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?"
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 10:31-41
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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?
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!
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
Letter to Julia 20110820
Letter to Julia 20110820
Oh, laundry. I don't like to do laundry, but it must be done. I remember hauling my laundry to the laundromat on my bicycle. It was a girl's bicycle, with 2 baskets at the back. I think I was on my way back from doing my laundry when I had my first distinct spiritual moment. I was pedaling slowly, when I saw what I thought was Janis Joplin coming out of the convenience store. I went to take a closer look, so I followed her to the traffic light. She must have been about 19 years old, and she looked exactly like Janis: body, face, hair, clothes and all! I stopped at the light while she crossed the road, and she glanced back at me with a nervous look, and lit a cigarette. I didn't mean to scare her, I was just stunned at the her appearance. As I was temporarily paralyzed at the crossing, another girl nearly ran into me on a bicycle that was identical to mine. She looked exactly like Karen Carpenter! She was about 19, and she wore glasses like mine. She grinned at me as she rode away. I turned to look at Janis, but she was gone. Then I turned to see Karen again, but she had disappeared.
But, laundry. My Mom gave me a washer, but I don't have a dryer. I set up the washer in the same room I take a shower in. Well actually, I use a rubber hose to squirt myself down with. There is a shower head connected to an electric water heater, but the climate is too hot for me anyway, so I never use it. I suppose I have to install a shower enclosure, with sliding glass doors. I hope you aren't the type who likes long, hot baths: I have so much trouble trying to cool down around here, and I figure hot baths would play havoc with your body. Lately there's been one of those huge brown spiders hanging out in my shower/laundry room. This one is about 5 inches across, with 7 legs, and seems to be nursing some young in a tightly packed web case which she carries with her mandibles, pinning it to her stomach. Spiders rule around here, so I'm kind of like her bodyguard. I hope you like spiders, too. I dry my clothes on a line I set up inside the house, in a corner of the room where my kitchen is. I don't dry my clothes outside because I usually do my laundry at night, and there are a lot of bugs outside. I don't have many clothes, and the clothes I do have are very humble indeed. I don't even use a flat iron. Totally unlike James Bond, huh? I lost a lot of my interest in clothes ever since my body lost its femininity. Darn those drums.
Yes, laundry. Obviously, I will need to get a washer and dryer specifically for your use. There are dry cleaners downtown, but I have never used them. I hardly ever see anyone immaculately dressed around here. Maybe it's too hot, or maybe they just don't really care. My Dad takes much pride in his clothes, but even he seems to be putting less effort in his wardrobe lately. I hope I'm not putting a bad influence on him. Even if I had the money, it's too hot to wear tailored suits around here. And there's nothing more comfortable than the ripped-up cargo pants I wear for gardening. Chee Cheah has much contempt for my wardrobe. Well, she used to be my Dad's cat: she even looks like my Dad. The other day, she peed in the corner where I hang up my wet clothes. I guess I would try a little harder to match up with Julia. I do want to keep my wardrobe WAY smaller than yours.
Oh, laundry. I don't like to do laundry, but it must be done. I remember hauling my laundry to the laundromat on my bicycle. It was a girl's bicycle, with 2 baskets at the back. I think I was on my way back from doing my laundry when I had my first distinct spiritual moment. I was pedaling slowly, when I saw what I thought was Janis Joplin coming out of the convenience store. I went to take a closer look, so I followed her to the traffic light. She must have been about 19 years old, and she looked exactly like Janis: body, face, hair, clothes and all! I stopped at the light while she crossed the road, and she glanced back at me with a nervous look, and lit a cigarette. I didn't mean to scare her, I was just stunned at the her appearance. As I was temporarily paralyzed at the crossing, another girl nearly ran into me on a bicycle that was identical to mine. She looked exactly like Karen Carpenter! She was about 19, and she wore glasses like mine. She grinned at me as she rode away. I turned to look at Janis, but she was gone. Then I turned to see Karen again, but she had disappeared.
