captain jack sparrow: if you are waiting for an opportune moment then that was it.
what is the use of collecting emails when you will not be coming back to it. 2 GB corresponds to 6-7 years of email that is ever worthy of storing. And after 1 year u do not go back to the last year's email. then why the storage?
We are like a collection magnate, that sits collecting photographs. Collecting photos is the same.
If you want to appreciate your cooking then, dont eat until dinner, when you are really hungry.
Earned my first ribbon for the best speech last week. Finally after three attempts, I have a ribbon to show. Guess i need to be an effective evaluator and win a few more ribbons here and there :)
5/26/2005
4/19/2005
Mea culpa mea copy a thoughtful article
The Young, Single, and the Restless
AssalamuAlaikum,
I am pleased to announce on this blessed Jumaah of DhulHijjah that I am officially engaged and will be uttering my final syllables of marriage acceptance in early Safar InshaAllah. I thank all of you who have tolerated me and who have continued to keep me in your generous duas despite my undeservedness of them.
Now that that is formally announced, enough formalities.
I, like many Muslims (and humans in general), looooooooovvvveee talking about stuff I don’t know with 100% certainty and that I haven’t experienced in all their dimensions. I mean c’mon, really, I am neither an expert on ‘Human Understanding’ nor one on Despair. As best I know, I have yet to be declared the authority on weddings at Wayne Manor. As nice as human words may sound, there is ALWAYS room for error and inaccuracy.
That is why
*today*
amidst my rambling/conjecturing about things I only know a ‘little’ about, I will talk about something that Mu’imins believe and know of not only through the light of Scripture, but also from all of their heart and experience as well. Something that we all know, but often forget with the jump of a heartbeat.
And that, dear brothers and sisters, is the beauty and mercy of tawakkul.
We don’t deserve it my Hidayans, we just don’t deserve it…
I have been receiving proposals from the age of 14 (though my family and I weren’t actively considering them till 19) and I am going to share with you what I have learned from those years of routine and tiring considerations (aside from how to appear politely interested by nodding my head and raising my eyebrows at the right junctures in the conversation). My message to all the unmarried folk (myself included since technically I am not married) who are in the consideration process:
"And keep your soul content with those who call on their Lord morning and evening, seeking His Face; and let not your eyes pass beyond them, seeking the pomp and glitter of this life; nor obey any whose heart We have permitted to neglect the remembrance of Us, one who follows his own desires, whose case has gone beyond all bounds." (Surah Kahf : 28)
Look. We are all Hidayans here. We all have similar marriage standards. I know you are all looking for that person who will help you improve in your deen InshaAllah. Someone whose presence and practice will inspire taqwa and reflection in you. I know that you will give that the most priority when considering prospects InshaAllah. I know how it is. I know how at one point you just get ‘tired’ of waiting. You get ‘tired’ of being the last single man standing in your group of friends. You get ‘tired’ of having aunties, uncles, cousins, and friends ask you when you plan to get married. ‘Tired’ of considering one barely-motivated proposal—that wants to dig its claws into you and pull you ever closer to the Duniya—after another…
…Unfortunately, it is at this point that most people lower their marriage standards. They figure “ok, the root problem behind my having trouble finding the ‘mashaAllah’ spouse that I desire isn’t that those kinds of people are rare these days (…as they have always been...like the gems that they are) or that my duniya standards are too high (Tyra Banks still isn’t Muslim? Damn. Its ok, I’ll wait.). The problem is that I am asking for too much by desiring to marry someone who is on top of his or her deen. One shouldn’t expect so much from a prospect. I am not perfect either.”
Alarm bells should have gone off in your head when you read that.
Please brothers and sisters, please please, for the sake of the future of this Ummah, please don’t EVER EVER lower your Islamic standards. Please, really, I beg of you. The reasons for why I say this should come intuitively to most of you, but for the brothers and sisters who would like to know why we shouldn’t lower our Islamic standards (uhh duuuhhh) its cuz you don’t want to be held responsible on the Day of Judgment for ‘knowingly’ choosing a spouse who you felt would not be able to provide an Islamic environment for you or your children. Notice that I said ‘knowingly’. What is important here is your intention and effort. Then if, after you have tried your best, Allah (Glorious and Exalted) wishes to try you, then those are your cards. Play them wisely with sabr without neglecting your shukr. But to go back to the issue of choosing wisely, imagine standing before the Highest of Courts on that Final Hour and being told that the reason your children and grandchildren are going to hell is because they never received the Islamic environment/training from their parents that was their right. And the reason that didn’t happen is because you lowered your standards and just married the prettiest thing that was willing to marry you.
“Oh habeebti, I love you because you are the most beautiful girl that was willing to marry me and make her body available to me after marriage. I couldn’t have gotten better than you.”
“Oh habeebi, you are dear to me because you were the most well paid of the guys that wanted to marry me and pay my bills. I couldn’t have gotten better than you.”
Also, we have gone over the marriage supply-demand theory repeatedly on this site. Now I am not an economist, but it seems to be a pretty cut and dry concept. The supply will correspond to the demand. The more people demand a certain kind of religious individual, the more society will become accepting of that kind of person and will try to produce it with its resources. It’s GOOD to want what is good. Not only are you allowed to want it, but you are encouraged to in our deen. It helps society at large. And don’t worry, because the supply corresponds to the demand, this means that if you demand it then the odds are that there is someone allotted for you that will supply your demand. In marriage, as in other things, supply and demand seem to have a positive correlation with one another. One goes up, the other goes up. One goes down, the other goes down.
Abu al-'Abbas 'Abdullah bin 'Abbas reported: I was behind the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam) when he said, "O young man, I will teach you some words (of wisdom). Keep Allah in mind, He will preserve you. Keep Allah in mind, you will find Him in front of you. If you (have need to) ask, ask of Allah. And if you must seek help, seek help from Allah.¹ Know that even if the (whole) community is united to (do something to) benefit you in any matter, they would not benefit you in ought save what Allah has written for you, and even if they were united to harm you in any matter they would not harm you in ought save what Allah has already written for you. The pens had been lifted and the pages were dry." (Tirmidhi and Musnan Ahmad)
And please, do you all really buy the “I am not the best Muslim so I shouldn’t try to marry someone better than me” excuse? Who do you want to marry? Someone who is worse than you so that the two of you can watch your Iman and Islam erode in each other’s company?! Seriously, we are SUPPOSED to try to marry someone who is better than us and whom we can learn a thing or two from. The reasoning could be something like this (Don’t mix up the steps. This is one of many threads of reasoning that may be applicable):
1. I need to marry someone more practicing than me for the sake of my religion.
2. Hmm…but the kind of spouse I want probably wouldn’t be interested in a loser like me. What kind of person would he/she want?
3. Wow. Now that I think about it, when I compare my expectations of what a good Muslim should be to what I myself am, I fall disgustingly short. I AM a dirtbag! This is gross.
4. Ya Allah, forgive me for being this disgustingly heedless of Your Pleasure and Command and bring me out of my jahilliyah. Help me become that which You are pleased with. InshaAllah and Amin.
5. Oh wait…but Allah wants ikhlaas (sincerity) from me and a pure intention. I have to want to be good for His sake alone. He deserves my intentions more than anyone else does. Forget marriage. I have bigger problems to work on. …Like myself.
6. Must work on my relationship with Him. Must build ikhlaas. Must work on my relationship with Him. Must build ikhlaas. Must work on my relationship with Him. Must build ikhlaas. Must work on my relationship with Him. Must build ikhlaas. Must work on my relationship with Him.
7. Huh? That religious person just proposed to me. What in the hell do they see in me? Oh well, Allah knows what is best for my deen and duniya. Let me do istikhaarah and see what happens.
OR
Perhaps I should get married for His sake so that I can fulfill the Sunnah of the beloved Rasool (May Allah bless him and give him peace) and benefit my deen. He/she is known to be of good character/deen. Let me do an istikhaarah and see if it is willed for me to move forward with this.
8. Look at that, its positive. (If negative, don’t continue to 9. Go back two steps.)
9. “I will. I will. I will.”
10. I never deserved someone as amazing as this. Thank you Allah for delivering him/her to me and for taking care of me.
The key words in that last sentence are…
TAKING…
CARE…
OF…
ME…
That’s right. YOU have someone taking care of you and all the minute itty-bitty factors in your life that you, with your big ole head and ego, don’t even recognize to exist. There is someone there monitoring every organelle that lies within your body. Someone who is making sure everything in your environment is perfect to sustain life. Someone who is making sure people don’t hate you. Someone who is making sure that life doesn’t crush you. Someone who is shielding you from the harshness of this Duniya, from the tragedies and blows that try people. Someone who’s Mercy is protecting you from the trials that you cannot bear. You just need to hold on to your faith, fulfill your obligations, and work towards the khair and, InshaAllah, He will provide you with what is Best for you in EVERY way.
