Recently I have been engaged in reading some novels that are a tad darker than what I normally read..but a very interesting verse or line came to me that really touched something in me.
It is as follows:
"In Pain, there is life,
In darkness, strength immeasurable!"
It really appealed to me in relation to the things and events that one goes through on a daily basis in life. We generally tend to stay away from things that would hurt us immediately and/or even people for that matter.
Now...feeling pain is one way of knowing that one is alive too. It would depend on perspective on how one interprets it, and here is one way of that, you are welcome to share your views if you agree/disagree.
Now what is pain..pain is a sensation that we feel in our brain, as an example, recently having to go to the gym regularly ensures I have to feel pain on a regular basis, but you have to conquer the pain and condition your mind to it. You accept the pain and it doesn't hurt anymore, you turn a negative into a positive. Accepting the pain is the hardest part though, you have to simply grit your teeth and take it and try and wrap your mindset around the fact that it will hurt less the next time and you are growing stronger.
Same thinking, you can take two views, take the pain and use it as a reminder of what it is and what it represents and the second one is more spiteful, you not only accept it but wallow in it, relish the pain and remember every iota of it, so that you can light a fire of hate/spite/pride whatever you want to call it within yourself and use that to build yourself back..but the point is to never give in to the pain. It is all in the mind. Within your own mind, and what is inside can be conquered...although effort is required, a lot of effort and training of the mind. but most definitely it can be done.
The second path is easier to follow at first but as you go along the path..it becomes harder and harder...but minds can be conditioned and shut off to outside influences, all you have to do is kill the inner voice that tells you otherwise..and all will be well! And it will die.. as you go along, you lose the voice..and there is only one voice that comes and sings in your ears..reminds you of what must be done and guides you through it all, makes you welcome the pain, take it on as a friend, and make it yours..until your time comes....and it comes...it always does..
Further addition.(due to popular opinion)
Hmm..perhaps I should explain my point of view more in detail now…Riya raises a very good point about emotional and physical pain being two very different points…but on both aspects there is a common point…its all a feeling that is stimulated in our brains. I think though that they are both transferable, as in one grows into the other. Ever felt an emotional pain that hurt so much that it seemed and felt physical?? I am sure people can relate to that…although I pray that you never do! And vice versa, a physical act that would translate to emotional pain, both instances are possible if one can think that far.
But pain as a general entity can be something that one can learn from and try and take strength from rather than repel. Let me give you an example of what I had in mind, the red Indians had initiation exercises for their braves in which they would have huge tests of endurance and strength and that included scarring, but as a man passed through it, they would fail but the ones that went through it, became stronger and stronger. The iron will that one possesses can override the pain, now imagine instead of ignoring the pain, you accept it and revel in it. I am currently searching for words to better describe it…lets say the pain reminds you that you are alive..and makes you cling onto life even more so. I hope that makes sense.
Now the second point of view that I was trying to portray isn’t one that I agree with. But it is there, that point of view is what occurred to me when I saw some documentaries on Al-Jazeerah about children in Palestine. Who have everything snatched from them, they have nothing to live for except their hatred. They live only to feel that emotion and that’s what governs their lives. Its what drives them to take another breath, its what makes them move in everyday life. Against such hate what does one do? This is the same kind of hate that is prevalent in our present day Pakistan as well. To be able to combat it, you must first understand it. And this is what I think it might be like. To have a soul hollowed out from the inside completely and you have nothing but a doctrine of hatred to drive yourself from on.
And this view can sort of be also seen in the Quran and in the study of Sufism..your conscience dies out..the inner voice that guides you..and then one has no way to discern right from wrong...in the sense of society..its more disturbing to see that its always students who are well educated that are falling into that category..they are the ones that are always responding to this sort of thinking...I will comment more on this in the future..but I think I have cleared my point at this point to some extent..opinions are always welcome!
And my interest in this only from a argumentative point of view, nothing personal. I would never have that much hatred towards anyone, as long as I have a shred of faith in me, I would never be like that.Rest assured. No one need fear for my sanity.But your concern is noted and acknowledged.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Ramazan! Ramazan! Ramadhan!
