English Essays

Essay:

MY FAVOURITE PERSONALITY

'Greatness be nothing unless it be lasting"(Napoleon)

Hero is a man of sky high personality with an exemplary character,distinctive deeds and ingenious ideas. He must be a man of exceptional qualitiesof heart and mind, unparalleled vigor, matchless genius and unique talent. Hemust possess the charismatic qualities of an inspiring leader to lead his peopleto their ultimate destiny despite whatever grave difficulties may.hinder his way toSUCCESS.

With his self less and sincere efforts, he can mould the fate of his people.He is a man of determination, will-power, steadfastness and undaunted spirit.His charismatic personality stimulates the energy, courage and enthusiasm ofthe people and welds them into a nation. His words have power to inspiredevotion and dedication.

Muslim history is replete with great leaders of marvelous achievements,but my favorite personality is our beloved Holy Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H).At the time of birth of PBophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H), the Arabs were sunk to avery low state. They were fond of intoxicants, gambling and idol worship. Theyburied their infant girls alive for fear of disgrace. Slavery was rampant throughoutthe land. Not only Arab, rather the whole world was deeply sunk in thetransgressions, crimes and sins. That was the time when Holy ProphetMuhammad (P.B.U.H) was born in Mecca in 570 A.D.

He was born an orphan, as his father died a few months before his birth.He was handed over to Halima, the wet nurse, and he spent five years with her.His mother died when he was about 6 years old, his grandfather who was hisloving and devoted guardian, died when he was 8 years old. He then passed intothe care of his uncle, Abr.r Talib, the father of Hazrat Ali (R.A).

This is confirmed beyond any doubt that his childhood ar:d youth remainedvery pure and clean in the corrupt and debased society of Mecca. He lived inMecca among the idol worshipers, but he never paid homage to an idol, neverate of anything presented as offering to an idol. He never touched liquor, neithergambled, nor took part in any of the frivolous activities of his fellow youths. lt isbeyond the shadow of doubt that Almighty Allah safeguarded him against every

Pagc l2kind of lapse. He arrived at his full maturity without the slightest stain on hischaracter.

Carlyle has said:

IAll history is the biography of great man"Holy Prophet had great love for God. This is why he used to spend lot of

his time in praying, and supplicating to God. He was not after material world,rather he was in the search of his Creator. At the age of forty, when he used tospend days in praying and fasting in cave named Hira, he received his firstrevelation from God, through angle Jibrael.

The angle said:

"Read in the name of thy Lord who created. Created manfrom a clot of blood."

(Holy Quran, 96z z - 3)And the prophet started reading. The Holy Prophet of lslam was not a

super being, he was a human chosen by God for the guidance of human being.The love of God was pozing every moment from every word of his speech. Hisevery action was a witness that he had reached the highest point in the love ofGod.

Holy Quran says:

" Artd He found thee wandering in search for him andguided thee unto Himself."

(Holy Quran, 93: 8)Our Holy Prophet was always very patient in hardship and suffering. He

was never discouraged by adverse circumstances, nor did he permit anypersonal desire to get hold over him. Throughout his life, he had to encounter asuccession of bitter experiences. After marriage, he had to bear the loss ofseveral children one after the other, and then his beloved and devoted wifeHazrat Khadija died. He bore all these losses and calamities calmly and nevercomplained to God.

l'ag;er l3

During the journey of Al-Taif, to convey the message of God to people, thefanatic youth started throwing stones at him and he was bleeding from top to toe.At that moment, he just prayed to God:

" O, my Lord, unto you I bewail my weakness, inabilityand disregard of mankind towards me.... If you are notangry against me, then I do not care what befalls me."

The Holy Prophet was very serious in improving the condition of women inthe society and on securing for them a position of equal dignity and fairtreatment. When during any of his journey, women were also among the party,he always gave directions that the carvan should move slowly and by easystages. On one such occasion when the men were eager to push forward, hesaid:

"Take care of the glass! Take care of the glass!"

Just before his death, one of the injunctions he addressed to Muslims andlaid stress upon, was that they should treat women with kindness andconsideration.

Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) enjoined upon Muslims to treat the poor kindlyand to help them with alms, zakaat and in other ways. He did not prohibit theacquisition of wealth but insisted that it be lawfully acquired by honest meansand that a portion of it should go to the poor. He advised his followers:

"Give the.labourer his wages before his perspirationdries."

(rirmi2i)The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) throughout his life encouraged the people to have

an independent and noble living. Hoty Prophet (P.B.U.H) himself could have been thewealthiest man in the history of Arabia, however he preferred to live simple and usedhis wealth to please Cod.

He always loved poor's and said:

"O Allah, keep me poor in my life and at my death andraise me at resurrection among those who are poor."

Pagc l4

Holy Prophet was very kindhearted and merciful. He not only preached thepeople to show kindness to each other but also to all living souls. He alwaystreated the animals with great care and love, lf he saw any anirnal overloaded orill-fed he would call the owner and say:

"Fear Allah in your treatment of animals."(,\bu Dawud)

Regarding slaves, during prophet hood, he closed most of the doorsleading to slavery and encouraged the freeing of slaves in many ways. Heconstantly exhorted those who owned slaves to treat them kindly. The HolyProphet (P.B.U.H) was very strict in his standards of truthfulness, that is whyeven before his prophet hood, he was popularly known among the people as

"The truthful and trustworthy."ln the same way he was equally anxious that Muslims should adopt

same standards of truth as were observed by him. He regarded truth asbasis of all virtues.

The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) always tried to co-operate to establish peace,brotherhood and harmony in the society.

Studying the life history of Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) no one can refuse toselect Muhammad (P.B.U.H) as his favorite personality. He was a greatreformer. History is unable to produce a single example like him. He loved Godand God loved him more than that and gave him victory that even non

- Muslims

admit it.

ln 1978, A non-Muslim, ranker of the most influential persons in History,Michael H.Hart said in New York:

"My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world'smost influential persons may surprise some readers...but he was the only man in history who was supremelysuccessful on both the religious and secular level."