And (moreover) He hath put affection between their hearts: not if thou hadst spent all that is in the earth, couldst thou have produced that affection, but God hath done it: for He is Exalted in might, Wise. (Quran: 8:63)
The Prophet Muhammad (upon him be blessings and peace) said,
“The hearts are in the fingers of the Merciful One, He turns them as He wishes.” (Muslim and Ahmad)
Have tawakkul that you will be taken care of by the One in Whose Hands all lies. You will seriously see all the pieces coming together when the time comes. All the forces in the universe will converge to give you that wonderful spouse who both you and your family are happy with. Yes, you read correctly, whom your FAMILY is happy with as well. Believe me, miracles happen and hearts are in the Hands of Allah, Glorious and Exalted. No one can dislike the person He chooses for you if He decides for them to like him. You don’t HAVE to marry someone against your parents' will in order to get the type of person you want. Just have tawakkul and show your parents the kindness that Allah and His Rasool COMMAND you to show them. Take care of their rights over you. You will see. You will be well taken care of by Allah. People who marry against their parents wishes have no idea what happiness one experiences when one sees one's family happy and excited about a person who also meets one's own preferences. You can’t help but be happy when you see your loved ones beaming with smiles. You CAN HAVE that. Really, you CAN.
“Ya Muqallib al-Quloob, thabbit quloobanaa ‘alaa deenik"
"O Controller of the hearts, make our hearts steadfast upon Your religion"
Make dua to be increased and strengthened in your deen and 'work' towards this end. Then ask with sincerity of intention for someone with deen and you will find that He will provide you with someone that has deen along with EVERYTHING else that is to be desired in a spouse. You will never see it coming. It will just hit you one day and you will fall to the ground in sujood and weep out of realization of your not having deserved His generosity and Loving Care. We don’t deserve a single moment of happiness; we are not worthy of it. Beyond the debt and responsibilities of slave hood that come with existence, the fact that he orchestrates all the factors and forces in the universe so that you can have a moment of happiness is enough to leave us forever in debt to Him. That’s just for ‘one’ moment of happiness…and He gives us so many. It’s amazing! Not one of us actually deserves the happiness He gives us. And it makes me feel relieved that we are all taken care of despite our undeservedness of His Care. So AMAZING is His Mercy and Kindness upon His creation. Alhamdulillah wa SubhanAllah.
THAT is why we call upon Him using His phenomenal qualities and not our own works.
We suck.
It’s that simple.
We suck.
So all we can say to Him is “Ya Rabb, I have nothing to place before You save my own helplessness. There is nothing that I own or that I have produced. I call upon You, asking You for madad and guidance, based on what YOU ARE. Based on Your Nature. YOU are the Merciful and Most Forgiving. So take care of me, my Rabb, based on these qualities for I have nowhere else to turn and no one else to ask. You did not create another caretaker and You are my only hope for nourishment.”
We truly have a Beautiful Creator whose qualities, if reflected upon, leave one helplessly in love with His entity. How can one NOT love Someone who takes this much concern in the well-being and happiness of his undeserving rebellious useless slaves? How can one not want to please such an entity?
On the authority of Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Allah the Almighty said: I am as My servant thinks I am. I am with him when he makes mention of Me. If he makes mention of Me to himself, I make mention of him to Myself; and if he makes mention of Me in an assembly, I make mention of him in an assembly better than it. And if he draws near to Me an arm's length, I draw near to him a fathom's length. And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him at speed."
(Buhkari, Muslim, at-Tirmidhi and Ibn-Majah).
[Another possible rendering of the Arabic is: "I am as My servant expects Me to be". The meaning is that forgiveness and acceptance of repentance by the Almighty is subject to His servant truly believing that He is forgiving and merciful. However, not to accompany such belief with right action would be to mock the Almighty.]
La hawla wa la qoowata illah billah.
Never ever lose tawakkul. He is to us as we think Him to be. Have good opinion of Him and you will find yourself taken care of better than you could have ever imagined or taken care of yourself InshaAllah. NO ONE deserves your good opinion more than He does. NO ONE deserves your benefit of the doubt more than He does. Submit your trust to Him and you will find blessings coming from the ghaib that you could have never foreseen. We really need to believe with every last bit of our soul that He can take care of us far better than we can take care of ourselves. We need to put down all this baggage and learn how to surrender our trust. That is often the last and hardest things to surrender. But its taste is also the sweetest.
Let us die with that taste in our mouth.
InshaAllah and Amin.
“And whosoever keeps his duty to Allah, Allah will appoint a way out for him, and will provide for him from (a quarter) whence he has no expectation.
And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, He will suffice him.
Lo! Allah brings His command to pass. Allah has set a measure for all things.”
(Qur’an 65:2)
Your sister who prays she is not punished for her audacity to write such a piece when those more qualified to speak are present,
J
WasalaamuAlaikum.
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* 'Umar [ibn al-Khattab] (may Allah be well pleased with him) used to quote these two verses [of Arabic poetry] as an instructive example:
Go easy on yourself, for the outcome of all affairs is determined by God's decree.
If something is meant to go elsewhere, it will never come your way, but if it is yours by destiny, from you it cannot flee.
* "And God doth advance in guidance those who seek guidance: and the things that endure, Good Deeds, are best in the sight of thy Lord, as rewards, and best in respect of (their) eventual return." (Surah Maryam, 76)
* “The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, though there is good in both. Be avid for that which benefits you. Rely on Allah and do not deem yourself incapable…” [Muslim, Ibn Majah, and Ahmad]
*~,~*~,~*~,~*~,~*~,~*~,~*~,~*~,~*~,~*~,~*~,~*~,~*~,~*~
AssalamuAlaikum,
I am pleased to announce on this blessed Jumaah of DhulHijjah that I am officially engaged and will be uttering my final syllables of marriage acceptance in early Safar InshaAllah. I thank all of you who have tolerated me and who have continued to keep me in your generous duas despite my undeservedness of them.
Now that that is formally announced, enough formalities.
I, like many Muslims (and humans in general), looooooooovvvveee talking about stuff I don’t know with 100% certainty and that I haven’t experienced in all their dimensions. I mean c’mon, really, I am neither an expert on ‘Human Understanding’ nor one on Despair. As best I know, I have yet to be declared the authority on weddings at Wayne Manor. As nice as human words may sound, there is ALWAYS room for error and inaccuracy.
That is why
*today*
amidst my rambling/conjecturing about things I only know a ‘little’ about, I will talk about something that Mu’imins believe and know of not only through the light of Scripture, but also from all of their heart and experience as well. Something that we all know, but often forget with the jump of a heartbeat.
And that, dear brothers and sisters, is the beauty and mercy of tawakkul.
We don’t deserve it my Hidayans, we just don’t deserve it…
I have been receiving proposals from the age of 14 (though my family and I weren’t actively considering them till 19) and I am going to share with you what I have learned from those years of routine and tiring considerations (aside from how to appear politely interested by nodding my head and raising my eyebrows at the right junctures in the conversation). My message to all the unmarried folk (myself included since technically I am not married) who are in the consideration process:
"And keep your soul content with those who call on their Lord morning and evening, seeking His Face; and let not your eyes pass beyond them, seeking the pomp and glitter of this life; nor obey any whose heart We have permitted to neglect the remembrance of Us, one who follows his own desires, whose case has gone beyond all bounds." (Surah Kahf : 28)
Look. We are all Hidayans here. We all have similar marriage standards. I know you are all looking for that person who will help you improve in your deen InshaAllah. Someone whose presence and practice will inspire taqwa and reflection in you. I know that you will give that the most priority when considering prospects InshaAllah. I know how it is. I know how at one point you just get ‘tired’ of waiting. You get ‘tired’ of being the last single man standing in your group of friends. You get ‘tired’ of having aunties, uncles, cousins, and friends ask you when you plan to get married. ‘Tired’ of considering one barely-motivated proposal—that wants to dig its claws into you and pull you ever closer to the Duniya—after another…
…Unfortunately, it is at this point that most people lower their marriage standards. They figure “ok, the root problem behind my having trouble finding the ‘mashaAllah’ spouse that I desire isn’t that those kinds of people are rare these days (…as they have always been...like the gems that they are) or that my duniya standards are too high (Tyra Banks still isn’t Muslim? Damn. Its ok, I’ll wait.). The problem is that I am asking for too much by desiring to marry someone who is on top of his or her deen. One shouldn’t expect so much from a prospect. I am not perfect either.”
Alarm bells should have gone off in your head when you read that.
