Letters to My Daughter

Alhamdullilah. I am so grateful that I took Philosophy of Religion class. Listening to students espouse secular humanism made me realize how fortunate I am to be a Muslim. I feel like issues of religion versus secularism, religion versus state, these are not applicable to my idelogical framework because the Quran provides a textual basis for truth that is accessible to anyone who wants to read it. A system is already in place. There are things that need work within that system, but God has created the conceptual framework. It gets translated, but the understanding of that time is a continual process that keeps God at the center of discourse. I love the idea that God is the center of discourse. In my class, for the strangest reason, people almost never talked about GOD. It was a PHILOSOPHY of RELIGION class, and religion was talked about mostly in the monotheistic tradition, yet still, people hardly felt a stake in trying to defend why God exists. The arguments for the existence of God ...

Art and Empire in the Persian World The meaning of art, philosophy, and religion is to direct man’s attention to riddles, secrets, and questions. It sometimes leads to certain knowledge but more often to an awareness of ignorance or to transforming our ignorance of which we are not aware into ignorance of which we are aware. (107) These are the words of Izetbegovic, author of Islam between East and West, in which he writes about the importance of art, especially in distinguishing culture and civilization. He suggests that the value assigned to art is the awareness it provides in illuminating riddles, secrets and questions of the individual, her goals, her dreams, her inner life. Despite the politics of power involved in commissioning artwork as a source of legitimizing governments and the rule of kings, art does not necessarily serve the needs of the state alone. Even in propaganda images circulated in manuscripts from the 14th through 15th centuries, there is an element of person...

http://www.nyunews.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/12/06/4576806a32350

I have not written on my blog, though I have really wanted to talk about married life, school, plans, etc. But basically. all that can be summarized as Alhamdullilah. What I love about my blog is posting papers that have already been graded. Here is a recent one. Basically, he write about why it is good to be married. I love that I am no longer preoccupied with thoughts of boys, friendships, soul mates, gender relations, etc. Marriage personally has allowed me to engage in my coursework like I have never been able to before. It is a wonderous experience to be ready for class, with questions, to pursue your professors with questions, etc. Anyway, marriage is the sunnah of the Prophet (saw) andd highly regarded because of so many different merits. As only al-Ghazali can elaborate: Marriage and Maintenance: The Discourse of Paternalism in al Ghazali’s The Proper Conduct of Marriage in Islam Praise be to Allah Whose wondrous works are proof against the arrows of illusion, from Whose simple...

I love that whenever and wherever I ask to go with you, you take me. You take me to class, to the masjid to pray tarawee, to the mall to do shopping on FOOTBALL SUNDAY, to my parents house in Queens, to VA to hear Sheikh Jebril make dua, and back home to you.

"You should not neglect your time or use it haphazardly; on the contrary you should bring yourself to account, structure your litanies and other practices during each day and night, and assign to each period a fixed and specific function. This is how to bring out the spiritual blessing (baraka) in each period. But if you leave yourself adrift, aimlessly wandering as cattle do, not knowing how to occupy yourself at every moment, your time will be lost. It is nothing other than your life, and your life is the capital that you make use of to reach perpetual felicity in the proximity of God the Exalted. Each of your breaths is a priceless jewel, since each of them is irreplaceable and, once gone, can never be retrieved. Do not be like that deceived fools who are joyous because each day their wealth increases while their life shortens. What good is an increase in wealth when life grows ever shorter? Therefore be joyous only for an increase in knowledge or in good works, for they are ...

from wikipedia: Ear picks are a commonly used item and preferred for ear wax removal in East Asia. The person having their ears cleaned would lie down with their head in the lap of the person doing the cleaning. It is generally considered a pleasant feeling, like having one's back scratched. The cleaning of ears is thus considered an act of intimacy, often performed by a mother to a child or, among adults, by one's lover. It may also be performed alone or by professional ear cleaners on the streets of cities in countries such as China, India, Japan, Vietnam, and other Asian countries.

