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Preface

In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.

The life of every person is a great test and a great opportunity given to overcome that test. Sometimes we fail to value life, getting caught up in the daily grind, and forget our true purpose. In reality, every sunrise and every sunset is a new opportunity, a new beginning given to us. Making the most of that opportunity, acting with a clean heart and sincere intention, is the path that leads to true happiness.

Lately, I have decided to share the work I’ve been writing in my notebook, the thoughts that came from my heart, and the lessons I have learned from life. Every word is the result of my own search, the fruit of my own mistakes and victories. If it prompts thought in the reader, if it inspires — my goal is fulfilled. If not — my dream is fulfilled…

Human life is like a ship on the Caspian Sea. Each of us has a destination, a harbor to reach, a goal set ahead. Perhaps we miss our homeland or dream of leaving our homeland, meaning: for achievement and peace. But on that journey, various storms and sudden winds — the difficulties of life — await us. Sometimes, it seems that the storm is about to capsize us, with the current pushing against us and backward. But truly, the storm itself cannot stop us. How we accept it and how we use it is in our own hands. And that knowledge is in this very book!

«I have heard from experienced sailors, who were taught by the sea itself, that sometimes a storm significantly changes their course. It seems we have confirmation of that today. Yes, old sailors know what they are talking about. A true

triumph of experience over outdated knowledge from backward textbooks.»

A Caspian ship captain only moves forward when they turn the sail towards the wind, not against the storm. If a test comes upon us, if we are patient and view the difficulty not as an enemy but turn it into experience and new opportunities, we will reach our goal. Every obstacle in life teaches us something! Therefore, learn a lesson from every storm in life! Because: life is the best teacher! And if you learn correctly, be the best student!

That is why we should not be afraid of the storms in life. Only the one who learns to control them truly becomes the captain of the Caspian ship.

Making life meaningful is in the hands of each person. Good thoughts, right intentions, and persistent action — everything begins and continues from this. What makes us human is the struggle for life. Our desires will never end! We become happy only by overcoming the beast within! The highlighted phrases (in blue) and my poems in this book are entrusted to the readers!

The First Word of Admonition (Life Purpose)

Life is a great blessing given to every person! Its time is limited, extremely short. We do not even know when it will end. Perhaps one of Allah Almighty’s favors is that we do not know the exact end of our life. If we knew it, then every moment of our life would lose its meaning.

Coming into life and living as a true human being is in our own hands. Every step you take begins with your intention. In truth, a pure heart remaining unstained and unwavering is

not because a trial has come from someone else, but because accepting that trial is a matter of our own free will.

How do we accept it? That is the question! If patience is not deeply rooted within us, we would not be able to accept any trial in life.

Allah Almighty did not command us to be patient and thankful in vain! This too is a good sign: that a person’s fortune will not abandon his path, and that his forehead will never leave the ground in prostration. It is the harbinger of goodness.

Man is a guest of this transient world: he grows, withers, and is reabsorbed back into the earth. Only the good deed that will never fade and will accompany you forever is the one that remains with you; everything else, sooner or later, will be forgotten. Only your deeds will not be erased in the sight of Allah Almighty.

Life is short; you will see how we waste our lives in vain on sleep and pointless idle activities! Life is given only once, so why not spend it on beneficial deeds? Time spent in the path of Allah never goes to waste!

The Second Word of Admonition (Understanding)

In this wonderful world, everyone wants to achieve great success, yet no one wants to take action. People are lazy and don’t want to do anything, living without realizing that this attitude will not lead to any good. Even though they know this, they refuse to act; they talk about it, but they themselves don’t do it. Isn’t it a deed that brings no benefit even to oneself, let alone to others?

Indeed, postponing the good deed you have planned until

tomorrow is the act of an ignorant person. It is also the deed of someone who never even starts, who, after stumbling, does not get up — a person with quantity but no quality!

If someone carries out his task to the end and is pleased with his accomplishment, but then looks down on those beneath him, arrogantly laughing at them, even that righteous deed he performed will bring him no benefit in the Hereafter.

Therefore, let every action you perform be for the pleasure of Allah! If it is for Allah’s pleasure, your deeds will inevitably move forward, benefiting not only you but others as well, and sooner or later the goal or dream to which you have committed yourself will be fulfilled. Just sincerely want it, take action, and ask Allah for it.

The Third Word of Admonition (Obey)

When virtuous people share what they have seen and learned as a lesson, he even gets angry at being given advice, saying «I am not at the level to ask advice from anyone,» and then he adds «The advice you give is beneath my feet!» I have seen this myself — what kind of words are these? Isn’t it the act of an ignorant person to refuse to try to know what he doesn’t know? If someone lays goodness at his feet, will not some good people rest their heads upon it? And if he places goodness underfoot and rests evil on his head, no one would say that he will become a good, prominent person in the future.

If someone tries to advise you,

You cover your ears;

Thus, you fail to grasp humanity!

If you do not go when told «go»,

And do not stop when told «stop»,

And when a stick hits your head,

Even if you repent a thousand times,

Will that opportunity ever return?

Knowing that you are wrong, yet lying to yourself to defend yourself,

Therefore, in both lives

You will find no honor!

It is fine to absorb wisdom into yourself and not to give advice to someone below you if he does not ask; but it is also a great art to take the words of good people as a lesson. Even if a good person is a hero, strive not to become him but to surpass him! Do not consider yourself superior to the wicked; learn from stumbling! Learn from another’s fall! You cannot be perfect, but by being sincere you can strive for perfection.

Giving you advice does not mean I am wiser than you. It shows I have done more foolish things than you; it demonstrates the wisdom of the Kazakh people!

The Fourth Word of Admonition (Be Worthy)

Don’t ask for respect; do something that deserves it! You don’t give anyone true respect without a good reason — unless it’s for reward — so why should others show you respect?

Don’t plead for love; make yourself lovable! We all want the partner of our dreams, but what kind of person does the one in your dreams want? Let’s be honest. Would you trust your daughter to a boy like you? Would you allow your son to marry a girl like you?

One day I overwatered a flower and killed it. A person’s soul is just as beautiful as a flower! In life, many things must be moderate — neither too much nor too little — otherwise they will wither and pull everything else into a black hole.

If you want to better your friend or find a good friend, start by improving yourself: begin praying in a mosque! In other words, find a good circle and grow together.

If you want to receive, learn to give! A person who knows how to give never loses. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes and ask: What would you do?

The folk saying «Rather than seeking a cure when you’re sick, look for a way not to get sick» was not spoken in vain.

If you want to become a better person, start with yourself! Don’t put off your dreams until tomorrow; act on them right now. Otherwise, everything will be too late. No matter how much you read or listen, why don’t you take action? Is it really that hard to do it for yourself — for the respect of your people, your honor, your parents’ approval, a good life, a loyal and faithful spouse, a happy life?

«Strike the iron while it’s hot,» my Kazakh grandfather used to say. It’s best to do the task at hand right away; if you don’t, it will all be too late, and tomorrow won’t be as valuable as today. If you don’t do it today, tomorrow it will be twice as hard, the next day three times as hard, and so on. You’ll end up running right into what you’re trying to escape. Don’t

leave for tomorrow what you can do today.

Be worthy of what you demand! Don’t criticize othe