Letter to Julia 20111123

Since I am alone and unmarried right now, it is rather easy to stick to a budget, even though my income is far beyond pathetic. Knowing how to cook for myself really helps, and Chee Cheah is my only dependent, and she doesn't have professional, entertainment, apparel, transportation and education expenses. In fact, she eats like a King Cat since I can't afford to buy her packaged cat food. Today she ate nothing but fried fish heads. Fish heads galore! She's also quite healthy for a kitty: I've only had to take her in for antifungal shots, and the last one was 3 months ago, Besides the sinus congestions I sometimes get, Allah has blessed us both with good health, alhamdulillah.

Even if I had money, I believe I have learned not to spend just for the sake of spending, insyaAllah. I know I'm not pretty, so I wouldn't spend much of anything on vanity. Perhaps some new clothes and boots, when my cargo pants and jungle boots get too worn out from gardening. I really like those cop boots, you know the type those motorcycle cops wear. I wonder how they'll work for gardening? I also prefer a small house. Right now I sleep on the floor, and I don't receive guests because I have no friends, so I don't have any furniture other than kitchen cabinets, closets and the occasional chair and table. My profession is entertainment, so those 2 expenses are one, but it would be substantially larger than an average person's expense because of the need for research. My having no vanity means that I won't need flashy cars. I would use the motorcycle most of the time anyway, and if I feel the urge to drive fast then I just play GTA. I'm sick of traveling, so I would have limited travel expenses. I would certainly spend more on ingredients, because I enjoy cooking at leisure, and I like my own cooking. I might even order live cattle from USA or Japan to be slaughtered here, plus build a walk-in cooler for my cheese collection and the occasional salmon. Is that extravagant? I don't know. I would definitely donate some of that meat to the poor, I would prefer to eat the cheese than to show it off, and the local seafood is superior in quality to the rest of the world as it is, as long as the environment remains clean. Between all that, I have to give in charity and worship to Allah. Every other expense is all about you, so I pray you have a disciplined budget. We Muslims must not be spendthrifts and wasteful, so I would appreciate you to be respectful in that as well.

Anyway, when you speak, please speak for the best. You are a role model, for people you may not see or hear, and some of them are very small. And you are my girl, and I love you. Please be patient, maintain your prayers.

Qur'an 20111123

I seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the rejected.
In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

41. We have explained variously in this Qur'an, in order that they may receive admonition, but it only increases their flight.

42. Say, "If there had been gods with God as they say, behold! They would certainly have sought out a way to the Lord of the Throne!"

43. Glory to God! God is high above all that they say, Exalted and Great!

44. The seven heavens and the earth, and all beings therein,, declare God's glory. There is not a thing but celebrates God's praise, and yet you understand not how they declare God's glory! Verily God is Oft-Forbearing, most Forgiving.

45. When you do recite the Qur'an, We put between you and those who believe not in the Hereafter, a veil invisible.

46. And We put coverings over their hearts lest they should understand the Qur'an, and deafness into their ears. When you do commemorate your Lord and God alone in the Qur'an, they turn on their backs, fleeing!

47. We know best why it is they listen when they listen to you, and when they meet in private conference, behold! The wicked say, "You follow none other than a man bewitched!"

48. See what similes they strike for you, but they have gone astray, and never can they find a way.

49. They say, "What? When we are reduced to bones and dust, should we really be raised up, a new creation?"

50. Say, "Be you stones, or iron!"

51. Or created matter which, in your minds, is hardest. Then will they say, "Who will cause us to return?" Say, "God, who created you first!" Then will they wag their heads towards you and say, "When will that be?" Say, "Maybe it will be quite soon!"

52. It will be on a day when God will call you, and you will answer with God's praise, and you will think you tarried but a little while!

53. Say to Our servants that they should say those things that are best, for Satan does sow dissensions among them, for Satan is to humans an avowed enemy.

54. It is your Lord that knows you best. If God please, God grants you mercy, or if God please, punishment. We have not sent you to be a disposer of their affairs for them.

55. And it is your Lord that knows best all beings that are in the heavens and on earth. We did bestow on some prophets more gifts than on others, and We gave to David the Psalms.

56. Say, "Call on those, besides God, whom you fancy. They have neither the power to remove your troubles from you, nor to change them."

The Night Journey 17:41-56
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If there had been gods with God as they say, behold! They would certainly have sought out a way to the Lord of the Throne!

Be you stones, or iron!

God, who created you first!

Maybe it will be quite soon!

Call on those, besides God, whom you fancy. They have neither the power to remove your troubles from you, nor to change them.