tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39544708123693236472024-02-08T09:36:53.778-08:00islamQuran Journal.kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05417233769650767575noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954470812369323647.post-2593843723283665662014-01-18T02:54:00.000-08:002014-01-18T02:57:43.777-08:00Yunus/Zunun<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Surah 37 139-148</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">139. So also was Yunus among those sent</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">140. when he ran away to a Ship laden</span><br />
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">141. he (agreed to) cast lots and was of the defeated</span><br />
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">142. then the big Hut (marine animal) did swallow him and he had done acts worthy of blame.</span><br />
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">143. had it not been that he (repented) glorified God</span><br />
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">144. he would have remained in the fish till the day of resurrection</span><br />
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">145. but we cast him forth on the naked shore in a state of sickness</span><br />
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">146. and we caused to grow over him a spreading plant of the Gourd kind</span><br />
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">147. and we sent him to a hundred thousand (people) or more</span><br />
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">148. and they believed, so we permitted them to enjoy their life for a while.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These verses are full of imagery because the Quran is primarily a recited text and as in a song or a poem, imagery brings the story to life.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, what the Quran says is as interesting as what it does not say. The story begins of Yunus, a man sent for a purpose, running away to a ship to escape. What happens before this point is not mentioned and one may assume is not relevant to the theme of the narrative. Once on the ship, circumstances force a choice upon Yunus....again, the details are left out and we only see the action of Yunus making a choice and being defeated. Yet, what is not said is that it is God that is controlling the events/circumstances even though it may seem that Yunus has made a choice.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we move along the narrative, there are further imagery of Yunus being swallowed, of him repenting and of God's mercy in freeing Yunus onto land and give him a covering and sustenance so he could heal. Here too we can see Yunus make a choice (v 143) and we can see the consequences of this choice(v145-146)---yet in verse 144, God adds a commentary---that had the choice been different, the consequences would have been different too. But, if the choice is between life and death is the choice illusory or real?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The story ends with Yunus completing the mission he was sent on and a large group of people receiving God's blessings. We are left with contemplating the ambiguity between God's will and limited human will in individuals and groups.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is also a more immediate and simpler theme in this story---that repentance is the way to access God's compassion and mercy either as individuals or as groups/nations. It is simply a matter of asking God for forgiveness---and God forgives all who ask. When viewed from this perspective, the relationship between God's will and limited human free will comes into focus. In other words, it is God's will that we human beings, either as individuals or groups---willingly choose to ask for God's mercy and the circumstances in our lives will propel us in this direction through blessings or hardship so that our hearts/souls will turn in God's direction.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Nothing that I can do or say will change the structure of the Universe. But maybe, by raising my voice I can help the greatest of all causes--goodwill among men and peace on earth." ----Albert Einstein</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Quran Surah 5 verse 8</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"oh you who believe, be steadfast witness for God in equity, and let not hatred of any people seduce you that you deal not justly. Deal ju</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">stl</span><span style="color: #674ea7;">y, that is nearer to your duty. Observe your duty to God. God is aware of what you do."</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05417233769650767575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954470812369323647.post-40231172144007438712013-09-07T22:41:00.000-07:002013-09-07T22:41:19.516-07:00reciprocate<span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Surah 30 verses 20-24</span><br />
<span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">20 Among his signs is this,</span><br />
<span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that he created you from dust; and then, behold, humanity scattered (far and wide).</span><br />
<span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">21. And among his signs is this,</span><br />
<span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That he created for you mates from among yourselves that you may live in tranquility with them and he has put love and mercy between your hearts: Surely in that are signs for those who reflect.</span><br />
<span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">22. And among his signs</span><br />
<span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the variations in your languages and your colors: surely in that are signs for those who know.</span><br />
<span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">23. And among his signs</span><br />
<span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">is the the sleep that you take by night and by day, and the livelihood you make out of his bounty: Surely in that are signs for those who listen.</span><br />
<span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">24. And among his signs,</span><br />
<span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">he shows you the lightening, by way of both fear and hope, and he sends down rain from the sky and with it gives life to the earth after it is dead: Surely in that are signs for those who are wise.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What are we doing here on earth? In our rush to achieve, be successful, to accumulate more of what we already have too much of, we do not have time to stop and reflect. How do we reciprocate all that God has provided for us?</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rumi writes in the Mathnavi</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not a moment passes without your soul struggling with its own death, so in that struggle look to your faith!</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Your life is like a purse filled with Gold; every day and night sees the money changer counting out the coins.</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God counts the coins and gives to us freely, until the purse is emptied and the eclipse of death appears.</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you keep taking away from the mountain, without putting anything back, then the mountain will one day disappear from that one-sided transfer.</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, then put an equal amount of breath back for every one you take, so you can obey the verse "fall down in worship and draw yourself near" for in that way you will gain what you seek.</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">----Mathnavi III, 123-127.</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If we stop and reflect, we will see the beauty God has created....</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"For but an instant</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a setting sun transfigures</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">with gold</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a burnt land"</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> -----Hakyo Ishida</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Perhaps then, we can be grateful and reciprocate....perhaps humanity can work together to create harmony, justice and peace and restore beauty back to this earth............and in the process fill our lives with meaning and our souls with happiness.........</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05417233769650767575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954470812369323647.post-26295266657543944862013-06-10T03:32:00.000-07:002013-06-10T03:38:15.405-07:00Paradox and Tawil<span style="color: #d9d2e9; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Surah 18 verses 78-82 Al Kahf</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #d9d2e9; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">78. He answered:"This is the parting between me and you: Now I will tell you the interpretation of (those things) over which you were unable to hold patience."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #d9d2e9; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">79. "As for the boat, it belonged to certain men in dire want: They plied the water: but I wished to render it unserviceable, for there was after them a certain king who seized on every boat by force."</span><br />
<span style="color: #d9d2e9; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #d9d2e9; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">80. "As for the youth, his parents were people of faith, and we feared that he would grieve them by obstinate rebellion and ingratitude (to God)"</span><br />
<span style="color: #d9d2e9; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #d9d2e9; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">81."So we desired that their Lord would give them in exchange (a son) better in purity (of conduct) and closer in affection.</span><br />
<span style="color: #d9d2e9; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #d9d2e9; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">82. "As for the wall, It belonged to two youths, Orphans in the town; There was beneath it a buried treasure, to which they were entitled; Their father had been a righteous man: So your Lord desired that they should attain their age of full strength and get out their treasure---a mercy and a favor from your Lord. I did it not of my own accord. Such is the interpretation </span><span style="color: #d9d2e9; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(of those) things over which you were unable to hold patience.</span><span style="color: #d9d2e9; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #d9d2e9; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This story begins with verse 60 and from the start it is full of mystery and symbolism. The story centers around a "servant of God" and his conduct in 3 encounters. In the first encounter, he destroys a boat, in the second he kills a youth and in the third he rebuilds a wall. The observer in all this is Prophet Moses (pbuh) who is puzzled and disturbed by what he sees.</span><br />
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But then he had been warned---(verse 68) "For how can you have patience about things which are beyond your knowledge?". Yet Prophet Moses promises to have patience and the journey begins.</span><br />
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tawil is to "lead back to the origin" and leads to a wholistic interpretation of Divine will. What seems disturbing, puzzling, paradoxical becomes whole, and harmonious when understood in light of the compassion and mercy of God.</span><br />
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Actions that at first seem harmful, wrong and puzzling become a mercy and a favor in light of the whole. In the first event, a boat is damaged. When we see only the literal event. we can only see the harm it has caused to the owners of the boat. Yet, through this trial, God most, compassionate, most merciful, has bestowed unseen Grace. Perhaps, the souls of the boat owners have been saved from the oppression of their means/options becoming too limited. Likewise, trials that happen to us may destroy a material aspect of our lives, yet, surprisingly, new hope, and spirituality can also spring forth.....opening up our options/choices.</span><br />
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the second event a youth is killed. This is horrifying and wrong. How can God, most compassionate, most merciful, destroy human life?....Yet, death is an inevitable part of "life". All of us are born by God's will and will die by God's will. It is his right to give life when he pleases and to take it back when he pleases. Both life and death are a grace and mercy from God. Life offers us opportunity for repentance and reform thus helping us grow in spirituality, and death saves us from committing sin and error thus preventing us from staining our souls. </span><br />
