The Origin of Creation - Divine Sharing of Himself (God)

God the Treasure

A treasure is something which is so lovely to you

And fills you with so much joy

That you wish to share it and not hoard,

Thus, if you have not found such a treasure,

Nor a single thing which you wish to share,

Whether it is a golden coin or a friendly smile,

Then sadly, alas… you have not found God.

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

Thus it was that the Prophet's saying, much publicised later by the writings of Ibn Arabi and Jelaludin Rumi which encompassed the reason of creation, wherein God said, "I was a hidden treasure, and I desired to be known..."

God found Himself to be pleasing and a joy unto Himself. But He desired to share Himself and to share the knowledge of His Love, Beauty, Mercy and Power. Thus He created creation, beginning first with the first of creation, the root from which all trunk, tree, branch, flower and fruit of creation blossomed - The Light of Muhammad, the NurMuhammad.

So to share one's joy. To share one's wealth, one's knowledge, one's time, one's food and water, hearth and home... is to mirror the Divine Sharing of God when from some utter state of absolute vacuum, our Lord manifested the infinite ocean of His Imagination, and the infinite ocean of His power.

Alas, does who do not think they own anything to share, when the Prophet himself once said that to cast a smile upon another, is a form of sharing (charity).

The Sun is up, and there is gladness in the air here. Thank you, sunshine, for sharing a little corner of your time today with me.

wa min Allah at-taufiq

Hate has no place in Islam

Love will show the Way

COMMERCE & SPIRITUALITY - Between the enjoyment of consuming, and the happiness of giving and sharing...

Abbot: Mine is made in China. What about yours?
Muslim Dude: Golly! Even my 'little Kaaba' is made in China.

Holy Days and Holy Wastes

Romantic love rules the airwaves,

Anniversaries and Valentine’s Day,

Motherly love rules on Mother’s Day,

Fatherly love rules on Father’s Day,

Friendly love rules on Birthdays,

And thankfully... Godly love is celebrated

On the His Holy Days, 

But every day the love is ruined

By over-commercialization

And exploitation, the message

Lost in a morass of holy waste

And religious haze.

……………….

COMMERCE AND SPIRITUALITY. Actually, even before the Prophethood of Muhammad (pbuh), commerce and religion has always been intertwined. You need only visit the Muslim holy cities of Mecca and Medina, to see pilgrim-tourist businesses thriving along the Masjid Nabawi and the Masjidil Haram. And Jerusalem too, the shared holy city for the Jews, Christians and Muslims. Everywhere you can find faux relics of saints and prophets, the Hand of Fatima, the Turkish Ward against the Evil Eye and all sorts of rosaries, tasbihs, clay and china figurines of the Virgin Mother, Verses of the Quran and Bible framed and sometimes etched on sheep skin, miniature little Kaabas, whirling Mehlevi dervishes and etc. The beauty (or crassness, let’s be honest here) of the spiritual souveniers is only limited by the imagination of the artist or the prolific factories in China, where all these religious bric-a-bracs appear to come from.

Jerusalem, present day. This procession of the Christian Nuns
have been going on for the longest time.

SPECIAL ……… (insert your religious festival here)……. PROMOTION! So I am going to be realistic and not proceed to condemn the commercialization of religious holidays and festivities. But like all things in life… it ought to be done in a measured and sensible level. There was once a time in Malaysia, when the Muslims tend to scorn the commercial exploitation of Christmas – you know, all that glittering Christmas trees, Santas and Santarinas on hire, and the give-your-loved-ones-Xmas-presents-though-you-will-max-your-credit-card kinda promotional ethos of the big super malls of Malaysia (oh yes. We have them aplenty). But now, alas, I do not really see that much difference between the Muslims and Christians. Muslims too can be guilty of unparalleled consumerism during the Eidul Fitri celebrations - New curtains, new sofas, new cellphones, new laptops, new TVs and even new cars sometimes.

Jerusalem, 1915. The last recorded procession of the Ottoman's
Feast for the Prophet Moses. 

A FINE BALANCE. And I shan’t be a party-pooper or Mr. Killjoy. After all, we are not saints. Nor are we Christian, Hindu, Buddhist or Sufi hermits. But I think there must be a fine balance we can strive towards... between self-gratification and philanthropy, between the enjoyment of consuming and the happiness of giving and sharing. 

