Sisters' Lectures
Just The Little You Need To Know
Backstage*
Staff: We’re ready to air.
Wacky: Who took my mask!? I’ve been searching for hours!
Staff: Wacky, it’s-
Wacky: What? Who took it? Come on, there’s no time for pranks!
Staff: It’s on your face.
Wacky: ……Oh.
Live*
Salam to whoever is on the other side of the screen (brother, sister, bibi, janab, hazrat, sayyed, you basically). No long intros, no unnecessary pleasantries. Let’s cut to the chase.
Dramatic Drumrolls
Introducing, SISTER’S LECTURES BY MAHDI MODARESSI.
Just a quick summary on what the lectures are about. As the name of the name suggests, they’re for the women and their empowerment. Letting them know that they’re not alone in this fight against the dunya and……other women, I don’t know, basically, just go on and read.
Let’s move on.
There are a total of 26 levels (as you might already know), that are specially designed (or maybe randomly assigned) to go from beginner to pro/advance/champ?/MVP?/blah blah.
Ready player, Guest?
Their Way Or The High Way
Live*
Salam to whoever is on the other side of the screen (brother, sister, bibi, janab, hazrat, sayyed, you basically). Let’s dive right into our first level.
LEVEL 1: Their Way Or The High Way.
It’s a trend nowadays, isn’t it?
backstage*
(Staff:……)
(Manager: What is?)
Oh, I didn’t say that, did I? Silly me.
Being detached from people. Not caring about people. We’re fiercely independent. We don’t need others.
I remember a friend of mine telling me about his grandfather’s father. Apparently, he was a man of pride. Earned well, provided for his family, and enjoyed high status in society. Yet, everyone saw his end coming from a mile away.
His ego.
So high, he stopped caring about people. He started to stay away from his own family half the time, never interacting with anyone, thinking he was too good for everything. In the end, he went insane.
Well, these were not his (my friend’s) exact words, but something along those lines. His great-grandfather lost it.
All that wealth and status didn’t help him one bit and he died alone, with no one by his side.
This was quite a generic story, but there’s a reason some things are generic in the first place. That’s because humanity proves time after time, how the moral of the story isn’t the focus for us, but the drama is.
My friend also continued how his grandfather spoke about his father when remembering him. His father wasn’t always like that, of course. It was a series of missed opportunities to set things right.
Unsaid words.
Tossed-aside feelings.
Until the opposite became true. Until the absence of love for their father, seemed more sensible.
Basically, even though we’re not supposed to get overly attached to people, people are everywhere and it’s in the nature of the intelligent creatures, to be drawn towards them.
ULTIMATE is the cheatsheet.
- Are you really me?
Let’s begin. *Dramatic drumrolls*.
Number 1, Are You Really Me?
The other day, my friends and I, sitting near the ocean, were discussing about boys.
(Manager: Oh?) *With a smirk, by the way*.
Wait. That came out wrong.
(Staff 1: Oh?)
You too? *Sigh* Listen to me.
(Manager: Why were you girls, giggling and discussing boys, huh?)
One, What are you? My dad?
Two, I never said we were giggling.
And three, stop talking like that.
(Manager: Like what?) *Eyebrows jumping. Eyes narrowed. Smile getting wider.*
Anyway. We were discussing boys, BECAUSE, my friend’s mom had suggested a guy for her (my friend). And we were basically criticizing and judging the guy to see if he was worth and deserving for my dear friend.
At some point, I remembered that I know someone who is a friend of this guy. Let’s name them, shall we? My friend is Hehe. Her potential future spouse is Nahnah. And the person I know, who is a friend of Nahnah, is Nuhuh.
(Staff 2: What she thinks of both the guys is quite obvious.)
(Staff 1: At least she’s using normal naming schemes.)
Now, I tell them what I vaguely know of Nuhuh, and immediately we’re on the same page. Company matters. If Nahnah is a friend of Nuhuh, then we can figure out how Nahnah is, because he hangs out with, or rather, is a friend of Nuhuh.
And Nuhuh is absolutely pa- is not our type.
Hence, Nahnah is also not my friend’s type.
This is a perfect example of the saying MM (Mahdi Modaressi) said in his lecture. It’s a tradition by Imam Ali (as) who is the Imam and leader of the Muslims after the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saws). Here’s the tradition:
“The soul is the most powerful thief.”
Quite self-explanatory, isn’t it? I went to a bachelorette party yesterday, and my friend (who was the star of the party) used some word I can’t quite recall. Her best friend (let’s call her BFF) commented that she had copied BFF’s style of talking.
After a moment of silence, my friend (the star of the whatever) murmured her agreements.
Hence proved. The more time you spend with someone, even without realizing it, you start becoming like them. Mirror them. The way they talk, the way they think, the way they are.
This shows just how vulnerable we really are. Now, it’s not always about friends.
It can be obsessions too.
We, even as intelligent creatures, gravitate towards other intelligent creatures like celebrities or the affluent. Why? Cause they have what we wish to. We admire someone for their voice and yearn to have that same melodious tone.
But it’s not only the voice at that point.
We’ve sunk so low when obsessing over someone else, thanks to this ‘soul-is-the-most-powerful-thief’ phenomenon, we want to copy their voice, their dressing style, how they carry themselves and everything in between.
We wish to be like them.
We become like them.
Abandoning our own self.
And so the question arises, Am I really Me?
And there, you just successfully completed LEVEL 1! Congratulations! Though only in theory. The practical exams are yet to commence. Start preparing, and apply these in your daily life. Lemme warn you, it’s not gonna be easy.
But who care about easy? The fact you tolerated this artic- *clears throat*.
Now, what’s next? The next level of course.
Share your progress in the comments or (look below)
Ready for LEVEL 2? Yes? Before proceeding, clean the books that have been neglected for too long.
Khudahafiz.
Your Hero Has Arrived
*Live*
Salam to whoever is on the other side of the screen (brother, sister, bibi, janab, hazrat, sayyed, you basically), a smile looks good on you than any Instagram or Snapchat filter. Let’s start with the second level.
LEVEL 2: Your Hero Has Arrived.
Another article started with a reel I watched sometime in my life.
*backstage
(Manager: Just proves that you’re addictively online.)
It doesn’t.
(Manager: What’s your screen time?)
So, yeah, the reel I watched was of a girl, probably in middle school. She was standing in front of the camera, cradling her belly. Gave us, the audience, a side view, trying to stress on the point that she’s gaining weight.
Again, she was in her early teens.
Gaining weight cause she was getting a bump.
A baby bump.
And that SHE was having a BABY with TODOROKI.
Guess who Todoroki is.
An anime character.
A 2D drawing with daddy issues and half-and-half hair.
(Manager: That’s the reason I told you to stop watching cartoons.)
Okay, one, it’s not cartoons, it’s anime. It is NOT for kids. And two, SHE should be watching cartoons indeed. Like Dora the explorer, and not Demon slayer.
Anyway, the point? People get so emotionally invested in media that they adopt fictional characters as their personal icons.
Cosplaying, edits, dramatic monologues—cool, whatever. But when you start losing your identity for it? I had a far-away cousin who used to be sweet and bubbly. The next time we met again, she was kinda the same, more maturish, but her style of talking had changed significantly.
Like, in every language, when you address yourself, there are different versions in that too. English doesn’t really have an example cause everyone uses I, like, “I did this and Imma obviously regret it for life.” But maybe, for explanation purposes, let’s see how people in the English language itself, have different ways of speaking.
“Wacky likes chocolates.”
Eugh. I just got goosebumps. When I say the above the sentence it’s addressing myself from the third person perspective.
So uwu, right?
Well, basically, this cousin started addressing herself like this but in the language we were conversing it.
Immediately I pieced it together as to who my cousin was trying to copy.
Cause I knew the source too.
Get it?
Shall we, move on?
ULTIMATE follows who?
- They’re like you but are they?
Let’s begin. *Dramatic drumrolls*.
Number 1, They’re Like You But Are They?
Honestly, it feels wrong to talk about anime and everything in an Islamic and religious article, but again, Islam addresses all aspects of life.
A complete religion.
That’s the reason it has given us our heroes instead of leaving us on our own vulnerable self. Us, who would chase shadows like a gullible cat. That 329 worded introduction above was detailed enough for us to connect the dots. The two examples, showcase how those two people have selected their heroes.
Why heroes?
Cause as MM said and we summarized in the first level, humans are drawn towards humans. And before we know it, all we want is to follow this hero we’ve selected for ourself, be with them and become like them.
Okay, not gonna lie, story time. We had a television long long back in my childhood and I used to watch all the local dramas. A total drama junkie. Then, boom no TV anymore and restrictions on the second-hand, broken screen mobile.
I feel that when children go through puberty, parents do too.
Like, they get extra strict on you when you feel life is extra strict already. And you’re in a phase where everything makes you raise your eyebrows and sigh. Or frown and breakdown.
So basically, after my mom finished with this phase and I was finally allowed to use the phone again, I started with the local dramas I used to watch.
Who needed TVs anyway.
This metal box was more than enough.
After this mini quarantine, it felt like dramas were my salvation. Then came this particular drama with the cast in the same age group as me. I started imagining them in my life. As my friends.
Such a loser, but anyway.
I started styling my hair like the female lead did. That too, in her behind-the-scenes life. Not the drama I had actually liked. Started watching everything related to them on social media. Plot twist? From my mom’s account. I didn’t have my own at that time.
Made up scenarios before sleeping.
To the point, I actually started feeling like I knew them. Personally.
Never am I going in that rabbit hole again.
(Host: How did you get out of that loser phase?)
He’s here again. Mr. Manager, you’re not doing your job.
(Manager: I kind of want to know the answer to that question too.)
*Sigh*.
I stopped watching that local crap. Switched to international. In a way, anime saved me.
(Host: How did you not fall low for anime like you did for these-)
As I said. Never am I going in that rabbit hole again.
(Host: That’s not really an ans-)
We DO NOT, talk about that dark arc.
When I look back at myself, I wanna bang my head against the wall in embarrassment. When I look at their social media now, I question my choices in life.
So now, the real point of this article. The role of other people, of heroes in our lives is quite obvious. And that’s the reason we have to make sure that we choose the right people.
And Islam has done that for us too.
The Ahlul Bayt.
The divinely selected leaders.
The infallibles.
Cause if they make mistakes, you’re gonna adopt those traits too.
That local drama boy? One of my first fictional crushes.
He had anger issues in the show. Suddenly, so did I.
Offline, he was into gymnastics. I almost taught myself how to do a front flip.
Front flip was fun.
Though now I might break my neck.
Anyway enough, this level’s going on for too long.
(Host: You actually needed me in this episode.)
I’ve told you before. I can host my own shows.
(Host: I can help.)
Exit stage left, buddy.
Bye.
And there, you just successfully completed LEVEL 2! Congratulations! Though only in theory. The practical exams are yet to commence. Start preparing, and apply these-yada yada yada.
Now, what’s next? The next level of course.
Share your progress in the comments or (look below).
Ready for LEVEL 3? Yes? Before proceeding, why not wink at Allah?
Khudahafiz.
Visibly Nuh Uh
Live*
Salam to whoever is on the other side of the screen (brother, sister, bibi, janab, hazrat, sayyed, you basically), did you wink at Allah? Good. Let’s start the third level.
LEVEL 3: Visibly Nuh Uh.
You know that famous image where two people are pointing at a number on the ground? One says it’s a 6, the other swears it’s a 9? Yeah. That one. It came to my mind when MM dropped a particular point that we’re about to dissect.
Even though it will sound similar at surface level, it is completely different than what we’re about to discuss today.
Oh also, if you don’t know what image I’m talking about, the staff, if y’all could please-
(Staff: We can’t, actually. Copyright issues.)
Why don’t we have a company artist yet?
(Staff: You keep rejecting each one.)
(Manager: That’s because she wants to do it. But she has art skills like a three year old’s with a red crayon.)
I’m just going to describe the image. Oh wait! I already did. Let’s move on.
ULTIMATE will fact-check:
- What he said.
- God ain’t like us.
Let’s begin. *Dramatic drumrolls*.
Number 1, What He Said.
Put aside the picture for a while and let’s discuss what MM said.
(Manager: Yeah, you’ve been building the mystery longer than Allah creating the world.)
Now, as we know, there were messengers or prophets sent in the past to guide our ignorant ass- ahem I mean us. We were ignorant and vulnerable. Because, surprise surprise, humans were out here making God out of rocks and trees and literal sparkly stars. All due to the innate nature of a human.
And that is, there is someone greater. Someone actually there behind the stages of reproducing soil, giggling flowers, soothing oceans and the vast skies.
Someone behind the curtains.
So yeah, we needed divinely sent people to get us on the divine path.
Someone sent from above who knew more than us idol and star worshippers.
Someone familiar with the backstage.
Who could tell us the script.
Here’s the spicy part: Christianity and Judaism also believe in these prophets. However, they have a different view on them and their personalities.
As we discussed in the last level, it is quite clear now why our heroes or the people we follow, aka these prophets, have to be infallible and reliable and always correct and blah blah. However, people following the two above think quite the opposite.
The bible has absolutely grotesque stuff about the prophets. When MM asked one of the religious people who followed Christianity, he answered saying that it was because God wanted to teach us, ignorant and foolish, vulnerable human beings that it’s okay to be the worst person on the face of the earth while still being a luminary figure, bestowed with the role of guiding people to the divine path.
We’ll discuss more of this in later levels.
But yeah, this was the introduction.
Hooked, right?
Controversy is spicy like that.
Number 2, God Ain’t Like Us.
Now, talking a little about the introduction, we are basically saying that God, that is the most Supreme and Master of everything, the one who created us and all this stuff around us, did something absolutely foolish and illogical.
He sent prophets who were flawed? Imperfect? Maybe even morally questionable?
Once I was travelling in a foreign country. Using the overcrowded public transport is like a necessity and one of the things on the bucket list of every tourist.
We were in the train, right at the door. Our overconfident selves were sure we could survive without using the air-conditioned trains. Bad idea. We regretted every second as we held onto poles and prayers so that we weren’t thrown off onto the rails as the train zigzagged like a possessed rollercoaster.
We were late, tired, exhausted.
It couldn’t get worse.
It did though.
The train made it worse.
It stopped in the middle of nowhere. All around us were rails, electric poles, wires, buildings faraway and a few people fearlessly clicking pictures.
Now, two tracks away, another train pulls up and stops.
We’re face-to-face with strangers, so so awkward.
People standing there, holding onto dear lives like us, trying not to make eye contact. It happens though. Accidently.
Cue the unsure and doubtful moment where you’re considering if you’re supposed to smile or not and that weird moment where you do.
You smile. But they look away.
They realize and look back. Now you look away. In the process of turning, you grimace. as you realize that they’re looking at you now. But for some absurd reason, you can’t look at them now. And then-sigh.
What a nightmare.
It’s a mess. You debate your whole existence.
Social horror.
Getting to the point of this story. We were there, frozen in time. When I see a guy on the track approaching the train opposite us. How was he going to get in? There was a mini ladder under the entrance. I’ve seen them before but never actually noticed how they were used.