ON ramazan
Recently I commented in a previous note on how Ramazan had started and how I love this month. And then one of my dear friends’ comment on this fortuitous month intrigued me greatly. She commented on it being a great act of faith, and she is absolutely right. Another event that came to mind was what one of my sisters told me happened on her Muslim Leadership Course, how non-muslims cannot relate to muslims and how muslims refuse to explain and educate people at times with their personal point of view on Islam. Surely, we welcome all comers and all inquiries and yet many a time, I have seen my fellow brothers and sisters in Islam dismissing questions on faith by saying “You wouldn’t understand!” ..well then..make us understand O wise one!
The truth of the matter is deeply than it truly looks, its not the fault of anyone, its simply a lack of knowledge on either part, once you are sure enough in your faith and knowledgeable, one doesn’t hesitate to talk about it. Take for instance, your favourite topic to talk on, be it sports or world politics or a piece that one has read, one is more than happy to share that knowledge and yet when it comes to religion, we tend to shy away a bit, and this isn’t something that is restricted or prevalent in Australia, Heaven forbid no! I have seen the same behaviour in mosques and houses in my country of origin, a muslim state no less, Pakistan. It saddens me that we cannot share our opinions freely and tell others what we feel in our hearts by practising our faith. So without further ado, I hope to change that, albeit a little, by the following. Please bear with me and am taking on all comers!
Well from a personal point of view, Ramazan has been a personal favourite of mine always. I started fasting at a very young age around 8-9..I remember the huge iftar party my mom threw in celebration of that event. *Iftar being the time at sunset that the fast is broken* Also I was born in this month, and my mother was very proud of that fact and would make sure everyone knew of that by throwing a huge party to celebrate. And thus I was one of the few children who had two birthdays a year..once it went to three even…from memory. That started my love affair with this holy month.
Now Ramazan is basically the month of abstinence, basically, the concept being that for one month, you fast for God and pray for salvation. This is a huge thing, the importance of which cannot be determined at first glance, see in Islam and I think in most religions (please correct me if I am mistaken) one prays for themselves. We ask God for help and forgiveness, we ask and we ask..and then we ask some more. Whereas here, it’s the other way around, one month out of a year that you are asked to do something in return and of course, the rewards promised are staggering as well.
I used to see quite a change in people back in Pakistan during this month, there would be a lot more attendance at mosques during the prayer times, I was very lucky as a mosque was very close by to my house and I would rush there to be part of the prayers, 5 times a day. My friends would do the same, we were in a rush to outdo each other in prayers and usually I would be the last one coming out, with knees and thighs hurting but with such a clear mind and face aglow with the passion of having done something momentous! I still feel that at times.
Another thing that I saw was that at times people would complain about feeling hungry and thirsty and so on and so forth, as is their prerogative, I suppose. But it irked me to hear it! In my estimation and understanding, a little hunger and thirst was nothing compared to having God’s acceptance and happiness. Consider this scenario, a close family member is in hospital, one visits and sits there, we take time off work, we lose our hunger, we lose our zest for life and instead we become consumed with the need to see them better. Now, who could be closer to us, rather than in Whose image we are made (another topic on that later)?? Perhaps at times, we do not understand the huge honour that is bestowed upon us, where or when would God ask favours from us lowly human beings? He does not need our prayers, He does not our sacrificies, neither our wealth nor our health. All that reaches Him is our piety.
Another thing was I saw people having huge Sehris( the time before morning prayers, you are allowed to have an early breakfast, this is called Sehri) and Iftars and well, I heard of people putting on weight during Ramazan, and quite seriously, I thought that it defeated the purpose in a way, perhaps I am wrong, but in my estimation, when you are asked to give up your meal does that not mean that you don’t go and stuff your face in the hours of the night! One of the many reasons for fasting is that it is a great equaliser. In Islam and in the eyes of God, men are judged by their piety, in our prayers, everyone stands row by row, shoulder to shoulder, brothers in their faith, nothing of the world is portrayed there, a king can stand with a slave and pray in front of God, and only He may make a distinction. Similarly, this is also why the timings are defined as from sunrise to sunset, so no matter where Muslims are situated, they can practise their faith with impunity. Coming back to the point I was making earlier, to feel the hunger and thirst, we can relate to our less fortunate brothers and sisters in Islam and feel what they go through on a daily basis, it serves to keep us humble and thankful for what we have. (I will put something else up on practices like this later on) and also encourages us to be generous in the future towards them. Man gets a better understand of suffering once he/she experiences it first hand. So a small taste of hunger and thirst can go a long way.