Please brothers and sisters, please please, for the sake of the future of this Ummah, please don’t EVER EVER lower your Islamic standards. Please, really, I beg of you. The reasons for why I say this should come intuitively to most of you, but for the brothers and sisters who would like to know why we shouldn’t lower our Islamic standards (uhh duuuhhh) its cuz you don’t want to be held responsible on the Day of Judgment for ‘knowingly’ choosing a spouse who you felt would not be able to provide an Islamic environment for you or your children. Notice that I said ‘knowingly’. What is important here is your intention and effort. Then if, after you have tried your best, Allah (Glorious and Exalted) wishes to try you, then those are your cards. Play them wisely with sabr without neglecting your shukr. But to go back to the issue of choosing wisely, imagine standing before the Highest of Courts on that Final Hour and being told that the reason your children and grandchildren are going to hell is because they never received the Islamic environment/training from their parents that was their right. And the reason that didn’t happen is because you lowered your standards and just married the prettiest thing that was willing to marry you.
“Oh habeebti, I love you because you are the most beautiful girl that was willing to marry me and make her body available to me after marriage. I couldn’t have gotten better than you.”
“Oh habeebi, you are dear to me because you were the most well paid of the guys that wanted to marry me and pay my bills. I couldn’t have gotten better than you.”
Also, we have gone over the marriage supply-demand theory repeatedly on this site. Now I am not an economist, but it seems to be a pretty cut and dry concept. The supply will correspond to the demand. The more people demand a certain kind of religious individual, the more society will become accepting of that kind of person and will try to produce it with its resources. It’s GOOD to want what is good. Not only are you allowed to want it, but you are encouraged to in our deen. It helps society at large. And don’t worry, because the supply corresponds to the demand, this means that if you demand it then the odds are that there is someone allotted for you that will supply your demand. In marriage, as in other things, supply and demand seem to have a positive correlation with one another. One goes up, the other goes up. One goes down, the other goes down.
Abu al-'Abbas 'Abdullah bin 'Abbas reported: I was behind the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam) when he said, "O young man, I will teach you some words (of wisdom). Keep Allah in mind, He will preserve you. Keep Allah in mind, you will find Him in front of you. If you (have need to) ask, ask of Allah. And if you must seek help, seek help from Allah.¹ Know that even if the (whole) community is united to (do something to) benefit you in any matter, they would not benefit you in ought save what Allah has written for you, and even if they were united to harm you in any matter they would not harm you in ought save what Allah has already written for you. The pens had been lifted and the pages were dry." (Tirmidhi and Musnan Ahmad)
And please, do you all really buy the “I am not the best Muslim so I shouldn’t try to marry someone better than me” excuse? Who do you want to marry? Someone who is worse than you so that the two of you can watch your Iman and Islam erode in each other’s company?! Seriously, we are SUPPOSED to try to marry someone who is better than us and whom we can learn a thing or two from. The reasoning could be something like this (Don’t mix up the steps. This is one of many threads of reasoning that may be applicable):
1. I need to marry someone more practicing than me for the sake of my religion.
2. Hmm…but the kind of spouse I want probably wouldn’t be interested in a loser like me. What kind of person would he/she want?
3. Wow. Now that I think about it, when I compare my expectations of what a good Muslim should be to what I myself am, I fall disgustingly short. I AM a dirtbag! This is gross.
4. Ya Allah, forgive me for being this disgustingly heedless of Your Pleasure and Command and bring me out of my jahilliyah. Help me become that which You are pleased with. InshaAllah and Amin.
5. Oh wait…but Allah wants ikhlaas (sincerity) from me and a pure intention. I have to want to be good for His sake alone. He deserves my intentions more than anyone else does. Forget marriage. I have bigger problems to work on. …Like myself.
6. Must work on my relationship with Him. Must build ikhlaas. Must work on my relationship with Him. Must build ikhlaas. Must work on my relationship with Him. Must build ikhlaas. Must work on my relationship with Him. Must build ikhlaas. Must work on my relationship with Him.
7. Huh? That religious person just proposed to me. What in the hell do they see in me? Oh well, Allah knows what is best for my deen and duniya. Let me do istikhaarah and see what happens.
OR
Perhaps I should get married for His sake so that I can fulfill the Sunnah of the beloved Rasool (May Allah bless him and give him peace) and benefit my deen. He/she is known to be of good character/deen. Let me do an istikhaarah and see if it is willed for me to move forward with this.
8. Look at that, its positive. (If negative, don’t continue to 9. Go back two steps.)
9. “I will. I will. I will.”
10. I never deserved someone as amazing as this. Thank you Allah for delivering him/her to me and for taking care of me.
The key words in that last sentence are…
TAKING…
CARE…
OF…
ME…
That’s right. YOU have someone taking care of you and all the minute itty-bitty factors in your life that you, with your big ole head and ego, don’t even recognize to exist. There is someone there monitoring every organelle that lies within your body. Someone who is making sure everything in your environment is perfect to sustain life. Someone who is making sure people don’t hate you. Someone who is making sure that life doesn’t crush you. Someone who is shielding you from the harshness of this Duniya, from the tragedies and blows that try people. Someone who’s Mercy is protecting you from the trials that you cannot bear. You just need to hold on to your faith, fulfill your obligations, and work towards the khair and, InshaAllah, He will provide you with what is Best for you in EVERY way.
And (moreover) He hath put affection between their hearts: not if thou hadst spent all that is in the earth, couldst thou have produced that affection, but God hath done it: for He is Exalted in might, Wise. (Quran: 8:63)
The Prophet Muhammad (upon him be blessings and peace) said,
“The hearts are in the fingers of the Merciful One, He turns them as He wishes.” (Muslim and Ahmad)
Have tawakkul that you will be taken care of by the One in Whose Hands all lies. You will seriously see all the pieces coming together when the time comes. All the forces in the universe will converge to give you that wonderful spouse who both you and your family are happy with. Yes, you read correctly, whom your FAMILY is happy with as well. Believe me, miracles happen and hearts are in the Hands of Allah, Glorious and Exalted. No one can dislike the person He chooses for you if He decides for them to like him. You don’t HAVE to marry someone against your parents' will in order to get the type of person you want. Just have tawakkul and show your parents the kindness that Allah and His Rasool COMMAND you to show them. Take care of their rights over you. You will see. You will be well taken care of by Allah. People who marry against their parents wishes have no idea what happiness one experiences when one sees one's family happy and excited about a person who also meets one's own preferences. You can’t help but be happy when you see your loved ones beaming with smiles. You CAN HAVE that. Really, you CAN.
“Ya Muqallib al-Quloob, thabbit quloobanaa ‘alaa deenik"
"O Controller of the hearts, make our hearts steadfast upon Your religion"
Make dua to be increased and strengthened in your deen and 'work' towards this end. Then ask with sincerity of intention for someone with deen and you will find that He will provide you with someone that has deen along with EVERYTHING else that is to be desired in a spouse. You will never see it coming. It will just hit you one day and you will fall to the ground in sujood and weep out of realization of your not having deserved His generosity and Loving Care. We don’t deserve a single moment of happiness; we are not worthy of it. Beyond the debt and responsibilities of slave hood that come with existence, the fact that he orchestrates all the factors and forces in the universe so that you can have a moment of happiness is enough to leave us forever in debt to Him. That’s just for ‘one’ moment of happiness…and He gives us so many. It’s amazing! Not one of us actually deserves the happiness He gives us. And it makes me feel relieved that we are all taken care of despite our undeservedness of His Care. So AMAZING is His Mercy and Kindness upon His creation. Alhamdulillah wa SubhanAllah.
THAT is why we call upon Him using His phenomenal qualities and not our own works.
We suck.
It’s that simple.
We suck.
So all we can say to Him is “Ya Rabb, I have nothing to place before You save my own helplessness. There is nothing that I own or that I have produced. I call upon You, asking You for madad and guidance, based on what YOU ARE. Based on Your Nature. YOU are the Merciful and Most Forgiving. So take care of me, my Rabb, based on these qualities for I have nowhere else to turn and no one else to ask. You did not create another caretaker and You are my only hope for nourishment.”
We truly have a Beautiful Creator whose qualities, if reflected upon, leave one helplessly in love with His entity. How can one NOT love Someone who takes this much concern in the well-being and happiness of his undeserving rebellious useless slaves? How can one not want to please such an entity?
On the authority of Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Allah the Almighty said: I am as My servant thinks I am. I am with him when he makes mention of Me. If he makes mention of Me to himself, I make mention of him to Myself; and if he makes mention of Me in an assembly, I make mention of him in an assembly better than it. And if he draws near to Me an arm's length, I draw near to him a fathom's length. And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him at speed."
