MALAYSIA ELECTION 2013 - don't be a fence-sitter... DOWN with the fence!

Dear old Mikhail, borrowing an umbrella, after a
Cukur Jambul ceremony for my partner Alex's youngest
newborn son, Siddi. Like myself, he is apolitical and does not
subscribe to any political ideologies (or umbrellas). 

Election Fever. Last Thursday a friend asked me, "So which party do you support? Or are you a fence-sitter?" He is asking me this question because of two reasons - Firstly, he knows of my discontent about our country's present political system of representative democracy, a template which was handed down to us when we obtained independence in 1957. And secondly, it is because this coming Sunday the whole of Malaysia shall be queuing at the polling stations to vote in this country's 13th General Election. With 579 candidates vying for 222 parliamentary seats and 1,321 chasing 505 state seats, and an expected high voter turn-out rate, this is one of the most anticipated election in our recent history.

Cukur Jambul involves a ceremonial cutting of
the newborn's first lock of hair, preceded with
prayers for Sidi and his deceased relatives. While
the guests cut Sidi's hair (little bits only), his proud
grandmother along with her nasyid group sang
the Marhaban, songs welcoming and praising
Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) Later there is food for all.

Fence-destroyer. I remember being stumped to answer. Which party do I support? And if I support none, am I a fence sitter? But then again, why need there be only two possible answers? There is perhaps a third possible reply, and it was the one I chose. I said, "Bro... I support no party, but I am no fence-sitter. In fact it is my fervent hope to destroy that damn fence."

Anarchist me? He he he. My reply makes me sound like an Anarchist. But I don't think I am, because Anarchists are often secular and all about destroying the old system, old ways and prejudices, to bring in the new. My like-minded friends are the opposite of Anarchists, for they are concerned with addressing modern problems brought about by 'new things' such as democracy, the usurious fiat (paper) money and global banking system. We are also much worried about the over-weening power of global corporations, the plague (yes, plague) of bio-tech revolution which is affecting the precious bio-diversity and fine balance of our natural environment. All this is new, a 21st century problem. But the solutions we seek are ancient solutions, in the living pages of the Holy Quran, and in the living story of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.), as guided by our Masters. We always have this qualifier in our statements because, to be honest here, we are not the brightest people around, nor the most virtuous. We need our saints to hold our hand.

And what is the cure? 

Almost ten years ago I recorded a prose about the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s) and about walls and roads. The first part of the prose, which is the one that concerns us, goes like this...

The Roadbuilder

I build roads,

Not walls.

For my message

Is peace,

Not war...

.............................

Poor Siddi yawning. It's his sleep time now (daytime). He spends his nights keeping
his parents awake. Ergo, I often find his dad blinking away half-awake in the office.
On the day of the Cukur Jambul there was good merriment and gratitude.
Politics were forgotten, and the true important things in life celebrated -
Our family, our friends, in the Grace of God Almighty
and Muhammad Habibullah (s.a.w.s.)

The Message of Adab. The sublime Prophetic message of Muhammad (s.a.w.) touches all mankind. And it is essentially a message of Adab (good manners). For though we may differ in our ideologies and creed, if everyone is willing to treat one another with high Adab, there would be no need for all this fear-mongering, bickering, backstabbing, betrayal and slandering - the common weapons of choice in this election thus far. Often now we find in both the mainstream media and the new social media public comments and postings which are either insulting, or at best condescending and sanctimonious. Sometimes, I would like to ask them, "Who died and made you right?"

The Fence. So however attracted you are to any party's slogan or promises, don't build your fences too high until you find it so difficult to understand the other side's point of view. Are we not all human and do we not all err and in perpetual in need of God's forgiveness? Who is to say we are right or wrong? Or whether we are on the right side or the wrong side of an argument?

Tall Fences

Come to your senses,

My would-be martyrs!

And rely not on man-made borders

That keep outsiders outside!

For today you may be within,

Come tomorrow you may be without...

Then we shall see how well you fare

Clambering up your proud fences

Built tall and fair

With your incessant and foul pretenses...

.....................................

