Letter to Julia 20140227

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

Hello there, my beautiful beloved.  I spent pretty much all of yesterday cleaning house, my little house that is.  There's still a long way to go, but I got a lot done today.  I cleared out what will be the master bedroom inshaAllah, and I got a little bit done on what will be your bathroom/closet Julia inshaAllah, and I want to do more work on that cage where you want to move the kitchen to.  That quinine tree is annoying though, and it has to be removed, and I can't do it.  I need to call in the pros.  Then I got distracted by some bamboo.  I love bamboo, I love trimming and shaping it into drumsticks.  I need a rotary tool.  I did a lot of work on my office/bedroom where I sleep on the floor, the most cleaning I've done in years.  I did manage to do some burning over at Casa de Julia inshaAllah this morning.  Very slowly.  I'm a lazy man.  Slow and lazy.  I also have an obsession with independence.  Yeah I know, there's no such thing as absolute independence, but Friday will be my 48th birthday, and I've lived most of that time with just me, Allah, and at least one cat.  Yeah, I'm kind of like a wild animal.  But my wives will have the most control over me that any human can have.  I love them, that's why.  I'm preparing for us to be rooted in one place and together all the time, inshaAllah.  I pray that you are doing the same.

Letter to Julia 20140225

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

So how about some dinner, my love?  Yes, I love you and I need you.  Again, I love you and I need you.  I picked up some snails at the night market just now.  I call them snails because the name directly translates to snails, in the local tongue they're called "siput mentarang".  They live in the mud at Kuala Perlis, so they're basically sea snails.  They look more like conchs to me.  I asked my Mom a while ago if they were snails or conchs  and she just scowled at me.  I love you, Mom!  This was the first time I handled these critters, but what is life without adventure?  Well, adventure in cooking.  The mud was a problem, so I had to scrub that off with a brush and lots of water.  My Mom said in not so many words to cook them like clams, so I took the simple approach.  I fried up some garlic, then chilli pepper paste, then carefully added the snails.  the shells are fragile, so that's another problem, so I took the utmost care in folding them over and over, and just like clams, the broth increased with cooking.  The flesh had a wonderful taste and texture, more like immature fish roe than shellfish.  The broth is powerful stuff, so I put the leftover in the cooler for tomorrow's noodles.  Do you wanna come over for dinner?

Letter to Julia 20140223

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

I had wontons for dinner last night, but I also had some spring roll skins.  I had made sushi out of the spring roll skins, which turned out quite well.  So I thought I could deep fry some spring rolls, which is quite common out here, but in my case turned out to be a big flop.  It was the steamed rice, you see.  I made this mistake before, therefore here's a deep fry rule: don't deep fry anything that has steamed rice in it.

Floofy was very interested in my dinner, though.  She's been very interested in everything I do around the compound lately.  Racing around at top speed when I do yard work, marking this and that like a male cat defining his territory, inspecting every square inch and scratching the ground while meowing in excitement.  It's almost as if she's... nagging me.  Hunting down webs and killing the spiders.  Please don't kill the spiders.  Spiders are allies to Muslims.  Just remove the web, don't kill the spiders.  Can Floofy smell change in the winds of change?  Everyone around here seems to be excited about something.  I suppose you are, too.  Just remember my dearest, while the increase in the material is exciting, the Hereafter is a much better place.  And yes, I am very grateful, ya Allah.

Qur'an 20140223

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

32.  They said, "O Noah!  You have disputed with us, and you have prolonged the dispute with us.  Now bring upon us what you threaten us with, if you speak the truth!"

33.  He said, "Truly Allah will bring it on you, if God wills, and then you will not be able to frustrate it!"

34.  Of no profit will be my counsel to you, much as I desire to give you counsel.  If it be that Allah wills to leave you astray, God is your Lord!  And to God will you return.

35.  Or do they say, "He has forged it?"  Say, "If I had forged it, on me were my sin!  And I am free of the sins of which you are guilty!"

