the Data Model is a fundamental component used in conjunction with Data Model Pivot Tables and tools like Power Pivot and Power BI Desktop.

    Here’s a discussion of the Data Model:

    1. What it is: The Data Model is a behind-the-scenes columnar database that stores and compresses data. It is the underlying structure used by Power Pivot in Excel and Power BI Desktop.
    2. Purpose and Benefits:
    • Handles Large Datasets: A key advantage of the Data Model is its ability to import and analyze large amounts of data (millions of rows) much more effectively than an Excel worksheet. The columnar database design helps compress the data, making it possible to work with volumes that would overwhelm Excel’s row limit or performance.
    • Works with Multiple Tables: The Data Model allows you to bring data from multiple tables together for analysis in a single pivot table report.
    • Relationships: Instead of using lookup formulas like XLOOKUP to combine data in the worksheet, you create relationships (typically one-to-many) between related tables directly in the Data Model. This linking of tables (like a fact table with sales data and dimension tables with product or sales rep details) is crucial for working with data spread across different sources. These relationships replace the need for adding helper columns with lookup formulas in your source data.
    • DAX Calculations: Calculations are performed using reusable formulas called DAX measures. These measures are built in the Data Model and can be easily dragged into a pivot table. DAX measures calculate efficiently using Filter Context, meaning the formula automatically considers the filters and conditions applied in the pivot table or visual (like rows, columns, or slicers) before performing the calculation.
    • Reusable Formatting: A significant advantage of DAX measures is that number formatting can be applied directly to the measure itself, so it only needs to be set once and will apply automatically whenever the measure is used in any report. This contrasts with standard pivot tables where number formatting must be reapplied each time the same field is used in a different report.
    • Organized Reporting: You can hide fields in the Data Model that you don’t intend to use in your pivot table reports (like foreign keys or raw number columns that will be used in measures), making the pivot table field list less cluttered.
    1. How Data is Loaded: Data is typically loaded into the Data Model using Power Query. When loading Power Query output, you often select the “Only Create a Connection” option and then “Add this data to the Data Model”. This prevents the data from being loaded into the Excel worksheet and the Data Model, avoiding duplication and potential performance issues. Data can come from various sources, including Excel files containing tables or external databases.
    2. Working with Dates: Unlike standard pivot tables that can auto-group dates, Data Model pivot tables require a dedicated date dimension table. This table contains a unique list of dates and related attributes like month name, year, etc.. This date table needs to be linked to the fact table using a relationship and marked as a date table in the Data Model tools to function correctly and prevent issues like inefficient date grouping or the creation of hidden date tables.
    3. Implicit vs. Explicit Measures: When using a Data Model, it is strongly recommended to create your own DAX measures (explicit measures) rather than relying on the hidden implicit measures automatically created when dragging raw number fields into a pivot table. Implicit measures have limitations: they are hidden, read-only, cannot be formatted or renamed easily, and do not transfer when connecting live to data models in Power BI Service. Explicit measures offer control, reusability, and formatting.
    4. Interface:
    • In Excel’s Power Pivot window (which opens when you manage the data model), there’s a Diagram View where you visualize tables and create relationships by dragging fields. There’s also a Data View to preview the data in each table and a Measure Grid at the bottom of the fact table to write DAX measures.
    • In Power BI Desktop, the corresponding views are Model View (similar to Diagram View) and Data View. Measures are typically created by right-clicking the table in the fields list or using buttons in the table/measure tools.
    1. Integration: Data Models built with Power Pivot in Excel can be imported into Power BI Desktop. Both Excel Data Models and Power BI Desktop Data Models can be uploaded to Power BI Online (Power BI Service), making them available as a single source of truth for connecting to from other Excel or Power BI Desktop files.

    In essence, the Data Model is the powerful engine behind advanced data analysis in Excel and Power BI, enabling efficient handling of large, multi-table datasets through relationships and flexible calculations via DAX.

    Introduction to Power BI

    Based on the sources and our conversation history, let’s discuss Power BI.