(Buhkari, Muslim, at-Tirmidhi and Ibn-Majah).
[Another possible rendering of the Arabic is: "I am as My servant expects Me to be". The meaning is that forgiveness and acceptance of repentance by the Almighty is subject to His servant truly believing that He is forgiving and merciful. However, not to accompany such belief with right action would be to mock the Almighty.]
La hawla wa la qoowata illah billah.
Never ever lose tawakkul. He is to us as we think Him to be. Have good opinion of Him and you will find yourself taken care of better than you could have ever imagined or taken care of yourself InshaAllah. NO ONE deserves your good opinion more than He does. NO ONE deserves your benefit of the doubt more than He does. Submit your trust to Him and you will find blessings coming from the ghaib that you could have never foreseen. We really need to believe with every last bit of our soul that He can take care of us far better than we can take care of ourselves. We need to put down all this baggage and learn how to surrender our trust. That is often the last and hardest things to surrender. But its taste is also the sweetest.
Let us die with that taste in our mouth.
InshaAllah and Amin.
“And whosoever keeps his duty to Allah, Allah will appoint a way out for him, and will provide for him from (a quarter) whence he has no expectation.
And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, He will suffice him.
Lo! Allah brings His command to pass. Allah has set a measure for all things.”
(Qur’an 65:2)
Your sister who prays she is not punished for her audacity to write such a piece when those more qualified to speak are present,
J
WasalaamuAlaikum.
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* 'Umar [ibn al-Khattab] (may Allah be well pleased with him) used to quote these two verses [of Arabic poetry] as an instructive example:
Go easy on yourself, for the outcome of all affairs is determined by God's decree.
If something is meant to go elsewhere, it will never come your way, but if it is yours by destiny, from you it cannot flee.
* "And God doth advance in guidance those who seek guidance: and the things that endure, Good Deeds, are best in the sight of thy Lord, as rewards, and best in respect of (their) eventual return." (Surah Maryam, 76)
* “The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, though there is good in both. Be avid for that which benefits you. Rely on Allah and do not deem yourself incapable…” [Muslim, Ibn Majah, and Ahmad]
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4/09/2005
Islam Fosters Tolerance, Peace: Ex-Taliban Hostage
Islam Fosters Tolerance, Peace: Ex-Taliban Hostage
"The whole experience had taught me a very valuable lesson, and
that is not to believe propaganda that powerful people in powerful
places want us to believe," said Ridleyf
CAIRO, December 5 (IslamOnline.net) - Yvonne Ridley, the British
journalist who made international headlines three years ago after her
dramatic capture and release by the ousted Taliban regime in Afghanistan,
believes her life completely changed to the better, thanks to Islam.
What started out as a purely research about Islam following her release
turned into a soul-searching trip that culminated with the firm
conviction that Islam is not about oppression or violence, but rather peace,
tolerance and understanding, she recently told Malaysia's
English-language The Star newspaper.
Embracing Islam in August 2003, the Sunday Express journalist admitted
that she used to "work hard and play hard" and was a "prolific
drinker", but found herself now healthier, happier, and more content.
"And my girlfriends can see this, and they ask: 'What is this that has
changed your life so much?' And I say it's Islam. And they say: 'No,
really, what is it?'"
Ridley was in Malaysia last week to raise funds for the UK-based
Islamic social service organization Al-Khaaem.
"The whole experience had taught me a very valuable lesson, and that is
not to believe propaganda that powerful people in powerful places want
us to believe."
On Sept 28, 2001, Ridley, then 43, was trying to cross illegally into
Afghanistan from Pakistan.
She was held captive by the Taliban. She was eventually released in
October and went on to write about her unique experiences in a book
entitled "In The Hands of the Taliban."
In the book, she spoke about how she was treated with great respect and
courtesy by Taliban members, who used to call her "guest" and "sister."
Thank God It Was Taliban
Ridley told the Star that she really thanked God that here captors were
the Taliban and not the Americans.
"When I look back at my experience now, and I see the shocking images
of Guantanamo Bay , and the horrendous images and stories emerging from
the Abu Ghraib prison , I thank Allah I was captured by the most evil
and brutal regime in the world and not by the Americans."
Ridley, as an anti-war activist at the time, recalled how the US
intelligence sent a dossier to Taliban alleging that she was a spy to silence
her anti-war movement.
"Had I been shot or executed, this would have helped justify the
bombing of Afghanistan. It would have further demonized the Taliban. I was
told by one intelligence officer: 'Don't take this personally. It wasn't
against you,'" she said laughingly.
In an interview with IslamOnline.net before accepting Islam, Ridley
said that the wonderful thing about Islam was that "you have a direct
link with God. You don't need a conduit or a middle person. Peace and love
to all."
Ridley has become a fervent anti-war campaigner since her release.
She has supported the Stop the War Coalition and traveled around the
world addressing anti-war gatherings.
She is a founding member of Women in Journalism and the patron of
British organisation Stop Political Terror, which looks into the welfare of
Muslims in Britain, especially those being held in the notorious
Belmarsh and Woodhill prisons.
Ridley still writes for the Sunday Express and also for Muslims Weekly
in New York.
She is currently involved with the Islam Channel, a satellite broadcast
that started about a year ago in Britain.
Hijab in Parliament
An active member of the nascent Respect political party in Britain,
Ridley hopes to be the first female Muslim politician wearing a hijab in
the parliament.
"I stood as a candidate in the European elections and we got a quarter
of a million votes nationally," she told the paper.
She continued: "It didn't translate into a seat but we are going to be
fielding candidates in the general elections which may be held in May
next year.
"What is particularly significant is if I am successful, I would become
the first female Muslim politician to sit in Westminster and probably
the first woman wearing a hijab to sit in the houses of parliament."
But Ridley knows that there is still a long way to go, though
encouraged by the support of many Britons, who believe that Prime Minister Tony
Blair has let them down.
"There is a ground swell of support from people who feel as though they
no longer have a voice in the party headed by a British prime minister
who appears to prefer to take his orders from Washington rather than
from the people who elected him."
"The whole experience had taught me a very valuable lesson, and
that is not to believe propaganda that powerful people in powerful
places want us to believe," said Ridleyf
CAIRO, December 5 (IslamOnline.net) - Yvonne Ridley, the British
journalist who made international headlines three years ago after her
dramatic capture and release by the ousted Taliban regime in Afghanistan,
believes her life completely changed to the better, thanks to Islam.
What started out as a purely research about Islam following her release
turned into a soul-searching trip that culminated with the firm
conviction that Islam is not about oppression or violence, but rather peace,
tolerance and understanding, she recently told Malaysia's
English-language The Star newspaper.
Embracing Islam in August 2003, the Sunday Express journalist admitted
that she used to "work hard and play hard" and was a "prolific
drinker", but found herself now healthier, happier, and more content.
"And my girlfriends can see this, and they ask: 'What is this that has
changed your life so much?' And I say it's Islam. And they say: 'No,
really, what is it?'"
Ridley was in Malaysia last week to raise funds for the UK-based
Islamic social service organization Al-Khaaem.
"The whole experience had taught me a very valuable lesson, and that is
not to believe propaganda that powerful people in powerful places want
us to believe."
On Sept 28, 2001, Ridley, then 43, was trying to cross illegally into
Afghanistan from Pakistan.
She was held captive by the Taliban. She was eventually released in
October and went on to write about her unique experiences in a book
entitled "In The Hands of the Taliban."
In the book, she spoke about how she was treated with great respect and
courtesy by Taliban members, who used to call her "guest" and "sister."
Thank God It Was Taliban
Ridley told the Star that she really thanked God that here captors were
the Taliban and not the Americans.
"When I look back at my experience now, and I see the shocking images
of Guantanamo Bay , and the horrendous images and stories emerging from
the Abu Ghraib prison , I thank Allah I was captured by the most evil
and brutal regime in the world and not by the Americans."
Ridley, as an anti-war activist at the time, recalled how the US
intelligence sent a dossier to Taliban alleging that she was a spy to silence
her anti-war movement.
"Had I been shot or executed, this would have helped justify the
bombing of Afghanistan. It would have further demonized the Taliban. I was
told by one intelligence officer: 'Don't take this personally. It wasn't
against you,'" she said laughingly.
In an interview with IslamOnline.net before accepting Islam, Ridley
said that the wonderful thing about Islam was that "you have a direct
link with God. You don't need a conduit or a middle person. Peace and love
to all."
Ridley has become a fervent anti-war campaigner since her release.
She has supported the Stop the War Coalition and traveled around the
world addressing anti-war gatherings.
She is a founding member of Women in Journalism and the patron of
British organisation Stop Political Terror, which looks into the welfare of
Muslims in Britain, especially those being held in the notorious
Belmarsh and Woodhill prisons.
