Reflections on Unity!

Today I learnt the sentiments of unity. Unity is something sentimental, whose basis lie on the purity of concepts and ideologies. If these ideologies are not pure, sincere and do not have any good in them they will surely erupt into chaos and turmoil that is inevitable.
There is only one idea that holds fast all the people together and that is idea of Allah for Muslims and for some it is the idea to rule. After some very grave experiences of human conscience I have reached to this point that Muslims at least can only and only be united if they hold fast the rope of Allah and that is the only way people will not contend each other and will not disrupt into disputes. There is a notion of attachment to the sentiments of power and dictatorship that one finds satisfying the psychological needs and requirements of well being. This notion is actually a lust, a mirage that never ends and is ever increasing. The people cannot escape from its complex networks of aspirations that hold fast to one’s soul, but only those who have ideologies pure and clear enough can undo the power of its evil and can stay united for the better of this world.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Self actualization, self or ideals all means the same thing one is referred to by Maslow, second one by Allama Iqbal and third one by Dr. Rafi-ud-din. These things are the sentiments of improving one’s self in all sectors of human life. It’s the ideals, the self which compels one to realize his responsibilities and to perform tasks which are needed the most in our society. Tolerance, mercy, forgiveness, dignity, sincerity and sacrifice are just words for people its self actualization that gives these words real meaning and no one knows the truth behind these words except those who have practiced it. So, humans are humans because they have wisdom and power of thought that gives them the power to imagine and do things none other can. If our self is dead and we do not actualize what we are and what we are capable of, we are dead and we are like other creations of Allah Subhanawata’la who do nothing but spend their lives for living and living only.
When Maslow said that self actualization is the final need of humans and one cannot proceed to it without fulfilling the smaller demands first, I was taken a back at this view point, in my opinion it is the self and the ideals which make humans human.
I see in my home, I see in my neighborhood, I see in my community, I see in my society that no one cares or bothers about things like dignity and honor they are just selling their character and their honor for money and money alone. Do you think that our society can improve if everyone has a double story house with a car in his garage and an A.C in his bedroom with a cable in his house and all other necessities (actually luxuries) of life. Do you think that it is that point in one’s life when he recognizes the meaning of these words and the meaning of humanity and the purpose of life or self actualization.
We talk about money, we care about money, we relate due to money, we act due to money, we marry due to money, and we kill due to money and one day all our actions are going to come to an end when we breathe the last breath, when we see the last picture, and when we hear the last words from our loved ones. Its then do we realize that what have we done in our lives and where did we spent it.
When one speaks the truth he knows for sure that it’s not only an obligation but the right thing to do whenever any situation comes up in his life. Some people cannot speak but truth why because it’s something from inside that compels them to do so. Therein is self and ideals so strong that they subjugate one’s will according to their code of conduct and that is the most beautiful thing we all humans have in common without which we would be nothing but animals, savage and hungry for food and shelter and for the lives of other living creatures. It leaves me inexplicable; the norms which have become a part of our lives are like a cancer which is going to vanquish us as humans. So it is not money, it is not the food and it is certainly not economy that makes us more human rather it is character, wisdom and morals that make us humans which comes through self actualization.
It left me thinking for a while when I first saw this hierarchy of needs by Maslow but I just let it go. But today there came into my mind all these things and I thought about jotting them down.

Austerity!

(26) And render to the kindred their due rights, as (also) to those in want, and to the wayfarer: But squander not (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift. (27) Verily spendthrifts are brothers of the Evil Ones; and the Evil One is to his Lord (himself) ungrateful. (surah 17, verses 26-27)