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Likewise, in those instances when God, most compassionate, most merciful, has interfered in human affairs and destroyed a community, saving those who were good, he has bestowed unseen grace. Preventing the bad from oppressing and overwhelming the good, he has provided space for goodness to take root and grow. </span><br />
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the third event a wall has been restored in an uncivil and ungrateful community. This is puzzling. The restoration of the wall prevented the treasure from being discovered too early---thus possibly preventing it from being stolen or misused by the community. What appears to be a blessing to the undeserving is actually a balancing of the degree of blessing by God most compassionate, most merciful. From this good action, the rightfully deserving will be able to receive blessings. However,</span><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> this is not just a mercy, but a favor and a favor entails a responsibility. The orphans must choose to use their wealth for good and refrain from using it for harm.</span><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"A true journey isn't in visiting new places, it is seeing with new eyes"---unknown</span><br />
<span style="color: #b4a7d6;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I saw my Lord with the eye of my heart"--al Hallaj</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #b4a7d6;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Good fortune or bad fortune is unimportant. The vicissitudes of life are but the means to shape your character. If you suffer adversity and react in the proper way, in the long run you will be benefited as fully as though you had good fortune." ----unknown</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: #b4a7d6;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Good rests on bad. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">bad hides within good.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">who knows where the turning point is:" </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">---Tao-te Ching</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05417233769650767575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954470812369323647.post-77354305348084580532012-06-26T04:45:00.006-07:002012-06-26T04:48:21.749-07:00Salvation<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sura 39 verse 69-75</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial;">69. And the Earth will shine with the light of its Lord: The record (of deeds) will be placed (open); The prophets and the witnessess will be brought forward; and a Just decision pronounced between them; and they will not be wronged (in the least).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial;">70. And to every soul will be paid in full (the fruit) of its deeds; and (God) knows best all that they do.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial;">71. The unbelievers will be led to hell in groups: Until, when they arrive there, its gates will be opened and its keepers will say, "Did not messengers come to you from among yourselves, rehearsing to you the signs of your lord and warning you of the meeting of this day of yours?" The answer will be:"True: but the decree of chastisement has been proven true against the unbelievers!"</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial;">72. (To them) will be said:"Enter you the gates of hell, to dwell therein: and evil is (this) abode of the arrogant!"</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial;">73. And those who feared their lord will be led to the Garden in groups:Until behold they arrive there; Its gates will be opened; and its keepers will say: "Peace be upon you! Well have you done! Enter you here to dwell therein."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial;">74. They will say: "Praise be to God, who has truly fulfilled his promise to us, and has given us this land in heritage: We can dwell in the land as we will: how excellent a reward for those who work (righteoussness)!"</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial;">75. And you will see the Angels surrounding the Throne (Divine) on all sides, singing glory and praise to their lord. The decision between them (at judgement) will be in (perfect) justice, and the cry (on all sides) will be, "Praise to God, the lord of the worlds!"</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If we understand "Salvation" as being "saved" from hell----then this is inadequate for understanding the Islamic position. In Christianity, because of the doctrine of "original sin" everyone is born a sinner and requires "saving" through the "sacrifice of the son of God". But in Islam, we have the Fitra....A concept that honors the inherent goodness in humanity created by God. Because all human beings are created good----they are naturally inclined towards Paradise----unless they choose to not go there.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fitra(human nature)= Natural/inherent predisposition of goodness that is inclined towards right action and submission to God/Tawheed.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fitra + Right belief, right intentions, right actions = Paradise</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Repentence/Reform - Wrong belief, wrong intentions, wrong actions = Paradise</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rebelliousness + Wrong belief, wrong intentions, wrong actions = Hell</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Definitions---</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wrong belief (Division–superiority of one over the other) promotes wrong intentions (Pride, arrogance) that lead to wrong actions (evil)</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Right belief (Tawheed—Unity) promotes right intentions (Compassion, tolerance, humility) that lead to right actions (goodness, altruism)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial;">God's will = Right belief that promotes right intentions that lead to right actions for the benefit of all of God's creations.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Human beings are created with an inherent goodness. Therefore when we do evil—we go against (rebel against) the inherent nature God created us with. Pride and arrogance cause rebelliousness (story of Iblis) but humility and gratefulness bring us closer to God. We not only rebel against our human nature, but also against God's will. That is why the punishment (hell) is so fierce. It is a double rebellion.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial;">Surah 30 v 30</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial;">"So set your face truly to the religion being upright, the nature in which Allah has made mankind: No change (there is) in the work (wrought) by Allah: that is the true religion: but most among mankind know not:"</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial;">"The highest good is like water which benefits all things and contends with none." Tao te Ching</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial;">Do you not see that God is inviting you to heaven?</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial;">Why do you throw yourself into a pitfire?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial;">In order to ascend to the abode of the righteous</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial;">make knowledge your feet and obedience your wings</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial;">In the battleground of our demented world</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial;">make a sword from patience and a sheild from faith</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial;">Pluck the bird of wisdom from the branch of religion</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial;">This world is not the abode of the wise</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial;">it is but a passage for us, therefore traverse it.</span><br />
<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Arial;"> -----Pir Nasir Khusraw.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05417233769650767575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954470812369323647.post-23808431236577655632012-05-05T02:30:00.001-07:002012-05-05T02:30:57.911-07:00QuranSurah 29, verses 45-51<br />
<br />
45. Recite what is sent of the book by inspiration to you, and establish regular prayer: for prayer restrains from shameful and evil deeds; and rememberance of God is the greatest (thing in life) without doubt. And God knows the deeds that you do.<br />
<br />
46. And dispute you not with the people of the book, except in the best way, unless it be with those of them who do wrong. But say, "We believe in the revelation which has come down to us and in that which came down to you; Our God and your God is One; and it is to him we submit (in Islam)<br />
<br />
47. and thus it is that we have sent down the book to you. So the people of the book believe therein, As also do some of these (Pagan Arabs): and none but unbelievers reject our signs.<br />
<br />
48. And you were unable to recite a book before this (book came) nor were you able to transcribe it with your right hand; In that case, indeed, the talkers of vanities have doubted.<br />
<br />
49. No, here are signs self-evident in the hearts of those endowed with knowledge: And none but the unjust reject our signs.<br />
<br />
50. Yet they say: Why are not signs sent down to him from his lord? Say: "The signs are indeed with God: and I am indeed a clear Warner"<br />
<br />
51. And it is not enough for them that we have sent down to you the book which is rehersed to them? Surely in it is Mercy and a Reminder to those who believe.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
"The Qur'an in its original Arabic dress has a seductive beauty and charm of its own Couched in concise and exalted style, its brief pregnant sentences, often rhymed, possess an expressive force and explosive energy which it is extremely difficult to convey by literal word for word translation. (From John Naish's book, <em>The Wisdom of the Qur'an</em>)"<br />
<br />
… [T]he Qur'an has invariably kept its place as the fundamental starting point… A creed so precise, … so accessible to the ordinary understanding might be expected to possess and does indeed possess a marvellous power of winning its way into the consciences of men.(Edward Montet, a French intellectual) <br />
<br />
<br />
There is only One God and all worship goes to him. It is easy to forget this when we encounter faiths with different concepts of God. We assume that a different concept of God means "their" God is different from "our" God. The Quran rejects this idea---for to make any assumption of more than one God negates the Quranic principle/creed of ONE God. Therefore, the Compassionate and Merciful God of the Quran is the same God whose Compassion and Mercy extends to all human beings. All who pray to the Divine---have access to God's grace and forgiveness. There is no such thing as "your" God and "my" God. <br />
<br />
God has provided Guidance to all mankind and we must all do our best to follow what we have to benefit all of God's creation. If all of us, from all the religions of the world, concentrate on doing good for the benefit of all of God's creations---we might transform our world. <br />
<br />
Surah 2 verse 186 <br />
When my servants ask you concerning me, I am indeed close (to them); I respond to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on me: Let them also, with a will, listen to my call, and beleive in me: that they may walk in the right way. <br />
