STRADA PLACIDO: Self-improvement

A story of love

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 21:26:00 GMT

Salaamaleykum,

While I was in Burma, I opened a song for my grandma.

Ek Pyaar ka Nagma hain (Its a love's story).
Maujoon ki ravaani hain (its a flow of ecstasy),
Zindagi aur kuch bhi nahin (Its life and nothing else),
Tere mere kahani hain (A story of you and me)....
Listen

The song has been sentimental in my family for generations. It started with my great grandfather started singing this song as a lulaby for his grandchildren.

When I first listened to this song, i assumed that the song was talking about 'their' love being immortalised in a story like that of Romeo and Juliet.
However, my grandmother had a different interpretation. For her, the song translates to something like - love's just a story like any other. Eventually, like any other story, it will end, and the book will be closed.

Of course, my grandmother's interpretation was miserable and less idealistic. However, I can't help, but to accept her view as better then mine.

My interpretation was like that of any other youth, with such high idealistic views when it come to the issue of love. But, as you grow older, you start to see the other side of love, and realise that love is not as mystical as we assume it is.
Most will agree with me when I say, love does not last. The spark and affection does dies out over certain amount of time,except perhaps in few exceptional cases.

I guess, the song is right, love is just a story , which will eventually be closed at the end of the day.

Allah Madad!

P.S.: Please do bear in mind that there are more to love than that of between two lovers.

Miracles We Oversee...

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 05:07:06 GMT

Salaamaleykum,

A couple of nights ago, I was praying taraweeh at the Musalla (Jama'at khanna) near my house. The Musalla was so over crowded, it spreads out to the children's playground behind it.

I was praying inside the Musalla, however. Being claustrophobic and a bit athsmatic, I tend to choose an airy spot right under the fan, and make sure I dont pray between large sized people.
However, that particular night, my scheme seem to fail when all of the sudden, the one praying beside me left and a 'large sized' man took over his place. As my space get a bit smaller and confined, my claustrophobia kicked in and i felt suffocative.

I made up my mind to leave the musalla and join the back rows in the playground after that set of prayers. (Well, according to the Holy Traditions, the closer you are to the front line, the better your rewards (hasanat/sawab) are.)

Right after the Salaam, the man in front of me left the Musalla, and the man beside me took over that place. Much to my delight, the vacant space beside me was taken over by a young child half my height. A lot of space and oxygen for me up there.

Why am I telling you this?

Well, if you just let it pass your mind, its just a series of incident that, in the end, was benefectory to me. But when you think a bit deeper, that too is a miracle from God. I disliked the situation I was in, and within a short while, the situation was repaired to my satisfaction.

Just pay a little attention, and you will find God's miracles everywhere and in everything. How thankful we must be!

Ya Allah Madad!

Questions we dont want Answered

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 21:59:00 GMT

Salaamaleykum,

    Many months ago, when my cousin told me his family was moving out from the neighbourhood, I quickly changed the topic and avoided talking... or even hint about it.
    I was in denial. Of course, how long can you deny something that is bound to happen. It wasn't until just a few days ago, when my auntie told me with her own mouth that they are moving, I accepted the fact.
    All the while, between my innitial denial and my acceptance, i was just a step away from finding out the truth (I set my mind to assume that my cousin was just kidding with me). I could have simply ask my auntie or uncle, and know the truth.
    Sometimes...we're just a question away from the answer that haunts our mind, but we rather not know the answer...coz, we rather leave the question unanswered, and assume the answer is what what we hope it is. Sometimes, thanks to this, we're left with hope that keeps our heart beating everyday. However, sometimes...the questions dont remain unanswered for long.

    I remember a movie...'Cinema Paradiso'...its an italian love movie that won the best foreign film award in 1989 Oscar awards (if i'm not mistaken).
    In the movie, the mentor of the hero relates a story...

    "...There was once, a palace guard, who fell in love with the princess.He knows he's out of league for her, but still, he gathered his courage and declare his love for her. The princess, amused with the guard's courage, gave him a challenge. The guard was to stand under her window every day and night for a hundred days and he will know if she has accepted him, when she opens her window. So, the delighted guard started the challange. Day and night, hot or cold, rain or sun, the guard stood loyally under the window, hoping for the window to open. On the night of the 99th day however, the guard abruptedly left his position and went home..."