Ridley still writes for the Sunday Express and also for Muslims Weekly
in New York.
She is currently involved with the Islam Channel, a satellite broadcast
that started about a year ago in Britain.
Hijab in Parliament
An active member of the nascent Respect political party in Britain,
Ridley hopes to be the first female Muslim politician wearing a hijab in
the parliament.
"I stood as a candidate in the European elections and we got a quarter
of a million votes nationally," she told the paper.
She continued: "It didn't translate into a seat but we are going to be
fielding candidates in the general elections which may be held in May
next year.
"What is particularly significant is if I am successful, I would become
the first female Muslim politician to sit in Westminster and probably
the first woman wearing a hijab to sit in the houses of parliament."
But Ridley knows that there is still a long way to go, though
encouraged by the support of many Britons, who believe that Prime Minister Tony
Blair has let them down.
"There is a ground swell of support from people who feel as though they
no longer have a voice in the party headed by a British prime minister
who appears to prefer to take his orders from Washington rather than
from the people who elected him."
3/30/2005
Another poem by someone else. Thanks to the Pali lady for sharing it :)
Love a Palestinian Woman!
=========================
When you love a Palestinian woman,
the essence of resistance seeps into your existence;
you comprehend the meaning of persistence.
In her eyes you may see residues of a tear,
but never a sign of fear.
When you love a Palestinian woman,
your heart is tuned to the beat of a heart that can never forget.
You travel far; you walk the narrow streets of Jerusalem, in the footsteps of Jesus, carrying his cross, cleaning his wounds, wiping his sweat.
When you love a Palestinian woman,
you love every wave that kisses the shores of her land,
every olive tree in Galilee,
every particle of salt in the Dead Sea.
When you love a Palestinian woman,
you love a smile mysteriously mixed with pain unknown to others;
and a laugh that was choked when the land was separated from its faithful lovers.
When you love a Palestinian woman,
you love a spirit that inherited the will to stand,
and eyes that terrify guards at check-points, in a way no man can.
How can any man love
but a Palestinian woman?
Dr. Walid Bishawi
Senior Advisor
Center for Islamic and Arabic Studies
San Diego State University
=========================
When you love a Palestinian woman,
the essence of resistance seeps into your existence;
you comprehend the meaning of persistence.
In her eyes you may see residues of a tear,
but never a sign of fear.
When you love a Palestinian woman,
your heart is tuned to the beat of a heart that can never forget.
You travel far; you walk the narrow streets of Jerusalem, in the footsteps of Jesus, carrying his cross, cleaning his wounds, wiping his sweat.
When you love a Palestinian woman,
you love every wave that kisses the shores of her land,
every olive tree in Galilee,
every particle of salt in the Dead Sea.
When you love a Palestinian woman,
you love a smile mysteriously mixed with pain unknown to others;
and a laugh that was choked when the land was separated from its faithful lovers.
When you love a Palestinian woman,
you love a spirit that inherited the will to stand,
and eyes that terrify guards at check-points, in a way no man can.
How can any man love
but a Palestinian woman?
Dr. Walid Bishawi
Senior Advisor
Center for Islamic and Arabic Studies
San Diego State University
A nice poem by someone else :)
Baby, it's all good! - A modern hijab poem
By: Zehra
Author: Mafeesh
What do you see when you look at me
Do you see someone limited, or someone free
All some people can do is just look and stare
Simply because they can't see my hair
Others think I am controlled and uneducated
They think that I am limited and un-liberated
They are so thankful that they are not me
Because they would like to remain 'free'
Well free isn't exactly the word I would've used
Describing women who are cheated on and abused
They think that I do not have opinions or voice
They think that being hooded isn't my choice
They think that the hood makes me look caged
That my husband or dad are totally outraged
All they can do is look at me in fear
And in my eye there is a tear
Not because I have been stared at or made fun of
But because people are ignoring the One up above
On the day of judgment they will be the fools
Because they were too ashamed to play by their own rules
Maybe the guys won't think I am a cutie
But at least I am filled with more inner beauty
See I have declined from being a guy's toy
Because I won't let myself be controlled by a boy
Real men are able to appreciate my mind
And aren't busy looking at my behind
Hooded girls are the ones really helping the Muslim cause
The role that we play definitely deserves applause
I will be recognized because I am smart and bright
And because some people are inspired by my sight
The smart ones are attracted by my tranquility
In the back of their mind they wish they were me
We have the strength to do what we think is right
Even if it means putting up a life long fight
You see we are not controlled by a mini skirt and tight shirt
We are given only respect, and never treated like dirt
So you see, we are the ones that are free and liberated
We are not the ones that are sexually terrorized and violated
We are the ones that are free and pure
We're free of STD's that have no cure
So when people ask you how you feel about the hood
Just sum it up by saying, 'Baby its all good'
By: Zehra
Author: Mafeesh
What do you see when you look at me
Do you see someone limited, or someone free
All some people can do is just look and stare
Simply because they can't see my hair
Others think I am controlled and uneducated
They think that I am limited and un-liberated
They are so thankful that they are not me
Because they would like to remain 'free'
Well free isn't exactly the word I would've used
Describing women who are cheated on and abused
They think that I do not have opinions or voice
They think that being hooded isn't my choice
They think that the hood makes me look caged
That my husband or dad are totally outraged
All they can do is look at me in fear
And in my eye there is a tear
Not because I have been stared at or made fun of
But because people are ignoring the One up above
On the day of judgment they will be the fools
Because they were too ashamed to play by their own rules
Maybe the guys won't think I am a cutie
But at least I am filled with more inner beauty
See I have declined from being a guy's toy
Because I won't let myself be controlled by a boy
Real men are able to appreciate my mind
And aren't busy looking at my behind
Hooded girls are the ones really helping the Muslim cause
The role that we play definitely deserves applause
I will be recognized because I am smart and bright
And because some people are inspired by my sight
The smart ones are attracted by my tranquility
In the back of their mind they wish they were me
We have the strength to do what we think is right
Even if it means putting up a life long fight
You see we are not controlled by a mini skirt and tight shirt
We are given only respect, and never treated like dirt
So you see, we are the ones that are free and liberated
We are not the ones that are sexually terrorized and violated
We are the ones that are free and pure
We're free of STD's that have no cure
So when people ask you how you feel about the hood
Just sum it up by saying, 'Baby its all good'
3/29/2005
Passing Thoughts
Recently I tried contacting a few friends with whom i had not spoken for quite some time. I did not get them over the weekend again, and that got me thinking about this life of ours. We meet so many people, and have many on our messenger lists, yet occasionally there is a sense of emptiness for not having done our duty to check up with them. There were times when a small hiccup in their voice would tell you if they are smiling or in distress, and there are others when you are in the oblivioun about their life. Friend circles keep changing, and you try your best to maintain the old ones. Finally you decide to stick to a few close ones. but u still crave for knowing and talking to the other people. Soon we start searching for an occasion to call them, and when we miss the chance then we postpone it for the next occasion. Never does it come to mind that everyday is an occasion, and the person at the other end is as eager to talk to you. If the person is unavailable, we never assume that he is tied up with some urgent matter at school/work/family but may classify him to be judgemental. Life is so short, and so rapidly moving by. Everyday we recount our memories, and then take a deep breath and accept them to be our past. We leave behind a part of ourselves expecting to make it up in the future. This is life; a wheel that keeps rolling over different paths, collecting the mud of some and staying indifferent to the asphalt. Some of the earth comes with it to the final destination but most of it is a just a path traversed and forgotten.
1/16/2005
Baiz, Arun and memory lane
So finally went to Baiz. And Frankly came to know what mediterranean cousine is all about. This store/restaurant gets a 5/5 for
[1] food
[2] arabic stuff
[3] meat
[4] pita bread (3 for $1 !!!!!!!!!!)
and 3/5 for saying that they have indian food.
But beat a hamburger at $1.99 and Superb, mouthsmacking Shawarma.
AK got in touch again today, and showed his lighter side to me. I have known him for roughly 14 years till date and today he talked about things we normally dont touch upon. We had a memory contest to recall those years in 4th grade and he surprised me with some unique observations. Even i had forgotten the color of my tiffin-bag but he remembered. JD has also got engaged and AK's parents did not object to his choice either. Both of them plan to marry in mid-2005. ASK is currently missing.
AS is quite quiet for now. AS had become hyper and insightful and communicative around the start of Dec, but since mid-Dec has been extremely extremely quiet. Dont whats bothering AS.
"Roger and I" is boring, so is Drumline. Avoid them.
