tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13524126924508427962024-02-19T20:13:26.182+08:00The Sinners AlmanacMay God forgive and bless the sinners, for without us, the Prophets and Saints would be out of work.
Amen.Milky Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395083447454006991noreply@blogger.comBlogger1608125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352412692450842796.post-32710386284492827742015-05-08T10:45:00.001+08:002015-05-08T10:45:10.072+08:00HIJRA AND A NEW BEGINNING<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYhKUZajNr1zUNXAVl9DlOf8PVcdlVxKx7is8n9IJAhhiWHgv7x0BhJXiGKyNEnG-qgZP5N7_amy_TJOd3meBss5rKC5MeBFcDi9rVChWsMrWHwK3xQbvBpckr8L77ph_tX8yaLrZy_Q/s1600/pic+tk+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYhKUZajNr1zUNXAVl9DlOf8PVcdlVxKx7is8n9IJAhhiWHgv7x0BhJXiGKyNEnG-qgZP5N7_amy_TJOd3meBss5rKC5MeBFcDi9rVChWsMrWHwK3xQbvBpckr8L77ph_tX8yaLrZy_Q/s320/pic+tk+2.jpg" width="302" /></a></div>
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Salams, sunshine. the sinner has migrated (digitally) to a new website. Visit me at <b><a href="http://www.notrumi.net/" target="_blank">Notrumi</a></b>. It has been awhile, I know. I have in fact been planning this <i>hijra </i>(pilgrimage) for some time now since last year. And now it begins. No more hesitation, no more procrastination.</div>
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May this be a good beginning for us all, <b>insyaAllah.</b></div>
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(<i>Dear God... </i>I am gonna miss writing here.)</div>
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wa min Allah at-taufiq</div>
Milky Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395083447454006991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352412692450842796.post-35433856737670910672015-01-29T07:23:00.000+08:002015-01-29T09:13:29.420+08:00DON'T BLINK! ...passengers waiting at the terminal of life<div style="background-color: white;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Don't Blink!</b></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDz365f-CIVopYV34xaRNNarfVfXtuGrpD7B-Op0-Z7FDYbFnH16Lb-FHCSX6VbI-tM4qjliA3xVDhiigGhNwE_LxgAd0lGlfCb23HqaQZY9J9tkcQeyaFnvTP2H7VTCLV_mUloQ56QdA/s1600/IMG_20150128_195250_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDz365f-CIVopYV34xaRNNarfVfXtuGrpD7B-Op0-Z7FDYbFnH16Lb-FHCSX6VbI-tM4qjliA3xVDhiigGhNwE_LxgAd0lGlfCb23HqaQZY9J9tkcQeyaFnvTP2H7VTCLV_mUloQ56QdA/s1600/IMG_20150128_195250_resized.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Don't mind me,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I am just passing through,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Don't mind me,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I am just passing by,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Don't save a seat for me,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Don't sign that freehold,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I am not stopping here forever,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Nothing will stop us from </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Growing old,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For I am just passing through,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">A traveler in my life's winter,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">All dressed to face the cold,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Waiting to drink the bitter,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">A traveler passing by,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Suddenly out of the door,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If you but blink an eye</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Here, in my life's winter...</i></span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> </span><br />
<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></i>
<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So don't think. my child,</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Love and do not blink.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>..................... </i></span></div>
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It is futile to seek permanence in this reality. For this world is in truth a departure terminal. Undoubtedly, it is a beautiful place to be, with all sorts of distractions on offer, but we cannot deny that upon the instance of our birth, we already have our boarding pass for that return flight to our Creator.</div>
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I guess the apparent regularity of death in my life, among my friends, family members and my masters,, has turned my mind towards the inevitable question - I hope my destination at the end of that not-to-be-delayed flight will be the same.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1KB0jAsAS4ejt_R5wV7TABjW4YCgsAM9FxEDcgkXjwBOCNNNLEWtJhhKFWb6ebLg_AKc8Kg90jEEcyNZxi2DZl-pKdFDAU235cLf2TSmvihOep6-HWzKWwScq5U0DwO2Y6foN-lq84-Y/s1600/terminal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1KB0jAsAS4ejt_R5wV7TABjW4YCgsAM9FxEDcgkXjwBOCNNNLEWtJhhKFWb6ebLg_AKc8Kg90jEEcyNZxi2DZl-pKdFDAU235cLf2TSmvihOep6-HWzKWwScq5U0DwO2Y6foN-lq84-Y/s1600/terminal.jpg" /></a></div>
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For I love them so, and I miss them so. And with them is where I want to be. I figure that you too have witnessed the passing of your loved ones, sunshine. And perhaps like me, you also now tend to look at the wares and products on offer in the terminal of this life with less attention and passion. Not because we love life less, no, it is not that at all...</div>
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<i>It is only because life has an end, do we realise how precious it is. </i></div>
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<i>Thus by the infinite, do we comprehend the value of the finite...</i></div>
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Don't you agree, sunshine?</div>
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wa min Allah at-taufiq</div>
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<b><span style="color: magenta;">Hate has no place in Islam</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: purple;">Love will show the Way</span></b> </div>
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Milky Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395083447454006991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352412692450842796.post-72679158710250055672015-01-04T18:16:00.000+08:002015-01-04T18:21:15.642+08:00THE RANSOM OF CREATION<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYEY0Azl9L_1RaLqzN_UlUGY33F2R45a1RHNyHEcTTtDBi_yp8X178045E3FYii8qe-OGkd6n_hKja9vOxWQyuM8hz8TPEg-m2XucNyloxcBVmcIy7PjNNxLOG1A8_zXksF6Z2RyVH_2k/s1600/IMG_20150101_173023_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYEY0Azl9L_1RaLqzN_UlUGY33F2R45a1RHNyHEcTTtDBi_yp8X178045E3FYii8qe-OGkd6n_hKja9vOxWQyuM8hz8TPEg-m2XucNyloxcBVmcIy7PjNNxLOG1A8_zXksF6Z2RyVH_2k/s1600/IMG_20150101_173023_resized.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>The Ransom for Creation</i></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Every time you inhale</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>With the intention of reciting</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Salutations and praise </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>For the Prophet,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Lo, that lungful of air </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Is worth more</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Than all of Creation... </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>So let your salawat </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>For the Prophet </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Be heard,</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Release the ransom of creation</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And let your salawat </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For the Prophet</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Be heard,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Let it be known</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The reason for Creation,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And let your salawat</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For the Prophet</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Be heard...</span></i></div>
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........................</div>
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<b>Fossils, not Faith. </b>One day I will not be here anymore to write this almanac. But I will be happy to receive the ending credits, that final curtain call of Allah (swt) that all creatures face, <i>if I but know</i> that these words will continue to float in your consciousness, sunshine. And for this, I would be eternally grateful.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2UuJB5rwXUjpS99XLPuntoicRTot8M75190JLLgUgDFKAdPoZaYT2xIsrAYk_B70K5oK5t47hmxZipdPSfZjGgzh1wgEKcKLGOMtQe-oybaYcq_Y4ZzChUZT7lsOvXAO3f98qTsDgG9Y/s1600/IMG_20150101_172933_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2UuJB5rwXUjpS99XLPuntoicRTot8M75190JLLgUgDFKAdPoZaYT2xIsrAYk_B70K5oK5t47hmxZipdPSfZjGgzh1wgEKcKLGOMtQe-oybaYcq_Y4ZzChUZT7lsOvXAO3f98qTsDgG9Y/s1600/IMG_20150101_172933_resized.jpg" height="640" width="206" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Fossils, Not Faith</i></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Lo, seek for the crier of tears!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>The yearning ones,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>The ones overcome with passion</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>At the mere recollection of the Prophet,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>For their river of tears</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Waters the field of real knowledge</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>And prevents the lore of God</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>From ossifying, drying up</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>And hardening into </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Fossils of faith,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Dead bones</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Only fit to be</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Exhibited in</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>The museum. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>.........................</i></span></div>
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<b>Just Words. </b>It is hard speaking, but how will we find God Almighty without the Prophet of God (saws)? Is it faith we have, or have we collected some old bones, dug from the earth of the holy Quran? Fossils really, dead lifeless prose, undoubtedly beautiful, full of knowledge and hypnotic, but at the end just words. And this we think suffices us to face this world, our willful ego, the accursed Satan and his minions?</div>
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<b>Truth is choking them. </b>Neither by our strength, nor by our greatest intellectual grasp of religion will we be safe. Oh how easy it is to say, "O' Prophet (saws), you have been sent to us and we are in need of you. So be alive in our hearts and our conscience, do not leave us for one moment to our fickle self. We are your nation, and we are undone without your love and mercy! For have you not been sent to all worlds and nations as God's Own mercy?" How strange then that some believers in the holy Quran find such words choking in their throat, unable to spit it out, crying out instead, "<i>Bida'ah! Bida'ah </i>(innovations and heresy)!"</div>
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Sigh.</div>
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But then again, love can never be completely explained. So I will stop here and ask God to show us His Love - Nabi Muhammad (saws), the Seal of the Messengers, the completion of mercy and generosity of the Merciful and Generous One to all His creation.</div>
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That's you and me, kiddo! So never despair, and smile always... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLZIWeKncQisj5Yc_ogz5JioDVikufa_169e9L0udd1w3yvJ46TWeooaDc6efq6z4qkYSfNpMCxI8H5sHtx45a17aTMd2G_Wdnjq4KodkA_vwuyEGA52tfQ_i2qZSGcyjlpZGNV_r8xU/s1600/543043_192428400879356_190317274423802_4557998_451601272_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLZIWeKncQisj5Yc_ogz5JioDVikufa_169e9L0udd1w3yvJ46TWeooaDc6efq6z4qkYSfNpMCxI8H5sHtx45a17aTMd2G_Wdnjq4KodkA_vwuyEGA52tfQ_i2qZSGcyjlpZGNV_r8xU/s1600/543043_192428400879356_190317274423802_4557998_451601272_n.jpg" height="223" width="320" /></a></div>
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wa min Allah at-taufiq</div>
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<b><span style="color: magenta;">Hate has no place in Islam</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: purple;">Love will show the Way</span></b></div>
Milky Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395083447454006991noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352412692450842796.post-32729058900095822642014-12-30T14:00:00.001+08:002014-12-31T06:25:42.062+08:00THE WINDOW DISPLAY OF THE SOUL... belief is not a destiny but a journey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHr0sSZoZRgO3ZC_iX1d9S4zC1O0LVM6JKhEx98fiyhyR1IyL1s_3ibXmxAvX58eKHvijd6uyPQ7yzRY4DNquPLk-q-y5iRHdX78cgtnww6C7ryvP4FnFeGk2k2lus_jIh1OhQwzHlmzU/s1600/SOHS_600New-York-1910s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHr0sSZoZRgO3ZC_iX1d9S4zC1O0LVM6JKhEx98fiyhyR1IyL1s_3ibXmxAvX58eKHvijd6uyPQ7yzRY4DNquPLk-q-y5iRHdX78cgtnww6C7ryvP4FnFeGk2k2lus_jIh1OhQwzHlmzU/s1600/SOHS_600New-York-1910s.jpg" height="292" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The Window Display of the Soul</b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I am looking at myself,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Looking at the words</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">That I bedeck this almanac with,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Akin to a window-shop display</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Of my thoughts that I found</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Prose-like and pretty,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And I now wonder whether</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">These words truly</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Represent me,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">After some contemplation</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The truth is deceptively easy,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">That, no, these words are not me</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But they are what I would like to be.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">..........................</span></i></div>
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<b>Salesmanship and self-delusion.</b> We all have a certain level of salesmanship. I think it is inherent in most people, that we would like people to think of us in the best way possible. And indeed, it is true even for our own self knowledge. We are our own shopkeeper, and we decorate the window-shop of our soul with pretensions of virtue, and we are also the customer of this products of self delusion. </div>
