Sunday, June 14, 2009
What's "Rational"???
So it was Friday the 12th. And a meeting about to take place in the evening. With a guy from the Ministry. My screen was "tuned" to coreldraw and a work-in-progress brochure. So obviously this guy noticed my "godly" stuff and started a conversation about God/logic/being rational. haha. So I listened and Richard Dawkins came to mind. And he ranted that if all things are created then WHO created God. Now this guy (nice guy that he is) goes around spreading his "belief" by scoffing at people who believe in God. And no one dare scoff at his "belief." And he mentions that he teaches kids and "poisons" (my word) them with his so-called brilliant analysis. And I listened. Well my tongue was hurting and I couldnt talk except with difficulty, and it was with difficulty, I spoke. But I gave up after a few sentences as these type of materialist guys need someone on "fire." And I couldn't deliver. But my thoughts...it's nice to reach such persons who challenge your deepest beliefs...I looked at him and wondered if he was in love with his voice...And just as how he was dogmatic (something he wouldnt admit to, remember he is "logical/rational/intellectual and believers in God are not)so are others... And as I tried to let him understand how we're programming the web application and what was needed he kept saying "I don't understand how the "computer" program will work..." ...did it dawn on him that ONE "simple" web application has him on his knees (in a good position to pray)...but ALL the complexities that make life possible he stands and argues ...which brought to mind this verse of the Quran "Does not man see that it is We Who created him from sperm? Yet behold! he stands forth as an open adversary!" (36:77) This guy was a perfect example of this ayah. Well we will, if God wills according to me, and if his material world keeps on spinning as it has ALWAYS done on its OWN, according to him, meet again...when my tongue is healed...and have a go...its always great to tussle intellectually with such minds...
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Birthdays are always nice
Happy Birthday Zahir. And you're EIGHT today.Wow, big boy!!! Memories are always beautiful...and I do remember the moment I held you in my hands. God I was blown away by sheer joy. You werent crying...your bright eyes (what lots and lots of people fell in love with) were staring at me...and I choked up as I read the azan in your ears. My God...eight years...of pure happiness. I have enjoyed your always bubbling and excitable self. So full of energy...even when sick. May Allah continue to bless you with strength and an intelligence that will make the world a better place. I LOVE you so much my son.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
97 years ago...and still rings true
With all the technology, instant communications certain values will NEVER change. The letter I am about to share contains some vital clues about marriage. Partners cannot expect to be twittering, networking, IMing, texting, etc.. with an opposite sex member without their spouse's knowledge. Many cases of abuse has come about because of "checking" out the history on a cell, social networking site etc. I have been asked many times to "Decode" mail by suspicious partners. So what should a marital relationship be based on in this easy to connect age.
I am a lover of Gibran's work for his use of language...but ...ok read the letter by May Ziadeh regarding his story of Broken Wings (still my favourite essay)...
May 12, 1912 Cairo, Egypt ...I do not agree with you on the subject of marriage, Gibran. I respect your thoughts, and I revere your ideas, for I know that you are honest and sincere in the defense of your principles that aim at a noble purpose. I am in full accord with you on the fundamental principles that advocates the freedom of woman. The woman should be free,like the man, to choose her own spouse guided not by the advice and aid of neighbours and acquaintances, but by her own personal inclinations. After choosing her life partner, a woman must bind herself completely to the duties of that partnership upon which she has embarked. You refer to these as heavy chains fabricated by the ages. Yes, I agree with you and I say that these are heavy chains; but remember that these chains were made by nature who made the woman what she is today. Though man's mind has reached the point of breaking the chains of customs and traditions, it has not yet reached the point of breaking the natural chains because the law of nature is above all laws. Why can't a married woman meet secretly with the man she loves? Because by thus doing she will be betraying her husband and disgracing the name she has willingly accepted, and will be lowering herself in the eyes of the society of which she is a member.
At the time of marriage the woman promises to be faithful, and spiritual faithfulness is as important as physical faithfulness. At the time of matrimony she also declares and guarantees the happiness and well-being of her husband; and when she meets secretly with another man, she is already guilty of betraying society, family, and duty. You may counter with, "Duty is a vague word that is hard to define in many circumstances." In a case like this we need to know "what is a family" in order to be able to ascertain the duties of its members. The roll which the woman plays in the family is the most difficult, the most humble and the most bitter.
I myself feel the pangs of the strings that tie the woman down--those fine silky strings are like those of a spider's web, but they are as strong as golden wires. Suppose we let Selma Karamy, the heroine of your novel, and every woman that resembles her in affections and intelligence, meet secretly with an honest man of noble character; would not this condone any woman's selecting for herself a friend, other than her husband, to meet with secretly? This would NOT work, even if the purpose of their secret meeting was to pray together before the shine of the Crucified. Signed May...