36.  It was revealed to Noah, "None of your people will believe except those who have believed already!  So grieve no longer over their deeds."

37.  But construct an Ark under Our eyes and Our inspiration, and address Us not on behalf of those who are in sin, for they are about to be overwhelmed.

Hud 11:32-37
----------------------------------------------------------

If I had forged it, on me were my sin!  And I am free of the sins of which you are guilty!

Letter to Julia 20140222

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

As you may have noticed, I've had to change my habits a little, beause it has gotten more difficult to blog.  This also means that I have to dress more casually, so please forgive me.

Julia, I was having a conversation with my relatives yesterday about marriage.  It seems that for an Islamic marriage, one needs to have a "Wali" or a relative, I guess to confirm that you are you who you claim to be, namely single, Islam, etc.  So I pray you are in good terms with at least one member of your immediate family for him/her to act as your "Wali" for our wedding.  If not, I'm sure Allah will help us if our faith and union is sincere, and we will find a way somehow, inshaAllah.  My aunt inferred that some relatives need to be bribed in order to act as Wali.  Perhaps a best friend, or even one of your bosses could act as Wali, with the papers to back it up.  After all, we both know with Allah as our Witness, that our marriage is big business.  Despite the business, I love you Julia.  I love you, and I need you.

I love you too, Erin.  Sweetheart, I don't expect you to have perfect conduct, but you are a role model whether you know it or not, to at least millions of young Muslim girls, even though you haven't even begun to be a Muslim.  I can't say that I know everything you do, but Allah knows everything you do, and if Allah grants me knowledge then I worry about you, because I want to keep you safe, happy, and healthy.  My source tells me that there is a group of you that seek "happiness and peace" together.  The most important challenge for you right now, is to pray regularly.  Don't make a show of it.  Just do your best to make your own private connection to God, in the Islamic way.  Seek your happiness and peace with Allah.  InshaAllah I will be with you soon to help you and help protect you.  I love you, and I need you.

Now if you will excuse me, I have to go make a batch of dough.

Letter to Julia 20140219

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

And how are you coping with the mayhem, my beloved wives inshaAllah?  I love you, I love you.  I warned you that there would be mayhem.  But it's all so exciting isn't it?  If Allah protects us, then nothing can harm us.  It must be true that blondes have more fun.  I should bleach my hair blonde.  But I suppose I need to be serious.  So I'll keep my hair black.  Actually, I'm graying more and more.  I need to move slowly.  Oh so slow...  So please be good girls, maintain your prayers, and be patient.

I love you, I love you.

Qur'an 20140219

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

9.  If we give man a taste of mercy from Ourselves, and then withdraw it from him, behold!  He is in despair and blasphemy!

10.  But if We give him a taste of favors after adversity has touched him, he is sure to say, "All evil has departed from me."  Behold!  He falls into exultation and pride!

11.  Not so do those who show patience and constancy, and work righteousness: for them is forgiveness, and a great reward.

12.  Perchance you may give up a part of what is revealed to you, and your heart feels straightened lest they say, "Why is not a treasure sent down to him, or why does not an angel come down with him?"  But you are there only to warn!  It is Allah that arranges all affairs!

13.  Or they may say, "He forged it."  Say, "Bring you then 10 Surahs forged like it, and call whomsoever you can, other than Allah, if you speak the truth."

14.  If then they answer you not, know you that this Revelation is sent down with the Knowledge of Allah, and that there is no god but God!  Will you even then submit?

15.  Those who desire the life of the present and its glitter, to them We shall pay their deeds therein, without diminution.

16.  They are those for whom there is nothing in the hereafter but the fire.  Vain are the designs they frame therein, and of no effect are the deeds that they do!

Hud 11:9-16
----------------------------------------------------------

Bring you then 10 Surahs forged like it, and call whomsoever you can, other than Allah, if you speak the truth.

