The Passion

Passion in life¹

A businessman once said, “We don’t just run the company; we run for credibility

We always pursued credibility, and as a result, money chased after us.”

In contrast, we are often taught that you study only to get a job when our goals (targets) are so small, then how will life progress? pursue the purpose for which Allah has created you, so that work does not feel like a burden. If work feels like a burden and weighs you down, it means you haven’t discovered your passion. You are carrying the load of tasks, and for the person for whom life becomes a burden, they are already dead—only the burial remains.

what I am passionate about.” Remember, everyone has a guide within them that tells them what their true calling is. It directs you where you are meant to go. Sometimes, destiny is not written in the lines of the world’s hands, but in the lines of your own hands. Look at Jinnah. The destiny of the nation was written in Jinnah’s hands. You are meant to change your destiny, yet you are waiting for some messiah to come and change it, while Allah has already assigned a task to you.

If Abdul Sattar Edhi had not been there, so many helpless orphans and abandoned people would have been left uncared for. He became a father to so many, provided shrouds for countless funerals, and became a source of relief for many. Sometimes, one individual can change the standards of an entire society. Such a person is called a trendsetter. This trendsetter could be you too. You have no idea what’s buried inside you.

Edison is the only scientist in the world who holds 1,249 patents, and yet we only know him for the light bulb. For the invention of the light bulb, Edison made more than ten thousand attempts. For the creation of the battery, he made even more. He once said, “Whoever discovers their talent can never become a mere employee, nor can they tolerate slavery. Slaves and employees are always those who do not know themselves.” They are the ones stifling themselves, living paycheck to paycheck.

Many people keep changing their passions. They change them because they don’t have the awareness of what their true passion is, the one that Allah has bestowed upon them. But once you have clarity on your passion, it never leaves you.

Self-Awareness.

Feeling of Deprivation

When a sinner turns towards repentance, the greatest reward is that Allah grants him self-awareness. The humility in a sinner’s tears is so immense that Allah wipes away all their sins.

The Feeling of Loss The mistake that keeps you awake is better than the virtue that puts you to sleep. After awakening, sin no longer remains possible. The consciousness that I am aware of where my thoughts are going is a great blessing from Allah. A person has always been awakened either by repentance, righteous company, or by the companionship of a pious person. A person’s sense of deprivation becomes his strength, provided he realizes that deprivation exists. If the feeling of deprivation does not arise, it cannot be remedied.

Cancer, heart attacks, and Hepatitis C are very dangerous diseases because they are often discovered when it’s too late. But even more dangerous is the state when a person does not realize which direction their life is heading. The greatest mercy upon a person is for their eyes to open and for them to recognize where they are and where they are going.

When a person becomes self-aware, they begin to recognize their mistakes, shortcomings, the Moses within them, and the Pharaoh within them. The most dangerous situation is when a person remains unaware of their wrongdoings. When they lack the consciousness or understanding of what they are doing and why they are living.

The best remedy is to pray to Allah, asking, “O my Lord, make me aware of my mistakes.” Perhaps there is a cancer growing within me— the cancer of hatred, envy, greed, selfishness, and pride.

A person never forgets two dates: one his birthdate (if they know it), and the second is the day they realize that why Creator brought them into this world. If a person understands the purpose of their creation and the reason for their existence, then they move from self-glorification towards self-awareness.

Essence of life.

Selflessness and Awakening

When a person gives² themselves to someone, they realize that this is the true essence of life. They sell themselves and then understand that no human can put a value on them. They realize that instead of losing oneself for another human being, it is far better to sacrifice for the Creator of the universe.

Countless people have found themselves when they received the love of righteous individuals. The best example of this is from the era of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). An example of someone transformed by this love is Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA), who once sat on the pulpit, holding his beard, saying, “I am the one who could not even herd sheep and camels.” It was the love of the Prophet (PBUH) that made him capable of greatness.

