Ye Watan Kiska Hai?
Patriotism never really made sense to me. I mean I haven’t even yet figured out a way to love myself wholeheartedly, let alone an entire country! How ridiculous is it to claim to be in love with a piece of land? Unless, I mean, it is the love for mountains and meadows and valleys like the ones up north. I think what we actually love and unknowingly celebrate is our freedom, the liberty to be in our own skin unapologetically and the sense of security that this country offers. But come to think of it, does it really matter which piece of land on this planet gives you all that? All those looking for an escape from Pakistan to find those things elsewhere might agree if they really are honest about it.
So, who is this country really for? Why do some people choose to stay in this madness when everyone is looking for just about any way to sprint over the border? What is the reason other than having the perfect opportunity to plunder this resource rich land or simply to not have found a way out? What does it really mean when people like Imran Khan say that they chose to sacrifice every comfort and every luxury for the people of this country? Because as heroic as it sounds and also a great catch phrase (like ‘Absolutely Not’) to make way into the hearts of this emotional nation, is it really that? Looking at the other side of the picture, I, as a woman, could easily call him out for prioritizing something else over his own wife and children who deserved his love and care first. How selfish of him to decide otherwise! But was it really him who decided that?
A fine line there seems to be between being selfish and following your destiny. When you are brave enough to follow your way to fulfilling your heart’s desire, it may look selfish to others but the people who were made to love and support you on this journey, understand and set you free. That is one of the rewards of showing that kind of courage. The universe, on the other hand, conspires to arrange for you the perfect setup to fall in love with and bind you to this place even if it is a place of chaos. You feel fulfilled without any regrets and being anywhere else with all the comforts and luxuries seems like an absurd idea because you know how useless and restless it would make you feel to be away from your destiny. And how you would gradually and eventually become a frustrated unhappy person who creates a negative aura that damages everyone around them. I think this is also what gives our loved ones the courage to look at the bigger picture, how Hazrat Hajira (AS) understood that Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) had to go and why Fatima not only understood but encouraged Santiago to go be in chaos leaving her behind.
They say, dangerous is the man who has nothing to lose. But even more dangerous is the calm and poise of the man who has nothing to gain other than his destiny. He is dedicated, committed and disciplined. He understands that nobody owes him anything and that he is not entitled to gratitude even if his heart’s desire coincidentally happens to bring ease and joy for others. Not only does he have no expectations from anyone but God but in return feels deep gratitude to have this absolutely breath-taking, beautiful piece of land to fulfill his heart’s desire in.
So next time when someone says that they have sacrificed everything to stay in this country and dedicated themselves to humanity, just know that other than self-projection that is total mumbo jumbo. In reality they are only fulfilling their own heart’s desire of having purpose and contentment. And that is how when hardships and challenges come their way they dont budge because these fortunate beings have nurtured a little paradise in their hearts that gives them a sense of peace so sturdy that it not only blesses them with joy and hope to keep going but also radiates and encapsulates others around them. May this land continue to be a source of fulfilment for whoever is destined to be fulfilled by it. Ameen and azadi mubarak.
