Zakaria's Welcome.

Heading West

As he packed his bags, and looked at his brothers, sister, father and mother before the long journey, what must have gone through his mind? Charting a course over the continents, on the other side of the world, to an unfamiliar land he would claim and call home, what unknowns did he anticipate? The first in his family to leave them behind, what hopes and fears did he encounter as he headed far from home?

When your grandfather made this trip, he left his home, he took the first steps, as millions other have done, and continue to do, with a purpose to anchor a better life for his family, and the ones that would follow। He left behind a middle class family in the fields and countryside of Gujrat, a father who served in the great war, and brothers who took care of the family। He also left behind his new wife, with two young sons at home. I was very a young boy then, and wasn’t not old enough to understand his absence. My world was my mother, my brother, and my little village. He had a vision for a new future, and with this, we all began a new chapter in our lives. From the East, he headed to America, he headed West.

Two generations later, more than forty years from that time, you are also about to embark on a journey. Your mother and I will take you on this trip. Another chapter has begun. We are again heading West. America’s West.

8:13, Dallas, Texas

Some men know and accept the expected, others struggle with themselves. Your uncle Wasim always knew he would be a father, and welcomed your two beautiful cousins to the world. Your uncle Imran knows that he too, will be a father one day, and his mind rests with this natural arrangement. I struggled, and struggled for a long time. Your mother and I had been married for fourteen years before you came into our life - understand that this was not her struggle, but mine alone. Why? I'm not sure I completely understand myself, I could say many things, but none of them would be relevant now. Also understand that your presence in this world, gives your mother and I, a feeling of over-powering elation, that you will only understand when you welcome your own into this world. This is a cycle, and just as I could not grasp the true power of these defining moments, until experiencing them for myself - you will go through similar circles.

On a windy and cool first day of the month in May, you caught your first breath in downtown Dallas. The moment is permanently painted in my head, etched clearly, like it was only today. You did not cry, eyes wide open - the first minutes more wondrous by your silence and curiosity. You looked at everyone in the room, the doctor, nurses, your grandmother, your mother, and me - no sound, just your silent glances. We were lost in the reverie, not knowing what to expect, a moment of bliss and tenderness.

I stumbled upon reading your welcome prayer, the first words entering your ears, "There is only one God, and Muhammad is his messenger..." I bit off a small piece of date, and placed it into your tiny mouth, your first taste in this world.

The Two Fathers

A pious man said that everyone has two fathers;

The first father brings your soul from the spirit world to this one - I am this one. I am the vessel that was chosen for you to begin your walk through this life. I was designated to be your father, we were bound together before either one of us were born. We will carry this link in this life and beyond. Through laughter and tears, through the hills and valleys - we are joined. Like my father before me, and his before him, and all the generations that came before, I make my intention to be your guide and to be your guardian. I ask the One to give me the strength to do the best job I can. Inshallah.

I will make mistakes, we all falter, but in the end, I hope that I pass on to you what you need, to walk the right path, as my father taught me. I know the duty upon me is great, and I know that in the line of eternity, our time will be short - over in the blink of an eye. I also know that I am a temporary custodian, not to own you, but to simply provide and shelter you, until you spread your wings. I hope that in the end, you will inherit from me all my strengths, and become a better man than me. I hope you will be a beacon of light and lead others to all that is right and good. I do not wish to place any burdens on you, you must decide upon yourself to carry the weight. Live up to the legend of the one that claims your name, Zakaria.

I am the first father, I've brought your soul from the spirit world to this one. The second is the one that elevates your soul from this material world to the spiritual. He is the one that will save your soul, he is the one that my father gave to me, and in time, I will give to you. He's the one that will carry you through the night and day. He's the one, that in the end, when everyone has left you, will be there to hold your hand. He will see you to the other side. He is the first name you heard in this life, and Inshallah, he'll be the last. The final envoy.

Welcome to Your Life

I welcome you to your life, welcome to this precious gift. Welcome to the path ahead of you, to the falls you will take, and the heights you will climb. Welcome to this big beautiful blue planet. Welcome, my son.

This world will not always make sense to you, and there may be times you will lose your way. Your grip may slip, you may lose hope. You may wonder of the sanity and purpose of it all. The poisons may try to spoil your innocence, and it may try to steal your youth, but at the end of each and everyday, remember that the struggle in this world is to always get back up. The fight is not when you are already standing up, it's when you are down. Never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something – not even me.

Remember this. Remember the ones who are not as privileged as you, never forget the innocent and weak. Remember the starving, and feed the hand that reaches for you. Remember your service. Remember your family. Remember your faith, never let go of it, protect it, and don't compromise it. Be tenacious of it. It is the only thing worth fighting for. It is your freedom, and it is your savior. Remember the dawn, morning, day, dusk and night. Remember the East. Remember Him.

There are those who are caught in ticking traps, and those that have claimed victory in a single facet of their life. You should do neither, like all great men before you, be a “man of all seasons”. Don't just be a singular victor, be a leader that can see all around himself, and claim strength from those before you. Be like no one, but follow the shadow of the prophets.

Remember who you are. There are many ill fates in this world, but the worst is to not know who you are. Always remember where you come from, and your ultimate purpose. Remember your service. Remember who you are.

From our union, you've arrived. You are the first son of the first son.

As your mothers love rains down on you, I’m watching you sleep in her embrace। A tear is wiped from my face.

This is my welcome to you.

Welcome to the world.

Welcome to your life.

Welcome, my son.