[1] food
[2] arabic stuff
[3] meat
[4] pita bread (3 for $1 !!!!!!!!!!)
and 3/5 for saying that they have indian food.
But beat a hamburger at $1.99 and Superb, mouthsmacking Shawarma.
AK got in touch again today, and showed his lighter side to me. I have known him for roughly 14 years till date and today he talked about things we normally dont touch upon. We had a memory contest to recall those years in 4th grade and he surprised me with some unique observations. Even i had forgotten the color of my tiffin-bag but he remembered. JD has also got engaged and AK's parents did not object to his choice either. Both of them plan to marry in mid-2005. ASK is currently missing.
AS is quite quiet for now. AS had become hyper and insightful and communicative around the start of Dec, but since mid-Dec has been extremely extremely quiet. Dont whats bothering AS.
"Roger and I" is boring, so is Drumline. Avoid them.
1/07/2005
A beautiful mind - Some beautiful words
Nash: Thank you. I've always believed in numbers and the equations and logics that lead to reason.
But after a lifetime of such pursuits, I ask, "What truly is logic? Who decides reason?"
My quest has taken me through the physical, the metaphysical, the delusional -- and back.
And I have made the most important discovery of my career, the most important discovery of my life: It is only in the mysterious equations of love that any logic or reasons can be found.
I'm only here tonight because of you.
You are the reason I am. You are all my reasons.
Thank you.
But after a lifetime of such pursuits, I ask, "What truly is logic? Who decides reason?"
My quest has taken me through the physical, the metaphysical, the delusional -- and back.
And I have made the most important discovery of my career, the most important discovery of my life: It is only in the mysterious equations of love that any logic or reasons can be found.
I'm only here tonight because of you.
You are the reason I am. You are all my reasons.
Thank you.
12/29/2004
From Vacation
viva southwest, i finally found a post card of La Jolla Cove. FYI, LJC is a very beautiful strip on the SD coast. Nix and JK have a tendency to give me a tour of this scenic location whenever i visit them. So neat to have a postcard to remember it.
Ofcourse doubled my champagne corks by adding Nix and Dev's second marriage toast to it. Added another car to my lego collection. Met a driver who drives as wild as me. and met another beautiful personality aka mrs nkm.
Ofcourse doubled my champagne corks by adding Nix and Dev's second marriage toast to it. Added another car to my lego collection. Met a driver who drives as wild as me. and met another beautiful personality aka mrs nkm.
12/11/2004
icebreaker
Mr. Toastmaster, Fellow Chipmasters and Guests.
History repeats itself. 25 years ago there were 10 pairs of eyes staring back at me. That was the time when i took my first steps on these same two legs, and today is one more step in my journey.
So coming back to the title of my speech. i.e. Pinball. This game as many of you will know can be reached by Going to START->Programs->Games->Pinball. I shall explain some concepts of this wonderful game for the audience. The aim of this game is to maximise your points with the available chances that are given to you. So the game starts with the ball being assigned. You pull the plunger and shoot the ball through the runway into the play area. Then you use the FLIPPERS to direct the ball along various paths. Each path leads to missions, and you get bonus points for completing these missions. With the completion of each mission you advance to higher levels of competency. And I must add one more point; you are always collecting points even if you diverge away from the mission. The person who collects the maximum points wins the game.
This game is really very simple, and actually very similar to our lives. The missions that we have in our lives define the competencies that we gain in this world. Greater the number of missions completed higher will be the respect that you gain. And mostly, this respect is just at the personal level. I, myself, have been through the normal 12+4+2 years of education, and have excelled in them wherever I could. I was an honor student for most of the time and though that matters a lot to the external world, I highly rate my other achievements. I was active in the sports field and have represented my university in field hockey. I was in the choir once in the fourth grade, and my school still regrets that day. After that they have only given me other opportunities such as Lego leagues, trivia contests and pencil art. My teachers were right because now I have a closet with all these medals and trophies.
I grew up in times when the Berlin wall was broken down and at the same time Yoguslavia was being split up. In this world of ours, it was difficult to look forward towards any particular living hero. The heroes, I felt, were like the flippers in pinball. They gave us direction in life. However I was wrong, and I, instead, recommend that the values inside each one of us are the real flippers.
Blah blah blah – so I value Peace ad Anti Occupation
Simplicity and honesty.
Moving along to another part of pinball is the OUT lane. When the ball enters this lane, you cannot do anything about it. It is something like love at first sight. There is no coming back from it. It has not happened to me as yet, so I shall not speak about it either.
Lastly, there is a particular reason for choosing pinball above other games such as solitaire, or doom3. As I have mentioned earlier I was an honor student for most of the time. One of the times, when I was not, was because of pinball. In that semester I was playing pinball to the hilt (10000000+ points). I did get grounded when my parents heard of this but these memories are worth their bit.
Mr Toastmaster.
History repeats itself. 25 years ago there were 10 pairs of eyes staring back at me. That was the time when i took my first steps on these same two legs, and today is one more step in my journey.
So coming back to the title of my speech. i.e. Pinball. This game as many of you will know can be reached by Going to START->Programs->Games->Pinball. I shall explain some concepts of this wonderful game for the audience. The aim of this game is to maximise your points with the available chances that are given to you. So the game starts with the ball being assigned. You pull the plunger and shoot the ball through the runway into the play area. Then you use the FLIPPERS to direct the ball along various paths. Each path leads to missions, and you get bonus points for completing these missions. With the completion of each mission you advance to higher levels of competency. And I must add one more point; you are always collecting points even if you diverge away from the mission. The person who collects the maximum points wins the game.
This game is really very simple, and actually very similar to our lives. The missions that we have in our lives define the competencies that we gain in this world. Greater the number of missions completed higher will be the respect that you gain. And mostly, this respect is just at the personal level. I, myself, have been through the normal 12+4+2 years of education, and have excelled in them wherever I could. I was an honor student for most of the time and though that matters a lot to the external world, I highly rate my other achievements. I was active in the sports field and have represented my university in field hockey. I was in the choir once in the fourth grade, and my school still regrets that day. After that they have only given me other opportunities such as Lego leagues, trivia contests and pencil art. My teachers were right because now I have a closet with all these medals and trophies.
I grew up in times when the Berlin wall was broken down and at the same time Yoguslavia was being split up. In this world of ours, it was difficult to look forward towards any particular living hero. The heroes, I felt, were like the flippers in pinball. They gave us direction in life. However I was wrong, and I, instead, recommend that the values inside each one of us are the real flippers.
Blah blah blah – so I value Peace ad Anti Occupation
Simplicity and honesty.
Moving along to another part of pinball is the OUT lane. When the ball enters this lane, you cannot do anything about it. It is something like love at first sight. There is no coming back from it. It has not happened to me as yet, so I shall not speak about it either.
Lastly, there is a particular reason for choosing pinball above other games such as solitaire, or doom3. As I have mentioned earlier I was an honor student for most of the time. One of the times, when I was not, was because of pinball. In that semester I was playing pinball to the hilt (10000000+ points). I did get grounded when my parents heard of this but these memories are worth their bit.
Mr Toastmaster.
11/16/2004
One down more to come
Gave my second impromptu to the Chipmasters Toastmasters club and won the prize in the travel section. First ribbon yooooohoooooooooooo.
Besides that attended Bob Colwell's lecture. FYI BC was an Intel fellow (highest tech position possible) and I adore him for he speaks his mind. (Frankly anyone who speaks his mind gets my adoration)
My icebreaker speech is coming up and I have no idea what to cover in my speech. Anti-occupation, lack of heroes/leaders, acceptance of principles of truth and honesty, sport, achievements, youth .... .I dont know what to cover in 7-9 minutes.
Got a new CD set: The Hereafter - Anwar Al Awaki - Volume 1. Get in touch if you want to hear it.
Gave up on the book by Amin Nathari - Dawah ...... Frankly it is for the beginners who may not demand the Hadith directly. Its available if anyone wants it.
Finally: "Dont get encumbered by the past; Go off and do something wonderful" - Andy Grove.
Besides that attended Bob Colwell's lecture. FYI BC was an Intel fellow (highest tech position possible) and I adore him for he speaks his mind. (Frankly anyone who speaks his mind gets my adoration)
My icebreaker speech is coming up and I have no idea what to cover in my speech. Anti-occupation, lack of heroes/leaders, acceptance of principles of truth and honesty, sport, achievements, youth .... .I dont know what to cover in 7-9 minutes.
Got a new CD set: The Hereafter - Anwar Al Awaki - Volume 1. Get in touch if you want to hear it.
Gave up on the book by Amin Nathari - Dawah ...... Frankly it is for the beginners who may not demand the Hadith directly. Its available if anyone wants it.
Finally: "Dont get encumbered by the past; Go off and do something wonderful" - Andy Grove.
