This Ashura…

They were the Princes and Princesses of Heavens and earth. They were the children of my Aqa AS. There ain’t enough words to describe their stature, there ain’t enough words to condemn the shameful cruelty of Ummah towards them, there ain’t enough words to express the sorrow over what happened and how it happened in Karbala. 

Every Ashura, the heartache returns with greater intensity more so this Ashura. The more I think about current situation, the more parallels are drawn with Yazids of past and present. The more it is confirmed that I’m a Kofi. Like Kofis, I pick up my handset and write letters (Blogs). My plight is that I don’t even have the luxury to call upon Hussain AS. What a plight? May be I don’t deserve it. May be like those Kofis, I might also en burning (deleting) those letters (Blogs). Kofis took a sigh of relief seeing those tents burning. However, in those tents was not only the evidence (letters of Kofis) but also the progeny of Aqa AS. Thank God I’m not one of them yet a Kofi with no solace to call upon Hussain AS. 

This is not a political commentary on behalf of a political party. Just for moment, be a Pakistani Muslim and relate with what is happening around us. 

The more I visualise scenes of 60-61 Hijra, the more semblance I see with Pakistan of today. Illegal heir to throne seeking legitimacy to power through absurd and brutish means. Rented ‘Religious scholars’ like Israelite Rabbis spewing venom against truth. Misuse of Quranic Verses and Hadith like we do now. Cowtowing elite going extra mile protecting their interests by aligning them with the interests of Yazid. Eulogising intelligentsia spin doctoring the narrative. Draw a parallel with Ummiyad pulpit with today’s clergy on TV screens or town square propaganda with talk shows. Businessmen and investors like merchants of Balad Al Sham cajoling Yazid.  Kalima go state forces persecuting Kalima go commoners. Except, we the morbid miserables don’t have Hussain AS to call upon. Oppressive Al-e-Yazid is petrifying Kofis like us to at least silence the majority. Greatest fear of Yazid was that if the word went out that Hussain AS was on the move, people would rally around him which could have swept away his illegal rule. Kofis, however, were subdued by the might of tyrant forces and quietly caved in just like ‘Project Silence Pakistan’ is moving forward with full force through coercion and legislations. Fear of giving up living or life was too much for Kofis to handle but these trifles meant nothing to Hussain AS. His mission was larger than life and mundane needs. That is why He (Hussain AS) lives today whereas Yazid and Kofis cursed. Though Hussainis are mourning and grieving with utmost love, sincerity and reverence yet Hussaniyat was never about grief, commemoration or rituals but standing up to Yazid. The Prince of heavens and earth has set the bar so high that both Hussainis and Kofis like me stand in the same line. Our Imaan is diluted by basic needs, longterm plans, comfort living, cautious approach, corner plots, ‘hard earned’ perks and family interests. As if our families are (Na’uz Billah) more sacred than Hussain’s. We have loads of knowledges and heaps of information about everything except willingness to sacrifice. No courage to speak. No strength of character to call out usurpers. No wonder, we deserve what is coming our way. 

While drawing these parallels between Yazids of past and present, most alarming dissimilarity comes to fore; notwithstanding zero moral authority and heinous acts of past Yazid, state was expanding and thriving. Might be because the seed of that state was sown by Aqa AS and nourished by Rashidoon (May Alllah be pleased with them). Look at us, we continue to fall in a pit-less abyss. Entire nation is playing a game of pretence; oppressors trying to look cool, calm & collected and oppressed trying to absorb every pressure particularly economic. 

May Allah give us strength to follow Hussainiyat in its true spirit. Ameen. 

Nothing to report

Except weekly Al Kahf post, couldn’t write for almost five months due to illness. Alhamdolillah, finally got diagnosed last month and improved. Only those who experienced acute B12 deficiency can understand what could’ve happened during this time.

By the way, even if I could, what could have I written. Situation reminds me of Army term when nothing happened for a specific period of time, we used to forward situation reports ‘NTR’ (Nothing To Report) apart from green shootings of agricultural revolution. Since, they took sarcasm of “Mehkma Zara’t” quite seriously next time when smart people wanted to take a jibe at the institution, instead of agriculture department call it “Mehkma Askari”, it might be taken seriously as well. 