CONCLUSION. Whether you are a Muslim or Christian (or Jew, Hindu, Punjabi, Wiccan… etc), I think we shall all benefit from focusing more on the giving bit, rather than the consuming bit. And the first 'giving' flavor for the day? - Let us give each other, of whatever race or faith we may be, the benefit of the doubt. The benefit of our tolerance and understanding. The benefit of our compassion and mercy.  And I do not think we need a special day or event to to give voice to such humanity. Not when we are aware that everyday is a blessed day from God... 24 never-to-be-gained-again hours especially created for you and for me.

Don’t you agree, sunshine?

wa min Allah at-taufiq

Hate has no place in Islam

Love will show the Way

Charity and Piety, Love and Kindness- saying goodbyes...

The Truth Is…

If you are not prepared to risk everything,

The truth is you have gained nothing for yourself,

If you are not willing to lay down your life for a friend,

The truth is you have not found a friend for life,

If you have not burst into flame,

The truth is you have not come close enough to the Sun,

And if you have time to spare,

The truth is you must lose no time

To end that sparseness,

And fill your hours and days

With charity and piety

Love and kindness.

My late sainted mother would have undoubtedly disapproved me writing about her. She would consider my superlatives and adjectives of her as undeserved and exaggerated. But sincerity has a beauty unto itself, whether you are pious or irreligious, whether you are wealthy or stricken in poverty. I only write what I know of her.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of my mum’s passing, and I would like to suggest something extra nice for my family to do. The plan is still gestating in my head, but family and orphans will be part of it, I am sure.

On the day of my mother’s passing, there was a burst of flame. And it shined brightly like a beacon. It called unto her many, many close friends and family to come to my house, “If you had known Arbayah in your life, know that she has passed on. So come that you might say your last goodbye.”

Whenever I visit her grave, which I don’t do often enough, I always say “Hello.” But I never say goodbye, for that was said almost 10 years ago. What I always say is, “See you soon, Mama.”

My mother was a strong and capable woman who lived life to the fullest. Though she might not agree with my constant harping of her life and love, no doubt she would agree with the last phrase of the prose. 

Thus fill your day, sunshine, with charity and piety, love and kindness.

wa min Allah at-taufiq

Hate has no place in Islam

Love will show the Way

Gurindam, Mulla Nasruddin and the Tailor

Gurindam Again - Today the sinner attended a meeting concerning an oil palm enterprise in the morning, together with his partner and friend, Ariffin. We were happy that Gurindam was also in the meeting. Gurindam (a pseudonym) is an elder and wise planter that we had made acquaintance with last year, some stories of which has already been recorded in this almanac.

An intermission - During today's meeting, Gurindam suddenly slipped me a note paper, on which he had scribbled, "The most scary matter is to be a witness to your ownself in front of Allah azzawajalla on what you have done / not done during your world life." Now what is this about?

Mulla Nasruddin - This caught me by surprise. But I held my peace for the duration of the meeting. Instead, I myself scribbled a reply in the form of a story about Mulla Nasruddin, a great sufi persona of immense stature, whose life story and tale is replete with wisdom mingled in mortal irony and humour. My brother, Saiful shared the tale with me last night. He told me the story this way -

Sufi guy goes a tailor to make a shirt. Tailor says, " God willling, it'll be ready next week ". Sufi guy comes back after a week, Tailor says," Shirt not ready, God willing, next week ". Sufi guy comes back again a week later. Tailor guy says, "Not ready, God willing, it'll be ready next week". Sufi guy then says.."Look, if we leave God out of it, how soon can my shirt be ready?"

Many Interpretations - I slipped the note back to Gurindam who read my reply. He chuckled, then he passed back the note with a reply, "It is just a test of patience". I found this interesting because my brother looked at the story from another angle which is "Stop using God as an excuse." But I guess an event recollected in a folk tale or sufi lore often offers many equally valid interpretations, depending really on whose point of view you are taking.

Mr. Mischief - Anyway, the meeting soon ended and I queried Gurindam as to the purpose of the advise, And this was what he answere, "If we really believe that God is with us all the time, we would not do any mischief." I listened and replied, "Ah. Very true. But I am not there yet..." After all, what else can I say?... for it is true... I still make mischief. But now I am wondering why he shared that with me. Did he read 'Mr. Mischief' written on my forehead? I should see him again, I think, and find out more. Insecure? Guilty as charged!

