The "Fruits" of My Labour

So by just talking nice to clients and getting their work done with no "corporate" fuss what do you know...I was showered with gifts. The lesson for you Za is that kindness and goodwill is a million times better than "business as normal." I have always done transactions on a friendly platform. My word (and the client's) should be good enough. So these Christians (different ones not one group) brought a HUGE bag of cherries, lots of golden apples, the biggest fish I have ever seen. Money as a tip!!! Books. And all because they said I treated them specially. Haha...it was nothing...a smile, late hours, even Sundays...come on it's how we have always worked. Work should always be a pleasure. The best piece I have ever read on how to conduct business is by the Buddhists. I will publish as a brochure for the Prophet has said “Any word of wisdom is the stray of the believer, who has the better right to it wherever it may be found.” Look at things thru the prism of Islam. Never thru the jaundiced eyes of the Westerner. The US has destroyed goodwill but marches/bulldozes with blind power over simplicity. Why do we override our own sensibilities, trusting, surrendering, our authority and responsibility-and our children-to Western institutions (and their thoughts) that are not only far removed from Divine Guidance but that clearly demonstrate inherent corruptions? The US is so corrupt. God is ever Aware. And the Muslims FOLLOW them blind and blinded. Za trust the knowledge that you're acquiring now (Islam)...it's not childish cartoons to be discarded as you mature. It's meant to polish your character and for you to shine at school and in the real world of business. Be good son...even though the circumstances right now is extremely difficult for you. I pray and cry for you that my soul is swamped (deeper and wider than the Atlantic). Love, Daddy.

Just Pay it a Passing Glance

So my dear son...here's what daddy's had to endure...and so will you...it's the way of creatures of the earth...those who do not struggle to elevate the soul
This guy who has been collecting the brochures for a while at the school stopped and engaged in conversation. After several of these he opened up and said you know in talking to you I cannot seem to understand the slander I hear of you. I smiled and couldnt care to inquire. But he continued...at the mosques people are being told to beware of me and the thoughts expressed in the brochures. I laughed. He then said that he asked several of the "scholars" what they found so "wrong." And then he said whatever they came up with you perceive their small/narrow-mindedness. And most of it out-of-context. I shrugged. The reality I said is for them to better what they condemn and lets make the society sit up and become more godly. So pay slander a passing glance, Za. And just keep doing QUALITY stuff for God. He does not accept mediocrity which most of them deal in. The brochures have created a huge impact and daily people come to collect and are making copies to distribute. One ISA teacher wants to share them on UG campus. Another guy said it is helping in combating the Jehovah Witnesses. And a Hindu friend of mine shares them out at GRA. And on and on it goes. the end result is that All praises are for God...and from Him I expect the tiniest of rewards. For I am NOTHING in His sight. Be good my baby. I decided to continue publishing these thoughts for you...use them as a platform to confront the pseudo-religion that will be sure to exist in your adult life. I got tired of the "Crap" that masquerades as "Islam." May God be your Guiding Light. Peace.

Just You...Just My Clothes

So you continue, Za, to puzzle me...even your teacher. You did extremely well at mid-term exams. With you at the centre of the storm...you the only witness to the madness it is still amazing that you have maintained sanity. May God hold you in his hands for daddy's hands have fallen, been severed. After the court, the lawyers, the system...all I have left is the clothes on my back...but they CANNOT steal my love for you. Dont think they are not trying even for that...but desperately I hold on. Hagar ran between two hills ... I feel as if I'm running between several insurmountable mountains...imprisoned... and I scream, time and again... why does God allow suffering if He is so compassionate...I might have lost my religious faith...but dear God I haven't lost YOU...yet!!!

Accidental Meeting...

