Letter to Julia 20110728

I seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the rejected one.

How are you feeling, my dearest, ravishing Julia? Are you hanging in there, my beloved? I apologize again for not writing as often as I used to. But I must talk to my love Julia, because I want to marry Julia. I must tell Julia to be patient and persevere, because Allah is with those who patiently persevere. I really don't have much other desire to travel into town from the kampung (village), other than work. Ah loooooove the kampung. I could just root here like a tree and spend eternity in the garden, and grow to be quite ancient, insyaAllah. But there seems to be more people, more traffic here in the village, and increasing, even though I only returned here less than 3 years ago. So many strangers. I get the feeling that I have much more traveling to do, in spite of my current poverty.

By the way, lentils don't work too well as chili. They break up very quickly, even at low temperatures. I suppose I have to splurge on red beans again. I did get a rather good lentil soup though, which matched quite well with the tortillas I made. The tomato sauce gave the soup a dark orange hue, but that's OK. It's a very addictive soup. I think I'll start another batch, but this time I'll make a base of chopped up shrimp heads and garlic, with some curry powder, for a super warm feeling lentil soup.

Julia, please be patient and persevering. Don't be like those who walk out their front door merely to be seen, and hinder others from the path of Allah. Some (like the hypocrites) say that our religion has misled us. But I put my trust in Allah, and so should you. Allah will never change the grace which God has bestowed on a people until they change what is in their souls. The worst of beasts are those who reject Allah: they simply will not believe. They are the type with whom you did make an agreement, but they break their word every time. If you gain mastery over them then disperse them, and if you fear treachery from them then be on equal terms with them. They are the enemy, so don't let the enemy think that they can get the better of you. Prepare your utmost against them, do whatever it takes to be most powerful against them, in all mental, spiritual, and material. Whatever you spend for the sake of Allah shall be repaid unto you, and you will not be treated unjustly. If the enemy wants peace, then make peace, and put your trust in Allah. If they intend to deceive, then know that Allah is enough for us.

Letter to Julia 20110725

I seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the rejected one.

While it has become obvious that there is exclusion and oppression in matters, many feel that it is normal. But Julia, we must fight oppression because it affects the innocent. They say that their money is their right and might, so they spend it to hinder from justice, and diverge others from the path of Allah, and these unbelievers will continue to do so. Their form of prayer is the whistling and clapping of applause. Then they say, "Why doesn't Allah punish us?" But Allah was not going to send them a penalty while there are righteous people among them, nor was God going to send it while they could ask for pardon. In order that Allah may separate the impure from the pure, and put the impure all together into hell.

If they desist, then Allah will forgive their past, but if they persist, then the punishment of those before them is already out there. So we oppose them until there is no more oppression, and there prevails justice, and faith in Allah. Allah is our protector, the Best to protect, and the Best to help.

What else other than oppression and evil separates husband from wife?

Letter to Julia 20110723

Oh yes, and please make sure you maintain your prayers! It's important that you maintain your prayers, and it makes you stand out from all the other stars out there.

I'm really not much of a talkative person, Julia. I gab away to you in these letters because you're my Julia, and I want to marry you, and I can't neglect you because you're important to me. A few sweet words! My beauty, these love letters are as close to an autobiography the public is going to get, other than the music. Then, when you're at my side, I plan to whisper in your ear (and stop publishing open letters) of my love and appreciation of your friendship. Otherwise, I will be silently sorting out the files in my head, and arranging and rearranging what I have learned from Allah to make some music, while I trim the grass and rake up the leaves in the garden. Please know that I'm no angel, just a musician who was once a wild youngster. Oh dear Julia, it's far from over... are you ready to be the wife of this lowly rockstar?

Ahem! As I was collecting kindle for the bonfire, I came across a full page ad for Chanel in a local newspaper, with the face of some unknown blonde. Trying to tempt me? It didn't work! I want my Julia! Then, I found another full facial shot, this one of Lady Gaga, for some unknown cosmetics company. She didn't try to look her usual unsexy self, she seemed to sport a more demure look. Nah, still unsexy. Why do they advertise in a secondary Malaysian rag which people use to wrap salted fish in anyhow? Don't they have expensive French rags to declare their chic in? Drat! The trash didn't burn, only the newspapers did. It rained last night, so I guess the leaves were wet. I'll have to try again tomorrow.

Letter to Julia 20110721

YOOOOOOOLIIIIIEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

Ah, that was an excellent batch of chili. It was almost as sweet as it was savory... it must have been the red beans. I can't find any pinto beans here in Perlis, but the red beans made an awesome batch of chili. I think I will try to make a batch of chili with lentils instead of beans. I suppose I will be eating chili all through the fasting month, as it's quick n' easy to heat up at 4am for the pre-dawn repast. Fasting month starts in about 10 days. Are you going to try fasting, Julia? Well, you make up your own mind, but fasting during the month of Ramadan is mandatory for Muslims. You don't eat, drink, have sex or swear from dawn to sunset, and you must voice your intent to fast for the sake of Allah on the day before. If you're on your period then you are exempt from fasting, but you must make it up later in the year. I always look forward to the fasting month, because strange things always happen. Strange things happen to me anyway, but especially so during fasting month.