Letter to Julia 20140218

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

Well, here I am missing my love as usual, and writing my love.  How are you feeling, sexy and polished Julia?  How about you, sensitive and tender-hearted Erin?  How are those precious emotions?  Here's a riddle for you: what would you do if everyday were a day off?  You would work everyday.  That's what I've been doing.  I wouldn't know what to do with my time if I had a day off.

Today, I finally got rid of nearly all the debris from all those coconut trees that were chopped down at Casa de Julia inshaAllah.  Wow, that took forever to burn, and the wind is still blowing strong.  There's only a little bit left.  My next target are the trees growing on the old house itself, then the crooked trees on the west border of the compound.  I also have much music work to do that's suddenly piled up sky high.  Besides voice training, I'm going to have to get back to practicing musical instruments everyday as well.  I have to play the bass after I finish this letter.  Oh dear, I'm running out of time.  And I'm so lazy.  I just wanna snuggle with you.

Here's another riddle: well, actually it's more of a metaphor.  There are certainly a lot of big sharks swimming in these waters, and it's OK to fish for them.  But beware because when they land in the boat, they turn into alligators!

Letter to Julia 20140216

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

It is becoming more and more difficult for me to blog.  I pray I don't have to drive 20km each time to post.  Ya Allah, please help me!  I pray that your spy network will confirm that I am doing everything within my power for our love in spite of my current poverty, and I pray that Allah will make it good enough.  Ya Allah, please help me!  I remain yours faithful to you as I am to Allah.  InshaAllah.

I love you, I love you.

Qur'an 20140216

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

101.  Say, "Behold all that is in the heavens and the earth."  But neither Signs nor warners profit those who believe not.

102.  Do they then expect but the days of the men who passed away before them?  Say, "Wait you then, for I too will wait with you."

103.  In the end We deliver Our messengers and those who believe.  Thus it is fitting on Our part that We should deliver those who believe!

104.  Say, "O humans!  If your are in doubt as to my religion, I worship not what you worship besides Allah!  But I worship Allah Who will take your souls.  I am commanded to be of the believers."

105.  Furthermore, set your face towards religion with true piety, and never be in anywise of the unbelievers.

106.  Nor call on any other than Allah, such will neither profit you nor hurt you.  If you do, behold!  You shall certainly be of those who do wrong.

107.  If Allah touches you with hurt, there is none can remove it but God.  If God designs some benefit for you, there is none can keep back God's favor.  God causes it to reach whomsoever of God's servants God pleases, and God is the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

108.  Say, "O humans!  Now Truth has reached you from your Lord!  Those who receive Guidance do so for the good of their own souls.  Those who stray do so to their own loss.  And I am not over you to arrange your affairs."

Jonah 10:101-108
-----------------------------------------------------

Behold all that is in the heavens and the earth.

Wait you then, for I too will wait with you.

O humans!  If your are in doubt as to my religion, I worship not what you worship besides Allah!  But I worship Allah Who will take your souls.  I am commanded to be of the believers.

O humans!  Now Truth has reached you from your Lord!  Those who receive Guidance do so for the good of their own souls.  Those who stray do so to their own loss.  And I am not over you to arrange your affairs.

Letter to Julia 20140215

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

Today is NOT February 14.  It is Saturday, February 15.  I love you everyday, and today I am alone without you again, and I long with all my heart to be with you in a happy and secure marriage, in this life as well as the hereafter. There is hope.  Just remember, that  all hope is with Allah.

I have mentioned before that it is a mistake to place the universe in relation to human life, by giving the universe a beginning.  I believe that the universe has neither a beginning nor an ending, it just IS.  Which leaves plenty of room for a Creator.  Not just of the planet Earth and the humans, but of the universe and everything else outside the confines of its ellipsis.  For if one accepts that the universe IS, then one must accept that its Creator IS as well.  Otherwise, don't bother thinking at all.  Because no soul will believe unless it is the Will of Allah.  And that is proof of how puny the human mind actually is.