Wahhabism. We are also concerned with the persistent influence of Wahhabism in Malaysia, that strange extremist off-shoot of Islam, propagated with the sword and oil-money from the Middle-east. And the worrying trend of the two dominant 'Islamic' parties (PAS and UMNO) in Malaysia flirtation with the Wahhabi-centric political clerics and celebrity ustaz (religious teachers). Wahhabis are expert fence builders, and have a nasty habit of declaring people who disagree with them as apostates. Anyone who flirts with such people are flirting with spiritual poison.

I used to vote back in the days when candidates and their supporters, of whatever race, creed or political affiliation used to have decent manners. This year I shall not vote and continue to prop up these political fences that divide the people of Malaysia. Why should I when every election cycle seems to bring out the worst in many people? If my fellow Malaysians vote this coming Sunday, I wish them well, and hope that however you may mark the ballot paper, it does not colour your perception of the Oneness of God and the Mercy of His Prophet.

Madad (support us) ya Saydeena Muhammad (s.a.w.s.). Lead us back to our traditional good adab as exemplified by you, best of creation and God's own appointed Mercy to all the Worlds, for the sake of all humanity. The ringing song of Marhaban... marhaban... marhaban lingers in my heart still.

No party colours here. Just thirsty seekers looking for the Nur  (Light).

wa min Allah at-taufiq

Hate has no place in Islam

Love will show the Way

Truth is Beautiful, Magnificent and Inspiring - *SNAP* *SNAP* - THE PRINCE PART 31

A jewel in heaven, peeping through a modest veil.

I was driving home at dusk after a lovely day at work, when just as I was coming up the crest of the hill to reach my house I saw a magnificent sight - a beautiful full moon with clouds adrift around her. Like a gem floating in heaven, peeping through a modest veil. As it was getting dark, I doubted whether my camera phone would be able to take a nice enough picture, which would give justice to just one... just one of the countless beautiful moments in nature that Allah (s.w.t.) graces our day with, each and every day, 24/7.

You know, philosophers say the most beautiful things. Because they often approach the truth of life. And the all-encompassing truth of The Truth is Haqq, that is Allah (s.w.t.) by one of his 99 revealed Divine Names. And Truth is beautiful, magnificent and inspiring. In the context of which, I recall one chap saying some words to the effect that, what you perceive outside, is what you are inside.

So when I see something beautiful, interesting, inspiring, mind-blowing... how I would love to have a good DSLR and the talent to capture for prosperity that sight, that person, that event. And to share it with you, my love.

As I did not have one that evening, I opened my eyes and allowed the soul-camera which we all carry inside the pocket of our conscience to take a picture of that lovely dusk sky... *snap* *snap*. Then later that night, remembering the picture, I sketched something for me and for you, for God(s.w.t.) and His Prophet (s.a.w.s.).

*snap* *snap*

It is only 6.30am now. I woke up early to catch the morning air. In the calmness that God shares with us early-wakers, the stillness allows me to recall all other beautiful scenes and people that have entered my life. Some of whom have long passed away. Their faces, their smiles, and their stories will forever live in my heart. And best of all, I have this wonderful soul-camera which gives me excellent high def pictures. Which makes my memories alive as if it is recurring in front of me right this moment. I kid you not.

It is through the remarkable lens of Muhammad, Habibullah (Beloved of God) Prophet of God(s.a.w.s), that I see such things. And that is how I see you, sunshine. Floating like a gem in the Lord's heaven.

almarhum Sultanul Qulb Shayk Raja Ashman Shah ibni Sultan Azlan Shah (sitting)
...al fatiha

Have a beautiful Sabbath.

wa min Allah at-taufiq

Hate has no place in Islam

Love will show the Way

THE DAUGHTERS OF EVE - Allah through their light, beauty and love...

The Daughters of Eve

First I knew the Daughters of Eve

As the ones of great love, mercy and benevolence, 

Tireless in love, unconquerable in adversity.

Later I knew the Daughters of Eve

As great youthful beauties,

Unapproachable and only to be

Admired from a distance.

Older, I came to know the Daughters of Eve

As wholly human just like me,

But unlike in so many ways,

Captivating in their loveliness,

Their voices and curves.