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I am thinking of this because of the simple words; "I believe in God." And after some contemplation, I must admit that my level of belief in God rises and ebbs according to my tide of fortune. I would like to be constant and steady, but no. At an intellectual level, yes, but not on a moment-by-moment impassioned way, to live my life in the constant assurance of His existence and what He has promised humanity. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSf3bL58wqIGWjXq4zdNpepoPAT6MYWA5nnUiHBzzcf4qLiguPIYt18beG4h9yAkpgJJTIx7ESD_6j1hnbCBwO3t-5iMbLdf3Qx19d6QfcuuXa8d8o7gAgxyhIVJSH-jks4L-luSa_s6A/s1600/sufi+on+a+peak.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSf3bL58wqIGWjXq4zdNpepoPAT6MYWA5nnUiHBzzcf4qLiguPIYt18beG4h9yAkpgJJTIx7ESD_6j1hnbCBwO3t-5iMbLdf3Qx19d6QfcuuXa8d8o7gAgxyhIVJSH-jks4L-luSa_s6A/s1600/sufi+on+a+peak.png" height="200" width="97" /></a></div>
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<b>Belief is not a destination but a journey. </b>This in itself is not a bad thing, I guess. For I do believe that complete belief is reserved only for the Prophets of God, and the best and highest form of belief in God is in the conduct and manners of Muhammad Habibullah (saws), our most beloved and the last of the Prophets of God. So now, when I am thinking or talking, I am careful with the words, "I believe in God." Saying or thinking these words as honest as I can, and asking God to bring me closer to the completeness of belief, to the sweetest of His Truth, which is exemplified in the Prophet (saws). Phew... that is a big, cosmic level prayer. But even an infinite journey begins with a single step, yes?</div>
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<b>Abang Shem. </b>I would like to end this posting with a sad news of the passing of my beautiful cousin, Mohamed Zaid bin Zainal, known to me as Abang Shem. He passed away on Sunday morning. I will write of him when I am more calm and collected. May Allah (swt) accept him and bring him to the Divine Presence in the company of Nabi Muhammad (saws).</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8h6HcoYQ9RChYxcl2bhAToYxANcU51DYrB6lu0sb157yJ0rJokTshfXA9y51WGsysQOHl_fYveQGEqbdxYE7_6g9c2_wplqON_qmO4GpE1rLpdvhklFi3N-4b8gCpquLolHml8P0GRmk/s1600/02022012476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8h6HcoYQ9RChYxcl2bhAToYxANcU51DYrB6lu0sb157yJ0rJokTshfXA9y51WGsysQOHl_fYveQGEqbdxYE7_6g9c2_wplqON_qmO4GpE1rLpdvhklFi3N-4b8gCpquLolHml8P0GRmk/s1600/02022012476.JPG" height="320" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">al fatiha</td></tr>
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wa min Allah at-taufiq<br />
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<b><span style="color: magenta;">Hate has no place in Islam</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: purple;">Love will show the Way</span></b></div>
Milky Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395083447454006991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352412692450842796.post-41474644738693734482014-12-20T17:20:00.000+08:002014-12-20T17:20:12.128+08:00THE LONELY SHORE - of certainties and openness <b><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The Lonely Shore</span></i></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHiiBE2LcPxCeZRWT5sHhvXONXzyynADtcjTvQtpHpYaqauamYLwh8paweNjdB9I7N8C13TYW0xGE310CzXE8JjoXkdRX9UyObeoNkBdugQcHPpSPlF-qvTwqhQvApQakDaWIIMIlkQ_E/s1600/IMG_20141126_220604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHiiBE2LcPxCeZRWT5sHhvXONXzyynADtcjTvQtpHpYaqauamYLwh8paweNjdB9I7N8C13TYW0xGE310CzXE8JjoXkdRX9UyObeoNkBdugQcHPpSPlF-qvTwqhQvApQakDaWIIMIlkQ_E/s1600/IMG_20141126_220604.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I am a lonely shore,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">A sandy bank</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">By a deep, rich sea.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">All manner of people walk on me,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Leaving their footprints</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Coming out of the waves,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Their enduring wandering</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Ending Hu knows where.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In the imprints in my heart</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I can see their path</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And the beliefs</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">They say they believe in.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But I cannot live</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">On another person's belief,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So I ask that God Almighty</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Give me my own belief'</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">To believe in,</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And not leave me</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Forever a lonely shore,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">A sandy bank</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">By a deep, rich sea.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">......................</span></i><br />
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<b>Keep it open. </b>Do not close your heart, sunshine. Do not say or act, "<i>Yup, I know it all. I don't need to know anymore. My mind and heart is made up...</i>" For the simple truth is, truth is not as simple as that. And when you are seeking to be the dust beneath the feet of saints, or watchdogs at their door, you have to keep nimble and awake. Awake to challenges to your own certainty, awake to whatever God Almighty may arrange to come your way, "<i>Hmm... let us see how Taufiq deals with THIS, that old Mr,Know-it-all,,,</i>"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm5WPonaMxrQBvLPwzCuPXImHs2v478hENPs49fJRW7Ox1uj7KQUqCSruzEtrWRt0kP3hwSYw-KA3cx_2MqNYVls1I9jeqKJdA4L5RDcwQU5bRr8El-f01QKvPLyDkZzPV346_EJABeHg/s1600/Tree-Wallpaper-1280x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm5WPonaMxrQBvLPwzCuPXImHs2v478hENPs49fJRW7Ox1uj7KQUqCSruzEtrWRt0kP3hwSYw-KA3cx_2MqNYVls1I9jeqKJdA4L5RDcwQU5bRr8El-f01QKvPLyDkZzPV346_EJABeHg/s1600/Tree-Wallpaper-1280x1024.jpg" height="160" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b>The firm toehold. </b>But we must have some certain rock. An unchangeable principle, a toehold in our heart that we must protect, Perhaps, if you are a Muslim, it would be our declaration of faith (the <i>syahadah</i>) - I bear witness that there is no god but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God, These are the words that make life, <i>truly </i>worth living for. Indeed, in its words is the true flowering of humanity's potential and promise - <i>and your own, </i>whatever be your dream or talent.</div>
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<b>Keeping the values. </b>And the final point is this - may we never ever, in our efforts to keep to our syahadah, do or say or permit anything to happen that directly or, more often that not, indirectly destroy the very values and connection of the Divinity and our humanity that is part of our <i>syahadah.</i></div>
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For in our lifetime alone we have seen enough blood, enough depravity, enough lies and hypocrisies, all done 'in the name of God'. Do you not agree, my love?</div>
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wa min Allah at-taufiq</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: magenta;">Hate has no place in Islam</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: purple;">Love will show the Way</span></b></div>
Milky Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395083447454006991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352412692450842796.post-29897555565930265272014-11-30T09:25:00.001+08:002014-11-30T09:25:38.836+08:00THE TREE OF MUHAMMAD<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdOOqW1vnRNfULZcUBoUbNyCYQv4iWJQYODHPkVB6gpjCRSpnAy5ARKnwWSl3fqDIcw53e__lGlXMLhLYwixAM8WWd4PMvu4zgiJRnLuGPmDD1XobEzIciCCvmvc0Sm3ZxmiV5wmkdN0/s1600/C360_2012-11-03-19-05-45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdOOqW1vnRNfULZcUBoUbNyCYQv4iWJQYODHPkVB6gpjCRSpnAy5ARKnwWSl3fqDIcw53e__lGlXMLhLYwixAM8WWd4PMvu4zgiJRnLuGPmDD1XobEzIciCCvmvc0Sm3ZxmiV5wmkdN0/s1600/C360_2012-11-03-19-05-45.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The Tree of Muhammad</b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I am a tree,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And I have been created</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Complete in my perfection,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You may take sustenance from </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My deepest roots to the highest</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Leaf or flower that bloom from me,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You may pick my low lying fruits,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You may take shelter beneath me </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">From the heat of the sun</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">From the wetness of the rain,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And from the hubris of men,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Y</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">ou may approach me from </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Any direction, and along any path,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For I am created to endure </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And for as long as the forest remains</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I shall always be here, waiting for you,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Indeed, by my Most Merciful Lord,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I was created that you may be created,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And If you think your desire and longing for me is great,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Lo, You will not bear to know my desire</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And longing for you!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Who will come to me?</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Who will sit under my shade?</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Who will rest his weary troubles on me?</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Who will share my fruits and my nectar?</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Who will take delight in my company?</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><b>What is a tree?</b> It is a living breathing organism without whom we would perish and this world would be a dead soulless planet. Yesterday morning Heche and me were buying breakfast from a street pedlar who was selling his </span><i style="text-align: justify;">nasi lemak </i><span style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">under a tree by a busy suburban street. As I was waiting for Heche to complete our transaction I stood next to the tree and wondered in my wandering whim, "</span><i style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222;">How many countless people have passed you by, o' Tree, barely noticing your existence, yet taking shelter beneath your rich green foliage?"</span></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8EYoVBxlAadYtMCAOiwdWf2ocdNWLC5e7dpb5TtLhoRsQQZJ501g89dxAWcrPjYCsO1PowOIHACeeRY6jlMLlzY2eSa7JsgJiCujjHKopTUexw0cSlmTnnAn6J0OovuP9LyMTLer6os/s1600/rain-girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8EYoVBxlAadYtMCAOiwdWf2ocdNWLC5e7dpb5TtLhoRsQQZJ501g89dxAWcrPjYCsO1PowOIHACeeRY6jlMLlzY2eSa7JsgJiCujjHKopTUexw0cSlmTnnAn6J0OovuP9LyMTLer6os/s1600/rain-girl.jpg" height="121" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;">As we rush through our daily life, filled with distractions and illusions of this world, we often forget what truly matters. I thanked the tree for giving me a shade, and gently pressed my palm against its brittle grey bark. In the name of God that made you, thank you! In the name of the Prophet, thank you for your beauty!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><b>Sarawak. </b>When I was away in Sarawak, I was often close to tears. Not out of sadness, but joy. And a sense of overwhelming thankfulness for being surrounded by my beautiful friends, and beautiful trees. Arriving early in the town of Kuching I was brought to a cemetery near my friend's house to visit his late father, grandparents and great grandfather.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KKVlMGTa1SeerME4_h0oJGYSvWqq-SQ4YnwwIZeism2vY6G5gPlKvsxs4_k3UcdvuIhJLgagU-HDQSKh61iIyCme7W-HGg5bkdt6pk4KOJCqP40TifuL4EEhOa2VbnrUeQeKiC8m7a0/s1600/C360_2013-02-08-14-43-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KKVlMGTa1SeerME4_h0oJGYSvWqq-SQ4YnwwIZeism2vY6G5gPlKvsxs4_k3UcdvuIhJLgagU-HDQSKh61iIyCme7W-HGg5bkdt6pk4KOJCqP40TifuL4EEhOa2VbnrUeQeKiC8m7a0/s1600/C360_2013-02-08-14-43-04.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;">There, nestled among the shrubbery and trees, I found his ancestors's graves and the historical link to a beautiful history. And I, Taufiq the recalcitrant sinner, playing an unlikely part in my friend's own story. Winding through history like a path through the spiritual station of honoured ones, we find ourselves here today - somewhere in the most beautiful lore of the Prophet Muhammad (saws). Thus, our sincere prayers is that Allah (swt) shall allow us to contribute a chapter to His Habibullah's (saws) story, whether as a beautiful rose or even a fern or a humble blade of grass or moss... That is enough already.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;">Don't you agree, sunshine?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;">wa min Allah at-taufiq</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: magenta;">Hate has no place in Islam</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: purple;">Love will show the Way</span></b></div>
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Milky Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395083447454006991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352412692450842796.post-2205369139408363132014-11-27T06:11:00.000+08:002014-11-27T06:11:04.423+08:00THE WIND TREE, THE FAKE FAKIR AND THE SOLE REASON FOR HISTORY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8j7JMay74msTA8eYgX6tTDXdwPqm9WYzJwOnZchDj_xey72OuwL1PD0Xm7D499zTiRM4RVdI4ANcdv4IZKgHPoJQGF5XgBzR5UNgOM3ZttIb_WENRB8rmynEh7NSdDKsp_DHTOmpqNTo/s1600/IMG_20141126_220604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8j7JMay74msTA8eYgX6tTDXdwPqm9WYzJwOnZchDj_xey72OuwL1PD0Xm7D499zTiRM4RVdI4ANcdv4IZKgHPoJQGF5XgBzR5UNgOM3ZttIb_WENRB8rmynEh7NSdDKsp_DHTOmpqNTo/s1600/IMG_20141126_220604.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The Wind Tree</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If you wish to fly like the wind,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You must have roots like the tree.</span></i><br />
..........................................<br />
<br />