But, laundry. My Mom gave me a washer, but I don't have a dryer. I set up the washer in the same room I take a shower in. Well actually, I use a rubber hose to squirt myself down with. There is a shower head connected to an electric water heater, but the climate is too hot for me anyway, so I never use it. I suppose I have to install a shower enclosure, with sliding glass doors. I hope you aren't the type who likes long, hot baths: I have so much trouble trying to cool down around here, and I figure hot baths would play havoc with your body. Lately there's been one of those huge brown spiders hanging out in my shower/laundry room. This one is about 5 inches across, with 7 legs, and seems to be nursing some young in a tightly packed web case which she carries with her mandibles, pinning it to her stomach. Spiders rule around here, so I'm kind of like her bodyguard. I hope you like spiders, too. I dry my clothes on a line I set up inside the house, in a corner of the room where my kitchen is. I don't dry my clothes outside because I usually do my laundry at night, and there are a lot of bugs outside. I don't have many clothes, and the clothes I do have are very humble indeed. I don't even use a flat iron. Totally unlike James Bond, huh? I lost a lot of my interest in clothes ever since my body lost its femininity. Darn those drums.
Yes, laundry. Obviously, I will need to get a washer and dryer specifically for your use. There are dry cleaners downtown, but I have never used them. I hardly ever see anyone immaculately dressed around here. Maybe it's too hot, or maybe they just don't really care. My Dad takes much pride in his clothes, but even he seems to be putting less effort in his wardrobe lately. I hope I'm not putting a bad influence on him. Even if I had the money, it's too hot to wear tailored suits around here. And there's nothing more comfortable than the ripped-up cargo pants I wear for gardening. Chee Cheah has much contempt for my wardrobe. Well, she used to be my Dad's cat: she even looks like my Dad. The other day, she peed in the corner where I hang up my wet clothes. I guess I would try a little harder to match up with Julia. I do want to keep my wardrobe WAY smaller than yours.
Qur'an 20110820
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?"
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 10:15-21
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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?
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!
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?"
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 10:15-21
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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?
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!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Letter to Julia 20110818
Hi there, you gorgeous rock and roll babe! Don't forget that evil and corruption is the normal way of life nowadays, so the real "rebels" are the sincerely righteous! Everyone else is a CONFORMIST, and therefore unfashionable. So many turn away, but Allah suffices me.
Yeah, this is a little house. I don't like big houses, Julia. I like a house where I have the strength to upkeep it with pleasure. The yard takes up a lot of my strength, and I haven't even started on the interior yet. This house is perfect for me and my kitty, but when Julia comes around, there will have to be vast improvements made. Yeah, I know I keep repeating myself on this matter, but I really don't want to live in a big house. I think I can handle the outside by myself, but before you even see the inside, I'm going to have to hire some help to renovate it, to totally rip it apart and repaint it, from the roof to the floor to the restroom/bathroom, add fixtures and cat-proof furniture, central air conditioning, update the kitchen and plumbing, then arrange a maid to keep it clean. And oh yeah, satellite TV for the sports fan, plus high speed internet for international business. The 2 bedrooms are small, but you can have a whole room for yourself for your wardrobe. A child means an extension to the house. No guest rooms! Your buddies are going to have to shack up at some posh hotel. I think they would prefer that, anyway. If I can't afford to update this house for Julia, then it might as well be just me and my kitty. I don't want to give Julia my poverty.
By the way, "best fashion" onstage here with me in Perlis is not the same as a catwalk in New York. The rule is to cover everything except your face and hands. I think you know that, so you might as well start planning. Please don't be resentful about the restriction: Islamic fashion for women is a very profitable business, especially considering the lack of creativity in that area. Check out Queen Amidala's formalwear in Star Wars I, II, and III. Hide your beauty, you princess you.