So yes, I always felt that it was a wonderful thing to feel both hungry and thirsty and to conquer both feelings, instead of fighting them, I welcomed them both and I find myself always greatly active during Ramazan. Its never held me back in any activites, I study twice as much, still go to the gym , practice cricket with my friends, even play full day matches regardless. No boasting, its merely what my experience has been. And once again, my favourite month has arrived and I look forward to a month of fasting, piety and most of all, love. I love the verse that we speak when we break our fast, its translation is as follows, "Oh God, I have kept my fast for you, and I have bought faith in You, I have belief in You and now I break my fast with Your given food!"
I wish you all a fabulous Ramazan. And just in case you were wondering, my birthday is on the 15th of this month. Heehehehe!
Recently I commented in a previous note on how Ramazan had started and how I love this month. And then one of my dear friends’ comment on this fortuitous month intrigued me greatly. She commented on it being a great act of faith, and she is absolutely right. Another event that came to mind was what one of my sisters told me happened on her Muslim Leadership Course, how non-muslims cannot relate to muslims and how muslims refuse to explain and educate people at times with their personal point of view on Islam. Surely, we welcome all comers and all inquiries and yet many a time, I have seen my fellow brothers and sisters in Islam dismissing questions on faith by saying “You wouldn’t understand!” ..well then..make us understand O wise one!
The truth of the matter is deeply than it truly looks, its not the fault of anyone, its simply a lack of knowledge on either part, once you are sure enough in your faith and knowledgeable, one doesn’t hesitate to talk about it. Take for instance, your favourite topic to talk on, be it sports or world politics or a piece that one has read, one is more than happy to share that knowledge and yet when it comes to religion, we tend to shy away a bit, and this isn’t something that is restricted or prevalent in Australia, Heaven forbid no! I have seen the same behaviour in mosques and houses in my country of origin, a muslim state no less, Pakistan. It saddens me that we cannot share our opinions freely and tell others what we feel in our hearts by practising our faith. So without further ado, I hope to change that, albeit a little, by the following. Please bear with me and am taking on all comers!
Well from a personal point of view, Ramazan has been a personal favourite of mine always. I started fasting at a very young age around 8-9..I remember the huge iftar party my mom threw in celebration of that event. *Iftar being the time at sunset that the fast is broken* Also I was born in this month, and my mother was very proud of that fact and would make sure everyone knew of that by throwing a huge party to celebrate. And thus I was one of the few children who had two birthdays a year..once it went to three even…from memory. That started my love affair with this holy month.
Now Ramazan is basically the month of abstinence, basically, the concept being that for one month, you fast for God and pray for salvation. This is a huge thing, the importance of which cannot be determined at first glance, see in Islam and I think in most religions (please correct me if I am mistaken) one prays for themselves. We ask God for help and forgiveness, we ask and we ask..and then we ask some more. Whereas here, it’s the other way around, one month out of a year that you are asked to do something in return and of course, the rewards promised are staggering as well.
I used to see quite a change in people back in Pakistan during this month, there would be a lot more attendance at mosques during the prayer times, I was very lucky as a mosque was very close by to my house and I would rush there to be part of the prayers, 5 times a day. My friends would do the same, we were in a rush to outdo each other in prayers and usually I would be the last one coming out, with knees and thighs hurting but with such a clear mind and face aglow with the passion of having done something momentous! I still feel that at times.
Another thing that I saw was that at times people would complain about feeling hungry and thirsty and so on and so forth, as is their prerogative, I suppose. But it irked me to hear it! In my estimation and understanding, a little hunger and thirst was nothing compared to having God’s acceptance and happiness. Consider this scenario, a close family member is in hospital, one visits and sits there, we take time off work, we lose our hunger, we lose our zest for life and instead we become consumed with the need to see them better. Now, who could be closer to us, rather than in Whose image we are made (another topic on that later)?? Perhaps at times, we do not understand the huge honour that is bestowed upon us, where or when would God ask favours from us lowly human beings? He does not need our prayers, He does not our sacrificies, neither our wealth nor our health. All that reaches Him is our piety.
