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  • The Prophet’s Attributes and the Path to Paradise by Maulana Tariq Jameel

    The Prophet’s Attributes and the Path to Paradise by Maulana Tariq Jameel

    This text is a religious lecture focusing on the Prophet Muhammad’s life and character. The speaker highlights specific anecdotes illustrating the Prophet’s kindness, compassion, and unwavering devotion to his community. Emphasis is placed on the Prophet’s physical attributes, described as exceptionally beautiful, and his moral qualities, emphasizing his trustworthiness and piety. The lecture also touches upon the compilation of the Quran, using a historical event to illustrate the importance of accurate record-keeping. Finally, the speaker urges listeners to emulate the Prophet’s example in their daily lives, fostering unity and love within the community.

    Understanding the Prophet: A Study Guide

    Quiz

    Instructions: Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences each.

    1. What unique characteristic does the Quranic verse at the end of Surah Tauba attribute to the Prophet Muhammad?
    2. What prompted the collection of the Quran into a single book during Abu Bakr’s caliphate?
    3. Describe the condition set by Zaid bin Sabit for including a verse in the Quran during the compilation process.
    4. What incident led to the Prophet declaring that Khuzayma bin Sabit’s testimony would be considered equal to that of two men?
    5. According to the speaker, what was the significance of the 100 camels in the story of Prophet Muhammad’s lineage?
    6. What is the meaning of the Arabic term “Min An Fus Kum” as explained by the speaker?
    7. Describe three extraordinary events that are said to have occurred at the time of the Prophet Muhammad’s birth.
    8. What did the voice from the cloud proclaim after the Prophet Muhammad’s birth?
    9. What analogy does the speaker use to emphasize the importance of following the Prophet Muhammad’s example in all aspects of life?
    10. What four actions does the speaker urge his listeners to undertake to secure both worldly and spiritual success?

    Answer Key:

    1. The verse describes the Prophet Muhammad as “Azzaz Aleekum,” meaning he is deeply concerned about the well-being of his followers and their salvation.
    2. The martyrdom of 700 Huffaz (memorizers of the Quran) in the Battle of Mu’ta raised concerns that the Quran, which was scattered among the people, might be lost.
    3. Zaid bin Sabit stipulated that any verse included in the Quran must be attested to by at least two people who had memorized it.
    4. Khuzayma bin Sabit truthfully testified to a transaction between the Prophet and a Bedouin regarding a camel, even though he wasn’t present at the original agreement. This act impressed the Prophet, who declared Khuzayma’s testimony equal to that of two men.
    5. The 100 camels represented the value placed on Prophet Muhammad’s life by both his grandfather (for sacrifice) and a woman who desired a child with prophetic lineage.
    6. It refers to the Prophet’s noble lineage and exceptional beauty, indicating his elevated status and the captivating nature of his appearance.
    7. The birth was painless for his mother, he was born clean and circumcised, and he immediately prostrated in prayer while raising his finger to the sky.
    8. The voice declared the newborn as the chosen one to be followed for salvation, emphasizing his importance and the dire consequences of disbelief.
    9. The speaker compares the Prophet’s every action to a fashionable trend, implying that just as people eagerly adopt popular styles, they should embrace the Prophet’s practices for divine favor.
    10. The speaker urges his audience to always speak the truth, be trustworthy, have good morals, and earn halal income.

    Essay Questions:

    1. Analyze the speaker’s use of storytelling in this excerpt. How does he employ narratives from the Prophet’s life and lineage to convey his message?
    2. Explore the speaker’s emphasis on the Prophet Muhammad’s physical beauty. What is the significance of this emphasis within the context of his message?
    3. The speaker draws parallels between the Prophet’s actions and contemporary life, such as fashion trends. Discuss the effectiveness of this approach in connecting with the audience and making the message relevant.
    4. Critically evaluate the speaker’s call for unity and his condemnation of division within the Muslim community. What factors contribute to these divisions, and what solutions does he propose?
    5. How does the speaker utilize the story of the Jewish boy’s conversion to Islam to illustrate the Prophet’s character and emphasize the importance of spreading the message of Islam?

    Glossary of Key Terms:

    • Huffaz: Individuals who have memorized the entire Quran.
    • Rauf: One of Allah’s attributes, meaning “Most Compassionate.”
    • Rahim: Another attribute of Allah, meaning “Most Merciful.”
    • Wasim: Extremely handsome and captivating in appearance.
    • Qasim: One whose beauty is complete and perfect in every aspect.
    • Afar: The long hair on the sides of the head.
    • Amanah: Trustworthiness and integrity.
    • Halal: Permissible and lawful according to Islamic principles.
    • Haram: Forbidden or unlawful according to Islamic principles.
    • Ummah: The global Muslim community.

    Briefing Document: Themes and Key Ideas from the Provided Text

    Source: Excerpts from a religious sermon, potentially delivered in Africa.

    Main Themes:

    • Exemplary Life and Qualities of the Prophet Muhammad: The sermon extensively focuses on highlighting the Prophet’s exemplary life, emphasizing his noble lineage, physical beauty (Qasim), compassionate nature (Rauf Rahim), and dedication to his followers’ salvation.
    • Importance of Following the Prophet’s Sunnah: The speaker urges the audience to emulate the Prophet’s lifestyle and actions (Sunnah), emphasizing that adopting his fashion and practices will bring divine favor.
    • Unity and Brotherhood within the Muslim Community: The sermon strongly advocates for unity amongst Muslims, denouncing divisions based on ethnicity, nationality, or sectarian differences (e.g., Indian vs. Pakistani, Barelvi vs. Deobandi).
    • Halal Earnings and Moral Uprightness: The speaker emphasizes the importance of earning halal (permissible) income and stresses on moral virtues like honesty, trustworthiness, and good manners, linking them to both worldly and heavenly success.

    Key Ideas and Facts:

    • Prophet’s Lineage: The speaker traces the Prophet’s noble lineage back to Adam, highlighting incidents showcasing the importance and significance attached to his birth.
    • Prophet’s Birth and Miracles: The text recounts miraculous events surrounding the Prophet’s birth, including his cleanliness, immediate prostration, and a divine voice proclaiming his prophethood.
    • Prophet’s Physical Attributes: The speaker passionately describes the Prophet’s physical beauty, using Arabic terms like Wasim and Qasim to convey his captivating appearance.
    • Prophet’s Concern for His Ummah: The sermon emphasizes the Prophet’s deep concern for his followers’ salvation, noting his constant prayers for their guidance and deliverance from hell.
    • Anecdotes Depicting the Prophet’s Character: Various anecdotes, including his interaction with a Bedouin regarding a camel purchase and his visit to a sick Jewish boy, are presented to illustrate the Prophet’s honesty, kindness, and compassion.
    • Call to Action: The speaker urges the audience to implement four key principles: truthfulness, trustworthiness, good morals, and earning halal income, framing them as essential for a successful life.
    • Condemnation of Division and Sectarianism: The speaker criticizes divisions within the Muslim community based on ethnicity, nationality, and sect, blaming such discord for societal downfall and urging unity and brotherhood.

    Quotes:

    • “Bil Mu’mineen Rauf Rahim, Rauf and Rahim are the two quality names of Allah…Allah has never called any prophet with two attributes. He said about our prophet Bil Mu’mineen Rauf is rough but soft, very soft, Rahim is very kind to you.” – Illustrating the Prophet’s unique compassionate nature.
    • “So brothers, every style of my Prophet is the fashion of my Prophet, so do the same as he did, why do you adopt other fashions, Allah will also look at you with love, Allah Even the Kabi will look at you with love.” – Underscoring the importance of following the Prophet’s Sunnah.
    • “You people have created two sections, one is Asian section and one is African section, there is no mixing between the two. My Prophet has brought everyone together, Bilal of Hash, Salman of Iran, Soheb of Rome, everyone was brought together…” – Condemning division and advocating for unity among Muslims.
    • “A hadith, true religiousness, good morals and if the risk is halal then the world is yours and the heaven is also yours…” – Highlighting the significance of halal earnings and moral conduct.

    Overall: The provided text offers a glimpse into a passionate sermon focused on the life and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. The speaker utilizes vivid language, anecdotes, and theological arguments to inspire the audience towards a life aligned with Islamic principles. The emphasis on unity, ethical conduct, and following the Prophet’s example forms the core message of this sermon.

    FAQ about the Life and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad

    1. What are some key characteristics of Prophet Muhammad according to the text?

    Prophet Muhammad is described as:

    • Worried for his Ummah: Deeply concerned for the well-being and salvation of his followers, constantly praying for their guidance and protection from hellfire.
    • Rauf and Rahim: Possessing two of Allah’s attributes, meaning “most kind” and “most merciful,” highlighting his gentle and compassionate nature.
    • Physically beautiful: Described as “Wasim” and “Qasim,” signifying a beauty that captivates the heart and never tires the eye. The text emphasizes his attractive features, from his thick beard to his slanted neck, drawing a detailed portrait of his physical perfection.

    2. How does the text describe the significance of Prophet Muhammad’s lineage?

    The text emphasizes the purity and nobility of Prophet Muhammad’s lineage, tracing it back to Adam. Several incidents highlight this:

    • Hazrat Hashim’s encounter: A Jewish woman recognizes the light of prophethood on Hashim’s forehead, signifying the divine lineage.
    • Hazrat Abdullah’s near sacrifice: The story of his father’s almost sacrifice and subsequent sparing due to divine intervention further emphasizes the chosen lineage.
    • The selection from among the Arabs: The text describes Allah sifting through various tribes and lineages, ultimately choosing Prophet Muhammad from the most noble family of the Quraish, the Banu Hashim.

    3. What miracles are attributed to Prophet Muhammad in the text?

    The text mentions several miracles associated with Prophet Muhammad:

    • Miraculous birth: A painless birth, born clean and circumcised, and immediately performing Sajda, indicating his divine purpose from the very beginning.
    • A cloud descending: A cloud descends from the ceiling upon his birth, carrying a message to the world about his prophethood and future role.
    • Milking the barren goat: Filling a vessel with milk from a goat that hadn’t mated and was extremely weak, highlighting his miraculous abilities.
    • The goat’s extended lifespan: The goat lives for 22 years after this incident, far exceeding the normal lifespan, attributed to the blessing of the Prophet’s touch.

    4. What is the significance of the story of the Jewish boy?

    The story of the sick Jewish boy emphasizes Prophet Muhammad’s compassion and his mission to guide all people to the truth.

    • He visits a sick boy: Despite the boy being Jewish and living a distance away, the Prophet visits him, demonstrating his concern for everyone’s well-being.
    • The boy converts to Islam: The boy converts to Islam before dying, highlighting the Prophet’s successful mission to guide even those outside his immediate community.
    • The Prophet’s happiness: The Prophet’s joy at the boy’s conversion showcases his genuine concern for the salvation of all people, regardless of their background.

    5. What is the importance of following Prophet Muhammad’s Sunnah?

    The text stresses the importance of emulating Prophet Muhammad’s actions and lifestyle (Sunnah):

    • Every style is a fashion: The speaker urges followers to adopt Prophet Muhammad’s way of life as a model for their own, believing it pleases Allah.
    • Allah’s love: Following the Prophet’s Sunnah brings the love of Allah, making it essential for believers.
    • Imitating for success: Copying his manners and actions is presented as a path to success and divine favor.

    6. What four things does the Prophet advise his followers to do?

    The text highlights four key pieces of advice from Prophet Muhammad:

    1. Always speak the truth.
    2. Never betray anyone’s trust.
    3. Maintain good morals.
    4. Earn halal (lawful) income.

    By following these principles, Muslims can achieve success in this world and the hereafter.

    7. How does the text advocate for unity and good treatment within the Muslim community?

    The speaker emphasizes the importance of treating family, wives, and children with kindness and respect. He also stresses unity within the Muslim community, regardless of cultural or sectarian differences.

    • Express love to family: Be loving and affectionate towards family members, nurturing strong bonds.
    • Treat wives well: Express love and fulfill each other’s rights, fostering loving relationships.
    • Unity amongst Muslims: Avoid divisions based on ethnicity, sect, or origin, advocating for a unified and harmonious community.

    8. What call to action does the speaker end with?

    The speaker concludes with a call to action, urging listeners to:

    • Populate mosques: Emphasizing the importance of congregational prayer and the mosque’s role as a center of community.
    • Spread Islam and faith: Promoting the message of Islam and working towards a more faithful society.
    • End divisions: Dismantling barriers based on ethnicity or background, fostering unity and brotherhood amongst Muslims.

    This ending reinforces the speaker’s core message: follow Prophet Muhammad’s teachings, strengthen your faith, and live in harmony with each other.

    The Prophet Muhammad: Life and Character

    The sources describe the Prophet Muhammad’s characteristics, focusing on his physical appearance, personality, and concern for his community.

    Physical Appearance:

    • He is described as having a captivating presence, with a radiant face and beautiful features. [1]
    • His complexion was likely darker, contrasting with the typical Arab complexion of the time. [2]
    • He had a thick beard, a slender physique, and long arms and fingers. [3]
    • He had long, thick hair that flowed like an eagle spreading its wings. [3]
    • His eyes were captivating, and his overall beauty was such that one’s heart would not tire of gazing upon him. [4]

    Personality:

    • He was known for being both rough and soft, kind and compassionate. [5]
    • He was deeply concerned for the well-being of his community, constantly worrying about their salvation and praying for their guidance. [5, 6]
    • He demonstrated patience and understanding, even when faced with challenging situations. [5, 7]
    • His generosity is highlighted in an anecdote about a magical encounter with a goat where he miraculously produced milk and shared it with his companions and the goat itself. [1, 6]
    • He treated everyone with respect and kindness, regardless of their background or beliefs. [8]
    • This is exemplified by his visit to a sick Jewish boy, demonstrating his compassion and universal message of love. [8]

    Other Notable Characteristics:

    • He always spoke the truth and emphasized the importance of honesty and trustworthiness. [9]
    • He stressed the significance of good morals, treating parents, spouses, and children with love and respect. [9]
    • He advocated for earning a halal (lawful) living and discouraged fighting and division within the community. [8, 10]

    The sources present a picture of the Prophet Muhammad as a captivating figure with a strong moral compass and a deep love for his community, emphasizing his physical beauty, compassion, and commitment to unity and righteous living.

    Zaid ibn Thābit and the Quran’s Compilation

    The sources describe the compilation of the Quran, specifically mentioning the role of Zaid bin Sabit in collecting the verses after the Battle of Mu’ta, where 700 Muslim “Hujri” were martyred [1, 2]. Umar (RA) advised Abu Bakr (RA) to compile the Quran to prevent the loss of verses if more “Hafiz” (those who have memorized the Quran) were to be martyred [2]. Initially hesitant, Abu Bakr (RA) agreed and entrusted Zaid bin Sabit with the task [2].

    Zaid bin Sabit insisted on a strict condition: each verse had to be confirmed by at least two witnesses to ensure its accuracy and authenticity [2]. This rigorous process highlights the importance placed on preserving the integrity of the Quran. The source recounts an incident where Zaid initially refused to include a verse because only one witness, Hazrat Khujma bin Sabit, could attest to it [2].

    However, Khujma reminded Zaid that his testimony was considered equivalent to two witnesses due to a past event involving the Prophet [2, 3]. This event involved a dispute over a camel purchase, where Khujma truthfully testified in favor of the Prophet, even though he wasn’t present during the initial agreement [2, 3]. The Prophet, pleased with his honesty, declared that Khujma’s testimony would be considered equal to two witnesses from that day forward [2, 3]. This event demonstrates the high value placed on truthfulness and the Prophet’s recognition of Khujma’s integrity.

    Therefore, the verse in question was ultimately included in the Quran, specifically in Surah Tauba [2, 3]. This anecdote illustrates the meticulous and careful approach taken during the Quran’s compilation, ensuring its accuracy and preservation.

    Islamic Teachings on Righteousness and Community

    The sources highlight some key Islamic teachings, emphasizing righteous actions, personal conduct, and community building.

    Core Teachings:

    • Truthfulness and Trustworthiness: The sources repeatedly emphasize the importance of honesty, advising listeners to “always speak the truth” and “never lie.” [1] This aligns with the story of Hazrat Khujma bin Sabit, whose truthful testimony was highly valued, even equating to two witnesses. [2]
    • Good Morals: The sources stress the significance of good character and kind behavior, urging individuals to “have good morals” and “speak sweetly.” [1] This includes respecting and honoring parents, treating wives and husbands with love and affection, and showing love and care towards children. [1]
    • Halal Earnings: Earning a lawful livelihood is presented as a crucial aspect of Islamic life. The sources warn against engaging in dishonest or unlawful practices for financial gain. [3] This principle is linked to overall well-being, stating that “if the risk is halal then the world is yours and the heaven is also yours.” [3]

    Community and Unity:

    • Avoiding Division and Conflict: The sources discourage creating divisions within the Muslim community based on sectarian differences or ethnic backgrounds. [3] The message promotes unity and brotherhood, advocating for harmonious coexistence and mutual support. [3]
    • Compassion and Kindness: The Prophet’s compassionate nature is highlighted in several instances, like his concern for a sick Jewish boy. [4] This example encourages extending kindness and care to all, regardless of their faith or background.
    • Charity and Generosity: The sources advocate for giving charity, particularly to the less fortunate. Supporting those in need, both financially and emotionally, is presented as a vital aspect of Islamic practice. [4]

    These teachings, presented through anecdotes and direct advice, offer a glimpse into the Islamic emphasis on personal integrity, ethical conduct, and fostering a strong, compassionate community.

    Prophet Muhammad’s Lineage

    The sources provide detailed information about the Prophet Muhammad’s lineage, tracing his ancestry back to Adam. His lineage is presented as a testament to his noble and distinguished heritage.

    The source lists the Prophet’s lineage as follows:

    • Mohammad bin Abdullah bin Abdul Mutballist, Hija bin Baldas bin Yadla bin Tab bin Jahi bin Nash bin Makhi bin Fafi bin Abkar bin Ubaid bin Ad bin Hamdan bin Sanbar bin Yerbi bin Yazan bin Yal Han bin Irwa bin Aadi bin Jishan bin Isar bin Aknad bin Iha bin Muksar bin Nahi bin Jarre bin Sami bin Maji bin Wawj bin Ram bin Qidar bin Ismail bin Ibrahim bin Adar bin Nahar bin Saruj bin Ra bin Faz bin Abi bin Araf Shad bin Sam bin Nuh bin Lamak bin Matle bin Idris bin Yad bin Mal L bin Kanaan bin Anu bin Shees bi Adam al Salam. [1]

    This lineage highlights key figures in Islamic tradition:

    • Ibrahim (Abraham): A revered prophet in Islam, known for his unwavering faith and submission to God.
    • Ismail (Ishmael): Ibrahim’s son, also considered a prophet in Islam and an ancestor of the Prophet Muhammad.
    • Nuh (Noah): A prophet who built the Ark and survived the great flood, according to Islamic teachings.
    • Idris (Enoch): A prophet known for his wisdom and piety.
    • Adam: The first human being and prophet in Islam.

    The source emphasizes that this lineage reflects the Prophet’s noble and pure ancestry. [1] It goes on to describe a conversation between Hazrat Muawiya and someone inquiring about the distinction between the Banu Umayya and Banu Hashim clans. Hazrat Muawiya explains that while both clans were noble, the Banu Hashim consistently produced leaders among the noble people, culminating in the Prophet Muhammad, who embodied the highest level of nobility. [2] This conversation underscores the significance of lineage in Arab culture and how the Prophet’s ancestry contributed to his esteemed position.

    Muslim Unity: A Call for Brotherhood

    The sources emphasize the importance of Muslim unity and strongly discourage divisions within the community. This message is particularly relevant in the context of the speaker’s observations about societal divisions in places like Pakistan, where sectarian and ethnic differences have led to conflict and instability.

    The sources highlight the Prophet Muhammad’s role as a unifier, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds:

    • Bilal from Abyssinia (Ethiopia): A close companion of the Prophet and the first muezzin (the one who calls to prayer) in Islam.
    • Salman from Persia: Another prominent companion known for his knowledge and piety.
    • Soheb from Rome: A companion who embraced Islam despite coming from a distant land and different culture.

    This diversity among the Prophet’s companions demonstrates Islam’s universal message and its ability to transcend cultural and ethnic boundaries.

    The speaker laments the divisions within the Muslim community, citing examples like Barelvis, Deobandis, and other groups. These divisions, often based on theological or interpretational differences, have sometimes led to discord and animosity, contradicting the Prophet’s teachings on unity and brotherhood.

    The sources advocate for several key principles that can foster unity:

    • Focusing on shared values: Instead of dwelling on differences, Muslims should emphasize the core Islamic principles that unite them, such as belief in one God, the Quran, and the Prophet Muhammad.
    • Treating each other with respect and kindness: Regardless of any differences, Muslims should interact with each other with compassion, understanding, and good manners.
    • Avoiding prejudice and discrimination: Muslims should reject any form of prejudice based on ethnicity, nationality, or sect. They should embrace the diversity within the community and view it as a strength.

    The sources conclude with a call for Muslims to “live as comrades”, transcending their differences and working together for the betterment of the community and the wider society. This message resonates with the Prophet’s vision of a united and harmonious Ummah (global Muslim community).

    Most Kind Prophet SAW | Latest Bayan by Molana Tariq Jamil in South Africa

    The Original Text

    Allah did not call any prophet with two of his qualities, he said about our prophet, Bil Mu’mineen, he is rough but soft, he is very soft, Rahim is very kind to you, your lineage, such a face, such Wasim, the heart does not satisfy me, Qasi Mun Wasim Qasim What is called Qasim? Wherever you look, there is beauty, if you are its slave, then brothers, every style of my Prophet is the fashion of my Prophet, so do it the way he did, why do you adopt other fashions, Allah will also look at you with love, Allah’s beloved will also look at you with love See the blessings of your parents, treat your wives well, express your love to your wives, wives should express their love to their husbands, embrace your children in love with them, fulfill your rights again and again, it is not that you have grown up, what should you do [Music] Assalam Walekum Rahmatullah Bamala Rahman Rahim La Salam Ala Ras Kareem Wala Alihi Waab Ajma Ala Bless Qari Sahab, this is one When I recited the verse, Allah Taala was kind and gave me a way to say something. I will talk to you a little about this verse. Which one is it? It is the last verse of Surah Tauba. La kad Zakam Rasool man an fus kum ajaj alehi manam hari sulek. Bil Manina is saying that the right way is true, and that Allah is the right way, and that He is the right way. One speciality of this verse is that when 700 Hujri were martyred in the battle of Mu’ta, there was a false prophet in Muslim, against whom the army of Hazrat Khalid ibn Waleed was 12000. And Muslim’s army went for 6 Hajj and Muslim was defeated in that and the strange thing is that when he was commanding the army and fighting himself, his age was 150 years. At that time, at the age of 150, he was picking up the sword. So people who are 50 years old retire and take up the stick, then in that When 700 Hu Faz companions were martyred, Umar (RA) told Abu Bakr (RA) to collect the Quran. Earlier it was not collected; some verses were with some people and some with another person, so if Hafiz continue to be martyred like this, then it will Then the Quran will be accepted, he started saying that the Prophet of Allah did not do it, how can I do it, then Hazrat R convinced him that this is the need now, well he also agreed, then he called Zaid bin Sabit to Raz Allah Ansari Sahabi, he also agreed to submit the Quran He said that the Prophet of Allah did not do it, how can we do it? Then he explained to them that it is a matter of protecting the Quran, so Bin Sabit put a condition from his side that the verse which was written should be with at least two men. I will write that if any verse is written with any one person, I will not write it in the Quran, this will be true, in my case also two people have to testify, so they decided on their own that it should be with two men I need a verse, when I start looking for this verse, I find only one man Hazrat Khujma bin Sabit Razi Allah had it so they searched further but no one had it but only Hazrat Khojama had it so Zaid Razi Allah Tala An refused saying that I will not include it in the Quran so he said that Don’t you know that my testimony is equivalent to two, he said [Music] Yes, there was a strange incident behind this, when the Prophet of Allah was returning from the journey of Jihad, he liked the camel of a villager, he said sell it, he said yes I will sell it for how much People went and said, I will take this much, there is no mention of it in Hadith Pak, so you said, I will go to Medina and give you the money, so he said, okay, you went ahead, the companions reached from behind, everybody liked that camel, so they started telling him, sell it for this much He started asking for more money than what Allah’s prophet had put in, so his intentions got spoilt and he said, “O Messenger of Allah, give me the money now and take your camel.” So you said, “Brother, we had agreed between us that I will give you the money.” Medina I will give it and take the female camel, he said no there is no one or you give the money right now and take the female camel or I will sell it further, then you said brother then remembering your promise you said present a witness who was the witness there was no one at that time When you two were only there, the companions got angry and the Bedouin said, bring witnesses, you yourself said, there was no witness, so the companions started abusing him that you are trying to insult the Prophet of Allah, then Khujma bin Sabit Razi Allah he said O Messenger of Allah, I testify that you have done the deal of this female camel in this manner, then you said that you were not there at all, how do you testify O Messenger of Allah, you tell the news of the sky and we say that if it is true then this news of the female camel will not accept it as true then you became so happy that you said that from today onwards wherever Khu Zaimah will give testimony it will be equal to two then he reminded Zaid bin Sabit that you do not know my testimony is equal to two then this verse of Quran Become a part of Sur Tauba in this Allah Taala has described the characteristics of his beloved in front of us as a favor and has brought the favor that I sent a great prophet to you Hari Sun Alkam he was always worried about you as if he was worried about you all the time, may the rain come, may the rain come Let the dollar come, let the dollar come, let the rod come, let the dollar come, let the property come, let the plot come, so this prophet of yours is always worried that he should be saved from hell and go to heaven, he should be saved from hell and go to heaven all the time This Ummah keeps on saying Ummah, he always has this desire, greed that you should be saved from hell, you should have faith, then further he describes a strange quality of yours, Bil Mu’mineen Rauf Rahim, Rauf and Rahim are the two quality names of Allah, Arf A Rahim this Allah has two attributes and names. Allah has never called any prophet with two attributes. He said about our prophet Bil Mu’mineen Rauf is rough but soft, very soft, Rahim is very kind to you, let me tell you an incident, a companion came, O Rasul Allah, I have committed a big mistake, you asked what happened, he said, I was fasting, I went to my wife, the fast was of Ramadan So you said, free the slave, whatever is his due reward, freeing the slave he said, I am a poor man, from where can I free the slave, I don’t have even a penny, so you said, then keep 60 fasts and he said, if one fast is a few, then keep 60 fasts what will I do, I have done this in one day then what will I do in 60 days, this will also not happen, you said, then he fed 60 poor people and said I am poor myself whom should I feed, you said sit down, I sat down, some time passed and then I reached a Medinipur That the companion brought a huge basket of dates; O Rasul Allah, distribute it among the fakirs of Madina, then you said, O brother where am I sitting, take it Go and distribute it among 60 houses. He said, O Rasul Allah, I swear by Allah, there is no one poorer than me in Medina. You do this, make my fine halal for me, do it, but you laughed so much that go away, it is halal for you, for someone else This will not happen, Rauf Narm Rahim says that when my Prophet is leading namaz, then like this Mastura comes and Mastura used to follow me, so when I hear the sound of a child crying, then I shorten the recitation and quickly I bow down and say salaam because I cannot bear the sound of a crying child, Subhan Allah, Allah has showered a favor on us, but these words are meant to cause trouble, listen, it is as if I hold someone’s shoulder and say it like this, listen to what I am saying I am saying it is true, when will Zakam come to you, he has not come, who is he, how is his Rasool, Min An Fus, he is from within you, he is from your family and he is from the biggest family of Banu Hashim in which our The water of the Prophet’s progeny used to shift and his forehead used to become bright. Once Hazrat Hashim was passing through Medina. A Jewish woman ‘s gaze fell on him and she saw the light of prophethood on his forehead and said, “Hashim, take 100 camels and spend one night with me.” When he passed by, he said, I am a respectable man, I can never commit adultery. He got married the next day. Two-three days passed from Hazrat Salma in Banu Najjar, and when he was going to the market, that Jewish woman came in front of him. When she was coming I stopped her and said, you were inviting me to sin, get married then she looked at me and said, don’t think of me as a vagabond, I am also respectable, the light on your forehead was prophetic, I wanted to come into my womb but she It was Salma’s fate that she took it, then our Prophet’s father Hazrat Abdullah was going to the market in Mecca, a woman was coming from the front, when she saw you, she started saying that in saving your life 100 camels were needed, take 100 camels from me and spend a night with me, he also said the same thing that I am an honorable person, this can be possible, what did it mean, 100 camels were needed for your life, Hazrat Abdul Mutbalist, I will sacrifice them, Allah gave 15, so let them all be together He did it and said that I had taken a vow that I have to sacrifice one person, are you ready? Today our son is not ready to give us water and he started saying that all 15 of them are ready, whoever’s hand you hold will present his neck, otherwise I will kill him, so he wrote down the names of all of them. And when the slip was thrown, the name of Hazrat Abdullah came out. He was the youngest and the most loved. He held his hand and they started walking towards Safa hill. Then Hazrat Abdullah’s sisters and aunts and other Arab leaders came forward. Among them was one companion, Amar. Bin Aas, his father had not believed, Aas bin Vail is a great character of his, and he said to Abdul Mutley, I will never let this happen, what do you want, that after you people sacrifice their children, then Abdul Mutley He started saying that this is the words of a Sardar, this is not common sense and he also said that a Sardar is standing in front of you, this is also not common sense, I will not let this happen, then a fight broke out and he said let’s go to Madina, there was a place called Ufaan on the way So there was a judge of that time, there was a woman judge named Kana, when the case went to her, she said [music] that when someone is murdered, the heir should not take revenge but should take the price, so how much is it, so she said 10 camels or one Write Abdullah on one slip and 10 camels on another and throw the slip until Abdullah’s name comes out, keep increasing the number of camels by 101 and when the names of camels come out, then leave Abdullah and all the camels gathered in Haram Sharif when he was slaughtered. And at that time there was a Pachiya (milk arrow) and its box had a hole in it, so on one arrow Abdullah was written and on another arrow 10 camels were written and in this way when it was thrown after shaking it, Abdullah’s name came out and then they wrote on it 20 camels and Abdullah then He shook and threw it, Abdullah came out, then 30 camels, then Abdullah 40, then Abdullah 50, then Abdullah 60, then Abdullah 70, then Abdullah 80, then Abdullah 90, then Abdullah, now everyone’s colours turned pale, Abdul Mutlee had 100 camels, so he was also satisfied with 100, there was something wrong Otherwise what would happen later, then Parchin then Abdullah, then 100 camels were written and when Abdullah did not get it right, 100 camels were written on the arrow and on the other side Abdullah came out, then 100 camels were written, then everyone said Allah Akbar, then Abdul Mutle started saying no one more time I will do it, then it was cast and 100 camels came out, then everyone said that it is okay now, I said no once and then did it for the third time and 100 camels came out and the third time Hazrat Abdul Mut agreed and he himself sacrificed 100 camels, when the people of Mecca alone sacrificed 100 camels take it away and if Hazrat Abdullah’s life is saved then that The woman said that your life was saved on 100 camels, I will give you 100 camels, you can spend one night with them. He also said the same thing that his grandfather had said, that I am the son of a Sardar, so I have asked your family to marry me. He has been chosen, if there is anyone of similar family then show him, then you said that Allah Taala looked at the whole world, separated the progeny of Hazrat Adam and Arwah and the Arabs, then Allah put a sieve on the Arabs and from it He separated the children of Mujar, then Mujar But he put a sieve on me and Allah separated Quraish from it. Then he put a sieve on Quraish and separated Hashim from it. Then he put the sieve on Hashim and he said, then Allah chose me from among the progeny of Hashim. I am the most noble progeny and the most noble family. Well, I went to Morita, it is an Arab country in Africa, yes I am sitting in Africa, I don’t remember the poor country, the owner of the religion Hey, they recite this verse La Qad Zakam Rasul, they recite Jabar above Man An Fas Kom Fa, we recite Pesh above Fa, Man An Fus Kum Man Fas, and in many Quran the words are such that because it has seven Qiraat, so Then I understood its meaning in a different way, An Fus Kum is the honor, height and loftiness of the family, once someone asked Hazrat Muawiya, what is the difference between Banu Um and Banu Hash, he said, we were noble people and Hashim was the leader of the noble people, then we We were noble people and Abdul Mutale was the leader of the noble people, then we were noble people and Abu Talib was the leader of the noble people, then Mohammad Mustafa came and took away all the noble people, only this much was left with us, now it is Min An Fusak An fus calls delicate something beautiful, like you say that it is a very delicate thing, no, this is a very delicate thing, or if it is very delicate and beautiful, then it is called delicate, min an fus kum in your There is an indication towards Husn Jamal that I have sent a messenger. The Arabs have a dark complexion. The Arabs have a dark complexion or black or dark skinned i.e. blackish, it is not fair, very little, very little. That is why Abu Lahab’s name is Abdul Uzz, but he is fair. When he was born, his name became Abu Lahab Angara Sese Angara Sur, so the color of Arabs is edge whole blackish or black like you have here African brother, the one whom Allah Taala gave birth to you is Min An Fassam Hazrat Amna Farma. In the nine months I neither felt your pregnancy nor did I know about it nor did I feel any pain. When you were born I did not feel any pain. I did not feel any pain and when you were born, of the many things that come out of the mother’s womb, a drop came out. It did not come out and when you are born, there is a lot of dirt on the child, then he is bathed, you are born clean and absolutely clean, then this navel of the child and the intestine of the mother are joined, that is cut out, you cut your navel Born with a different look, not cut off again Circumcision is done. You were circumcised in your mother’s womb. You were born circumcised. Your navel was cut from your mother’s intestines. When a child is born, it spreads like dirt. When you were born, the fragrance spread throughout the room. It spread so now your midwife was looking at him with surprise that what kind of a child is this, then in that surprise she saw a child lying beside Hazrat Amna, how old is this child, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, half an hour, you are lying like this You suddenly changed sides, like a strong man changes sides, and placed your hands here, and went into Sajda like the big ones do Sajda, whether you lie down or not, raise your knees, raise your hands, and you did Sajda like this, and a long Sajda, and after that, you raised your head from Sajda like this I straightened both my hands, the child cannot even move, what is he doing, he did it like this, placed his chest here, and then raised this hand, and raised his head also, and raised his finger towards the sky like this, what message did you bring from the namaz? I am in Africa, don’t leave me Don’t become a [ _ ] while running after [ _ ], Punjabi people must be wondering what a [ _ ] is called, Ju Ju is called a [ _ ], so you did such a sajda and when you did that, all the light spread out and after that you again became the same child’s child, so Both the midwives got scared, the mother also got scared, they picked him up and took him in their lap, then suddenly the roof of the house tore and brought a cloud from it, that cloud was so thick that you hid inside it, these are the mother’s eyes and this child, but the eyes were wide open The fog is not coming, like it happens in your winters, it is a lot in our place during the winters, so the child is not visible, then a voice came from within that fog, Tafu bahi mash kal aar kill this child and take him around the world, Lir Bashi Vana and Sir, tell the whole world that this is the one whom you will follow and you will be successful, otherwise there will be no difference between you and an animal, this is the one who has come to unite you with Allah, and then a strange voice came that this one is hit by two heads of Adam ‘s morals Give him the sacrifice of Ibrahim Give him the bravery of Jesus, give him the friendship of Ismail and Ibrahim. Give him the sacrifice of Khalilullah, give the knife wielding ability of Saleh, give the wisdom of Lot, give the approval of Isaac, give the beauty of Yusuf, give the intensity of Moses, give the Jihad of Joshua, give the love of Daniel, give the honor of Ilyas. Give me the sweet tongue of David, give me the struggle of Jesus, give him the Wamsa fi Akhlaq Nabin and whatever we gave to the prophets, give it all to him in 15 minutes, whatever our Prophet, 1.25 lakh prophets got, went inside, 63 years of Pani Devi, 63 years of flying How it would be, can anyone guess, one style of my Prophet is more valuable than the earth and sky, it was the fashion of that time, well it was a fashion, so my Prophet adopted a fashion, so it is not possible for us to also like the same fashion, one in Karachi When I was with a friend, his son came; just now the son came and met me; his hair was cut here, the sheep’s hair was cut from here and above it was like this How has he done his hair? He asked, Messi does it like that. I said, I didn’t know who Messi was. I never played football. I said, who is Messi? He said, you don’t know about Messi. I said, no son, I don’t know. He is a great footballer and this is his fashion, that’s why I have adopted his fashion, so brothers, every style of my Prophet is the fashion of my Prophet, so do the same as he did, why do you adopt other fashions, Allah will also look at you with love, Allah Even the Kabi will look at you with love, on the day of judgement every prophet will say, O Allah save my life, parents, wife, children, O Allah save my life, there will only be our and your prophets who will say, O Allah save my Ummah, O Allah save my Ummah, this So this is your birth, then when you became a young man, there is no description of any prophet in the books, the complete description of my prophet is present, when you went after Hijrat and on the way, you felt hungry at one place, there was a tent, an old lady was sitting there, then Hazrat Abu Bakr did He asked mother will I get something to eat, he said son there is nothing, this is the time of saying, then our Prophet said mother take milk from this goat, that goat was not mated with his male goat and the other one was weak, so he said son its So it was not even mated with the goat, there was no mating at all and secondly it has only skin on it, there is no meat, where will the milk come from, he said, give me permission to take it, now since that was a very strange thing happening, so He started looking at you so intently that either he is not an Arab or he does not know that it is an unmarried goat and that too only with skin. You kept the basket under it and touched its udder and it sagged down into a goat. There is a glass of milk, you kept taking out a small glass, you kept taking out, taking out, the entire vessel got filled, when it was full, you first gave it to Abu Bakr, then you gave it to Amir bin Fahra, then you gave it to the leader, later you drank it yourself and then drank it with the goat sat down, then filled it completely and went away, the maximum lifespan of a goat is a few years, after that it or Slaughter it or it will die, it will die this goat remained alive for 22 years due to the blessings of those hands and it was not slaughtered, it died and was not suppressed, you went to the time of Hazrat Usman and got food for the goat that you slaughtered, when you saw its milk you started saying amazing milk Where has this milk come from? She started saying to this goat, are you in your senses, are you in the right mind, do n’t you know this goat, it has neither given birth to a child nor does it have meat on it, has it gone mad? She started saying I was also going crazy at first, a man had come, some magical personality, there was some magic in his hands, he filled it completely and drank it himself and now he has filled it and given it to us, so he started saying, please tell me this, How was it so now she started describing her appearance so first you just listen to the words what is aunt’s in it and what is the colour of the sentences and what kind of pearls are stringed together she started saying rato run hiral wada al jalv hasan khal lam tala lam turi wasi man kaseem fane The F Ash Far Vati Fatehi Kasasa Fan Sa Talala Vaj Talalo Al Kamar Lal Tal Badar Int Kalma Ala Vat Kalma Ala Van Saka Alal Haya Int Kalma Allahu Noor Van Saka Alal Waqar Lam Tani Mil I saw a man Zahir Al Waja whose heart got captured as soon as he saw him. Seeing this my heart gets broken. Neither my family, nor my landlord family, no one knows what a beard is, what a turban is. I spent four months in Tablighi in 1971 with beard and when I returned, the news spread in all the houses. When Jameel came, all the small children of my house, so many 152 children, Tariq Bhai came, Tariq Bhai came, Bhai came, when they saw me, one of my cousins, now Mashallah this trouble with the children has come, trouble has come, all of them ran He went and said in Punjabi, Bhava Bhava has come, Bhava has come, everyone ran but who is this, he captures the heart, now he looks shy as if the moon of Chavi has come down to the earth wearing clothes Hanal Khal has come, extremely beautiful from head to toe, the body is not bulging, do not let your stomach bulge, especially the maulvis, I advise them, I also tell others, do not eat in a hesitant manner, eat in moderation, my It is the Sunnah of the Prophet, the stomach is here, the people themselves are here, the Valm Turi Bahi was so thin that he became sightless, Who is called Wasim, the one who does not satisfy the heart by looking at him is called Wasim, and this one has come in this world, no one has come before Neither will anyone come in future. Yusuf al Salam was beautiful, our prophet Wasim was Wasim and it happens that on seeing him the heart does not get satisfied, the eyes do not get satisfied. When my group went to Canada in 93, I myself said friend I want to see that city, okay and we took them there again in 2000. When the group went I did not say anything, the maqam said let’s go to Nagara, I said let’s go in 97, first 93 then 98 Nagara went, I said let’s go, then in 2000 then my When the group went, Maulana Nagra started saying, I am your friend, don’t lock the water, do not get it removed, get it removed, there is light at night, it is very beautiful, I said, he is not going to sleep at night, the water has to increase, do not get it removed, who is Wasim, whom you see Keep watching, keep watching, die but your heart should not get tired of watching, Allah has created only one, I swear by Allah, he has created only one, Mohammad bin Abdullah bin Abdul Mutballist, Hija bin Baldas bin Yadla bin Tab bin Jahi bin Nash bin Makhi bin Fafi bin Abkar bin. Ubaid bin Ad bin Hamdan bin Sanbar bin Yerbi bin Yazan bin Yal Han bin Irwa bin Aadi bin Jishan bin Isar bin Aknad bin Iha bin Muksar bin Nahi bin Jarre bin Sami bin Maji bin Wawj bin Ram bin Qidar bin Ismail bin Ibrahim bin Adar bin Nahar bin Saruj bin Ra bin Faz bin Abi bin Araf Shad bin Sam bin Nuh bin Lamak bin Matle bin Idris bin Yad bin Mal L bin Kanaan bin Anu bin Shees bi Adam al Salam, such a face, such a Wasim heart, who is called Qasim un Vaman Qasim Qasim, wherever you look, you are his slave, we say friend, so and so’s eyes are very beautiful, it clearly means that the face She is not that beautiful, her eyes are very beautiful, her hair is very beautiful and her body is very beautiful and what was my prophet, I swear by the God who made me stand here and gathered you all, from a single hair to the nail of the toe, wherever you look, there is beauty I was standing with folded hands, may Allah bless that lady, what did she say, it has been 1400 years, the maulvis are getting tired of translating, I swear by Allah this is also a bit of Arabic, Allah has given me a great passion but I searched for the words but I swear by Allah I cannot describe it nor can anyone make the mike red, Qasim, look from the front, look from the back, look from the right, look from the left, look at the head, look at the forehead, look at the eyes, look at the eyebrows, look at the nose, look at the beard, look at the neck, look at the chest. Look at the hands Look at her thighs, there is only beauty, she had thick eyes, black hair was coming, these hairs are called ‘Afar’ in Arabic, their hair should be like a bow, like the girls of today, they make a real bow, they make a fool and on top she She does it like this by applying a pencil, earlier also the hair used to be of a long length, these hairs were long on this side, girls do not wear long hair to look beautiful, then the second rate one is immediately caught, then the essence of beauty is lost, This angel of heaven had such long hair. The prophet of Allah said that her height would be 60 hands and 130 feet. So these hairs of hers, these hairs would be like a big eagle spreading its wings, they would be so long, each of her hairs would be so long -One hair, how would his eyes be, how would his face be, just show a finger to the sun, finger tip, finger tip the sun would sink in front of him just like the stars are sinking right now, the sunlight would sink on his finger tip Falhi Kasasa’s beard is very beautiful and thick. My hair has become thin with age. Thick beard. Neck is slanting. There is no fat on the neck. All the body parts are straight. Tall stature. Long arms are long. Open palm is long. Other long fingers are slanting. And Sadar Cheena Pet Barabar, if we copy it then Allah may make us pass, people copy here, boys, here it is the rule of blacks and it must seem even more, I too always used to pass by copying because I was not fond of studying I was fond of singing, Junaid Jamshed, later I became Gulu’s, I was Gulu’s in the sixties, in primary school, high school, colleges like Government College Lahore, if you imitate your prophet, you will not pass, Allah has liked only one and Allah did not take an oath on any prophet like we do not say, I swear on your life, this is an oath of love, it is not justified but in our India-Pakistan environment, brother, I swear on your life, Allah did not take an oath on anyone, my beloved, I swear on your life I swear what will happen to him friend Learn him, read him, follow him, adopt his life, I take permission by telling you a hadith, my prophet said, do four things, this world is yours, the afterlife is also yours, I did not bring my fifth thumb, do four things, what is the hadith to Sid, always speak the truth, never lie, second What is Amanah, do not deceive anyone, do not do double-dealing, what is the third thing, have good morals, speak sweetly, take blessings from parents, do not take curses, Imam Bukhari has not copied the incident in Al Adab ul Mufar, but in Kitab Tarikh, he has copied the incident When we reached a village, after the effect, a grave cracked open and a man came out of it and his face and head was like that of a donkey, he made a sound three times like a donkey and then went into the grave and the grave got closed, he was surprised and asked this What did you say brother, he was a drunkard, his mother used to stop him, then he used to say, do you keep talking like a donkey, whenever she would stop him, he would say, do you keep talking like a donkey, so since the day he died Every day he is taken out of the grave It takes out a sperm and its face is like that of a donkey, take blessings from your parents, treat your wives well, express your love to your wives, wives should express their love to their husbands, embrace your children for loving this, again and again claim your rights, it is not that You have grown up now, what should you do, this increases love, give them respect, love them, they themselves have children, still treat them like a child and hug them, see what effects it has, till date this has been my practice since I started I read the life of the Prophet of Allah. Allah has given me the ability. If my daughters come, I would stand up. We are responsible people. We do not stand up for the poor. Whatever is our Taqbal, I will stand up for my daughters. Give me respect for yourself. Your children should love you with all their heart. If you have a family living with you, then do not fight among yourselves for money. Do not race for it. The competitor is here, the competitor is here, do not be afraid of him either. Risk is your destiny, it will come, spend on these poor black people, give Zakat to your own people but give them Sadaqa (charity), if they are sick, ask about their well being, if they are getting married, congratulate them, if they die, regret for them because of this This should be believed. You people have created two sections, one is Asian section and one is African section, there is no mixing between the two. My Prophet has brought everyone together, Bilal of Hash, Salman of Iran, Soheb of Rome, everyone was brought together, the Jewish boy is sick. How far did he live? He lived 7 miles away. Banu Qurza lived ahead of Masjid Quba. When you came to know about it, you went on foot to inquire about his well being. The Jewish boy was not the son of his uncle. The Jewish boy was ahead. He was dying and his father was near him in the Torah. He was reciting the Kalma and said, son, Kul la ilaha illallah, so he saw the father like this, then he said, Ate Bal Kasam, you knew the unfortunate one to be the true prophet, he said, believe in Abul Qasim, then he recited the Kalma and lost his life, my prophet was standing, you are like this went to On the paws, wow, wow, Allah saved him from hell through me, how happy was my prophet, how happy are you, my time is over with Fala company, now the random people have gone, my prophet is happy with whom, a Jewish boy Alhamdulillah, Allah saved him from disbelief because of me. If you stand in such claws, then let’s move on, brother. The world is a place to walk. I first came here in 91. Perhaps very few of you would have been where I was at that time when my statement was given yesterday. Our group stayed in Mayfair for two days, after that we went to Azad Will, then we went to Cape Town, Wooster, from there we came back to Durban and from there to Spingo Beach, then from there to Madrasa Zakaria, then from there we went back to this I have a brief map of 91 in my mind, it has been 33 years, at that time there was an Istima, Maulana sahab, there was such a huge crowd that the people sitting there had named it Istima, and there were so many people sitting there, and In the story, yesterday, where I have stated that there were 50 people who were listening to the sermon after two days of hard work, yesterday there were 5000 people, the mosque itself had become crowded, so it is Allah’s grace that the work of Tabligh has progressed in such a way here that in three days You can go everywhere, I do three days’ work, you can easily do three days, 40 days, four months, if Allah gives you courage then do it, do three days, do not lie, do not cheat, do not abuse, do not earn haram risk, it is fun, the fourth thing remained. It was this, what is the fourth thing, earn halal risk, a hadith, true religiousness, good morals and if the risk is halal then the world is yours and the heaven is also yours, all the brothers, you intend to do this, and do not leave namaz, if the mosque is nearby then do not pray at home, go to the mosque and pray. If the mosque is far away then it is okay, it is a compulsion, but if the mosque is nearby then go to the mosque and offer namaz, observe Friday prayers, observe fasts, if Zakat is obligatory then pay it in full, do not cheat any non-Muslim here, do not create groups among yourselves. Be it, this is Indian, we are Pakistani and these are Punjabis, we are Pathans, go and see the condition of Pakistan, it has become a heap of dust, because of these things, now we cannot go anywhere else, we are 70 years old, where will we go now, we can only go to these It was not only the government that ruined the thing, the country was ruined by the people, as is your drum, so is my tune, as are the people, so are the rulers, hence the country got destroyed, the entire community is guilty of this, so live as comrades among yourselves Some are Barelvi, some are Deobandi, some are there, live with love, live with affection, don’t get into fights and then enjoy the joy of paradise in this world, okay brother, read Dash, Alkal Hamd kama Anta Fasalela Muhammad kama at al Fal bana ma ata itawa ma O Allah, please populate this mosque as big as it is, fill it like a manger, fill it with worshippers, it is so beautiful, it is so beautiful, spread Islam here, spread faith here, end the confusion between black and white here. End the confusion of Indians and Pakistanis, end the confusion of Punjabis and Gujaratis, become people who walk together as a community and may Allah be pleased with us all, wa sallah tala nabi kareem alam wakar [Music]