I have always found Gurindam fascinating. So much so that I have written at least 4 earlier postings arising from our conversations. We first met during a visit to an oil palm estate in Sarawak, situated in the island of Borneo/Kalimantan (Click on title to go to the postings): -

• Seven Reasons why Dogs are like Saints - Near Sibu 2011 Part 2
• Fat Trees and Tall Thin Trees - Gurindam's Tale
• A Piggy Tail - The Spiritual Station of Pigs
• Gurindam , the Weed, the Rice and the Lemongrass - The Nature of Love and Her Sweet Responsibilities

Each time I have ventured out of my private and almost hermit-like life, fate has presented me with beautiful people who are generous enough to share with me the most wonderful of stories and wisdom. I think it is time for the sinner to travel again. But where?

Have a lovely Monday, sunshine. God bless you.

wa min Allah at-taufiq

Hate has no place in Islam

Love will show the Way

Don't Box Me In

85. Some Men

Some men are always sober

So that others might drink

Some men are always senseless

So that others might think

Some men are always beggars

So that others might be obliging.

Differences. We cannot all be rich. We cannot all be smart. And alas, we are not all sober ALL the time. There is a balance to be maintained, between the haves and have-nots, between the smart and smart-nots. And there is nothing better to maintain this balance and bridge the gap then empathy and charity. Charity not just in material terms, but through physical and spiritual aid, and perhaps most fundamentally, by investing your time - The only resource in the world that you cannot replenish by purchasing it from any one else.

Boxing Dreams. It is however wrong to box people in. People have a right to determine their dreams and no one should stand in the way of their ambition. So if you are poor, you might be rich someday, if you are uneducated, you might pass university one day, and if you have no property, you may own a house in the future, however big or small it would be.

Inequalities. There are structural obstacles in your socio-political and economic spheres. And that is already a difficult hurdle to jump - You come from the wrong neighbourhood, you are not educated in the 1st tier schools, you are unable to get into university or you cannot even get your foot in the job interview door, because of your religion, colour or ethnicity.

Society. The problem is often systemic and it is difficult to repair it. I hope that one day we will be able to say with pride that we are offering a fair and reasonable chance for every man, woman and child to achieve their dreams - not to be what society chooses for them, but to be the very best in the dream career / business that they choose to chase after, even if it means breaking out of the box that society constantly try to shutter them in.

Individuals. Big words, but as a fool myself, I rue the day when I first began to limit my own dreams and ambition, imprisoning my future, chaining my fortune to misconception of my own abilities. So I understand now that the change must happen both externally and internally. As God's wisdom is often quoted to me - Allah changeth not the condition of a folk until they (first) change that which is in their hearts(extracted from Verse 13:11. Marmaduke Pickthall translation)....

Have a lovely Friday, sunshine.

wa min Allah at-taufiq

Hate has no place in Islam

Love will show the Way

Your Charity and Empathy - One Day Your Senses Will Bear Witness

90. No joy in any of your senses

And if you cannot stand

What people speak?

Perhaps one day,

You will lose your ears…

And if you cannot stand

Seeing what people do?

Perhaps one day,

You will lost your eyes…

And if you stand aside

And ignore someone in need?

Perhaps one day,

You will lost your limbs,

And if you do all of the above,

Feeling proud and merciless,

Perhaps one day,

You may find yourself

Heartless…

And though you still keep

Your ears, eyes and limbs,

Perhaps that day
You will find no more joy

In any of your senses…

The conscience never tires of counselling us towards charitable actions and words. Even in the heart of the Scrooge there is a glimmer of hope. But if we make it a habit to ignore the voice of our conscience and listen to our ego, then a time may come when we are unable to distinguish where we end and our ego begins. We have become our ego, and it is a creature not inclined to follow the admonition of our hearts which is selfless, since by its very nature our ego is constantly wilful. 

I am recently informed that every day 15,000 people die of starvation. Now that is a lot of mouths to feed. But in the age of mass and intensive production of food, this is an abject shame for all of us. But my ego is constantly saying, "Aah... you have enough problems earning money for the business. You are not Santa Clause... you are not a miracle worker. If all the wise and good people in the world cannot overcome this problem, what makes you think you can?" 

