Not human...?!

A nice breeze was blowing, the weather was lovely and delicious smell of grilled kebabs and tikkas was wafting through the air, making the mouth water when suddenly my eyes fell on a young boy sitting on the darkened steps of a closed shop, crying and rubbing his eyes.

 Don't worry this isn't a scene out of some fictional drama, rather it is the reality of Pakistan that i witnessed less than 30 minutes ago!

What has this country become, heaven for some and hell for others. The great big politicians, the fancy elites don't care if 90% of the country is without electricity, water, gas or food. Would it be wrong to ask someone that how the kebab go down their throat when they see that boy crying on the stairs? Or is it not their fault and they simply missed him on those steps? I don't know what the answer is but it is definitely a lesson for everyone.

Think about this young boy when you whine the next time you aren't able to get some luxurious item, or when you make a face at some dish on your table just because you didn't like it. Think very hard the next time you waste food on your plate, or make  a face at 20 dresses hanging in your closet just because they are 2 months old.

How many times do you sit and ponder over such kids? Does it break your heart to see such scenes?

O Imam(ajtf) it is another eve of Friday and the world is still without you, the oppression is increasing. O imam(ajtf) please come soon...he heart cries for you.

First thought or After thought...?!

You know how sometimes we feel so bad because we realize that we are nothing but an after thought for people...its only when they get free from all the other things, wrap up their pending businesses that they realize that you also exist. When such a realization comes how our heart breaks and then we start feeling sorry for ourselves or start complaining...in moments of these negative thoughts and self pity have you ever reflected that whether Islam has also become an after thought for you?!

Is it so that when you finish all your other activities that you start praying even if it means praying 5 minutes before the salat gets qadha?

Or do you make time to read a dua/Quran only when you feel you have nothing else to do or no other matter to attend to?

Does it happen often that you push a religious book, text or some fiqh related reading at the back of the shelf until you get done with all the other readings?

If the answer to all such questions is "YES"...then before falling victim to self-pity and negative thoughts try to analyze why something that was supposed to be the most important thing for you has become an after thought?! An example given by a zakira once really got to me; she said that when our cell phone rings we get an urgent need to answer it at the first call BUT when we hear Adhan and we are called towards Allah(swt) we ignore it and choose the last moment to answer it. Have you ever thought why this is so? Is there someone more important than Allah(swt) that you need to answer to?
Before delving into why we have become an after thought, ponder over the fact that why has Islam become an after thought for you...!!!

Valentine's Day

So another eve of 14th February is here and after living my whole life in *Islamic republic of Pakistan* it doesn't stop surprising me the kind of hypocrisy and wannabee-ness present in this fortress of Islam. I mean you would think that a community who follows Islam and knows that all contact between na-mahrams is haram would discourage a day that promotes such kind of love, right?! BUT no the irony of this beautiful fortress is that it can have crowds screaming themselves hoarse on the issue of blasphemy, hudood ordinance, mullahs frothing at the mouth on western societies infringing upon islamic rights, people being scandalized by meera and veena, tv show hosts chasing couples in parks YET most of these people celebrate valentine's with a fervor or if not celebrate see no objection in it. I have yet to see some TV channel come out and condemn the promotion of this day which sees no shame in na maharm couples going on dates and exchanging love notes.

I fail to understand that people who just a few days ago were having a festival for the birth of Holy Prophet(pbuh) are now running to shops to buy hearts, cards, chocolates etc to declare love for their unislamic relationships. Channels that were just a few days ago showing naats and milaads are now celebrating this day? I mean dudes and dudetts at least stick to one stance. Either try to act your wanna bee liberal self or act islamic. Whats this new fusion of two clashing ideologies wrapped in one package? Can we confuse the coming generations any more? Is this what Islam teaches us? Is this the only stupid way to celebrate your love...based on one day?

Some may come up and question that maybe it's wrong for unmarried couples to exchange gifts and love declarations but whats wrong with married couples or friends doing it?! Well my dear brothers and sisters, its not about who is doing it....its about what the day symbolizes...its these kind of practices that are being followed. Even if you are in a halal relationship, by supporting the day, you are supporting all the haram taking place as well. So for heaven sake, wake up and stop these messed up practices being followed up in a country that is already a cesspool!

What is Love?

Many times we claim that we love someone or something BUT have we truly analyzed if our love is sincere or true? I was listening to a lecture by Ayt. Aqeel Ul Gharvi and thought he defined love in a beautiful way. If all of us were to apply and use that definition and then claim we love someone, our lives might become more peaceful and conflict free.

Love is nothing but appreciation and respect for someone or something and giving them their right due. In urdu the word of "qadardani" can be used for it. For example Allah(swt) granted parents children. Now love of children means that parents appreciate them and give them their right due. Like if they are hungry, give them food; they need education, give them education; give them water if they are thirsty; give them clothes if they need them etc. In a nutshell appreciate them and give them their right.
Now imagine a mother holding a toddler while he/she is crying out of hunger. If the mother just keeps on saying "my love don't cry" and keeps on patting him without addressing the issue of hunger, would you say the mother loves the kid even if she repeats it a million times that she loves him?!

Therefore appreciation means giving the ones we love their rights. If we say we love someone and don't give them their rights then its not true love. Love means to recognize the other's rights and needs. So if you truly love Allah(swt) and alhulbayt(s.a) then give them their rights and only then would you be able to claim that you love them. Otherwise its nothing but empty claims of love. Saying you love Allah(swt) without praying means you have no love and are just deluding yourself.

Wake up and realize what true love is all about, just celebrating valentines, mother's day, father's day or xyz day doesn't show true love. True love takes place every breathing moment when you recognize the need of your loved ones and fulfill them. Just giving your parents or your spouse flowers on these days means zilch if you are not giving them their due.