Point: If you're married and did so in total agreement then your life must be an open book to your spouse. No secrets... when the spouse has gone to work you're online exchanging "romantic dillydallyings" with another. This is spiritual unfaithfulness... or watching porn (spiritual unfaithfulness)... or making secret cell calls (spiritual unfaithfulness)...
Love your spouse and share friends and family and business acquaintances TOGETHER... meeting secretly physically or digitally is a huge NO-NO...otherwise this flood of digital snooping will turn into a tsunami...where a huge percentage of marriages are jeopardized based on foolish private digital acquaintances.
This was shared because of the amount of stories where married couples have fallen into a digital trap... marriage is not about being trapped ...its all about sharing your life and if you have nothing to hide then you are guaranteed happiness... without guilt destroying your inner world...
I am a lover of Gibran's work for his use of language...but ...ok read the letter by May Ziadeh regarding his story of Broken Wings (still my favourite essay)...
May 12, 1912 Cairo, Egypt ...I do not agree with you on the subject of marriage, Gibran. I respect your thoughts, and I revere your ideas, for I know that you are honest and sincere in the defense of your principles that aim at a noble purpose. I am in full accord with you on the fundamental principles that advocates the freedom of woman. The woman should be free,like the man, to choose her own spouse guided not by the advice and aid of neighbours and acquaintances, but by her own personal inclinations. After choosing her life partner, a woman must bind herself completely to the duties of that partnership upon which she has embarked. You refer to these as heavy chains fabricated by the ages. Yes, I agree with you and I say that these are heavy chains; but remember that these chains were made by nature who made the woman what she is today. Though man's mind has reached the point of breaking the chains of customs and traditions, it has not yet reached the point of breaking the natural chains because the law of nature is above all laws. Why can't a married woman meet secretly with the man she loves? Because by thus doing she will be betraying her husband and disgracing the name she has willingly accepted, and will be lowering herself in the eyes of the society of which she is a member.
At the time of marriage the woman promises to be faithful, and spiritual faithfulness is as important as physical faithfulness. At the time of matrimony she also declares and guarantees the happiness and well-being of her husband; and when she meets secretly with another man, she is already guilty of betraying society, family, and duty. You may counter with, "Duty is a vague word that is hard to define in many circumstances." In a case like this we need to know "what is a family" in order to be able to ascertain the duties of its members. The roll which the woman plays in the family is the most difficult, the most humble and the most bitter.
I myself feel the pangs of the strings that tie the woman down--those fine silky strings are like those of a spider's web, but they are as strong as golden wires. Suppose we let Selma Karamy, the heroine of your novel, and every woman that resembles her in affections and intelligence, meet secretly with an honest man of noble character; would not this condone any woman's selecting for herself a friend, other than her husband, to meet with secretly? This would NOT work, even if the purpose of their secret meeting was to pray together before the shine of the Crucified. Signed May...
Point: If you're married and did so in total agreement then your life must be an open book to your spouse. No secrets... when the spouse has gone to work you're online exchanging "romantic dillydallyings" with another. This is spiritual unfaithfulness... or watching porn (spiritual unfaithfulness)... or making secret cell calls (spiritual unfaithfulness)...
Love your spouse and share friends and family and business acquaintances TOGETHER... meeting secretly physically or digitally is a huge NO-NO...otherwise this flood of digital snooping will turn into a tsunami...where a huge percentage of marriages are jeopardized based on foolish private digital acquaintances.
This was shared because of the amount of stories where married couples have fallen into a digital trap... marriage is not about being trapped ...its all about sharing your life and if you have nothing to hide then you are guaranteed happiness... without guilt destroying your inner world...
Saturday, April 25, 2009
My God!!!
Look...I'm tired of people. Yesterday, yes Friday, a Jumuah day. Lord, what a rollercoaster day. Really I am tired...will continue this tomorrow.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Life's Battles
Bad days are one thing – everyone has them now and then. But what about the darker clouds that settle over a life for weeks or even months at a time? Surah Fatiha & calling nicely on any of the names of Allah are surefire short meditations to battle weariness and despair.
What's happening to you, to me...is beyond my comprehension. But daddy wants to tell you little things about himself. This world is full of harsh people Za, and daddy met a few harsh women...WHY? is a question I don't have an answer to...but I pray that you will meet good people and have a pleasant and righteous wife. I prayed for that too...so didnt Ishmael pray too for a wife of goodness...and she wasnt. And he remarried and got one that brought tranquillity to his heart and to their home.