Thank you, sunshine for being better than me. I am sure, big or small, you will always try to help a friend (and even an enemy) in need. Perhaps you are living amidst great deprivation and poverty, and every day you spare some change for the beggar living down the street. Or perhaps you are one of those NGOs trying to pry some money from a government more interested in bombs and big projects. Alternatively, you could be one of those selfless anonymous souls, working in a large business enterprise and trying to publicise the need of orphans and the neglected elderly.

People such as you do not have to worry about not finding joy in your senses, for your senses themselves are joyful in the good work that you do. And on that fated day when you are asked to account for your life by God Himself, your senses will reply on your behalf...

Your Senses Bear Witness

O' Lord of the Senses,

This servant of yours used...

Our sight, to seek the needy,

Our hearing, to listen with empathy

And our limbs to give alms and charity

To Your other servants who

Are forever in need of Your Mercy.

When this servant did all

These beautiful deeds -

To feed the poor,

To guide the blind,

To be a teacher unto orphans,

A voice for the powerless,

And a crutch for the lame,

We bear witness, O' Lord,

That he used us, his senses,

In Your Blessed Name.

Have a charitable day, sunshine.

Pax Taufiqa.

Servanthood to the Finite precedes Servanthood to the Infinite - Translation: Be Nice And God will Like You

God is the Infinity in any Equation

If you are just 10% with God,

You are not 90% with the world.

If you are 90% with God,

You are not just 10% with the world.

If you are 100% with God,

You are not 0% with the world,

Actually, you would be a Prophet,

And Prophets are all 100% x infinity with the world,

Because being with God

Increases you and your presence infinity times over.

So you are not a Prophet, but so what?

You can still increase your presence with God

And become a better person,

A better spouse,

A better lover,

A better worker,

A better father or mother,

A better son or daughter,

A better auntie or uncle,

A better niece or nephew,

A better you.

And that is the guaranteed sum

Of your presence in the Divine Presence,

As witnessed by the Moon and Sun...

Good for God, good for you

Good for everyone…

CAVEAT EMPTOR (Let the buyer beware) – If you do wish to purchase the prose above, you ought to be warned. That the price of entry into the Divine Presence (as listed in the Divine Brochure of Saints) is servanthood. Servanthood to men and servanthood to God.

SPIRITUAL EXCUSE? The attainment of spiritual enlightment is not the excuse or pretext to lessen our responsibilities to our family, friends and neighbours. In fact, your salvation is through their happiness. So avoid doing what is irritating or annoying to others. Because, sunshine, as I have learnt (and is still learning with each day) - you will not deserve presence of the Infinite, if you cannot master yourself in the presence of the finite.

SO SEEK THE INFINITE IN THE FINITE. Live amongst people, work and play with them. Make people laugh and smile, make them reflect on the goodness of God – but this you cannot do if you yourself are not good and charitable to them. So don’t be like this tired sinner. Be a good person, and do good unto others always, then surely God the Good will be happy to have your good company. Good attracts Good, you see.

Sorry, sir. The manufacturer doesn't warrant your piety. Perhaps you should do more charity?

Have a good day!

Pax Taufiqa.

A Man from Sweden and the Saints of India

Yesterday evening, I attended a meeting in a nearby hotel with an old client. Literally, he was old apart from having been with my firm since its inception in 2004. I was happy to see that his old Swede business partner was there. A man I have had the pleasure of making acquaintance a couple of times over the years. Shall we call him Ericsson?

Eric looked a little tired after traveling over 27 hours by car, train and plane to reach Kuala Lumpur from his hometown in Sweden. He too must be around my client’s age (about 67 perhaps), and was quietly working with his mobile office in the business lounge of the hotel. My client was late, so we chatted a bit.

I asked him about Sweden (“The economy is good. It is one of the strongest in the EU…”, pausing thoughtfully, “… for today. Tomorrow, who knows?”) and the sick states of Greece, Spain and Portugal. I do not know how, but our conversation drifted to his travels (he is a world traveler), and in one part he made this rather innocuous remark, “India is full of very rich and very, very poor people. The poor people live in the streets, and when I pass by them, I know that God do not exist”. He paused and looked at me, and I was wondering whether he expected me to reply or make some comment. But I didn’t. Instead I returned to our original topic and asked about Iceland. Later my client arrived and I left Eric to attend my client in a cosy private corner of the place.

After work I was exhausted, so I fell asleep early. 6 hours on, here I am - Awake and bright-eyed in the early hours of Saturday in a Mamak restaurant near my house. I was surrounded by foreign Chinese students having a late supper, and denizens of the night clubs drinking hot milky tea and eating roti canai before returning to their beds. I cannot go back to sleep because I keep recalling what Eric said. And what answer, if any, I could have given.

