SAILING THE SEA OF MATRIMONY - all roads and all knowledge inevitably leads to Hu... and to you.

1. Universe Within

Galaxies swim within my veins,

Stars make home in each cell of my body,

Cosmic winds rise from my lips,

As creation mingle sweetly in my eyes.

                                                     

                                  I am the intangible vessel,                                 

The wandering soul,

Tasked to find and record,

The Speech of the One.

I am the broken vessel,

Holed below my waterline,

Sailing an unbroken sea,

With a smile and verily, a fool’s hope!

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

If you are reading this, know that you are reading the memoirs of a fool. But alhamdulillah you are with a smiling fool. 

I don't know about anyone else, but I am contented to be a fool than a morose scholar, forever crying "Oh woe! Oh sadness! Oh, the things that I know!!" . Instead I am happy to constantly be amused, astonished and struck speechless by this life, on a course set by Him., until the day that it pleases Him to take me back.

But as I am still alive and writing, I guess there are still secrets and surprises left to be uncovered. And in the entwined limbs of lovers in rapture there are secrets to know, for there is nothing of value if that thing does not take you closer in your understanding of God Almighty.

Whether you are sailing across an ocean or the stormy waters of the matrimonial bed, seek God!

Consummated passion and more importantly, safety, is there. 

He he he. And to grease the machinery of your impending marriage (assuming you are getting wed) do remember this fine line spoken by a friend of mine to his betrothed...

Dear Love,

Our contract of marriage is a strange thing,
For the definitions are waiting to be explored,
The meaning of words and names are waiting to be written...

So write me, and who I am,

For I am without meaning until you tell me

What I mean to you...  

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

wa min Allah at-taufiq

Hate has no place in Islam

Love will show the Way

101-Year Old Man, a Home Coming, an Uncle and Friendship

Friends

In the firmament of my sky,

In the questions and answers

As to who am I,

In the light of my day,

And in the rising of the Moon at night,

Verily, I know God chose my friends right,

No matter where we are, no matter what we do,

I know God bequeathed

Unto me my faithful,

Loyal friends,

...To overcome all tribulations,

To make good our place on this Earth,

As the Race of Adam and Eve,

As the Nation of Muhammad,

As a servant of God...

... He who dwells

In the infinite horizon

Of every man's heart!

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

My long standing friend, partner and founder of our law firm is leaving Kuala Lumpur. He is going home with his wife and three kids to Kuching, Sarawak (in the Island of Borneo) to devote his care and attention on his ailing father, Abang Bohan.

ABANG BOHAN. Abang Bohan is an exceptional man of 101 years, if Allah permits his coming birthday this year. He has 12 children and heaven knows how many grandchildren. As another exceptional (if somewhat awkward) tribute to Abang Bohan, is that he is probably the only human being, apart from my blessed late mother, and my dear auntie Sophia (Makndak) to have actually bathed me. But my mum and auntie bathed me when I was a little toddler, while Ariffin's father once bathed me 4 years ago. It was a spiritual shower of sorts, to cleanse me of some dodgy karma that has dogged my life up to then. In his nonagenarian frame (in his late 90s back then) was a light of knowledge and piety, and with some chalk, lime, water and a blunt butter knife, he administered me. He gave me some blessed oil, and a talisman of tin to arm myself, tied in a knot around my waist. For all these medicine and care, my love and respect for this ancient man is sincere and real. 

Mika. In frustrated tears trying to master cursive writing under the watchful
help of Herman. Later Mikhail complained to me, "Mummy was not
positive. She just laughed, Papa. Then she took a picture! But later
I went into her room, and I found a book. It was called
"Why Men Marry err... the bad 'b' word (Bitches, I think. he he he)"
Why did she buy the book, papa? Is it about her??"

UNCLE H. In an additional twist of fate, another man has come into my life, albeit indirectly through my ex-wife, Gina, and his name is Herman, her new husband. I had little doubt of his character even early on, but through my son Mikhail and his mum, I have heard nothing but good report about him over the years. He dots over my 9-year old son as if Mika is his own, checking on his internet usage, helping with his homework, ironing my son's school uniform and even cleaning his school shoes. And last weekend, when I had to miss my son's early birthday party (his birthday is actually this coming 31st January) as I had to go to Singapore for work, it was Herman who was running about getting the balloons, food and presents sorted. I have often asked Mika to call him Dad or Daddy, but Mika still insists on the formal prefix of 'Uncle'. Perhaps one day he will realize what a bargain he got when his mum married the 'Uncle'.

