PARENTING : Be a Shepherd not and Engineer

When we become parents, we are entrusted with a sacred responsibility — but not the one we often assume. We are not engineers, designing and assembling every detail of our child’s personality. We are shepherds, gently guiding a soul that already carries within it a unique blueprint — a mix of inherited traits, temperament, and divine potential.

An engineer worries about precision: every nut, bolt, and circuit must be placed exactly right. A shepherd, however, tends patiently: he provides pasture, water, and safety from predators. He does not dictate how each sheep must graze or in which direction it must leap. He trusts the flock’s natural instinct, intervening only when danger looms.

Our children are not projects. They are not blank slates for us to design in our image. They carry the fragrance of our ancestry and the spark of their Creator. Our job is to create a healthy, nurturing environment — a home where trust and love thrive, where curiosity is encouraged, where faith is alive and breathing.

Recent research in developmental psychology supports this analogy. Studies show that when parents encourage autonomy — letting children make choices, explore, and even fail safely — children grow up with stronger motivation, better emotional health, and greater resilience. On the other hand, overly controlling or “helicopter” parenting is linked with more anxiety, lower confidence, and weaker coping skills. In other words, children flourish when we shepherd them with care and guidance, not when we try to engineer their every step.

Yes, there will be times when we feel anxious: Am I doing enough? Am I doing it right? But we must resist the urge to control every outcome. Fretting and fuming will not make a plant grow faster. Rather, let us relax, observe, and marvel at the miracle of our child’s becoming.

Above all, let us pray:

That our children stay on Sirat-e-Mustaqeem,

That their hearts throb with the love of Ahl al-Bayt (SA),

That their souls remain tethered to the guidance of Aqa Moula Mufaddal Saifuddin (TUS),

For in this connection lies their true flourishing.

Parenting, then, becomes less about control and more about faith — faith that Allah’s design is perfect, and that with our care and prayers, this little soul will find its way to light.

Dua ni iltemas

“What do you think it means to be a shepherd parent?”

“How do you pray for your children daily?”

Please share your views in the comment section, so that young parents of the community can benefit

www.hikmaah.com 

 

NASHIHAT - KHATIR NA WARQ

 

بس قدسیوں جتلانا چھے لاھوت نی ذروت ما

تے آگے آ دنیا چھے ایک نقطہ نی نسبت ما

ملکوت نا املاکو یے شان چھے کثرت ما

بلجملہ عقل اول نی سروے چھے خدمت ما

تہ سب نا عقل اول قبلہ چھے عبادت ما

یہ قبلہ تھی تھاجے تو پیوست سعادت ما

Beyond the Dot (nuqta): Why Spiritual Knowledge Surpasses the Known Universe

1. The Observable Universe is Dot (nuqta) A Vision from the Nashihat

In one of his timeless Nashihats, Sayedi Sadiq Ali Saheb (RA) presents a vision that transcends the boundaries of modern thought: that what we perceive as the grand, expansive universe is, in reality, but a dot compared to the higher, spiritual realm of 'Alam al-Ibda' - the Realm of Origination.

This statement, while poetic, is not merely metaphorical. It is a profound metaphysical truth grounded in Fatemi Ta'yebi cosmology: the physical cosmos - stars, galaxies, nebulae, black holes - is but the last, lowest level of a vast hierarchy of existence. Above it are infinite planes of being, realms of intellect, light, and divine command.

To understand this, modern science provides a useful lens.

2. Modern Science Confirms the "Dot"

Today, astrophysicists have peeled back the curtains of the cosmos with unprece-dented depth. Two key theories highlight the staggering smallness of our "known" universe:

Inflation Theory (Prof. Alan Guth): The observable universe - everything we can de-tect - originated from a minuscule, almost inconceivably tiny point and underwent a rapid, exponential expansion in the first fractions of a second after creation. What we see today is just the "afterglow" of that event. The vastness we admire is a ripple from an almost nothingness.

