Qur'an 20160906

61.  Among them are men who molest the Prophet and say, "He is an 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 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 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 9:61-65)
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China

Hey Erin my beloved, you're looking much better today.  We know you look the way you feel.  But fear rots.  So put all your fears into one place: Allah.  You will discover that you fear no human, situation, or death inshaAllah.  Your innocence will return.  If you're staying longer in China, please do not experiment with food, even if you have to be political.  For dinner tonight I want you to eat a whole chicken breast at KFC.

Hey Nat, are things back to normal for you?  Oh, you're still exhausted from last week, and you're feeling short of breath?  Get lots of sleep, honey.  I know you're busy, but sleep as much as you can.  Poor girl.  Poor beautiful, beautiful girl.

Want some sushi, Piene?

Qur'an 20160906

51.  Say, "Nothing will happen to us except what Allah has decreed for us: God is our Protector."  And in 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 you punishment by God Self 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."

(The Repentance 9:51-53)
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China

The music is from Allah.  That the music has not received financial aid from the ummah is proof that the ummah has no faith that the music is from Allah, or that they consider the Islamic bureaucracy to be more important than Allah.  What happens next, whether they repent, is up to Allah.  I have been given the trust or "amanah" of this music, so it would be unbecoming and ungrateful of me to behave as cowardly and materialistic as others behave.  I've become old: I can't work at a pizza joint to finance the music anymore.  It's become all or nothing.  If the music dies, then I die.

China, huh?  You seem afraid, Erin my love.  Everything will be OK, inshaAllah.  Learn to place your fear in Allah, and Allah will return the innocence you once had back into your heart.  You will look so much better.  Pray.  I am well known in China, mashaAllah.  Don't be fooled by illusions, Sweetie.  Conduct your business as if I am constantly standing next to you.

God does not love a coward

Not being able to hold the position of imam and the like effectively kicks me out of the Islamic bureaucracy and the financing thereof.  One may think that since I haven't received financing from the ummah, it means that they have no faith that the music is from God.  That is for God to decide.  I know the music is from God, and I have been chosen as its vessel, thus I have a responsibility to this music.  This also puts me in access to information not available to some people simply because they never bothered to look there.  For many years now I've had to face death from atheists, pagans, extremist groups, secret armies, business conflict of interest, and many many petty jealousies.  After all, God does not love a coward.

Nat, happy birthday to your sister.

Piene, nice to know you're OK.  Beautiful dress.

Tiles

I think you're considering staying here with me in my little house while your house is being built.  This was an issue once before, that my wife stay here in this little house.  This house needs to be upgraded before you can stay here.  The doorways are too small, the bathroom will try your patience, there needs to be a bigger bedroom with stronger AC, the roof needs mending at the back, and I know you would want tiles put in.  Rather than upgrading this house, it would be more frugal to just build your house.  But how would you supervise?  Good question.

With all this Islam going on, you would think I would be an imam or something.  But no, I cannot carry any such rank in order to avoid false worship.  Yeah the poverty paralyzes my service to Allah at times, and I can't get married while I'm poor, but I must be grateful.  I haven't received any financial help whatsoever from the ummah ever since I was homeless over 8 years ago.  But at least I'm not like one of those priests who devour the property of the people for his own wealth.  Those people will get a grievous punishment.

Nat honey, I'm sure those emotions are dying down somewhat.  It must have been an exhausting week for you, you poor little sweetheart.  I think tomorrow you will feel more in control, inshaAllah.

Erin, do you like spinach?

I generally loathe salads, but for some strange reason I like spinach.  So I don't mind spinach salads at all.  You should eat lots of spinach, my darling.  Increase the quality of your blood.  Actually, I had a dream last night that I was feeding you spinach.  We know what that means, Popeye.  Right?  By the way, those shoulders and upper arms definitely look feminine, but don't let them grow out of control.  Exercise.

Aw Nat, you poor, precious little sweetheart.  You are such a beautiful girl.  You are so beautiful.  Those emotions will soon be under your control, inshaAllah.  Just a couple more days, and you should be normal again.  Perhaps you will realize then, that you have some stability in your life now.

Piene, please post on your Instagram as often as possible, so we know you're OK and still alive.