Yeah, this is a little house. I don't like big houses, Julia. I like a house where I have the strength to upkeep it with pleasure. The yard takes up a lot of my strength, and I haven't even started on the interior yet. This house is perfect for me and my kitty, but when Julia comes around, there will have to be vast improvements made. Yeah, I know I keep repeating myself on this matter, but I really don't want to live in a big house. I think I can handle the outside by myself, but before you even see the inside, I'm going to have to hire some help to renovate it, to totally rip it apart and repaint it, from the roof to the floor to the restroom/bathroom, add fixtures and cat-proof furniture, central air conditioning, update the kitchen and plumbing, then arrange a maid to keep it clean. And oh yeah, satellite TV for the sports fan, plus high speed internet for international business. The 2 bedrooms are small, but you can have a whole room for yourself for your wardrobe. A child means an extension to the house. No guest rooms! Your buddies are going to have to shack up at some posh hotel. I think they would prefer that, anyway. If I can't afford to update this house for Julia, then it might as well be just me and my kitty. I don't want to give Julia my poverty.
By the way, "best fashion" onstage here with me in Perlis is not the same as a catwalk in New York. The rule is to cover everything except your face and hands. I think you know that, so you might as well start planning. Please don't be resentful about the restriction: Islamic fashion for women is a very profitable business, especially considering the lack of creativity in that area. Check out Queen Amidala's formalwear in Star Wars I, II, and III. Hide your beauty, you princess you.
Qur'an 20110818
In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.
129. But if they turn away, say, "Allah suffices me. There is no God but God. On God is my trust, God the Lord of the Throne Supreme!"
The Repentance 9:129
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Allah suffices me. There is no God but God. On God is my trust, God the Lord of the Throne Supreme!
129. But if they turn away, say, "Allah suffices me. There is no God but God. On God is my trust, God the Lord of the Throne Supreme!"
The Repentance 9:129
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Allah suffices me. There is no God but God. On God is my trust, God the Lord of the Throne Supreme!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Letter to Julia 20110815
I need to remind you that I am somewhat of a recluse, so our marriage ceremonies would mostly consist of your friends. That is why I suggest 2 marriage ceremonies: one for your business, and the other for the benefit of my parents, and the country I was born in. Politics? Maybe. More accurately, the politics of my parents. I'm a musician, not a politician. Anyway, all I need is a small ceremony at the local mosque, something for my parents and God to look at, my ceremony first. You can do whatever spectacle in whatever country you wish, just remember that you are an ambassador for Islam.
I also need to remind you that politics hasn't changed one bit since the time of prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) and what he had to put up with from his people, most likely things have deteriorated. That's one of the reasons why I would like to remain in this village: less people to deal with. Face to face, at least. Back during the days of prophet Muhammad (peace be on him), all communication was by word of mouth. Nowadays, that word of mouth is amplified electronically, and globally. Therefore, I would just like to stay at this house and perfect it, extend it when necessary, and let our business come to us. Any traveling to be done is to be done strictly for your sake, and not too often please. I'm really weary of travel: I even dislike the commute to town. I need to perform my Hajj, but otherwise I just want to take root, and never be seen without you. Oh, I do have to go to Salt Lake City, and find the mysterious piano player. Drat! I guess I should do some shopping when I'm in the USA, but it's going to be tough to haul a Krank amp and other stuff onto the plane.
Then, there's the journey to get you. I have a picture in my head that you are being held prisoner in some way... If I'm your knight, then I'm the supernatural type, in an armor of shadow. I do have a plan but of course, we will have to wait for Allah to give the go-ahead, so please be patient, and maintain your prayers.
But seriously Julia, I am extremely weary of travel. That is why I want our business to come to us. You may argue, "You have to be where the action is!" and that's why you would work in New York, Paris or Berlin. However there is, insyaAllah, a heavy spiritual element in the work I do. Some people would travel many kilometers to see water dripping from a tree in an obscure village by the jungle just because they think it's divine, so what do you think would happen if the attraction is approved of by Allah? I've been toying for a few years already with the idea of audiences coming to see Shadowplay concerts, as opposed to my having to tour, and now my situation forces me to do so. Allah provided me with the ability to mirror the voices of Karen Carpenter, Doris Day, Billie Holiday, and a little bit of Janis Joplin, and with Allah as my witness, people are already coming from far away to hear my rehearsals with a karaoke machine. So eventually, insyaAllah, there will be successful concerts here in Perlis that will pull people from all over the world. Now, my voice doesn't match my ugly mug and my bulky body, so I would rather have the spotlight on you, wearing the best fashions while lip-syncing into an unplugged microphone, while I sit on a couch somewhere onstage watching Shadowplay TV and doing the actual singing, and the audience can have the option of glancing at me if they feel like it. Kind of like a "Jurassic Park" without the mayhem, insyaAllah. Charity work would be a challenge because we don't want to turn the unfortunate into a park attraction, but insyaAllah these people will pool into an area where we can help them, and weed out the frauds. If anyone out there is interested in helping, they can contact the boss of the music school I work at.
