The wind dances over the dead leaves, its movement a soft caress over their brittle surfaces. The trees stand drenched in the tears of heaven, as if the very sky weeps for the lost memories, the forgotten joys, and the silent sorrows of the earth. The wind moves on, walking past the graves where stories are buried—stories of laughter once shared, and tears now forgotten. It calls from the darkness, a voice buried in agony, while the eerie silence swallows the call of the mystique that once filled these lands.
The aura of malignancy lingers, a heavy presence that rules this domain, as if the very air holds the weight of a thousand untold regrets. The statues that stand in quiet solemnity wear the divine dark, cloaked in shadows that speak of the past. And still, the wind blows. It blows, giving the sensation of suffering and pain, as if it stirs the deep ache of the soul itself.
The wind breathes life into the sadness that lingers, igniting the waiting flames that are now fading in the hearts of those who remain. It dances across the darkened sky, hiding the moon behind a veil of grief. It moves over the trembling graves, whispering its melancholy song to the endless miseries that lie beneath. And so, the wind dances, forever moving over the dead leaves, carrying with it the silent stories of sorrow that will never be told.
I like Hamza Ali Abbasi as a Person, as an Actor, as a Human and for his Academic Alma Mater. We share the same college, GCU Lahore. But this blog post is not about his personal life review that I used to do in my Human Review. I will do one, later on. This post is about the review of his book “My Discovery of God, Islam and Judgement Day“. It has been just launched on 15 Jan 2025.
Some Pre-review Comments
It is a masterclass Book. It grapples with life’s deepest questions and finds answers to pacify the soul. We, and many fellas have been in denial of God. My friend Asad Bajwa once said that whoever tries to search for God, denies Him first to find him after. Hamza Ali Abbasi, in this book, takes us on a deeply personal journey, moving from scepticism to a profound belief in a creator and, ultimately, the truth of Islam. If you have been watching and following him for some years, you might have observed his thirst for seeking truth and some answers.
He has been a prominent person in our society. His presence and his work are remarkable in the showbiz industry. And Now his book is also a good attempt to guide others, who are on the same path of finding God. We also share the same teacher Javed Ahmad Ghamidi. The difference is I have learned from his lectures and books, and Hamza has learned directly from him through some meetings, and I am sure he has also learned from his books Al-Bayan and Al-Meezan.
Book Review
Now, let’s see what we can find in his book. The narrative shines through its authenticity. His search was real and we all noticed it over the years. His retirement from the Showbiz Industry is an example. He as the author courageously shares his transition from atheism to faith. Guided by the teachings of Javed Ahmad Ghamidi and a commitment to reason, the book tells how science, rationality, and humility can coexist. What sets this work apart is its emphasis on critical thinking. It has an unbiased pursuit of truth that can encourage readers to prioritize truth over personalities or dogmatic allegiance.
The book’s exploration of existential themes makes it universally relatable. It explores ideas such as the origin of life, morality, divine accountability, and the afterlife. Then it navigates the complex terrain of religious ideologies across cultures. This way it offers a clear-eyed perspective on the historical verifiability of Islam and its answers to life’s profound questions.
The Quranic Enlightenment
A particularly compelling aspect is the focus on the Quran as a source of enlightenment. I liked it and I endorse it. There is no other 100% true book that can help in this regard. By showcasing its logical coherence and compatibility with modern existential inquiries, he showed us what he found. He underscores the transformative power of the Quranic message and its ability to offer clarity amid life’s uncertainties.
Ethical Discourse
Beyond intellectual discourse, the book also ventures into the practical dimensions of religion. It addresses pressing ethical and social issues with insights grounded in Islamic teachings. The reader is left with a sense of awe at the seamless integration of rationality and spirituality in the Islamic worldview.
This is not merely a book; it’s an invitation to self-reflection and a call to embark on your own journey of discovery. So, whether you’re a sceptic, a believer, or somewhere in between, this work challenges you to ask difficult questions and remain steadfast in your search for truth.
Final Verdict
With its blend of intellectual rigour, heartfelt storytelling, and an unwavering commitment to the pursuit of truth, it is a beacon for anyone moving on the journey of faith and reason. It’s not just a story. It is a guide to igniting your torch of understanding. I highly recommend it for seekers of all stripes.
In this moment of rain, I find my solitude, a quiet space where silence becomes a voice. The first touch of raindrops, an offering to the earth, carries with it a fragrance—a sweet, earthy aroma that fills the air with love and ardour. It’s the scent of the divine, the essence of nature itself, a manifestation of God’s vision. Each droplet is a celebration of life, a drizzle of joy, a burst of freshness that renews all that it touches.
