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December 22, 2025

Point Blank: Interview with Raja Zia ul Haq

Youth Club Blog presents to you some very candid Q & A with our CEO Raja Zia ul Haq. These questions were asked at the WOC 2014 event ‘Around the Bonfire’. Raja Zia ul Haq talks about his relationship with his car, his family and his wife, and his inspiration behind the popular workshops ‘Lovestruck’ and ‘Qabool Hai’. YOUTH CLUB: A lot of us have seen the video about the change in your lifestyle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4cdc7Hpirk).  Sky diving, theatre, partying, fancy cars- it seems you had it all. Do you sometimes miss the lifestyle that you left behind? Don’t you ever feel tempted to go back? RAJA ZIA UL HAQ: I don’t miss the bad bits but I do miss my car. I really, really, really miss my car. I had a Dodge-Charger, an American Muscle car and I lost it in an accident. She was my baby; we had a very good relationship alhamdolillah! My wife can tell you how much I miss it. Sometimes when she says: “Where have you kept the charger?” My response is: “Ohhh! Don’t say ‘The Charger’. It just breaks my heart every time I hear that name.” However, I don’t miss those things which were taking me away from Allah. I flee from anything that would reconnect me to things from the past that were displeasing to Allah. I would rather be boiled in oil or shot in the head three times than go back to that lifestyle. Wallahi, I’m not even kidding.
Yasha Fatima
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December 22, 2025

Slaying the Dragon of Criticism

By Fareed Ahmad Facing criticism is a part of every person’s life. People differ in the way they react to it. For some, it acts as stumbling block; for others, it encourages and pushes them to perform even better in future. One might think that the only way to avoid criticism is to say nothing, do nothing and be nothing; but even then people will criticize you for this very nothingness! In general, people like to criticize. You can’t stop them. In our personal lives, we face criticism on the choices we make, the clothes we wear, the grades we get, the expectations we fail to meet and the failures that are destined in our life. The same holds true for our professional lives. Those who are ignorant have even criticized and uttered curses at Allah, our Perfect and Exalted Creator and Master; so what treatment should we, who are imperfect and full of faults, expect from people? We will always face criticism, which in its onslaught is like an interminable war. As long as we will shine, give, produce and have effects on others, disapproval and condemnation from some quarters will be our lot in life. Sometimes, it is one of the signs of success, because those who sit on the ground don’t fail, neither do people kick a dead dog. The other side of the coin is that people also criticize wrong and abominable actions. I have witnessed some people becoming immune to criticism, whilst others breaking
Yasha Fatima
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December 22, 2025

Dare to Ask – Q & A with the Dawah Man

‘Around the Bonfire’ was a very unique and memorable event of Winds of Change 2014. It was an opportunity for us to get to know the speakers better, to hear their personal stories never heard before, and to ask the questions we always wanted to ask them. Here we present some of the questions that were posed to our superhero Dawah Man Imran ibn Mansur. (Watch this space for interviews of other WOC 2014 speakers- Coming soon inshaAllah.) YOUTH CLUB: It has come to our knowledge that you were a famous rap artist. Tell us more about your journey and what made you distance yourself from something that is so addictive? IMRAN IBN MANSUR: In my rap days, I had everything from this world that I ever wanted: friends, money, power, respect. I had it all. I thought that these things make people happy. I had exhausted myself in acquiring all these things, but when I got them, they actually did not make me happy. They worked only for a very short period of time. And then I would think: what else can I possibly do to put a smile on my face? At this stage: You’re lost. You’re genuinely lost. That’s why you hear about so many celebrities who are on anti-depressants, alcohol and drugs. They lead very sad and empty lives. The only way to fill that emptiness is to just drink, smoke, drug yourself up and take tablets. And when they realize that doesn’t work either,
Yasha Fatima
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December 22, 2025

Let the sparks fly!

By Nasser Ijaz Moghal And with it comes a deafening silence None is spared for defiance The day when the kingdom is His and His alone The Possessor of the Mighty Throne Resuscitated as they were once created But previously they had much debated Darkness engulfs them in an aura of despair For praise was the purpose of their prayers The needy they would not feed How evil is the creed of deceit?! Light is for only those who listened and acted To them these despicable creatures are attracted Soon angels come and pluck them away Then these hypocrites began to say “Without you, there’s only darkness left here The foretold punishment is what we fear Why is it today that we are being divided? Wait for us; our matter is still undecided” Get your light from days gone past But death is a barrier unsurpassed A wall will then be erected in between Judgment Day will indeed convene Undoubtedly we will all witness such a time This could be your story or mine So change today and revive the light within Accumulate good deeds and abstain from sin Lit hearts will illuminate our path on that day Either in heaven or hell we shall forever stay ———————————————————————————————————————————————– Allah says in Surah al-Hadeed (ayah 12-15): “On the Day you shall see the believing men and the believing women their light running forward before them and by their right hands. Glad tidings for you this Day! Gardens under which rivers
Yasha Fatima
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December 22, 2025

O People of Quran! Where are you?