I also need to remind you that politics hasn't changed one bit since the time of prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) and what he had to put up with from his people, most likely things have deteriorated. That's one of the reasons why I would like to remain in this village: less people to deal with. Face to face, at least. Back during the days of prophet Muhammad (peace be on him), all communication was by word of mouth. Nowadays, that word of mouth is amplified electronically, and globally. Therefore, I would just like to stay at this house and perfect it, extend it when necessary, and let our business come to us. Any traveling to be done is to be done strictly for your sake, and not too often please. I'm really weary of travel: I even dislike the commute to town. I need to perform my Hajj, but otherwise I just want to take root, and never be seen without you. Oh, I do have to go to Salt Lake City, and find the mysterious piano player. Drat! I guess I should do some shopping when I'm in the USA, but it's going to be tough to haul a Krank amp and other stuff onto the plane.
Then, there's the journey to get you. I have a picture in my head that you are being held prisoner in some way... If I'm your knight, then I'm the supernatural type, in an armor of shadow. I do have a plan but of course, we will have to wait for Allah to give the go-ahead, so please be patient, and maintain your prayers.
But seriously Julia, I am extremely weary of travel. That is why I want our business to come to us. You may argue, "You have to be where the action is!" and that's why you would work in New York, Paris or Berlin. However there is, insyaAllah, a heavy spiritual element in the work I do. Some people would travel many kilometers to see water dripping from a tree in an obscure village by the jungle just because they think it's divine, so what do you think would happen if the attraction is approved of by Allah? I've been toying for a few years already with the idea of audiences coming to see Shadowplay concerts, as opposed to my having to tour, and now my situation forces me to do so. Allah provided me with the ability to mirror the voices of Karen Carpenter, Doris Day, Billie Holiday, and a little bit of Janis Joplin, and with Allah as my witness, people are already coming from far away to hear my rehearsals with a karaoke machine. So eventually, insyaAllah, there will be successful concerts here in Perlis that will pull people from all over the world. Now, my voice doesn't match my ugly mug and my bulky body, so I would rather have the spotlight on you, wearing the best fashions while lip-syncing into an unplugged microphone, while I sit on a couch somewhere onstage watching Shadowplay TV and doing the actual singing, and the audience can have the option of glancing at me if they feel like it. Kind of like a "Jurassic Park" without the mayhem, insyaAllah. Charity work would be a challenge because we don't want to turn the unfortunate into a park attraction, but insyaAllah these people will pool into an area where we can help them, and weed out the frauds. If anyone out there is interested in helping, they can contact the boss of the music school I work at.
Qur'an 20110815
In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.
104. Know they not that Allah does accept repentance from God's votaries, and receives their gifts of charity, and that Allah is verily God, the Oft-Returning, most Merciful?
105. And say, "Work! Soon will Allah observe your work, and God's messenger, and the believers. Soon will you be brought back to the Knower of what is hidden, and what is open. Then will God show you the truth of all that you did."
The Repentance 9:104-105
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Work! Soon will Allah observe your work, and God's messenger, and the believers. Soon will you be brought back to the Knower of what is hidden, and what is open. Then will God show you the truth of all that you did.
104. Know they not that Allah does accept repentance from God's votaries, and receives their gifts of charity, and that Allah is verily God, the Oft-Returning, most Merciful?
105. And say, "Work! Soon will Allah observe your work, and God's messenger, and the believers. Soon will you be brought back to the Knower of what is hidden, and what is open. Then will God show you the truth of all that you did."
The Repentance 9:104-105
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Work! Soon will Allah observe your work, and God's messenger, and the believers. Soon will you be brought back to the Knower of what is hidden, and what is open. Then will God show you the truth of all that you did.
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