This rain, this serene baptism, carries with it the sacred aroma of frankincense, an ecstasy held captive in the rhythm of each drop. My soul, drenched in its cooling embrace, feels the depths of my imagination stir, as the dark night around me becomes illuminated. There is a brilliance in the darkness, a glow that emanates from deep within—my soul becomes a beacon of light, a symbol of joy in this mystical moment.
The trees around me sway, their branches embracing the rain, as if they too are seduced by its presence. It’s a feeling of freedom, the liberty of being alive and aware, and I find myself completely immersed. This rain washes over me, dissolving my burdens and my sins, playing with the air, sweet and fragrant, gently eroding my sighs and sorrow.
In this moment of erotic prognostication, I am a traveler, guided by the rain to a place beyond the known—a world of bliss, of radiant joy, a sanctuary untouched by the weight of the world. I journey away from the shrines of the earth, into a realm of pure imagination, where joy reigns and the soul finds satisfaction. It is a place of serene renewal, where the rain becomes not just a weather, but a force of liberation—cleansing the past, filling the present with hope, and guiding me towards a future of blissful oblivion.
The irony of speedreading lies in the fact that if you can successfully speedread a book, it often signals that the book may not be worth reading deeply. The best books—the ones that truly resonate, challenge, and inspire—are inherently resistant to speedreading. They demand the reader’s full attention, encouraging pauses for reflection, analysis, and emotional connection. This paradox underscores the limitations of speedreading and highlights the transformative nature of profound literature.
The Nature of Speedreading
Speedreading is built on the premise of moving quickly through text, skimming for key ideas, and minimizing the cognitive effort spent on each word. It works best for material that is straightforward, predictable, or repetitive, such as light fiction, blog posts, or certain nonfiction books designed for quick consumption. However, the very qualities that make a text suitable for speedreading—simplicity, linearity, and lack of complexity—also make it less likely to provide a meaningful or lasting impact.
Surface-Level Engagement: Speedreading prioritizes information retrieval over deep engagement. While this approach is useful for scanning documents or extracting basic facts, it fails to capture the depth and richness of complex works.
Skipping Reflection: The act of speedreading inherently discourages the slow, deliberate thought processes necessary for understanding nuanced arguments or appreciating artistic intricacies.
The Best Books Demand Deliberation
The finest books resist speedreading because they are crafted to engage the reader on multiple levels—intellectual, emotional, and philosophical. Their value lies not in how quickly they can be consumed but in the transformative experience they offer.
Challenging Ideas: Great books often present ideas that disrupt preconceived notions or demand critical thinking. These moments require readers to pause, reread, and wrestle with the text, making speedreading ineffective.
Layered Meaning: Whether it’s the dense prose of James Joyce, the philosophical explorations of Dostoevsky, or the poetic elegance of Toni Morrison, exceptional literature is rich with layers of meaning. Speedreading would miss the subtleties and connections that make these works extraordinary.
Emotional Depth: Memorable books evoke deep emotions—grief, joy, wonder—through carefully constructed narratives and characters. To rush through these moments is to lose their impact and resonance.
Reflection as a Hallmark of Great Reading
The very act of stopping to think while reading is what distinguishes meaningful engagement from mere consumption. The best books act as mirrors, prompting introspection and dialogue within the reader’s mind. They raise questions, challenge beliefs, and inspire new perspectives.
Savoring the Journey: Great books are meant to be savored, not rushed. The process of lingering over a beautifully written sentence or contemplating a profound idea is what makes reading a uniquely enriching experience.
Building Connections: Pausing to think allows readers to connect the text with their own experiences, knowledge, and emotions, deepening their understanding and appreciation of the work.
The Trade-Off of Speedreading
While speedreading promises efficiency, it comes at the cost of depth. The very act of rushing through a book undermines the reflective process that defines meaningful reading. For books with intricate plots, layered characters, or complex arguments, speedreading often results in a superficial grasp of the material, leaving the reader with little more than an outline of the content.
Recognizing the Value of Slow Reading
Slow reading is not a failure of efficiency but a testament to the book’s quality. It signifies that the text has captivated the reader’s attention and demands full engagement. Just as a fine meal is meant to be savored rather than inhaled, great literature is meant to be experienced slowly, allowing time for its flavors to unfold.
The Paradox of Speedreading
The irony of speedreading is clear: if a book can be speedread, it likely lacks the depth or complexity that makes reading truly worthwhile. The best books resist this process because they are designed to provoke thought, inspire reflection, and engage the reader deeply. In the end, the greatest reward of reading is not how quickly one can finish a book but how profoundly it enriches one’s understanding of the world, others, and oneself.
