Xmas Stockings and a Lump of Sinner - The Beauty of the Oneness of God

I know I was a bad boy. But come on.......!

We are all bad boys. If God decides what we get based strictly on the details that our Recording Angels (the two that follow us everywhere) totting up our good and bad deeds, how many of us will ever get anything wonderful in their Christmas stockings?

God is not bound to anything, unless He says so. And He has said, He has assured mankind time and time again that He loves us, however foolish and bad we have been acting. On the scale between God's Justice and God's Mercy, where does the balance lie? For God has also said that His Mercy is greater than His Wrath. People often asks for justice, and demand that justice be dispensed. But none of us will be able to match God's generosity, our good deeds for God's good blessings. So do not be so hasty to demand justice. On the scale of justice we will fall woefully short and heaven knows what we will find in our Xmas stocking... a lump of coal or perhaps a lump of sinner. Hehehe.

I wish you a Merry Christmas, for those celebrating this auspicious day. There are dogmatic difference between religions, but as my brother once said (quoting a book he alas cannot now recall the title of), "Your choice of bride is different from mine. But who am I to denigrate your choice and your bride?" - And when it comes to God, I know that we are all worshiping the same One God, however the Bride may be named, veiled or dressed. That is the beauty of the Oneness of God.

wa min Allah at-taufiq

Hate has no place in Islam

Love will show the Way

A Christmas Greeting, the Pillars of Our Conscience and the Meaning of 'face'

My Santa Claus

THE RETIRED MAJOR. It is going to be Christmas in a week's time. Earlier I received a seasonal greeting from my Major(R) Chan, a humble and generous Christian, who used to be the chief accountant of one of the largest banks of this country. He used to say of my father, with whom he worked in the bank, "If he knows something is not right, he will criticize you. But he is an honest and great man, and I take whatever he said as a challenge and a lesson. I am very proud to have worked with him." Both the Major and my dad came from alien fields into banking, Major Chan was from the Army (obviously) and my father was formerly a doctor in the government service. They are both what I call 'ol skool'. They were the product of another generation, when people were brought up with good manners, and most importantly integrity and a sense of 'face'.

FACE. When I say 'face', I do not mean pride in that arrogant and boastful way. To the Major Chans and Abdul Khalids of the world, 'face' means having the integrity and honour not to take what is not yours, not to take what you do not deserve (even if you have the legal right to take it) and not to put yourself in debt to anyone for dubious favours rendered. It is having the sensibility to live within your means, and not to consume ostentatiously. I myself used to laugh about how my father never gives himself any expensive treat whatsoever. I do not laugh about that anymore.

HONESTY. Honesty is not easy. And undoubtedly, my father had grated and offended a number of people because of his strict opinion and unflinching attitude towards what is right. Why, even my late mother (bless her sweet soul) used to complain, "Your father is so unbendable!" This was in response to my father's admission that he had rejected a director's allowance increase which would have earned him more money than even what I am earning NOW. And this was some 15 years ago! So the amount in question was not small by any means. But my father rejected the proposal from the management. My father was the Chairman and this was his view on the matter - I only have meetings like once a month at the most, and perhaps 2 general meetings a year. Why should I be paid so much when I spend so little time for the company? And of course, my father also refused because had he accepted the proposal, he would be in debt to the management of the Company, thus losing his moral authority for 30 silver coins (to use a Biblical reference, this being Christmas season and all).

A CHRISTMAS GREETING. Integrity, honour, honesty and simple good manners, these are all little bricks, stones and mortar of your conscience, or as some would call it, the Pillars of Our Conscience. Something that was touched on in the festive reply to Major Chan...

Dear Major,

Merry Christmas. May you find strength in the morning, happiness during the day, solace in the evening and rest at night. May the tribulations that dog your step give you wisdom and strength. May the blessings that rain on you bring you contemplation and gratitude. May you see success and failure as the illusions that they truly are, and that in Truth, it is the Lord speaking to you, and you accept both with humility and courage. If at times, people question your conviction, rest your doubts on the pillars of your conscience… for don’t you know that the pillars reach to the highest firmament of human conjecture, halting its ascent only at the door the Divine Presence? At that point where all thoughts end, returning as little drops of light to the Ocean of God.