The companions of the Prophet (PBUH) were ordinary people. They lacked refinement, manners, and knowledge, but the miracle happened when they found the companionship of the Prophet (PBUH). Sometimes, history has given certain individuals a mirror through which they recognized their true selves, allowing their hidden potential to surface. The sword that Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA) once wielded, the civilization the companions built, the generosity of Hazrat Usman Ghani (RA), and the knowledge of Hazrat Ali Al-Murtaza (RA) benefited the entire world. All this was possible because they had the blessing of the Prophet’s (PBUH) company.

Personality

It is said that self-awareness is also possible when one finds a personality greater than their own. Being in the company of someone better than oneself first creates the thought of self-negation: “There is someone better than me; there is room for improvement within me.” Hazrat Maulana Rumi mentions a story about a lion cub that wandered and ended up living among a flock of sheep. Over time, it forgot it was a lion. One day, it saw a group of lions passing by. As soon as it saw them, it felt a resemblance— their demeanor, their way of walking, and their mannerisms reflected something within itself. The lion cub then witnessed a lion catch and devour a sheep. Seeing this awakened the lion inside. A person’s inner self awakens when they encounter someone like them.

If a person has evil within them and sees someone committing wrongdoing, they will find it appealing. If there is sin within them, witnessing someone sinning will encourage them. Conversely, if there is goodness inside, witnessing goodness will awaken the dormant virtue within.

Trials and Tribulations are Blessings

Those people who are thought to have truly known themselves are the ones who, after discovering their true selves, engaged in the work for which they were created. Generally, a person comes to know themselves when they are immersed in difficulties and hardships. The self-awareness that comes during pain is much deeper than in times of joy and comfort. Sadness, pain, and struggles reveal a person’s true self to them. Hazrat Wasif Ali Wasif says, “A person whose eyes are filled with tears cannot escape Allah mercy. Allah mercy is foremost for the person whose eyes shed tears because, at that moment, the heart is broken and soft.”

When Abdul Sattar Edhi was born, his mother was divorced shortly afterward, leaving him to grow up under the shadow of poverty and sorrow. In this state, he came to Pakistan with his mother and began selling sweets and candies on the streets of Karachi. However, deep inside, he had the drive to address the deprivation he faced by helping others. Thus, he began his work from a small cart, and eventually, his name was recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records. The deprivation of his childhood became his strength. He realised that he was born to serve others.

When a person truly knows themselves, society begins to benefit from them. They no longer live for themselves, but for others.

True Love

Some people find themselves trapped in worldly love, but they don’t receive the love they seek. However, in this separation from love, they end up discovering themselves. Whether you read about Khwaja Ghulam Farid or Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh, you will find that their journey of self-discovery began with worldly love. History is filled with countless Sufi saints whose worldly love transformed into divine love. They moved beyond the love of an individual to the love of the eternal, transcending from one to the love of the all-encompassing.

Self-Realization³

Our being is a combination of strengths and weaknesses. The strength that defines our identity and gives us endurance is a gift from nature. We must carry this strength forward. Nature imbues every person with certain qualities to maintain balance in the universe, fulfilling the gaps in creation. This system of the universe has been running and will continue to run. We have taken the place of those before us, and others will eventually take our place. However, our presence in this moment signifies that we are needed in this system, and it is for fulfilling this need that we have been given life.

Humans carry within them an innate desire to know themselves and to be known. They also feel that whatever potential lies within them must be fulfilled. This urge is called “self-realization.” It can arise at any age, in anyone’s heart. The question of “Who am I? Where am I headed? Where do I need to go?” can arise at any time.

Those in history who have truly known themselves could be Sufi saints, revered figures, or righteous individuals. Along with them, there are also people who have contributed significantly to society. For example, when we speak of Einstein, his discoveries proved to be of great benefit to society. His identity was tied to knowledge — this was his inner self. He used to say that his process of discovery was such that when he pursued something and achieved it, he would immediately forget the previous work and move on to the next. He wouldn’t even think about what he had done before. Every new task was fresh for him, and he put his full energy into it.

