Monday, December 21, 2009

The Etiquettes

It is not good to be judgmental or over critical of others. But still I am going to write some words of wisdom for the one who seeks them.

1) I have observed it a plenty that people strangely use chatting linguistics when communicating at a professional level! Well well well, for me the candidate who talks to me in such special words might not lose his/her credibility what so ever, but not every body is like me. It is sensible to use original words no matter what, do run a dictionary check on your words as well to see if every thing is good and pleasant. On a side note, I never use the short version of languages even during my personal chats.

2) Talking more about communicating at a professional level, the emails you send develop a sketch of how you are. It kind of becomes a major evaluation criterion of your personality. It never costs a penny to be courteous, does it? Always use the words... Please, Kindly and Thank you in your emails. These simple courteous words echo in eternity, trust me!

3) Many times it happens so that when you send an email, message or sms to someone, that person does not move a muscle to reply to your concern. That for me is utterly disappointing characteristic anyone could ever have! It amazes me to no extent that why would one not reply to my messages or even calls for that matter. You cannot be as busy as Bill Gates, can you be? Even Bill Gates tends to your mails and messages, then who am I or you to not reply to anyone's messages? May be it is the trademark of successful people to reply to any queries no matter what!

4) There is fine line between cockiness and confidence. My experience during taking interviews says that I would prefer a humble candidate any day over a one who has some attitude problem. When you are giving interviews, never forget that you are being evaluated in every way and not just on the basis of your answers.

So lets come to the conclusion...

Never underestimate the power of a written or spoken word!
Always be clear, concise and courteous.
Always be concerned.
Be positive with your foot firmly planted on earth.

Live On

If you knew you are going to die soon and you had only one call to make, who would it be to?

I hope some one does come up in your mind by reading the above sentence. Read on...

I have lost people very close to me. Which really made me think, why do good people die so early? Then I came to know why it is so famously said:

"Heroes die young!"

All those people which are no more with me were, are and always will be my heroes. They always will be part of my life in one way or the other. They have left lasting impressions of their wonderful personality on me.

In the end all we have are the fond memories of our loved ones.

I always say that life is nothing but the very moment we are living in. We must no matter what make the best of these collection of moments.

I will always give preference to my parent's hug over a million dollar cheque.

Your parents, children, siblings and other relatives never remember you for the money you made but for the quality time you spent with them. They never remember you for the luxuries you gave to them but for the hearty love you bestowed upon them.

One cannot stop the process of dying but one can cherish the few years one has in his life by living every day as his last day.

I vividly remember once my teacher quoted someone's quotation, which went like this:

"You have the opportunity to live life in three ways...

1) The life you are living right now
2) The life you will live after death
3) The life you live through the memories of the people after you die!

You have lived fully only if you are able to live in the memories of people after you have long gone."

That is just an epic way to tell how should one spend his time in this world and seconds what I have said earlier.

If you knew you are going to die and you had only one call to make, who would it be to?

What are you waiting for? :)

Friday, September 4, 2009

Wish I had

"Have you ever wondered which hurts the most: saying something and wishing you had not, or saying nothing, and wishing you had?"

-- Anon

Just wanted the piece of writing that follows to be read by people who by the magic touch of internet happen to cross my blog.

10th grade

As I sat there in English class, I stared at the girl next to me. She was my so called "best friend". I stared at her long, silky hair, and wished she was mine. But she didn't notice me like that, and I knew it. After class, she walked up to me and asked me for the notes she had missed the day before and handed them to her. She said "thanks" and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I wanted to tell her, I want her to know that I don't want to be just friends, I love her but I'm just too shy, and I don't know why.

11th grade

The phone rang. On the other end, it was her. She was in tears, mumbling on and on about how her love had broke her heart. She asked me to come over because she didn't want to be alone, so I did. As I sat next to her on the sofa, I stared at her soft eyes, wishing she was mine. After 2 hours, one Drew Barrymore movie, and three bags of chips, she decided to go to sleep. She looked at me, said "thanks" and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I want to tell her, I want her to know that I don't want to be just friends, I love her but I'm just too shy, and I don't know why.

Senior year

The day before prom she walked to my locker. "My date is sick", she said; "he's not going to go well", I didn't have a date, and in 7th grade, we made a promise that if neither of us had dates, we would go together just as "best friends". So we did. Prom night, after everything was over, I was standing at her front door step. I stared at her as she smiled at me and stared at me with her crystal eyes. I want her to be mine, but she doesn't think of me like that, and I know it. Then she said "I had the best time, thanks!" and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I want to tell her, I want her to know that I don't want to be just friends, I love her but I'm just too shy, and I don't know why.

Graduation Day

A day passed, then a week, then a month. Before I could blink, it was graduation day. I watched as her perfect body floated like an angel up on stage to get her diploma. I wanted her to be mine, but she didn't notice me like that, and I knew it. Before everyone went home, she came to me in her smock and hat, and cried as I hugged her. Then she lifted her head from my shoulder and said, "you're my best friend, thanks" and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I want to tell her, I want her to know that I don't want to be just friends, I love her but I'm just too shy, and I don't know why.

A Few Years Later

Now I sit in the pews of the church. That girl is getting married now. I watched her say "I do" and drive off to her new life, married to another man. I wanted her to be mine, but she didn't see me like that, and I knew it. But before she drove away, she came to me and said "you came!". She said "thanks" and kissed me on the cheek. I want to tell her, I want her to know that I don't want to be just friends, I love her but I'm just too shy, and I don't know why.