    By Amjad Izhar
    Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
    https://amjadizhar.blog

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  • The Unbounded Mind: Exploring Our Shared Consciousness

    The Unbounded Mind: Exploring Our Shared Consciousness

    The provided text, likely excerpts from a book titled “One Mind” by Larry Dossey, explores the concept of a unified consciousness that transcends individual minds and connects all living beings. The author presents anecdotal evidence, scientific theories such as nonlocality and entanglement, and philosophical perspectives to support the idea that our minds are not isolated but are part of a larger, interconnected awareness. The text examines various phenomena, including telepathy, premonitions, shared experiences, animal behavior, and near-death experiences, through the lens of this “One Mind” theory, suggesting a fundamental interconnectedness that has implications for our understanding of consciousness, healing, and our relationship with the world. Ultimately, the text posits the “One Mind” as a source of wisdom, creativity, and a potential solution to the challenges facing humanity, urging a shift from a materialistic worldview to one that embraces this deeper unity.

    The One Mind: Collective Consciousness and Interconnectedness

    The concept of the One Mind as presented in the sources refers to a collective, unitary domain of intelligence of which all individual minds are a part. It is described as an overarching, inclusive dimension to which all the mental components of all individual minds belong. This perspective suggests that the separateness of individual minds is an illusion, and at some level, all minds come together to form a single mind.

    Here are some key aspects of the One Mind concept discussed in the sources:

    • Nonlocality: A fundamental characteristic of the One Mind is its nonlocality. This means that individual minds are not confined or localized to specific points in space (like brains or bodies) or time (like the present). Instead, minds are spatially and temporally infinite, suggesting that the connectedness of minds transcends physical distance and time.
    • Importance: The concept of the One Mind is presented as potentially vital for addressing global challenges such as division, selfishness, and destruction. Recognizing our interconnectedness through the One Mind can lead to a recalibration of our ethical stance, inspiring us to “Be kind to others, because in some sense they are you”. It can also foster cooperation, heightened imagination, and creativity.
    • Experiencing the One Mind: Individuals may encounter the One Mind in various ways, such as transcendent moments, epiphanies, creative breakthroughs, or inexplicably acquired information. It can also manifest as shared emotions, thoughts, or feelings between people at a distance, including spouses, siblings, twins, and even across species.
    • Evidence and Manifestations: The book explores a wide range of phenomena as glimpses of the One Mind. These include:
    • Acts of selfless saving, where the rescuer’s consciousness seems to fuse with the person in need.
    • Experiences of telepathy and the sense of being stared at, suggesting a direct mind-to-mind connection.
    • The coordinated behavior of large groups of animals, implying shared, overlapping minds.
    • Near-death experiences (NDEs), where individuals report contact with a transcendent domain and access to universal knowledge.
    • Reincarnation phenomena.
    • Communication with the deceased.
    • The remarkable abilities of savants, who possess knowledge seemingly beyond their individual learning.
    • The deep connections and shared experiences of twins, even when separated.
    • Telesomatic events, where distant individuals experience similar physical sensations.
    • Experiences of remote viewing and precognition.
    • The One Mind is Not a Homogeneous Blob: Despite the interconnectedness, the One Mind does not result in a featureless muddle. Specificity and individuality are preserved in One-Mind experiences. The analogy of stem cells is used, suggesting the One Mind awaits instructions and prompting to manifest in unique ways.
    • Relationship to the Brain: The book challenges the dominant view that the brain produces consciousness. Instead, it explores the idea that the brain may function as an intermediary or receiver for the mind, which originates from a broader, nonlocal source.
    • Connection to Ancient Wisdom and Modern Science: The concept of the One Mind has ancient roots in various wisdom traditions and is also finding resonance in modern science through concepts like quantum entanglement and the idea of a holographic universe.
    • The Self and the One Mind: While some may fear losing individuality, the One Mind perspective suggests that the illusion of separateness can be overcome to realize a deeper unity. This can lead to a sense of shared identity and fellowship.
    • Is the One Mind God? The book addresses the question of whether the One Mind equates to God, noting similarities such as omniscience, omnipresence, and eternality. While some, like Erwin Schrödinger, saw the One Mind as God, the book also emphasizes potential differences and the importance of recognizing gradations of being.
    • Accessing the One Mind: Various pathways to experiencing the One Mind are discussed, including meditation, reverie, prayer, dreams, and love. The key seems to involve a letting go of the discursive, rational mind and approaching with respect and an openness to a source of wisdom beyond oneself.

    Ultimately, the One Mind concept, as presented in the sources, offers a paradigm shift in understanding consciousness, suggesting a fundamental interconnectedness that has profound implications for our understanding of ourselves, our relationship with the world, and our potential for collective action and spiritual growth.

    Nonlocal Consciousness and the One Mind

    The concept of nonlocal consciousness is central to the idea of the One Mind, as discussed in the sources.

    Definition of Nonlocal Consciousness:

    • Nonlocality of consciousness means that individual minds are not confined or localized to specific points in space, such as brains or bodies, nor to specific points in time, such as the present.
    • Instead, minds are spatially and temporally infinite.
    • Nonlocal mind is a term coined to express this spatially and temporally infinite aspect of our consciousness.

    Relationship to the One Mind:

    • The nonlocality of consciousness is presented as the ultimate argument for the One Mind.
    • Because individual minds are not confined, the separateness of minds is considered an illusion.
    • At a fundamental level, all minds come together to form a single mind due to their nonlocal nature.
    • The One Mind is described as an overarching, inclusive dimension to which all the mental components of all individual minds belong. Nonlocality makes this interconnectedness possible.

    Evidence and Manifestations of Nonlocal Consciousness:

    The book explores various phenomena as evidence for nonlocal consciousness and its manifestation in the One Mind:

    • Telepathy: The ability to share thoughts, emotions, and even physical sensations with a distant individual without sensory contact. This suggests that minds are not bounded by physical distance.
    • Remote Viewing and Clairvoyance: The capacity to demonstrate detailed knowledge of distant scenes or find hidden objects without sensory means. This indicates that awareness extends beyond the physical body.
    • Premonitions: Acquiring valid information about future events. This points to a consciousness that is not limited by linear time.
    • Near-Death Experiences (NDEs): Experiences of direct contact with a transcendent domain, often accompanied by a sense of unity and access to universal knowledge, occurring when the brain is significantly impaired. This challenges the idea that consciousness is solely a product of the brain.
    • Shared Experiences: Instances where spouses, siblings, twins, lovers, or groups share emotions, thoughts, or feelings at a distance. Telesomatic events, where distant individuals experience similar physical sensations, also fall under this category.
    • Animal Behavior: The coordinated behavior of large groups of animals, suggesting shared, overlapping minds. The ability of lost animals to return home across vast distances without known sensory cues also hints at nonlocal connections.
    • Savants: Individuals with remarkable abilities or knowledge seemingly beyond their individual learning, possibly tapping into the One Mind.
    • Experiences of Twins: The deep connections and shared experiences of twins, even when separated, suggest a fundamental link in consciousness.

    Challenge to the Brain-Centric View:

    • The concept of nonlocal consciousness directly challenges the dominant view in science that the brain produces consciousness. This brain-as-producer model struggles to explain nonlocal phenomena.
    • The book explores the alternative idea that the brain may function as an intermediary or receiver for the mind, which originates from a broader, nonlocal source.
    • The persistence of coherent experiences during unconsciousness in NDEs further challenges the brain-as-sole-generator theory.

    Implications of Nonlocal Consciousness:

    • The realization of nonlocal consciousness and the One Mind can lead to a sense of felt unity with all other minds, conveying renewed meaning, purpose, and possibility.
    • It fosters the understanding that we are all deeply interconnected, potentially inspiring compassion, responsibility, and cooperation in addressing global challenges. As stated, recognizing our interconnectedness can lead to the ethical stance of being kind to others because “in some sense they are you” [The initial summary provided before the sources].
    • Nonlocal consciousness suggests that information and knowledge are potentially accessible beyond the limitations of individual experience.

    In conclusion, nonlocal consciousness, as presented in the sources, posits that the mind transcends the physical constraints of the brain and body, existing in a spatially and temporally infinite domain. This nonlocality underpins the concept of the One Mind, a unitary field of consciousness of which all individual minds are a part. The existence of various seemingly paranormal phenomena is presented as evidence for this nonlocal nature of consciousness, challenging conventional, brain-centric views and suggesting profound implications for our understanding of ourselves and our interconnectedness with the world.

    One Mind: Shared Experiences and Interconnectedness

    The sources discuss various forms of shared experiences, suggesting a fundamental interconnectedness between individuals, which aligns with the concept of the One Mind. These experiences often transcend typical sensory limitations and point to a deeper level of shared consciousness.

    Here are some key types of shared experiences discussed in the sources:

    • Shared Emotions, Thoughts, and Feelings at a Distance: The sources provide numerous examples of individuals sharing emotions, thoughts, or feelings with distant loved ones, such as spouses, siblings, twins, and close friends.
    • A mother inexplicably sensed her young daughter was in trouble and then received a call about her daughter’s car accident.
    • A young academic in New York awoke knowing her twin in Arizona was in trouble, which coincided with a car bomb exploding near her sister’s apartment.
    • Dr. Larry Dossey notes that these One-Mind experiences involve unbounded, extended awareness.
    • Telesomatic Events: These involve individuals separated by distance experiencing similar physical sensations or actual physical changes.
    • A mother writing to her daughter felt a severe burning in her right hand at the same time her daughter’s right hand was burned by acid in a lab accident.
    • A woman suddenly felt severe chest pain and knew something had happened to her daughter Nell, who had simultaneously been in a car accident with a steering wheel penetrating her chest.
    • The case of the infant twins Ricky and Damien suggests a telesomatic link with survival value, as Ricky’s distress alerted his mother to Damien suffocating.
    • These events often occur between people with emotional closeness and empathy.
    • Shared Dreams: The sources mention instances where multiple people report similar dreams on the same night or dream of each other in a common space.
    • The example of the two Japanese women who had strikingly similar dreams of one stabbing the other in a hotel lobby illustrates mutual dreaming.
    • Anthropologist Marianne George experienced shared dreams with a Barok female leader in New Guinea, whose instructions in the dream were later verified by her sons, highlighting the possibility of dream communication across distance.
    • A curious historical anecdote describes a shared dream of a rat attack between individuals living 143 miles apart, suggesting that shared anxieties and dreams can occur even in modern cultures.
    • Shared-Death Experiences (SDEs): These are near-death-like experiences that happen to healthy individuals in the proximity of a loved one who is dying.
    • Raymond Moody first heard of SDEs from a Dr. Jamieson who, upon her mother’s death, found herself out of her body with her mother, witnessing a mystical light and deceased relatives.
    • Moody and his siblings experienced a shared sense of joy and a change in the light of the room as their mother died, with one brother-in-law reporting an out-of-body experience with her.
    • SDEs often include elements of NDEs such as tunnel experiences, bright light, out-of-body sensations, and a life review. A key difference is the shared sensation of a mystical light by several healthy people, which challenges the idea that the light in NDEs is solely a result of a dying brain. Another feature is the observation of an apparent mist leaving the dying person.
    • Collective Experiences in Groups: The sources allude to shared mental states in larger groups.
    • The coordinated behavior of large animal groups like herds, flocks, and schools suggests shared, overlapping minds.
    • The Nuremberg Rallies are presented as an example of how coherent thought and solidarity can be fostered in a large group, though for destructive purposes.
    • The experience of the Hotshot firefighting crew, where each member had a near-death experience during a life-threatening fire, sometimes appearing in each other’s NDE, demonstrates a collective fear-death experience with overlapping elements.
    • Empathy and Pro-Social Behavior: The demonstrated empathy in rats, where a free rat persistently works to liberate a trapped cagemate, suggests a shared emotional experience and a drive towards pro-social behavior. This indicates that shared feelings and a sense of connection may extend beyond humans and influence actions.

    These diverse examples illustrate the concept of shared consciousness extending beyond the individual, supporting the notion of a One Mind where the boundaries of individual awareness are more permeable than conventionally understood. The emotional closeness between individuals appears to be a significant factor in many of these shared experiences. The sources suggest that recognizing these connections can foster compassion and a sense of shared responsibility.

    Animal Minds and Human-Animal Connections

    The sources provide extensive discussion on animal connections, both among animals and between humans and animals, often linking these connections to the concept of the One Mind.

    Connections Among Animals:

    • The book explores the highly coordinated behavior of large groups of animals such as bison herds, wildebeest migrations, passenger pigeon flocks, starling murmurations, and schools of fish. These movements often appear unified, as if the group is a single entity.
    • Swarm intelligence is presented as one scientific explanation, where local interactions between individuals lead to intelligent group behavior without centralized control. However, the book also notes that some biologists suspect this theory doesn’t fully account for the speed and coordination observed, with some speculating about “collective thinking” or telepathy.
    • Rupert Sheldrake’s morphic fields hypothesis is introduced as a potential explanation for this nonsensory group intelligence. He suggests that these fields of influence, shaped by evolution, operate nonlocally and facilitate communication within groups, acting as an evolutionary basis for telepathy. The coordinated movements happen too quickly for sensory explanations like vision alone.
    • The book also discusses animal grief and mourning, citing examples of elephants gathering around the dead, burying them, and revisiting the site, as well as similar behaviors in dogs, horses, and gorillas. The “magpie funeral” and crows reacting to a crow being shot are also given as examples of apparent collective responses.
    • Evidence of empathy and pro-social behavior in animals is presented, such as the study where lab rats would persistently work to free a trapped cagemate, even when offered chocolate as an alternative. This suggests innate, unselfish behavior in animals.

    Connections Between Humans and Animals:

    • Numerous anecdotes and some experimental evidence are provided to illustrate a deep and often inexplicable bond between humans and animals.
    • Returning lost pets are a key example, such as Bobbie the Collie who traveled 2,800 miles over six months to return to his owners. The book challenges conventional explanations like a highly developed sense of smell over such distances and between species, proposing instead that the minds of the animal and owner are part of a larger One Mind, allowing a sharing of information often associated with love and caring. Similar cases of cats returning home over long distances are also mentioned.
    • Animals reacting to the needs and emotions of distant owners are discussed. The case of Prince, the dog who became disconsolate when his soldier owner returned to the front in World War I and then disappeared, is given as an example. Susan Armstrong’s experience of her dog suddenly killing a parakeet at the exact moment she felt a violent emotion while gardening outside also suggests a distant emotional link.
    • Anticipation of an owner’s return by pets, even when the time or mode of transport is varied and unknown to others in the household, is highlighted, referencing Rupert Sheldrake’s experiments. This suggests a bond operating at a distance in both space and time.
    • Pets detecting their owners’ moods, thoughts, and intentions are commonly reported. Sheldrake’s survey found that a significant percentage of dog and cat owners believed their pets responded to their thoughts or silent commands and were sometimes telepathic.
    • Instances of animals rescuing humans and humans rescuing animals are presented as evidence of the One Mind uniting different species. Mythologist Joseph Campbell and philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer’s idea of minds fusing at critical moments is extended to interspecies rescues, suggesting that the rescuer, in a sense, is rescuing itself. Examples include dolphins protecting swimmers from sharks and a horse charging a cow to save its owner.
    • The phenomenon of apparent distant, cross-species communication is mentioned, such as Queen Elizabeth’s dogs barking when she reaches the gate half a mile away.
    • Dreams involving animals that seem to have a connection to real-world events are noted, such as Jim Harrison’s vivid dream about his neighbor’s missing dogs, which corresponded to the path they took.
    • The historical and cultural reverence for animals and beliefs about their connection to the spiritual realm are briefly touched upon, using the example of bees in various cultures.

    Overall, the sources present a compelling case for significant connections between animals and between humans and animals that go beyond conventional sensory explanations. These connections are presented as supportive evidence for the concept of a unitary One Mind that encompasses all sentient creatures. The book suggests that recognizing these profound links can foster compassion and a sense of interconnectedness with the wider web of life.

    Limits of Science: Consciousness and the Unknown

    The sources discuss several limits of science, both inherent and self-imposed, particularly in its understanding of mind, consciousness, and related phenomena.

    Firstly, the very nature of mind and consciousness poses a significant limit to scientific inquiry as currently practiced. Dr. Dossey recounts an interaction with an Indian physician who pointed out the multiple levels of consciousness, a subtlety often overlooked in Western science. The author acknowledges the difficulty in providing a specific definition of mind and consciousness that satisfies all perspectives. He suggests that perhaps these terms are best left with a degree of deliberate ambiguity.

    Furthermore, there’s a “tool problem” in trying to comprehend consciousness with the mind itself, likened to seeing one’s eye with one’s eye. Similarly, the writer’s tool of language is deemed insufficient to fully describe the unification of individual minds in a unitary One Mind. Bohr’s analogy of cleaning plates with dirty water and dishcloths illustrates this limitation of using unclear concepts to understand nature. Because of this, Dr. Dossey frequently relies on individual experiences, which he argues are essential for grasping the complementarity between individual minds and the One Mind, even if skeptics dismiss them as “mere anecdotes”. Max Planck’s quote underscores this, stating that science cannot solve the ultimate mystery of nature because we are part of that mystery.

    The sources also highlight self-imposed limits of science, often stemming from dogmatic assumptions and “pathological disbelief”. Nobel physicist Brian Josephson terms the staunch refusal to consider evidence for a nonlocal, unified aspect of mind as “pathological disbelief”. This is compared to 18th-century scientists denying the existence of meteorites despite physical evidence because “stones cannot fall from the sky”. A similar dogmatism persists today, with many scientists insisting consciousness cannot exist outside the brain and body, disregarding evidence suggesting otherwise. This “aggressive, hubristic pathological disbelief” not only disgraces scientific tradition but also diminishes the “hope of wisdom” needed for survival. Rupert Sheldrake also argues that science is being constricted by assumptions that have hardened into dangerous dogmas.

    The arrogance and certainty that science knows more than it does also create serious obstacles in understanding consciousness. Wes Nisker’s playful suggestion to publicly admit “we don’t know what the hell’s going on here” serves as a corrective to this hubris.

    Methodologically, science faces limitations when trying to study certain phenomena. J. B. Priestley suggests that precognitive dreams and similar experiences might wither away when brought into the controlled environment of scientific experiment. Similarly, the One Mind, thriving on uncertainty and freedom, is not easily studied through formalized entry methods, which can become a trap. The attempt to study prayer in highly artificial ways is given as another example of how concretization can hinder understanding.

    Historically, science has often shown resistance to new ideas, with prominent scientists facing ridicule and opposition for challenging established views. The image of the open-minded scientist is contrasted with the reality of narrow-mindedness, dullness, and even stupidity that can exist within the scientific community, as noted by Nobel laureate James Watson and psychologist Hans Eysenck. Prejudice against consciousness research is openly admitted in some cases. Furthermore, science has been accused of “skimming off the top,” accepting data that aligns with the prevailing paradigm and ignoring contradictory evidence.

    The sources also touch upon the limits of science in fully grasping the concept of “self”. While spiritual traditions have long addressed the illusion of a fixed self, science’s attempts to eradicate the self might be an overreach, potentially killing off consciousness as well. Carl Jung believed it’s absurd to suppose existence can only be physical, as our immediate knowledge is psychic.

    However, the sources also suggest that acknowledging these limits can be an opportunity for science to expand. Lewis Thomas recognized the importance of admitting our ignorance. Sir Arthur Eddington’s quote, “Something unknown is doing we don’t know what,” is presented as an excellent motto for exploring beyond-the-brain-and-body phenomena, emphasizing humility, awe, and wonder, which Socrates considered the beginning of wisdom. The call for “more and better science” includes a science that embraces the “hope of wisdom” and recognizes our interconnectedness with life on Earth. By ceasing to sacrifice empirical findings to protect pet notions, science can evolve and contribute to a more holistic understanding of reality.

    By Amjad Izhar
    Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
    https://amjadizhar.blog

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  • The Nature and Nuance of Music

    The Nature and Nuance of Music

    Philip Ball’s The Music Instinct explores the multifaceted nature of music, examining its scientific underpinnings and its profound impact on human experience. The book investigates how our brains process sound, perceive melody and harmony, and respond emotionally to music across diverse cultures and historical periods. Ball considers the universality of music, the evolution of musical scales and structures, and the ongoing debate about music’s meaning and purpose. Through explorations of acoustics, psychology, neuroscience, and cultural studies, the book seeks to understand why music is so integral to humanity.

    The Science and Art of Music

    Music is not simply a kind of mathematics but rather a remarkable blend of art and science, logic and emotion, physics and psychology. The study of how music works involves both scientific investigation and an appreciation for its artistic qualities.

    Here are some aspects of the relationship between music and science discussed in the sources:

    • The Physics of Sound and Music: Musical notes can be understood in terms of their acoustic frequencies. The relationship between pitch and frequency seems simple, with higher frequencies generally corresponding to higher pitches. However, the selection of discrete notes used in music across cultures is not solely determined by nature. The interaction of nature and culture shapes the diverse palettes of notes found in different musical traditions. Helmholtz combined his knowledge of the ear’s workings with the mathematics of vibration to understand how we hear tones, producing a significant early scientific exposition on music cognition in his 1863 book “On the Sensations of Tone as a Physiological Basis for the Theory of Music”. He also explored the ancient question of consonance, noting the historical preference for intervals with simple frequency ratios.
    • The Neuroscience of Music: When we listen to music, our brains perform complex feats of filtering, ordering, and prediction automatically and unconsciously. Neuroscience seeks to identify which brain regions are used for different musical tasks, providing insights into how the brain classifies and interprets music. For example, pitch perception appears to be mostly localized in the right hemisphere. Pitch intervals and melody are processed in areas like Heschl’s gyrus and the planum temporale. The brain also engages in sophisticated streaming and binding of sound to distinguish different musical elements and create a coherent perception. Musical training can alter the brain, leading to more analytical processing in musicians and changes in the corpus callosum and auditory cortex. However, the precise link between the rich experience of music and brain activity remains a significant challenge for neuroscience. The “Mozart Effect,” which suggested a positive effect of listening to Mozart on general intellect, has been qualified by findings showing that children might respond best to their favorite kind of music, leading to the idea of a “Blur Effect” as well.
    • Music Cognition and Psychology: The science of music cognition is increasingly exploring the universal aspects of music by breaking it down into basic structural elements like pitch, tone, and rhythm. However, emotional, social, and cultural factors also significantly influence music perception. For instance, the perception of melodic pitch steps shows probability distributions that are fairly universal across Western and many other musical traditions. Music psychologists study how we process melodies, which involves learning expectations about pitch steps. They also investigate how we decode sound, including the streaming and binding of different musical voices. The field of music and emotion has become central to music cognition, moving away from purely atomistic dissections of music to examine responses to actual music. Theories like Meyer’s and Narmour’s attempt to explain emotional responses in terms of expectation, tension, and release.
    • Music as Organized Sound: Avant-garde composer Edgar Varèse defined his music as “organized sound,” distinguishing his experimental sonic explorations from conventional music. This definition highlights the role of organization in what we perceive as music, although the listener also actively participates in this organization.
    • Music and Language: Some researchers propose an evolutionary link between music and language, suggesting a common ancestral “musilanguage”. This theory posits that musilanguage might have contained features like lexical tone, combinatorial phrases, and expressive phrasing. Even today, non-vocal music seems to share speech-like patterns, such as pitch contours (prosody). Studies suggest that the rhythmic and melodic patterns of language may have shaped the music of composers from the same linguistic background. While there are neurological dissociations between language and music processing (amusia and aphasia), some theories suggest that syntactic processing in both domains might share neural resources.
    • The Meaning of Music: The question of whether music has inherent meaning is debated. Some believe music is purely formal and does not “say” anything. Others argue that music can convey and elicit emotions , although the precise relationship is complex. Musical affect might arise from underlying principles that can be analyzed rationally. Composers and musicians intuitively manipulate human characteristics to create musical effects.