Another thing was I saw people having huge Sehris( the time before morning prayers, you are allowed to have an early breakfast, this is called Sehri) and Iftars and well, I heard of people putting on weight during Ramazan, and quite seriously, I thought that it defeated the purpose in a way, perhaps I am wrong, but in my estimation, when you are asked to give up your meal does that not mean that you don’t go and stuff your face in the hours of the night! One of the many reasons for fasting is that it is a great equaliser. In Islam and in the eyes of God, men are judged by their piety, in our prayers, everyone stands row by row, shoulder to shoulder, brothers in their faith, nothing of the world is portrayed there, a king can stand with a slave and pray in front of God, and only He may make a distinction. Similarly, this is also why the timings are defined as from sunrise to sunset, so no matter where Muslims are situated, they can practise their faith with impunity. Coming back to the point I was making earlier, to feel the hunger and thirst, we can relate to our less fortunate brothers and sisters in Islam and feel what they go through on a daily basis, it serves to keep us humble and thankful for what we have. (I will put something else up on practices like this later on) and also encourages us to be generous in the future towards them. Man gets a better understand of suffering once he/she experiences it first hand. So a small taste of hunger and thirst can go a long way.
So yes, I always felt that it was a wonderful thing to feel both hungry and thirsty and to conquer both feelings, instead of fighting them, I welcomed them both and I find myself always greatly active during Ramazan. Its never held me back in any activites, I study twice as much, still go to the gym , practice cricket with my friends, even play full day matches regardless. No boasting, its merely what my experience has been. And once again, my favourite month has arrived and I look forward to a month of fasting, piety and most of all, love. I love the verse that we speak when we break our fast, its translation is as follows, "Oh God, I have kept my fast for you, and I have bought faith in You, I have belief in You and now I break my fast with Your given food!"
I wish you all a fabulous Ramazan. And just in case you were wondering, my birthday is on the 15th of this month. Heehehehe!
An old lover returns
I had been waiting for a while now, sitting on the steps when I couldn't be bothered standing anymore, I silently remarked to myself about the uncomfortable position I was in...but one has to do a lot when in love I guess..so there was I sitting there waiting for Her Majesty to appear.
and then suddenly I heard a rustle and turned to see her striding towards me, sheepishly looking down as her eyes met mine.As I mock glared at her, her stride lengthened, her feet not seemingly touching the ground as she deftly ran towards me, her legs scissoring the distance between us. She knew she was late and wanted to make up for the delay.
Finally reaching me..she sat at my feet and looked up into my eyes pleadingly..gently rubbing herself against me..not saying much but meaning a tonne. Her touch melted me as always, I couldn't have been mad at her even if I had tried to be..so I reached down and gently felt her cheeks, making her close her eyes and break into raptures.
"So you finally decided to show up eh?" I asked her, "its been quite a while, you know you are really late!"
A small "meow" can in reply and a vigorous head butting against my knee, which then resulted in a full rub followed by a deep resonating purring.
Yes, she had finally come home and was making up for it.
and then suddenly I heard a rustle and turned to see her striding towards me, sheepishly looking down as her eyes met mine.As I mock glared at her, her stride lengthened, her feet not seemingly touching the ground as she deftly ran towards me, her legs scissoring the distance between us. She knew she was late and wanted to make up for the delay.
Finally reaching me..she sat at my feet and looked up into my eyes pleadingly..gently rubbing herself against me..not saying much but meaning a tonne. Her touch melted me as always, I couldn't have been mad at her even if I had tried to be..so I reached down and gently felt her cheeks, making her close her eyes and break into raptures.
"So you finally decided to show up eh?" I asked her, "its been quite a while, you know you are really late!"
A small "meow" can in reply and a vigorous head butting against my knee, which then resulted in a full rub followed by a deep resonating purring.
Yes, she had finally come home and was making up for it.
Divisions in Islam
What are your views on this?why are there so many divisions in Islam?starting from the reign of the four Caliphs...the main divide is Shia and Sunni..and then even more so...more and more so!
