At The Garden

There is something in me that makes me tied up to events in the past, some kind of predilection of collecting, recording, and re-collecting memories, though in actual reality, I am a very forgetful person.

Once again, I link up a few hours spent last 25th of December, 2012 to what I did last 25th of December this year. I spent both days at the home garden. At first glance, both places (the garden) may look nothing less than ordinary. But with a harder look, one can see beauty even in what others will just pass judgment as being insignificant and not worthy of attention. Even the tiny rocks on a pot can exude a different kind of elegance with their shades of colors and textures. One can find beauty, peace and calm even if being alone with nature. Even in silence, these creations extol praises to the One who created them, no matter how insignificant they appear to others.

The times I feel most alive are when I’m caught up in something that makes me forget myself. Art. Work. Other people. Nature. God.

—	Donald Miller

Year's Brief Recap

In a matter of few days, this year's going to an end. Looking past through, I can only recall at how I spent days and months, hours, and did things in-between. Though I can say that I had always hoped to become a better and more mature person, I can see and feel that that hope will continue for a long time.

How did I spent this year? First of all, I am very grateful and indebted to God, and then my parents, and then my siblings, for giving me much and ample time to have time for myself and study Islam. This year was spent much on Islamic studies, and it was due largely to an inner need to develop my faith and strengthen it. Even though I have poor comprehension skills when it comes to reading books, still, the time that I spent with them is priceless and can never be replaced. It is like delving into an ocean where the boundary can not be seen and it surrounds you in all directions. It always has something new to offer, and as I go on with studying, new doors of sacred knowledge never fail to amaze me. A sense of awe and deep reverence surrounds them, and being able to absorb them fully does not only strengthen ones faith, but also gives a fresh and a different perspective on seeing and living through life. Every absorbed passage or tidbit of wisdom can change ones way of seeing and it can alter the way we see the present, the future, and the past.

Alhamdulillah, as a whole, this year had been especially productive for me, as what I had written on my last January 18, 2013,

This will be my first update for this year, and I'm so happy that it started out as good for me, in terms of having a lot of time for study and research... I'd like to focus my efforts for this year in Islamic Studies, God willing and perhaps, that will be a separate thing which I'd like to share with you sometime.

Now, this year is coming to an end, and God willing, I will have to again consider what are my plans for next year. There will be different goals and a different endeavor to be focused on. Although this year was not all bright and beautiful, there had been ups and downs, some realities that had to be dealt with and confronted, but just like any other challenge that I had dealt with, they had been truly faced, dealt with, and solved. 

Going through the process of studying Islam, especially doing it alone is very challenging. I don't have a teacher with whom I can ask questions or discuss the topics with, and I relied heavily on how I understand the texts. And then, I decided to listen to lectures and discussions over an invention (I like to call it as a 'menace') called 'Internet' and from there, I came to discover various voices and approaches on dealing with the branches of Islamic knowledge. There were many schools, creeds, groups, and people of various backgrounds and religious interpretations, and it is through these means that I came to appreciate the dynamic aspect of this field of study. There were debates and refutations among people, factors which can never be avoided. Thus, through having wise discernment and objective judgment, one can understand and reconcile the clashes and differences that exist within the verdicts, explanations and interpretations of Islamic knowledge: the Shari'ah (Islamic Law), and Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence), and Ta'wil (Interpretation). One very important goal which I haven't achieved is learning Arabic grammar. The texts of the Qur'an and Prophetic Traditions (Hadith) are originally written in Arabic, and thus, to understand the exact and precise content of the basic Islamic books, one has to be familiar with Arabic. But unfortunately, I was not able to study the grammar, and I relied heavily on English. 

At this point, I am also trying to understand a topic which is mentioned in the Qur'an and Hadith, but with which I think there is a great deal of debate or controversy regarding it. It has something to do with the topic of women in the Hereafter. This topic had baffled me for weeks now and based from what I had been reading on, and with regards to uses in Arabic wording, this topic needs to be further examined and re-considered by those who interpret and teach the texts and publish them on their writings, or speak of them on their discussions. I have to admit that the topic at hand is sitting on my mind, and many women, in particular, had been trying to understand it, but which I believe is causing them distress. If I can deduce from the evidences mentioned on the Qur'an and Hadith, and then expound it, I am anticipating that it will take on a course which would differ from those who earlier interpreted them. But at this stage, I will not go or expound on that given topic. I believe that God knows what best explains this matter. But if the women concerned will be able to know my initial questions and stance regarding this topic, God willing, it will bring comfort to their hearts and relieve them of the unjust perceptions that they are being subjected with.