    WHY??? Why after 99 days of hardship, the guard just gave up and left...with just 1 day left remaining? Why?

    Answer, if you've been in this situation, is very clear. The guard was wise in doing so. Having waited patiently under the window for 99 days, he knew he tried his best to fulfill his love. But on the 100th day, the princess was about to give her answer. Had she opened the window, and accepted him, it would have been great. BUT!!...had she forgot, or said no...it would have broke the guard's heart so badly...it could kill him.
    The guard, having tried his best, walked away, not having his question answered...believing, he was accepted by the princess, but it was he who walked away from her.

Ya Allah Madad!

Don't be sad

Thu, 29 May 2008 16:43:00 GMT

Salaamaleykum,

Today, i'm gonna recommend you a book of great excellence.

Don't be sad (لا تحزن)
by
'Aaidh ibn Abdullah al-Qarni.
(read e-book)

    The book is easy to read and subjects presented are brief and concise, hence saving us from the 'I won't sleep until i finish this chapter' problems. Hundreds of topics are touched by the author to help us overcome our sadness.
    Indeed, sadness can be overcome, if we really want to overcome it.
    Here's a quote from the book.

Don't cling to other than Allah

    If Allah, the Exalted, is the One Who brings to life, causes death, and if He alone provides for all creation, why fear people or be distressed by their actions?
    I think that in our society much grief and anxiety is caused by our attachment to people- in seeking to please them, trying to gain their favour, striving to praise the important ones among them, and feeling wounded by their disparaging treatment. And all of this indicates a weakness in one's belief in Allah.
    An Arab poet said;

'Would that you wee pleased when life is bitter,
And would that you were contented when people are angry,
If your love for Allah is true, then all else is insignificant,
And all above the dirt is dirt'

The book is a great read. Well worth your time. Even if you're a gay type of person, then surely you can use it to help out your friends.

My soft cover copy's from the International Islamic Publishing House, KSA. Priced at aprox. €6/US$10.

Allah Madad!

People of God will always be happy

Wed, 28 May 2008 02:19:00 GMT

Salaamaleykum,
I came across this song, and found the lyrics quite inspirational. So, why not share?
Here's the link to the video of the song

Toota Toota Ek Parinda Aise Toota
An angel was so badly broken
Ke Phir Jud Naa Paaya
That he could not be healed

Loota Loota Kisne Usko Aise Loota
Somebody stole (the wings) from the angel
Ke Phir Ud Naa Paaya
Till he was unable to fly

(repeat)

Girta Hua Woh Asma Se
He fell from the sky
Aakar Gira Zameen Par
Onto the earth

Khwabon Mein Phir Bhi Badal Hi The
Yet in his dreams there were still only clouds
Woh Kehta Raha Magar
And he kept saying

*Ke Allah Ke Bande Hasde
That the people of Allah will always be laughing (happy)
Allah Ke Bande
People of God...
Allah Ke Bande Hasde Jo Bhi Ho Kal Phir Aayega
The people of Allah will always be laughing... whatever happens, tomorrow will still come

(repeat *)

Kho Ke Aapne Par Hi To Usne Tha Ud Naa Sikha
Only after losing his wings did he learn to fly
Kho Ke Aapne Par Hi To
Only after losing his wings...

Kho Ke Aapne Par Hi To Usne Tha Ud Naa Sikha
Only after losing his wings did he learn to fly

Gham Ko Aapne Saath Mein Lele Dard Bhi Tere Kaam Aayega
Take your sorrow with you, for the pain will be of use to you

*Ke Allah Ke Bande Hasde
That the people of Allah will always be laughing (happy)
Allah Ke Bande
People of God...
Allah Ke Bande Hasde Jo Bhi Ho Kal Phir Aayega
The people of Allah will always be laughing... whatever happens, tomorrow will still come

(repeat *)

Tukde Tuke Ho Gaya Tha Har Sapna Jab Woh Toota
He broke into pieces when every dream of his broke

Tukde Tuke Ho Gaya Tha
He broke into peices

Tukde Tuke Ho Gaya Tha Har Sapna Jab Woh Toota
He broke into pieces when every dream of his broke

Bhikre Tukdon Mein Allah Ki Marzi Ka Manzar Paayega
It is only in the scattered pieces of your dreams that you will find the meaning of Allah's Will.