I want to share these stories with you, because I think it is important for me to spread a little cheer. We cannot really tell how God, in His Sublime Mercy may reward and bless our lives. Through a  centenarian or the new husband of your ex-spouse.

May Allah(s.w.t.) bless them always. And may the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) guide my friend Ariffin in his return to his hometown. He cannot imagine how much I shall miss him.

Have a lovely day, sunshine. 

wa min Allah at-taufiq

Hate has no place in Islam

Love will show the Way

You Cannot Force Forgiveness - forgiveness and the gathering of virtues

Forgiveness and the Gathering of Virtues

Forgiveness is a feeling,

A state of emotion more

Than mere statement of intent,

And try as we wish, to forgive,

Whether we will or not is almost

Beyond our control, just like falling in love...

So while you intend to forgive,

And you have not yet,

You need only arrange your life

To be in the constant company of love and mercy,

For sooner or later, I have no doubt that forgiveness will hear

The merriment and compassion singing in your heart,

And ask to enter the fine assembly...

Spellbound and drawn as it is

To the gathering of virtues within you.

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

If we have to be absolutely honest with ourselves, how many times have we wanted to forgive, but couldn't. When pressed to forgive, I think we often do try to forgive. But we know that in our hearts, the feeling of forgiveness has not come yet, no matter how we dress our behaviour outside. For true forgiveness cannot be forced.

In such a situation, you can only move on and carry on - being that great guy you have always been, being that wonderful woman that we all know you to be. In time, you will rise higher and I have no doubt, you will forgive, as the most natural thing in the world. In a single breath, in one a momentous sigh, you would be able to let out all your sadness, hurt and pain... to finally forgive and to let go of the bitter past.

Don't you agree, sunshine?

wa min Allah at-taufiq

p/s : My cousin, Abang Shem and his wife, Che Yong just celebrated their 25th Wedding Anniversary. It is amazing that I can still recall the first time he brought his girlfriend Che Yong to our old house, all those many years ago. I remember thinking of Che Yong, "Say, here is a bubbly bundle of cheer.". May Allah and the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) continue to bless their hearts, hearth and home with the glow of heavenly lights. I know that the path has not been easy, but when things were tough, they showed great courage, and of course, great love. 

Hate has no place in Islam

Love will show the Way

I am not Lost. I am in Love.

1.      I am not lost

God bless you and your family,

For God loves he who keeps faith

With those who appear lost.

But I am not lost, you see.

I am in love.

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

The scenario of falling in love is sometimes closely connected with some lost or other. Lost of your reason... that's a pretty frequent story. Lost of your property... that is also a common malady of love. Lost of your senses... oh boy, can I write a novel about that. Lost of your kingdom... Lost of your freedom... Lost of your free time.. lost of perhaps many things which you once cherished and held dear.

A friend of mine who was recently married is a good example of this pandemic of lost. For I am seeing him becoming somehow different, coping with married life and the accessories of changes that comes with the 'I do'. We sometimes meet, and he regal me with his domestic arrangement and the fixings and repairs required in moving into a new house. But most of all, he talks a lot about his wife, fascinated by the behaviour and personality of his own Frau of the Haus. Like a jigsaw he has long puzzled over, everything in his life is finally fitting in now, just nicely. 

So I guess it is good to lose something sometimes. Because my friend, in his 42nd year, has gone and lost his heart to a girl, and with it his solitude and loneliness. 

Alhamdulillah.

wa min Allah at-taufiq

Hate has no place in Islam

Love will show the Way

The Significant (B)Other - life, love, patience, man and woman

Wife: George! Take that ridiculous costume off!
Husband: Err... Not until you promise to be patient with me...
Wife: Just what did you do, George...?
Husband: Unconditional patience, love...
Wife: You married me. Not God. 

1.      Have patience, o’ friend

Have patience, o’ friend

For those whom you love with passion,

You say it is not easy anymore,

But passion without patience

Is a sure path to uncertainty

And human sadness.

However,

I am afraid that patience

Is something you cannot

Ask for,

Patience you must learn,

And,

If you are caught in a sudden turmoil

By the apparent failure of the one

Whom you love, remember

He or she is born, like you

To the family of Adam and Eve,

Who is weak, frail

And make mistakes.