<br />kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05417233769650767575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954470812369323647.post-11606719935861474452011-04-12T17:55:00.000-07:002011-04-12T17:55:00.560-07:00FearSurah 59 verses 18-24<br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#99ff99;">18. Oh you who believe! Fear God, and let every soul look to what (provision)he has sent forth for the morrow. Yes, fear God, for God is well acquanited with all that you do.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#99ff99;">19. And be not like those who forgot God, and he made them forget themselves! Such are the rebellious transgressors!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#99ff99;">20.Not equal are the companions of the fire and the companions of the garden: It is the companions of the garden that will achieve felicity.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#99ff99;">21. Had we sent down this Quran on a mountain, surely you would have seen it humble itself and cleave asunder for fear of God. Such are the similitudes which we propound to men, that they may reflect.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#99ff99;">22. God is he , than whom there is no other god; he knows all things both secret and open; he, the most gracious, the most merciful.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#99ff99;">23. God is he than whom there is no other god; the sovereign, the holy one, the source of peace and perfection. The guardian of faith, the preserver of safety, the exalted in might, the irrisistible, the justly proud, Glory to God! (High is he) above the partners they attribute to him.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#99ff99;">24. He is God the creator, the originator, the fashioner, to him belong the most beautiful names: whatever is in the heavens (universe) and on earth, does declare his praises and Glory: and he is the exalted in might, the wise.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#66ff99;">"The deep ethico-religious value of the fear of God, the lord of the day of Judgement, is largely due to the fact that it cannot but arouse in the mind of the believer a clear consiousness of life and incite him to moral ernestness and responsibility. Act always as if you were standing at this very moment before a divine Judge, before the judgement seat of Allah on the day of reckoning"----Toshihiko Itsuzu, The ethico-religious concepts in the Quran.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#66ff99;">Taqwa =God awareness---Love of God that fears dissapointing him.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#66ff99;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#66ff99;">William Blake wrote</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#66ff99;">"Love seeketh not itself to please,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#66ff99;">Nor for itself hath any care,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#66ff99;">But for anotehr gives its ease,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#66ff99;">And builds heaven in hells despair"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#66ff99;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#66ff99;">So sang a little clod of clay,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#66ff99;">Trodden with the cattles feet,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#66ff99;">But a pebble of the brook,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#66ff99;">Warbled out these meters meet,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#66ff99;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#66ff99;">"Love seeketh only self to please,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#66ff99;">To bind another to its delight,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#66ff99;">Joys in anothers loss of ease,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#66ff99;">And builds a hell in heaven's despite."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#66ff99;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#66ff99;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#66ff99;">It is only when we truly care about someone that we worry about dissapointing them---their opinion of us matters because their love and approval matter. But not all love is other-centered. </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#66ff99;">"Love" can be divided into 2 types, the self-love and the selfless-love , the first type strives to fullfill the needs and desires of the self, the 2nd type strives to fulfill the needs and desires of the other. When we speak of Love of God---there is a problem because God has no needs or desires. So how do we express "Love of God"?---By willing submission (Islam). God has given us the Guidance, the Criteria (Furqan) to follow (which is for our own benefit) and by doing that, we hope to seek his pleasure. The other side of the "Love of God" is fear. The fear of dissapointing him, the fear of incurring his displeasure. When these two aspects are in balance--it creates harmony---we are neither filled with overconfidence/arrogance nor are we filled with despair.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#66ff99;">The more we practice "love of God"---by willing submission/Islam---the more we become aware of his love, compassion and mercy. Our hearts fill with gratitude for his blessings , but this must be balanced with humility/awe of God. When we see only God's blessings, we can become proud/arrogant---and consider ourselves the special/beloved of God. This creates an imbalance/distortion. In order to restore harmony, both gratitude and humility must be balanced .</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#66ff99;">"humility, that low sweet root, </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#66ff99;">from which all heavenly virtues shoot" ---Thomas Moore.</span>kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05417233769650767575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954470812369323647.post-88495389805683427752011-03-30T01:48:00.001-07:002011-03-30T04:18:51.507-07:00Adam<div align="left"><span style="color:#66cccc;">Surah 2 verses 30-39 </span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#66cccc;"></span><span style="color:#66cccc;">30. </span><span style="color:#66cccc;">Behold, your Lord said to the angels; I will create a vicegerent (representative) on earth." They said : "will you place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood?--While we do celebrate your praises and glorify your Holy (name)?" He said: "I know what you know not" </span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#66cccc;">31. And he taught Adam the name of all things; then he placed them before the Angels and said: "Tell me the names of these if you are right." </span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#66cccc;"></span><span style="color:#66cccc;">32. They said: "Glory to you: of knowledge we have none, save what you have taught us: In truth it is you who are perfect in knowledge and wisdom." </span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#66cccc;"></span><span style="color:#66cccc;">33. He said: "O Adam! tell them their names." When he had told them their names, God said: Did I not tell you that I know the secrets of the heaven and earth and I know what you reveal and what you conceal?" </span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#66cccc;"></span><span style="color:#66cccc;">34. And behold, We said to the Angels Bow down to Adam:" and they bowed down: Not so Iblis, he refused and was haughty. He was of those who reject faith. </span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#66cccc;"></span><span style="color:#66cccc;">35. And we said: "O Adam, dwell you and your spouse in the Garden; and eat of the bountiful things therein as you will, but approach not this tree, or you run into harm and transgression."</span> <span style="color:#66cccc;"></span><span style="color:#66cccc;"></span><span style="color:#66cccc;"></span><span style="color:#66cccc;">36.Then did Satan make them slip from the (Garden), and get them out of the state (of felicity) in which they had been. And we said "Go down all (you people) with enmity betwen yourselves. On earth will be your dwelling place and your means of livelihood for a time." </span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#66cccc;"></span><span style="color:#66cccc;">37. Then learnt Adam from his lord certain words and his Lord turned towards him; for he is oft Returning, Most Merciful. </span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#66cccc;"></span><span style="color:#66cccc;">38. We said: "Go down you all from here; And if, as is sure, there comes Guidance from me, whosoever, follows my Guidance , on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. </span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#66cccc;"></span><span style="color:#66cccc;">39. "But those who reject faith and reject our signs, they shall be companions of the fire; They shall abide therein.</span> </div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#66cccc;"></span><span style="color:#339999;">'The movement which is the existence of the Universe is the movement of love"----Ibn Arabi</span> </div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#339999;"></span><span style="color:#339999;">Why did God create? Perhaps the words "The Most Compassionate, The Most Merciful" at the start of every Surah hold a clue. As Ibn Arabi points out, God creates from Love. Perhaps a love so great, so vast, inevitably overflows and is manifested as the created, the finite. We are all from God and we will all return to God. But creation is an act of division, of becomming apart from God the Infinite, the Uncreated.</span> </div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#339999;"></span><span style="color:#339999;">The story of Adam (pbuh) does not begin with his creation--but with a dialogue between God and his Angels. God reveals his plans for a representative who will manage his creations on earth. The Angels, who perfectly carry out God's will, ask how a creation so imperfect ("one who sheds blood"/has free-will) would manage such a task---when they themselves do it so well. God does not answer the question directly but proceeds to demonstrate the answer. He teaches Man and then places them in front of the Angels, asking them to inform him of the nature of Man. The Angels cannot for they have no knowledge. Then God turn to Man and asks them the nature of Angels---and Man answers. The Angels have limitations because they are only able to carry out to perfection God's will, they have no potential for imagination. But Man has free-will and his potential is limited only insofar as his self-imposed limits to his imagination. It is in this creative power of the imagination that Man becomes better than the Angels.</span> </div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#339999;"></span><span style="color:#339999;">But, God does not send Mankind directly to earth. Though Mankind is supposed to be a vicegerent on earth, God nurtures him to maturity in the Garden for a while. Why? Because Mankind has yet to demonstrate his ability to use free-will. God gives the instructions to not approach a certain tree and Satans tempts Mankind. At this point Mankind has a choice---he can choose of his own free-will not to approach the tree in spite of Satan---or to choose of his own free-will to be tempted. </span><span style="color:#339999;"></span><span style="color:#339999;">This excercise of free-will catapults Mankind into the role he was created for---to do God's will on earth. But the choice of Mankind has consequences, for instead of excercising free-will to refrain from temptation, Mankind excercised it to fall into temptation.</span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#339999;"></span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#339999;">Yet, God is most Compassionate, most Merciful and forgives those who repent. Mankind is forgiven and promised Guidance. But with the blessings of free-will comes the responsibility. We must all choose of our own free-will to follow Guidance or to reject it just as Adam(pbuh) did.</span> <span style="color:#339999;"></span><span style="color:#339999;">Our life on earth is not a gift or a punishment---it is a test/trial. God has empowered us, through our free-will, to choose our ultimate destiny---Paradise or Hell. </span></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#339999;"></span><span style="color:#339999;">Those souls who enter Paradise are gently cleansed, while those souls who enter Hell are cleansed fiercely---in the end all creation returns to God.....to Unity.</span> </div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#339999;"></span><span style="color:#339999;"></span><span style="color:#339999;">"That is why the love of the Tao is in the very nature of things" Lao Tzu</span></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#339999;"></span><span style="color:#339999;">"It is he who is revealed in every face, sought in every sign, gazed upon by every eye, ....Not a single one of his creatures can fail to find him in its primordial and original nature." Ibn Arabi.</span> <span style="color:#339999;"></span><span style="color:#339999;"></span></div>kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05417233769650767575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954470812369323647.post-23128608986468660542011-03-10T10:11:00.000-08:002011-03-16T17:54:54.894-07:00hell<p style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#99ffff;">Surah 44. Ad-Dhukhan verse 38-46</span></p><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#99ffff;">38. We created not the heavens and the earth, and all between merely in (idle) sport.</span><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#99ffff;">39. We created them only for just ends: but most do not know.</span><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#99ffff;">40. Surely, the day of sorting out is the time appointed for all of them,</span><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#99ffff;">41. The Day when no protector can help his client in anything and no help can they receive.</span><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#99ffff;">42. Except those that receive God's mercy: for He is exalted in might and Most Merciful.</span><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#99ffff;">43. Surely the tree of Zaqqum</span><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#99ffff;">44. will be the food of the sinful</span><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#99ffff;">45. like molten brass, it will boil in their insides.</span><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#99ffff;">46 Like the boiling of scalding water.<br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><div style="COLOR: rgb(0,204,204);font-family:courier new;" ><span style="font-size:130%;">"The only Divine plan is that which allows humankind to shape its own destiny"----Maimonides.