That was the first time I saw its need.
Live.
In action.
And then I thought to my philosophical self, well well well, everything has a reason to it. Every single thing has a reason behind its existence.
But you’re saying that the God that created people that created this mini ladder for strangers on the track, will send prophets to guide lost souls on the right path, while being imperfect and weak in character?
Make it make sense.
If I’m good at math hypothetically (I’m not) and not at geography (I’m not good at this either), it’s obvious that I can teach math (I can’t) and not geography (yeah, again, I can’t).
So how can a prophet, good at one thing and horrible at another guide all the types of humans? All types of people that might be good at the one thing that this supposed prophet is bad at? Then what right does this prophet have, that he can guide another human?
What disqualifies this human from being a prophet instead?
How can you be good and bad at the same time?
How can you be both divinely chosen and deeply flawed?
And how can a perfect God entrust his precious beings’ life to someone like that?
You tell me.
And there, you just successfully completed LEVEL 3! Congratulations! Though only in theory. The practical exams are yet to commence.
Start preparing, and apply these-yada yada yada.
Now, what’s next? The next level of course.
Share your progress in the comments or (look below)
Ready for LEVEL 4? Yes? Before proceeding, tell me how do you get rid of dark circles.
Khudahafiz.
Your Heart Needs Eyes
*Live*
Salam to whoever is on the other side of the screen (brother, sister, bibi, janab, hazrat, sayyed, subscriber #209, yes, you basically), here’s a question: who said sweets are only for Eid? Exactly. Let’s get to Level 4.
LEVEL 4: Your Heart Needs Eyes.
backstage*
(Manager: You didn’t talk about the image at all.)
Right. The image.
Well, this well-known illustration, perfectly illustrates how people have different answers and beliefs. But that is because, in this particular situation, there’s a difference in perspective. The way you see things. The way you take things.
But here’s the glitch: Not everything, is perspective-based. That’s why the term ‘common sense’ came into existence. It’s true that people’s common sense won’t always match, but that just proves that that is not common sense.
*Sigh*
In conclusion, this image had no role, or rather a very puny role to play in this article.
(Manager: No, I think it was good.)
(Host: Same here.)
You, are not getting to host my show.
(Manager: I was sincere.)
I heard about the report you messe-
(Manager: You were going to talk about the bi-)
SHH.
NO SPOILERS.
Yes, common sense. Logical things. It’s common sense that you’re not supposed to follow things that make no sense.
ULTIMATE can help you.
- All about the….you know….that book.
Let’s begin. *Dramatic drumrolls.*
Number 1, All About The…..You Know….That Book.
And now let’s talk about something that proves people follow something that is not on the same wavelength of common sense. That is, not to attack, but to present facts, the bible.
Hear me out, and then I’ll welcome all your reactions.
We spoke about how according to particular religions, the leaders, messengers or the prophets that are sent to guide mankind are actually sinners themselves.
And that it’s okay for the guides to be fallible and make mistakes just like us normies. But then how are they better than us and what right do they have over us. Why should we listen to them? What makes them better than the average tax-paying cousin?
This isn’t judgment. This is questioning the structure.
Anyway.
Moving on, here comes a spicy example, brought to you by MM (who, yes, studied Christianity in depth): The contradictions between the prevalent beliefs and historically written proof in the bible.
Belief: Jesus was crucified so as to pay for the sins of mankind.
Written: He asked for spoilt vinegar (what even is that) cause he was in a lot of pain.
So did he did not do whatever he did, voluntarily? If he chose the pain, why try to escape it?
And whatever does salvation for mankind even mean?
He did it for the people so that they could conveniently shirk responsibility?
If that was the case, I’ll do the hell I want, cause someone else is gonna take the fall for it anyway.
Where does accounting come in then? Good deeds, bad deeds, heaven and hell, who goes where? How does it all piece out?
Let’s talk about another prophet and his aw boo-boo slip-up.
In the next level, that is.
And there, you just successfully completed LEVEL 4! Congratulations! Though only in theory. The practical test is life itself. All the best.
Now, what’s next? The next level of course.
Share your progress in the comments or (look below)
Ready for LEVEL 5? Yes? Before proceeding, smile at your mother. Don’t be creepy though.
Khudahafiz.
You’re Saying it Yourself
Live*
Salam to whoever is on the other side of the screen (brother, sister, bibi, janab, hazrat, sayyed, you basically), I thought you should know, I broke my chair. Anyway, let’s fall headfirst into our fifth level.
LEVEL 5: You’re Saying It Yourself.
I’m not going to go very deep into details, but the two major sects of Islam, as you might know, are Shias and Sunnis.
Now, the core difference between the two is who they follow as their leader after the Holy Prophet (saws). Also, by the way, just to get this clear, Islam considers the prophets and messengers as infallible.
They can’t make mistakes.
Of course, they can’t.
That’s bulls-
backstage*
(Manager: AHHH- NO NO NO!)
My bad. But imagine this. The Quran has told us not to drink alcohol. And the prophet preaching this to me, is sipping whiskey at the town square. Make. It. Make. Sense.
Yes, back to business. The two sects, two leaders. According to Shias, it is Imam Ali (as) and according to the latter it is, Abu Bakr.
Now, if we were to sum up the above levels, we’ve already established that humans don’t have the qualifications to appoint divine leaders. We’re confused, biased, emotional. It has to be someone divinely appointed. Someone who has divine knowledge. Someone who won’t do something that he’s telling me not to.
I read this somewhere and it fits so well: Someone who walks the walk—not just talks the talk.
History presents how right after the death of the Holy Prophet, there commenced a meeting with a few muslims at a place called Saqifa. This meeting was held to decide the so called ‘leader’ after the Holy Prophet.
Who was there? Abu Bakr.
Who wasn’t? Imam Ali (as).
Where was he (as)? With the Prophet.
Says a lot, doesn’t it?
ULTIMATE knows how:
- It’s gonna be story time, kids.
Let’s begin. *Dramatic drumrolls*.
Number 1, It’s Gonna Be Story Time, Kids.
The above was just an intro. Here’s what MM said from the book of Genesis. By the way, many of the Christians believe that the bible in this time, is not the one that was revealed to Jesus. Or the one that Jesus got.
Yeah, book of genesis.
Lemme shorten it.
Prophet Isaac – old and blind – wants to make his first son, Isao, his successor, the prophet – calls Isao – tells him to cook a meal after hunting goats – get it to him – P. Isaac will bless him and make him a prophet.
Rebecca, mama of second son – hears this – says “Nope. Not on my watch.” – goes to Jacob (second son) – tells him about all this and says that she wants him to become the prophet instead of Isao.
Jacob says “what if father finds out” – he’s not worried about deceiving his father – no no, he’s worried about getting caught – Rebecca darling says not to worry sweetie, mommy’s got this – tells him to get goat – he does – helps him make dish – goes to father.
Jacob comes and says father I got your dish, now bless me – Isaac asks who are you – of course, silly me, of course the guide of humanity doesn’t know the voice of his own son.
Says I’m Isao – *he lies * – father says lemme touch you – now, plot twist – Isao was hairy – Jacob wasn’t – dear father was going to find out.
Rebecca for the win.
She knew this would happen – she covered Jacob’s hand with goat skin – so now father touches goat skin and is convinced that Jacob is Isao – yup, guide of humanity goes “Yup, that’s my Isao.” – again, can’t tell difference between goat skin and human skin – blesses him – Jacob, is now a prophet.
Wohoo.
Real Isao back with perfectly grilled goat curry – tells father to bless him – P. Isaac shocked – says I just blessed you – utter confusion – truth out – Isao asks what about me now? – Father says you’re now a slave to Jacob – you’re gonna be miserable – this blunder happened and now Jacob is the prophet.
What does this indicate, ladies and gentlemen? Here, lemme summarize for you:
- You can steal someone else’s right.
- You can shamelessly lie on a person’s face.
- Goat skin is now identity theft.
- Greediness for power is absolutely fine.
- It’s okay to manipulate your blind dad.
Cool. Cool. Cool.
Whereas in Islam, Allah decides who the prophet, who the leader is. Sit down. No drama. No kitchen politics.
And it is quite clear without any goats and blessings.
And there, you just successfully completed LEVEL 5! Congratulations! Though only in theory. The practical exams are yet to commence. Start preparing, and apply these-yada yada yada.
Now, what’s next? The next level of course.
Share your progress in the comments or (look below)
Ready for LEVEL 6? Yes? Before proceeding, say khudahafiz to me too.
Khudahafiz.
Stand back, the read time’s being calculated…
Not Contradicting
Live*
Salam to whoever is on the other side of the screen (brother, sister, bibi, janab, hazrat, sayyed, you basically), I see you’re being consistent. I respect that. Let’s start with our sixth level.
LEVEL 6: Not Contradicting.
I once read a tweet about how if you need laws to be good, are you really good then? And it’s been stuck in my mind ever since then.
Won’t be giving y’all an intro or a detailed description or a trailer or a fancy montage or anything cause this is an extension, or rather, a continuation of the last level.
Let’s begin?
backstage*
(Manager: Are you asking for permission?)
We’re not doing this again.
(Manager: When did we do it before?)
In How To Talk To Anyone, level 15.
(Manger: No way.)
Yes way.
ULTIMATE can help:
- Something that makes sense.
Let’s begin. *Dramatic drumrolls*.
Number 1, Something That Makes Sense.
A Jewish someone (an expert or a follower, not sure) told MM that he thinks God is the one who’s responsible for all the bad and evil of this wretched world.
Well, technically, he’s not at fault.
I think I kinda see where he’s coming from.
Based on the religion he’s following, a God that sends thieves and liars and covetous individuals as prophets, as guides to humanity, might just be responsible for the outcome of the guidance.
The famous ayat in which Allah tells us to follow the purified ones, is the only solution to this nonsen-irrationality.
(Manager: She’s getting better at controlling her tongue.)
Nonsense.
(Manager: *Sigh*)
To back this up, the Holy Prophet’s well-known tradition about being on the right path after him is by following the Quran AND the Ahlul Bayt. The people of the house. The people of the Prophet’s house.
A mathematician also needs a teacher to explain the things written in a book.
And an English teacher can’t teach him numbers and fractions.
Man, fractions sounds so scary.
(Host: Can you stress on the analogy?)
*Wacky stares him down.*
You- I’ll deal with you later. The analogy is simple. An English teacher can’t teach formulas and a lying prophet can’t teach us to be truthful.
And that’s the reason you need someone who is perfect in every sense and aspect. Aka, the purified ones. Their debut happened in the most authentic and biggest stage ever, the Quran.
This is also an analogy, don’t get offended.
I know y’all won’t.
But my staff won’t let me continue till I get this formal sh-I mean, formal stuff done.
Talking about the Quran, Allah says to follow and stay on the right path.
Now tell me, how do you know what the right path is?
Who decides what the right path is?
Who draws the map?
Of course, God.
And then He sends righteous and pious people, who have complete knowledge about this right path, to lead us there too.
“Allah doesn’t only tell us to be truthful and pious but also gives us guides and examples to follow that are truthful and pious.”
MM said that.
MM was right.
And there, you just successfully completed LEVEL 6! Congratulations! Though only in theory. The practical exams are yet to commence. Start preparing, and apply these-yada yada yada.
Now, what’s next? The next level of course.
Wanna flex your progress? In the comments you go!
Ready for LEVEL 7? Yes? Before proceeding, stop wasting time on choosing which drama to watch.
Khudahafiz.
Stand back, the read time’s being calculated…
ASMR Is Overrated
Live*
Salam to whoever is on the other side of the screen (brother, sister, bibi, janab, hazrat, sayyed, you basically), the screen is quite dirty by the way. Anyway, let’s start with our seventh level.
LEVEL 7: ASMR Is Overrated.
The craze for these squeezing slimy stuff and compressing metal cans was the most trending thing back in the lockdown times. People used to watch anything and everything under the holy banner of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response.
For the sake of this level, I checked out the recent ASMR videos and seems like we’ve evolved (a lot) in this field too. Not to hate anyone (I might on my unofficial account), but it definitely took me by surprise.
Gave me this nostalgic feeling that things were better in our times than whatever people do nowadays. But anyway, that’s not the point for today. The roundabout meaning behind today’s title, is that (what I think) satisfaction cannot be obtained from guaranteed videos and audios, commonly categorized under, ahem, ASMR.
I literally believed that this content was to give you a calm, relaxing and satisfied feeling. Turns out it’s for tingling, static-like, goosebump sensations.
Just like the meaning of ASMR, or rather, ASMR itself has drastically strayed away from its purpose over a span of time, let’s discuss similar downward spirals that we might be familiar with.
backstage*
(Manager: My kid watches those videos.)
Please take measures like a parent should.
ULTIMATE shows the truth:
- Silent and slow.
- Quite the contrary.
Let’s begin. *Dramatic drumrolls.*
Number 1, Silent And Slow.
There’s a reference and a double meaning behind everything. The crying emoji is used for laughing. The skull emoji specifies humor that is top-tier. And the nail polish emoji signifies materialism.
This soft war we’re battling against, makes us believe that material and money solves life problems. It does. And I’m not going to deny that. What it also does, is create more.
Create more problems.
When?
Only when we make them a condition for happiness and a survival competition to obtain more. I’d like to share this one-
(Manager: Isn’t she becoming politer day-by-day?)
(Staff: Right? She never asked so nicely before.)
You know I’m not actually asking, right?
(Host: Courtesy. That’s what they mean.)
I swear to God, why is he still here?
(Host: I thought you were going to consider-)
Shut. Lemme focus.
Where was I? Yes, share a reel I watched. What was it about? These damn idiotic shame on the name of humanity made me forg-
(Manager: She turned worse than before.)
(Staff: And whose fault is that?)
Aha! The reel had this question that kids are usually asked. ‘What would you like to be when you grow up?’ There were different roles popping up on the screen in random places with a half-second difference between them.
Engineer.
Doctor.
Designer.
Artist.
Whatever.
And then everything stopped. All the words vanished and one single word took the spotlight in the centre.
‘Unhurried’.
It said. For some reason, this goes perfectly when comparing with the love of this world. This world and everything in it has a smooth, silky blindfold over us. And when we realize it, it distracts us again by sometimes adding a better fragrance or tossing in glittery fakes.
So now, should we give up everything we supposedly ‘own’ and go live in the mountains? No. We appreciate stuff. We give it a moment and feel a little happy about it. That’s it.
If we don’t have it, it’s okay. We work for it. But not to the extent, where our motive of life becomes that. A goal is different. And motive, is way way different.
I’m actually talking to myself cause I don’t have a setup. And I’m literally on the gadgets all the time. Like, my studies and everything requires it but…..yes….won’t a curated desk setup with indoor plants and lights and anime figurines and all my stationery sorted, be an absolute bliss?
My bad, I got carried away. Islam says the less you’re attached to these things the more secure and comfortable you are. Let’s discuss that too, shall we? Only that this was all supposed to be in one point, but it’s not gonna fit….so……
Number 2.1, Silent And Slow, pt.2.