    In conclusion, the study of music is deeply intertwined with various scientific disciplines. Acoustics provides the foundation for understanding musical sound, neuroscience explores the brain’s engagement with music, and music cognition investigates how we perceive and process musical information. While music is undoubtedly an art form, scientific inquiry continues to shed light on the intricate mechanisms underlying our musical experiences.

    The Fundamentals of Musical Scales

    Musical scales are fundamental to most musical traditions, serving as the set of pitches from which melodies and harmonies are constructed. They represent a selection of discrete pitches from the continuous spectrum of audible frequencies.

    Here are key aspects of musical scales discussed in the sources:

    • Definition and Basic Concepts: A musical scale is a set of discrete pitches within the octave that a tradition uses to build its music. Unlike the smoothly varying pitch of a siren, a scale is like a staircase of frequencies. Most musical systems are based on the division of pitch space into octaves, a seemingly fundamental aspect of human pitch perception. Within this octave, different cultures choose a subset of potential notes to form their scales. This selection is not solely determined by nature but arises from an interaction of nature and culture.
    • Western Scales and Their Development:
    • Pythagorean Scales: One of the earliest theoretical frameworks for Western scales is attributed to Pythagoras, though the knowledge was likely older. Pythagorean scales are derived mathematically from the harmonious interval of a perfect fifth, based on the simple frequency ratio of 3:2. By repeatedly stepping up by a perfect fifth from a tonic and folding the resulting notes back into an octave, the major scale can be generated. This scale has an uneven pattern of whole tones and semitones. The Pythagorean system aimed to place music on a solid mathematical footing, suggesting music was a branch of mathematics embedded in nature. However, the cycle of fifths in Pythagorean tuning does not perfectly close, leading to an infinite number of potential notes, which can be problematic if music modulates between many keys.
    • Diatonic Scales: Western music inherited diatonic scales from Greek tradition, characterized by seven tones between each octave. The major and minor scales became the basis of most Western music from the late Renaissance to the early twentieth century. Each note of a diatonic scale has a specific order, with the tonic being the starting and central note.
    • Chromatic Scale: In addition to the seven diatonic notes, there are five other notes within an octave (like the black notes on a piano within a C major scale). The scale that includes all twelve semitones is called the chromatic scale, and music that uses notes outside the diatonic scale is considered chromatic.
    • Modes: Before diatonic scales became dominant, Western music utilized modes, which can be thought of as scales using the same notes but starting in different places, each with a different sequence of step heights. Medieval modes had anchoring notes called the final and often a reciting tone called the tenor. The Ionian and Aeolian modes introduced later are essentially the major and a modern minor scale, respectively.
    • Accidentals, Transposition, and Modulation: Sharps and flats (accidentals) were added to the modal system to preserve pitch steps when transposing melodies to different starting notes (keys). This also enabled modulation, the process of moving smoothly from one key to another, which became central to Western classical music. Transposition and modulation necessitate the introduction of new scales and notes.
    • Non-Western Scales: Musical scales vary significantly across cultures.
    • Javanese Gamelan: Gamelan music uses non-diatonic scales like pélog and sléndro, which have different interval structures compared to Western scales. The sléndro scale is a rare exception with equal pitch steps.
    • Indian Music: The Indian subcontinent has a rich musical tradition with non-diatonic scales that include perfect fifths. North Indian music employs thirty-two different scales (thats) of seven notes per octave, drawn from a palette of twenty-two possible pitches. These scales (ragas) have tunings that can differ significantly from Western scales.
    • Arab-Persian Music: This tradition also uses pitch divisions smaller than a semitone, with estimates ranging from fifteen to twenty-four potential notes within an octave. However, some of these might function as embellishments rather than basic scale tones.
    • The existence of diverse scale systems demonstrates that the selection of notes is not solely dictated by acoustics or mathematics.
    • Number and Distribution of Notes: Most musical systems use melodies constructed from four to twelve distinct notes within an octave. This limitation likely stems from cognitive constraints: too few notes limit melodic complexity, while too many make it difficult for the brain to track and organize the distinctions. The unequal pitch steps found in most scales (with sléndro being an exception) are thought to provide reference points for listeners to perceive the tonal center or key of a piece. Scales with five (pentatonic) or seven (diatonic) notes are particularly widespread, possibly because they allow for simpler interconversion between scales with different tonic notes during modulation.
    • Cognitive Processing of Scales: Our brains possess a mental facility for categorizing pitches, allowing us to perceive melodies as coherent even on slightly mistuned instruments. We learn to assign pitches to a small set of categories based on interval sizes, forming mental “boxes”. To comprehend music, we need to discern a hierarchy of status between the notes of a scale, which depends on our ability to intuit the probabilities of different notes occurring.
    • Alternative Scales: Some twentieth-century composers explored non-standard scales to create unique sounds, such as Debussy’s whole-tone scale, Messiaen’s octatonic scales, and Scriabin’s “mystic” scales.

    In essence, musical scales are carefully chosen sets of pitches that provide the foundational elements for musical expression. Their structure and the specific notes they contain vary greatly across historical periods and cultural traditions, reflecting both acoustic principles and human cognitive and cultural preferences.

    The Perception of Melody in Music

    Melody perception is a complex cognitive process through which we hear a sequence of musical notes as a unified and meaningful whole, often referred to as a “tune”. However, the sources clarify that “melody” is a more versatile term than “tune,” as not all music has a readily identifiable tune like “Singin’ in the Rain”. For instance, Bach’s fugues feature short, overlapping melodic fragments rather than a continuous, extended tune.

    Pitch and Pitch Relationships:

    The foundation of melody perception lies in our ability to process pitch, which is processed by pitch-selective neurons in the primary auditory cortex. These neurons have a unique one-to-one mapping for pitch, unlike our perception of other senses. While pitch increases with acoustic frequency, our auditory system creates a cyclical perception where pitches an octave apart sound similar, a phenomenon called octave equivalence. This is a unique perceptual experience in music. However, the sources emphasize that simply having the correct pitch classes in different octaves does not guarantee melody recognition. When listeners were presented with familiar tunes where the octave of each note was randomized, they couldn’t even recognize the melody. This suggests that register or ‘height’ (which octave a note is in) is a crucial dimension of melody perception, alongside chroma (the pitch class).

    Our brains possess a remarkable mental facility for categorizing pitches, allowing us to perceive melodies as coherent even if played on slightly mistuned instruments. We learn to assign pitches to mental “boxes” representing intervals like “major second” or “major third,” classifying any pitch close enough to that ideal interval size.

    Melodic Contour:

    The contour of a melody, or how it rises and falls in pitch, is a vital cue for memory and recognition. Even infants as young as five months respond to changes in melodic contour. Interestingly, both children and untrained adults often think melodies with the same contour but slightly altered intervals are identical, highlighting the primacy of contour in initial recognition. Familiar tunes remain recognizable even when the melodic contour is “compressed”. Composers can create repeating contour patterns to help bind a melody together, even if they are not exact repeats, adapting the contour to fit the specific pitch staircase of a scale. Diana Deutsch refers to these building blocks as “pitch alphabets,” which can be compiled from scales and arpeggios.

    Tonal Hierarchy and Expectation:

    Our perception of melody is deeply influenced by the tonal hierarchy, which is our subjective evaluation of how well different notes “fit” within a musical context or key. Even listeners without extensive musical training have a mental image of this hierarchy and constantly refer to it to form anticipations and judgments about a tune. This is supported by experiments where listeners consistently rated the “rightness” of notes within a set tonal context. The tonal hierarchy helps us organize and understand music, making it sound like music rather than a random sequence of notes. Music that ignores these hierarchies can be harder to process and may sound bewildering.

    Gestalt Principles and Binding:

    Underlying melody perception is the brain’s constant search for coherence in the auditory stimuli it receives. We mentally and unconsciously “bind” a string of notes into a unified acoustic entity, a tune. This process aligns with principles of gestalt psychology, where the brain seeks to perceive patterns. For example, large intervals can create a discontinuity, challenging the brain’s ability to perceive the melody as a single “gestalt”. Conversely, repetition of notes or contours can strengthen the perception of a unified melody. The auditory picket-fence effect demonstrates our ability to perceive a continuous tone even when interrupted by noise, highlighting the brain’s tendency to “fill in” gaps to maintain a coherent auditory stream. In sequences with large pitch jumps, listeners may even separate the notes into two distinct melodic streams.

    Phrasing and Rhythm:

    Phrasing, the way a melody is divided into meaningful segments, is crucial for perception. Click migration experiments show that listeners tend to perceive breaks between notes that delineate musical phrases. Phrasing is closely linked to rhythmic patterns, which provide a natural breathing rhythm to music and help us segment it into manageable chunks. The duration and accentuation of notes contribute to our perception of rhythmic groupings.

    Memory and Context:

    When we listen to a melody, we hear each note in the context of what we have already heard, including previous notes, the melodic contour, repeated phrases, the established key, and even our memories of other music. This constant referencing and updating of information shapes our perception of the unfolding melody.

    Brain Processing:

    The brain processes melody through various regions, including the lateral part of Heschl’s gyrus and the planum temporale in the temporal lobe, which are involved in pitch perception and sophisticated auditory attributes. The anterior superior temporal gyrus also handles streams of sound like melodies. Research suggests that the right hemisphere discerns the global pattern of pitch contour, while the left hemisphere processes the detailed aspects of pitch steps.

    Atonal Music:

    Music that rejects tonal hierarchies can be harder to process because it goes against our learned expectations about note probabilities. While some theories attempt to analyze atonal music through concepts like pitch-class sets, these approaches often don’t explain how such music is actually perceived.

    In summary, melody perception is a dynamic process involving the processing of pitch and its relationships, the recognition of melodic contour, the influence of tonal hierarchies and learned expectations, the brain’s ability to bind sequences of notes into coherent units, the segmentation of melodies into phrases guided by rhythmic patterns, and the crucial role of memory and context. These elements work together to allow us to experience a series of discrete musical notes as a meaningful and unified melodic line.

    Understanding Harmony and Dissonance in Music

    Harmony is about fitting notes together. Conventionally, combinations that fit well are called consonant, and those that fit less well are dissonant. In a reductive formulation, consonance is considered good and pleasing, while dissonance is bad and unsettling. However, these concepts are often misunderstood and misrepresented.

    Historical Perspectives on Consonance and Dissonance:

    • In tenth-century Europe, a perfect fifth was generally not deemed consonant; only the octave was.
    • When harmonizing in fifths became common, fourths were considered equally consonant, which is different from how they are perceived today.
    • The major third (C-E), part of the “harmonious” major triad, was rarely used even by the early fourteenth century and was not fully accepted as consonant until the High Renaissance.
    • The tritone interval, supposedly dissonant, becomes pleasing and harmonious when part of a dominant seventh chord (e.g., adding a D bass to C-FG).
    • The whole polarizing terminology of consonance and dissonance is a rather unfortunate legacy of music theory.

    Sensory (or Tonal) Dissonance:

    • There is a genuinely physiological aspect of dissonance, distinguished from musical convention, called sensory or tonal dissonance.
    • This refers to the rough, rattle-like auditory sensation produced by two tones closely spaced in pitch.
    • It is caused by the beating of acoustic waves when two pure tones with slightly different frequencies are played simultaneously. If the beat rate exceeds about 20 Hz, it is heard as roughness.
    • The width of the dissonant region depends on the absolute frequencies of the two notes. An interval consonant in a high register may be dissonant in a lower register. Therefore, there is no such thing as a tonally dissonant interval independent of register.
    • In the mid-range of the piano, minor thirds generally lie beyond the band of roughness, while even a semitone does not create roughness for high notes. However, in the bass, even a perfect fifth can become dissonant in sensory terms, explaining the “gruffness” of low chords.

    Consonance, Dissonance, and Overtones:

    • Tones played by musical instruments are complex, containing several harmonics.
    • Two simultaneously sounded notes offer many possibilities for overtones to clash and produce sensory dissonance if close enough in frequency.
    • Hermann von Helmholtz calculated the total roughness for all overtone combinations, generating a curve of sensory dissonance with dips at various intervals of the chromatic scale. The octave and fifth have particularly deep “consonant” valleys.
    • However, the depths of several “consonant” valleys don’t differ much. The modern dissonance curve shows that most intervals between the major second and major seventh lie within a narrow band of dissonance levels, except for the perfect fifth. Even the tritone appears less dissonant than major or minor thirds according to some measurements.
    • The greatest sensory dissonance is found close to the unison, particularly the minor second, predicted to sound fairly nasty. However, such intervals can be used for interesting timbral effects.
    • The brain is insistent on “binding” overtones into a single perceived pitch. If a harmonic is detuned, the brain tries to find a new fundamental frequency that fits, and only when the detuning is too large does it register the “bad” harmonic as a distinct tone. Percussive instruments often produce inharmonic overtones, resulting in an ambiguous pitch.

    Cultural Influences and Learning:

    • Whether we experience note combinations as smooth or grating is not solely a matter of convention, but there is a physiological aspect. However, likes and dislikes for certain combinations probably involve very little that is innate and are mostly products of learning.
    • What is disliked is probably not the dissonances themselves but how they are combined into music.
    • Acculturation can overcome sensory dissonance, as seen in the ganga songs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, where chords of major and minor seconds are considered harmonious.
    • People tend to like best what is most familiar. Western listeners, being accustomed to tonal music, will be acclimatized to octaves, fifths, thirds, etc., and hear less common intervals as more odd.
    • Studies suggest that cultural tradition exerts a stronger influence than inherent qualities in determining the emotional connotations of music, implying that perceptions of consonance and dissonance can also be culturally influenced.

    Harmony in Musical Composition:

    • In polyphonic music, harmony fills out the musical landscape. If melody is the path, harmony is the terrain.
    • Harmonization is the process of fitting melodic lines to chords. This is often where music comes alive.
    • Harmonization is generally more sophisticated in classical music, tending to use voice-leading, where accompanying voices have their own impetus and logic, rather than being monolithic chords.
    • Harmonic progressions are sequences of chords. In Western classical music until the mid-nineteenth century, these tended to be formulaic and conservative, involving transitions to closely related chords. Pop and rock music have inherited much of this tradition.
    • Modulation is the alteration of the key itself within a harmonic progression.
    • Music theorists and psychologists have attempted to create a cartography of chords and keys, trying to map out relationships in harmonic space. Carol Krumhansl’s research suggests that the perceived relatedness of keys aligns with the cycle of fifths.

    Harmony, Dissonance, and Musical Style/Emotion:

    • Many classical-music traditionalists deny enjoying dissonance, associating it with jarring modern music. However, even composers like Chopin use dissonance extensively.
    • The use of dissonance by modernist composers was seen by some as an affront to music itself. However, champions of atonalism argued that aversion to dissonance is culturally learned.
    • “Dissonant” intervals like major sixths, sevenths, and ninths can create luxuriant sounds in the hands of composers like Debussy and Ravel.
    • Composers may confuse our expectations regarding harmony to introduce tension and emotion.
    • Expectations about harmony are crucial for our emotional response to music. Composers manipulate these expectations through devices like cadences, anticipation notes, and suspensions.
    • Ambiguity in harmony and tonality can also create a powerful effect, with pleasure arising from the resolution of confusion.
    • Different musical genres establish their own harmonic schemas, which they can then use to manipulate tension.

    Dissonance in Polyphony:

    • In early medieval polyphony, it was considered better to compromise the melody than to incur dissonance. However, composers increasingly prioritized maintaining good melodies in each voice, even if it led to occasional dissonances.
    • This led to rules governing permissible dissonances in counterpoint. In Palestrina’s counterpoint, dissonances often occur on “passing tones” leading towards a consonance, and strong consonances are achieved at the beginnings and ends of phrases. The main objective is to maintain horizontal coherence of each voice while enforcing vertical integration through judicious use of consonance and controlled dissonance.
    • Streaming of sound can offer a barrier to the perception of dissonance in polyphony. If voices are sufficiently distinct, potentially dissonant intervals may not be registered as jarring. Bach’s fugues, for example, contain striking dissonances that can go unnoticed due to the independence of the voices.
    • Harmony can support the mental juggling act of listening to multiple melodies simultaneously, especially when the melodies are in the same key. Harmonic concordance seems to assist cognition.
    • The composer doesn’t always want polyphonic voices to be clearly defined. In hymn singing, the focus is on creating a sense of unity through harmonies, resulting in a more homophonic texture where voices combine to carry a single melody, as opposed to the elaborate interweaving of voices in Bach’s contrapuntal music.

    In conclusion, harmony and dissonance are fundamental aspects of music that involve both acoustic/physiological phenomena and cultural learning and conventions. Their perception and use have evolved throughout music history and continue to be manipulated by composers to create diverse musical experiences and emotional effects.

    Understanding Musical Rhythm and Meter

    Rhythm and meter are fundamental aspects of music. Rhythm is defined as the actual pattern of note events and their duration, and it tends to be much less regular than meter or tactus. It’s the “felt” quality of the regular subdivision of time on paper. Rhythm can be catchy and move us physically.

    Meter, on the other hand, is the regular division of time into instants separated by equal intervals, providing what is colloquially called the ‘beat’. It’s the underlying pulse. The numbers at the start of a stave, the time signature, indicate how many notes of a particular duration should appear in each bar, essentially telling us whether to count the rhythm in groups of two, three, four, or more beats. To create a beat from a regular pulse, some pulses need to be emphasized over others, often by making them louder. Our minds tend to impose such groupings even on identical pulses. The grouping of pulses defines the music’s meter. Western music mostly uses simple meters with recurring groups of two, three, or four pulses, or sometimes six.

    The tactus is related to but different from meter; it’s the beat we would clap out while listening to music and may be culture-specific. We tend to tap out a slower pulse to familiar music.

    The source emphasizes that not all music possesses rhythm in a discernible way, citing compositions by Ligeti and Xenakis as continuous skeins of sound without a clear pulse, and Stockhausen’s Kontakte as being made of disconnected aural events. Gregorian chant is an example of music that can have regularly spaced notes but lack a true meter. Music for the Chinese fretless zither (qin) has rhythm in terms of note lengths, but these are not arranged against a steady underlying pulse.

    However, a quasi-regular pulse pervades most of the world’s music. A rhythm is typically created by elaborating the periodic beats. Subdivisions and stresses superimposed on a steady pulse give us a sense of true rhythm, helping us locate ourselves in time much like the tonal hierarchy helps us in pitch space. This orderly and hierarchical structuring of time is found in the rhythmic systems of many musical traditions.

    The source notes that the metre is often portrayed as a regular temporal grid on which the rhythm is arrayed, but the real relationship is more complex. Musicians tend subconsciously to distort the metrical grid to bring out accents and groupings implied by the rhythm. This stretching and shrinking of metrical time helps us perceive both meter and rhythm.

    Western European music has traditionally chopped up time by binary branching, with melodies broken into phrases grouped in twos or fours, divided into bars, and beats subdivided into halves and quarters. This binary division is reflected in note durations like semibreve, minim, and crochet. However, some Balkan music uses prime numbers of beats in a bar, suggesting that binary division is not universal. Eastern European song may have constantly changing meter due to the rhythmic structure of its poetry.

    Creating a true sense of rhythm and avoiding monotony involves not just stressing some beats but an asymmetry of events, similar to the skipping rather than plodding nature of spoken language. The source discusses rhythmic figures like the iamb, trochee, dactyl, and anapest, which are “atoms” from which we build a sense of rhythm and interpret musical events. Repetition of these units is crucial for that coherence to be felt. Our assignment of rhythmic patterns draws on various information beyond note duration, including melody, phrasing, dynamics, harmony, and timbre.

    Composers generally want us to perceive the intended rhythm and use various factors to reinforce it. However, they may also seek to confuse our expectations regarding rhythm to introduce tension and emotion, as it is easy to hear when a beat is disrupted. Examples of this include:

    • Syncopation, which involves shifting emphasis off the beat.
    • Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony starting with a rest on the downbeat.
    • Rhythmic ambiguity created by conflicting rhythmic groupings and meter, as in Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 13 and Bernstein’s “America”.
    • Rhythmic elisions and deceptive rhythmic figures in popular music.
    • Unambiguous disruption of meter, creating a jolt, as in Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring.
    • The use of anticipation tones in classical cadences to modulate the expectation of the impending cadence.

    The source also points out that our sense of metrical regularity isn’t always strong, especially without musical training, and folk music traditions can exhibit irregular meters. In early polyphonic music, complex crossed rhythms were common, even without explicit metrical notation. Some musical traditions, like African, Indian, and Indonesian music, use cross-rhythms and polyrhythms. The minimalist compositions of Steve Reich utilize phasing, where repetitive riffs played at slightly different tempos create shifting rhythmic patterns.

    Ultimately, rhythm provides a way to interpret and make sense of the stream of musical events by apportioning them into coherent temporal units. Composers manipulate rhythm and meter in various ways to create structure, expectation, and emotional impact in their music.

    By Amjad Izhar
    Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
    https://amjadizhar.blog

    Affiliate Disclosure: This blog may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you click on the link and make a purchase. This comes at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers. Your support helps keep this blog running and allows me to continue providing you with quality content. Thank you for your support!

  • Career Mistakes To Avoid in 2025

    Career Mistakes To Avoid in 2025

    In today’s hyper-competitive professional world, a single misstep can mean the difference between career advancement and stagnation. As the nature of work continues to evolve in 2025—driven by remote technologies, automation, and changing employee expectations—it’s critical to stay sharp and strategic. Clinging to outdated habits or ignoring subtle shifts in workplace culture can cost you dearly in the long run.

    Success today is not just about having a stellar résumé; it’s about adaptability, strategic thinking, and emotional intelligence. Professionals are being evaluated on their ability to collaborate, innovate, and continuously upskill. According to Cal Newport, author of Deep Work, “The ability to perform deep work is becoming increasingly rare at exactly the same time it is becoming increasingly valuable in our economy.” Avoiding critical career mistakes is not just a best practice—it’s a survival strategy.

    This blog post outlines the top career pitfalls professionals must sidestep in 2025 to maintain their edge. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or an ambitious newcomer, understanding these nuanced missteps can safeguard your professional future. Let’s take a closer look at these critical career miscalculations—and how to avoid them.

    1-Work balance

    Failing to maintain a healthy work-life balance in 2025 is not just a personal issue—it’s a professional liability. The era of glamorizing hustle culture is waning as employees and employers alike recognize that chronic overwork leads to burnout, diminished creativity, and reduced productivity. A study from the World Health Organization links long working hours to a significant increase in heart disease and stroke. When you don’t set boundaries, work creeps into every corner of your life, diluting both performance and satisfaction.

    Professionals who prioritize balance often outperform those who don’t, as they bring more energy and clarity to their work. As Arianna Huffington notes in Thrive, “We think, mistakenly, that success is the result of the amount of time we put in at work, instead of the quality of time we put in.” In 2025, demonstrating balance shows employers that you are both self-aware and strategic—key attributes in the modern workplace. The smartest professionals know that long-term success requires sustainability, not martyrdom.

    2-Avoiding feedback

    Dodging feedback in 2025 is akin to flying blind. In an era where agility and growth mindset are considered leadership essentials, ignoring constructive criticism is a surefire way to stall your career. Feedback—especially the kind that challenges your assumptions—serves as a mirror to your blind spots. When you sidestep these conversations, you’re not avoiding discomfort; you’re avoiding development.

    Dr. Carol Dweck’s groundbreaking work in Mindset underscores that individuals who view feedback as a tool for growth outperform those who see it as a personal attack. Leaders today look for professionals who are coachable, curious, and resilient in the face of critique. When you welcome feedback with humility, you signal maturity and a readiness for greater responsibility. As the saying goes, “Smooth seas don’t make skilled sailors”—and feedback is the storm that sharpens your skills.

    3-Lack of networking

    In 2025, isolation is the enemy of opportunity. With the rise of hybrid work and digital communication, it’s easier than ever to retreat into silos. But doing so means missing out on collaborations, mentorships, and job prospects that arise from strong professional networks. According to LinkedIn’s Global Talent Trends, 85% of jobs are filled via networking. If you’re not proactively connecting, you’re leaving career growth to chance.

    Networking isn’t about collecting contacts—it’s about cultivating relationships. As Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn, puts it in The Start-Up of You, “Your network is the people who want to help you, and you want to help them, and that’s really powerful.” Intellectual professionals must invest in both formal and informal networking with intention—attending industry events, engaging on professional platforms, and keeping in touch with former colleagues. A robust network doesn’t just open doors—it keeps you top of mind when opportunity knocks.

    4-Comfort zones

    Remaining in your comfort zone might feel safe, but in the ever-shifting landscape of 2025, it’s a dangerous form of stagnation. The most successful professionals are those who consistently challenge themselves—whether it’s by taking on a demanding project, learning a new skill, or stepping into a leadership role. Comfort breeds complacency, and complacency is kryptonite in a world that prizes innovation and adaptability.

    Harvard professor Rosabeth Moss Kanter once said, “Everything looks like a failure in the middle.” Growth often comes wrapped in discomfort and risk, but those who persist gain not just new competencies but new confidence. Books like Grit by Angela Duckworth emphasize that resilience and consistent effort outpace talent in long-term success. By stepping outside your comfort zone, you’re not just adapting—you’re evolving into a more valuable and versatile professional.

    Conclusion

    Avoiding these career mistakes in 2025 isn’t just about preserving your job—it’s about carving a fulfilling and future-proof career. From guarding your work-life balance to embracing feedback and stepping beyond your comfort zone, every smart move positions you as a forward-thinking, high-impact professional. In a world where the rules of success are constantly being rewritten, the best defense is proactive evolution.

    As Peter Drucker, the father of modern management, once said, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” By steering clear of these common pitfalls, you’re not just surviving the modern workplace—you’re thriving in it. Stay curious, stay connected, and most importantly, stay uncomfortable. That’s where the real growth lives.

    By Amjad Izhar
    Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
    https://amjadizhar.blog

    Affiliate Disclosure: This blog may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you click on the link and make a purchase. This comes at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers. Your support helps keep this blog running and allows me to continue providing you with quality content. Thank you for your support!

  • Creative Kids 10 Crafting Tips to Spark Their Imagination

    Creative Kids 10 Crafting Tips to Spark Their Imagination

    Creativity is a powerful tool that helps children express themselves, develop problem-solving skills, and build confidence. Crafting, in particular, offers kids the opportunity to turn ordinary materials into extraordinary works of art. Whether your child is an aspiring artist or just looking for a fun way to pass the time, these crafting tips will inspire their imagination and awaken their creative spark.

    The beauty of crafting lies in its versatility—it can be as simple or as complex as you make it. From painting with fingers to constructing elaborate 3D art using recycled materials, there’s no limit to what young minds can achieve. Crafting also teaches patience, promotes mindfulness, and encourages hands-on learning, creating a rewarding experience for children of all ages.

    By diving into the world of crafts, children not only enhance their artistic abilities but also improve motor skills and coordination. As Pablo Picasso once said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” With that spirit in mind, let’s explore how you can provide children with the right tools, materials, and guidance to let their imaginations soar.

    Keywords: creativity in kids, crafting benefits, spark imagination, creative expression, child development, artistic abilities

    Hashtags: #CraftingWithKids #CreativeLearning #BoostImagination

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    1 – Choose Colourful Materials

    Using vibrant materials is one of the easiest ways to grab a child’s attention and ignite their imagination. Colors have psychological effects that influence mood, spark joy, and inspire creativity. Introducing kids to a variety of hues—such as neon pinks, electric blues, and sunny yellows—can encourage them to think creatively while exploring how different colors work together. Craft materials like colored markers, paints, and glitter not only make projects visually appealing but also invite children to experiment fearlessly.

    Research shows that exposure to bright colors enhances focus and engagement, particularly in young children. A study by Eiseman (2006) on color psychology emphasizes how colors can stimulate brain development. To maximize this impact, provide children with free access to a wide spectrum of crafting supplies. Allow them to explore freely, mix colors, and even create their palettes—a process that strengthens their creativity while introducing them to basic design principles.

    Keywords: vibrant colors for kids, color psychology, creative thinking, kids’ art supplies

    Hashtags: #ColorfulCrafts #BrightIdeas #CreativeExpression

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    2 – Get Messy

    Crafting without a little mess can take the fun out of the process. Allowing children to get their hands dirty—whether it’s through splatter painting or sculpting with clay—gives them the freedom to explore materials in an uninhibited way. Messiness encourages experimentation, helping children learn that mistakes are part of the creative process. Finger painting, for example, offers tactile stimulation and fosters a deep connection between physical touch and artistic expression.

    According to renowned psychologist Jean Piaget, children learn best through play and exploration, which includes experimenting with textures and messy mediums. While it may be tempting to keep things neat, embracing the chaos can help children develop emotional resilience, learning that perfection isn’t always the goal. Provide a safe, designated space for messy crafts and let kids dive in with enthusiasm—the results will be both beautiful and full of personality.

    Keywords: messy crafts, hands-on learning, artistic exploration, emotional resilience

    Hashtags: #MessyPlay #LetThemGetMessy #ProcessOverPerfection

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    3 – Use Recycled Materials

    Incorporating recycled materials into crafts teaches children about sustainability and encourages them to think outside the box. Common household items like toilet paper rolls, egg cartons, and plastic bottles can be transformed into imaginative works of art. Upcycling these materials shows children how to repurpose items, helping them understand the value of reducing waste while fostering resourcefulness and problem-solving skills.

    The book The Creative Family Manifesto by Amanda Blake Soule suggests that crafts made with recycled items deepen children’s connection to the environment. By allowing kids to experiment with unusual materials, you enable them to see the world in new ways—where even “trash” has potential. A challenge like building a robot from cardboard boxes can spark hours of imaginative play and teach children the importance of innovation and sustainability.

    Keywords: recycled crafts, sustainable crafting, upcycling for kids, creative problem-solving

    Hashtags: #SustainableCrafts #UpcycleArt #EcoFriendlyKids

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    4 – Experiment with Textures

    Incorporating textures into crafting introduces children to a rich sensory experience that stimulates both their creativity and tactile awareness. Materials like feathers, pom-poms, sandpaper, and fabric scraps offer varying surfaces to explore, turning a simple project into a multi-dimensional masterpiece. Adding texture can encourage kids to experiment with layering techniques, deepening their understanding of composition and design. This hands-on exploration fosters fine motor development, helping children improve their grip and hand-eye coordination.

    Research suggests that sensory play, which includes exploring textures, promotes cognitive growth by building neural connections in the brain. In The Art of Tinkering, Karen Wilkinson and Mike Petrich emphasize how working with diverse materials inspires curiosity and innovation. When children encounter unexpected textures, like the softness of feathers against the roughness of cardboard, they learn to adapt and find creative solutions—a valuable life skill. Encouraging them to mix and match materials will not only spark joy but also unlock new realms of artistic expression.

    Keywords: textures in crafts, sensory play, fine motor skills, creative solutions, artistic expression

    Hashtags: #TexturePlay #SensoryCrafts #TactileLearning

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    5 – Take Nature Walks

    Nature walks are a fantastic way to blend outdoor exploration with creative expression. Encouraging children to collect leaves, twigs, pebbles, or flowers during these walks allows them to bring a piece of the natural world into their crafts. This practice not only nurtures a connection with the environment but also sparks ideas for projects that reflect the beauty of nature. Kids can create leaf rubbings, floral bookmarks, or twig sculptures—each piece becoming a unique memory of their outdoor adventure.

    As Richard Louv highlights in his book Last Child in the Woods, exposure to nature has profound benefits for a child’s mental well-being and creativity. These nature-inspired projects provide an opportunity to slow down and appreciate the world around them, cultivating mindfulness in young crafters. Moreover, working with organic materials teaches children that art can come from unexpected places, encouraging them to see the natural environment as an endless source of inspiration.

    Keywords: nature-inspired crafts, outdoor learning, eco-friendly crafts, creative exploration, mindfulness

    Hashtags: #NatureInspired #EcoCrafts #OutdoorCreativity

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    6 – Create Story Crafts

    Story crafts merge the joy of storytelling with the creativity of hands-on crafting, helping children tangibly engage with literature. Whether it’s building a puppet to act out scenes from a favorite book or designing a magical wand inspired by a beloved character, these crafts allow children to immerse themselves in storytelling. This approach helps develop not only creative skills but also emotional intelligence as children explore characters, themes, and narratives.

    Incorporating story-based crafts also reinforces literacy and cognitive development. According to The Power of Stories by Pamela J. Cooper, integrating arts with storytelling helps children build comprehension skills and develop empathy by engaging with stories on a personal level. Crafting props or costumes further enriches imaginative play, encouraging children to step into the shoes of the characters they create. The result is an immersive learning experience that strengthens both creativity and communication skills.

    Keywords: story-based crafts, imaginative play, literacy development, emotional intelligence, storytelling

    Hashtags: #StoryCrafts #LiteracyThroughArt #ImaginativePlay

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    7 – Craft with Friends

    Crafting with friends transforms a creative hobby into a social experience that encourages collaboration and builds friendships. Group crafting activities, such as making collages or decorating clay pots together, foster teamwork and inspire kids to share ideas freely. Hosting a crafting party or joining a crafting club exposes children to different styles and techniques, enriching their creative skills. Working in groups also teaches important social skills such as cooperation, communication, and compromise.

    Educational psychologist Lev Vygotsky emphasizes in his theory of social development that collaboration promotes learning and personal growth. When kids craft together, they exchange ideas, solve problems, and learn to appreciate diverse perspectives. The joy of working on shared projects not only strengthens friendships but also sparks new creative insights. Moreover, celebrating each other’s achievements builds confidence, showing children the value of both teamwork and individual expression.

    Keywords: collaborative crafting, crafting with friends, teamwork skills, social development, creative collaboration

    Hashtags: #CraftWithFriends #CollaborativeArt #TeamworkInCreativity

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    8 – Make Gifts for Loved Ones

    Creating handmade gifts teaches children the value of thoughtfulness and generosity. Crafting personalized items like friendship bracelets, greeting cards, or photo frames allows kids to express their affection in meaningful ways. Handmade gifts carry emotional significance, showing the recipient that time and care were invested in the gesture. These crafts also encourage children to think creatively about how to express their feelings visually.

    In The 5 Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell, the authors highlight that acts of service and thoughtful gifts foster deeper emotional connections. Teaching children to make gifts helps them understand that even simple creations can make others feel appreciated. Moreover, the process promotes patience and attention to detail—qualities that extend beyond the crafting table into everyday life. Creating gifts is not only a gesture of kindness but also a valuable lesson in empathy and gratitude.

    Keywords: handmade gifts, thoughtful crafts, emotional connection, acts of kindness, empathy through art

    Hashtags: #HandmadeGifts #CraftWithLove #MeaningfulConnections

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    9 – Decorate Your Space

    Crafting personalized decorations offers children a chance to make their space uniquely their own. Items like handmade mobiles, wall art, or paper lanterns allow kids to express their personality and transform their environment creatively. This process builds a sense of ownership and pride in their surroundings, promoting self-expression. Whether it’s painting rocks for a garden display or designing DIY posters, decorating with handmade items adds a personal touch that reflects their individuality.

    As interior designer Nate Berkus writes in The Things That Matter, the spaces we inhabit shape our identity and influence how we feel. Encouraging children to decorate their rooms or play areas with crafts can boost their mood and motivation. These projects teach kids the value of creating beauty with their own hands, making their environment a reflection of their personality. Decorating becomes an ongoing creative process, allowing them to evolve and refresh their space as they grow.

    Keywords: room decoration ideas, personal expression, creative space, DIY decorations, artistic identity

    Hashtags: #CreativeDecor #DIYRoomDecor #ExpressYourSpace

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    10 – Don’t Forget to Have Fun

    At its core, crafting is meant to be a joyful and freeing experience where children can express themselves without limits. The focus should always be on the creative journey rather than striving for perfection. Allowing kids to try new ideas, make mistakes, and embrace unexpected outcomes teaches them that the process itself is valuable. Fun and play stimulate the imagination, leading to more meaningful and memorable creations.