Eid Mubarak
Looking back... Alhamdulillah I experienced one more Ramazan, Alhamdulillah I enjoyed one more Eid and Alhamdulillah there is one more city that I have experienced Ramazan in.
Looking back.. to the journal entry that says that I am new to LA; I have to add that since one year those same assorted group has been a home to me than anything else. It is a Musleem frat house, indi, paki, bdeshi, arab, amru, malay, srilankan, african. Yes I drove all the way, into the midst of the LA crap just to spend Eid with them. Yes I gave the Fajr Iqama for one more time at Masjid Umar in LA, and yes I woke up all the sleepyheads for Fajr. The dinin table still invites everyone to eat there and I cleaned up the living room one last time. And those who want my sheerkurma stand in a line. :)
Looking back... Subhanallah for all the things around us that we may/may not appreciate.
Looking back/forward... Inshallah I shall spend Eid with my parents.
Looking back.. to the journal entry that says that I am new to LA; I have to add that since one year those same assorted group has been a home to me than anything else. It is a Musleem frat house, indi, paki, bdeshi, arab, amru, malay, srilankan, african. Yes I drove all the way, into the midst of the LA crap just to spend Eid with them. Yes I gave the Fajr Iqama for one more time at Masjid Umar in LA, and yes I woke up all the sleepyheads for Fajr. The dinin table still invites everyone to eat there and I cleaned up the living room one last time. And those who want my sheerkurma stand in a line. :)
Looking back... Subhanallah for all the things around us that we may/may not appreciate.
Looking back/forward... Inshallah I shall spend Eid with my parents.
10/30/2004
Have you ever seen the moonrise?
Yes I drove up the California coast just to see a Sunset by the Pacific. Yes i have also gone up the Himalayas just to see a Sunrise. Yes when the sun rises over Chicago it seems as if Chicao is on fire again. Yes I have seen the sun rise in my native town too. But Subhanallah, on Friday 29th Oct, it was the first time I had ever seen the moon rise. The location was the 'A' mountain behind Tempe Masjid. The time was after around 6:45 pm. Subhanallah it looked as if an innocent child was revealing its rosy face from behind a mountain. The moon was rising from behind the distant mountain. And as against a rising sun, it did not light up the entire area. But you could just make out the silhoutte of the mountain against a soothing orangish ball. And the rise was as rapid as the setting sun (when it has already touched the horizon). I just yelled Subhanallah unknowingly. I had seen finally a moonrise and I had seen it over Phoenix/Scottsdale/Tempe and Subhanallah Allah's creations can never be matched.
10/25/2004
Trust
When we speak of trust its so difficult tobelieve in it. For example there are numerous hadith available that demand that you trust the hadith. But it is not always so. We read about Istikhara and when we make one we are supposed to feel confident that the Almighty will help us in that confusion. i guess it also depends on the piety that is necessary for us to believe in it. Basically u cannot take a decision and also dont know if you will be helped or not. I think i have been on both sides of this situation and tho it felt nice in one case it did not in another. when you are low on piety (takwaa) the calmness that follows after the acceptance of trust is really very comforting.
to be contd
to be contd
10/20/2004
Diversity in Masjids
Recently Imam Amin Nathari visited Tempe for a khutbah and I also attended a bonus section as a youth. :)
His main point of discussion was that there is too much regionalism and nationalism involved in the masjids in the usa. Indian, Paki, BDeshi, Arab, Black etc etc. And all that was covered in the halaqa was contemplation about what can be done to cross these barriers. The local imam mentioned that ICC, Tempe is a model for diversity. However I dont deny the fact that it is, but contest the administration if they feel they are totally responsible for it.
I have been to three cities in the USA so far. There are umpteen more but lemme say taht the 3 are the ones where i have spent significant amount of time. At each iof these masjids there were youth. Each of these majids are close to a school. The youth dont have a sense of ego in them and are an excellent binding glue to the mess created by arguments of elders. The youth are able to change if asked so in the correct manner. They are willing to learn. Thus in Blacksburg ISNRV the youth literally run the masjid. I myself was a part of Masjid Umar in LA, and I can bank that it was us students who would be in the masjid for most of the salats. Here again in tempe, the ICC is close to ASU and you get to see the same diversity. (Subhanallah for each of them). But on the other hand the islamic center in LA is only for the stout hearted as you can easily be lead astray. The masjid in Chicago that i visited was desi-land.
So it comes back to the only point that has challenged me from the 12th grade. Prof Moogat posed this to our batch of 40 students "Why does it happen that as students we can forgive but as we grow, our power to forgive and accomodate diminishes?" It struck me as something worth thinkingg about. I presently stand at one such cross-section. I feel I must move on from the life of a student to that of a working professional. But each time the heart asks me to remain a student. Life is better this way.
There has been only one masjid that has defied this rule- Masjid Momin in LA. Sheikh Farid is partly responsible for this. He is one person that every one in West USA shud listen to, to know about humility, humor, and the strength of Islam. This masjid makes u throw away all that ego or bloated shirt that you carry about in the name of Islam and questions you. I mutst say that many of his khutbahs are way beyond my understanding but the little that I grasp keep in ties in its splendor.
So all in all, i give an open challenge to all those shura council members who may be proud that diversity is because of them. Can they replicate it at another masjid, is all i ask.
His main point of discussion was that there is too much regionalism and nationalism involved in the masjids in the usa. Indian, Paki, BDeshi, Arab, Black etc etc. And all that was covered in the halaqa was contemplation about what can be done to cross these barriers. The local imam mentioned that ICC, Tempe is a model for diversity. However I dont deny the fact that it is, but contest the administration if they feel they are totally responsible for it.
I have been to three cities in the USA so far. There are umpteen more but lemme say taht the 3 are the ones where i have spent significant amount of time. At each iof these masjids there were youth. Each of these majids are close to a school. The youth dont have a sense of ego in them and are an excellent binding glue to the mess created by arguments of elders. The youth are able to change if asked so in the correct manner. They are willing to learn. Thus in Blacksburg ISNRV the youth literally run the masjid. I myself was a part of Masjid Umar in LA, and I can bank that it was us students who would be in the masjid for most of the salats. Here again in tempe, the ICC is close to ASU and you get to see the same diversity. (Subhanallah for each of them). But on the other hand the islamic center in LA is only for the stout hearted as you can easily be lead astray. The masjid in Chicago that i visited was desi-land.
So it comes back to the only point that has challenged me from the 12th grade. Prof Moogat posed this to our batch of 40 students "Why does it happen that as students we can forgive but as we grow, our power to forgive and accomodate diminishes?" It struck me as something worth thinkingg about. I presently stand at one such cross-section. I feel I must move on from the life of a student to that of a working professional. But each time the heart asks me to remain a student. Life is better this way.
There has been only one masjid that has defied this rule- Masjid Momin in LA. Sheikh Farid is partly responsible for this. He is one person that every one in West USA shud listen to, to know about humility, humor, and the strength of Islam. This masjid makes u throw away all that ego or bloated shirt that you carry about in the name of Islam and questions you. I mutst say that many of his khutbahs are way beyond my understanding but the little that I grasp keep in ties in its splendor.
So all in all, i give an open challenge to all those shura council members who may be proud that diversity is because of them. Can they replicate it at another masjid, is all i ask.
10/18/2004
Monotonicity
A fact well known is that monotonicity is a harbinger of boredom. I experienced this feeling on my arrival into the USA but never could understand why. It probably arose after I visited malls outside my town of Blacksburg and into the Chicago metropolis. Wherever you go aroudn the states you expect a Walmart to give you the cheapest deals, Toys and Babies R Us have the same feel, and any place can be called a mall if three out of the following stores exist viz Sears, JCPenney, RobinsonsMay, Dilliards, Hoechts, etc.
The initial proposition I believe must have been convenience and the trust of a known shop. However this has taken away the joy of visitin a new city or to obrserve the architectural beauty of a mall. Each store has the same designs arranged in more or less similar manner (All made out of the USA). Same Brands, Same owner. Same food, same drinks same smells. Same sale. Same highways.
All this monotonicity does bring to mind only the diversity that we enjoyed in India. Main Street was owned by mummys and papas and friends. Shopping meant buying as well as visiting. Each restaurant had its own cuisine and held pride in providing it. Different stores had different suppliers hence different designs. To buy something we had to visit a particular place or shop. So many things were unique to a city and umpteen attempts to make it available in your local town woul fail. Language would be different, clothes would be too. It is very very rare to find two people wearing the same outfits although our population is three times as large.
Lastly I am sure that wherever such a diversity exists that place would be attractive, let it be Egypt or Palestine or Mexico or Europe or South Asia. I only plead that MNCs from USA dont kill the local businesses. One america is sufficient for the world. It is already the epitome of monotonicity.