Sayedi Saheb's vision anticipates this scientific realization. What scientists now pro-pose mathematically and theoretically, Fatemi cosmology declared centuries ago: our physical realm is but a small, contingent manifestation of a far greater, unseen reality.

3. 'Alam al-Ibdā': The Realm Beyond Matter

In Fatemi thought, creation is not a single-layered phenomenon. It unfolds in stages, each higher and more refined than the one below:

1. Command (Amr): The Divine Word - "Kun" - beyond time and space.

2. 'Aql (Universal Intellect): The first emanation, pure and perfect

3. Nufūs (Universal Souls): The dynamic, life-giving force.

4. Jism (Matter): The physical world, bound by time, space, and decay.

Sayedi Sadik Ali Saheb in the very beginning few stanzas of the Nashihat, in a very clear and simple to understand way, details what transpired in Alam al Ibda.

Our "universe" belongs to the last stage - 'Alam al-Khalq (Realm of Creation). The 'Alam al-Ibdā', by contrast, is the realm of origination, of unblemished intellect and eternal truths. It is not subject to the limitations of time, space, or entropy. Compared to it, our known cosmos is indeed like a dot on an endless canvas.

4. Why This Matters: The Quest for Truth

If this is true - if our universe is but a dot - then what does it say about human knowledge?

Science is a remarkable achievement of the human intellect. It allows us to:

Map galaxies billions of light-years away,

Split atoms and harness nuclear energy,

Decode the building blocks of life.

Yet, for all its triumphs, science remains limited:

It relies on the senses (sight, sound, measurement), extended by instruments.

It is cumulative, built incrementally over centuries.

It is provisional, subject to revision when new data appears.

Spiritual knowledge, by contrast, is:

Illuminative: A single moment of divine inspiration can unveil more than decades of study.

Transformative: It does not just inform; it transforms the seeker's being.

Transcendent: It is not confined to the dot of the physical universe; it connects one to the eternal.

5. Spiritual Knowledge Cannot Be "Downloaded"

We live in an age of instant access. Information is at our fingertips; data can be down-loaded in seconds. But illumination is not data.

You cannot download awakening.

The mind must be prepared through study (ta'lim).

The heart must be purified through discipline (riyāzat).

The soul must be aligned through submission (taslīm) to divine guidance.

As Sayedi Saheb insists, mere inheritance of faith is not enough. One must exert effort question, reflect, and strive - until the inner eye opens.

6. Bridging Science and Spirituality

Some may ask: why bring modern science into this? Because, ironically, science itself is pointing to its own limits. Quantum physics reveals a world stranger than imagination. Cosmology shows a universe possibly infinite and eternally generative. Neuroscience admits it cannot explain consciousness.

Science maps the outer world; spirituality explores the inner world. When both are pursued sincerely, they converge on the same truth: reality is far greater than we can measure.

7. Conclusion: The Journey Beyond the Dot (nukta)

Sayedi Sadiq Ali Saheb's Nashihat is not an anti-science statement; it is a call to perspective. The physical universe, vast as it seems, is but a dot. Do not be content with the dot. Seek beyond - into the realms of intellect, soul, and divine command.

For beyond the dot lies Truth itself.

This post is written by inputs provided to CHAT GPT 5 from my home page articles and Slide Share presentation of Nashihat of Sayedi Sadik Ali Saheb.

Writing to awaken faith, thought, and spirit

http://www.hikmaah.com

Co-created with ChatGPT-5

A fusion of AI insight and heartfelt reflection - where silicon meets a mumin soul, in humble khidmat of the Dawoodi Bohra community, especially its youth.

The Lallantop Debate - Does God Exist ?

 

The recent Lallantop debate drew widespread attention and was followed with keen interest.

Moderated ably by Saurabh Dwivedi, the discussion brought together two composed and intellectually engaged voices—Javed Akhtar Saheb, a public intellectual I have long admired, and Mufti Shamail Nadwi, whose scholarship was new to me.