Today I was exhausted from all the intricacies of human associations. Crawled into bed and before you know it...I was asleep. Ok only for an hour but it was deep. The exhaustion...A Muslim and I were discussing kids growing up in this world which is unlike the worlds of yesteryear. Then along comes this woman to purchase something from him. Saw her khimar and I said Salaam. And this led me on an unexpected journey. The discussion sprinted along at breathtaking pace. So much was covered in such a short space of time that it almost left me breathless. She said she views Islamic Documentaries...but what I found out was that one of my brochures convinced her to don the khimar. What crossed my mind was you know this woman has been reading the Quran and attending lectures and the like but the "conviction" didnt dawn upon her. But that brochure acted as the catalyst to move her to don the headwear. So the reality is that powerful "words" do exercise magic upon one's reasoning. Why then dont the religious leaders recognize this and upgrade their oratory khutbah skills. People are hungry for brilliant explanations of the Quran. Yes, the Quran is amazing...BUT the Jeffrey Langs, Karen Armstrongs, Endos...open up the linguistic mysteries with their insightful writings. And the writers dont have to be Muslim for you to see the Quranic light. She was all praise for my work and thanking me...no maam, I'm nothing...if you only knew...Of the dark night that is my soul. Sometimes, your life is destroyed because you are honest; you try in vain to find the meaning of life. How difficult it often is to live a life so passionately. May Allah bless you Za, in your search...for its only in searching that you truly arrive...at the gates of Jannah. Don't ever give up Za...I speak to you, as much as I desperately plead to my own soul. Love you baby.

Suicide

Have been thinking about suicide for a long time. Heard the president of the country on several platforms making mention of it as something that is plaguing us. So I started many months ago putting together thoughts on why. Emotions can run riot, I tell you. I have been arguing with my spirit and with God's Law. Then run, jump and bang as a nation we were catapulted to confront this ugly reality. And trust me the "whys" are never answered. Just pure heartache. Yep I have contemplated self-destruction when life got really "hard" and it seems that your circle of acquaintances just cant seem to provide answers... this week when I read of the German footballer walking into the path of an express train...O my God!!! I also saw several trains hurtling pass but didnt make the fatal leap. And I'm here to tell you why. Yes WHY. The answer is RELIGION...and the religion is Islam. So even though I slipped and slid and I fell...it wasnt onto tracks or rocks...but into the safety net of God's Love. So all these years later was it worth it to live? And the unequivocal answer is YES. Why? Has life gotten easier, better, more comforting, wealthier. Haha. NOOOO. For between two sorrows is a small interval of pleasure and this seesaw in life continues endlessly.
So here is the brochure. Please save someone by kind words.
http://www.zamals.com/index_htm_files/Suicide.pdf
May God help us all to not lose faith for suffering, yes SUFFERING, carries us to a loftier height of realization, shattering the myth that life is merely mundane.

Essequibo comes a-callin...

...8 years later. What mysteries life holds. The phone rings and the person is saying we met "some time ago." What about? O you did a presentation here in Anna Regina. I was stunned. Hey bro, that was like 8 years ago. Anyhow he wanted several dvds for a fair they were having there. Wanted to showcase Islam to persons of other faiths. So they collected 10 and and had their show. God alone knows the level of success achieved. But wait there's more...the person who called came himself and bought 24 more...well what do you know!!! Life sure is strange. I reminded him how they did not allow my two sisters entry to the mosque where we had the program. Was I angry? Most likely...can't remember my emotions that far back. But knowing my "spirit" I would have sure expressed my displeasure at such "ridiculous" pseudo-religion. Anyway it was sure nice that after such a long time they have begun to see some light. But am beginning to think they are way too late. A kind of slow religious suicide. Thousands of souls have been denied all these years of viewing high-quality Islamic programs...the point is: having travelled all the way to Regina and explained to them, and shown them and having shook their heads in affirmation on the need for such quality presentations...then having thrown such spiritual energy behind their backs have surely impacted negatively on the growth of Islam in that neck of the woods. And I do not accept but it's good that they have started. My God!!! Can't we grasp opportunities when they present themselves...pronto! 8 years...holy macarolli.

