Again, there's nothing wrong with being wealthy IF IT PLEASES ALLAH. But the norm is greed compounded on greed, like interest compounded on interest, and because it's normal, they keep on doing it. The error of that way of thought is that this world is finite, therefore resources are finite, like petroleum is finite, like the food supply is finite, like the trees that make paper are limited, like cash is limited. So, in the case of emergency, they stash the cash away, but still compound interest. They even urge the government to give them more cash to "stimulate the economy". What an act of mockery and contempt. Then, when the government becomes bankrupt, since they have the money, then they have the power, right? I suppose that means that they will have to exert their power in order to make collections, and become the government. I guess that means they will have to answer to the people, and organize a military and police force. The people would still be their consumer, right? Who else would be their consumer? And their labor? But the people would be destitute if the wealthy have all the cash. The poor cannot get credit. And what business has respect for a consumer who has neither cash nor credit?
A solution would be to spend all that cash for the benefit of the people. Spend the cash on replenishing local resources, research, and food supply, for the survival of the people, and the consumer. But that's unprofitable! What about the standing debt? How about they keep the people alive first? But the people believe in greed! Oh dear, it sounds like Judgement Day. There can be no solution to please greed except for greed itself, which is the problem, not the solution.
I suppose it is easier for me to be charitable as I'm poor, while the hypocrites may say that I complain because I don't have money while they do, and since they do have money, that makes them right. I don't know about my own solution Julia, except that I must be patient, and dependent on only Allah for my wealth. I don't want to give Julia this poverty: I would rather die first, then meet her in heaven. Please grant me a certain level of wealth ya Allah, if I am to go get Julia and give her a good life, and nurture this music You gave me. I don't want to compound interest upon interest. I just want our lives and our work together, Julia and I, to please You.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Qur'an 20110811
In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.
60. Zakah is for the poor and the needy, and those employed to administer it, for those whose hearts have been reconciled, for those in bondage and in debt, for the cause of Allah, and for the wayfarer, ordained by Allah, and Allah is full of Knowledge and Wisdom.
61. Among them are men who molest the Prophet and say, "He is ear." Say, "He listens to what is best for you, he believes in Allah, has faith in the believers, and is a mercy to those of you who believe." But those who molest the Prophet will have a grievous penalty.
62. To you they swear by Allah, in order to please you. But it is more fitting that they should please Allah and God's messenger, if they are believers.
63. Know they not that for those who oppose Allah and God's messenger is the fire of hell? Wherein they shall dwell. That is the supreme disgrace.
64. The hypocrites are afraid lest a chapter should be sent down about them, showing them what is in their hearts. Say, "Mock you! But verily Allah will bring to light all that you fear!"
65. If you do question them, they declare, "We were only talking idly, and in play." Say, "Was it at Allah, and God's Signs, and God's Messenger, that you were mocking?"
The Repentance 9:60-65
----------------------------------------------------------
He listens to what is best for you, he believes in Allah, has faith in the believers, and is a mercy to those of you who believe.
Mock you! But verily Allah will bring to light all that you fear!
Was it at Allah, and God's Signs, and God's Messenger, that you were mocking?
60. Zakah is for the poor and the needy, and those employed to administer it, for those whose hearts have been reconciled, for those in bondage and in debt, for the cause of Allah, and for the wayfarer, ordained by Allah, and Allah is full of Knowledge and Wisdom.
61. Among them are men who molest the Prophet and say, "He is ear." Say, "He listens to what is best for you, he believes in Allah, has faith in the believers, and is a mercy to those of you who believe." But those who molest the Prophet will have a grievous penalty.
62. To you they swear by Allah, in order to please you. But it is more fitting that they should please Allah and God's messenger, if they are believers.
63. Know they not that for those who oppose Allah and God's messenger is the fire of hell? Wherein they shall dwell. That is the supreme disgrace.
64. The hypocrites are afraid lest a chapter should be sent down about them, showing them what is in their hearts. Say, "Mock you! But verily Allah will bring to light all that you fear!"
65. If you do question them, they declare, "We were only talking idly, and in play." Say, "Was it at Allah, and God's Signs, and God's Messenger, that you were mocking?"
The Repentance 9:60-65
----------------------------------------------------------
He listens to what is best for you, he believes in Allah, has faith in the believers, and is a mercy to those of you who believe.
Mock you! But verily Allah will bring to light all that you fear!
Was it at Allah, and God's Signs, and God's Messenger, that you were mocking?
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Letter to Julia 20110810
Oh, hi Julia! Are you staying busy, my dearest? Of course you are, as you are very popular! Well, there is no need to seek more popularity. I certainly don't do so, in fact I don't think that popularity even exists: there is only slander, and the reaction to slander. Like those people who bitch about the lousy dollar you occasionally give out as a donation: they whine because the dollar didn't go to them! So they become indignant! During this fasting month, I often partake of the food donations available at the local mosque. What if some charity had been exclusively for me? Regardless of my situation, there would be slander. And that slander would come primarily from the wealthy! I'm sure they even slander me for partaking some of the food donations that's available for everybody. What hypocrites, huh?