Einstein

My passionate interest in social justice and social responsibility has always stood in current contrast to a marked lack of desire for direct association with men and women. I am a horse for single harness, not cut out for tandem or team work... Such isolation is sometimes bitter but I do not regret being cut-off from the understanding and sympathy of other men... I am compensated for it in being rendered independent of the customs, opinions and prejudices of others and am not tempted to rest my peace of mind upon such shifting foundations. 

- Albert Einstein, quoted from Creating Minds by Howard Gardner

Mary

Know, O my soul, the greatness of God, and exult my spirit, in God my Savior, for He has regarded the lowliness of His handmaiden, in so much that I shall be called blessed by all the nations, for He that is mighty has made me great, and blessed be His holy name. For His mercy extends from generation to generation of them that fear Him. Mighty has He made His hand, and He has scattered the proud in the imagination of His heart. He has put down the mighty from their seat, and has exalted the humble. Him who has been hungry has He filled with food things, and the rich He has sent away. For He keeps in memory the promises made to Abraham and to his son forever... 

- Mary, the Mother of Jesus, Gospel of Barnabas

Resolution

Days In-Between

Lovely Weekend!

A Refreshing Afternoon

Salam blog! Friday is one of my favorite days of the week. It is also my day-off from work so I get to go out and visit places, travel, explore, and take photos.

Initially, I planned of going downtown to go to the market and buy some flowers to put to my room, but I ended up joining my parents to attend the Jumu'ah prayer. We were accompanied by my uncle's family, and my three cutie little cousins, including a baby boy are such an apple in the eyes! They were very hyperactive and they ran here and there. And they liked joining me while I walk and called me 'ate'. 

I went for a walk at the farm after the prayers and as usual, I took my baby camera with me to take photos. There were many fruits and vegetables grown on the farm like chili, eggplants, long beans, papaya, citrus, coconut, banana, guava trees, etc. The farm is situated at the middle of rice fields, and some of the rice had just been planted recently so the shoots look soft and refreshingly green.

As we walked through the farm, gentle wafts of wind blew, it was so calming and an atmosphere of simplicity and comfort filled the air. This is what I long for in the rural country life, people grow their own food, the air is clean and fresh, life is simple and laid back, and goodness, kindness surrounds...

Then and Now

God turns me away from what is harmful to me. He takes care of me and shelters me in His grace. He clears away my doubts and confusion when I can no longer understand. He takes me to where I am safe from harm, He gives me refuge in His own protection. He takes away this pain when I can no longer endure. He accompanies me and reminds me that He will always be here and never leave me. In His mercy, He keeps hidden what He has prepared for me and that is what will remain, beyond this world and what is yet to come. Theirs had been shown, but mine is...and will remain hidden. And will always be.

Fi Sabilillah

Blooms

The Excellence of Gathering in which Allah is Remembered

Allah the Exalted says:

"And keep yourself (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) patiently with those who call on their Lord (i.e. your companions who remember their Lord with glorification, praising in prayers, etc., and other righteous deeds, etc.) morning and afternoon, seeking His Face, and let not your eyes overlook them, desiring the pomp and glitter of the life of the world; and obey not him whose heart We have made heedless of Our Remembrance, one who follows his own lusts and whose affair (deeds) has been lost." 

- Qur'an (Surah Al Kahf 28)

Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported: The Messenger of Allah, the Exalted, has teams of angels who go about on the roads seeking those who remember Allah. When they find some people remembering Allah they call to one another and say, 'Come to what you are looking for,' and they surround them with their wings until the space between them and the lowest sky is fully covered. Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, asks them (although He is best informed about every thing): 'What are my slaves saying?' They say: 'They are glorifying Your Tasbih, Tahmid, Takbir, Tamjid, (i.e., they were declaring the Perfectness, praising, remembering the Greatness and Majesty of Allah).' He asks: 'Have they seen Me?' Thereupon they reply: 'If they were to see You, they would engage more earnestly in worshipping and glorifying You and would extol You more.' He would say: 'What do they beg of Me?' They say: 'They beg You for Your Jannah.' Allah says, 'Have they seen my Jannah?' They say, 'No our Rubb.' He says: 'How would they act if they were to see my Jannah?' They reply, 'Were they to see it, they would more intensely eager for it.' They (the angels) say, 'They seek Your Protection.' He asks, 'Against what do they seek My Protection?' They (the angels) say, Our Rubb, from the fire of Hell.' (He, the Rubb) says, 'Have they seen the fire of Hell?' They say, 'No. By Your Honour, they have not seen it.' He says: 'How would they act if they were to see My Fire?' They would say: 'If they were to see it, they would more earnest in being away from it and fearing it. They beg of Your forgiveness.' He says: 'I call you to witness that I hereby grant pardon to them and confer upon them what they ask for; and grant them protection against what they seek protection from.' One of the angels says: 'Our Rubb, there is amongst them and such slave who does not belong to the assembly of those who are participating in in Your remembrance. He passed by them and sat down with them.' He says: 'I also grant him pardon because they are the people of virtue of whom their associates will not be unfortunate.'"