Dreams of luxurious lives when crumpled leave people in turmoil. People always complain that they do not earn enough and they need more. They need more to maintain balance in their lives and in their community. They have to coup with difficulties and have to double their time just to make the both ends meet. They work for nights and they work for days. Would it not be a lot easier for them to just turn their dreams down and just for one second stop and treasure the moments of their life on this earth and feel the pleasure of being bestowed with countless blessings and bounties they have and thank Allah for whatever they have and gratify Allah and be His servants for all their life.
And that is the beauty of Islam that it guides us to live contended life in whatever grave conditions we are in and hold fast the rope of Allah and ask Him for forgiveness and perform what He has commanded us to perform. But no what we do is run for the false dreams of luxury, people run for cycle when they walk and they run for bike when they ride a bicycle and people run for cars when they drive a motorcycle.
This is what most of us persevere for and live lives for. And when Allah decides something for people they just don’t recognize it and cannot accept their defeat by Allah’s fate. And this very fact is the seed of most of the fights occurring in homes and in our neighborhood. Then people face despicable scorns and morns of their inner desires which were left unfulfilled. How can we think then we can live a peaceful life without any tensions and without worries if we cannot stop ourselves from wanting more and more.

(1)The mutual rivalry for piling up (the good things of this world) diverts you (from the more serious things). (2)Until ye visit the graves (3). But nay, ye soon shall know (the reality). (4)Again, ye soon shall know!. (5) Nay, were ye to know with certainty of mind, (ye would beware!). (6) Ye shall certainly see Hell-Fire!. (7) Again, ye shall see it with certainty of sight!. (8) Then, shall ye be questioned that Day about the joy (ye indulged in!). (Surah: 102)

The choice is always ours, it is always us who have to decide and our fate really depends on what choices we make and at what times. This life is too worthy to spend on futile aims and desires, rather the jolts of life must ignite compassion in our souls to strive for the betterment of humanity, for strive to decrease the wraths which are upon us due to our pitiful and careless actions.

Towards an understanding!

In my last article I tried to point out the grave actions of the whole society including me which are taking us towards a disaster that is as vivid as the days in which we consume our lives. This article is a sequel to the previous one and it also is an emotional spill. InshaAllah! If Allah gave me will and time I will try to take us towards a complete understanding of our problems concealed with the solutions.

Has the story reached thee of the overwhelming (Event)? Some faces, that Day, will be humiliated. Laboring (hard), weary. The while they enter the Blazing Fire. The while they are given, to drink, of a boiling hot spring. No food will there be for them but a bitter Dhari'. Which will neither nourish nor satisfy hunger.
(Holy Quran, 88:1-7)

We come by to no accountability, we are answerable to none and no one questions us. Our loved ones die in front of our eyes we see them breathe their last breath, we treasure their last memories, the days we have spent with them, but we don’t imagine dying ourselves and leaving this bustling world, those moments come by and leave leaving us untouched and impressing nothing on our actions. Just remember that time when you were sick and you were suffering from fever what do you think then, what does come into your min? I know it by experience that everybody in this world has experienced death by one way or the other and when we have this glimpse of death what does come into our mind? (I would be happy to hear your comments). As for me it is always Allah who manifests in me like the Supreme Being who has absolute control of everything and health rests in His hands and I pray, I pray and pray and when I am healthy again I forget all those feelings. I believe that this happens with all of us. But here in this world we as students are not answerable to our teachers, and teachers do not question us, we as sons and daughters are not answerable about our deeds to our parents and they don’t question us, (except some exceptions, because we do what we want to do no matter what), we as the guardians of this nation and the Muslim Ummah are answerable to none because there is no one to question, we are answerable to nobody in this world, we are always compromising our self with what is upon us and we don’t do something about it. We don’t care, we don’t bother about 1 billion people living on this earth on less than a dollar a day, we don’t care about the lies and fantasies and the falsehoods we are living in, nobody bothers to find out the truth and some of those who know it are busy in writing it in columns and some of those who know are involved in secret societies and groups and I don’t know what they are really up to.

Nay! When the earth is pounded to powder. And thy Lord cometh, and His angels, rank upon rank. And Hell, that Day, is brought (face to face),- on that Day will man remember, but how will that remembrance profit him? He will say: "Ah! Would that I had sent forth (good deeds) for (this) my (Future) Life!". For, that Day, His Chastisement will be such as none (else) can inflict. And His bonds will be such as none (other) can bind.
(Holy Quran, 126:21-26)