I find myself trapped in the dark web of your black magic. You, the reaper, have made my soul your home, and I am its captive. Every thought of yours has ensnared me, so deeply that I no longer know where I end and you begin. I am unaware of everything, lost to your spell, as if time itself should freeze right here, in this exact moment. The night dies slowly around us, and we—the only two shadows that remain—are tangled in this moment, lost in the chaos you’ve created. I am but a slave to your will, my spirit slipping away as I surrender myself completely to you.
Once again, I am bound by your black magic. It’s as if destiny itself has woven a dark sky above me, one that cloaks the light and stifles my breath. Your voice, cold and commanding, becomes a death knell in the night, the sound of the world fading with each word. The detestation in your eyes burns with a frigid, unrelenting rage that takes over me, suffocating my soul. I can’t escape. I can’t elude. Once again, you conquer me with your power, leaving me helpless in your grasp.
I am the broken crystal in your hands, the delicate piece you manipulate without mercy. A mere pawn on the board of fate, tossed aside, uncertain of where I belong. And yet, I can’t escape you. You, the ventriloquist, control every movement, every breath I take. I am but a hollow puppet, and this is my final act. I say goodbye, even as I feel your presence exiling the last traces of sanity within me. I am condemned to this fate. I am—again—your victim to your black magic
I started my Aquarium hobby when I was a child. We used to go to swim in a nearby canal. In one monsoon season, I don’t know from where fish came in that canal and I picked a few of them, put them in a polyethene bag with some water and took them to my home. Then I kept them in a little plastic bottle of Coke I guess. It started then.
Later on in life, I became an expert in aquarium crafts and my obsessions grew more and more. Long cut short, during all this exploration of hobby, I came to know so many beautiful people like Takashi Amano, The CineScaper and many others. Takashi was the legend in the work. He is no more with us on the planet. But his work is still resonating with the aquariums. I wish to write a biography on him, covering his work.
Today, when I just saw his work has hit 10 years of life even after his death, I think it was a poignant moment to reflect on the enduring legacy of Takashi Amano, He was a visionary who revolutionized the world of aquascaping. He is the one I think, who has redefined our relationship with nature through his art. He is the creator of the Nature Aquarium concept and founder of Aqua Design Amano (ADA). In my opinion, was not only an artist but a dreamer, innovator, and master whose influence continues to shape the world of aquarism.
For those unfamiliar with his work, Amano began his career as an underwater photographer, capturing the hidden beauty of freshwater environments across the globe. His love for these natural landscapes inspired him to recreate their harmony and tranquillity in aquariums. Drawing from traditional Japanese arts like bonsai and suiseki, he perfected the craft of micro-landscapes, blending rocks, plants, and water into breathtaking compositions that mirrored the essence of nature.
Recognizing the limitations of existing aquarium technologies, Amano established ADA to develop innovative tools and products that enabled aquarists worldwide to bring his vision to life. Today, his philosophy has become a cornerstone of modern aquascaping, inspiring countless enthusiasts to create living works of art that celebrate the natural world.
Amano was more than a designer. He was a philosopher who taught us to see beyond the surface. His aquariums weren’t just ecosystems—they were meditations on the interconnectedness of all life, a gentle reminder of our responsibility to protect and cherish nature. His creations spoke to the soul, transforming aquariums into living art that invited reflection and reverence.
On a personal note, Amano has been a profound source of inspiration in my journey. His teachings and philosophy shaped my understanding of aquascaping and kindled a deep appreciation for the beauty of the natural world. His biography, published by ADA, reveals a life driven by passion, perseverance, and an unwavering love for nature.
Through his work, he achieved a rare kind of immortality. His memory lives on in every aquascape that embodies his philosophy, in every person he inspired to see nature as both teacher and muse.
Takashi Amano, though you are no longer with us, your vision endures, etched in the hearts of those who continue to learn from your creations.
The ultimate goal of reading is not merely to memorize information but to apply it effectively in real-world contexts. Memorization, while useful for recalling specific details, often leads to a passive engagement with the material. In contrast, applying what one reads fosters deeper understanding, personal growth, and the ability to effect meaningful change. This shift in focus from retention to application transforms reading from a static activity into a dynamic tool for problem-solving, creativity, and learning.
The Pitfall of Memorization
Memorization is often mistaken for mastery. Readers may feel accomplished when they can recall facts, quotes, or concepts from a text, but this alone does not guarantee comprehension or utility. Memorization has significant limitations:
Superficial Understanding: Rote memorization focuses on surface-level details without necessarily grasping the underlying principles or connections.
