Whispers of the Soul by Nadia Nizam

A woman who grows up in a family where her father lacks a voice—where he is unseen, unheard, and lacks authority—carries deep emotional wounds. When a father is emotionally or energetically absent, it conveys to his daughter that masculine energy is weak, unsafe, or unreliable. If he fails to protect and lead with strength and love, she misses out on the safety and structure that a strong masculine presence can offer. This absence creates a silent chaos within her, leading her to unconsciously believe that she must protect herself, provide for herself, and lead herself, as the man in her life never did. As she matures, she often finds herself drawn to men who embody the same energetic absence as her father—men who may be passive, indecisive, emotionally unavailable, or silently dependent. These men lack leadership, protection, and the ability to hold space for her. Unknowingly, she steps into the role of protector, decision-maker, and provider, adopting masculine traits to survive. How...

My Dearest Children, If there’s one thing I need you to understand, it’s this: your mom is not your enemy. I know I don’t always express myself perfectly, and sometimes my words may sting, but please believe me—my heart is always in the right place. I carried you within me, felt your first movements, and endured the challenges of pregnancy to bring you into this world. I made sacrifices, eating healthily during cravings to ensure your well-being, even when it was difficult. Pregnancy is often seen as a time of pampering, but I faced it alone, caring for myself and your dad. I dealt with nausea and fatigue, all while managing household chores until I entered the labor room. Do you remember those countless nights I stayed awake when you were sick or sad? Or how I consistently put your needs before my own? I willingly gave up pieces of myself so that you could be whole. Being a mom in today’s world is different. Society often tells you that you know everything, that my wisdom is outdated....

In relationships, women often make significant sacrifices. They give birth, put their dreams on hold, raise children, carry emotional burdens, maintain the household, and still show up with love and support. We often pour from empty cups, day after day. This brings us to a crucial question that many hesitate to voice: What can a man truly sacrifice for a woman? Love should be a mutual effort, felt equally on both sides. A man can sacrifice his ego, pride, and selfish tendencies. He can let go of the need to always be right. Instead, he can show up with presence, patience, and consistency. He can choose growth, even when it feels uncomfortable, and commit to open communication. Moreover, he can prioritize love over convenience and invest the time necessary to be a true partner and father. He can offer support for her dreams and tenderness to protect her heart. When a woman gives her all, the least a man can offer is his complete presence and commitment.

Many men struggle to truly listen to their partners without feeling triggered. This response isn’t rooted in a lack of care but often stems from unresolved childhood trauma. This is how they learned to communicate. It mirrors the way their fathers spoke to their mothers and reflects the only family language they know. In their relationships, they may seek to control—not from a place of strength, but from fear. Fear of feeling inadequate. Fear of losing power. Fear of being perceived as weak. As a result, he may raise his voice, slam doors, avoid eye contact, and blame her sensitivity for his turmoil. He punishes her words with silence and reacts with anger and defensiveness, ultimately projecting his unstable emotions onto her. This dynamic isn’t love; it’s inherited pain. It's generational rage surfacing in modern relationships. In contrast, women often communicate with a deep longing. They don’t want conflict; they seek understanding. They desire to be heard without facing attack...

This is for my close family friend, whose life is about gossiping and lies to get some attention.  So finally he got 5 minutes of my life. Instead of your name, I will call you Gary. But this poem will tell you what we all think about you. All your life you have tried to get attention of others by being an absolute victim and spreading lies between family. And that's the reason that you were rejected oftentimes by my family.  Grow up now and earn some respect 🙏. Enjoy my poem specially written for you.  There once was a lad named Gary,   Born a boy, but oh so contrary!   With a flair for the gossip, a twist of his tongue,   His tales spun like webs, oh how they were flung.   He’d whisper sweet nothings, oh what a delight,   To the elders who’d laugh, “Oh, Gary, you’re bright!”   But beneath all the laughter, a shadow did creep,   For envy was brewing where secrets would seep.   “Did you hear ...