On the way here, I saw a sight which struck me. On the road was the lifeless body of a beautiful black kitten. It was probably run down a couple of hours earlier, perhaps when I was safe asleep in my bed. Does this also mean that God doesn’t exist?

It is easy to despair. It is a door that is always open for us to walk through. And witnessing the easy death of a beautiful cat, or the teeming hungry masses of humanity of India, despair appears the easiest path to accept. I can almost hear Despair inviting me. “Come in, Taufiq.” I hear it speaking to me. “There is no God. Otherwise I, Despair, would not exist.”

But I cannot. Not because I am a superman with some profound understanding of life. But I have seen with my own eyes the dogged determination of mankind to persevere no matter the hardship. To wake up in the morning, praising God, alhamdulillah, and to fall asleep, again thanking Him, alhamdulillah. And I have also heard the whispered oath of the caregivers – the Mother Theresas, the Gandhis, and the Mawlana Abul Kalam Azads of India… all who live for the sake of others, finding fulfillment and God Himself in caring for the sick, the needy and the homeless –

THE SELFISH SAINTS
I am a selfish person,
I cook for the hungry,
Because if I do not,
Then to me,
God ceases to exist.

I am a selfish person,
I build homes for orphans,
Because if I do not,
Then to me,
God ceases to exist.

I am a selfish person,
I give all my wealth away,
Because if I do not,
Then to me,
God ceases to exist.

I am a selfish person,
I attend to the lepers
And the dispossessed,
Because if I do not,
Then to me,
God ceases to exist.

And to be absent
From His Presence
Is to me,
The most painful lesson
That this life can offer.

God doesn’t exist in words, whether written or uttered. God is manifest in His Most Compassionate and Merciful attributes in the tireless working hands of the caregivers of this world. God bless Ericsson and all caregivers of this world. We owe them our humanity.

Have a charitable Sabbath, sunshine.

Pax Taufiqa.

God is an Autobahn (where you can drive your ambition without worrying about speed traps or running out of fuel)

Don’t you think that God has the biggest Ego of them all? Why, He cannot stand even having just one name. In Muslim lore, God has to have 99 names, and that is just what’s revealed. And He has engaged cohorts of fuzzy-minded poets and sinners (like yours truly) to evoke His Infinite Glory and Utter Awesomeness. But God’s Ego is the supreme shade and protection for mankind because it is under His Ego that we seek shelter from the harmful deception of our own egos which constantly seek to trip us in our Path to Him. And the same thing goes for the Egos of Prophets and Saints. For it is in their Commanding Spirit that their followers seek shelter and solace, their guided words and action residing not in the ego of the lower nafs (earthly desires, our egos), but upon the commanding heights of God’s revelations which spur their life-force beyond the understanding of ordinary humans.

Let’s face it, sunshine, most of us are not exactly the vanguard of virtues. We make our stumbling and often confused way through life’s maze and puzzle, making Saints roll up their eyes muttering, “Oh Lord, look at this dumb kid…” and Angels cringe in dismay. But in some ways you are also connected to the Divine, the Saints, the Prophets and to God Himself. So you also have the propensity to do good. And if you believe that good needs to be done by ambition, then ride that ambition, baby…

If you want to build a majestic church, a Shinto temple, a pretty mosque, wherein people will praise and glorify God, then build it invite everyone and raise the Flag of Love and Unity high above the parapets.

If you want to bake the most awesome cupcakes to sell and donate the proceeds to an orphanage, then bake them and make people happy.

If you want to climb Mount Everest to sing praise to God Who is higher than the highest peak on earth, then climb it, but carry your own luggage and don’t use Shepas.

If you want to write the most beautiful songs, or choreograph the most amazing dance you can imagine to manifest Love, then compose the songs and choreograph the dance and set Broadway and the West End ablaze.

Just do it all, please.

Why?

Because you can do it, sunshine. You can do it.
Paulo Coelho, in his book, ‘The Alchemist’ once wrote that the most important lesson in life to unlearn is the lesson which we learnt while growing up – that we are somehow limited by circumstances and (God Forbid!) ourselves and thus we must be ‘realistic’ in our expectations and ambition.

