مولانا ابو الکلام آزاد‌ کا تفسیری اسلوب: سورة الکہف کا خصوصی مطالعہ

Since about the middle of the 19th century, numerous attempts have been made by Muslim  scholars to interpret the Qur’ān  to the modern world. By far the largest output of literature produced in this connection, whether in the form of commentaries, critiques or articles in periodical, has been in Urdu, English and Arabic. But whatever the medium of expression employed, the net result is still is far from satisfactory.               Moulana Abul Kalam Azad (1888-1958) was one of the most notable Muslim figures in Sub-continent. The Tarjuman-al-Qur’ān  is regarded on all hands as his main contribution to Islamic learning. His original plan was to prepare side by side two companion volumes to this great of his, one entitled Tafsir-al-Bayana affording a detailed commentary of the Qur’ān, the other entitled Muqaddima, to serve as prolegomena to the Tarjuman -al-Qur’ān. The circumstances of his life did not allow him the time that he needed to execute the two projects. Moulana Azad, s thinking and philosophy about commentary of the Qur’ān  is very clear: ''Explain the Qur’ān  in the manner of the Qur’ān ''.                This paper attempts to enlighten many aspects of Moulana Azad, s commentary of Surat-al-Kahaf and explores his contribution and Comparative Analysis for other selected Urdu Tafasir of his era.

Management of Red Palm Weevil, Rhynchophorus Ferrugineus on Date Palm in Sindh

Red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is an important insect pest which attacks date palm trees after removal of suckers on soft open parts. It reduces date production upto 10 tons per hectare and causes mortality of date palm trees upto (18-25%). Present study was carried out to quantify different aspects of RPW attack and its management on date palm trees at district Khairpur. Studies on place of infestation of RPW revealed that this insect pest preferably attacked the base of date palm trees at 0-50 cm height. Dates intercropped with sugarcane and banana had higher RPW infestation than those intercropped with cotton and wheat crops. Higher dose of chemical fertilizers (1100 gms N, 460 gms P2O5 and 290 gms K2O/tree) kept date palm trees healthy and had comparatively lower infestation of RPW than other lower fertilizer doses. Moreover, weaker trees had higher infestation as compared to vigorous trees which suggests those weaker trees are prone to RPW attackes. Comparatively lower attack of RPW was observed with lower dose of farm yard manure (20kg/tree) on date trees. The study effect of removal of suckers on infestation of RPW showed that removal of suckers had higher effect on infestation of RPW when higher number of suckers were removed the higher infestation of RPW was recorded. The attack of RPW was significantly higher during the months of June, July and August, when maximum suckers were removed in these months. The studies on the effect of age of tree on infestation of RPW revealed that it had most significantly attacked on 6-15 years old date trees in which generally removal of suckers take place in this age. Studies on effect of soil texture on RPW infestation revealed that sandy soils provided favourable conditions to RPW to hibernate and ultimately resulted significantly higher infestation of RPW on the date trees grown on this type of soils. The studies further showed that higher infestation of RPW was observed where higher number of flood irrigations were applied and significantly lower infestation was recorded where 2-4 flood irrigations were applied. Studies of varietal resistance against RPW showed that Muzawati variety was found the most tolerant against RPW attack and had significantly lower infestation ~8% as compared to Karbalain ~25%, Dhedhi ~21%, Fasli ~19%, Aseel ~19%, Eidan Shan ~18%, Khar ~16% and Shakri ~16%, Thothar ~15% and Pathri ~12%, which were found significantly less tolerant to RPW. The biology of pest under laboratory revealed that egg incubation, larval, pupal, adult longevity of male and female was 4.00+0.52, 48.09+4.41, 26.0+3.12, 78.0+8.12 and 114.0+7.10. Total lifecycle was 118.1+10.12 days. Chemical studies indicated that Spirotetramat insecticide was found significantly effective to control RPW infestation as compared to other insecticides which had protected 43% of infested date trees. Similarly pheromone trapping system was found most effective way to control RPW infestation; this system had reduced ~75% infestation of RPW due to high capture rate of RPW adults. Prophylactic treatments of date trees with bitter cucumber fruit paste was the most effective in reducing RPW infestation followed by use garlic paste or used mobile oil. However, use of diesel was ineffective. The experiments on non-insecticidal chemical trunk injections of Taramera oil gave best control of red palm weevil. Effect of the temperature on RPW revealed that during higher temperatures (30-40oC) the infestation of pests remained lower except in date gardens where suckers were removed. It is concluded that vertical distribution of RPW infestation ranged 0.00 to 50cm above ground level. Higher infestation was observed where sugarcane and banana crops were intercropped. Removal of suckers and flood irrigations favoured RPW attack. Use of bitter cucumber fruit paste or tree injection of taramera is the best option of environmental friendly control of red palm weevil.