Raadiyah Ali

Kahin tum dikhtey nahin ho, apni barzakh mein bastey ho. (You're nowhere to be seen, Your hindrances shelter you.) //(You're never truly seen, The life you live is divided.) Kahin tum tiktey nahin ho, apney ghum mein ghultey ho. (You're nowhere to be found, Your grief consumes you.) //(You're never truly found, You dwell in your grievances.) Yeh jeena hai ya marna, barzakh hai ya jahan? (Is this life or death, a barrier or your world?

I'm not your conquest, I'm your companion. I say it with my chest, I'm one in a million. My beauty isn't for praise. My truth isn't your opinion. I have no kings to chase. I am my own dominion. I was gifted gold at birth. Diamonds won't cut it. They're less than my worth. My evolution has more grit.// I was gifted gold at birth. Diamonds aren't my best friend. They're less than my worth. My evolution has more grit. I ask from you an apology, You give me condolences. Guess I'll burn your effigy; No space for grievances. You shame this whirlwind Since silence is the norm. You're scared of the wind After triggering a storm.

1. "When you're born in a burning house, you think the whole world is on fire. But it's not." - Richard Kadrey, Aloha from Hell (Sandman Slim, #3) When you're born and raised in chaos, you assume it is normal. Normalcy fazes you when you step out into the real world. You believe the world is out to get you when in reality, you're not the problem. You think love is conditional or transactional, that you must pay a price to receive it otherwise you're unworthy. Eventually, you will find a clearing beyond the walls of fire you were trapped in, and gradually heal. As cliche as it sounds, time heals wounds, but only if you are receptive to embracing the unfamiliar. 2. Your parents are not heroes. They're just like you - flawed, growing, learning, and trying. Give them grace and forgive them for their shortcomings. 3. Heal before having children so your children don't have to heal from you. Also, do NOT bring children into this world if you don't wa...

1. The comeback is greater than the setback. When a setback occurs, it feels like we've failed and our hopes dwindle. The weight of obstacles tires us and our minds are clouded with uncertainty for the future. A setback, however, will only burden you as much as you allow it. You can choose to remain stagnant and pity yourself, or take a leap of faith and seek help to get you back on your feet. Time and patience are essential to get through this rough phase. No matter how frightening the storm is, it ends eventually. This setback will end too. 2. "The best way out is always through." - Robert Frost in his poem "A Servant to Servants" Running away from your problems is not the solution. Facing them is. In order to reach the other side, you must stay on the path that's taking you there and face the pain head-on instead of escaping and finding solace in distractions. 3. Actions speak louder than words. A person's actions reveal their intentions and charac...

"Bulleya aashiq hoyian Rab da, huyi malaamat lakh; Tenu kafir kafir akh de, tu aho aho akh." (Bulleya you became God's devotee, and you were rebuked nonstop; They call you "kafir" "kafir" (disbeliever), and you retort "yes!" "yes!") Vocabulary in Context: (in order of appearance) Syed: a caste of Muslims; descendants of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him); regarded as nobles for their ancestry Murshid: a spiritual guide Araiyin: a caste of Muslims; associated with agricultural affairs (farming, gardening, etc.); located primarily in Punjab (Pakistan and India) and Sindh (Pakistan) Mureed: disciple Kafir: disbeliever Born Syed Abdullah Shah Qadri, Sufi philosopher Bulleh Shah became the most prominent voice of the 18th century to openly criticize religious bigotry and societal norms through poetry which he wrote in the Punjabi language. One particularly profound poem denounces the superiority of one caste over another. The...

Nasha sa zehen peh chha gaya Aur main kahin khho gaya Khudi ko aazaad kar diya Khaali haath yun chal diya Haar ke sab kuch jaata kahan Vaar ke sab kuch paata kya Dhundli raahon peh chalta gaya Khhuli baahon ko tarasta gaya Har shakhs mein chehra tera Har samt mein pehra deta Har chehrey mein dhoondta gaya Har meley mein gum sa gaya Qadam qadam peh mila andhera Qasam se, na kar saka basera Tanha sard sehtey thak gaya Savera kab hoga sochta gaya Aisa jaam-e-ishq pi chala Jiska asar ab bhi baaqi tha - My mind is numbed And I'm disoriented Setting myself free I left empty-handed I'm going nowhere, I'm lost I'm gaining nothing, I've lost I'm treading these hazy roads and yearning for an embrace You are in every face You are in every place I'm studying each face I'm wandering each place Wherever I step foot, it's dark I swear, I am restless// I am restless, I swear to God Exhausted, I endure the cold Waiting for dawn to break Who cast a spell on me That st...

Kahin tum dikhtey nahin ho, apni barzakh mein bastey ho. (You're nowhere to be seen, Your hindrances shelter you.) //(You're never truly seen, The life you live is divided.) Kahin tum tiktey nahin ho, apney ghum mein ghultey ho. (You're nowhere to be found, Your grief consumes you.) //(You're never truly found, You dwell in your grievances.) Yeh jeena hai ya marna, barzakh hai ya jahan? (Is this life or death, a barrier or your world?)