speak the truth and you shall be heard

Bismillah irAHman uraheeem. Alhamdullilah, I was married on Memorial Day Weekend, May 28th, 2006. It was a ceremony that brought together two dynamic families, amazing friends of two dynamic individuals, and was witnessed by over 500 guests in attendance at the Long Island Sheraton. I felt like a passenger in much of the event planning, the details, the mayhem of the wedding. But alhamdullilah, alhamdullilah, alhamdullilah. It has been a wonderful first month of marriage, full of surprises, cries of happiness, and moments of total amazement at the will of Allah talla. Of all the guests in attendance, there are several women I would like to dedicate this entry to, the women who supported, and guided me on the chaotic days leading up to my bethrothal, and without whom I would probably still be trying to put on my holud sari. First is my mother, Nargis Z. Kalam, a mother of 20 years, a wife of 22 years, an elementary school teacher, and the greatest woman I have ever known. She always pu...

The countdown to the wedding offically began when I woke up at 8:30 this morning. This happened without the assistance of my two alarm clocks, my mother, or my Mohamed. The fact that I woke up this early implies, obviously, that I am getting married in 7 days. In terms of preparation, I am trying to bathe and shower every day, wash my face before going to bed, brush my teeth, eat at least 2 full meals, etc. Basically, the daily routine now consists of the normal things that most people do everyday, things that I have neglected to do because the chaos of student life precludes normalacy. In particular, I hope to continue this excellent habit of brushing my teeth well into my married life, insha'Allah. If I don't, it will be time for the root canal. And besides, there is morning breathe to worry about. Some of my aunties came over yesterday to do giftwrapping. We decided to put some things in a massive pink Victoria's Secret box because I happened to have visited Victoria...

The following is an excerpt from a paper I wrote for my history professor, who seemed like a nice guy but was really cold, and merciless. I wrote this section with him in mind. He is about 32ish, and an eligible bachelor, but still a cruel...bastard. I don't really mean that but cruel bastard is a sort of idiom with no adequate substitute. Not only was Al Jahiz an early ethnographer, he seemed to be a sociologist of sorts as well. He made human observations about emotions, such as envy, jealousy, and of course, love. In his essay, “Love and Women,” he tells us of the difference between men and women, about when women are superior to men and vica versa, what occupations and rights women ought to observe. During this time period, passionate love or eros was distinct from conjugal love, because the eros could only be aroused by professionals, like “singing slave-girls,” a class of prostitutes that are cultured, and educated in specific arts like the geisha. One passage of note descr...

counting crows. So she said what's the problem baby What's the problem I don't know Well maybe I'm in love (love) Think about it every time I think about it Can't stop thinking 'bout it How much longer will it take to cure this Just to cure it cause I can't ignore it if it's love (love) Makes me wanna turn around and face me but I don't know nothing 'bout love Come on, come on Turn a little faster Come on, come on The world will follow after Come on, come on Cause everybody's after love So I said I'm a snowball running Running down into the spring that's coming all this love Melting under blue skies Belting out sunlight Shimmering love Well baby I surrender To the strawberry ice cream Never ever end of all this love Well I didn't mean to do it But there's no escaping your love These lines of lightning Mean we're never alone, Never alone, no, no Come on, Come on Move a little closer Come on, Come on I want to hear you whisp...

Donna Lewis! Feels like, I'm standing in a timeless dream Of light mists, of pale amber rose Feels like, I'm lost in a deep cloud of heavenly scent Touching, discovering you Those days, of warm rains come rushing back to me Miles of windless, summer night air Secret moments, shared in the heat of the afternoon Out of the stillness, soft spoken words Chorus: I love you, always forever Near and far, closer together Everywhere, I will be with you Everyday, I will devour you I love you, always forever Near and far, closer together Everywhere, I will be with you Everyday, I will devour you (Chorus) Say you'll love, love me forever Never stop, not for whatever Near and far and always and everywhere and everything Say you'll love, love me forever Never stop, not for whatever Near and far and always and everywhere and everything Say you'll love, love me forever Never stop, not for whatever Near and far and always and everywhere and everything