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
(The narration in Muslim is also the same with minor changes in wordings).


[Source: Riyad Us-Saliheen (Gardens of the Righteous) Volume 2 by Al-Imam Abu Zakariya Yahya bin Sharaf An-Nawawi Ad-Dimashqi]

Why Study Islam?

Prayer

O Lord, the Tribulations that You give to me, are Honors that I gladly accept. For through them, I gain strength and wisdom, I become closer to You, My beloved Creator.

I do not seek anything but Your Forgiveness, Your Pleasure, Your Mercy, Your Face. I will praise and glorify You for the rest of my life, in ease and hardship. You alone Whom I seek.

Travel to Baguio City (Part 7): A Walk at the Rose Garden

Two Persons Worthy of Being Envied

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم gave glad tidings to anyone who undertakes the task of seeking knowledge. Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه relates that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said,

"For him who embarks on the path of seeking knowledge, Allah will ease for him the way to paradise."

and he also said,

"Only two persons are worthy of being envied; a person upon whom Allah bestows riches and gives him the power to spend it in a righteous cause; and a person upon whom Allah bestows wisdom by which he judges and which he teaches."

The Highest Form of Love

A heart is inherently in need of God in two respects: One is worship, which is the "purposive reason," and the other is asking for God's aid and putting trust in Him, which is the "working reason." The heart, therefore, will never be useful, successful, blessed, pleased or satisfied except by worshipping God.

Supposing the heart obtained all the pleasures that creatures enjoy, it will never feel at rest or contented because there is in it "inherent need" to God. For in God alone the heart delights, and God alone is its adored beloved, and here the heart gets rest and satisfaction.

In fact, this will not happen but by the Providence and Help of God, for none but God can provide these things to the heart which is always in need of the fact that: "It is Thee we worship, and for Thy aid we ask"  (Qur'an 1:5). If the heart was helped to obtain what it would like and want without worshipping God, it would obtain only pain, pity, and agony in this life, and it will never get rid of these unless God is its true love, and all other sorts of love are for His sake i.e. none will be loved for its own sake except God. 

If this was not realized, the other fact cannot be realized, namely, "There is no God but Allah" (La ilaha illa Allah) neither can the other facts of Tawheed (Monotheism) - Slavery and Love of God, and he wlll have defective belief.

He who worked for this question while not asking for God's aid or putting trust in Him, or feeling poor and in need of Him, would not reach it. Whatever God willed, so it will be, and whatever He willed not, it won't. Man therefore is always in need of God Who is his aim and destination, and the worshipped Lord, whose help is sought, and in whom trust we put.

- Ibn Taymiyyah

The Signs of a Hypocrite

Narrated 'Abdullah bin Amr رضي الله عنه: The Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم said,  

"Whoever has the following four (characteristics) will be a pure hypocrite, and whoever has one of the following four characteristics will have one characteristic of hypocrisy unless and until he gives it up.

1. Whenever he is entrusted, he betrays (proves dishonest).

2. Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie.

3. Whenever he makes a covenant, he proves treacherous.

4. Whenever he quarrels, he behaves in a very imprudent, evil and insulting manner."   


[Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari Vol.1, Hadith no. 24]

Invocations

Allahumma aslamtu wajhi 'ilaika, wa fawwadtu amri 'ilaika, wa 'aljatu zahri 'ilaika raghbatan-wa rahbatan 'ilaika. La malja' minka illa 'ilaika. Allahumma amantu bikitabikal-ladhi anzalta wa binabiyikal-ladhi 'arsalta.

O Allâh! I surrender to You and trust You in all my affairs and depend upon You for Your Blessings with hope and fear of You. There is no place of protection and safety except with You. O Allâh! I believe in the Book (the Qur'an) You have revealed and in the Prophet (Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم) whom You have sent.

Allahumma ba'id baini baina khatayaya kama ba- 'adt-ta bainal mashriqi wal-maghribi. Allahumma naqqini min khataya kama yunaqqa-ththawbul-abyadu minad-danas. Allahumma-ghsil khatayaya bil-ma'i wath-thalji wal-barad.

O Allâh! Set me apart from the sins as east and west are set apart from each other and cleanse me from sins as a white garment is cleansed of dirt. O Allâh! Wash off my sins with water, snow and hail.

Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min adhabil-qabri, wa a'udhu bika min fitnatil-masih-id-dajjal, wa a'udhu bika min fitnatil-mahya wal-mamati. Allahumma inni a'udhu bika minal-ma'thami wal maghrami

O Allâh! I seek Your protection against the punishment of the grave and against the trial and afflictions of the False Messiah (Masih Ad-Dajjal) and the trial and afflictions of life and death. O Allâh, I seek Your protection against sins and debts.