There. Does that not make the content easier to read?
Yes, comfortable and secure. And the easy access to other people’s live has snatched us of this very blessing. We’re not comfortable the way we are. We think that this way of life is just another day.
We scroll past ‘perfect’ lifestyles and decide our own is trash.
In a seminar I attended, they told us to write one thing we’re grateful about everyday, and honestly it changes you completely. Mr. Manager, you should definitely try this.
We see rich people’s apparent ‘way of living’ and think it’s the standard. The bare minimum to be able to wake up with a smile on our face.
Just shows how sick we are.
I mean, even if I don’t have a cool ahh table with cool ahh stuff, at least I have my own personalized corner with everything I need and the lack of coolness, that is apparently decoration and flashy stuff, can be easily compensated by how cool I am. It’s all innate. Right?
(Manager: …..)
(Staff: ……)
(Host: ……)
I don’t care what y’all think.
Let’s move on.
By standard of living I remembered a point from the lecture I’m currently listening to. People give up their beliefs and themselves to ‘fit in’ and be ‘accepted’. Where? In a society that jumps to attack one person to another as if a kangaroo had springs for legs and did his leg day religiously.
One such example that MM gave was Muslim influencers.
To be more precise, female Muslim influencers. Honestly the word influencers should be double quoted cause they’re honestly the ones being the most influenced. They follow every single trend.
I mean I see a joke and I like it. And my dear smart algorithm gives the same joke to me only by someone else performing it. Man, I thought it was exclusive.
Like the author created or something.
Maybe they did.
But the “influencers” got influenced and here we are.
So yes, the example. The female Muslim influencer starts with perfect hijab and conduct. And then social media makes her doubt her faith. She gets algorithm-peer-pressured. The reason she’s not happy, the reason more people don’t know her is all because of her beliefs.
So enter, make up.
Better yet, remove the hijab.
The one thing that was unique about her, gone.
It’s not her choice, it’s the comment section’s.
Number 2, Quite The Contrary.
Do this, do that, be this, be that….so that you can be happy and content. Satisfied.
Darling, don’t you get it?
“The only time we’re ever going to be satisfied, is when we’re buried deep under.” ~MM.
So the only way is to remember the above and make an effort to not get attached. As always, Islam being the complete religion that it is, has given us the way on how to lead a life as discussed.
Imam Husayn (as).
The prime example of being aloof from this world. Gave his life for the right cause knowing, that this world, indeed, is not worth it. His family, sons, uncles, companions, everyone would’ve been alive if he had paid allegiance to yazid. Yes, I’m not going to capitalize his (la)’s name.
Anyway, to prove this point further, we can also take the example of Bibi Zainab (sa) who saw everything dreadful unfold right before her eyes and yet, what did she say?
“I saw nothing but beauty.”
When you’re firm on the path of Islam. And you attach yourself to Allah and who He has commanded us to, everything becomes easier. This world’s tribulations seem minor. The insecurities vanish. The people and their opinions don’t matter. Who are they to decide whether you wear hijab or not?
This, gives you confidence.
Confidence to stand up to people who can’t keep to themselves and let others live.
The same confidence Bibi Zainab (Sa) had when she went into the court of yazid. Strong, bold, and confident. Cause she knew, Allah is there.
And Allah is right.
And the right always wins.
The signs are all there. yazid’s court is just a pile of dust and ruins. A nobody.
And Imam Husayn (as)? The fact that even non-Muslims use his (as)’s example speaks a lot.
ps: Hope you liked today’s article. ASMR has taken over my algorithm. I’m doomed.
And there, you just successfully completed LEVEL 7! Congratulations! Though only in theory. Practical exam starts whenever Instagram tries to sell you a personality and you shoo it away.
Now, what’s next? The next level of course.
Share your progress in the comments or (look below)
Ready for LEVEL 8? Yes? Before proceeding, tell me, do you like oranges?
Khudahafiz.
Stand back, the read time’s being calculated…
Thieves That Don’t Steal Hearts
Live*
Salam to whoever is on the other side of the screen (brother, sister, bibi, janab, hazrat, sayyed, you basically), you’re on the eighth already? Good job, I guess. You want a sticker?
LEVEL 8: Thieves That Don’t Steal Hearts.
This level is honestly just to make sure that the cement is now hard, that the glue is dry, and the point is now driven home.
Time to lock it in.
The point that we’ve been discussing in the last levels.
What have we been discussing, humans?
backstage*
(Manager: Common sense.)
(Staff: Selectively blind syndrome.)
(Host: That the host can host this show too.)
Your answers were pretty good, except the last one. Everything that was shed some light upon, had one thing in common.
People.
And their roles in our lives. Their fingerprints on our timeline.
And here we just strengthen the concept.
ULTIMATE is your friend, indeed.
- What do I do with my fam?
Let’s begin. *Dramatic drumrolls.*
Number 1, What Do I Do With My Fam?
I’m not even kidding, okay. I went to pray namaz a while back when thoughts obviously barged in, uninvited and disrespectful as ever, trying to make sure I can’t concentrate on what I’m praying.
I was thinking about the hangout yesterday. Was kinda being grateful for having friends like…..the friends I have basically.
So anyway, I was just pondering (for a little while, mind you. I focused back on the namaaz, I promise) how it feels like we’ve been friends for ages when in reality it’s been like two years.
How I know so much about them already when I never opened up so much even to my school friend who was in the same class as me for nearly six years.
And then for some weird reason, I thought, if we were in a mimic competition, how would I, imitate them? Immediately my brain replied with a downloaded file which contained, friend_no1.mp4, where I was talking with the same hand actions and head motions like her.
friend_no2.mp4, was me repeating a single word in this particular accent cause nowadays this particular friend has been saying that word a lot. I asked her about it yesterday. She told me it was some joke at her uni.
friend_no3.mp4, was just me saying that I’ll just laugh, cause that’s all this one friend does.
What I’m trying to say, is that….BOOM….isn’t it obvious? We talked about the soul being a thief already. Here’s your proof. I might’ve not adopted their actions yet, but the fact that I could think of something like this in an instant, is proof enough.
My soul, is already syncing these files.
MM says that people say oh, we’re just friends. Just colleagues. Nothing will happen. Anything, can happen, darling.
Okay, he didn’t say darling.
MM also stressed on the point of why selecting the people around you should be a careful and deliberate process. How can you make friends with anyone? With people who will harm you in one way or another. Maybe you think you’re firm on your religion and values and opinions and beliefs. But but but, the soul.
The Soul.
Would you do the same with your precious possessions? Would you give them to anybody and everybody? Then why not the same with yourself?
MM said that too.
But then, friends and co-workers are not the only one surrounding you.
Family.
What do we do about them?
Well, my mom taught me. We love them.
And there, you just successfully completed LEVEL 8! Congratulations! Though only in theory. The practical exams are yet to commence. Start preparing, and apply these-yada yada yada.
Now, what’s next? The next level of course. Keep your snacks ready!
Share your progress in the comments or (look below)
Ready for LEVEL 9? Yes? Before proceeding, I read that lollipops are so dumb. You flavor your spit and drink it.
I can’t be the only one suffering, you know.
Khudahafiz.
Stand back, the read time’s being calculated…
Some Butterflies Are Just Flies
Live*
Salam to whoever is on the other side of the glowing rectangle (brother, sister, bibi, janab, hazrat, sayyed, you basically), dear reader, you’re close to the tenth level. Wohoo. Let’s start with the ninth one.
LEVEL 9: Some Butterflies Are Just Flies.
I’m kinda proud with the title I came up with. Isn’t it so cool? Wordplay at its best.
backstage*
(Manager: Didn’t you just polish the saying ‘All that glitter is not gold’?)
Well, I did something, didn’t I? All the human inventions are just mix and match from what we already know.
Shakespeare gonna be so jealous, he might snap his quill, haha.
Anyway, remember, in some point we spoke about how when we like something in someone, we don’t stop there? We start taking it to the extreme and start adopting their other habits as well?
Even the trash ones?
Well, if we didn’t, this level is just that.
ULTIMATE can help you choose.
- The state of googoogaga.
Let’s begin. *Dramatic drumrolls.*
Number 1, The State Of Googoogaga.
There was this roast reel I watched where the guy showed the roast material, I mean, someone else’s reel first and then reacted to it.
So it was a couple at a concert. Front row-seat. Enjoying the show basically. The woman was sitting on the guy’s lap. PDA at it’s peak. Now, whoever the singer was, gets down from the stage, removes his jacket and gives it to this woman.
They. Lose. Their. Mind.
They’re ecstatic. Both the female AND the male. And the guy starts kissing his woman, happy tears falling down his face.
Did I miss something? I mean, excuse me, but did she win something?
Cut. And next comes the roast guy. He first makes a deliberate, overly exaggerated, disgusted face. Proceeds to say how the guy is so happy that his wife or partner got a sweaty, used jacket from another guy. And how unstable their mind became when they got it.
Honestly? He got a point.
They were cheering and dancing and celebrating as if their son got the MVP in the football match.
If only parents still do that.
If only kids still play outside.
Okay, putting a stop to sounding like an oldie, let’s proceed.
Hysteria. That’s the word MM used. Hysteria.
We get hysterical if that person we like only for, in this example, his voice, just looks at us once. ONCE. A tiny microsecond of attention.
A goldfish can give you more, you know?
Do you know how many BTS fan videos have come my way?
Do you know how many times I’ve winced when the fan who’s recording behind the camera, screams at the top of their voice just because they got a glance from a band member? Yeah. My ears still file complaints.
Yes, okay, you can call me an internet addict cause I’m there half my life, but hey, where else am I supposed to get super cool, super relatable examples from?
Now, next, I’m sure I spoke about this before. The making-up-scenarios with the cast of a show I liked. To the extent that I started picturing them as my friends and whatever.
Well, yes, this is embarrassing. Well, yes, we’re moving on.
But yeah. Some research has shown that people nowadays feel more connected and familiar with youtubers and influencers than their own family members.
This, is how weak and vulnerable we are. We just have to accept how pathetic humans can be in order to not be pathetic.
Cause awareness is key, after all. So much can be averted.
MM also gifted another example of how debilitated humans can be. Just to pause for a second, I should let this come to your notice the number of synonyms I looked up for the word ‘weak’, cause ‘weak’ has been overused.
Do you get what I just did? Made you get the impression that I’m super smart (even though I am) just by changing my vocab a bit. Flexing it, without being obvious. This trick is mentioned in How To Talk To Anyone by Leil Lowndes. Fascinating, right?
Check out for detailed articles.
If y’all would please.
(Staff: Here’s the link, gang.)
So yes, where were we? Right, the example. People feel confident and arrogant if they just KNOW someone who is, for example, of high status. Or wealthy. Or an expert in their field.
They’ve not achieved that by themselves.
Yet, here they are, all smug, basking in borrowed glow.
And there, you just successfully completed LEVEL 9! Congratulations! Though only in theory. The practical exams commence when life decides to bully you.
Now, what’s next? The next level of course.
Share your progress in the comments or (look below)
Ready for LEVEL 10? Yes? Before proceeding, remember the innocent people being killed.
Khudahafiz.
Stand back, the read time’s being calculated…
I’m Sorry, I Don’t Care
Live*
Salam to whoever is on the other side of the screen (brother, sister, bibi, janab, hazrat, sayyed, you basically), it’s the ten-level anniversary! Joy. Confetti. Whatever, let’s start the tenth level.
LEVEL 10: I’m Sorry, I Don’t Care.
I’m not even kidding but the drama I’m watching like right now, said a line that sits so so well with what we’ve been talking about. Okay okay, ahem, ready?
“What lies in front you, determines what the fact is. If that’s the case, we need to decide what we need to show them.”
And these words were said by the character playing the role of the head of a news company to the character that played the role of the head of the police. Why? Cause citizens were criticizing the police.
Eye-opening right?
We’re all in a circus.
And we might be the ones on stage rather than in the audience.
ULTIMATE got your back:
- Excuse me.
Let’s begin. *Dramatic drumrolls.*
Number 1, Excuse Me.
I’ve discussed this so many times with my mom, that if in the future, we do talk again, I can easily quote what her answer is going to be. I often think that whatever they portray in the entertainment media is highly exaggerated and does not depict real life at all. They like paint them as cartoon villains, when humans are actually quite…decent.
Bullying? Humans aren’t really that heartless.
Hate for a family member? I mean, squabbles, okay, but hate? That’s extreme.
Being insensitive to other people? Nah, a person cannot be that much of a jerk.
That was my naive TED Talk era.
Yes, the last one is different than the first example, cause come on, people say things without really thinking. And that can hurt others. But bullying? That crap is….crap. And it’s not stopping because some poster said no.
Well, this is what I used to think. That people aren’t really capable of pushing someone to suicide because of the way they looked, or someone can never tease someone (at least not on their face) about something that the other person is quite obviously insecure about.
Oh, how wrong I was.
A little story for you. Funny how life presents flawless examples right when you need it.
Today, I had this inter-university event in my uni, where my partner and I lost in the first round (don’t ask). All the losers, rather, lets put it as the people who didn’t qualify, were to gather in one of the classrooms, waiting for the snacks to be distributed.
And of course, we weren’t leaving without the snacks. We paid money for that competition.
So there we were, comfortable in the air conditioner, happy that we’ll be able to go home and enjoying our time playing Roblox.
Now, present there, right next to us, was another team from another university. They asked us something about the place where our uni is situated and that led to small talk. Which led us to ask them which uni they were from.
Which somehow led to something that made my partner agree with these students, that yes, our uni was indeed, horrible.
We, the students of that uni, were already roasting that very uni, in front of students from another uni! Yeah, yeah shame on us. Our loyalty? Dead. We got a smack from life right away when the other uni undergraduate said, “Yeah. Our uni is like very bad, but compared to this uni, it’s wayyyyy better.”
Excuse me?
Pardon?
What in the audacity Olympics?
What level of brazenness is this? How boorish! Never in my life can I imagine myself saying that to someone.
So basically, yes, people can be what they depict in media. And I’m not talking about the extremes that murder and commit hideous crimes. I’m talking about everyday people, who live lives similar to everyone else’s.
And here, in this point, I’d like to point out how MM praised all the women who stay firm on the right path and their hijab doesn’t sway because of what other humans think, or believe or say.
Oh, don’t you feel hot in that?
You would look so much prettier without that on.
Don’t you think forcing women to cover up is oppression?
No. I don’t. And you shouldn’t too. Why?
Cause everyday humans, can be horrible too.
And there, you just successfully completed LEVEL 10! Congratulations! Though only in theory. The practical exams are yet to commence. Start prepping, and apply these-yada yada yada.
Now, what’s next? The next level of course.
Share your progress in the comments or (look below)
Ready for LEVEL 11? Yes? Before proceeding, moisturize them arid lips.
Khudahafiz.
