http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/10/21/vets-stand-guard-christian-flag-nc-town-1551201310/
This article brought to mind some interesting questions and thoughts that I was turning over in my head. I wanted to share some of my understanding here. The article speaks of a man who is standing vigil to keep a Christian flag in its 'place', over a war memorial. Symbols run very deep within people and this can be clearly seen in this case. What the flag means not only to the veteran standing vigil but also the entire community which has moblized behind him is what is the driving force behind this movement. This symbol contains a meaning which penetrates the collective psyche of this North Carolina community. When a force attempts to remove it from its 'place', it produces this collective response.
An interesting quote from the article:
"The relatively obscure emblem has become omnipresent because of one place it can't appear: flying above a war memorial in a public park."
So what is the meaning of this Christian flag to these people? Does it mean the same thing to everyone or is everyone uniting for a personal reason within themselves? What does it say about what these people believe about division of church and state? Can church and state truly be divided in the hearts of people? There is a deep link in the hearts of some people here between the soldiers and their religion. The religion, serving many times as a source of inspiration, hope, and inner peace amidst a war.
"The protesters are concerned not only about the flag...but about a metal sculpture nearby depicting a soldier kneeling before a cross."
When these soldiers went to war for the 'state', what role did religion play? Did it provide a higher meaning and reason to fight than what loyalty to the 'state' provided? Did religion provide a means of inner meaning and strength to move on in life after the war for these soldiers, more so than what the idea of service to the 'state' provided? Was it a mix of both of these ideas, 'state' and 'church', that has been a source of meaning and strength? If so, can 'church' and 'state' truly be divided if it is not divided within the hearts of people?
Another point which was interesting in this article was that the resident who complained about the flag was a veteran of the Afghanistan War. This perhaps brings to light the difference in the beliefs and views of the Vietnam War Vets and Veterans of the Afghanistan war. One cannot make a broad generalization, given that it was a single Afghan vet who made the complaint, but nonetheless it does make one wonder.
I'll conclude with one last quote from the article:
"I won't let it fall," Martini said. "I have already told the city, before you can take it down, I'll tie myself to it and you can cut me down first."
Saturday, October 23, 2010
BBC Article - Wikileaks: Iraq war logs 'reveal truth about conflict'
http://bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11612731
And Say: Truth has come and falsehood has perished. Surely, falsehood is (a thing) bound to perish.
Holy Qur'an (17:81)
Friday, July 2, 2010
A Tradition (Hadith) on Balance
786
One of the practical advices to balance our hearts can be found in the saying of the Holy Imam Musa Kazim(as):
"Try to divide your day into four parts. The first part is for whispering to God. The second part is for occupation. The thrid part is our time for brothers and those whom we trust. The fourth part is for halaal (permissible) enjoyment."
This hadith seeks to promote harmony in the soul of the human being by dividing his routine into different needs he has. The first and most central need for a human being is maintaining a healthy connection with His Creator. It must be revived in him frequently to establish balance. This most significant connection gives the human being purpose, vision, and a goal to strive towards constantly. It leads to the development of a sound intellect. The need for the frequency of prayer can be seen in the example of our own lives. How easy is it for us to be overwhelmed by the problems and worries we are faced with? Is it not all we ponder about and mull over day in and day out? Along the same lines, the glitter of this world tends to take us away from the more meaningful and valuable things in life; the apparent pleasure that it calls us towards while it slowly destroys our inner being and we are heedless of our situation. In both of these cases, we forget the greater vision and goals that God (Glory be to Him, The Most High) has revealed to us.
Nay, you prefer the life of this world; (87:16)
But the hereafter is better and lasting. (87:17)
In these verses of the Holy Qur'an, God shows us the major flaw in our thinking. Our energies and focus is constantly directed towards the life of the present -- The life of this world. The next life, as God points out, is of a greater nature (Khayr); it is better in comparison to this life. And the next life endures and lasts whereas this life is temporary and meant to perish. Can these two truly be compared? And when it is so clear, why do we forget the affairs of the hereafter and forget to invest in the next life as well as this life? The frequent prayer is a means of keeping our focus in check. It pegs the human being and firmly establishes in his heart this broader interpretation and vision of existence. There is much that can be said about the benefit and wisdom of connecting with God but let me conclude with an encouraging tradition:
"If your prayer is accepted, then everything else will be accepted. If your prayer is not accepted, then everything else will be rejected."
