I look forward to it brother. We can learn much from each other and pursue some more intellectually stimulating conversations here. We seem to be mostly like-minded people here in this thread.
I need to continue my threads on Ancient Pakistani History from here:
https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/the-sakas-scythians-kushans-hephthalites-white-huns.610977/
I will endeavor to finish it and then move on to Allama Iqbal's ideology, in sha Allah.
Which book did you order brother?
I ordered this one...
The hardcover version, I personally don't like reading on apps as I like the feeling of paper, and turning the pages.
I got soured from some experiences. I can recant some recent ones I have had.
I bought one book "Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World Through Islamic Eye" by Tamim Ansary, which was written by a half Afghan half British author. Halfway through the book, I realized he associated everything positive in the world with Christian Europe and everything negative with Islam. It was such a depressing read, I tossed it away when I was done. I never wanted to see it again.
I bought this book "Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World" by Jack Weatherford. A very interesting book which gives a positive impression of the Mongols and Genghis Khan. However when I reached the part about Islamic empires, fabricated stories, x-rated material, and just condescending attitude spoiled an otherwise good read.
You get the picture. Those are just two recent examples.
This is understandable, and this is usually with their conclusions... My advice is to focus on the facts, don't focus on their point of view.
For example, while reading about the history of Afghanistan, by an english author, he presented the facts, but when it got to Shah Shuja, he presented the facts and then presented his opinions as well and painted him in such a positive view and ignored his sadistic temperament and even ignored writing about his sadistic behaviour simply because (I believe) he was installed by the British as a puppet... I gave his book 3 stars and wrote a detailed review so others could know the facts, in this regard I agree with you... However forget about their point of view, just focus on the facts.
I found myself watching more TV. Dr. Israr Ahmad's lectures have become popular again, so I find myself going back, even though I know many of his lectures by heart now. Dr. Shahid Masood and Orya Maqbool Jan have daily shows discussing news, politics,, and religion. Maulana Tariq Jameel and his Seraiki stories and experiences. Mufti Menk, Zakir Naik, Yasir Qadhi (though careful of his political stuff,) Sheikh Makki al Hijazi.
This is an old favorite of mine.
I encourage that you also check out those from the past, while I do listen to modern scholars, I focus on those who had a good record and listen to their point of view, for example Ibn Taymiyyah, he fought Jihad against the Mongols, he opened a school, and encouraged his students to destroy shops that sold alcohol in Muslim lands, he challenged the scholars of his time and refuted every single one of them, he opened madrassas, and was jailed numerous times for preaching the right path and even died in his jail cell.
The reason as to why I listen to those who have passed is because they have done their time, and their actions speak for themselves, no more can they be influenced by worldly pursuits, and because of that I am more influenced by them than by those who are still here. The issue I have with listening to those who are alive is that they can still be influenced whether for right or for wrong, I listen to them if they quote prophets and and reference the Quran and Hadith, but as far as listening to their opinion, I suspend judgement, until the final decree, which is after they have gone back to Allah... I encourage that you also take this point of view, because we are fallible creatures, should it happen that our leaders who we listen to decide to change their point of view and we are unaware then we will fall into that as well, for that reason I ask that you should consider their point of view, but never fully give into it and go back to the sources, the only one whom I will fully trust while alive would be a Prophet and that would be Isa (AS) if he comes back in our lifetime, never a common man, a common man I will take his side but if I believe he's going the other way, then I will stop giving him my support.
I actually am able to understand enough to watch Iranian movies, even mostly without subtitles.
Learning and studying Allama Iqbal's poetic works has very quickly improved my Dari. In sha Allah, I will go more into it by studying Masnavi and Hafiz.
Shahnameh, yes a famous work, deserves attention as well.
Unfortunately we Afghans don't have that many movies or Islamic shows as we don't yet have the means to make those, but InshAllah we will be, and the current ones are full of propaganda, so yes Iranian tv shows like Hazrat Yusuf would be good, and when your Dari fully improves, you can read Maulvi Jalaludin, he's by far the hardest to understand of all of them, even I can't understand his writings.
... But you don't have to necessarily read books, just short PDF essays would also suffice.