Allahumma inni zalamtu nafsi zulman kathiranw-wala yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa anta faghfirli maghfiratam-min 'indika, war-hamni innaka antal-Ghafur-ur-Rahim

O Allâh! I have done great injustice to myself and none except You forgive sins, so please forgive me and be Merciful to me as You are the Oft-Forgiver, the Most Merciful.

Ayatul Kursi (The Verse of The Throne)

Allâh! Lâ ilâha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists. Neither slumber, nor sleep overtake Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on earth. Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His Permission? He knows what happens to them (His creatures) in this world, and what will happen to them in the Hereafter. And they will never compass anything of His Knowledge except that which He wills. His Kursî extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.

- Qur'an (Surah Al Baqarah 255 [Ayatul Kursî])

Remaining Patient

I shall remain patient until patience itself cannot bear my patience anymore. I shall remain patient until Allah grants permission to my affair. And I shall remain patient until patience knows that I kept patient on a matter which required patience.

- Imam Ash-Shafi’i

Your Lord Will Give You

 

"And verily, your Lord will give you so that you shall be well-pleased."

- Qur'an (Surah Ad Duhaa 5)

Patience and Prayer

"O you who have believed, seek help in patience and prayer; surely Allah is with the patient."

- Qur'an Surah Al Baqarah 153

Fitrah (The Innate Human Nature): A Prelude

Allah has created His slaves in such a way that they are free from false beliefs, and He has created them with the readiness to accept the sound beliefs, but when they are born, the devils from among mankind and the jinn surround them and corrupt their sound nature (fitrah), but Allah protects those whom He wishes to the Truth.

Allah knows those who will remain steadfast and adhere to the sound fitrah and whose fitrah will be changed. He knows that from eternity and it is written. According to the Hadith narrated by Muslim, 'Iyaad ibn Hammar said, the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم said that Allah the Exalted said,

"I have created My slaves as Haneefs (pure monotheisths), then the Shayateen (devils) mislead them, forbidding them that which I have permitted them, and commanding them to associate others in worship with Me for which I have not revealed any authority."

[Source: Islamic Creed Series: Vol. 8, pp. 86-87, by Dr. Umar S. Al Ashqar]

            

The Prayer of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم When The People of Ta'if Hurt Him

اللهم انى اشكو اليك ضعف قوتى , وقلة حيلتى وهوانى على الناس , يا أرحم الراحمين , انت رب المستضعفين وانت ربي , الى من تكلنى ؟ الى بعيد يتجهمني , ام الى عدو ملكته أمرى ؟ ان لم يكن بك غضب علي فلا أبالى ولكن عافيتك أوسع لى من ذنوبى , اعوذ بنور وجهك الذي أشرقت له الظلمات وصلح عليه حال الدنيا والآخرة من ان ينزل على غضبك او يحل بي سخطك , لك العتبى حتى ترضى , ولا حول ولا قوة الا بك

"Lord! To You I complain of my weakness, lack of means, and my humility among the people. My Gracious Merciful Lord! You are the Lord of the weak people and You are my Lord: whom do you entrust me to? To a stranger frowning at me? Or to an enemy You gave him power over me? Verily if You are not angry with me, then I care not and Your bliss is better to me. I seek refuge in the Light of Your Face, by which all darkness were illuminated, and by which all matters of this world and Hereafter are done with, that no indignance should occur to me. You may blame however You please; I have no power or authority but You."

Will-Power and Attainment of Perfection

A human being is created with no firm will-power. He has a tendency to sway from this and that, and that is a part of his nature. But he can gain firmness and strength of will and faith by striving to attain the perfection of the purpose of his creation, that is: slavery to Allah. It is said that, 

"When Allah formed Adam in Paradise, He left him for as long as He willed to leave him, and Iblees (Satan / Devil) started to walk around him, looking at him to see what he was. When he saw that he was hollow, he knew that this creature had been created with a disposition such that he has no firm will-power."

- Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم

[Source: Sahih Muslim 4/2016, no. 2611]

That is why, Shaykh Al Islam (may Allah have mercy on him) further said,

"The  most perfect, the best, the most supreme, the finest, and the most righteous people are those who have most perfect slavery to God. This in fact, is the reality of the Religion of Islam by which God has sent His Messengers, and by which He revealed His Books. This reality is that man should submit to God only, not to others."

- Ibn Taymiyyah

[Source: Al Ubudiyyah]

Protecting Ourselves From Wrong

"Whoever sees an evil deed being performed should change it with his hand. If he is not able to change it with his hand, then (he should change it) with his tongue. And if he is not able to change it with his tongue, then (he should change it) with his heart, and that is the weakest form of Eeman."

- Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم


"The best way to protect ourselves from wrong is to keep away from anything that could lead to it. One of the favorite tricks of the Shaytân, which deceives everyone except those who are clever enough to see it, is to show a person some goodness in a wrong thing, and call him to go towards it; when the person gets close to it, he falls into the trap."

 

- Ibn al Qayyim

"A man only commits haram actions because of the weakness of his faith and love; if he does makruh actions it is because he does not have enough hatred towards it, or because of the strength of the love for it that overwhelmed his heart. No person does any haram action, such as immoral conduct both obvious and hidden, or sin and transgression, or associates things with Allah for which He has sent down no authority, or speaks about Allah without knowledge, except because of weakness of faith, because of lack of knowledge and belief, or because of the weakness of love and hate. But if his faith is basically sound, which means that he believes in all that Allah sent, then when the believer does these actions, he feels hatred and resentment towards them, and if he does them then it is because his whims and desires overwhelmed him, so when doing them he inevitably hates them and fears Allah’s punishment for them, and he has the hope that he will rid himself of the consequences, either by repenting or by doing good deeds or by being forgiven, and so on. But if he does not hate them and does not fear Allah with regard to them and does not hope for His mercy, then this is not a believer under any circumstances; rather he is a kafir or a hypocrite."

- Ibn Taymiyyah

He Who Treads A Path In Search of Knowledge

Humility in Knowledge

It was asked (to Imām Mālik), A person who has knowledge of the Sunnah, should he argue in order to defend it? He replied, ‘No, he should inform the other of the Sunnah, if he accepts, fine, otherwise he should remain silent.’ He would say, ‘Arguing and disputing about knowledge takes away the light of knowledge,’ and, ‘Disputing about knowledge hardens the heart and breeds cursing.’ Frequently would he say in response to question that he was asked, ‘I do not know.’


[Source: Page 41 - The Excellence of Knowledge (Fadhl Ilm) by al-Hāfiz ibn Rajab al-Hanbalī]

The Pens Have Been Lifted And The Ink Has Dried

Be mindful of Allah, and Allah will protect you. Be mindful of Allah, and you will find Him in front of you. If you ask, ask of Allah; if you seek help, seek help of Allah. Know that if a nation were to gather together to benefit you with anything, it would benefit you only with something that Allah had already prescribed for you, and that if they gather together to harm you with anything, they would harm you only with something Allah had already prescribed for you. The pens have been lifted and the ink has dried.

- Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم

Mosque 3

I was able to finish the third installment of the Mosque painting series today. The painting can also be seen on my portfolio along with the video while it was being painted. 

Corruption of the Heart

Every harm that enters upon a servant, is caused by the heart’s corruption. The corruption of the heart in turn brings about the removal of the heart’s right upon Allah, the Exalted, and a diminution of its degree and rank in the sight of Allah. For this reason, some of the shaykhs advised with their saying: Be cautious of (the) mixing with a person which will cause wastage of time and corruption of the heart. For verily, when time is wasted and the heart is corrupted, all of the affairs of the servant will become ruined, and he will be of those about whom Allah, the Exalted, said:

And obey not him whose heart We have made heedless of Our Remembrance, one who follows his own lusts and whose affair has been lost and wasted. 

- Qur'an (Surah Al Kahf 28)

[Source:  The Path to Guidance, Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah]

Physical Appearance

No matter how beautiful or handsome you are, you will still be the food of worms. So set aside your arrogance, and remember your grave.

- Anonymous

Reflections on Existence

What sense does life make if we will all end up in annihilation? If we all end up dying and be turned to dirt and dust? What sense are all the ideals and values and morals that we are fighting for and living for? What sense is ugliness and beauty when everything is doomed to destruction? What sense is there for living and breathing the air of life when that air will one day cease to flow through our bodies? This reminds me of a poem of Alexander Pope, Essay on Man. The lines read,

EPISTLE II.

Know, then, thyself, presume not God to scan;
The proper study of mankind is man.
Placed on this isthmus of a middle state,
A being darkly wise, and rudely great:
With too much knowledge for the sceptic side,
With too much weakness for the stoic’s pride,
He hangs between; in doubt to act, or rest;
In doubt to deem himself a god, or beast;
In doubt his mind or body to prefer;
Born but to die, and reasoning but to err;
Alike in ignorance, his reason such,
Whether he thinks too little, or too much:
Chaos of thought and passion, all confused;
Still by himself abused, or disabused;
Created half to rise, and half to fall;
Great lord of all things, yet a prey to all;
Sole judge of truth, in endless error hurled:
The glory, jest, and riddle of the world!