As I grew foolish, I came to see the Daughters of Eve

As a vessel of both beauty and vanity,

Foolish and wise, safe and dangerous,

And I blamed the Daughters for making

Too much noise, distracting me from

My pursuit of God.

In this foolishness, long did I prevail...

Until a saint took pity and threw an apple at my head,

And I realised, "Oh dear... all the noise created

Was in my head, and I am to be blamed after all!"

So I sat quietly, sullen and a little ashamed.

Finally, one day an anonymous soul wrote

On the walls of my thoughts...

"For the one who knows, there is no noise, no distraction

For in the pursuit of Allah, even the distractions are all Allah..."

So now... when I see the Daughters of Eve,

In all their manifestations of grace and mortality,

In all their divine beauty and inflections, 

I say to myself, "Allah... Allah... Allah..."

.................................

God has anointed for the Sons of Adam a partner of amazing conditions and abilities - Our mothers, our sisters, our daughters, aunties, cousins and nieces, our wives, friends and lovers. 

Woman. Lo, that we do not presume to know her completely. For the secret of her creation is unknown, when Adam (a.s.) was sent into a sleep which only God knows is long or short. Lo, that we do not presume to encompass  the knowledge of Mary Mother of Jesus, of Aminah the Mother of the Prophet Muhammad, of Khadijah, of Aishah, of any of the wives of the Prophet. Nor should we presume to understand the maqam (spiritual station) of Fatima az-Zahra, the blessed Daughter of the Prophet Muhammad... not when her marriage dowry to Saydeena Ali was salvation for the entire Nation of Muhammad(s.a.w.s).

We men do not try to presume knowledge of thee, o' Daughter of Eve. We seek only to show thee the beautiful adab (good manners) deserving of thee. So if we err (which is our wont), forgive us and do not mark us too harshly with thy judgment. Show us the mercy that is within you, just as God Almighty has dressed you with great beauty and attraction flowing from thy mother Eve.

And what of Eve (a.s.) herself? She was the fount and vessel of
all beauty that will after her be born of women. So although artists will
depict her beauty as is the taste of beauty prevalent in their time, the truth is
simply that the depiction of the Beauty of Eve is unapproachable by the human hand,
not unless that hand can depict all womanly beauty manifested through all the ages.
May Allah bless Eve always. Had she not been created, we would not be here today.

wa min Allah at-taufiq

Hate has no place in Islam

Love will show the Way

Who am I? Hu is He? - lighting our way with remembrance... Allah Allah Allah...

Who am I? Hu is He?

When I am in the dark,

When all life appears black,

And there is no light to be seen,

I simply remember...

Who I am,

And Hu He is...

"Oh Lord, you are my Lord!

And I, your tired, helpless servant!"

And just like that a light appears,

First as a tiny flicker, then a white flame

Before bursting into a mighty blazing light,

A living light, a governing light!

Banishing away all my sadness,

All my fears and all my despair...

As my soul voices a whimper,

A whisper of gratitude...

"Oh Lord, I knew You would always care..."

('Hu' is used in Arabic, to mean 'He', signifying the only He in Absolute Existence, being God Almighty)

.............................

Yesterday I was unwell and kept to my bed, and today I am still a little weak. But the worst appears over, and things are looking up. I will not lie to you, sunshine, and say that my mind and emotion was unaffected. Seized in some moments, words tumble from my lips, Why... why, God... why?"

But then I remember Him, and that I am addressing Him. And that happenstances of 'good' and 'bad' fortunes are but labels we put to events that God has fated for us. So I say, "Alhamdulillah (praise to God), it could have been far, far worse. Thank You, God."

And to top it off, my ugly bout of eczema on my hands and feet seems to have faded away with a little gel cream I purchased from my neighbourhood pharmacy. And of course, I have passed through yet another chapter in my life with God, so when all things are considered, is there any other words I can express but Thank You to You, Allah(s.w.t.) and to Your Rasul, Muhammad Habibullah(s.a.w.s.)?

And thank you to you also, sunshine. For sharing a little corner of your thoughts with me today.