*Ke Allah Ke Bande Hasde
That the people of Allah will always be laughing (happy)
Allah Ke Bande
People of God...
Allah Ke Bande Hasde Jo Bhi Ho Kal Phir Aayega
The people of Allah will always be laughing... whatever happens, tomorrow will still come

(repeat *)
(repeat *)
(repeat *)

Household tips

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 06:29:07 GMT

Cool household tips

- Put a sealed envelope in the freezer for a few hours, then slide a knife under the flap. The envelope can then be resealed.

- Use Empty toilet paper roll to store appliance cords. It keeps them neat and you can write on the roll what appliance it belongs to.

- For icy door steps in freezing temperatures: get warm water and put Dawn dish washing liquid in it. Pour it all over the steps. They won't refreeze.

- To remove old wax from a glass candle holder, put it in the freezer for a few hours. Then take the candle holder out and turn it upside down. The wax will fall out.

- Crayon marks on walls? A damp rag, dipped in baking soda. Comes off with little effort.

- Permanent marker on appliances/counter tops (like store receipt BLUE!) rubbing alcohol on paper towel.

- Blood stains on clothes? Not to worry! Just pour a little hydrogen peroxide on a cloth and proceed to wipe off every drop of blood. Works every time!

- Use vertical strokes when washing windows outside and horizontal for inside windows. This way you can tell which side has the streaks.
Straight vinegar will get outside windows really clean. Don't wash windows on a sunny day. They will dry too quickly and will probably streak.

- Spray a bit of perfume on the light bulb in any room to create a lovely light scent in each room when the light is turned on.

- Place fabric softener sheets in dresser drawers and your clothes will smell freshly washed for weeks to come. You can also do this with towels and linen.

- Candles will last a lot longer if placed in the freezer for at least 3 hours prior to burning.

- To clean artificial flowers, pour some salt into a paper bag and add the flowers. Shake vigorously as the salt will absorb all the dust and dirt and leave your artificial flowers looking like new! Works like a charm.

- To easily remove burnt on food from your skillet, simply add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover bottom of pan, and bring to a boil on stove top.

- Spray your TUPPERWARE with nonstick cooking spray before pouring in tomato based sauces and there won't be any stains.

- Wrap celery in aluminium foil when putting in the refrigerator and it will keep for weeks.

- When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the corn's natural sweetness.

- Cure for headaches: Take a lime, cut it in half, and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.

- To get rid of itch from mosquito bites, try applying soap on the area and you will experience instant relief.

- Ants, ants, ants everywhere. Well, they are said to never cross a chalk line. So, get your chalk out and draw a line on the floor or wherever ants tend to march. See for yourself.

- Use air-freshener to clean mirrors. It does a good job and better still, leaves a lovely smell to the shine.

- When you get a splinter, reach for the scotch tape before resorting to tweezers or a needle. Simply put the scotch tape over the splinter, and then pull it off. Scotch tape removes most splinters painlessly and easily.

- Clean a toilet.
Drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets, wait twenty minutes, brush and flush. The citric acid and effervescent action clean vitreous China.

- Clean a vase.
To remove a stain from the bottom of a glass vase or cruet, fill with water and drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets.

- Polish jewellery.
Drop two Alka Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse the jewellery for two minutes.

- Clean a thermos bottle.
Fill the bottle with water, drop in four Alka Seltzer tablets, and let soak for an hour (or longer, if necessary).

- Unclog a drain.
Clear the sink drain by dropping three Alka Seltzer tablets down the drain followed by a cup of Heinz White Vinegar. Wait a few minutes, and then run the hot water.

I'm not mad with you,life.

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 10:35:00 GMT

Salaamaleykum,

A few weeks ago, on a children's Hindi Song singing competition (Zee's SaReGaMaPa Lil' Champs), one of the kids sang a song that mesmerised the hearts of everyone that heard it...and not to mention the tears it brought.Here's the song on YouTube :
Tujhsa Naraaz Nahin Zindegi from Masoom(1983)

And so that you get the feel of what I'm talking about, here's the translation of the song:

I am not upset with you, life.. I am astonished;
To your innocent questions,I am distressed.

