Top 10 reasons for me to love UAE:

1. It’s a Muslim land: the mosques here are magnificent!
2. The shopping malls here made me an extravagant shopper.
3. Almost all the restaurants you walk into offer delicious food. Oh, I’ve definitely fallen for their chicken mandi (basically, it is made of rice, meat and spices). Shawarma is another mouth-watering food here.
4. The tallest building in the world is here so what more reasons do you want in order to love UAE? It surely is a must-visit-place.
5. Yes, I’m a desert fan. Long drives during the weekends on the never ending highways with desert plains on either side give a peaceful feeling.
6. Celebrations of any sort are, indeed, exhilarating. Amusement during the National Days and New Years are a great time here.
7.  UAE is exceptionally multicultural. It is common to come across people from all corners of the world.
8. UAE is home to many tourist destinations. Palm Jumeirah is one of the top ones.
9. UAE has mountains too! Jabel Hafeet is a natural beauty!
10. I love winters in this part of the world!

UAE is a beauty!

It’s a chaos

Everything seems so imprecise and vague. Is it the biased media or the prejudiced politicians or merely the disturbed citizens who are to be blamed for the current disorder in Islamabad, Pakistan?

Is it simply the political disturbance, which Pakistan is encountering? No, it involves something more massive than this. The current economic situation, the international position and the disruptive national security is at stake.

It’s a high time that the government makes a final agreement rather than keep delaying it. We know and they themselves know how corrupted the entire political system is in Pakistan. Instead of hiding themselves inside their lavish resort-like palaces; instead of driving around in their expensive cars with a great protocol; instead of adoring all sort of unnecessary luxuries through the use of taxes that has been paid by the citizens, these corrupted politicians should stop it all here.

The admirers of such charlatans should know their real faces. They shouldn’t fear anybody instead walk towards the path of truth and practicality. I am not claiming that it has to be Imran Khan on the president’s seat within the next few days rather I’d certainly say, “GIVE HIM A TRY!”

However, the country is facing a great downfall in every sense and if Imran Khan gets the place, it’ll take another year or so to stabilize the current disruptive situation. Therefore, giving Imran Khan a chance to show his democratic leadership won’t be an improper idea. It’s not guaranteed that Imran Khan can successfully alter the anarchy and introduce a more peaceful and a democratic nation but we should give him a try anyway.

With due respect, President Nawaz Shareef shouldn’t stay stubborn with his presidency. He himself has been elected through unfair elections. He should let go his pride and act more sensibly. Because it’s not only about being “President Nawaz Shareef” rather it’s about the lives of millions of people.

Bring a better change!

Retrieved from PTI's official website: http://www.insaf.pk/

Being Just - Gaza

The intensity of pain is unimaginable,

the fear of living is inexpressible.

With every strike … dozens die,

but most says people of Gaza lie.

It’s pathetic … its injustice,

you know why? Because of their prejudice.

People of Gaza are shattered like a jigsaw puzzle,

the streets, the playgrounds, the schools own the muzzle.

The breathing souls own the patience,

we as being seek them for inspiration.

With every explosion a family is scattered,

their dreams are all shattered.

Oh the people of Gaza,

the humans understand the antagonist’s drama.

Their injustice will soon be topped with worms and thorns,

and death won’t come to them until they cry and mourn.

Oh the people of Gaza … you own no weapon,

for we know you are the people of heaven.

(Tumblr Copyright - psychedelicmanda.tumblr.com)

Ramadan + Good deeds = Happiness

Narrated Abu Huraira(r.a): The Prophet said:”… whoever fasts during Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah’s rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari).

Ramadan; a month of blessings, forgiveness and rewards. The beauty of this month rejuvenates the blind hearts and worldly souls. When you refrain from any form of intake, you naturally tend to pull yourself away from the materialism of this world. You learn, with a course of matter, that the Hereafter is the final destination and that worshiping the world will lead you nowhere. Subhan’Allah.

I was thinking of sharing a list of acts that we all can possibly do in this blessed month to expand the bucket of our rewards. In Sha Allah.

1. Tahajjud. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the prayer which is performed in the last part of the night”. [Reported by Imam Muslim]

Pray Tahajjud just before your suhr and ask Allah whatever you wish, because this is that time of the night in which no prayer shall be rejected. Trust me, give it a try and see how it fascinates you. In Sha Allah.

2. Read Qur’an. Best way to remind yourself about reading the Qur’an is by downloading Qur’an apps on your mobile phones and tablets as this will keep calling your attention.Try it, it really works.

3.  Make Dua. Since the Gates of Mercy and Paradise are opened  then how can Allah let the believer leave empty handed after the supplication? Remember to pray for everyone; even for those who don’t have enough to break their fasts.

4. Give charity. It’s true that charity should not specifically be given during this month but as a Muslim, we should take care of poor and deprived individuals who can’t even afford a date to break their fasts. Hence, give more to the needy during this month because it is only the fasting Muslim who can imagine the joy of Iftar after a seventeen-hour fast.

5. Do Dhikr. Keep reciting anything that you could think of. It could be: names of Allah; short verses of the Holy Quran; Ayat-ul-Qursi; Allahu Akbar; SubhanAllah; Alhamdulillah; La Ilaha Illallah or any other Islamic verse.

6. Make Taubah. Gates of Mercy are opened during this holy month. Hence, this an ideal time to ask Allah for forgiveness. Show your guilt for the disastrous sins you’ve committed.