By Umm Ibrahim O people of Quran! Where are you? Your Quran waits for you, Day in and day out, As you waste away the day, As you slumber through the night. Your Quran waits for you, As you flip through the magazines, As you surf the internet, As you watch the movies. Your Quran waits for you, Your family and your friends, Your studies and your job, You have time for them all But your Quran waits for you, Day in and day out, Neglected and abandoned. Won’t you pick it up today? O people of Quran! Where are you? Don’t you fear the day, When the Prophet will say, My people had abandoned the Quran O people of Quran! Open the Quran Listen to the words of Allah As He speaks to you Watch the miracles as the skin trembles, as the tears flow, as the soul rejoices, O people of Quran! Come back to your companion and your guide Come back to the one who will plead for you Come back to the one who will shade you on that day
Yasha Fatima
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December 22, 2025

Jazz, Jinns and Diamonds- John Fontain’s Story

Guest writer Sara Ahmed pens down the inspiring story of John Fontain, as heard from him at the WOC 2014 event:’Story Night with the Stars’. John Fontain was born in a working-class Christian family in Manchester.  As a young boy, he would always make an intention in Church that he was praying to God alone, proving the fact that children are born on the fitrah (sound nature). At seven, he was sure that there was something amiss in Christianity when the priest changed the chorus lyrics he had written from ‘Jesus and God’ to ‘Jesus is God’. At the age of fourteen, with a growing passion for music, he became a professional jazz singer, travelling to places and performing in sports stadiums, hotels etc. With a good income and the drive to become the most famous jazz singer in the country, he naturally did not feel the need to attend university! When he was eighteen, he struck ‘diamond’ deals with some of the West African immigrants who had come to England, and thus, went to visit Sierra Leone in West Africa. On his way, he was stuck in Senegal, penniless. Seeing his plight, a Muslim hotel manager offered him shelter in his own home. During his stay, John marveled at the courteous mannerisms of his host, and recalls that when he first heard the Azan, it was as if ‘his heart was ripped out of chest’. He would watch his Muslim hosts offer their prayers; this brief period in
Yasha Fatima
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December 22, 2025

19 Lessons Fatherhood Taught Me

By Zaki Imtiaz  As Muslims, we often hear the virtues of motherhood and the benefits that kids bring to their mothers. However, it seems that fatherhood and its joy and importance often get ignored in the process. So, I decided to compile a list of some things that I’ve learnt and experienced from being a father. https://thesanddollarlv.com/ All the fathers-to-be and new fathers will find it beneficial inshaAllah.  So once you’re a father, you’ll find that the following things have happened: Your love for your spouse deepens. You have to take responsibility not only of your own actions but also of your family’s. You have to try and adapt yourself to you baby’s sleep time to get some rest. He is too small to follow your routine. Even if you start following your infant’s sleep cycle, you still have to strive hard to get a good, refreshing sleep. 😛 All of a sudden, you start feeling much older. You have multiple jobs now. One that is outside your house, earning money for the family, and the other with your cute little angel at home. The unique feeling you get when your baby looks at you and smiles is priceless. You start to acutely realize the hardships that your parents have gone through: skipped sleep, suffered cramps in their biceps rocking you at night, declining all the fun with friends because they were busy with you. Time passes too quickly. You angel’s birth feels moments ago, as new milestones are
Yasha Fatima
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December 22, 2025

25 things I learnt from Winds of Change 2014

By Umm Ibrahim February 2014 has been an exceptionally beautiful month so far- owing to the Winds of Change Tour which hit Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore and Peshawar.  I tried to attend as many events as I could- each one seemed to be better than the previous. So, the past 3 weeks were mostly spent waiting for one event after the other! This was the first time I was attending the events of Winds of Change, and it was also the first time I was actually listening to some of the international speakers: Imran ibn Mansur, Hamza Tzortzis, Yusuf Chambers, John Fontain, Adnan Rashid and Musa Adnan. As I smile to myself, sifting through the photos and cherishing the memories made, reality hits me like a ton of bricks: the Winds of Change are over, but has the change begun? Can I declare with Imran Khan’s confidence level that “Tabdeeli aa gy hai?” Will I be able to cherish the newly-planted intentions and sustain the newly-replenished Imaan level?  I have made notes upon notes of the lectures; I have saved video recordings, but I realize that it is actually the things which penetrate your being and engrave themselves on your heart that can actually change you. So for my own benefit and for that of the readers, I’m going to list in no particular order, the lessons that have stuck with me, which I heard, learnt and/or experienced during the Winds of Change events. 1-      The Azaan is a beautiful
Yasha Fatima
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December 22, 2025

That strange little meeting..

