Daily Prompt : Study

In response to prompt : Study

Allama Iqbal , Online Course

A few years ago I developed an interest to study about Allama Iqbal. It began as a curiosity, after I read two lines of his poem in Urdu.

In it Iqbal says: (this is the English translation.) Though the mosque was built overnight by the believers, our heart being old sinners for years, could not be devout.

When I read these lines my curiosity was at its height, I could not wait to find out, why Iqbal wrote this poem.

During my research, I accidentally found out, there is an online course about Iqbal. I registered for the course in 2011.

I’m still studying it. Now I feel it’s worth it, it helps me study about the poet, his beliefs and his role in carving out a country for the Muslim population in the Indian sub-continent.

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Writing 101,Day 7: Hook ’em with a quote

You can write anything for today’s post _ the only requirement is that you begin with a blockquote.

The type of quote you choose is up to you Maybe the passage is something you’d like to comment on, or is one of your favorite quotes.The following is a quote of Allama Iqbal, the poet and philosopher of India. He was born in Sialkot which is now Pakistan.

So what if your prostrations have left a mark on your forehead. Try the kind that can leave a mark on the soil. This is a quote by Allama Iqbal.

Yes I’d like to comment on this quote. Here Iqbal is pointing out about prayer. It is believed in Islam, that those who pray regularly, which includes prostration, they get a mark on their forehead as evidence of their submission to the creator.

I’m not sure if I’m right or this is what the poet implied. To me he is pointing out that the mark on the forehead is no guarantee that this person is pious. One can be considered pious even if he doesn’t have that mark on the forehead.

Prayer is only one of the requirements of a good person. The other factors that should be taken into consideration,are his behavior towards his fellow beings. One needs to be compassionate, generous and humble. If these attributes are missing, the mark alone on his/her forehead will not give him the status of a truly God-fearing human being.

I wasn’t able to post this yesterday as I had problems with the  internet. I hope my friends and bloggers would take this into consideration and give their feedback. Thank you in advance.

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Blogging 101, Day Eleven: Make a prompt personal

Today’s assignment: Publish a post based on your own, personalized take on a blogging prompt.

Daring greatly : It takes courage and vulnerability, to, “dare greatly.” For this week’s inspiration, explore the significance of sincerity,vulnerability, and courage in your writing.

My quest for recognition came in the latter part of 2011. At this time I dared to register in an online course, which seemed to cater to the needs of Pakistanis. It was all about the great Poet and Philosopher, Allama Iqbal. I read two verses of one of his poems and went looking for more. The saying I believe is true,”Seek and ye shall find.”

I read this on the cover of a book belonging to my eldest brother.My brother pointed out the lines to me and said,Ranu read the lines and tell me what it means, I was about nine years old then I told him from my nine year old mind, “look for it and you shall find it.”

At that time my brother smiled and said,”I can see there is hope for you.”

That was then but this is now. I registered for the course. I could sense I wasn’t received well by the participants because I was a Bengali , in their mind I am a traitor, the reason I was an East Pakistani and we are noted for separating from West Pakistan, and have conveniently carved out a country named Bangladesh for ourselves,. I knew they hated me, why was I blamed I had no part in it, the politicians in their own interest did the damage. Let’s come to what’s happening now at this moment i.e same situation with different players.

This year a new group of Pakistanis have joined the course, I quickly told on the blog I was from Bengal. Well the attitude towards me did not change.

In our course we get a lesson every week, we are required to read and answer one question from the four given. The participants are encouraged to write their comment on the reply by each participant. This is where it got interesting, the Pakistanis left their comment on everyone’s reply, except mine. Can this be some kind of oversight or was it done deliberately. Well I think the latter makes more sense than the former.

In this connection I’d admit two Pakistanis wrote their comment, One is an O level student who seems to have some humanity in him , the other one has studied in the US  I assume this may be the reason.

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Writing 101,Day thirteen: Serially Found

Today’s prompt: Write about finding something. Interpret this theme of “finding something” however you see fit.

Today’s twist: If you wrote the day four’s post as the first in a series,use this one as the second installment– loosely defined.

My day four post serially lost was all about my ambition to study M.Ed, it didn’t happen, I had too many other things that got in the way. None of them were unsatisfactory, they changed my course of action.

Then I read a comment by “a writer’s Helper” which said: “Life has a way of popping up to set us back from what we thought were our goals. I’m interested to see where your story leads to.”

I’m delighted to let the blogger know I am doing an online course which is giving me satisfaction and joy.

The prompt, “Serially Found” is perfect for me to write what I finally found after losing the opportunity to study M.Ed.

I found a course which has taken me back to continue my studies. It’s an online course offered by Khurram Ali Shafique. It’s a study of Poet and Philosopher, Allama Iqbal.

I started this course in November 2011 and am still  continuing, what I am learning from it is different from what I would have learned had I completed M.Ed as I planned.

The course is one that opens the door for many possibilities. I’ve learned about some of the religions,e.g Buddhism, Christianity and Zoroastrianism, their point of view about pain,sorrow, sin and struggle.

We dealt with the question, whether human being is essentially good and peaceful.

This is what Iqbal says: “If man can realize his sense of respect for his own individuality and can move fearlessly on earth, he will then respect the individuality of others and will become perfectly virtuous.”

I am thrilled I am not letting my brain become  idle.

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365 Writing Prompts:From A to Z

Create a short story piece of memoir, or epic poem that is 26 sentences long, in which the first sentence begins with “A” and each sentence thereafter begins with the next letter of the alphabet.

A devout Muslim was he.

Born in Punjab in 1877.

Came to this world with a purpose in mind.