So when there is nothing to report, there is always something closer to nothingness that can be reported randomly in satire like:

Finally, after thousands of years of evolution, humanity is about to achieve landmark gender equality (in numbers only) in 2024 Olympics when for the first time 5250 men shall participate alongside 5250 women. However, the problem is that now we have 72 genders (& counting). Wonder how long will it take to achieve equality among ever increasing genders. 

Evolution reminds of Agriculture Revolution and it makes sense that instead AI Revolution of 21st  Century, Information Revolution of 20th Century, Industrial Revolution of 19th Century, we decided to work our way from 18th Century Agricultural Revolution to remaining revolutions for chronological reasons. Quite smart, in fact Morsi had the same plans for Egypt. Any similarity is accidental because we are ‘not’ like Morsi, the US pimp in ancient lands.

Agrarian Mirage might bring FDI but we may end up selling Pakistan for peanuts. However, for a security state, food security is equally important but we might not need any more security as long as Toyota continues to produce Vigo in Black.

Pimp reminds me of US Centcom Commander sitting in our center of gravity in civvies, a crime unheard of. His confidence was intimidating like that of our previous masters British Gora sb as if he was sitting in his colony. 

Probably, he wants us to take the fight to barbarians next door who used to be considered our strategic depth. Wonder we were wrong then or now. Hmmm, we can’t be wrong now (however, I don’t mean it).  Very interesting scenario emerging. May be the beginning of the end. May be this is the Gazvah we have been foretold about except the roles of protagonists. Wonder people in this Muslim belt from Indus basin to east of CARs and Persia would like to get freedom from whom? Since our adopted god is god of money so who carries the day, The Barbarians with 87.50 Afghani or The Professionals with PKR 287.38 against one dollar.

Difficult times to be alive. Challenging times to survive.

Something has to give because status quo is not an option. This nexus of evil can’t continue to rule over us. Undoubtedly, past couple of years have changed this part of the world for ever. 

Evil reminds me of charming adds of our compassionate prime minister all over prime time media at government expense showing his achievements in part 18 months. How well the entire sincere media has been rewarded for their services. How blind sighted we are in absence of those adds. How lucky we are to see those adds. How well Pakistan progressed without Pakistanis knowing it. 

Never seen so much care taken by the caretaker governments as we see in two provinces which sets the tone for upcoming care to be taken in two more provinces and center next month. As much care is needed, it shall take some care before these caretakers show their backs. Irony is that politicians in power still think they are going to take care of this country. 

Surah Al Kahf - Ayah No 4

Assalam o Alaikum. Shab-e-Juma Mubarak. A gentle reminder for recitation of Al Kahf or at least its first and last ten Ayahs on this Mubarak day.Allah is Al Muhaymin (ٱلْمُهَيْمِنُ), meaning the one who ensures well being and protection over His creation. He is also the ever watchful. Nothing that can be hidden from Him, He is the knower of all the secrets we conceal.

Although, Allah swt knows whats going on in our hearts yet He swt is a reliable confidant. It is His mercy that despite knowing it all, keeps cover over our failings. Let's take this opportunity & make a prayer, ' Dear Lord, I beg you to hide my failings in this life and abashment in the next in front of Makhlooq'. This is a fair request. However, before we get carried away by our own wishes, the concept of Allah's rights and rights of others may be understood. This is really interesting and totally logical that Allah swt may forgive any oversight towards His obligations but He won't interfere in Human to Human dealings unless certain limits are violated. Allah's mercy shall overpower His wrath and that is our only hope. However, we are not getting away with usurping rights of others, hence, the settlement of rights between the Humans is their own problem. Allah swt has made every single being the best of His creation and unique in identity. By giving us this grace, He swt made our salvation conditional with fulfilling rights of fellow beings. So it seems that when Allah's anger is overcome by His mercy, our further disposal on the Day of Judgment shall rest in the hands of fellow beings. We need to keep our balance clear with fellow beings. This life is our only opportunity to do that. 

