Muhammad ibn Abdullah, Prophet of Allah

My love, respect, and salam to you oh my beloved Prophet…

اللهم صلي علي سيدنا محمد…

Risk: Definition

Is there a definition of risk?

Many definitions actually! Also, many criteria for risk. In fact, each person has their own definition if risk. What you may call a risk, I may not and vice versa.

Leaving a job you are unhappy with may be perceived as a risk by you. But, it may be perceived as the right thing to do by me.
Belief plays a big role in how we define risk and what action we call a risk.

A risk is usually an action one takes without being able to evaluate or be certain about the outcome. Again, belief. The person that believes in an Unseen support system, may go ahead and take risks. And, the person that depends and believes in the principles of apparent and seen ’cause & effect’ processes may seek to always ‘minimize’ risk. So, is there a right and wrong here?

There is actually.

The importance of belief cannot be questioned. Human beings are granted positions and honors because of certain beliefs they may have nurtured in the hearts. Because these beliefs are what create their perceptions and those perceptions determine the attitudes and actions of people. Thus, their risk taking abilities.

So a risk taken due to a strong and correct belief will lead to success and a risk taken due to lack of belief, ego and uncertainty will lead to disaster. A classic example of this is the story of Moses and Pharoah. Moses took a risk because of faith and the sea split apart for him, and Pharoah took a risk for his ego and stubbornness and that same Sea killed him…
There is message in This for the wise..

This is how you evaluate risk. And so you will define it…

Enjoy friday.

New System: Changes

The idea of a ‘new system’ has spread like wild fire all over the world. In some places, it has caused revolutions. In others, demonstrations and in many places a silent, internal protest within the people.

No, we cannot blame anyone for it. This is how humans grow. This is how mankind moves on and newer realities come to be. Life is such.
But, no pain no gain. Change can be painful too. In some places, it has come with killing and bloodshed. It comes through takeovers and sudden events. And so it has happened since the beginning of time.

Humans grow from one mind set to another. And, even though old timers don’t want to let go of what was, what is to be shall be.
Good or bad, change is inevitable. Time stops for no one.

Not just my country, every country is suddenly experiencing change. Or at least, talk of major changes. Whole populations, people come out on the streets and shout for ‘change’. I am sure many of them don’t even know what change they are asking for. They just want change. No, they are not crazy. They are just doing what humans have done for centuries. Restructuring  life. Finding new meanings. Moving with time.

Don’t make it a big deal. Don’t revolt and don’t react so much. Things will change no matter what you do or don’t do. It’s just that if you shout change now, you will feel that you were a part of it when it actually occurs. Though you were not really. It had to happen, so it happened.

The biggest change that I see happening is the change in people. Change in thought and perception. Lesser or no fear.

Sigh..

Let’s see what the next few years bring us.

Imran Khan: Elections 2013

1996
I was very sure that Imran Khan would win the elections. The way he had support. The way he was celebrated by the people. The hysteria. 
He lost. It was a great disappointment. Pakistan made me angry.

Now..
2013
He has a lot more experience, support and he has not changed. He is sincere. He means business. He will make Pakistan an amazing country. And, we all know this. Every Pakistani knows this. Whether they support him or not they WILL agree that he is not corrupt and he will fight corruption to the core.

He has a lot more support. He has international respect and admiration. The famous of the world like him.

Everyone else in this election is tried and tested.
They have all failed Pakistan in their time. But, Pakistan is forgiving. Pakistan keeps giving chances.

I just hope this time Allah gives Imran Khan a chance..

Vote Imran Khan!

The Blame Master

If you ever see a person blaming another person for any trouble or misery they may be in, know that this person is a loser of the highest calibre.

A loser basically does not have good friends or even a life. They will always claim that if certain conditions were to be or if certain people were different, they would be positive and productive. The fact is, they are what they are by choice. It is not becauae of anyone, it is because of them! Give them the ideal according to them and they will be the same…

Yes, the one that blames others the most is the one most worthy of blame…

A refined and positive mind, and this has been shown to us in many people throughout history, will do something great even if locked in a prison cell. And a blaming loser will continue crying and blaming even in the best possible scenario. This also has been shown to us in a variety of people and nations throughout history.