Even the longest storm has an end... 

wa min Allah at-taufiq

Hate has no place in Islam

Love will show the Way

AM I NOT YOUR LORD? - life is the act of remembering our answer to the question

And (remember) when thy Lord brought forth from the Children of Adam, from their reins, their seed, and made them testify of themselves, (saying): Am I not your Lord? They said: Yea, verily. We testify. (That was) lest ye should say at the Day of Resurrection: Lo! of this we were unaware; (Quran 7:172, Marmaduke Pickthall)

How shall we answer Him? When the Lord asks all of mankind, yet to be born from Adam and Eve, "Am I not your Lord"? (Alastu bi Rabbikum?) It is a matter of greatest significance, but not as how we mortal deign to interpret. When the Lord says something, it is not for that one particular moment, but for all moments from the beginning of time to the furthest reaches of eternity. Thus, it is not a past matter, but a present and real question to all of us today, to you and me and the cat named Moses... "Am I not our Lord?" How shall we answer him?

In the holy Quran, all the souls replied, "Yea, verily. We testify!" So we have indeed all replied thus, affirming the Oneness of God, and the Oneness of our One Creator. 

What is He saying in His asking? When the Lord asks the question, "Am I not your Lord?" it is not merely to unequivocally confirm His Eternal sovereignty over all creation, His unparalleled dominance over all things, His unimaginable power and righteousness over all thoughts, deeds and words of humanity. Above all, it is the Divine Confirmation of His Mercy, Love and Compassion...

Alastu bi Rabbikum?

Am I not your Lord?

Will you not accept what gifts

I have planned and stored for your future?

Lo, you have no capacity to imagine My gifts!

Am I not your Lord?

Will you not accept My embrace

Within which no harm can come to you,

Through which you may find all cures for your illnesses,

All knowledge to amend your ignorance,

All good and beautiful manners to correct

The feral purpose and selfishness of your ego?

Am I not your Lord?

Will you not see Me as the Perfection of all perfections,

The unreachable beauty surpassing all beauties created,

The Truth all-high and all-forgiving above all truths,

The One, Most worthy to be sought after?

Am I not your Lord?

And did I not create you and know you best?

Why would you turn to anything less than Me?

When I am the end of all your thoughts and actions,

I am the settler of all plans and conjecture,

And I am the Happiness surpassing all happiness

Ever experienced through the passing of time.

............................

All my life, I am trying to give the best answer, that which my soul has already given. For I wish to confirm my servanthood to Him, for the Gate of His Divine Pleasure to open, through which oceans upon oceans of endless knowledge, forgiveness, love and mercy awaits us all. So life is simply the act of remembrance - Remembering our answer to our Lord.

And when we do remember? Then, all our burden becomes the Lord's burden,
All our hopes become the Lord's hope, and there is naught greater
than He, our One Lord, our One Love. He who settles the
measure of all goodness for all humanity.

And verily, there is not greater guide to the Door of Remembrance that Saydeena Muhammad Habbibullah s.a.w.s.

May our Lord bless us, and keep us always, sunshine.

wa min Allah at-taufiq

Hate has no place in Islam

Love will show the Way

Going Green - the good, the bad, the sinner, the saintly, the saints...

Green Kuching

In the city of Kuching, Sarawak,

On the Island of Borneo,

There runs a mighty river,

Beside the river there sits a mosque,

And in the compound of the mosque

There is a cemetery,

In the cemetery there is a grave,

And on the grave rests a headstone

Carved of wood and shaped into a point,

Around the headstone is wrapped

A turban of green.

..................................

Green Jakarta

In the city of Jakarta, Indonesia,

On the Island of Java

There is a small hotel,

And in the hotel there sits a man,

He is a sinner, a wandering fool,

A desperate soul clinging to goodness

Like a rat in a flood,

Around his finger is wrapped a ring of silver

And set upon the ring is

A stone of green.

..................................

I am a sinner. But you know... the good thing about being bad is that you tend to see all these saints and the saintly in our life - as a mark contradistinction from ourselves. A beautiful view... alhamdulillah! (praise be unto God!) Of course we do not condone 'badness' and we have no intention to be bad all the time or forever. So God has generously sprinkled around us bad ones, the Good Ones. No doubt as a lesson for us, an example to emulate... and a mercy to experience.