But in the name of the Forgiver of Sinners, there is no reality unless we believe in it. So disbelieve the imaginary chains and let your ambition take fruit in the soil of your soul. If watered by Compassion, if tilled with Mercy, if seeded with Love and Sincerity… my dearest friend…, my beautiful readers, there is no limit as to how far or fast you can go - For the Love of God is an autobahn where you can drive your ambition without worrying about speed traps or running out of fuel.

This posting sounds like it deserves a theme song. And I do believe I have the right one right here. It’s from Rascal Flatts and it’s called ‘Life is a Highway’ - Click Here.

Let the music play and let your dreams bloom, sunshine.

Pax Taufiqa.

The Dragon Ego, the Donkey Ego and the Mouse Ego

57. Flying high and getting wet
I am flying high
Astride my ego,
A fearsome fiery dragon.

But I am twisting the reins now,
To send my ego and me careening,
Plummeting like a stone through
The breaking clouds
Falling into the rushing
And waiting sea.

In her deep blue waters,
Will the fire of my dragon
Be doused, and for me
To rise once again
From the waves,
Astride my ego,
But now tamed
And trained.




How easily I recorded the above verse. For the simple fact that Saints are sent to address mankind on the nature and threat of the human ego, the taming of your dragon is no easy feat. In the circle that I orbit, the dragon is also often referred as a donkey, and in one posting at least, I referred to the Hindu reflection of the human ego as a little itsy bitsy mousie.

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How easy it would be if indeed the ego was in fact a dragon, donkey or rodent. Then at least you could see it clearly with your physical eyes. Alas, it is not so simple...

.

The ego is a hard working fella. And your constant companion. It will keep you company in a pub, in a toilet, at work and at play. It is your shadow while you are driving, working and making love. The ego's nature is delicate and its finesse in playing with our mind is a wonder in itself. In your highest tribute to your faith and God, it will squeeze in between each prayer you pray, each charity you give, each fast you complete. It is in the choir of a church and in the cave of a hidden hermit high in the cliffs of the Hindu Kush. It is in the palm of your hand as you play with your rosary beads and tasbih. Your ego is your enemy. The worst is that it is often very difficult to differentiate between you and your enemy.

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May you be guided in true servanthood that you would see with your third eye the nature of the ego within you, and the wisdom to tame this creature who is you but never you. Servanthood - I am thinking that is the best way. What do you think?

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As someone who thinks so highly of himself, I need all the help I can get. So I ask that you pray for me, sunshine. But don't tell me if you do.

.

Pax Taufiqa

Japanese Tsunami and the Apparent Arbitrariness of Life

TWEETER : TSUNAMI IN JAPAN. In Malaysia, thousands of twitters expressing support, condolences and prayers for the Japanese people shot into the cyberspace, within minutes of the news of the tsunami went online. And across the globe, I am sure millions of tweets shared the same feeling of empathy and worry. With about 4,000 Malaysians registered with our embassy in Tokyo, there are probably now hundreds or perhaps thousands of families here, still worrying about their relatives or friends still as yet uncontactable. The main problem is that it is currently the universities semester break in Japan now. So some students and their families are out of town, possibly in other prefectures. In such stressful circumstances the tweets of sympathy keeps me faithful in the inate goodness of mankind.

But some tweets are also saying that the Tsunami is an Act of God.

ARBITRARY GOD? What are they suggesting when they tweet such words? Are they suggesting that God is arbitrary and He doesn’t care at all how many people die and suffer in every natural tragedy that has struck mankind? I cannot accept that.

GOD'S JUDGMENT? Or are they implying that for some reason, the people pummeled by the waves somehow deserves it? A holy judgment enforced by sea water? It is not God that is judging.. it is them. So that too I cannot accept.

I too find myself pondering over why some countries appear to be hit again and again by nature while climates in other countries are relatively docile.

I guess I cannot stop people from saying it is an act of God, since really nothing happens without the Will of God. I actually object the context in which it was said / tweeted. For me, in reference to God’s Will… only those actually involved in rescuing and consoling the victims can say such words…

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It is the Will of God that it happened.
It is also the Will of God that I am here.
Let me help you.

For the rest of mankind who are not directly involved in the emergency efforts - We should just pray to the Almighty for the succor and rescue of the Japanese people in this tsunami and hold back all other unnecessary comments.

May God save the Japanese people.

Pax Taufiqa.

