Aqeel Ahmad

As Eid approaches, a profound unease settles upon many hearts. While we prepare to celebrate this blessed occasion, the cries of our brothers and sisters in Palestine pierce the silence, a genocide unfolding before our eyes, its echoes reaching even our own communities. Witnessing this immense suffering casts a shadow over the festivities. Our faith provides clear guidance in the face of injustice. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught us: 'Whoever among you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; if he cannot, then with his tongue; if he cannot, then with his heart – and that is the weakest of faith.' (Sahih Muslim 49) This Hadith establishes a hierarchy of responsibility: action, speech, and at the very least, heartfelt disapproval. The gravity of the situation in Palestine demands more than passive acknowledgment. Yet, amidst peak shopping and preparations solely focused on the external joys of Eid – the delicious food and new clothes – there is a risk of be...

 The removal of Bashar al-Assad from power would not stabilize the Middle East; instead, it could plunge the region into deeper chaos and serve the strategic interests of Israel and other external powers. Here’s how the situation might evolve, incorporating an international relations (IR) perspective: 1. Israel’s Strategic Gains and Long-Term Goals From an IR perspective, Israel’s actions would align with its offensive realist approach, aiming to maximize its security and regional dominance. Control over Golan Heights: By fully annexing the Golan Heights, Israel would secure its borders and gain access to vital water resources, further solidifying its territorial advantage. Weakening Hezbollah: Israel would exploit Syria's chaos to disrupt Hezbollah’s supply lines from Iran via Syria. With Hezbollah isolated, Israel could intensify its military actions in Lebanon. Pressure on Lebanon: Israel’s strikes on Hezbollah-controlled areas in Lebanon would highlight the Lebanese government’...

  I was born into a time when things had meanings, friendship was akin to brotherhood, and parents and grandparents were our first teachers. We mimicked their actions, and neighbors would hold up our good behavior as examples for their own children. As a child, everything seemed fresh and new; we were learning the real, albeit simple, truths of the world. I remember feeling terrified of taking written exams on a clipboard because, until third grade in our government school, we only had verbal exams. Life was different then; it had meaning. Days were long enough to play cricket twice when school was off. We shared so little—a plate of biryani with friends, or a kulfi with my brother—yet it brought immense happiness. There were no life aims or strategies to achieve them; it was simply me, living a comfortable life with family and friends, blissfully unaware of the harsh realities of the world. But what seems real is often a fabrication by those who benefit from our ignorance. What ...

Sometimes I don't share others' quotes but instead offer insights from my own observations and experiences to help improve life, behavior, and the circles around us. In today's materialistic world, people have become so consumed by status and glamour that they've lost touch with their humanity, forgetting the importance of love, care, and respect. People have blinded themselves with the glitter of status. But what status? Are you a god? A prophet? Or merely a corrupt official or peon who misuses taxpayer money and then acts superior? Life is too short to take pride in ill-gotten gains or to be foolish. I refuse to accept the foolishness around me and will confront those who act arrogantly due to their positions.

The pursuit of happiness is ingrained in human nature. Every individual strives to achieve a state of contentment and joy in their life. However, despite our efforts to reach this elusive goal, the feeling of happiness seems to be fleeting. This phenomenon can be explained by the concept of hedonic treadmill, also known as hedonic adaptation. The term "hedonic treadmill" was coined by Brickman and Campbell in 1971, based on their research on happiness. It refers to the tendency of individuals to return to their baseline level of happiness despite experiencing positive or negative events in their lives. In simpler terms, it means that individuals get used to changes in their life, both positive and negative, and their overall level of happiness remains relatively constant. To understand this concept better, let us take an example. Imagine that you have been dreaming of a new car for a long time and finally, you are able to buy it. You feel ecstatic and thrilled with your new p...

For me, every oppressed nation is far greater and more loved than the oppressor. Oppressors use their power to distract people with worldly gains, positions, and possessions. If that doesn't work, they use threats. But trust me and history: oppressors always vanish from the face of the earth, whether it’s Israel, the West, or their remnants around the world. Even cruel neighbors don't last forever. There are also people we call the stooges of the oppressors. When I observe them, I see only their lust for success and possessions. They can even abandon their loved ones to climb higher. But as I said earlier, such people will also fade into the annals of history. Then there are people who have no idea, nor the urge to find out, which path is right—whether to support the oppressed or to benefit themselves. They are influenced by the media and propaganda set up by the oppressors, found in educational institutions, neighborhoods, media, and school curriculums. Some people even get pa...

  Remember this Kenyan runner Abel Mutai who was just a few feet from the finish line, but became confused with the signage and stopped, thinking he had completed the race. A Spanish runner, Ivan Fernandez, was right behind him and, realizing what was happening, started shouting at the Kenyan to continue running. Mutai didn't know Spanish and didn't understand. Realizing what was taking place, Fernandez pushed Mutai to victory. A journalist asked Ivan, "Why did you do that?" Ivan replied, "My dream is that someday we can have a kind of community life where we push and help each other to win." The journalist insisted "But why did you let the Kenyan win?" Ivan replied, "I didn't let him win, he was going to win. The race was his." The journalist insisted, and again asked, "But you could have won!" Ivan looked at him and replied, "But what would be the merit of my victory? What would be the honor in that medal? What would ...

DHUL-QARNAYN'S SPACE TRAVEL In every age, there have been certain verses of the Quran that could not be fathomed. Surah al-Kahf is one of the most interesting Surahs of the Quran. This surah is very ambiguous, in the sense that every story in this Surah contains subtle and profound meanings. The story of Moses and Khidr (PBUH) is placed right before the story of Dhul-Qarnayn, and it recounts the patience of Moses who couldn’t make any sense of even perceived as evil- the actions of Khidr, and it tells his learning of the true nature of those actions when his patience was exhausted. The main message of that story is: Even if you don’t comprehend the insights of certain things that came from God, keep holding on tenaciously to God and His religion. In order to test whether we have internalized this message or not, God narrates a very ambiguous story, story of Dhul-Qarnayn right after the story of Moses and Khidr (PBUH). Since it is sprinkled with many weird phrases and expressions,...

  The allure of power and the desire for control are deeply ingrained in human nature. In many societies, a certain segment of the population exhibits a tendency to adopt a "SAHIB" persona, characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance, a disregard for others, and a lack of ethical grounding. This behavior often stems from a shallow understanding of the world, a preoccupation with material possessions, and a misguided pursuit of success. The underlying reasons for this phenomenon are complex and multifaceted. Often, individuals who exhibit SAHIB behavior have never ventured beyond the superficial realm of material gratification. They have not delved into the depths of philosophical thought, explored the intricacies of human relationships, or immersed themselves in the enriching experiences that cultivate empathy, compassion, and wisdom. Their narrow worldview blinds them to the true essence of human existence, reducing it to a mere accumulation of we...