A Powerful Quote from "Shantaram"

“It took me a long time and most of the world to learn what I know about love and fate and the choices we make, but the heart of it came to me in an instant, while I was chained to a wall and being tortured. I realised, somehow, through the screaming of my mind, that even in that shackled, bloody helplessness, I was still free: free to hate the men who were torturing me, or to forgive them. It doesn’t sound like much, I know. But in the flinch and bite of the chain, when it’s all you’ve got, that freedom is an universe of possibility. And the choice you make between hating and forgiving, can become the story of your life.” -- Shantaram

Argumentation and Superiority and Their Harm ...

I am often disturbed by some people's behavior with others. Many individuals pride on being compassionate and caring, yet when they feel the need to feed their ego, all they concentrate on is imposing their superiority.

Why is it, that in the American society, arrogance and argumentation (to show one's superiority) are highly praised? (Have you watched politicians argue lately? ... atrocious!!)

These character traits have become so common and accepted, that many have numbed their hearts from worrying about hurting another person's feelings in the process; apparently, imposing one's argument is more important!!

The truth of the matter is that arguing about one's belief with another person is not as admirable as avoiding hurting that same person's feelings! If trying to impose one's opinion on someone will do damage, then one must sustain from such argumentation until one can do it without causing any harm.

Here are some quotes and hadiths, which assured me that such behavior is not normal!

Do not dispute anyone in any matter as far as possible. For in argumentation lies much harm and its evil is greater than its benefit. [Imam al Ghazali]

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “The most despicable amongst persons in the eye of Allah is one who tries to fall into dispute with others (for nothing but only to display his knowledge and power of argumentation).” [Sahih Muslim]

Narrated Abu Huraira

Allah's Apostle said, "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should talk what is good or keep quiet, and whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should not hurt (or insult) his neighbor; and whoeverbelieves in Allah and the Last Day, should entertain his guest generously.

It is a glorious thing to be indifferent to suffering, but only to one's own. Suffering is the seed from which compassion grows. The salvation of the world is in man's suffering.

It is unwise to be too sure of one's wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err.

Mockery is the weapon of those who have no other, it is the first and last argument of fools, it is the language of the devil.

Scoff not at the natural defects of any which are not in their own power to amend. It is cruel to beat a cripple with his own crutches.

Always do right; this will gratify some people and astonish the rest.

No man has a right to do what he pleases, except when he pleases to do right.

Good manners are made up of petty sacrifices. It is not what we take up, but what we give up, that makes us rich.

Sarcasm is the language of the devil, it is jealousy in bold disguise, it is to leave a sting within a brother's heart.

A graceful taunt is worth a thousand insults.

Prudent, cautious self-control is wisdom's root. The best time for you to hold your tongue is the time you feel you must say something or bust.

Every quarrel begins in nothing and ends in a struggle for supremacy. In quarrelling the truth is always lost.

A long dispute means that both parties are wrong. When we quarrel, how we wish we had been blameless!

*I got the majority of these quotes from Sister Hafiza Iffath Hasan, who compiles great quotes daily on her blog Lessons of the Day . *

A poem by Nizar Qabbani

تسألني حبيبتي

"ماالفرق ما بيني و ما بين السما؟

الفرق ما بينهما

انك ان ضحكت يا حبيبتي
انسى السما...

--نزار قباني

My lover asks me:
"What is the difference between me and the sky?"
The difference, my love,
Is that when you laugh
I forget about the sky.

--Nizar Qabbani

First Blog!!

This is my first blog ever!! I have a big fear of writing and I am hoping that by writing for fun, rather than for classes, that my fear will slowly diminish. Among many topics I want to write about are:

- Religion --specifically Islam :)
- Eating disorders -- Having "healed" from it, I want to reflect on its side-effects and causes.
- Relationships -- What's healthy and what's not healthy. ALSO, a girl's brain vs. a guy's brain!
- Books -- I prefer non-fiction. If it's fiction then it has to be realistic!
- Homosexuality
- Pakistani/Indian culture -- I love the food, clothes, and the Urdu/Hindi language!
- Languages -- I know Arabic, French, English, Spanish, Urdu, and a bit of German.
- Good Bollywood movies and other international movies -- not too much of the cheesy ones.
- Poetry of Nizar Qabbani--an Arab Poet
- Good inspirational quotes -- if you have any, please share!

Here we go!