</span></div><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,204,204);font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div style="COLOR: rgb(0,204,204);font-family:courier new;" ><span style="font-size:130%;">Some people ask why a Merciful and Compassionate God puts people into Hell. People seldom wonder why the same Merciful and Compassionate God created Paradise. The Quran answers, ---Good and Evil are not the same.<br /><br />Our earth is a place where we determine our destiny. God created Paradise as a place without evil and so, those who have chosen evil of their own free-will, cannot enter it. In order that people will choose paradise instead of hell, the Quran describes hell in the most graphically horrifying terms. We can use these images as a force of deterrence, or, if we are foolish, choose to ignore these warnings. ---its our destiny, and therefore, our choice.</span></div><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,204,204);font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><div style="COLOR: rgb(0,204,204);font-family:courier new;" ><span style="font-size:130%;">Free-will empowers us, but its powers are also conditional----Epictetus explains"...Some things are within our control and some things are not. It is only after you have faced upto this fundamental rule and learned to distinguish between what you can and cannot control, that inner tranquility and outer effectiveness become possible."<br /><br />Our ultimate destiny of hell/paradise, is our choice...it is within our control. This choice is a God-given gift to us---but with it comes the responsibility of facing the consequences of choosing wrong belief. What is wrong belief?---Epictetus explains "We are born into essential goodness, endowed with natural intuitions about what is good and worthy and what is not. The appropriate response to bad deeds is pity for the perpetrators, since they have adopted unsound beliefs and are deprived of the most valuable human capacity, the ability to differentiate what's truly good and bad for them. Their original moral intuitions have become distorted, so they have no chance at inner serenity." </span></div><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,204,204);font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><div style="COLOR: rgb(0,204,204);font-family:courier new;" ><span style="font-size:130%;">How can we prevent ourselves from adopting wrong belief?----A good starting point is an attitude of humility. Rabindranath Tagore said </span><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,204,204);font-size:130%;" >"We come nearest to the Great when we are great in humility".</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> God-awareness (Taqwa), helps remind us of right belief. ---which is, to develop right intentions that create right actions for the benefit all of God's creations. </span></div><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,204,204);font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><p style="FONT-FAMILY: courier new; COLOR: rgb(0,204,204)"></p><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,204,204);font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><div style="COLOR: rgb(0,204,204);font-family:courier new;" ><span style="font-size:130%;">"of all the causes which conspire to blind man's erring judgment and misguide the mind, what the weak head with strongest bias rules is pride, the never ending vice of fools."----- Alexander Pope.</span></div><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,204,204);font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><div style="FONT-FAMILY: courier new; COLOR: rgb(0,204,204)"></div><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,204,204);font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><div style="FONT-FAMILY: courier new; COLOR: rgb(0,204,204)"></div><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,204,204);font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,204,204);font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;" >Surah 38, verses 27-29</span><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,204,204);font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,204,204);font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;" >27. Not without purpose did we create heaven and earth and all between! The (opposite) were the thoughts of the unbelievers. But woe to the unbelievers because of the fire (of hell)</span><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,204,204);font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,204,204);font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;" >28. Shall we treat those who believe and work deeds of rightness, the same as those who do mischief on earth? Shall we treat those who guard against evil, the same as those who turn aside from right?</span><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,204,204);font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;" ><br />29. (here is) a book which we have sent down to you, full of blessings that all may meditate on its signs, and that people of understanding may receive admonition.<br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#33ccff;">"God puts into hellfire only those who refuse to go anywhere else"---Prophet Muhammed(pbuh)<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span>kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05417233769650767575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954470812369323647.post-72157624073811361692011-02-02T16:41:00.000-08:002011-02-02T18:42:37.479-08:00Time<strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Surah 76 Ad-Dahr verse 1-9</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#99ff99;"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;">1. Has there not been over man a long period of time, when he was nothing, not even mentioned?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;">2. Surely, We created man from a drop of mingled sperm, in order to try him: so we gave him (the gifts) of hearing and sight.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;">3. We showed him the way, whether he be grateful or ungrateful</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;">4. For the rejecters, We have prepared chains, Yokes, and a blazing fire.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;">5. As to the righteous, they shall drink of a cup filled with kafur (Comphor)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;">6. A fountain where the servants of God drink, making it flow in unstinted abundance.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;">7. They fulfill their vows and fear a day whose evil flies far and wide</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;">8. And they give food out of love of God, to the indigent, the orphan and the captive,-</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;">9. (Saying) We feed you for the sake of God alone: No reward do we desire from you nor thanks.</span><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">Scientists speculate that the universe is approximately 14 billion years old. Light began to be formed around 400,000 years after the Big Bang. These are "earth-centric" time periods. They seem very long when we compare them to our own life span. Comparatively, our life-span on earth would seem like the blink of an eye. In the short time of our life-span, God asks us to remember him so that we may treat all of his creation with compassion and mercy. By being grateful for all of God's blessings, we acknowledge the value of these blessings in our lives and this increases us in compassion and mercy, with which we grow in our spirituality.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">In order that we may accomplish this simple Divine request to remember him, God has gifted us with the senses that help us interract with our world, the intelligence to understand, and the free-will to implement our understanding. Because of his immense compassion and mercy, God has given us a short time period in which we can fulfill his simple request so that we are not overburdened. When we do good for God, we open our hearts to inner serenity and tranquility. As Epictetus explains, "happiness and personal fulfillment are a natural consequence of doing the right thing."...and by doing right, we become better human beings and by this effort, we become worthy of paradise. As Seneca explains "A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials."</span><br /><br /><p><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">Siox prayer</span></p><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">Grandfather Great Spirit</span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"><p align="left"><span style="color:#33cc00;">Fill us with light</span></span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">Give us strength to understand</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">and the eyes to see</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">Teach us to walk the soft earth</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">As relatives</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#33cc00;">To all that live. </span></span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#33cc00;"></span></span><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#33cc00;"></span></span> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#33cc00;">"Then do remember me; I will remember you. Be grateful to me and reject not faith."---Quran Surah 2, verse 152</p><p align="left"><br /></p></span></span>kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05417233769650767575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954470812369323647.post-55014857655504772572011-01-03T19:23:00.000-08:002011-01-03T21:43:12.919-08:00miracles<span style="color:#cc0000;">Surah 3 verses 45-52</span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">45. Behold! the Angels said: "O Mary, God gives you glad tidings of a word from Him: his name is Massih Isa, the son of Mary, held in honor in this world and the hereafter and of those nearest to God.</span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">46. He shall speak to the people in childhood and maturity and he shall be of the righteous.</span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">47. She said "O my Lord, How shall I have a son when no man has touched me?" He said, "Even so, God creates what he wills: When he has decreed a matter, he but says to it "Be" and it is.</span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">48. "And God will teach him the Book and Wisdom, the Torah and the Injil,</span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">49. "And appoint him a messenger to the children of Israel, "(with this message): "I have come to you, with a sign from your Lord, in that I make for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by God's leave: and heal those born blind, and the lepers, and I bring the dead into life, by God's leave; and I declare to you what you eat and what you store in your houses. Surely there is a sign for you if you did believe."</span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">50. "(I have come) to attest the Torah which was before me. And to make lawful to you part of what was forbidden to you; I have come to you with a sign from your Lord. So fear God and obey me."</span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">51. "It is God who is my Lord and your Lord; Then worship him. This is a way that is straight."</span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">52. When Isa found unbelief on their part he said: "Who will be my helpers to (the work of) God?" The Diciples said:"We are God's helpers, we believe in God and you bear witness that we are muslims."</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;">Miracle=An effect or extra-ordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause.</span><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;">Though language can clarify and edify, words can also be used to veil the truth, to delude. Sometimes, the use of too many words, get in the way of the simplicity of truth....and we miss it in our attempts to decipher the jumble of meaningless words........like the definition of the word "miracle" above.</span><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;">All known human or natural powers must be ascribed to God if we are to understand truth at all. For, if God wills it "Be" and it is, and this is called a "miracle", then our very existence from our birth to the minutae of the events in our lives to our deaths is also a "miracle" for none of it would "Be" if God did not will it so. Therefore, the very supposition that some things are "extra-ordinary" and only such can be ascribed to the Supernatural/God/Divine....is actually veiling the truth of God.