People like to find a reason to bitch anyway, that's imperfection for you. But we must be grateful with what Allah gives us, and make the best of it. Someone with global and spiritual connections who is as gorgeous as you would do best to hide her beauty, but you have to work. There can be no blame on you if you appear before your closest kinfolk, your female buddies, and your servants. Just put your fear in Allah, not in humans. Allah sees everything. You are my love, you are my love, you are my love, and I love you.
People like to find a reason to bitch anyway, that's imperfection for you. But we must be grateful with what Allah gives us, and make the best of it. Someone with global and spiritual connections who is as gorgeous as you would do best to hide her beauty, but you have to work. There can be no blame on you if you appear before your closest kinfolk, your female buddies, and your servants. Just put your fear in Allah, not in humans. Allah sees everything. You are my love, you are my love, you are my love, and I love you.
Qur'an 20110810
In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.
51. Say, "Nothing will happen to us except what Allah has decreed for us. God is our Protector." And on Allah let the believers put their trust.
52. Say, "Can you expect for us other than one of two glorious things? But we can expect for you either that Allah will send God's punishment directly, or by our hands. So wait: we too will wait with you."
53. Say, "Spend willingly, or unwillingly. Not from you will it be accepted, for you are indeed a people rebellious, and wicked."
54. The only reasons why their contributions are not accepted are that they reject Allah and God's messenger, that they come to prayer without earnestness, and that they offer contributions unwillingly.
55. Let not their wealth nor their sons dazzle you. In reality, Allah's Plan is to punish them with these things in this life, and that their souls may perish in their denial of Allah.
56. They swear by Allah that they are indeed of you, but they are not of you. Yet they are afraid!
The Repentance 9:51-56
----------------------------------------------------------
Nothing will happen to us except what Allah has decreed for us. God is our Protector.
Can you expect for us other than one of two glorious things? But we can expect for you either that Allah will send God's punishment directly, or by our hands. So wait: we too will wait with you.
Spend willingly, or unwillingly. Not from you will it be accepted, for you are indeed a people rebellious, and wicked.
51. Say, "Nothing will happen to us except what Allah has decreed for us. God is our Protector." And on Allah let the believers put their trust.
52. Say, "Can you expect for us other than one of two glorious things? But we can expect for you either that Allah will send God's punishment directly, or by our hands. So wait: we too will wait with you."
53. Say, "Spend willingly, or unwillingly. Not from you will it be accepted, for you are indeed a people rebellious, and wicked."
54. The only reasons why their contributions are not accepted are that they reject Allah and God's messenger, that they come to prayer without earnestness, and that they offer contributions unwillingly.
55. Let not their wealth nor their sons dazzle you. In reality, Allah's Plan is to punish them with these things in this life, and that their souls may perish in their denial of Allah.
56. They swear by Allah that they are indeed of you, but they are not of you. Yet they are afraid!
The Repentance 9:51-56
----------------------------------------------------------
Nothing will happen to us except what Allah has decreed for us. God is our Protector.
Can you expect for us other than one of two glorious things? But we can expect for you either that Allah will send God's punishment directly, or by our hands. So wait: we too will wait with you.
Spend willingly, or unwillingly. Not from you will it be accepted, for you are indeed a people rebellious, and wicked.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Letter to Julia 20110808
Certainly you see it, don't you Julia? In a business where the norm is greed, evil, machinations and sluts, having spirituality and righteousness would give you an edge way over the top above every other girl. A Muslim, too. What a special girl. Keep your faith sincere and give your best, my love: my understanding is that Allah will double your reward, more than any others in your field, in this life as well as the hereafter, and your sustenance will be most generous.
Your situation is not the same as mine. I have to undergo different tests of faith than you. Sure, I'm not in the States right now, and there is a Muslim majority here, but since I do what I do in the global music business, a Muslim too, it's still basically me and my kitty, hiding in a cave, adrift on a sea of enemies. Now if this journey were easy and the gains immediate, then people in general would be more helpful and receptive. But since the task is difficult, what I get is, "If only we could, we would help you." Allah knows these lies, and so do I, because I've heard it all before, when I had to walk alone among the drunk atheists and the Satan worshippers. I have been doing this work and have been giving it all I have for many, many years now, with Allah as my witness, and it suits me just fine if Allah is my only friend.