What do you think?any views?any insights?
in my opinion, despite the best efforts of the Holy Prophet(PBUH)..the divisions started as it is human nature. I will try and be more clear. Before Islam, in terms of society value, the biggest tribe had the most rights and prestige.Most of us know this, bigger is better right?after the advent of Islam and the Holy Prophet(PBUH) famous last sermon, when he declared that no Arab or non Arab are different in the eyes of Allah, and all are the same, and will only be judged by God Himself on the day of Judgement on the basis of their own actions.(Masters of your own destinies..hehehe!)
And so the next best way to be the famous elite, or the elite in Islamic society was by deeds orr...rather being closely related to the Holy Prophet(PBUH) the ultimate in human kindness and goodness, hence the division of ppl to side with Hazrat Ali(raziullah talah unhu)..and this thinking has continued ever since...being impressed by someone and following them in the thought that if they are right, so will we be as well..I think it is an inherent quality in all of us...whomever impresses us, we tend to follow...and yet we are forgetting the ultimate example of all!The Holy Prophet himself...sometimes one can wonder that by not having a successor and not having a person to ratify actions and justify deeds is proving to be a good thing or not?
See, the strength of Islam lies in its concept that everyone is equal and none can or should be judged(in here I don't mean not be judged by law but judged as in ppl judging one another)only God will be their Judge...and with the non-existance of a Holy Order or body to justify actions...perhaps something like the Vatican..we sort of leave ourselves open to a lot of ppl proclaiming to be something and perversing the meaning of Jihad and so on and so forth.And corrupting ppl who are simply looking for some means of salvation or rather the truth.....also we have lost the desire to question our actions at times...I find that we are closed to new ideas in terms of religion/faith...whatever has been told to us from birth..is what we will remember and thats about it..nothing else and nothing less!how ironic indeed! *Blessed is the mind too small to doubt* but in doing so we surrender our will to understand our religion and improve our faith....
I think we need to be re educated to understand that no matter what Imam or what messiah your parents follow...you must place everything in front of the Holy Quran and the example of the Holy Prophet and then make your own conclusion....religion isn't complicated..its just common sense...sort of like risk analysis..but the more you dwell into it..the more you get...how much you want is upto you..but also sometimes it is the little you know that troubles you....
From doubts arise questions, from questions arise answers, from answers we get clarity...and from clarity..we get peace.
What do you think?any views?any insights?
in my opinion, despite the best efforts of the Holy Prophet(PBUH)..the divisions started as it is human nature. I will try and be more clear. Before Islam, in terms of society value, the biggest tribe had the most rights and prestige.Most of us know this, bigger is better right?after the advent of Islam and the Holy Prophet(PBUH) famous last sermon, when he declared that no Arab or non Arab are different in the eyes of Allah, and all are the same, and will only be judged by God Himself on the day of Judgement on the basis of their own actions.(Masters of your own destinies..hehehe!)
And so the next best way to be the famous elite, or the elite in Islamic society was by deeds orr...rather being closely related to the Holy Prophet(PBUH) the ultimate in human kindness and goodness, hence the division of ppl to side with Hazrat Ali(raziullah talah unhu)..and this thinking has continued ever since...being impressed by someone and following them in the thought that if they are right, so will we be as well..I think it is an inherent quality in all of us...whomever impresses us, we tend to follow...and yet we are forgetting the ultimate example of all!The Holy Prophet himself...sometimes one can wonder that by not having a successor and not having a person to ratify actions and justify deeds is proving to be a good thing or not?
See, the strength of Islam lies in its concept that everyone is equal and none can or should be judged(in here I don't mean not be judged by law but judged as in ppl judging one another)only God will be their Judge...and with the non-existance of a Holy Order or body to justify actions...perhaps something like the Vatican..we sort of leave ourselves open to a lot of ppl proclaiming to be something and perversing the meaning of Jihad and so on and so forth.And corrupting ppl who are simply looking for some means of salvation or rather the truth.....also we have lost the desire to question our actions at times...I find that we are closed to new ideas in terms of religion/faith...whatever has been told to us from birth..is what we will remember and thats about it..nothing else and nothing less!how ironic indeed! *Blessed is the mind too small to doubt* but in doing so we surrender our will to understand our religion and improve our faith....