Is there any other way

To look at your lover

But with a sense of empathy

And understanding?

That is God’s way.

But you are not God,
You say...

Hehehe,

Yet He wishes for you

To follow His way

And be happy.

Is He not your God?

The Ever-Wishing For Your Happiness!

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

I guess you can call this prose a one-size-fit-all advice for couples of all different hue, creed and matrimonial status. It is not easy to live with someone. Sometimes we just need a little bit of space. And when you remember that we sometimes find our own selves barely bearable, I think most people should applaud themselves for having the patience to afford a space in their lives for another human being, to be their significant other. Especially when that other can be a selfish irritable crab. Like me.

He he he. So remember we are not just the significant other. We can also be the significant bother.

So I am happy to be surrounded by people who can still tolerate me, though I am a pain to live with sometimes. And of course, if you are in a one-on-one monogamous relationship, you must be doubly happy. That someone is hanging his/her hopes and aspirations for the future upon your shoulders, and asking you, implicit in a human congress, to be patient. Your other half is not expecting you to have God-like attributes. But at least, that you are on that way... and that you are inspired by God's attributes of Mercy, Compassion and Patience.

So be kind to the poor fellow. We men can be a bother sometimes, I know. But not all the time.

He he he.

Father and Mother now, this young couple. Bless their hearts...

wa min Allah at-taufiq

Hate has no place in Islam

Love will show the Way

Allied to Hope - man, woman, marriage and reaching the station of naivety

Everything Will be Fine

If I let go of Hope,

What else do I have?

So I hold Hope's Hand,

And I listen to Hope's words,

Assuring me and telling me

That everything will be fine.

I do not ask for much,

Only that Hope would tuck me to sleep,

That Hope would keep me company through the night,

And when I wake up, that Hope is there

To greet me with a new day.

Life began with Hope,

And life is sustained with Hope,

And even when we let go of Life,

It is with Hope that we walk away

From this world and all its strife.

The Saints understand,

The Companions understand,

And above all, the Prophet understands

What it is to be alive,

To be married or unmarried,

To be healthy or sickly,

To be a father, a husband,

A wife or a spinster,

To be a woman, or

To be a man.

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

It is funny. Although I have male readers, it is the womenfolk who sometimes drops a comment, either here or on my Facebook. And this, despite my long-held view that the spiritual station of women is different from the station of man. The path is different, and the views that they see are different from what we men witness.

Today an old friend confided in me his mystification with women, as represented (by proxy) by his loving wife. He he he. Join the club, I replied.

Perhaps there is no arrangement, no union or contract more closely allied to Hope than marriage. Sometimes, from what I see amongst my married friends and family, the Hope held is almost to the point of naivety and beyond. Some inscrutable and almost insanely held belief that 'everything will be fine', however sorely tested the marriage may be.

I envy such naivety. I hope to attain such naivety one day soon.

Have a lovely Sabbath, sunshine.

wa min Allah at-taufiq

Hate has no place in Islam

Love will show the Way

The Wedding of Fifi & Khaled - all's well that ends well!

Alhamdulillah, at about 6.15pm yesterday Khaled and Fifi consecrated their marriage vows in a simple Aqad ceremony at the bride's house. Despite the prayers of all involved, the mild afternoon rain turned into a right earnest downpour in the evening. "It is Fifi's tears, bro...," commented Kamarul, "...because she will lose her single status today in the sight of God Almighty, the Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) and Facebook."

As promised, these are some pictures we were able to take last night.

It is about 5.45pm, the hosts are ready, the cameraman is waiting patiently next
to the row of Hantaran (presents from the bride to be exchanged with the groom's
gifts), the youngish Tok Kadi (the religious dude to officiate the Aqad) is here
and in front of him is the two cushions for him to sit facing the groom (when
he arrives, that is)

Finally, Khaled's family arrived suitably wet from the downpour, with his aunties
and female cousins bearing his gifts on traditional dulangs (bronze trays),
consisting of non-traditional presents like an Apple iPad and a Nikon DSLR.

And then... like a dying camel arriving at an Oasis of Love, the groom, attired in his family's
traditional Arabic robes, arrives with a glitter in his eyes and a nervous smile.

"Dig for oil, here!" says the Shaykh.
(Hehehe. Khaled was actually asking where he was suppose to sit)

And a few minutes later, out comes the blushing Fifi from the bridal room carrying
a pretty bouquet of flowers. She will be sitting close by to witness the Aqad ceremony.

