Letter to Julia 20120225

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

As you know, this old soldier isn't all that fussy about what to wear nowadays. I mean, it's OK for a man to be butt-ugly, right? I would be satisfied if I wore just a sarong everywhere, except that I sunburn easily, and am sensitive to the weather in general. I suppose that could be extreme modesty, or simply extreme. Or perhaps fatalistic: pretty clothes aren't going to make me pretty or rich. But don't worry, dearest. I'm just being temporarily gloomy. I promise to dress respectfully in public. After all, when prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) came to me in a dream, he was neatly dressed wearing a shirt, slacks and shiny shoes, and his beard was professionally trimmed. He was well known during his lifetime to be a slick-looking dude. The next time he dropped by, he was wearing a similar outfit, but his face was cleanly shaved. I AM trying to be patient, insyaAllah. Which is why I enjoy Second Life so much, even though Muslim women shouldn't wear such outfits, but it isn't reality, so may Allah forgive me for my abject longing for heaven.

Today, my Mom told me to spruce up one of those ancient sewing machines she had in her storage room. Y'know, the type you pedal with your feet to move the needle. I'm guessing it belonged to my grandmother before. It's in poor condition: full of dust, cobwebs, and it's been rained on. The needle hardly moves. No, I don't plan on doing any fashion designing, or sewing at that. I almost get a heart attack just mending my raincoat. I suck at sewing. It tenses me up.

Most people here don't really try too hard to look sharp anyway. So of course, it wouldn't be any effort for you to out-dress everyone. Do you remember that I told you that there is a HUGE market for Islamic women's apparel? This is because of a general lack of creativity in the industry. It seems that there is only one type of dress design varied using different patterns of fabric, or people just patch up Western apparel with a headscarf. This is not just here, but a everywhere around the world. I feel Islamic women's apparel is an opportunity that's about to explode, given our situation is the right situation, or trend. InsyaAllah! So start sewing, y'all!

Qur'an 20120225

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

4. But the unbelievers say: "This is nothing but a lie which he has forged, and others have helped him at it." In truth it is they who have put forward an iniquity and a falsehood.

5. And they say: "Tales of the ancients, which he has caused to be written, and they are dictated before him morning and evening."

6. Say, "This was sent down by God who knows the Mystery in the heavens and the earth. Verily God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."

7. And they say: "What sort of a messenger is this, who eats food, and walks through the streets? Why has not an angel been sent down to him to give admonition with him?"

8. "Or why has not a treasure been bestowed on him, or a garden that he may eat out of it?" The wicked say, "You follow none other than a man bewitched."

9. See what kind of companions they make for you! But they have gone astray, and never a way will they be able to find!

The Criterion 25:4-9
-------------------------------------------------------------
This was sent down by God who knows the Mystery in the heavens and the earth: verily God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship other than Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.