Letter to Julia 20110827

Tsk tsk tsk, you naughty girl. Don't you go and say stuff like that about God. Now please bend over, I'm going to have to spank you with a blade of grass. Always remember that I love God no matter what anyone says, and God has been my only friend, in many different situations over and over and over again. I appreciate that you may be impatient with the lack of miracles that would materialize our love and marriage (namely my being rich enough to afford Julia), but it could be that your scope has failed to notice certain nuances that are beyond human control. Only God has the Power and the Subtlety to give reckoning to those who harm children. Those in power use their power to stay in power, even if it means eradicating the influence of children. What does this have to do with us? We are a marriage between music and fashion. And children love music, and are too innocent to profiteer, whereas the adults generally fear the pharoah. But I'm sure these modern day pharoahs are actually really nice guys, who have absolutely no selfish intent of maintaining personal glory, and what better way of serving the community than to exert control on the children? Besides, they could always claim that whatever I'm writing here is strictly conjecture, and that God is merely a thing.

So please don't be in such a hurry. Please have faith in God, please be patient, and maintain your prayers in sincerity. We don't want to rush. Take it slow Julia, relax, sleep on it, work towards it slowly, slow things down. When we get there together, our goal is to slow things down even more, so we can enjoy our love and life together. How can you expect a marriage to last in the fast lane? You've seen that mountain of gold, haven't you? The mountain of gold that rises from the dried-up river of emotions? Where people kill each other to partake of it? It will be literal, my love. So, we don't want to rush the Great War (no, not World War I), where the 2 giant armies will have the same grievance: most likely poverty. We don't want to rush Judgement Day. We want to slow things down, and try to taste some happiness with each other while we are stuck in this imperfect world. If we are destined for each other, then God will bring us together. Just relax, be patient, and work as comfortably as possible with what God has given you.

As I told you before, I won't get another chance to blog my love to you again until after the Eid/Independence Day holidays, which will be about Thursday, insyaAllah. Did you try fasting? Most people make such a big deal about the Eid. I love the fasting month much, much more than the Eid. Sure I can fast almost any other time, but it's not the same as Ramadan, and it's not just about the fasting either. Anyway, please forgive me for not writing again until at least next Thursday.

Meanwhile, how about you watch this episode of "The Littlest Hobo?" Muslims aren't supposed to own dogs. I think the moisture from dogs and pigs interfere with worship to Allah. Don't ask why, just wear disposable gloves! But this dog just makes me want to sob. Notice how the humans left the dog to die after it had saved their daughter. They didn't even try! I love this dog so much, ya Allah! If I were allowed to have a dog, it would be just like London.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqkTCyWzcSk

Qur'an 20110827

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

101. Say, "Behold all that is in the heavens and on 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 humankind! If you are in doubt as to my religion, I worship not what you worship other than Allah! But I worship Allah, who will take your souls. I am commanded to be of the believers."

105. And further, set your face towards Religion with true piety, and never in anywise be of the unbelievers.

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

107. If Allah does touch you with hurt, there is none can remove but God. If God does design 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 humankind! 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
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Behold all that is in the heavens and on earth.

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

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

O humankind! 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 20110824

Hey Julia, do you drive a car? I was taking Chee Cheah to the vet on Monday for an antifungal shot in my parents' car, and I noticed that the traffic was particularly evil that day. Vehicles were making the wrong turn signal then swerving, cars were speeding up then stopping, people were trying to cut me off when the traffic was frozen... a lot of them too, were doing the same thing over and over again! I was thinking, "They can't all be this stupid." Maybe they were too busy shopping for the Eid, and nothing else mattered? Traffic is unpredictable in general, but there were just too many morons on the road than usual that day. And it's not the same on motorcycle: I drive reeeeally slowly, and there is more room to manuever as opposed to a car. Then it occured to me: they're doing it on purpose! Somehow these idiots must think that I have a lot of money, and they were trying to make some extra cash. I hope I'm wrong about this, but if this is true, then what is happening to me must be happening to you. I hope you're not driving yourself around in a car, especially in the city. Please use a bicycle instead.