Determined he was to leave a mark in this world.

Early in life he wowed the people around him.

Father was a devout Muslim.

Graduated with English literature Philosophy and Arabic.

He wrote poems that made him famous.

In Italy he met Mussolini.

Joined the staff of Cambridge to teach Arabic.

Kashmiri Brahmin was his ancestors.

Laughter was his favorite word.

Munich was the university where he got his doctorate degree.

Never hesitated to achieve his goal.

Oh how he toiled and labored.

Poetry was his favorite pastime.

Questions he seldom asked.

Revived he the glory of the Arabs in Spain in his mind.

Said prayers in the mosque of Cordoba.

Told he a  Mumin is he who has a smile on his lips when death comes.

Unity was his motto for all the Muslims.

Victory is what we must strive for was his belief.

Who says we are not capable was his question?

Xenophobe he wasn’t.

You can read his writings if you don’t know.

Zenith of fame I have reached  it’s time to bid goodbye!

Allama Iqbal recited these touching few lines a few minutes before his death:

The departed melody may return or not!

The Zephyr from Hijaz may blow again or not!

The days of this Faqir has come to an end.

Another seer may come or not !

He breathed his last in the early hours of April 21st, 1938, in the arms of his old and devoted servant, leaving a host of mourners all over the Islamic world.There was a faint smile playing on his lips, which reminded one of the last criterions , he laid down for a truthful Muslim.” I tell you the sign of a Mumin when death comes there is a smile on his lips.”

: https://sabethville.wordpress.com/2014/07/24/365-writing-prompts/

 

 

 

Writing Prompt: A Plot Of Earth

You’re given a plot of land and have the financial resources to do what you please. What’s the plan.

First of all thank you to whoever has given me the plot of land and the financial resources to do what I please. It is a swell idea. I’ll get to work immediately so that whoever has given this land does not change his/her mind.

Here is my plan. I will divide it into parts,1. for housing; 2. for a school; 3. for a small hospital;5. for a playground; 6. a super market; 7. A Drug store;  8.  farming ;9. a business center.

This place will be called :

Marghdeen: I got this idea from Allama Iqbal a renowned poet and philosopher, who spent his life thinking of a place which will be free from poverty, corrupt government, wicked landlords, thieves and beggars.

Farmers would take care of their land and will not share the produce with landlords, they’ll be able to enjoy the fruits of their labor without worrying about wicked landlords.

The residents will be able to own their home.

The school will be built to teach important subjects that will be beneficial to keep up with worldly affairs. No one will be left out.

The hospital would be built for the sick and also proper lessons will be given on how to live a healthy life.

A playground will be an important place to run around and play games.

A supermarket would have meat,fish,poultry and vegetables and grains and everything from tea coffee etc.  for the consumers.

A drug store will provide medication and other things.

A business center will provide knowledge to anyone who needs to know how to carry out their daily business.

Thieves and beggars will not be seen here,because the citizens will be self sufficient.

https://sabethville.wordpress.com/2014/02/20/365-days-feb20th- a plot of earth/

DP Daily Prompt: 2100 post by Ranu

Imagine There’s No Hunger – Strawberry Fields – Central Park, NYC (Photo credit: asterix611)

The population of the world is assimilating faster than we can say,”BOO”.  Everything from food,clothing,eating habits , interaction is happily adopted by the people of the universe. It is a very good sign.

Only a fraction of the world population,if at all will be ignorant. People will recognize each other. The color will no longer be a hindrance for making friends.This is already in the air.

In 2100, I can imagine how changed the world will be. In  eighty seven years the change will be phenomenal. John  Lennon’s song,” Imagine” will top the charts.

In that world there will be one language.I have named it, ” SHEMAPI’. I have taken the first letter of the seven most spoken languages in order of population.

There will be   One religion and no government,there won’t be any need. Farmers will grow and enjoy their crops,no one will take away anything. Poverty will be wiped out. No crooks will make the lives of people miserable. There’ll be no distinction between men and women.

Allama Iqbal’s Marghdeen will come into fruition! This is how I see the world in 2100.

Book Report ,( A Novel) “The Valkyries” Posted by Ranu

Paulo Coelho (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Valkyries ( pronounced  val’ki:ri) : It is a Scandinavian myth.Valkyries are twelve maidens who hover over battlefields and conduct the fallen warriors to Valhalla.Valhalla is a hall in which the souls of those who died in battle feast with Odin, the supreme god for eternity. The author of the book is Paulo Coelho,who is a famous writer from Brazil. The publisher of the book is Harper Collins.The first edition was published in 1996. There are 209 pages in this book. This particular book is not among the best sellers.

There are several blurbs written for this book.I will only quote one: “Coelho is a pilgrim of a literature that soothes the soul,and of a philosophy that rediscovers the spirituality in people,our personal quest and reunion with the forgotten,everyday beauty of the world in which we live and paths we weave.His books are a mirror: Refreshing,intense,messengers of love and man’s most essential path.His magic irradiates when,after reading his books,one feels happy.”__El Espectador, Colombia

I started reading his books,partly because of his Philosophy and spiritualism, and also some of the things he writes about in a way resembles ,”The great poet and philosopher, Allama Iqbal.” I started studying about Iqbal since late 2011 and am continuing to do so, even today.

Valkyries is the fourth book  of Paulo Coelho I have read so far.

The main characters are: J., Paulo,his wife Chris, Gene a man in his twenties,and the Valkyries. These are the primary characters.There are others without whom ,it will be challenging to proceed.

My intention is to give the introduction,I will give a gist of the story in parts. For now, this is all,I will write.

To be continued!