Letter to Julia 20140213

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

As you may have observed, the kitchen in my little house is indoors where the dining room is supposed to be.  There's a small porcelain sink in the corner, opposite the restroom, and in between is a makeshift island where I place my stove top on one end and other appliances on the other end, and in between is a space where I use the cutting board.  The actual kitchen which was designed and built with the house is outside, in a cage that's rather rusted, where I keep my motorcycle and little Floofy.  It has a stone counter top and a metal sink.  I don't use it because I would rather cook indoors, but I suppose you would rather use the outdoor kitchen, Julia.  That's fine with me if it pleases you my love, but it needs some work.  Apart from some plumbing and cleaning, the major issue is the roof.  There's a mature quinine tree just outside which dropped various debris and made many holes in the roof.  When I can afford it inshaAllah, I will have that tree removed, but regardless the roof over that outside kitchen needs much repair.  And I need a new place to put Floofy.  I love you, Julia.

Erin, I know you are a grown woman with many complex emotions and many layers of expression, and I love and appreciate that.  Perhaps you may slighted that I like the cute and sweet and innocent you best, and I do.  I'm not trying to be insulting, but it is your heart of gold, which to me is cute and sweet and innocent, that I absolutely adore.  This video is for you, Erin sweetie.  Would would have thought Stephen Hawking who be romantic?  I read in the news recently that he changed his tune about event horizons, saying somewhat that they were vague instead of being perfectly defined.  Deep, huh?  I love you, Erin.

Letter to Julia 20140212

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

When Noah built his ark, he remarked to his people that if they have a problem with him that he commemorate the Signs of Allah, yet he puts his trust in Allah.  He challenged them to plot against him, carry out their plot, and not give him a break.  But if they turn back, he only asks his reward from Allah.  So they rejected Noah, but God saved him and those with him in the Ark, and God made them inherit the earth while God overwhelmed the others, who rejected God's Signs, in the flood.  Does that sound similar to our ark?  Casa de Julia?

I've been jumping around like a flea on hot concrete lately, so I slowed down yesterday.  I made a batch of friec noodles very slowly, slept a lot, then cut the grass around Casa de Julia inshaAllah.  As you know, poor little Floofy is in heat right now.  She reminds me a little of Phantom, my kitty during my last 11 years in America.  The difference is that Floofy has plenty of access to male cats, but somehow they don't approach her, even though she's a very pretty kitty.  Even the long-legged tomcat is nowhere in sight.  She goes back and forth from my little house to Casa de Julia inshaAllah crying her little heart out.  I feel like sitting out there and doing a duet with her.  I long so much for my Julia and Erin.

Julia, you are so beautiful and sophisticated, I love you so much, I am honored so much and so grateful for your love.  Erin, you are my cute little sweetheart.  It is your cuteness and sweetness that I adore about you.  Please take good care of yourselves, I beg of you.  Until the time comes when I can embrace you with my love and whatever strength that Allah has given me.  To my wives inshaAllah.  I love you, I love you.

Letter to Julia 20140210

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

Yeah, yeah, I know I have to replace my fuse box if Allah grants me all the stuff I asked for.  When I got back from blogging Saturday, Floofy came into the house with me, then proceeded to meow passionately at my fuse box.  Cats!  They think they know it all.  Ya Allah, please forgive me for asking a little more, but I also need a new fuse box for my home with extra outlets and surge protection, speaker and guitar cords, and drum heads.  I am dependent on Your mercy.