And the Good Ones are always with God the One. Goodness all around, permeating the air that we breath, the water that we drink, the hand that we kiss with affection. We seek their company always. Like the moth we are drawn to the light.

A happy optimistic note for a happy hopeful Monday! God bless you, sunshine.

A Good One... 

wa min Allah at-taufiq

Hate has no place in Islam

Love will show the Way

Gaining the Universe by Giving - life, love and the mystery of devotion

The More I Love, The More I Have

I give you all my love,

All my affection and my confidence,

All my yearning and my desire,

All my giving I give to you,

And all my receiving

I wait from you.

I give you all my love,

All my ambition and worldly aspiration,

All my smiles and outer reflection,

All my fears and outer illusion,

All my mirrors, my music, my words,

All the truths that I have learned

From the Congress of the Birds.

I give you all my love,

All my hopes, my sorrows and tears,

All my garden and all its trees,

The root, the trunk, the leaves, the flowers and fruit,

The ruby-like berries ripe under the hovering eaves.

Yet my life I devote to God.

So strange how the more I have for God

The more I have for you…

 ……………………………………………….

I have a new receptionist in the office. He rejoices from the East Malaysian state of Sarawak on the island of Borneo. His body is festooned with tattoos, but nothing warlike at all. In fact he is one of the most soft-spoken young man I have ever known. He doesn't raise his voice, in fact he barely raises his eyes, averting my curious gaze. He makes me feel ashamed of my own lack of discretion and deference. As he is a little shy, I will call him Clark.

Early this week, he shared with me a story. (He said) One day, a saint was to marry his betrothed. And the saint said unto her - "I give you all my love. My life, I give to Allah..."

I used the same yarn on Heche. She replied that it is impossible for me to give her ALL my love because I already have a son. But I think she is (rarely so, but this time) wrong.  

For I truly believe with all the core of this sinner's heart than the more you love, the more you have love to give. And when it is God and His Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) to whom you devote your life... alhamdulillah... the recompense and reward for you and those whom you love is as wide as Allah's Mercy Ocean.

Unimaginably wonderful. Mystifying in its breadth. As subtle as a raindrop. Awe-inspiring as a Cosmic Storm. And even more than that.

Don't you agree, sunshine? Thank you for agreeing...

wa min Allah at-taufiq

Hate has no place in Islam

Love will show the Way

I DO NOT DISCRIMINATE BETWEEN THE LIVING AND THE DEAD - God bless and all high praise for Muhammad s.a.w.s.!!!

Brotherhood of the Living and the Dead

They found religion,

They found brotherhood,

But they denounce brotherhood

Between the living and those who

Have passed away.

Thus, they have found religion,

And they have found Islam,

But they left the Prophet of Islam behind.

Saying, "Muhammad was just an average Joe before

Gabriel descended with the Holy Revelations,"

Saying, "His mother knew not her child was destined

To be the Seal of the Prophets long awaited,"

Saying, "Why celebrate the Prophet's birthday?"

They have found Islam,

And it is an empty hollow shell.

They think they are authorised to interpret God's words,

But it is their own words speaking to them from hell,

Making the most gentle Prophet appear hard,

As the ego-voice in the empty hollow chamber

Distill history and make mischief

In their unfortunate hearts.

.............................. 

It is election season here in Malaysia. And word in the street (and cyber-street) is that the political party in Malaysia that is championing Islam will do very well (again) in this 13th General Election since our independence in 1957.

For myself and my friends, whom do not believe in this thing called Democracy, we can understand how people have spiritual aspirations. But when you mix religion within the context of a populist electoral process, what you essentially get is a spiritual leader with the most followers. And you get the most followers by saying things people want to hear. This is one problem, but the biggest problem is when it is you who wants to be the leader. It is you who wants to become the Prime Minister or (God forbid!) work to bring down the Sultanates of Malaysia, so that you can also become the first President of the Islamic Republic of Malaysia. And may Allah s.w.t. protect us from that spiritual reformation. For despite all your protestation of loving akhira (the world Hereafter) and despising dunya (this world), you are in fact chasing power in this world after all.

