The IQRA Society

This is a great new blog, check it out here : IQRA

The Purpose of Life

The purpose of life, what is it? Why are we here? and what do we hope to accomplish in this life? Where were we before this life and where will we go after this existence ends? These are the most important questions yet they receive hundreds of different answers, I guess that’s because people don’t really know. Every time you ask anyone they just answer with what they have heard other people say, not what they really think or have come to learn. I’ve seen some brilliant scientists saying science can help answer these questions, but I don’t buy that. The fundamental question is, is all this an accident? You me and everything in the universe, just that. . .an accident? Can such accidents really happen? When I look at the sky, I know that’s not there by an accident. When I marvel at the oceans I know they have not been created in vain. Everything in nature has a purpose, intricately designed and crafted to perfection. Surely all this splendor has a creator and sustainer. I for one humble myself in front of this Creator whose bounties I am ever grateful for. Praise be to the Most Merciful who has given me the ability to contemplate all this and submit myself to His will.

A Journey of a 1000 Miles

It’s been a while since I’ve been on a long journey. Unlike most people I enjoy traveling to distant places, savoring the culture, cuisine and customs of the people along my path. The most unforgettable journey of my life so far has been the Great Pilgrimage (The Hajj). Recently I got a chance to travel through Pakistan on the old English train route. Even though the journey was marred by delays, I enjoyed great company. Met some really interesting people, an insurance salesman, a preacher, one business student and a malang (holy man). All of us spent the entire night remembering all we could of our faith and sharing the stories of mysticism and spirituality. Nights like these are priceless, where emotions are high and theology is felt penetrating your soul. In two days I had passed through Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Bahawalpur Faysalabad. . .Lahore, Chakwal and Finally Islamabad. My father always says “Travel is a Teacher, The best of Teachers!”
Hope life has more to offer, more travels and more tales.

Oh and Eid Mubarik to all, Vix, Twice Translated, Cow, Ticky Talk and Tasha

Some Random Thoughts

The future is a very uncertain thing. Yet I am optimistic, more optimistic than most people would tend to think. I have noticed that on any blog, the emotions of people are exaggerated. I guess that’s because words are often not very good representatives of our emotions. Thus every time I was blogging in the past, every mild bit of resentment at this world was amplified. I lost all the blogging I did before, some freak accident of blogger.com.

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I haven’t seen any good movies for a while, I guess the best one so far was “V for Vendetta”. I quit Indian movies sometime back, nothing but stupidity to be found there. I enjoyed the plot and how it reflects the situation of the world. I guess in the end we can conclude that you can only be as happy as you want to be, no more, no less. Once anyone changes their outlook of life, nothing can stand in their way. I know what I’ve said might not make much sense, but then again, at times nothing makes sense.

The Kite Runner

I was reading “the Kite Runner” a very good book about an Afghan refugee from the Soviet Occupation, who grows up in America. The book seems very interesting and the storytelling seemed in line with reality. Especially the relationships he has described between himself and his father who refuses to see a doctor despite having cancer. Of special interest is the developing of a relationship between the lead character and a young woman also from Afghanistan. Tribal customs, the traditional societal values etc are portrayed very realistically in this book. I would highly recommend it.

Oh and I’m going home soon :) (inshAllah)

An analysis of relationships

Why is it that people are so sentimental? I cannot understand why emotions govern people, driving them to do things they are otherwise incapable of! People who are emotionally driven do not have much concern for the consequences their actions may cause. Thus in a storm of passion actions which seem ruinous afterwards are committed without the slightest remorse. Sometimes I wonder how people in relationships can bear the devastating impact of their conflicts. I guess it comes down to this, every relationship is built up of a series of transactions. The survival of the relationship depends on our ability to keep a positive balance in these transactions. Once the deficit reaches a critical point, people drift apart to such an extent that nothing can bring them back again. .

Hope is alive

People keep searching for meaning in their lives. I am on a similar quest, yet every turn I take, seemingly hopeful ends in a surprising twist. Yet I am not dismayed by the way life has turned out, I am not the least bit disappointed. Life has many lessons to teach us, if we are aware and conscious. Yet the problem with us is that we are barely conscious of our direction in life at the best of times, most of us are lost in oblivion. The next time you feel like life has thrown you a curve ball, I suggest you whack it out of the ball park! You are powerful, you have the courage to succeed. Most of the time, the only thing holding you back is yourself! As my faith teaches me to be optimistic, so I too urge you to be optimistic. At such times, I can only think of the following phrase:
“Hopelessness if Faithlessness!”
I say this because without faith, we are animals, without guidance we are lost. Remember, God is on your side, He is with you right now! That’s something which can always cheer me up :)

Hope (For the broken hearted)

This is the latest video, got pretty good reviews :)