How do we fulfil this obligation towards fellow human beings? Firstly, keep our thoughts clean about others. Whoever, we come across, we must believe that he/ she is better than us. This absolves us from sin of arrogance/superiority committed by our arch enemy at the time of creation. Secondly, keep forgiving everyone. Say it in their face and ask their forgiveness. Taking opportunity, I ask your wholehearted forgiveness. Thirdly, instead of criticizing, pray for Hidayat of the person or resolution of their/ your own issues. Just these three steps shall make wonderful change in your lives and lives of the ones around you. 

Coming over to today's Ayah No 4, it would be pertinent to look at Ayah 3 & 5 as well to keep the things in context:

How can Creator have offspring? Its insulting. Its beyond logic. It didn't go down well with the Creator that his most beloved Prophet Isa Ibn Mariyam (Jesus, son of Mary) was declared son of God or God incarnate in some cases. This is insult of human intellect as well. The one who created Adam AS without father, created Isa AS without father. In his control are the heavens and earth and everything in between them. Since, these are executive instructions of warnings to those who mistakenly took Nabi Isa AS as Allah's son, so all we can do is to convey the message and pray for them because in final showdown, our Christian brothers shall stand by us as Jesus Christ shall also descend from heavens to settle the issue with the anti christ. What we need to understand is the hierarchy of the universe. Prophet Muhammad PBUH is perched ay the top slot and then the remaining Messengers of Allah. Followed by Shuhada, Siddiqin, Salehin and in the end, common people like us. It is important that we remain aware of our place in this hierarchy. It will keep us on right spot and right path, and above all, humble. 

Only Allah knows the whole Truth

Surah Al Kahf - Ayah No 3

 Assalam o Alaikum. Shab-e-Juma Mubark. A polite reminder to recite or understand Al Kahf or at least first and last Rukuh.

Choices we make are the reasons of rest or unrest in our lives. Choices like earning. How do we earn? Like spending. How do we spend? Like eating. How do we eat? Like dealing. How do we deal? Our greatest gift is freedom to choose, at the same time, our greatest plight is freedom of choice (wrong ones). It is this freedom of choice that makes us the best of creations or the lowest of the low. It’s all about choices. If we make clean choices, we live clean. If we earn halal, we spend wisely. If we don’t, we don’t need any guidance, desires take over the spending part of our brains. Desires above necessities are the real problem. Above basic needs, rightful desires could only be helping fellow beings. And when we follow desires whispered by our Qareen, we develop fears. Fear of means. Fear of unknown. Fear of losing. Fear of being left behind (major function of serotonin). Fears affect our choices. A vicious cycle of wrong choices begins. We begin to rely on means (increase or lack of) than the Provider of means. We get occupied by the fear of unknown than the Unseen Known. Fear of losing what we’ve got overtakes gratitude. Fear of being left behind consumes our time and abilities in unending material rat-race. And before we know, times up.

Coming over to today's Ayah No 3. It is continuation of Ayah 2. In second ayah, buildup by warnings of retribution is followed up by glad tidings for those who did good deeds. All good deeds are derivatives of overriding desires above needs. Fear could only be overcome by hope. And hope reigns supreme in religion of peace. This Ayah being dedicated to these three words ‘Will live there forever’. So the biggest philosophical question is answered. Hoping to live forever in the best of the places, in best of the health and age is the logical reward for overcoming our desires and doing the good deeds in this limited window of opportunity (70/80 years of life span).

Please note that for a short period of time Dajjal will give false impression of controlling life and death. This must be the greatest test of the faithful. The only way we could prepare ourselves and equip our next generations is through Quran and Al Kahf in particular. May Allah protect us from this fitna. Ameen. 

Only Allah knows the whole Truth

Surah Al Kahf - Ayah No 2

Juma Mubarak. Rajab 21, 1442 AH

Assalam o Alaikum. Shab-e-Juma Mubarak. 

