Hammad Safi (born in 2007) is a motivational speaker, columnist, and blogger from Peshawar, Pakistan. He records motivational videos and lectures, which he uploads on Facebook and YouTube. He has represented Pakistan on various platforms.
He is a student at the University of Spoken English and Computer Sciences in Peshawar, where he also gives lectures. He is Pakistan’s youngest professor.
Hammad took university classes in parallel with his primary school education. He spoke to hibakidz in an exclusive interview.
Was your childhood different from that of other kids?
I was an ordinary kid till eight years of age. It was because of my parents’ Dua that I got extraordinary teachers who told me to care for my time, achieve the impossible and work for the greater cause. My teacher gave me Allama Iqbal’s books that impressed me a lot, and I started working hard. The only thing that made my childhood different from other kids was that I used to be very inquisitive and asked a lot of questions, which my father answered with patience.
Did you always want to become a motivational speaker, or did you develop this skill of public speaking?
I developed the skill of public speaking. I observed that there were numerous problems in our society and country. Alhamdulillah, I have reached the TedEd platform and now I am an inspirational speaker – you can hear people say that: “If an eleven-year-old kid can do it, then why can’t I?”
What is the role of your parents in your success?
Sacrifice, Dua and support. I am the youngest and the apple of my parents’ eyes. Sometimes I cannot see them for weeks and even months, but they have sacrificed and supported me throughout. I owe my parents big time.
All kids love to play – do you get time for it? What wishes did you have to sacrifice for reaching this position?
I like to play too, because I also learn while playing. Whenever I looked at the problems of our society, I wanted to solve them. I read about our rich history of 90 years of British Raj and 130 years of struggle, which is all forgotten by our youth today. This inspired me to become an element of change.
Where do you get your knowledge from – books or some other source?
My sources of knowledge are books, teachers, the Internet and the surrounding environment.
What advice would you give to parents?
Let your children play, because most kids learn creativity through play and create something unique while having fun at the same time.
I am also inspired by hibakidz magazine. I’ve read it thoroughly and found it to be good source of motivation for the kids.
Who are your heroes?
My first hero is our beloved Prophet Muhammad (sa). My second hero is Allama Iqbal. My third heroes are my parents and teachers.
Which books would you suggest that kids read?
I’ve read mostly Iqbal’s books, but I cannot suggest them for kids, because to understand Iqbal you need the understanding like that of Iqbal’s. My teachers guided me to understand Iqbal’s vision. I would like to suggest Hiba’s books for our youth to read.
Can you name any three things you feel that kids of your age should do?
- Learn to sacrifice.
- Manage your time.
- Work hard.
Don’t be bound by age limits, because age does not limit your achievements. Old people like colonel made KFC at the age of sixty. At the age of ten, a boy has made himself into a motivational speaker reaching out to Tayyip Erdoğan (Turkey’s president) and Chinese president. Everything is possible.
What is your favorite food?
French fries.
From all the places you have visited, which is your favorite spot?
Swat Valley, which is also called the Switzerland of Pakistan. I also liked visiting Karachi and Lahore. Turkey is my favorite country because I follow Tayyip Erdoğan as an inspirational leader and Istanbul is a beautiful city.
What are your plans for your future?
I want to become a leader in the future, so that I can lead this country and reconnect the 1400 years of our glorious history, which the British have disconnected from us. I want to unite all Muslims and give them a prominent direction. I want to dig out all the diamonds of our youth hiding in our country and polish them for the whole world to see. I want to correct the twisted picture of Pakistan and Pakistanis, so the whole world can see us as a nation of heroes.
We pray that Hammad Safi rises like a glorious star, guiding his peers on the way. Ameen.