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<b>A Hullo. </b>Hullo there, sunshine. I must admit that it has been some time since I last wrote here in the almanac. I do not know if I will continue writing regularly henceforth, but let us not worry about that...</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Reality of History. </b>You know, it is no good to desire some transcendental ascent, without good solid grounding in reality, and in particular, how our own history shapes it.</div>
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<br /></div>
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For history tells us how we come to be here today. Through the daily lives of our fathers and mothers, and our forefathers before them, through their fate we are led to this point in our life, and our own fate, insignificant as it may seem in the greater cosmos.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Importance and Self-importance. </b>Yet, you are not insignificant. Whether you are a beggar in the street, a reveler in the nightclub or a dervish in the mosque, you are certainly important. Most importantly because you are beloved and cared by your Creator.</div>
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<br />
The risk is how our own hubris and pride takes that divine importance and turn it into damnable self-importance. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>The True Self is... </b>Perhaps this is why I have been writing less nowadays. Repelled by my own horrible sense of self-importance. I guess I am tired of feeling like a fake faker, Ooh, Taufiq you fool, so full of your 'self'! I know this because an ancient friend tells me this - <i>'your true self is in your actions, actions motivated by selflessness. Any other reason for conduct is an illusion and a trap.' </i></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlxNLPPncvgxa2seK-KbODGAVGr6u3b_ZUfMSc7YLn4rfswd0HbPixe82J7K4q6iR9nVbbUp7CK64GMH6SLdKx6MdwFsvM8heH4dTm0dXaK3G-WkQehE31Cc3tzonSwAYStwGPssHj-Y/s1600/woman-umbrella-rain-art1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlxNLPPncvgxa2seK-KbODGAVGr6u3b_ZUfMSc7YLn4rfswd0HbPixe82J7K4q6iR9nVbbUp7CK64GMH6SLdKx6MdwFsvM8heH4dTm0dXaK3G-WkQehE31Cc3tzonSwAYStwGPssHj-Y/s1600/woman-umbrella-rain-art1.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>The Sole Reason for History. </b>If only I could just let go and disappear. For I can sense the roots that entwine us all in the clay of our fragile humanity. There, in our shared history is all the nourishment we need for a better future. All the lessons and examples, the parables and wisdom of the Prophets of God. </div>
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<br /></div>
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But <i>knowing </i>something is not the same as <i>living </i>something. So please, pray for me, sunshine! May Allah (swt) bless your kindness with the attention and guidance of Nabi Muhammad (saws), <i>for he is the epitome of selflessness and generosity, and the entire cause and reason for our creation and history.</i></div>
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Don't you agree? </div>
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<br /></div>
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wa min Allah at-taufiq</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: magenta;">Hate has no place in Islam</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: purple;">Love will show the Way</span></b></div>
Milky Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395083447454006991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352412692450842796.post-85001695563954924142014-10-07T06:36:00.001+08:002014-10-07T06:44:15.738+08:00THE GOSSAMER WEB OF GOD ...and the great inner-verse of emptiness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6U3nY4TT-JuzSUqC-xQQun8O4ho8PoJzGxm7Qmrq-srFgp7S6xncP5qXYu3WVW_89GbVNV9d8qythFLWkiPjQhDlFbYCxPtLSGxQquzjVfLG3U3Ht7r0ZqcKc7V_qE8MqhWMJk_1crM/s1600/artflow_201410060917.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6U3nY4TT-JuzSUqC-xQQun8O4ho8PoJzGxm7Qmrq-srFgp7S6xncP5qXYu3WVW_89GbVNV9d8qythFLWkiPjQhDlFbYCxPtLSGxQquzjVfLG3U3Ht7r0ZqcKc7V_qE8MqhWMJk_1crM/s1600/artflow_201410060917.png" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b>Gossamer Web of God</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>The slightest nuance </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>May break me,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Some thoughtless words </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>May kill me,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>A bad idea may despoil</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>And end my story,</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I am spun in a loom,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I am made from the finest thread,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I am fatal as your burial shroud</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>And your wedding bed, </i></span><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I am a string of thoughts</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Woven into a form,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Given meaning and a name;</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I am a Gossamer Web</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Of God,</span></i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I am you. </i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I am only waiting for you </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>To remember... </i></span><br />
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...........</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>As you grow old</b>, as the invincibility of your youth leaves you, as you take time to ponder, you will realise that we are so intangible. </div>
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<br /></div>
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It is as if, God created us to fill an emptiness, but in doing so, we come to also feel the emptiness, and thus,<b> although we have a form, we continue to remain empty</b>. </div>
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And what fills the great emptiness that lay between our smallest sub-atomic particles that make up us? Nothing. <b>A great inner-verse of emptiness.</b> In that state lies the <i>sirr </i>(secret) of <i>dzikr, </i>the remembrance of God Almighty - For as opposites attract, so we are naturally drawn towards the Reality and Truly Tangible, yearning for the Absolute and the Eternal, and that is Him the One and Only.</div>
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Help me remember, o' Prophet!</div>
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<br /></div>
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wa min Allah at-taufiq</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: magenta;">Hate has no place in Islam</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: purple;">Love will show the Way</span></b></div>
Milky Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395083447454006991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352412692450842796.post-38635456258598206612014-10-04T07:36:00.000+08:002014-10-04T07:39:55.077+08:00Metaphors and Divine Promises<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY0boPd6HyhCvjLWAjRst0ZP8OfpvdTJcOkhFzhmx8jnodlTYYZGlcHfBitfYzezq9DMbFL8TUy1H2cNYFwZnW8YGT4Y5kv83jEtNNeYtJi3bFhflLhv8qKGoOGAW3OlEyDXRMLBRdfD4/s1600/Slide2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY0boPd6HyhCvjLWAjRst0ZP8OfpvdTJcOkhFzhmx8jnodlTYYZGlcHfBitfYzezq9DMbFL8TUy1H2cNYFwZnW8YGT4Y5kv83jEtNNeYtJi3bFhflLhv8qKGoOGAW3OlEyDXRMLBRdfD4/s1600/Slide2.PNG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Realities, Metaphors and Analogies</b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If you say this world is real,</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I will not disagree with you,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If you say this world is illusory,</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I will not disagree with you,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If you say that this world is a metaphor,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I will not disagree with you,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">As a reality and an analogy,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I will not disagree with you.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For every day, and every moment,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So long as you are a thinking and feeling</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Member of the human race,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You will live in both worlds,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Standing across two meanings</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Whose divide is wider than the Universe,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Seeing illusions and bearing witness</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">To His Embrace, He that is God Almighty,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The Last and the First.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">..................</span></i></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have not written much but here I am, still very much alive and kicking. Metaphorically, speaking. He he he.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Have a wonderful Eidul Adha, sunshine. May Allah (swt) ease our journey from faithlessness to faithfulness, from all that is ugly and illusory to all that is true and lovely... towards Muhammad Habibullah, Mercy to all the Worlds (saws).</div>
<br />
wa min Allah at-taufiq<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9hadtDxpA7FFzDELtU4a5DMIJO4DjXnNj3w4z8U6i9xYZIzOyL8n3zfLsVhh32ogaoXu4C3qR6muND6Tjtnohpx0TwrS9XxoeB4bn469j1QTHXq-fshc_HIqX8jw_M2x2XC8XsvTavE/s1600/Slide20.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9hadtDxpA7FFzDELtU4a5DMIJO4DjXnNj3w4z8U6i9xYZIzOyL8n3zfLsVhh32ogaoXu4C3qR6muND6Tjtnohpx0TwrS9XxoeB4bn469j1QTHXq-fshc_HIqX8jw_M2x2XC8XsvTavE/s1600/Slide20.PNG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Divine Promises</span></i></b><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Escape the illusion of the bars that cage your soul,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Remember God and His Prophet,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Remember the divine promises long foretold!</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: magenta;">Hate has no place in Islam</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: purple;">Love will show the Way</span></b></div>
Milky Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395083447454006991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352412692450842796.post-43923068062896385832014-09-07T09:56:00.001+08:002014-09-07T17:58:54.430+08:00PINCHED AND SO CLOSE... and yet so far<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1dTLWPzIaffcJFNVNhVRimo07CD849zq1zP7XrnstOL4SnMGr28jXhOJDE7sqxXxUuBVmZqZVn_1gYD0y2h8ro8vA6QBNgZGi2Ratizj0vR3_Etr2sDLWMxQE8g_4YjYxtCWnlJopyc/s1600/IMG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1dTLWPzIaffcJFNVNhVRimo07CD849zq1zP7XrnstOL4SnMGr28jXhOJDE7sqxXxUuBVmZqZVn_1gYD0y2h8ro8vA6QBNgZGi2Ratizj0vR3_Etr2sDLWMxQE8g_4YjYxtCWnlJopyc/s1600/IMG.jpg" height="400" width="301" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>All Pinched</b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The love of the Prophet is a garden in my heart. </span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And it is so beautiful, so wondrous that at times </span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I pinch myself that it is indeed here at all. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">By Allah the Generous, </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">That is why you find me in this state... </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So bruised by so </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">many pinching. </span></i></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsAirRgjKKrZ6mTQFGfmaX_tmZv7bEtE0BTyeqa2hXKVXlMGDSx5pvrx465Nogv8A0BvC7qldaSJJObz2XdeuTPq6xmoNt8Lh_q21gpW_UVYfShruFW17YQVnNMV2fLduEe_OP3siKk4c/s1600/dggdgd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsAirRgjKKrZ6mTQFGfmaX_tmZv7bEtE0BTyeqa2hXKVXlMGDSx5pvrx465Nogv8A0BvC7qldaSJJObz2XdeuTPq6xmoNt8Lh_q21gpW_UVYfShruFW17YQVnNMV2fLduEe_OP3siKk4c/s1600/dggdgd.jpg" height="320" width="232" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>So Close Yet So Far</b></span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I take these words and passing thoughts of you to present to you, o' Beloved,</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But they are never enough. for I see and can barely comprehend </span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Y</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">our beauty and magnificent mercy, </span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Only for Allah to raise your noble station higher and more honoured. </span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Yet you say you care for my soul far better than I myself?... </span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">By Allah the Tender, </span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">That makes me feel so close to you</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And yet so far from you.</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">........................................</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The worth of man or a woman is measured by how close he or she brings us nearer to you, o' Prophet, O' Most Beautiful Rose in Allah's Secret Garden of Roses, ya Muhammad the Veiled Moon shining upon the forest of incoherent reflection of your blessed eminence and light</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">... so guide the guide to us, and leave us not to our own caprice!</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">wa min Allah at-taufiq</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Notrumi Embun, 7th September 2014</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: inherit;"><b>Hate has no place in Islam</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: inherit;"><b>Love will show the Way</b></span></div>