It was in those younger years when I used to be very obsessed and fearful of the idea of death. Of a life that is going to end, of efforts and hard work which are going to end and one day, completely erased and forgotten. The idea of being put on a very deep and dark place, where this body that I always take care of, will be disintegrated into the earth, with worms and organisms which will eat my flesh, blood and bones, was truly horrifying. I spent sleepless nights filled with the fear of anticipation of death and what is yet to come...while people around me are fast asleep, my mind is racing with thoughts of fear and confusion.

Aye, but to die, and go we know not where,
To lie in sensible obstruction and to rot,
This sensible warm motion to become
A kneaded clod...
To be imprisoned in the viewless winds,
And blown with restless violence ruined about
The pendent world...
... 'tis too horrible!
The weariest and most loathed worldly life
That age, ache, penury, and imprisonment 
Can lay on nature is a paradise
To what we fear of death

- Claudio, from Measure to Measure, Act III, Scene I


Imperious Caesar , dead and turned to clay,
Might stop a hole to keep the wind away.
Oh, that that earth which kept the world in awe
Should patch a wall to expel the winter's flow.

- Hamlet, Act V, Scene I

I cannot understand and comprehend what lies beyond, what meaning there is in this life, since I had always given my very best in everything I did, especially when I was younger, as a student. I will copy pages of books into my notebooks like vain attempt to document everything that I learned and read, my notebooks filled boxes and boxes, and I refused to throw a single piece of them. And then I would compose poems at the dusty library of my old school, with recurrent themes about pain and confusion, of a life that hereafter or is going to end. That kind of preoccupation, I channeled by documenting my life in journals and diaries hoping that perhaps, they may serve some sort of purpose, a memento mori, that will outlive me long after I leave this world. That trace of existence that will remind that I once lived in this world. 

***

Countless books, essays, and ideals had been written throughout the history of mankind. God had created many great minds who had contributed a lot to our humanity, to the civilizations of man, in the fields of knowledge and inquiry. Their ideals and their writings, their revolutionary and revivalist attitudes and remarkable talents and abilities had paved way for beautiful changes, those who made their marks and left behind something. And when you read their writings, you can't help but be amazed by what they were able to contribute. When you read their words, it's like, they are just in front of you, you can feel the pulse of life, the soul through their words. But they are all only written sentences and paragraphs on paper. They are all gone. Their bodies had mixed with the earth. Their ashes are flying with the wind. Their remains are kept on jars or on mausoleums, graveyards, or even in unknown places. None can ever catch a glimpse of them anymore. But their words go on and one who will read them can still savor the existence and their thoughts that were put onto concrete form when life is still throbbing on them... that is the beauty of the written word... more so, when those knowledge that they imparted on to the next generations of humanity can still be seen and can generate changes.

If we get amazed by the brilliance and intelligence of these people long gone away, how much more inspiration and awe can we feel if all that knowledge is only a tiny drop in the ocean compared to Knowledge of the One Who created everything? That what they were given is nothing comparable to the Knowledge of God? The Almighty Creator of the universe and all that exists?

And to think that the source of all that knowledge and humanly achievement all comes from One ultimate source, then we as human beings, appointed as vicegerents of God to this world, to turn to that knowledge and inspiration, as the guiding light and fountainhead in all the endeavors of life. To harness our minds and abilities towards a common and noble goal. But how can we find it? Knowing that throughout our lives, we are influenced with many kinds of ideologies and great ideas that come from many sources? Consider a name who made a mark in the field of psychology, Carl Gustav Jung:

"We all say that this is the century of the common man, that he is the lord of the earth, the air and the water, and that on his decision hangs the historical fate of the nations. This proud picture of human grandeur is unfortunately an illusion only and is counterbalanced by a reality which is very different. In this reality man is the slave and victim of the machines that have conquered space and time for him; he is intimidated and endangered by the might of the war technique which is supposed to safeguard his physical existence; his spiritual and moral freedom, though guaranteed within limits in one half of his world, is threatened with chaotic disorientation, and in the other half it is abolished altogether. Finally, to add comedy to tragedy, this lord of the elements, this universal arbiter, hugs to his bosom notions which stamp his dignity as worthless and turn his autonomy into an absurdity. All his achievements and possessions do not make him bigger; on the contrary, they diminish him, as the fate of the factory worker under the rule of a ‘just’ distribution of goods clearly demonstrates." 

- C. G. Jung, The Undiscovered Self

According to him, people who suffer psychological disorders and anxieties, particularly those in their middle-age of life, are in constant need of God and His guidance. The lack of religion and sense of guidance and purpose in life is what leads people to all kinds of confusion and suffering in life. He helped them discover and acknowledge that need of his patients, and naturally, he also studied major religions both in the East and West, and their significance throughout people's lives, their symbolisms and meaning of the teachings of religion and its impact onto the human psyche.