Funeral

Years passed, I looked down at the coffin of a girl who used to be my "best friend". At the service, they read a diary entry she had wrote in her high school years. This is what it read: I stare at him wishing he was mine, but he doesn't notice me like that, and I know it. I want to tell him, I want him to know that I don't want to be just friends, I love him but I'm just too shy, and I don't know why. I wish he would tell me he loved me! `I wish I did too...` I thought to my self, and I cried.

Now if you have read it all, do leave your comment. Thanks!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Why Do Relations Break With Remedies

Okay... Lets start thinking on this, why do relations actually break? hmm... Let me help you by giving some pointers as following:

1) It gets monotonous to the extent that you are itching for something new in your life.

2) The patience to bear your partner for his/her repetetive mistakes is no longer existent.

3) Interest in the relationship is lost.

4) You do not want to live a life of a caged bird as you are a free birdy!

5) You no longer care about your partner as you are busy making your own life!

Now you are right all of these points resemble in one way or the other. The bitter reality which has the potential of breaking any relationship is the occurence of boredom. Agree or not that is a fact. A fact which we do not really think about and realize what consequences it can bring. Now we know what mainly succumbs a relationship. Lets think of the solutions. Again some pointers as following:

1) A relationship should be like a river in flow. It must not ever stagnate.

2) A relationship should be spicy. Yeah! it must have some black pepper and red chilli.

3) Always try to do things differently. Repetition kills the joy and brings sadness to say the least!

4) Do what you say and say what you can do.

5) Live in disagreements that is where the real fun lies.

6) Fight, fight and fight but on facts. Learn to apologize does not matter how and when.

Okay, that is all I need to say. I have not explained the remedy part just gave you some sighters to blossom your imagination to stay in any relationship.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Spiritual Gems

If the first inward thought is not warded off, it will generate a desire, then the desire will generate a wish, and the wish will generate an intention, and the intention will generate the action, and the action will result in ruin and divine wrath. So evil must be cut off at its root, which is when it is simply a thought that crosses the mind, from which all the other things follow on.

-- Imam Ghazali

The world is three days:
As for yesterday, it has vanished, along with all that was in it.
As for tomorrow, you may never see it.
As for today, it is yours, so work in it.

-- Hassan Basri

Suffering is a gift. In it is hidden mercy.

-- Rumi

A friend cannot be considered a friend until he is tested in three occasions: in time of need, behind your back, and after your death.

-- Hazrat Ali (RA)


When someone criticizes or disagrees with you, a small ant of hatred and antagonism is born in your heart. If you do not squash that ant at once, it might grow into a snake, or even a dragon.

-- Rumi

Never have I dealt with anything more difficult than my own soul, which sometimes helps me and sometimes opposes me.

-- Ghazali

Reflect on the work of art and you may attain to the artist.

-- Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani


If you see Allah, Mighty and Magnificent, holding back this world from you, frequently trying you with adversity and tribulation, know that you hold a great status with Him. Know that He is dealing with you as He does with His Awliya’ and chosen elite, and is watching over you, have you not heard His saying, “So wait steadfastly for the judgment of your Lord - you are certainly before Our eyes.{At-Tur 52:48}”

-- Ghazali


How long will you keep pounding on an open door Begging for someone to open it?

-- Rabia Basri

Work for your terrestrial life in proportion to your location in it, and work for your afterlife in proportion to your eternity in it.

-- Ghazali

My son, when you pray, do it like a person who is bidding farewell to this world, and don't assume you will have another chance to pray again. My son, know that a believer dies in between two deeds, one he offers for today, where he will get immediate blessings, and the second deed is what he offers towards the day of resurrection, and that is where he will gain the ultimate benefits

-- Muaaz Ibn Jabal (RA)

That which God said to the rose,
and caused it to laugh in full-blown beauty,
he said to my heart,
and made it a hundred times more beautiful.

-- Rumi


In the intricate paths of life,
when difficulties and hardships confront a man,
and the darkness of difficulty and suffering becomes long,
it is patience only that acts like a light for a Muslim,
that keeps him safe from wandering here and there,
and saves him from the muddy marsh of disappointment, desperation and frustration.

-- Ghazali

There are four cardinal virtues of the individual self:

(i) refraining from asking in the state of poverty;
(ii) showing the attitude of being well-fed when feeling hungry;
(iii) maintaining a cheerfulness in the time of sorrow; and
(iv) befriending the enemy.

-- Khawaja Moeen ud Din Hasan Chishti

My son! Do not let the rooster be more intelligent than you are. It shouldn’t happen that he (i.e. the rooster) gets up at the last part of the night to make proclamations [for Tahajjud prayers and remembers his Lord] while you keep sleeping [in a deep sleep of heedlessness, carelessness, and ignorance].

-- Hazrat Luqman (AS)


To discuss about learning in a portion of night is dearer to me than to keep up awake throughout the night in prayer.

-- Ibn Abbas (RA)

Hazrat Dawood (Peace be upon Him) asked Allah, the Almighty:
“What is the least of Your blessings?”
Allah revealed to him:
“O Dawood, take a breath.”
Dawood did so, and Allah told him:
“This is the least of My blessings on you.”

“Become a scholar if you are able. If you are not able, then be a student. If you can not, then show love for them. If you are unable to do that, then (at least) do not hate them.”

— Hazrat Umar (RA)

“Oh my son! This world is like an ocean in which many a creation had drowned. Make, therefore, the fear of God your boat in this ocean; your faith the main hull of the boat; reliance on God as its sails; reason as its rower; knowledge as its captain; and patience as its anchor.”

