Pop Idols

Ah yes, a post about Idols.
I don’t do TV much, but watched a brief clip of Idols auditions this evening.
Imagine everyone had a small window of opportunity to explore the possibility of achieving their dreams rapidly. The Quran says in Surah Layl : “Verily the ends you strive for are diverse”.

So everyone has a different ambition (drrream) they hope they could achieve. Well not everyone but at some point or the other, most do. Imagine giving them a chance to fast track their way to achieving it. Just the mere possibility of achieving it, let alone fast-tracking it, is just an awesome concept. That’s what Idols does. It opens that possibility. Sure some people just borrow the popstar dream because it seems like a quick way to success, any success, but a lot of those contestants seem fervent about it.
(quick note, I KNOW that the point of a dream or ambition is the pursuit, and without the pursuit, the achievement is empty, victory without struggle is empty).

Imagine a contest where people could all line up for their dream, and have a 30 second slot to prove their worthiness, people who want to be master scholars, great lawyers, amazing writers,professional golfers, wonderful care givers, entrepreneurs…(theres a show in the UK called Dragons Den, that does the same as Idols for entrepreneurs) given a quick shot at the chance of getting there, sooner.
(repeat:quick note, I KNOW that the point of a dream or ambition is the pursuit, and without the pursuit, the achievement is empty, victory without struggle is empty).

To have an aim, an aspiration and not to be able to reach it is soooo very very sad and potentially shattering. But its far worse to have a gaping vaccuum of no aspiration.

On a spiritual note, I read from a scholar who said that whats so very sad is that most people don’t even aspire to closeness with their Creator. He said not to eeeeveeeen ASPIRE is tragedy. The pursuit of that is long, tough, but not to even be at the base point of aspiration is tragic. It resonated…

For those without an aspiration:

Surah Layl
1. By the Night as it conceals (the light);
2. By the Day as it appears in glory;
3. By (the mystery of) the creation of male and female —
4. Verily, (the ends) ye strive for are diverse.
5. So he who gives (in charity) and fears (Allah),
6. And (in all sincerity) testifies to the Best —
7. We will indeed make smooth for him the path to Bliss.
8. But he who is a greedy miser and thinks himself self-sufficient.
9. And gives the lie to the Best —
10. We will indeed make smooth for him the Path to Misery;
11. Nor will his wealth profit him when he falls headlong (into the Pit).
12. Verily We take upon Ourselves to guide.
13. And verily unto Us (belong) the End and the Beginning.
14. Therefore do I warn you of a Fire blazing fiercely;
15. None shall reach it but those most unfortunate ones
16. Who give the lie to Truth and turn their backs.
17. But those most devoted to Allah shall be removed far from it —
18. Those who spend their wealth for increase in self-purification,
19. And have in their minds no favor from anyone for which a reward is expected in return,
20. But only the desire to seek for the countenance of their Lord Most High.
21. And soon will they attain (complete) satisfaction.