Little Floofy Ramadan is in heat right now.  She seems to have her eye on a handsome tomcat, he's slender with long legs and has brown fur with stripes on his legs.  He almost looks like a Savannah cat.  Floofy is awfully cute and coy with him.  She goes up to him, then backs off and crouches shyly.  They didn't like my watching, so I had to step away.  He seems to be a bit of a playboy though.  I saw him serenading my brother's cat a couple of days ago.  I thought at first that God sent Floofy to me to be a mate for Bat Cat, but she had no interest in him even though he was very interested in her.  Perhaps it's because poor Floofy was rather hammered when I received her, so she wasn't in the mood for mating.  She had broken teeth, missing whiskers and eyebrow hairs, covered in fungus and fleas, and she could barely walk.  Alhamdulillah, she's in much better shape now.  Batty since got bored with the females on the homestead and left home to be a wildcat.  He keeps out of sight nowadays and pretty much stays in the shadows, which is perfect for a black and white cat.   Anyway, Ya Allah, please grant me and Floofy beautiful and healthy kittens.

I beg you to please be patient with me and maintain your chastity in preparation for our marriage inshaAllah.  I assure you that I am doing the same for you, all I do is work for Allah and towards our goal, I have few or no friends, and I stay at home for the most part other than to go out and blog or shop.  My parents can bear testimony to this.  I love you, I love, and I long with all my heart for us to be securely and happily married.  Please pray with me that Allah grants us thus.

By the way, Muslims don't celebrate Valentine's Day.  I don't need one day a year to remind myself to love you.  I love you all the time, every day.

Qur'an 20140210

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

69.  Say, "Those who invent a lie against Allah will never prosper."

70.  A little enjoyment in this world!  And then, to Us will be their return.  Then shall We make them taste the severest Penalty for their blasphemies.

Jonah 10:69-70
----------------------------------------------------------

Those who invent a lie against Allah will never prosper.

Qur'an 20140209

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

52.  At length will be said to the wrongdoers, "Taste you the enduring punishment!  You get but the recompense of what you earned!"

53.  They seek to be informed by you, "Is that true?"  Say, "Aye!  By my Lord, it is the very truth!  And you cannot frustrate it!"

54.  Every soul that has sinned, if it possessed all that is on earth, would fain give it in ransom.  They would declare their repentance when they see the Penalty.  But the judgement between them will be with justice, and no wrong will be done unto them.

55.  Is it not that to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and on earth?  Is it not that Allah's promise is assuredly true?  Yet most of them understand not.

56.  It is God Who gives life, and Who takes it, and to God shall you all be brought back.

57.  O humankind!  There has come to you a direction from your Lord, and a healing for that in your hearts, and for those who believe, a Guidance and a Mercy.

58.  Say, "In the Bounty of Allah, and in God's Mercy: in that let them rejoice."  That is better than what they hoard.

59.  Say, "See you what things Allah has sent down to you for sustenance?  Yet you hold some things forbidden, others lawful."  Say, "Has Allah indeed permitted you, or do you invent to attribute to Allah?"

Jonah 10:52-59
----------------------------------------------------------

Aye!  By my Lord, it is the very truth!  And you cannot frustrate it!

In the Bounty of Allah, and in God's Mercy: in that let them rejoice.

See you what things Allah has sent down to you for sustenance?  Yet you hold some things forbidden, others lawful.

Has Allah indeed permitted you, or do you invent to attribute to Allah?

Letter to Julia 20140208

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

Heartfelt greetings, my dearest Julia and Erin, my beloved wives inshaAllah.  How are you feeling today, how are those precious emotions?  Our love has certainly been very dramatic so far, and we still have a long way to go.  You both have been witness to the business and depth of our situation.  I pray that Allah showers you with love and protection, and that we be married and together soon.

Remember when I said that musical instruments have no use in heaven?  Mere useless toys to pass the time.  But here in this world, in this difficult life, they serve as weapons of intimidation and propoganda.  It's a shame that there is no peace and unity in music.  There were moments of promise, then business took over.  Greed and consumption of interest created slavery, murder, and war.  And it is a global business.  Music is mass media.