From one tiny drop to another, I wish you a very Merry Christmas.

Pax Taufiqa.

Norman Rockwell's Santa Claus

Have a wonderful Christmas, and may God bless you with His Mercy, Love and Grace always.

Hate has no place in Islam

Love will show the Way

Breath of the Sun of the Sun (5 Postcards from me to you)

This poem is from the chapter entitled 'The Bride's Dress', written early this year. And the year itself is coming to it's last week. But you continue, for you are being sustained by the breath of the Sun of the Sun, the Light upon Light which has no beginning and no end that we can speak of. You are leaving 2010 with hope in your heart and a lovelight in your eyes. Here where I am, I can see you, a star shining bright in the cosmos of my soul.

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My friends, I am sure I do not cherish you enough. I am sure I have taken you for granted. For that I am sorry, and I hope you will accept these 5 postcards as a token of my esteem.

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My friends, some of you I have met but I suspect there are many whom I have not met, and may never meet in this life. But I know you already, for we sat together on the grassy slope of Mount Qaf, and there we traded stories and promises. Even then, I noticed the particular sweetness in your smile.

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Have a wonderful Sunday, sunshine. And for those celebrating Christmas, I hope it has been a joyous day for you!

.

Pax Taufiqa.

"Dearest," Spoke My Love..., "Merry Christmas"

56. "Dearest," Spoke My Love

"Dearest," spoke my love,
"This is my blood and it is red,
If you love me, paint the canvas
Of your life with me."

"Dearest," spoke my love,
"This is my heart and it is wounded,
If you love me, take my heart
And heal my hurt."

"Dearest," spoke my love,
"This is my hand, and it is delicate,
If you love me, hold it firmly enough for me
To know that you are here,
But don't crush my spirit."

"Dearest," spoke my love,
"This is my lips, and they
Are seldom silent, both wisdom
And folly issue forth from them,
If you love me, kiss my lips,
Listen to my wisdom, and
Ignore my foolish speech.

"Dearest," spoke my love,
"This is my memories,
"If you love me, remember where I
Come from and accept me and
My memories as one,
For we are inseparable."

"Dearest," spoke my love,
"These are my weaknesses, and I have a few,
If you love me, hide them as you would hide
Your most precious stones,
Guard my name as you would
Guard your own."

"Dearest," spoke my love,
"This is all my hope, and it is alive.
Help make it come true and I
Shall help makes yours
Come true too."

"Dearest," spoke my love,
"This is the abyss of my fears and it is dark.
Be the bridge for me to walk across, and
Whisper into my ears, 'There is nothing
To fear, now that Love is here'."

"Dearest," spoke my love,
"This is my family and they are mine.
Love them, as you love yours and
Crown me as your queen before
The Throne of Time."

"Dearest," spoke my love,
"This is my feet and they have walked
Far and wide to find you. Anoint me
In the truth of healing upon
The bed of divine relief."

"Dearest," spoke my love,
"This is my eyes, and tears have run
The length of the Nile in my sorrows.
So tell me that today I am yours,
And I am yours for
All your tomorrows."

"Dearest," spoke my love,
"This is my ears, and I am tired of
Hearing the promises of men.
So promise me nothing, but walk with me
On the path of life, Serenaded by angels,
While above us, the Moon is smiling,
Merciful and happy."

"Dearest," spoke my love,
"This is who I am, and if I appear
Foolish, teach me. And if I appear
Impatient, be patient with me.

Guide me as you are guided, and
Speak plainly to me. I need no roses
To be sprinkled before my feet, I need
No honeyed words to sooth my temper.
Just tell me that you love me
And that you will love me forever.

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

I think the prose is as plain as day, and on this eve of Christmas, I wish all followers and lovers of Christ the very best in this Kingdom and in the Kingdom of Heaven - that you may find relief and reward in the exchanging of vows that we once made, in the name of God, Truth and Love... For you see, I remember all of you.

Merry Christmas, sunshine!

Pax Taufiqa

Footnote: Poem is from chapter entitled 'The Bride's Dress' (early 2010)