Our condition has become like that of a dying patient who, with great difficulty, reaches his doctor but lacks the strength to explain his pain or illness. When the doctor inquires, tears flow from his eyes, and every part of his wounded body points towards the pain. The agony of years-old diseases and the pain of the entire world is evident on his face, but his tongue fails to convey it. Apart from sobs, sighs, and groans, he gestures towards his head, places his hand on his heart, or covers his eyes with both hands and starts crying loudly. When the doctor consoles him a bit, he looks at him with a strange hope and expectation, silently requesting mercy with his eyes.
Even Baba Ji’s phone calls have become rare now, although I used to appreciate his harsh criticism. This is the current state of those whose hearts are filled with the pain of this God-given state of Pakistan, which has become a sore that provides no relief from its intensity, robbing them of sleep. In the middle of the night, when they prostrate before Allah, their sobs break out. With hope and mercy, they offer humble prayers for the healing and safety of Pakistan, invoking the sacrifices of those martyrs who laid down their lives for this country. My conscience becomes deeply restless, and breathing becomes difficult when I think about how I will answer those innocent daughters and sisters, who were left behind in Eastern Punjab for the sake of this nation, asking the sky about their fault. How do I write about the over five thousand wells in Eastern Punjab where Muslim girls jumped to save their honor? Mentioning the thousands of children who were torn apart with swords and spears before their parents’ eyes brings my heart to my throat. Even today, millions remember their loved ones and, in tears before Allah, pray for the acceptance of their sacrifices for this Pakistan!
Even though our hands were severed, we continued writing tales of bloodshed. This state is not limited to those whom my Lord has given the wisdom to understand events. They become fearful of any approaching storm or tempest and immediately start warning others about the impending dangers, tirelessly using all their resources to counter these threats.
Nowadays, even a person with a bit of understanding is wandering around, confused, asking others the same question: What is going to happen, and what will become of us? What is our future, where do we stand? Each person, with a desire for good news, holds a candle of hope in their eyes, like the relatives of a patient on his deathbed, yearning for a miracle, anxiously waiting for a cure from some wise person or a prayer from a seer that might save the patient’s life. But perhaps now the patient needs a skilled surgeon more than a wise man’s cure, a doctor’s medicine, or a seer’s prayer. And the longer the delay in the surgery, the more precarious the patient’s life becomes, the worse his condition will get, the more the disease will spread, and the longer and more painful the operation will be.
In our society, a trend has emerged where people are made so cowardly under the guise of religion that they consider deprivation as fate and oppression as a trial, and thus endure it In our society, a trend has emerged where people are made so cowardly under the guise of religion that they consider deprivation as fate and oppression as a trial, and thus endure it with patience. They perceive raising their voices for rights as a sin, deem slavery as God’s will, and accept murder as a predestined day of death, remaining silent. Enslaved nations even worship villains as deities, whereas free nations hold even unparalleled leaders like Umar bin Khattab accountable.
The day we instill in our children the understanding that our heroes are not those who constantly threaten war and bloodshed, but those who, out of the fear of their Lord, respect human and animal life and consider it their duty, that day our children will begin to hate crime and violence. Our heroes should be our scientists, highly educated individuals, and teachers. Therefore, teach your children to love a life that can serve as a means for eternal life in the hereafter, by making them understand the difference between right and wrong.
Do not accuse me of spreading despair or frightening you unnecessarily. But tell me, if a dear one of yours falls prey to a dangerous disease, wouldn’t you first strive day and night to find the best doctor, the most intelligent physician, or the most renowned healer for their treatment? You would spare no expense, beyond your means, to save their life. After providing all possible resources, you would prostrate in prayer, crying and beseeching your Lord for their recovery, invoking all His attributes. Only then would your heart find peace, knowing that He alone is the source of healing and the best to accept our prayers.
Pakistan is a beautiful gift and a precious blessing from Allah. We had promised our Lord that if granted a land, we would free His servants from the servitude of other humans and bring them into His servitude. However, for the past 77 years, we have been breaking this promise, making Pakistan weak and sick. The only remedy is to confess our sins, prostrate before our Creator, seek collective forgiveness, and firmly hold onto the rope of Allah, which will bind our hearts together and cleanse them of all prejudices, political and religious animosities. Amen.