May the Muslims of new millennium be inspired by the illuminatingthoughts of his messages.

thethe

Ameen!

TERRORISM

'rReligion is nothing else but love to God and man"

Terrorisms means the threat or use of force against civilians or armedforces for the political or personal interest. Terrorism has become one of themost dangerous forms of international crimes. Terrorists attack the civilianpopulation to create terror or general harassment in society. They resort tobombing, killing, hijacking and large scale destruction of property. A largenumber of innocent civilians have been killed in these savage attacks. A wave ofterror and insecurity has travelled around the globe. People are wonder-struckand terrified at the cruel activities of terrorists in spite of great measures ofsecurity and defense.

Terrorism is the most horrible threat of today. The whole world is facingthe horrible consequences of terrorism. The main motive of internationalterrorism is to weaken a country politically, socially, economically andadministratively. Though much effort is in progress to eliminate terrorism fromsociety but it cannot be rooted out unless some international laws of justice aredevised.

As a wise man said:

"Whenever and wherever, there is injustice, terrorism cannot be eradicated."

Narrow mindedness, fanaticism, fundamentalism, intolerance andreligious extremism are considered the main causes of terrorism politics andreligious extremists do not tolerate their opponents and try to eliminate them.While some culprits do it for temptations of money. lt is also a fact that someintelligence agencies cause terrorism in enemy.countries to destabilize them.

Edward Cribbon said:

"Fanaticism obliterates the feeling of humanity."Recent hijacking of American passenger airlines and crashing them

against the towers of the World Trade Centre in New York, and pentagon inWashington is probably the worst incident of terrorism in the worlds. Americanswant to punish some individuals and countries whom they blame for terrorist

l'agc l6activities in various parts of the world. Usama Bin Ladin and some specificcountries are their targets.

As far as this problem in Pakistan is concerned, it has three main causes,terrorist activities of RAW and other international terrorist orgarrizations, injusticeand sectarianism. Our chronic enemy lndia has always triggered troubles for uson national and international levels. To prevent us from providing the Kashmirswith moral support in their struggle for independence, lndia often sent histerrorists to our country to play havoc. She is dreaming of becoming an absoluteauthority in Asia.

It is said that:

"Terrorism neve{ leads to victory."Hindu fundamentalists cannot endure the existence of any religion and

culture other than Hinduism. The minorities in lndia have always been sued andslaughtered. The lndian arm forces are trying their utmost to crush the freedomfighters who are struggling for independence and their right of self determination.

Secondly, the denial of justice from police and other concerned officespresses the innocent people to be terrorists. When innocent people are treatedcruelly without any grave offense on their part, they become terrorist for revenge.The main problem of our country is the delay in socialjustice.It is said by a famous philosopher:

"The use of justice makes a nation great and strong andfree of any evil activity."

Some terrorist activities are due to sectarianism. There are many religiouscults in Pakistan. They are poles apart in their religious views. Often theirconvictions are contrary to each other. The open observance of their religioussentiments and speeches against the other sects initiate religious intolerance.This leads to violent clashes between them.

However, terrorism is not limited to Pakistan only. lt has become a globalproblem. The whole world is facing the horrible consequences of terrorism.lnternational terrorism is present in various forms. Bomb blast, hijacking, crossborder terrorist activities and massacre on a massive scale are the familiar formsof terrorism. Whenever and wherever, there is brutality, injustice, wrongs andintolerance, terrorism can not be eradicated.

I']age l7A philosopher has rightly said:

"Terrorism is nothing but the accumulation of all theevils."

tslam is the most misunderstood and misinterpreted religion in the West. Areligion that stands for peace and justice has been misrepresented as a religionof war and fanaticism. The Muslims are depicted by the western media asextremists, fanatics, terrorists, backward and devoid of disciplines. On religiousissues, they are emotional and intolerant. Fundamentalists believe that they arethe right people and all the rest are heretics.

As Anatale France said:

"It is better to understand a little than to misunderstandalot."

On the other hand, there is no organized Muslim media any where in theMuslim world that can refute this western disinformation and give an accuratepicture of what is really going on. The west is in fact under the psychologicalpressure of the glorious past of the Muslims. Soon after the demise ofcommunism in the Soviet Union, lslam was perceived as the only ideologicalforce to overcome the whole world.

The Muslim concept of lslamic fundamentalism is the strict adherence tothe age of Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H). lt is an effort to implement the lslamicprinciples of the golden age in the world of today for the revival of lslam. Jihad istotally different from the acts of terrorism. Jihad means exertion, striving andendeavour for the cause of God. lts object is to bring an end to oppression andaggression against lslam. lts object is not to propagate lslam by the use ofsword.

The Holy Quran has emphasized Jihad for noble cause:

"It is Fight against those who treat helpless men, womenand children cruelly."

Jihad stands for performing noble deeds for elevating moral character, andfor seeking refinement to attain nearness to Allah. lslam is not anti

- west bigotry

and the revival of the ancient lslamic concept of expansionism. I

P;rge l8

ln lslam, establishment of a real democratic society is regulated by certainmoral norms and ideals. According to lslam rulers are forb'idden to imposethemselves against the will of the community. Rule through force and fraud isillegal in lslam. Then how can this peaceful religion teach terrorism.

A philosopher said:

"Islam is the religion of peace and love."However defense of a country is the sacred duty of its rulers. State should

take all possible measures and probable means to defend its borders. But thiscannot be marked as terrorism. One wise man said:

"Islam is the most liberal and pluralist religion."ln lslam, there is no room for war and violence, expect defensive war. The

aim is not to conquer but protection and security.

The Holy Quran emphasized that:

"God has breathed his sPirit in man."