I think we need to be re educated to understand that no matter what Imam or what messiah your parents follow...you must place everything in front of the Holy Quran and the example of the Holy Prophet and then make your own conclusion....religion isn't complicated..its just common sense...sort of like risk analysis..but the more you dwell into it..the more you get...how much you want is upto you..but also sometimes it is the little you know that troubles you....
From doubts arise questions, from questions arise answers, from answers we get clarity...and from clarity..we get peace.
Religion in general
Was watching a programme about religion today from Pakistan and it raised quite a few questions...besides the one that TV actually existed in my home and I havn't been able to access that medium due to work..but anyways..coming to the point..I missed some part of it ..but the end point was very interesting that Faith..personal Faith is actually the journey that is undertaken by every person throughout his/her life to achieve the truth in life.It is the quest for truth and that thirst is only quenched by religion itself.
But the opposing question to it was how do you believe what is right or what is wrong. For instance, we usually have the notion/habit of believing a person on face value after we see him/her talk the facts..hmm let me try and rephrase..if I continue to talk sense all the time and reference everything with facts..at some point and time..ppl will begin to believe what I say...I "automatically make sense"...and then I sort of become the authority on whatever topic I like to be talking about..in that situation coming to pass..how does one distinguish if I am right or wrong...a person's thinking or opinion towards me is already won in my favour..hence they wouldn't question my current talk or topic..even though it might well be incorrect...that was a very interesting point..
Hence it was said that for us Muslims we have the Holy Book, The Quran to keep in mind all the time, and although we might respect and revere a person we must remember that anything relating to faith and religion is required to be passed through the guidelines which are already set.
I personally believe, that faith is a very personal thing..it is something close to a person's heart and he/she must do what is close to them...everyone has a different expression of their faith...some keep it private some not...some pray all the time, some don't...some forego the world, some don't...I don't think its appropriate for ppl to judge others on their faith...that is something beyond our means to judge..for instance..someone who helps others continuously and doesn't pray..and someone who prays continuously and stays away from everyone..both are praising God in their own way....
it is such a shame to see people deface the name of religion and faith by committing heinous crimes against the very humanity that religion is there to guide.
How does one cure that....I wonder I wonder...I don't think it is possible to do so...or rather the only way that is open is to explore faith even more...and not worry about others and their faith...but then we couldn't be human..we have envy..greed ..anger...and we can't just ignore them...we can "temporarily suppress" them..but I don't think we can completely get rid of them, unless with divine help...
ahh I wander from my intended purpose..Faith is the journey undertaken by every human to find the truth about himself/herself.
But how many actually want to know?
But the opposing question to it was how do you believe what is right or what is wrong. For instance, we usually have the notion/habit of believing a person on face value after we see him/her talk the facts..hmm let me try and rephrase..if I continue to talk sense all the time and reference everything with facts..at some point and time..ppl will begin to believe what I say...I "automatically make sense"...and then I sort of become the authority on whatever topic I like to be talking about..in that situation coming to pass..how does one distinguish if I am right or wrong...a person's thinking or opinion towards me is already won in my favour..hence they wouldn't question my current talk or topic..even though it might well be incorrect...that was a very interesting point..
Hence it was said that for us Muslims we have the Holy Book, The Quran to keep in mind all the time, and although we might respect and revere a person we must remember that anything relating to faith and religion is required to be passed through the guidelines which are already set.
I personally believe, that faith is a very personal thing..it is something close to a person's heart and he/she must do what is close to them...everyone has a different expression of their faith...some keep it private some not...some pray all the time, some don't...some forego the world, some don't...I don't think its appropriate for ppl to judge others on their faith...that is something beyond our means to judge..for instance..someone who helps others continuously and doesn't pray..and someone who prays continuously and stays away from everyone..both are praising God in their own way....
it is such a shame to see people deface the name of religion and faith by committing heinous crimes against the very humanity that religion is there to guide.
How does one cure that....I wonder I wonder...I don't think it is possible to do so...or rather the only way that is open is to explore faith even more...and not worry about others and their faith...but then we couldn't be human..we have envy..greed ..anger...and we can't just ignore them...we can "temporarily suppress" them..but I don't think we can completely get rid of them, unless with divine help...
ahh I wander from my intended purpose..Faith is the journey undertaken by every human to find the truth about himself/herself.