My daughter often asks me how I manage to rise above the hypocrites around me who have tried hard to break me. What has helped me throughout my life is the strength of my faith and my friendship with God. It feels as though He is always by my side, holding my hand. I know that He will be there for me at every step of my journey. As Allah reminds us in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:286), "لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا" (Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear) . This gives me confidence that whatever happens is part of His will; He has reasons for everything in our lives. Thus, it’s important to remain calm and grateful in every situation. Believe me, I see challenges whenever people around me discourage me. When someone tries to block my path, I make sure to follow my heart. As we learn from Surah Al-Imran (3:139), "فَلَا تَهِنُوا وَتَدْعُوا إِلَى السَّلُكِ" (So do not lose hope, nor be sad). This verse encourages perseverance despite setbacks. ...

A family friend called me yesterday, expressing mixed emotions about her son moving to California. She asked for my honest opinion, and here it is the general opinion of majority of the pakistani people, my friend. The story of the hard-earned lives of self-made individuals in foreign countries begins the day they receive a visa, and families celebrate their child's achievement. However, in reality, this often leads to a loss of genuine love and bonding. Families cannot see the hardships faced by their children living far away, out of sight and reach. These individuals start their lives from ground zero, without support and affection during tough times. Parents cannot perceive their child's suffering, and siblings cannot feel the miserable foundation of their brother's or sister's life. While children in Pakistan live comfortably under their parents' roof, one child struggles day and night to earn enough money to pay rent, bills, insurance in a foreign country. That...

 We need to raise daughters not merely as girls, ladies, or women, but as empowered human beings. We should nurture them to be resilient , like solid rock, so no one can break their spirit. Observing a life recently, it became clear how mothers who feel disempowered can inadvertently raise daughters who also feel weak. Mothers who attribute everything to fate risk passing their own traumas and limitations onto their daughters, which is a disservice. I firmly believe in the power of the father-daughter bond . My husband often remarks that my independence stems from my close relationship with my father. My strength and authenticity are rooted in this connection. I've never felt the need to impress others, seek validation from men, or rely on them for decisions. This is because I've always believed that intelligence and maturity are not gender-specific; they depend on individual experiences and exposure. Mothers who teach their daughters to take full responsibility for home affai...

The Halal Meat Debate: Diverse Perspectives and Interpretations The question of what constitutes halal meat, particularly in Western countries, is a topic of ongoing discussion and varying interpretations among Muslims. My post aims to explore these diverse views without judgment, acknowledging that it is a matter of personal choice and adherence to different schools of thought. The Core Question: Zabiha Halal vs. Meat from the People of the Book Some Muslims strictly adhere to *zabiha halal*, which requires that the animal be slaughtered according to Islamic guidelines, with Allah's name invoked during the process. This view often stems from a specific interpretation of the Quran, emphasizing the importance of slaughtering in Allah's name. However, another perspective, particularly prevalent among many Arab Muslims, considers the meat of the "People of the Book" (Jews and Christians) as permissible (*halal*) based on Quranic verses. Quranic Basis for Permissibility T...

 It's disheartening to observe how modern child-rearing practices in Pakistan seem to have inadvertently turned parents into servants of their children. The essence of parenthood has become clouded by anxiety over fulfilling materialistic demands and a pervasive sense of guilt. My daughter once remarked that many children in Pakistan are "entitled, spoiled brats" with an inflated sense of self-importance. This, I believe, is a consequence of contemporary parenting styles that over-pamper children, fostering overconfidence without a foundation of real-world understanding. Parenting should not be about raising selfish, self-absorbed individuals who are ill-equipped to face the realities of the world. Our goal should be to nurture compassionate, empathetic human beings who contribute to society with kindness and a sense of humanity. Another significant challenge is the interference of relatives in a child's upbringing. All too often, an aunt, uncle, or other close relati...