Listen to the Voice of Your Heart

When you listen to the voice of your heart, it will surely tell you that you are not meant to be a good engineer, but rather a great businessman. Imam Malik once said, “A person is born twice: the first time when they come into the world from their mother’s womb, and the second time when they discover the purpose of their birth.” Abdul Sattar Edhi, the renowned philanthropist, stood for elections twice and lost both times. Had he won, he would never have become Abdul Sattar Edhi. Similarly, Allama Iqbal once took a competitive exam. If he had succeeded, he would never have become the great philosopher-poet we know today.

All great people have achieved success after facing many failures. To reach the right destination, one must stumble along the way. The biggest flaw in our education system is that students may top in exams but fail in life. This happens because they pursue careers not for themselves but based on societal trends—thinking that if everyone else’s cheeks are rosy, theirs should be too.

We often adopt the lifestyle of the people we are influenced by. This creates a conflict between our natural disposition and societal expectations. We are one thing inside but pretend to be something else by imitating society. This duality robs us of our happiness and peace. Don’t look at what others are doing. Don’t be influenced by the actions of heroes in TV dramas and films. There is no one else like you. Look within yourself, search your heart, and discover your true inclinations. As Hazrat Wasif Ali Wasif says: “Whatever you think about is your reality.”

Changing Passions

Many people frequently change their passions because they lack awareness of the true passion that Allah has instilled within them. However, once their true passion becomes clear, they never abandon it. Imagine a room in complete darkness, and you are searching for a way out. Suddenly, your hand touches a window, and you mistake it for the door. But it’s not the door. Similarly, the path you think is the right one may not be, and this can lead to confusion. This confusion arises when there is no light in your life. As self-awareness grows, you start to realize your true purpose in this world. When a person reaches their final choice, all other options fade away. Eventually, they make one choice and declare, “Burn the boats.” Only someone who knows their destination can burn the boats, fully committing to that path. Usually, a person experiences bursts of temporary motivation. Your task is to harness this extraordinary energy to make decisive moves. Decide what you want to do with your life from this moment onward, and then show the world what you can achieve

Formula for Identifying Passion

The way to identify your passion is to consult yourself before seeking advice from others. Consulting yourself means when one finds their passion, they are freed from the confines of ordinary life. In the pursuit of passion, the awareness of the surroundings fades. A person walking the path of passion does not compete, as competition only arises when one is unaware of their own abilities. The path of passion is the path of devotion; in fact, it is the path that leads to Allah Almighty. The person who discovers their passion starts to see their work as an act of worship. There is no greater status than when one’s work feels like worship. If this realization doesn’t occur, work starts to feel like a burden.

The most valuable question in a person’s life is: What is my passion? This question is so serious and important that once someone finds the answer, they become priceless and cannot be bought. Passion compels a person to dream and doesn’t let them rest. The dish cooked over the fire of passion is always more flavorful. Khalil Gibran says that bread without passion or love in it is never delicious. A woman artist used to make pottery. Someone asked her, “You make pots?” She replied, “No, I don’t make pots, I create myself.” In the same way, a passionate person doesn’t merely showcase their work, but they reveal themselves through their work.

Passion should not be directed toward something that brings no benefit. And if passion aligns with the needs of the world, then it’s a true blessing

Two Faces

There are two kinds of people in the world. The first kind consists of those who find waking up early in the morning a burden. They have no love for their work. These people’s lives lack brightness and are filled with boredom. The second kind are those who love their work. This love compels them to stay up late at night and rise early in the morning. They are unfamiliar with fatigue because they work not with their bodies, but with their souls. These people are more radiant, active, and passionate than the first type. According to a 20-year study by Harvard University, 97% of people in the world are doing jobs they were not created for. They are living life without passion. Outwardly, they appear alive, but in reality, they are dead. Only 3% of people are doing the work they are passionate about, work that drives them to the point of obsession.