</span><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;">Today we use defibrillators for those whose hearts have stopped. We use robotics---various "forms" made of metal and silicone that function with a switching on of a button, We are exploring the possibilities of repairing damaged organs and restoring health using stem cell research......maybe these things seem ordinary, maybe not, but none of it would be possible if God did not will it so. Yet we do not see God's compassion and mercy behind our human achievements for, in our muddled use of language, we forget to ascribe them to God. We become blind to the "signs of our Lord." </span>kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05417233769650767575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954470812369323647.post-48384779225396413562010-12-03T04:09:00.000-08:002010-12-03T07:32:08.301-08:00Moral Injury<span style="color:#999900;">Surah 5, verses 27-32</span><br /><span style="color:#999900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#999900;">27. Recite to them the truth of the story of the 2 sons of Adam. They each presented a sacrifice. it was accepted from one but not the other. Said the latter : "Be sure I will kill you." Surely said the former, "God does accept the sacrifice of those who are righteous."</span><br /><span style="color:#999900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#999900;">28. "if you do stretch your hand against me, to kill me, It is not for me to stretch my hand against you to kill you: for I do fear God, the Cherisher of the worlds.</span><br /><span style="color:#999900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#999900;">29. "for me, I intend to let you draw on yourself my sin as well as yours, for you will be among the companions of the fire, and that is the reward of those who do wrong."</span><br /><span style="color:#999900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#999900;">30. The (selfish) soul of the other led him to the murder of his brother: he murdered him and became (himself) one of the lost ones.</span><br /><span style="color:#999900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#999900;">31. Then God sent a raven, who scratched the ground, to show him how to hide the naked body of his brother. "Woe is me" said he; "Was I not even to be as this raven, and hide the naked body of my brother?" Then he became full of regrets---</span><br /><span style="color:#999900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#999900;">32. On that account we ordained for the children of Isreal that if any one killed a soul, unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land---It would be as if he slew the whole people: and if he saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people.</span><br /><span style="color:#999900;">Then though there came to them many messengers with clear signs, yet, even after that, many of them continued to commit excesses in the land.</span><br /><span style="color:#999900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#666600;">Moral Injury = "perpetrating, failing to prevent, bearing witness to, or learning about an act that transgress deeply held moral beliefs and expectations"----Dr Brett Litz</span><br /><span style="color:#666600;"></span><br /><span style="color:#666600;"></span><br /><span style="color:#666600;">All of us have had moments when we have disliked another. Dislike has the potential to turn into hate and when we hate, it is easy to forget that the "other" is our brother. When we forget the humanity of another, we also lose our own humanity.---we kill our soul and become of those who are lost. ---but when someone shows compassion and mercy to a lost soul, it is as if we have restored humanity---just as the raven showed compassion and mercy to a killer and showed him how to bury his brother. </span><br /><span style="color:#666600;"></span><br /><span style="color:#666600;">Lao Tzu said "voilence, even well intentioned, always rebounds upon oneself." In this time of increasing intolerance and war, we must accept that intolerance cannot be fought with intolerance---for those who hate and kill are also our brothers. When any one of us commits a moral injury to himself, we injure all of humanity. My brother's inhumanity is also my inhumanity because we each have the potential to fall into brutality---but my humanity is also my brother's humanity because each of us also has the capacity arise to nobility. </span><br /><span style="color:#666600;"></span><br /><span style="color:#666600;">We need to find a way to heal our collective moral injury. We need to see a new vision of the world---one that is based on saving a life instead of killing a soul. One that is based on Uniting instead of dividing, on restraining anger instead of committing excess, on giving instead of taking, on "inviting to all that is good and enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong." (Sura 3, v-104)</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#666600;"></span><br /><span style="color:#666600;">"One should see the world, and see himself as a scale---with an equal balance of good and evil.</span><br /><span style="color:#666600;">When he does one good deed, the scale is tipped to the good----He and the world are saved.</span><br /><span style="color:#666600;">When he does one evil deed, the scale is tipped to the bad----He and the world are destroyed."</span><br /><span style="color:#666600;">----Moses Maimonides.</span>kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05417233769650767575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954470812369323647.post-5687149010165150592010-11-13T02:02:00.000-08:002010-11-13T03:01:27.874-08:00Mercy<span style="color:#cc33cc;">Surah 31 verse 20-24</span><br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;">20. Do you not see that God has subjected to your (use) all things in the heavens and the earth, and has made his bounties flow to you in exceeding measure, (both) seen and unseen? Yet there are people who dispute about God, without knowledge, without guidance and without a book to enlighten them.</span><br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;">21. When they are told to follow the (revelation) that God has sent, they say, No, we shall follow the ways of our fathers. What?!, even if it is Satan beckoning them to the chastisement of fire?</span><br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;">22. whoever submits his whole self to God, and is a doer of good, has grasped indeed the firmest handlhold: and to God shall all things return.</span><br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;">23. but if any reject faith, let not his rejection grieve you for to us is their return, and we shall tell them the truth of their deeds: for God knows well all that is in mens hearts.</span><br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;">24. We grant them their pleasure for a little while : in the end shall we drive them to a chastisement unrelenting.</span><br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc66cc;">To be a Muslim is to freely submit to God's will and this means to be a "doer of good". Those who reject goodness/good deeds are those who reject God's will. Yet, God's mercy is so vast that those who freely submit to God's will and those who reject God's will are equally sustained and nourished through God's blessings and bounty. But why give blessings to those who reject goodness? Our life on earth--from birth to death--is an opportunity for spiritual growth. God is compassionate and merciful and during our time on earth, gives chances to even those who reject him so that if they do choose to turn to him in repentence, they can have a chance to taste his compassion and mercy. The nourishment and sustenance are blessings from God to all human beings, yet we sometimes take this for granted, thinking that it is simply part of life on earth. We fail to see God's love, compassion and mercy that is actually supporting our life on earth. ---But when we do, our relationship with God becomes filled with gratitude for his love and mercy. As Aristotle said "wicked men obey from fear; good men, from love." The love of God that springs from gratitude by acknowledging his blessings can become a transformative force. As someone said "To love is to recieve a glimpse of heaven." Human beings can use this transformative force for the benefit of all of God's creations. To spread out the blessings and mercy God is blessing us with, to those of God's creations who inhabit the earth along with us. When we transform ourselves, we transform our world.</span><br /><span style="color:#cc66cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc66cc;">"One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life: that word is love." Sophocles.</span>kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05417233769650767575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954470812369323647.post-40153303650391939142010-08-22T23:28:00.000-07:002010-08-22T23:59:02.571-07:00Giving<span style="color:#996633;">Surah 55 Ar-Rahman</span><br /><span style="color:#996633;"></span><br /><span style="color:#996633;">1. The most Compassionate</span><br /><span style="color:#996633;">2. It is He who has taught the Quran</span><br /><span style="color:#996633;">3. He has created the human being</span><br /><span style="color:#996633;">4. He has taught him insight</span><br /><span style="color:#996633;">5. The Sun and the Moon follow courses computed</span><br /><span style="color:#996633;">6. and the herbs and the trees bow in adoration</span><br /><span style="color:#996633;">7. and the firmament he has uplifted and he has established the balance of justice</span><br /><span style="color:#996633;">8. In order that you may not transgress due balance</span><br /><span style="color:#996633;">9. So establish weight with justice and fall not short in balance</span><br /><span style="color:#996633;">10 it is He who has spread the earth for his creatures</span><br /><span style="color:#996633;">11 In it are fruits and sheathed date palms</span><br /><span style="color:#996633;">12. and husked grain and scented herbs</span><br /><span style="color:#996633;">13 then which of the favors of your lord will you deny?</span><br /><span style="color:#996633;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663333;">Some People see love in the actions/deeds of a person. How much someone cares is measured in what the person has done for us. When thinking of God's love, we fall into this trap of trying to measure it in terms of what God has done for us-----Yet, true love is not about recieving but about giving. When a mother loves her child, she only thinks of what she can do for the benefit of her child. When we think of God's love---we should be thinking---not of what God has done for us, ---but what we can do for God. How can we best please God?---by having the right intentions that create the right actions for the benefit of all of his creations.</span><br /><span style="color:#663333;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663333;">Because of God's love, his compassion and mercy, human beings have been given guidance, just as a mother thinks of the welfare of her beloved child. It is now upto us to honor this love by giving back........</span><br /><span style="color:#996633;"></span>kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05417233769650767575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954470812369323647.post-69499554995961427552010-05-17T00:22:00.000-07:002010-05-29T01:07:37.977-07:00GuidanceSurah 48 Al-fat-h verses 1-5<br /><br /><br /><br />1. Surely We have granted you a manifest victory<br /><br />2. That God may forgive you the faults of your past and those to follow; fulfill his favor to you and guide you on the straight way.<br /><br />3. And that God may help you with powerful help<br /><br />4. It is he who sent down tranquility in the hearts of the believers, that they may add faith to their faith; for to God belongs the forces of the heavens and the earth; and God is full of knowledge and wisdom<br /><br />5. That he may admit the men and women who believe, to gardens beneath which rivers flow, to dwell there and to remove their sins from them, and that is in the sight of God, the grand triumph.<br /><br /><br /><br />Surah 2, Al-Baqarah verses 255-257<br /><br /><br /><br />255.God, there is no God but he<br /><br />The living, the self-subsisting, the supporter of all<br /><br />No slumber can seize hime, nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens and the earth<br /><br />Who is he can intercede in his presence except as he permits? He know what is before or after or behind them.<br /><br />Nor shall they compass any of his knowledge except as he wills. His throne does extend over the heavens and the earth and he feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them.<br /><br />For he is the most high, the supeme.<br /><br />256. let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clear from error. Whoever rejects evil and beleives in God has grasped the most trusted handhold, that never breaks. And God hears and knows all things<br /><br />257. God is the protector of those who have faith. from the depth of darkness, he will lead them forth into light. Of those who reject faith, the patrons are the evil ones, from light, they will lead them forth into the depths of darkness. they will be the companions of the fire, to dwell therein.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Guidance should not only improve, instruct, ennoble, and empower, it must also inspire in the reciever a transformative energy/force that will create a motivation /attitude of change for the better.<br />The Quran,<br />Its Guidance is for the taking<br />If we want it<br />Its secrets are to be shared by us,<br />If we seek them,<br />Its sweetness is apparent,<br />iIf we savor it.