Milky Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395083447454006991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352412692450842796.post-21136288816542640372014-09-01T21:18:00.001+08:002014-09-01T21:18:35.835+08:00A BONFIRE OF WHITE FIRE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPSlZEs6t3LMcTV8yu3xYoJnSNwYpfjw1t310YqeEBDOeK8FcOx7Ivu3OI3I-JEq7eha5dW05Zezp8c7KwdJ38hAXw67G_13txUvdlAmFeDbq5KYe8fINojutevTt77LzDEe7rp32UpE/s1600/sedih+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPSlZEs6t3LMcTV8yu3xYoJnSNwYpfjw1t310YqeEBDOeK8FcOx7Ivu3OI3I-JEq7eha5dW05Zezp8c7KwdJ38hAXw67G_13txUvdlAmFeDbq5KYe8fINojutevTt77LzDEe7rp32UpE/s1600/sedih+2.jpg" height="400" width="281" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>A Bonfire of White Fire</b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You are my wonder</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You are my mystery</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You are my forever</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And I would lay waste</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">All my world for You</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In a bonfire of white fire,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If it was Your pleasure,</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>You are my perfection</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>You are my redeemer</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>My Guide and my Master</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>And how I regret each breath</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>That I steal when of You</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I fail to remember,</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For it is theft that I commit,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It is a fraud that I abet,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It is a lie that I aid to fulfill,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The vainglory of my capricious will...</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">When oh Lord, oh Master,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I forget myself for even a moment.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">By forgetting my God, Allah, and Muhammad, my Master,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">........................</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSDD7PxPA2uGqMG9EEMYx4pWzJhwPt_qttzASgz5kGzx02DQtPNHEWi-5uQvJ12kHSyFDPYWQPnqd5jOWsYxe-1V9ejt-1bepOkX-xu_lIb-vIHBSHqfkQjx0tws1QGvGlCgIL9fdBJg/s1600/Golden_Sun_1280x800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSDD7PxPA2uGqMG9EEMYx4pWzJhwPt_qttzASgz5kGzx02DQtPNHEWi-5uQvJ12kHSyFDPYWQPnqd5jOWsYxe-1V9ejt-1bepOkX-xu_lIb-vIHBSHqfkQjx0tws1QGvGlCgIL9fdBJg/s1600/Golden_Sun_1280x800.jpg" height="200" width="320" /></a></div>
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The seconds are endless... the days countless... the years, shamefully many in which I, your writer, has constantly failed to remember God Almighty, and His Habibullah, Nabi Muhammad (saws).</div>
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For I fear that for far too long, I, your sinner, was easily persuaded by the temporary distractions of this world, by the poison honey, the chemical happiness, the cheap tawdry gratification so well presented in the window shop of this reality. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nNzuWpNSvnXuY0fAy_d_9ow9L9___wZyrwbkk-GyvILHCfDza6oENlDDAMSbjcqVdkS0900ab6azSZ32Zqb9SunGvxAGvGDGUt1pdvSNz2ceyQCOpMrsm5iqbkE2G8TudLrbMxhA0zk/s1600/angel+4+q.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nNzuWpNSvnXuY0fAy_d_9ow9L9___wZyrwbkk-GyvILHCfDza6oENlDDAMSbjcqVdkS0900ab6azSZ32Zqb9SunGvxAGvGDGUt1pdvSNz2ceyQCOpMrsm5iqbkE2G8TudLrbMxhA0zk/s1600/angel+4+q.jpg" height="320" width="158" /></a></div>
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But not you, sunshine. You who are my betters, saw through the deception of this ego-world, and learned well the lessons. At the knees of the wise, you learned to discern the true sweetness of love, the honey of submission, the wine of exaltation in the praise of Allah swt and the wonder that is the Holy al-Quran and the <i>sunnah </i>(traditions) of His Beloved Muhammad (saws).</div>
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If you can spare a cup of knowledge, a drop of compassion, a hint of hope, pour your love in my direction, and keep me in your prayers, please. You may consider yourself ordinary, my readers. But I see you very differently. You are my hope for my humanity. So grip tight the robes of the saints and the saintly! </div>
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wa min Allah at-taufiq</div>
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<i>Notrumi Embun, 1st September 2014</i></div>
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<b><span style="color: magenta;">Hate has no place in Islam</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: purple;">Love will show the Way</span></b><span style="color: #222222;"> </span></div>
Milky Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395083447454006991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352412692450842796.post-69344910438310745862014-08-31T04:25:00.000+08:002014-08-31T04:25:52.910+08:00MERDEKA POEM 2014 - Shed Me No Tear.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRtOf0OMMrJ4Zr1b4_exQf-zsjZw5vhFfwOgqvxWutJ9GHfOrj8IxyFY4fHP9vomiOqBt5G-EFNwgAlQuPif5W6F_EHCtefZwLJYFQ2ZKD81EpzfTS4adSTTE9c0mB542V9kJf8uALaVI/s1600/C360_2012-11-20-21-59-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRtOf0OMMrJ4Zr1b4_exQf-zsjZw5vhFfwOgqvxWutJ9GHfOrj8IxyFY4fHP9vomiOqBt5G-EFNwgAlQuPif5W6F_EHCtefZwLJYFQ2ZKD81EpzfTS4adSTTE9c0mB542V9kJf8uALaVI/s1600/C360_2012-11-20-21-59-10.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Shed Me No Tear</b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Don't mourn my passing,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Don't shed a tear,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">What is death but</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The end of my dying</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">As I change from one</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Dress for another </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Infinitely better.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Don't mourn my passing</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Don't shed a tear,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">What is death but</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The end of my living</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">As I trade this world</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And all its baubles</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For His Love undeniable</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And for His Mercy incomparable.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So don't mourn my passing, my dear</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And shed not a tear,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For I am coming to the Truth unveiled...</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">That there is no beginning, no passing,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">No ending of anything for me,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">That there is no there, no here</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">No distance to deceive me.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So you see,,,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Finally, when I have shed my veil,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Rejoice for me</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And shed me no tear.</span></i></div>
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.................</div>
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<b>Closure. </b>Someone said something the other day. With the arrival of the deceased Malaysians who perished on board flight MH17, he observed kindly, "<i>Perhaps the family will get some closure now.</i>"</div>
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<b>Openings. </b>When my mother died in 2002, and my brother on September 14th 2013, I wanted no closure. I wanted an opening. I do not want to be led into an enclosure of my memories of them. I wanted more, and unconsciously, I guess, I kept asking God for more.</div>
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I am fortunate that I am friends with those who feel the same way. After all, there is more than two billion Muslims who attend to their daily lives talking not only to God Almighty, but to His Beloved, Nabi Muhammad (saws) - a direct connection vouched by the Prophet Muhammad (saws) himself.</div>
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<b>Twin Calamities. </b>My country has faced twin calamities in the disappearance of MH370 and the downing of MH17 this year. But in such tragedies there are openings. For nothing happens without a reason, and it is my fervent hope that my couintrymen will show the world a response that is circumspect with understanding, wisdom and submission to His Will. </div>
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We are a little minnow in God's ocean of nations. And in good and bad times, we turn to Him and seek the guidance of His Habibullah (saws) always. </div>
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Our prayers this 57th Merdeka Day go to our founding fathers, both Muslims and non-Muslims alike, who have blessed our country with their courage and endurance, their love and compassion. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdkwG3baSIl5iEtVxlsyN5kWyTNp8fPJudQCIFEKMbndWvJWvLHVyWFCNvKLl-VqugHMbLNyG3e5To2Wy5Nk5j8mlC16BUNoPRCFdoHJ3bMRe3fPs1QnLeDPWmSHIqLkUrZH3GkhcSB0/s1600/pic_article_0711_4_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdkwG3baSIl5iEtVxlsyN5kWyTNp8fPJudQCIFEKMbndWvJWvLHVyWFCNvKLl-VqugHMbLNyG3e5To2Wy5Nk5j8mlC16BUNoPRCFdoHJ3bMRe3fPs1QnLeDPWmSHIqLkUrZH3GkhcSB0/s1600/pic_article_0711_4_1.jpg" height="208" width="320" /></a></div>
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wa min Allah at-taufiq</div>
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<i>Notrumi Embun, 31st August 2014</i></div>
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<b><span style="color: magenta;">Hate has no place in Islam</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: purple;">Love will show the Way</span></b></div>
Milky Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395083447454006991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352412692450842796.post-71828320158298280612014-08-23T13:25:00.000+08:002014-08-23T13:28:40.473+08:00IN THE WINDOW-SHOP OF THE WORLD, THE ONLY ITEM FOR SALE IS MADNESS - MH17, rejecting despair, embracing hope and the real struggle within us all...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qjmDP3L2cK2r_zvvzoPqfpzsk8HROt2W4p1dchpA-z91n7DknapysiH_6ozYXs9jCL7OgwOsQP-tCLNJ43KCOZC85ktybu4aMP2k-SsMl6THU9nci5paF1HrI12GYRmbi9Hqgb7zGx0/s1600/rain-girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qjmDP3L2cK2r_zvvzoPqfpzsk8HROt2W4p1dchpA-z91n7DknapysiH_6ozYXs9jCL7OgwOsQP-tCLNJ43KCOZC85ktybu4aMP2k-SsMl6THU9nci5paF1HrI12GYRmbi9Hqgb7zGx0/s1600/rain-girl.jpg" height="242" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>Our Struggle</i></b></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Today I declare my struggle against hubris,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Against hatred and bigotry,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Against the warmongers and the war profiteers,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Against the hidden hands and their well-dressed murderers,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Today I declare my struggle against the ignorance of Man and their arrogance,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Against their petty quarrels and pious slights,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Against the venom of the backbiters,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Against the whispers of the whisperers in the night</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Taunting Man to fight and kill for his 'rights',</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Today I declare my struggle against all these vices,</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But above all else, I declare my struggle against these vices in me,</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Shadowing my waking and sleeping hour</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Giving my heart no rest till</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My very soul tremble and cower,</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Today I seek the Light upon Light, to guide and save me</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Lest I be yet another slave to </span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The One-eyed King in </span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">His Golden Tower.</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">.....................</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<b>Don't despair,</b> sunshine. Do not be too worried about the theatre playing in the world stage. Attend to the present, to yourself and to those closest to you.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
The world may attempt to bring its conflicts, its wars, its greed, inhumanity and hate to our very doorsteps. But it is forbidden to enter. Not unless you permit it to enter.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizda_Pa3eMfpGBTqhN3rusS3IEPAzyvt96fBpDAiLs9nkVYsE7cSnRS_VBkz6WORvZE5wxS48sg08CdOPIbCUCuIN8wzLaDsd1O6EcZ7UW4V5XLR3njwqMF6OhdzJgCKsxQW26Bn7mSY4/s1600/10394795_10152632345128209_2748866031444791152_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizda_Pa3eMfpGBTqhN3rusS3IEPAzyvt96fBpDAiLs9nkVYsE7cSnRS_VBkz6WORvZE5wxS48sg08CdOPIbCUCuIN8wzLaDsd1O6EcZ7UW4V5XLR3njwqMF6OhdzJgCKsxQW26Bn7mSY4/s1600/10394795_10152632345128209_2748866031444791152_n.jpg" height="237" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<b>MH17. </b>Yesterday, being a Friday, the whole nation of Malaysia mourned for the loss of innocent lives onboard MH17. A day of mourning was declared as the remains of our fellow citizens were brought home with honour and solemnity. But the question remains - someone shot it down, and I used to wonder aloud, <i>"If we found out who really did it, whom should we invade? Russia or Ukraine?"</i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<b>Russia or Ukraine? </b>But truth be told, I am not wanting to declare <i>jihad </i>(struggle) on anyone really. For at the moment they are like little dusts messing the threshold of my soul. And I want nothing of the madness that appears to be the only item for sale in the window-shop of this world.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<b>The real struggle. </b>You and I, we are concerned with the inestimable infinity. What is a few days, years or centuries in our heart? For we are busy making our heart presentable for the Light of Muhammad (saws), and everything else are false and worthless distractions, pretentious facsimile to the True Reality of God Almighty. That is the struggle we are endeavouring to win, a struggle from the moment our conscience understands right and wrong, until we are returned to the bosom of the earth, back to Allah (swt).</div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
So I will see you there, yes? In the antechamber of the heart, where secrets are revealed again and again and again. Hold my hand, sunshine. For I am always in need of guidance and encouragement. And that fact, alas, is no secret at all!</div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyuDZEKhJ4bs2p0HHifxk1UhYO1lsWRhFB0boObpDoAFUkuv4ZYmeGRD9Hj3EcZrTFe3QXDTyUDDIKJGpBxKngyxHbdK7KXWD1p_Om0CV4RHyi-FoaZALFqN1k_PDsIfRadxK6HyYxik/s1600/Slide33.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyuDZEKhJ4bs2p0HHifxk1UhYO1lsWRhFB0boObpDoAFUkuv4ZYmeGRD9Hj3EcZrTFe3QXDTyUDDIKJGpBxKngyxHbdK7KXWD1p_Om0CV4RHyi-FoaZALFqN1k_PDsIfRadxK6HyYxik/s1600/Slide33.PNG" height="400" width="275" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
wa min Allah at-taufiq</div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: right;">
<i>Notrumi Embun, 23rd August 2014</i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: magenta;">Hate has no place in Islam</span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: purple;">Love will show the Way</span></b></div>