Despite the subject being deeply contentious, the exchange remained largely civil, owing to both participants’ respect for the debate’s structure.

Mufti Saheb appeared well prepared; his opening remarks and reasoned rebuttals reflected theological depth and clarity.

My observation : The entire debate except for the last 30 min of open house, was gripping. The moderator had to intervene and bring order and decorum at the open house.

In my personal opinion Mufti sab had come well prepared and his erudite opening statement and rebuttal seemed to be working in his favour.

However, once Gaza Genocide came into discussion Javed Sab came into his elements and was all pecked up addressing the audience more than his opponent in the last counter argument section.

Indeed Gaza Genocide is a difficult topic for theist to explain. I also personally find it difficult to comprehend.
WHY ? ALLAH ! WHY ?

Mufti sab did manage to put counter arguments like the martyred children will receive rich rewards, God Knows etc: but it did not have that impact and Javed Sab felt he had managed to score a brownie point, after  having been in the woods. Although he did manage to put forward some thought provoking arguments.

Here I would like to pause, reflect and share my thoughts.

In Islam, suffering is not without meaning, and sabr is not quiet surrender. Sabr is the strength to endure with the firm belief that injustice will not last and that every wrong will be answered.

The children of Gaza are not forgotten by God; they are honoured as martyrs, while those who caused their deaths will be held fully accountable.

“Where was God in Gaza?”
This question, repeated with moral urgency, has become the atheistic mic-drop in contemporary debates. It was no different in the much-watched Lallantop discussion, where the genocide in Gaza was presented not merely as a human tragedy, but as decisive evidence against the existence of God Himself.

But  this way of thinking completely reverses what is right and wrong.
It  does not indict God; it indicts humanity. Missiles do not fall by divine decree but by human choice. Islamic theology has never claimed that God suspends free will to prevent cruelty—only that He records every act, honours the innocent as martyrs, and delays justice not out of absence, but out of wisdom.

The sabr of Gaza’s mothers is not blind faith in silence; it is conscious trust that tyranny is temporary, martyrdom is eternal, and no spilled blood escapes divine reckoning.

These suffering Palestinians have more faith in God. Just  this I have to say to all the ethiest out there, to please scroll thru the thousands of Insta feeds and videos and see for yourself the fortitude, courage and accepting the 'isness' of things and standing against inhuman oppression and insensitivity.

Have written two posts on the fortitude and  courage of the oppressed Palestinians.

Gaza is a definite proof that God exists.
His existence is felt in the strength of those who endure without hatred, in the sabr of mothers who bury their children yet do not lose faith, and in the unshakable certainty that no injustice escapes His knowledge.

If God did not exist, Gaza would be nothing but broken bodies and forgotten names. Faith refuses that finality. It tells us that oppression has an end, that martyrdom has meaning, and that divine justice—though delayed—is absolute and inevitable.

Alhamdolillah !

www.hikmaah.com

NASHIHAT OF SAYEDI SADIQ ALI SAHEB: A TIMELESS REMINDER FOR TODAY'S YOUTH

 

Writing to awaken faith, thought, and spirit

The words of Sayedi Sadiq Ali Saheb (RA), in his luminous Nashihat, echo through centuries. They speak directly to the heart, reminding us that the glitter of this world is temporary, but the light of good deeds, humility, and obedience to the Dai of the time is everlasting.

For many upward-mobile Dawoodi Bohra youth, life today is filled with opportunities and challenges that earlier generations never imagined. Higher education, global careers, financial independence, and digital connectivity open dazzling pathways. But Sayedi Saheb's warning resounds: Do not be deceived by the glitter of duniya. The real preparation is for the aakherat.

In this blog, I will reflect on the message of this Nashihat in today's context - and how it can serve as a compass for young mumineen navigating the complexities of modern life.

