Letter to Julia 20110822

No, that couldn't have been my first spiritual moment, but it was certainly distinct, that it sticks out in my mind. Life is full of spiritual moments that we miss because we are so consumed with ourselves- I believe it's called arrogance. It happens to all of us, always in a big hurry to get nowhere. I don't consider myself to be more elevated than anyone else. The best we can be my love, is on the edge.

As you know, my grandfather's house is right next door to mine. It has been abandoned ever since he passed away. It looks like it could be haunted, in fact I saw some verses of the Qur'an pinned to walls of some closets there- specifically verse 255 of "The Heifer", a very famous verse used to ward off jinns. I have that verse memorised, and I have had many encounters with jinns, but I put my fear in Allah, so I'm not too worried. Anyway, I told you about the ancient amra tree by my front gate, which also happens to be the front gate of my grandfather's house. My parents wanted me to clear out some vines there which were climbing up the old tree. However, these vines were getting leverage from some smaller trees on the ground, so all of it had to be cleared out. Some of those tress have been there for decades, so it isn't an easy chore for me. Added to that, my grandfather put up some construction there which includes steel rods, barbed wire, bricks, rocks and shattered concrete, plus some ancient trash like an oil lamp and the skeleton of a foot-driven sewing machine. What's my point? There is no point, except Allah. But those who do not understand become enemies, simply for the reason that they do not understand. Their minds become limited by their own desire, which they desire not to abandon.

Meanwhile, I found some young mangos of the high quality kind, so I transplanted them over to my side. I think my side of the compound is going to be filled with fruit trees, insyaAllah. When they mature in about 10 years or so, you can help me set up a stall by the side of the road, and we can sell mangos and chilled cashews. We can sell honey-roasted cashew nuts for extra expensive! With your beauty, we could attract millions of patrons to our roadside stall. You can help me wash the roasted cashew nuts in detergent, and crack them open with a hammer. Please wear gloves! I wish I could plant strawberries here. Sigh! Sometimes I miss the 4 seasons.

Qur'an 20110822

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

31. Say, "Who is it that sustains you from the sky and from the earth? Or who is it that has power over hearing and sight? And who is it that brings out the living from the dead, and the dead from the living? And who is it that rules and regulates all affairs?" They will soon say, "Allah." Say, "Will you not then show piety?"

32. Such is Allah, your real Cherisher and Sustainer. Apart from Truth, what but error? How then are you turned away?

33. Thus is the Word of your Lord proved true against those who rebel. Verily they will not believe.

34. Say, "Of your 'partners', can any originate creation and repeat it?" Say, "It is Allah Who originates creation and repeats it. Then how are you deluded away?"

35. Say, "Of your 'partners' is there any that can give guidance towards Truth?" Say, "It is Allah Who gives guidance towards Truth. Is then God Who gives guidance to Truth more worthy to be followed, or he who finds not guidance unless he is guided? What then is the matter with you? How judge you?"

36. But most of them follow nothing but fancy: truly fancy can be of no avail against Truth. Verily Allah is well aware of all that they do.

37. This Qur'an is not such as can be produced by other than Allah. On the contrary, it is a confirmation of what went before it, and a fuller explanation of the Book, wherein there is no doubt, from the Lord of the Worlds.

38. Or do they say, "He forged it"? Say, "Bring then a Surah like unto it, and call anyone you can, besides Allah, if it be you speak the truth!"

39. No, they charge with falsehood that whose knowledge they cannot compass, even before the elucidation thereof reached them. Thus did those before them make charges of falsehood. But see what was the end of those who did wrong!

40. Of them, there are some who believe therein, and some who do not. And your Lord knows best those who are out for mischief.

41. If they charge you with falsehood say, "My work to me, and yours to you! You are free from responsibility for what I do, and I for what you do!"

Jonah 10:31-41
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Who is it that sustains you from the sky and from the earth? Or who is it that has power over hearing and sight? And who is it that brings out the living from the dead, and the dead from the living? And who is it that rules and regulates all affairs?

Will you not then show piety?

Of your 'partners', can any originate creation and repeat it?

It is Allah Who originates creation and repeats it. Then how are you deluded away?

Of your 'partners' is there any that can give guidance towards Truth?

It is Allah Who gives guidance towards Truth. Is then God Who gives guidance to Truth more worthy to be followed, or he who finds not guidance unless he is guided? What then is the matter with you? How judge you?

Bring then a Surah like unto it, and call anyone you can, besides Allah, if it be you speak the truth!

My work to me, and yours to you! You are free from responsibility for what I do, and I for what you do!