Words بأسا شديدا has also been interpreted as extremely difficult times when deception will be at its climax i.e fitna of dajjal. In scribe's humble reckoning, if we keep the sequence of Al Kahf stories in view, we are in the later half of phase 3. Story 1 about Tauheed under attack. Atheism is becoming a popular deen since last century. Story 2 about reliance on material means instead of the Creator of these means which has already peaked. Story 3 about fallacious human claim of having too much knowledge is already here. We have been hit & swept by so called information revolution which is phase 3. We as specie are so naive that we confuse information with knowledge, whereas the man who had the knowledge of the Book, claimed & brought throne of Queen Saba much faster than a powerful jinn. So, Google and Wikipedia based knowledge is only information. And last story of Zulqarnain gives us hints about appearance of Dajjal and his fitna. Time wise, we are almost there. 

When Allah swt warns of punishment, it must be understood that the punishment starts right here in this life and continues in hereafter. 

The problem is with our understanding rather not understanding our purpose of life. Anxieties of material needs resulting in pressures of work translating in poor interpersonal dealings starting from home, relations, friendships, social and professional lives. Resultantly, self-centric life, seclusion, distancing and depression. What happens is that inadvertently, a beautiful gift of Allah swt, this short sojourn on earth, slowly and gradually becomes miserable.Why because the trailer of that severe punishment mentioned in this ayah begins right here and we don't even know of it. 

So what is the way out? Simple, be thankful. Acknowledge what you've got. Stop counting Bill Gates' billions, start counting his Boss's blessings you have been bestowed upon. This should be the start point and then you may see floodgates of more blessings opening up for you. It is Allah's promise that He (swt) will increase us (in everything Imaan, health, wealth, offspring & so on), only if we are thankful. 

Final word, whatever has to happen in hereafter: right or left, pass or fail, good or bad, it will all start here in this life only if we are lucky enough to escape traps of our enemy every step of the way. 

May Allah guide us through this journey. Ameen

Only Allah knows the whole Truth. 

Surah Al Kahf - Ayah No 1

 Assalam o Alaikum. Shab-Juma Mubarak. 

 Three years ago started weekly Ayah by Ayah series of Al Kahf and after a thinking long and hard on what next with options of Urdu/ English Vlog or Urdu Blog, ended up with writing English Blog again with newer and better perspective Insha Allah. May Allah swt help, guide and accept. Ameen.

A word on Quran burning in Sweden. Yes, this abuse of freedom of speech hurts. So much for human evolution and progress that they disrespect feelings of more than quarter of earth’s population. However, this heinous act can neither take glory of The Book away nor alter its message. This should give us every reason to study and understand Al Quran. Besides protest (short of violence in our countries of residence), we should do all we can to live our lives as per the The Book. 

Let's take advantage of your attention on this Juma Mubarakah and talk afresh about first Ayah of Al Kahf. 

Praise be to Allah swt who did us the greatest favour by sending down The Book (Al Quran) sans fault, flaw or deviance. Being aliens to this planet, we needed a proper code of life to follow so that we could understand purpose of life (where we came from, what is our relation with our surroundings and where are we headed?). All we need to do is to get connected with the Source i.e. Allah swt, His word (The Book) and His Messenger PBUH. He told us things about unseen on need to know basis to make it easy for us. Why word Abd or Servant is used for the Prophet PBUH because in subsequent Ayahs, Allah swt conveys His anger over how some have taken His beloved Prophet Isa Ibn Maryam  AS (Jesus Christ) as His son. How could human intellect fail to distinguish between finite and The Infinite; the creation and The Creator? And in final part of the same Ayah, Allah swt makes a firm claim that there is no deviance in His Book. It is also a challenge posed to thinking human mind of today to question, challenge and explore. Good thing about Quran is that it satisfies the quest for the Truth. And for those who don't accept the Truth despite knowing it well shall continue to raise illogical objections and instead of finding deviance in Quran, they might go totally astray. May ALLAH keep us among those whom he favored. Ameen

Only ALLAH knows the whole truth.