    Power BI Desktop is a free Microsoft download that serves as a tool for data analysis, creating reports, and designing interactive visuals. It shares many core functionalities with Excel’s Power Pivot and Power Query. Power BI is specifically designed to offer more varied visuals and reporting tools and better shareability compared to Excel.

    Here are some key aspects of Power BI:

    • Core Components and Workflow: Power BI Desktop integrates several tools:
    • Power Query: This is the tool used to import data from external sources (like databases, web files, other Excel files) and then clean and transform it. The Power Query Editor looks and functions very similarly to the one in Excel. The cleaned data is then loaded into the Data Model.
    • Data Model: Like Power Pivot in Excel, Power BI Desktop utilizes a behind-the-scenes columnar database called the Data Model to store and compress data. This model is crucial for handling large amounts of data, potentially millions of rows, much more effectively than a standard Excel worksheet. Within the Data Model, you create relationships between related tables (like fact and dimension tables) to link them for analysis, avoiding the need for lookup formulas in the source data. The Data Model in Power BI Desktop looks almost exactly the same as in Power Pivot. Power BI Desktop has a Model View (similar to Power Pivot’s Diagram View) for visualizing tables and creating relationships, and a Data View (similar to Power Pivot’s Data View) for previewing table data.
    • DAX Formulas: Calculations within the Data Model are performed using Data Analysis Expressions (DAX). You create reusable DAX measures to perform calculations like Sum or Average. A key advantage of DAX measures is that number formatting can be applied directly to the measure, and this formatting will be automatically applied whenever the measure is used in a report or visual. DAX measures calculate efficiently using Filter Context, meaning they automatically consider the filters applied by the visual (like rows, columns, slicers) before performing the calculation. While Power Pivot focuses on measures, Power BI Desktop also allows creating DAX calculated columns and entire DAX tables. It is strongly recommended to use explicit (user-created) measures rather than implicit measures (automatically created by dragging raw number fields), as implicit measures have limitations such as being hidden, read-only, and not transferring to Power BI Service when connecting live. Fields that are not needed for reporting (like foreign keys or raw number columns used in measures) can be hidden in the Data Model to keep the fields list cleaner in the reporting interface. In Power BI Desktop, hidden fields are indicated by an eyeball icon with a line through it.
    • Visualizations and Reporting: Reports are built in the Report View, which is comparable to an Excel worksheet where you might place pivot tables and charts. Power BI offers a wide array of visualizations. Examples include line charts, clustered column charts, a Matrix visual (similar to an Excel pivot table for cross-tab reports), slicers, cards, and maps. A defining feature is the interactivity of these visuals; clicking on one visual can filter or highlight data in other visuals on the page. You can control how visuals interact (filter, highlight, or none). Tooltips can be customized to show multiple measures when hovering over data points.
    • Power BI Online (Service): This is the cloud-based component that requires a license and enables sharing and collaboration.
    • You can publish Power BI Desktop files (containing the report and data model) or Excel files with Power Pivot data models to Power BI Online.
    • Uploaded data models appear as datasets. These datasets can serve as a single source of truth for multiple users and reports, allowing others to connect live to the data model from their own Excel or Power BI Desktop files without needing to share the original file.
    • Reports published from Power BI Desktop can be viewed and interacted with in Power BI Online.
    • Dashboards are a specific feature in Power BI Online, allowing you to pin visualizations from different reports and workbooks into a single view for easy access and sharing. Dashboards provide a high-level summary of key metrics.
    • Sharing is managed through workspaces, where groups of users with organizational emails can be granted access to reports, dashboards, and datasets.
    • Relationship with Excel Tools: Power BI Desktop and Power Pivot share the same Data Model engine. Many features learned in Power Query and Power Pivot in Excel are directly transferable to Power BI Desktop. While Excel (especially with Power Pivot) is capable of building data models and reports, Power BI Desktop is generally preferred for its superior visualization capabilities, interactivity, and the ease of sharing and collaborating via Power BI Online. Data models built in Power Pivot can be imported into Power BI Desktop.
    Excel & Power BI Data Analysis Complete Class in One Video – 365 MECS 04

    By Amjad Izhar
    Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
    https://amjadizhar.blog