But how many actually want to know?
A romantic meeting
After blabbing and blustering my way through conversation after conversation, I finally had summoned up the courage to ask her to have dinner with me. it was no no easy business, she made very sure that I was asking her out and didn't let me off the hook easily, keeping a poker face throughout the conversation while I blustered and finally was able to give in and ask her out on her terms, she favored me with her best smile, which lit up the day and a casual flick of the hand that thrust back a strand of hair that dared to intrude upon her face and made me realize that sometimes, its better to give in than be uptight and flustered even in that approach!
So I made a conscious effort to make an impression or rather to impress and thus waited patiently for her to arrive..and what an arrival!! a simple dress it was supposed to be..but on her..nah uh...far from it...it fitted her form sublimely and she glided in as confident as ever, legs scissoring in front of the other in a soft and slow measured manner, that gave the impression she was gliding on air and not walking like us mere mortals, every step caused no sound or tremor, yet one could feel her presence drawing nearer,as she saw me, she once again beamed her huge smile. and then looking at me in the light, her eyes registered a bit of shock by spreading wide and then acceptance by mellowing immediately after.
The dress did little to add to her beauty, but she made the dress look fabulous in return, it was revealing and yet classy, she didn't look desperate or vulgar, it suited her fine. But who could be bothered even looking down when you could drown in those pools of brown that seemed to shine in the candlelight.
So as I rose to take her soft hand in mine to guide her to the table, she commented on how beautiful everything was, and all I could do was echo her, so thinking I was agreeing with her she continues and mentions that there is something special tonight that she hasn't seen before over here, and before I could bite my tongue off, it slipped out of my mouth...I blurted out, its the radiance from the company I have, just like a rainbow makes the sky even more beautiful, you make the place far more enchanting and peaceful.
I wasn't sure for a sec whether she would glare at me or accept what I said, but then a mischievous smile played on her lips and she inquired whether I was always so smooth, to which I replied only when I am hungry. And so I escorted her to the table, and we made small talk, about life, ambition, jobs, education, hobbies, I absent mindedly placed my hand on my glass and then suddenly I felt a feather touch as her hand reached for the same glass and came to rest on the back of my palm...the sensation at that point was like a wildfire that roars but doesn't burn, both of us gazed at our hands, and she kept hers there for a while before shyly retreating it into her lap...and blushing slightly...the darker hue very apparent on her light cheeks..her gaze dropping down as well..I was breathing very lowly at this point..not wanting to spoil this moment and to treasure it for all eternity in the safe of my memory, and instead I gazed at her lowered eyelids, the delicate lids peaked with luscious eyelashes that seemed to sweep the air with such grace and so heavy that they seemed to weight the delicate lids down themselves. As I noticed the little veins that were there....suddenly the lids flicked open and she turned her full gaze on me...her beautiful large eyes gazed up at me....and I could say no more.............time stood still
So I made a conscious effort to make an impression or rather to impress and thus waited patiently for her to arrive..and what an arrival!! a simple dress it was supposed to be..but on her..nah uh...far from it...it fitted her form sublimely and she glided in as confident as ever, legs scissoring in front of the other in a soft and slow measured manner, that gave the impression she was gliding on air and not walking like us mere mortals, every step caused no sound or tremor, yet one could feel her presence drawing nearer,as she saw me, she once again beamed her huge smile. and then looking at me in the light, her eyes registered a bit of shock by spreading wide and then acceptance by mellowing immediately after.
The dress did little to add to her beauty, but she made the dress look fabulous in return, it was revealing and yet classy, she didn't look desperate or vulgar, it suited her fine. But who could be bothered even looking down when you could drown in those pools of brown that seemed to shine in the candlelight.
So as I rose to take her soft hand in mine to guide her to the table, she commented on how beautiful everything was, and all I could do was echo her, so thinking I was agreeing with her she continues and mentions that there is something special tonight that she hasn't seen before over here, and before I could bite my tongue off, it slipped out of my mouth...I blurted out, its the radiance from the company I have, just like a rainbow makes the sky even more beautiful, you make the place far more enchanting and peaceful.