Therefore, let us dedicate a portion of our day to this most important act and seek to reach harmony within ourselves by establishing a genuine connection with Our Creator...
My next post will examine the rest of the opening tradition which was with regards to dividing one's time.
One of the practical advices to balance our hearts can be found in the saying of the Holy Imam Musa Kazim(as):
"Try to divide your day into four parts. The first part is for whispering to God. The second part is for occupation. The thrid part is our time for brothers and those whom we trust. The fourth part is for halaal (permissible) enjoyment."
This hadith seeks to promote harmony in the soul of the human being by dividing his routine into different needs he has. The first and most central need for a human being is maintaining a healthy connection with His Creator. It must be revived in him frequently to establish balance. This most significant connection gives the human being purpose, vision, and a goal to strive towards constantly. It leads to the development of a sound intellect. The need for the frequency of prayer can be seen in the example of our own lives. How easy is it for us to be overwhelmed by the problems and worries we are faced with? Is it not all we ponder about and mull over day in and day out? Along the same lines, the glitter of this world tends to take us away from the more meaningful and valuable things in life; the apparent pleasure that it calls us towards while it slowly destroys our inner being and we are heedless of our situation. In both of these cases, we forget the greater vision and goals that God (Glory be to Him, The Most High) has revealed to us.
Nay, you prefer the life of this world; (87:16)
But the hereafter is better and lasting. (87:17)
In these verses of the Holy Qur'an, God shows us the major flaw in our thinking. Our energies and focus is constantly directed towards the life of the present -- The life of this world. The next life, as God points out, is of a greater nature (Khayr); it is better in comparison to this life. And the next life endures and lasts whereas this life is temporary and meant to perish. Can these two truly be compared? And when it is so clear, why do we forget the affairs of the hereafter and forget to invest in the next life as well as this life? The frequent prayer is a means of keeping our focus in check. It pegs the human being and firmly establishes in his heart this broader interpretation and vision of existence. There is much that can be said about the benefit and wisdom of connecting with God but let me conclude with an encouraging tradition:
"If your prayer is accepted, then everything else will be accepted. If your prayer is not accepted, then everything else will be rejected."
Therefore, let us dedicate a portion of our day to this most important act and seek to reach harmony within ourselves by establishing a genuine connection with Our Creator...
My next post will examine the rest of the opening tradition which was with regards to dividing one's time.
Friday, February 19, 2010
On Balance: Practical Perspective
Bismillah, In the name of God
Balancing our hearts can be quite a task, but in essence it is easy. To bring to life this idea of balancing the heart, let's take an example: Let's say that the entire week you are engaged in serving others and helping others. Your intention is good -- to create some positive change around you. However, by the end of the week, you begin to feel tired from carrying the burden while having barely attended to yourself. Now a day comes that someone is slightly off in the way they speak to you or just not appreciative of what you've been doing the entire week and you explode on them. You hurt that person out of your anger because they happenned to get on your last nerve. You exhausted your capacity and over-estimated your limits. Knowing and operating within your limits is very important. Therefore, in this case it would have been better for the individual to allocate time to serve others as well as to pursue activities that would please his own soul. These activities would only serve as fuel and energy to sustain his efforts in the direction of helping others. Maintaining this balance within ourselves will ensure inner harmony as well as harmony between ourselves and our environment. Reflection is the key to getting to know yourself. Constant reflection on ourselves and our environment will help us in finding this balance. Most of all, we must ask God(swt) for help in our struggles. More on this topic to come...