It means that man is not a sinful, deprived and detestable being. lnsteadhe is endowed with a divinely element, being viceroy and trustee of God. This isthe only worldly injustice that has made the man "a terrorist." The only way toavoid terrorism is that the state is to respect and protect the individual's life andliberty, honor and dignity, property and privacy. The freedom of thought andexpression, freedom of association, freedom of religious, freedom of work fordecent living, freedom of choice, freedom of movements, freedom of educationetc. must be guaranteed to the people and the most important of them is thatindependent judiciary must be built in a country. ln short we can say that

"Obeying Islam thoroughly, avoids us from terrorism."Terrorism is also different from political or liberation movement. The

Kashmir liberation movement against lndia, the Palestine liberation movementagainst lsrael and Chechen liberation movement against Russia cannot beregarded as the terrorist movements. They are engaged in an armed struggle toget freedom from the cruel rules. They are fighting against aggression.

Craft Sagan said:

"If we like them, they are freedom fighters... if we don'tlike them, they are terrorists."

Pagc l9

Terrorism is an evil. lt must be fought against at all levels. Governmentand nations must join hdnds to crush this evil and its agents. At the same time,the united Nations must take steps and leave no stone unturned to remove thereasons of deprivation and germs of dissatisfaction, deprivation and injusticefrom various regions of the world.

As Martin Luther king said:

"Mankind must evolve for all human conflict a methodwhich rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. Thefoundation of such a method is love."

May God devoid us from such horrible destructions of terrorism. (Ameen)

Our College LibraryAbout a library, college opinion is

"The true university of these days is a collection ofbooks."

Bacon goes so far as to say,

"Libraries, which are as the shrines where all the relics of the ancientsaints full of true virtue are preserved and reposed."

Library is an essential part of every educational institution. This isbecause course books cannot be sufficient for a comprehensive education ofstudents. They must study a variety of reading material to have a goodknowledge of the world and wider outlook of life. That is why the students are.always advised by the teachers to go to their college library whenever they getfree time.

I frequently visit the college library if I find a vacant period. I feel a peculiarsatisfaction to sit in calm and peaceful atmosphere there. Such a place is verysuitable for deep study, and full concentration of mind. I find the college library aplace of peace and isolation in the hue and cry of the college campus.

Our college library has been housed in a separate block, consisting of aspacious hall, a reading, room and the office of the librarian and his assistants. lnfact, it is a world of books, knowledge and wisdom. lt contains a wide and careful

Paile 110

selection of books which may be taken by college students for a higher anddeeper study of their subjects. Good teachers usually guide their students whichbooks they should get from library to study at home.

lf on returning a book, it is found torn and de -

shaped, the student is bound toreplace it with a new one or to pay its price. For this purpose, every student isrequired to pay library security. Which is refundable to the students when heleaves the college. Our college library has been divided into a number ofsections labeled as literature, social sciences, physical sciences etc. AII thebooks are placed in properly locked book

- cases having glass doors. These are

daily dusted and cleaned before the opening time. All the library books aresystematically catalog ued.

A big portion of our college library is called the reading room. lt has largeand long tables with chairs for the students to sit and study. A large variety ofdaily newspapers, magazines and illustrated monthlies is found spreading onthese tables. The students are allowed to benefit from them.

ln short, the college library does an invaluable service to the collegestudents and they should visit it as often as they can. lt helps in developingreading habit among the young men and at the same time quenches their thirstfor knowledge. ln this way they become men of good knowledge, new ideas,better understanding and mature minds.

A PICNIC PARTYOR

A VISIT TO A HISTORICAL PLACECowper Said:

"What peaceful hours I once enioyed! How sweet theirmemory still"

ln this modern age, we remain busy day and night like a machine. Ourminds are all the time pre occupied with the worries and responsibilities ofeveryday life. We are unable to understand the need of pleasure in human life. lnthis hurly burly world of tumult and turmoil, people become duil in soul and drabin spirit. Round the clock they are engrossed in materialistic pursuits. They feed

their big bellies but do nothing for their vexed souls. They have confinedthemselves to the small stinging nooks of the houses or the offices. They toilfrom dawn to dusk to make loads of money. Life has become flat, boring andmonotonous for them. They spare no time to enjoy a fresh nutritious breath.They have no time to spend in the company of balmy nature.

W. H. Davis says:

"What is this life if full of care, we have no time to standand stare."

They do not bother to enlighten their souls and illuminate their brains.They have become almost irresponsive, insensitive and apathetic about beauty,grace and glamour. They have lost their taste for beauty of nature. ln such agrim situation, an excursion proves to be amazing antidote to counter thevenomous effects of lediumand ennui.

l, like men of today, live a busy hectic life but I do spare some time for theenlightenment of my soul. ln this age of hurries and worries, a picnic provides anescape from monotonous routine of life.

Last Sunday, we decided to go on a picnic. We wished to visit somehistorical places because they are our cultural heritage.

John Keats says:

"A thing of beauty is a joy forever."Historical places are the treasures of our past, They reflect our past

history. A place of historical interest contains our cultural heritage. lt tells us theways of living of our forefathers. We come to know about their habits, mannersand their ways of life. The an old historical place is always valuable for a student.It enriches his knowledge and increases his vision. There are many historicalplaces in Pakistan but I together with my friends decided to go to Jahangir'sTomb.

We reached the Tomb in the morning at 10:00 the weather was verypleasant. The Tomb is situated near Shahdara railway station four miles awayfrom Lahore. We reached the Tomb by bus. The splendid building of the Tombwas before our eyes. Weather was very nice. A cool breeze was blowing. Wewere no less happy than Words-worth when he entered the enchanted valley.

I started singing his beautiful verses:

" Oh there is blessing in this gentle breeze Thatblows from the green fields and from the clouds,And from the sky: it beats against my cheek Andseems half conscious of the joy it gives."

There was greenery all around. Birds were chirping in the trees. Therewere vast lawns, open Spaces and flowers of different colours.

Shopkeepers and hawkers were their goods to the visitors and tourists.They were advertising their goods at the top of their voice. They attracted a largenumber of customers.