The Muslim is the one who loves and appreciates this world, as a mirror to the other world, and the True Reality of Allah s.w.t. and the Beloved One, being Muhammad s.a.w.s. Nothing else matters. The Muslim who has not found love - visceral, real and passionate love and veneration for Muhammad bin Abdullah s.a.w.s. and His Family and Companions and Saints, has not completed his faith. God has made it clear in His Holy Quran... 

Lo! Allah and His angels shower blessings on the Prophet. O ye who believe!
Send ye blessings on him, and salute him with all respect.
(Quran 33:56, translation by Marmaduke Pickthall)

The Election Day is this coming 5th May 2013. I pray that Allah s.w.t. shall continue to bless and protect this country. For it is my country, and despite everything, I love my people.

What can a Muslim build if the Prophet's name is not spoken
and his person venerated and blessed with high praise?
Nothing, but a false edifice of the human ego.

wa min Allah at-taufiq

Hate has no place in Islam

Love will show the Way  

MEN AND WOMEN, CHILDREN & KITTENS - our reflective reality to the Absolute Reality

For the Longest Time

For the longest time

I have searched for You,

I looked to the Moon

And the blinding Sun,

I looked in the Waters of Life

And beneath the Rock at the Dome,

I have witnessed the whirling dervishes

And the rapture of hermits,

I have searched high and low

Down to  the smallest thing...

From the largest galaxy in the night sky

To the dancing, meandering photons

That has beguiled our physicists' eye...

In everything that I have witnessed

I have found beauty, truth, mercy,

Order, justice and a determined

Path for all created things,

O' Lord, O' Love!

You have created me,

What path have You determined for me?

.......................................

We cannot actually determine what happens. Even this simple act of writing is an action replete with an enormous possibility of failures, successes, delays and unexpected endings. But we can determine our intention. And with the Grace of God and the Lessons of Muhammad (s.a.w.s.), we can even determine our emotions. 

Between our intention and emotion is the determination of our reflective reality to the Absolute Reality of Allah (s.w.t.) - God Almighty, Creator of all men and women, children and little kittens.

And that is wonderful news for all humanity, for it assures us of God and His Utter Loveliness and Absolute Compassion for His creation. In the unexpected endings and pauses in our life - in our smiles, laughter and cries, He is there. 

Fare thee well in thy journey, sunshine! For thou art a favoured servant of The Kindest Lord, God.

wa min Allah at-taufiq

Hate has no place in Islam

Love will show the Way

Praying is Simple

Thoughts on Praying

Praying is simple,

A meditative contemplation,

An inner reflection,

Casting a line into the Sea of Mercy,

Resting awhile from our worldly troubles,

Exiling awhile our human foibles,

It is a quest, at least five times a day,

To encourage the goodness in you...

That is what you do,

When you pray.

..................................

Well, truth be told, there is more. Much, much more. But this is a good start to begin with for this fine Monday morning. God bless you, sunshine and may Allah forgive me for those countless times when I didn't pray at all.

wa min Allah at-taufiq

Hate has no place in Islam

Love will show the Way

THE DIVINE PAUSE - working through one's disbelief of the true awesomeness of Allah (s.w.t.)

My late mother, Arbayah. Her life was both colourful and meaningful.
I am biased of course, but I think she is awesome.
al fatiha

What is Life?

What is life but a pause

Between being surprised by

The embrace of the Lord

And our sighs of thankfulness

And gratitude.

This I believe to be true,

However long or short

That pause turns out to be.

................................

I have a problem. It is disbelief. No, it is not disbelief in God, but disbelief in the attributes of God. On a daily, almost second by second basis I catch myself disbelieving Him.

Disbelieving in the infinite expanse of His Ocean of Mercy.

Disbelieving in His unimaginable Ocean of Love.

Disbelieving in His incomprehensible Ocean of Knowledge.

I say this to you, sunshine, and I guess I am making a sort of confession. Because, if I truly believe in Allah's (s.w.t.) all-Encompassing Mercy, I would be more merciful to others, and myself. If I truly comprehend His love for us, I would be similarly loving of all creatures, Man, Djinn, animals and other sentient or non-sentient creation of God. And if I understood where I stand in the glittering Sea of His Knowledge, by God, I would be more circumspect, and less ready to judge others or myself.