Milky Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395083447454006991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352412692450842796.post-67660600285375342822014-08-17T21:45:00.000+08:002014-08-17T21:45:30.025+08:00STUPIDITY TRAVELING AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT... and the few not joining the race.<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>You Are Never Alone</b></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Wwe27SD-93FWUgkmVRG0lMLywpIH7DovpOiXjG1Z6t2fXcmKidyRqquG1ZcEfG-_QmmN-PLoYDht4ppNuCqPs32wxaDmOvNNfmLdvygyFJUmFr0JXgp0mfsb4RENpXK0yrNjV6c15Lc/s1600/clown.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Wwe27SD-93FWUgkmVRG0lMLywpIH7DovpOiXjG1Z6t2fXcmKidyRqquG1ZcEfG-_QmmN-PLoYDht4ppNuCqPs32wxaDmOvNNfmLdvygyFJUmFr0JXgp0mfsb4RENpXK0yrNjV6c15Lc/s1600/clown.bmp" height="640" width="361" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If you feel disconnected,</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Underwhelmed by</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The Consumer Society,</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Don't worry,</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For you are not alone...</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If you feel sidelined,</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For nobody's side</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Appears appealing,</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Don't fret about it,</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For you are not alone...</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If you ask yourself,</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Why do I bother</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">To read the news</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Or the walls on Facebook,</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Don't be anxious</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For you are not alone...</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If you are in a group,</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And all the chats revolve</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Around insignificant things,</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It is no course for concern,</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For you are not alone...</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You are never alone.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We are here with you.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">................</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Why am I here? </b>I wonder sometimes. Why do I bother opening the newspaper in the morning. Why do I bother to read tweets and postings on Facebook walls. The amount of vitriol, sarcasm, cynicism, hubris, hate, envy, depression, misinformation, propaganda, under-researched conclusions, racism and bigotry, and just plain old simple imbecility is breath-taking.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxE2vmlPKY-2V5Z3PkovTxHgRSkEzC958XUNR_t6u5ukNbFnDTdGfeFTAsbmApVsKR8zBeOGIAGe7m17IZlTzLzvL9XIZk_mdjYvi7fDwskhjhx5je45xRxM2OP7MlJTSvFZO3uwWWJdY/s1600/cawing-crow-in-yellowstone-national-park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxE2vmlPKY-2V5Z3PkovTxHgRSkEzC958XUNR_t6u5ukNbFnDTdGfeFTAsbmApVsKR8zBeOGIAGe7m17IZlTzLzvL9XIZk_mdjYvi7fDwskhjhx5je45xRxM2OP7MlJTSvFZO3uwWWJdY/s1600/cawing-crow-in-yellowstone-national-park.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Not all sharing is good. </b>It is not that I think this generation is particularly more bad than the previous ones. But the instantaneous sharing (or crowing, is another word) of things online is just too easy. Here we are, sitting with our laptop or smartphones, and throwing our thoughts into the cyber world as if there is no one out there to judge what we write. But you are judged by your peers. All the time, 24/7. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Online crows real life turtle doves. </b>The funny thing is that when you personally meet some of these online crows, they turn out to be so much more nicer and sensible birds of an altogether different plumage. What is it about writing and sharing online which appears to bring out the bad in people?</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Stupidity traveling at the speed of light. </b>You know, there is no harm keeping some bad thoughts in us. For we are all generally normal human beings with normal bias and social conditioning which has made us less than perfect. Often, with the grace of God Almighty, we never actually get around to act out the bad deeds. And in the old days, where you would have to write a letter and post it to a newspaper or magazine and <i>hope </i>that the editor might choose your letter or opinion to publish, the chances of you actually <i>permanently </i>sharing your opinions are actually very, very small. Now though, every envy, every malice, every misinformation, every hubris and idiotic observations will have potentially millions of audience at the press of the button. The Disinformation and Corruption Superhighway we can call it. Hate and Stupidity racing across the globe at the speed of light.</div>
<br />
Oh boy.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Doing good.</b> But I am kept on the net because of a few. And these few shine like bright stars in an otherwise ocean of malice, hubris and foolishness. So thank you, sunshine... for without you, what little faith I have in humanity would long have ebbed with the rising tide of violence, corruption and exploitation that appears to be part and parcel of our daily life nowadays. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
They are not all Muslims, these few. But they are living their lives in worshipful praise of God with no agenda, no objectives and no particular aim save one... To do good. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And to the good is to do God's work.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUmLW1pHgyjP5DMAZ8g_enLMOL-qz1HiJS2fc7tYWFCYOPPMO0nC3INHtHORJJtymPKjoQLLrmc1k70sr0LextuYoIyOexCfV1_SVZjDw_S4W0ApPn8By-7mvA0-EDs2JqUKvSzUDuWnI/s1600/25+July,+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUmLW1pHgyjP5DMAZ8g_enLMOL-qz1HiJS2fc7tYWFCYOPPMO0nC3INHtHORJJtymPKjoQLLrmc1k70sr0LextuYoIyOexCfV1_SVZjDw_S4W0ApPn8By-7mvA0-EDs2JqUKvSzUDuWnI/s1600/25+July,+2011.jpg" height="320" width="314" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Don't you agree, sunshine? Auw... bless your heart.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
wa min Allah at-taufiq</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>- Notrumi Embun, 17th August 2014</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: magenta;">Hate has no place in Islam</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: purple;">Love will show the Way</span></b></div>
Milky Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395083447454006991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352412692450842796.post-64100879320962913842014-08-09T11:07:00.003+08:002014-08-09T11:07:53.975+08:00IN THE COURT OF THE KING<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp64t-yCfmeis_fXcENslfwuwk4xtdvf5NNZeKKdnjst8r9epCitePGMZmQOSV94DhPhIThecxSqPXTNGiYUZ4LHmJ5agguPnHgrl9mMjFl0l5iAyT46T1f6zYWd-7i1jqYLwUhF47FJ4/s1600/IMG_20140806_071646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp64t-yCfmeis_fXcENslfwuwk4xtdvf5NNZeKKdnjst8r9epCitePGMZmQOSV94DhPhIThecxSqPXTNGiYUZ4LHmJ5agguPnHgrl9mMjFl0l5iAyT46T1f6zYWd-7i1jqYLwUhF47FJ4/s1600/IMG_20140806_071646.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2a_qFrkrpFntbSksLpQOAOhs9gRM5LXiIAGPdDzbp727lpJny-6BC89PrEdht7GQsg4bbaVqu3O5-87_paTjqoHvJbat0mNMZ978MjYHpu3sI1feWwbRzGz_r_jvKU0H1WBucXqjq58/s1600/IMG_20140806_071603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2a_qFrkrpFntbSksLpQOAOhs9gRM5LXiIAGPdDzbp727lpJny-6BC89PrEdht7GQsg4bbaVqu3O5-87_paTjqoHvJbat0mNMZ978MjYHpu3sI1feWwbRzGz_r_jvKU0H1WBucXqjq58/s1600/IMG_20140806_071603.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2TToSMTbqHzZDDvY9RASXmTVYJI9oy5pBxvC2QFKOk4sAMHfL4K4_epUpUJJnR1pe3Hus-_q48KvMPvAA-00g422ZPnnTQes5wCc0Itzp4TREHVlPP4H6-6W6MJ1PNRtcn0pD2MQqZUA/s1600/IMG_20140806_071810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2TToSMTbqHzZDDvY9RASXmTVYJI9oy5pBxvC2QFKOk4sAMHfL4K4_epUpUJJnR1pe3Hus-_q48KvMPvAA-00g422ZPnnTQes5wCc0Itzp4TREHVlPP4H6-6W6MJ1PNRtcn0pD2MQqZUA/s1600/IMG_20140806_071810.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>In the Court of the King</b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Every day has its night,</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Every night has its dawn,</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Every thing that is physical</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Has its spiritual mirror,</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Every effort has its end,</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Every end has a beginning,</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Every moth has its moment,</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Prostrating like a servant</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In the Court of the King.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>....................</i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzMdG-coxPuJHr688FLV4qgXWd_wkPawkwhz3lOTUWaVttkw-WVW2gBNJ3va1GIeViBMBJzc6JRerfU4KwtzYftX5p1R7phuyGR176qu-lCog1FG5kg7jtYQUUegd3fJmjVp8JNR9HB0U/s1600/pic_1207201114461600+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzMdG-coxPuJHr688FLV4qgXWd_wkPawkwhz3lOTUWaVttkw-WVW2gBNJ3va1GIeViBMBJzc6JRerfU4KwtzYftX5p1R7phuyGR176qu-lCog1FG5kg7jtYQUUegd3fJmjVp8JNR9HB0U/s1600/pic_1207201114461600+2.jpg" height="320" width="210" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The firmness of your stance is important in archery. A certain rigidity is required from your torso down to your waist to the soles of your feet. There is no good aiming and adjusting your aim with your eyes and your arms and hands when you are swaying about like a willow in the wind. So be firm in your footing on this precarious world.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In life however, in the pursuit of truth, a certain flexibility is required. In the opening of the book of the day, in which you will write who and what you are for the next 24 hours, a little fluidity will go a long way to make your story a beautiful one. So be fluid in your reflections.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And if the day is wearing you down, do not be afraid to pause. It is no loss to you if you do so. Speak to your God and tell him your worries and care. Unburden unto Him and let go of your troubles. So be gentle and kind to yourself as God is to you.</div>
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There is much sorrow and confusion in the world simply because Mankind often limits God's love, mercy and compassion to what they can themselves conceive in their small and often damaged hearts. So do not put limits to His all-encompassing Mercy and Compassion, and try as best as you can to put none on your own.</div>
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Have a lovely Sabbath, sunshine. </div>
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-<i>Notrumi Embun, 9th August 2014</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<b><span style="color: magenta;">Hate has no place in Islam</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: purple;">Love will show the Way</span></b></div>
Milky Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395083447454006991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352412692450842796.post-46261611898343626152014-08-04T12:19:00.000+08:002014-08-04T17:36:02.646+08:00Human Usury & the Divine Debt - between servitude and servanthood<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Servitude or Servanthood?</b></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Indebtedness to usurious men</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Will imprison you forever </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In the chains of servitude.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Indebtedness to God and His Prophet</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Will release you from your enslavement,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And bring you to the station of servanthood.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>..............................</i></span></div>
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<b>Human Usury. </b>When I am a little (or a lot) late in paying my credit card bills, car instalments, phone bills, my daily life suddenly becomes stressful with the constant barrage of calls, emails, sms-es and legal notices, all of them making it plain that woeful consequences will befall me if I fail to regularise my account. This is the curse of the credit-driven consumer society that we live in now.</div>
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<b>Divine Debt. </b>God is so different though we are utterly indebted to Him for <i>everything</i>, He do not even ask to be repaid, for He knows very well that we cannot. All He asks is that we <i>realise </i>our indebtedness to Him, and that we use our heart and our mind to conjecture from there how best to live our life.</div>
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And this admission of indebtedness will make us rich beyond our imagination. </div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Creation and all its contents cannot be weighed</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Against the heart of a true believer</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For he sees beyond his worldly needs,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Piercing the veil to see</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The all-nourishing attribute</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Of the Creator Almighty...</span></i></div>
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And on top of all these divine goodies, God the Giver is asking us to continue asking more and more from Him... His generosity is infinite and incomparable. </div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If you are attending to matters of the Infinite,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You have to start loving infinitely.</span></i></div>
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Which brings us to our greatest debt to God... His Beloved, Nabi Muhammad (saws), the Mercy to all the Worlds and Nations. </div>
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You don't remember asking God for the Prophet (saws)? You did, my friend, you certainly did - a long, long time ago, before your soul was ever dressed in your mortal coil, before any mountain grew from the earth, before any bird flew in the sky. </div>
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wa min Allah at-taufiq</div>
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-<i>Notrumi Embun, 4th August 2014</i></div>
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<b><span style="color: magenta;">Hate has no place in Islam</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple;"><b>Love will show the Way</b> </span></div>