On entering the gate we saw spacious lawns on either side of the road.The green soft grass presented a pleasant view of the eye. The grand buildingwas surrounded by open lawns. There were green grassy plots with fountains oneither side of a canal. Cypress and other trees added to his charm. lts 4 greatminarets stood like watchmen. There were flowers of different colours and kinds.All the plants and flowers were in their bloom. A sweet fragrance spread allaround.

Luther Burbank saysl

"Flowers always make people better, happier andmore helpful."

We marched on towards the right. We saw another high gate. As wecrossed it, we saw a tiny canal filled with water. The green beautiful treessurrounded the canal. Next we saw a small tank of water from which fourstreams flowed out. The tiny waterfalls presented a lovely sight. Soon wereached the main building. The main building of the Tomb was very beautiful tolook at. lt was constructed with white marble. Around it, there was a wall of redstones. The tomb was in the center of the building.

ln the inner room of the tomb, sleeps the great Mughal Ernperor, Jahangir.The walls of this room have beautiful designs on them. We were greatlysurprised to see the craftsmanship of the stone cutters and artisans of Mughaltimes. The Kalima and other verses of the Holy Quran carved on the marbleepitaph had a beauty of their own.

The huge mausoleum had a vast terrace. ln each corner, a minaret soaredup in the sky. We went up to one of the towers and from there we could see thelofty building of Badshahi Mosque. The whole city of Lahore was before oureyes. The river Ravi appeared to us no more than a silvery line. We came downand offered Fateha at the grave of the great Mughal king.

A wise man said:

"The places are indeed gteat, enclosing the greatpeople."

After visiting the tomb, we found a suitable place in a ground and satthere. Cool breeze was blowing. The sky was over - cast with clouds. Soon itbegan to rain heavily. We enjoyed a lot of in the rain. lt stopped raining aftersometime. We had our eatables, chatted and laughed. We started playing cards'One of us began singing. One of our friends told us many jokes which made uslaugh. As we were tired, we lay down to take a rest. After sometime, when wegathered strength, we rushed towards the river Ravi and enjoyed boating there.We put the splashes of water on each other and enjoyed a lot'

It was evening and the light began to fade. The whole scene waspresenting a beautiful picture. Now it was time to come back. .So we came backtired but happy. lt was an unforgettable visit to the historical place. We allenjoyed very much. Our hearts were saturated with pleasure.

lndeed this was really a wonderful day to be cherished in our memory andrecounted with pride.

STUDENTS AND POI,ITICSRobert Green

"Colleges are palaces where pebbles are polishedand diamonds are dimmed."

Politics is an art of conducting political affairs. lt deals with the structure,organization and administration of the state. lt usually describes the process bywhich people and institutions exercise their powers. Politics formulates policies,influences individuals, promotes institution and organizes societies. The mainpurpose of colleges and universities is to provide necessary training for life. Theyalso promote student's creativity, analytical skills and political insight. Theyprovide students with an intellectual environment to acquire complex ideas.

Colleges and universities provide unique opportunities for academic, personal,social and political enrichment. ln other words they are training grounds for life.

It is hotly debatable whether students should take part in the arduousfields of politics or not. Some people favour the idea strongly while othersrepudiate it altogether.

Dr Johnson said:

"Politics is the refuge of scoundrels."

Some people think that students indulge in dirty politics and ruin theircareer. Politicians misguide them. They are tempted or even dragged intopolitics. The student leaders become cat's paw and play in the hands of selfishpoliticians. They use the youth force for their personal benefits. That is why it issaid that politics should be a forbidden fruit for students.

ln fact, if a politician wants to be a success, he should either be a rougeor become a rouge after entering politics. lt is not possible for a honest man toremain in politics for a long time because he has to tell lies, make false promisesand think of his interests. Despite these negative aspects of politics, it hasglamour and attraction. A number of people with a remote hope of coming to thetop, ruin their career. Moreover, politics is so much time

- consuming that it is

not possible for a person to pay attention to anything else.

ln view of above -

mentioned aspects of politics, we can say that studentsshould not take part in politics because.

"Youth is the essence of the power of a nation."By brining politics to the universities and colleges, we will make the youth

unsuitable for helping the nation to progress. Young people are enthusiastic, sois their zest for bringing certain changes. They do certain things which may notbe in the larger interest of the country. Politics if indulged in by immature peoplemay endanger a country. So it is said that, students being immature in theirthinking, should never indulge in politics because it is not in the National interest.

Students can easily be exploited by politicians for their personal ends.They try to utilize the youth force for their personal benefits. Their tendency isalso not conducive to the welfare of the nation. This type of exploitation generallyresults in violence. The first and foremost obligation of the students is to geteducation.

Edward Everett said:

"Education is a better safeguard of liberty than astanding army."

Their interest in politics may divert their attention from the real target. Theymay not be able to concentrate fully on their studies, if they take an active part inpolitics. By indulging into politics, they may waste their time. Usually they do nothave intellectual maturity at this stage. They are drifted along the mighty wavesof emotions. They give a hot

- blooded response to everything they do.

Therefore, sometimes for solving a problem, they turn it into a terrible plight. lnthis sorry state of affairs, they neither have decent education nor become shrewdPoliticians. Therefore they should shun political activities altogether.

The primary duty of students is towards their education. lf we neglect theirstudies, their whole life will be unhappy. Politics would create a tension in theirminds and they would be thinking of defeating the other party. Students need avery balanced and patient approach.

Scott Reed said:

"This is one step... choosing a goal and sticking toit.. changes everything."

On the other hand, some people think that college life is full of pleasures,excitements and opportunities. lt provides all sorts of academic, cultural, socialand sports activities. The students who take an active part in these activities,enjoy a full active life. So, they will be well

- prepared to lead a responsible tife in

the society.