A person has two faces. One is the face that is visible, and the other is the face that remains unseen. The unseen face is the face of their work, and that is their true face because a person’s identity is shaped by their work. In life, the journey to discover this identity is necessary, and as Faiz Hassan Sial said, this is the journey of self-discovery, one that never ends.

The Most Important Question in Life
Passion is a gift from Allah Almighty. Only a few recognise it, and even fewer identify it within themselves. When one discovers their passion, confidence is born in their personality. After that, obstacles no longer seem like barriers, and the concern for winning or losing fades away. Criticism from others has no impact. For the passionate individual, compensation and time no longer matter.

The Pursuit of Passion

No one wants their energies to be wasted. No one desires to fail. No one wishes for their life to be purposeless, and no one wants to be deprived of success. Every person contemplates how to avoid failure, and this very contemplation leads them toward seriousness. The first sign of seriousness is that a person realizes the direction in which they want their life to go, and where their guidance lies. If such awareness is absent, it is, in fact, a sign of being distant from the mercy of Allah. Those who do not reflect or think are found only in graveyards. A living person always strives to improve themselves, wanting their tomorrow to be better than today.

Diverse Fields of Thought and Profession

Life has two phases. In the first phase, there is no awareness, while in the second phase, awareness comes. Generally, people in their conscious lives do not reflect on the purpose for which Allah has created them. Most of them think only about becoming a doctor or an engineer. However, it should be remembered that the world does not consist only of doctors or engineers. There are many other fields as well. But people’s thinking is so limited that they believe if they cannot become a doctor or an engineer, they have failed. Allah has created countless opportunities for work, but people’s choices are often limited to a few paths. They never stop to consider whether Allah created them to become an engineer. They have never explored the artist within them. They have never seen the scientist within them. They have never discovered the teacher within them. Nor have they ever examined what their true talent is.

Are You Enjoying Life?

People who do not discover their passion merely go through the motions of life. A person’s greatest desire is to live forever. A truly wise individual is someone who invests their time and efforts in such a way that humanity continues to benefit from them even after they’re gone. Work done with passion grants a person immortality.

To bring joy into your life, discover your passion, because without it, life will have no real flavor. There are only two ways to approach either drag yourself through them or use them to fulfill your passion. As Allama Iqbal says, “Dive deep into your inner self to discover the secret of life.” The secret of our life lies within us. Until we search within ourselves, we will not find peace. The destiny of an ordinary person is written on the hands of others, while the destiny of a great person is written on their own hands.

Due to the efforts of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the lives of countless people were changed, for the destiny of the era was written on his hands. Moreover, the destiny of all the worlds is written in the hands of our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), as he is a mercy for all the worlds.

Canclusion

The Treasure Within You

Every person has a treasure within them, and that treasure is the treasure of passion and interest. Whatever a person is interested in, no matter what it may be, they find related knowledge, books, gatherings, friends, environment, and heroes that match that interest. Since interests and passions vary, every individual has different heroes. For a leader, Muhammad Ali Jinnah would be a hero, while for a thinker, Allama Muhammad Iqbal would be the hero. Being inspired by others is a blessing from Allah. Humans are the only creatures that get inspired. No other creature gets inspired by others. Allah has placed the capacity for inspiration within humans, and because of this unique trait, a person seeks out their passion. Just as one recognizes an acquaintance, similarly, when things related to one’s inner passion emerge, a person recognizes them because they know them from within. There may be no greater crime than for someone to live their life without passion. A life without passion is like sleeping on thorns and walking on swords. If passion is intact, no obstacle can hinder a person. Hazrat Sultan Bahoo says, “Everyone seeks to protect their faith, but how many strive to protect their passion?”

FAQs.

1. https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/high-octane-women/201304/the-power-of-passion ↩︎
2. https://hbr.org/2002/04/reawakening-your-passion-for-work ↩︎
3. https://www.ted.com/playlists/667/how_passion_becomes_purpose ↩︎