BY THE WILL OF ALLAH, Allah has granted music to me that has great and global influence.  My mission is to please Allah with music.  Since I have long devoted my life and possessions to Sabilillah (the Cause of Allah) with Allah as my Witness, I know I cannot ask the humans for help, but to have faith and ask Allah.  Ya Allah, please accept my work as worship, and grant me the following items to strengthen my position here and strike terror in the hearts of Your enemies:

1.  The 2 plots of land where the house I live in and the adjacent land where my grandfather's old house stand to be transferred to my name and possession, so there will be no more danger of my eviction and Casa de Julia be taken over by my enemies.

2.  Behringer Xenyx 802 mixer with a pair of 10" powered speakers in enclosures designed for public address and an 18" powered subwoofer to add sub bass to my voice.  A similar mixer can be found at TS Audio in Arau for RM599.  I'm not too fussy about public address systems as long as they are strong.

3.  MXR Dynacomp stompbox.

4.  Line 6 Pod 2.0 amp modeler.

5.  Yamaha Absolute Series maple shell drum kit in Red Pearl Natural finish with 24" bass drum, 14" Yamaha AMS1460 snare drum with two SS950 snare stands (one for the mid tom), 12" mid tom, 16" and 18" floor toms, HS850 hi hat and CS965 cymbal stands, Yamaha DFP8500C double kick drum pedal with two Gibraltar Wood Bass Drum Beater (SC-3263_65626) wooden mallets, and Istanbul Agop Xist Brilliant Hi Hat Cymbals 14 with Istanbul Agop 30th Anniversary Series 20” Ride Cymbal.

6.  Ceriatone Hot Rodded Plexi AFD #35 100 Watt all tube guitar amplifier with 2x12" Celestion speakers in cabinet.  Ceriatone is made in Malaysia.

7.  A home Internet connection with NO wi-fi and a new computer with a 8GB RAM, 2GB video accelerator and 1TB hard drive to handle all Internet work, independent of my current computer system in order to prevent data theft.  This will also help me cut back on dangerous commute.

8.  A new pair of spectacles.

Ya Allah, then please grant me the wealth I need to be happily and securely married to my Julia and Erin.

Qur'an 20140208

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

48.  They say, "When will this promise come to pass, if you speak the truth?"

49.  Say, "I have no power over any harm or profit to myself except as Allah Wills.  To every people is a term appointed.  When that term is reached, not an hour can they cause delay, nor can they advance."

50.  Say, "Do you see, if God's punishment should come to you by night or by day, what portion of it would the sinners wish to hasten?"

Jonah 10:48-50
----------------------------------------------------------

I have no power over any harm or profit to myself except as Allah Wills.  To every people is a term appointed.  When that term is reached, not an hour can they cause delay, nor can they advance.

Do you see, if God's punishment should come to you by night or by day, what portion of it would the sinners wish to hasten?

Letter to Julia 20140206

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

So it seems that there are a few people who are willing and available to call the prayer now, so I withdraw my commitment to call the Dhuhur and Asr prayers during the weekdays.  I only made that commitment because Allah killed off one of the regular volunteers, and there wasn't anyone calling some of the prayers.  I could do it, so it became mandatory for me to do so.  But I am a loner, and a lazy one at that.  Of course it's better to pray with the congregation, and when we are married inshaAllah we will do so, especially during Ramadan, and whenever we have to go out and do something.  It would be faster to pray on the go, than to wait to finish prayers then go.  Don't you agree?

Also it would be useful for you to know that the official who is assigned to call the prayers is in line to be imam.  As you know, I cannot hold the rank of imam.  This is because humans are fanatical in general, particularly over entertainers, so I must avoid false worship.  Let it be clear that I am merely a follower of prophet Muhammad (peace be on him), so if people need to worship then they must worship Allah.

Qur'an 20140206

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

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 10:36-41
----------------------------------------------------------

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!