THE ILLUSION OF WORLDLY SUCCESS

Sayedi Saheb reminds: the honors, fame, and wealth of this world are fleeting. Death can arrive suddenly, and in that moment, titles, possessions, and social recognition lose their meaning.

For today's youth, success often means a degree from a prestigious university, a lucrative job, or a high-profile business. These achievements are commendable - but we must ask: what happens when life's sudden turn renders them useless?

A LinkedIn profile will not enter the grave.

A luxury car cannot travel with the soul.

Even the most glamorous Instagram feed fades into irrelevance at death.

The only enduring wealth is that of good deeds: namaz prayed with sincerity, a'mal saleh, sadaqah given with humility, khidmat done with devotion, and obedience to Moula (TUS).

PRIDE AND ARROGANCE: A HIDDEN TRAP

Another theme in  Nashihat is the danger of pride. Arrogance blinds a person, hardens the heart, and distances one from truth.

In today's world, pride may not always look like a boastful speech. It can be subtle:

A young professional thinking, "I have a better education than most, I don't need traditional guidance."

A successful entrepreneur quietly feels superior to those who earn less.

A youth mocking elders for their simplicity or their lack of "worldly sophistication."

But Sayedi Saheb's wisdom cuts through: arrogance is poisonous, while humility is light. The true jewel is not showing off success, but in bowing one's head in sajda, serving quietly in khidmat, and giving thanks for every barakat.

Imagine a mumin youth earning a high salary abroad, yet never missing namaz, setting aside time to listen to waaz, and doing khidmat of Jamaat. Such humility elevates them in both duniya and aakherat.

REAL WEALTH IS AMAL AND DEEN

Sayedi Saheb reminds us that money, though necessary, is not the true measure of wealth. Real wealth is found in 'amal sālih (righteous actions) and service of deen.

For upward-mobile youth, this is a critical perspective. Financial portfolios can fluctuate, job markets can crash, and even entire industries can collapse. But a single tas-beeh of "Ya Ali, Ya Ali" said with love for Amirul Mumineen (AS), AZHA'RUL Noha wa Aweel on Imam Hussain (SA) and Ah'le Bait (SA) or a drop of sweat shed in Moula's khidmat, carries eternal weight.

A Bohra doctor may cure thousands of patients, but if he also prays that every cure be accepted as humble khidmat of Imam-uz-Zaman (AS), and Aqa Moula (TUS) his worldly skill transforms into ibadat.

A young businesswoman who contributes to masjid construction or waaz arrangements is investing not just in property, but in his/her eternal soul.

In a rapidly changing world, this is the one investment guaranteed to last.

THE URGENCY OF ACTION

The Nashihat carries urgency - do not delay, do not waste time. Many youth believe they can "return" to Deen later, once their careers are settled or families established. But life offers no such guarantees.

A sudden illness can strike at 25.

THE URGENCY OF ACTION

An accident can halt a life at its prime.

The "perfect time" to turn to Deen may never come.

That is why the wise act now. Establish habits of daily doa, Namaz, Quran tilawat, at-tending waaz, giving sadaqah, and serving Moula (TUS). These are not burdens - they are treasures of the soul, to be gathered while life still offers the chance.

THE ROPE OF SALVATION: DAI OF THE AGE

Above all, Sayedi Saheb emphasizes attachment to the Dai. Without the Dai, a soul drifts like a ship without a compass. With the Dai, every worldly effort gains eternal purpose.

In our age, Aqa Moula Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin (TUS) is the living beacon of guidance. For the youth:

When faced with modern confusion - Moula's words bring clarity.

When pursuing ambitions - Moula's doa brings barakat beyond calculation.

When tempted to compromise values - Moula's nazar strengthens resolve.

Many youth testify: after attending an Ashara Mubaraka and Istifadah Ilmiyah or serving in Moula's hazrat, unimaginable doors of opportunity opened in their lives. This is the barakat of silat with Aqa Moula (TUS)

RESONANCE FOR TODAY'S YOUTH

Sayedi Sadiq Ali Saheb's wisdom is not outdated; it is more relevant than ever. For a generation striving in a hyper-competitive, globalized, digital world, the Nashihat of-fers grounding:

Be ambitious - but let ambition serve deen.