<br /><br />"Do not be daunted by the ennormity of the wolds grief.<br />Do justly now<br />Love mercy now<br />Walk humbly now<br />You are not obligated to complete the work,<br />But neither are you free to abandon it."<br /> -----The Talmudkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05417233769650767575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954470812369323647.post-45815077316630823272010-04-21T00:45:00.000-07:002010-04-21T00:57:42.982-07:00Gratitude<span style="font-family:courier new;color:#33ccff;">Surah Al Waqia (56) verses 63-74 </span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#33ccff;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#33ccff;">63.Do you see the seed you sow in the ground?</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#33ccff;">64. Is it you that cause it to grow or are We the cause?</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#33ccff;">65. Were it our will, we could make it broken orts. and you would be left amazed.</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#33ccff;">66. (saying), "We are indeed left with debts"</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#33ccff;">67. "Indeed we are deprived"</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#33ccff;">68. See you the water which you drink?</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#33ccff;">69. Do you rain it down from the clouds or do We?</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#33ccff;">70. Were it our will, we could make it saltish (unpalatable). Then why do you not give thanks?</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#33ccff;">71. See you the fire which you kindle?</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#33ccff;">72. Is it you who grow the tree which feeds the fire, or do We grow it?</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#33ccff;">73. We have made it an article of comfort and convenience for the denizns of the deserts</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#33ccff;">74. Then glorify the name of your Lord, the supreme!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#3366ff;">It is often the little things in life that bring us the greatest, most sincere joy. Yet, in savoring the happiness of the moment, we overlook to thank God. Often, we are so focused on ourselves, that we overlook the big things too. It is a priveledge to live on this planet, to enjoy the wonders of nature, to eat of the foods from the earth, the sea, and the soil, to have the company of those we love......yet, we forget to thank God. In this age of abundance and luxury, our attention sometimes wanders to the things we do not have but would like to have. In our pursuit of achievements or success, we forget that our stay here is transitory, that our final destination is to God..... Our God, who is compassionate and merciful and has given us so much.Instead of looking at all the inconveniences and trails of the day, it is time to strive for an attitude of gratitude for the blessings we have been given. To remember to take the time to thank God, the compassionate and the merciful.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#3366ff;">For each new morning with its light<br />For rest and shelter of the night<br />For health and food<br />For love and freinds<br />For everything your goodness sends<br />---Thanksgiving by Ralph Waldo Emerson</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#3366ff;">We are what we think.</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#3366ff;">All that we are arises with our thoughts</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#3366ff;">With our thoughts We make our world</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#3366ff;">-----Buddha</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#3366ff;">Let's try to fill our thoughts and our hearts with gratitude today......<br /></span>kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05417233769650767575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954470812369323647.post-28850219798697627962010-03-25T21:50:00.000-07:002010-03-25T22:22:08.443-07:00Spiritual PleasureSurah 92 Al-Lail verses 12-21<br /><br /><span style="color:#33cc00;">12. Surely we take upon us to Guide</span><br /><span style="color:#33cc00;">13. And surely to us (belong) the end and the beginning</span><br /><span style="color:#33cc00;">14. Therefore I warn you of a fire blazing fiercely</span><br /><span style="color:#33cc00;">15. None shall burn there but the most unfortunate ones</span><br /><span style="color:#33cc00;">16. Who give the lie to Truth and turn their backs</span><br /><span style="color:#33cc00;">17. But those most devoted to God shall be removed far from it</span><br /><span style="color:#33cc00;">18. Those who spend their wealth for increase in self-purification</span><br /><span style="color:#33cc00;">19. And have in their minds no favor from anyone for which a reward is expected in return</span><br /><span style="color:#33cc00;">20. But only the desire to seek for the countenance of their Lord most High.</span><br /><span style="color:#33cc00;">21. and soon will they atttain (complete) satisfaction</span>.<br /><br /><span style="color:#99ff99;">Rabia Al Basri wrote----</span><br /><span style="color:#99ff99;">If I adore you out of fear of hell</span><br /><span style="color:#99ff99;"> burn me in hell</span><br /><span style="color:#99ff99;">If I adore you out of desire for paradise</span><br /><span style="color:#99ff99;"> lock me out of paradise</span><br /><span style="color:#99ff99;">But, if I adore you </span><br /><span style="color:#99ff99;"> for yourself alone</span><br /><span style="color:#99ff99;">Do not deny to me your eternal beauty.</span><br /><span style="color:#99ff99;"></span><br /><span style="color:#99ff99;">Rumi wrote----</span><br /><span style="color:#99ff99;">A heart without love is nothing but a handful of dust.</span><br /><span style="color:#99ff99;">A human devoid of love is not worthy of humanity.</span><br /><span style="color:#99ff99;"></span><br /><span style="color:#99ff99;">As intelligent human beings, we should not forget the values that make us civilized and humane. It is in ever striving for these noble values of compassion, mercy, justice, tolerance, patience, perseverance, love.....that we can create better selves and thus better societies.</span><br /><span style="color:#99ff99;"></span><br /><span style="color:#99ff99;">Let us strive to be a little better today than we were yesterday.....</span>kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05417233769650767575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954470812369323647.post-65536169521919666662010-02-23T22:20:00.000-08:002010-02-23T23:12:20.282-08:00law<span style="color:#00cccc;">Surah 91 Ash-Shams verses 1-9</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#00cccc;">In the name of God, the compassionate and the merciful</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#00cccc;">1. By the sun and her brightening</span><br /><span style="color:#00cccc;">2. By the moon when it follows her</span><br /><span style="color:#00cccc;">3. By the day when it dispels her</span><br /><span style="color:#00cccc;">4. By the earth and what shaped her</span><br /><span style="color:#00cccc;">5. By the soul and what formed her</span><br /><span style="color:#00cccc;">6. and revealed her debased</span><br /><span style="color:#00cccc;">7. and revealed her faithful</span><br /><span style="color:#00cccc;">8. whoever honors her flourishes</span><br /><span style="color:#00cccc;">9. whoever defiles her fails.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#00cccc;"></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#339999;">When we contemplate on the world around us, we realize that everything works according to "Laws",....laws of biology, botany, physics etc. These laws are based on cause and effect, a particular cause creates a particular effect. So, it would be reasonable to assume that human beings are also under the influence of "laws". One law, whose effects on the human body we can observe with science, is the law of biochemistry. But we are more than just our body. We also have "self". This "self" is blessed with knowledge and free-will that gives us a certain amount of "control" over the "laws". Yet, this must have an 'effect" or consequence since all of creation works under "laws". This law of "self" is explained in the Quran. ---The right intentions, that lead to right actions for the benefit of all of God's creations. ---Adhering to this law benefits the self by strengthening it in spirituality, ignoring this law harms the "self" by debasing it.</span><br /><span style="color:#339999;">This "law of self" is tied to the "law of Judgement", where the benefit and harm to our "self" will be weighed.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#339999;"></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#339999;">The Tao gives birth to all beings,</span><br /><span style="color:#339999;">nourishes them, maintains them,</span><br /><span style="color:#339999;">cares for them, comforts them</span><br /><span style="color:#339999;">protects them,</span><br /><span style="color:#339999;">takes them back into itself,</span><br /><span style="color:#339999;">creating without possessing,</span><br /><span style="color:#339999;">acting without expecting,</span><br /><span style="color:#339999;">guiding without interfering,</span><br /><span style="color:#339999;">That is why,</span><br /><span style="color:#339999;">the love of the Tao</span><br /><span style="color:#339999;">is in the very nature of things.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#339999;"></span>kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05417233769650767575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954470812369323647.post-53587852420822868952010-02-14T23:19:00.000-08:002010-02-16T00:58:38.176-08:00Iblis<span style="color:#993300;">Surah 7 al-araf verse 11-17</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#993300;">11. It is We who created you and gave you shape. Then we bade the angels prostrate to Adam. They did so, Not so Iblis; He refused.</span><br /><span style="color:#993300;">12. "What prevented you from prostrating when I commaded you?" He said "I am better than him; you created me from fire and him from clay."</span><br /><span style="color:#993300;">13. "Get down from it, it is not for you to be arrogant here. Get out, for you are malicious.</span><br /><span style="color:#993300;">14. He said "Give me respite till the day they are raised up."</span><br /><span style="color:#993300;">15. "Be you among those who have respite."</span><br /><span style="color:#993300;">16. He said "Because you have thrown me out, I will lie in wait for them on your straight way.</span><br /><span style="color:#993300;">17. Then will I assault them from before them and behind them and from their right and their left; Nor will you find in most of them, gratitude (for your mercies)."</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;">Iblis used his free will to choose a path that disobeyed God. Why did God give him respite? because God is merciful and compassionate to all his creation. The time that we have been given can be used for good, perchance, offsetting our errors.</span> <span style="color:#ff6600;">But some of us, in our arrogance and pride may refuse---and be ungrateful for God's mercies, just like Iblis. But if God is omnipotent, why give Iblis the opportunity to "assault" us on the straight way? Why not take away Iblis's free-will so that they will only be observers? Human beings naturally tend to view the world from a Human-centric perspective---everything should be for our well-being/convenience. But taking away free-will also means taking away the chance to repent. Would that not be an injustice? God's justice is for all of his creations. </span><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;">This life is only a respite. We can use Iblisi logic, and in our arrogance and pride, disregard goodness---or we can walk on the Guided path. Blaming "evil" on God is simplistic. Iblis does not have any power except that which we give them. Because of our free-will, we are fully empowered to determine the course our life here on earth takes.</span>kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05417233769650767575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954470812369323647.post-48882974478464054382010-01-23T03:25:00.000-08:002010-01-23T21:39:57.110-08:00conditional free-will<span style="color:#999900;">Surah 10 Yunus verses 104-109</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#999900;"></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#999900;">104 Say: O you people! If you are in doubt as to my religion, (see) I worship not what you worship other than Allah. But I worship Allah---who will take your souls (at death). I am commanded to be of the believers.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#999900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#999900;">105 And further, turn your face towards religion with true piety and never in any way be of the unbelievers.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#999900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#999900;">106 Nor call on any other than Allah; such can neither profit you or hurt you--if you do only see, you will be of those who do wrong.