Stand back, the read time’s being calculated…
From Within
Live*
Salam to whoever is on the other side of the screen (brother, sister, bibi, janab, hazrat, sayyed, you basically), take a breather cause this level…..nothing, just kidding. Let’s start with the 11th level.
LEVEL 11: From Within.
I sometimes think of my friends whose husbands ask them to unfriend their guy friends on various social media platforms. Some complain. Some comply. Some ask the same for female friends in return.
And it makes me ponder, is that really necessary?
I mean, following guy friends isn’t, or shouldn’t be that much of a problem. There’s no chatting, no interacting. Just their names in the followers list.
There’s no harm in it.
And then some alternate, pure conscience voice speaks up and says in their squeaky, taunting voice,
backstage*
(Host: “Then he’ll keep the female friends too.”)
Exactly. You seem to have experience.
(Host: Nah, I never talk to another female with that intention.)
We’ll know that after I discuss it with agent sweetcheese (Host’s wife, working in the same company).
(Host: Everyone here is a witness.)
To your undying love for a sole woman or your incoming downfall?
(Host: First one. But also the fact that you haven’t shirked me away yet. My offer st-)
I was about to do that. Please leave before I call for secu-.
(Host: I was silent the entire last level. Don’t you-)
Yeah, and that’s the reason it turned out so well.
(Host: I promise I’ll make you acknowledge me.)
Did you buy the groceries sweetcheese asked you to?
(Host: Oh damn! How did you know though?)
Typical.
ULTIMATE: The path to modesty:
- Wrapper?
- Not what you think.
Let’s begin. *Dramatic drumrolls.*
Number 1, Wrapper?
Let’s talk about whatever I was already talking about in the introduction before the “host” that I certainly don’t need in my shows, interrupted us.
Relationships of males and females.
Not based on real relationships but the ones we form by observing. Situational.
Temporary.
Fleeting.
People usually say that females are responsible for getting raped. That they were the ones who invited a man to do that. That they are the ones who incite men. They are the reason, the men lost control.
That they, are the reason for whatever happened to themselves.
As if the victim caused the crime.
Even though all of this is complete crap, let’s try to see this from a different perspective. Of course, nothing ever justifies rape though.
In Islam, women are ordered to cover themselves up. That nothing except their face and hands below the wrists are visible. That hijab, should cover their curvaceous or lean body.
And people look at this as a form of oppression.
What they don’t realize that when someone’s been gifted with something, it’s but natural to hide it, conceal it, keep it away from the ones that it should be kept away from.
What a tongue twister.
Let me ask again. When something is precious, isn’t it natural to protect it? To keep it hidden from those unworthy of it?
Islam, the religion they term as the one that gives women no rights, says that a woman is a delicate flower and should be treated as such. If people researched instead of scrolling through social media propaganda, they’d see how deeply kind this religion is towards women.
And besides, if they are ordered to cover up, MEN are also ordered to not raise, their gaze.
(Staff: She’s a complete poet today.)
MEN are told not to look at their faces and their beauty and at THEM. End of story.
The rules are for both.
The people in the west, that apparently live their lives with ‘freedom’ and ‘liberation’ and the betterment and welfare of women, is the place where 90 percent of the women have been assaulted or taken advantage of.
Despite all the laws and despite all the rules.
I remember reading this once, “If someone needs laws to be good, are they really good?” And I think about this once in a while.
Why do you think, in this example, that the women over there are so vulnerable? Why are the crime and rape rates the highest over there? Isn’t it a modern, educated location? Aren’t their thoughts and beliefs way better than a religion that supposedly ‘oppresses’ its women?
The answer is clear enough.
Cause till a woman does not understand this and until she stops seeking validation through eyes that degrade her, she’s never really safe. Cause this safety and security, comes from within, as MM put it.
You objectify yourself, you will get objectified. And then you can’t crib about people putting value to you only because of your body.
Or treating you like a product.
Islam has rules for both. Women like to be seen and men like to see.
And the test is for both of them to refrain.
Number 2, Not What You Think.
Movies and media are termed as soft war cause they attack and you fall dead before even realizing that they removed their swords from their sheaths long back.
When the world wants to normalize something, they put it in films and content that is consumed, or rather, devoured by us simpletons. Specially, content meant for children.
Need examples? Well, LGBTQ and hundred other letters, sums up as one of the best explanations. Apparently, you’re not an adult till you’re 18, but you can change your gender when you’re what, 10?
Basically, you’re telling me, a kid does not have enough intelligence to vote but yet sufficient when it comes to their anatomy and how they feel about themselves?
Bruh, the only thing I did when I was that age was play pc games with adobe flash and default games like hide and seek with friends. We didn’t think about who we feel like or who we feel attracted to.
And also, a kid is not capable of both. Voting and redefining their anatomy. Well, for the latter, no one is. No one will ever be. Don’t get me started, I can talk a lot about this topic.
As we come back after completely straying and drifting away from the point, media is really powerful. One of the thing that they’ve achieved, is ruined pure love and relationships.
It’s turned love into lust, relationships into experiments.
“Oh, you can definitely just be friends with the opposite gender.”
“Oh, come on it’s just one kiss. It’s not that deep.”
“Just flirting.”
“Just this.”
“Just that.”
Nuh uh. Wake up. Cause, nuh uh.
People were asked if male and females can just be friends. All the females replied with a yes.
And all the males replied with a no.
That says a lot, doesn’t it?
And there, you just successfully completed LEVEL 11! Congratulations! Though only in theory. The practical exams are yet to commence. Prepare wisely.
Now, what’s next? The next level of course.
Share your progress in the comments or (look below)
Ready for LEVEL 12? Yes? Before proceeding, have a whole tomato.
Khudahafiz.
Stand back, the read time’s being calculated…
Such A Child
Live*
Salam to whoever is on the other side of the screen (brother, sister, bibi, janab, hazrat, sayyed, you basically), the whole squad in service of the twelve imams. Shall we begin?
LEVEL 12: Such A Child.
Even though a person is identified more through his father, it does not imply that the mother comes second. It’s always, even in Islam, that the mother has been given an unmatched position.
Not that I’m putting down fathers, mind you.
They’re the ones who take up the most responsibility, after all. The bread winners (not a very good example for today’s time, but yeah), the protectors, and as they say, the MAN of the house.
By the way, I’m holding back so much right now. Why? Cause whenever I hear the word ‘man’, my inner feminist? I don’t know, basically something, inside me awakens. Ignites.
Activates.
Society, or whoever are the twisted collective noun, has weakened men. Pampered them to the point where accountability has become a taboo. Babied them and given them too much leeway.
I don’t know how to say it, but they’ve become…womanly. Like not that I’m saying that woman do all the shit above, it’s that they’ve become fragile, delicate and emotionally paper-thin.
Like women on the other hand, when called fragile, and the above, it’s not about them being all of that in spirit. But rather, it’s like they’re too valuable. And that’s the reason they’re so…precious? Do you get it?
That’s how men have become. Except all of that not in the way women are. I don’t even know what I’m saying anymore.
Of course, not all men.
Just like not all women.
It’s not one wavelength after all. But you know, different wavelength form a good melody.
That was so random, but I wanted to just throw that there so that y’all think of me as oooo, so cool. So poetic. So deep.
Anyway. I’ll just say one thing as we come back on topic.
backstage*
(Manager: Damn, we were ready for a men vs women.)
Not today.
I told this to my mom once. It was the weekend and my mom had a holiday from work, quite obviously. It’s usually the same. I do my work. She does hers. She disturbs me. I pretend all mighty by not accepting that I’m the one who initiated it. Goaded her into it.
Classic family dynamics.
So to be succinct, it was a normal, everyday type of day.
And that means, I wasn’t particularly observing her or anything.
But at the end of the day, it was the most salient conclusion. It stood out the most.
What?
She was in the best of moods that day. We like to say “don’t let others affect your mood,” but that’s just a cute theory. The reality is that everything, affects us. We spoke about this is in the previous levels too.
So when someone is in a bad mood, and you go poke them, guess what happens to your mood?
Rhetorical question, right?
The point of exposing myself yet one more time like this, is to make you realize that my mom, because she was so happy to not work that day, bloomed in such a beautiful way, it was apparent in every corner of the house. The house breathed.
So opposite of when my mom is those scary moods, and the house echoes it instead.
Well, of course it’s not the same for every woman. Nor is it really different from the men.
I mean, who wouldn’t want a break from the tedious world?
But as far as I’ve read and my limited knowledge goes, men like the competition. They like the struggle. They like the work. The like the grind.
Of course they like the breaks too. But they’re more built for this. This tough race. These challenging situations.
They thrive in it.
NOT THAT WOMAN DON’T, mind you.
It’s just from all what I’ve heard and gathered and know, when women aren’t always challenged or they have someone to protect them, they’re gonna show their real feminine side. The calm, nurturing, radiant one.
They’re gonna shine.
And that feminine side will be such a blessing, that one look at them, and you’ll forget everything that worries you, just like Imam Ali (as) described bibi Fatema (sa), his wife, as.
You see the role of women now?
How much value they hold?
And if they’re not up to their best, you know who’s gonna get affected?
The family.
The kids.
The harmony.
ULTIMATE is the guide.
- Pal, they’re your pals too.
Let’s begin. *Dramatic drumrolls.*
Number 1, Pal, They’re Your Pals Too.
This is what the main topic is for today. A mother’s role in the upbringing of her children.
Mind you, I’m not saying it’s only the mother’s job description, it’s the father’s as well. But if you think logically and practically, keeping all the biasness and modern ideologies or whatever, aside, it’s quite obvious that the mother is more predominant over what the child’s beliefs or mindset is gonna be than the father.
I read this funny thing the other day: “Our language is called mother tongue because fathers don’t have a chance to speak.” I smirked and snorted.
Anyway, here are examples to back up these claims by MM himself. Bibi Maryam, mother of Hazrat Isa (as):
Prophet Isa is also addressed as the son of Maryam in the Quran. A prophet being addressed as such, stresses on the point on the character of the mother. Why?
Well, a prophet who is infallible and a guide for humanity, such a prestigious and important being, pure, is introduced through his mother, speaks a lot about the mother.
That’s not coincidence. That’s significance.
Now, one might argue that he didn’t have a father to be attributed with one, so cue, the second example.
In Ziyarate Ashura, we curse the son of Marjanah, who was a Persian concubine (according to Google) and was the mother of Ubaydallah. Now, this guy was already known by the name of Ibne Ziyad, that means, the son of Ziyad.
But when it came to his hideous crimes like what he did in Karbala; sending an army to fight against the family of the Holy Prophet (saws), the grandson of the prophet (saws), Imam Husayn (as), solely for the greed and desire for power, he is referred to as the son of Marjanah. Through his mother.
I think the point is clear.
Women play a major role in the upbringing of the children. They shape nations, one child at a time. And that’s the reason, we need to be so careful especially with everything going on around us and the world practically sprinting towards its own doom.
Like compare the time the child spends outside the house, taking in everything of the polluted world, and how much time is put in his upbringing when he/she is at home.
Compare the time that is spent with him/her with the time he/she spends with that rectangular piece of disaster, aka, the phone.
Who is raising the child? You? Or that black hole called an electronic device?
I believe we don’t need discuss about the phone and the effects it has on children.
And there, you just successfully completed LEVEL 12! Congratulations! Though, of course, only theory-wise. The practical exams are yet to commence. Start preparing, and apply these-yada yada yada.
Now, what’s next? The next level of course.
Share your progress in the comments or (look below)
Ready for LEVEL 13? Yes? Before proceeding, meditate. There’s too much on that brain (if there is, a brain).
Khudahafiz.
Stand back, the read time’s being calculated…
The Frog Came Back
Live*
Salam to whoever is on the other side of the screen (brother, sister, bibi, janab, hazrat, sayyed, you basically), whoever said 13 is a bad number, is bad themselves. Let’s begin.
LEVEL 13: The Frog Came Back.
Before diving in today’s madness, let’s talk a little about the process of writing these scripts.
backstage*
(Manager: What? Really?)
(Staff 1: Wait, she never agreed to behind-the-scenes before.)
(Staff 2: Is this the start of something big?)
(Host: Yes, Wacky. Is this the start of something big?)
As I was saying, ignoring the circus behind, let’s talk about the process of script-writing.
Usually after reading a book, or listening to something that shakes the brain cells awake, the notes are made or the points are marked directly in that particular source.
Then, accordingly with perfect precision and high critical thinking, chaos is filtered and this indispensable, worthy wisdom is extracted, followed by sorting it into respective levels.
Moving on, posts are made for each level with a level name, a little summary or hook, Ultimate introduction, and redirection to the caption. These are assigned solely by reading the content that has been saved / extracted / shortlisted. All this is done with the seriousness of a war strategist.
Now, for a game of Russian roulette with my sanity.
Cause then comes the writing part. Different templates are pre-made and then the script content is filled in.
Now, when I do sit down after literally threatening my lazy self, there are rare moments that occur, such as right now, where I forget what in the Allah’s galaxies was I thinking while naming the level and the Ultimate points.
I’m still confused as to why in the world is there a frog here, in these levels that speak about the purity of Islam and women and such beautiful topics.
Not that I’m saying that frogs are bad, okay?
BUT WHAT WAS I THINKING? I LITERALLY CAN’T REMEMBER.
(Manager: Oh.)
(Staff: Oh dear.)
WHY ARE YOU SILENT NOW, “MR. hOsT”? WHY DON’T YOU HELP ME FIGURE OUT WHAT THE HEL- oh wait. Wait. WAIT. I think I cracked it. Oh yessss!
(Host: How does she function in life like this? What do you think dear viewers, is she or is she not an escapee from a ment-)
You better be an escapee from this studio before I get my hands on you.
(Staff 1: I’m kind of curious. Cause actually, how and why is there a frog here. Let’s skip whatever rubbish they’re doing right not and leap right to the Ultimate!)
ULTIMATE is faster:
- The frog is here.
Let’s begin. *Dramatic drumrolls.*
Number 1, The Frog Is Here.
What could be in a day in the life of an eight year old other than pure happiness and joy? The only thing that weighed on them is deciding what to play, what to watch, and when the school will end.
When I was in this golden era, there was this one particular day where it all changed. The day that I can never forget. The day that haunts me sometimes.
We had a P.E teacher who was a pretty chill and a funny man. He used to give us the best time of our lives during our free blocks of the day and used to make sure every kid enjoyed themselves.
Though after what he did on this specific day, it changed my opinion of him completely. My perception did a backflip from a cliff.
He used to take usual rounds in the corridors if he didn’t have a class to take care of. He would stroll outside, nod to teachers teaching inside classes, and if there happened to be a class that was going wild due to the absence of the required teacher, he used to barge in with one hand raised.
Everyone used to immediately shut up and look at him with wide, innocent eyes. They’ll then look at his outstretched hand and their eyes would follow when he would start to lower it while saying, “Keep your voices?”
As soon as his hand went below his waist, every kid in the class giggled and shouted in unison, “DOWN!”
He would laugh along with the kids after, wave, put a finger on his lips as another reminder and leave.