Milky Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395083447454006991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352412692450842796.post-91439084609511492912014-07-14T22:05:00.000+08:002014-07-14T22:05:27.531+08:00THE SYARIA AND HUDUD, The Prose (Part 1)<div style="text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The Syaria (The Journey, the Garden and the Fruit)</b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I saw a journey,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Where I saw you, and I saw myself,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And along the path there were</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Beautiful places to rest,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Restful places to ponder God,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">As Love, as Life, as the Sustainer</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And the Only Nourisher,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I saw goodness and kindness,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Compassion for humanity,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For the birds and the animals,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For even the rocks and water</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">That filled the mountains and valleys,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And above us in the journey,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Is a constant sky of guiding stars,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">As we discover along the many stations,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">More and more knowledge of the universe,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But always, subservient in its synchronicity</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">With the Universal Truth of God...</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Thou Most Beautiful, Most Lovely!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And the road on which the journey</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Begins and ends...</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It was known a</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">s the Syaria.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I saw a garden, a paradise,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Wonderous in its colours,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Glorious in its breadth,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">As if the Creator Himself</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Has taken the trouble </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">To paint each petal of flower,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Each pebble in a glistening stream,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">With His own beauty and wisdom,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Each creature and creation,</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Competing in fierce rivalry,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>To best praise God...</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Thou Most Compassionate, Utmost in Mercy!</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And around the garden stood fences,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">White as light, bright as a thousand suns,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And the fences were also known</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">As the Syaria,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I saw in the blessed garden a fruit,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And the fruit was nourishing,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It was delightful and tasteful</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Whatever your taste may be,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It was good for you,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And it was good for me,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The inside of the fruit changes in colour</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">According to your needs and fancy,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Its texture can be hard or soft,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And according to your need, crumbly or fleshy,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Nourishing you from the beginning to the end,</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>An assurance from garden of the Almighty...</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Thou Most Companionable, Thou Best of Hosts,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Thou Friend of Friends!</i></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And the protective skin of the fruit,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Keeping the flesh pure and pristine,</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Shining in the garden like a beacon</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Guiding our wavering, floundering conscience,</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">That too was known as the Syaria.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">.................</span></i></div>
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This is a longish tale, so forgive the sinner if he spreads his wings over a couple of postings. But I think it is worthwhile expanding our contemplation a little... Hope you are all having an awesome Ramadan Kareem...<br />
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wa min Allah at-taufiq<br />
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<div style="text-align: right;">
-<i>Notrumi Embun, 14th July 2014</i></div>
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Hate has no place in Islam<br />
Love will show the Way</div>
Milky Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395083447454006991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352412692450842796.post-87006925205694713672014-07-11T04:41:00.003+08:002014-07-11T04:41:46.267+08:00WE WANT TO BE NIGHTINGALES, SO WHY DO WE CROW? ... contemplation of a spiritual amoeba.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvu6z6Q_Oa8IOqeaFkxMYy8n23nc2jUAzw6Ezi3NBj5SjHPSeoLzNHgxTnpNtrBVbOEforLvP3Ly1fmZAy8h3Du-OgmvxVZixae2iRncwWbT0YCyZdVH3VppKQHSHbxn0e2LpIu3f/s1600/dervish+on+jasmine+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvu6z6Q_Oa8IOqeaFkxMYy8n23nc2jUAzw6Ezi3NBj5SjHPSeoLzNHgxTnpNtrBVbOEforLvP3Ly1fmZAy8h3Du-OgmvxVZixae2iRncwWbT0YCyZdVH3VppKQHSHbxn0e2LpIu3f/s1600/dervish+on+jasmine+2.jpg" height="400" width="310" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The Nightingale in the Night</b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Sing to the Lord, about the Lord,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Sing to the Lord, about His Prophet, </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">That is enough for you and me,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">To be nightingales singing in the night,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Whether alone or in</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">A happy company... </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">...................</span></i></div>
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There is good and bad in the social network. But sometimes I feel like giving up the ghost in Facebook. Were it not for like-hearted souls, long would I have abandoned FB.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDpj8OQqZr76grdgiKMjbDsW8-SZE0I2I75wTYChCVcKVgyh0ksStLGeyS6b3w47lbUP-SiBK6OUra0oDUy7rGCzGJZ6tPObhZ9MURZrh5gkbiVZmqmqDy-KmDIcINK_IO1sWwDrhYerA/s1600/cawing-crow-in-yellowstone-national-park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDpj8OQqZr76grdgiKMjbDsW8-SZE0I2I75wTYChCVcKVgyh0ksStLGeyS6b3w47lbUP-SiBK6OUra0oDUy7rGCzGJZ6tPObhZ9MURZrh5gkbiVZmqmqDy-KmDIcINK_IO1sWwDrhYerA/s1600/cawing-crow-in-yellowstone-national-park.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b>Crowing. </b>Sometimes we are more like crows than nightingales. All too often I read public comments in postings and tweets, about some celebrity or public personality, changing their lifestyle, changing their dressing, growing a beard and now wearing a hijab (for women that is, he he he). "Good... good!" People are saying, "Good! Finally, he/she has received the inspiration..." I guess such comments are sincere but I cannot but taste a little bit of crowing in the comments. A little bit of 'Ah, I told you so!" in the tone. Because you see, if these are the thoughts that we entertain, then how are we not <i>at least a trifle</i> patronising or condescending? </div>
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What do we know of the trials and tribulations that another soul faces? What do we <i>truly</i> know of their strengths and weaknesses? </div>
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Sadly it is too common that in our commentaries we disclose our prejudices and hidden pride. So quick to claim our rightness, not directly, but by insinuations and innuendoes. </div>
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I am sure that I myself have revealed many of my own biases and prejudices. But I am just taking baby steps... so when I falter, help me, sunshine! Pray for this spiritual amoeba!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib85L74rSgAr6z0XJfuMolxXTF0yKrh3Ah8FUGXjQo33ZU5ThTMKGCNy6v9djc74tOgFYaDMY4uDD82XSgb_i46a28JsSZE8UqFXMh1WlokYcitEPf58iQBJniuMgHhPcCCW4Dw8-Y_bZo/s1600/treated2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib85L74rSgAr6z0XJfuMolxXTF0yKrh3Ah8FUGXjQo33ZU5ThTMKGCNy6v9djc74tOgFYaDMY4uDD82XSgb_i46a28JsSZE8UqFXMh1WlokYcitEPf58iQBJniuMgHhPcCCW4Dw8-Y_bZo/s1600/treated2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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wa min Allah at-taufiq</div>
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<i>-Notrumi Embun, 11th June 2014.</i></div>
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<b><span style="color: magenta;">Hate has no place in Islam</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: purple;">Love will show the Way</span></b></div>
Milky Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395083447454006991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352412692450842796.post-76282231221720899662014-07-09T02:50:00.000+08:002014-07-09T02:50:47.358+08:00MOST GLORIOUS (AND THE GLORY IN THE NIGHT)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmx6ek9R4Wy0_wm31kxXw4R1UCIiLNn9hT_InXnVSdsuErPMbj7C361-b3i3yXF9ZuDdl64jkZRA4g0tvtFN-2gjgJEPySiBf_cgSptKb_fIFFzxUZpDGtDl6vvLgy9Br0FJ03xh8wqg/s1600/1493754-bigthumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmx6ek9R4Wy0_wm31kxXw4R1UCIiLNn9hT_InXnVSdsuErPMbj7C361-b3i3yXF9ZuDdl64jkZRA4g0tvtFN-2gjgJEPySiBf_cgSptKb_fIFFzxUZpDGtDl6vvLgy9Br0FJ03xh8wqg/s1600/1493754-bigthumbnail.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Most Glorious</b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I know of hemlock that I may know of bees and their honey,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I know what is wrong that I may do what is right,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I know pain and illness that I may receive relief and comfort,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I know the brightness of day that I may keep by His side through the night,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I know of illiteracy and ignorance that I may receive His Holy Words,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I know of evil that Man do that I may see God's Own Goodness,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I know the bland and dull that I may see His Most Wonderous</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Speaking to me in tongues too subtle for men to record,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">About Him, His Mercy, He, our God</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">At His Most Glorious!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">........................</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSf3bL58wqIGWjXq4zdNpepoPAT6MYWA5nnUiHBzzcf4qLiguPIYt18beG4h9yAkpgJJTIx7ESD_6j1hnbCBwO3t-5iMbLdf3Qx19d6QfcuuXa8d8o7gAgxyhIVJSH-jks4L-luSa_s6A/s1600/sufi+on+a+peak.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSf3bL58wqIGWjXq4zdNpepoPAT6MYWA5nnUiHBzzcf4qLiguPIYt18beG4h9yAkpgJJTIx7ESD_6j1hnbCBwO3t-5iMbLdf3Qx19d6QfcuuXa8d8o7gAgxyhIVJSH-jks4L-luSa_s6A/s1600/sufi+on+a+peak.png" height="400" width="195" /></a></div>
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<b>Everything is known by their opposites. </b>And this is good news for me as a sinner (and perhaps for you too), for I have sown my sins and tilled the field of my ignorance. I have spread darkness across the horizon of my own world till it has gone all dark. As if the night of my negligence was not dark enough, I have poured into the sky, the blackest ink from my pen. </div>
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But now that the dark is getting darker, the sky is getting blacker, I can see the Light shining brighter, and the stars of His Muhammad (saws) and the Companions (ra) radiating brighter and brighter. </div>
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It's a karma thing. He he he.</div>
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<b>Tahajjud. </b>My ancient friend tells me that <i>"When you wake up in the middle of the night, know that Allah (swt) is calling on you to an intimate congress with him. Take your wuduk (physical and spiritual ablution) and perform the tahajjud (nightly prayers). And see where the Glory in the Night will take you..."</i> </div>
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wa min Allah at-taufiq<br />
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<i>-Notrumi Embun, 9th July 2014</i></div>
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<b><span style="color: magenta;">Hate has no place in Islam</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: purple;">Love will show you the Way</span></b></div>
<br />Milky Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395083447454006991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352412692450842796.post-1035901829567393502014-07-08T01:33:00.001+08:002014-07-08T01:33:25.516+08:00SUBTLY, ESSENTIALLY, PAINFULLY BEAUTIFUL<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxtLXnXvZY7RKVNcd6T3oReLmek5FPvYhCggGYXoe-1rCIHHZAiItA1bOQHxlSXJDorefo8F0kdysJjkoTLHp03G77WR1iCacQu2hAEco1R2xKemHRGhcBtzLyw8EChYpXMyo5wiwAUYw/s1600/269674_10151030877626655_1599336651_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxtLXnXvZY7RKVNcd6T3oReLmek5FPvYhCggGYXoe-1rCIHHZAiItA1bOQHxlSXJDorefo8F0kdysJjkoTLHp03G77WR1iCacQu2hAEco1R2xKemHRGhcBtzLyw8EChYpXMyo5wiwAUYw/s1600/269674_10151030877626655_1599336651_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>A Pen Full of Raindrops</i></b></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My Love is in the falling rain,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">He tells me to stay awake </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And to come out into the night,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My Love is in the sleepless twilight,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Beneath starlight eaves with</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Columns of white light</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">From the prayers of men, </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My Love is filling my pen</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">With raindrops as countless</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">As my sins...</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">.............</span></i></div>