Your situation is not the same as mine. I have to undergo different tests of faith than you. Sure, I'm not in the States right now, and there is a Muslim majority here, but since I do what I do in the global music business, a Muslim too, it's still basically me and my kitty, hiding in a cave, adrift on a sea of enemies. Now if this journey were easy and the gains immediate, then people in general would be more helpful and receptive. But since the task is difficult, what I get is, "If only we could, we would help you." Allah knows these lies, and so do I, because I've heard it all before, when I had to walk alone among the drunk atheists and the Satan worshippers. I have been doing this work and have been giving it all I have for many, many years now, with Allah as my witness, and it suits me just fine if Allah is my only friend.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Letter to Julia 20110806
Hi Julia! How is my lovely sweetie today? Are you in a fighting mood? Well, please put all that energy into something constructive. I tell my students (and myself) to put their anger into the drums. When I listen to my own drumming, I realize that there is nothing but great rage in it! But since I'm not drumming at this particular moment, I don't feel any anger at all. Oh, but how I would love to plug into a 100W tube stack, crank it up, and shatter some windows! Ah, weapons of intimidation and destruction! Oh, restraint, restraint!
I've been glancing at my table covers (in this case, it's the newspaper from March 9, 2011), and I see many madcap things have been happening in the fashion biz. Y'know, like John Galliano getting fired from Dior, etc etc. But mostly, I was aghast at what the fashion designers call "ready-to-wear". Anyway, I usually ignore the mass media because they never have anything good to say, so I'm generally apathetic about the age of the news I get. Sure, humans love gossip and bad news, but I get that anyway without having to make any effort to even click on a link. Sure, I don't have as many buddies as you, and having buddies means indulging in gossip. But I do have all that yard work to do, and I haven't even started on my interior decorating. Oh no, the restroom needs cleaning! I'll just flush the whole room out with a hose and some bleach. Oh no, water pressure has been so low lately!
What were we talking about? Anyway, I wanted to take this opportunity to discuss priesthood in Islam. Well, there is no priesthood in Islam. At least, there's not supposed to be. There are in Islam learned people, and clerics who lead the prayers, bilals who call the prayers etc, but no priests. The thing is that each human has a direct connection with God, and does not need a mediator. In Islam, having a mediator with God is actually forbidden. There are prophets, like prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) who was the final prophet, but otherwise everyone is to take his/her problem or plea directly to Allah. But I'm certain you've seen people of some sort of position who behave like priests who push their rank and weight around, accumulate wealth from God knows what source, and flash that wealth around, from Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Worse are the people who put them on that pedestal derogatory of Allah.
I've been glancing at my table covers (in this case, it's the newspaper from March 9, 2011), and I see many madcap things have been happening in the fashion biz. Y'know, like John Galliano getting fired from Dior, etc etc. But mostly, I was aghast at what the fashion designers call "ready-to-wear". Anyway, I usually ignore the mass media because they never have anything good to say, so I'm generally apathetic about the age of the news I get. Sure, humans love gossip and bad news, but I get that anyway without having to make any effort to even click on a link. Sure, I don't have as many buddies as you, and having buddies means indulging in gossip. But I do have all that yard work to do, and I haven't even started on my interior decorating. Oh no, the restroom needs cleaning! I'll just flush the whole room out with a hose and some bleach. Oh no, water pressure has been so low lately!
What were we talking about? Anyway, I wanted to take this opportunity to discuss priesthood in Islam. Well, there is no priesthood in Islam. At least, there's not supposed to be. There are in Islam learned people, and clerics who lead the prayers, bilals who call the prayers etc, but no priests. The thing is that each human has a direct connection with God, and does not need a mediator. In Islam, having a mediator with God is actually forbidden. There are prophets, like prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) who was the final prophet, but otherwise everyone is to take his/her problem or plea directly to Allah. But I'm certain you've seen people of some sort of position who behave like priests who push their rank and weight around, accumulate wealth from God knows what source, and flash that wealth around, from Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Worse are the people who put them on that pedestal derogatory of Allah.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Qur'an 20120805
In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.
23. O you who believe! Take not for protectors your fathers and your brothers if they love infidelity above Faith. If any of you do so, they do wrong.
24. Say, "If it be that your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your mates, your kindred, the wealth you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline, or the dwellings in which you delight are dearer to you than Allah and God's messenger, or the striving in God's cause, then wait until Allah brings about God's Decision. And Allah guides not the rebellious."
The Repentance 9:23-24
----------------------------------------------------------
If it be that your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your mates, your kindred, the wealth you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline, or the dwellings in which you delight are dearer to you than Allah and God's messenger, or the striving in God's cause, then wait until Allah brings about God's Decision. And Allah guides not the rebellious.
23. O you who believe! Take not for protectors your fathers and your brothers if they love infidelity above Faith. If any of you do so, they do wrong.
24. Say, "If it be that your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your mates, your kindred, the wealth you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline, or the dwellings in which you delight are dearer to you than Allah and God's messenger, or the striving in God's cause, then wait until Allah brings about God's Decision. And Allah guides not the rebellious."
The Repentance 9:23-24
----------------------------------------------------------
If it be that your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your mates, your kindred, the wealth you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline, or the dwellings in which you delight are dearer to you than Allah and God's messenger, or the striving in God's cause, then wait until Allah brings about God's Decision. And Allah guides not the rebellious.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)