Students constitute the most important portion of population. They are thefuture of a nation. They are the people who would run the administration of thecountry. Therefore, it is necessary for them to take part in politics in student lifeso that they might learn the art of politics. ln this way, they will be successfulpoliticians in future. They will know how to run the political system of the country.So, students life should be their first training ground for politics.

Why should they not participate in politics in student life if they are to takepart in politics in practical life. So, it is in the interest of a nation that the studentsshould go into the politics. A student union is made for this purpose.

Vince Lombardi said:

"Individual commitment to a group effort - that iswhat makes a team work, a company work, a societywork, a civilization work.'

The "student's Union" is a representative and democratic society ofstudents. lt is an elected body of the students to look after their affairs. lts objectis to prepare students as useful and responsible students. lt is a training campfor democracy. lt enlightens the hidden qualities of students. lt provides themwith the opportunities and facilities to enrich their qualities of leadership. Theylearn a lot through self

- help and team

- work. lf we look back in history, we will

come to know that, great politicians are not born in a day. Ages are required tomake people successful politicians. Approximately all the great leaders of theworld had been successful politicians in their student life. For example thestudents of sub continent played an important role in creating Pakistan. Theyworked side by side with their political leaders to win freedom. Quaid

- e -

Azamurged the students to play their role for freedom. Therefore, students may beallowed to take part in politics.

Brown said:

"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss you'll landamong the stars."

These two views are poles apart. Booth seem to be weighty and vital. Butwe may resolve the riddle by seeking a third well - balanced option. ln thisconcern, our only consideration should be the unerring channelization of theinnate talent of our youth. ln normal and strife free circumstance, the onlyoccupation of the student should be the adequate attainment of education. Butwhen their participation in politics is needed for the welfare of nation, they shouldbe asked to leave the promises of institutions and join hands in the joint struggle.But the students should be very cautious about such activities. They should notbecome puppets in the hands of timeserver politician. They should not join theprotesting rallies of the self

- centered statesmen.

A philosopher said:

"The best helping hand you can find is at theend of your own arm... "

To conclude the discussion, it may be asserted that in serenecircumstances, the students should not get immersed in politics. They shouldconcentrate exclusively on the educational pursuits. Then after completing theireducational, they may offer their services for the welfare and betterment of theirnation and country!

.,t .))))))))tr)r,,,,s PLACE IN SOCIETYHoly Prophet (P.B.U.H) said:

"Yerily, paradise is under the feet of mother."ln the past, the role of women was limited to the four walls of the house.

Their sphere of activities was very narrow. They were not allowed to participatein political, cultural, social and literary activities. They could not play anyconstructive role outside the house. They were considered physically weak andmentally ineligible and spiritually dubious.

People used to think that woman was for the hearth. She was consideredto be subordinate to man. Her whole life was spent in showering affections uponothers. As a girl, she had to tolerate the preference given to her brothers. As amother, she had to make sacrifices for the sake of her children. Man and womanare the two parts of a whole. One is incomplete without the other.

The Holy Quran says:

"And we have created you in pairs (Male and female)."The existence of one without the other would be colourless and boring.

The need of one for the other is so great that it was honoured in even in heavenwhen Eve was created for Adam. Moreover the union of both is necessary forhuman survival. Besides this need, they are a complete source of joy andcomfort for each other.

ln lslamic society, women are treated with utmost honour. She has thehonour of being a mother, a wife, a sister and a daughter. However the picture ofwomen in pre- lslamic society was shocking. Parents were ashamed of havingfemale children. The girls were buried alive. Women were treated as means ofcranal pleasure. Among the great religions of the world, lslam is the only onewhich made serious efforts to restore grace and dignity of women. Within thelimits of shariah, they can live with dignity and play an active and constructive

role for the general welfare of society. lslam gave them the rights which were notgranted to women even in Europe for more than eleven hundred years. No otherreligion gives her so much importance as lslam gives her. As a mother, sheenjoys matchless honour.A wise man said:

"Earth's noblest thing a woman perfected."ln the present age, woman is no longer the slave of man. Men and women

are the two wheels of the same carriage. Both have equal importance accordingto lslam. ln villages, women are not respected and honoured still. ln villages,they do not even get the chances of education. They have to work with men infields. Their life in villages is hard.

However in cities, most of the women enjoy the opportunities of education.Their life is as good as that of men. They take part in every kind of activity. Theyare allowed to go to colleges, offices and universities. They even can competewith men in election. ln many countries of the world, they have proved theirskills.

A wise man said:

"It is admitted that women are as important as men."ln the changing world of today, women are playing very significant role in

the development of society. They are proving their worth and value in everysphere of life such as trade, industry, politics, administration, scientific research,literacy and artistic activities, Now, they are considered suitable for every job.

Women can carry on the work of administrator properly. lt is wrong to thinkthat proper adjustment of hair is a whole day

- job for a woman. lt is also

incorrect to say that women is meant for just becoming the companion of man.She may still be interested in repairing her smiles and rolling her eyes andarming herself with charms but she is no longer satisfied with the appreciationgiven by the man folk. She is interested in more difficult tasks of life as well.

It has been correctly said that:

"Women is becoming the rival of man."Her patience, her accuracy as well as efficiency has earned her a better

status in society. ln the field of education, she is sure to replace man because

teaching needs a lot of patience on the part of a teacher. Similarly in handlingmost of the jobs which need physical labour, she has surpassed man. Herhumility, her spirit of self

- sacrifice and above all a smile on her face win respect

from her superiors. When she has won so great a success for outside world, itwill be selfish of man to say that woman is meant for the home only. She isqualified to take all types of jobs in all capacities.

Women proved successful by working as teachers, nurses, doctors,artists, writers, officers, air

- hostesses and even pilots as well. Today our

women are the members of national and provincial Assemblies. They are servingtheir country as Ministers and Ambassadors. They are working wonders inalmost every field of life.

Even in Pakistan, women are doing positive activities towards the welfareof the society. ln various departments, they are working as nurses, air

-

hostesses, clerk, steno typists, sale -

girls, police and military officers. lf we wishto see our country progressing by help and bounds, women should be allowed towork, shoulder to shoulder with men in every field of life. We should get rid ofconservative thinking and accept the reality that women are an integral part ofthe civil society.