Earn wealth - but let the khidmat guide how you spend it.

Gain knowledge - but remember that the highest knowledge is Ma'rifat of Allah through Moula (TUS).

This balance is the secret to true success: shining in duniya's boardrooms, while securing honor in the universe of aakherat.

CONCLUSION

The Nashihat of Sayedi Sadiq Ali Saheb (RA) is a wake-up call for every Bohra youth: do not be deceived by the temporary glitter of duniya. Invest in what lasts. Live humbly, serve sincerely, and stay attached to Aqa Moula (TUS).

In this path lies the light that no death can extinguish.

Writing to awaken faith, thought, and spirit

http://www.hikmaah.com

SAYEDI SADIK ALI SAHEB NASHIHAT

 

DUNIYA NI TU RAGHBAT THI

Copy - Press to hear audio

https://drive.google.com/file/d/15vVQa3HaXG9B5uKFcRanL7Cd248dVwm3/vie

(Please excuse my voice rendering and a correction: 'a'nkhon thaki, not a'nsu thaki)

Timeless Warnings for a Modern Soul - Sayedi Sadiq Ali Saheb's Wisdom

The wisdom of Sayedi Sadiq Ali Saheb (RA), remains startlingly relevant-even in a world of smartphones, startups, and success stories. 

His nasihat (counsel) wasn't mere moralizing; it was soul-shaking truth meant to awaken hearts

These verses from Sayedi Sadiq Ali Saheb's Nasihat remind us of an uncomfortable truth: the world's allure can inflame desire, mislead the heart, and blind us to what truly matters. They depict life's fleeting temptations -passions that burn, sins that stain, and a heart that drifts unless anchored by repentance.

 Such Nashihat is not mere moral instruction; it is a mirror to our inner struggles, written centuries ago, yet speaking directly to the modern soul.

It shows how Fatemi spirituality has always addressed the deepest human conflicts-desire vs. discipline, distraction vs. devotion. 

For many of us who chase success, these lines challenge us to pause: Are we living with purpose, or merely reacting to impulses?

"Look closely at this world-it dazzles with beauty, yet hides poison beneath its charm. 

We get so caught up in daily pursuits, complaints, and comparisons that we forget: this is not the destination, only a passage. Sayedi Sadiq Ali Saheb's words pierce through our illusions-urging us to invest in what truly lasts.

 The mansion of status, the thrill of success, the race to 'keep up'-all of it ends. What remains is where we were headed all along: to our Creator.

This isn't about renouncing ambition-it's about not letting ambition consume you. Success without self-awareness is just another form of slavery.

For a generation chasing opportunities and being unaware of our true selves, these lines are a powerful check: Are we building for a life that ends, or for the life beyond?

Just think !! Think hard!

From the trap of this fleeting world, you will be lowered into the soil, into the grave. Knowing this end, why let your heart be deceived day and night? Why be seduced by sins that offer honey but hide poison?

Sayedi Sadiq Ali Saheb's reminder is sharp and uncomfortably clear: everything you cling to-wealth, recognition, pleasure-will slip away.

 The final reality awaits beneath the earth. For those of us relentlessly pursuing 'more, this verse is not pessimism; it is clarity. It asks: Are we living as if death is certain-or as if it won't come?

Think friends! Think! Think!

There's no denial here, no fear mongering-just reality. Everything you chase will end. What matters is what you carry beyond.

Why does Sayedi Sadik Ali Saheb Nashihat matter more in this fast paced modern world?

These verses are a mirror. They challenge us to align worldly drive with eternal purpose. Sayedi Sadiq Ali Saheb's voice bridges centuries to whisper in our restless ears: "Don't forget where you're headed."

Hope his counsel rings in your heart and you will evolve into an upward mobile successful professional or businessman, but with a real purpose in life.