I never thought that in order to live, I would have to take care of woes;
To smile, I would have to take on the debt of smiling;
If I were to smile, it seems that I would have to incur this debt upon my lips.

Today, if my eyes fill with tears, then they will fall;
Who knows whom these eyes will long for tomorrow;
Who knows where I lost;
The one tear I had kept hidden.

Life, your sorrows have taught us new bonds;
Whomever you shall meet in the sunlight;
You will feel the cool shade of love.

    This song perfectly narrates the thoughts that's going in my mind and heart right now. I'm sure I'm not alone in this.After all, this is one of the Evergreen of Bollywood.
    Before I go far, let me recommend you to watch Masoom (Innocent). This wonderful movie made me almost weep like a baby.Naseeruddin, Shabna and little Jugal Hansraj acted splendidly...extra applause to Jugal for his extraordinary act as an child actor. Watch here.

    Ok back to the issue...
    Life is beautiful, but it sometimes ask us questions to which,we have no answer. When this happen, we get stressed out and become walking zombies, due to excessive worry and thoughts. But we never hate life for that, as I said, Life's beautiful.
    Sometimes, we say life's not fair...note down every time you say that,and you WILL realise that, sooner or later, you'll be saying life's beautiful again. Every misery that touches us,every headache/heartache/worry we receive, there's a good side behind it.
   If the great fire of London never happened, London would have remained filthy and plague-infested...and never rose to be a major city in the world.
    Well, of course, this is life, its not heaven. Having our heart crushed, painful incidents, emotionally tormenting scenarios are inevitable. At such times, people we love comes in handy..be they friends or family.
    Bottom line, things happen for a reason...we just need to open our eyes and minds and search for the silver line.
    Life is a voyage, fantastic, exciting unique voyage. Bon Voyage.

    Allah Madad!

Backward...?

Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:45:00 GMT

Salaamaleykum,

Recently at a Pakhtun forum, I came across a topic where a person asked-
WHY ARE PATHANS BACKWARD?

The first thing that hit my mind was - What defines backward?
Oxford dictionary defines it as;

having made less progress than is normal or expected.

    Again, if you look under a microscope towards that definition-i.e. what is progress...and study it further, you will notice that backward is a term that falls into the same category with terrorism, happiness...etc..words that are very relative.

    Just like one man's terrorist is another's freedom fighter, one man's progress is another's degradation.
First of all, let me admit a mistake of my people- yes we do belittle the requirement of education for women (most of us anyway).Its time we Pakhtuns wake up and start facing reality.Women NEED to be educated.Women's role in the house is not confined to cooking and cleaning the house...they are teachers to the children and financial advisors of the household.Of course, being educated doesnt mean they can go out and work.I'm still,Pathan, i rather have them being full time wives/mothers.
    Other then that issue, there's an issue of our kids more eager to work abroad then to finish their school and graduate. I believe, as soon as we manage to educate our wives,they would influence our children to be keen on studying.

    Well, thats so much for criticizing my roots...
    If progress means lack of material wealth...fastest latest cars...fancy extravagant buildings...flashy clothings...then,yes...we're backward.
    But, if progress means low level of stress,calmness,tranquility, ability to follow all of Allah's Shariat(laws)...etc...then, we are indeed pioneers of this progress.
    In terms of tabligh(Muslim evangelical group)...Pathans are well known for their commitment to going on the Path of Allah (Jama'at)...when people normally go for 3days, 40days ,4months...these people are well known to go for 9months-2 years.
    PS: to the ppl unfamiliar to the Tabligh, Jama'at is a practice of going to other towns, and caling the Muslims there to be better Muslims (eg. come to Mosque for prayers 5 times a day..etc)

    If we study the mainstream population..they get crazy and miserable over mundane stuffs...wealth,job to name just a few.Heck! people are killing themselves in Japan over this!
    Well, the pathans are happy...we're happy with out simple way of life.Even the womenfolks are satisfied.
    I believe I say on behalf of all my people when I say...we'ld rather be happy stressless people living in mud walled houses, then being miserable,stressed out people living in big mansions(with hefty mortgages) putting on fake smiles.
    This is a makeshift world we live in...know where to place your priorities.