Our Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) said:"Treat women and slaves very kindly."

As far as the liberty of women is concerned, they should be allowed totake part in all kinds of political, social, economic and cultural activities. But theyshould also realize their duty as Muslim women. lslam imposes upon themcertain restrictions. For example, they should cover their whole body beforegoing outside their home. They should not violate the golden pr'inciples of lslam.lslam does not forbid them to get education, work for the progress of theircountry, earn money and struggle for an honorable status. But sometime, in theirunjustifiable freedom, they ignore their duties as Muslim women. Sometimes likethe European women, they speak against the universal principles of lslam. Thenthey can not be overlooked. They must realize their duty as Pakistani andMuslim women.

They should be given every chance for the betterment of themselves andsociety. They should come out to work with their men but as True Muslims.

No doubt, the real greatness of a woman lies in her role as a mother.

As Emerson said:

"Men are what their mothers made them."It would not be out of place to ask women not to neglect their duties at

home. She should be a good mother, a loving wife, an ideal house -

keeper anda matchless patriot. She should act according to the lawful wishes of herhusband. lslam does not prevent women from serving in various socialinstitutions. ln this regard her duty is twofold. She will have to perform her dutiesin the house as well as outside the house.

Women in our society are allowed to work in all capacities but they are notallowed to exceed the limits of lslamic rules under the label of womenemancipation.

MY HOBBYJohn Keats says:

Today, man liv,.qs-in a world where struggle and effort is necessary forsurvival. He has t#j6lf$m dawn to dusk. Physical and mental exertions leavehim utterly exhausted and enervated, after the whole day's work. The constantdrudgery of daily routine life rusts his talent and efficiencies. He needs somepleasant activity to lighten his burden of monotony. He needs leisure and idlehours to soothe his perturbed feeling and troubled soul.

Hobby is a useful work which is done in spare time for pleasure withoutany monetary benefit. This occupation is quite apart from the regular profession.It is pursued only for recreation. After hard labour, hobby provides us a cheapsource of entertainment and amusement. lt saves us from the dull routine of life.It gives us an activity when we have nothing to do.

W. H. Davies says:

"What is this life full of care, we have no time tostand and stare."

There is no dearth of hobbies in this world. People adopt different hobbiesaccording to their own taste and temperament. There are many hobbies like

gardening, stamp -

collecting, coin -

collecting, photography, pen -

friendship,reading books etc. Gardening is my hobby.

Francis Bacon in his essay "of Garden" says:

"God Almighty first planted a garden. And, indee4it is the purest of human pleasure."

Thus this hobby of mine is an ultimate source of joy and pleasure for me. Iwant to relax after a day's hard work. Gardening makes me forget my worriesand refreshes my mind.

Hobby is an activity that one does in spare time for the sheer sake ofdelight and recreation. lt invigorates both our body and soul. lt breathes new lifeinto a lethargic and lazy body. Therefore hobby is a felicitous activity to refreshbody and brain.

I live in a big city where life is too much mechanical, dull and dreary. lt isvoid to peace, serenity, calm and quietness. I often desire to do somerecreational activity to get rid of this tedious and boring life

- style. For this

purpose, I have made a very beautiful lawn in front of my house.

"From the gardens of plants do I move towards thegardens of inner joy. The flowers dance on leaves.And ideas dance on heart beats and mind."

I have made a garden at the back of my house. ln the garden, I haveplanted mango, orange, guava and banana trees. There, I grow flowers ofvarious kinds like rose, lily and sunflower. The sweet fragrance of flowers givesme a great pleasure. They present a colourful and vivid scene and spread asweet aroma all around. There is always something fresh before my eyes. ltkeeps me healthy, happy and fresh for the day's labour. lt is a source of physicalexercise and aesthetic pleasure.

Luther Burbank says:

"Flowers always make people better, happier andmore helpful."

The whole atmosphere at home is fragrant with the aroma of the flowers.They yield fruit in their seasons. Green fruit trees, lush grassy lawn and the thickmistletoe covering the front wall of my house and adds colours to the

surroundings. The clean brown soil of the beds of flowers present a sharpcontrast to the lush green grass of the garden. The trunks of the trees have beenwhite

- washed approximately up to a feet.

A little fountain has been built in the heart of the lawn. When it sprinkles itslight shower, it look fascinating. Then the water of the fountain flows to the bedsof flowers and trees. The soft, tidy and trimmed grass of the lawn looks like agreen velvety floor. lt looks sparkling when the rays of sunlight are reflected fromthe pearl

- like dew drops lying upon the lush grass at dawn. Briefly speaking,

the lawn and the garden of my house are so attractive that they are thepersuasive proof of my devotion and dedication to my hobby.

Rubert Brooke said:

"And in my flowers beds, I think smile thecarnation and the pink."

There is adequate growth of vegetables in the compound of the house.Therefore, we seldom purchase any vegetable from bazaar. Gardening providesme a good exercise for the day. It keeps me happy, healthy and fresh. lt is mysincere friend and inspire me whenever I am depressed. When I cast a glance atmy small garden and see the beautiful dancing flowers, my heart blossoms.

I have the tools of the garden. I have to do a lot of work with my hand' Iprepare the land and manure it. I water my plants regularly and protect from theextreme weather. I have prepared many beds in it.

Douglas says:

"Earthis here so kind that just tickle her with a hoeand she laughs with a harvest."

I daily devote two hours for the maintenance of the beauty and lovelinessof my garden. I daily dig the beds, sprinkle water over the trees and plants andapply manure to the plants to enrich the growth of the garden. I have also placedflowers pots on both sides of the gate and along the wall. These are properlylooked after and watered daily. There grows in them a variety of flowers. Mygarden is perfect in all respects and I love to work and sit there. lt has made myhouse a heaven of serenity and tranquility. Flowers and the green leaves in mygarden impart a soothing effect to the eyes.