Dua ni iltemas.

Writing to awaken faith, thought, and spirit

NOTE: Input provided to Chat GPT from my Side Share presentation 'Nashihat of Sayedi Sadik Ali Saheb' and other articles on my home page.

Co-created with ChatGPT-5

A fusion of AI insight and heartfelt reflection - where silicon meets a mumin soul, in humble khidmat of the Dawoodi Bohra community, especially its youth.

http://www.hikmaah.com

ALLAH KNOWS

In Hamd & Shukr let me begin this month of Rajab ul Asab, the month in which the zikr and tasbeeh of Ali Moula (SA) takes precedence, by sharing an emotive poem composed by CHAT GPT  5 based on the excerpts on a English translation of The Shining Sermon (خطبة غراء) of Ali Moula (SA)

 In this very first Khutba he vividly describes the all-encompassing knowledge of Allah, Who knows every secret, whisper, thought, movement, and hidden things. 

 ALLAH KNOWS 

 ALLAH knows what whispers hide, What hearts conceal, what eyes let slip. 

 A leaf that falls, a step unheard

 All lies open before His Light His justice surrounds us, His mercy covers us, His knowledge holds the universe. He knows what hearts hide before words are born. He hears the whisper that never reaches an ear. 

He sees the thought that trembles in the mind, The secret that lies beneath layers of silence.

 O soul, what evil can shield you now ? What mask can hide a furrowed brow ? Bow than in humility,before the Knower of All, Before Whose truth, illusions fall.

He knows the summer nests of tiny ants, Hidden in dust and sunlight. He knows the winter homes of the unseen mites, Wrapped in stillness and cold. He hears the faintest footsteps on the earth, And sees the secret place within the innermost sepal Where fruits begin to grow. 

 Every trace of movement, Every tremor of a hand, Every echo carried upon a word, Every quiver of the lips before speech— All are counted, measured, and known. 

 A single leaf that loosens from its branch And drifts through the quiet air— He charts its descent, For nothing escapes His sight. No toil can weary Him. No barrier can ever confine Him. No obstacle can hinder His care For the creation He sustains. 

It His knowledge penetrates the hidden and the known. His reckoning comprehends the vast and the small. His justice surrounds all beings, And His mercy envelops every soul. 

 O heart— Where will you go that He is not? What veil can hide you from the One Whose vision never dims, Whose truth never fails? In humility bow before the Lord of all Knowing, The Keeper of secrets, The Witness of every breath. For in His embrace Lies the only refuge, The only peace, The only truth. 

 Alhamdolillah ! 

 www.hikmaah.com

CONTENTMENT

Enjoy the Gujarati song that has resonated with me and has life lesson

Copy to open 

 https://youtu.be/3uY4YA4Tu2Y?si=qrz6PKaiTDd9ncyn

 Contentment and shukr (gratitude) are profound spiritual states that invite us to em-brace the fullness of life as it is the isness of existence.

 True contentment arises not from having everything we desire but from appreciating what we have and recognising that life's unfolding, with its joys and challenges, is part of Divine wisdom.

 Shukr is the practice of acknowledging and giving thanks for Divine blessings, transforming the heart into a vessel of peace. 

 When we accept life's realities without resisting or lamenting, we cultivate inner har-mony. This acceptance is not passive resignation but an active surrender to Divine de-cree, knowing that every moment holds purpose. 

The essence of contentment lies in living with awareness of the present moment, finding joy in simple blessings, and trusting in the Divine plan.

 It teaches us to release the burdens of endless desire and comparison, opening the door to happiness rooted in spiritual fulfillment rather than external circumstances.

 In this light, the Gujarati song celebrates this spirit by encouraging hearts to accept life's flow with gratitude and happiness. 

It is a reminder that embracing contentment and shukr invites a rich, joyful existence of a life lived fully in harmony with Allah's will and the reality before us.

 http://www.hikmaah.com