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#999900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#999900;">107 If Allah does touch you with hurt, there is none can remove it but he: If he do design some benefit for you, there is none can keep back his favor. He causes it to reach whomever of his servants he pleases. And He is the often forgiving, Most merciful.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#999900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#999900;">108 Say: O you people. Truth has reached you from your Lord. Those who recieve guidance, do so for the good of their own souls ; those who stray, do so to their own loss: and I am not going to arrange your affairs.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#999900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#999900;">109 Follow the inspiration sent to you and be patient and constant, till Allah decides, for he is the best to decide. </span><br /><span style="color:#999900;"></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#666600;">God is Omnicient and Omnipotent and he decides everything. Yet, there is also the reality that we make our own choices and we are responsible for those choices. How do we reconcile these realities? Our free-will is from God and the level of free-will we have in any given circumstances is determined by God. Therefore, sometimes we have many choices, other times only a few and there may be occasions when we have no choice. Our level of responsibility depends on our level of free-will which is determined by God. We cannot escape our responsibilty by refusing to excercise our free will in the hopes that God will decide for us, for the choice to use or not use our God-given gift of free-will is a decision in itself. We must be actively involved in life and living and "arrange our affairs". However, God is compassionate and merciful and has given us a criteria (Quran) so that we have access to His wisdom when we make choices. If we choose to follow His wisdom, it will help us and ease our souls. Yet, as we excercise our free-will, we must also trust in God, ---his power and his love. </span><br /><span style="color:#666600;"></span><br /><span style="color:#666600;">One must strive to make dynamic, creative, God-centered decisions. By putting our trust in God and his wisdom, we can make fearless choices. Vincent Van Gogh asks "What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?"</span><br /><span style="color:#666600;"></span><br /><span style="color:#666600;">"I love the man that can smile in trouble, </span><br /><span style="color:#666600;">that can gather strength from distress, </span><br /><span style="color:#666600;">and grow brave by reflection. </span><br /><span style="color:#666600;">Tis the bussiness of little minds to shrink; </span><br /><span style="color:#666600;">but he whose heart is firm,</span><br /><span style="color:#666600;">and whose conscience approves his conduct, </span><br /><span style="color:#666600;">will pursue his principles....." Thomas Paine.</span>kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05417233769650767575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954470812369323647.post-51751257366605766912010-01-12T21:04:00.000-08:002010-01-12T22:35:14.420-08:00Judgement<span style="color:#993399;">Surah 45, Al-Jathiya verses 20-27</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#993399;">20.These are the clear evidences to men, and a guidance and mercy to those of assured faith.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#993399;">21. What! do those who do evil deeds think that we shall make them as equal with those who believe and do righteous deeds,-that equal will be their life and their death? ill is the judgement that they make.</span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">22. God created the Heavens and the Earth for just ends, and in order that each soul may find recompense of what it has earned, and none of them shall be wronged.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#993399;">23. Then do you see such a one as takes as his God his own vain desire? God has left him astray, and sealed his hearing and his heart, and put an cover on his sight. Who then will guide him after God has withdrawn his guidance? Will you not then recieve admonition?</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#993399;">24. and they say : "What is there but our life in this world? We shall die and we live, and nothing but time can destroy us". But of that they have no knowledge: they merely conjecture</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#993399;">25. And when our clear signs are rehearsed to them, their argument is nothing but this: they say "Bring (back) our forefathers, if what you say is true"</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#993399;">26.Say: "it is God who gives you life, then gives you death; then he will gather you together for a day of judgement about which there is no doubt". but most men do not know.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#993399;">27. To God belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and the day that the hour of Judgement is established,- that day will the followers of falsehood perish.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Human beings have an inherent potential for goodness. But sometimes we fail ourselves and we fail God when we choose badness. Evilness degrades our soul. Our life on earth may have blessings but it also has trials and sufferring. Without heaven, our life on earth would have no meaning--all that we do, our goodness, trials and blessings will be for nothing. Without heaven, there would be chaos because there would be no point in being good and doing good.</span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;">God created the Universe in balance and harmony. God created the earth and heaven in justice. Our actions and intentions during our time on earth have a meaning and purpose. We are accountable for our choices and we will be judged for all we do. Those who have striven for good and asked forgiveness for their lapse will be rewarded---for this is justice tempered with compassion and mercy. Yet, justice also demands that those who have caused sufferring and pain to others be held accountable for their deeds, and be punished. Aristotle said "In justice is all virtues found in sum."</span><br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;">"Justice is conscience, not a personal conscience but the conscience of the whole of humanity. Those who clearly recognize the voice of their own conscience, recognize also the voice of justice."</span><br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;">---Aleksander Solzhenisyn</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;">"The way of heaven:</span><br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;">benifit all, harm none"</span><br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Lao Tzu.</span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span>kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05417233769650767575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954470812369323647.post-18893232726441835482009-12-20T19:39:00.000-08:002009-12-20T20:29:27.343-08:00Trials<span style="color:#993399;">Surah 90, verses 1-20</span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">In the name of God the Compassionate and the Caring</span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">1. I swear by this place</span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">2. And you are the inhabitants of this place</span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">3. By the begettor and the begotten</span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">4. We created the human being in hardship</span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">5. Does he think there is no power over him?</span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">6. He says: look at the goods I consumed</span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">7. Does he think no one sees him?</span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">8. Did we not endow him with eyes, lips, and tongue</span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">9. And guide him to the two high plains</span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">10.And yet, he did not climb the steep path</span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">11.What can tell you of the steep path?</span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">12.To free a slave</span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">13.To feed the destitute on a day of hunger</span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">14.A kinsman, orphan, or a stranger out of luck, in need.</span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">15.Be of those who keep the faith(trust)</span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">16.Who counsel one another to patience</span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">17.Who counsel to compassion</span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">18.They are of the right.</span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">19.As for those who cast our signs away, they are of the left.</span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">20.Over them a vault of fire.</span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">We are capable, intelligent beings with much potential for good if we so choose. Yet, even the best of people among us go through pain and sufferring in their lives. Prophet Muhammed(pbuh) is an example of an exemplary human being and a Muslim(One who submits to God), yet he sufferred too. </span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">Our life experiences are a test. We choose how we deal with them. In war-torn Iraq, some may feel there is no God when they see such senseless pain and sufferring all around them. Some may feel immense anger and helplessness. We may be one of those who cast his signs away because we refuse to see his compassion and mercy and only see despair and destruction. </span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">Yet, we are the inhabitants of this place, we have it within us to help another in need, no matter how great our own need. We have within us the fortitude to climb the steep path. </span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">Courage is made up of patience and faith(trust in God). Instead of dwelling on the material things we lose, we should reflect on the spirituality, patience, and compassion gained by the difficult life experiences. .....even a cactus blooms in the desolate desert.</span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">Surah 67, verses 1-2</span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">1. Blessed be he in whose hands is dominion and he has power over all things</span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">2. He, who created death and life, that he may try which of you is best in deed.</span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span>kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05417233769650767575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954470812369323647.post-8397050069871760662009-11-29T21:37:00.000-08:002009-12-03T19:37:25.171-08:00Suffering<span style="color:#cc66cc;">Surah 64 Al-Tagabun verses 8-11</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc66cc;"></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc66cc;">8. Believe, therefore, in Allah and his messenger, and in the light which we have sent down. And Allah is well aquainted with all you do.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc66cc;">9. The day that he assembles you for a day of assembly--that will be a day of mutual loss and gain (among you). And those who believe in Allah and work righteousness--he will remove from them their ill, and he will admit them to gardens beneath which rivers flow, to dwell therein forever: that will be the supreme triumph.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc66cc;">10. But those who reject faith and treat our signs as falsehoods, they will be companions of the fire, to dwell therein for aye: and evil is that goal.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc66cc;">11. No kind of Calamity can occur except by leave of Allah: and if any one believes in Allah, (He) Guides his heart: for Allah knows all things.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc66cc;"></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff99ff;">Sometimes it is simply easier to be intellectually lazy.---and we humans will often take the easier route. These verses are interesting because they hint at the root of suffering---as well as its solution. </span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff99ff;">Euclides frames his understanding of Suffering and God's nature----</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff99ff;">Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able?</span><br /><span style="color:#ff99ff;">then he is not omnipotent</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff99ff;">Is he able, but not willing?</span><br /><span style="color:#ff99ff;">then he is malevolent.