Ref:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xFJucGMC7o

The Void...

I usually don't use this blog space as a personal story place but you know how there are some people who are worth mentioning and sometimes you want the whole world to know about them, well my nani(maternal grandmother) was one of those people. She died in the month of Safar this year. Initially i had thought not to talk about her death as i thought it was something too personal to share but over the weeks the feeling of penning about her has gradually increased. You know how the tears and sadness wells up inside you, i think sometimes the only way to let it go is to write it down.

She was one of those lovely people who have truly inspired and helped my personality. In this messed up world full of selfish and mean people she was that safe corner where one could go and hide and forget about everything. Since the time i have been fully aware of my surroundings i have seen her totally focused on her worship and devotion to Ahlulbayt(s.a). But the best thing about her was that she was one of those cool people with whom i could talk about religion as well as watch sports and chill out. It's one of those sweet memories to remember when Pakistan cricket team was about to lose and we used to plead to our nani to start doing tasbeeh for the team. So many of the prayers and duas that i have learned have come from her, i would have been quite ignorant if it weren't for her. I still remember this one time i was staying with her and she asked me to recite Iqbal's poems for her. One memory i think i can never forget is the time when i was little and was left with my nani for babysitting. She used to make the perfect fried eggs with toast n' butter and  a glass of cold mango squash. Then she used to set up everything in a tray and put it infront of me while i watched cartoons. Although over the years i have stopped eating eggs, but i am sure no one can make eggs as good as hers.

Although she lost a young son in her life, i never heard her complain to Allah(swt) or how she had suffered that tragedy. All the time she talked about patience and trust in Allah(swt). I remember the times when anyone of us from the family used to talk about problems and how things are getting difficult...she would always smile her typical soft smile and point above and say that trust in Allah(swt)...HE(swt) always helps.

Now when she is not here, looking back at her life makes me realize how piety truly moulds a person. Her prayers had made her mind so alert that even in pain and in her old age she was well aware of her surroundings and for a moment did not leave her senses. When she was about to die she was speaking out in pain but when the moment came really near she just stopped the pain sounds and started slowly reciting some duas or some Dhikr. This made me realize that no matter how much wealth people think they can accumulate in the end it's only your piety that is going to get you through to the other end. Her life also makes me reflect on the narration that says that live life in a manner that when you die everyone cries for you. She was a true embodiment of that. Everyone from close friends, to domestic helpers to far off friends and families broke down after hearing about her death. And people couldn't stop saying what a great person she truly was. I can go on an on about her but the space and time is limited. Suffice is to say she was truly one of the awesomest person i have ever had the pleasure of knowing.

I don't know whether i was that perfect granddaughter or not but still she showered me with so much love and attention. Even a few days before her death when i went to meet her, she was so overexcited and overjoyed to see me that for a moment i was taken aback at the deep sense of love that i felt from her. Time spent with her are some of the warmest moments of my life when i knew that this person loved me for me and not for something that i had or for something selfish. It was one of those selfless love so hard to find these days. I can't describe the void left in my life with her death, she was the last link to that generation and time which still showed hope of selflessness and sincerity.  Even when she is gone, she has left her legacy of duas and devotion to Ahlulbayt(s.a) for me; the last thing that i inherited of her is her dua book, covered in a cloth specially sewn by her.

I just hope and pray that Allah(swt) eases things for her in her after life. If you ever read through this please pray for her maghfirat and say a surah Fatiha for her.

10 Ways to Avoid Marrying the Wrong Person

With the current breakdown in the institution of marriage, i thought this article would be worth sharing with everyone.

10 Ways to Avoid Marrying the Wrong Person

I especially liked this part which i feel is very prevalent in Pakistan society. People are so awed by the outer appearance and the materialistic value of the person that they forget to see what truly matters.

The fact is no one looks 25 forever.  Ultimately, we love the person we marry for more than their appearance.  When we get to know someone we love and admire, we’ll love them for their inner beauty and overall essence.

Morality and spirituality are the qualities that truly define someone in addition to beauty, money, and health.  The morally upright and spiritual person will stand by your side during adversity and hardship.  If someone isn’t God-conscience and doesn’t take themselves into account with God then why should you expect them to fulfill their rights owed to you? The ideal partner is someone who considers giving a gain and not causing a loss.  Having a mutual and shared spiritual relationship will foster a successful marriage.  Furthermore, a successful marriage is one that keeps the laws of family purity which require a certain degree of self-control and self-discipline, as well as the belief that the physical side of the relationship includes the spiritual and emotional side as well.  Finding commonality and balance between the spiritual and emotional aspects of a relationship is a strong key to a healthy and thriving marriage. 

Typical

Sometimes i get labeled for being a cynic and a pessimist BUT really its amusing that even when i try to give people the benefit of the doubt it always turns back to that original cynical deduction...Ironic?! Lol...sometimes people and things are too amusing!


Like usually someone you know calls you up and you feel that initial delight with that lingering negative  thought that maybe they need something from you BUT you push it back thinking no they might just be missing you or want to talk to you. *Sigh* how wrong could one be...*sarcastic smile* [wish blog had some emoticons]. Well should i really blame them or am i the same way...*wonders*.  Have we become so embroiled in our own little world, trying every moment to catch up to this world which keeps on alluding us?! Are we also part of that crazy race to reach the top of the materialistic pyramid?! Is every relation and everything just about getting favors from people?! Has the sincere love between relations vanished....just to be replaced by a materialistic relationship?!

Just before you go to sleep, dwell on the fact that how many people and relations you just call or ask about when you need a favor. Sad Times!!!

May Allah(swt) hasten the reappearance of Imam(ajtf).