The First Voice

  Words and Communication “Speak good words or remain silent.” Words are incredibly powerful. They can hurt or heal, wound or warm, break hearts or touch them deeply. Choosing our words carefully is essential, because the right words at the right time can strengthen relationships, while the wrong words can create distance and pain. Before letting a thought become a word, ask yourself: “What is the goal of speaking these words?” BEFORE YOU SPEAK, THINK: T – Is it True ? H – Is it Helpful ? I – Is it Inspiring ? N – Is it Necessary ? K – Is it Kind ? Lack of understanding—or the lack of the will to understand—remains one of today’s greatest challenges. In our busy, time-constrained world, we often speak before thinking, unintentionally hurting others. The impact is even more profound when it affects innocent souls, like children. Harsh words can leave lasting scars, and it may take a lifetime—or a rare miracle—for someone to restore a child’s confidence and...

I met a nurse at a car wash one morning, though I can't recall exactly how our conversation began. Nevertheless, what she shared with me was truly impactful. She mentioned a nurse in Australia who had worked in hospice facilities and wrote about the three most common regrets people have about their lives: Not being true to themselves. Not spending enough time with friends and family. Working excessively. Finding the ideal work-life balance is a deeply personal journey. As a squash and life coach, I've observed that each person's path is unique and influenced by their personality, family, and culture. So, my dear friend, I encourage you to delve deep within yourself. The answers to your challenges lie within you already. Remember, what you seek is often seeking you. As Maulana Rumi beautifully said, "What you seek is seeking you." Trust in your journey, and you'll discover what you're searching for.

I just returned from a visit to Japan, and as I made my way home, a stream of thoughts began to flow. From the moment we landed at Narita Airport, something felt different. It wasn’t just the scenery or the orderliness — it was something deeper. I felt humility and mindfulness in the air. People bowed not only as a gesture of politeness but with sincerity. Whether it was a hotel receptionist, a street vendor, or someone cleaning the floors — they expressed appreciation and respect, simply for being part of their day. Everywhere I looked, I saw people taking pride in their work, no matter how small or large their task. They paid attention. They cared. At a hotel restaurant, my friend forgot to take a spoon for his soup. A staff member quietly noticed, followed him, and gently handed it to him. That level of attentiveness comes from a mindset many of us are still learning to practice. Japan showed me what a functioning human society can look like when people lead with purpose, care, and ...

  Last week I visited the Great country of Columbia and met the wonderful people living there. It was a nice experience visiting Bucaramanga and meeting with amazing team members. This was my first visit to the country since we opened the office almost two years ago. I used to meet our Colombian colleagues in our Houston office and have always felt the positive energy in them. I had heard about the problems facing Colombia, including the economic challenges and the issues with drugs. There are other challenges too, which is why my impression was that people would be living in a lot of stress there and Colombia would not be a safe place to live in.        But after talking to them and visiting them I was astonished at how peaceful the country is, and how friendly the people were. Their problems are not very different from the ones faced by other developing countries, including the need to have good, strong leadership that makes their lives better.   ...

 B ackground When I was a few years old, somehow I ended up playing Squash during one of the trips to the local sports club. It was never a goal to be a Squash player. In fact, I did not even know that such a thing called a “pro player” existed! All I wanted to do was to have fun with other kids. We did not have a lot back then – barely playable racquets, used up balls, improper shoes – not sure if this is the right time to talk about all that, but maybe it will help the reader understand what we had and what we lacked. Despite all these challenges, we worked very hard. We took care of each other, we played against each other, we wanted nothing more than to beat the next guy and yet, we were the best of friends off court. We only had the passion and desire to be the best. We wanted to make our parents proud.  Squash presented us with the chance to become something in life. In those days, there was only one International club in Pakistan. It was in Karachi. First time I played ...

  During my recent visit to Lahore, I visited the neighborhood where I grew up. It was amazing to see how much had changed over the past 25 years. Back then, most families had bicycles, a few had motorcycles, and air conditioning was a luxury. Today, many residents own cars, motorcycles, and ACs. When I compare life then and now, I see huge differences. My five brothers and I grew up in a tiny 2-bedroom apartment. Each night, we added extra beds to sleep and stowed them away during the day. Our father had a bicycle for his three jobs, and our mother (God bless her) cooked in a small outdoor space. We didn’t have many material things, but we were happy, content, and connected to our neighbors. Life was simple, peaceful, and satisfying. Fast forward 25 years: I’ve lived abroad for most of that time, and while the world has changed in many positive ways, I’ve noticed some concerning trends in Pakistan. Observations About Modern Life in Pakistan Lack of Gratitude Many people ar...

 I encountered a mother with a beautiful heart one morning at a coffee shop on my way to work. The details of how our conversation started to escape me, but its conclusion remains vivid in my memory. She revealed that she was a mother of six children, with the youngest currently a sophomore in college. What she shared next left a lasting impression on me: the way children spell love is through "TIME."   Initially confused, I soon understood the profound truth behind her words, because of the memories featuring my own mother. She, too, always offered us her time, whether we were leaving or returning home. Regardless of the hour, she was always there to welcome us – not always with a happy face, but she was there for us:). Any frustration she expressed resulted from sacrificing sleep to ensure our well-being, especially in an era devoid of cell phones or pagers.   Reflecting on my mother's commitment, I now understand the importance of dedicating quality time to our childre...

