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.