-- Hazrat Ali (RA)

In generosity and helping others be like a river,
In compassion and grace be like the sun,
In concealing others’ faults be like night,
In anger and fury be like the dead,
In modesty and humility be like the earth,
In tolerance be like the sea,
Either exist as you are or be as you look.

-- Rumi

Where there is pain, cures will come;
where there is poverty, wealth will follow.
Where there are questions, answers will be given;
where there are ships, water will flow.
Spend less time seeking water and acquire thirst!
Then water will gush from above and below.

-- Rumi

None is sincere in his love of God, unless he patiently endures the blows of his lord.

-- Rumi

The Holy Prophet (SAW) said:

Four things that make your body sick:
a) Excessive talking
b) Excessive sleeping
c) Excessive eating
d) Excessive meeting other people

2) Four things that destroys the body:
a) Worrying
b) Sorrow
c) Hunger
d) Sleeping late in the night

3) Four things that dry the face and take away its happiness:
a) Lying
b) Being disrespectful
c) Arguing without adequate knowledge and information.
d) Excessive immorality

4) Four things that increases the wetness of face and its happiness:
a) Piety
b) Loyalty
c) Generosity
d) To be helpful to others without he/she asking for that.

5) Four things that stop the Rizq/Sustenance:
a) Sleeping in the morning (from Fajr to sunrise)
b) Not Performing Namaz or Irregularity in Prayers
c) Laziness/Idleness
d) Treachery/Dishonesty

6) Four things that bring/increase the Rizq:
a) Staying up in the night for prayers.
b) Excessive Repentance
c) Regular Charity
d) Zikr (Remembrance of Allah)

Do to me, O Allah, what is worthy of Thee; And not what is worthy of me.

-- Shaikh Saadi

We should think of those who were famous for their good deeds or their bad deeds; did their fame raise them one single degree in the sight of Allah. Did it win them a reward that they had not already won by their actions during their life?

-- Ibn Hazm

To admonish your brother in private is to advise him and improve him. But to admonish him publicly is to disgrace and shame him.

-- Imam Shafi

If a gem falls into mud it is still valuable.
If dust ascends to heaven, it remains valueless.

-- Shaikh Saadi

Like us many have spoken over this spring, but they were gone in the twinkling of an eye. We conquered the world with bravery and might, but we did not take it with us to the grave.

-- Zaheer ud Din Babar

Knowledge is not what is memorized.
Knowledge is what benefits.

-- Imam Shafi

By the mercy of God, Paradise has eight doors; one of those is the door of repentance, child. All the others are sometimes open, sometimes shut, but the door of repentance is never closed. Come seize the opportunity: the door is open; carry your baggage there at once.

-- Rumi

Allah’s Generosity is connected to gratitude, and gratitude is linked to increase in His generosity. The generosity of Allah will not stop increasing unless the gratitude of the servant ceases.

-- Hazrat Ali (RA)

“All your suffering comes from desiring things that cannot be had. Stop desiring and you won’t suffer.”

-- Rumi

Never do I argue with a man with a desire to hear him say
what is wrong, or to expose him and win victory over him.
Whenever I face an opponent in debate I silently pray -
O Lord, help him so that truth may flow from his heart
and on his tongue, and so that if truth is on my side, he may follow me;
and if truth be on his side, I may follow him.

-- Imam Shafi

Your prayers are your light;
Your devotion is your strength;
Sleep is the enemy of both.
Your life is the only opportunity that life can give you.
If you ignore it, if you waste it,
You will only turn to dust.

-- Rabia Basri

If you make dhikr you won't become stressed.
If you are getting stressed you're not doing enough dhikr.

-- Shaikh Hamza Yusuf

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Whoever does not thank people, does not thank Allah.

The happiness of the drop is to die in the river.

-- Ghazali

Neither fire nor wind, birth nor death can erase our good deeds.

-- Buddha


Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.

-- Buddha

There is nothing more dreadful than the habit of doubt. Doubt separates people. It is a poison that disintegrates friendships and breaks up pleasant relations. It is a thorn that irritates and hurts; it is a sword that kills.

-- Buddha

If faith is lost, there is no security and there is no life for him who does not adhere to religion.

-- Allama Iqbal

I tell you the sign of a believer; When Death comes, there is a smile on his lips.

-- Allama Iqbal

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (RA) said, If anyone has five things then he will not be deprived of five others.

1. He who is enabled to show gratitude will never be deprived of increase of blessings.

“If you give thanks, certainly I will give you more.” (14:7)

2. He who is guided to persevere will not be deprived of reward.

“Truly the persevering will be paid their reward in full without reckoning.” (39:10)

3. One who is inspired to repent will not be deprived of its acceptance.

“And He is (Allah) Who accepts repentance from His servants.” (42:25)

4. One who is enabled to seek forgiveness will not be deprived of receiving pardon.

“Seek forgiveness of your Lord; surely He is Ever-Forgiving.” (71:10)

5. He who is spurred to make supplication is not deprived of an answer.

“Call upon Me, and I shall answer you.” (40:60)

Someone else added a sixth proposition that one who is encouraged to spend will not be deprived of reward thereof.

“And whatsoever you expend (for good) He shall replace it.” (34:39)

The door of success has been closed against creation due to 6 matters:

1. Being preoccupied with grace without being grateful.
2. Their interest in knowledge and neglecting action.
3. Rushing into sin and delaying repentance.
4. Being attracted by the company of the righteous but failing to follow their deeds.
5. This worldly life is turning away from them, while they strongly desire it.
6. The Hereafter is drawing close to them while they are turning away from it.