Anyway, here's a recipe for chili, out of many. Actually, it's more of a guess than a recipe- I quit measuring food a long time ago, ever since I quit the restaurant business. I just grab what's available, and eyeball everything. I suppose you could call it laziness. Anyway, before you start, make sure your beans are ready to use. Since you're in the USA, I would just use one of those big, fat cans of pre-cooked pinto beans. Drain all the juice out, because it will drown out the flavor of meat and tomato sauce! Then saute your ground beef in a large saucepan or wok: use the high fat beef, and a quarter pound should be enough for all those beans. Don't overcook the beef, just break it up and dry up the blood, and use a small flame. Remove the beef, then fry up a diced large onion in the grease over medium heat until soft. Then reduce the heat to small, add your beans, beef, a medium can of tomato paste (or ketchup or whatever), chilli powder or paste to taste, then let it cook for about 3 hours or more, stirring occasionally and adding water as needed, until the beans start to break up. Add salt and pepper to taste. Easy, huh? Time consuming, so cook up a big batch! Actually, I don't have a set recipe for chili. It changes everytime. I just grab what's available, and eyeball everything.

And don't worry so much, my love. You're my girl, Julia. I love you! I'll come and get you soon, insyaAllah.

Qur'an 20110721

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

202. But their brethren plunge them deeper into error, and never relax.

203. If you bring them not a revelation, they say, "Why don't you have it together?" Say, "I but follow what is revealed to me from my Lord. These are Lights from your Lord, and Guidance, and Mercy, for any who have Faith."

204. When the Qur'an is read, listen to it with attention, and hold your peace, that you may receive Mercy.

(The Heights 7:202-204)

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

1. They ask you concerning the spoils of war. Say, "Such spoils are at the disposal of Allah and the Messenger. So fear Allah, and keep straight the relations between yourselves. Obey Allah and God's messenger, if you do believe."

2. For believers are those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a tremor in their hearts, and when they hear God's Signs rehearsed, find their faith strengthened, and put their trust in their Lord.

3. Who establish regular prayers, and spend out of the gifts We have given them for sustenance.

(The Spoils of War 8:1-3)

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

93. And say, "Praise be to Allah, Who will soon show you God's Signs so that you shall know them, and your Lord is not unmindful of what you do."

(The Ants 27:93)

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I but follow what is revealed to me from my Lord. These are Lights from your Lord, and Guidance, and Mercy, for any who have Faith.

Such spoils are at the disposal of Allah and the Messenger. So fear Allah, and keep straight the relations between yourselves. Obey Allah and God's messenger, if you do believe.

Praise be to Allah, Who will soon show you God's Signs so that you shall know them, and your Lord is not unmindful of what you do.

Letter to Julia 20110719

Have you ever wondered why you work so hard yet are unable to make gains despite your efforts? What has occured is a result of basic politics: your work did not influence the people who have power to give you the gains that you desire. You might think it to be unfair, however you are dealing with human beings. And human beings are selfish.

Then what would it take to influence these people? Let's look upon this from their perspective. They have their own family and friends that they interact with on a regular basis, and usually the family takes precedence in all business affairs. This results in a organization that runs the "family business" in a manner that serves the best interests of the family. Does this sounds like gangsterism? Of course! You will discover that even at the lowest level, most gangs are made of family members. As the circle of power and influence gets larger, the same basic principle applies. The family exerts its control over a multitude of "other people". But what to do? Even Allah commands that we take care of our parents and family. But Allah does not command us to do evil, and create mischief and destruction!

Turn away from the ignorant, Julia. Hold to forgiveness, and command what is right. Seek refuge with Allah when thoughts of evil cross your mind, and maintain your prayers. I am your family now, Julia. So let us come together, and I will love you. I am the one who loves you.

Qur'an 20110719

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."

189. It is God who created you from a single person and made his mate of like nature, in order that he might dwell with her. When they are united, she bears a light burden and carries it about. When she grows heavy, they both pray to Allah their Lord, "If You give us a goodly child, we vow we shall be grateful."

190. But when God gives them a goodly child, they ascribe to others a share in the gift they have received. But Allah is exalted high above the partners they ascribe to God.

191. Do they ascribe to God as partners things that can create nothing, but are themselves created?

192. No aid can they give them, nor can they aid themselves!

193. If you call them to guidance, they will not obey. For you it is the same whether you call them, or you hold your peace!

194. Verily those who you call upon besides Allah are servants like unto you. Call upon them, and let them listen to your prayer, if you are truthful!

195. Have they feet to walk with? Or hands to lay hold with? Or eyes to see with? Or ears to hear with? Say, "Call your 'god-partners', scheme against me, and give me no respite!"

196. "For my protector is Allah, Who revealed the Book, and God will choose and befriend the righteous."

197. "But those you call upon besides God are unable to help you, and indeed to help themselves."

The Heights 7:186-195

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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.

Call your 'god-partners', scheme against me, and give me no respite!