The father comes over with some official forms from the Tok Kadi to be signed
by the bride. With a brisk signature Fifi signs off her consent to marriage
and other assorted statutory declarations.

With a single recitation, Khaled completes the Aqad successfully. Sorry, no pictures
as I was behind him and concentrating real hard to listen to his recitation
of the contractual offer and acceptance of his marriage to Fifi. 

At the end, as in all weddings, happy smiles and poses all around.

It was still raining as we left later. There is Kamarul, Heche and Efa waiting for me
in the downpour. I stopped for a while to take this picture and let them get
a little bit more wet, just so I can post this pic on the blog.
I am a dedicated blogger, I am.

Such is life... Boy meets girl. Girl drives boy crazy. They get married.

Have a lovely sabbath, sunshine. We have the official reception to go to this afternoon, then the long drive back to Kuala Lumpur. 

wa min Allah at-taufiq

Hate has no place in Islam

Love will show the Way

Love is Trouble... but it is a Beautiful Trouble - love and marriage in Perlis part 2

Love is like the rumbling thunder in the overcast skies of your heart.
"Uh Oh... sounds like trouble." your heart confides. And yes, it is
trouble, but it is a beautiful trouble.

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

1. While sipping coffee
While sipping coffee,
I was distracted by 
The veil of angels
That man call rainfall.

The curtain fall of
A billion angels
Plummeting earthbound,
As they cry out,
“Mercy is coming down!
Mercy is coming down!”

A few noticed me,
And they smiled
As they greeted me,
“Hi, Taufiq! Hi, Taufiq!
Do not listen to the whispering one!”
.............

Update - The Wedding Prep in Perlis. The above prose was recorded in early 2009. I am pretty sure I was sitting somewhere and it was raining, as it is right now here in Kangar, Perlis. Heche and Efa is at the bride's house, no doubt keeping the lovely girl's emotion steady and calm amidst the hustle and bustle of the wedding prep. Fifi is the eldest daughter, you see, and this wedding is the very first for her family. Nervous hearts all around. And now it is RAINING! Oh no... what will happen to the just-raised canopies and tents? But the rain is not too heavy (which by Malaysian standards means that it is not in the risk of uprooting 120 years old tropical trees), so we are hoping for the best.

As you have read in the earlier post this morning (and if you haven't, why haven't you?? Click Here), the marriage is of Fifi (Malay-Malay) with Syed Khaled (Arab Malay), and things are just getting interesting. I am here also with Kamarul, and it has been made clear to us that although we are friends with both bride and groom, that for today and tomorrow, we are with the bride's host and should, under no circumstances, 'act' as if we are with the groom's entourage... He he he. Boy, people sure get competitive at weddings! Not that Khaled will miss us, as he has about 100 strong already here or arriving soon. With the open invitation to the whole kampung (village), family and friends of Fifi, they anticipate more than 300 guests for today's Aqad (Muslim wedding ceremony), and about 700 tomorrow afternoon's official reception.

Love & Marriage. As we are in the topic of rain, love and marriage (which goes together like a horse and carriage, as the song aptly says), here is another prose recorded around the same time in 2009. It was written in the throes of passion for a human being called Heche. We have been to many, many weddings since, a few of my friends' but mostly hers. And as the rain falls more heavily today, I am wondering to myself, "When will our turn come?"

16. Like the rain

Whenever I look at you,

I am blessed by God,

Whenever I sit beside you,

I am blessed by God,

Whenever you smile,

And whenever you frown,

In that and all, I am blessed.

Whatever you say,

Whatever you don’t say,

Whatever you do, and

Whatever you don’t do,

I am blessed by God.

Like the rain,

You simply happened.

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

Good things ought not to be delayed, people say. So I am asking the Angels of the Rain to tender my application to God and His Prophet(pbuh) to hurry things up up there. Pray for us, sunshine.

I think there is a traffic jam of marriages destined to happen up there
in heaven. I hope the Angels will sort out the bottle neck and unclog
the matrimonial congestion. 

And to conclude, this is the ending of the collection of prose entitled 'Just between You and Me', more than 3 long years ago...

wa min Allah at-Taufiq

25th February 2009

There is only God, and naught but God,

And by my skin that hides my soul,

And by the bones that bear my body,

And by the fire of my ego, and the crowning throne

That is the heart to be possessed by my Him,

Muhammad Habibullah al-Mustafa,

Abu Arwah, the most perfect Rose

In the Garden of my Lord’s creation, it is He! It is He

That is the Messenger of God!