Good exists next to the Absence of Good - Parable of the Moon

14. The Sun & The Moon II (Epilogue)
Allah!
By the Sun shall you see the Moon,
And by the Sun shall you see the Sun.
Allah!
And blessed and oft-forgiven are those
Who share the Light with his neighbours,
Returning scowls with a smile,
Returning hate with love,
Returning weakness with strength,
And ignorance with the sweetness of understanding.

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

Life is too short to feel miserable and hateful. Rest your weary soul by showing mercy, compassion and affection in the face of scowls and misunderstanding. The sweetness of your conscience is found in the flip-side of hate. Don't be provoked! I am a fool and prone to anger, but you, ah... you can do so much better than me! In fact, I have great hope in you..

Have a good Thursday, sunshine. The moon is shining bright above me, the cool morning air is my succour and to the East, I see the sun rising above the dome of the Umar al Khattab mosque.

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Life is plainly good, and love - like all good things, is something only clearly define, when it is placed next to hate. Don't be provoked! The hate is there for you to show your wisdom and your spiritual station. Don't let yourself down. You are like the Moon, shining bright in the dark sky of ignorance and desperation.
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Pax Taufiqa.

God, NurMuhammad, Fate, Your Creation, Your Obligations of Love and the Lie of Hopelessness

Dear Sinners,

To those who despair, be kind and gentle. God loves mankind, not just because of our potential for courage, wisdom and strength, but perhaps especially, because we are vulnerable. Otherwise, he would have stopped at the creation of the Angels.

Happily you and I, we were destined to be born, right from the word go. Before the Unmaking of Nothingness, before the creation of the Pen and the Tablet, before the creation of Gabriel, Michael and the countless legions of Angels, before all the heavens and hells, before Azazil (the Devil) first unsheathed his sword against the faithless Djinns, before his temptation of Adam and Eve, before man’s downfall, first of all was created the NurMuhammad (Light of Muhammad), the Prophetic Light. The Light of Creation, the Essence before all essences, the Zahir of Love and Mercy, Prince of the Two Worlds. (p.s. Why not click on the preceding sentence - it will take you to a Qasida Burda video... heartbreakingly good)

By virtue of the already fated story of Muhammad, so too is your story fated. And your story brings you now to this very moment, reading this posting which I have written this Monday, the 25th day of October 2010.

Do you think it is mere luck, a happenstance that you are reading this now? The reality of knowledge and probabilities is encompassed by God, but it is more than that. Ultimately, everything that happens in your life was fated, and 'coincidences' is merely a label for those who cannot yet comprehend true Love, as was told to me…

1. Accident of Love
Coincidence is the
First fatality in the
Accident of Love.
………………..
(From the chapter entitled ‘the Bride’s Dress’)

So here we are, you and I – bit actors sharing a small role in the Divine Play concerning the Lover and the Beloved, of Ahad and Ahmad. But God Himself has made His timeless declaration of His Love and Devotion to you. So however small or insignificant you think your parts are, you are essential too. You must be. If not, why oh why would God have even bothered creating you? God is not someone inclined to do anything for no good reason.

Why are we here then? To help in whatever capacity and way that we can, of course - to lend a hand, an ear and a heart to those despairing in their circumstance. To spread the evangelical word - that the Greatest Love is here, Certainty is here, Truth is here, manifesting in your conscience with each beat of your heart – to defeat the Greatest Lie ever born to suffer this world, The Lie of Hopelessness.

You are strong, I know. But many others are suffering in the face of tribulations. Help them. Help me. That is what you were created to do. Do it in the Name of God, in the Name of Love, do it for your own conscience and the love you have for your brothers and sisters.

107. My Dear Creation
If you wish to serve Me
Then serve my servants
For I am not needful of your services
But they are.

And If you wish to love Me
Then love my servants
For I am not needful of your love
But they are.

Do this both
And you shall find in Me
A fair recompense
Beyond your happiest hopes.
…………………………
(From the first Chapter entitled ‘The Dam.SunSun.Ana)

“Every little bit helps.”, my late mum (God bless her maple-sweet soul) used to tell me. You have heard these words before, haven’t you? A coincidence?

Hehehe.

Have a good Monday, sunshine.

Pax Taufiqa.

Postscript 27/10/10 - Someone told me it is suppose to be 'the internal combustion engine' and not just 'the combustion engine'. She is right of course. So you see why I call it 'Creation for Dummies'. Hehehe.