    Dr. Stuart Brown, founder of the National Institute for Play, emphasizes that play promotes cognitive flexibility and emotional well-being. When crafting is treated as play, children become more open to experimentation and innovation. Whether it’s splashing paint on a canvas or gluing mismatched materials into whimsical shapes, kids learn that crafting is a way to relax, recharge, and express themselves authentically. The joy they experience fuels creativity, helping them develop a lifelong passion for art and self-expression.

    Keywords: creative play, having fun with art, crafting process, expressive creativity, joy in crafting

    Hashtags: #CraftForFun #JoyInCreativity #PlayfulArt

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    Conclusion

    Crafting with children provides them with more than just a fun way to pass the time—it offers valuable lessons in creativity, self-expression, and sustainable thinking. By encouraging the use of colorful materials, allowing them to get messy, and introducing them to recycled objects, you create a space where creativity can flourish naturally. These hands-on experiences help children build essential life skills while nurturing their artistic potential.

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    Beyond art and play, crafting teaches patience, perseverance, and adaptability—qualities that benefit children far beyond the crafting table. Whether it’s mixing vibrant colors, making a mess, or creating eco-friendly art, the creative journey fosters independence and confidence. Crafting is not just about making things; it’s about learning to see the world differently. As children engage in these projects, they develop a mindset that embraces challenges and celebrates the beauty of imperfection.

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    Keywords: benefits of crafting, life skills from art, confidence through creativity, artistic potential

    Hashtags: #CreativeGrowth #ArtisticPotential #CraftingLifeSkills

    Exploring textures, drawing inspiration from nature, and creating story-based crafts are powerful ways to foster children’s imagination. These activities nurture essential developmental skills such as tactile awareness, mindfulness, and literacy, helping children grow holistically. Encouraging kids to experiment with new materials and ideas lays a foundation for lifelong creativity, turning every project into an opportunity for self-expression and learning.

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    Crafting teaches children to see the world differently—whether they’re combining textures, discovering beauty in nature, or recreating their favorite stories through art. The freedom to explore, create, and play without boundaries not only builds artistic skills but also boosts self-confidence. As children engage in these enriching activities, they develop an appreciation for the creative process, learning that the journey is just as important as the finished product.

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    Keywords: creative development, holistic learning, imaginative crafting, lifelong creativity, building confidence

    Hashtags: #HolisticLearning #CreativePlay #CraftingConfidence

    Crafting with friends, making gifts, and personalizing spaces empower children to express themselves creatively and build meaningful connections with others. These activities teach valuable lessons in teamwork, thoughtfulness, and self-expression, fostering social and emotional growth. Whether collaborating with peers or creating for loved ones, children develop empathy, communication skills, and the joy of giving through these shared experiences.

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    Crafting also nurtures a sense of independence as kids take pride in decorating their personal spaces. This blend of creativity and self-expression lays the foundation for a well-rounded personality, teaching children that art has the power to connect, inspire, and transform. By encouraging these activities, you provide children with opportunities to grow emotionally, socially, and creatively in ways that will benefit them throughout life.

    Keywords: emotional growth through art, teamwork in creativity, self-expression, building connections, social skills development

    Hashtags: #ArtfulConnections #CreativeGrowth #CraftingFriendships

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    The most fulfilling aspect of crafting lies in the freedom it provides to explore, play, and have fun. While structure and technique are important, the true essence of creativity emerges when children feel free to express themselves without the fear of making mistakes. Crafting becomes not just an artistic outlet but also a way to foster joy, relaxation, and mindfulness. Encouraging kids to enjoy the process helps them appreciate the beauty of imperfections and understand that creativity is a journey, not a destination.

    By integrating fun into every crafting activity, children learn to find happiness in simple moments of self-expression. This joy-based approach nurtures emotional resilience and builds confidence, reminding kids that art doesn’t need to follow rules—it’s about celebrating their unique ideas. Crafting with a playful mindset ensures that children continue to create with enthusiasm and curiosity, developing skills that will inspire them far beyond the crafting table.

    Keywords: playful crafting, mindfulness through art, joy-based creativity, emotional resilience, fun learning

    Hashtags: #CreativeJourney #ArtWithoutLimits #CraftingForJoy

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    Crafting offers children a rich and dynamic way to explore their creativity, develop essential skills, and connect with others. From experimenting with textures to working with recycled materials, each crafting activity nurtures different aspects of their growth—whether it’s cognitive development, emotional intelligence, or social skills. These creative endeavors encourage children to see the world with curious eyes, transforming everyday objects and experiences into artistic expressions.

    Collaborative crafting builds friendships and teaches teamwork while creating gifts fosters empathy and generosity. Decorating personal spaces with handmade art gives children a sense of identity and ownership, empowering them to express who they are. Incorporating nature into crafting promotes mindfulness and environmental awareness, while storytelling through crafts nurtures both creativity and literacy. And most importantly, approaching crafting with a playful mindset reminds kids that the process is just as meaningful as the outcome.

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    Ultimately, crafting is not just an activity—it’s a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. By providing children with the right tools, materials, and encouragement, we foster a love of creativity that extends beyond the crafting table. These skills—problem-solving, resilience, collaboration, and joyful expression—will shape their development and inspire them throughout life. So gather your supplies, invite friends, explore nature, and let imagination lead the way—because in crafting, every moment is an opportunity to create something wonderful.

    Keywords: creative growth, teamwork in crafting, self-expression, environmental awareness, joyful learning, personal development

    Hashtags: #CraftingForLife #CreativeGrowth #CraftWithJoy #SkillsForLife

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    Bibliography

    1. Berkus, Nate. The Things That Matter. Spiegel & Grau, 2012.
      Explores how personal expression through design influences well-being and identity, relevant to decorating personal spaces.
    2. Brown, Stuart. Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul. Avery, 2010.
      Highlights the role of play in cognitive development and emotional well-being, emphasizing how playfulness enhances creativity.
    3. Chapman, Gary, and Ross Campbell. The 5 Love Languages of Children: The Secret to Loving Children Effectively. Northfield Publishing, 2016.
      Offers insights into how thoughtful gifts and acts of service strengthen emotional connections, relevant to making handmade gifts.
    4. Cooper, Pamela J. The Power of Stories: Nurturing Literacy Development Through Storytelling. Allyn & Bacon, 1997.
      Discusses how storytelling fosters literacy, empathy, and creativity, useful for the section on story crafts.
    5. Eiseman, Leatrice. The Complete Color Harmony: Expert Color Information for Professional Results. Rockport Publishers, 2006.
      Explores the psychological effects of color and its impact on creativity, applied to choosing vibrant crafting materials.
    6. Louv, Richard. Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. Algonquin Books, 2008.
      Explains the connection between nature and creativity, relevant to nature walks and outdoor-inspired crafting.
    7. Soule, Amanda Blake. The Creative Family Manifesto: Encouraging Imagination and Nurturing Family Connections. Roost Books, 2017.
      Inspires creative activities using recycled materials, fostering sustainability and resourcefulness.
    8. Vygotsky, Lev S. Mind in Society: The Development of Higher Psychological Processes. Harvard University Press, 1978.
      A classic work on social development, showing how collaboration and shared activities enhance learning and creativity.
    9. Wilkinson, Karen, and Mike Petrich. The Art of Tinkering. Weldon Owen, 2014.
      Offers insights into hands-on learning through experimenting with various materials and textures, promoting creative thinking.

    By Amjad Izhar
    Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
    https://amjadizhar.blog

    Affiliate Disclosure: This blog may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you click on the link and make a purchase. This comes at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers. Your support helps keep this blog running and allows me to continue providing you with quality content. Thank you for your support!

  • Database Engineering, SQL, Python, and Data Analysis Fundamentals

    Database Engineering, SQL, Python, and Data Analysis Fundamentals

    These resources provide a comprehensive pathway for aspiring database engineers and software developers. They cover fundamental database concepts like data modeling, SQL for data manipulation and management, database optimization, and data warehousing. Furthermore, they explore essential software development practices including Python programming, object-oriented principles, version control with Git and GitHub, software testing methodologies, and preparing for technical interviews with insights into data structures and algorithms.

    Introduction to Database Engineering

    This course provides a comprehensive introduction to database engineering. A straightforward description of a database is a form of electronic storage in which data is held. However, this simple explanation doesn’t fully capture the impact of database technology on global industry, government, and organizations. Almost everyone has used a database, and it’s likely that information about us is present in many databases worldwide.

    Database engineering is crucial to global industry, government, and organizations. In a real-world context, databases are used in various scenarios:

    • Banks use databases to store data for customers, bank accounts, and transactions.
    • Hospitals store patient data, staff data, and laboratory data.
    • Online stores retain profile information, shopping history, and accounting transactions.
    • Social media platforms store uploaded photos.
    • Work environments use databases for downloading files.
    • Online games rely on databases.

    Data in basic terms is facts and figures about anything. For example, data about a person might include their name, age, email, and date of birth, or it could be facts and figures related to an online purchase like the order number and description.

    A database looks like data organized systematically, often resembling a spreadsheet or a table. This systematic organization means that all data contains elements or features and attributes by which they can be identified. For example, a person can be identified by attributes like name and age.

    Data stored in a database cannot exist in isolation; it must have a relationship with other data to be processed into meaningful information. Databases establish relationships between pieces of data, for example, by retrieving a customer’s details from one table and their order recorded against another table. This is often achieved through keys. A primary key uniquely identifies each record in a table, while a foreign key is a primary key from one table that is used in another table to establish a link or relationship between the two. For instance, the customer ID in a customer table can be the primary key and then become a foreign key in an order table, thus relating the two tables.

    While relational databases, which organize data into tables with relationships, are common, there are other types of databases. An object-oriented database stores data in the form of objects instead of tables or relations. An example could be an online bookstore where authors, customers, books, and publishers are rendered as classes, and the individual entries are objects or instances of these classes.

    To work with data in databases, database engineers use Structured Query Language (SQL). SQL is a standard language that can be used with all relational databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, and Microsoft SQL Server. Database engineers establish interactions with databases to create, read, update, and delete (CRUD) data.

    SQL can be divided into several sub-languages:

    • Data Definition Language (DDL) helps define data in the database and includes commands like CREATE (to create databases and tables), ALTER (to modify database objects), and DROP (to remove objects).
    • Data Manipulation Language (DML) is used to manipulate data and includes operations like INSERT (to add data), UPDATE (to modify data), and DELETE (to remove data).
    • Data Query Language (DQL) is used to read or retrieve data, primarily using the SELECT command.
    • Data Control Language (DCL) is used to control access to the database, with commands like GRANT and REVOKE to manage user privileges.

    SQL offers several advantages:

    • It requires very little coding skills to use, consisting mainly of keywords.
    • Its interactivity allows developers to write complex queries quickly.
    • It is a standard language usable with all relational databases, leading to extensive support and information availability.
    • It is portable across operating systems.

    Before developing a database, planning the organization of data is crucial, and this plan is called a schema. A schema is an organization or grouping of information and the relationships among them. In MySQL, schema and database are often interchangeable terms, referring to how data is organized. However, the definition of schema can vary across different database systems. A database schema typically comprises tables, columns, relationships, data types, and keys. Schemas provide logical groupings for database objects, simplify access and manipulation, and enhance database security by allowing permission management based on user access rights.

    Database normalization is an important process used to structure tables in a way that minimizes challenges by reducing data duplication and avoiding data inconsistencies (anomalies). This involves converting a large table into multiple tables to reduce data redundancy. There are different normal forms (1NF, 2NF, 3NF) that define rules for table structure to achieve better database design.

    As databases have evolved, they now must be able to store ever-increasing amounts of unstructured data, which poses difficulties. This growth has also led to concepts like big data and cloud databases.

    Furthermore, databases play a crucial role in data warehousing, which involves a centralized data repository that loads, integrates, stores, and processes large amounts of data from multiple sources for data analysis. Dimensional data modeling, based on dimensions and facts, is often used to build databases in a data warehouse for data analytics. Databases also support data analytics, where collected data is converted into useful information to inform future decisions.

    Tools like MySQL Workbench provide a unified visual environment for database modeling and management, supporting the creation of data models, forward and reverse engineering of databases, and SQL development.

    Finally, interacting with databases can also be done through programming languages like Python using connectors or APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). This allows developers to build applications that interact with databases for various operations.

    Understanding SQL: Language for Database Interaction

    SQL (Structured Query Language) is a standard language used to interact with databases. It’s also commonly pronounced as “SQL”. Database engineers use SQL to establish interactions with databases.

    Here’s a breakdown of SQL based on the provided source:

    • Role of SQL: SQL acts as the interface or bridge between a relational database and its users. It allows database engineers to create, read, update, and delete (CRUD) data. These operations are fundamental when working with a database.
    • Interaction with Databases: As a web developer or data engineer, you execute SQL instructions on a database using a Database Management System (DBMS). The DBMS is responsible for transforming SQL instructions into a form that the underlying database understands.
    • Applicability: SQL is particularly useful when working with relational databases, which require a language that can interact with structured data. Examples of relational databases that SQL can interact with include MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, and Microsoft SQL Server.
    • SQL Sub-languages: SQL is divided into several sub-languages:
    • Data Definition Language (DDL): Helps you define data in your database. DDL commands include:
    • CREATE: Used to create databases and related objects like tables. For example, you can use the CREATE DATABASE command followed by the database name to create a new database. Similarly, CREATE TABLE followed by the table name and column definitions is used to create tables.
    • ALTER: Used to modify already created database objects, such as modifying the structure of a table by adding or removing columns (ALTER TABLE).
    • DROP: Used to remove objects like tables or entire databases. The DROP DATABASE command followed by the database name removes a database. The DROP COLUMN command removes a specific column from a table.
    • Data Manipulation Language (DML): Commands are used to manipulate data in the database and most CRUD operations fall under DML. DML commands include:
    • INSERT: Used to add or insert data into a table. The INSERT INTO syntax is used to add rows of data to a specified table.
    • UPDATE: Used to edit or modify existing data in a table. The UPDATE command allows you to specify data to be changed.
    • DELETE: Used to remove data from a table. The DELETE FROM syntax followed by the table name and an optional WHERE clause is used to remove data.
    • Data Query Language (DQL): Used to read or retrieve data from the database. The primary DQL command is:
    • SELECT: Used to select and retrieve data from one or multiple tables, allowing you to specify the columns you want and apply filter criteria using the WHERE clause. You can select all columns using SELECT *.
    • Data Control Language (DCL): Used to control access to the database. DCL commands include:
    • GRANT: Used to give users access privileges to data.
    • REVOKE: Used to revert access privileges already given to users.
    • Advantages of SQL: SQL is a popular language choice for databases due to several advantages:
    • Low coding skills required: It uses a set of keywords and requires very little coding.
    • Interactivity: Allows developers to write complex queries quickly.
    • Standard language: Can be used with all relational databases like MySQL, leading to extensive support and information availability.
    • Portability: Once written, SQL code can be used on any hardware and any operating system or platform where the database software is installed.
    • Comprehensive: Covers all areas of database management and administration, including creating databases, manipulating data, retrieving data, and managing security.
    • Efficiency: Allows database users to process large amounts of data quickly and efficiently.
    • Basic SQL Operations: SQL enables various operations on data, including:
    • Creating databases and tables using DDL.
    • Populating and modifying data using DML (INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE).
    • Reading and querying data using DQL (SELECT) with options to specify columns and filter data using the WHERE clause.
    • Sorting data using the ORDER BY clause with ASC (ascending) or DESC (descending) keywords.
    • Filtering data using the WHERE clause with various comparison operators (=, <, >, <=, >=, !=) and logical operators (AND, OR). Other filtering operators include BETWEEN, LIKE, and IN.
    • Removing duplicate rows using the SELECT DISTINCT clause.
    • Performing arithmetic operations using operators like +, -, *, /, and % (modulus) within SELECT statements.
    • Using comparison operators to compare values in WHERE clauses.
    • Utilizing aggregate functions (though not detailed in this initial overview but mentioned later in conjunction with GROUP BY).
    • Joining data from multiple tables (mentioned as necessary when data exists in separate entities). The source later details INNER JOIN, LEFT JOIN, and RIGHT JOIN clauses.
    • Creating aliases for tables and columns to make queries simpler and more readable.
    • Using subqueries (a query within another query) for more complex data retrieval.
    • Creating views (virtual tables based on the result of a SQL statement) to simplify data access and combine data from multiple tables.
    • Using stored procedures (pre-prepared SQL code that can be saved and executed).
    • Working with functions (numeric, string, date, comparison, control flow) to process and manipulate data.
    • Implementing triggers (stored programs that automatically execute in response to certain events).
    • Managing database transactions to ensure data integrity.
    • Optimizing queries for better performance.
    • Performing data analysis using SQL queries.
    • Interacting with databases using programming languages like Python through connectors and APIs.

    In essence, SQL is a powerful and versatile language that is fundamental for anyone working with relational databases, enabling them to define, manage, query, and manipulate data effectively. The knowledge of SQL is a valuable skill for database engineers and is crucial for various tasks, from building and maintaining databases to extracting insights through data analysis.

    Data Modeling Principles: Schema, Types, and Design

    Data modeling principles revolve around creating a blueprint of how data will be organized and structured within a database system. This plan, often referred to as a schema, is essential for efficient data storage, access, updates, and querying. A well-designed data model ensures data consistency and quality.

    Here are some key data modeling principles discussed in the sources:

    • Understanding Data Requirements: Before creating a database, it’s crucial to have a clear idea of its purpose and the data it needs to store. For example, a database for an online bookshop needs to record book titles, authors, customers, and sales. Mangata and Gallo (mng), a jewelry store, needed to store data on customers, products, and orders.
    • Visual Representation: A data model provides a visual representation of data elements (entities) and their relationships. This is often achieved using an Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD), which helps in planning entity-relational databases.
    • Different Levels of Abstraction: Data modeling occurs at different levels:
    • Conceptual Data Model: Provides a high-level, abstract view of the entities and their relationships in the database system. It focuses on “what” data needs to be stored (e.g., customers, products, orders as entities for mng) and how these relate.
    • Logical Data Model: Builds upon the conceptual model by providing a more detailed overview of the entities, their attributes, primary keys, and foreign keys. For mng, this would involve defining attributes for customers (like client ID as primary key), products, and orders, and specifying foreign keys to establish relationships (e.g., client ID in the orders table referencing the clients table).
    • Physical Data Model: Represents the internal schema of the database and is specific to the chosen Database Management System (DBMS). It outlines details like data types for each attribute (e.g., varchar for full name, integer for contact number), constraints (e.g., not null), and other database-specific features. SQL is often used to create the physical schema.
    • Choosing the Right Data Model Type: Several types of data models exist, each with its own advantages and disadvantages:
    • Relational Data Model: Represents data as a collection of tables (relations) with rows and columns, known for its simplicity.
    • Entity-Relationship Model: Similar to the relational model but presents each table as a separate entity with attributes and explicitly defines different types of relationships between entities (one-to-one, one-to-many, many-to-many).
    • Hierarchical Data Model: Organizes data in a tree-like structure with parent and child nodes, primarily supporting one-to-many relationships.
    • Object-Oriented Model: Translates objects into classes with characteristics and behaviors, supporting complex associations like aggregation and inheritance, suitable for complex projects.
    • Dimensional Data Model: Based on dimensions (context of measurements) and facts (quantifiable data), optimized for faster data retrieval and efficient data analytics, often using star and snowflake schemas in data warehouses.
    • Database Normalization: This is a crucial process for structuring tables to minimize data redundancy, avoid data modification implications (insertion, update, deletion anomalies), and simplify data queries. Normalization involves applying a series of normal forms (First Normal Form – 1NF, Second Normal Form – 2NF, Third Normal Form – 3NF) to ensure data atomicity, eliminate repeating groups, address functional and partial dependencies, and resolve transitive dependencies.
    • Establishing Relationships: Data in a database should be related to provide meaningful information. Relationships between tables are established using keys:
    • Primary Key: A value that uniquely identifies each record in a table and prevents duplicates.
    • Foreign Key: One or more columns in one table that reference the primary key in another table, used to connect tables and create cross-referencing.
    • Defining Domains: A domain is the set of legal values that can be assigned to an attribute, ensuring data in a field is well-defined (e.g., only numbers in a numerical domain). This involves specifying data types, length values, and other relevant rules.
    • Using Constraints: Database constraints limit the type of data that can be stored in a table, ensuring data accuracy and reliability. Common constraints include NOT NULL (ensuring fields are always completed), UNIQUE (preventing duplicate values), CHECK (enforcing specific conditions), and FOREIGN KEY (maintaining referential integrity).
    • Importance of Planning: Designing a data model before building the database system allows for planning how data is stored and accessed efficiently. A poorly designed database can make it hard to produce accurate information.
    • Considerations at Scale: For large-scale applications like those at Meta, data modeling must prioritize user privacy, user safety, and scalability. It requires careful consideration of data access, encryption, and the ability to handle billions of users and evolving product needs. Thoughtfulness about future changes and the impact of modifications on existing data models is crucial.
    • Data Integrity and Quality: Well-designed data models, including the use of data types and constraints, are fundamental steps in ensuring the integrity and quality of a database.

    Data modeling is an iterative process that requires a deep understanding of the data, the business requirements, and the capabilities of the chosen database system. It is a crucial skill for database engineers and a fundamental aspect of database design. Tools like MySQL Workbench can aid in creating, visualizing, and implementing data models.

    Understanding Version Control: Git and Collaborative Development

    Version Control Systems (VCS), also known as Source Control or Source Code Management, are systems that record all changes and modifications to files for tracking purposes. The primary goal of any VCS is to keep track of changes by allowing developers access to the entire change history with the ability to revert or roll back to a previous state or point in time. These systems track different types of changes such as adding new files, modifying or updating files, and deleting files. The version control system is the source of truth across all code assets and the team itself.

    There are many benefits associated with Version Control, especially for developers working in a team. These include:

    • Revision history: Provides a record of all changes in a project and the ability for developers to revert to a stable point in time if code edits cause issues or bugs.
    • Identity: All changes made are recorded with the identity of the user who made them, allowing teams to see not only when changes occurred but also who made them.
    • Collaboration: A VCS allows teams to submit their code and keep track of any changes that need to be made when working towards a common goal. It also facilitates peer review where developers inspect code and provide feedback.
    • Automation and efficiency: Version Control helps keep track of all changes and plays an integral role in DevOps, increasing an organization’s ability to deliver applications or services with high quality and velocity. It aids in software quality, release, and deployments. By having Version Control in place, teams following agile methodologies can manage their tasks more efficiently.
    • Managing conflicts: Version Control helps developers fix any conflicts that may occur when multiple developers work on the same code base. The history of revisions can aid in seeing the full life cycle of changes and is essential for merging conflicts.

    There are two main types or categories of Version Control Systems: centralized Version Control Systems (CVCS) and distributed Version Control Systems (DVCS).

    • Centralized Version Control Systems (CVCS) contain a server that houses the full history of the code base and clients that pull down the code. Developers need a connection to the server to perform any operations. Changes are pushed to the central server. An advantage of CVCS is that they are considered easier to learn and offer more access controls to users. A disadvantage is that they can be slower due to the need for a server connection.
    • Distributed Version Control Systems (DVCS) are similar, but every user is essentially a server and has the entire history of changes on their local system. Users don’t need to be connected to the server to add changes or view history, only to pull down the latest changes or push their own. DVCS offer better speed and performance and allow users to work offline. Git is an example of a DVCS.

    Popular Version Control Technologies include git and GitHub. Git is a Version Control System designed to help users keep track of changes to files within their projects. It offers better speed and performance, reliability, free and open-source access, and an accessible syntax. Git is used predominantly via the command line. GitHub is a cloud-based hosting service that lets you manage git repositories from a user interface. It incorporates Git Version Control features and extends them with features like Access Control, pull requests, and automation. GitHub is very popular among web developers and acts like a social network for projects.

    Key Git concepts include:

    • Repository: Used to track all changes to files in a specific folder and keep a history of all those changes. Repositories can be local (on your machine) or remote (e.g., on GitHub).
    • Clone: To copy a project from a remote repository to your local device.
    • Add: To stage changes in your local repository, preparing them for a commit.
    • Commit: To save a snapshot of the staged changes in the local repository’s history. Each commit is recorded with the identity of the user.
    • Push: To upload committed changes from your local repository to a remote repository.
    • Pull: To retrieve changes from a remote repository and apply them to your local repository.
    • Branching: Creating separate lines of development from the main codebase to work on new features or bug fixes in isolation. The main branch is often the source of truth.
    • Forking: Creating a copy of someone else’s repository on a platform like GitHub, allowing you to make changes without affecting the original.
    • Diff: A command to compare changes across files, branches, and commits.
    • Blame: A command to look at changes of a specific file and show the dates, times, and users who made the changes.

    The typical Git workflow involves three states: modified, staged, and committed. Files are modified in the working directory, then added to the staging area, and finally committed to the local repository. These local commits are then pushed to a remote repository.

    Branching workflows like feature branching are commonly used. This involves creating a new branch for each feature, working on it until completion, and then merging it back into the main branch after a pull request and peer review. Pull requests allow teams to review changes before they are merged.

    At Meta, Version Control is very important. They use a giant monolithic repository for all of their backend code, which means code changes are shared with every other Instagram team. While this can be risky, it allows for code reuse. Meta encourages engineers to improve any code, emphasizing that “nothing at meta is someone else’s problem”. Due to the monolithic repository, merge conflicts happen a lot, so they try to write smaller changes and add gatekeepers to easily turn off features if needed. git blame is used daily to understand who wrote specific lines of code and why, which is particularly helpful in a large organization like Meta.

    Version Control is also relevant to database development. It’s easy to overcomplicate data modeling and storage, and Version Control can help track changes and potentially revert to earlier designs. Planning how data will be organized (schema) is crucial before developing a database.

    Learning to use git and GitHub for Version Control is part of the preparation for coding interviews in a final course, alongside practicing interview skills and refining resumes. Effective collaboration, which is enhanced by Version Control, is a crucial skill for software developers.

    Python Programming Fundamentals: An Introduction

    Based on the sources, here’s a discussion of Python programming basics:

    Introduction to Python:

    Python is a versatile and high-level programming language available on multiple platforms. It’s used in various areas like web development, data analytics, and business forecasting. Python’s syntax is similar to English, making it intuitive and easy for beginners to understand. Experienced programmers also appreciate its power and adaptability. Python was created by Guido van Rossum and released in 1991. It was designed to be readable and has similarities to English and mathematics. Since its release, it has gained significant popularity and has a rich selection of frameworks and libraries. Currently, it’s a popular language to learn, widely used in areas such as web development, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, and various programming applications. Python is easy to learn and get started with due to its English-like syntax. It also often requires less code compared to languages like C or Java. Python’s simplicity allows developers to focus on the task at hand, making it potentially quicker to get a product to market.

    Setting up a Python Environment:

    To start using Python, it’s essential to ensure it works correctly on your operating system with your chosen Integrated Development Environment (IDE), such as Visual Studio Code (VS Code). This involves making sure the right version of Python is used as the interpreter when running your code.

    • Installation Verification: You can verify if Python is installed by opening the terminal (or command prompt on Windows) and typing python –version. This should display the installed Python version.
    • VS Code Setup: VS Code offers a walkthrough guide for setting up Python. This includes installing Python (if needed) and selecting the correct Python interpreter.
    • Running Python Code: Python code can be run in a few ways:
    • Python Shell: Useful for running and testing small scripts without creating .py files. You can access it by typing python in the terminal.
    • Directly from Command Line/Terminal: Any file with the .py extension can be run by typing python followed by the file name (e.g., python hello.py).
    • Within an IDE (like VS Code): IDEs provide features like auto-completion, debugging, and syntax highlighting, making coding a better experience. VS Code has a run button to execute Python files.

    Basic Syntax and Concepts:

    • Print Statement: The print() function is used to display output to the console. It can print different types of data and allows for formatting.
    • Variables: Variables are used to store data that can be changed throughout the program’s lifecycle. In Python, you declare a variable by assigning a value to a name (e.g., x = 5). Python automatically assigns the data type behind the scenes. There are conventions for naming variables, such as camel case (e.g., myName). You can declare multiple variables and assign them a single value (e.g., a = b = c = 10) or perform multiple assignments on one line (e.g., name, age = “Alice”, 30). You can also delete a variable using the del keyword.
    • Data Types: A data type indicates how a computer system should interpret a piece of data. Python offers several built-in data types:
    • Numeric: Includes int (integers), float (decimal numbers), and complex numbers.
    • Sequence: Ordered collections of items, including:
    • Strings (str): Sequences of characters enclosed in single or double quotes (e.g., “hello”, ‘world’). Individual characters in a string can be accessed by their index (starting from 0) using square brackets (e.g., name). The len() function returns the number of characters in a string.
    • Lists: Ordered and mutable sequences of items enclosed in square brackets (e.g., [1, 2, “three”]).
    • Tuples: Ordered and immutable sequences of items enclosed in parentheses (e.g., (1, 2, “three”)).
    • Dictionary (dict): Unordered collections of key-value pairs enclosed in curly braces (e.g., {“name”: “Bob”, “age”: 25}). Values are accessed using their keys.
    • Boolean (bool): Represents truth values: True or False.
    • Set (set): Unordered collections of unique elements enclosed in curly braces (e.g., {1, 2, 3}). Sets do not support indexing.
    • Typecasting: The process of converting one data type to another. Python supports implicit (automatic) and explicit (using functions like int(), float(), str()) type conversion.
    • Input: The input() function is used to take input from the user. It displays a prompt to the user and returns their input as a string.
    • Operators: Symbols used to perform operations on values.
    • Math Operators: Used for calculations (e.g., + for addition, – for subtraction, * for multiplication, / for division).
    • Logical Operators: Used in conditional statements to determine true or false outcomes (and, or, not).
    • Control Flow: Determines the order in which instructions in a program are executed.
    • Conditional Statements: Used to make decisions based on conditions (if, else, elif).
    • Loops: Used to repeatedly execute a block of code. Python has for loops (for iterating over sequences) and while loops (repeating a block until a condition is met). Nested loops are also possible.
    • Functions: Modular pieces of reusable code that take input and return output. You define a function using the def keyword. You can pass data into a function as arguments and return data using the return keyword. Python has different scopes for variables: local, enclosing, global, and built-in (LEGB rule).
    • Data Structures: Ways to organize and store data. Python includes lists, tuples, sets, and dictionaries.

    This overview provides a foundation in Python programming basics as described in the provided sources. As you continue learning, you will delve deeper into these concepts and explore more advanced topics.

    Database and Python Fundamentals Study Guide

    Quiz

    1. What is a database, and what is its typical organizational structure? A database is a systematically organized collection of data. This organization commonly resembles a spreadsheet or a table, with data containing elements and attributes for identification.
    2. Explain the role of a Database Management System (DBMS) in the context of SQL. A DBMS acts as an intermediary between SQL instructions and the underlying database. It takes responsibility for transforming SQL commands into a format that the database can understand and execute.
    3. Name and briefly define at least three sub-languages of SQL. DDL (Data Definition Language) is used to define data structures in a database, such as creating, altering, and dropping databases and tables. DML (Data Manipulation Language) is used for operational tasks like creating, reading, updating, and deleting data. DQL (Data Query Language) is used for retrieving data from the database.
    4. Describe the purpose of the CREATE DATABASE and CREATE TABLE DDL statements. The CREATE DATABASE statement is used to create a new, empty database within the DBMS. The CREATE TABLE statement is used within a specific database to define a new table, including specifying the names and data types of its columns.
    5. What is the function of the INSERT INTO DML statement? The INSERT INTO statement is used to add new rows of data into an existing table in the database. It requires specifying the table name and the values to be inserted into the table’s columns.
    6. Explain the purpose of the NOT NULL constraint when defining table columns. The NOT NULL constraint ensures that a specific column in a table cannot contain a null value. If an attempt is made to insert a new record or update an existing one with a null value in a NOT NULL column, the operation will be aborted.
    7. List and briefly define three basic arithmetic operators in SQL. The addition operator (+) is used to add two operands. The subtraction operator (-) is used to subtract the second operand from the first. The multiplication operator (*) is used to multiply two operands.
    8. What is the primary function of the SELECT statement in SQL, and how can the WHERE clause be used with it? The SELECT statement is used to retrieve data from one or more tables in a database. The WHERE clause is used to filter the rows returned by the SELECT statement based on specified conditions.
    9. Explain the difference between running Python code from the Python shell and running a .py file from the command line. The Python shell provides an interactive environment where you can execute Python code snippets directly and see immediate results without saving to a file. Running a .py file from the command line executes the entire script contained within the file non-interactively.
    10. Define a variable in Python and provide an example of assigning it a value. In Python, a variable is a named storage location that holds a value. Variables are implicitly declared when a value is assigned to them. For example: x = 5 declares a variable named x and assigns it the integer value of 5.

    Answer Key

    1. A database is a systematically organized collection of data. This organization commonly resembles a spreadsheet or a table, with data containing elements and attributes for identification.
    2. A DBMS acts as an intermediary between SQL instructions and the underlying database. It takes responsibility for transforming SQL commands into a format that the database can understand and execute.
    3. DDL (Data Definition Language) helps you define data structures. DML (Data Manipulation Language) allows you to work with the data itself. DQL (Data Query Language) enables you to retrieve information from the database.
    4. The CREATE DATABASE statement establishes a new database, while the CREATE TABLE statement defines the structure of a table within a database, including its columns and their data types.
    5. The INSERT INTO statement adds new rows of data into a specified table. It requires indicating the table and the values to be placed into the respective columns.
    6. The NOT NULL constraint enforces that a particular column must always have a value and cannot be left empty or contain a null entry when data is added or modified.
    7. The + operator performs addition, the – operator performs subtraction, and the * operator performs multiplication between numerical values in SQL queries.
    8. The SELECT statement retrieves data from database tables. The WHERE clause filters the results of a SELECT query, allowing you to specify conditions that rows must meet to be included in the output.
    9. The Python shell is an interactive interpreter for immediate code execution, while running a .py file executes the entire script from the command line without direct interaction during the process.
    10. A variable in Python is a name used to refer to a memory location that stores a value; for instance, name = “Alice” assigns the string value “Alice” to the variable named name.

    Essay Format Questions

    1. Discuss the significance of SQL as a standard language for database management. In your discussion, elaborate on at least three advantages of using SQL as highlighted in the provided text and provide examples of how these advantages contribute to efficient database operations.
    2. Compare and contrast the roles of Data Definition Language (DDL) and Data Manipulation Language (DML) in SQL. Explain how these two sub-languages work together to enable the creation and management of data within a relational database system.
    3. Explain the concept of scope in Python and discuss the LEGB rule. Provide examples to illustrate the differences between local, enclosed, global, and built-in scopes and explain how Python resolves variable names based on this rule.
    4. Discuss the importance of modules in Python programming. Explain the advantages of using modules, such as reusability and organization, and describe different ways to import modules, including the use of import, from … import …, and aliases.
    5. Imagine you are designing a simple database for a small online bookstore. Describe the tables you would create, the columns each table would have (including data types and any necessary constraints like NOT NULL or primary keys), and provide example SQL CREATE TABLE statements for two of your proposed tables.

    Glossary of Key Terms

    • Database: A systematically organized collection of data that can be easily accessed, managed, and updated.
    • Table: A structure within a database used to organize data into rows (records) and columns (fields or attributes).
    • Column (Field): A vertical set of data values of a particular type within a table, representing an attribute of the entities stored in the table.
    • Row (Record): A horizontal set of data values within a table, representing a single instance of the entity being described.
    • SQL (Structured Query Language): A standard programming language used for managing and manipulating data in relational databases.
    • DBMS (Database Management System): Software that enables users to interact with a database, providing functionalities such as data storage, retrieval, and security.
    • DDL (Data Definition Language): A subset of SQL commands used to define the structure of a database, including creating, altering, and dropping databases, tables, and other database objects.
    • DML (Data Manipulation Language): A subset of SQL commands used to manipulate data within a database, including inserting, updating, deleting, and retrieving data.
    • DQL (Data Query Language): A subset of SQL commands, primarily the SELECT statement, used to query and retrieve data from a database.
    • Constraint: A rule or restriction applied to data in a database to ensure its accuracy, integrity, and reliability. Examples include NOT NULL.
    • Operator: A symbol or keyword that performs an operation on one or more operands. In SQL, this includes arithmetic operators (+, -, *, /), logical operators (AND, OR, NOT), and comparison operators (=, >, <, etc.).
    • Schema: The logical structure of a database, including the organization of tables, columns, relationships, and constraints.
    • Python Shell: An interactive command-line interpreter for Python, allowing users to execute code snippets and receive immediate feedback.
    • .py file: A file containing Python source code, which can be executed as a script from the command line.
    • Variable (Python): A named reference to a value stored in memory. Variables in Python are dynamically typed, meaning their data type is determined by the value assigned to them.
    • Data Type (Python): The classification of data that determines the possible values and operations that can be performed on it (e.g., integer, string, boolean).
    • String (Python): A sequence of characters enclosed in single or double quotes, used to represent text.
    • Scope (Python): The region of a program where a particular name (variable, function, etc.) is accessible. Python has four main scopes: local, enclosed, global, and built-in (LEGB).
    • Module (Python): A file containing Python definitions and statements. Modules provide a way to organize code into reusable units.
    • Import (Python): A statement used to load and make the code from another module available in the current script.
    • Alias (Python): An alternative name given to a module or function during import, often used for brevity or to avoid naming conflicts.