All Glory to God!

All Praise!

All Thought!

All Love!

All Life!

All me!

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

Hate has no place in Islam

Love will show the Way

A Wedding in Perlis - Pictures tell stories

Fifi's parents love gardening I guess. They have an interesting batch of pink and
orange hibiscus around their little patch of village in Kangar. The red version is
the national flower of Malaysia.

The sinner is in the northern state of Perlis Indera Kayangan, the smallest little state in the Federation of Malaysia and the rice basket of the country. I have not been here for 30 years, I reckon, and am glad to know that things have developed decently, although the old ways are, happily, still the same. As we left our spanking new hotel last night, I was shocked to find a rice combine harvester, ploughing through a paddy field which we did not even noticed were right there in front of the hotel.

I am here for a wedding of two dear friends, Fifi and Syed Khaled, expected to take place this late afternoon after Asr prayers at her house just a five minutes drive from here. The marriage is an interesting amalgamation of Fifi who is a thoroughly Malay girl (with some spots of Siamese heritage I suspect), and Khaled who originates from Arabian stock.

I have misplaced my beloved songkok (traditional black-coloured Malay head gear) during the Eidul Fitri celebrations, and am now rushing to the small city (okay... let's call it a town) of Kangar to look for a replacement. So I can't write much right now. Below are some more pictures I managed to take yesterday.

When we arrived, Fifi the blushing bride was frantically asking us,
"Ooh... take me out! Take me out of my house at least for a while,
I cannot stand anymore of this wedding preparation!" So after telling
her father a bald-faced lie, we headed to Fifi's favourite seafood restaurant
at the jetty in Kuala Perlis. You cannot even see the place from the main road,
and would have to walk down this dark lonely path to find it.
Only the locals knows the place, she says. Wow. Exclusive.

Along rickety and loose planked pier we walked (or is it a jetty?), and pass
through the trees and small houses we arrive at the restaurant, hidden from
prying eyes and with a view of the Straits of Melaka. There were many Muslims
eating, but Fifi had once earlier asked the Chinese proprietor whether the food was
halal (permissable for Muslims). He blustered his reply,
"Waa... Agung pun makan sini! (Even the King have eaten here!)" He he he.

We didn't know what to order, but happily Fifi's relatives were having their dinner
at the next table. So we sought their advice and tested their food before ordering
ours. Yes. Fifi, and by proxy all of us, is quite shameless.

After dinner and incessant calls from her mother to come home, we left happy, satisfied and sleepy. Heche however went to do her best-friend-job and stayed with Fifi to help her with the wedding prep until later into the night.

Now it's 10.50am here in Kangar. And they are waiting for me. Gotta go now, sunshine. See ya later!

wa min Allah at-taufiq

Hate has no place in Islam

Love will show the Way

Finally... The 2nd Wedding Reception of King & Sofia - a celebration of family, friendship and love

2nd Reception in Kuala Lumpur, last night.

Well, it's finally over. Attended my old friend's wedding reception (groom side), to celebrate the happy union of Raja Nushirwan (King) and Tengku Sofia (Pia) last night. Although I refused to accept the fact, I think I was terribly nervous about giving the wedding speech. Even the food tasted like ash as I counted the minutes before I was called to give a speech. After last night's unnerving experience before 800 + guests, I slept for a good 10 hours.

In Kuala Terengganu... one week ago.

Don't ask. It's a tradition, especially amongst the nobility. Both the bride and groom
are suppose to get equal treatment with the cleansing water. But according to King
he seems to be getting most of it. "Well, maybe it's because of the pair, you are
the one that requires most cleansing and purifying..." I helpfully suggested.

I had a well-sorted speech all written up and ready to be recited. But as I got behind the rostrum, I decided What-the-heck! and throwing caution to the wind, I decided to improvise as I went along. King and my friends were quite happy with the speech (of course, they would say that, wouldn't day?), but Heche, my most ardent fan and worst critic, also said it went well. So I guess it did. Thank God. I hope.

This morning, King messaged me and said "Was thinking of yr speech. V touching. Now I know why u were sebak(emotional)! Thnx again!"

To which I replied, "Aku tak sebak laa (No, I was not emotional). Its acting skill... the Method."