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OBITUARY FOR AL-HAJJAH FARIZAH RABBAT UMM IBRAHIM AL-YAQOUBI AL-HASANI BY SHAYKH MUHAMMAD AL-YAQOUBI AL-HASANI GRIEF AND SORROW UPON THE LOSS OF MY HEART My Dear Brothers and Sisters, Relatives, Friends, Students and Supporters throughout the world: As-Salamu `Alaykum Wa Rahmatullah Wa Barakatuh “Indeed, we belong to Allah, and to Him we must surely return!” With grief and sorrow, I share with you the tragic loss of my beloved wife, my companion, and the love of my heart Al-Hajjah Farizah Aal Rabbat, Known as Umm Ibrahim, Rahimaha Allah, who is also the mother of my three children (Aisha, Ibrahim and Ismael). Allah chose her out of this world to enter al-Jannah on the very birthday of His Beloved Prophet Rasulullah (Sallalahu ‘alayhi wasallam) through the door of martyrs. I do not object to His Will: we belong to Him and our return is to Him; whatever He takes is indubitably His, and whatever He gives is undoubtedly His. She left this world on Monday 12th of Rabi’ Al-Awwal, 1427 (corre...

I don't remember what number we are on. I love that you are youthful. That when I feel like an aging man (even though i'm not that old yet) I get a spark of youth from your erratic nature, your absolutely joyous exuberance, and your sparkling eyes. I love that when you see me, you are so excited that you run to me. Most of all, I love that you think of me in your daily decisions even though others would think there are more important matters at hand.

The very moment gone you know I miss you I'm the question and you, of course, the answer --random lyrics from MTV 2, sucker free countdown

I love MONOLOGUES. Alhamdullilah. Alhamdullilah. Alhamdullilah.

I love that you see what's better than what I see, when I reach for the Pepperidge Farm milano cookies, you reach for the the Distinctive Chocolate Cookie Collection (the box of assorted cookies). I love that you sing. I love that Ned is no competition for me. I love that you drew me in hijab. Alhamdullilah. Alhamdullilah. Alhamdullilah.

I really love your girth. I love that you cannot resist. I love your appetite. I love seeing you every day. Alhamdullilah Alhamdullilah Alhamdullilah

I love that you know where I am, and where I am not. I love that you eat sunnah style whenever possible. I love that I could know you. Alhamdullilah. Alhamdullilah. Alhamdullilah.

I love how I cry every time I think about you. I love that Allah sent you to me. I have loved everything you've ever said, though I cannot remember them all. And it makes me cry to think that Allah will increase our love for each other. Alhamdullilah. Alhamdullilah. Alhamdullilah.

I love that we are on the same page, even without my having to say anything, how you derive the same things I do and say what I don't always have the strength to say aloud. I love Wednesdays, when your work load is the least. I love that Big Daddy's is our place. Alhamdullilah. Alhamdullilah. Alhamdullilah.

Bismillah. 81 Things I Love About You (to be sent with the engagement cards, if that were possible) 1. That you are Muslim. 2. Love for Islam, for the Prophet (saw) exceeds that of anyone I have ever met before 3. Compassion, which compliments my cynicism 4. Ability to reason, to extract meaning from my nonsensical-ness 5. Your rich laugh, that begins in your belly and fills any room 6. Your parents who produced you 7. That your brother is The Prince 8. The beard 9. The curly hair (on your head) 10.That you know what I would like to eat because our tastes are "sophisticated" 11. How you drive your car 12. How you challenge me, make me want to be a better Muslim, a better student, a better human being 13. How your old glasses slant 45 degrees 14. How you are patient 15. How you give the best answers to my questions and concerns 16. How you like me in my stained yellow Maine pullover and stained cords, and lime cashmere hat under my hoodie 17. The way you talk 18. Your friends ...

