Whispers of the Soul by Nadia Nizam

  Ingredients For Sugar Syrup 2 cups (400g) 1 ½ cup (360ml) 20-22 strands saffron (optional) 3-4 crushed cardamom For Jalebi batter 1 cup (128g) refined flour/maida 1 teaspoon baking powder 5 tablespoons curd/dahi ¼ teaspoon saffron colour Oil for frying Water as required Steps In Making 1) In a pan add sugar and water and cook it on medium flame while stirring it occasionally for 6-7 minutes. The sugar will dissolve and start to boil. 2) Add saffron strands, crushed cardamoms and cook till it forms a one string consistency.  3) For the jalebi batter, in a bowl add refined flour and curd and mix well. Now add little water at a time till it forms into a smooth batter. The batter will have a pouring consistency but it shouldn’t be very thick nor thin. 4) Now add saffron colour and baking powder and beat the batter for couple of minutes. 5) Now take a piping bag and pour the jalebi batter in it and tie the top with a rubber band. 6) To fry the jalebis, in a pan add oil/ghee and o...

Someone asked me how I’m holding myself and others after losing someone special . I said that someone who has been in your life for years becomes a part of your heart and mind. Just as a body relies on its main organs, when a part of those organs is lost, that’s how I feel. The fear of losing your heart and then witnessing that loss is one of the most heart-wrenching experiences. It feels as if an artery or vein connected to your heart is broken, and you bleed slowly. I lost my father recently, and now watching someone else slowly fade away day by day is killing me, day and night. Each day starts with thoughts of them and ends with my heart bleeding. I am no longer who I used to be. I would describe it as a rebirth after seeing the harsh realities of the world. I always envisioned myself living in a fort with a heart of gold, with open gates where no one leaves empty-handed. I used to seek out the sorrows and pains of others, ready to jump in and help everyone, taking care of those aro...

My father always taught us to be self-reliant and to never rely on anyone else's generosity. Visiting someone’s house frequently is equivalent to losing your self-worth. Perhaps because of his upbringing, I still make it a point to buy valuable gifts before visiting someone. Even a simple cup of tea at someone else's home feels like a burden to me. It seems like my father's voice follows me everywhere, reminding me of this lesson. Spending a night at anyone's house, aside from my parents, is the most uncomfortable thing for me. To this day, I haven’t been able to explain this to anyone. It feels like an intrinsic part of my nature. Meanwhile there’s a truth I’ve wrestled with, learned through more than a few bumps and bruises in life, and it’s this: opening your home to someone long-term (more than 2 weeks), no matter how much you love them, is a gamble you’ll almost always lose. I know the impulse well. That deep desire to help, to offer a safe haven to a friend in nee...

 Wise words from Anthony Hopkins: ′′Let go the people who are not prepared to love you. This is the hardest thing you will have to do in your life and it will also be the most important thing. Stop having hard conversations with people who don't want change. Stop showing up for people who have no interest in your presence. I know your instinct is to do everything to earn the appreciation of those around you, but it's a boost that steals your time, energy, mental and physical health. When you begin to fight for a life with joy, interest and commitment, not everyone will be ready to follow you in this place. This doesn't mean you need to change what you are, it means you should let go of the people who aren't ready to accompany you. If you are excluded, insulted, forgotten or ignored by the people you give your time to, you don't do yourself a favor by continuing to offer your energy and your life. The truth is that you are not for everyone and not everyone is for you...

سلام ہو اس بیٹی پر جس نے اپنے والدین کو بڑا ہونے میں مدد کی۔ ان کی سرد مہری کو قبول کیا، ان کے غصے کو معاف کیا، ان کی غلطیوں کو درگزر کیا، انہیں انسان بننا سکھایا۔  سلام ہو اس بہن پر جس نے بغاوت کی قیمت چکائی۔ پوری قوت سے چیخی، پتے کی طرح کانپی لیکن سر بلند کھڑی رہی، آمریت کو کبھی بھی بغیر لڑے جانے نہیں دیا، اپنے بہن بھائیوں کے لیے آسانی سے سانس لینے کا راستہ ہموار کیا۔   زندگی میں اپنا مقصد تلاش کرنے کے لیے بے چین، اپنے عقائد میں مضبوط، نسلوں اور نسلوں کی ثقافتی اقدار کی نفی کرنے والی۔   اس لڑکی پر جس نے اپنی ماں کے صدمے کو اپنے کندھوں پر اٹھایا۔ اسے اپنے اندر سمو لیا، خود کو اس رحم کی تصویر میں بدل لیا جس میں وہ کبھی رہتی تھی، خود کو ان مصیبتوں میں غرق کر لیا جو اس کی تھیں بھی نہیں، ان زخموں کو چھپایا جنہیں وہ پہچان بھی نہیں سکتی تھی۔  سلام ہو اس عورت پر جو یہ بھول گئی کہ وہ کون ہے۔ ہر کسی کی نجات دہندہ بننے کے لیے اتنی پرعزم، اپنے خاندان کو ٹھیک کرنے کے لیے، اپنے اردگرد کے ہر فرد کی پرورش اور محبت کرنے کے لیے۔ اتنی گہری کھوئی ہوئی کہ وہ بھول گئی کہ وہ بھ...