Every child used to love and respect him, and due to these very feelings, they used to talk softly afterwards for a whole minute before their voices shot up again.
Sigh, good times.
But then, one day he came to our roaring class to do exact thing we were quite familiar with. Except, he did not leave after that. He laughed but then proceeded to sit in the teacher’s chair.
“Would y’all like to listen to a story?” He asked to a bunch of story-hungry children. Everyone shouted their yesses.
“There was once a renowned chef, who used to make rat curry.”
“Ewww!” Everyone exclaimed. But it was the type of crap kids liked, so we were invested with everything we had.
“Do y’all want to know his special recipe?”
“NO!” Shouts and laughs. Who in their right minds would like rat curry? But our P.E teacher continued anyway.
“You have to first take a rat, hold it by its tail, give it a smile and then put it in a pan with water. Then you start the fire and let him boil. And then you get him out of his bath and remove his heart and eat it!” Everyone showed their disgust and shock at the ridiculous and messed up story.
But there was fascination too.
Cause now that I think about it, it wasn’t messed up at all.
Staff, if you would please-
Number 1.5, The Frog Is Here, pt.2.
That story was the talk for the rest of the day. Over the years, I came across the phrase, ‘Boiling the frog.’ and I couldn’t help but think of this story.
We’re not going to be talking about the idiom ‘Boil the Frog’, but shed some light on another perspective.
You see MM spoke about this in his lecture: Influencers(we were talking about them before rodents and amphibians came into the picture) are not very blunt. They’re not to the point but like creating drama and use roundabout methods.
They try to warm up to you. They warm you up.
I mean, it’s obvious. Cause then they’ll be bland and mundane and like everyday people. So, why would other everyday people waste their time on them if these influencers didn’t possess a cinematic filter?
The fact that simple people were so obsessed with these influencers was because in some way, these online sensations made their boring lives, a bit interesting.
So yes, these ‘trend-makers’ tried their best to be everything but boring. If they were, you wouldn’t take them so seriously. You would think, ‘Well what are they doing different than others than I should give them my time?’ leading you to feel negatively about them.
But if they have your attention, day after day after day, your soul is gonna consume what they feed you, glamorizing it and making it fun like “Here comes the airplane!”, to the point where they don’t feel like a stranger but someone who understands you.
Someone who knows how you feel.
Someone, who resonates with your beliefs.
Slowly, warmly, yours.
And you won’t even realize that it’s not them resonating with your beliefs, it’s you resonating with theirs.
You see what’s happening? You see where the rat and the frog came from?
If you put the frog and the rat directly in the boiling water, they’re gonna jump out and try to escape. But if you put them in cool, comfortable water, water they’re familiar with, they won’t resist. They’ll sit, be patient. See what you have for them.
Then comes the flame. Bit by bit by bit.
But they don’t feel it. The only thing they’re going to notice is the smile you’re giving them from above.
The flame will change the water, their bodies will adapt to it, they won’t realize a thing, until the body’s limit will be reached and it starts deteriorating.
It will hit the frog or the rat or a human too late of what happened. Of how the changing water, changed them and their beliefs and their personality, and they were oblivious to it till the end.
Boiled to the core.
Their hearts, eaten.
And there, you just successfully completed LEVEL 13! Congratulations! Though only in theory. The practical exams are yet to commence. Start preparing, and apply these-yada yada yada.
Now, what’s next? The next level of course.
Share your progress in the comments or (look below)
Ready for LEVEL 14? Yes? Before proceeding, learn a card trick.
Khudahafiz.
Stand back, the read time’s being calculated…
Yes Chef!
Live*
Salam to whoever is on the other side of the screen (brother, sister, bibi, janab, hazrat, sayyed, you basically), fourteen, 14, 1 and 4. That makes no sense. Let’s start.
LEVEL 14: Yes, Chef!
Ah, yes, another episode where we’re cooking in the article.
Get it?
We’re cooking?
Like, “Let him cook now. I said……Let. Him. Cook!”.
backstage*
(Manager: What is she even talking about?)
(Staff: You won’t get it, you’re too old.)
Forget it. Maybe we should direct our focus back on the article. Let’s see, dear reader, how many ‘food quotes’ do you know?
“You are what you eat.”
“Good food, good mood.”
“A way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”
“Your body is your temple.”
What else?
Do you know that humanity makes quotes and phrases and idioms and whatever, only on things that matter? About relevant things.
I mean, there aren’t any phrases relating to aglet (just a maybe cartoon song).
Or the part of your finger where your skin ends and the nails start.
Or the the tiny toe at the end of your feet (unless of course, you go banging into the table leg like a genius).
Some things don’t hold that much value and importance.
Some things are not given enough.
And some, are given too much of it.
Who decides what gets more attention? You guessed it. Us.
Well, then, it’s time to give the right attention and importance to this one thing in our lives, that we’ve given a lot of value, but not sure if it’s done any good to us.
ULTIMATE cooked:
- Ah, spiritual place indeed.
Let’s begin. *Dramatic drumrolls.*
Number 1, Ah, Spiritual Place Indeed.
The other day, we had a sleepover at that one friend’s house that literally lives at a distance that covers a movie’s worth of time.
We crossed timelines and multiverses.
Climbed metaphorical mountains.
Fought imaginary hostile elves.
It’s hilarious when I read memes about squads and friend groups cause how in the world are actually some things so perfectly relatable?
Without even one factor that is compromised?
The rest of the friend group lives three buildings away and this one? Jeez.
Anyway, so there, our dear friend got us some food by going down herself instead of ordering it. When she arrived, the purpose of travelling all the way there, was fulfilled.
Why?
Cause that was the most delicious burger I’ve ever had my tongue taste. The heat radiating as I peeled off the wrapper.
The cheese peeking from the sides.
The very crunchy chicken, that was still crunchy and not soggy with extra mayo that it became an insult to the condiment itself.
For the record, it’s 3:01am (when I’m writing this script) and here I am talking about fried chicken. Well normally, I’m passed out by the time the clock strikes 11, but the one time I do stay awake to get work done, I talk, about chicken.
Maybe I could talk more about chicken on Twitter.
Anyway, anyway, anyway. I’ll get right to the point cause I’m just wasting your time now (and my own cause I really can’t do this. I wanna sleep).
Food.
Usually when I have outside food, my stomach takes revenge right the next day. It throws it’s ace move: How-dare-you-feed-me-that-crap-here’s-constipation-punch! and leaves me feeling wonky the rest of the week.
But when we had this fantastic burger, surprisingly, nothing happened.
No chaos.
No betrayal.
Turns out that day, my friend made sure that the food she got for us was freshly made (not even kidding, she came back hours later even when the shop was right opposite).
Also, she’s a regular there so she’s got friends there.
What I’m trying to get at, is, the food that you eat has so many factors involved in it for it to be a wholesome meal. A meal that actually nourishes you instead of giving you a bathroom-meet.
And one of the factors is people.
The ones who cooked that.
Cause food isn’t just ingredients, it’s intention of the people involved.
Who was it? What were they thinking? How were they feeling? What was their mood like? What was their purpose? These questions might seem unnecessary and extra, but it plays a major role.
Food that was prepared when feeling angry, are going to have some properties altered. I don’t know the science behind it, don’t ask me, but it does. The person’s thoughts, feelings, everything is reflected in those spices and taste.
The same actually goes for everything. You do something for the sake of it and you do something with your whole heart, the results are gonna visibly be different.
The saying of everyone’s special ingredient being love, isn’t just cheesy, it’s 100% true.
That’s the reason you gotta be sure of what you’re putting in your mouth.
Like, that’s the thing that’s gonna fuel your entire engine, your body. Your soul. How can one be so chill about it?
Same goes for when following tutorials, for example.
Or having conversations while cooking.
Scrolling while eating.
It’s like the food’s listening. It’s a spy. It’s gonna pick up the words, the auras, the vibes. And all these then contribute to one thing.
Personality.
Beliefs, values, and morals.
And if the food doesn’t pick it up, you, definitely will.
And there, you just successfully completed LEVEL 14! Congratulations! Though only in theory. The practical exams are yet to commence. Life is the examiner.
Now, what’s next? The next level of course.
Share your progress in the comments or (look below)
Ready for LEVEL 15? Yes? Before proceeding, maybe organize your stuff. You can thank me later.
Khudahafiz.
Stand back, the read time’s being calculated…
Keyholes, Are For Keys
Live*
Salam to whoever is on the other side of the screen (brother, sister, bibi, janab, hazrat, sayyed, you basically), to be honest, 15 was a scary age. Let’s dive right into the fifteenth level!
LEVEL 15: Keyholes, Are For Keys.
Let me quote Imam Husayn (as) as MM did, “It’s as if this world never existed and the hereafter always did.”
What a way to remind us that the dunya, is worth absolutely nothing. It’s only a means to earn your hereafter, your akhirah.
As we’ve discussed before, we need guides and leaders to show us, silly and naive human beings, how to function in life. And we don’t need to be ashamed of that, cause that’s, how we were created.
Given this beautiful (sometimes) life, we have to make sure our navigating through it is beautiful (always) too.
I think it was another lecturer I listened to, by Mohammad Javad Shomali, and he said that life doesn’t have to be hard and tedious and exhausting. You can create your version of jannah here too. Or something along those lines. I’ll have to listen to him again, heh.
My point is, we know nothing about this life. We’re all in the same boat, swimming while holding onto the boat, making it all the way difficult to function everyday when the cruise ship of the Ahlul Bayt majestically sways in sight.
And because we don’t know anything, there are times where we should surrender (completely if we’re talking in terms of Islam) and let what Allah has planned for us and provided us with, work its miracles.
ULTIMATE is smart enough.
- Yeah babe, no.
Let’s begin. *Dramatic drumrolls.*
Number 1, Yeah Babe, No.
Here is an example: When people begged Imam Husayn (as) to come to Kufa and help them and he (as) agreed, Muhammad Ibne Hanafiya, brother of Imam Husayn (as), asked him in a letter to do the opposite.
He wrote that the Imam will be killed if he did so. The people of Kufa, had after all, betrayed Imam Ali (as) too.
Logically, he wasn’t wrong.
Now, here comes the main point. You’re not supposed to provide advice and guidance to someone, who is provided guidance from Allah.
You see, Imam knew what his brother didn’t know. And he said the sentence that we started our article with.
He (as) didn’t argue.
Didn’t justify himself.
All he told him, was that his brother was viewing this world through a narrow lens.
Looking at it and the situation at hand only through a keyhole.
While he (as) was looking at the whole room.
This level of piety and faith, leaves us awestruck. Or it should leave us, awestruck.
This same demeanor was witnessed with Imam (as)’s sister, Bibi Zainab (sa). Imagine seeing your brothers, your sons, your family annihilated and killed mercilessly and still at the end of it all, the words that come out of your mouth are, “I saw nothing but beauty.”
They were on a complete different plane, man.
Whatever happened on the day of Ashura was proof, that these holy personalities not only believed but also enacted on the fact that this world was temporary and that the hereafter is the real deal.
This isn’t optimism.
It’s certainty.
And only when you do believe that, can this world stay as a bliss for you.
Here’s another example to solidify the concept. A train ride.
When travelling by train, there are multiple instances where they take a halt at a particular station. Now tell me, do you get down to get snacks and get back in or do you settle down there, build a house, buy a whole lifestyle and live in luxury for that limited period of time?
That’s how it is with life.
Life is the station.
And the destination is the hereafter.
We’ve been through a lot of stations before, by the way. Thousands and thousands of years of this journey. And it is such a deep topic that MM’s brother has given classes on it for over a YEAR.
So yeah, let’s just get the essentials cause we never know when the train starts moving for the last time.
And there, you just successfully completed LEVEL 15! Congratulations! Though only in theory. The practical exams are yet to commence. Life hasn’t finished grading you yet.
Now, what’s next? The next level of course.
Share your progress in the comments or (look below)
Ready for LEVEL 16? Yes? Before proceeding, it’s okay, no dare today.
Khudahafiz.
Stand back, the read time’s being calculated…
Is Ignorance Truly Bliss?
Live*
Salam to whoever is on the other side of the screen (brother, sister, bibi, janab, hazrat, sayyed, you basically), spicy vegetable soup is elite. Anyway, let’s start with the 16th level.
LEVEL 16: Is Ignorance Truly Bliss?
Yesterday my mom took me shopping.
And I absolutely hate shopping.
Well I don’t mind if we go to a big ahh department store with food and stationery and food and stationery and…food and stationery.
I love food and stationery.
backstage*
(Manager: We figured.)
I don’t mind shoes too.
(Staff: Duly noted.)
And food and stationery.
(Staff: Right.)
But clothes? That is one hectic genre in the fashion world. A complete battlefield.
Online shopping is fine, but going to stores and checking clothes out? Racks? Hangers? Lighting set up to humble you?
And don’t get me started on window shopping-
(Manager: We won’t.)
I don’t get how people can go window shopping! You know you’re not going to buy it and yet, YET you’re willing to bombard your brain-
(Host: So what happened when you went shopping yesterday?)
Why is he-
(Manager: Yeah, what happened when you went shopping yesterday?)
(Staff: Yeah, shopping yesterday?)
*Sigh*
I was thinking about all the other times she’s forced me on going shopping with her. The entire time, to be honest. I feel I’m too task-oriented. And I feel that, that’s my absolute biggest flaw.
I just wanted to go home. Think about all the pending work! The tasks I would complete. The knowledge I will consume. The things I will do, if not for being out here “buying”.
We were out to buy shoes for my mom cause:
1, They were in absolute ruin.
And 2, her 100 collected points were going to expire. A whopping 100 bucks discount is not something any mother can let go.
We had visited the same store a week ago already, and had found nothing. We arrived to the same shop of the same brand again, hoping to find something before the 100 bucks thing expired in 24 hours.
(Host: So it expired today.)
Yeah.
(Host: Damn.)
(Staff: That’s such a big loss.)
(Manager: I would’ve been furious.)
(Staff 1: The other day I cleaned my room and found discount coupons to a fried chicken place but it had expired 4 days earlier.)
(Host: That’s horrible.)
(Manager: My condolences.)
We bought shoes. Yesterday. *Insert cricket sounds.*
And the 100 points is actually equal to around three dollars or something, give or take. *Insert cricket sounds.*
Anyway, so yes, during my entire internal complaining session, I had my guilt-trip moments where I thought that I’m terribly selfish and if this would’ve been a shopping trip for my stuff, I wouldn’t be cribbing like this.
And my mom would be making sure that I get the best of everything.
Like, how much of a jerk am I? Can’t even spend some time for my mom? Help her? How insolent, egoistic, insensitive, uncaring, obnoxious of a human can I be?
(Manager: Self-awareness is-)
Don’t complete that.
And then past moments of similar events flashed through my mind at light speed. And I thought to myself, that these shopping trips with my mom isn’t gonna last forever.
Both literally, and emotionally. You get it right? Like not forever speaking in terms of time and not forever speaking in terms of dying.
All those past moments were over already. So quick. A memory that when executing felt like a slow-mo video at 0.5x. But they had good snippets in them too.