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff99ff;">Is he both able and willing?</span><br /><span style="color:#ff99ff;">Then whence comes evil?</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff99ff;">Is he neither able nor willing?</span><br /><span style="color:#ff99ff;">Then why call him GOD?</span><br /><span style="color:#ff99ff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ff99ff;">In the above, the key that is missing in the understanding of suffering is Human beings and the effect/consequences of their free-will. When we frame questions in order to understand a phenomenon or problem, we should take into consideration all aspects, for to do otherwise is to frame the wrong question---thus giving ourselves the wrong answer.</span><br /><span style="color:#ff99ff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ff99ff;">If God is omnipotent and therefore, capable of preventing evil---then where does suffering originate from? It comes from the consequences of the egoic actions of human beings. ---But, one might argue---there are forces of nature beyond human control--such as the Asian Tsunami, Katrina(U.S.), or the earthquakes in Asia.(for example China---where a school building collapsed). While it may be easier to blame God, it would be intellectually lazy to do so---in all of these instances, it was human actions that intensified the sufferring, --In China, the buildings were made of shoddy materials--so that someone could make more profit---Katrina---the whole area was built on a former marshland that was below sea level---it was a disaster waiting to happen---and the time was up. In the case of the Asian Tsunami---U.S. warning systems were all over the sea-bed---but secrecy was more important than lives and adequate warning was never passed on to the relevant governments---We humans have the intelligence and the technology to alleviate and/or prevent much of the sufferring in our world---if we co-operate with each other, respect nature and all of God's creations, there is much good that we can do---instead we are divided---too worried about our own petty concerns. </span><br /><span style="color:#ff99ff;">We may be the cause of much of our sufferring but we are also the solution. Many of our Wisdom teachings tell us that all mankind is one family, we are brothers and sisters of each other. As members of a global family, we can show mutual respect, concern and compassion for each other. With this inner attitude, possibilities can open up for much good action....Inshallah.</span><br /><span style="color:#ff99ff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ff99ff;">Our free-will is a gift from God. We can choose to use it wisely for the good of all of his creation.</span>kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05417233769650767575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954470812369323647.post-90061505724327741172009-11-23T21:11:00.000-08:002009-11-23T22:00:24.607-08:00relationships<span style="color:#666600;">Surah 31 verses 12-19</span><br /><span style="color:#666600;"></span><br /><span style="color:#666600;">12 We bestowed (in the past) Wisdom on Luqman: "Show your gratitude to God." Any who is so grateful does so to the benefit of his own soul: but if any is ungrateful, surely God is free of all wants, worthy of all praise.</span><br /><span style="color:#666600;">13 Luqman said to hs son: "O my son! Join not in worship (others) with God for false worship is indeed the hightest wrong-doing.</span><br /><span style="color:#666600;">14 And we have enjoined on man to be good to his parents: In travail upon travail did his mother bear him and in years twain was his weaning. (hear this command)"Show gratitude to me and to your parents: to me is your final goal."</span><br /><span style="color:#666600;">15 And if they make you join in worship with Me things of which you have no knowledge, obey them not; Yet bear them company in this life with justice (and consideration), and follow the way of those who turn to me: in the end the return of you all is to me, and I will tell you all that you did.</span><br /><span style="color:#666600;">16. Luqman said "O my son, if there is a weight of a mustard seed and it were hidden in a rock or anywhere in the heavens or on earth , God will bring it forth and God is subtle and aware.</span><br /><span style="color:#666600;">17 O my son! establish regular prayer, enjoin what is just and forbid what is wrong and bear with patience constancy whatever happens, for this is firmness (of purpose) in the (conduct of) affairs.</span><br /><span style="color:#666600;">18 And don't swell your cheek (in pride) at men, nor walk in insolence through the earth: for God does not love the arrogant boaster.</span><br /><span style="color:#666600;">19 And be moderate in your pace, and lower your voice; for the harshest of sounds without doubt is the braying of an ass."</span><br /><span style="color:#666600;"></span><br /><span style="color:#666600;">This may have been Luqman's advice to his son, but there is much we can learn from it. True faith comes from inside---from the integrity of character, and this is best reflected in our relationship with our parents. In our pursuit of ambition and pleasure, we should not forget the sacrifices our parents have made for us. Likewise, we should always be grateful for the blessings God has bestowed on us. If we keep in mind that our return is to God, it will help us in our journey through life. It is not for us to determine what someone else is doing or not doing---for God knows all---we should concentrate on our soul/self, for we can only control our own intentions and actions. Practicing, moderation, patience and humility in our relationships, we strengthen our character and bring our soul/self closer to true faith.</span><br /><span style="color:#666600;"></span><br /><span style="color:#666600;"></span><br /><span style="color:#666600;"></span>kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05417233769650767575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954470812369323647.post-88322591108265332032009-10-25T22:11:00.000-07:002009-10-25T23:01:00.665-07:00Free Speech?<span style="color:#cc6600;">Surah 49 Al-Hujurat verses 10-13</span><br /><span style="color:#cc6600;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc6600;">10. The Believers are but a single Brotherhood</span><br /><span style="color:#cc6600;">So make peace and reconciliation between your two (contending) brothers;</span><br /><span style="color:#cc6600;">and have awe of God that you may have mercy</span><br /><span style="color:#cc6600;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc6600;">11. O you who believe! let not some men among you laugh at others: It may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): Nor let some women laugh at others: It may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): Nor defame nor be sarcastic to each other, Nor call each other by offensive nicknames: Ill-seeming is a name connoting wickedness, after he has believed: And those who do not desist are doing wrong.</span><br /><span style="color:#cc6600;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc6600;">12. O you who believe! Avoid suspicion as much (as possible): for suspicion in some cases is a sin: And spy not on each other, Nor speak ill of each other behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? No, you would abhor it...but have awe of God. For God is oft-returning, Most merciful</span><br /><span style="color:#cc6600;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc6600;">13 O Mankind! We created you from a pair of male and female, and made you into Nations and Tribes that you may know each other (not that you despise each other). Surely the most honored of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And God is full of Knowledge and is well aquainted (with all things)</span><br /><span style="color:#cc6600;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ff9966;">Words express our thoughts, confirm our attitudes, and define our character. </span><span style="color:#ff9966;">In our human interactions, those of noble thoughts, attitudes and character refrain from speech that causes harm to another. </span><br /><span style="color:#ff9966;">When speech is used to degrade, harm, or cause hurt to someone, it is as if we are eating their flesh for we reduce our own pain by causing pain to another. </span><br /><span style="color:#ff9966;">The Quran reminds us, we are all one family, all brothers and sisters to one another...and we will all return to God. Can we not leave labels of seperation behind and define ourselves by our oneness?</span><br /><span style="color:#ff9966;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ff9966;">Sutra Nipata writes....</span><br /><span style="color:#ff9966;">As the flower blown out by the wind</span><br /><span style="color:#ff9966;">goes to rest and cannot be defined</span><br /><span style="color:#ff9966;">so the wise man, freed from individuality</span><br /><span style="color:#ff9966;">goes to rest and cannot be defined</span><br /><span style="color:#ff9966;">goes beyond all images</span><br /><span style="color:#ff9966;">goes beyind the power of words.</span><br /><span style="color:#ff9966;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ff9966;">What is your identity?</span><br /><span style="color:#cc6600;"></span>kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05417233769650767575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954470812369323647.post-51255958966396676752009-10-09T20:53:00.000-07:002009-10-09T21:52:05.183-07:00Love<span style="color:#999900;">Surah Ad-Duha--93</span><br /><span style="color:#999900;">In the name of God, the Compassionate and the Merciful.</span><br /><span style="color:#999900;">1. By the glorious morning light</span><br /><span style="color:#999900;">2. And by the night when it is still</span><br /><span style="color:#999900;">3.Your Guardian Lord has not abandoned you</span><br /><span style="color:#999900;"> nor is he displeased</span><br /><span style="color:#999900;">4. Surely the hereafter will be better for you than the present</span><br /><span style="color:#999900;">5. Your Guardian Lord will be giving to you,</span><br /><span style="color:#999900;"> you shall be content</span><br /><span style="color:#999900;">6. He found you wandering and he gave you guidance</span><br /><span style="color:#999900;">7. He found you in need and made you independent</span><br /><span style="color:#999900;">8.Therefore, treat not the orphan with harshness</span><br /><span style="color:#999900;">9.Nor repulse him who asks</span><br /><span style="color:#999900;">10.But the bounty of your Lord rehearse and proclaim.</span><br /><span style="color:#999900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc99;">Loving someone can be a cause for anxious moments when we do not know if they love us back. Lady Horikawa expressed in her Haiku</span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc99;"> Will he always love me?</span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc99;"> I cannot read his heart</span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc99;"> My thoughts this morning</span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc99;"> are disordered as my black hair.</span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc99;">When we love, we need to know we are loved in return. </span><span style="color:#ffcc99;">If we cannot fathom the human heart, can we presume to have any inkling of the love God has for his creation, for us? How can we hope to ever gain his love? What could be the nature of such immense Love?</span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc99;">Tsurayuki answers in another Haiku</span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc99;"> No, the human heart </span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc99;"> is unknowable</span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc99;"> But in my birthplace</span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc99;"> the flowers still smell </span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc99;"> the same as always</span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc99;">When we look to nature, we can see God's love. The flowers bloom every spring, they bring nectar to the bees who make honey. When we look at our lives, we see God's love. He provides sustenance and guidance so that we too can grow in spirituality and understanding. Like the glorious morning light and the night when it is still, his love is constant and ever present in many forms in our lives.</span> <span style="color:#ffcc99;">So look to nature and remember ........</span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc99;">The monk Ryozen gives this advice </span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc99;"> When I am lonely</span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc99;"> and go for a walk, I see</span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc99;"> everywhere the same</span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc99;"> Autumnal dusk.</span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc99;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc99;">How big is your love?</span>kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05417233769650767575noreply@blogger.com0