So, our life is finite, it is not going to go on like this forever, it is going to end some day and just hold on to your throat for 1 minute and you will experience how your death will be. Yes, of course it is difficult and nearly impossible for us to get what the clear image is but still we should be aware of what grave times we are living in and we must prepare ourselves for that breath taking and ears shattering experience of death and then there will the One who will account for our deeds and our actions and then there will be no one to save us from Allah’ wrath. We are looking for answers and for solutions to our problems and for the serenity in our lives. We want to evolve in a free world first the world has experienced Communism and now the world wants to suffer from Democracy. While we have the answers, solutions, and peace in our own religion Islam that means peace itself. But today it has been made a dogma, a dogma for the marriage ceremony, a dogma for the funeral, a dogma for a new born baby, a dogma for the Friday prayer and nothing else. I can do nothing but have a deep sigh on our very pitiful condition. But on the Day of Judgment there will be no running away and there will be no savior for us, there will be no bribe there and there will be no favoritism and there certainly will be no racism on the basis of power. Then when Allah will ask us where did you spend your life? What are we going to say??? Yes, He is Raheem and Rehman but he is also Qahaar and Jabaar. May Allah bless us all and guide us to the straight path because it is His shear grace that we may be guided to the right path by Him.

Do men think that they will be left alone on saying, "We believe", and that they will not be tested? We did test those before them, and Allah will certainly know those who are true from those who are false. Do those who practise evil think that they will get the better of Us? Evil is their judgment!
(Holy Quran, 29:2-4)

Mirage

“Contemplation is a curse that makes an old confusion worse” I don’t know who said it but whenever I remember these words I feel like I am living my life in a deception. What Einstein tried to prove mathematically I think that we are all a living proof of it, we are living in a relative world where nothing is absolute, not even time, space, people, emotions, feelings, desires, actions, behaviors, perceptions, conceptions, assumptions, presumption nothing, nothing is absolute. So, whenever we come across anything ‘new’ in our mind we stop and think what have we been doing before. Then we contemplate, then we ponder over our actions and then we try to come up with a relative ‘logic’ to satisfy what had been the driving power of our actions.
I wake up, I dress up, I pack my bag and go and attend the classes, I come back I again change my clothes, I sleep sometime and then wake up, I hang out with my friends for some time, study if I have to, and then what, I go to sleep again and then repeat this everlasting routine. This is what most of us do in UET. When some incidents (and surely they happen with everyone) make us to stop and think we just don’t bother and move on with our routines. We don’t want to ‘confuse’ ourselves from any past mistake, or I would say we don’t want to deny our actions our egos even when we know that they were wrong. Isn’t this a mirage, a deception, in which we are spending our lives? What does command our life and actions? What are all our actions about? What are we striving for?
A sapling (tree) when tied up in a particular direction grows into that very direction; it never goes out of the way even if it wants to. This is what our state is; we never want to go outside the boundaries set by the society. If you just try it yourself to take one step astray from the path set by the society and right away you are going to face grave and despicable circumstances and you can try it any time.
Like puppets of the society doing what everybody is doing and we say that the wisdom of mankind is at its apex and we are enjoying a free and liberal world in which we can do whatever we want to, think whatever we want to, and believe in whatever we want to, just think it yourself. We aspire for a life that is fabricated by proctor and gamble, Ferrari, Siemens, BMW, Google etc. we live our lives for the profit of these capitalists who hunt us down by their giant billboards, attractive advertisements and with offers that we cannot deny.
This is why when we have a glimpse of the true responsibilities of us and we try to contemplate, we discover our evilness, what we do is only that we ‘make an old confusion worse’. What is the society controlled by and who is the master of the puppets? I guess it is our instincts that are driving us. And we are giving freedom to ourselves to exploit these animal instincts, this is what some philosophers say, some have said that it is the ideals which control one’s perseverance, some say that it is the biological needs in control of literature, art, religion, music, culture etc. one way or the other in my opinion it is something that comes from within, it is the evil which wants us to be free from all bounds, for this very reason democracy is being hailed. It is the evolution taking place and we are exploring the areas of our conscience, by giving freedom to free lancing. This will prove nothing useful to us on the individual level and on the level of the society as a whole because it will unleash our animalism and there lies nothing good but only the wicked. For a proof of it I think I need no example West with its allies is an actual proof of it.

