Self-Realization - The Need of the hour

A beholder may only develop a palpable perspective; but to establish the true judgment he needs to ponder.

There have been quite a few theories floating around regarding the devastating floods that have razed and ravaged more than a quarter of the nation. A horde of environmentalists’ have blatantly, and rightly, accused the expansive of use of fossil fuel by every individual all over the world in degenerating the global climate thus resulting in global warming. One of the aftermaths of this global warming, they suggest, is “high frequency of heavy precipitation events over most land areas”. The according judgment that firmly binds the above statement as a measurable argument is a simple principle. Warm air holds more moisture than cold air thus there is more suspended moisture during warmer seasons (and as the earth gets warmer, there is a higher content of moisture in the air) and periodically falls to the ground.

Although a scathing review of our lifestyle, yet undeniably true. The finger points directly to each one of us and our mundane course of life that is accustomed to the heavy use of locomotives and an even heavier use of lower grade gasoline. However, this is just an aspect of our daily lives that has directly constituted towards such a reckoning. In the last decade draughts, earthquakes and floods have razed havoc across Pakistan, yet each time we successfully deduce an inane reasoning to justify natures work and forget to judge the innate reason behind.

A wider perspective of all such tragedies that have befallen us is to scrutinize our entire daily lives and not just one aspect of it. We all collectively believe, without any recourse that any such calamity is from the Almighty alone. No denying that. It is with His Command alone that any great fortune be bestowed on us or a great calamity befalls on us, and all such elements traverse to form a chain leading to the event. What have we done that sparked such a staunch warning from Allah?

Allah had blessed us and our forefathers with pride, honor, dignity and freedom in form of Pakistan. With great scarifies was a land created in the name of Islam, where Muslims would practice Islam in light of the Divine Law (Quran) and spread the message forward without any hindrances. Groom and nurture our generations under an Islamic dominance, cultivate the social and moral practices of Islam into our lives. Pakistan became the only nation created on the basis of religion and not any racial decorum.

Unfortunately we have exuberantly failed in accomplishing any of that. The land of Muslims has been transformed into a war-waging land of terrorists and religious fanatics. Our social and moral values have degenerated to such as extent that in no way do we depict an Islamic society, let alone a human society. Social intolerance and crimes like theft, robbery, and extortion are at an all time high. Moral dignities and values are long lost and forgotten such that domestic violence and disturbance has become a norm. We have disfigured the actual image of Islam moved far away from its teaching and molded them to befit our needs. We, as a nation, have failed collectively. It is not just a handful of individual who are to be held accountable, we are in it altogether. Each one of us has his/her own share in bringing such calamities upon us. The finger points directly to each one of us and our mundane course of life.

The first and foremost thing is ‘self-realization’. A man can starve from self-realization as much as from bread. We all are guilty of our own share for the present condition, and we must realize it. We all contribute, knowingly or unknowingly, in conniving to the entire plot. We need to realize and set ourselves straight. Just as we would walk shorter distances to avoid the unnecessary burning of gasoline and filling the atmosphere with more carbon dioxide or car-pool with friends. Similarly, we need to rectify our individual acts. Turn towards our intrinsic values, be more inclined towards our religious duties, and be mindful of right and wrong. Repent, seek forgiveness and learn from such incidents.

Credit Card Mayhem

I boastful claim of my achievement that I have quite successfully hindered myself from the tempting attractions of the single great menace that has swept the entire financial community into deep damaging crunches and meltdown. CREDIT CARDS. So severe were its repercussion that the resurgence was often seen next to the birth of Jesus.

I DO NOT OWN ONE!

However, the times have changed. And with ‘Change’ comes ‘Great Change’. Often so great, that if one precludes understanding its significance and neglects molding in time in its accordance; he is left far outside the arena of social advancement.

‘Adaptability’ has becomes the prime characteristic of the modern age men and women. Mixed along with a few random elements of ‘Understanding’ & ‘Durability’ – you have yourself a perfect recipe to engage the 22nd Century.

After a long sabbatical from the ‘Credit Card World’ I have finally given in. The change was so great and compelling that my obstinate mentality finally yielded. The harrowing experience of having a credit card in US during my undergraduate studies has haunted me ever since. Though I had made myself a valiant pact and never to return or covet for it. The current circumstances have slightly softened the iron – red enough to mold it.

After long and poignant debates I finally abet the crime. I agreed on getting myself a Credit Card. However, I put forth a few stringent rules that need to be abide in order to suffice the craving.

Rule # 1 – NO INTEREST. It strikes to me as the first and foremost duty as a Muslim to keep my earning away from Interest. Though I am not a financial expert – and I am thankful to Allah about it – I am very much convinced regarding the operations of Islamic Banks. The difference is subtle and fine. It’s the same difference that exists between a belief of a Muslim in Allah and of a Christian in God.

I would like to quote the Quranic verse here regarding Interest:

“Those who spend their wealth secretly and openly by day and night, will have their reward with their Lord, and they have nothing to fear nor grieve. But those who devour interest become like the one whom Satan has bewitched and maddened by his touch They have been condemned to this condition because they say, "Trade is just like interest”, whereas Allah has made trade lawful and interest unlawful Henceforth, if one abstains from taking interest after receiving this admonition from his Lord, no legal action will be taken against him regarding the interest he had devoured before; his case shall ultimately go to Allah. But if one repeats the same crime after this, he shall go to Hell, where he shall abide forever. Allah deprives interest of all blessing and develops charity; and Allah does not like an ungrateful, sinful person”

(Surah Al-Baqarah Verse 274-276)

Rule # 2 – USE THE CARD ONLY WHERE A CARD NEEDS TO BE USED. People usually feel might strong (financially) when they possess credit cards. They transform into ‘Money-Spending-Superman’ sprouting their credits cards at the first sniff of expense. Collecting reward points, airway miles and cashing in on inane discounted offers (5% off on every purchase of 5000. I never really understood how could one ever fall for such deals?). Sliding the colorful card up and down the machine, signing off receipts living in a vaunting air of superiority of the priceless spending power they had always yearned for.

Not soon they are struck with the reality of life. After a month of lavish spending they realize that they still have not collected enough airway miles to fly them from their house to their office, nor are the reward points sufficient enough to redeem them, so they still have to pay for their groceries. On top of that, they stand aghast when they are told by their banks that they need to pay additional 3.999999% (not 4% - wow what a relief!) on their entire spending since you cannot repay all of it this time. They wake up only to find themselves completely submerged in the pool of de(a)bt(h).

Rule # 3 – NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IS THE CUSTODY TO BE GIVEN TO YOUR WIFE. The less it is spoken about, the better and clearer it is!!!

With these three rules up and standing I assent to yet another charm of our socially advanced society. As one of my friend says: “Dude, today the years are so advance that you say 20 before 10”