By Zaki Imtiaz It was like a gigantic wave of blood gushing in my aorta when I came close to him for the first time. I couldn’t resist the appeal to hold him close, embrace him against my chest, feel the raw aroma coming out of his body. I was feeling a unique warmth in both of us. It was like a long awaited love- a love that kindled even more when we finally met each other. His charming face was itself a testimony for every little second of our wait, of our meeting. The touch of his hands was soft enough to melt my own heart as I fell in love with him at that very moment. The feelings of compassion, security, tranquility, care and tenderness; all seemed to amalgamate into a single red colored flower of love, filling the room with its scent. Had any one in this world the power to sneak into my heart, he would certainly see a blooming garden in there. “SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah” I exclaimed, as I saw my little angel, my baby boy, Ibrahim. The birth of Ibrahim had been one real journey for me and my wife. He made us realize that he should be a reason enough for us to believe in the oneness, the ultimate perfection, the power of the creation of One God, Allah, Exalted is He far above from what people associate with Him falsely. Only after becoming a father do I really understand the depth of ayahs
Yasha Fatima
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December 22, 2025

What you lookin’ at?

The Prophet (sallalahu alaihi wasallam) said: “..A sin is what creates restlessness in the soul and moves to and fro in the breast, even though people give you their opinion (in your favour) and continue to do so.” (Musnad Ahmad and ad-Darimi) Gives a whole new perspective on actions and tortured thoughts, doesn’t it? It is truly amazing to read of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (sallalahu alaihi wasallam). Today if one says they do not wish to talk to the opposite gender unless they have to, they give you the oh-you-weird-extremist look. I wonder sometimes if we are starting to consider ourselves superior in faith than our pious predecessors from the Prophet’s era, like our mother ‘Ayesha (radhiAllahu anha) for instance. The lady did not chat with her camel handler, and neither did the latter make any attempt. Why though? The conclusion is clear as daylight. They were the ones who had submitted truly, and we have not. Had our visions been tamed, and our gazes lowered, we wouldn’t be screeching thus: You’re so hypnotizing Could you be the devil? Could you be an angel? – K.P. Today we’re advocating bold gazes, and look-in-the-eye concept. Anything less is just too old-fashioned. The gaze is the absolute first step to sin. Allah wouldn’t have instructed us otherwise: Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Well-Acquainted with what they do. (Surah Al-Nur: ayah
Yasha Fatima
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December 22, 2025

Get your Haya on, bros!

By Ch. Hasan Saifullah Prologue: Do you want to enhance the purity of your soul? Do you want to overcome all the negativity around you? Do you want to stay away from all kinds of temptations and lustful desires? Well, if you do, then this article envelops a “magic word” that can save you from a million sins. You are humbly advised to memorize this word and keep reminding yourself about it every day, as it can help you achieve the above mentioned objectives. Presenting to you, a part of your faith, the magic word—“HAYA”. Haya 101: Let’s quickly take an overview of what Haya is all about. Understanding its basic meanings can help us become more conscious of this concept in our daily lives. Literal meaning: The word Haya is derived from the Arabic word Al-Hayat, meaning ‘Life’. General meaning: It is a conscious feeling whereby a person (usually with some good morals) experiences discomfort and uneasiness (accompanied by a sense of embarrassment), caused by ones fear of being exposed or censured by some indecent, shameful or an unworthy conduct. Contextual meaning: In different contexts the term Haya is often used to describe attributes such as modesty, chastity, shyness, humility, shame, honor, dignity, integrity and self-respect. The concept of Haya in Islamic parlance: Islamic teachings advocate a high sense of morality and modesty at all levels. The concept of Haya in the light of Islam has always been quite distinct. The most conspicuous evidence of it is that
Yasha Fatima
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December 22, 2025

To All Peeping Toms

Disclaimer: This does not generalize all male species. However, if you still take offense, then clearly you have the tell-tale signs of our average peeping Tom. A furtive, sweeping look. It has the same effect as music. You like the opening beats- you’re going to listen till the end. You like what you see- you’re going to gawk till she remains in the vicinity. And then you can’t get it out of your head. So just keep it down. Enough said. This is not going to be a long-winded rant about restricting your visual field nor a DIY-curb-the-inner-pervert-in-you. Resisting the temptation of checking out everything that moves is human. As Nouman Ali Khan puts it- “Lower your gaze because you become less of a human every time you stare at a woman…” Ouch. Male ego sliced and butchered in a single sentence. And when Allah says “Lower your gaze”, then it is doable all right. And guess what else happens when you ogle- apart from losing all shreds of morality that is. You get discussed on the lunch table as “the creep” who has no life. Over giggles and biryani. And no matter what you do, the name sticks. Worse- if you are that Jami’at guy (or apparently religious looking) caught glancing at a group of girls in your university, then there is no hope for you. They crucified you a million times over in the Girls’ Common Room. And if on some fateful day, you catch female heads
Yasha Fatima
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