Balancing our hearts can be quite a task, but in essence it is easy. To bring to life this idea of balancing the heart, let's take an example: Let's say that the entire week you are engaged in serving others and helping others. Your intention is good -- to create some positive change around you. However, by the end of the week, you begin to feel tired from carrying the burden while having barely attended to yourself. Now a day comes that someone is slightly off in the way they speak to you or just not appreciative of what you've been doing the entire week and you explode on them. You hurt that person out of your anger because they happenned to get on your last nerve. You exhausted your capacity and over-estimated your limits. Knowing and operating within your limits is very important. Therefore, in this case it would have been better for the individual to allocate time to serve others as well as to pursue activities that would please his own soul. These activities would only serve as fuel and energy to sustain his efforts in the direction of helping others. Maintaining this balance within ourselves will ensure inner harmony as well as harmony between ourselves and our environment. Reflection is the key to getting to know yourself. Constant reflection on ourselves and our environment will help us in finding this balance. Most of all, we must ask God(swt) for help in our struggles. More on this topic to come...
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Balance and Harmony
Peace be upon you, Asalamu 'Alaykum.
It has been a long time since I've written and on this night I sense my heart gravitating towards this end, so I figured let me comply with my inclination. Sometimes, some of the best things are written when man's soul is ripe for the work. Then again, it might just be a desire that doesn't produce the fruit that I may hope it will. Anyways...I think I would like to comment on balance. Balance and harmony are such important factors in human life. Not only does there need to exist balance and harmony within relationships and the way that any one person or society relates to another but also within an individual's own existence. When you look at the universe and how it functions, it speaks of balance and harmony...beauty and perfection. The sun rising every morning with its radiance and brilliance shedding light and making clear everything that was dark and was obstructed from vision. The consistency and accuracy with which it returns day in and day out. The moon and its stages. It's pure lumination in the sky sometimes serves as a consolation to the broken heart. It too shows it self following the same patterns creating predictability and consistency. There is so much to see, if we would open our inner eye to the balance and harmony that surrounds us.
The ones who seem to stand out from all of this balance and harmony are mankind. We seem to be capable of tampering with this balance. We tip this balance towards extremes with respect to ourselves. We lose this balance in dealing with one another...in dealing with our environment. Most importantly, we hinder it with respect to our relationship with the Creator of all. It is like our existence is a thorn within this marvelous and harmonious creation where by means of our free will we are able to create disharmony and imbalance. On the other hand, this free will is one of the most beautiful and amazing gifts. The ability for man to choose his destiny within the scheme of existence is remarkable. Once man achieves the goal which is intended for him, to submit willfully to this balance and order when he has the opportunity to reject it, it is more radiant, beautiful, and perfect than the rising and setting of the sun. More luminous than the moon and more commendable and praiseworthy than the cycle of its stages. How amazing when a creature out of his own free will chooses to follow the path of balance when he has the chance to spread evil and corruption.
It is my prayer and hope that we can realize the truths of our existence and approach this balance and perfection. It is an incredibly difficult task but the by the Mercy of God, we have been sent Prophets and Leaders to guide us through this journey. We also have His book, the Holy Qur'an which in speaking about itself says: "It(ie. The Qur'an) is a guidance for the pious". Quran (2:2). I do want to talk more about this and perhaps relate this idea to some of the problems and concerns we have in our day to day lives. I especially want to comment on the balance that must be kept within the heart, which is crucial to an individual's existence. Until next time...Please say a nice word to someone and allow me the benefit from having encouraged this good deed.
Salaam. Peace.
It has been a long time since I've written and on this night I sense my heart gravitating towards this end, so I figured let me comply with my inclination. Sometimes, some of the best things are written when man's soul is ripe for the work. Then again, it might just be a desire that doesn't produce the fruit that I may hope it will. Anyways...I think I would like to comment on balance. Balance and harmony are such important factors in human life. Not only does there need to exist balance and harmony within relationships and the way that any one person or society relates to another but also within an individual's own existence. When you look at the universe and how it functions, it speaks of balance and harmony...beauty and perfection. The sun rising every morning with its radiance and brilliance shedding light and making clear everything that was dark and was obstructed from vision. The consistency and accuracy with which it returns day in and day out. The moon and its stages. It's pure lumination in the sky sometimes serves as a consolation to the broken heart. It too shows it self following the same patterns creating predictability and consistency. There is so much to see, if we would open our inner eye to the balance and harmony that surrounds us.