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I am a rainy fellow. I love the rain, and when I heard the heavy patter of rain on the roof, I know that I cannot stay in. Not when the black night outside is suddenly alive with His Merciful rain. So much for my plans for an early night. He he he. I am sure God plans best of all.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8EYoVBxlAadYtMCAOiwdWf2ocdNWLC5e7dpb5TtLhoRsQQZJ501g89dxAWcrPjYCsO1PowOIHACeeRY6jlMLlzY2eSa7JsgJiCujjHKopTUexw0cSlmTnnAn6J0OovuP9LyMTLer6os/s1600/rain-girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8EYoVBxlAadYtMCAOiwdWf2ocdNWLC5e7dpb5TtLhoRsQQZJ501g89dxAWcrPjYCsO1PowOIHACeeRY6jlMLlzY2eSa7JsgJiCujjHKopTUexw0cSlmTnnAn6J0OovuP9LyMTLer6os/s1600/rain-girl.jpg" height="194" width="320" /></a></div>
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Earlier tonight I asked myself if I know Islam. And I am quite sure I do not know anything much, if anything at all. In fact, I am beginning to suspect that Islam is much, much more vast than even my wildest imaginings can imagine. Islam is far, far more wondrous than any wonder that man has ever built. And it is <i>beautiful</i>. It is subtly, essentially, painfully beautiful. For it hurts your heart's eye even to glance but for awhile into Islam's forge of love, where words and deeds are hone in the white fire of Divine Love... <i>syariat... tariqat, hakikat... makrifat...</i></div>
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What do these words even mean? I am stealing words from the library of the saints, knowing nothing of their meanings. </div>
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What has meaning to me is the rain. Little pools of mercy and blessings on the ground now that the rain has left. Many people will be asleep not even realising this. God's blessing whether we are good or bad, whether we are awake or asleep. So what do we have to complain about? Nothing. And what do we have to be grateful for? Everything.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2KyCuCJGodw2dbb0QaOTOPoQ8snmtc79_Q15Q21i9mjDRwIcSIWICnldvo2t_C0jUbyCLOMwV8Zcn7Y0SFGhVHyKXMSuWCuwue9Zdb04djTj72a65jRLZeWy-1CdRiszMAHVIWsou7g/s1600/woman-umbrella-rain-art1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2KyCuCJGodw2dbb0QaOTOPoQ8snmtc79_Q15Q21i9mjDRwIcSIWICnldvo2t_C0jUbyCLOMwV8Zcn7Y0SFGhVHyKXMSuWCuwue9Zdb04djTj72a65jRLZeWy-1CdRiszMAHVIWsou7g/s1600/woman-umbrella-rain-art1.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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Let us discard the garbs of knowledge, thinking ourselves as 'knowing' our religion. There is no knowing or owning of anything in this world. There is only God Almighty, and there is His Beloved Habibullah (saws). Everything, and anything else are just shadows on the wall, transient ripples in the ocean. </div>
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Don't you agree, sunshine?</div>
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wa min Allah at-taufiq</div>
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-<i>Notrumi Embun, 8th July 2014</i></div>
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<b><span style="color: magenta;">Hate has no place in Islam</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: purple;">Love will show the Way</span></b></div>
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<br />Milky Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395083447454006991noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352412692450842796.post-22623823818086350722014-06-30T05:09:00.002+08:002014-06-30T05:12:36.265+08:00DON'T BE SHALLOW. LEARN HOW TO SWIM INTO HIS EMBRACE... and other useful tips<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOvRSOMXN5Pgy22E19fUBJf853YrHgA2oXDGHgvkgQ1bdGTjUmiwH9smSka4E6z_1n7fHPxr5XDTgmectt-cBdISa6rk6M8NhNIHsWAIfoXJCmULIYHmAnpxVC53QgOUKPSWVYqZFuhM/s1600/189544_10150131906520665_605025664_6907033_1654742_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOvRSOMXN5Pgy22E19fUBJf853YrHgA2oXDGHgvkgQ1bdGTjUmiwH9smSka4E6z_1n7fHPxr5XDTgmectt-cBdISa6rk6M8NhNIHsWAIfoXJCmULIYHmAnpxVC53QgOUKPSWVYqZFuhM/s1600/189544_10150131906520665_605025664_6907033_1654742_n.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Beware of the Shallows (or the Seven Pearls)</b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Do not stray to close to the shallows,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Keep to the deep waters</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Where all goodness and God is hallowed,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Beware of straying to close to the water's edge</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Where water snakes and alligators gather,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Keep to the deep waters of His Mercy</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Where He keeps the seven pearls;</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The seven secret names</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For you and for me.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">...............</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPoMyalGECHsctuF4L4NA7TvQG4ELBvXCvmeDX7oYYro6izE2-XjHm85IegDHQLl2xRmn9pID7E30cuDXpb5GpkextBlN93J5AaA_lAe9MFBskB3I3_1HZZekOwZgRChcf9QKYqbsH37Q/s1600/img_4960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPoMyalGECHsctuF4L4NA7TvQG4ELBvXCvmeDX7oYYro6izE2-XjHm85IegDHQLl2xRmn9pID7E30cuDXpb5GpkextBlN93J5AaA_lAe9MFBskB3I3_1HZZekOwZgRChcf9QKYqbsH37Q/s1600/img_4960.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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The devil cannot hurt us here. Not our overbearing <i>nafs </i>(lower desires) nor our ego is dominant here. Here in the Ocean of His Mercy, it is His Love that is the Sultan. Far from the shallows where the terrible tripartite hold sway, the water here is clean and pure. The deep sea of His Compassion is the treasure trove of the Prophets and the Saints, and they come here like fishermen, taking what is afforded to each one of them according to His Will... in the safety of His intimacy.</div>
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For you see, the devil, the <i>nafs </i>and our ego can only hurt us when we stray into the shallows, and become ourselves shallow. For how can the devil and all our enemies even curse us properly, when they don't even know our secret names? So don't be shallow and petty. Learn to be a servant and swim into His Embrace and be happy and free of these evils.</div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The Shallow Norms</b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Come! Come into the waters!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Come as you are,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">No matter what they call you,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Believer, unbeliever, sinner</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Or the foolish one!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Leave the shallows and the water's edge</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For those still distracted </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">By the norms of their</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Religion and Age!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">...............</span></i></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
At the dawn of this second day of Ramadan, may Allah (swt) bless you, may Nabi Muhammad (saws) guide you, and may you love and live like a diver in His Mercy Ocean. And if you see me in the shallows (as inevitably I am), struggling like a dimwit with my pretensions of evil and piety, pull me away and take me with you to His Mercy Ocean!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QyduEBhC5a8x-KaBjrLOcL8y2XvCCfIAaCdWvHodPUldColMGlHgDZTIfSyAw9b4lQAe7Zj32A_kP5NM_oCNtADJBwWWhqd66pkY0GDPmTXn8WzbKcEuk6NZ16qa9f46qmNXiSsf5f0/s1600/C360_2013-08-17-23-04-52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QyduEBhC5a8x-KaBjrLOcL8y2XvCCfIAaCdWvHodPUldColMGlHgDZTIfSyAw9b4lQAe7Zj32A_kP5NM_oCNtADJBwWWhqd66pkY0GDPmTXn8WzbKcEuk6NZ16qa9f46qmNXiSsf5f0/s1600/C360_2013-08-17-23-04-52.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
wa min Allah at-taufiq<br />
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<i>-Notrumi Embun, 30th June 2014</i></div>
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<b><span style="color: magenta;">Hate has no place in Islam</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: purple;">Love will show the Way</span></b></div>
Milky Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395083447454006991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352412692450842796.post-23502378465408354382014-06-26T09:23:00.000+08:002014-06-26T16:47:00.156+08:00UBAT (THE MEDICINE) - the remedy for bad manners, life and prayers... <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyHPXjbk178SNIhvnUEZ6xl30rWlPSXg-PfCYYBhYOAZCB-YdlwJduMk3mI-3QBcuq5RcLhNU8oI2rSGnWFBwTnMIOf5MiiVxxz_KOFX1cp33jdmQ_B9-bYhYFpL7_6EhFEyfGBu_8oI/s1600/Slide11.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyHPXjbk178SNIhvnUEZ6xl30rWlPSXg-PfCYYBhYOAZCB-YdlwJduMk3mI-3QBcuq5RcLhNU8oI2rSGnWFBwTnMIOf5MiiVxxz_KOFX1cp33jdmQ_B9-bYhYFpL7_6EhFEyfGBu_8oI/s1600/Slide11.PNG" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Ubat</b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Ubat biadab</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Ikutlah adab si-Abdi</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Ubat si-hidup </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Ada dengan pesakit atau si-mati.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Ubat si-peminta</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Hanya pada Si-Pemberi,</span></i></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Medicine</b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The cure for bad manners</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Is to follow the good manners of the Servant,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The cure for those living</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Is with the dead or dying,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The remedy for the one asking</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Is with The Only One giving,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">................</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiX_5muGF_z7Q1dHnnBTJmOzzHvFHdbdL6LVLgX1vZagj9M6JE15yP3waunnsiuIJ23q6R7gRp_A0mMq900mdNTfCXezUd9NoBZ36Gv4nWbgh-AhLV_Yc35zlLUZXAg3SaQMorVBMC0kM/s1600/311766_10151127343404879_1431177460_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiX_5muGF_z7Q1dHnnBTJmOzzHvFHdbdL6LVLgX1vZagj9M6JE15yP3waunnsiuIJ23q6R7gRp_A0mMq900mdNTfCXezUd9NoBZ36Gv4nWbgh-AhLV_Yc35zlLUZXAg3SaQMorVBMC0kM/s1600/311766_10151127343404879_1431177460_n.jpg" height="138" width="200" /></a></div>
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<i><b>Ubat biadab, ikutlah adab si-Abdi.</b></i> The remedy for bad manners, which accounts for all the ills and sorrow of humanity is through good manners. For good manners should be the basis of our interaction with the world, from the people that loves us and the enemy that hates us, to the animals that we keep or is wild. <i>Adab</i> (good manners) in Islam encompasses the natural environment that nourishes us, how we organise our community, how we trade and live as neighbours. The very best <i>adab</i> rules even how we deal with inanimate things like rocks and sand, water and air - for there is nothing in this world that is not sustained by Allah (swt) and recites His Names and His praises. From the deep space of stars, galaxies and constellations, deep into the inner space between atoms, molecules and electrons - they all remember His Name and His Glory!</div>
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And there is no servant more steeped in servanthood to God and His Creation than Nabi Muhammad (saws), the first servant and prophet.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"I was a Prophet when Adam was between clay and water"</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjGr7YtHM4c4EhoUGWse4GZ82ufXMdxhlGGmpRlvymEW-39pb7dFQUY5ZBCdbVVOcE7D61wbjlj3VhvtN-N7qnoTNS4h8ShJl6ZRYEZ-sscizcLXa8ULp032oQ5hvW6vDRlzJ1eWaKII/s1600/C360_2013-01-06-19-16-40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjGr7YtHM4c4EhoUGWse4GZ82ufXMdxhlGGmpRlvymEW-39pb7dFQUY5ZBCdbVVOcE7D61wbjlj3VhvtN-N7qnoTNS4h8ShJl6ZRYEZ-sscizcLXa8ULp032oQ5hvW6vDRlzJ1eWaKII/s1600/C360_2013-01-06-19-16-40.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Ubat si-hidup ada dengan pesakit atau si-mati. </i>My late mother (may Allah Almighty bless her soul) always took the time to visit the sick and the dying. Many years ago, our loyal gardener, Mr. Menon was injured in an accident and broke his leg. <i>"When I woke up in the hospital, the first and only person I saw when I opened my eyes was your mother."</i> So he recalled one morning as we chatted about my late mum. For my mother it was no-big-deal. It is a given thing, a natural order and manner that if whomever we know is injured, ill or dying, we must visit them. I wish I had such discipline and natural instinct. Because visitations to cemeteries, hospitals and the sick bed reminds us of our own transient state of health. For all the bad manners from which all ills and sorrows of humanity originates cannot happen until a man or a woman forgets their condition of being in utter need, love and mercy of God the Most Compassionate and Most Merciful.</div>
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And <i>boy</i>, do we need all the reminders we can get. So when your conscience is pricked, go and do not hesitate. Go to your friend at his sick bed or at the cemetery. Sickness or death is no impediment to the love and <i>adab </i>you may find there.</div>
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Ubat si-peminta hanya pada si-Pemberi. </i>Whatever goodness we receive comes from the Giver, a.k.a. God Almighty. Oh, He may pick and choose the timing, the person, the condition and the form through which a goodness is given, but undoubtedly, for all believers, it is He who is the one and the only one giving. So we thank God all the time, for our parents and our siblings, for our kin and our friends, for the hospital treatment, for the house we are living in, for the car we are driving, and for the infinitesimal atoms and sub-atomic particles that (temporarily) cloth our spirit.</div>
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So, whatever and whenever we are asking for... only He can gives. Don't you agree, sunshine? </div>
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So do not be shy with your asking. Ask God for God!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPbaWMhv_gjHtJ-NpuS52SE-smWlclu9nQ0iNCnX2bqD1hBPCqUlTgDyVl3SAjM5ur-mpz06DAXPqvFrZlI5QMfMnhTGCHn8Nfc3un_stP7yHc5H3ufrUWMkFc-ZZTGaqsR1QZOtkuLJs/s1600/woman-umbrella-rain-art1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPbaWMhv_gjHtJ-NpuS52SE-smWlclu9nQ0iNCnX2bqD1hBPCqUlTgDyVl3SAjM5ur-mpz06DAXPqvFrZlI5QMfMnhTGCHn8Nfc3un_stP7yHc5H3ufrUWMkFc-ZZTGaqsR1QZOtkuLJs/s1600/woman-umbrella-rain-art1.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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wa min Allah at-taufiq</div>