-- Shafiq bin Ibrahim

According to Abu Daud these four Sayings of The Prophet (PBUH) contain the summary of Islamic law.

1. Actions will be judged according to intentions.
2. The proof of a Muslim’s sincerity is that he payeth no heed to that which is not his business.
3. No man is a true believer unless he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.
4. That which is lawful is clear, and that which is unlawful likewise, but there are certain doubtful things between the two from which it is well to abstain.

Knowledge raises the low, but ignorance brings down the mighty.

-- Hazrat Ali (RA)

If you are not content with Allah, can you expect Him to be content with you?

-- Yahya ibn Muaaz

Someone asked Yahya bin Muaaz:
When do you become a mukhlis?
He replied:
When your attitude becomes like that of an infant, neither caring for praise nor criticism.

Something was causing me a great deal of grief and distress, and I started to think long and hard about how to get out of this situation by any means, but I could not find any way out. Then I came across this verse:
"…And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out [of every difficulty]." (65:2)
I realized that Taqwa (Piety, fearing Allah) is the way out of every kind of grief and distress. As soon as I followed the path of taqwa, I found the way out.

Become a scholar if you are able. If you are not able, then be a student. If you cannot, then show love for them. If you are unable to do that, then (at least) do not hate them.

— Hazrat Umar (RA)

What has he lost who has found you (O Allah), and what has he found who has lost you (O Allah).

-- Ibn At'allah

A calamity that makes you turn to Allah, is better than a blessing which makes you forget the remembrance of Allah.

-- Ibn Taymiyah

When you fear the creation, you feel repelled by it and run away from it, but when you fear the Creator, you feel close to Him and run towards Him.

-- Ibn Qayyim

Salman Farsi (RA) said:

There was a man who was given many of the luxuries of this world, and then they were taken away from him. But he continued to praise and thank Allah until everything had been taken from him, even his bed. And then he still praised and thanked Allah. Another man, who had also been given many of the luxuries of this world asked him, What are you praising and thanking Allah for? The man said, I am praising and thanking Him for blessings which, if others asked me to give them in return for all that they have, I would never give them up. What can they be? Asked the second man. Can’t you see? Asked the first man. I have my eyesight, my tongue, my hands, my feet...

My health is in the hands of Allah,
Who has ways of testing us.
Whatever happens, happens.
I ain't the greatest - It's Allah.
I gave myself a job. I work for God.

-- Muhammad Ali ( The Boxer )

There are four types of people in this world who enter a conversation/discussion:

1. One who knows not, and himself knows he knows not, is a student. Teach that person.
2. One who knows, and others know he knows, is a teacher. Learn from that person.
3. One who knows, and himself knows not that he knows, is humble. Encourage him.
4. One who knows not, and himself knows not that he knows not, is stupid. Avoid that person.
In any dialogue keep these in mind, and you shall be guided to productive discourses.

-- Imam Shafi


“Every day the sun rises it calls upon us, “Oh people! I am a new day; I am an observer of your actions. Take advantage of me for I will not return until the Day of Judgment.” “Oh, son of Adam you are nothing but a few breaths. Once one breath goes out, part of you goes with it. In the same way that part of you has gone, soon all of you will go.”

-- Hassan Basri

"I wish that time could be acquired with money. If so I would buy time from wasteful and ungrateful people so that I could spend it serving Allah (SWT).”

-- Muhasibi

“I never regretted anything except a day that passed by without having increased my deeds.”

-- Ibn Masood

“Every gulp of air that goes out in a cause other than the cause of Allah (SWT) will turn to sorrow and regret on the Day of Judgment.” He also said, “A sign that Allah (SWT) despises you is when you find yourself wasting your time with trivial matters; in this way you miss your chance of going to heaven. And a sign that Allah (SWT) likes you is when you find yourself fulfilling more duties than you have time for.” A saying goes, ‘The devil makes work for idle thumbs.’ If you want to know whether Allah (SWT) is pleased with you, then think: Are you busy or idle?

-- Ibn Al-Qayyim

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:

Love your loved ones moderately, as one day he may become someone you hate!
And hate the one you hate moderately, as one day he may become someone you love!

Yesterday is a dream, and tomorrow is only a vision, but today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope. I never saw anyone as just as the world. As long as you pursue the world it will pursue you, but when you turn away from it and seek God, it will leave you alone and its glamour shall no longer fascinate you.

-- Hajvairi

I saw grief drinking a cup of sorrow and called out,
“It tastes sweet, does it not?”
“You’ve caught me,” grief answered,
“and you’ve ruined my business,
how can I sell sorrow when you know it’s a blessing?

-- Rumi

I have eaten so much from your generous hand
that I am bent over in shame.
How could I refuse even one bitter thing from you?
If I were to complain of bitterness,
I should be engulfed in the dust of a hundred roads!
Your sugar-scattering hand gave that melon its grace —
how could any bitterness be left in it?
By love the bitter is made sweet.

-- Rumi

“Sometimes in order to help He makes us cry.
Happy the eye that sheds tears for His sake.
Fortunate the heart that burns for His sake.
Laughter always follows tears.
Blessed are those who understand.
Life blossoms wherever water flows.
Where tears are shed divine mercy is shown.”

-- Rumi

Ghunaym bin Qays said:

“We would be admonished in the early days of Islam:

‘O son of Adam! Act during your free time before you become busy, and during your youth before your old age, and during your health before your sickness, and during your stay in this world before the Hereafter, and during your life before your death.’”