So I guess for me, this pause, this life, is going to take some time for me to work through.

But at least for this morning, I am thankful for however long or short this pause would be. And to top it off, I am able to spend it with you...

Have a meaningful Sunday, sunshine.

wa min Allah at-taufiq

Hate has no place in Islam

Love will show the Way

Grapes of Wrath - sometimes, for your sake, God plays deaf

164. Noble Fruit

From ill-intent, nobility may yet blossom

As sometimes, contrary to the owner’s worst intention

That the Grapes of Wrath are plucked before they ripen.

...............................

Given our nature, full of passion and disproportionate reaction, how many times have God waylaid our bad intentions and guided our path, often against our will, to the one best for us?

Answer: All the time.

Rumi once said, "God, in His mercy, sometimes refuse our prayers." I think there is a lot of truths in that. Like God refusing to open all manner of hell on that damn driver who just jumped the queue in front of you. You know it has happened.

He he he.

Have a wonderful Friday, sunshine. Drive safe, and thank God that God sometimes plays deaf and answers you with a "Say what?"

wa min Allah at-taufiq

Hate has no place in Islam

Love will show the Way

The Bed of Rest, The Bed of Thankfulness - the Adab of Sleep

Thank You for You

I like to fall asleep

With thankfulness in my heart,

I therefore look upon the day past

And count my blessings

As I fall asleep,

Thank You, God, for my parents...

Thank You, God, for my brothers and sisters...

For my aunties and uncles (even the crazy ones)...

For my beloved friends...

For the stars in the sky,

For the apple of my eye,

For this person that I call 'I',

And thank You most kindly

For Your Muhammad, Your anointed Mercy

That you have shared with me,

And lastly (but most importantly),

Thank You for You!

..................

I had a bad morning waking up. It is because I fell asleep last night with dark thoughts, a little bit of disappointment, and some bitterness. Oh, what a fool I am!

So tonight I intend to have better care of the thoughts that spring into my mind as I lay my head to sleep. And call upon the names of He that loves me best of all, and His Beloved Muhammad (s.a.w.s.), Prophet of God.

Coming into my 43rd year, and here I am, still learning how to do better what comes most naturally to us in the quiet of night... falling asleep. Funnily, this makes me feel young!

He he he.

Good night, sunshine. Let your bed of rest be a bed of thankfulness.

wa min Allah at-taufiq

Hate has no place in Islam

Love will show the Way

LOVE IS HERE, TO BANISH SADNESS FOREVER - The Prince Part 30

Istana Iskandariah, Bukit Chandan, Kuala Kangsar, Perak.
30.03.2013

Tears, the Lover's Ink

Sweet yearning, Love's calling,

Sweet tears, the Lover's ink,

No more guessing,

No more thinking,

Love is writing my desire for him

On the canvas of my heart,

I draw the shades across my red eyes,

Unfamiliar to share my hidden passion

And my impatience to once again

Serve him... my master.

Wither goes the Prince with the gentle eyes?

Bright was his mantle!

...............................

I spent a good two hours yesterday morning with my good friend Moses, and our good old friend, the Cockroach-Squasher. He is called thus because one day many years ago, I spoke of the Sufis' enemies, once unknown but now world famous as the Wahhabis. And he said, "Bah! I want to squash the Wahhabis like a cockroach!", mimicking a man squashing the unfortunate bug under his grinding foot. 

Tough guy. But no man (or woman, come to think of it), however tough, however rough, however hard-bitten by life has an atom of chance when Love comes calling. As I have often shared with you... Love, like rain, simply happens. Throw away the umbrella, cast aside your raincoat, for nothing will stop Love from seeping into your heart, especially when Love flows from the fountain of Divine Presence, gracious but with unyielding certainty, passionate but in the most consummate Adab (good courtesies and manners), until masyaAllah, you suddenly find yourself in Love.

Sitting, in perfect adab, next to his Master in Qubruz,
almarhum Shaykh Raja Ashman Shah ibni Sultan Azlan Shah.
al-fatiha

Have a happy day, sunshine. Love is here, to banish sadness forever.

wa min Allah at-taufiq

Hate has no place in Islam

Love will show the Way