    ALLAH MADAD!

Learn from the Kids!!

Tue, 15 May 2007 11:51:00 GMT

Salaamaleykum,

For the past few weeks,I've been spending time with kids younger then me.So much younger that,I'm as a guardian for them at the park.

    Its either desperate boredom...or just love of children that lead me to this new found leisure time activity. Of course, I've to mention this in precaution, you wont find me jumping on top of the slide, or swinging at top speed, or playing tag or hide-n-seek...or any of those sort for that matter.
    Rather, I'ill be sitting at the seats near the community park under my Condominium.Sometimes call the kids make fun with them...or other times just help them get back their toys stuck at high places or fix their bike...or Play cards with them.......or just simply -well...have a fight with them.Of course...they will be offensive while i remain defensive.
    (oh! for the records, all the kids are family friends, since we South Asians share a close knit relationship in this Condo.)
    Anyway, the activity content of the time spent is not an issue that i wish to bring forward to your attention.Rather,i'm overwhelmed by an incident that I witnessed.

    Last week, in my daily routine, I sat the the seat near the park at the exit of the Masjeed after Salaat al-Asr'. I carried a kid onto a monkey bar...and out of the blues...2 other kids started kicking and pounding each other. There were intervals of insults and name calling between the poundings.I tried to break them up...truce last for 30 seconds...2nd truce last a bit longer...3rd truce lasted for some time...as least as far as physical assault is concerned.

    then the brothers of the 2 fighting kids came to the scene.There were more show of strenght...'i can beat you up easily' 'beat me! beat me! i'm nto afraid'...etc. I was there, praise to God, they acted mature.Then one of the kid threw a burfee (a pakistani sweet made from milk and ghee) at another guy, what a waste of a perfectly tasty treat:(...

    Anyway, situation was tense, but not dangerous, until finally one ofthe kid's mom came and heard the issue and dissolved it...without anyone facing any punishments.

    I continued to be there...and blink blink blink...the two kids that were earlier killing each other are best of friends now...laughing and playing together (along with the brothers)...and no sooner...they were off fighting with another kid.Ya Allah!

Anyway..this incident of fight-cooldown-forgive-forget and laugh together astonished me alot. I'm an adult, well, almost...and i know, in the world of adults...such incident is rare. A single fight can last for years of bitterness...which sometimes go on for generations.
Its time the grown ups learn something from the children for a change.

Perfect English and its translation

Tue, 24 Apr 2007 19:50:00 GMT

Perfect English... and its translation:

Scintillate, scintillate asteroid minific
Translation: Twinkle, twinkle little star

Members of an avian species of identical plumage congregate ensemble
Translation: Birds of a feather flock together

Surveillance should precede saltation
Translation: Look before you leap

Pulchritude possesses solely cutaneous profundity
Translation: Beauty is only skin deep

It is fruitless to become lachrymose over precipitously departed lacteal fluid
Translation: Don't cry over spilled milk

Freedom from encrustation of grime is contiguous to rectitude
Translation: Cleanliness is next to godliness

The stylus is more potent than the claymore
Translation: The pen is mightier than the sword

It is fruitless to attempt to indoctrinate a superannuated canine with innovative maneuvers
Translation: You can't teach an old dog new tricks

The temperature of the aqueous content of an unremittingly ogled saucepan does not reach 212 degrees Fahrenheit
Translation: A watched pot does not boil

All articles that coruscate with resplendence are not truly auriferous
Translation: All that glitters is not gold

Where there are visible vapors having provenance in ignited carbonaceous materials, there is conflagration
Translation: Where there's smoke there's fire

A plethora of individuals with expertise in culinary techniques vitiate the potable concoction produced by steeping certain comestibles
Translation: Too many cooks spoil the broth

Eleemosynary deeds have their incipience intramurally
Translation: Charity begins at home

Male cadavers are incapable of yielding any testimony
Translation: Dead men tell no tales

Individuals who make their abode in vitreous edifices would be advised to refrain from catapulting petrous projectiles
Translation: People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones