I have a dream

“I have a dream, I have a duty” “I have a duty, I have a dream”

The distance between dreams and reality is called action” Brain Tracy

Kar Loonga Jama Daulat-o-Zar, Uske Baad Kya?

Le Loonga Ek Shandaar Sa Ghar, Uske Baad Kya?

In Roz Maut Zeest Ka Dar Khatkhatayaigi

Bujh Jayaiga 'Chirahe Qamar', Uske Baad Kya?

Uthhi Thi Khaak, Khaak Se Mil Jayegi Wahin

Phir Uske Baad Kisko Khabar Uske Baad Kya?

Qamar Jalalabadi

The core and the periphery of these lines evidently reflect the fleeting nature of worldly desires and the inevitability of mortality. The poet projects the true picture about pursuit of wealth, luxury, and pleasure, by again and again questioning what comes after acquiring these material possessions. The question remains that, once we accumulate wealth and a magnificent house, what else is left? Similarly, we indulge in worldly pleasures, pomp and show, wondering what comes next once we fulfil these desires.

Surely our life may prove remorseful and sorrowful unless and until a touch of reality is given to all our issues, ambitions and activities. However, there is nothing to worry about as we are well equipped with an absolute guidance about why and how to live and what for. As a statement by Abdullah ibn Amr Al Aas R.A as reported by Al-Haythami R.A with the wording “work for your worldly life as if you are living forever and work for your hereafter as if you are dying tomorrow” an energetic and beneficial revelation. We should have a sharp vision, clear mission and a perseverant approach. It needs firmness of will, constructive ideas and dynamic dreams.

I too have a bunch of dynamic dreams at par with my duties. But to fulfil the same to attain my objectives, I may have to first of all “learn to earn” in a fair, just and transparent manner. Because my dreams are holy and sacred as well as immortal. Therefore, my all sources should be free from corruption, deception, pollution. No room for robbing Peter to pay Paul. Sources of income have to be strong but genuine, not distracting me from obedience of Allah. Let me not have any ambiguous, obscure or vague wealth. “I have a dream to make charities and donations as our beloved Prophet, and his companions have taught us and paved the way for. Importance of charity has been highlighted at various places in the holy Quran. “As charity should be given in prosperity or adversity” 3:134 “My lord if only you would delay me for a brief term so I would give charity and be among the righteous” 63:10

I have a dream to strive for much earnings so that I am able to contribute a considerable amount as my (annual) Zakat for the upliftment of the downtrodden and deserving, Sahi Al Bukhari 1429. “We should work hard to be among those who pay zakat and we should make it binding on ourselves that our annual contribution to Baitul Maal doubles after every two years”

I have a dream at par with my obligations, as is evident: “You should observe the complete rites of hajj and umrah for God” 2:96. A holy duty always demands due and sacred investments with the hope of an eternal reward. Should I not take an enthusiastic initiative to perform annual Qurbani (sacred symbolic sacrifice of domesticated animals) on Eid Ul Azha to symbolise the prophet Ibrahim A.S devotion to God. 22:10 describes sacrificial camels and cattle as symbols of Allah and benefits of eating from their meat and feeding the needy.

“It is neither the meat nor their blood that reaches Allah but it is your piety that reaches him”. Why it should not to be my dream, As ultimately it is for the pleasure and gratification of Allah I must dream for.

As is mandatory for me to provide quality education to my children, to inculcate in them the qualities of conscious, sensible and responsible members of society, to full fill these obligations I must strive hard, besides providing quality housing to my family not necessarily a lavish mansion.

Further as all the great philanthropists of the world like Alfred Nobel, Bill Gates, Tatas, Birlas, Azem Premji and others have already shown that the society can be transformed by the spirit of charity, by investing for human good. I too have a dream to leave no stone unturned to propagate truth, righteousness and to promote brotherhood, tranquillity for which I may invest my resources properly. I want to be an open supporter of peace and prosperity through my investments, with the aim of working for a viable peace and individual identity. I have dream about socio-scientific developments and the advancements in demolishing the ‘structures of hate’ ranging from revolution to reformation.

For community development and human welfare my wish is to contribute morally and materially because it is a proven fact that upper hand is better than lower hand. Prophet Muhammed (S.A.W) said “the upper hand is better than the lower hand, the upper hand is that of the giver and the lower hand is one that takes.” Sahi al-Bukhari: 1429.

However, the cornerstone of my dreams and wishes is self-introspection, non-duality and accountability. I wish to surrender my will and possessions whatsoever I have, before God only. I always hope for exploiting the endless opportunities and possibilities nature provides for fulfilling my these straight, simple yet eternal set of dreams in a prescribed way. As Shaheen embodies the spirit of Iqbal’s dream- resilient, fearless and soaring towards a brighter future. I am sure nature provides the agency if a person gears up to strive for a righteous cause, otherwise there is no end to the excuses for those who are lazy, lethargic and roaming aimless whose fate is but to live with indignity.

Javaid Hussain Bhat, teaches Political Science.

Showket Akhoon, Chemistry Educator