A hadees states that:

If you cover a believer’s fault in life, Allah (SWT) will cover your faults in akhirah.

Ibn Abbas (RA) said:

“Indeed good actions are a light in the heart,
a strengthening for the body,
a glow on the face,
a cause for extensive provisions and
love in the hearts of the creation.
Indeed bad actions are a darkness in the heart,
a blackness on the face,
a weakness for the body,
a cause for decrease in provisions and
hatred in the hearts of the creation.”

Eemaan is what lodges in the heart and what is shown by action.

-- Hasan Basri

It was narrated from Abu Sa’eed that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

“There is no Muslim who does not offer any dua in which there is no sin or severing of family ties but Allah will give him one of three things in return: either He will answer his dua sooner, or he will store it up for him in the Hereafter, or He will divert an equivalent evil away from him because of it.” They said: “We will say a lot of dua.” He said: “Allah is more generous.”


Ibn al Qayyim said in Zaad al Ma’aad:

“As for the weeping of the Prophet (saw) it was in the same degree as his laughter. He wouldn’t sob loudly and raise his voice, just like his laughter wasn’t loud. However his eyes would fill up with tears, until they flowed out, and you would hear the sound like that of a whistling kettle coming from his chest. He would weep out of mercy for the dead, out of fear and compassion for his ummah, out of deep fear of Allah, upon listening to the Qur’an. And it was a weeping of longing, love and exaltation, accompanied by fear and khashyah”.

Ease and hardship are the feathers that give strength to the wings of your faith, so that your heart and your innermost being can use them to fly to the door of your Lord.

-- Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani

Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal was asked about the correct meaning of this hadees:

'When you hear something from or about your brother, ascribe to it the best interpretation until you can no longer do so.'

He replied, Find an excuse for him by saying, "Maybe he said this, or maybe he meant such and such."

I love God, I have no time left in which to hate the devil.

-- Rabia Basri

Yahya ibn Khalid said:

Do not respond to anyone until you have understood his words, For that will cause you to respond to what they have not said, and thus confirm your own ignorance. Rather you must understand his speech properly. So when you understand him, then respond. And do not rush to answer before asking for clarity. And do not be shy to seek clarity when you do not understand. For verily answering before understanding is sheer idiocy! So if you do not know before asking, then ask! Then it will come to you. Your questioning and seeking clarity is more praiseworthy and better for you then being silent and incapable of expressing yourself!

Because names have meanings, these meanings will inevitably have an effect on the person who carries the name. Names have an effect on the things that are named, and the things that are named have an effect on their names, whether they are beautiful or ugly, light or heavy, subtle or crude.

-- Ibn Al-Qayyim

The heart gets sick as the body does and its cure is in asking for forgiveness and protection. It also becomes rusty like a mirror does and it is polished by remembering Allah. The heart can also be naked like the body and can lose its dress and decoration, which is piety, and it can feel hunger and thirst like the body does, and its nourishment is knowledge, love, trust, and offering service to Allah.

-- Ibn Al-Qayyim


What you focus on expands.

-- Buddha

Good actions are a guard against the blows of adversity.

-- Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA)

Run away from greatness and greatness will follow you.

-- Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA)

If you expect the blessings of God, be good to His people.

-- Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA)

Take account of yourselves before your are brought to account.

-- Hazrat Umar (RA)

Trust is that there should be no difference between what you do and say, and what you think.

-- Hazrat Umar (RA)

Sit with those who love God for that enlightens the mind.

-- Hazrat Umar (RA)

He who is fond of delicious food, let him bear in mind that ultimately he is to be food for worms.

-- Hazrat Usman (RA)

A backbiter harms three persons, firstly himself, secondly the person whom he is addressing and thirdly the person whom he is backbiting.

-- Hazrat Usman (RA)

Silence is the best cure of the malady of anger.

-- Hazrat Usman (RA)

That knowledge is of no avail which is not put into practice. There can be no practice without knowledge and knowledge without putting it to practice is useless. That knowledge is blameworthy which is used solely to acquire wealth.

-- Hazrat Usman (RA)

It is painful to realize that while an animal recognizes its master, [some] human beings do not recognize their Lord.

-- Hazrat Usman (RA)

He who is not put to any distress or difficulty for a year at a stretch let him realize that God is displeased with him.

-- Hazrat Usman (RA)

The Word of God is the medicine of the heart.

-- Hazrat Ali (RA)

The days of your life pass away like clouds, so do good while you are alive.

-- Hazrat Ali (RA)

He who knows himself knows God.

-- Hazrat Ali (RA)

Have an earnestness for death and you will have life.

-- Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA)

Be good to others, that will protect you against evil.

-- Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA)

Random Quotes

"What we do during our working hours determines what we have;
what we do in our leisure hours determines what we are."

-- George Eastman

"Cautious, careful people, always casting about to preserve their reputations... can never effect a reform."

-- Susan B. Anthony

If a problem can be solved, no need to worry about it. If a problem can not be solved what is the use of worrying?

-- Anon

No one can go back and change a bad beginning; But anyone can start now and create a successful ending.

-- Anon

No one will manufacture a lock without a key. Similarly God won't give problems without solutions.

-- Anon

Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand.

-- Mother Teresa

"There are generations yet unborn, whose very lives will be shifted and shaped by the moves you make and the actions you take."

-- Andy Andrews

It's time for greatness -- not for greed. It's a time for idealism -- not ideology. It is a time not just for compassionate words, but compassionate action.

-- Marian Wright Edelman

"Three things that never come back: the spent arrow; the spoken
word; the lost opportunity."

