Letter to Julia 20131224

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

Hello my dearest Julia and Erin.  How are you feeling today?  Busy, busy, busy?  I don't have much to say today, other than "I love you".  I'm longing for you as usual, so I'm trying to be patient, and I pray that Allah will grant me the wealth I need to give you a good and secure married life soon.  I'm just an old soldier, and there's never getting used to the strife.  But while I still have strength, then my strength is for you inshaAllah.  Please maintain your prayers, and ask Allah to bring us together in marriage soon.  I love you.

Qur'an 20131224

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

1.  They ask you concerning the spoils of war.  Say, "Such spoils are at the disposal of Allah and the messenger.  So fear Allah, and keep straight the relations between yourselves.  Obey Allah and God's messenger, if you do believe."

2.  For believers are those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a tremor in their hearts, and when they hear God's Signs rehearsed, find their faith strengthened, and put their trust in their Lord.

3.  Who establish regular prayers, and spend out of the gifts We have given them for sustenance.

The Spoils of War 8:1-3
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Such spoils are at the disposal of Allah and the messenger.  So fear Allah, and keep straight the relations between yourselves.  Obey Allah and God's messenger, if you do believe.

Letter to Julia 20131223

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

Hello Monday, my beloved Julia and Erin.  You must be busy.  I'm busy, but I trying my best to slow down.  My feet hurt.  I've always had bad feet.  All that traveling I've done makes my feet hurt even more.  Standing in one place makes my feet hurt even more.  I'm sorry, but I can't go jogging with you.  We can go on long, slow walks inshaAllah, but we're going to have to get a treadmill if you want to go running.  Unless I follow you around on a motorcycle.  Hey, let's go cycling instead.  Let's ride our bicycles to the international border and have a picnic in a tower overlooking the sugar cane fields.

The countryside certainly can be beautiful, and the flat landscape here makes it easy for weak-footed people like me to traverse on bicycle.  But I have to sing at the same time everyday, so I have to stick to a routine, and can't afford the time to go wandering around.  My feet hurt more than usual today, so I had to sit when I voice trained.  By the Will of Allah, the music is powerful, and can attract people from all over the globe, and therefore gives them a reason to come here.  So let their hearts realize Allah, let them fear and worship Allah.

Qur'an 20131223

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

202.  But their brethren plunge them deeper into error, and never relax.

203.  If you bring them not a revelation, they say, "Why don't you have it together?"  Say, "I but follow what is revealed to me from my Lord.  These are Lights from your Lord, and Guidance, and Mercy, for any who have Faith."

204.  When the Qur'an is read, listen to it with attention, and hold your peace, that you may receive Mercy.

The Heights 7:202-204
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I but follow what is revealed to me from my Lord.  These are Lights from your Lord, and Guidance, and Mercy, for any who have Faith.

Qur'an 20131222

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

194.  Verily those who you call upon besides Allah are servants like unto you.  Call upon them, and let them listen to your prayer, if you are truthful!

195.  Have they feet to walk with?  Or hands to lay hold with?  Or eyes to see with?  Or ears to hear with?  Say, "Call your 'god-partners', scheme against me, and give me no respite!"

196.  "For my protector is Allah, Who revealed the Book, and God will choose and befriend the righteous."

197.  "But those you call upon besides God are unable to help you, and indeed to help themselves."

The Heights 7:194-195
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Call your 'god-partners', scheme against me, and give me no respite!

Letter to Julia 20131221

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

AAAAAA!!!!  The tree fell on top of the house AGAIN!!!  I thought for sure that it would fall parallel to the house but it didn't, it's wedged into the roof, being held up by the rafters exactly like the last tree.  But this time it's a mature coconut tree laden with fruit, weighing about a few tons.  If that thing fell on top of me, I would be like a flat squid.  The good news is that my Dad said for me not to try to bring it down, because he would get the villagers to help.  Praise Allah!  How nice of them to do so, may Allah reward them.  The juice and flesh of young coconuts make a delightful cold beverage, which pleases my Mom's sweet tooth, the sweetest of sweet tooths.  So I took a curved machete and struck off the top, made a hole and let the juice pour into a container, then split the fruit in half to scrape out the flesh with a spoon.  I think you would love this stuff.  Just don't overdo the good food!

I'm sure you both are busy with the Christmas season, because you grew up with it, and it's part of your nostalgia.  I must warn you that Muslims don't celebrate Christmas: we celebrate the 2 Eids, one at the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, and another to mark the end of the Hajj ritual.  So when we marry inshaAllah, you will have to transfer your ritual to the month of Ramadan.  Instead of decorating a tree, you will be decorating the house and compound, there will be no Santa Claus but you will be waking up everyday at about 4am to eat then fast during the day, celebration will be for a month instead of a couple of days, it will be overbearingly social, we will prepare a feast for the Eid and we can exchange gifts if you want, but the small children prefer cash.  Don't blame me!  Blame them!  They visit your house in gangs to kiss your hands, and you give them cash.  Don't worry, the Ramadan crowds are every bit as obnoxious as the Christmas crowds except that it lasts for about a month.  New clothes are a must!  The Prophet (peace be on him) said we have to wear our best clothes for the Eid!  So please be ready to transfer your nostalgia to a different routine.  Mrs. Global!  I personally don't enjoy how social the festive season is because I'm such a recluse, so I'll just let you take charge.  I love you, and I need you.

Qur'an 20131221

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

186.  To such as Allah rejects from God's Guidance, there can be no guide.  God will leave them in their trespasses, wandering in distraction.

187.  They ask you about the Hour: when will be its appointed time?  Say, "The knowledge thereof is with my Lord.  None can reveal as to when it will occur.  Heavy is its burden through the heavens and the earth.  Only all of a sudden will it come to you."  They ask you if you were eager in search thereof.  Say, "The knowledge thereof is with Allah, but most humans know not."

188.  Say, "I have no power over any good or harm to myself except as Allah Wills.  If I had knowledge of the unseen, I should have multiplied all good, and no evil should have touched me.  I am but a warner, and a bringer of glad tidings to those who have faith."

The Heights 7:186-188
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The knowledge thereof is with my Lord.  None can reveal as to when it will occur.  Heavy is its burden through the heavens and the earth.  Only all of a sudden will it come to you.

The knowledge thereof is with Allah, but most humans know not.

I have no power over any good or harm to myself except as Allah Wills.  If I had knowledge of the unseen, I should have multiplied all good, and no evil should have touched me.  I am but a warner, and a bringer of glad tidings to those who have faith.