I really love Broken Wings by Khalil Gibran...please read it when you grow up. I read it many times...it has a multifaceted beauty about it...the language Gibran uses just excites the senses.
And if you visit my grave and after reciting Allah's words and names...be sure to read a piece of Broken Wings for me. I will hear...and I will smile...for the "dead" hears with more clarity than the living.
May God protect and keep you safe...I love you baby...I luv u my son...Za, Za, Za...my baby
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Like a Bird
My sweet little boy...what joy daddy had Saturday and Sunday evening with you on the seawall. Watching you pulling and tugging and even "rowing" your kite was balm for daddy's soul. I was happy that you made your kite with your friend...that's the joy, to do things from scratch. Rather than just buy a ready-made kite. Your excitement (and learning) made me extremely happy. It's a pity that some "Muslims" think an innocent sport like kite-flying is "haraam." PITY. I saw God smiling at your joy. Saturday evening was just so beautiful. The dense clouds covered the sun so it made for easy viewing of the kite "lashing" (as you put it) in the sky. Daddy loves the word "dancing." God it was beautiful, and the waves were caressing the seawall. And the wind was blowing (not to a fury, haha) but strong enough to take the kites easily skywards. What then about Sunday evening...could it have been better. Well...it was cloudless and the sun was that shining disc...but gorgeous it was again for kite-flying. And when it was about to set it was so picturesque. STUNNING. My little 7-year old energetic son...daddy won't have missed that for anything.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Lawlessness
These two editorials speaks volumes about our condition. Something or many things have to be blamed. If you know what it is (they are) then contribute to the elimination of such lawlessness. Yes, it can be done.
Editorial GC April 2nd 2009: The widespread lawlessness in our society is increasing at an alarming rate and if it is not swiftly arrested our future as a nation could be threatened. Qualities such as honesty, truth, morality, decency, politeness, courtesy, respect, and quiet speech which are the building blocks of a good character are being eroded and replaced by boisterous behaviour, intolerance, vulgarity, disrespect, immorality, use of violence reckless driving littering, use of indecent language and expletives and the playing of loud music among many others.
Editorial SN March 28th 2009: Our behaviour, individually and collectively, is inextricably linked to our environment and our environment leaves a great deal to be desired. Georgetown is rubbish-strewn, rodent-infested and prone to flooding. Squatters and pavement vendors proliferate. The prevailing anarchy is most apparent in our car culture: drivers ignore road signs (where these still exist), minibuses stop at random to deposit and collect passengers, pedestrians walk anywhere at any time and other minor traffic violations occur routinely. Most of us barely register each little infringement any more. Collectively, they render our roads, our public spaces and even some of our public events, a national disgrace. Money, the principal ingredient in most remedies, is in short supply. We are poor. We are not, however, helpless. If we have the will as a society, the energy and the patience, we can reclaim the lost ground. Put bluntly, it needs to become socially unacceptable again to infringe the law − whether it be peeing in public, dodging a few taxes, bribing an official or sticking a knife into someone whom you happen to disagree with. We need to learn to respect each other again, in the way we speak to each other, drive on the roads, handle our disagreements. We need to do this, step by step, inch by inch − or suffer the consequences.
Editorial GC April 2nd 2009: The widespread lawlessness in our society is increasing at an alarming rate and if it is not swiftly arrested our future as a nation could be threatened. Qualities such as honesty, truth, morality, decency, politeness, courtesy, respect, and quiet speech which are the building blocks of a good character are being eroded and replaced by boisterous behaviour, intolerance, vulgarity, disrespect, immorality, use of violence reckless driving littering, use of indecent language and expletives and the playing of loud music among many others.
Editorial SN March 28th 2009: Our behaviour, individually and collectively, is inextricably linked to our environment and our environment leaves a great deal to be desired. Georgetown is rubbish-strewn, rodent-infested and prone to flooding. Squatters and pavement vendors proliferate. The prevailing anarchy is most apparent in our car culture: drivers ignore road signs (where these still exist), minibuses stop at random to deposit and collect passengers, pedestrians walk anywhere at any time and other minor traffic violations occur routinely. Most of us barely register each little infringement any more. Collectively, they render our roads, our public spaces and even some of our public events, a national disgrace. Money, the principal ingredient in most remedies, is in short supply. We are poor. We are not, however, helpless. If we have the will as a society, the energy and the patience, we can reclaim the lost ground. Put bluntly, it needs to become socially unacceptable again to infringe the law − whether it be peeing in public, dodging a few taxes, bribing an official or sticking a knife into someone whom you happen to disagree with. We need to learn to respect each other again, in the way we speak to each other, drive on the roads, handle our disagreements. We need to do this, step by step, inch by inch − or suffer the consequences.
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