The beautiful verse of John Keats is:

" Ah, hrppy huppy bough that can not shed yourleaves, nor ever bid the spring adieu."

Whenever I get tired, I go to the beautifully oriented garden and my dullnessvanishes in a minute by looking the beautiful scene all around. One feels happywhen hears the songs of the birds sitting in the branches of the trees.

Gardening is my passion. lt inspire me to do something new. Whenever Icast a glance at my small beautiful lawn, my heart blossoms. With every newflower, there is a new happiness. I keenly observe the process of growth anddecay in nature and praise the majesty of God. My hobby, gardening keeps mein touch with nature and God.

Life is continuous struggle.

"lf we rest, we rust, If we work we shine."Moreover an empty mind is a devil's workshop. lt is better for us to lead a

busy life. Struggle in life itself gives pleasure to a man.

Therefore hobby is interesting pursuit through which a person derivespleasure, recreation and a amusement in his leisure. My hobby reveals me of themonotony and melancholy of mind!

MY AIM IN LIFE"Hitch your wagon to a star."

(Emerson)An ambition is a guiding star in our life. lt stimulates our courage, energy

and enthusiasm. Without ambition, life becomes dull, drab and boring. Thosewho have no definite aim in their lives, cannot rise in life.

A profession is usually considered a scale by which a man's prosperity isestimated. lt works like a guiding star and a lighthouse top. lt directs the goneastray people to the right direction, and finally brings them to their destination. lthelps us to focus our heed and efforts an a particular target. lt motivates andcompels us to be diligent, honest and steadfast in our efforts it makes uscontented cheerful prosperous and rich.

As it is the saying of Napoleon:

" Great ambition is the passion of great character."

A good profession brings about peace and calm of body and brain while awrong profession results in physical suffering and mental agony. lt mars thedelight of body as well as of soul. Therefore one should be very cautious inchoosing a profession.

There are heaps of professions. lt is an uphill task for a young man todecide about his profession. Many desire to be rich or to become businessmen.Some people dream of becoming leaders, politicians and social reformers whilemost of the students aspire to become engineers, doctors, lawyers, militaryofficers and scientists.

"This is one step... choosing a goal and sticking toit... changes everything."

(Scott Reed)

Everyone has his own dreams and desires but the future profession mustbe selected keeping in view the taste and talent of the person.

There are many honorable professions lying before me also. But I love toteach. Therefore I want to become a teacher in future.

Teaching is work of prophets, priests, saints and moralists. I have got agood temperament and taste for teaching. lt brings about profound happiness ofsoul and mind. lt showers a pleasing light of knowledge in the pitch dark ofignorance. lt uplifts human work. All the prophets were teachers. They taughtpeople good moral values.

As it has been said by a famous philosopher:

"Teaching is the second profession of all theprofessions."

As a good mother rears good children, a good teacher builds up a goodnation.

This profession is according to my taste and temperament. I am fit for thisprofession. By adopting this profession, I would be able to increase myknowledge. I would ever read fine and fascinating books. I would also build up

an extensive library for this purpose. I would study, examine and analyze theeducation systems of the developed countries. I would endeavor to inculcatetheir excellent educational qualities into our education system. ln this way, wewould be able to adopt what is good and appreciable in their educational system.

As Bacon said that:

"The mould of man's fortune in his own hand."

Since teaching is a profession prophet so there is no doubt of itssacredness. Our beloved Holy prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was also a teacher.He preached lslam by adopting the profession of teaching. He also ordered us tolearn lslam and also teach it to others, and he announced the very person, thebest amongst us. That is why I have adopted the profession of teaching. This willhelp me in preaching my religion and dispelling misconceptions, about it. Then itwill become a source of my cordial and spiritual satisfaction that I am followingthe footsteps of my prophets and saints. I think this is a major reason, due towhich I am adopting the profession of teaching, a sacred profession.

I know that teaching is not a well -

paid job. All over the world, teachersare low

- paid. But that does not matter much. I do not want to be a moneybags.

I know that there are other professions that pay a good deal. They bring fameand fortune as welt. But I like teaching for other things. I like it for its sacredness,simplicity, sincerity and service of humanity. I love it for the sake of it and I knowthat:

"It is a wild goose chase to search for fortune and fame."I have adopted this profession also because I want to serve humanity. Not

half the population of Pakistan is educated. Educated subject is the pillar of anation's strength and progress. By gaining education people not only recognizethemselves but also become aware of Almighty Allah's reality. ln this way theyrefuse to seek help from anyone except God. They get out of the darkness intothe light of education. Their life no more becomes a burden on others as well ason themselves. By gaining education, they not only learn about themselves butalso get an honorable place in the society by gaining a suitable job. They learn towork for themselves, for their family and for their nation. They get success inboth this world and the world hereafter. This is just because of gaining educationand I am going to become a person who would show the way of goodness to thegone

- astray people. ln this way I will serve humanity and seek success in this

world as well as the world hereafter.

Page [26

It is a well -

known saying of a famous philosopher that:

"The best people are those who make others useful citizens."I love teaching for it helps a teacher to establish very ,sacred retations.

These are the relations between a teacher and his students. The students arejust like children for a teacher. He feels fatherly affection for all his pupils. Hefeels proud of training some persons who are useful for their nation and thecountry. He feels pleased with being respected, honoured and loved by hisstudents because it is a natural fact that all the students respect their teachers.Whenever he sees any of the students doing something exceptional, he feelsproud. He takes pride in the achievements of his pupils. This is a great feeling.No amount of wealth can be alternative to this sentiment. lt is a feeling of beingimportant and useful.

Rob Richards said that:

"Ingenuity, plus courage, plus work equals miracles."After deciding what I should be, I devote all of my energy and time for the

accomplishment of my aim. I study good books day and night to increase myknowledge. I believe that a teacher must be an encyclopedia in his person. Hemust have a comprehensive knowledge of his subject. The student may ask himany question at any time and he should be in a position to answer their questionsin the most appropriate way.