    Briefing Document: Review of “01.pdf”

    This briefing document summarizes the main themes and important concepts discussed in the provided excerpts from “01.pdf”. The document covers fundamental database concepts using SQL, basic command-line operations, an introduction to Python programming, and related software development tools.

    I. Introduction to Databases and SQL

    The document introduces the concept of databases as systematically organized data, often resembling spreadsheets or tables. It highlights the widespread use of databases in various applications, providing examples like banks storing account and transaction data, and hospitals managing patient, staff, and laboratory information.

    “well a database looks like data organized systematically and this organization typically looks like a spreadsheet or a table”

    The core purpose of SQL (Structured Query Language) is explained as a language used to interact with databases. Key operations that can be performed using SQL are outlined:

    “operational terms create add or insert data read data update existing data and delete data”

    SQL is further divided into several sub-languages:

    • DDL (Data Definition Language): Used to define the structure of the database and its objects like tables. Commands like CREATE (to create databases and tables) and ALTER (to modify existing objects, e.g., adding a column) are part of DDL.
    • “ddl as the name says helps you define data in your database but what does it mean to Define data before you can store data in the database you need to create the database and related objects like tables in which your data will be stored for this the ddl part of SQL has a command named create then you might need to modify already created database objects for example you might need to modify the structure of a table by adding a new column you can perform this task with the ddl alter command you can remove an object like a table from a”
    • DML (Data Manipulation Language): Used to manipulate the data within the database, including inserting (INSERT INTO), updating, and deleting data.
    • “now we need to populate the table of data this is where I can use the data manipulation language or DML subset of SQL to add table data I use the insert into syntax this inserts rows of data into a given table I just type insert into followed by the table name and then a list of required columns or Fields within a pair of parentheses then I add the values keyword”
    • DQL (Data Query Language): Primarily used for querying or retrieving data from the database (SELECT statements fall under this category).
    • DCL (Data Control Language): Used to control access and security within the database.

    The document emphasizes that a DBMS (Database Management System) is crucial for interpreting and executing SQL instructions, acting as an intermediary between the SQL commands and the underlying database.

    “a database interprets and makes sense of SQL instructions with the use of a database management system or dbms as a web developer you’ll execute all SQL instructions on a database using a dbms the dbms takes responsibility for transforming SQL instructions into a form that’s understood by the underlying database”

    The advantages of using SQL are highlighted, including its simplicity, standardization, portability, comprehensiveness, and efficiency in processing large amounts of data.

    “you now know that SQL is a simple standard portable comprehensive and efficient language that can be used to delete data retrieve and share data among multiple users and manage database security this is made possible through subsets of SQL like ddl or data definition language DML also known as data manipulation language dql or data query language and DCL also known as data control language and the final advantage of SQL is that it lets database users process large amounts of data quickly and efficiently”

    Examples of basic SQL syntax are provided, such as creating a database (CREATE DATABASE College;) and creating a table (CREATE TABLE student ( … );). The INSERT INTO syntax for adding data to a table is also introduced.

    Constraints like NOT NULL are mentioned as ways to enforce data integrity during table creation.

    “the creation of a new customer record is aborted the not null default value is implemented using a SQL statement a typical not null SQL statement begins with the creation of a basic table in the database I can write a create table Clause followed by customer to define the table name followed by a pair of parentheses within the parentheses I add two columns customer ID and customer name I also Define each column with relevant data types end for customer ID as it stores”

    SQL arithmetic operators (+, -, *, /, %) are introduced with examples. Logical operators (NOT, OR) and special operators (IN, BETWEEN) used in the WHERE clause for filtering data are also explained. The concept of JOIN clauses, including SELF-JOIN, for combining data from tables is briefly touched upon.

    Subqueries (inner queries within outer queries) and Views (virtual tables based on the result of a query) are presented as advanced SQL concepts. User-defined functions and triggers are also introduced as ways to extend database functionality and automate actions. Prepared statements are mentioned as a more efficient way to execute SQL queries repeatedly. Date and time functions in MySQL are briefly covered.

    II. Introduction to Command Line/Bash Shell

    The document provides a basic introduction to using the command line or bash shell. Fundamental commands are explained:

    • PWD (Print Working Directory): Shows the current directory.
    • “to do that I run the PWD command PWD is short for print working directory I type PWD and press the enter key the command returns a forward slash which indicates that I’m currently in the root directory”
    • LS (List): Displays the contents of the current directory. The -l flag provides a detailed list format.
    • “if I want to check the contents of the root directory I run another command called LS which is short for list I type LS and press the enter key and now notice I get a list of different names of directories within the root level in order to get more detail of what each of the different directories represents I can use something called a flag flags are used to set options to the commands you run use the list command with a flag called L which means the format should be printed out in a list format I type LS space Dash l press enter and this Returns the results in a list structure”
    • CD (Change Directory): Navigates between directories using relative or absolute paths. cd .. moves up one directory.
    • “to step back into Etc type cdetc to confirm that I’m back there type bwd and enter if I want to use the other alternative you can do an absolute path type in CD forward slash and press enter Then I type PWD and press enter you can verify that I am back at the root again to step through multiple directories use the same process type CD Etc and press enter check the contents of the files by typing LS and pressing enter”
    • MKDIR (Make Directory): Creates a new directory.
    • “now I will create a new directory called submissions I do this by typing MK der which stands for make directory and then the word submissions this is the name of the directory I want to create and then I hit the enter key I then type in ls-l for list so that I can see the list structure and now notice that a new directory called submissions has been created I can then go into this”
    • TOUCH: Creates a new empty file.
    • “the Parent Directory next is the touch command which makes a new file of whatever type you specify for example to build a brand new file you can run touch followed by the new file’s name for instance example dot txt note that the newly created file will be empty”
    • HISTORY: Shows a history of recently used commands.
    • “to view a history of the most recently typed commands you can use the history command”
    • File Redirection (>, >>, <): Allows redirecting the input or output of commands to files. > overwrites, >> appends.
    • “if you want to control where the output goes you can use a redirection how do we do that enter the ls command enter Dash L to print it as a list instead of pressing enter add a greater than sign redirection now we have to tell it where we want the data to go in this scenario I choose an output.txt file the output dot txt file has not been created yet but it will be created based on the command I’ve set here with a redirection flag press enter type LS then press enter again to display the directory the output file displays to view the”
    • GREP: Searches for patterns within files.
    • “grep stands for Global regular expression print and it’s used for searching across files and folders as well as the contents of files on my local machine I enter the command ls-l and see that there’s a file called”
    • CAT: Displays the content of a file.
    • LESS: Views file content page by page.
    • “press the q key to exit the less environment the other file is the bash profile file so I can run the last command again this time with DOT profile this tends to be used used more for environment variables for example I can use it for setting”
    • VIM: A text editor used for creating and editing files.
    • “now I will create a simple shell script for this example I will use Vim which is an editor that I can use which accepts input so type vim and”
    • CHMOD: Changes file permissions, including making a file executable (chmod +x filename).
    • “but I want it to be executable which requires that I have an X being set on it in order to do that I have to use another command which is called chmod after using this them executable within the bash shell”

    The document also briefly mentions shell scripts (files containing a series of commands) and environment variables (dynamic named values that can affect the way running processes will behave on a computer).

    III. Introduction to Git and GitHub

    Git is introduced as a free, open-source distributed version control system used to manage source code history, track changes, revert to previous versions, and collaborate with other developers. Key Git commands mentioned include:

    • GIT CLONE: Used to create a local copy of a remote repository (e.g., from GitHub).
    • “to do this I type the command git clone and paste the https URL I copied earlier finally I press enter on my keyboard notice that I receive a message stating”
    • LS -LA: Lists all files in a directory, including hidden ones (like the .git directory which contains the Git repository metadata).
    • “the ls-la command another file is listed which is just named dot get you will learn more about this later when you explore how to use this for Source control”
    • CD .git: Changes the current directory to the .git folder.
    • “first open the dot get folder on your terminal type CD dot git and press enter”
    • CAT HEAD: Displays the reference to the current commit.
    • “next type cat head and press enter in git we only work on a single Branch at a time this file also exists inside the dot get folder under the refs forward slash heads path”
    • CAT refs/heads/main: Displays the hash of the last commit on the main branch.
    • “type CD dot get and press enter next type cat forward slash refs forward slash heads forward slash main press enter after you”
    • GIT PULL: Fetches changes from a remote repository and integrates them into the local branch.
    • “I am now going to explain to you how to pull the repository to your local device”

    GitHub is described as a cloud-based hosting service for Git repositories, offering a user interface for managing Git projects and facilitating collaboration.

    IV. Introduction to Python Programming

    The document introduces Python as a versatile programming language and outlines different ways to run Python code:

    • Python Shell: An interactive environment for running and testing small code snippets without creating separate files.
    • “the python shell is useful for running and testing small scripts for example it allows you to run code without the need for creating new DOT py files you start by adding Snippets of code that you can run directly in the shell”
    • Running Python Files: Executing Python code stored in files with the .py extension using the python filename.py command.
    • “running a python file directly from the command line or terminal note that any file that has the file extension of dot py can be run by the following command for example type python then a space and then type the file”

    Basic Python concepts covered include:

    • Variables: Declaring and assigning values to variables (e.g., x = 5, name = “Alice”). Python automatically infers data types. Multiple variables can be assigned the same value (e.g., a = b = c = 10).
    • “all I have to do is name the variable for example if I type x equals 5 I have declared a variable and assigned as a value I can also print out the value of the variable by calling the print statement and passing in the variable name which in this case is X so I type print X when I run the program I get the value of 5 which is the assignment since I gave the initial variable Let Me Clear My screen again you have several options when it comes to declaring variables you can declare any different type of variable in terms of value for example X could equal a string called hello to do this I type x equals hello I can then print the value again run it and I find the output is the word hello behind the scenes python automatically assigns the data type for you”
    • Data Types: Basic data types like integers, floats (decimal numbers), complex numbers, strings (sequences of characters enclosed in single or double quotes), lists, and tuples (ordered, immutable sequences) are introduced.
    • “X could equal a string called hello to do this I type x equals hello I can then print the value again run it and I find the output is the word hello behind the scenes python automatically assigns the data type for you you’ll learn more about this in an upcoming video on data types you can declare multiple variables and assign them to a single value as well for example making a b and c all equal to 10. I do this by typing a equals b equals C equals 10. I print all three… sequence types are classed as container types that contain one or more of the same type in an ordered list they can also be accessed based on their index in the sequence python has three different sequence types namely strings lists and tuples let’s explore each of these briefly now starting with strings a string is a sequence of characters that is enclosed in either a single or double quotes strings are represented by the string class or Str for”
    • Operators: Arithmetic operators (+, -, *, /, **, %, //) and logical operators (and, or, not) are explained with examples.
    • “example 7 multiplied by four okay now let’s explore logical operators logical operators are used in Python on conditional statements to determine a true or false outcome let’s explore some of these now first logical operator is named and this operator checks for all conditions to be true for example a is greater than five and a is less than 10. the second logical operator is named or this operator checks for at least one of the conditions to be true for example a is greater than 5 or B is greater than 10. the final operator is named not this”
    • Conditional Statements: if, elif (else if), and else statements are introduced for controlling the flow of execution based on conditions.
    • “The Logical operators are and or and not let’s cover the different combinations of each in this example I declare two variables a equals true and B also equals true from these variables I use an if statement I type if a and b colon and on the next line I type print and in parentheses in double quotes”
    • Loops: for loops (for iterating over sequences) and while loops are introduced with examples, including nested loops.
    • “now let’s break apart the for Loop and discover how it works the variable item is a placeholder that will store the current letter in the sequence you may also recall that you can access any character in the sequence by its index the for Loop is accessing it in the same way and assigning the current value to the item variable this allows us to access the current character to print it for output when the code is run the outputs will be the letters of the word looping each letter on its own line now that you know about looping constructs in Python let me demonstrate how these work further using some code examples to Output an array of tasty desserts python offers us multiple ways to do loops or looping you’ll Now cover the for loop as well as the while loop let’s start with the basics of a simple for Loop to declare a for loop I use the four keyword I now need a variable to put the value into in this case I am using I I also use the in keyword to specify where I want to Loop over I add a new function called range to specify the number of items in a range in this case I’m using 10 as an example next I do a simple print statement by pressing the enter key to move to a new line I select the print function and within the brackets I enter the name looping and the value of I then I click on the Run button the output indicates the iteration Loops through the range of 0 to 9.”
    • Functions: Defining and calling functions using the def keyword. Functions can take arguments and return values. Examples of using *args (for variable positional arguments) and **kwargs (for variable keyword arguments) are provided.
    • “I now write a function to produce a string out of this information I type def contents and then self in parentheses on the next line I write a print statement for the string the plus self dot dish plus has plus self dot items plus and takes plus self dot time plus Min to prepare here we’ll use the backslash character to force a new line and continue the string on the following line for this to print correctly I need to convert the self dot items and self dot time… let’s say for example you wanted to calculate a total bill for a restaurant a user got a cup of coffee that was 2.99 then they also got a cake that was 455 and also a juice for 2.99. the first thing I could do is change the for Loop let’s change the argument to quarks by”
    • File Handling: Opening, reading (using read, readline, readlines), and writing to files. The importance of closing files is mentioned.
    • “the third method to read files in Python is read lines let me demonstrate this method the read lines method reads the entire contents of the file and then returns it in an ordered list this allows you to iterate over the list or pick out specific lines based on a condition if for example you have a file with four lines of text and pass a length condition the read files function will return the output all the lines in your file in the correct order files are stored in directories and they have”
    • Recursion: The concept of a function calling itself is briefly illustrated.
    • “the else statement will recursively call the slice function but with a modified string every time on the next line I add else and a colon then on the next line I type return string reverse Str but before I close the parentheses I add a slice function by typing open square bracket the number 1 and a colon followed by”
    • Object-Oriented Programming (OOP): Basic concepts of classes (using the class keyword), objects (instances of classes), attributes (data associated with an object), and methods (functions associated with an object, with self as the first parameter) are introduced. Inheritance (creating new classes based on existing ones) is also mentioned.
    • “method inside this class I want this one to contain a new function called leave request so I type def Leaf request and then self in days as the variables in parentheses the purpose of the leave request function is to return a line that specifies the number of days requested to write this I type return the string may I take a leave for plus Str open parenthesis the word days close parenthesis plus another string days now that I have all the classes in place I’ll create a few instances from these classes one for a supervisor and two others for… you will be defining a function called D inside which you will be creating another nested function e let’s write the rest of the code you can start by defining a couple of variables both of which will be called animal the first one inside the D function and the second one inside the E function note how you had to First declare the variable inside the E function as non-local you will now add a few more print statements for clarification for when you see the outputs finally you have called the E function here and you can add one more variable animal outside the D function this”
    • Modules: The concept of modules (reusable blocks of code in separate files) and how to import them using the import statement (e.g., import math, from math import sqrt, import math as m). The benefits of modular programming (scope, reusability, simplicity) are highlighted. The search path for modules (sys.path) is mentioned.
    • “so a file like sample.py can be a module named Sample and can be imported modules in Python can contain both executable statements and functions but before you explore how they are used it’s important to understand their value purpose and advantages modules come from modular programming this means that the functionality of code is broken down into parts or blocks of code these parts or blocks have great advantages which are scope reusability and simplicity let’s delve deeper into these everything in… to import and execute modules in Python the first important thing to know is that modules are imported only once during execution if for example your import a module that contains print statements print Open brackets close brackets you can verify it only executes the first time you import the module even if the module is imported multiple times since modules are built to help you Standalone… I will now import the built-in math module by typing import math just to make sure that this code works I’ll use a print statement I do this by typing print importing the math module after this I’ll run the code the print statement has executed most of the modules that you will come across especially the built-in modules will not have any print statements and they will simply be loaded by The Interpreter now that I’ve imported the math module I want to use a function inside of it let’s choose the square root function sqrt to do this I type the words math dot sqrt when I type the word math followed by the dot a list of functions appears in a drop down menu and you can select sqrt from this list I passed 9 as the argument to the math.sqrt function assign this to a variable called root and then I print it the number three the square root of nine has been printed to the terminal which is the correct answer instead of importing the entire math module as we did above there is a better way to handle this by directly importing the square root function inside the scope of the project this will prevent overloading The Interpreter by importing the entire math module to do this I type from math import sqrt when I run this it displays an error now I remove the word math from the variable declaration and I run the code again this time it works next let’s discuss something called an alias which is an excellent way of importing different modules here I sign an alias called m to the math module I do this by typing import math as m then I type cosine equals m dot I”
    • Scope: The concepts of local, enclosed, global, and built-in scopes in Python (LEGB rule) and how variable names are resolved. Keywords global and nonlocal for modifying variable scope are mentioned.
    • “names of different attributes defined inside it in this way modules are a type of namespace name spaces and Scopes can become very confusing very quickly and so it is important to get as much practice of Scopes as possible to ensure a standard of quality there are four main types of Scopes that can be defined in Python local enclosed Global and built in the practice of trying to determine in which scope a certain variable belongs is known as scope resolution scope resolution follows what is known commonly as the legb rule let’s explore these local this is where the first search for a variable is in the local scope enclosed this is defined inside an enclosing or nested functions Global is defined at the uppermost level or simply outside functions and built-in which is the keywords present in the built-in module in simpler terms a variable declared inside a function is local and the ones outside the scope of any function generally are global here is an example the outputs for the code on screen shows the same variable name Greek in different scopes… keywords that can be used to change the scope of the variables Global and non-local the global keyword helps us access the global variables from within the function non- local is a special type of scope defined in Python that is used within the nested functions only in the condition that it has been defined earlier in the enclosed functions now you can write a piece of code that will better help you understand the idea of scope for an attributes you have already created a file called animalfarm.py you will be defining a function called D inside which you will be creating another nested function e let’s write the rest of the code you can start by defining a couple of variables both of which will be called animal the first one inside the D function and the second one inside the E function note how you had to First declare the variable inside the E function as non-local you will now add a few more print statements for clarification for when you see the outputs finally you have called the E function here and you can add one more variable animal outside the D function this”
    • Reloading Modules: The reload() function for re-importing and re-executing modules that have already been loaded.
    • “statement is only loaded once by the python interpreter but the reload function lets you import and reload it multiple times I’ll demonstrate that first I create a new file sample.py and I add a simple print statement named hello world remember that any file in Python can be used as a module I’m going to use this file inside another new file and the new file is named using reloads.py now I import the sample.py module I can add the import statement multiple times but The Interpreter only loads it once if it had been reloaded we”
    • Testing: Introduction to writing test cases using the assert keyword and the pytest framework. The convention of naming test functions with the test_ prefix is mentioned. Test-Driven Development (TDD) is briefly introduced.
    • “another file called test Edition dot Pi in which I’m going to write my test cases now I import the file that consists of the functions that need to be tested next I’ll also import the pi test module after that I Define a couple of test cases with the addition and subtraction functions each test case should be named test underscore then the name of the function to be tested in our case we’ll have test underscore add and test underscore sub I’ll use the assert keyword inside these functions because tests primarily rely on this keyword it… contrary to the conventional approach of writing code I first write test underscore find string Dot py and then I add the test function named test underscore is present in accordance with the test I create another file named file string dot py in which I’ll write the is present function I Define the function named is present and I pass an argument called person in it then I make a list of names written as values after that I create a simple if else condition to check if the past argument”

    V. Software Development Tools and Concepts

    The document mentions several tools and concepts relevant to software development:

    • Python Installation and Version: Checking the installed Python version using python –version.
    • “prompt type python dash dash version to identify which version of python is running on your machine if python is correctly installed then Python 3 should appear in your console this means that you are running python 3. there should also be several numbers after the three to indicate which version of Python 3 you are running make sure these numbers match the most recent version on the python.org website if you see a message that states python not found then review your python installation or relevant document on”
    • Jupyter Notebook: An interactive development environment (IDE) for Python. Installation using python -m pip install jupyter and running using jupyter notebook are mentioned.
    • “course you’ll use the Jupiter put her IDE to demonstrate python to install Jupiter type python-mpip install Jupiter within your python environment then follow the jupyter installation process once you’ve installed jupyter type jupyter notebook to open a new instance of the jupyter notebook to use within your default browser”
    • MySQL Connector: A Python library used to connect Python applications to MySQL databases.
    • “the next task is to connect python to your mySQL database you can create the installation using a purpose-built python Library called MySQL connector this library is an API that provides useful”
    • Datetime Library: Python’s built-in module for working with dates and times. Functions like datetime.now(), datetime.date(), datetime.time(), and timedelta are introduced.
    • “python so you can import it without requiring pip let’s review the functions that Python’s daytime Library offers the date time Now function is used to retrieve today’s date you can also use date time date to retrieve just the date or date time time to call the current time and the time Delta function calculates the difference between two values now let’s look at the Syntax for implementing date time to import the daytime python class use the import code followed by the library name then use the as keyword to create an alias of… let’s look at a slightly more complex function time Delta when making plans it can be useful to project into the future for example what date is this same day next week you can answer questions like this using the time Delta function to calculate the difference between two values and return the result in a python friendly format so to find the date in seven days time you can create a new variable called week type the DT module and access the time Delta function as an object 563 instance then pass through seven days as an argument finally”
    • MySQL Workbench: A graphical tool for working with MySQL databases, including creating schemas.
    • “MySQL server instance and select the schema menu to create a new schema select the create schema option from the menu pane in the schema toolbar this action opens a new window within this new window enter mg underscore schema in the database name text field select apply this generates a SQL script called create schema mg schema you 606 are then asked to review the SQL script to be applied to your new database click on the apply button within the review window if you’re satisfied with the script a new window”
    • Data Warehousing: Briefly introduces the concept of a centralized data repository for integrating and processing large amounts of data from multiple sources for analysis. Dimensional data modeling is mentioned.
    • “in the next module you’ll explore the topic of data warehousing in this module you’ll learn about the architecture of a data warehouse and build a dimensional data model you’ll begin with an overview of the concept of data warehousing you’ll learn that a data warehouse is a centralized data repository that loads integrates stores and processes large amounts of data from multiple sources users can then query this data to perform data analysis you’ll then”
    • Binary Numbers: A basic explanation of the binary number system (base-2) is provided, highlighting its use in computing.
    • “binary has many uses in Computing it is a very convenient way of… consider that you have a lock with four different digits each digit can be a zero or a one how many potential past numbers can you have for the lock the answer is 2 to the power of four or two times two times two times two equals sixteen you are working with a binary lock therefore each digit can only be either zero or one so you can take four digits and multiply them by two every time and the total is 16. each time you add a potential digit you increase the”
    • Knapsack Problem: A brief overview of this optimization problem is given as a computational concept.
    • “three kilograms additionally each item has a value the torch equals one water equals two and the tent equals three in short the knapsack problem outlines a list of items that weigh different amounts and have different values you can only carry so many items in your knapsack the problem requires calculating the optimum combination of items you can carry if your backpack can carry a certain weight the goal is to find the best return for the weight capacity of the knapsack to compute a solution for this problem you must select all items”

    This document provides a foundational overview of databases and SQL, command-line basics, version control with Git and GitHub, and introductory Python programming concepts, along with essential development tools. The content suggests a curriculum aimed at individuals learning about software development, data management, and related technologies.

    By Amjad Izhar
    Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
    https://amjadizhar.blog

    Affiliate Disclosure: This blog may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you click on the link and make a purchase. This comes at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers. Your support helps keep this blog running and allows me to continue providing you with quality content. Thank you for your support!

  • Quick, Tasty Meals You Can Whip Up In Under 15 Minutes

    Quick, Tasty Meals You Can Whip Up In Under 15 Minutes

    When time is tight but your taste buds demand satisfaction, knowing how to whip up a mouthwatering meal in under 15 minutes is an absolute game changer. Whether you’re juggling meetings, managing kids, or just craving something delicious without the wait, these fast meals deliver on flavor without the fuss.

    Gone are the days when “quick food” meant greasy takeout or bland microwave dinners. The reality is, with the right ingredients and a touch of culinary creativity, you can create satisfying, wholesome dishes that rival anything from a gourmet kitchen. As food writer Mark Bittman notes in How to Cook Everything Fast, “speed in the kitchen doesn’t mean sacrificing quality—it means mastering efficiency and flavor.”

    This list is your go-to guide for quick and tasty meals that don’t compromise on nutrition or sophistication. From bold global flavors to comfort food favorites, each dish is a culinary shortcut with maximum payoff. Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or a kitchen novice, these meals prove that you can eat well, live well—and do it all in under 15 minutes.

    1 – Speedy suppers
    Time is often the biggest hurdle to cooking a nourishing meal, but speedy suppers are proof that good food doesn’t need to take all night. These meals are centered around ingredients that cook fast and flavors that shine without hours of simmering. Think pre-cooked proteins, fresh vegetables, and smart shortcuts like spice blends or frozen staples.

    Description of image
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    Speedy suppers also provide an opportunity to clean out your fridge and get creative. Add a twist with herbs, zesty sauces, or a drizzle of infused oil to transform something simple into something stunning. As culinary expert Rachael Ray—known for her 30-minute meals—often emphasizes, “It’s not about how long you spend cooking. It’s about the love and intention behind what you serve.”

    Recipe – Speedy Suppers: Garlic Lemon Shrimp with Couscous

    Ingredients:

    • 1 cup couscous
    • 1 cup boiling water
    • 1 tbsp olive oil
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
    • Zest and juice of 1 lemon
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • Chopped parsley for garnish

    Instructions:

    1. Pour boiling water over the couscous in a bowl. Cover and set aside.
    2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
    3. Add shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink.
    4. Add lemon zest and juice. Toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper.
    5. Fluff couscous with a fork, plate it, and top with shrimp. Garnish with parsley and serve.

    2 – Black and kidney bean chili
    This plant-powered chili is a protein-packed option for weeknights when you’re short on time but want something hearty. With canned black and kidney beans as the base, you’re skipping the soaking and boiling process and jumping straight into flavor territory. Toss them into a pot with sautéed onions, garlic, cumin, paprika, and crushed tomatoes for a rich, smoky stew that comes together in mere minutes.

    Description of image
    ©Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock

    To elevate the dish, top with fresh cilantro, avocado slices, or a sprinkle of feta. Serve it with crusty bread or rice for a filling experience. Author Deborah Madison, in Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone, highlights how beans offer “a deep, earthy flavor that’s satisfying and soul-warming,” especially when cooked quickly with bold seasonings.

    Recipe – Black and Kidney Bean Chili

    Ingredients:

    • 1 tbsp olive oil
    • 1 small onion, diced
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 tsp chili powder
    • 1/2 tsp cumin
    • 1 can black beans, drained
    • 1 can kidney beans, drained
    • 1 can diced tomatoes
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • Sour cream or avocado for topping (optional)

    Instructions:

    1. In a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook 2–3 minutes.
    2. Stir in garlic, chili powder, and cumin. Cook 1 minute until fragrant.
    3. Add both beans and tomatoes (with juices). Simmer for 8–10 minutes.
    4. Season to taste. Serve hot with optional sour cream or avocado slices.

    3 – Apple and turkey quesadillas
    This unexpected pairing of savory and sweet is both refreshing and satisfying. Turkey, whether sliced deli meat or leftovers, pairs beautifully with the crisp tartness of green apples and melted cheese nestled between tortillas. A quick pan-sear on each side yields a golden, gooey result that’s comforting yet light.

    Description of image
    ©Etorres//Shutterstock

    To enhance the flavors, consider a dash of cinnamon or mustard in the mix. Serve with a side of Greek yogurt or a simple green salad. As culinary author Alice Waters notes in The Art of Simple Food, “the best meals are often the most surprising combinations, made with care and curiosity.”

    Recipe – Apple and Turkey Quesadillas

    Ingredients:

    • 2 flour tortillas
    • 1/2 cup shredded cooked turkey
    • 1/2 apple, thinly sliced
    • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
    • 1 tsp butter

    Instructions:

    1. Lay out tortillas and layer turkey, apple slices, and cheese on one half of each.
    2. Fold the tortillas over to create a half-moon shape.
    3. Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat. Place one quesadilla at a time and cook 2–3 minutes per side until golden and cheese melts.
    4. Slice and serve warm.

    4 – Satay noodle stir-fry
    This Southeast Asian-inspired dish brings together creamy peanut sauce, crunchy vegetables, and noodles in a flavor-packed medley. Start by sautéing garlic, ginger, and quick-cooking vegetables like bell peppers and snap peas. Toss in rice noodles and stir through a simple satay sauce made from peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, and a touch of chili.

    Description of image
    ©Issy Crocker/Hodder

    The beauty of this meal lies in its adaptability—use tofu, chicken, or shrimp based on what’s available. It’s a protein-rich, plant-forward option that feels indulgent without being heavy. According to The Flavour Thesaurus by Niki Segnit, “Peanut and lime is a combination that ignites the senses,” making this dish a fast favorite.

    4 – Satay Noodle Stir-Fry

    Ingredients:

    • 2 nests of quick-cook noodles
    • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
    • 1 cup mixed stir-fry veggies
    • 2 tbsp peanut butter
    • 1 tbsp soy sauce
    • 1 tsp honey
    • 1 tbsp lime juice
    • Crushed peanuts and cilantro for garnish

    Instructions:

    1. Cook noodles as per packet instructions. Drain and set aside.
    2. Heat oil in a wok or large pan. Add veggies and stir-fry for 3–4 minutes.
    3. In a small bowl, whisk peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, and lime juice.
    4. Add noodles and sauce to the pan. Toss everything together and heat for 1–2 minutes.
    5. Garnish with peanuts and cilantro before serving.

    5 – Steak with garlic butter
    There’s something timeless and satisfying about a juicy steak cooked to perfection. A thin cut like flank or sirloin can sear in under 10 minutes. Finish it with a pat of homemade garlic herb butter, allowing it to melt luxuriously over the top, infusing the meat with savory richness.

    Description of image
    ©Jane Hornby/Phaidon

    Pair it with a simple side—perhaps a salad or microwave-steamed green beans—for a well-rounded plate. As Anthony Bourdain once said, “Good food is very often, even most often, simple food.” This dish is a testament to that philosophy.

    Recipe – Steak with Garlic Butter

    Ingredients:

    • 2 small sirloin or ribeye steaks
    • Salt and pepper
    • 1 tbsp oil
    • 2 tbsp butter
    • 2 garlic cloves, smashed
    • Fresh parsley, chopped

    Instructions:

    1. Season steaks with salt and pepper on both sides.
    2. Heat oil in a heavy skillet on high heat. Add steaks and sear 2–3 minutes per side (depending on thickness and desired doneness).
    3. Reduce heat to medium. Add butter and garlic. Spoon melted butter over steaks as they finish cooking.
    4. Rest steaks for 2 minutes. Slice and top with chopped parsley and remaining garlic butter.

    6 – Cheese, ham, and fig crêpes
    Crêpes aren’t just for brunch—they’re also ideal for quick dinners with a sophisticated edge. Fill them with slices of ham, shredded cheese, and fig preserves for a perfect balance of salty and sweet. Warm them just enough for the cheese to melt and the flavors to meld.

    Description of image
    ©Bonne Maman/loveFOOD

    This dish feels fancy but is remarkably simple, especially if you use pre-made crêpes or whip up a quick batter. Serve with a small arugula salad drizzled in balsamic glaze. As Julia Child famously advised, “You don’t have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces—just good food from fresh ingredients.”

    Recipe – Cheese, Ham, and Fig Crêpes

    Ingredients:

    • 2 ready-made crêpes
    • 2 slices prosciutto or cooked ham
    • 2 tbsp fig jam
    • 1/2 cup shredded Gruyère or goat cheese

    Instructions:

    1. Place the crêpes flat and spread fig jam on each.
    2. Layer with ham and cheese.
    3. Fold in half and heat in a dry skillet for 2–3 minutes on each side until the cheese melts.
    4. Serve warm, optionally garnished with arugula.

    7 – Miso ramen bowl
    Ramen doesn’t have to come from a styrofoam cup. With just a few ingredients, you can turn instant noodles into a nourishing bowl of comfort. Add miso paste, sesame oil, and soy sauce to the broth for umami depth. Toss in a soft-boiled egg, spinach, mushrooms, and green onions.

    Description of image
    ©Patricia Niven/Bluebird

    This dish is both restorative and deeply flavorful. According to Japanese Soul Cooking by Tadashi Ono and Harris Salat, “Miso is not just a seasoning—it’s a source of life and warmth.” A bowl of miso ramen is a hug in edible form.

    Recipe – Miso Ramen Bowl

    Ingredients:

    • 2 instant ramen noodle packs (discard seasoning)
    • 2 cups chicken or veggie broth
    • 1 tbsp miso paste
    • 1 tsp soy sauce
    • 1 soft-boiled egg (optional)
    • 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
    • 1 green onion, chopped

    Instructions:

    1. Boil broth and stir in miso paste and soy sauce.
    2. Add mushrooms and noodles, cook for 4–5 minutes.
    3. Ladle into bowls, top with green onion and egg if desired.

    8 – Huevos rancheros
    This Mexican classic combines eggs, beans, and salsa atop crispy tortillas—quick to make and full of bold flavor. Crack eggs over a skillet, fry until the whites set, then layer over a base of refried beans and a spoonful of fiery tomato salsa.

    Description of image
    ©AS Food Studio/Shutterstock

    Garnish with avocado, cilantro, or queso fresco for a vibrant finish. This dish is high in protein and ideal for any time of day. As Rick Bayless, author of Authentic Mexican, points out, “Huevos rancheros reflect the soul of Mexican home cooking—humble ingredients, vibrant results.”

    Recipe – Huevos Rancheros

    Ingredients:

    • 2 corn tortillas
    • 2 eggs
    • 1/2 cup refried beans
    • 1/2 cup salsa
    • 1 tbsp oil
    • Cilantro and avocado to garnish

    Instructions:

    1. Warm tortillas and spread with refried beans.
    2. Fry eggs in oil to desired doneness.
    3. Place eggs on tortillas, spoon over salsa, and garnish.

    9 – Cheat’s chicken curry
    This shortcut curry relies on pre-cooked chicken and a jar of quality curry paste. Sauté onions, garlic, and your choice of veggies, then stir in the paste, coconut milk, and chicken. In minutes, it simmers into a rich, aromatic dish that tastes like it took much longer to make.

    Description of image
    ©Bartosz Luczak/Shutterstock

    Serve with naan or microwave rice for a quick but complete meal. Madhur Jaffrey, the grand dame of Indian cuisine, notes in Curry Nation that “a good curry doesn’t need hours—it needs the right balance.” This dish strikes that balance effortlessly.

    Recipe – Cheat’s Chicken Curry

    Ingredients:

    • 1 tbsp oil
    • 1/2 onion, chopped
    • 1 garlic clove, minced
    • 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded
    • 2 tbsp curry paste
    • 1/2 cup coconut milk
    • Fresh cilantro

    Instructions:

    1. Sauté onion and garlic in oil for 2 minutes.
    2. Stir in curry paste, then coconut milk and chicken. Simmer for 5–6 minutes.
    3. Garnish and serve with naan or rice.

    10 – Fish stick tacos
    A playful twist on fish tacos, this meal makes use of frozen fish sticks for speed. While they crisp up in the oven or air fryer, prep a zesty slaw with cabbage, lime, and Greek yogurt. Pile into soft tortillas and finish with a drizzle of hot sauce or crema.