Jokes.
Laughter.
Failed attempt at making her buy desserts for me.
And then I turned the be-honest-with-me mode on. If I had been home instead of shopping on all those occasions, I know that I would’ve been wasting my time instead of the work and the tasks and the knowledge or whatever.
And then it hit me, how even if that day’s productivity wasn’t as high as I hoped, and I conveniently blamed these sessions, the world didn’t end and I didn’t die.
But here’s the question: What if I had?
ULTIMATE can tell you.
- Life is but preparation.
Let’s begin. *Dramatic drumrolls.*
Number 1, Life Is But Preparation.
What if I had died?
At least my end would’ve been good cause the last moments would be with someone I love. And my death outfit would be lit too, cause only in the house am I…comfortable.
But at the end of it all, I wouldn’t be thinking about this. The dress or the words or the work or the tasks or the knowledge.
You see, nobody ever says that they regret not making more money or not buying something, on the day they die.
Rather everyone realizes how pathetic they all really are.
When we die, is when our eyes really open.
Prophet Nuh, famous for his ark, had a little chat with the angel of death, before the angel named Israel extracted his soul and took it to heaven.
Or whatever the procedure is, cause I’m a bit uneducated on the subject.
Anyway, when the angel came, the prophet asked him whether he was here to meet his old pal (that is himself) or to do what his job was.
Spoiler: Someone was dying. Someone named Prophet Nuh.
When the angel of death told him that, he asked that if he had enough time to move under the shade from the sun. AOD said yes.
Now the prophet steps away from the scorching sun and takes shelter under some shade right next to him. Then he looks up at death and says, “My entire life felt exactly like moving from the sun to the shade.”
THIS MAN LIVED FOR LIKE TWO THOUSAND YEARS AND THIS IS HOW HE DESCRIBED THE LENGTH OF HIS LIFE. THE DURATION OF HIS LIFE.
Well, for one thing, we’re not living that long.
And for the other, well, I guess the message is clear enough.
And there, you just successfully completed LEVEL 16! Congratulations! Though only in theory. The practical exam is still ongoing. Life hasn’t finished yet.
Now, what’s next? The next level of course.
Share your progress in the comments or (look below)
Ready for LEVEL 17? Yes? Before proceeding, make spicy veg soup.
Khudahafiz.
Stand back, the read time’s being calculated…
Slaves Off The Market
Live*
Salam to whoever is on the other side of the screen (brother, sister, bibi, janab, hazrat, sayyed, you basically), seventeen is such a weird number. You feel like a kid, but you’re so close to being an adult. Anyway, let’s begin.
LEVEL 17: Slaves Off The Market.
You ever come across the meme, where a mom advices her child to stay safe from the racists on the internet and they’re like, mom, I’m one of them?
Well, if you are one too, I know what you thought when you read the title.
How disrespectful.
backstage*
(Manager: I didn’t realize until you pointed it out.)
Liar.
(Host: No, same.)
Why are you still here?
(Staff: I agree.)
(Manager: You are one of them too.)
……
Well, I never said no.
[Gasps]
Don’t worry. I won’t do anything on my official account.
(Manager: You have an unofficial?!)
Of course, a girl needs to be herself somewhere.
(Staff 1: Agreed. Give me your ID, Wacky.)
(Manager: CUT! Take this backstage, Goddammit!)
ULTIMATE knows all the secrets.
- Be your master.
Let’s begin. [Dramatic drumrolls]
Number 1, Be Your Master.
Tell me, other than the racist joke, who else is a slave? Actually don’t. I don’t have the time to listen to your weird answers.
It’s humans. Us. We all are slaves.
(Host: So it’s not the bla-)
(Manager: Shut up! What is wrong with you?)
Wow.
I applaud your recklessness, Mr. Host.
(Host: Does that mean I get to hos-)
No.
We’ve wasted too much time today.
Moving on. Lemme finish this quick. We all are slaves. And that is, slaves to our own selves. Desires. Lust. Need. Validation. Love.
People who are not slaves to these, who can maybe master themselves are the ones that are violating yours.
What do I mean?
Ahem, social media.
Look, I’m not gonna lie. I’m delighted too by the likes, comments and mentions-
(Manager: When did we get mentions?)
(Staff: We didn’t.)
God forbid a girl dreams!
Can y’all not focus so much on the technicalities? The point is these platforms, social media, censored websites, other examples I can’t think of, they all are capitalizing on your insecurities.
They know your weakness better than you ever could.
These dopamine hits, that are like drugs. You’re like a willing participant in your own exploitation.
This is prime example of what happens when the environment inside a household is not full of love and care.
People look for it elsewhere, fall into the wrong company, get trapped by the algorithms designed to keep them desperate.
What was that again? A person who lives is fire thinks the world is burning?
(Host: When you’re born in a burning house, you think the whole world is on fire.)
Oh, right. Same thing.
If not offline, people go look for it on the internet.
What was the other famous quote? The piece manufactured is you?
(Host: Oh my God, If there is no product, then you are the product.)
(Staff 2: I think we do need him on the show.)
(Staff 1: Yeah.)
Whatever.
Anyway, this was quite the generic stuff. I just wanted to introduce and make sure you understand the concept. Cause Imam Husayn said the same. Humans indeed are the slaves of this world.
How?
Cause they’re slaves of themselves. Of their worldly side. Of their desires disguised as needs.
The base is set. The further levels will be the building stage. It’s gonna be a full on intellectual Minecraft game. Stay tuned!
And there, you just successfully completed LEVEL 17! Congratulations! Though only in theory. Now the real work starts. The practical exams are live. You ready? Start preparing, and apply what you’ve learned.
Now, what’s next? The next level of course.
Share your progress in the comments or (look below)
Ready for LEVEL 18? Yes? Before proceeding, comment your age. Lemme see who we have here.
Khudahafiz.
Stand back, the read time’s being calculated…
The Beauty Of No
Live*
Salam to whoever is on the other side of the screen (brother, sister, bibi, janab, hazrat, sayyed, you basically), shall we dive into the adult (18)th level?
LEVEL 18: The Beauty Of No.
I know why you’re here.
backstage*
(Manager: Shouldn’t you be happy that at least someone is?)
Well, I did lure them here by saying Minecraft, so time to give them something that makes it worth it too.
Last level we set the foundation, the detailed introduction of how the worldly side is controlling us. Parasitizes us, and poisons our existence.
And to make things more concrete, let’s talk about the exact opposite. The antidote.
Freedom.
Are you really free?
Or are you in the illusion of being free? Are you just cosplaying freedom in the cage you created for yourself?
What even is the true essence of being free?
Is it saying whatever you feel like? Is it being heard? Being loved? Given attention to?
Is it having something so solid that you believe in, that no one’s validation can touch it?
Or is it giving up yourself completely that there is no value left to you?
ULTIMATE loves to say no.
- Ofc, say no.
Let’s begin. [Dramatic drumrolls]
Number 1, Ofc, Say No.
Honestly, I don’t get it. Why are people so against hijab? No like for real. If it is hot, we’re the ones melting. If it’s covering all the beauty, well it’s our beauty. If it’s oppression (spoiler alert: IT’S NOT), why is it bothering you so much? Why are you so disturbed by it 24/7?
You. Complete strangers, random people.
Why not use your precious, righteous energy and fight for something other than the topic of a cloth wrapped around the head of a woman?
What topic? Oh, I don’t know, maybe genocide? People getting brutally killed? Starvation? Climate change? The literal world dying?
Or unfair punishments to people that should definitely be punished more?
Or maybe go local. Catch that thief that keeps robbing the poor old Uncle Ben’s department store.
Or better yet, start more easy, in your own home. There is definitely something you could work on.
Maybe that attitude, for starters.
But no, you pick the cloth.
But MM told us why they’re so concerned with beautiful hijabis who love covering up their beauty.
That’s cause you don’t care about them. How dare you not care about society and what it thinks about your hijab? How dare you keep wearing it after facing so much backlash and hostility from others? How dare you not let their opinions influence you and your morals?
How dare you do what you think is right?
How dare you not be a slave to the system they’ve created?
How dare you don’t play their sick game?
They don’t care about you feeling hot or your true beauty not being out showcased in the world or you being tortured by your religion (even if you literally aren’t).
All they care about is how you don’t care about them and what they say and don’t let it affect you. That’s a real threat for them. Not the cloth, but the freedom you wear with it.While their insecure as-
(Manager: Please Wacky, it was going really well. There were raw emotions felt but we can’t keep on censoring-)
Alright alright.
Man, you are one particular guy.
While their insecure and inferior selves don’t get to taste this freedom you enjoy. This freedom of (as the Australians say) not giving a flying banana about what others think.
The freedom they’ll never have because they’re too busy being slaves to everyone else’s gaze.
And there, you just successfully completed LEVEL 18! Congratulations! Theory locked in. Practice? That’s where the real game starts. You ready to move, or you need a minute?
Now, what’s next? The next level of course.
Share your progress in the comments or (look below)
Ready for LEVEL 19? Yes? Before proceeding, give one of your friends a silly dare. I repeat, silly.
Khudahafiz.
Stand back, the read time’s being calculated…
The Honored Ones
Live*
Salam to whoever is on the other side of the screen (brother, sister, bibi, janab, hazrat, sayyed, you basically), how are you? Let us start the 19th level.
LEVEL 19: The Honored Ones.
Let me ask you something. Are you living a life of a will-go-down-in-history character?
During these times of war, I was discussing with someone how some people are getting targeted. How bombs are being dropped in the area they’re living or working in.
All because of how important they are.
The role they play. Their contribution to the society. Enough for the enemy country to try and get rid of them.
The ones who matter so much that entire nations want them erased.
And then we went on to how we, are literally nowhere. What are we even doing with our lives? We’ve not made our akhirah nor our duniya. We’re just existing right on the boundary.
Muslims have been given every secret, every trick, every piece of knowledge for a life that actually means something and here we are, right at the bottom.
Why?
Cause it’s tough. Isn’t it?
ULTIMATE is a follower too.
- I’m so popular.
- I’m gonna be popular.
Let’s begin. [Dramatic drumrolls]
Number 1, I’m So Popular.
Imam had a companion named… I’m bad with names. MM said the name but it didn’t stick.Though the weight of the story surely did.
This companion had come to meet the Imam. Oh wait, I didn’t say which Imam, did I? Well, this guy was lucky enough to live during the times of multiple Imams.
So anyway, during their meet, the Imam (I don’t know which exactly) told him to go and hide behind the curtain. This companion had been living the life of a will-go-down-in-history character, quite obviously.
Without a breath wasted, he was gone. Taken away by the fabric.
Now here comes another pair of companions. Which we don’t know the name of. Why? Cause they’re not worth going down in history.
They came to meet the Imam, but their real intentions were out in a flash. Complains. They were there to slander and talk ill about another companion of the Imam. Who was not present among them.
Or so they thought.
Cause the companion they were painting a negative picture about, directly to the Imam, might I add, was silently standing behind the curtain, taking it all in.
Quite popular, no?
No. Cause when people feel hatred towards us, it hurts. It hurts right on the bullseye. But it shatters the dartboard completely when these feelings are being expressed, and your name is being dragged through the mud right in front of the Imam.
The divine leader.
The guide of humanity of the time.
God, I hope no one ever complains about me to Imam Mahdi (atfs).
backstage*
(Manager: Can I say something?)
Will it endanger your job and everyone else’s?
(Manager:… Never mind.)
That’s what I thought.
So moving on, this companion had all of his life sucked out as the two others went on. When they finally finished and left, this companion comes out, tears in his eyes.
Mind you, I’m adding my own input too. You know, to make it interesting.
Now, here’s how the Imam consoled him. He asked him why he cared about what others thought about him when the Imam of his time was satisfied and happy with him.
And if the Imam’s happy with you, so’s the one that created him (as).
Number 2, I’m Gonna Be Popular.
And if the one that has created everyone is happy with you, well, what else do you want?
I have a tradition for y’all. And this time I know who said it. Except I don’t know the sources, like MM does.
Imam Musa Ja’far (as) says: You want love? Validation? Respect? All you need to do is follow what Allah has said to follow. Do what Allah has said to do.
Allah has ordered to follow the Ahlul bayt who’ll tell us what Allah has ordered to do. Who show you how it’s done.
You do this, if you’re obedience is completely to Him, BOOM, the love and respect you’ll get will be genuine and sincere in this lava of fakeness we live and burn in daily.
It’ll be the relief, the gauze for the cuts, the shield from the people who have a sword ready to stab you. Yeah I know, you stab with a knife, but stay with me now.
It’ll be the armor you have, that’ll keep even the Achilles heel safe.
If you feel lonely, alone (those are the same words, yes, but there’s more to them), feel like the companion we spoke about earlier, well, remember the Imam loves you.
And lemme remind you, as MM reminded me, even the Holy Prophet, Muhammad (saws) was all alone at the start. The time when he first brought the religion of Islam.
His wife, bibi Khadija (sa), one of the richest business woman of the time, was boycotted and ignored. Erased by society.
Well, now the entire world knows the prophet.
And all in the right ways.
So to conclude, Allah won’t let you be erased. You’re not going to fade into nothing. Infact you’ll live the will-go-down-in-history character life. Not be cause the world remembers you. But because the One who matters, does.
And there, you just successfully completed LEVEL 19! Congratulations! You understand it. Now LIVE it.
Now, what’s next? The next level of course.
Share your progress in the comments or (look below)
Ready for LEVEL 20? Yes? Before proceeding, read the different meanings of flowers.
Khudahafiz.
Stand back, the read time’s being calculated…
Everything Is Not Trauma
Live*
Salam to whoever is on the other side of the screen (brother, sister, bibi, janab, hazrat, sayyed, you basically), we’re out of the teens. Shall we?
LEVEL 20: Everything Is Not Trauma.
Everyone’s got trauma nowadays, right?
To the point that this unserious generation has made this trauma, a joke too. A meme. And even though it is absolutely hilarious how everything can be seen with a humorous lens, there are times when some things have to have their weights felt.
Like genocide.
Like oppression.
Like…I don’t know, actual trauma?
Cause the trauma we believe we have is often mistaken with bad memories. Trauma is when something hinders your normal way of life. You can’t function normally. Triggers overpower your entire existence.
Constant worry.
Constant denial.
Constant breathlessness.
Constant hyperventilation.
Your body feels like it’s dying every 5 seconds.
Bad memories on the other hand, are just moments that happened in the past that weren’t supposed to happen. Okay, they happened, did that kill you? No, right? You’re still here reading these amazing articles.
If it didn’t kill you, you moved on.
If you moved on, then why think about it again?
If you think about it all the time, of course it’s gonna affect you.
It wasn’t trauma until you made it.
Like hurting yourself, then picking on that wound, and then complaining about it always bleeding.
Trauma is when children get startled with a slightly loud sound, thinking they’re going to die. Trauma is when you see your dead relatives in everyday things and go through the grief of when they were murdered. Trauma is when you look at the shade under the tree and remember how your six month old child was snatched out of his grave with a burning hot spear.