-- Willam George Plunkett

A gift is pure when it is given from the heart to the right person at the right time and at the right place, and when we expect nothing in return.

-- Bhagavad Gita

"There are people who make things happen, there are people who watch things happen, and there are people who wonder what happened. To be successful, you need to be a person who makes things happen."

-- Jim Lovell

"The day you stop crying on your misfortune is the day you will be free."

-- Joel Chow

Whatever you do may seem insignificant, but it is most important that you do it.

-- Mahatma Gandhi

"And in the end it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."

-- Abraham Lincoln

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Sometimes ...

Sometimes ...
It is difficult to grasp, something like that is happening ...
You think why does it only happen to you ... ? ...
You do so much and still nothing fruitful happens ...

Whatever happens, happens for good ...

Sometimes ...
You are so much hurt ...
That you just don't know what to do ... ? ...
The best thing to do at that time is to cry your heart out ...

Crying is the best catharsis ...

Sometimes ...
You just get mad ...
You are unable to make decisions ...
You just feel like shouting and breaking things ...

You can judge someone the best when s/he is angry ...

Sometimes ...
You are so much shattered ...
You want someone to be there to just listen to you ...
But that never happens ...

There is no market for your sorrows ... Share with the one who'll care ...

Sometimes ...
You are so happy that you want to share your happiness ...
What happens at that time ... ? ...
Someone simply breaks your heart ...

Few people enjoy your success ... Those few you should never let go ...

Sometimes ...
We talk for hours and for years with someone ...
Why do we do this ...
When there was no meaning to it ... ? ...

There is a meaning to everything ... Only time will be telling that ...

Sometimes ...
You are in love and you do not want to face it ...
You think of nothing but consequences ...
Why are there always the consequences ... ? ...

Everything has consequences ... The thing is ... How you deal with them ...

Sometimes ...
You want to see the world in a perfect way ...
You want others to be just perfect ...
But You forget you are not perfect yourself ...

True ...

Sometimes ...
You give so much ...
But you get nothing in return ...
Why do we give so much ... ? ...

Nothing should be taken for granted ... Value of something is known only when it is lost ...

Sometimes ...
You say things ...
Which you want to regret later on ...
Why we do things we want to regret ... ? ...

Commit mistakes ... But accept them as well ...

Sometimes ...
You want to control your life ...
If it is your life ...
Why can't you just own it ... ? ...

True ...

Sometimes ...
You desire, you desire of things which you can't have ...
I want to ask this to God ...
Why do we desire it when we can't have it ... ? ...

God Says ... Keep Desiring ...

Sometimes ...
The things happen ...
When you do not want to believe God anymore ...
Why do such things happen ... ? ...

To give you experience ... Only good happens for you ... Enjoy what you have ... Long for what you can have ... Do your best to get it then ...

Sometimes ...
You say what you wanted to say ...
What happens at that very time ... ? ...
People just don't get it ...

True ...

Sunday, April 12, 2009

What I Learnt From Life - In a nutshell

  1. We do not realize what we have until it is lost.

  2. There will be people, who will always want to discourage you. Do what you want to do, no matter what. No matter what the result, never have regrets!

  3. On Semester System: Always try to prepare what you have been taught on the same day. CGPA is not about your talents or intelligence. It is about how much effort you put. It is about how much hard work you put into your studies. CGPA simply is the quotient of your hard work.

  4. Try not to take anyone for granted specially your parents.

  5. If you are confused;
    If you are stressed;
    If you are trapped in a closed end;
    If your life has become a total mess.

    You just need a praying pill to solve all your worries.

  6. Do not wait for the miracle, be a miracle.

  7. Never be fearful of anything; whatever happens, happens for a reason.

  8. Success lies in sheer hard work only.

  9. Always try to stay in the company of good people. The company you keep plays a great role in upbringing your personality. What you are today is because of the company you keep and kept.

Friday, January 9, 2009

How To Win Friends And Influence People

Six ways to make people like you...
  • Become genuinely interested in other people.
  • Smile.
  • Remember that the person's name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.
  • Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.
  • Talk in terms of the other person's interests.
  • Make the other person feel important.
Twelve ways of winning people to your thinking...
  • The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it.
  • Show respect for the other person's opinions. Never say, "You're wrong".
  • If you are wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically.
  • Begin in a friendly way.
  • Get the other person saying "yes, yes" immediately.
  • Let the other person do a great deal of the talking.
  • Let the other person feel that the idea is his or hers.
  • Try honestly to see things from the other person's point of view.
  • Be sympathetic with the other person's ideas and desires.
  • Appeal to the nobler motives.
  • Dramatize your ideas.
  • Throw down a challenge.
Nine ways to change people without giving offense and arousing resentment...
  • Begin with praise and honest appreciation.
  • Call attention to people's mistakes indirectly.
  • Talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person.
  • Ask questions instead of giving direct orders.
  • Let the other person save face.
  • Praise the slightest improvement and praise every improvement. Be "hearty in your approbation and lavish in your praise".
  • Give the other person a fine reputation to live up to.
  • Use encouragement. Make fault seem easy to correct.
  • Make the other person happy about doing the thing you suggest.
Reference: How to win friends and influence people - Dale Carnegie

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

How To Master Tricky Interview Questions?

