Letter to Julia 20120419

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

Hi Julia, my beloved rock and roll princess. You must be staying busy, and so am I. Be sure to eat properly and maintain your prayers. I have been so busy everyday. I spend my mornings in nightclubs (heh heh), then I rehearse for 2 hours, then I have to do yard work, and at night I have to watch Shadowplay TV (heh heh), plus I have to prepare my own meals. My legs hurt, but I have to stand and sing, I don't know why, but I am compelled to do so. Yes, I also have been working on "Woo Hoo", very SLOWLY. Hey, it's WORK!

I recently acquired a taste for fresh cashews. Not cashew nuts, but the yellowish white meat of cashews. My Mom isn't too pleased about this because I've been picking the fruit from her tree. But cashews, onions and salt seem to go with everything. I had them with my chicken and bean burritos last night. Yummy. I've been trying to grow new cashew trees, but have met with dismal failure. One of my 2 seedlings was killed by a chicken (which in turn got killed by another chicken), and the other was killed by someone going to a wedding.

It is not blood or money that reaches God: it is your piety that reaches God. And that is the Good News for the faithful.

Qur'an 20120419

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

49. No, here are Signs self-evident in the hearts of those endowed with knowledge, and none but the unjust reject Our Signs.

50. Yet they say, "Why are not Signs sent down to him from his Lord?" Say: "The Signs are indeed with Allah, and I am indeed a clear warner."

51. And is it not enough for them that We sent down to you the Book which is rehearsed to them? Verily, in it is Mercy and a Reminder to those who believe.

52. Say: "Enough is Allah for a Witness between me and you: God knows what is in the heavens and on earth, and it is those who believe in vanities and reject Allah, that will perish."

53. They ask you to hasten on the Punishment: had it not been for a term appointed, the Punishment would certainly have come to them, and it will certainly reach them- of a sudden, while they perceive not!

54. They ask you to hasten on the Punishment: but of a surety, hell will encompass the rejecters of Faith!

55. On the Day that the Punishment shall cover them from above them and from below them, and shall say: "Taste you of your deeds!"

56. O My servants who believe! Truly spacious is My Earth, therefore serve you Me!

57. Every soul shall have a taste of death: in the end to Us shall you be brought back.

58. But those who believe, and work deeds of righteousness- to them shall We give a Home in Heaven: lofty mansions which flow rivers, to dwell therein for aye- an excellent reward for those who do!

59. Those who persevere in patience, and put their trust in their Lord and Cherisher.

60. How many are the creatures that carry not their own sustenance? It is Allah who feeds them and you, for God hears and knows.

61. If indeed you ask them who has created the heavens and the earth, and subjected the sun and the moon, they will certainly reply, "Allah". How are they then deluded away?

62. Allah enlarges the sustenance to whichever of God's servants God pleases: and God grants by measure, for Allah has full knowledge of all things.

63. And if indeed you ask them who it is that sends down rain from the sky, and gives life therewith to the earth after its death, they will certainly reply, "Allah!" Say: "Praise be to Allah!" but most of them understand not.

The Spider 29:49-63
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The Signs are indeed with Allah, and I am indeed a clear warner.

Enough is Allah for a Witness between me and you: God knows what is in the heavens and on earth, and it is those who believe in vanities and reject Allah, that will perish.

Praise be to Allah!