Notice that he wrote on the book which is quoted above: man is the slave and victim. For him to understand and formulate that idea of 'slavery of man' is a very remarkable observation for his part as an observer of the human condition. The concept of 'slavery of man' is a concept to be found in Islam, and it is strongly intertwined in the belief of Tawheed (Oneness of God). Man comes as a slave / servant to God. He was created to worship God. When he deviates from this nature, he becomes a slave to others, or with what his both hands had made, to himself, or to others besides God. Eventually those become a source of his misery, confusion and even destruction. When man deviates from this purpose, the consequences of that deviation will cause damage to himself. Indeed, my father was right when he gave me this analogy: Look at this glass plate. This plate was designed and made to be used as a plate, to hold food and to eat from. What will happen to this plate if I used it as a hammer to pound hard rocks or nails? Of course, the plate is going to be broken into pieces, for it was not made to pound on hard things, but to be used to hold food and to eat from. The same also applies to man.

I could not say I believe— I know! I have had the experience of being gripped by something that is stronger than myself, something that people call God. (In a film, when asked if he believed that God exists.)

- C.G. Jung, an interview

Carl Gustav Jung, was able to detect the great need of his patients to the guidance of God, how in spite of his knowledge of religions, he died 'without 'believing' in God'? How can a doctor heal his patients with a medicine with which he does not have faith or belief in? These are the questions that had baffled me for so long. Knowledge can be a double-edged sword. How it is used and for what it is used, its means and ends determine its value. Of what value are the brilliance of these minds who made history, if they did not believe in the Creator? They may have made their mark. But of what use are their contributions if those are only served for the interests of their fellow human beings, without any regard to the Creator of the universe?

 "When a person dies, all action is cut off for him with the exception of three things: charity which continues, knowledge which benefits, or a righteous child who makes supplication for him."

- Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم

From what the blessed Prophet (peace be upon him) said, there are four things that will continue long after a person leaves this world. That continued existence gives meaning and an extended purpose in this life: a charity which continues, like in the form of a foundation, a fruit-bearing tree planted, knowledge which benefits which can take the form of a book, a written article, a lesson taught to a student, or a school, or a righteous child who spends a lot of time in worship and prays for his parents. These are noble causes, strong enough to drive one to accomplish something, and regard the remaining days of his life in this world with meaning and purpose.

To the one who chooses to look past the misery and confusion that starts to beset when he thinks about what is to happen, or about the universe as a whole. He peels away the fancy wrapping paper and chooses to live life with a purpose. He ignores the corruption that he sees around himself, and chooses to start the change and then takes action to effect the changes that he started and impart them onto others. He reasons, but is not afraid to err. And if he errs, he strives to correct his mistakes and learn lessons from them. He is not born only but to 'die'. He is born to live a life of mission, with a goal. He starts to ask questions, and then he finds them. He is not consumed with the questions that he seeks answers for. He believes that this life is meant to be spent with hard work, struggle, and perfection of worship.

Humility and Striving

"Allah may open up for you the gates of obedience, but He may not open up for you the gates of acceptance. He may ordain you a state of disobedience which may happen to lead you to the right path. The disobedience which teaches you humility is better than the piety which vests you with vanity and arrogance!"

- Ibn 'Ata

"Ruin is caused by two traits - pride and despair. Happiness cannot be obtained without effort and struggle. A vain person does not make any effort because he believes that he is perfect, a despairing person does not make any effort because he believes it is useless."

- Ibn Mas'ud

Destruction of Nations

"If you want to destroy any nation without war, create adultery or nudity common in the young generation."

- Salahuddin Ayyubi

A New Work-In-Progress: Minarets

I'm working a little bit on my art every weekend. The media I used is a mixture of true watercolor and watercolor pencils.

Criteria of Respect

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم was with his Sahabah (Companions) رضي الله عنه, when one of the rich Ansar passed by. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم asked his Sahabah رضي الله عنه, "What do you think of this man?"

The Sahabah رضي الله عنه said, "He is an affluent and respected Ansari. He belongs to a very respected family. If he proposes to someone, his offer should be accepted. If he recommends someone his recommendation must be taken seriously."

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم heard this and became silent. After a short while, a poor Muhajir passed by. Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم asked the Sahabah رضي الله عنه, "What do you think of this person?"

The Sahabah رضي الله عنه replied, "He is one of the poorest immigrants. He does not come from a respectable family. If he proposes to someone, he should be turned down. His recommendations would not be acceptable to people." 

Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم looked at his Sahabah رضي الله عنه and then said, "If the world was full of men from affluent and respectable families like the one who came earlier, it would be better if there was one poor person like this Muhajir whom you despise."