The ones who seem to stand out from all of this balance and harmony are mankind. We seem to be capable of tampering with this balance. We tip this balance towards extremes with respect to ourselves. We lose this balance in dealing with one another...in dealing with our environment. Most importantly, we hinder it with respect to our relationship with the Creator of all. It is like our existence is a thorn within this marvelous and harmonious creation where by means of our free will we are able to create disharmony and imbalance. On the other hand, this free will is one of the most beautiful and amazing gifts. The ability for man to choose his destiny within the scheme of existence is remarkable. Once man achieves the goal which is intended for him, to submit willfully to this balance and order when he has the opportunity to reject it, it is more radiant, beautiful, and perfect than the rising and setting of the sun. More luminous than the moon and more commendable and praiseworthy than the cycle of its stages. How amazing when a creature out of his own free will chooses to follow the path of balance when he has the chance to spread evil and corruption.
It is my prayer and hope that we can realize the truths of our existence and approach this balance and perfection. It is an incredibly difficult task but the by the Mercy of God, we have been sent Prophets and Leaders to guide us through this journey. We also have His book, the Holy Qur'an which in speaking about itself says: "It(ie. The Qur'an) is a guidance for the pious". Quran (2:2). I do want to talk more about this and perhaps relate this idea to some of the problems and concerns we have in our day to day lives. I especially want to comment on the balance that must be kept within the heart, which is crucial to an individual's existence. Until next time...Please say a nice word to someone and allow me the benefit from having encouraged this good deed.
Salaam. Peace.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Surah Al-Furqan
وَٱتَّخَذُواْ مِن دُونِهِۦۤ ءَالِهَةً۬ لَّا يَخۡلُقُونَ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا وَهُمۡ يُخۡلَقُونَ وَلَا يَمۡلِكُونَ لِأَنفُسِهِمۡ ضَرًّ۬ا وَلَا نَفۡعً۬ا وَلَا يَمۡلِكُونَ مَوۡتً۬ا وَلَا حَيَوٰةً۬ وَلَا نُشُورً۬ا
Yet have they taken, besides Him, gods that can create nothing but are themselves created; that have no control of hurt of good to themselves; Nor can they control Death nor Life nor Ressurrection.
This verse demolishes false gods and the belief in such false gods. Not only this, but this verse combined with the two pervious verses proves any book and any guidance other than God's to be without any true authority and value. How is it that mankind can rely on the words of those who don't have the power to create but are helpless themselves and are in need of their Creator? How can we be influenced by those who cannot even cause any good or harm to themselves, outside the dominion of Allah(swt)? They do not have the power to cause death, to give life, or to ressurrect so how is it that we turn to them before Allah(swt)?!
If we slightly tilt our 'heads' and look at this verse from a different angle, we see the same theme I discussed in my last post. This verse, like the previous one, shows us Who God is: He creates everything but is not created Himself; He has all control of harm and good; He dominates the realms of Death, Life, and Ressurection! If we really let the reality of Who Allah (swt) is, sink into our hearts, the more amazed we will be at having this Blessed Furqan or Qur'an. One of the things that really hit it home for me were a few pictures that came to mind. I saw a man reaching the end of his life, his soul leaving his body and he lays their lifeless...anytime this occurs anywhere, God is behind it. I saw a beautiful child opening his eyes to this world for the first time...the miracle and other-worldiness of of birth...anytime it happens, God is behind it. And again when we are brought back to life, Allah (swt) will have total control over it and He will be its True Cause. After taking this all in, I went back to the first verse and I could see even more clearly what it means to have received this Furqan, because it is that same One that is behind its revelation. "Blessed is He Who sent down the Criterion to His servant, that it may be an admonition for the worlds."
Yet have they taken, besides Him, gods that can create nothing but are themselves created; that have no control of hurt of good to themselves; Nor can they control Death nor Life nor Ressurrection.
This verse demolishes false gods and the belief in such false gods. Not only this, but this verse combined with the two pervious verses proves any book and any guidance other than God's to be without any true authority and value. How is it that mankind can rely on the words of those who don't have the power to create but are helpless themselves and are in need of their Creator? How can we be influenced by those who cannot even cause any good or harm to themselves, outside the dominion of Allah(swt)? They do not have the power to cause death, to give life, or to ressurrect so how is it that we turn to them before Allah(swt)?!
