I Found God in the Company of Friends. And they came in many colour and creed.

I found God in the company of Friends

I did not find God anywhere else.

Preachers and politicians

Hustled and bustled,

Hurrying me from

One sermon to

Another,

From one religious

Function to

Another,

From one brilliant

Deduction to

Another,

But in none did

I find God.

Until one day,

I was in the company of friends,

And as we huddled over

The Story of the Spider

A voice over my shoulders I heard…

“Ahh… you like what you are reading?”

And I turned around and found no one

Saying anything at all.

So I returned to the verse

And again a disembodied voice whispered,

“You are pleased with His book?”

This time I did not turn, but yielded,

“Yes, I am happy with His book.”

Then after a briefest of pause. answered the voice,

“And I am happy with the reader.”

I LIKE WRITING. Hi, sunshine. After a couple of days of contemplation, the sinner is back. In the brief time away, I have come to a fundamental conclusion - I like writing. I hate not writing. It would not be an overstatement to confess that I lost my footing. So here I am, glad to be back - huddled together with you once again, in the great cyber space of the human soul.

A CUP OF NOTHING. This is the working title of the next compilation of prose. I have sifted through the old (and new) writings and have amassed hundreds of prose pertaining to the Prophet Muhammad. Upon contacting my publisher, Russell Streur of poetsdemocracy has indicated that they would consider publishing the book. "Yes to everything, sounds like fun." was his busy reply. Needless to say I am happy.

NEW LOOK. Sadly, not me but the blog... Do you like the new header and background for this Almanac? Black and Grey is not actually my colour, so the appearance of this blog may yet change in the near future.

OH WAIT. I guess I should tip in Chapter 29 (surah al-Ankabut meaning the Spider), verse 46 to which the prose made reference to...

Marmaduke Pickthall thus translated the verse -

And argue not with the People of the Scripture unless it be in (a way) that is better, save with such of them as do wrong; and say: We believe in that which hath been revealed unto us and revealed unto you; our Allah and your Allah is One, and unto Him we surrender.

I love the conclusion of the verse - Our God (that we worship) and your God (that you worship) is One, and unto Him we surrender (submit). An unequivocal declaration of the Unity of mankind through the Oneness of God - No Christian God. No Judaic God. No Muslim God. Just God. God says so Himself. So why are there among us fighting at all?

Again, it is nice to be back, sunshine. In the company of my beautiful friends, sharing succinct observation from the Divine Observation. God bless the peacemakers, peacekeepers and those anonymous ones, without publicity or name who has quietly decided to do what is right in their daily lives. You spur me with your exemplary conduct.

God bless you all.

wa min Allah at-taufiq

Hate has no place in Islam

Love will show the Way