Rings a bell?
Karbala.
That, is trauma.
ULTIMATE is the best artist.
- Whatsapp does not pray.
Let’s begin. [Dramatic drumrolls]
Number 1, Whatsapp Does Not Pray.
Another instance of when I forget why the title is named, whatever it is named. No idea why ‘Whatsapp’ and ‘praying’ are together in one sentence.
So putting that aside, let’s talk about another real trauma that we see from the incident of Karbala.
Note, incident. Many people say ‘story’. And then many take it as one. As a fictional one.
Bibi Zainab is the pinnacle of complete faith in Allah. And one who has complete faith in Allah is the one who isn’t weak enough to get affected by ‘trauma’.
A pious lady, daughter of the daughter of THE Holy Prophet (saws). One who was always in hijab. One who never let a nahmahram close to her body. Her voice. Her.
Raised by the Ameerul Momineen (as) himself. Brothers like Hasan (as), Husayn (as) and Abbas. I’ve heard they used to get down on their knees for her to climb up into a carriage.
A real princess.
And not the spoilt brat that Instagram and Twitter and social media has attributed to this title. Let me repeat, a REAL princess.
And she, had to witness the killing.
She saw her grandfather die of poison, her mother from broken ribs, her father of a wound on his head, her unborn brother, Hasan (as) poisoned, Husayn (as) with a rough sword to the neck, her sons, her brothers, her relatives. A four-year-old child entrusted to her. All taken.
If this does not qualify as trauma, I don’t know what does.
If this is not enough to actually break a person’s soul, I don’t know what is.
And despite all this, giving a khutba in the court of yazid (la , also we will not capitalize his disgusting name), with her head held high. And saying that she saw nothing but beauty amongst is all, THAT is real strength.
Our trauma is nothing.
We, are nothing.
Only one who has complete belief in Allah can be this strong.
Also, I remembered the meaning behind the title. There were examples that MM gave to drive the point, of us being weak, home.
We have “trauma” of people mistreating us. Of friends ignoring us. Of not being included. Of not being invited to other people’s houses.
Of being blocked on Whatsapp.
Yeah, now you see how the title was born.
We’re living in a different dimension of weak.
And there, you just successfully completed LEVEL 20! Congratulations! Though only in theory. It’s time to live it!
Now, what’s next? The next level of course.
Share your progress in the comments or (look below)
Ready for LEVEL 21? Yes? Before proceeding, now buy flowers for a loved one.
Khudahafiz.
Stand back, the read time’s being calculated…
This Kind Of Strong Does Not Need A Gym
Live*
Salam to whoever is on the other side of the screen (brother, sister, bibi, janab, hazrat, sayyed, you basically), chocolates are nice, aren’t they? Let’s move on to the level.
LEVEL 21: This Kind of Strong Does Not Need A Gym.
Here we dive a little deeper into the Karbala we spoke about last level.
The hijab, of the princess. The strength of the princess. The faith of the princess.
Bibi Zaynab (Sa).
ULTIMATE is quite strong.
- Strength is light. It radiates.
Let’s begin. [Dramatic drumrolls]
Number 1, Strength Is Light. It Radiates.
No nah-mahram had ever, set his eyes on Bibi Zaynab (sa). Nobody recognized her when she entered the cursed palace of yazid. Part of it was because of her clothes. Veiled. Honored.
The daughter of the man born in the Kaaba, the house of Allah, had been mistreated by those shameless beings. People described her attire as demeaning.
Burnt.
Torn.
Patched.
Imagine yourself in that situation. Forget all the prior events, the killing, the torture, the burning tents, the long harsh walk. Everything.
Only imagine standing in the presence of hundreds, in front of a wretched man with his equally wretched supporters, right in the enemy territory. The very people that had ruthlessly killed your entire family.
Without the safety of proper hijab. Something that you had deeply valued and ingrained your entire life.
And yet.
Yet despite of all this, she was courageous and stood to face those assh-Excuse me. But I absolutely hate them. Those bastards. Curses on yazid, a million times.
You know how everyone knew it was the daughter of Hyder?
Children circled around her. She gave a khutba, a sermon, resembling Imam Ali (as). She is the real definition of strength. To the point that even the enemy himself, UbaydAllah ibn Ziyad (la) said that this, is strength.
But here’s where we lose the plot.
If we have her already, her whole legacy documented, why in the world are we still choosing sinners as ourselves as our role models?
I know some might argue that “oH bUt, wE’rE nOT MaSooMs.”
Yeah, I know.
But following flawed characters, will lead to following flaws as well. There’s a difference between being imperfect and choosing imperfection as your moral and life compass.
If you have dirt and diamonds as a choice, and you go for dirt, that isn’t going for relatable, that is being plain stupid.
If you aim for the moon, it’s not impossible to reach it. No, I’m not gonna say you’re gonna land in the stars, cause you, you are more than that.
I once went to the planetarium with my good friend. We reached ten minutes early, before the English explanation session started. That guy was speaking for 30 minutes.
And not once, did I feel like yawning.
I remember the discussion we had while the guy actually made us realize just how cool the galaxy is.
“All this, and yet we’re the best of creations.”
You, are the best of creations and you shall follow the best of best of creations.
Understand?
(Staff 1: I feel like we’re getting scolded.)
And there, you just successfully completed LEVEL 21! Congratulations! Though only in theory. For the reality test, well, you know what you gotta do.
Now, what’s next? The next level of course.
Share your progress in the comments or (look below)
Ready for LEVEL 22? Yes? Before proceeding, did the person like the flowers?
Khudahafiz.
Stand back, the read time’s being calculated…
Apparently, To Hell
Live*
Salam to whoever is on the other side of the screen (brother, sister, bibi, janab, hazrat, sayyed, you basically), are you a winter or a summer person? Anyway, let’s begin!
LEVEL 22: Apparently, To Hell.
And now to continue on the same topic, let’s address the question, “What even was this beauty Bibi Zaynab saw in the court of yazid, after watching her family get slaughtered?”
ULTIMATE has glasses too.
- Selectively blind.
- Effortlessly perfect.
Let’s begin. [Dramatic drumrolls]
Number 1, Selectively Blind.
Now we, selectively blind people, could never see what she saw. We selectively blind people need the spiritual light pointed in our faces, the wisdom to be explained, and the answer handed to us on a platter for us to even start developing a perspective, an understanding.
We, are the people who look through the keyhole that Imam was talking about.
What Bibi Zaynab (sa) meant was, that she sees the ark of salvation. She sees Allah’s best ever guidance for humanity. You think you’ve won? You think you’ve won by slaughtering ruthlessly the grandson of the Holy Prophet (saws)? (Some Muslims you are.)
Nuh uh.
It’s Allah’s victory on this earth till the end of times.
It’s Husayn (as)’s victory that he (as) stood with the right and did not bow down to the evil. He (as) saved humanity. He (as) saved the religion.
He (as) saved us.
Number 2, Effortlessly Perfect.
It’s not “Happy Muharram”. Husayn (as) and his sacrifice, his death, his courageous attempt at saving the religion the Holy Prophet (saws) bought is MOURNED upon by millions and millions.
And you?
Where are you?
Who are you?
yazid, shimr, sinan?
Is there anything even left to you?
These very “muslims” that slaughtered the grandson, the blood of Holy Prophet, were the ones who said that Bibi Zaynab (sa) was the peak of strength.
A woman, after losing everything, still, was brave and stood in the face of pure vileness.
Let’s be real now. For someone who never went out much, stayed in the house, it’s impossible to think she’ll be that confident in front of thousands of people. Thousands of men. Thousands of enemies.
Thousands of people who wanted to see her broken.
Right into the enemy territory and yet, she’s fearless.
Cause when you’re on the right, the right helps you.
The confidence, the knowledge, the courage is all divinely gifted when you surrender to the divine.
And the divine, is Allah.
This can’t be performed or learnt from a TED talk. It can only be born from true faith.
So the question we leave with is who are we? Who are imitating and leading lives like? Bibi Zaynab? Or yazid? Or the countless cowards standing in the palace without an ounce of shame and courage?
And there, you just successfully completed LEVEL 22! Congratulations! Though only in theory. Real work starts after you step out of this screen.
Now, what’s next? The next level, of course.
Share your progress in the comments or (look below)
Ready for LEVEL 23? Yes? Before proceeding, start journaling. Make sure it’s for yourself.
Khudahafiz.
Stand back, the read time’s being calculated…
Concealing Is Not Losing
Live*
Salam to whoever is on the other side of the screen (brother, sister, bibi, janab, hazrat, sayyed, you basically), we’re so close to finishing! Let’s do this.
LEVEL 23: Concealing Is Not Losing.
Every celebrity posts you’ll see now (or rather any posts on social media where women that have been easily influenced by this world and it’s supposed ‘freedom’) will have women showing everything, and then being shocked when they’re treated like everything’s for sale.
“My body, my choice.” They say.
Cool, so tell me, do you even actually like what you’re wearing?
Or okay, even if you do, ask yourselves if you’re wearing it ACTUALLY for yourselves. Are you choosing it for you? Or is it for the likes? The validation? The weak part of being human that needs external approval to solve existential crisis?
When I see couples nowadays, most (and I mean, most) of the times the woman is half naked while the man is covered to the fingertips.
Women say that don’t sexualize us and proceeds to do it herself by leading the parade. Painful. The fact that you need the attention of others and praises of others by showing every curve of your lovely body speaks about how you yourself, view yourself.
That your worth, is nothing but your body.
Why, why are you showing so much of your body? Let’s talk scientifically if not religiously. You’re exposing yourself to all the harmful elements of the outside polluted world and then to save yourself from that, you use the hormone-disrupting products that these capitalist sly opportunists make.
You want to age slow? The above’s making you go in the opposite direction.
You think I’m lying? All these western propaganda of freedom of what to wear, why do you think is so highly broadcasted? So highly….suggested? I don’t know. What is it called to..you know..push a certain idea on someone? Make sure it makes an imprint, an impact on the other person’s mind?
And tell me again, hasn’t the west proven themselves wrong numerous times and you still choose to follow them?
Bro, even yazid (la) couldn’t bear the fact of other men looking at his wife. Then men with self-respect and respect for their women should know better. Should do better.
Lastly, to conclude the introduction, tell me again, which religion, forget Islam, which religion in the whole world, encourages women to show their body?
ULTIMATE, just ULTIMATE:
- Treasure is not on the streets.
Let’s begin. [Dramatic drumrolls]
Number 1, Treasure Is Not On The Streets.
This is how MM described it: A bottle of fragrance. Do you keep the bottle of perfume open, for all of its precious essence to just vapor away? For everyone to just breathe it in? Do you open it for anyone and anything?
Don’t you keep it for precious occasions and special people?
Then why not yourself?
Why don’t you realize the worth, the value Allah has made you with?
They say Bibi Hawa (Eve, Adam’s wife) was a part of Prophet Adam’s ribs. Now I know this sounds crazy and even I don’t know what the context is, but this is how valuable and prized a woman is.
And you don’t keep your diamonds out in the sun for every crow to caw at, do you?
Actually if diamonds were mined on the streets we walk on, where we could simply pick them up or dig them up ourselves, no matter how shiny and wonderous the diamonds would be, coal would’ve greater value.
And Allah didn’t forbid people from seeing your beauty for no reason. He did it because He knows your worth. You see, treasure doesn’t sit in the marketplace.
Your men, and your men alone (and by this I don’t mean multiple husbands)
backstage*
(Host: That, was pretty obvious.)
You never know what these people might interpret.
By men I mean your husband, your sons, father, brothers, blah blah, only they have the right. The right for those who earned it and have the responsibility to protect it.
And you have the right, the duty towards yourself to protect yourself.
To value yourself.
To not let anyone and everyone have access to you and your beauty.
Not the internet. Not stranger.
There’s a lot more left to speak……
Number 1.5, Treasure Is Not On The Streets.
There, better.
And now, let’s talk about this one question some Islamic scholar got.
A man told him that women in their exposing clothing are literally everywhere. On the streets, on billboards, on the internet. But the thing is, he doesn’t even want to look at them anymore.
Like he’s not even attracted to them now.
In fact he’s attracted to the women in full hijab, with their body shape difficult to determine and their bare faces devoid of any make up.
So here was his suggestion: Why not make every women just dress up like all the other deviated ones so that men stop feeling lust towards them all together. There, problem solved. No haram. No sin involved now.
The scholar replied, “but that’s the twist, habibi.”
That’s the real test of this temporary, insignificant world.
Men want to see. And women want to be SEEN.
And how do you fight against this nafs, this innate feeling of being seen?
One word: Faith.
The faith bibi Zaynab had. Enough to help her fight and address the tyrants confidently, without fear. Not cower in fright. Which might be quite expected from a woman who has lost almost all the men who protected her all her life.
This faith that made her enemies actually shiver.
Why shiver? Cause that’s the actual strength we keep talking about. The sheer overwhelming feeling of the strength that she had.
In Genz terms: Aura.
Now you know why we spent the last two levels only speaking about her?
Okay khudafiz now, I think I deserve some good fried chicken.
And there, you just successfully completed LEVEL 23! Congratulations! Though only in theory. Time to live the practical exams.
Now, what’s next? The next level of course.
Share your progress in the comments or (look below)
Ready for LEVEL 24? Yes? Before proceeding, did you start journaling?
Khudahafiz.
Stand back, the read time’s being calculated…
Women Empowerment Scam
Live*
Salam to whoever is on the other side of the screen (brother, sister, bibi, janab, hazrat, sayyed, you basically), you’ve come this far, wow.
LEVEL 24: Women Empowerment Scam.
There was this stand up female comedian that said something like “I don’t know who started this feminist thing of women going to work, but they really ruined lives.
What do you mean it’s tough being a housewife? I only have to make some food, pack some lunch for my husband, send him off to work and then get to have the whole day to myself.
And you’re saying that’s a bad thing? Let me enjoy my life. I can literally finish my responsibilities and then chill the entire day in the AC with my series and dramas. I was okay doing that.
Then why, why do y’all think I’ll choose that over working for someone else, putting in long hours and then what? Get a measly amount?
I mean okay, if you want to go out and work, good, I respect that. But why is that when I decide to not work and be a housewife instead, everyone looks down on me? Why isn’t my choice respected?
Why can’t I live my life the way I want?”
Okay, that turned a bit melo-dramatic in the end. I remember laughing a lot at what she was saying, but the above is all I remember.
I tried searching it online, sigh but couldn’t find it. So if any of y’all know what I’m talking about, please, I’d really love to watch it again.
ULTIMATE knows. It knows.
- No to you, but them?
Let’s begin. [Dramatic drumrolls]
Number 1, No To You, But Them?
Now let’s talk about feminism. My my my, everyone’s paying real attention now, huh?
I really don’t feel feminism was about getting women to start working, but about treating women right. Equality and equity and all of that.
Now all this has been discussed about a lot already so we’re not getting there, but let’s talk about the hypocrisy and irony of it all.
