DP Daily Prompt: Intense! Post by Ranu

Sir Muhammad Iqbal (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I registered to do an online course on Iqbal the poet,philosopher.Little did I know other participants had studied about Iqbal when they merely learned to talk and walk of course.

I told myself how difficult can it be,he is another poet  and philosopher.The last word woke me up.he is a philosopher too,what do these guys do they, excuse me for writing this,” They only philosophize about everything, speculate,theorize. The last words in the previous sentence,started unraveling my brain.

I began talking to myself,now ‘Ranu’ ,my dear you needed to think before you registered yourself to rub shoulders with these knowledgeable participants.Things were getting quite intense. I couldn’t take myself out of this mess,especially when my fees was paid by the kind facilitator.It was something very unexpected. This kindness made me sweat some more. “I am trapped someone please help me”,I felt like the lion chained,was it a lion or elephant? whatever,one of those big shots,who was released by a lowly mouse.

Hey, I’ll be the mouse in this story,I thought I will gnaw anyone who threatens me. But my teeth are not sharp enough,perhaps in this case my words can be used as a substitute.

Whenever I think of the word “SUBSTITUTE’,all I can think of are the teachers who had to replace me and face my naughty kids in school for only a day.

What I have signed up for is going to last a year maybe two or even three. I shall not play the counting game it’s already making me dizzy.

I sat in front of my daughter’s computer and started typing my answer for the first lesson. I was up till midnight,my daughter was worried ‘Mom’,she called,’Are you all right’? I couldn’t say,’I am having a nightmare’!

So ended  my first assignment,it was intense,but I made it through!

DP Daily Prompt: It builds Character post by Ranu

Rumi’s attributed photo (Photo credit: Eliza_Tasbihi)

Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal (1877-1938), a notable Muslim philosopher, poet and scholar from India (then British India) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

My favorite character with whom I’d love to talk is certainly  Allama Iqbal. There are several questions on my mind.The one which is of primary importance is how does he find life after. Has he been able to explore the universe,since he is relieved from writing and talking to people,who did not care to know him.

What is the place like,is it better than life on earth. Does he get to spend long hours with Rumi about the people they left behind. I’d tell him I am studying about him and our facilitator is very helpful. Sometimes I have problems understanding his writing, I am trying,he will be proud of me. I will also discuss, ‘Shafiques ‘ book Republic of Rumi. It’s a wonderful novel,it is a novel of reality. We have completed several chapters.

I cannot keep him too busy answering my questions,I have to let others have a turn. I’d thank him for his contribution and ask if it is possible for him to see me one more time!

My first year in Iqbal studies

I started the on-line Iqbal studies in November 2011. I have almost completed one year. The final date of one year completion will be next week. My interest to do the course was only based on a poem I had read. Being naturally curious I took this daring attempt.

I had no past experience . I knew nothing about the poet,philosopher. I took one course in the first semester. The first few assignments were challenging for me. I started to feel a bit more comfortable as I was going along. There were a wide range of topics introduced. I realized then I would have to train myself to start studying from the very beginning,there did not seem to be any room to procrastinate. This is what I did from school right through to college and university. Soon enough I realized if I want to know about Iqbal,I would have to leave my bad habits behind.

I must have really gotten rid of them.One day my daughter remarked,”Mom I never saw you working so hard.” I felt this is a positive comment from my kid. I felt good about myself and thought,no one forced me to do this. I was interested  I should therefore make sure I am up to the task.

I may not know as much as the others,they know a lot more because they have studied about him in school and college.I did not.

I am finding it very interesting. There are a variety of topics in this course,there is philosophy.psychology, religion,politics,poetry and many others.We are given assignments by email,we study the text,and answer the questions and write our comments.

The course provider is Mr. Khurram Ali Shafique. He is an authority on Iqbal the poet and philosopher.He has written several books which are already published.He is writing some more.I guess in order to excel in life,this is what one needs to do. He is a very dedicated person. We are lucky to have him as our course facilitator.

In a year I have gained quite a bit of knowledge about Iqbal. I am thankful to Iqbal Academy,Pakistan, for providing this course, also Mr.Shafique for his hard work and dedication.

It has also helped me to be a blogger.It is something I did not try before. I have picked up some very good habits.I love to read, write and I do not waste my time watching television,or watch movies on youtube .I watch some television shows that I like. I also watch movies that are good.

Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal (1877-1938), a notable Muslim philosopher, poet and scholar from India (then British India) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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