[Source: Sahih al Bukhari and Sahih Muslim]  

Thankfulness in Hunger

When the Muhajirun (Emigrants) arrived in Madinah, they did not have enough money to support themselves so they were divided into groups of ten or twelve and were welcomed as guests of the families of the Ansar (Supporters). The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم‎  stayed with Abu Ayyub al-Ansari رضي الله عنه. Abu Ayyub رضي الله عنه was not a rich man, but he did everything he could for the comfort of the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم and his party.  Rasulullah's صلى الله عليه وسلم party had a few sheep. At night, they milked the sheep and drank it, saving some for those who were not present at the time.

One night, the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم arrived late at night and found no milk left for him. The Sahabah had not realized that Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم had not had any. They felt bad for forgetting to save his share. Though Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم never ate very much, that day he was especially hungry. He said, "O Allah, feed well the man who feeds me today."

Miqdad رضي الله عنه an Ansari heard this, and immediately spoke up, "O Rasulullah. I will slaughter my goat for you."

But Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "O Miqdad, please don't do that. Our need for milk each day is greater than our need for meat today."

When the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم tried to milk the sheep, just a little bit came out. He drank that, thanked Allah and went to sleep.

The Sahabah رضي الله عنه who were with Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم that night felt sorry to see the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم go to sleep without food. They reported that Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم said nothing and showed no anger about their inconsiderate behavior.

[Source: Musnad ibn Hanbal, Vol. VI]    

Raise Me With The Poor

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم used to pray, "O Allah, keep me in the company of the poor. Let me die in poverty, raise me with the poor on the Day of Judgment."

'A'isha رضي الله عنه once asked the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم, "O Messenger of Allah, why do you ask Allah to keep you in the company of the poor, let you die in poverty and raise you with the poor on the Day of Judgment?"

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم replied, "The poor will enter Paradise before the rich."

Then he paused for a short while. He then advised 'A'isha رضي الله عنه, "O 'A'isha never turn a needy person away from your door. Give him something, though it be only a piece of a date. O 'A'isha, respect the poor and love them in spite of their poverty. If you bring the poor and needy closer to you, Allah will bring you closer to Himself."  

[Source: Fadl al-Fuqara in al Mishkat]

Hungry Stomachs

Whatever the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم received, he distributed to others. He did not keep any provisions for meals. When there was no food to eat, he would tie a stone around his stomach. This was a common Arab custom which helped ease the pain of hunger.

Once, some Sahabah (The Prophet's companions) went to the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم. They had not eaten for several days. They lifted their shirts and showed the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم that they had tied stones around their waists. The Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم lifted his shirt and showed them that he tied not one, but two stones.

The Sahabah understood that their Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم deserved to eat even more than themselves. So long as he had provisions available, he would always entertain his guests and share what he had with them. 

[Source: Sahih Muslim]

Whoever Wants to Follow a Path

"Whoever wants to follow a path, should follow the path of the ones who have died. These are the companions of Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم. They were the best of this Nation, were the purest in heart, the deepest of it in knowledge and the least of it in burdening themselves. Allah chose them to accompany His Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم and to establish His religion. So realize their virtue and follow their footsteps, as they were upon the upright guidance."

- Ibn al Qayyim

The History of Islam: A Must-Read Volume Series

This Three-Volume Series, The History of Islam, provides a detailed and nuanced perspective on Islamic history, and its contributions to civilization, and all other aspects in relation to faith, politics, science, arts, society, and spirituality.

At a time, when almost all materials and information which are catered to the general public particularly for education curricula, are centered and provided by non-Islamic sources, there is a great need for people, both Non-Muslims and Muslims alike, to turn to genuine Islamic sources which are well-researched and provided by Muslims themselves. In order to gain a proper and balanced perspective on history, and its implications on current events and the collective mindset of people, the Islamic perspective should be given its foremost importance.

In sha Allah, I will give a little bit of a book review, but the series requires deep reading, so the review might take quite some time.

A Reply to Atheism

 

Does not man see that We have created him from Nutfah (mixed male and female discharge semen drops). Yet behold! He (stands forth) as an open opponent. 

And he puts forth for Us a parable, and forgets his own creation. He says: "Who will give life to these bones when they have rotted away and became dust?"  

Say: "He will give life to them Who created them for the first time! And He is the All-Knower of every creation!" 

He, Who produces for you fire out of the green tree, when behold! You kindle therewith. 

Is not He, Who created the heavens and the earth Able to create the like of them? Yes, indeed! He is the All-Knowing Supreme Creator. 

Verily, His Command, when He intends a thing, is only that He says to it, "Be!" and it is! 

So Glorified is He and Exalted above all that they associate with Him, and in Whose Hands is the dominion of all things, and to Him you shall be returned.

- Qur'an (Surah Ya Seen 77-83)