A job applicant is typically interviewed by at least 2 or more people. These interviewers have different background and different skill sets. In order for a candidate to get the coveted job offer, s/he must impress most, if not all, of the interviewers. Having a complete command over your area of expertise will get an applicant 90% close to the goal of landing the job. However, the other 10% is dependent on the other “softer” side of the candidate that is explored during the interview. Typically, the higher-up the interviewer asking the question in the food chain of the company (read, his feedback about you is extremely important), the more s/he will ask these behavioral questions.

We have assembled below answers to some of the questions faced by most job seekers. By no means, they replace your knowledge and hence your confidence in your own field. These questions are in addition to queries specific about your skill sets and your background.

1. Tell us about yourself.

Usually an initial question, an ice-breaker. I have typically asked this question for different reasons. One, I did not get a chance to review the candidate’s CV beforehand and this will give me time to peruse through his CV while he is talking about himself. Another reason is because I want to hear the interviewee talk to ascertain how good of a communicator he is. A concise 2-minute answer to this question that hits all the main points of the candidate will impress upon me that the person can think analytically and is a good communicator. Generally speaking, this question maybe asked more from those candidates seeking non-technical jobs, or those seeking higher positions.

2. What do you know about our organization/company?

A question asked typically toward the end of the interview. This should clue you that the interview is about to come to an end. You don’t have to spend hours researching each company that calls you for an interview but you should at least visit their web site and get a basic understanding of their product offering and/or the services they offer. This will leave a very good impression upon the interviewer that you are genuinely interested in his organization. Remember, the interviewer has already made his decision to work for the company that he is interviewing candidates for. The few candidates who can walk in and tell him that they care enough to learn about his company will endear those candidates to the interviewer.

3. Why should we hire you?

This is typically asked to get right to the point. What do you bring to the table that other candidates do not? Why are you better than other candidates that came before you and ones that are going to come after you? Nailing this question will greatly enhance your chances of getting the offer. Think about what is being asked for a moment. You must link your abilities to the job duties. That is, you must establish that you have the qualities that will meet all the job requirements.

Impress the interviewer. Tell them about your achieved targets. Cite specifics from your resume or list of career accomplishments. Establish that your skills and interests & a result oriented history make you a valuable candidate. Mention your aptitude to set priorities, categorize problems and your experience and vigor to resolve them.
A 3-5 minute answer is something that the interviewer is typically looking for. Anything under either means that you don’t have enough capabilities or that you cannot express yourself; either is bad. And anything longer means that you are rambling and are going to lose the interviewer’s attention.

4. What do you find most/least attractive about this position?

To answer this question, you should have studied the job requirements and its duties. Mention anywhere up to four or five features of the job that fit well with your background or with your future plans. For example, if the position is for a PHP Web Developer, you can say that it attracted you because you have already some experience in this technology and you want to further enhance your skills as Web Development is an area where you want to build your career.

Be careful about the unattractive part. Again, you do not want to unnecessarily offend the interviewer. You can jokingly say that there is nothing unattractive, which is a reason why you are so interested in this job.

5. Why do you want to work for us?

A good answer comes from good homework to articulate a prompt reply in terms of company’s requirement. You can say that according to your research the company is working on projects that greatly interest you. For example, if the organization is known for quality management, your answer should mention that fact and show that you would like to be a part of the team that does quality testing. If the company places a great deal of emphasis on building products emphasize the fact that you want to create new things and that this company is a great place for such activity. Basically, your answer should be a combination of what the company does and what you want to do, or what you are good at doing.

6. What do you look for in a job?

Focus your answer to the opportunities available at the company you are interviewed for. Tell them about your yearning to perform and be acknowledged for your contributions. Emphasize on opportunity rather than personal security. That is, tell them that you value opportunities for growth where you will learn new concepts. Typically, we should all look for those job opportunities that would enhance our existing skills and get us to the next rung in the corporate ladder. Money and job security is important but something that should not be overly emphasized. Your research on the company should already tell you how secure the company is before going there for an interview. Like the companies who only call candidates that best match their criteria, so should you only call upon the companies that best match your minimum criteria of places you’re where you will spend more than 8 hours every day?

7. How long will you stay with us?

Establish that you are interested in a strong and long career with the organization, but you would have to continue to feel challenged to remain with any organization. At no point should the interviewer feel that you are a job-hopper. This type of question is typically asked of those candidates that have switched multiple jobs too quickly. The interviewer wants to ascertain that you will stay with them for a long time. Your answer should put them at ease.

8. What if you are subjected to long periods of silence or your appearance is criticized?

Stress interview is a technique to check the candidate’s patience level. In such interviews a candidate is made to wait before the interview and, in some cases, in the presence of the interviewers who apparently does not give any attention towards the candidate sitting their room. This is not something typical and is mostly limited to certain types of industries or job types such as Hospitality industry or Sales positions. This is a technique used to see how the particular candidate will react under stress or specific conditions related to the job nature. You need to be very patient during such interviews. Keep smiling and do not show that you are bored or irritated or angry. You can break the silence by politely asking the interviewer if there is anything that you can elaborate upon or anything else that you can answer. Remind yourself of the goal ahead i.e. getting the job.

9. What are your interests outside of work?

Tell them about your one or two favorite past times keeping in mind the job nature. This is more of a filler question where interviewer just wants to know what kind of a person you are or he is asking you this question while reading more details in your CV, or he is simply finished with his questions but wants another parting shot before he calls off the interview. Your answer should supplement the job nature. If it is a sales position, maybe you can say that I like to meet people outside of work. If you are applying for a Customer Support position, you can say that I like to read to help me in my communications skills (be sure to know what you read in case the interviewer probes you further).