If we slightly tilt our 'heads' and look at this verse from a different angle, we see the same theme I discussed in my last post. This verse, like the previous one, shows us Who God is: He creates everything but is not created Himself; He has all control of harm and good; He dominates the realms of Death, Life, and Ressurection! If we really let the reality of Who Allah (swt) is, sink into our hearts, the more amazed we will be at having this Blessed Furqan or Qur'an. One of the things that really hit it home for me were a few pictures that came to mind. I saw a man reaching the end of his life, his soul leaving his body and he lays their lifeless...anytime this occurs anywhere, God is behind it. I saw a beautiful child opening his eyes to this world for the first time...the miracle and other-worldiness of of birth...anytime it happens, God is behind it. And again when we are brought back to life, Allah (swt) will have total control over it and He will be its True Cause. After taking this all in, I went back to the first verse and I could see even more clearly what it means to have received this Furqan, because it is that same One that is behind its revelation. "Blessed is He Who sent down the Criterion to His servant, that it may be an admonition for the worlds."
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Surah Al-Furqan
سُوۡرَةُ الفُرقان
بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
تَبَارَكَ ٱلَّذِى نَزَّلَ ٱلۡفُرۡقَانَ عَلَىٰ عَبۡدِهِۦ لِيَكُونَ لِلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ نَذِيرًا
Blessed is He Who sent down the Criterion to His servant, that it may be an adominition for the worlds.
This is the first verse after bismillah of Suratul Furqan. Abdullah Yusuf Ali comments on the word 'tabaraka' as follows: "the root meaning is 'increase' or 'abundance'. Here that aspect of God's dealing with His creatures is emphasized, which shows His abundant goodness to all His creatures, in that He sent the Revelation of His Will, not only in the unlimited Book of Nature, but in a definite Book in human language, which gives clear directions and admonitions to all. The English word 'blessed' hardly conveys that meaning..." To put this into my own words and perhaps to add a shade of meaning, it seems that Allah (swt) is telling us that He is Blessed because of His revealing this Furqan. Meaning, this revelation of The Criterion as an admonition to humanity manifests or shows us the Magnanimity and Greatness of Allah (swt). An additional note on this verse is the use of the word 'Alameen. 'Alam is a singular world. 'Alameen is the plural of world and hence worlds. Some food for thought is what does the use of this word here imply? It is a Criterion for the worlds. Perhaps, the Qur'an is serving as a Criterion for more than humanity.
ٱلَّذِى لَهُ ۥ مُلۡكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَمۡ يَتَّخِذۡ وَلَدً۬ا وَلَمۡ يَكُن لَّهُ ۥ شَرِيكٌ۬ فِى ٱلۡمُلۡكِ وَخَلَقَ ڪُلَّ شَىۡءٍ۬ فَقَدَّرَهُ ۥ تَقۡدِيرً۬ا
He to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth: no son has He begotten, nor has He a partner in His dominon: It is He Who created all things, and ordered them in due proportions.
Upon reading and absorbing this next verse I was able to see the previous verse in a clearer light. Referring back to my previous comment, Allah (swt) starts by connecting His being Blessed with His sending the Furqan. This next verse elaborates on Who exactly is Allah (swt). "He to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth..." Let me repeat this in other words so that the meaning reaches our hearts. Essentially, Allah (swt) is the One to whom everything belongs. There is not a thing in existence that is outside of His dominion and does not belong to Him. Every particle of existence is His and belongs to Him! Given this reality, let us reflect on the first verse. Is it not true that "Blessed is He Who sent down the Furqan" because the One Who sent down this distinguishing light is the Owner of all things in the heavens and the earth?!?! Such a Being has sent us guidance! The greatness of this gift of the Qur'an is infinitely more realized when we begin to sense Who it is exaclty that sent down this guidance. To expand on this idea I will continue with this verse. "...no son has He begotten, nor has He a partner in His dominion..." Allah (swt) has no like and cannot be compared to anyone or anything. He is beyond our human limitations and it is impossible for Him to conceive a son. Furthermore, Allah's (swt) ownership is absolute and noone and nothing shares in his domination and ownership of the entirety of existense. He has exclusive ownership. As these realities sink in our hearts, let's return to the prior verse which becomes even clearer..."Blessed is He Who sent down the Criterion". Wow! It is this Allah (swt) that sent it. The verse ends with "...It is He Who created all things, and ordered them in due proportions". The Creator of everything in existence without the exception of anything has sent us Al-Furqan. So I repeat: Indeed, "Blessed is He Who sent down the Criterion to His servant, that it may be an admonition for the worlds."
بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
تَبَارَكَ ٱلَّذِى نَزَّلَ ٱلۡفُرۡقَانَ عَلَىٰ عَبۡدِهِۦ لِيَكُونَ لِلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ نَذِيرًا
Blessed is He Who sent down the Criterion to His servant, that it may be an adominition for the worlds.
This is the first verse after bismillah of Suratul Furqan. Abdullah Yusuf Ali comments on the word 'tabaraka' as follows: "the root meaning is 'increase' or 'abundance'. Here that aspect of God's dealing with His creatures is emphasized, which shows His abundant goodness to all His creatures, in that He sent the Revelation of His Will, not only in the unlimited Book of Nature, but in a definite Book in human language, which gives clear directions and admonitions to all. The English word 'blessed' hardly conveys that meaning..." To put this into my own words and perhaps to add a shade of meaning, it seems that Allah (swt) is telling us that He is Blessed because of His revealing this Furqan. Meaning, this revelation of The Criterion as an admonition to humanity manifests or shows us the Magnanimity and Greatness of Allah (swt). An additional note on this verse is the use of the word 'Alameen. 'Alam is a singular world. 'Alameen is the plural of world and hence worlds. Some food for thought is what does the use of this word here imply? It is a Criterion for the worlds. Perhaps, the Qur'an is serving as a Criterion for more than humanity.
ٱلَّذِى لَهُ ۥ مُلۡكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَمۡ يَتَّخِذۡ وَلَدً۬ا وَلَمۡ يَكُن لَّهُ ۥ شَرِيكٌ۬ فِى ٱلۡمُلۡكِ وَخَلَقَ ڪُلَّ شَىۡءٍ۬ فَقَدَّرَهُ ۥ تَقۡدِيرً۬ا
He to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth: no son has He begotten, nor has He a partner in His dominon: It is He Who created all things, and ordered them in due proportions.
Upon reading and absorbing this next verse I was able to see the previous verse in a clearer light. Referring back to my previous comment, Allah (swt) starts by connecting His being Blessed with His sending the Furqan. This next verse elaborates on Who exactly is Allah (swt). "He to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth..." Let me repeat this in other words so that the meaning reaches our hearts. Essentially, Allah (swt) is the One to whom everything belongs. There is not a thing in existence that is outside of His dominion and does not belong to Him. Every particle of existence is His and belongs to Him! Given this reality, let us reflect on the first verse. Is it not true that "Blessed is He Who sent down the Furqan" because the One Who sent down this distinguishing light is the Owner of all things in the heavens and the earth?!?! Such a Being has sent us guidance! The greatness of this gift of the Qur'an is infinitely more realized when we begin to sense Who it is exaclty that sent down this guidance. To expand on this idea I will continue with this verse. "...no son has He begotten, nor has He a partner in His dominion..." Allah (swt) has no like and cannot be compared to anyone or anything. He is beyond our human limitations and it is impossible for Him to conceive a son. Furthermore, Allah's (swt) ownership is absolute and noone and nothing shares in his domination and ownership of the entirety of existense. He has exclusive ownership. As these realities sink in our hearts, let's return to the prior verse which becomes even clearer..."Blessed is He Who sent down the Criterion". Wow! It is this Allah (swt) that sent it. The verse ends with "...It is He Who created all things, and ordered them in due proportions". The Creator of everything in existence without the exception of anything has sent us Al-Furqan. So I repeat: Indeed, "Blessed is He Who sent down the Criterion to His servant, that it may be an admonition for the worlds."
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