An Exchange

I just charged them for work done...a standard business transaction. And then their amazement with the way they were helped and all the explanations as to why their computer and software were (mis)behaving...they came with an envelope and put it into my hands. I glanced inside and said please this is not necessary....I have charged you already. But they insisted I take the envelope with the money. I pleaded that a "thank you" was just good enough. Za, the ability to go beyond the "job" at hand...the late nights, early hours of the morning, in helping people is what "true" religion is. With smiles. The ultimate rewards are with Allah. Shall I tell you that which is the best, better than the pillars of the faith, the Prophet (p) asked? Treat people well...make peace, don't be harsh in dealing with them. Do business with truth, trust and integrity. Avoid at ALL times harshness and encompass GOODWILL. Doing business with goodwill (no matter the amount of money involved) is the best form of worship. May Allah help you to set the highest standards...God's.

The Most Important Thing in LIfe is....

...in a moment I will tell you Za. What a spectacular full moon graces the velvety black night sky. Stunning. Made me catch my breath as I stepped outside.
So the answer is death. On Nov. 3rd she awoke, full of life, at age 48, and making her way to work. And I at 4:30 a.m. opened my eyes to another day in this world...it was 8:30 a.m. in her part of the world as she closed her eyes forever to this world. In a brutal car accident. My God!!! So who was she and why did it stun me. When I arrived in England she and her family (mother, grandmother, 2 brothers and a sister) cared for me. CARED. Lots of dinners, lunches and great chat. I enjoyed their company and their support as this was my first time away from my home and they made me feel welcomed. So today she lies in her grave in a face-to-face meeting with God and His angels. For we came from Him and to Him is our return. But God, allow me to say in disbelief My God!!! I'm just a piece of flesh, NOTHING God. So do not take me to task for my moaning. May YOU grant the family EASE in their time of distress.
"Munaza Hanif, 48, was on her way to work in Bolton when the accident happened in the Abbey Village and Belmont area at 8.30am yesterday. Police said she was driving along the A675 Bolton Road when she lost control and swerved into oncoming traffic, crashing into a white Mini Cooper which was heading towards Blackburn. Munaza was pronounced dead at the scene. Her funeral will take place this afternoon. Munaza's brother, Atiq Hanif, 47, said: "Munaza was a loving daughter and Aunt, an affectionate sister and was dear to all who knew her."
Atiq, Farah, Rehan...May Allah grant you ease at this immensely difficult time. She was indeed a beautiful person. I'm remembering her as the 18-year-old I knew (ready smile and giggly laughter). Yep, for three years always NICE to me (as you all were)...can't remember a harsh word from her (God I hope you're listening). Ashmeen always mentions when she would receive an email from Munaza.
Our knowledge, our comfort, is that she is now in a place much more beautiful than here. Munaza, may your lovely soul find rest in the arms of Allah.
Ina lilah wa ina ilayhi raji'oon....may Allah swt grant you janatul firdaus,and make your time in the world of barzakh easy.ameen..please pray surah Fateha once and 3 times surah ikhlaas...Thank you...
My dear son, learn the lesson...life is fragile so handle with care.

Problems & Solutions

Za, I know how immensely difficult it has been for you. Divorce wrecks...but unhappy marriages does the exact same....or worse. But you have stood up thru the confusion amazingly good. Whilst daddy is slipping, sliding falling...losing control and not being able to pass on good words, good thoughts. Where is that quote from the Prophet (p) that the BEST thing a father can give to his child is good character? See Za, sometimes our book-learning is like straw and cannot stand up to the storms of life. But thru the darkness I still want to pass on some quality ideas for you will also face trials in life (God made it so). See Za, many of us allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by the small (or big) worries and vexations of everyday life, clothing them with a reality quite disproportionate to their importance. We are too apt to look at them, as it were, through a powerful microscope, piling power upon power of magnification, until we have made mountains out of mole-hills. However if we had treated them at their true value then we should have looked at them through a telescope, in the reverse direction, when they would appear not only trivial, but would be seen to be too remote to have any material effect on our lives. So Za, time heals. Papa will be back to his humorous self as God clearly states that He CARES for all during times of crisis. So baby lets place our trust where it truly belongs...GOD. May He guide you to utilize the time given you in this world in a beautiful way. For sure you have brought immense joy to my soul. Thank you.