I think that teaching is the best profession of all the professions. lt will notonly help me but also the others to seek success in both this world and the worldhereafter. However honesty and hardworking is the demand of every professionwithout which we can not get success.

It is a well -

known saying:

"The soul of success lies in assiduity and hon esty."May God help all of us to leave no stone unturned to achieve our goodaim!

Ameen!

MY FIRST DAY AT COLLEGECowper said:

"What peaceful hours, I once enjoyed! How sweettheir memory still!"

Sweet memories are like sweet smelling flowers grown on the strenuouspath of life. Though they change life into a blooming and blaming garden,genuine wisdom is usually showered on us from the dark clouds of painful past.The man who learn nothing from his perturbing past should expect nothing fromfragrant future because:

"What is bitter to bear, may be rosy to remember."My first day in college ,is no doubt, a bit bitter experience but it will ever

shine in my mind's eye like a smiling tear.

Dreams of future are always more beautiful and charming than therealities of today. As soon, as I appeared in my matriculation examination, Istarted thinking of the free independent and interesting life of college. My elderbrother used to tell me that life in a college is more a fun than a serious effort toget education. A college is a place for making friends. This description of life wasin sharp contrast to the school life which I had seen for ten years. So

- called

discipline at school had bored me and the attitude of teachers in making us feelthat they knew everything on earth had developed a positive hatred for theschool life in me. That is why I was dreaming of college life.

As someone said:

"College days are the most beautiful and charmingday of one's life."

After a long anxious wait, I got admission in college. The classes were tostart from 1"t September.

My first day at college is so fresh in my memory that is seems to be a quiterecent event. lt never seems to be an incident that happened years ago. lt was abright sunny morning of a sweet

- smiling spring. I got up early in the morning,

took bath and said my prayers. Meanwhile, my mother prepared breakfast forme. I hurriedly took my breakfast and went to college.

,'A new world of freedom.... A new world of learning."

I with my friends reached the college. We all were wearing white suits. Wewere swelled with a great pride. We were talking noisily, singing joyfully andwalking vividly. When we were just a furlong off the college premises, we sawsome students rushing out of the college gate. They looked horrified. Their faceswere pale and their hair quite disheveled. I could hardly manage to stop one ofthem and asked her what had made them so scared. Our joy and pride vanishedin a trice when she told us that a group of senior students was waiting for thenew comers to make them first year fools.

" OLLI blooming faces fell down as the blooming flowersscatter in a heavy rain."

As soon as we heard about this shocking situation, our jubilant facesturned pale. We felt like those fresh flowers that suddenly began to shed theirpink petals in the lavish drift of rain.

We were stunned and dumbfound. We stuck to the ground as if themagnetic power of earth had paralyzed us from top to toe. All of a sudden, aprofessor appeared there like a sudden surge of grace. We told her about thegrim situation. She smiled and encouraged us to face the situation bravely. Shealso escorted us to the college. She left us in the corridor and made her way tothe office. As soon as we were alone, a group of senior students happened tocome there. Some of them were in a jolly mood and wanted to be fool the new -comers.

They had worked out their own plans to make the new - comers indulge instrange actions.

" Seniors always approach juniors with an air ofsuperiority,"

We decided to act together to avoid their practical jokes. However, theywere larger in number so they made us subdue immediately. They asked us todo strange actions, like singing ridiculous songs and doing monkey pranks. Thesense of self respect did not allow me to act according to their wishes. Still theyforced me to obey their orders. I felt a little humiliated but took it sportingly.

Meanwhile, a senior professor of the college came to our rescue. Sheasked the girls to assemble in the hall where the principal would address them.

Fage 129

We went to the hall. The principal addressed the students and advised them notto take part in politics at college and pay full attention to their studies.

As it is said by Edward Everet:

"Education is a better safeguard of liberty than astanding army."

The principal advised us to try our best to achieve our goals. Shedelivered an introductory speech about college. Moreover she also told us aboutthe rules and regulations of the college. She also asked us not to forget theschool discipline in college because:

"A disciplined nation makes a country strong."

Her speech acted on us very much and we promised her to act upon heradvice.

Afterwards, a professor guided us about the college time and class rooms.

Our first period was of English. We went to the class room and set on thebenches. A professor entered the class room, the girls stood up to greet her. Shetook our roll call and entered the names of the students in her attendanceregister. She did not teach us but advised us about our future lite.

She addressed that we should not misuse the liberty here rather weshould make full use of the opportunity to achieve our end. She spoke to us veryfrankly, much different from the school teachers.

As one said:

"Lif.e in a college full of confidence but deprived ofscariness."

Afterwards we moved to another room where our teacher is lslamiyatcame in. she delivered her lecture on the importance of lslamic education. Shetold us much about lslam and the orders of Allah Almighty on us. She also toldus about the reward of the Muslim and a Momin in a life hereafter. That was thefirst time, I came to know, how we are wasting our time in this deceiving world.The teacher's advice made its way to my heart and I decided to shun all the badhabits.

"Impressive are the lectures in college if attendedattentively."

Afterwards, other professors came to our class room and gaveintroductory lectures about their subjects. I was enjoying their lectures. Duringshifting of classes from one room to another, the senior students also came tomake "first year fools" of us. They welcomed the new comers with funnycomments.

"The mould of man's fortune is in his own hand."Last two periods were free. So we went to the library and read some

newspapers. We discussed the lectures of the teachers and decided to workvery hard from the beginning to get through the examination. Then we left library,shook hands with one another and departed, I took a bus and reached my home.I found a consider able difference between school life and that of college.

I concluded that liberty or freedom must not be misused at all.

As Robert Green said:

"Colleges are places where pebbles are polishedand diamonds are dimmed."

Nasir MahmoodM.A Erglish(Literature)M.Ed..

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