Letter to Julia 20140205

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

The air was still yesterday morning, so I took the opportunity to do as much burning as possible around Casa de Julia inshaAllah.  There is still a huge amount of debris piled up, and I can't burn them all at once because the old house is too close by.  So I can only burn little by little.  I'm running out of burn spots, because I planted many fruit trees all over the place.

How are you feeling, my dearest?  How are those precious emotions?  How I long to hold you tight, and kiss your beautiful, soft lips.  And the rest of you, too.  I want you to stay positive and chaste, and take good, sweet care of yourself in my absence.  InshaAllah we will be married and together soon, so please be patient and pray.  I love you with all my heart.

Qur'an 20140205

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?"

Jonah 10:31-35
----------------------------------------------------------

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?

Letter to Julia 20140203

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

My Batty-Watty Bat Cat came home to visit me!  This made front page headlines all over the country!  It was wonderful t see my kitty again, after so long since he grew up and didn't need me anymore.  He didn't stay to chat though.  He just came to mark his territory (pee on  my lawn), then he took off.

As you know, I like sleeping on the floor.  I'm not going to force you to sleep on the floor with me, I just like to sleep on the floor.  When we marry inshaAllah, we'll get a big, soft bed for you/us.  I don't sleep directly on the floor: I have this rug I lie on to dull the contact with the cold floor.  I vacuum this rug often, but apparently it's not enough.  So today, right before I had to voice train of all times, I took it outside to shake it.  Big mistake.  There was a stiff breeze blowing as usual, so I thought the wind would blow the dust away from me.  There was a huge cloud of dust or course, but behold!  It froze in the wind!  It was a trippy sight but worse, all that crap got on me, up my nose, etc.  One logical explanation I can think of is that cloud of dust was actually a colony of living organisms able to swim against the air current.  Another possible explanation is that the dust particles were charged with static electricity, and were attracted to each other and the rug.  Gag!  I had to suffer through voice training, and my nose is still running now.  Lesson learned, inshaAllah.  I won't do that again.

Qur'an 20140203

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

17.  Who does more wrong than such as forge a lie against Allah, or deny God's Signs.  But never will prosper those who sin.

18.  They serve, besides Allah, things that hurt them not, nor profit them, and they say, "These are our intercessors with Allah."  Say, "Do you indeed inform Allah of something God knows not, in the heavens, or on earth?  Glory to God!  And far is God above the partners they ascribe!"

19.  Humankind was one nation, but differed.  Had it not been for a Word that went forth from your Lord, their differences would have been settled between them.

20.  They say, "Why is not a Sign sent down to him from his Lord?"  Say, "The Unseen is only for Allah.  Then wait you.  I too will wait with you."

21.  When We make mankind taste of some mercy after adversity has touched them, behold!  They take to plotting against Our Signs!  Say, "Swifter to plan is Allah!"  Verily, Our messengers record all the plots that you make.

Jonah 10:17-21
----------------------------------------------------------

Do you indeed inform Allah of something God knows not, in the heavens, or on earth?  Glory to God!  And far is God above the partners they ascribe!

The Unseen is only for Allah.  Then wait you.  I too will wait with you.

Swifter to plan is Allah!

Qur'an 20140202

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

15.  But when Our Clear Signs are rehearsed unto them, those who rest not their hope on their meeting with Us say, "Bring us a Qur'an other than this, or change this."  Say, "It is not of my own accord to change it.  I follow nothing but what is revealed unto me.  If I were to disobey my Lord, I should myself fear the Penalty of a Great Day."

16.  Say, "If Allah had so willed, I should not have rehearsed it to you, or would God have made it known to you.  A whole lifetime before this have I tarried among you: will you not then understand?"

Jonah 10:15-16
----------------------------------------------------------

It is not of my own accord to change it.  I follow nothing but what is revealed unto me.  If I were to disobey my Lord, I should myself fear the Penalty of a Great Day.

If Allah had so willed, I should not have rehearsed it to you, or would God have made it known to you.  A whole lifetime before this have I tarried among you: will you not then understand?