Have you ever noticed that when someone cannot confront their own faults, they make you the problem instead? It's easier for them to portray you as the villain than to face their mistakes or take responsibility for their failures & actions. By shifting the blame onto you, they create a convenient distraction from the truths they've been avoiding. Recently, a lifelong loser attempted to blame me for his dysfunctional relationship with his sister. Well, my dear, instead of blaming others, take a moment to reflect on your past and present. Your long history of affairs, your friendships, and your troubled relationship with your parents are prime examples of your personality. I don't remember finding myself in any of your dramas. But Yes, Meanwhile, you were wrapped up in your arrogance, intimidating others with your anger. I was focused on building my life and career, working hard to achieve what I have today. So, grow up and mature; try to accept your personal flaws instea...

 The way you treat your mother reflects how life will treat you. A mother embodies love and life itself. A mother's love is unconditional—something no one else can provide. Don't judge her without understanding her. How often have you taken the time to listen to her? Have you engaged in conversations about her past? She may never have shared the struggles she endured before you came into her life. Consider the wounds she carries, the scars that reopen with each memory. Think of her painful past, the difficult moments when no one listened, and the mistreatment that left lasting impressions of harsh words, fears, and social abuse. Remember, your mom was once a lively, carefree soul, unburdened by worries or responsibilities. She lived a vibrant life full of energy, but everything changed with your birth. Suddenly, she began a new journey as a mother, transforming from a carefree girl into a protector, a responsible caregiver. Gradually, she started to lose herself, living solely ...

I learned honesty from my father. My father raised me like a warrior - strong and honest.  He taught me integrity. He said that what we have earned through lawful means, through our rightful share, is ours. Do not covet the possessions of others. And if someone has trusted you with something, consider it an amanat (trust) and account for every penny with full transparency. This reflects your strong character. This builds trust. And this is what earns you respect in this world and the Hereafter. This is what my father practiced his entire life. Fortunately, I have moved to the USA, raising my kids here, where the majority of people live honest lives. They are taught to be independent from a very young age and become self-made. Parents here do not tell their children that they will take care of their needs forever. Instead, they try to teach their kids the hard realities of life from a young age, to make them strong. My father's teachings and this environment have helped me become th...

 The alarming reality is that the majority of family stories vanish by the second generation, resulting in a profound loss of wisdom, cultural heritage, and familial connection. This tragic erosion of our shared past stems from several interconnected factors.   Firstly, conversations about family history are becoming increasingly infrequent, often overshadowed by the demands of modern life. Storytelling, once a central part of family gatherings, now frequently takes a backseat to busier schedules and competing priorities.  Secondly, the traditions and rituals that once served as powerful bonding agents and vehicles for transmitting stories are fading, replaced by less meaningful routines. This loss of ritual contributes directly to the dissipation of associated narratives and the weakening of intergenerational ties.  Thirdly, the lack of documentation exacerbates the problem; without written records or other forms of preservation, precious memories are left v...

 بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم In the name of Allāh, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. The Islamic ruling in the matter of inheritance is that the divinely allocated shares of what the deceased left behind should be distributed immediately. Delay in the distribution is unislamic and sinful. It is disliked (makrooh) to delay sharing out the estate, because of the harm that this may cause to the heirs. As soon as death occurs, the deceased is no longer the owner of his or her wealth. It is now the wealth of heirs and must be distributed immediately to the rightful owners.  Any property such as a house, that needs to be distributed, should be valued at the general market value of the time.  For the allocated Qur’ānic shares, there is no need for everyone’s approval. Therefore, you should go ahead and distribute the inheritance of your father at your earliest. Allāh’s command is above all. Regarding any expenses of the property prior to the distribution, these expenses shoul...