Women, and I’m sure they’re lying to themselves when they say they enjoy working in corporates, say that I’m so happy to be working and being able to be independent and all.
And that I don’t have a man telling me what to do and ordering me around in the house. Nobody, tells me what to do.
Except, you know, your boss? The man who even has control over how long you get to take a break and freaking feed yourself?
Oh, but at least I don’t have to clean up his house and I don’t have to take care of his children. And I don’t have to cook for him.
Baba, it’s your house too. They’re your children too. And are you cooking differently for him and for yourself? Does he order you to make him fried rice and tell you to do with oats?
I mean if he is, then of course he’s wrong.
Honestly, looking at situation around, I do get why women feel that way. Why they want to earn their own money and why they feel worthless when they term themselves as housewives.
And honestly again, they, and you, know the answer too.
Society.
And men.
And how women are raising men.
By women I obviously mean mothers.
Anyway, back to feminism. It was supposed to be about rights and respect. Instead, it got weaponized somehow and women now have to do everything. Working, coming home to cook, clean, raise kids, and everything else in between.
So, you see, feminism didn’t liberate women at all.
Just trapped them in further.
Number 1.5, No To You, But Them?
I once read this post where it said that women after saying one of the most profound and deep things ever, conclude with the phrase “I don’t know if that makes sense” or “So, yeah.”
While men saying the most ridiculous and most rubbish argument humanity has ever heard, conclude by saying “Yeah, anyone to fight me?”
Women have always been doubted, their opinions not mattered and always told to be silent. While whatever men say is so highly encouraged and appreciated, it’s as if they just figured out how to make a time machine.
Faces of guys that fit the bill keep coming in my mind and I’m literally straying away from the point.
backstage*
(Manager: I think you should take a breath.)
Yeah.
Anyway, I get where the women are coming from. Why they feel what they feel. And it’s all because, as I’ve strayed away from the point, all of us have strayed away from the teachings of Islam.
We spoke about how valuable women are. And that too according to Islam. If we talk as per the laws and the rights of women, we’re honestly pampered.
And I’m saying this as a woman.
Let me tell you, I have never in my life been treated wrong. Like I’ve actually been spoilt and my mom has done everything for me. And as a cherry on the top, I’m an only child so you can imagine how entitled or a spoiled brat I can be.
I have never felt that being a man would be better (maybe only when I wish to go out after midnight but can’t).
And then a statement like Islam gives preference to women more than men from someone like me can be a bit…not my personality. Let’s list a few things, shall we?
When a girl gets married, it’s as if the parents are ever so grateful to the guy’s side of the family. It’s as if the husband’s side of the family has done a favor over the girl’s family. How? By taking their daughters and letting them live in their house?
You’re forgetting one thing here. And that is a woman deserves that house and becomes a PART of that house as much as the other family members. It’s her RIGHT. And not a favor or mercy you’re doing over her.
And that means, the concept of dowry is bullsh-so so wrong.
The girl’s side of the family does not HAVE TO buy things and gift the groom and his family. It’s as if they’re paying a price for her daughter to be treated right.
Islam, does not support this.
Instead the guy has to give gifts or Mehr (as it is called) to the girl. And that, is in the laws.
Other thing is her husband’s money is also her money. But her money? Is her money. If she happens to earn, she does not have to contribute a dime in the house, she does not have to run the expenses, she can do whatever she wants with that money.
You want more examples? I can’t cause this article is going too long now.
So basically what I’m trying to say that ladies, I do understand how pathetic men can be. I do know how entitled and arrogant they can be. I do know that how they can be the complete opposite of a man.
But what you need to understand is don’t compromise yourself because of that. Find a man that makes you feel like a woman.
A man who understands that if he is providing for you, that’s his responsibility and not a favor on you.
Wait, where did we even go? The point was not talking about men, but women.
And now I’m talking to myself too.
Why is the mother given more importance than the father? Why is the word ‘motherly’ more heavier than ‘fatherly’? Why are women so nurturing and warm while men are more on the calculating side?
You know the answer.
So to say that I would rather go out and earn than take care of my, or rather, his children, girl, it’s not clocking to you.
I understand there are sometimes situations and helplessness and challenges where you have to go out especially in this economy (oh God, so scary I swear), but please actually sit down and think.
Last thing, we’ve been going on for too long and I apologize for that but this is so important oh my God.
There was this reel where a person conducted an experiment. He took two people and researched entirely on their backgrounds and their whole lineage.
One man, a criminal and the other, I think he was a lawyer or something.
The first one’s family (going 7 generations by the way so his ancestors as well as his offspring), had thugs, and assassins and like all the other category of criminals where the total amount of murders, thefts, and other such crimes were counted.
The whole lineage was corrupt.
On the other hand the other guy whoever he was, had a history and a present of people who were doctors, engineers, lawyers and so on.
I could actually link this reel if y’all would like (actually never mind, it has drowned in my ocean of saved reels).
But here the point is, the role of mothers and of course fathers. Equally.
Not where both are only running behind money.
Where you build characters that refuse to be weak and broken.
Where you raise a generation that doesn’t need the system to validate them.
And there, you just successfully completed LEVEL 24! Congratulations! The real work starts now!
Now, what’s next? The next level of course.
Share your progress in the comments or (look below)
Ready for LEVEL 25? Yes? Before proceeding, read one of your old journal entries. Share if you can!
Khudahafiz.
Stand back, the read time’s being calculated…
They’re Different
Live*
Salam to whoever is on the other side of the screen (brother, sister, bibi, janab, hazrat, sayyed, you basically), drumrolls for you today. DDDDDDDDDDDDBABABABABANNNNNGGGG.
LEVEL 25: They’re Different.
There was a lot that I actually didn’t cover in the last level that I planned to, so to compensate on the long article y’all had to read, this time I’ll get straight to the point(s).
backstage*
(Manager: I like where this is going.)
Are you now? But anyway, I’ve promised, so I’ll get to the point and we’ll deal with him, later.
We spoke about women in corporates or working women last time. Now as far as I’ve heard, women are paid less in comparison to men. I may be wrong, please feel free to update me.
There was this one online comic I was reading where the female lead gets her uniform and it’s a tight ahh skirt with an equally tight shirt that is tucked in.
Now this female lead, has to work in the field. And by field, I mean in the ‘assassination’ sector.
Everyone in the comments had similar opinions to mine. There was no reason for her to wear a skirt that had a slit all the way to her hip where she was not at all comfortable and above all, it wasn’t even an ideal outfit for someone who literally has to always escape. Someone even said,
“Now give her a functional uniform.”
While the male lead got the secy (on purpose, we’re not spelling it out), cool ahh, perfect fit (and by that I mean, not revealing or suffocating and choking), catered-to-all-his-comforts-suit.
Men with their bestial…inclinations, only want women to dress up and be decorations for their environment. That’s the reason, most times, the one with the pretty face gets the job. The one with the tight, revealing clothes and eight layers of make up gets the preference.
And you’re allowing that.
That was point 1, next, society has created this fake ‘achievement’, these milestones for both male and female where success is measured with the accuracy you follow to the structured path.
The structured path of studying, grades, degrees, jobs, retirement.
And God forbid you don’t follow it.
Babe, those who didn’t follow it, made history.
Don’t get me wrong, I love studying and I would love to have multiple degrees too. But my intent matters. Am I doing it for the sheer love of knowledge and the responsibility Islam places on gaining knowledge on every human being, or only because I want to come first in the race of following this structured path?
In the case of women (as this is literally sisters’ lectures), is this all you want to do? Do you really think an accounting desk job is better than raising and training your own kids?
So raising and nurturing lives is less important than earning money, got it. Noted. (I’m being sarcastic, please you should know me by now).
Next, oh wait, we’re done.
Let’s actually start with the 25th level now.
You know, my mom, she works too. She has too. She’s in that ‘situation’ I was talking about where she has no choice but to earn.
Or as my friend put it, “She has a child to feed.” That was all jokes by the way, by Allah’s grace, I’ve got money too.
Though not that much.
So I gotta start earning? Nah hopefully, praying so that I find a rich man. Y’all pray too. Though maybe I will work. You know, just for the love of the game.
Also, I don’t know if I’ve spoken about this before, but it was a weekend. It was the luxurious afternoon time with the warm light and the sleepy air.
And we decided to talk about serious matters instead.
Honestly, it was my fault cause I pointed out how different and more…lively she seemed, more like a mom, when it wasn’t the day she had to slog and squint at her laptop screen.
She honestly didn’t feel the difference (she did, but she was not ready to admit it), but I could feel how at ease she was.
And after a lot of evidences that I had to present to rest my case, did she start to see what I was talking about.
She started to agree with it as well.
ULTIMATE is on divine side.
- Intervention in the wrong places.
Let’s begin. [Dramatic drumrolls]
Number 1, Intervention In The Wrong Places.
And that, had nothing to do with what we have planned for today.
A companion comes to Imam Sadiq (as)’s house and while navigating his way inside, he peeps into a room that has everything colored red. The pillows, the walls, the whatever else people owned back then.
It was unusual. Unexpected. Specially from someone like the Imam, the Ahlul Bayt.
Now his question was sprawled across his face and of course Imam already knows what’s in our hearts. So he (as) tells him that that room, belongs to Imam’s wife.
And that room, has been decorated as she likes.
The Imam who leads, who’s every order is meant to be followed, lets his wife live however he wants in the house.
If she likes it, she should have it.
I had heard this too that Imam also used to get ready, like groom himself and everything when he used to visit his wife.
This just proves that effort should be from both ends.
Women are expected to be tall, and thin, have big chests and bottoms, a face as bright as light itself. She should be presentable and maintained every second she breathes.
But when it comes to men, I’m gonna say the harsh truth here. The men I’ve seen of our own, unfortunately, Muslim community, are short, unhealthy, scrawny and… underdeveloped. Most of them.
One good reason we could give is that men are allowed to have whatever they want and go wherever they want while women have to always eat homemade food.
Now while that is a good thing, cause that’s the reason women turn out as perfect as they could be, in order to please and pamper the sons, the mothers are actually ruining their lives.
Not only mothers, fathers and the guys themselves too.
I’ve heard that you’re supposed to feel attracted to the man you’re going to marry. Same is vice versa too.
Then why are the efforts only one sided?
God, something’s wrong with me in these last few levels.
The point was that Imams used to let the women in their houses live comfortably an as they wanted to.
Oh by the way, if you don’t already know, it is MAKROOH, for couples to live with their parents.
For a healthy relationship, a healthy married life, the woman and the man should live in a different house from their parents. Of course the son has a responsibility of taking care of his parents, so keep the houses next to each other or something.
Coming back to the Imam. This is a little out of topic, but I remember asking someone how is it that the sixth Imam considerably lived lavishly than Imam Ali (as). I remember hearing that our first Imam, Imam Ali (as) used to sleep starving, or how poor his (as)’s and his family’s conditions were.
That’s because the Muslims weren’t well-off, or very well known at the time of the first Imam. Islam wasn’t widely accepted and basically they were poor.
But why Imam Ali?
I mean he(as) could’ve easily earned sums and sums of money with the knowledge he had, or when he was finally given his right to become a governor after 25 years of his right to caliphate being snatched. Don’t governors haven’t like filthy amount of money?
That’s because Imam used to say that how can I sleep, satisfied, with a full belly and lead a good life when one of my believers is suffering out there?
See, that’s why we love our Imam.
And next level, I’ll try to not bring in out-of-the-blue topics.
And there, you just successfully completed LEVEL 25! Congratulations! Though only in theory. The practical exams are yet to commence. Start preparing, and apply these-yada yada yada.
Now, what’s next? The next level of course.
Share your progress in the comments or (look below)
Ready for LEVEL 26? Yes? Before proceeding, what about going for a walk?
Khudahafiz.
Stand back, the read time’s being calculated…
True Love?
Live*
Salam to whoever is on the other side of the screen (brother, sister, bibi, janab, hazrat, sayyed, you basically), wohoo you did it (almost, this level still remains).
LEVEL 26: True Love?
This level will be the story, rather incident, and the moral? I’ll let you be the judge of that.
ULTIMATE can help you.
- A sad ending, a beautiful headstart.
Let’s begin. [Dramatic drumrolls]
Number 1, A Sad Ending, A Beautiful Headstart.
A Christian who had converted to Islam, was among the fortunate shaheed on the day of Ashura.
A young, newly married couple, who were there on the plains of Karbala along with the son’s mother.
It was the conflicting moment in history where the mother told him to go, go and fight for the 3rd Imam, the grandson of the Holy prophet, when the world had turned its back, but he was held back by his wife.
They were in love, a love that feels like the world begins and ends with each other. How could she let his beloved go to die?
The day passed, the sun climbed, the heat passed onto the sand, and suddenly the wife had changed her mind. She wanted him to go fight by the side of Aba Abdillah too.
What? What changed? He asked her.
She said that she heard the cries of Husayn (as) and it broke her heart.
She heard the cries of a man who was being killed again and again and again and still not being able to die.
Imagine, a newly reverted Muslim couple, who had just learned what Islam was, had no interactions and traditions and years of teachings to prepare them. And yet, they could feel the grief of Imam Husayn (as), and were ready to sacrifice everything for him.
One cry, and everything shifted.
Now imagine, the sister the Imam had grown up with. The four year old daughter he (as) had lovingly raised. The hopes and dreams he and bibi Rabaab would’ve had for the six month old infant.
Imagine his son, the fourth Imam, unable to help his father due to his sickness.
How much would’ve these people suffered. Both, at the hands of their enemies, and their internal turmoil of how everything was turning out to be.
Janabe Ali Akbar, Hazrat Abbas, Janabe Qasim.
After the reverted man is martyred, and the battlefield marks his death forever in red, the wife comes out and looks at his severed head. Bloodied, coated with sand.
She knew, she knew the status he had earned. How much Allah and the Imam loved him. How heaven was at his feet now.
She took his head, placed it in her lap, caressed his head, ran her fingers through his hair. Just the way she used to when he was alive. Told him how he was gone forever. How she had turned into a widow.
How he was now something eternal.
And if this wasn’t enough, the enemy (curses and curses be upon him) came and struck her too.
She was the first female martyr in Karbala.
They died hours apart, but for the same cause. Not for each other, but with each other. For something so much bigger than life, than marriage, than the small insignificant lives they would’ve lived otherwise.
A blessed couple.
With the kind of love that doesn’t say “Stay with me.” But the kind that says “Go ahead, do the right thing and I’ll meet you there.”
And there, you just successfully completed LEVEL 26! You’ve read it all. The incidents. The strength. Real life examples by divinely-appointed entities like the Imams and their families and common people like us, like the couple and the companions.
Lastly, the question arises. What are you going to do now? Go back to scrolling? Back to the shallow end? Back to the small insignificant life where there is no accountability?
Or are you changing for the better?
For the better you?
Share your progress in the comments or (look below)
This might be the last level so are you ready for another challenge? Explore your next booster!
Khudahafiz.
Author: Wacky
Drop in and say hello!