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<div style="text-align: right;">
-<i>Notrumi Embun, 26th June 2014</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: magenta;">Hate has no place in Islam</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: purple;">Love will show the Way</span></b> </div>
Milky Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395083447454006991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352412692450842796.post-14161692579018034742014-06-25T08:44:00.001+08:002014-06-25T08:44:43.382+08:00THE SINNER AND THE SKY FULL OF STARS - Nabi Muhammad (saws) and Coldplay. It all makes perfect sense.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF6bASsGpyj8vMGW_XlBO40pOTpP9OHc3sFKG1sR6K1_0Fs1URGVB9m1yei2o317XnsdTxhG6lvcwGWbqPLqJfO49gxLxcJNRrWhEOLowWAY1Y7Q6BMl6Od1i-bLpp_1woH61ZhIWgDRI/s1600/Slide10.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF6bASsGpyj8vMGW_XlBO40pOTpP9OHc3sFKG1sR6K1_0Fs1URGVB9m1yei2o317XnsdTxhG6lvcwGWbqPLqJfO49gxLxcJNRrWhEOLowWAY1Y7Q6BMl6Od1i-bLpp_1woH61ZhIWgDRI/s1600/Slide10.PNG" height="640" width="441" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>A Sky Full of Stars</b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">...'Cause you're a sky full of stars,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I am going to give you my heart...</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">...'Cause you're a sky full of stars,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And 'Cause you light up the path...</span></i></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I don't care, go on and tear me apart,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I don't care if you do,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">'Cause in a sky, cause in a sky full of stars,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I think I saw you...</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">'Cause you're a sky, cause you're a sky full of stars,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I wanna die in your arms,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">'Cause you get lighter the more it gets dark,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I am gonna give you my heart,</span></i></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You're a sky, you're a sky full of stars,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Such a heavenly view,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You are such a heavenly view.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">..............</span></i></div>
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So ran selected extracts of the Coldplay song, "A Sky Full of Stars".<br />
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And many eons before, the Prophet Muhammad (saws) said,<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My Companions are like stars (on a dark night)</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Whichever of them you follow,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You will be guided.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENaNkOOr5YicumJq3HFlFfV49XLgTAvxEO1tVDcOwLF2qucS5HOZa0yRfSiIYNBFyZfkPICI1dOG__gxumX4lyInLymX3bbHq34PJ_iE_25ZoiToKypskjwed8XLQootfDvm_cEi3nCE/s1600/Slide1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENaNkOOr5YicumJq3HFlFfV49XLgTAvxEO1tVDcOwLF2qucS5HOZa0yRfSiIYNBFyZfkPICI1dOG__gxumX4lyInLymX3bbHq34PJ_iE_25ZoiToKypskjwed8XLQootfDvm_cEi3nCE/s1600/Slide1.PNG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Coincidence or Karma?</b> He he he. Of course you know the truth, sunshine. There is no such thing as coincidences, which is merely a convenient word to describe an event whose thread of cause and effect we are not able to discern yet. It is a lazy man's escape.</div>
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But we are not lazy, you and I. Not when the meanings of meanings blaze a trail like a comet through our soul's sky. White, blue, orange or purple... the Truth guides us, cherishes us and raise our petty worldly burdens off our tired shoulders. So is it a pop song performed by a British band? Or is it a universal pledge of guidance spoken by the Habibullah (saws), re-animated for us?</div>
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Enjoy the vid, peeps.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/42TWJpxOPW8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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wa min Allah at-taufiq</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>Notrumi Embun, 25th June 2014</i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: magenta;">Hate has no place in Islam</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: purple;">Love will show the Way</span></b></div>
Milky Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395083447454006991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352412692450842796.post-65298403430743981612014-06-22T07:54:00.001+08:002014-06-22T07:55:21.878+08:00LEARNING FROM HAPPY DOGS - don't be a postman-chasing, vet-biting malevolent cur. Be a servant and be happy!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSR9lcpeRPTLMxUyaVFf6g3lGcsyZX5SX3Mee3wxCc8Z4avrOLWRmoM7W1GjkIuAuzQCEnwi9HVsi0iDCAR02EsdT2zFyWD2a1Qy581pvuWm7MFeKz3KcT7rvYVEJdcySI8TroCabtko/s1600/20090131054642!Happy-dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSR9lcpeRPTLMxUyaVFf6g3lGcsyZX5SX3Mee3wxCc8Z4avrOLWRmoM7W1GjkIuAuzQCEnwi9HVsi0iDCAR02EsdT2zFyWD2a1Qy581pvuWm7MFeKz3KcT7rvYVEJdcySI8TroCabtko/s1600/20090131054642!Happy-dog.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Let us be like happy dogs!</b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Human beings are more like dogs</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Than some are willing to accept,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Just like dogs, we are happiest</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">When we have a master to serve.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">...................</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSLIvw8yID5L5xfMJDUbpg0qRdB3xiJBNPcD0SHQSXKDjNvzjR8LegWFa0U1UWSdqywIISLKTCDGRjQOTzFlfcgHzARKJMiflUifdp8IvRT87szn_91Mxlxfkw70gRaL58PVHWG-rXYIQ/s1600/1942700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSLIvw8yID5L5xfMJDUbpg0qRdB3xiJBNPcD0SHQSXKDjNvzjR8LegWFa0U1UWSdqywIISLKTCDGRjQOTzFlfcgHzARKJMiflUifdp8IvRT87szn_91Mxlxfkw70gRaL58PVHWG-rXYIQ/s1600/1942700.jpg" height="400" width="233" /></a></div>
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In one of James Herriot's dog stories, he recounts how, as a Yorkshire veterinarian he had to deal with a pair of small dogs owned by a couple. The problem is that the dogs are an absolute menace, out of control, bossy and always looking to give a nasty nip at the ankles or hands of unsuspecting postmen or veterinarians. </div>
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While attending to them, the vet noticed how the husband and wife molly-coddled the two dogs in the most saccharine and sentimental manner. That is fine, but when the dogs misbehaved, they appear to take no notice and allowed the animals to think that they can misbehave and act as they please. So the dogs became the masters of the house. </div>
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But just because the dogs ruled the home, it does not mean that they are happy, observed the good vet. In fact, these dogs were much more natural and happier when they first arrived in the household, but the 'tolerant' and 'openminded' nature of their owners turned them from nice, good dogs to malicious, postmen-chasing curs. </div>
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We humans are like that, I think. We need some centre, some focus of service and duty to align our life to the best that we can be. And perhaps there is no more natural essence of a soul than to be a blessed servant of the Soul-maker, the Creator, a.k.a. God Almighty. That we might be of some service to mankind, to animals, and to all of Creation. But when we lose our bearing, when we forget that we are meant to be servants and not bosses, we open humanity's door to oppression, tyranny, exploitation and violence. Just like those damn dogs. And just like the dogs, we are actually not even happy being so mean.</div>
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So my friend says, "<i>Seek happiness, seek servanthood!</i>" And I cannot agree more with him.</div>
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<i>Woof Woof!</i></div>
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wa min Allah at-taufiq</div>
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<i>- Notrumi Embun, 22nd June 2014</i></div>
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<b><span style="color: magenta;">Hate has no place in Islam</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: purple;">Love will show the Way</span></b></div>
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Milky Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395083447454006991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352412692450842796.post-4188689941845357432014-06-20T11:51:00.002+08:002014-06-20T12:00:12.691+08:00THE BOWYER... Mr.Moses and the hyperbolic sinner.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OYAT6ONT7hIMQTyZ-RlzRjPJi4XZOH4o_6G5plJyqTiJvjewwOO0mr0pT6z1aBXgvKjC1R7b6WKnKFvupjSfxzWyTR27xf6rA2B7onJKmheyJkG-0pD06K1Et0PImzGfPhdxejLqZQA/s1600/IMG_20140619_191924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OYAT6ONT7hIMQTyZ-RlzRjPJi4XZOH4o_6G5plJyqTiJvjewwOO0mr0pT6z1aBXgvKjC1R7b6WKnKFvupjSfxzWyTR27xf6rA2B7onJKmheyJkG-0pD06K1Et0PImzGfPhdxejLqZQA/s1600/IMG_20140619_191924.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The Bowyer</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The sinew in the bow</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Is my sinew,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The skin on the bow</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Is my skin,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The inner strength of the bow</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Is my strength,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The draw of the bowstring</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Is my effort,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The flight of the arrow</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Is my prayers,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And wherever the arrow lands,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">That is my destiny.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So if you wish to know the real me,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Find where my arrow lands,</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And if you want to know the real you,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Find where your arrow lands...</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">.................</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNcX8sjstUvcvBtVuOxiOIyl0-B2WLoUAs8N6ykMnTsBNXutb2VJZ_tEKWjpq7qtMlInWgVTBpp87RjnapxiCoj5H2iTbtLkU3x_U3BGdiJMf_Q5Qq69Yj22UtrkDi7Gq90LgMgTtMMH0/s1600/IMG_20140619_191956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNcX8sjstUvcvBtVuOxiOIyl0-B2WLoUAs8N6ykMnTsBNXutb2VJZ_tEKWjpq7qtMlInWgVTBpp87RjnapxiCoj5H2iTbtLkU3x_U3BGdiJMf_Q5Qq69Yj22UtrkDi7Gq90LgMgTtMMH0/s1600/IMG_20140619_191956.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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I dropped by dear old Moses's home yesterday morning. What was meant to be a short hi-bye ended up to a 2 hours visitation. We are fixing the grip back to my original 35lb bow, you see. I have done the preps, tearing away the decorative covering (which I kinda considered a little naff) and carving the rubber grip to make it smaller and more suitable for us Asians with our tiny hands. </div>
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Unfortunately, I did not do a good job and Moses had to repair my repair work, carving away the entire side of the grip, and curving the edges to make it more ergonomic. He then measured a paper pattern for the grip and proceeded to cut a lovely black leather (medium soft). And this was the easy part.</div>
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Next came the actual chore of glueing and pressing (very very hard indeed) the leather unto the grip and bow, being careful not to leave any spare leather to bubble up. To do this he had to carefully remove any surplus as he turned the leather around the awkward shapes of the bow and the grip. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZD-0Wt2how4orFspXavi10YVoWvHflEOfIIwrCtTzwDGOAnf_Mf7NgkyfPo8S5cQ0ZNF_SfqaLn87CztApaPYqS1CYiEJe8mXi6IOZefavBRvYmgF4fVJU60hVw54W00c3ZVXeGbkto/s1600/IMG_20140619_191840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZD-0Wt2how4orFspXavi10YVoWvHflEOfIIwrCtTzwDGOAnf_Mf7NgkyfPo8S5cQ0ZNF_SfqaLn87CztApaPYqS1CYiEJe8mXi6IOZefavBRvYmgF4fVJU60hVw54W00c3ZVXeGbkto/s1600/IMG_20140619_191840.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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If it sounds like hard work, it is. But if you are obsessed with doing a good job, and a stickler of getting things right, then it is just another day in Moses's House of Fine Leather. He he he.</div>
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And I don't want to get overboard with my hyperbole (well, I do actually... its my thing, you see), but while I was there in his ever-cluttered home, I felt privileged to witness Moses's worshipful work. Although it was not the regular form of Muslim prayers, the giddy atoms in the living room was spinning with joy. And this only happens in state of worshipful devotion. </div>
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As always, my friend offered me food (which I had to decline) and we chatted about the profound and the profane as he worked, while in the background, <i>dzikr</i> (remembrance of God) songs and <i>mawluds</i> (songs in salutations and praise of Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.) waft through the air like angelic pearls gliding in love and glory. Later, Mrs. Moses returned from exercising the horse, Samurai, and our little <i>jemaah </i>(assembly) was thus complete.</div>
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God bless you, sunshine. And may Allah (swt) forgive me for my awkward hyperboles. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_b2lBNeXRRvU7b9H9xeczEnEO4Ebr22QFNXk2xoPXUWTP8odQ0XOo3-cGjOITZMyFmsaogk1vczg9GgXs_fP2pLc15iJN1BegKREAXNDJpDhwyD1zhjkMuKmmQcJPjTDYXqHpocagdM/s1600/IMG_20140301_140220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_b2lBNeXRRvU7b9H9xeczEnEO4Ebr22QFNXk2xoPXUWTP8odQ0XOo3-cGjOITZMyFmsaogk1vczg9GgXs_fP2pLc15iJN1BegKREAXNDJpDhwyD1zhjkMuKmmQcJPjTDYXqHpocagdM/s1600/IMG_20140301_140220.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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wa min Allah at-taufiq</div>
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<i>Notrumi Embun, 20th June 2014</i></div>
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<b><span style="color: magenta;">Hate has no place in Islam</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: purple;">Love will show the Way</span></b></div>
Milky Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395083447454006991noreply@blogger.com0