Turmoil

I was stranded in the commotion of thoughts and was unable to find my way out. I was thinking about the literate group or alliance would be more appropriate to say them. I was trying to figure out their actions that what they were doing and what are their preferences now a-days. All of this contemplation started after reading the columnist writers page in it. It was filled with critic, remorse, optimistic ideas, critiques, and many things. I was thinking of any name or anyone from them or from the other literary people who really did something for the society and who really tried to come up with practical solutions and decisions which could free us from this turmoil of hunger, poverty corruption, aimlessness and terrorism.
It is said that “actions speak louder than the words” and I think the actions of our rulers classically Zardari and his consortium are speaking up in the newspapers and that is what all the headlines and news is about. My question and the reason of my own confusion is that what are the actions of this alliance of so called literate people who bear the responsibility of brainwashing the people and inducting in them their culture and civilization which they themselves emblazon with vanity and delicacy. I guess their actions are so weak that they lose their loudness in the upheaval of other notorious actions of the people in power, or it might be that media has got filter in their ears and don’t hear the voices of these people. In either case I am sad because of their actions as they are not ‘speaking louder than the words’ of the oppressive.
It is always the literary group that has to feel the responsibility and come on the stage to take the lead of change in the society and to revert all of our actions in the right direction and towards the way of Islam. All their actions seem to me to be for money or for their leisure. They are writing for the sake of writing or for the sake of money. I concur this from the fact that their words are only mere words without being casted in action they will remain as they are.
We must go back to our sentiments we must go back to the origin of our culture and we must bring it back in the limelight of modernity, making people aware of our great values of the past which are deceased by the foreign contaminants of culture and secularism, that must be fought and that must be eradicated.

A seed!

A seed
A day before yesterday’s columns had some light in them they were filled with healthy news and some twinkling cluster of pearls. It was refreshing to read it at once. First of all it was delighting to hear that the first Danish school was opened by our very honored and celebrated chief minister of Punjab. It is said that the building of the school spans over 100 acres and has a marvelous infrastructure comparable to Aitcheson School. It was very happy news to hear after all.
The schools are a seed of the very bright future for children who could not do anything else but do what their fathers did, which could not attend the school but only aspire to do so. The schools are a seed for Pakistan’s future. They are the seed of the technological, ethical, civic, and literary development of our country. It is a seed that will produce fruit for the generations to come. I hope that it will harvest the intellect of students in a way that they will lead the future of Pakistan towards the apex of development and will remove the differences faced by today’s Pakistan. The students here I pray will learn InshaAllah the true meaning of the code of conduct that has been taught in schools for decades in the past.
It is again very thoughtful of the CM that he decided to build these schools in the spacious places and in natural environment as it will make the students nearer to the nature which of course has a soothing effect on minds and souls, away from the smoky cities with infected people from pollution, students at Danish School will surely enjoy an adequate education.
It would be a spectacle to see the students coming on bicycles and on their foot with their fathers going in the fields to harvest with dirt all on their clothes, seeing their children off in the schools which are equivalent to schools in which another group of students is admitted with healthy fees and who learn arrogance and vanity there, while this group has fathers who are the people of high authority and capitalists who drop them on their luxurious cars. While Danish group of students will learn simplicity and will amalgamate education with the values of their village which is I believe intact to some extent up till now. People say that corruption always starts from the cities and the villages are always the last to follow. But if now through Danish school systems this modern education and the forgotten values of our ancestors combine, will InshaAllah produce fine students who are going to remove the sense of inferiority from the populace of the upper Punjab and other un-developed areas of this country.
This seed if properly nourished will flourish into a tree that is going to provide shadow to the future generations and is going to give fruits to its inhabitants that will be worth of many lives which are lost now a-days, it is going to protect us from the attacks of despicable strategies of storm being planned by its enemies and it is going to stand firm on the ground to protect its people. The literate of Pakistan should fully cooperate in the upbringing of these schools so that the grim looking conditions of Pakistanis may change in the future to come. I hope that the seed might not have been imported from the West and it might have been locally harvested, otherwise the fruits will all be exotic and malignant for its own inhabitants.