    Description of image
    ©Nassima Rothacker/Kyle Books

    These tacos are crowd-pleasers for both adults and kids. Fast food meets fresh flavor in this creative mashup. As chef David Chang has said, “Sometimes the most honest food is the most fun.”

    Recipe – Fish Stick Tacos

    Ingredients:

    • 6 frozen fish sticks
    • 3 corn tortillas
    • 1/2 cup shredded cabbage
    • 2 tbsp mayo + 1 tsp sriracha (mix)
    • Lime wedges

    Instructions:

    1. Bake fish sticks as per package (or air fry).
    2. Warm tortillas. Spread sriracha mayo, add fish sticks, and top with cabbage.
    3. Squeeze lime over before serving.

    11 – Seared soy and sesame tuna
    Ahi tuna steaks cook in a flash—literally one minute per side—making them ideal for quick dinners. Marinate briefly in soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice vinegar, then sear in a hot pan for a perfect rare center and caramelized crust.

    Description of image
    ©Brent Hofhacker/Shutterstock

    Serve with jasmine rice and steamed broccoli or a cucumber salad. According to The Joy of Cooking, tuna’s mild richness is amplified by the salty-sweet complexity of soy and sesame, making this a meal that punches well above its prep time.

    Recipe – Seared Soy and Sesame Tuna

    Ingredients:

    • 2 tuna steaks
    • 1 tbsp soy sauce
    • 1 tsp sesame oil
    • 1 tsp sesame seeds
    • Green onion, sliced

    Instructions:

    1. Marinate tuna in soy and sesame oil for 5 minutes.
    2. Sear in hot skillet, 1–2 minutes per side.
    3. Sprinkle sesame seeds and green onion before serving.

    12 – Super-fast pea soup
    A vibrant green soup made with frozen peas, onion, garlic, and vegetable stock can be blended to silky perfection in under 10 minutes. A splash of cream or a dollop of Greek yogurt adds richness, while mint or basil provides a fresh finish.

    Description of image
    ©bitt24/Shutterstock

    This soup is light yet satisfying, ideal for a quick lunch or first course. As Deborah Madison writes, “Soups are one of the fastest ways to nourish yourself,” and this one proves that beautifully.

    Recipe – Super-Fast Pea Soup

    Ingredients:

    • 1 tbsp butter
    • 2 cups frozen peas
    • 1 cup vegetable broth
    • 1/2 cup milk or cream
    • Salt, pepper, mint leaves

    Instructions:

    1. Sauté peas in butter for 1–2 minutes.
    2. Add broth and cook for 5 minutes. Blend until smooth.
    3. Stir in milk and season. Garnish with mint.

    13 – Pad Thai shrimp noodles
    This Thai classic becomes weeknight-ready with pre-cooked shrimp and rice noodles that soak in minutes. Stir-fry garlic, green onions, and bean sprouts, then toss everything together with tamarind paste, fish sauce, lime, and a pinch of brown sugar.

    Description of image
    ©Chatchai Kritsetsakul/Shutterstock

    Garnish with peanuts and cilantro for texture and freshness. In Simple Thai Food, Leela Punyaratabandhu notes, “Pad Thai is quick, dynamic, and full of contrast—a true street food hero.”

    Recipe – Pad Thai Shrimp Noodles

    Ingredients:

    • 1 tbsp oil
    • 1/2 lb shrimp
    • 1 cup rice noodles, cooked
    • 1 egg
    • 1 tbsp tamarind sauce
    • 1 tsp fish sauce
    • Crushed peanuts, lime

    Instructions:

    1. Stir-fry shrimp in oil until pink, push aside.
    2. Crack egg, scramble, then mix in noodles and sauces.
    3. Serve with lime and peanuts.

    14 – Chunky fish soup
    This Mediterranean-style soup comes together fast with chunks of white fish, canned tomatoes, garlic, and herbs. Let it simmer briefly while flavors develop, and serve with crusty bread for soaking up the broth.

    Description of image
    ©hlphoto/Shutterstock

    The dish is light yet deeply flavorful, leaning on olive oil and fresh parsley for finishing touches. “Good soup is the foundation of a good kitchen,” writes Auguste Escoffier. This one is both quick and classic.

    Recipe – Chunky Fish Soup

    Ingredients:

    • 1 tbsp oil
    • 1/2 onion
    • 1 garlic clove
    • 1 1/2 cups broth
    • 1 cup white fish chunks
    • Herbs: thyme or dill

    Instructions:

    1. Sauté onion and garlic. Add broth and fish.
    2. Simmer 8–10 minutes. Garnish with herbs.

    15 – Farfalle with pancetta and peas
    This pasta dish is a harmony of texture and taste. Crisp pancetta contrasts beautifully with sweet peas and the smoothness of al dente farfalle. Toss with a touch of cream and Parmesan for a simple yet luxurious sauce.

    Description of image
    ©Liliya Kandrashevich/Shutterstock

    Use frozen peas to save time, and the dish can be on the table in under 15 minutes. As Marcella Hazan shares in Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking, “Flavor develops in simplicity.” This dish is the epitome of that lesson.

    Recipe – Farfalle with Pancetta and Peas

    Ingredients:

    • 1/2 lb farfalle
    • 1/2 cup pancetta, diced
    • 1/2 cup frozen peas
    • 1 tbsp cream or Parmesan

    Instructions:

    1. Cook farfalle and peas together.
    2. Fry pancetta until crispy. Drain pasta and mix all. Stir in cream or cheese.

    16 – Crab linguine
    Delicate and decadent, crab linguine is an elegant dish that’s surprisingly quick to prepare. Toss linguine with sautéed garlic, lemon zest, and olive oil, then stir in fresh or canned crab meat. Finish with a pinch of chili flakes and chopped parsley for brightness and depth.

    Description of image
    ©Teerapong Tanpanit/Shutterstock

    This dish offers restaurant-level flavor in record time. According to Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat by Samin Nosrat, “Acid brings balance to richness”—making lemon essential here to cut through the buttery crab.

    Recipe – Crab Linguine

    Ingredients:

    • 1/2 lb linguine
    • 1 tbsp olive oil
    • 1 garlic clove
    • 1/2 cup crab meat
    • Zest and juice of 1 lemon
    • Parsley

    Instructions:

    1. Cook linguine. Sauté garlic in oil, add crab, lemon.
    2. Toss with pasta and parsley.

    17 – Teriyaki chicken
    Quick-cooking chicken thighs or tenders become sticky and irresistible when coated in a homemade teriyaki glaze made from soy sauce, honey, ginger, and mirin. In just a few minutes, the sauce thickens and coats the chicken like lacquer.

    Description of image
    ©AS Food studio/Shutterstock

    Serve with steamed rice or noodles and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. This fast favorite proves that takeout-style meals can be even better—and quicker—at home. As Japanese food writer Harumi Kurihara says, “Homemade always carries more heart.”

    Recipe – Teriyaki Chicken

    Ingredients:

    • 2 chicken breasts, thinly sliced
    • 2 tbsp teriyaki sauce
    • 1 tsp sesame oil
    • Rice (for serving)

    Instructions:

    1. Sear chicken in sesame oil for 6–7 minutes.
    2. Add teriyaki, simmer 2 minutes. Serve over rice.

    18 – Mushroom chow mein
    Earthy mushrooms and crispy noodles are a dream duo in this speedy stir-fry. Sauté mushrooms with garlic, scallions, and soy sauce until golden, then toss in cooked noodles and a dash of sesame oil.

    Description of image
    ©Tamin Jones/Kyle Books

    This plant-based powerhouse is satisfying and savory. As Fuchsia Dunlop notes in Every Grain of Rice, “Even the humblest stir-fry can offer extraordinary texture and umami.” Mushroom chow mein is a perfect example of that truth.

    Recipe – Mushroom Chow Mein

    Ingredients:

    • 2 cups mushrooms
    • 1 tbsp soy sauce
    • 1 tbsp oyster sauce
    • 1 cup cooked noodles
    • 1 tsp oil

    Instructions:

    1. Sauté mushrooms in oil. Add sauces.
    2. Toss in noodles, heat for 2 minutes. Serve hot.

    19 – Chili spaghetti with garlic and parsley
    This Italian-style fusion dish combines the comfort of spaghetti with the heat of chili and the freshness of parsley. While the pasta cooks, warm olive oil with sliced garlic and chili flakes—then toss it all together with a handful of fresh herbs.

    Description of image
    ©Luca Santilli/Shutterstock

    It’s a minimal-ingredient meal that relies on pantry staples but never feels boring. In The Silver Spoon, the iconic Italian cookbook, it’s suggested that “great cooking starts with restraint.” This dish is proof.

    Recipe – Chili Spaghetti with Garlic and Parsley

    Ingredients:

    • 1/2 lb spaghetti
    • 1 chili, chopped
    • 2 garlic cloves
    • 2 tbsp olive oil
    • Parsley

    Instructions:

    1. Cook spaghetti. Sauté garlic and chili in oil.
    2. Toss with pasta and parsley.

    20 – Smoked salmon and pea frittata
    Eggs, peas, and smoked salmon make for a quick and classy frittata that’s light yet filling. Whisk eggs with a splash of milk, pour into a skillet with cooked peas and flaked salmon, and broil briefly to set the top.

    Description of image
    ©eggrecipes.co.uk/loveFOOD

    It’s high in protein, rich in omega-3s, and effortlessly elegant. Nigella Lawson, in How to Eat, praises the frittata as “an undervalued vehicle for odds and ends”—and this version is a luxurious take on that idea.

    Recipe – Smoked Salmon and Pea Frittata

    Ingredients:

    • 3 eggs
    • 1/2 cup peas
    • 1/4 cup smoked salmon
    • Salt, pepper

    Instructions:

    1. Whisk eggs, add peas and salmon.
    2. Pour into hot pan, cook 3–4 minutes. Flip or broil to finish.

    21 – Smoked salmon omelet
    For a lighter take, smoked salmon folded into a tender omelet is a protein-rich breakfast-for-dinner classic. Add a smear of cream cheese or dollop of crème fraîche inside before folding for added richness.

    Description of image
    ©Martin Turzak/Shutterstock

    This quick fix feels indulgent but takes almost no time. It’s brain food, heart food, and soul food all in one. As Julia Child once said, “With enough butter, anything is good”—but here, the salmon does the heavy lifting.

    Recipe – Smoked Salmon Omelet

    Ingredients:

    • 2 eggs
    • 1/4 cup smoked salmon
    • 1 tbsp cream cheese
    • Chives

    Instructions:

    1. Beat eggs, pour into skillet.
    2. Add salmon and cheese, fold, cook 2 minutes.

    22 – Scallops with chorizo
    This dish pairs sweet, seared scallops with spicy, smoky chorizo for a bold flavor contrast. Cook the chorizo until crispy, sear the scallops in the rendered fat, and finish with lemon and herbs.

    Description of image
    ©Bartosz Luczak/Shutterstock

    It’s luxurious, deeply flavorful, and takes just minutes. According to The Flavor Equation by Nik Sharma, “Contrast is what makes food exciting”—and this pairing delivers just that.

    Recipe – Scallops with Chorizo

    Ingredients:

    • 6 scallops
    • 1/4 cup chorizo, diced
    • 1 tsp oil

    Instructions:

    1. Fry chorizo until crispy. Remove.
    2. Sear scallops 1–2 min per side. Serve with chorizo.

    23 – Three grain tofu stir-fry
    This nutrient-packed stir-fry uses pre-cooked grains like quinoa, brown rice, and farro as the base. Add crispy tofu cubes, quick-cooked veggies, and a soy-ginger sauce for a plant-based meal that’s hearty and energizing.

    Description of image
    ©Elena Veselova/Shutterstock

    It’s ideal for clean eating without losing the comfort of warm, savory food. In Plant-Based on a Budget, Toni Okamoto highlights the value of combining whole grains and proteins for quick, filling meals with staying power.

    Recipe – Three Grain Tofu Stir-Fry

    Ingredients:

    • 1/2 block tofu
    • 1 cup cooked grains (quinoa, rice, barley)
    • Mixed veggies
    • 1 tbsp soy sauce

    Instructions:

    1. Sear tofu cubes. Stir-fry veggies.
    2. Add grains, tofu, soy sauce. Toss and serve.

    24 – Seafood pasta
    Quick-cooking shrimp, scallops, or clams turn a simple pasta into a decadent seafood celebration. Sauté with garlic, white wine, and tomatoes, then toss with cooked pasta and herbs for a coastal-inspired dish.

    Description of image
    ©Romilla Arber/Park Family Publishing

    This one’s big on flavor and short on time. As Eric Ripert notes in On the Line, “Fresh seafood doesn’t need complexity—it needs timing and care.” That’s what this dish delivers in spades.

    Recipe – Seafood Pasta

    Ingredients:

    • 1/2 lb spaghetti
    • 1/2 cup mixed seafood
    • 2 tbsp white wine
    • 1 garlic clove

    Instructions:

    1. Cook pasta. Sauté garlic, add seafood and wine.
    2. Toss with pasta and parsley.

    25 – Indonesian fried rice
    Also known as nasi goreng, this dish repurposes leftover rice into something bold and flavorful. Stir-fry with shallots, garlic, kecap manis (sweet soy sauce), and a fried egg on top for a satisfying finish.

    Description of image
    ©Ariyani Tedjo/Shutterstock

    It’s smoky, sweet, spicy, and incredibly addictive. Lara Lee, in Coconut & Sambal, calls Indonesian fried rice “a dish of comfort and nostalgia,” perfect for a fast yet flavorful meal.

    Recipe – Indonesian Fried Rice (Nasi Goreng)

    Ingredients:

    • 1 cup cooked rice
    • 1 egg
    • 1 tbsp kecap manis or soy sauce
    • Veggies and protein of choice

    Instructions:

    1. Scramble egg, set aside. Stir-fry rice and veggies.
    2. Add egg, sauce, and mix well.

    26 – Moules marinières
    This French classic is surprisingly fast to prepare. Mussels steam open in minutes when cooked with white wine, garlic, shallots, and parsley. Add a touch of cream for richness if desired.

    Description of image
    ©hlphoto/Shutterstock

    Serve with crusty bread for dipping into the fragrant broth. In La Cuisine, Raymond Blanc notes that “the beauty of seafood is in its brevity”—and this dish is a timeless example.

    Recipe – Moules Marinières

    Ingredients:

    • 1 lb mussels
    • 1/2 cup white wine
    • 1 garlic clove
    • 1 tbsp cream (optional)

    Instructions:

    1. Clean mussels. Boil wine and garlic, add mussels.
    2. Steam 5–6 mins. Stir in cream. Discard unopened mussels.

    27 – Spinach orecchiette
    Orecchiette pasta pairs beautifully with wilted spinach, garlic, and a touch of olive oil. Add a sprinkle of Parmesan or chili flakes for depth and contrast.

    Description of image
    ©Miguel Barcaly/Headline Home

    It’s a minimalist meal that punches above its weight in nutrition and flavor. According to Italian Food by Elizabeth David, “The true art of pasta lies in simplicity.” This dish honors that ideal.

    Recipe – Spinach Orecchiette

    Ingredients:

    • 1/2 lb orecchiette
    • 2 cups spinach
    • 1 garlic clove
    • 1 tbsp olive oil

    Instructions:

    1. Cook pasta. Sauté garlic and spinach in oil.
    2. Toss with pasta and serve.

    28 – Pasta alla puttanesca
    This bold, briny dish comes together with pantry staples like olives, capers, anchovies, and tomatoes. The sauce simmers quickly while pasta boils, infusing everything with deep Mediterranean flavor.

    Description of image
    ©DronG/Shutterstock

    It’s fiery, fast, and undeniably satisfying. In Lidia’s Italy, Lidia Bastianich calls puttanesca “a sauce with attitude”—perfect for nights when you need food with character.

    Recipe – Pasta alla Puttanesca

    Ingredients:

    • 1/2 lb spaghetti
    • 1/2 cup canned tomatoes
    • 2 anchovies
    • 1 tbsp capers, olives

    Instructions:

    1. Cook pasta. Sauté anchovies, capers, olives.
    2. Add tomatoes, simmer 5 mins. Toss with pasta.
    Recipe – Ham and Egg Linguine

    Ingredients:

    • 1/2 lb linguine
    • 1 egg
    • 1/4 cup chopped ham
    • Parmesan

    Instructions:

    1. Cook pasta. Whisk egg with cheese.
    2. Mix hot pasta with ham, then add egg quickly to coat.

    29 – Ham and egg linguine
    Eggs and ham make a surprisingly rich and creamy pasta sauce when tossed with hot linguine and Parmesan. The residual heat cooks the eggs into a silky coating—no cream required.

    Description of image
    ©Waitrose and Partners/loveFOOD

    It’s a riff on carbonara, but even quicker. In Science and Cooking, Harold McGee explains how “the heat of pasta can transform egg into a custard-like emulsion”—a principle at the heart of this dish.

    Recipe – Ham and Egg Linguine

    Ingredients:

    • 1/2 lb linguine
    • 1 egg
    • 1/4 cup chopped ham
    • Parmesan

    Instructions:

    1. Cook pasta. Whisk egg with cheese.
    2. Mix hot pasta with ham, then add egg quickly to coat.

    30 – Glazed salmon
    Quick-searing salmon filets get a flavor boost from a honey-soy glaze with a hint of garlic or ginger. As the glaze reduces, it forms a sticky, caramelized coat that enhances the fish’s natural richness.

    Description of image
    ©freeskyline/Shutterstock

    Serve with rice or a green salad for balance. In Fish Forever, Paul Johnson writes, “Salmon rewards simplicity”—and this method lets it shine.

    Recipe – Glazed Salmon

    Ingredients:

    • 2 salmon fillets
    • 2 tbsp soy sauce
    • 1 tbsp honey
    • 1 tsp mustard

    Instructions:

    1. Mix glaze. Sear salmon for 3 mins per side.
    2. Pour glaze, cook until thick and glossy.

    31 – Gnocchi with tomato and basil
    Soft potato gnocchi cook in just a few minutes and pair beautifully with a quick tomato-basil sauce. Sauté garlic and cherry tomatoes in olive oil until they burst, then toss with gnocchi and torn basil.

    Description of image
    ©gkrphoto/Shutterstock

    It’s comforting, aromatic, and deceptively easy. As chef Nancy Silverton shares in The Mozza Cookbook, “Gnocchi is the little pillow that carries all the flavor you give it.”

    Recipe – Gnocchi with Tomato and Basil

    Ingredients:

    • 1 pack gnocchi
    • 1 cup cherry tomatoes
    • 1 garlic clove
    • Basil

    Instructions:

    1. Boil gnocchi (3 mins). Sauté garlic and tomatoes.
    2. Toss with gnocchi and basil. Serve hot.

    Conclusion
    When time is of the essence, these meals offer a masterclass in flavor, speed, and efficiency. Each recipe is proof that quick cooking can be gourmet, satisfying, and nutritious without breaking a sweat or compromising on quality. With a well-stocked pantry, smart techniques, and a dash of creativity, you can serve up sensational dishes in under 15 minutes that will leave your taste buds delighted and your schedule intact.

    As culinary legend James Beard once said, “Food is our common ground, a universal experience.” Let these 31 quick and tasty meals bring warmth, joy, and connection to your kitchen—even on your busiest days.

    Bibliography

    1. Nosrat, Samin.Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking. Simon & Schuster, 2017.
      • A foundational guide to understanding the science and art behind delicious cooking, with an emphasis on balance and flavor.
    2. Lawson, Nigella.How to Eat: The Pleasures and Principles of Good Food. Chatto & Windus, 1998.
      • An elegant and practical guide to everyday cooking, filled with wisdom, comfort, and real-life kitchen strategies.
    3. Dunlop, Fuchsia.Every Grain of Rice: Simple Chinese Home Cooking. W. W. Norton & Company, 2013.
      • A deep dive into fast and flavorful Chinese home cooking, ideal for quick meals with bold tastes.
    4. David, Elizabeth.Italian Food. Penguin Books, 1954.
      • A culinary classic that explores authentic Italian flavors, with an emphasis on simplicity and tradition.
    5. Silverton, Nancy.The Mozza Cookbook: Recipes from Los Angeles’s Favorite Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria. Knopf, 2011.
      • Offers gourmet Italian techniques with practical application for the home cook.
    6. Lee, Lara.Coconut & Sambal: Recipes from My Indonesian Kitchen. Bloomsbury, 2020.
      • A rich exploration of Indonesian cuisine, offering quick, deeply flavorful recipes.
    7. Kurihara, Harumi.Everyday Harumi: Simple Japanese Food for Family and Friends. Conran Octopus, 2009.
      • A collection of fast and accessible Japanese meals by one of Japan’s most beloved home cooks.
    8. McGee, Harold.On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen. Scribner, 2004.
      • A definitive reference for understanding the science behind food preparation.
    9. Ripert, Eric.On the Line: Inside the World of Le Bernardin. Artisan, 2008.
      • Offers insight into seafood preparation and the art of fast, precise cooking from a Michelin-starred perspective.
    10. Johnson, Paul.Fish Forever: The Definitive Guide to Understanding, Selecting, and Preparing Healthy, Delicious, and Environmentally Sustainable Seafood. Wiley, 2007.
      • A practical guide to cooking seafood simply and sustainably.
    11. Bastianich, Lidia.Lidia’s Italy in America. Knopf, 2011.
      • Italian-American recipes that are quick, nostalgic, and full of flavor.
    12. Okamoto, Toni.Plant-Based on a Budget. BenBella Books, 2019.
      • A smart and resourceful guide to fast, affordable, plant-forward meals.
    13. Sharma, Nik.The Flavor Equation: The Science of Great Cooking Explained. Chronicle Books, 2020.
      • Blends culinary science with real-world cooking for powerful flavor combinations.
    14. Blanc, Raymond.A Taste of My Life. Bantam Press, 2008.
      • A memoir with recipes that celebrates seasonal, quick, and refined cooking from a French master.
    15. Beard, James.The James Beard Cookbook. St. Martin’s Press, 1959.
      • A timeless resource for classic, practical, and accessible American home cooking.

    By Amjad Izhar
    Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
    https://amjadizhar.blog

    Affiliate Disclosure: This blog may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you click on the link and make a purchase. This comes at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers. Your support helps keep this blog running and allows me to continue providing you with quality content. Thank you for your support!

  • Divine Providence and Human Responsibility by Allama Javed Ghamdi

    Divine Providence and Human Responsibility by Allama Javed Ghamdi

    This text is a religious discussion focusing on the relationship between natural disasters, human actions, and divine justice. A religious scholar argues that such events aren’t solely divine punishment, but rather warnings or reminders (nuzur) from God, prompting reflection on both individual piety and collective responsibility. The discussion highlights the importance of fulfilling both personal and societal duties, using examples of human ingenuity in mitigating disasters and the ongoing need for spiritual awareness. Ultimately, the text emphasizes the interconnectedness of human actions and their consequences in both worldly and spiritual realms.

    Understanding Global Calamities: A Study Guide

    Quiz:

    1. According to Ghamidi, why does God allow suffering and disasters to occur in the world?
    2. What is the primary purpose of death, according to Ghamidi’s interpretation of the Quran?
    3. How do earthquakes, famines, and pandemics serve as “nuzur”?
    4. Differentiate between Allah’s “divine punishment” and the calamities discussed in the text.
    5. What are the two main points of view from which Ghamidi suggests we interpret catastrophes?
    6. How does Ghamidi explain the fact that natural disasters still occur despite human advancements in science and technology?
    7. Why, according to Ghamidi, do disasters often disproportionately affect the poor?
    8. What verse from the Quran does Ghamidi cite to illustrate the kind of conduct Allah expects from humans?
    9. Why, in Ghamidi’s view, should Muslims be concerned with global issues like climate change?
    10. What modern developments does Ghamidi highlight as indicative of God’s desire for a more unified and just international order?

    Answer Key:

    1. Ghamidi argues that God allows suffering and disasters to occur as a form of “awakening” or “nuzur,” a reminder of our mortality and a call to fulfill our responsibilities to ourselves, our communities, and humanity.
    2. Ghamidi believes that death serves as the most powerful reminder of our mortality and the ultimate reality of life, prompting introspection and a reassessment of our priorities.
    3. Earthquakes, famines, and pandemics serve as “nuzur” by showcasing the fragility of life and the potential for widespread suffering, prompting reflection and a turn towards righteous action.
    4. Ghamidi distinguishes between “divine punishment,” which follows the arrival of a Messenger and is directed towards the unrepentant, and calamities, which serve as warnings and prompts for all of humanity.
    5. Ghamidi suggests interpreting catastrophes from the perspective of our responsibility to God (judgement day) and our responsibility to one another (fulfilling our collective duties in this world).
    6. Ghamidi explains that human efforts to mitigate disasters are part of our God-given responsibility to care for ourselves and the world, but God will continue to send challenges and reminders to awaken us from complacency.
    7. Ghamidi argues that the disproportionate suffering of the poor is a consequence of human injustice and a failure to fulfill our collective responsibility towards the vulnerable members of society.
    8. Ghamidi cites the verse “innalllaha yaa’muru bil adl wal ihsaan wa iitaa izil qurba wa yanhaa anil fahshaa’i wal munkari wal baghy” to highlight Allah’s expectation that humans act justly, generously, and responsibly towards one another.
    9. Ghamidi believes that Muslims have a religious and moral obligation to address global issues because they impact all of humanity and reflect our interconnectedness as God’s creation.
    10. Ghamidi points to advancements in transport and communication technology as signs that God desires a more interconnected and cooperative world, transcending national borders and promoting a more just and equitable global order.

    Essay Questions:

    1. Analyze Ghamidi’s understanding of the relationship between human responsibility and divine will in the context of natural disasters.
    2. Discuss the concept of “nuzur” and its significance in Islamic thought, drawing on Ghamidi’s interpretation of calamities.
    3. Evaluate Ghamidi’s argument for the need for a global perspective in addressing contemporary challenges, considering both religious and secular viewpoints.
    4. Compare and contrast Ghamidi’s views on divine punishment with his interpretation of the purpose of natural disasters.
    5. Explore the ethical implications of Ghamidi’s claim that the disproportionate suffering of the poor during disasters is a result of human injustice.

    Glossary of Key Terms:

    • Nuzur: Divine warnings or awakenings, often manifested as calamities or hardships, intended to prompt reflection and a turn towards righteousness.
    • Divine Punishment: Retribution from God for transgressions, typically following the arrival of a Messenger and directed towards the unrepentant.
    • Ihsaan: Excellence, going beyond fairness and justice to act with selflessness and generosity towards others.
    • Collective Responsibility: The shared obligation to care for the well-being of the community, extending beyond individual needs and concerns.
    • Global Perspective: An understanding of human interconnectedness and shared responsibility that transcends national borders and prioritizes the well-being of all of humanity.

    Natural Disasters: A Religious and Humanist Perspective

    A Religious and Humanist Perspective on Natural Disasters

    This briefing document analyzes a conversation between Islamic scholar Javed Ahmad Ghamidi and journalist Hassan Ilyas, focusing on the meaning and implications of natural disasters.

    Main Themes:

    • Natural Disasters as Divine Warnings: Ghamidi argues that natural disasters are not divine punishments, but rather warnings or “nuzur” aimed at awakening humanity. He emphasizes that God has established a world of trial where individuals have free will and face consequences for their actions, both individually and collectively.

    “These earthquakes, these lightnings, these famines, these adversities…All these occur in order to turn settlements into a picture of death…It becomes an announcement. It becomes an alarm for the world.”

    • Human Responsibility and Global Challenges: Ghamidi underscores the importance of fulfilling both individual and collective responsibilities. He criticizes humanity’s failure to address global problems like climate change and poverty, highlighting the interconnectedness of these issues.

    “The problems at hand for humankind, even in them carelessness tends to be a great cause of destructiveness. There is on the one hand global warming…this has resulted in ups and downs of the greatest degree, which has made some human beings’ greed for comfort into humiliation and death for others.”

    • The Interplay of Divine Will and Human Agency: While acknowledging God’s ultimate power, Ghamidi stresses the importance of human agency in mitigating the impact of disasters. He cites Japan’s success in earthquake-resistant construction as an example of humanity’s ability to adapt and respond to challenges.

    “Both aspects go hand in hand…He [God] will do his work and keep finding new ways because warning is necessary, And the task of human beings is that all the calamities and troubles which appear in the world, to step up and courageously confront them.”

    Key Ideas and Facts:

    • Distinction between Divine Punishment and Warning: Divine punishments, according to Ghamidi, are specific and targeted, following the arrival of a Messenger and a clear separation between the righteous and the wicked. Natural disasters, however, affect all indiscriminately, serving as a general wake-up call.
    • The Role of Death: Death is presented as the ultimate reminder of our mortality and the need to live a life aligned with God’s will. Natural disasters, by mirroring death on a larger scale, amplify this message.
    • Justice and Ihsaan: Ghamidi emphasizes the importance of justice, fairness, and “ihsaan” (going beyond mere obligation and acting with generosity and selflessness) in individual and collective life. He links these values to both worldly success and divine reward in the afterlife.
    • Global Responsibility and Interconnectedness: Ghamidi calls for a shift towards a global mindset, recognizing the shared humanity that transcends national borders. He sees the advancements in transportation and communication as divine tools for fostering international cooperation and addressing global challenges.

    Conclusion:

    This conversation offers a nuanced perspective on natural disasters, emphasizing their role as divine warnings while highlighting the crucial role of human agency in mitigating their impact. Ghamidi’s message blends religious teachings with a call for global responsibility, urging individuals to act with justice, compassion, and a recognition of our shared humanity.

    FAQ: Understanding Disasters and Our Responsibilities

    1. Why do earthquakes, floods, and other disasters happen? Are they punishments from God?

    Disasters are not divine punishments for specific sins. Rather, they serve as awakenings or reminders from God. Allah created this world as a test, where we face challenges and make choices. Disasters can shake us from complacency and remind us of our mortality and our accountability to God.

    They also highlight the consequences of neglecting our collective responsibilities. For example, inadequate infrastructure, environmental degradation, and social inequalities can exacerbate the impact of natural disasters.

    2. If disasters are meant to awaken us, why do some countries seem less affected despite experiencing similar events?

    While disasters can serve as warnings, humans are also endowed with intellect and the ability to mitigate risks. Countries that invest in preparedness, infrastructure, and scientific advancement can significantly reduce the impact of disasters. This proactive approach demonstrates our God-given capacity to learn, adapt, and protect ourselves.

    However, even the most advanced societies are not immune to the power of nature. Disasters continue to serve as reminders of our limitations and our need for humility before God.

    3. Why do the poor seem to suffer disproportionately during disasters? Is this fair?

    The unfortunate reality is that social inequalities created by human actions leave the poor more vulnerable to disasters. Lack of access to resources, safe housing, and healthcare increases their risk and suffering. This disparity highlights the urgent need for social justice and fulfilling our responsibilities towards the less fortunate.

    Disasters expose the consequences of our collective failures to create a just and equitable society. They are a call to action to address systemic issues that perpetuate poverty and vulnerability.

    4. What are the main things that displease God and lead to such awakenings?

    Two key factors contribute to the need for these “awakenings”:

    • Inattentiveness to our spiritual responsibility: Neglecting our relationship with God, ignoring His guidance, and pursuing worldly desires without regard for His teachings lead to spiritual negligence.
    • Neglecting our collective responsibilities: Failing to fulfill our duties towards our families, communities, and humanity as a whole creates a ripple effect of suffering and injustice. This includes addressing social inequalities, protecting the environment, and promoting peace and cooperation.

    5. What guidance does the Quran offer regarding our responsibilities?

    A key verse often recited in Friday sermons summarizes our core responsibilities:

    “Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression.” (Quran 16:90)

    This verse emphasizes:

    • Justice and fairness: Acting equitably in all our dealings, upholding rights, and promoting fairness.
    • Kindness and compassion: Going beyond mere justice to show generosity and care for others.
    • Supporting family: Fulfilling our obligations to our relatives and providing for their well-being.
    • Avoiding immorality: Refraining from actions that harm individuals and society, including dishonesty, oppression, and violence.

    6. Are Muslims neglecting global issues like climate change and are they responsible for addressing them?

    Unfortunately, many Muslims, like others, tend to focus on personal and local concerns, neglecting the interconnectedness of humanity and the global impact of our actions.

    From a religious perspective, caring for the well-being of all humankind is a fundamental Islamic principle. We are all interconnected and responsible for addressing problems that affect humanity as a whole.

    7. How can advancements in technology and communication help us address global challenges?

    Allah has provided us with incredible tools in the form of technology and communication to connect, collaborate, and solve global challenges. These advancements offer opportunities to:

    • Share knowledge and resources: Collaborating on solutions for issues like climate change, poverty, and disease.
    • Promote understanding and empathy: Bridging cultural divides and fostering a sense of shared responsibility for humanity.
    • Create a more just and equitable world: Working towards a global order that prioritizes human well-being and shared prosperity.

    8. What can we learn from recent events like the pandemic and the war in Ukraine?

    These events underscore the fragility of peace and the interconnectedness of global challenges. They highlight the urgent need for:

    • Global cooperation and solidarity: Recognizing our shared humanity and working together to address common threats.
    • Promoting justice and equity: Addressing the root causes of conflict and suffering, including poverty, inequality, and oppression.
    • Investing in peacebuilding and diplomacy: Prioritizing dialogue, understanding, and non-violent conflict resolution.

    Ultimately, these disasters and challenges are opportunities for reflection, growth, and action. By remembering our responsibilities to God, each other, and the world around us, we can strive to create a more just, compassionate, and sustainable future.

    Natural Disasters: A Call to Reflection and Action

    Natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, famines, and storms are part of Allah’s scheme to awaken people from their heedlessness and remind them of their responsibilities [1, 2]. These events are not divine punishments, but rather warnings to encourage introspection and vigilance [3, 4]. The Quran states that Allah has created the world as a trial, where humans have the freedom to choose their paths and face the consequences of their actions [1, 5]. Allah has also provided humans with intelligence and the ability to mitigate the impact of these disasters through scientific advancements and responsible actions [6].

    Here are some key points about natural disasters as discussed in the sources:

    • Natural disasters serve as a reminder of death, a reality that often gets overshadowed by the hustle and bustle of life [7]. They highlight the fragility of life and the importance of fulfilling our responsibilities in preparation for the afterlife [2].
    • While natural disasters may appear indiscriminate in their impact, affecting both the rich and the poor, they often expose the inequalities and injustices that exist within society [8]. They underscore the need for collective responsibility and action to address social and environmental issues [9, 10].
    • Humanity has a responsibility to both mitigate the impact of natural disasters through scientific advancements and address the underlying social and environmental factors that contribute to their occurrence [6, 9].
    • Global warming, climate change, and water shortages are among the global problems that demand attention and collective action from all of humanity [9, 10]. The Quran emphasizes the importance of viewing humanity as one interconnected family, transcending national borders and sectarian differences [10].

    The sources argue that facing these challenges requires a shift in perspective. Instead of viewing natural disasters solely as a punishment or a test of faith, we should see them as an opportunity to reflect on our actions, fulfill our responsibilities, and work towards a more just and equitable world. They suggest that by embracing our collective responsibility and utilizing our God-given intelligence, we can strive to mitigate the negative impacts of natural disasters and build a better future for all.

    God’s Trial: Humanity’s Test and Redemption

    The sources explain that God created the world as a trial to test humanity and determine who is worthy of eternal life in paradise. [1, 2] This world is not based on equity and justice, but rather on the principle of examination. [2] God has given humans free will to choose their own paths, and He does not intervene to prevent them from making mistakes or committing injustices. [3]

    In this trial, God has provided several means to awaken humans from their heedlessness and remind them of their responsibilities. [3-6] This includes:

    • Death: Death serves as the most powerful reminder of the reality of life and its fleeting nature. It occurs daily, affecting people of all ages and backgrounds. [4, 7]
    • Natural Disasters: Earthquakes, floods, famines, and other calamities act as a large-scale manifestation of death and suffering. They serve to awaken entire communities and nations, highlighting the fragility of life and the importance of fulfilling our responsibilities. [5, 8, 9]

    The purpose of these awakenings is not punishment, but rather to encourage introspection and vigilance. [5, 6, 8, 9] They are a call to:

    • Remember our accountability to God and prepare for the afterlife. [8, 10]
    • Fulfill our collective responsibilities as human beings. [6, 9-11] This includes taking care of our families and communities, working towards social justice, and addressing global issues like climate change and poverty.