Short-Term Retention: Information stored for memorization often fades quickly unless it is revisited or used regularly.
Inaction: Readers may accumulate knowledge without knowing how or when to use it, creating a “knowledge hoarding” effect that lacks practical value.
While some degree of memorization is unavoidable, it should serve as a foundation for deeper engagement rather than an end in itself.
The Power of Application
Applying what one reads transforms knowledge into actionable insights. When readers actively use information, they internalize it more effectively and uncover its relevance to their lives. This process involves several key benefits:
Enhanced Understanding: Application forces readers to engage with ideas on a deeper level, clarifying concepts and highlighting gaps in knowledge.
Retention Through Use: The act of applying information reinforces memory. Concepts that are actively used are more likely to stick than those passively reviewed.
Problem-Solving: Application allows readers to test the usefulness of what they’ve learned in solving real-world problems or improving their skills.
For example, a person reading about productivity techniques will gain more by implementing a time-blocking strategy in their daily routine than by memorizing its definition or theoretical benefits.
Strategies for Moving From Memorization to Application
To prioritize application over memorization, readers can adopt the following strategies:
Set Clear Objectives: Before reading, ask, What do I want to do with this information? Whether it’s improving a skill, solving a problem, or gaining insight, having a goal makes the reading purposeful.
Take Actionable Notes: Instead of summarizing what the author said, write down how you can apply the ideas. For example, replace “The book discusses the importance of active listening” with “Practice active listening by summarizing what the other person says before responding.”
Experiment and Reflect: Test the ideas you encounter. For instance, if a book on health recommends a specific diet, try incorporating it into your meals for a week and reflect on the results.
Teach Others: Explaining concepts to someone else requires you to reframe and apply the information, deepening your understanding and demonstrating its practicality.
Integrate Into Existing Knowledge: Relate new ideas to what you already know or do. Application is easier when it builds on familiar foundations.
Overcoming the Fear of Forgetting
One reason readers focus on memorization is the fear of forgetting. However, this fear can be mitigated by embracing application as the primary method of reinforcement:
Trust in Relevance: Information that is applied often becomes part of one’s natural thinking process, reducing the need for deliberate memorization.
Revisit When Necessary: Knowledge that is genuinely useful will reappear in relevant contexts, prompting rereading or further exploration.
Focus on Principles: Memorizing every detail is less important than grasping core ideas, which are easier to recall and adapt over time.
The Transformative Potential of Application
When readers shift their focus to application, reading becomes a tool for growth rather than a passive activity. It transforms theoretical knowledge into real-world impact, fostering personal and professional development. Whether it’s applying negotiation tactics from a business book, using mindfulness techniques from a self-help guide, or incorporating historical insights into decision-making, application bridges the gap between learning and doing.
Action Over Accumulation
The value of reading lies not in how much you remember but in how much you can use. By focusing on application, readers maximize the utility of their time and effort, turning books into catalysts for action and change. Stop spending time trying to remember what you read; instead, spend time applying it. The true measure of learning is not the accumulation of knowledge but the ability to transform it into meaningful results.
False promises swirl in the air, speaking of fragile moments, the uncertain future ahead. I walk past a hospital room, my eyes drawn to a child lying still, fighting cancer. Will he recover, or will his light flicker out? This dance of life and death is so raw, so cruel—a necromancy of uncertainty that we cannot escape.
People go on, their lives intertwined in the web of fate, walking hand in hand with their loved ones. An old librarian sits on a bench in the park, his eyes heavy with smudged hopes. He waits for someone to lend him a hand, for a connection, a warmth to hold onto. His eyes, worn and tired, are filled with an unspoken longing—for the Christmas carols that once brought him closer to life, to people, to everything he had lost.
Elsewhere, beneath a dim streetlamp, a man writes a letter to his beloved. Tears fall onto the paper, soaking the words in love. His emotions spill out in endless waves, yet doubt lingers—will she ever respond? Will these words ever find their way to her heart?
Children play by the ocean, building sandcastles, oblivious to the tide that will soon wash their creations away. They do not know when the sea will reclaim its land, nor the winds that will either bring a shipwreck or a gentle breeze to carry their dreams forward.
A tree stands tall, its leaves green and proud, unaware of the inevitable change to come. It does not know when the autumn winds will strip its branches, when the birds will leave its shelter, or when termites will weaken its roots, pulling it slowly into the earth. Its beauty, once so certain, is now vulnerable to time.