At Punjab University, a professor used to drink tea every day from the same small stall. The stall was run by a young boy named Jahangir. One day, Jahangir asked the professor, “Sir, can I ever be a successful man in life?” The professor smiled and replied, “Every person in this world has the ability to be successful.” Jahangir was curious. “But how?” he asked. The professor took out a piece of chalk and drew three lines on the wall of the stall. On the first line, he wrote: “Hard work, hard work, hard work.” On the second line, he wrote: “Honesty, honesty, honesty.” On the third line, he wrote just one word: “Skill.” Then he turned to Jahangir and explained: **“Success has three steps. The first is hard work. No matter who you are or where you work—a store, a factory, an office, or even a tea stall—if you work hard, you will succeed. Your workplace should be the first to open and the last to close. Most people, almost 90 percent, do not work hard. If you put in real effort...

  Every  inch of your time is worth every inch of gold – but not every inch of gold can buy back an inch of your time. When we typically consider "sins," our minds often drift to dishonesty, cheating, envy, or rudeness. These are undeniably serious wrongs. Yet, there’s a quiet, sneaky thief that we frequently overlook –  the wasting of time. In the moment, it rarely feels like a grave offense. We might scroll endlessly through social media, put off important tasks, or get lost in unproductive pursuits for hours. But time, arguably one of the greatest blessings bestowed upon us, can, if misused, lead to our most profound losses. It's so significant that Allah Himself underscores its importance by swearing by it in the Qur'an. Allah's Oath: The Profound Wisdom of Surah Al-Asr. “By (the token of) Time, Verily Man is in loss – Except such as have faith, do righteous deeds, and join together in the mutual teaching of Truth and of Patience.” This concise yet powerful ch...

  I have often wondered what “success” really is. To me, success means knowing your goal, working hard to reach it, and actually living it. Success is not easy—it usually requires sacrifice. For example, a person who wants to be a doctor must study for many years and keep learning on the job. Three Qualities That Build Success Burning desire – Success must be more than a wish. It should be something you think about all the time. Belief in yourself – You must fully believe you can succeed, no matter what others say. Ignore negative voices and doubts. No excuses – Excuses stop progress. Focus on solutions, not problems, and you will keep moving toward your goals. How to Put Success Into Action Hard work – Success requires effort. Work harder than what you’re paid for. The top 10% of people succeed because they push harder than most. Honesty – Be truthful, keep promises, admit mistakes, and stay true to your values. Skills – Skills matter, but they are onl...

  Every day, the choices we make shape who we become. Good habits can build a happy and successful life, while bad habits can hold us back. Here are six good habits to build—and six bad habits to avoid. Six Good Habits 1. Reading books Books are full of knowledge and wisdom. The questions we have today have been asked before, and many answers are already written down. By reading, we learn from the experiences of others and discover new ideas. Reading also makes us more positive and helps us grow. Most successful people make reading a daily habit. 2. Writing Reading gives us knowledge, but writing helps us remember and use it. Writing notes, ideas, or goals keeps our mind sharp and focused. When we write, our thoughts become clearer, and we create new ideas. Writing down goals also motivates us to work toward them. 3. Meditation Many of our problems come from worrying about the past or the future. Meditation teaches us to live in the present moment. It calms the mind, reduce...

  We Don’t Need More Leaders—We Need More Examples We are living in a very interesting and challenging time. As a Muslim, I often receive Hadiths, Islamic lectures, and reminders from the Holy Quran that guide us through life’s struggles. Yet, I have noticed something important: the spiritual awakening we hope for is not happening as much as we would like. I often ask myself: if we have the best religion, the best Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and his great companions (RA), why are we not rising as strongly as Muslims did in the past? In looking for answers, I realized that many people today want to be leaders. But the truth is—we already have our leaders. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions (RA) showed us the Quran and lived it in their daily lives. They are the ultimate examples, and their lessons are repeated in every khutbah and religious gathering. These reminders are beautiful, but something important is missing: real-life success stories from today. In my work, whe...

  The Anchor and the Legacy: A Conversation at the Car Wash The most profound lessons often arrive not in books or lectures, but in unexpected moments of connection. For me, it happened on an ordinary morning at a local car wash. I noticed a man I’d seen before—a quiet, thoughtful presence—sitting at one of the tables, focused on his phone. Feeling a pull to connect, I approached him. “I hope there’s some good news you can share,” I ventured. He looked up with a kind smile. “I wish I could.” After a brief exchange where I shared my belief that meeting new people can fast-track learning, I asked him a sincere question: “Is there anything you can share with me to help me become a better version of myself?” He chuckled humbly, dismissing the notion that he had it all figured out. He was retired, he explained, and had led a full life filled with diverse jobs and experiences. But the real wisdom emerged when he began to speak about what truly matters in the end. His words, which I’ve ca...

From Quoting Leaders to Living Stories. We are living in a time of unprecedented access to Islamic knowledge. Ahadith, tafsirs, and lectures from scholars around the world are available at our fingertips. We hear beautiful reminders in Jumu'ah sermons and religious gatherings, filled with the impeccable examples of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions (RA). We have the best guidance, from the best of creation, preserved for us. Yet, a question lingers in the hearts of many: If we have the ultimate truth, why does the profound spiritual awakening we hope for seem so elusive? Why aren't we rising to the greatness we read about in our history? The answer, I believe, lies not in a lack of leadership but in a misapplication of followership. We Don't Need More Leaders; We Need More Practitioners We already have our leaders. Our guidance is complete. The Quran is our constitution, and the Seerah of the Prophet (PBUH) is our eternal model. The problem is that in our curre...