The initial proposition I believe must have been convenience and the trust of a known shop. However this has taken away the joy of visitin a new city or to obrserve the architectural beauty of a mall. Each store has the same designs arranged in more or less similar manner (All made out of the USA). Same Brands, Same owner. Same food, same drinks same smells. Same sale. Same highways.
All this monotonicity does bring to mind only the diversity that we enjoyed in India. Main Street was owned by mummys and papas and friends. Shopping meant buying as well as visiting. Each restaurant had its own cuisine and held pride in providing it. Different stores had different suppliers hence different designs. To buy something we had to visit a particular place or shop. So many things were unique to a city and umpteen attempts to make it available in your local town woul fail. Language would be different, clothes would be too. It is very very rare to find two people wearing the same outfits although our population is three times as large.
Lastly I am sure that wherever such a diversity exists that place would be attractive, let it be Egypt or Palestine or Mexico or Europe or South Asia. I only plead that MNCs from USA dont kill the local businesses. One america is sufficient for the world. It is already the epitome of monotonicity.
10/16/2004
From History 1
"The freedom fighters were known as terrorists before ultimately being remembered as patriots" - Ed Harris in 'The Rock'.
History as taught in school is not the most thought provocative subject. It is taught with only the view of the author in mind. As young souls this view is imparted to us and we readily accept it.
The reason for acceptance is very simple. History has always been described as a fight between good and evil. What is good and what is evil is decided by the author. Which view is made to sound more courageous and brave is decided by the author. How to describe the winner and the vanquished is decided by the author. How to make our hero sound valiant even in defeat and how to make our enemies infliction as a death-knoll is in the hands of the author (yeah this sounds like the media of today too).
There have been crazy despots in every generation (not century). So we had Chengiz Khan earlier on, and Herr Hitler and so on... If the destruction of humankind is taken as a measure then we can add many world leaders. Hence I believe that the policy that defined this destruction should be an important aspect of classification of heroes and villians. Hence Herr Hitler because of Mein Kampf fits into the villian category. But then what about hidden agendas.
Thus in a country like India which had numerous rulers uptil the 19th century has many versions to the same story. Thus Hyderabad could be talking of the greatness ofthe Adilshahi kingdom and denouncing the Marathas, but if you are in Maharashtra you learn the vice versa.
But then sometimes there is no information of the other side. With this aspect only one view is propagated and hence accepted. Isnt that dangerous? Yes it is. And frankly it is more in place today than anytime else.
But aren't we in the golden age of communications and information technology. Here lies the pitfall and the oxymoron to our age. We have learnt in history about how our countrymen stood up against the occupying powers. Let it be the british in India or in the USA. We had our identity and we would not give it up or adapt forcefully. Numerous examples exist as we may have seen in "Once upon a time in China", "Gandhi" etc. But we still cannot relate history to our present conditions. There was an occupation then and so is today. Rights were taken away then and so are today. So it comes down to identifying ourself with the hero or the villian. Humans will never ever consider themselves to be villians. Hence it is left to the method how we give the information so that we identify ourselves not always with the hero, but deciding on the basis of the gravity of the situation.
The fourth estate has done a utterly miserable job in this aspect. They did this job by adopting one simple principle. Give only one aspect and make that aspect sound like the more glorious, glamorous and heroic. Hey isnt that what all humans want !!!! Thus a critical media is absent. Sorry lets reword the last statement. A critical media exists only to criticize the critics of the presented aspect. Thus we can have criticism for two teams on the NFL etc but for real life there is only one opinion. Independent media exist but who searches for a needle in the haystack.
On final thoughts, yesterday is history, but history was not yesterday. History is today. History repeats itself, though we never live to see the repetition always. Each generation identifies with itself to be unique, though we are same for most of it. But we never learn from old generations positively. Leaders find the holes that led to failures and plug them to portray a better decision and leadership, but I would challenge that everytime.
PS: As Indian I know what occupation by a foreign power is and i dont limit this thought to India but to all those experiencing it even today.
History as taught in school is not the most thought provocative subject. It is taught with only the view of the author in mind. As young souls this view is imparted to us and we readily accept it.
The reason for acceptance is very simple. History has always been described as a fight between good and evil. What is good and what is evil is decided by the author. Which view is made to sound more courageous and brave is decided by the author. How to describe the winner and the vanquished is decided by the author. How to make our hero sound valiant even in defeat and how to make our enemies infliction as a death-knoll is in the hands of the author (yeah this sounds like the media of today too).
There have been crazy despots in every generation (not century). So we had Chengiz Khan earlier on, and Herr Hitler and so on... If the destruction of humankind is taken as a measure then we can add many world leaders. Hence I believe that the policy that defined this destruction should be an important aspect of classification of heroes and villians. Hence Herr Hitler because of Mein Kampf fits into the villian category. But then what about hidden agendas.
Thus in a country like India which had numerous rulers uptil the 19th century has many versions to the same story. Thus Hyderabad could be talking of the greatness ofthe Adilshahi kingdom and denouncing the Marathas, but if you are in Maharashtra you learn the vice versa.
But then sometimes there is no information of the other side. With this aspect only one view is propagated and hence accepted. Isnt that dangerous? Yes it is. And frankly it is more in place today than anytime else.
But aren't we in the golden age of communications and information technology. Here lies the pitfall and the oxymoron to our age. We have learnt in history about how our countrymen stood up against the occupying powers. Let it be the british in India or in the USA. We had our identity and we would not give it up or adapt forcefully. Numerous examples exist as we may have seen in "Once upon a time in China", "Gandhi" etc. But we still cannot relate history to our present conditions. There was an occupation then and so is today. Rights were taken away then and so are today. So it comes down to identifying ourself with the hero or the villian. Humans will never ever consider themselves to be villians. Hence it is left to the method how we give the information so that we identify ourselves not always with the hero, but deciding on the basis of the gravity of the situation.
The fourth estate has done a utterly miserable job in this aspect. They did this job by adopting one simple principle. Give only one aspect and make that aspect sound like the more glorious, glamorous and heroic. Hey isnt that what all humans want !!!! Thus a critical media is absent. Sorry lets reword the last statement. A critical media exists only to criticize the critics of the presented aspect. Thus we can have criticism for two teams on the NFL etc but for real life there is only one opinion. Independent media exist but who searches for a needle in the haystack.
On final thoughts, yesterday is history, but history was not yesterday. History is today. History repeats itself, though we never live to see the repetition always. Each generation identifies with itself to be unique, though we are same for most of it. But we never learn from old generations positively. Leaders find the holes that led to failures and plug them to portray a better decision and leadership, but I would challenge that everytime.
PS: As Indian I know what occupation by a foreign power is and i dont limit this thought to India but to all those experiencing it even today.
10/14/2004
Recoil
Current Icecream: HaagenDazs Banana Foster
Ratings: 4/5
Recommendation: Breyers Banana flavor 5/5
Upcoming Review: www.theislamicmarketplace.com Have to visit this store in the coming weeks.
Ratings: 4/5
Recommendation: Breyers Banana flavor 5/5
Upcoming Review: www.theislamicmarketplace.com Have to visit this store in the coming weeks.
10/05/2004
y can v not b more compassionate
Former U.N. Inspectors Cite New Report as Validation - Washington Post
Report unveils Saddam's true strategic intentions By Steven Komarow and John Diamond, USA TODAY
U.S. Report Says Hussein Bought Arms With EaseBy ERIC LIPTON and SCOTT SHANE, NY Times
Report unveils Saddam's true strategic intentions By Steven Komarow and John Diamond, USA TODAY
U.S. Report Says Hussein Bought Arms With EaseBy ERIC LIPTON and SCOTT SHANE, NY Times
9/30/2004
Recoil
Book just finished: The Islamic Digest of Aqeedah and Fiqh - Mahmoud Murad
Pages: 236
Recommendation: Must READ for everyone. OWN it. Get it on Islamicbookstore.com
Good points: Till now it has been an excellent reference for everything from Aqeedah, Tauheed and Fiqh. Superb quotes from the Quran and Hadeeth. Many itsy bitsy pieces presented precisely and concisely.
Current IceCream: HagerDaaz Mango
Rating: 4.5/5.0
Pages: 236
Recommendation: Must READ for everyone. OWN it. Get it on Islamicbookstore.com
Good points: Till now it has been an excellent reference for everything from Aqeedah, Tauheed and Fiqh. Superb quotes from the Quran and Hadeeth. Many itsy bitsy pieces presented precisely and concisely.
Current IceCream: HagerDaaz Mango
Rating: 4.5/5.0
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