I wasn't sure for a sec whether she would glare at me or accept what I said, but then a mischievous smile played on her lips and she inquired whether I was always so smooth, to which I replied only when I am hungry. And so I escorted her to the table, and we made small talk, about life, ambition, jobs, education, hobbies, I absent mindedly placed my hand on my glass and then suddenly I felt a feather touch as her hand reached for the same glass and came to rest on the back of my palm...the sensation at that point was like a wildfire that roars but doesn't burn, both of us gazed at our hands, and she kept hers there for a while before shyly retreating it into her lap...and blushing slightly...the darker hue very apparent on her light cheeks..her gaze dropping down as well..I was breathing very lowly at this point..not wanting to spoil this moment and to treasure it for all eternity in the safe of my memory, and instead I gazed at her lowered eyelids, the delicate lids peaked with luscious eyelashes that seemed to sweep the air with such grace and so heavy that they seemed to weight the delicate lids down themselves. As I noticed the little veins that were there....suddenly the lids flicked open and she turned her full gaze on me...her beautiful large eyes gazed up at me....and I could say no more.............time stood still
Fear or Love?
I think a lot of ppl would agree with me when I say that whenever I go to a mosque to hear a sermon, all the Maulana talks about how much punishment for this and how much punishment for that...which is all well and good..but I always read that the person you love the most is the one whose anger you shrink away from the most...all we are taught about the fear of God...but never the love of God...that seems very contradictory for me....it seems only by fear can we be ruled..whereas the power of love is far far greater in bringing over ppl and keeping them there...I just wish that some of these old fashioned maulanas would realise that and try and change their preaching to something that resembles my point. I am sure there would be a lot more ppl embracing their religion instead of just listening to someone seemingly rambling on.
And Allah Himself says "I love every child even more than its mother" and also "I am closer to him than his own life vein(in urdu its called Shayrag) (the main artery in the neck)
I am just very very frustrated by the continuous rhetoric of hell fire and the various punishments, but whats wrong in trying a different tact...I just dont understand that where is all this resentment coming from in the Imams, they are supposed to be kind and anger isn't allowed in Islam and yet at times its all too easy for someone to simply divert that point of punishment to hatred towards another religion, which is very wrong and yet also extremely easy to do. Instead of co existing, we start judging and with judging there is a verdict...and with verdict comes retribution...totally unnecessary...should live and let live.Should learn to love your fellow man...we are humans first and then Muslims. By truly following our religion we become what we were supposed to be, true human beings, with compassion for the weak, generosity for the poor, love for our fellow beings...
a bit more tenderness wouldn't go astray, instead of being a hardline good or bad theory applying to everything, life isn't black and white so why should the interpretation of our religion be any different, there are concessions for exceptional circumstances, but I never hear Imams mention it, its something that slips their mind....instead using terror and punishment to inspire ppl to join the ranks..hardly see how that is conducive..would you rather be forced to do something out of fear than do it out of love?
And Allah Himself says "I love every child even more than its mother" and also "I am closer to him than his own life vein(in urdu its called Shayrag) (the main artery in the neck)
I am just very very frustrated by the continuous rhetoric of hell fire and the various punishments, but whats wrong in trying a different tact...I just dont understand that where is all this resentment coming from in the Imams, they are supposed to be kind and anger isn't allowed in Islam and yet at times its all too easy for someone to simply divert that point of punishment to hatred towards another religion, which is very wrong and yet also extremely easy to do. Instead of co existing, we start judging and with judging there is a verdict...and with verdict comes retribution...totally unnecessary...should live and let live.Should learn to love your fellow man...we are humans first and then Muslims. By truly following our religion we become what we were supposed to be, true human beings, with compassion for the weak, generosity for the poor, love for our fellow beings...
a bit more tenderness wouldn't go astray, instead of being a hardline good or bad theory applying to everything, life isn't black and white so why should the interpretation of our religion be any different, there are concessions for exceptional circumstances, but I never hear Imams mention it, its something that slips their mind....instead using terror and punishment to inspire ppl to join the ranks..hardly see how that is conducive..would you rather be forced to do something out of fear than do it out of love?
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