I think it was Kurt Cobain who said, "Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they're not after you." Haha! Just because they have no faith, doesn't mean that God isn't going to kick their asses. Anyway, it seems that the fasting month is nearly over! The Eid (which is a public holiday here), which marks the end of Ramadan the fasting month, should fall on the 30th of August this year. Incidentally, Independence Day for Malaysia is on the 31st of August. I bring this up because I don't have an internet connection at home, and have to publish my love letter to my beloved Julia and my Qur'an blog at the internet cafe, which may or may not be open on those holidays. If I had an internet cafe, I would be open because the kids would be loaded during this Muslim holiday season. Added to the holidays issue, I am currently under a very oppressive financial situation, even 50 cents a blog is too much for me, so I have to cram the pourings of my heart to my sweetie and my Qur'an blog as compactly and conveniently as possible. If you have been reading my Qur'an blog then this is not a good thing. This time, 22 verses from the chapter titled "Jonah" is way too much, and I apologize for doing so. Julia, if you are studying the Qur'an, you must do it very slowly. But anyway, please forgive me if I fail to blog this love letter during the Eid and Independence Day holiday span. Do know that you are my girl, and I love you.

People in general find it hard to swallow my spiritual agenda, to please Allah with music. They gloat at my poverty, and plot to make me public property. But I haven't asked them for anything. My reward is due only from Allah, I submit to Allah's Will, and I am a servant of Allah.

Qur'an 20110824

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?"

51. Would you believe in it at last, when it actually comes to pass? Ah, now? And you wanted to hasten it on!

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?"

60. And what think those who invent lies against Allah of the Day of Judgement? Verily Allah os full of bounty to humankind, but most of them are ungrateful.

61. In whatever business you may be, and whatever portion you may be reciting from the Qur'an, and whatever deed you may be doing, We are Witness thereof when you are deeply engrossed therein. Nor is hidden from your Lord the weight of an atom on the earth or in the heavens, and not the least and not the greatest of these things but are recorded in a clear Record.

62. Behold! Verily on the friends of Allah there is no fear, nor shall they grieve.

63. Those who believe and guard against evil,

64. For them are glad tidings in the life of the present and in the hereafter. No change can there be in the Words of Allah. This is indeed the supreme Felicity.

65. Let not their speech grieve you, for all power and honor belong to Allah. It is God who Hears and Knows.

66. Behold! Verily to Allah belong all creatures in the heavens and on earth. What, do they follow who worship as God's "partners" other than Allah? They follow nothing but fancy, and they do nothing but lie.

67. God it is that has made for you the night that you may rest therein, and the day to make things visible. Verily in this are Signs for those who listen.

68. They say, "Allah has begotten a son!" Glory be to God! God is Self-Sufficient! To God are all things in the heavens and on earth. No warrant have you for this! Say you about Allah what you know not?

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 10:48-70
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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?

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?

Those who invent a lie against Allah will never prosper.

Letter to Julia 20110822

No, that couldn't have been my first spiritual moment, but it was certainly distinct, that it sticks out in my mind. Life is full of spiritual moments that we miss because we are so consumed with ourselves- I believe it's called arrogance. It happens to all of us, always in a big hurry to get nowhere. I don't consider myself to be more elevated than anyone else. The best we can be my love, is on the edge.

As you know, my grandfather's house is right next door to mine. It has been abandoned ever since he passed away. It looks like it could be haunted, in fact I saw some verses of the Qur'an pinned to walls of some closets there- specifically verse 255 of "The Heifer", a very famous verse used to ward off jinns. I have that verse memorised, and I have had many encounters with jinns, but I put my fear in Allah, so I'm not too worried. Anyway, I told you about the ancient amra tree by my front gate, which also happens to be the front gate of my grandfather's house. My parents wanted me to clear out some vines there which were climbing up the old tree. However, these vines were getting leverage from some smaller trees on the ground, so all of it had to be cleared out. Some of those tress have been there for decades, so it isn't an easy chore for me. Added to that, my grandfather put up some construction there which includes steel rods, barbed wire, bricks, rocks and shattered concrete, plus some ancient trash like an oil lamp and the skeleton of a foot-driven sewing machine. What's my point? There is no point, except Allah. But those who do not understand become enemies, simply for the reason that they do not understand. Their minds become limited by their own desire, which they desire not to abandon.

Meanwhile, I found some young mangos of the high quality kind, so I transplanted them over to my side. I think my side of the compound is going to be filled with fruit trees, insyaAllah. When they mature in about 10 years or so, you can help me set up a stall by the side of the road, and we can sell mangos and chilled cashews. We can sell honey-roasted cashew nuts for extra expensive! With your beauty, we could attract millions of patrons to our roadside stall. You can help me wash the roasted cashew nuts in detergent, and crack them open with a hammer. Please wear gloves! I wish I could plant strawberries here. Sigh! Sometimes I miss the 4 seasons.

Qur'an 20110822

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!

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.