I know a huge majority that blames government and leaders day and night.  And they themselves are losers who have nothing to show for themselves and I know a minority that focuses on personal goals, missions and positivity totally discarding even the thought of blaming anyone. These are the most successful  and happy in any community or group.

Lets stop the blame game and focus on our beings and hearts to grow and be better people!

ISTIKHARA

Life is full of traps. Places..ideas..concepts..even people that seem so attractive but in time prove to be your greatest problem.  A trap is what you get stuck in. What you hate but have to live with and cannot get out. Trap. You get trapped. In a place..in a mental state or by a person. Traps all over the place.

Of course,  a trap will never have warning signs. It will be wonderful and inviting from the outside. Welcoming.  You will happily walk into it. Then…the door will close. You are trapped!  Just like a rat attracted to cheese. Cheese placed in a trap.

I know..you got what a trap is..

My point: before you make a decision, go anywhere, accept an offer, invest, marry, persue something or someone….think..and pray..what we muslims call Istikhara. Letting your creator decide for you. No, you do not need to keep falling and rising and falling into traps. That is the wisdom of the fools that did not understand their position and the ability of their God yet. You can be above them.  What He chooses for you may not be attractive or wonderful like those traps..but it will definitely not be a trap.

Even if you are not religious or say not even a muslim..try this. Before doing anything..take a deep breath and whisper to God: you know better..please decide for me. And then..walk on. It will work out in your favor. ..

Enjoy your weekend:)

The Damned be WHO?

I see images of thousands of poor people who have already been suffering from extreme poverty and deprivations being tied up and put in vans and treated like animals. Their crime? Stealing because they were hungry and deprived. Judged by another human being who is privileged and well fed, living in luxury they cannot even imagine. These poor people are criminals. Yes.. they do commit crimes. Lots of crimes. But, you see, no one is interested in knowing the reason they commit these crimes. Everyone is ready to judge and GOSH we love to punish. We punish and punish. We hurt. We kill. We love it. Our own kind. Flesh and blood like us.

Damned are you if you are poor buddy.

There is one thing I do not get. Why is there no effort to remove poverty and develop these people into better human beings through education and opportunity?

When I was in Pakistan for 2 years, I made a decision in my HR firm. I decided to adopt ex convicts, criminals, people on the streets, junkies and the LOST and POOR of my area and make them like….US.. the privileged. I was successful with a large number of people. But, I made people  LIKE ME very upset. They were concerned. Shamelessly and openly. Their concern was that if these people are raised through education and training and if they become “proper” , their rates of working per hour will rise too. Never mind that there will be more security and better services.. what about our MONEY?????

Please tell me, who is the Criminal??

It is not an achievement to destroy a nation. It is an achievement to create peace in a nation.

ILLEGAL.

Define this term. What is the criteria that makes a person illegal? And, what is the basis of this criteria if there is indeed a criteria? Divine inspiration? Fear? Foolishness? Wisdom? WHAT?

If I was Governor of Sindh, and my advisors told me that there are 100,000 people from some country in a certain area and they are there with no visas or expired visas.. I would not catch them like stray dogs, tie them up and put them in a ship. I would put them in a compound with all facilities, including schools for their children and educate them and train them for a variety of different things that can be done in my country. I would get in touch with their country rulers and work with them to find a way to fit these people in various jobs, after training so that they can benefit, my country can benefit and THEIR country can benefit. This action would build lives, make my ties stronger.

They would be treated just like any citizen would be in terms of law and order. You committed a crime> it was proven> here is the punishment.  You are brought here by force? I would punish the one that brought them, compensate them and send them home with respect and their dignity intact. If they wanted to stay, I would allow it if they help in growth and respect our laws and customs. Just being on my land without reason is NOT A CRIME to me. This is a human being, not a dangerous animal!!

Is this not what I should do as a MUSLIM?

In wars that Muslims fought in the times of the Sahaba, POW ( prisoners of war) were released if they could teach us something. Otherwise, they were treated in the BEST way possible. These men may have killed our own and definitely raised their weapons against us… This is what our Prophet Muhammad SAW taught us.

I think we have forgotten our religion and are totally fascinated by whatever is counter productive and inhumane.

May Allah have mercy.