But I guess you can read between the lines. I am very happy for my friend and his beautiful bride. And this was how I concluded my speech (translated from Malay to English)...

For the sake of the Prophet (pbuh), I pray with all my heart and soul, with each atom, each neutron, each electron, each proton and other assorted sub atomic particle that is crazily dancing within my corporeal being and my spirit, that God Almighty and Muhammad Habibullah (pbuh) shall forever bless and grace the marriage of King and Sofia now and forever, to the very lives of their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Thank you to all my beautiful friends who also attended yesterday's reception to make it such a memorable and wonderful celebration of family, friendship and love.

And thank you, sunshine, for dropping by the almanac today. You make this almanac also to become a celebration of family, friendship and love. Don't tell me of the religion that you practice, speak to me instead in the Language of Love...

wa min Allah at-taufiq

Hate has no place in Islam

Love will show the Way

Love's Coming and Going - The Prince Part 10

Longhair was there, poor chum, helping to bear Ku Ash
to his earthly resting place... al fatihah.

81. Stay, don’t go

Stay, don’t go

If but for a while,

Stay, don’t go

Be my sparrow in the sky

Stay, don’t go

Be the lovelight in my eye,

The morning star, when dew is born

Wherein there’s no you nor I.

Stay, don’t go

If but for a while,

Stay, don’t go

Walk me this weary mile,

Stay, don’t go

Only to leave me in pain,

For love once found and lost in vain,

Must not be lost again.

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

Old prose for to the followers, friends and groupies in association, ...and let's be honest here, in love with Shaykh Raja Ashman ibni Sultan Azlan Shah (Ku Ash). It is my fond dream that he has in fact read these two poems here. For they are part of the original Dam.sunsun.Ana collection that I delivered to his house in 2004. He never asked for them. Impetuously I just sent them over at the behest of my friend, Longhair. He said Ku Ash and Kak Jane would appreciate it. I agreed because even from a distance (I am always at a wary distance with the Shaykh), they appeared to be a musical and artsy couple. My sighs in sympathy for Kak Jane and their children. It is just sighs because I don't know where to begin constructing a fitting condolence for the bereaving family of Ku Ash. May Allah bless their sweet loving souls.

84. If

If I am made sightless,

I would still see You,

If I am made deaf,

I would still hear You,

If I am made armless,

I would still hold You,

If I am made lame,

I would still run to You,

If I am made with no eyes,

I would still cry for You,

If I am made mute,

I would still talk to You,

If I am made illiterate,

I would still write love letters to You,

If I am made senseless,

I would still make sense to You,

If I am made heartless,

I would still be in love with You.

Oh Lord! I am undone.

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

Postscript - And if I am made dead,
I would still be alive in you...

Hate has no place in Islam

Love will show the Way

Getting Ready to be Unready - Man, Woman and Love

6. Unready and Ready

I am ready, o' Love,

To be unready

And face you,

In whatever guise

That you choose

To wear.

We cannot choose the timing for love. We cannot say that in my 42nd year, after decades of bachelorhood, I am determined to fall in love and get married. As I had written earlier, my oldest friend is about to be wed at a ripe age of 41, just short of his 42nd birthday. Nothing was more surprising than this because he appeared determined to spend the rest of his life in blissful singleton. Do not be fooled into thinking that he is leading a quiet solitary life. For like most of my friends, he is a charmer and an excellent company. Being a diplomat he has friends all over the place. So it was not as if he is searching for companionship.

If he has one personal weakness, if you would call it that, it is his distaste for uncertainty. Time and again he has shared into my ears his unmitigated dislike for volatility and unpredictability. He is fond of clarity and likes to call a spade a spade, and a shovel a shovel.

Well, love has given him a shovel and love is telling him to start digging. To bury his old habits and pick up new ones, to be open to change, and most importantly, to uncertainty. For if there is one adjective fitting for  women, it is uncertainty and unpredictability. For you see, women have figured out that what men need is uncertainty and occasional surprises in our lives. A good scare is healthy and keeps us on our toes, you see. Men should have figured this out by now...

Let me be clear., my love. I am not in the mood. Go away.

So if you are about to fall in love, then prepare to be unready. And in the face of arbitrary whims and feminine guile, our duty is only to listen, to obey and to always (and I mean ALWAYS) say, "Yes, dear..."

Have a lovely Wednesday, sunshine.

wa min Allah at-taufiq

Hate has no place in Islam

Love will show the Way