Feelings of sorrow bloom like an elegy—quiet longing for something lost. A drizzle in the desert, the light of an aurora, the fleeting birth of a star. Rivers carve through valleys, unaware of the paths they’ll follow. The scent of perfume that fades too soon, longing for immortality.
Uncertainty—this force that sweeps across everything—knows no sanity, no order. It erases all, casting its pall over my world once more, clouding my vision and holding me captive in its timeless grip.
Reading book summaries and believing you understand the book is akin to watching a movie trailer and thinking you grasp the entire film. This analogy perfectly captures the illusion of comprehension that comes from consuming condensed versions of larger works. While summaries and trailers provide a glimpse of the main ideas or highlights, they fall short of conveying the depth, nuance, and complexity that define the original work. Let’s unpack why this comparison is so apt and what it reveals about the limitations of relying solely on summaries.
Summaries and Trailers: Highlights Without Depth
Both book summaries and movie trailers serve to distill the essence of a work into a concise, digestible format. They provide a snapshot of the plot, themes, or arguments, but they are inherently reductive:
Loss of Context: Summaries strip away the context in which ideas or events unfold. For example, a book’s key argument may hinge on a gradual buildup of evidence or a nuanced interplay of ideas, which a summary cannot adequately capture.
Simplification of Themes: Complex themes are often boiled down to a single statement or takeaway, erasing the layers of interpretation and ambiguity present in the original.
Focus on Highlights: Just as trailers emphasize dramatic or visually striking moments, summaries highlight main points or memorable quotes, leaving out the subtleties that give a book its richness.
The Illusion of Understanding
Summaries and trailers can create the false impression of understanding because they present a cohesive and polished narrative. However, this understanding is superficial at best:
Shallow Knowledge: Summaries often convey what happened (plot points) or what the book is about (key ideas) but not how or why those events or ideas are significant. This is akin to knowing a movie’s premise without experiencing its storytelling, character development, or emotional resonance.
Absence of Personal Engagement: Reading a book is an active process where readers grapple with the text, question assumptions, and form their own interpretations. Summaries bypass this engagement, leaving little room for intellectual or emotional connection.
Missing the Experience
Books and movies are more than the sum of their parts. Their value often lies in the journey they take the audience on, not just the destination:
Style and Voice: A book’s style, tone, and voice are integral to its impact. For instance, the lyrical prose of a novel or the persuasive rhetoric of a nonfiction book shapes the reader’s experience in ways a summary cannot replicate.
Subtle Details: Great works often contain details—minor characters, subplots, or asides—that enrich the story or argument. These elements are usually omitted in summaries but contribute significantly to the reader’s appreciation of the work.
Emotional Impact: Just as a movie trailer cannot convey the emotional weight of pivotal scenes, a summary cannot recreate the feelings elicited by reading a book in its entirety.
When Summaries Are Useful
This critique does not mean summaries are inherently useless. They have their place, particularly for:
Previewing Content: Summaries can help determine if a book is worth reading in full.
Reinforcing Knowledge: After reading a book, summaries can serve as a helpful refresher to recall key points.
Time Constraints: For those with limited time, summaries can provide a basic understanding, though this should be viewed as a temporary measure rather than a substitute for deep engagement.
Depth Requires Commitment
Reading a book summary and believing you understand the book is a shortcut that sacrifices depth for convenience. It deprives readers of the full intellectual, emotional, and aesthetic experience that the author intended. Just as a movie trailer cannot replace the act of watching the film, a summary cannot substitute for immersing oneself in the richness of a book. To truly understand and appreciate a work, one must invest the time and effort to engage with it fully.
I see a shadow shift into light, a fleeting transformation that captures my soul in its delicate moment. This is a time immersed in loneliness, wrapped in agony, where everything feels distant, as if the world has slipped into oblivion. Is this a moment of meditation, or am I just lost in the tempest within me? Voices surround me, but they are distant, faint echoes. I am here, yet not truly present, adrift in unfathomable surroundings, caught between who I am and what I am becoming.
I feel the clutching grasp of this world, yet I also long to fly free, to escape its grasp. Is this my kingdom of nothingness, or simply a vague, fleeting dream? I am lost in a virtual world, where splendor and beauty dance before my eyes, yet they feel hollow, insubstantial. There are scriptures, unwritten, that only my eyes can read—words, perhaps, that build great monuments of dreams, but they seem empty.
My soul, it flees from this world, retreating into its own hidden corner. It conceals itself, seeking refuge in an elfin world of fragile glass, a place that promises peace but offers only a false calm. This world—so delicate, so unreal—holds no true answers, only the illusion of tranquility.