Why Not Friendship (Revised Again) It is difficult to be merely a friend to a boy who seems more suitable as a husband. To be ready for the life partner, that dramatic change that you call marriage, you must be ready for (1) intimacy (of all sorts) (2)self-sacrifice (3)challenge and compromise. The warm permanence, fuzziness, or whatever else you previously used to characterize friendship is now more intense because you have found your best friend. It is as if appreciation and gratitude have conquered your chest and made the reality of trust and love more apparent. If he is your friend, he will understand your fear. You are a kid, a mere 20 something with virtually no life experience under your proverbial belt (you don't like constraining accessories like belts). Yet he is still worth the risk, but you wonder why he thinks you are worth the gamble. To regard someone as your spouse, to reference "our kids" casually in conversation, to think about niqqah, polygamy and marri...

http://www.sufism.org/society/articles/GoodAndEvil.htm Q: One thing that helps me is that the Qur'an and hadith have lots of references to timelessness. Where God gives time, and this infinity defines not just the linear time that we're on, seen and unseen, but beyond the seeming events, and infinity includes all possibilities. So instead of just our lives being a linear sequence of events, some good and some bad, it's really a multi-dimensional continuum of all possibilities. We just happen to be sitting in one arbitrary spot. It's almost like you have a picture that's black and white. And it's not like there's presence and absence of good in one particular spot, and it just happened to reach an uncomfortable spot. It's not important whether it's opposite is included or not in the picture. I don't know if this is making sense. But the infinity completely negates good and evil. William Chittick: I would, in your discussion, I would object to the...

"The pages of the book are like the heart. They turn easily." This is what Irfana told our beginner's Arabic class today. I spent some time with her after class, sharing with her the vague details of my life. She told me, "Sadia you have to protect your heart." Protection of the heart can mean many things. For instance, you should avoid foods that are high in saturated fat. This is common-sense protection of the heart. Then, there is the more significant kind of protection, one in which you avoid engaging in affairs that are potentially harmful for you. I have tried to advocate for platonic relationships long enough (three unsuccessful years), and I will state unequivocally now, THEY DO NOT EXIST. Alhamdullilah. (Rayad you win.) Best practices suggest that being close to a guy--any guy who isn't gay or isn't already married/taken-- means there will be emotional hangups. This principle of protection demands that you anticipate the normal patterns of human...

Why does doing the right thing leave me feeling dejected and worthless? Why am I sad when I gain strength from my difference? What if I demoralize the rest, and set for myself these standards of conduct that are just not in sync with the rest of normativity? I convince myself, it is for Principle. But really I am a coward. I am risk-averse. I am unimaginative. I am bland, and spineless. This is the irony. What does it mean to do things for Allah? To make hajj was for Allah. To pray, to critically think about my relationship with God every now and again--these are things I do with the desire of pleasing God. But when is my pleasure, and what makes me happy a factor in my decision making? Not often. I have relinquished my happiness to Him but still momentarily feel wrought with emotions. It is far easier to follow the black and white world of right and wrong than it is to make decisions on a case to case basis, to think about the nuances in every situation. I suppose I am not for law sch...

'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.

http://www.shobak.org/new_comments.php?id=216_0_26_0_C

http://paulgraham.com/procrastination.html Thanks Rayad, for the article.

"So how was it?" "Hajj was cool." Perhaps the understatement of the year, "hajj was cool" does not suffice as a response. But it is the response I have made, rather absentminded to folks who ask me about hajj. Really, the pilgrimage to Mecca is the single greatest experience of my life. Standing between my mom and dad in the Masjid al Haram in Mecca after we had completed our ummrah filled by heart with an indescribable love and gratitude. Three weeks of submission, with occasional bouts of puzzlement, and anger at the people of this place--can really transform one's perception of the world. I saw the ummah, this global community of believers sitting, standing, prostrating themselves before God at five appointed times each day for three weeks. I stood sanwhiched between all kinds of people: beautifully, big-bodied Sudanese giants and petitely framed Sri Lankan women. Women wearing multicolored hijabs, scarves, salwar kamizes. Others wore black-only cha...