10. What is your salary expectation?

Salary is a delicate topic. Don’t sell yourself short, but continue to stress the fact that the job itself is the most important thing in your mind. The interviewer may be trying to determine just how much you want the job. Don’t leave the impression that money is the only thing that is important to you. Link questions of salary to the work itself.

But whenever possible, say as little as you can about salary until you reach the “final” stage of the interview process. At that point, you know that the company is genuinely interested in you and that it is likely to be flexible in salary negotiations.

11. Your resume suggests you are over-qualified/more experienced for this position. What’s your opinion?

A question like this is categorized as a behavioral question. Such a question is generally asked to get an idea about your knowledge about the position you have applied for. That is, if you know for sure what the position is and do you know about its market value. It is also sometimes asked to throw you off-balance and to see how you react. Shrewd interviewers employ such techniques to better understand a candidate’s personality, to judge your general reaction and attitude as a qualified professional.
To answer such a question you must focus and talk about your skill set and professional background to-date and balance it with the job requirements without going into the murky details of formulating a personal opinion about being over-qualified; simply state the facts. Emphasize your interest in establishing a long-term association with the organization and make a point that powerful companies always have tough teams & experienced executives who always keep them on the top. Since you are a qualified professional so you have every faith that the company will get a fast return on its investment by hiring you. You can say that, "A growing, dynamic company can never have too much talent." Exude confidence but do not let the interviewer feel that you are over confident.

12. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Although this question may seem as though you should answer with a positive answer for your strengths and a negative for your weaknesses, try to give two positive answers. When discussing your strengths highlight strengths that specifically apply to the available post. When indicating your weaknesses never detail a character defect rather try to explain where you identified a problem area where you were able to remedy it and explain how you did so.

13. Why are you leaving (did you leave) your present (last) job?

Again the employer, by asking such a question, wants to know if you are a dedicated, goal oriented person who is serious about a career with his company. Do not give a long-winded answer. Try to keep it very brief and to the point and as honest as you can without hurting yourself. For example if you were laid off in an across-the-board cutback, say so; otherwise, indicate that the move was your decision and the result of your action. Avoid mentioning personality conflicts. Under no circumstances talk ill about your previous employer as the person interviewing you will take an impression that you might talk about your new boss in the same context if you two ever go on wrong ends. The interviewer may spend some time probing you on this issue, particularly if it is clear that you were terminated. The "We agreed to disagree" approach may be useful. Remember that your references are likely to be checked, so don’t fabricate a story for an interview.

14. In your current (last) position, what features do (did) you like the most/least?

Similarly, as mentioned before, you should be very careful and positive while answering this question. You will not want your future boss to jump to a wrong conclusion that you are a difficult employee who likes picking out flaws in the company. A negative image at any stage of the interview can prove fatal so be very focused and positive about every word that comes out of your mouth. If you make your last job sound terrible, an interviewer may wonder why you remained there until now. Pick not more than one thing that would be considered a bad practice professionally everywhere. In this regards, the interviewer will not be able to argue with you. If you can back up with anything you did to improve the practice, it will be considered a plus.

15. How successful do you think you’ve been so far?

Confidence is the key to answer this question while over confidence can create a problem here. This question is actually asked to see if you exude over confidence while answering or you give a humble answer while knowing perfectly well about your success rate during your professional career. Although the type of job being interviewed for may dictate the amount of chutzpah you want to display here but a general rule of thumb is to stay safe with a more low-key, just-the-facts type of an answer. You can say that, all-in-all you are happy with the way your career has progressed so far. List your key achievements and what was their impact to your employer(s).

16. Where do you see yourself five years from now?

This question is asked to see if you are a career oriented person & how seriously you have thought about your career. More importantly, it is used to gauge if the company can offer you a growth path that is in line with your aspirations. The employer also wants to see if you have that vigor and energy that the company requires for a team leader or simply a team member. Remember that a focused and target oriented employee is always an attraction for the employer. So here it is for you to establish that you are very particular about your goals in future. You can tell the interviewer that you would like to grow with the company and you will make sure that your every effort is directed towards becoming a successful and reliable part of the company.

Following are some questions asked from individuals being interviewed for managerial positions:

A. What do you look for when you hire people?

This question is asked to see that if you are given the task to hire people for your team in future, will you be clear as to who you want on your team for the specific job completions. In short what kind of a team maker are you? This is again a question to gauge your decision making power. A safe answer is that you will prefer people with good skills, initiative and adaptability to be able to work comfortably and effectively with others and those who appear capable of moving up in the organization. Start with a more generic answer and end with a comment to the interviewer that hiring criteria varies from one job to another and you will change what you look for in an employee based on the job description.

B. Have you ever fired any staff? How did you handle the situation?

Firing of staff is not an easy situation to deal with and it needs a proper procedure to follow. For those of you who have been on managerial positions know that such tasks are pretty nasty. Generally such a situation is not much discussed. But if you are asked this question admit that the situation was not easy, but it worked out fine for the company and, you think, for the individual as well. You can say that you don’t enjoy unpleasant tasks but you can resolve them efficiently and -in the case of firing someone- humanely.

C. What do you think is the most difficult thing about being a manager/ executive?

Being a manager is a position of responsibility. Companies rely on these people for their facing challenges, smooth working and successful target achievements. So the interviewer wants to see how a committed manager they can find in you. You can start by saying that nothing particularly is too difficult but each task brings with itself a set of its own challenges and a good manager learns from each task. Some of the more challenging tasks have been working with difficult employees (be ready for a follow-up question as to how you dealt with them), motivating employees to work under tight deadlines, and working with difficult clients.