    God has also equipped humans with intelligence and the ability to mitigate the effects of natural disasters through scientific advancements and responsible actions. [9, 12, 13] By using our intelligence and fulfilling our responsibilities, both individually and collectively, we can navigate the challenges of this world and strive for success in the hereafter. [10-14]

    Human Responsibility: To God and Each Other

    The sources emphasize that humans have a dual responsibility: to God and to each other. These responsibilities are intertwined, and fulfilling them is crucial for navigating the challenges of this world and achieving success in the afterlife.

    Responsibility to God:

    • Acknowledge God as Creator: Humans must recognize that this universe has a creator to whom they will be held accountable [1].
    • Prepare for the Afterlife: Life on Earth is a temporary trial, and humans should live with an awareness of the Day of Judgement [1, 2]. They must strive to act justly, spend on their loved ones, and avoid infringing upon the rights of others to succeed in the hereafter [3].
    • Heed God’s Warnings: Natural disasters, death, and other calamities serve as awakenings from God to remind humans of their responsibilities and encourage them to turn back to Him [2, 4, 5].

    Responsibility to Each Other:

    This encompasses both individual and collective duties:

    • Individual Responsibilities: This includes taking care of personal needs, fulfilling familial obligations, and acting morally and justly in all personal interactions [3, 6, 7].
    • Collective Responsibilities: Humans must recognize their interconnectedness and work together for the betterment of humanity [7, 8]. This involves:
    • Fulfilling Social Responsibilities: Contributing to the well-being of one’s community, nation, and the world at large [2, 6, 7].
    • Addressing Global Issues: Taking action on challenges such as global warming, climate change, poverty, and inequality [7, 8].
    • Promoting Justice and Equity: Striving to create a fairer world by dismantling oppressive systems and structures that perpetuate injustice and suffering [8-10].
    • Thinking Globally: Embracing a worldview that prioritizes the well-being of all humanity, transcending national borders and sectarian differences [7, 8].
    • Mitigating the Impact of Disasters: Utilizing human intelligence and ingenuity to develop solutions and implement preventative measures to minimize the effects of natural disasters [6, 11].

    Failing to fulfill these responsibilities, both to God and to fellow human beings, leads to negative consequences both in this world and the next. Neglecting social and global responsibilities can result in societal problems, suffering, and increased vulnerability to disasters [2, 3, 6, 9]. Ignoring one’s accountability to God can lead to spiritual and moral decline and jeopardizes one’s standing in the afterlife [2, 3].

    The sources encourage a proactive and responsible approach to life, emphasizing that humans are not passive recipients of God’s will but active agents capable of shaping their own destiny and contributing to the well-being of the world. By using our God-given intelligence, compassion, and ability to cooperate, we can strive to overcome challenges, mitigate suffering, and create a more just and equitable world for all.

    Divine Awakenings and Humanity’s Response

    The sources describe divine awakenings as a key element in God’s plan to guide humanity towards righteousness and prepare them for the afterlife. These awakenings are not meant as punishments, but rather as compassionate nudges to draw people out of their heedlessness and encourage them to reflect on their actions and responsibilities.

    Here are the key aspects of divine awakenings discussed in the sources:

    • Purpose: The primary aim of divine awakenings is to stir individuals and communities from their spiritual slumber and remind them of their accountability to God. They serve to prompt introspection and encourage people to re-evaluate their priorities, turning their attention away from the fleeting pleasures of this world and towards the eternal realities of the hereafter.
    • Methods: God employs various methods to awaken humanity, including:
    • Death: The inevitability of death serves as a constant reminder of life’s fragility and the importance of preparing for the afterlife.
    • Natural Disasters: Large-scale calamities such as earthquakes, floods, and famines act as dramatic demonstrations of the power of nature and the vulnerability of human life. They can shake entire communities and nations, prompting them to re-evaluate their values and priorities.
    • Impact: Divine awakenings are intended to have both individual and collective impacts:
    • Individual Transformation: They can inspire individuals to repent, turn back to God, and strive to live more righteously.
    • Collective Reform: They can spur communities and nations to address social injustices, improve their collective conduct, and work towards a more equitable and compassionate world.

    The sources emphasize that while God initiates these awakenings, human response is crucial. It is up to individuals and societies to heed these warnings, recognize their shortcomings, and take concrete steps to improve their conduct and fulfill their responsibilities. By acknowledging God’s reminders and actively striving to live in accordance with His guidance, humanity can move towards a path of righteousness and earn God’s favor both in this world and the next. [1-4]

    Global Challenges and Humanity’s Response

    The sources highlight several pressing global problems that demand humanity’s attention and collective action:

    • Global Warming and Climate Change: The sources mention global warming as a major concern leading to irregularities in floods, storms, and rainfall patterns [1, 2]. These changes pose a significant threat to human societies and ecosystems worldwide, demanding immediate action to mitigate their impact.
    • Water Shortages and Hygiene: The sources identify water shortages and inadequate hygiene as global problems [2] that can lead to widespread suffering and instability. These issues often disproportionately affect developing countries and vulnerable communities, exacerbating existing inequalities.
    • National Borders and Restricted Movement: The sources critique the rigid national borders and restrictions on human movement imposed by modern nation-states [3, 4]. These policies limit human potential, hinder international cooperation, and contribute to global inequalities by creating artificial barriers between people.
    • Militarization and Warfare: The sources lament the ongoing investment in military expenditures and the persistence of warfare [4]. The conflict in Ukraine is cited as a prime example of humanity’s failure to learn from past mistakes and embrace peaceful solutions [4]. These conflicts not only cause immense human suffering but also divert resources from addressing other pressing global issues.
    • Inequality and Injustice: The sources consistently emphasize the pervasiveness of social and economic inequality both within and between nations [1, 3-5]. They argue that these injustices contribute to human suffering and vulnerability to natural disasters, highlighting the need for a more equitable and compassionate world.

    The sources frame these global problems as both a challenge and an opportunity for humanity. They argue that:

    • Global problems are a consequence of human actions: Humanity’s failure to fulfill its collective responsibilities, prioritize the well-being of all people, and live in harmony with the natural world has contributed to the emergence of these global challenges.
    • Global problems can serve as a divine awakening: These challenges can act as a wake-up call, prompting humanity to re-evaluate its priorities, recognize its interconnectedness, and work together to find solutions.

    The sources advocate for a shift in perspective, urging individuals and societies to:

    • Think globally: Embrace a worldview that transcends national borders and sectarian differences, recognizing the shared humanity of all people and the need for collective action.
    • Utilize human intelligence and ingenuity: Leverage scientific advancements and technological innovation to develop sustainable solutions and mitigate the negative impact of global problems.
    • Promote justice and equity: Work towards dismantling oppressive systems and structures that perpetuate inequalities, striving to create a fairer and more compassionate world for all.

    By embracing these principles and fulfilling their responsibilities to God and each other, the sources suggest that humanity can overcome these global challenges and build a brighter future for generations to come.

    Allah Ke Azab Ka Qanoon | اللہ کے عذاب کا قانون ؟ | Javed Ahmad Ghamidi #LosAngelesFires #California

    The Original Text

    [Hassan Ilyas] Ghamidi thank you very much for time. The first question before you is this; that these earthquakes, floods, storms, why do these happen? When these generally happen among us, those of a religious mindset, they say that this is God’s punishment, it is a consequence of our wrong-doings. In the same way, in our lives, the assemblies of vulgarity, nudity, music, and such obscenities that have become common, so [these natural disasters] are God’s punishment which He wants to effect. On the other hand we see that where these [disasters] occur, are places where the poor reside. If you cursorily observe, all the disobedience to God, takes place in cities, but relatively nothing happens there [in poorer regions]. So the question for you is this, please tells us, having studied religion all your life, in which time you had a close relation with the Qur’an. What does Allah the almighty Himself say? That these cataclysms which take place on Earth, thousands and lakhs of people are turned homeless. Children, mothers and in the same way old people, are completely stripped of shelter. What is that thing which the creator of the universe, wants to show with this in the world? These earthquakes, disasters, storms; are these punishments? Or is there another aspect to them, which we must countenance? [Ghamidi] All praise is due to Allah All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon Muhammad the honourable Prophet [pbuh]. I seek refuge with Allah Almighty from accursed Satan. I begin in the name of Allah the most beneficent the ever merciful. Ladies and Gentlemen. I am grateful to all of you. That on the invitation of Khalid Rana saheb you have, come travelling from various places to participate in a pious activity. if this student of knowledge also has some role in your coming here, then I am also thankful for this elevated honor. Allah almighty has made this world on the principle of a trial. In the Qur’an as well as in the books revealed before the Qur’an, in them as well. Therefore all of the Prophets have been sent with this very purpose, that they may alert human beings about this scheme of Allah. The summation of their preaching is this, that God has decided that, he will make a creature who, on the basis of his own merit shall attain an eternal life. Keep this in mind that regarding Allah the almighty, whatever conception we form, a fundamental thing in that is He has always been and always will be. Therefore the Qur’an itself has stated in this way that, huwal awwal wal aakhir waz zaahir wal baatin He transcends the bounds of time and space. He neither has a provenance, nor a point of termination. He can neither be enclosed in any space, nor is He above or below. He has the knowledge of every little detail of this universe. wa hua bi kulli shay’in aliim He has; that is the Creator has pronounced mercy to so such an utmost degree, that among his creations, He decided to give birth to such a creature, with whom he can share His own eternal kingdom. That is, [this creature] had not been in existence forever, but it will remain forever. The Qur’an states this, that to grant an everlasting life, and whatever a human being desires within his soul, he may present before His Honor; with this motive, Allah the almighty made a decision to create the world. For this purpose, whatever material cause was needed, was all created in toto, and the Qur’an says that those very things are present, not only in the form of this universe, but also that of six more universes. Among those – you may say a particle’s worth of – [matter was proportioned], the terrestrial globe [Earth] was chosen, where first of all Human beings would be passed through a trial. Eternal life, God’s garden, his heaven, that great affluence, great comforts, that everlasting kingdom, Allah almighty has pronounced will be granted only to those people, who will succeed in this trial. All the greatest values present in the world, from the understanding of which a human being has been created, such as equity, justice, love, favour, kindness, generosity, [God has stated] that the manifestation of these things in the final degree will only occur in that very word [in the Hereafter]. This world of a trial has not been created on the principle of equity and justice, It was created on the principle of a trial. After creating this world on the principle of a trial, a law was laid down for the recurrence of life and death. The Qur’an states this in its matchless words in the following way, khalaqal mauta wal hayaata liyabluwakum ayyukum ahsanu amalaa He has, that is to say, that Creator, inventor of the earth and the skies has; a workshop of life and death, where people obtain life for a brief period, and after that, they pass through the doors of death into the afterlife. khalaqal mauta wal hayaata It is stated that the reason for creating this workshop of life and death, liyabluwakum ayyukum ahsanu amalaa So that the creator of the universe might observe, who acts righteously in accordance with his/her intellect. Because this world is made for a trial and an examination, for this reason, Allah almighty has not imposed any coercive means in it. Here people commit cruelties, injustice, transgress boundaries. Allah almighty does not prevent them (from doing these things). [Such people] stand in opposition to God, and they willingly rebel and act with obstinacy, they become afflicted by conceit, He [God] does not reprimand them. They inflict great suffering on their Prophets and even murder them, yet He [the Lord] ignores this. For all this the same answer is given; ‘that I have created this world as a trial.’ Therefore: laa iqraahaa fi l deen ‘I have, even in matters of My religion and in My injunctions, not established any coercion.’ I have granted freedom to people, so that they may, in accordance with their wisdom and their intellect, with thought and judgment choose to take whichever path they deem fit. Although, I have made arrangements such that Since I have made human beings, the, ‘hadayna hus sabiil’ I have showed him the way. That is, He has told him. In fact He has inhered an intuitive knowledge in man’s soul, that if you go in the right direction what needs to be done for that, and should one choose to stray from the right path, what one will end up doing as a result. In the same way I might apply, that with great refinement Allah the almighty, has clarified the basis for His scheme. He has stated that he has given His own intelligence, He has also stated that when He arranged our ‘nafs’, made it and nourished it, so; wa nafsim wa maa sawwaaha fa alhamahaa fujuuraha wa taqwaahaa ‘So when I made you and perfected you, I inspired you with an intuitive awareness of goodness and badness.’ Now after this, the way too is clear. In your disposition I have granted a sense of my guidance, I have also given you the knowledge of virtue and vice, and whichever way you may choose, you have been given the freedom to choose as well. Therefore, what is the law now? It is, man shaa’a fal yuumin wa man shaa’a fal yakfur With complete freedom, in this worldly life [do] whatever your heart desires, whoever, whether he believes the reality and decides to live his life as my slave, and whoever, if he/she so pleases may choose denial, pride, rebellion, obstinacy, and stray away from My path. With this purpose that human beings may be alerted, messengers were sent, so even to them He [God] said it with great severity: innama anta muzakkir lasta alaihim bi musaitir ‘I have not established a coercive rule, so accordingly I have not sent you too, as a policeman. You role is to counsel people about the right thing,’ ‘Beyond this, it is upon them to to decide how they will.’ So this world is made on this scheme. This scheme, examines human beings for sixty, seventy, a hundred years. In this trial, just as I have said, an order has been established of life and death. That means life sprouts up in various forms; those who are entering continue to enter, and those who are departing, continue to depart. It is a workshop of life and death. This death comes everyday in an individual manner. It has no fixed time of coming. It descends upon the child in the mother’s womb. Often it comes at the moment of birth. It may even come at a tender age and grab one by the neck. It gives no consideration to the state of youthfulness either. It gives opportunity up to old age too. Sometimes it takes such a [baneful] form that, That our kith and kin close to us, and who love us, [feel compelled] to say, may Allah ease his/her difficulties. To sum up, it comes in any and every form. And if there is any greatest truth in the world it is this very thing. Qur’an has stated this in a doctrinaire manner that; kullu nafsin zaaikat ul maut Any saint, Prophet, king or pauper, thug or noble scholar, cannot escape its clutches. It will come, whatever the circumstances, it will come. It comes; sometimes gather the statistics about this city of yours, Everyday many people are departing. In the hundreds, among large cities, everyday, they leave this world and depart. But Allah the almighty, in various settlements in different localities, in wards, [makes death] appear in different places. So that for a family, close friends, kith and kin or for a ward, it becomes a cause for attention, but for settlements it does not. For nations it does not. Concerning death Allah the almighty has said, on the one hand it is a part of his scheme, on the other hand, it is a very big means of remembering God. That thing which puts human beings into heedlessness, is life, the hustle-bustle of life, the pleasures of life, the delights of life, the comforts of life, the aims of life, and the successes of life. Suddenly when the angel of death appears, all this ends in a blink of an eye. At that moment, human being introspects, It strikes him that, ‘the things which I would give great importance, run behind them, the things which I made the goal of my life, because of which I refused to think about the vices and virtues, for which I engaged in wrong-doing, lied, embezzled, stole, I betrayed people, all of it has finished. And God’s decision was brought into force and cast before me.’ So the trial for which Allah the almighty has created this world, he has planned a thousand ways to make human beings vigilant, awaken them from a stupor and to caution them. This awakening is done by the Prophets, by the pious, by life, the universe and our inner life. Here, if there is any biggest stirrer, the biggest exhorter, the one who draws attention the best is death itself. There is nothing greater than that [death], which can put reality absolutely before us, and say; ‘now look that which you have seen is the very fact of life.’ The Prophets come, but human beings don’t listen. Family and close relations, as well as important people caution, but human beings don’t care. reformers knock on his doors, he turns his head away. But this preacher, this exhorter, which is called ‘death,’ no one can turn their heads away from it. When it comes, it doesn’t even like to knock on the door. It’s path cannot be blocked. Therefore there is no reminder greater than this, an orator greater than this, a stirrer great than this. So when Allah the almighty has sent human beings to this world, and passed him through a trial, He has taken a responsibility on Himself, to supervise the instruction of human beings. and the most important thing in arranging for guidance is to acquaint one with the reality of life. For this purpose among all the means which have been chosen, the most effective one is death. So I have said that it comes everyday, it occurs in our homes, it comes in our families, it is coming in every city, every day, in dozens and hundreds, people are everyday departing, in every settlement they are departing, But warning, chiding and admonishment are limited in their bounds. Allah almighty sometimes, lifts up this death from homes, families and settlements, and after he lifts them, he turns those settlements desolate. He sends death to whole nations. Because those people, who despite its [death’s] appearance in several places, did not become circumspect, will now become circumspect. They will now be vigilant. So these earthquakes, these lightnings, these famines, these adversities, As Iqbal has said about this; kaisii kaisii dukhtaraan-e maadar-e ayyaam hai All these occur in order to turn settlements into a picture of death. To make death, hardship, suffering etc. appear on a screen, as if to make it stand on a stage before human beings, Faimes do the same, so do the wars, so do tragedies. The Qur’an expresses this in one word, what are this? They are ‘nuzur’, they are Allah’s warning. To awaken human beings. The same death which comes everyday, it comes in various places, is brought together and piled up, and conspicuously presented on a stage and it becomes news. It becomes an announcement. It becomes an alarm for the world. All of humanity sometimes becomes attentive. A big spectacle of this very thing, on an international scale you have seen, for more or less two years, in the guise of a major pandemic, was brought before the entire world. And that human being who was entangled in his conceit of knowledge, was roused from his sleep, that an invisible germ, can render one’s whole life, one’s technical achievements one’s pomp and show, one’s prides and glories ineffective. So death and adversities are Allah’s awakening, Allah’s alarm, it is a means to bring awakening from unconsciousness. But it is a highly unfortunate fact about human beings, that sometimes, despite all these warnings, he does not become wakeful. Allah wants to awaken him. For this reason, these sufferings, this famines, these diseases, these difficulties, these pandemics, these earthquakes and these storms, they do not see who is rich and who is poor, they do not see who is a Muslim, and who a disbeliever, who is pious and who is immoral, these show up in the same way that death shows up. Just as death comes upon the small, comes upon the big, comes upon the pious, comes upon the dutiful, comes upon the Prophets, and also upon those who are rebellious to God. In the same way, in his rousings too, when Allah the almighty turns death into desolation on a very large scale, these storms, these earthquakes, these sufferings, perform a scenography before human beings, make death visible on a human stage, [and shows] how valueless life is, how meaningless all the instruments of comfort are. The helplessness with which man stands before the powers of God, to make this apparent, Allah the almighty brings all this about. That is why, awakening and nuzur is the object behind these, these are not divine punishments of any kind. Please understand this very well, that the law of divine punishments from Allah the almighty are very different. It has been narrated in the Qur’an. It has been said there that for the mistakes and deficiencies of people, should Allah the almighty want to issue divine punishment in the world – in the Hereafter the evaluation of everyone’s deeds is to happen in any case – should he wish to give divine punishment in the world, then he sends a Messenger. And when God’s Messenger comes to the Earth, and having arrived he cautions, so first he separates the pious from the sinful. [Noah’s arc] i.e. a refuge is created for them [the pious], and after this Allah’s divine punishment follows. Therefore there is no question of divine punishment, these are rousings, these are alarms, these are horns for awakening from Allah, which is blown. The right lessons [to be drawn] from them is this very thing, that we ought to listen to these for our awakening, and after that rise up to fulfill our own responsibilities. These rousings occur from the point of view of judgment day too, from the point of view of our responsibilities too, and furthermore it occurs [to inform] that, the comforts in which you are passing your life in ignorance, look and see what kinds of things can come to pass in this universe. And [see] what kinds of catastrophes can befall upon human beings. This was its religious aspect, that is to say, that point of view which relates to our afterlife. The aspect towards which the Prophets come to draw our attention. But along with this, Allah the almighty has, in this worldly life too, made operational some laws of His,. Among those laws, God wishes that his slaves, live concordantly with one another. Meaning, they fulfill their responsibilities. For that end, just as Allah the almighty has inhered, an intuitive awareness of religion in human nature, for that too Allah the almighty has granted intelligence. When a human being does not use his intelligence, and does not fulfill his worldly responsibilities, so then Allah the almighty draws the consequences of that in this world. Those consequences take the form of these kinds of catastrophes. Had we not built up dams on rivers, had we not kept roads safe, had we not harmonized our highways with the laws of Allah the almighty, so then these storms, these earthquakes, these adversities, these also instruct us [and say], ‘wake up you have not fulfilled your responsibilities.’ The individual-centric life one had, even in them one showed deficiencies in fulfilling one’s responsibilities. and in your capacity as a collective and nation, you didn’t fulfill your duties. So keeping both these points of view before oneself, these catastrophes should be interpreted. The first being that it is directing us to the fact that this universe has a creator, and one day each one of us will be answerable in his presence. The second being, whether in this world, the communal responsibilities imposed upon us, have they been fulfilled with vigilance? Have we improved our respective nations? Have we improved the conditions for ourselves, on this God-given Earth? In order to establish a collective order over us, the blanket of wisdom that Allah the almighty had covered us in, did we hide behind it or did we in fact see the world through it? So it is these two points of view, which insist upon assiduousness. The wakefulness of living a worldly life with an understanding of the day of judgement. and the vigilance that, the worldly responsibilities which have been imposed upon you, fulfill those in an individual capacity, its results will come forth. And fulfill them [responsibilities] in a collective capacity as well, its results will come forth as well. And those nations which remain alert in a collective capacity, for them, the opportunities for luxury and comfort are created on Allah’s Earth, ways open up for them for success, they find to a very great extent an escape from suffering, but, the nations who do not do this, they land upon the verge of destruction and desolation in the world, and this very thing then becomes a means of warning about the day of judgement. So it must be understood that, the law of divine punishment is completely different. These calamities, these adversities, these earthquakes, these storms, for these two purposes have been kept in the ways of the world, and both these purposes lie within the view of Allah the almighty. Us human beings should remain conscious of both these points of view. [Hassan Ilyas] With great detail and vividness, in the light of the Qur’an you have answered this question. I want to bring up additionally a few supplementary points, [so that] a clarification of them is set before people. Please narrate how a few years ago we used to hear that Japan, is struck by many earthquakes. it is clear, that. as you said … the purpose behind disasters of this kind is awakening, [nuzur], reminder, it is to draw attention towards death. But they made so much progress, changed the standards of construction. Even now the intense earthquakes continue to hit Japan, but they have no effect in creating disorder. In the same way we see there are so many countries in the world, where year on year a flood or torrential rains would drown them, but they made changes to this, made progress, science assisted them, now these kinds of things do not occur there. The question I wish to put to you is this, those rousings of the Allah the almighty, which would come from Allah, so when human beings with the aid of their knowledge, arranged to have these stopped, so then that aspect concerning God’s awakening, it in one sense it seems to have expired; that Allah almighty with His designs, wanted to awaken us, but by means of our knowledge we reversed [those designs], so now how will the rousing take place? [Ghamidi] Both aspects go hand in hand. The means of awakening that Allah the almighty possesses are not limited. What we must to do is to care for our own safety, this has been embedded in our nature. Fulfill your collective responsibilities. This allows us to have comforts in this world, and the road to tranquility also open up. This also helps us succeed in changing the direction of many adversities. They change the direction of water bodies. This is the manifestation of human beings inner self. The purpose for which human beings have been created, as a result of this, as you know, an extraordinary inventiveness has been kept [within him]. Allah Almighty has given one aspect of his creative ability to human beings. by its use he [man] displays wondrous achievements. Once he is done with his work [of staving off disasters with his inventions], then Allah the almighty for awakening him comes up with ten new devices. Therefore, both the things have to go together. He [God] will do his work and keep finding new ways because warning is necessary, And the task of human beings is that all the calamities and troubles which appear in the world, to step up and courageously confront them. So when human beings take both these things together, so then these very things, not only become the basis of much relief, but if he should live with true consciousness, then this very thing becomes basis in the afterlife, for Allah the Almighty’s reward and graciousness. So the admonishments from Allah are unceasing. So consider, that these last two, two and a half years human beings have borne, what is that thing which can fight this? That is to say, it took a long time before we could block its way. And even in that all of humanity remained engaged to two, two and a half years, only then it became possible. But have we eradicated all viruses? Have we blocked every [to future pandemics]? Allah has no want of anything – let Him do his work you do yours. [Hassan Ilyas] Let us take this discussion ahead. Ghamidi sir please tell us, when these scenes show up before us, that of suffering, earthquakes and storms, so a doubt arises in the mind of an ordinary person, let’s say Allah the almighty wanted to awaken, he has to select people for his highest paradise an arrangement needs to be made for the reminder of death, but in this entire grand scheme of Allah, the one to be crushed is a resident of Layyah, Sukkur, Dadu, Taunsa he is an ordinary villager, an ordinary farmer. Couldn’t the inhabitants of DHA and Gulbarg bungalows be used for this awakening? Why does Allah the almighty always demolish the shanty of the poor, to awaken people? [Ghamidi] That’s because we have kept that person poor. When Allah the almighty began this world, he didn’t do it by filling up one man’s pouch with lots of gold, and emptying the pouch of another man. He gave people an opportunity to run by forming a straight line. However, human beings have committed great injustices, against other human beings. They have blocked others’ ways, they have themselves created obstacles in the way of human progress. Various classes of society for the benefit of their own classes, have been cruel to their own brothers. That is why we must fulfill our responsibilities come what may, should we not fulfill these, then in our countries, as you know, there will be miseries, people will also fall victim to disease, they will become a target of many kinds of adversities. So it is our responsibility which we must fulfill. Otherwise when He [God] deems fit to turn everything upside down, as you have seen, the spread of the virus could neither be stopped by the White House, nor by anyone else. Both keep doing their part. [Hassan] Let’s carry the discussion forward. Ghamidi saheb please tell us, when these situations present themselves before us, so generally a question arises in the minds of people. That being that Allah the almighty has alerted us, a reminder from Allah the almighty has also come forth, but human being always thinks, what kind of thing has he been negligent about that Allah the almighty has arranged to so violently shake a mans conscience. The question I want to ask is, does the Qur’an tell us the motives for Allah’s displeasure, are there some subjects where humankind, at a common level, fails to remember, forgets, only then does God’s admonishment address human beings, because death is occurring anyway, but the awakening and punishment that takes place on a grand scale, what is the reason for this? Meaning, what are the deeds that we do, after the commencement of which these kinds of things happen if we were to come to know them, so we may make an effort to better it as well. [Ghamidi] I have brought attention to both the things. The first thing being that a human being remain conscious in this worldly life, that he has been sent here provisionally. Should he become negligent in the world, then the awakening will take place with a proportionate severity. And it will take place come what may. The means for that with Allah, are not two or four, not ten or twenty, but thousands. And He delivers his awakenings in various ways. Therefore inattentiveness in the presence of the court of Allah, this is that unique thing, which becomes for human beings a means for divine awakening. What is the other thing? The carelessness towards our collective responsibilities. A human being is not only required [to be responsible] for his private needs, solve his personal problems, just as a human being by his very constitution is an individual, he is also social. My nation, my locality, my country, just as there are individual responsibilities on me, in the same way I have collective responsibilities. What am I doing for humankind? What am I doing for my nation? What am I doing for my family? What am I doing for myself? At all these levels we must remain alert. Whenever we treat these matters inattentively, then its consequences spring forth. And those consequences awaken us and show us, that if you do not fulfill your responsibilities as per God’s laws, then you will have to bear consequences of that in this world. In social matters, when we fall short, then its consequences sprout in this world, because, the place for the judgment of nations is this very world. And when we become careless at an individual level, then the consequences of that will be brought out in the Hereafter. Where every individual, by oneself, will be answerable for one’s deeds before ones Lord. What must one do about one’s responsibility there [in the Hereafter]? So Allah almighty says: innalllaha yaa’muru bil adl wal ihsaan wa iitaa izil qurba wa yanhaa anil fahshaa’i wal munkari wal baghy You will have heard this verse in every Friday sermon, Ordinarily Muslim orators choose to cite this verse, this is because what God wants from us, is answered very comprehensively by this one verse. It has been said here that your maker wants this from you – that you must choose the attitude of fairness in your individual and social life, justice. Show a favorable attitude towards others. Not just fairness, not just justice, not just equality of treatment, but to go further and [act with] selflessness and ihsaan. And remember, that in this world, you have been created in the form of families, so recognize the right of your dear ones in your personal wealth; wa iitaa izil qurba and then it is stated that, your Lord, prohibits you from lewd acts. Prohibits you from infringing on the rights of others. And prohibits you from taking any steps against peoples lives, wealth and honour. So this is that trial of Allah the almighty, the results of which will come out in the afterlife. Act justly. Spend on your near and dear ones. Secure yourself against infringing upon the rights of others. Do not step against people’s life, wealth or dignity. You will [thereby] succeed in the afterlife. And if you act carelessly in your social responsibilities, this very world become a a place of reckoning for you. [Hassan Ilyas] You have clearly explained this, Ghamidi sir. Let us take the discussion forward. There are a few more short questions, we still have ten minutes to spare. Please tell us, these days, there are many awareness campaigns about global warming, people are being informed, and we are seeing on a grand scale that, the worldwide changes in climate, are causing the irregularities in floods, storms and rainfall, to become apparent Many Muslims, when we bring attention to these problems of the world, the manner of our plea is that, this is a deprivation of Muslims, an injustice against us, that Muslims have been oppressed in such and such places. However, the global problems, worldwide problems, the issue of water shortages, of hygiene, in the same way there is the issue of global warming. Muslims are not attentive to these things, what do you think is the reason for this? And also tell us, that from a religious point of view, is it a responsibility of Muslims, that they go beyond personal needs and local needs, and think globally, and those things which impact the whole world, they effectively address those problems to make improvements in them? [Ghamidi] Just now I have said that one is mine and your religious responsibilities. I have stated with from the point of view of the [relevant] verse of Qur’an. Another responsibility is one I have in my capacity as a human being – my intelligence imposes upon me. That too is a God-given responsibility. That is to say, what I must do in this world. So my life, your life, the life of every individual, is not merely an individual life. It has an association with the entirety of humankind. On a small scale it has an association with one’s community, family and nation. I, you and every human being must not live only in an individual capacity, we were not born in a forest. We are born into a society. Therefore the problems facing all of humanity, should be viewed as problem of each one of us. The basic relation we have, the mutual relation, is the relation of humanity. It is a greater relation than that [of one’s relation] sect, strata or a nation. And the Prophets have taught about that relation too and said; kullu kum min aadam wa aadama min turaab You have all been created from earth, your father Adam too was created from earth, and you are all the children of Adam and Eve. From this viewpoint the problems of all of humanity, are my problems and your problems as well. We cannot enclose ourselves, qua individuals, within ourselves. Rather, the intelligence and wisdom that Allah the almighty has given us demands, rise above oneself and think for the prosperity and betterment of all humankind. The problems at hand for humankind, even in them carelessness tends to be a great cause of destructiveness. There is on the one hand global warming. In the same way when human beings made national borders permanent, and along with it, have restricted the movement of people, this has resulted in ups and downs of the greatest degree, which has made some human beings’ greed for comfort into humiliation and death for others. All these things ask for our attention. We must think at the scale of humanity, Allah the almighty has, in the present times, has done this extraordinary courtesy, of creating means of transport and communication. In the blink of an eye you can go from one place to another. There has been an explosion of Information technology in modern times. If you look at the history of the world, it is said that agriculture taught man to settle in one place. Human beings populated settlements. The beginning of civilizations happened. On the origins and consequences of the industrial revolution, you know that many great philosophers have spilled their ink. The changes that have come in these modern times, these showed that God wants, that people should free themselves of nations and countries and establish an international order. So that the expenses on militaries to kill one another should end. The restrictions upon people to move from one place to another should perish. So that these countries should not become prisons for people, God’s earth is expansive. People ought to populate it and make use of their resources. But human beings did not hear this message. And instead, the same things we did at a national level, that establishing control by a few classes over all resources, one does not look up or down. In the same way at an international level too countries did not see this. It made me very happy, that when flood struck our country, The Secretary General of the United Nations, made a very just statement. That this country is not responsible for what it is bearing. That is to say, these crimes have been committed by different people, and its consequences are unraveling here. So in fact in every trouble the same thing happens. If in our social live, we become strangers to the troubles of a nation, of our country, of our family, then there unfairness takes birth. And suppose we were to adopt this attitude towards international problems, then even there you see that in one place you have ample ways, and in another place you find yourself standing on a blockaded street. So all these things demand human beings learn to think about the problems of human beings humanely. Bertrand Russell departed the world while dreaming all this life about an international government. This is not a mere dream. Allah has given birth to all the resources to make this a reality, but man is not ready to move in this direction. He has once against instigated a war in Ukraine.

    By Amjad Izhar
    Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
    https://amjadizhar.blog

    Affiliate Disclosure: This blog may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you click on the link and make a purchase. This comes at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers. Your support helps keep this blog running and allows me to continue providing you with quality content. Thank you for your support!

  • The Path to Deeper Relationships, The Seven Levels of Intimacy

    The Path to Deeper Relationships, The Seven Levels of Intimacy

    This source explores the complexities of human relationships and the pursuit of intimacy, asserting that love is a conscious choice rather than a mere feeling. It emphasizes the significance of shared purpose, effective communication, mutual respect, and the courage to be vulnerable for building strong connections. The text argues against settling for superficial interactions and encourages readers to actively work towards deeper understanding and support within their relationships, ultimately aiming to help individuals become the best versions of themselves. It also addresses common fears and illusions that hinder intimacy and offers practical advice on cultivating more fulfilling and meaningful bonds with others.

    Love as a Choice: Action, Growth, and Purpose

    Choosing love is a central theme in the sources, emphasizing that love is not merely a feeling but a conscious decision and an active choice. The speaker in the source highlights that “Love is a choice. Love is an act of the will,” and asserts that “You can choose to love”. This idea is further reinforced by the statement that “Love is a verb, not a noun. Love is something we do, not something that happens to us”.

    The sources argue that basing relationships solely on feelings is precarious because feelings are inconsistent. Instead, our actions should be driven by our hopes, values, and essential purpose. When the feeling of love is absent, the source advises to “love her. If the feeling isn’t there, that’s a good reason to love her,” explaining that love as a feeling is a result of love as an action, urging to serve, sacrifice, listen, empathize, appreciate, and affirm the other person.

    Choosing love is presented as the only truly sensible choice in any situation. This choice may sometimes mean staying together and working through difficulties, while at other times it may involve breaking up, setting boundaries, or telling someone an uncomfortable truth – all in the best interest of the individuals involved.

    The consequences of choosing not to love are significant. The source states that “When you choose not to love, you commit a grave crime against yourself”. Withholding love, even to spite another person, ultimately harms the one withholding it, hindering their potential for growth. Conversely, when we choose love, our spirit expands.

    Furthermore, the source emphasizes that we become what we love. Loving selfless, kind, and generous people encourages us to develop those same qualities. Our passions and fascinations shape our thoughts, actions, habits, character, and ultimately our destiny. Therefore, consciously choosing who and what we love is crucial for personal growth and the trajectory of our lives. The source suggests that love should inspire and challenge us to become the best version of ourselves.

    The ability to choose love is linked to freedom, which in turn requires discipline. Freedom is defined not as the ability to do whatever one wants, but as the strength of character to do what is good, true, noble, and right, enabling us to choose and celebrate the best version of ourselves. Discipline is seen as evidence of freedom and a prerequisite for genuine love, allowing us to give ourselves freely and completely to another.

    Choosing love also extends to selecting our friends and partners. The source advises choosing people who will help us become the best version of ourselves. When making decisions about relationships, placing our essential purpose at the center of our lives should guide our choices.

    Ultimately, the source posits that life is about love, including how we love and hurt ourselves and others. The highest expression of self-love is celebrating our best self, and the greatest expression of love for others is assisting them in their quest to become the best version of themselves. Therefore, actively and consciously choosing to love – in our actions, decisions, and relationships – is presented as the path to a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

    The Purpose-Driven Relationship: Becoming Our Best Selves Together

    Discussing common purpose, the sources emphasize its fundamental role in creating and sustaining dynamic relationships. A common purpose keeps people together, while a lack of it, or losing sight of it, or it becoming unimportant, is why relationships break up.

    The source argues that superficial connections like common interests are insufficient for long-term relationships; a common purpose is essential. To understand the purpose of our relationships, we must first understand our individual purpose.

    According to the sources, our essential purpose as individuals is to become the-best-version-of-ourselves. This essential purpose then provides the common purpose for every relationship: to help each other become the-best-version-of-ourselves. This applies to all types of relationships, whether between husband and wife, parent and child, friend and neighbor, or business executive and customer. The first purpose, obligation, and responsibility of any relationship is to help each other achieve this essential purpose.