7. Listen to Islamic lectures. Browse the internet/flip the channels, I’m sure, every form of media will be posting powerful Islamic reminders by some extraordinary scholars. Gain more knowledge through this.

8. Smile; an emotion,  which you should wear even if you are about to faint from hunger!

9. Eat healthy iftar! Also, “Eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess.” - Al Qur’an 7:31

10. Behave well with other Muslims because they are also fasting as you are. Don't let arrogance take over you.

Ramadan Kareem

Let’s Make a Better Pakistan!

Far away we reside
Away from the sparkling smiles,

Never let the thought of your land fly

Pray for it until you die,

Eloquence won’t make a difference

It’s time to stand high and lit the sky,

Making Pakistan a land of harmony

With you and I spreading love and unity.

It's strange how most of us forget our own country ones we step out of it. It's even more strange that we least bother to turn back. What have you and I done for Pakistan? I ask you and to myself as well, is the education we’re gaining is really worth if we have nothing to contribute to Pakistan? In the end, these questions will only overwhelm us. But it's time to implement them and make a difference!

Being an NRP, you and I can contribute more to Pakistan than those who are actually residing over there. In this short piece, I will highlight the possible ways in which we can contribute to our country.

To begin with, poverty is considered as a harsh reality of Pakistan. Almost 64 percent of Pakistan’s current population is below the poverty rate (The Express Tribune, 2014). As being NRPs, how can we contribute to this thrilling rate of poverty? This deficiency of a well-being is due to a lack of job opportunities especially in rural areas. People are demanding for jobs but it’s least likely the case that they are supplied with any. Our Pakistani brothers and sisters who are currently living there want to strive for the betterment of their nation but a lack in the means to undertake this action is preventing them to do so.

We, as NRPs can be ‘young entrepreneurs’. We can invest a proportion of our savings (pocket-money) into small industries in Pakistan. These industries need finance to establish them and create jobs for others, which in return will flourish the nation. We are not only the leaders of our personal souls but also for a successful Pakistan. To exemplify this, even if we separate 100 Dirhams per month from our monthly savings, we can easily save almost 25000-30000 rupees per year. This is a massive amount! Imagine because of your contribution an underprivileged gets a settled job and a better education for his children.

We are busy fixing our lives and overlooking those who are in extreme need for survival. Pakistan will not become a developed nation until you and I keep aside our “personal” concerns and take into account their lives.

Being a patriotic and a devoted NRP, we have to look into ways that could flourish the country internationally. The image of our beloved country is ruining whether it is in terms of social, economic or political affairs. I’m sure most of us have set goals to achieve after attaining a degree. Some of us may either look forward to a job at a multinational organization or may start a business. But ask yourself will these high goals really help you to contribute to a prosperous future? Is your education valuable enough to invest in Pakistan? Keep struggling to untie these complex knots. You can donate your education in Pakistan’s international laws, food scarcity, social welfare, trade matters or education. You can become specialized in such fields and lead to a better Pakistan.

Make Quaid’s dream come true by transforming Pakistan into a land of peace, harmony and unity. It’s a high time to unite and help our Pakistani families residing there in every possible ways. We as future leaders are the leading steps for a prosperous Pakistan!  

Farz haii humaara iss mittii ko apna samajh ne ka,

 waise he jaise tum samajhte ho gairo kii mittii ko...

Pleasures of this world is a lie

We are all striving; striving to achieve our goals, dreams and desires; working hard to beautify our souls for the people of this world. For this world we live and die and love; and that this world is a lie, which we neglect.

We close our eyes to the truth, the reality. Somewhere deep down in us we know, we know we are erroneous. But we try to become flawless and perfect.  

Sadly, we are constructing our inner soul to adjust ourselves in this constantly evolving world. We try to be in-line with all the latest trends of this decisive world. For most of us, the only concern is to equate ourselves among the wealthiest, famed and the charmers.  

We’ve forgotten our only purpose for which we were descended down from the skies to the soil. It seems like at every step, this purpose is fading away from our soul. Our purpose as beings is to worship Allah swt at every breath, at every step. But this doesn’t seem to be the case now.

The purpose of our existence is becoming a history and a mystery in some cases. The main reason for our existence is eroding.

Who to blame for this erosion? Media? Glamour?  Status? Wealth? And the list continues…

Well, not really. It’s ‘us’ who are to blamed for the fuss. We are driven by the endless evolutions, which are taking place in this contemporary world. And we KNOW that we are getting driven by such factors but still shut our eyes and keep welcoming the lies from our hearts. It’s a strange human psyche.

The evil is within us. It’s on a voyage to seal our hearts to realize the purpose of our being. In fact, we do know that we’re on the wrong track but still unwilling to admit it. Nobody can stop this evil from spreading across our soul. But the only thing that can possibly make this happen is ‘you’. Yes. It’s you who can fight off this evil and purify your soul.

This fight is not a normal one. It requires an immense patience and content. For that, you need to draw a broad line between right and wrong. You need to be yourself. What this mean is that, you were sent down alone and will be taken back alone. Thence, living in this world implies that you need to be ‘alone’. That is, your identity as a being should be individualistic and entirely unique. Transforming yourself to fit in the paradigms of this decisive world will take you nowhere but will result in making you into a person who you should not be. Unfortunately, this snatches your attention away from your sole purpose of existence.  

Allah knows the evil lies within us. Hence, we should strive to transform and beautify our souls for Allah swt rather than for the people of this decisive world.

Surah At-Taghabun, verse 4

“He knows what is within the heavens and earth and knows what you conceal and what you declare. And Allah is Knowing of that within the breasts.”