    Building relationships on the foundation of a common goal to become the-best-version-of-ourselves, driven by growth in virtue, is likely to lead to joyfulness and contentedness. Conversely, basing relationships on unsteady whims and self-centered desires will likely result in an irritable and discontented spirit.

    The source highlights that a sense of common purpose keeps relationships together, and when this sense is lost, relationships fall apart. Some relationships are based on temporary common purposes like pleasure or common interests, and they often end when these temporary purposes cease or change. Even couples who shared the common purpose of raising children may find their relationship dissolves once the children are grown, as their primary common purpose has evaporated.

    The truth is that all relationships are based on a common purpose, whether articulated or not. However, the most noble and long-lasting goal, and thus the ultimate purpose of a relationship, is to help each other become the-best-version-of-yourselves. This essential purpose is different from temporary purposes because it never changes or fades; the striving to celebrate our best selves is a continuous process that brings us to life. Basing a primary relationship on this unchanging essential purpose increases the likelihood of it lasting and thriving.

    Placing the essential purpose at the center of relationships can create a dynamic environment where individuals inspire, encourage, comfort, and celebrate each other’s growth. Relationships should be governed by the simple vision of the quest to help each other become the-best-version-of-ourselves. The journey in relationships is from “yours and mine” to “ours,” a synthesis for one common purpose, with the noblest and longest-lasting goal being helping each other become the best version of themselves.

    At the breakdown points of relationships, a lack of a consciously aware common purpose, beyond mutual pleasure or common interests, often leads to a feeling that “nothing makes sense anymore”. The real crisis in relationships is not a crisis of commitment, but a crisis of purpose. Purpose inspires commitment.

    In disagreements, a commonly agreed-upon purpose, such as the essential purpose, provides a crucial reference point, allowing disputes to be discussed in relation to that shared goal. This can help avoid arguments escalating into ego battles. Without a common purpose, relationships can become vehicles for selfish goals, leading to conflict and a lack of genuine intimacy.

    Therefore, in primary relationships, arriving at an agreement that the purpose is to help each other become the-best-versions-of-yourselves provides a “touchstone of sanity” and a guiding “North Star”. Defining this common purpose is the first step in designing a great relationship.

    Ultimately, a significant relationship should be a dynamic collaboration focused on striving to become the-best-version-of-ourselves and helping others do the same.

    The Power of Self-Awareness in Relationships and Growth

    Discussing self-awareness, the sources highlight its crucial role in personal growth, intimacy, and the overall quality of relationships. Self-awareness is presented as the foundation for understanding oneself, navigating relationships effectively, and pursuing one’s essential purpose of becoming the-best-version-of-oneself.

    The sources emphasize that relationships serve as vital mirrors for self-discovery. Being isolated can lead to self-deception, but interactions with others provide honest reflections necessary to see and know ourselves, moving us from illusion to reality. Observing how others react to us – their body language, comfort levels – offers valuable insights into our own behavior and its impact. Furthermore, noticing what annoys or attracts us in others can reveal aspects we recognize or desire in ourselves. People essentially “introduce us to ourselves”.

    Intimacy is directly linked to self-awareness and the willingness to reveal oneself. One can only experience intimacy to the extent they are prepared to share who they truly are. However, discomfort with oneself can limit the experience of intimacy. Becoming comfortable with oneself is the first step toward true intimacy. This involves acknowledging the “essential truth of the human condition” – that we are all imperfect, with faults and flaws, which are a part of our shared humanity.

    Solitude and silence are essential for developing self-awareness. In moments undisturbed by the external world, we can understand our needs, desires, talents, and abilities. Regularly stepping into “the great classrooms of silence and solitude” helps us reconnect with ourselves.

    Self-awareness involves understanding our feelings and recognizing them as reactions conditioned by past experiences and beliefs. By understanding the “why” behind our feelings and the feelings of others, we can navigate relationships with greater empathy.

    A key aspect of self-awareness is the ability to recognize and own our faults, fears, and failures. Unwillingness to admit these aspects can hinder personal development, turning us into victims of our past. Acknowledging our shortcomings empowers us to make dynamic choices for a better future. The sources suggest that everyone has a “dark side,” and acknowledging this reality, rather than pretending it doesn’t exist, is crucial for genuine connection.

    Self-awareness is also crucial in discussions and disagreements. Learning to be at peace with opposing opinions is a sign of wisdom and self-awareness. The goal of authentic discussion should be to explore the subject, not to be right, requiring individuals to remove their ego and understand different perspectives. Acceptance, rather than mere understanding, is presented as key to thriving in deeper levels of intimacy, and this acceptance begins with oneself.

    Furthermore, self-awareness is intrinsically linked to the essential purpose of becoming the-best-version-of-oneself. Our internal compass, guided by this purpose, helps us assess the relevance of information and make choices that align with our growth.

    Self-observation is a crucial skill in developing self-awareness, allowing us to understand how people and situations affect us. This awareness helps us to be more mindful of our actions and their impact on others.

    In essence, the sources portray self-awareness as a continuous, lifelong journey that is vital for personal fulfillment and the creation of meaningful relationships built on honesty, acceptance, and a shared purpose of growth.

    Overcoming Fear: The Path to Intimacy

    Overcoming fear is a central theme in the sources, particularly in the context of building intimacy and authentic relationships. The deepest of all human fears is the fear that if people really knew us, they wouldn’t love us. This fear lurks in everyone and often leads to pretense, where individuals hide their brokenness and imperfections, pretending that everything is under control.

    However, the sources argue that overcoming this fear of rejection is essential for experiencing true love and intimacy. While we may be afraid to reveal ourselves, thinking our faults will be judged, it is only by doing so that we open the possibility of truly being loved. In most cases, revealing our true selves, “warts and all,” actually leads people to love us more because they recognize their own humanity and fears in us. There is something “glorious about our humanity,” both strong and weak, and celebrating it involves revealing our struggles, which in turn encourages others to do the same.

    The truth is that when we reveal our weaknesses, people often feel more at peace with us and are more likely to offer support than rejection. Intimacy itself requires a willingness to reveal our “dark side,” not to shock, but so that others might help us battle our inner demons. This willingness to share our weaknesses is a “tremendous sign of faith” that encourages others to lower their guard. As long as we are sincerely striving to become the-best-version-of-ourselves, we may find that we are more loved because of our weaknesses, in our “raw and imperfect humanity,” rather than when pretending to have it all together.

    The sources connect the unwillingness to overcome the fear of rejection with a sense of loneliness. Loneliness can manifest in many ways, even when surrounded by people, and can stem from betraying oneself and missing one’s “lost self”.

    In the realm of emotional intimacy, achieving it requires humility and vulnerability, which can be uncomfortable due to the fear of revealing our opinions, feelings, fears, and dreams. However, the fear of revealing ourselves should not become our natural state; life itself is a self-revelation.

    The journey through the seven levels of intimacy highlights how overcoming fear is crucial at deeper levels:

    • At the third level (opinions), the fear of differing opinions can be a major obstacle. Learning to be at peace with opposing views is a sign of wisdom and self-awareness. Acceptance, rather than trying to convince others, is key to mastering this level and opening the gates of intimacy.
    • At the fourth level (hopes and dreams), we generally reveal our dreams only to people we feel accepted by because dreams are a point of significant vulnerability. Judgmental and critical environments foster fear and hinder true intimacy.
    • At the fifth level (feelings), we directly confront the fear of rejection. Revealing our feelings, the “raw emotional nerve endings,” makes us extremely vulnerable. Overcoming this fear by letting our guard down and taking our mask off is the price of deeper intimacy. Acceptance, developed in the third level, provides the courage to share our feelings without fear of judgment.
    • At the sixth level (faults, fears, and failures), we finally develop enough comfort to share our faults and fears. Fear here is more than just a feeling; it significantly influences our decisions. Admitting our fears requires realizing that our partner’s role is to walk with us, not fix them. Taking ownership of our faults, fears, and failures is crucial to avoid becoming their victims and to become “dynamic choice makers”. Bringing our “dark side” into the light within a loving relationship diminishes its power over us.

    The sources suggest several ways to overcome fear:

    • Develop self-esteem: Maturity comes when we cherish ourselves and would rather be rejected for who we truly are than loved for pretending to be someone we are not. Being comfortable with ourselves, acknowledging our imperfections as part of our shared humanity, and understanding that no one is inherently better than another are essential steps.
    • Practice self-awareness: Observing our own reactions and how others respond to us can provide insights and help us understand our fears.
    • Embrace vulnerability: Willingness to reveal oneself, even weaknesses, is crucial for intimacy and encourages others to do the same.
    • Cultivate acceptance: Both accepting ourselves and accepting others, despite differences, creates a safe environment where fear diminishes and self-revelation can occur.
    • Build trust: A belief that our significant other has our best interests at heart is essential for laying bare our faults and fears.
    • Recognize the alternative: The fear of loneliness and the desire for genuine connection can motivate us to overcome the fear of rejection.
    • Make a conscious choice: Overcoming fear and choosing to be oneself is a deliberate act.
    • Understand the transformative power of intimacy: Intimacy has the power to liberate us from our fears.

    In essence, the sources present overcoming fear as a fundamental aspect of personal growth and the development of deep, meaningful relationships. It requires a shift from hiding behind pretense to embracing vulnerability, fostered by self-awareness, self-acceptance, and the acceptance of others within a trusting and loving environment.

    The Seven Levels of Intimacy

    Developing intimacy is presented in the sources as a gradual process of mutual self-revelation that involves moving through seven distinct levels, ultimately leading to a dynamic collaboration focused on fulfilling legitimate needs. Intimacy is not merely physical; it is multidimensional, encompassing the physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual aspects of a person. It is also highlighted as a fundamental human need essential for happiness and thriving, not just surviving.

    The sources emphasize that intimacy begins with a willingness to reveal oneself. Relationships themselves are a process of self-revelation, but often people spend time hiding their true selves. True intimacy requires taking off masks, letting down guards, and sharing what shapes and directs one’s life, including strengths, weaknesses, faults, talents, dreams, and fears. This act of sharing one’s story is crucial for feeling uniquely known. You will experience intimacy only to the extent that you are prepared to reveal yourself.

    The journey of developing intimacy can be understood through the seven levels of intimacy outlined in the sources:

    • The first level is clichés, involving superficial exchanges that reveal little about each person. While useful for initial connections, staying at this level prevents true intimacy. Carefree timelessness, spending time together without an agenda, is key to moving beyond this level.
    • The second level is facts, where impersonal information is shared. Like clichés, this level is important for initial acquaintance but becomes stale if a relationship remains here. Moving to higher-level impersonal facts and then to personal facts acts as a bridge to deeper intimacy. However, remaining at this level can lead to a prison of loneliness.
    • The third level is opinions, which is identified as the first major obstacle in the quest for intimacy because opinions can differ and lead to controversy. This level requires developing the maturity to be with people whose opinions differ from one’s own. Acceptance, rather than just understanding, is the key to mastering this level and opening the gates of intimacy.
    • The fourth level is hopes and dreams, where individuals reveal what brings passion and energy to their lives. Revealing dreams requires feeling accepted. Knowing each other’s dreams and helping to fulfill them brings dynamism to a relationship. This level also involves deciding which dreams have priority in relation to the essential purpose of becoming the-best-version-of-ourselves.
    • The fifth level is feelings, where vulnerability becomes paramount. Sharing feelings, the “raw emotional nerve endings,” makes one extremely vulnerable, confronting the fear of rejection. Overcoming the fear by letting one’s guard down is the price of deeper intimacy. Acceptance developed in the third level provides the courage to share feelings without fear of judgment. Feelings are reactions conditioned by past experiences, and understanding these reactions in oneself and others is crucial.
    • The sixth level is faults, fears, and failures, where individuals let down their guard to share their vulnerabilities honestly. Admitting the need for help, revealing fears, and owning up to past failures are signs of great maturity. This level is about being set free from victimhood and becoming a dynamic choice maker. Bringing one’s “dark side” into the light within a loving relationship diminishes its power.
    • The seventh level is legitimate needs, where the quest to know and be known turns into a truly dynamic collaboration. This level involves not only knowing each other’s legitimate needs (physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual) but also actively helping each other fulfill them. It represents the pinnacle of intimacy, where the focus shifts from “What’s in it for me?” to mutual fulfillment and the creation of a lifestyle that allows both individuals to thrive and become the-best-versions-of-themselves.

    The sources emphasize that intimacy is not a task to be completed but a continuous journey, with individuals moving in and out of different levels daily. Not all relationships are meant to experience all seven levels to the same degree. Furthermore, intimacy cannot be rushed; it requires time and the gentle pressure of effort from both partners.

    Developing intimacy is also intrinsically linked to the essential purpose of becoming the-best-version-of-oneself. Intimacy is described as sharing the journey to become the-best-version-of-ourselves with another person. Soulful relationships revolve around helping each other achieve this purpose.

    In conclusion, developing intimacy is a multifaceted and ongoing process characterized by increasing self-revelation, vulnerability, acceptance, and a shared commitment to mutual growth and the fulfillment of legitimate needs, as outlined by the seven levels of intimacy. It requires moving beyond superficial interactions and embracing the challenges and rewards of knowing and being truly known by another person.

    By Amjad Izhar
    Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
    https://amjadizhar.blog

    Affiliate Disclosure: This blog may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you click on the link and make a purchase. This comes at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers. Your support helps keep this blog running and allows me to continue providing you with quality content. Thank you for your support!

  • Rethinking Relationships: Beyond Monogamy and Infidelity

    Rethinking Relationships: Beyond Monogamy and Infidelity

    This source presents an in-depth exploration of female infidelity and non-monogamy through various lenses, examining historical, anthropological, sociological, and personal perspectives. The text investigates the motivations behind women’s choices regarding sexual exclusivity, societal reactions to “adulteresses,” and the historical and cultural forces that have shaped perceptions of female sexuality. By incorporating research, interviews, and anecdotes, the author challenges conventional understandings of monogamy and explores the complexities of female desire and autonomy in relationships. Ultimately, the work seeks to understand the woman who steps outside traditional boundaries and the broader lessons her experiences offer about partnership and commitment.

    Untrue: Reassessing Female Infidelity

    Female infidelity is a complex topic that challenges long-standing societal beliefs and assumptions about women, sex, and relationships. The source “01.pdf” argues that despite the prevailing notion of women being inherently monogamous, driven by the higher “cost” of their eggs and a presumed desire for one “great guy,” female infidelity is far from uncommon and warrants open-minded consideration.

    Prevalence of Female Infidelity:

    The statistics surrounding female infidelity vary, ranging from 13 percent to as high as 50 percent of women admitting to being unfaithful to a spouse or partner. Some experts even suggest that the numbers might be higher due to the significant social stigma attached to women admitting to infidelity. Notably, data from 2013 showed that women were roughly 40 percent more likely to be cheating on their husbands than they had been in 1990, while men’s rates remained relatively stable. Furthermore, surveys in the 1990s and later have indicated a closing of the “infidelity gap” between men and women, with younger women even reporting more affairs than their male peers in some studies. This trend suggests that with increased autonomy, earning power, and digital connections, women are engaging in infidelity more frequently, though they may not be talking about it openly.

    Motivations Behind Female Infidelity:

    The source challenges the traditional binary of men seeking sex and women seeking emotional connection in affairs. Interviews with women who have been unfaithful reveal that their motivations are diverse and can include:

    • Strong libido and not feeling cut out for monogamy.
    • Desire for sexual gratification and excitement. Alicia Walker’s study of women on Ashley Madison found that they often sought out affairs for the sex they were not getting in their marriages.
    • Feeling a sense of bold entitlement for connection, understanding, and sex.
    • Craving variety and novelty of sexual experience.
    • Experiencing sexual excitement autonomously and disconnected from their partners. Marta Meana’s research highlights “female erotic self-focus,” where women derive arousal from their own sexiness.
    • Unhappiness or sexual dissatisfaction within the marriage. However, the source emphasizes that women also cheat even when they are not overtly unhappy.
    • Increased exposure to potential partners, more time apart from spouses, and greater financial independence due to more women being in the workforce.
    • Technology providing discreet opportunities for extra-pair coupling.
    • Simply wanting to act on their desires and fulfill a fantasy, as illustrated by the character Issa in the series “Insecure”.
    • Boredom in a relationship, with Kristen Mark’s research suggesting women might be more prone to boredom early in a relationship.

    Social Perceptions and Stigma:

    Despite its prevalence, female infidelity remains heavily stigmatized. The source argues that society reacts to women who are “untrue” with condemnation, a desire to control and punish them, and a conviction that something must be “done” about them. This is because women who cheat violate not just a social script but also a cherished gender script that dictates female sexual passivity and monogamy. The reactions can range from being labeled “unusual” to being called “immoral,” “antisocial,” and a “violation of our deepest notions of how women naturally are and ‘should be’”. Even within progressive circles, a woman who has an affair is likely to face harsh judgment. The author notes personal experiences of encountering discomfort and even hostility when discussing the topic, often facing questions about her husband’s opinion, implying her research makes her a “slut by proxy”. This double standard is highlighted by the fact that men’s “ho phase” is often accepted, while women are not afforded the same leniency. The fear of reputational damage and the potential for a financially devastating divorce also heavily influence women’s decisions regarding monogamy.

    Historical and Evolutionary Context:

    The source delves into historical and anthropological perspectives, suggesting that female monogamy is not necessarily a timeless and essential norm. Primatological research challenges the idea of sexually passive females and highlights a preference for sexual novelty among female non-human primates. The source also points to societies with practices like the Mosuo “walking marriage” in China and informal polyandry in various cultures, where women have multiple partners with little or no social censure, suggesting that female multiple mating has a long history and prehistory. Studies among the Himba people of Namibia even indicate that female infidelity can be widespread, openly acknowledged, and even beneficial for women and their offspring. This challenges the Western notion of female adultery as inherently risky and wrong.

    Female Autonomy and Entitlement:

    The book posits that female infidelity can be viewed as a metric of female autonomy and a form of seizing privileges historically belonging to men. The logical horizon of movements like #MeToo is seen as potentially opening cultural space for female sexual entitlement, where women feel inherently deserving of sexual exploration and pleasure, just as men do. Women who cheat often do so because they feel a sense of bold entitlement for connection and sex. However, this assertion of autonomy often comes with significant personal costs and societal backlash.

    Rethinking Monogamy:

    The source suggests that compulsory monogamy can be a feminist issue, as the lack of female sexual autonomy hinders true female autonomy. There is a growing recognition that monogamy can be a difficult practice that requires ongoing commitment. Some experts propose viewing monogamy as a continuum rather than a rigid binary. The source also touches on alternative relationship models like open relationships and the concept of “monogamish”. Psychoanalysts challenge the expectation that partners should fulfill all of each other’s needs, suggesting that affairs might be seen as “private” rather than “pathological” in some contexts.

    The “Infidelity Workaround”:

    Alicia Walker’s research highlights the concept of the “infidelity workaround,” where women engage in extra-marital affairs not necessarily because they want to leave their marriages, but as a way to fulfill unmet sexual or emotional needs without dismantling their existing lives. These women often report feeling more empowered and experiencing a boost in self-esteem.

    Conclusion:

    “Untrue” argues that our understanding of female infidelity needs a significant reevaluation. It challenges the traditional narrative of female sexual reticence and passivity, presenting evidence that women are just as capable of desiring and seeking out sexual experiences outside of monogamous relationships as men are. The book suggests that female sexuality is assertive, pleasure-centered, and potentially more autonomous than traditionally believed. Ultimately, the decision to be monogamous or not is deeply personal and context-dependent, influenced by a woman’s environment, desires, risk tolerance, and social support. The source encourages a more empathetic and understanding view of women who reject monogamy, recognizing their bravery in challenging societal norms and the valuable lessons their experiences can offer about female longing, lust, and the future of partnership.

    Consensual Non-Monogamy: Forms, Motivations, and Perceptions

    Consensual non-monogamy (CNM) is an umbrella term for relationship styles where all involved partners openly agree to the possibility of having romantic or sexual relationships with other people. This is in direct contrast to undisclosed or non-consensual non-monogamy, also known as cheating. The source “01.pdf” discusses CNM in detail, exploring its various forms, motivations, societal perceptions, and its growing presence in contemporary culture.

    Forms of Consensual Non-Monogamy:

    The source identifies three main types of non-monogamy, which can sometimes overlap:

    • Open Relationships: In these arrangements, couples agree to see other people, but they might not necessarily want to discuss the details or even be fully aware of their partner’s activities. The approach is often summarized as, “You go play, but I don’t want to hear about it”.
    • Swinging: This involves committed couples engaging in sexual activities with others, either individually or as a pair. Communication about their activities is typical, and they may participate in events like conventions or sex clubs to meet like-minded individuals. The primary relationship within the dyad remains the central focus.
    • Polyamory: This is the practice of having multiple romantic, sexual, and/or intimate partners with the full knowledge and consent of all involved. Polyamorous individuals often believe in the capacity to love more than one person simultaneously and tend to prioritize deeper emotional connections, sometimes without establishing a hierarchy among partners. Polyamory can involve various living arrangements, such as “throuples” or larger groups, and often necessitates significant communication, ground rules, and regular check-ins.

    Motivations for Consensual Non-Monogamy:

    People choose CNM for various reasons. According to the source:

    • It caters to individuals who don’t inherently desire or find it easy to be monogamous and prefer not to lie about their needs.
    • CNM can be seen as a way to live more authentically without the secrecy and hypocrisy that can accompany infidelity.
    • For some, it might be a solution to the inherent difficulties of lifelong sexual exclusivity within a single relationship.
    • The rise of CNM could also be linked to a growing recognition that monogamy might not be “natural” or easy to sustain over long periods.

    Societal Perceptions and Challenges:

    Despite its increasing visibility, CNM still faces significant societal challenges and diverse reactions:

    • Many people hold the view that non-monogamy “does not work” and that therapists working with such couples are merely “rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic”.
    • Some clinicians may have a skewed and negative view of non-monogamy because they primarily encounter individuals in crisis. However, research suggests that individuals in CNM relationships generally report high levels of relationship satisfaction and happiness, with jealousy levels comparable to those in monogamous relationships.
    • Talking about CNM can be awkward or even lead to negative judgment. The author even found it easier to describe her book as being about “female autonomy” rather than explicitly about non-monogamy.
    • Some view polyamory, in particular, as a radical stance that challenges the traditional binary thinking and the primacy of the dyad in Western societies.
    • The “relentless candor” often advocated in ethical non-monogamy can be perceived by some as a form of social control that infringes on privacy.
    • Practically, navigating the logistical and emotional complexities of multiple involvements, along with balancing careers and other responsibilities, can be challenging. The lack of institutional support for non-monogamous relationships, such as marriage licenses, also presents hurdles.

    Historical and Cultural Context:

    The source notes that intentional non-monogamy is not entirely new, with historical examples ranging from Romantic poets and transcendentalists to the “free love” movements of the 1970s. The term “consensual non-monogamy” itself is relatively recent, gaining traction around the year 2000. The current surge in interest in CNM is considered a “third wave,” marked by increased discussion in mainstream media, the appearance of non-monogamous relationships in popular culture, and a rise in online searches for related terms. This suggests a growing awareness and perhaps acceptance of relationship styles beyond traditional monogamy.

    Shifting Perspectives:

    The increasing visibility of CNM, along with research challenging traditional assumptions about sexuality and relationships, suggests a potential reconsideration of lifelong sexual exclusivity as the sole model for committed partnerships. Some experts propose viewing monogamy as a continuum rather than a strict binary. The rise of terms like “monogamish” reflects the search for alternatives to compulsory monogamy. Ultimately, the source suggests that the decision to be monogamous or not is a deeply personal one, influenced by individual desires, context, and social support.

    Female Sexual Autonomy: Beyond Monogamy

    Discussing sexual autonomy, as presented in the sources, revolves heavily around the concept of female sexual autonomy and the historical and societal forces that have often constrained or denied it. The sources reveal a persistent tension between prescribed norms of sexual behavior, particularly for women, and the individual’s right to self-determination in their sexual life.

    The author’s personal journey into exploring female infidelity and consensual non-monogamy was driven by questions about what is sexually normal for women and why it seemed so difficult for women to be true to their desires. This exploration led to a challenge of the presumption that there was one right or best way to be in a couple or relationship and a new understanding of how and why women refuse sexual exclusivity or simply long to. Attending a workshop on consensual non-monogamy prompted reflection on the surrender of “complete, dizzying sexual autonomy and self-determination” for the security of a dyadic relationship.

    The sources highlight how society often reacts negatively to women who refuse sexual exclusivity, whether openly or secretly. The author even found it easier to describe her work as being about “female autonomy” rather than explicitly about infidelity, to avoid judgment. The idea that compulsory monogamy is a feminist issue is raised, suggesting that without female sexual autonomy, true female autonomy is impossible.

    The book itself aims to carve out a space where the woman who refuses sexual exclusivity is not automatically stigmatized. It suggests that negotiating how we will be sexual is often a series of false choices rather than real options for women in the US, challenging us to rethink what it means to be female and self-determined. The deeply ingrained social script about female sexual reticence often means that women who exercise self-control regarding desires they are “not even supposed to desire” receive no credit.

    The importance of context in understanding a woman’s decision to be monogamous or not is emphasized, including her environment, ecology, sexual self, agreements with partners, support systems, culture, and access to resources. There is no single “best choice” because there is no one context.

    Several examples and research findings in the sources underscore the complexity and potential for female sexual autonomy:

    • The study of the Himba people suggests that sexual and social behaviors are malleable and depend on context, indicating that women’s reproductive success can be tied to circumstances that may involve non-monogamy.
    • Primatological research challenges the traditional view of “coy, choosy” females, revealing that in many species, females actively initiate copulations. The example of bonobos, a female-dominant species with frequent sexual activity among females, raises questions about whether human female sexuality might be more aligned with pleasure-focused and promiscuous tendencies than traditionally assumed, and if environment plays a key role in shaping behavior.
    • Research by Meredith Chivers suggests that female desires might be stronger and less category-bound than previously believed, questioning the “sacred cow” of a gender difference in sexual desire. This implies a greater potential for autonomous sexual desires in women.
    • Marta Meana’s work on “female erotic self-focus” highlights the idea that women’s arousal can significantly emanate from their erotic relationship with themselves, suggesting a wonderful autonomy in female sexuality.
    • Experiences of women at Skirt Club, a “play party” environment, suggest that having sexual experiences outside of heterosexual relationships can make women feel more entitled to communicate about what they want sexually within their primary relationships, indicating a growth in sexual autonomy.

    Conversely, the sources also illustrate the historical lack of recognition and even pathologization of female sexual desire that deviates from the monogamous ideal:

    • Historical figures like Acton and Krafft-Ebing perpetuated the idea of women as having small sexual desire, suggesting dire social consequences if this were not the case.
    • The case of “Mrs. B.” in the 19th century, who confided in her doctor about her vivid adulterous fantasies, highlights the extreme worry a woman might have felt about her libido given prevailing beliefs about female asexuality.
    • The persistence of the double standard, where male infidelity is often viewed differently than female infidelity, demonstrates the ongoing limitations on female sexual autonomy.

    Ultimately, the sources advocate for a broader understanding of female sexuality that acknowledges its potential for autonomy, fluidity, and diversity, free from restrictive societal expectations and historical biases. The decision for a woman to be monogamous or not is deeply personal and contingent on a multitude of factors, and the exploration of consensual non-monogamy and female infidelity provides valuable insights into the complexities of sexual autonomy.

    Historical Roots of Monogamy and Female Sexuality

    The historical context is crucial to understanding the discussions around female sexual autonomy and consensual non-monogamy in the sources. The text highlights several key historical periods and developments that have significantly shaped our current beliefs and attitudes.

    One important aspect is the discussion of early human societies. The sources suggest that contrary to the 1950s-inflected notion of a monogamous pair bond, early Homo life history was characterized by social cooperation, including cooperative breeding, which was a successful reproductive strategy. This involved coalitions of cooperating females and of cooperating males and females, suggesting a more fluid and communal approach to relationships and child-rearing. In ecologies favoring hunting and gathering, where women were primary producers, a degree of egalitarianism and generosity with food, child-rearing, and sexuality was often in everyone’s best interest.

    The text emphasizes the profound impact of the advent of agriculture, particularly plough agriculture, on gender roles and female self-determination. This agricultural shift, beginning around the sixth millennium BC, led to a gendered division of labor, where men primarily worked in the fields with the plough while women were relegated more to the domestic sphere. This change is linked to the development of anxieties about female infidelity and lower social status for women. Societies with a history of plough agriculture show markedly lower levels of female participation in politics and the labor force and embrace more gender-biased attitudes, a legacy that persists even generations later across different ecologies and despite economic and technological changes. The study authors suggest that norms established during plough agriculture became ingrained in societal policies, laws, and institutions, reinforcing the belief that “A woman’s place is in the home”.

    The sources also delve into historical examples of constraints on female sexuality and the punishment of infidelity. In the Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay colonies in the 17th century, adultery, particularly by women, was viewed as a severe crime, a breaking of the marriage bond and a violation of the husband’s property rights. Mary Mendame was whipped and forced to wear an “AD” for having sex with an “Indian”. Interestingly, during this period, men, even if married, could have relations with unmarried women and be accused of the lesser crime of fornication. This exemplifies a clear double standard in the enforcement of sexual morality.

    The text touches upon the historical construction of female sexual passivity. Influential figures like Darwin, Acton, and Krafft-Ebing suggested that females are inherently less eager and require to be courted, while men are more ardent and courageous. These ideas became prevalent and served to reinforce rigid gender scripts. Bateman’s research in the mid-20th century, though later challenged, further solidified the notion of biologically based differences in male and female sexual strategies.

    The “first wave” of intentional non-monogamy is traced back to the Romantic poets and transcendentalists who experimented with group living and sex in communities like Brook Farm and Oneida Community in the 19th century. The “second wave” in the 1970s involved the free love, communal living, open relationships, and swinging movements, which were seen as a radical break with tradition. Notably, the term “consensual non-monogamy” itself appears to have been first used around the year 2000.

    The impact of World War I and World War II on gender roles is also discussed. During these periods, when men went to war, women took on roles traditionally held by men in agriculture and industry. This demonstrated female competence and autonomy. However, after the wars, there was a societal push to return women to the domestic sphere through various means, reinforcing the idea of a woman’s place in the home.

    The sources also provide glimpses into historical perspectives from different cultures. For instance, among the pre-contact Wyandot, women had significant agency, including sexual autonomy and the right to choose partners, with trial marriages being a common practice. Similarly, in Tahiti, sex was viewed more communally and openly. These examples contrast sharply with the restrictive norms that became dominant in Western societies, often influenced by religious beliefs and the shift to agriculture.

    The narrative also highlights how female power has historically been linked with sexuality and deception. The story of Jezebel in the Old Testament is presented as an example of the vilification of a powerful woman who challenged the established patrilineal order. In ancient Greece, adultery by married women was considered a serious crime with severe social consequences, reflecting anxieties about lineage and citizenship, which were tied to legitimate offspring in a wheat-based agricultural society. The story of Clytemnestra in The Oresteia further illustrates the suppression of female power and autonomy, both sexual and legal, in an emerging masculinist order. Even in ancient Rome, while adultery was initially a private matter, under Augustus, it became a crime punishable by death for both parties, coinciding with the consolidation of his power and the symbolic importance of agriculture (wheat) in Roman life. The exile of Augustus’s daughter Julia for her open affairs demonstrates how even noble women could be subjected to social control regarding their sexuality when it challenged male authority.

    The experiences of Virginia, a woman born in the early 20th century, highlight how context, culture, and constraint have shaped experiences of sexuality and sexual autonomy over time. Raised Catholic with strict prohibitions around kissing, birth control, and premarital sex, her life spanned significant societal shifts, underscoring the evolving nature of sexual norms and expectations.

    By examining these various historical contexts, the sources aim to challenge the notion that current Western norms around monogamy and female sexuality are natural or timeless. Instead, they reveal these norms to be the product of specific historical, economic, and cultural developments, particularly the impact of agriculture and the enduring legacy of gendered power dynamics.

    The Historical Construction and Impact of Gender Roles

    The sources provide a comprehensive discussion of gender roles, particularly focusing on their historical construction and the persistent impact they have on female sexual autonomy and broader societal structures.

    The Influence of Agriculture: A significant portion of the discussion centers on the impact of plough agriculture on the formation of rigid gender roles. The introduction of the plough led to a gendered division of labor, with men primarily engaged in outdoor farming and women specializing in indoor domestic work and childcare. This division, where men were seen as primary producers and women as engaged in secondary production, gave rise to beliefs about the “natural role of women” as being inside the home and less vital to subsistence.

    This agricultural shift is linked to the development of several interconnected beliefs:

    • That a woman is a man’s property.
    • That a woman’s place is in the home.
    • That women ought to be “naturally” monogamous.

    The sources argue that these beliefs, originating with the rise of plough agriculture, have had a lasting impact, influencing societal policies, laws, and institutions even in modern, post-agrarian societies. Remarkably, a study found that even the descendants of people from plough-based cultures hold more gender-biased attitudes and exhibit lower levels of female participation in politics and the labor force, regardless of current economic structures or geographical location. This “plough legacy” is described as “sticky” because acting on pre-existing gender beliefs is often more efficient than evaluating each situation based on individual merit.

    Historical Construction of Female Passivity: The sources also discuss the historical construction of female sexual passivity in contrast to male sexual eagerness. Influential figures like Darwin, Acton, and Krafft-Ebing contributed to the notion that females are inherently less eager, requiring to be courted, while men are naturally more ardent. Krafft-Ebing even suggested that if women’s sexual desire were not small, the world would become a brothel. These ideas reinforced rigid gender scripts that placed women in the domestic sphere and men in the world of action.

    Challenges to Traditional Gender Roles: Despite these deeply ingrained roles, the sources highlight instances where they have been challenged or differed:

    • Early Human Societies: Early Homo life is suggested to have involved more social cooperation and a less rigid gender division, particularly in hunter-gatherer societies where women were primary producers, leading to greater female agency.
    • Wyandot Culture: The pre-contact Wyandot society is presented as an example where women had significant sexual autonomy, agency in choosing partners, and equal say in social and political matters, challenging the notion of inherent female passivity.
    • World Wars: During World War II, with men away at war, women took on traditionally male roles in the workforce, demonstrating female competence and challenging the idea that their place was solely in the home. However, after the wars, there was a societal push to return women to domestic roles.

    Persistence of Gender Bias and Double Standards: Despite progress, the sources indicate the persistence of gender bias and double standards. The fact that the author found it easier to discuss her work as being about “female autonomy” rather than “female infidelity” reveals societal discomfort and judgment surrounding women’s sexual behavior outside of monogamy. Furthermore, the common responses to her research, such as “What does your husband think about your work?”, highlight the ingrained assumption that a woman’s activities should be viewed through the lens of her relationship with a man.

    The double standard regarding infidelity is also mentioned, where men’s “ho phase” is often normalized as “his life,” while women who exhibit similar behavior are judged more harshly. The story of Cacilda Jethá’s research in Mozambique illustrates how even in a context where extra-pair involvements were common, women were far more reluctant to discuss them than men, indicating a persistent asymmetry in how sexual behavior is perceived and reported based on gender.

    Impact on Female Sexual Autonomy: The sources argue that these historically constructed gender roles significantly impact female sexual autonomy. The surrender of “complete, dizzying sexual autonomy and self-determination” is presented as a trade-off for the security of a dyadic relationship, often presumed to be a natural and easier path for women. The negative reactions to women who refuse sexual exclusivity, whether openly or secretly, and the labeling of such women as “damaged,” “selfish,” “whorish,” and “bad mothers,” even by self-described feminists, demonstrate the constraints placed on female sexual self-determination.

    The very language we use, such as a woman “getting ploughed” by a man, reflects the agrarian heritage and the idea of women as property, further limiting the conceptualization of female sexual agency.

    In conclusion, the sources argue that current gender roles, particularly those concerning women, are not natural but are deeply rooted in historical and economic shifts, most notably the advent of plough agriculture. These roles have led to persistent biases, double standards, and limitations on female autonomy, especially in the realm of sexuality. While there have been challenges and variations across cultures and time periods, the legacy of these historically constructed gender roles continues to shape our beliefs and societal structures today.

    By Amjad Izhar
    Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
    https://amjadizhar.blog

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